asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there has been received any report of operations in the Baltic from any British officer of a British vessel operating there under Russian command; if so, whether such Report has been made through the Russian commander or otherwise; and whether he can explain the delay of making known officially in this country reports of British war vessels' achievements which have been officially announced abroad?

The assumption underlying my hon. Friend's question that the reports received from officers in command of British submarines operating in any naval theatre of war can with advantage be made public is incorrect. These reports are in the main technical, and must of necessity be regarded as confidential.

As I have already explained to my hon. Friend, the Russian Government announce officially and, as far as I am aware, without delay, what can properly be made public as to the operations of our submarines in the Baltic, and these announcements appear almost concurrently in the British Press.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the number of the submarine that sank the "Prinz Adalbert"?

No.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the pay granted to boy scouts employed on coast watching duty; whether they are in receipt of any ration allowance in addition to their pay; and, if not, whether he will consider the question of granting them some allowance of the kind?

A grant of 14s. a week for each boy employed is made to the Boy Scouts Association, the expenditure of the Grant being left entirely to their discretion. The Grant covers the cost of food and maintenance ( e.g., clothing, pocket-money, etc.), the association making all arrangements in connection with the drafting, clothing, and maintenance of the boys. The Admiralty have also accepted liability for medical attendance in cases of injury or illness attributable to the employment of the boys in assisting the Coastguard, and, where possible, have provided housing accommodation for them.

I understand each boy gets 2s. a day?

No, the Grant is 14s. a week, and the expenditure is left entirely to the discretion of the association.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the agitation in the United States of America against the action of our Prize Courts in respect of cargoes of meat products as being based on Orders in Council and not on international law; and whether he intends to regularise our position and satisfy American opinion by proceeding on the lines of extending our list of absolute contraband to cover all edible meat products?

I understand that some of those whose goods were condemned by the Prize Court as having been intended for the German Government and its armed forces have been endeavouring to create an agitation against the decision, but as an appeal is pending the point is not suitable for diplomatic or other discussion at this stage. I would, however, point out that, as to three out of the four ships, the judgment proceeded on the assumption that no Proclamation applied at all, and that in all four cases the President held that the goods were condemnable as contraband in accordance with the established rules of international law, independently altogether of the Proclamation. The agitation is, therefore, founded on a misapprehension as regards the Proclamation, and there does not seem to be occasion to take the action suggested in the question.

Am I to understand that all such goods referred to in the question are now declared to be absolute contraband of war?

No, Sir; they are conditional contraband of war, and were condemned on that ground.

asked whether, when any article is placed on the contraband list in Great Britain, it is simultaneously placed on the contraband list of all our Allies in this war?

Additions to contraband list are made, so far as possible, by mutual agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of France, Russia, and Italy. Whenever it can be arranged, the additions take effect simultaneously in the four countries.

Is everything that is declared contraband in this country always declared contraband in Allied countries as well?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman may be assured it is so, but perhaps if he requires a further reply he will put down a question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of Queensland is promoting in the Queensland Legislature a Meat Works Bill giving power to that Government not only to appropriate all meat works there but to extinguish the rights of owners and mortgagees without compensation; and whether the Imperial Government asked for a Bill on these lines?

I have seen a copy of the Bill referred to. It is, I understand, intended to give the Queensland Government greater powers with regard to the control of the meat supply than those which they have hitherto possessed and have been exercising, at the wish of, and in consultation with His Majesty's Government, but it was not introduced at the request of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what remuneration is paid to those Members of Parliament who carry dispatches to and from headquarters?

They are paid as staff captains—that is to say, they receive £400 a year from Army funds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is done for nothing by those who carry dispatches to the Navy?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if clergymen and ministers of religion of military age are being canvassed for the Army under the new recruiting scheme?

asked whether Lord Derby's letter is being sent to all clergymen of all denominations who are eligible so far as age is concerned?

