asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information showing that at least sixty British prisoners of war are employed on menial and degrading work at the Berlin garbage farm at Spreenhagen; can he state that these men accepted this work voluntarily; and, if he has no information on the subject, will he have inquiries made through the American Ambassador at Berlin?

I have received no information on the subject, but I will make immediate inquiries in regard to the matter through the United States Ambassador.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to what quantities of flax seed will be available for export from Russia and Holland during the coming months, and as to the steps which have been taken to secure adequate supplies for Irish growers of flax for the next sowing season?

His Majesty's Ambassador in Petrograd has been requested to furnish a report on the quantities of flax seed likely to be available for export from Russia, but his report has not yet been received. The flax crop in Russia is, I understand, on the whole better than last year's crop. The chief difficulty, of course, lies in the lack of sufficient means of transport, but in this respect His Majesty's Government have been and are doing everything in their power to assist British importers. As regards Holland, the Netherland Government have, as the hon. Member is doubtless aware, prohibited the export of flax seed, but it is probable that they will grant licences for the export of quantities beyond Dutch home requirements. It is impossible to estimate the exact amount which will be available for the United Kingdom, but His Majesty's Government have not lost sight of the importance of this question, and will continue to use their best endeavours in the interests of British flax growers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a special request to President Wilson to give instructions to the American Ambassador at Berlin to make every effort to save the lives and honour of British ladies now tending the sick and wounded in Serbia?

I have already made inquiries through the United States Ambassador in London and Sir Charles des Graz as to—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now publish the representations made by the British residents of the British concession at Canton, in China, regarding the re- moval of Germans from that concession and the correspondence relating thereto?

I do not consider it desirable in the public interest to publish the whole of the correspondence on this subject, whilst the publication of only a part of it would be misleading.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information to give to the House as to recent military events in East Africa; and whether enemy forces there have been rearmed and furnished with ammunition?

I do not think it desirable to make any statement at present about the position in East Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Malay States Guides are now being employed on active service; whether he can state what number of native troops drawn from the Crown Colonies are now being utilised in connection with the War; and whether there exists in that direction further scope for recruiting?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. A very considerable number of troops drawn from the Crown Colonies and Protectorates are serving in the various theatres of war, but it would not, I think, be desirable to give the figures.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will say what grades in the British Army are entitled to free dentistry; and whether assistance could be given to officers of limited means who are obliged to incur heavy expenses in the supply of defects caused by service in the trenches?

All grades below officers are now receiving free dental treatment, and officers at the front are treated, when necessary, by the dentists appointed to the Forces. Officers who suffer loss or injury to teeth through wounds are also granted necessary expenses of treatment.

They are not involved in temporary expense for mechanism?

If they suffer loss or injury through wounds they are now granted any expenditure necessary for their teeth.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware of the extent of assistance given to officers and men of the Colonial contingents in respect of assistance in dentistry operations, and how it compares with that given to the British troops?

So far as I am aware, the assistance given by the Colonial and British Governments to their respective officers and men are practically on the same lines.

asked what provision is made for dentistry for the troops at the Front; whether it includes not merely operations for the relief of pain but such operations as are necessary to supply defects; and whether, owing to the lack of opportunity for the latter class of operations, many officers and soldiers have had to give up much of their short period of leave to the supplying of such defects?

I am not aware that the facts are as stated in the latter part of the question. It would be surprising if it were so, as dental surgeons and dental mechanics are supplied to the troops at the Front as demanded by the authorities. The treatment includes all that is necessary for the relief of pain, and also operations. It further includes the provision of artificial dentures to the noncommissioned ranks.

Docs that apply to officers?

Yes, oh yes!

asked whether any commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps are open to properly qualified dentists?

Dental surgeons are given commissions on the unattached list and not in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether those who are responsible for engaging men to be employed either in the canteens abroad or in this country have received instructions not to engage men without previously satisfying themselves that they are not eligible for military service?

In the canteens abroad the personnel consists of enlisted men. At home very few canteen employés are eligible for enlistment.

Are not men being taken on at present and sent abroad?

I am not aware of that. If my hon. Friend tells me it is so—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a Colonial gentleman enlisting as a private is unable to obtain a commission by reason of his having enlisted in the Colonies; and, if so, will he ascertain if the technical difficulty can be surmounted which prevents the War Office utilising the services of a gentleman in every respect qualified for a commission?

