asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether the system of promotion to staff-sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Field Artillery is the same in the Home Establishment as in the Indian Establishment; and, if not, what is the reason for the difference?

No, Sir. The system is not the same. The troops on the Indian Establishment are on a peace footing and the troops on the Home Establishment are on a war footing, and the frequent transfers which are necessary under the system in force in peace are not practicable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what hospital provision, apart from lunacy control and association, with its industrial and social prejudice, has been provided where uncertifiable cases of nerve disturbance and loss of mental balance amongst the rank and file, requiring special and continued treatment, can be placed under special medical care?

Cases of the kind mentioned are treated in the neurological sections of twenty-three military hospitals in the United Kingdom. Accommodation for these cases is also afforded by the Springfield House Hospital, Wandsworth, and the Red Cross Military Hospital, Maghull, near Liverpool. I would also refer the hon. Gentleman to the oral reply I gave to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division on the 16th September.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether doctors wounded while attending to soldiers under fire will receive, or are entitled to, any special recognition for their bravery?

The mere fact of being wounded while attending to soldiers under fire does not entitle a medical officer to special recognition for bravery, but these officers receive full recognition for valour shown, their cases being considered on the same lines as those of other officers. Any exceptional circumstances would be given their proper weight.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the bonus payable to veterinary officers (Territorial Force) under paragraph 497 is payable to all veterinary officers serving both at home and abroad?

The claims under Article 497 of the Pay Warrant of officers employed under the conditions of Article 496 are not affected by the question whether their service is given at home or abroad.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the third line Territorial battalions are commanded by majors, although the first and second line battalions are commanded by lieutenant-colonels; and on what grounds this discrimination is justified?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether consideration has been given to the case of those officers commanding third line Territorial battalions; and whether, in view of the strength of these battalions being often about 1,000 strong, and their training, etc., furnishing drafts direct for battalions at the front, it is intended to give only major's rank to the officers commanding these battalions?

The answer to the first part of Question No. 6 is in the affirmative. The third line battalion is not in the same position as the first and second line battalions, and its normal establishment is much less. I am aware that the strength of some of the third line battalions is at present in excess of establishments, but these battalions will, before long, be reduced to their normal establishment—which is two companies. The rank of the officer commanding has been fixed with reference to the normal establishment, and it is not proposed to alter it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will have inquiries made into the case of Mrs. Harvey, mother of Private J. Harvey, 9,557, C Company, 6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 8th August; and whether, in view of the fact that she is clearly entitled to some grant or allowance in respect of his death, but that at present she has received none whatever and is in great poverty, he will see that her case is promptly dealt with?

Private Harvey made no allotment to his mother, and no evidence that she was dependent upon him has reached the War Department. As a temporary measure, her case has been referred to the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation. If my hon. Friend has information upon it, perhaps he will communicate it to me.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether agents of the British Government in America have been instructed to buy growing timber for rifle stocks; whether timber suitable for rifle stocks can be acquired in this country; and at what earliest future date will growing timber be made available for the manufacture of rifles?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I am willing to consider the purchase of any such timber as may prove to be available. As regards the third part of the question, growing timber is unsuitable for the manufacture of rifles.

asked whether an employer is required under Section 7 of the Munitions of War Act, 1915, to give a workman a certificate that he has left work with the consent of the employer in cases where the man has been discharged for flagrant misconduct?

The question what is a reasonable ground for refusing a certificate to a workman is one for the determination of a local munitions tribunal having regard to all the circumstances of the case. My own view would be that an employer would rarely be justified in refusing a certificate unless he was prepared to continue to employ the workman.

asked how many persons have been appointed to work under the Ministry of Munitions at salaries of £1,000 per annum or over; and what is the total annual charge upon the country for such salaries?

Six persons have been appointed to work under the Ministry of Munitions at salaries of £1,000 per annum or over, and the total annual charge upon the country is £13,100. In addition to these six persons there are fifteen Government servants with official salaries of £1,000 a year or more whose services have been lent to the Ministry of Munitions by other Government Departments and whose salaries continue to be paid by those Departments.

asked the Secretary for India whether, after the Governor-General in Council has liquidated the debts and sold the perishable stocks of enemy firms in India, such firms continue to exist in a state of suspended animation; and whether the maintenance of a position so favourable to resumption of business after the War indicates that such resumption is to be permitted?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar question put by the hon. Member for West Down on 16th September.

asked the Secretary of State for India, whether the name of Sir Sven Hedin is still borne on the roll of the Order of the Indian Empire, and will remain there, notwithstanding the openly and actively hostile attitude to the Indian and British Empires which he has adopted?