I think the correspondence between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Derby, which has already been published in the Press, will explain the position. I may add that Lord Derby has personally seen representatives of other denominations, and has explained the position to them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether clergymen of all denominations, including Roman Catholic and Anglican, have got those letters, and are unstarred, as well as Scottish Presbyterians?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether, in the event of Lord Derby's recruiting scheme being unsuccessful, in the sense that a considerable proportion of eligible single men fail to offer themselves, compulsory service will be introduced and substituted for Lord Derby's scheme before the married men who have volunteered under the scheme are called up?

I think this point was fully dealt with in the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that some statement shall be issued from his Department, definitely setting forth that the men concerned will not be called up in the event of some other scheme being necessary to supplement the present one?

As far as I understand my hon. Friend, he would desire that a statement should issue from the War Office, emphasising the statement of the Prime Minister yesterday. I will consult with Lord Derby and see if that can be done.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been directed to a circular, dated the 28th September, 1915, signed by the President of the Board of Agriculture and addressed to farmers and occupiers of land in England and Wales, with reference to recruiting amongst the agricultural population; and if the War Office, before sanctioning the arrangement referred to, considered its effect upon recruiting in rural districts?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been called to the circular in question. As I stated yesterday in reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for York, arrangements are being made by which men improperly put on the starred list will be transferred to the unstarred list. My Noble Friend the Secretary of State of course recognises to the full the necessity for keeping farmers supplied with essential labour.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say who has been responsible for this starring?

The starring was undertaken by a Joint Committee of the Department of Agriculture, the Local Government Board, and the Board of Trade.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of police in London and the various forces of the country, the number of those who have enlisted, and the number of men of military age who remain; how many of those willing to serve have not been allowed to do so; whether he intends to provide, in the case of London, for the liberation of these men and to advise that the same policy be followed in the rest of the country and to recommend that a larger number of special constables not of military age should be enrolled to permit the enlistment of those desiring to serve their country at the front; and, if so, whether he will arrange with the War Office that a special battalion of police officers should be formed?

In the County and Borough Police Forces of England and Wales, out of a total strength of 36,656, 8,008 had joined His Majesty's Forces up to the 20th Sep- tember last, and since then, I believe, several hundreds more have enlisted. In the City of London, out of a force of 1,162, 304 have joined the fighting forces. In the Metropolitan Police, out of a total of 20,834, 5,437 have either joined the Navy or Army, or are now serving under the War Office or Admiralty, on intelligence work, or in the guarding of dockyards, military stations, stores, and munition works. The Home Office has always advised that as many constables should be allowed to enlist as could be spared, consistently with the carrying on of essential police duties, including the numerous and responsible duties imposed on the police in connection with the War. I believe that in some forces more men can still be spared, and I am taking steps to promote their enlistment; but in most cases the limit to which the withdrawal of men can be safely carried has been reached, or nearly reached. This is peculiarly the case with the Metropolitan Police, whose duties in connection with the War have been specially heavy, and who must always retain a reserve of men ready for the special demands which have been made by the War Office or the Admiralty. Their numbers are now so reduced that in a district with a population of 7,500,000 less than 2,000 men are available for street duty at any hour during the day, and I fear it is impossible to permit further withdrawals. The question of forming a special police battalion has been discussed with the War Office more than once, but the decision was against the proposal, among other reasons, because of the large proportion of constables who are specially qualified to provide non-commissioned officers for the battalions which they may join.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will lay before the House the instructions drawn up by his Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Munitions and the Board of Agriculture, under which the starring of the forms for men of military age has been carried out; and whether, in framing such instructions, he has been guided solely by military considerations and the production of munitions and equipment, or whether he has had regard to the necessity of continuing commerce and industry for the sake of preserving the financial stability of the country?

I am not in a position to lay before the House the instructions referred to, but I can assure my hon. Friend that, in dealing with this vital and difficult matter, His Majesty's Government fully recognise the importance for the purpose of the successful prosecution of the War of retaining in civil employment not only the men needed for the production of munitions of war, but also such irreplaceable men as are indispensable to the carrying on of essential industries on which the maintenance of the economic strength of the country depends.

To whom have the instructions been issued?