No, Sir, no obstacle is imposed by the War Office to a Colonial gentleman who has enlisted as a private obtaining a commission. The same conditions, so far as the War Office is concerned, apply to those serving in the ranks of a Colonial contingent as to those serving in other units of His Majesty's Forces.

asked the Under - Secretary of State for War (1) whether Mr. A. W. Mantle, a British subject, of Bayford, Up-church, near Sittingbourne, was ordered by the police under the instruction of the military authorities from Chatham to leave his home at Bayford and to reside outside the area at the end of June, 1915; whether Mr. Mantle has been charged with any offence against the realm: whether any opportunity has been given to Mr. Mantle to know on what charges or on what evidence he has been compelled to leave his home; and (2) whether the conduct of Mr. Mantle, of Bayford, Upchurch, in his monetary affairs has caused the police or military authorities to be at all suspicious; if, so, whether any opportunity has been given to Mr. Mantle to produce evidence to allay these suspicions; and, if not, whether he will grant Mr. Mantle an opportunity to do so?

The action taken in this case was under the Defence of the Realm Regulation No. 14, under which, as I have on previous occasions explained, no charge is necessary. Mr. Mantle was suspected of acting, or of having acted, or of being about to act, in a manner prejudicial to the public safety. It would not be in the public interest to go further into the details of this case.

Was this gentleman given no chance of making an explanation and taken from his home, so that he could not make an explanation which would clear away the greatest doubts?

The rule is that no explanation is considered necessary in such cases. If the hon. Gentleman wishes in a special case to bring an explanation to my notice, I should be glad to examine it.

If I can bring forward a case, will the right hon. Gentleman give it his consideration?

Yes. I have already said I would.

asked the total number of cases that have occurred in Gallipoli, up to the latest date for which the figures are known, diagnosed respectively as dysentery, cholera, trench-fever, pyrexia, typhoid, and paratyphoid?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 9th November to the hon. Member for South-West Ham.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of not sending back to the Dardanelles men who have been invalided home for dysentery and enteric, but to employ them in some other theatre of the War where there would be less danger of suffering a relapse from want of suitable food?

Careful attention will be given to this point in each individual case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a considerable number of officers and men are being sent home from the Dardanelles suffering from dysentery and enteric; that these officers and men are being fed with ordinary rations while on their homeward voyage, and that these rations often consist of tinned food, quite unsuitable for invalids; that there is little or no provision of medical necessaries on board for cases of this kind, and that owing to these facts many deaths have occurred that might have been avoided; and if he can see his way to remedy this-state of affairs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I should prefer to postpone my answer to the other parts until I have had time to make proper inquiry, but, as at present advised, I do not think the generalisation the hon. Member makes is well founded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men who have volunteered to join Territorial units under Lord Derby's scheme and been passed as fit are being rejected by recruiting officers solely for refusing consent to vaccination; whether this is done under instructions from or with the knowledge or consent of the War Office or Lord Derby; and whether he will prevent this loss of men who are badly needed by instructing recruiting officers to tell recruits that vaccination is voluntary in the Territorial Force: and in inoculation in all?

Liability to vaccination is not a condition of enlistment in the Territorial Force. No alteration has so far been introduced under Lord Derby's scheme in the conditions of enlistment into the Territorial Force. I cannot undertake to inform the Departments under my control that there is no alteration in the instructions under which they are acting.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he can yet say whether the arrangement between Lord Derby and the London County Council relating to the enlistment of firemen extends to members of fire brigades outside the jurisdiction of the London County Council who are working in cooperation with the London Fire Brigade under the scheme devised by the Commissioner of Police at the Home Office on the 25th of May with a view to dealing with fires caused by hostile aircraft?

Yes, Sir. This will be arranged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the announcement that single men of military age are expected to enlist before 30th November, he can state whether single men under forty in the Special Constabulary are exempt from the obligation to respond?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state whether the announcement that single men of military age are expected to enlist for active service before 30th November affects the position of single men of military age who have enlisted in the Territorial Army for Home service only; and whether in future the distinction will he maintained?

It is hoped that many of the Territorial soldiers who have not accepted the general service obligation will reconsider their position and offer themselves for general service. Subject to this anticipation, I may say their position remains unaffected.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the difficulties under which the baking trade is at present being conducted consequent upon the depletion of the staffs of those engaged in it, due to enlistment, thus endangering an adequate supply of bread for the needs of the public; and will the Government safeguard the baking trade by treating it as a starred industry?