The name of Dr. Sven Hedin is still in the list of Honorary Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire. The whole question of the position of honorary members of British; Orders has been the subject of careful consideration since the outbreak of the War. Any action taken in this connection would be in the form of dealing with the subject generally rather than with individual cases.

asked whether the extra pensionary charges resulting from the present War in respect of the widows and orphans of Indian soldiers will be met entirely from the British Exchequer?

Yes, Sir, unless Parliament should at any time reconsider the Resolutions of 16th September and 26th November, 1914.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Natalia Janotha, a Polish musician, has been deported; and, if so, whether any statement can be made about her case?

Miss Janotha has been required to leave the United Kingdom under an order signed by me on the 6th August last. The public interest does not appear to require any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that during the winter of last year many special constables suffered in health and were put to expense as the result of exposure in the performance of their duties; that dissatisfaction exists at the measure of consideration shown to these men; and, in view of the approaching winter and of the value of the gratuitous services rendered by special constables, representing a large saving to the nation, will he say if any provision has been made or is likely to be made for supplying caps, coats, boots and leggings to those members of this force who may be desirous of availing themselves of an opportunity of obtaining these articles for use when on duty?

In so large a body of men as the London Special Constabulary there must naturally be a good many cases of illness in the course of the winter, but it must in most instances be impossible to say whether the illness was or was not due to exposure while on duty. On the part of the Police administration there is every solicitude to make the burden of service press as lightly as possible on the special constables who, as a rule, do a four hours tour of duty every three or three and a half days; and I have no reason to think any general dissatisfaction exists as to the consideration shown them. The public and the police authorities have every reason to be grateful to the special constables, and they are, I am confident, proud to render gratuitous service at this crisis. If during the course of the winter any special constables, in view of their circumstances, should be desirous of assistance in respect of articles of clothing, such applications will receive sympathetic consideration, but it has to be borne in mind that no issue of clothing could be made to the special constabulary as a whole without imposing an addition to the rates, as there is no balance available from existing income for this purpose; and such addition could not be made without legislation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, and when, it is proposed to publish the evidence given before the Departmental Committee on the increased production of food in England and Wales in respect of the matters dealt with in their interim Report?

The President of the Board will consider and decide upon this question as soon as he has received the minutes of evidence with the final Report of the Committee. I hope this may be very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the purchase of hay and fodder is being carried on by the Government by free purchase as far as the farmers are concerned but by means of requisition so far as the hay dealers are concerned, and that the effect of this has been both to raise the price of hay in the market and also to press hardly on the dealers; and whether he will consider reverting to the former practice of purchase by tender both from farmers and dealers?

In accordance with a Circular issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on the 16th July last, certain classes of hay suitable for Army purposes are not to be sold by the growers until the hay has been offered to and refused by the military authorities, and any such hay improperly disposed of in this way is being requisitioned. With this exception, requisitioning is not being resorted to, and the authorities are quite satisfied with the results of the present system of purchase. It is not proposed to revert to the former practice of purchase by tender.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can procure and lay upon the Table the affidavits, depositions, or evidence of the German convict Stahl in America, subsequently admitted by him to be perjury, averring that the "Lusitania" carried guns; and if there is any evidence of connection of German diplomatic agents with Stahl?

Neither the documents referred to in the question, nor copies of them, are at present in the possession of His Majesty's Government, but His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington is being communicated with on the whole subject with a view to obtaining what information is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if, with regard to the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, he will state on what ground claims which arose under the Lumsden decision were being made if they occurred prior to the date of the Prime Minister's promise of amending legislation; why claims which arose since that date were not made; and if he will state why all property owners should not the treated in the same way?

The amending legislation referred to was intended to give effect to the principle of Clause 2 of the Revenue Bill, introduced on the 7th May, 1913, and was to apply to occasions arising since that date. In cases which would have been relieved by the proposed legislation claims for duty are held in abeyance.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what stage the negotiations between the Congested Districts Board and the owner of the Carter estate in the barony of Erris, Mayo, have reached; if an offer to purchase has been made by the Board; and, if so, with what result?

The estate referred to has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, who are, however, unable, in view of the present financial stringency, to continue negotiations for the purchase.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state what interest a Mrs. Jennings had held in a farm at Liskelly, Aughrim, county Galway, portion of the Maher estates, recently purchased by the Congested Districts Board; and upon what grounds they have decided upon vesting this farm in Mrs. Jennings to the exclusion of the occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the immediate district?