I should like to have notice of that question; I am not quite sure of the precise title of the official.

asked the Prime Minister whether the figures for enlistment in Ireland, announced by the hon. and learned Member for Waterford at Dublin, were official figures; and whether he can give corresponding figures for Scotland?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The hon. and learned Member for Water-ford explained in his speech yesterday the source of the figures he used. The issue of official figures is not contemplated in the case of either Ireland or Scotland, or England or Wales.

May I ask whether the figures which I gave in my speech last night were not quoted the other day at a conference in Dublin by the General Officer Commanding the troops in Ireland?

I dare say that is so. If my hon. Friend says so, I quite accept the statement.

Will my right hon. Friend supply for Scotland on the same kind of authority figures relating to Scotland?

I think my hon. Friend had better put that question to the Secretary for Scotland?

Will the right hon. Gentleman supply similar figures for Wales?

It is part of the policy of the office I represent not to give figures for individual portions of the Kingdom, and it is very undesirable.

Why is Ireland picked out for special treatment?

I think the answer to that question was supplied by the hon. and learned Member for Waterford.

Is it the fact that the general commanding in Scotland would be able to give similar unofficial figures to those given by the general commanding in Ireland?

I desire to ask the Prime Minister whether I may put down my question again on the Notice Paper: To ask whether the same information can be given to the House with regard to enlistment that was given to a small group of Members belonging to the Labour party?

Yes, Sir. I have no power to say what my hon. Friend should put down on the Notice Paper.

May I, as a matter of explanation, say that when the question was down upon the Paper, the Minister of Munitions, answering for my right hon. Friend, said that doubtless in the Prime Minister's speech yesterday he would bear my question in mind. As it seems to have been overlooked, may I put it down upon the Paper again?

No, Sir; I did bear it in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether when the private information was given by Lord Kitchener to certain sections of the Labour party, the Prime Minister was not present?

No, Sir; I was not there.

May I ask whether the Members of this House who received that information about recruiting promised the Government that they would address recruiting meetings?

asked if, under instructions from the War Office, orders to open fire on aircraft can only be given by field officers; and if in most cases the Zeppelin ships have passed out of range before the necessary authority to open fire upon them can be obtained from a major or colonel?

No, Sir. It is not the case that orders to open fire on aircraft can only be given by field officers. Any officer may order the troops to fire.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have an inquiry into this case, because I have numerous cases sent me, where airships have got out of range because there was no authority to open fire upon them?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman I have fortified myself by seeing the orders which have been issued from the War Office to the various commands. They contain the order which I have stated in my answer.

asked whether any British troops have arrived in Serbia; and, if not, whether they have received orders to proceed there, and when?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say at what date the orders were given to proceed to Serbia?

If my memory serves me right, it was the day last week when I answered a similar question in this House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the block in promotion of senior captains in the Regular Army; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this situation?

I am informed that the promotion of senior captains in the Regular Army to the rank of major has been extraordinarily rapid, and I am not therefore clear as to what the hon. Gentleman means by his reference to a block in promotion. No special steps are contemplated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will say in respect of how many transactions the question of the payment of Increment Value Duty has arisen and the liability to duty or its amount has not yet been determined; and (2) the amount of Increment Value Duty which the Treasury estimate will be payable when the outstanding cases of liability to that duty have been settled?

I am informed by the Board of Inland Revenue that up to the present time liability to Increment Value Duty has arisen in under 2 per cent. of the occasion cases dealt with, and that of the sum of £180,000 assessed, not more than £120,000 has as yet proved collectible. The necessity for completing the original valuation as soon as possible after 30th April, 1909, to which date it relates, combined with difficulties arising out of judicial decisions, the postponement of remedial legislation, and finally the promise given on the outbreak of War by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions to allow unsettled valuations to remain open until the end of the War, have resulted in an accumulation of cases. On the basis of past experience it may be anticipated that an effective claim to duty aggregating some £200,000 might emerge in about 12,000 of these cases, but so long as the factors above-mentioned continue to operate it is only possible to make partial progress. Full account of these, as of all other relevant considerations, has been taken in fixing the strength of the valuation staff.