The Congested Districts Board's proposal for the purchase of the Maher estate was based on the understanding that an area of 199 acres odd subsequently found to be in the occupation of Mrs. Jennings was untenanted land. Mrs. Jennings, who had occupied this area for about thirty years, claimed a tenancy and refused to give possession. At the suggestion of the Lord Chancellor, the estate being in the jurisdiction of his Lordship's Court, the parties concerned have come to an arrangement as one result of which Mrs. Jennings will surrender some 49 acres of the land adjoining the tenanted lands and will purchase the remainder from the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the report of a case heard at the last Petty Sessions at Ballacolla, Queen's County, in which two publicans were prosecuted for selling milk on Sunday; whether it was proved that the practice has been carried on without objection on the part of the police for a period varying from fifty to fifty-eight years; that no suggestion whatever of the illegal sale of drink was made; that the resident magistrate who presided commented adversely on the Statute under which the prosecution was brought; and, seeing that the defendants in question are the only registered vendors of milk in the district and that the public, amongst whom are women and children dependants of men serving at the front, will suffer inconvenience by being deprived of new milk on Sundays, will he take steps to prevent further enforcement of this obsolete law pending its repeal?

My attention has been drawn to the cases referred to in which two publicans were prosecuted, under Section 2 of the Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) Act, 1908, for selling milk on their licensed premises on Sunday, the part of the premises in which the sale took place not being structually separated from the remainder of the building. I understand that this is the first occasion on which proceedings were instituted under the Section against the persons in question, who are the only registered vendors of milk in the locality, and that no suggestion of the illegal sale of intoxicants was made by the prosecution. The salutary character of the Statute is, however, so obvious that I am not prepared to take any steps to interfere with its enforcement. I am not aware that the resident magistrate said anything more than that the Statute which was necessary in the case of evilly-disposed persons was sometimes a hardship to those whose intentions were good, and I am, moreover, informed that he suggested to the defendants several ways in which the sale of milk on Sundays could be carried on by them without infringement of the Statute.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a schoolmaster named Mr. O'Shea has been ejected from a school-house in county Clare; and, if so, will he say what were the grounds on which this action was taken; whether Mr. O'Shea is now conducting a school in a barn; whether the Commissioners have held an inquiry into the circumstances of the case; whether the salary is being withheld from Mr. O'Shea because of the unsuitability of the premises of his present school; and what is the extent of the control of the community over school affairs in the district concerned?

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that Mr. O'Shea served as principal teacher in the Fanore National School, county Clare, until the 15th December last, when his services were dispensed with by his manager, acting in the exercise of his discretion on the expiration of three months' notice under the terms of the agreement entered into on Mr. O'Shea's appointment to the school. The Commissioners have no information as to the third part of the question, but Mr. O'Shea requested their permission to teach pupils in the Fanore School residence, and was informed that his proposal could not be entertained. The Commissioners, after full consideration of all the circumstances, decided that it was unnecessary to hold a formal inquiry into the case. No salary could be paid to Mr. O'Shea after the 15th December. The manager of a national school is charged with the direct government of the school, the appointment of teachers, subject to the approval of the Commissioners, and their removal. An intimation has been received by the Commissioners that Mr. O'Shea has recently been appointed to a school in county Galway.

asked the Vice President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the number of cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs in Ireland on the 30th June, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915, respectively?

According to the Returns received by the Department, the number of cattle, horses, sheep, and swine in Ireland on the 1st of June, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915, were as follows:— — Cattle. Horses. Sheep. Swine. 1st June, 1912 … 4,848,498 617,532 3,828,829 1,323,957 1st June, 1913 … 4,932,625 614,482 3,620,724 1,060,360 1st June, 1914 … 5,051,645 619,345 3,600,581 1,305,638 1st June, 1915 … 4,843,795 560,917 3,600,067 1,205,249 The corresponding figures for the 30th June of each year are not available.

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?

submitted the following:—

From Sir P. Cox, dated 18th September, 1915. (Telegraphic.)

Following is account of revolution at Holy Places as reported by me on 14th June, with addition of further details received since. Dating approximately from their defeat at Shaiba, Turkish authorities and garrison at Holy Places have been inflicting gradually increasing oppression on populace, bleeding all and sundry of money, valuables, and food-stuffs, even guardians of shrines not immune. These malpractices were followed by endeavours to impress inhabitants for military service from among people of ages from twenty-six to sixty, and from classes to whom military service is distasteful. Result was serious local rioting. Toward end of May battalion with four guns was dispatched from Baghdad to Najaf to cow populace and with intention, according to popular belief, of appropriating treasures and relics of shrines on excuse of supporting Jihad. On arrival of troops endeavours to impress for military services were renewed, houses were raided at night, men seized and women molested on plea that they might be men in disguise. Large sums were extorted from others as price of immunity from conscription.

These proceedings exasperated community to such a pitch that they determined to defy Government troops. To this end they barricaded streets and houses and garrisoned precincts of shrines, in order to protect them from pillage. Turks at this stage turned their guns on rebels and, either by intention or accident, damaged minarets attached to shrine. Fighting continued for three days, at end of which populace got upper hand; troops surrendered and were disarmed by mob, who then proceeded to pillage. Government buildings, barracks, saniyah buildings, and town hall were burnt, and Kaimmakam's house demolished, he himself being expelled. After above events the two Abar Chaiks of two leading resident tribes took over control of Najaf in consultation with chief priest, and have been maintaining order since. Outbreak at Najaf was followed by outbreaks of lesser magnitude at Karbala, Kufa, Hillah, and Tawairaj, the Turkish garrison and Government authorities being turned out.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total exports and re-exports, the total imports, and the balance of trade for the United Kingdom during the first eight months of 1913, 1914, and 1915, respectively?

The following statement gives the information desired by my hon. Friend:— Period. Total Exports and Re-Exports. Total Imports Excess of Imports over Exports. £ £ £ ( a ) Merchandise: January to August, 1913 … 423,848,000 496,448,000 72,600,000 January to August, 1914 … 395,596,000 477,559,000 81,963,000 January to August, 1915 … 318,839,000 573,737,000 254,898,000 ( b ) Bullion and Specie: January to August, 1913 … 33,353,000 49,980,000 16,627,000 January to August, 1914 … 38,165,000 55,341,000 17,176,000 January to August, 1915 … 12,107,000 13,414,000 1,307,000 ( c ) Total: January to August, 1913 … 457,201,000 546,428,000 89,227,000 January to August, 1914 … 433,761,000 532,900,000 99,139,000 January to August, 1915 … 330,946,000 587,151,000 256,205,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the cheap railway tickets now issued to societies or institutions who undertake to arrange holidays for poor children under fourteen years of age can be extended to the Boys' Scouts Association and associate societies?

I am afraid that no extension of the issue of the cheap tickets referred to can be made at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that by public notice the Great Southern and Western Railway Company (Ireland) have announced their intention of increasing the through rates of freight between stations on their system and certain centres in this country by as much as. 50 per cent. in some instances; whether he is aware that the rate for oats from Mountmellick to Liverpool, heretofore 12s. 6d. per ton, has been raised, under the new order, to 18s. 4d.; whether, under the Amalgamation Act of 1898, the Great. Southern and Western Railway Company were debarred from raising their through freights without the sanction of the Railway and Canal Commissioners; and can he say what steps the Board of Trade are prepared to take to compel this company to observe the terms of the undertaking which they gave when the Amalgamation Act was passing through Parliament?

I have received a copy of the notice in question. There is no general provision in the Amalgamation Acts, to which the hon. Member refers, against the increase of through rates, though the railway company may not, without the consent of the Railway and Canal Commissioners, increase the actual rates on their railways. The present increases are stated to be due to an increase in the amount charged by the shipping companies for the sea portion of the route, and the Board of Trade have no jurisdiction in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any general steps are being taken to terminate competition between rate-run tramcars and private omnibus companies in London, Middlesex, and throughout the United Kingdom, wherever such conditions exist?

The attention of my right hon. Friend, the President of the Local Government Board, has been drawn to the desirability of securing co-operation between these services in the Metropolitan area, and he hopes to be in a position to take some action in the matter at an early date. He could not, however, promise any action in a more extended area at the present time.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the recognised cubic space per individual in dormitories of institutions under the Local Government Board; whether the rules and regulations about air space and numbers allowed in recognised and inspected institutions have been altered, relaxed, or suspended since the War; if so, in how many cases; and how many individuals have been so adversely affected?

The recognised cubic air space per person in Poor Law institutions varies from 300 to 2,000 feet, according to the class of persons occupying the dormitories. The certified accommodation of four Metropolitan institutions has been temporarily increased to a slight extent since the War, but the greater part of this increase is due not to a relaxation of the general rule, but to an increase in the number of rooms used as dormitories, and I am not aware that any persons have been adversely affected thereby.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, whether he can assure the House that no undertakings or pledges have been or will be entered into with other Powers which would be likely to adversely affect British trade opportunities in China; and whether care will be taken to continue the policy of the open door in that empire?

The hon. Member can satisfy himself by a perusal of the agreements between this and other countries in regard to trade in China, all of which have been published, that no undertakings or pledges of the nature referred to in the question have been entered into with other Powers, and it seems unnecessary to add that His Majesty's Government will not do so in the future. It is the intention of His Majesty's Government that the policy of the open door in that Republic shall continue to be their policy.