Do I understand that a Return is made quarterly to the Treasury with regard to the number of claims outstanding, and will he issue a Return of past statements made and give the figures from all the various offices all over the country?

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any statutory authority for the promise given by the Minister of Munitions not to collect the duty, and, if so, is his Department acting contrary to the law?

Perhaps I had better have notice of that question.

asked the number, names, and qualifications of those who are proposed to be appointed as Referees under the Excess Profits Clauses of the Finance (No. 3) Bill, and where it is proposed that they shall sit?

I hope to be in a position to give the particulars asked for before the Bill leaves this House.

asked whether, in the event of persons not being able to pay sums due by them under the Excess Profits Duty, it is proposed that such persons shall be liable to punishment for non-payment; if so, to what punishment they will be liable and if in any such case it would include imprisonment; and if their household furniture would be liable to seizure?

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue may in any case where they think fit allow the duty to be paid in instalments of such amount payable at such times as the Commissioners direct. The provisions as to recovery of duty are contained in Clause 40 (3). Under Clause 34 (3) a set-off or repayment is allowable in respect of deficiencies of profits in an accounting period as compared with the pre-war standard of profits.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the part of the question as to what would be done in the event of a person being unable to pay; whether any punishment would be inflicted upon them; what the nature of that punishment would be, and whether it would include seizure of household furniture?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the Clause of the Bill. If he will read that Clause he will see what the penalties and conditions are.

Is it intended to give discretionary power to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue?

No; discretionary power always exists.

asked on what ground the Treasury Committee on new issues refused sanction to the issue of shares in connection with the amalgamation of the United Counties Bank with Messrs. Barclay and Company, Limited, although no appeal to the public for cash was involved, and it was not proposed that the shares should be put on the market till after the War; on what principles, if any, the Treasury Committee's decisions are founded; whether he is aware that discontent exists in the City about the apparent arbitrariness of these decisions; and whether he will order a Return giving particulars, in the case of each application since the establishment of the Committee, of the names of applicant companies, the countries in which they operate, the amount of capital for which sanction was requested, whether the application was sanctioned or refused, and why?

The Committee consider it in the public interest that approval should not be given for any issue of importance that could be avoided for the present unless the issue is definitely desirable for the purpose of the successful prosecution of the War. In view of the standing and wide financial experience of the Members of the Committee, I trust that their judgment will be generally accepted. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that the information is confidential, and I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on Thursday last to the hon. Member for Westmeath North.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any statutory authority for the action that has been taken in this matter?

I do not think statutory authority is needed.

asked whether the provisions of the Finance Act, 1914, making liable to Income Tax thereunder all income derived from securities, stocks, shares, and rents received in any place outside the United Kingdom, whether or not remitted to the United Kingdom, is held to make liable in like manner to such Income Tax income derived from business concerns carried on under the like circumstances, such as indigo factories in India, or whether in such cases only that part of the income derived from rents proper from indigo factories or lands is held to be liable?

The provisions of Section 5 of the Finance Act, 1914, do not apply to profits immediately derived from the carrying on of a trade or business outside the United Kingdom. They would apply to income arising from shares in companies carrying on business in India, from rents of lands or buildings used for the purposes indicated, or from securities charged on the property or the profits of the business.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the park-keepers employed in Edinburgh by the Board of Works have received any War bonus?

The Board, with Treasury sanction, have been able to grant an increase of wage to labourers at Holyrood, but no bonus has been granted to park-keepers either at Holyrood or in the London parks.

Does my right hon. Friend intend to consider the question of the bonus at all?

It has been considered by the Treasury, who have decided that the park-keepers do not come within the category of those who are entitled to the bonus.

Are those only entitled to bonus who have sufficient electoral influence to bring pressure to bear upon the Government?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can make any statement with regard to the advantage that is being taken by soldiers under Cd. 7712?

Up to the period ending on 31st July last the number of local education authorities who had instituted classes Under the Regulations referred to was sixty-two. In some cases large numbers of soldiers attended the classes. Certain classes have naturally been affected by the movement of troops from one area to another, but the Board are satisfied that there has been a substantial demand for such classes, and that satisfactory results have been generally obtained from the courses and classes held.

asked the Postmaster-General if few letters and no parcels accepted by the Post Office for delivery to the troops in the Gallipoli Peninsula ever reach the addressees, and if thousands of parcels for the troops have been for months accumulating at Alexandria, where they are being spoilt; and, if so, will the Post Office refund the postage paid for work not done, and notify the public not to send parcels so addressed in the future, and thus save loss to the senders and disappointment to the troops?

The special inquiry which has been made on my instructions into the delivery of letters and parcels to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force has now been completed. The service has necessarily been slow, as it has been largely dependent on the ordinary transport service, which is carried on under conditions of considerable difficulty. Steps are now being taken, however, which will, I hope, result in the acceleration of the time of transmission of both letters and parcels to the Dardanelles by about a week. It is believed that only one mail bag has been lost while under the care of the Post Office since the service began. The chief cause of the failure to deliver parcels is the inadequate packing. The parcels have to be transhipped to and from ships, lighters, and shore a number of times, and under conditions which make careful handling impossible. In spite of frequent notices to the public a very large number of parcels are so badly packed that they are found on arrival to be undeliverable. I am issuing a leaflet containing instructions as to packing which will be handed to every person who presents a parcel at a post office for transmission to the Dardanelles. Careful tests have been made which indicate that thefts of parcels are infrequent. In the case of men wounded at the front and sent into hospital every effort is made to discover the address of each man and to forward his correspondence, a large staff being employed for the purpose; but owing to the very large number of casual- ties, it has often been difficult and sometimes impossible to do so in every case, and a considerable number of letters and parcels have proved undeliverable from this cause. Although there has frequently been delay owing to the circumstances which I have mentioned, there has been, so far as I can ascertain, no failure to deliver to soldiers who are still with their unit letters which are properly addressed and parcels properly addressed and adequately packed. There is no accumulation of parcels in the Alexandria Post Office. I can give the assurance that every effort is being made, not only by the Post Office, but also by the naval authorities, who are responsible for transport, and by the military authorities, who are responsible for the actual delivery of correspondence at the front, to maintain the service at as high a standard of efficiency as the conditions allow.

In order to set at ease the minds of the parents who have been sending every week to their boys, as proved by evidence which we have in our possession, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that those parcels are immediately delivered? It is a fact that there are hundreds at Alexandria.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the case of parcels sent to the Devon Regiment; the letters have reached them but not the parcels?

I shall be very glad to do so if the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars. It is often thought that parcels have not been delivered because they have not arrived within a short interval after letters dispatched at the same time. Parcels take several weeks longer than letters to deliver, and the consequence is that complaints are made in the case of many parcels which are ultimately delivered.

What becomes of undelivered parcels?

A very large number are sent back to the senders.

When will the instructions to which the fight hon. Gentleman has referred be obtainable—they have been expected for some time?

The instructions have already been circulated in the Press, and the leaflets have been printed. They will be obtainable almost immediately.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many controlled establishments there are; whether his Department has taken over any Government arsenals or workshops other than Woolwich; and how many new establishments are now in working order?

The total number of controlled establishments is now 1,346. The Ministry of Munitions has taken over the Government establishments at Waltham and Enfield, as well as most of the Government establishments at Woolwich, since the 23rd August last. I do not think it would be desirable to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is now in a position to make a full statement with regard to the progress made in providing an adequate supply of munitions for this country and our Allies; whether he is satisfied with the organisation now existing; and whether he has a sufficient number of employés for the purpose?

I hope to be able to make a statement very shortly.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the prices which Scottish farmers are being charged by manure merchants for fertilisers; and what steps, if any, in view of the national importance of increasing the production of food in Scotland during the War, he contemplates taking to enable farmers to obtain such fertilisers as they require at reasonable prices?

In addition to steps previously taken as to regulation of export by licence, a Committee has been appointed and is now sitting to make arrangements to ensure the objects desired by my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many thousands of tons of fertilisers awaiting delivery to farmers for which transport cannot be obtained, and will he take steps to facilitate the transport of these fertilisers with a view to the farmers getting them before the seeding time is over?

That is a matter for the consideration of the Committee, and I have no doubt that they will do what they can.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has information to show that there has been an increase in the street accidents which have occurred since the increased reduction of Metropolitan lighting at night; whether any special thoroughfares or places have proved especially dangerous; and what precautions are being taken against the greater dangers of movement in the streets after dark?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Devonport yesterday, and to my written reply to the hon. Member for the Shipley Division on the 19th October. Figures for October are not yet available. In addition to precautions already stated, additional police have been placed on traffic duty at specially dangerous points; the local authorities have in many places whitened the kerfs and constructed new refuges; and omnibus and tramway authorities have been requested to modify their schedules to permit of reduced speeds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the new regulations issued yesterday are apparently of no value whatever?

No, I am not aware of that, and I shall be greatly surprised if that is so.

Would it not be advisable to have the same limit of speed in the streets by night as there is in the parks by day?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will see that a statutory limit of speed is only of value if some machinery is possible for detecting those who break it. It is difficult enough to detect breaches of a speed limit at night at any time, but it is impossible when the lighting is as low as it is at present. Therefore, we must proceed by other and more practicable means.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in considering the statistics of accidents, bear in mind the fact that the traffic in the streets at night now is much less than when normal lighting was employed, and that therefore the real percentage of accidents is far higher?

asked the Home Secretary if he has any official information showing that a German with an American passport, whose brother is interned as an alien enemy, has been or now is a special constable for London; if any naturalised persons of enemy birth are special constables; and, if so, will he take steps to have them removed from that position and to prevent any such persons from being in future enrolled as special constables?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that he has no knowledge of any such case as the hon. Member refers to. If the hon. Member will give me any reference to the case other than an anonymous paragraph in a Sunday newspaper I shall be obliged. Naturalised British subjects are not enrolled as special constables unless they were naturalised at least ten years before the outbreak of war and are fully vouched for to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Police. I see no reason for altering the present practice in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that one Elise Groschel, residing at the Lodge, Darlington, in a prohibited area, recently made application for exemption from repatriation, which was refused by the tribunal; whether she was ordered to leave for Germany about ten days ago; and whether such order has been rescinded and, if so, will he say why this was done?

I have personally inquired into this case, and was satisfied from material, some of which was not before the tribunal, that this was a case in which repatriation might properly be suspended. Miss Groschel is a lady of forty-three, who has lived in this country since she was nineteen, is devotedly attached to England, and has no friends to whom she could go or means of livelihood in Germany. To deport such a woman to a country where she would be friendless and penniless and exposed to suspicion and insult on account of her affection for England, would be an act of extreme harshness. She is not living in a prohibited area.

Has the right hon. Gentleman communicated with the local authority?

Certainly.

And do they approve of the right hon. Gentleman's action?

The hon. Gentleman will understand that I take full responsibility both for cases in which I think it right to intern those whom the Committee has thought should be released, and those cases, such as this, where it seems to me right to postpone the repatriation order although it has been recommended. Of course, I communicated with the local authority.

asked the Home Secretary whether the 471 male enemy aliens residing in prohibited areas are so residing after full consideration and with the assent of the police of the respective districts?

Yes, Sir. No enemy alien can reside in any prohibited area except with the special permission of the chief officer of police of the district. No such permission is given without the fullest consideration, and, if there is any room for doubt, the military authorities are consulted.

Was not the lady in the previous case residing in a prohibited area?

The hon. Gentleman did not do me the honour of listening to my answer, the last sentence of which was, "She is not living in a prohibited area."

I said "was residing." She has moved out of the area now.

The lady is not in a prohibited area, and consequently it does not seem to me that any rule about prohibited areas would apply to her.

asked the Home Secretary how many female enemy aliens are residing in prohibited areas?

I shall be glad to give the hon. Member the figures when a final census of the alien enemies remaining in the several districts has been taken; but for reasons I have already explained, that must wait for a few weeks.

asked the Home Secretary how many German enemy aliens, apart from Austrians, are now residing uninterned in the Metropolitan and City police areas?

Five thousand four hundred and seventy-seven males and 5,252 females (excluding British-born wives).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Irish railways belonging to the London and North-Western and the Midland companies have been taken over by the Government as well as their English lines; if so, why has the same war bonus granted on the controlled lines in England not been extended to the controlled lines in Ireland; is the bonus paid in Great Britain 5s. a week, while in Ireland it is only from 1s. to 2s.; is he aware that there is also a discrimination as to wages on different parts of the controlled lines in Ireland, for instance, London and North-Western, North Wall, 7d. to 8d. an hour, and Dundalk 6d. an hour; and will he inquire into the reason for such differences?

The Government have not taken over the Irish railways mentioned, or any other railways in Ireland. The points raised in the latter part of my hon. Friend's question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been able to arrange that through bookings for live stock shall be available viâ Dublin, as permitted through other Irish ports?

As I informed my hon. Friend in reply to a question which he asked on the 16th September, the Board of Trade have no compulsory powers in this matter. I have, however, made further inquiries, and I learn that, in view of the existing abnormal conditions of transport, the restoration of through bookings for live stock viâ Dublin is still regarded as impracticable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the Dutch Board of Trade figures recently published for the first nine months of this year showing that the imports of cotton were 112,294 metric tons, as compared with 84,777 tons in 1914, and that this total includes 91,270 tons from America as against 10,038 tons in 1914; whether the exports of cotton from Holland for the first nine months of this year were 96,138 tons against 60,830 tons in 1914, and whether of these exports 93,221 tons went to Germany as against 42,108 tons in 1914; and if he will state how much of the cotton imported into Holland and exported from Holland was imported and exported during the first six months of the period, and how much during the latter three months of the period?

The figures quoted by the hon. Member are correctly reproduced from the Dutch Trade Accounts. The imports of raw cotton into the Netherlands during the first six months of 1915 were 104,000 metric tons, and the exports 95,000 metric tons. The imports during the ensuing three months were 8,500 metric tons, and the exports 335 metric tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increase in the import of raw cocoa from foreign countries and British possessions for the nine months ending September, 1915, as against the nine months ending September, 1914, total 166,753,521 lbs. as against 70,991,743 lbs.; and what steps he is taking to prevent any of this cocoa reaching the enemy as re-exports either in the raw or manufactured state?

The imports of raw cocoa in the first nine months of 1915 amounted to 162,362,000 lbs., as against 71,033,000 lbs. in the corresponding period of 1914. The exportation of both raw and manufactured cocoa is prohibited to all neutral countries in Europe other than Spain and Portugal, except under licence issued by the War Trade Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in consequence of the War the French textile mills are at present unable to supply the wants of Algeria, with the result that there is an enhanced and urgent demand for Manchester goods for that country; whether he is aware that shipments are being delayed by the necessity of obtaining licences under the late Proclamation; and what is the reason why greater precautions should be necessary in shipping merchandise to Algeria, a French colony, than to the Mediterranean ports of Spain?

I understand that there has been a diminution in the exports of cotton manufactures from France to Algeria since the beginning of this year; cotton manufactures, being included in the restricted list of exports from the United Kingdom, cannot be exported to Algeria except under licence, and it is considered impracticable to alter the list by exempting Algeria. There is not, so far as I am aware, any unnecessary delay in the issue of licences.

Is it not strange that we cannot export readily and quickly to the Colonies of an Ally when we do send readily and quickly to Spain, which, though a friendly nation is not an Ally-both being in the Mediterranean?

I do not think, when the circumstances of the case are considered—and I shall be very glad to discuss them with my hon. Friend—that there is any real occasion for wonder under the circumstances.

asked how much oil was imported into Scandinavian countries from all sources in 1913, 1914, and up to date in 1915, respectively?

I propose to publish the information asked for in the OFFICIAL REPORT.—[ See Written Answers this date. ]

Will it distinguish between different kind of oil—there are twenty different kinds?

Yes, as far as possible.

asked the right hon. Member for the Epping Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether it is intended to conform in the House to the No-treating Order which is now in force in every other part of London?

The following Resolutions of the House of Commons Kitchen Committee, 3rd February, 1897, still hold good:—

"EXTRACT FROM MINUTES, 3RD FEBRUARY, 1897.

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the supply of wines and spirits as carried on for a great many years in the Palace of Westminster is for the convenience of the Members of the House and of the public who are called to attend as witnesses on Committees, and on other matters of business.

That a restriction of the sale of wines and spirits to Members of the House would not be practicable, or for the convenience of those who are called upon to attend at various hours of the day or night.

That the restriction and conditions imposed by the ordinary licences and under the Licensing and Excise Acts are wholly inapplicable to the circumstances under which refreshments must be supplied in the precincts of the House."

I am informed by competent legal authorities that they do not think this No-treating Order applies to the Houses of Parliament as matters stand. I did, however, put this particular No-treating Order before my Committee, which, though not unanimous, were largely in favour of not applying it to the House. They were, however, quite ready to assist in carrying it out elsewhere. I may, perhaps, be allowed to add that if my right hon. Friend is himself a victim of any attempt to evade the Act I shall be very glad to make inquiry.

But would it not strengthen the hands of the Board of Control if this House by a self-denying ordinance were to adopt the practice of no-treating, even in the extreme case of a Member visited by constituents?

I should be very loth to attempt to create a self-denying ordinance on the part of the House, and I think it would be better to leave the matter to the discretion of hon. Members themselves.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is a cause of much dissatisfaction to the Board of Control that this House should be a party to imposing restrictions on other people to which hon. Members themselves do not submit?

Is it not a fact that this House never was a party to the No-treating Order?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the fact that an attempt was recently made to organise a lottery on the War Loan from Switzerland, he will reintroduce the Post Office (Illegal User) Bill introduced last Session; and (2) whether, in view of the desire expressed by the Government for the practice of economy and of the sums which are being spent by the public on competitions organised by certain newspapers for private gain and in view of the fact that such competitions have been condemned by a Parliamentary Select Committee, he will consider the propriety of reintroducing the Newspaper Competitions Bill, which passed its Second Reading and Committee stage last Session, or of dealing with them in some other way?

If my hon. Friend can assure me that there is no opposition to these Bills I shall be prepared to consider his suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an opportunity for discussing the new scheme for allowances to dependants from Army and Navy funds, in view of the fact that it attempts to deprive persons insured under the National Insurance Acts of the disablement benefit for which they have paid in weekly instalments?

There will be an opportunity for discussion on the Vote of Credit next week. The statement in the latter part of the question is inaccurate, as my hon. Friend was informed yesterday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statements made to me were evasions rather than corrections? Has he not been made aware that the effect of this decision is that persons who paid for a distinct benefit and advantage will not receive that benefit and advantage over those who have not so paid?

If the hon. Member wishes I will inquire further into the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that parents who are partially dependent on a soldier are to receive a pension and allowance, both combined, of 5s., and if they get the disablement benefit it is to be deducted from the pension?

If that is so, it seems a very fit subject for discussion in Committee.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether, as regiments of Yeomanry are now being embarked for active service overseas to act as Infantry, their reserve regiments and depots may be supplied with sufficient Infantry valise equipment to enable the men to be exercised in route marching under active service Infantry conditions previous to embarkation?

The reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that his Department in Scotland insists on payment of Income Tax on deposit receipt interest on sums lodged after the bankruptcy by trustees of bankrupt estates, even where such interest is a very small sum and the only income of the bankrupt estate, and that the Accountant of Court in Scotland, who is a Government official under whom these trustees work, insists that such Income Tax payment is not permissible; and, if so, will he take means to make clear in his present Budget whether such interest on deposit receipts of bankrupt estates is to be exigible in future, so that the trustees on such estates may not always be liable to surchrge by one or other of the different Departments of State?

I am advised that there is a legal liability in the case referred to by my hon. Friend, and that the Accountant of Court neither disputes the liability nor surcharges trustees for meeting it.