Bakers engaged in making bread have been put on the list of reserved occupations. The other classes of workpeople in this trade which have been similarly reserved are mechanics and electricians engaged in the maintenance and repair of tools and machinery, enginemen (engine-tenters), and stokers (boiler firemen). Instructions to the recruiting officers will be issued by the War Office accordingly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether temporary and permanent officials in the Valuation Department of the Civil Service who, not being starred, feel that it is their duty to express willingness to be called up in their proper classes under Lord Derby's scheme for military service require permission from the Commissioners of Inland Revenue before doing so in order to bring themselves within the scope of the Treasury Minute as regards salary and reinstatement; whether such permission will be granted to all unstarred men who enlist for future service; whether such men who so enlist without permission will be dismissed or subjected to any penalty; and whether it is proposed to issue any armlet or badge of Civil servants who, although anxious to enlist, refrain from doing so without permission.

Members of the temporary staff of the Inland Revenue Valuation Office are at liberty to relinquish their temporary employment at any time, and if they do so in order to join His Majesty's Forces, the month's notice, which under their contract they are strictly bound to give, is waived. With regard to members of the permanent staff, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have issued a notice to the effect that they are prepared to consider further applications to join His Majesty's Forces, and, where permission is given, the usual terms authorised by the Treasury will apply. Badges are issued, under certain conditions, to Civil servants who have made a bonâ fide application to be allowed to enlist, but have been refused permission on the ground that they cannot be spared without disorganising the work of their Departments respectively.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered one part of the question, namely, as to what will happen to members of the permanent staff who, without permission, enlist in response to pressure that is being put on them by the recruiting authorities?

The last part of the reply does, I think, partly reply by inference to the question, "Badges are issued under certain conditions to Civil servants who have made bonâ fide application to be allowed to enlist." If they do not take the badge and insist upon enlisting; against the wishes of the head of their Department they are, of course, at liberty to do so, but they would not be enlisting under the ordinary accepted terms.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is unfair for two different Government Departments to be pressing contradictory duties on these men, and that either they should be relieved, once and for all, from pressure by the recruiting authorities, or it should be treated as a matter of duty to respond to that pressure?

When they receive a badge I think they would be relieved from the pressure of any other Government Department. I will be very glad to look further into any case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the recruiting efforts now being made among the certificated officers of the mercantile marine; and, in view of the depletion which has already been brought about by the War, whether he will confer with the recruiting committee with a view to discouraging any further attempts to withdraw officers who are essential to the safe navigation of British merchant ships?

I have already been in communication with the War Office and Lord Derby on this matter, and am taking steps with a view to securing the exemption from recruiting of officers and certain other necessary ratings of the merchant service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if there is a rule that all non-commissioned officers who returned off the Reserve after mobilisation will have to leave their regiments at the termination of the War; and whether the War Minister can see his way, in special cases and in accordance with regimental requirements, to permit the re-engagement of such non-commissioned officers to complete twenty-one years with the Colours?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a number of twelve years' men are being discharged from the Army who would join up to complete their twenty-one years' service for pension if allowed to do so; whether the Government will not accept their services to do their full time for pension, but state that they will retain these men until the end of the War; whether he is aware that from Hilsea Barracks, Portsmouth, 199 men were discharged the week ended 30th October and 72 men were discharged the week ended 6th November; and whether a number are to be discharged this week?

No time-expired twelve years' man is discharged from the Army if he is willing to continue serving till the end of the War. Consideration of the conditions under which these men may be allowed to re-engage and qualify for pension is being held over until the close of the War, as it is not known what the situation may then be in regard to the number of long-service soldiers for whom places can be found in the Army.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of useful non-commissioned officers are leaving their units at the expiration of their twelve years' service, when they would be perfectly willing to remain on if they were allowed to re-engage for a total of twenty-one years' service?

I would be only too delighted if they could be prevailed on to re-engage. I can only say that an appeal will be made to them to do so.

May I send you in some cases?

I should be very much obliged if you would do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain how it is that, whilst doctors, drainage experts, mining experts, surveyors appointed to the staff for the Royal Engineers, and others whose expert professional knowledge is required by the Army get the rank of full lieutenant on joining, members of the profession of architects, surveyors, and engineers gazetted to the Royal Engineers have to join as second lieutenants unless they receive a nomination from a Colonial Government?

The hon. Gentleman is, I think, comparing two things not entirely comparable. Candidates applying for Commissions in Royal Engineer units or units of other arms must begin in the lowest rank. Those appointed as drainage experts, mining experts, or in other similar capacities, are differently situated, and the lowest rank recognised is in their case that of lieutenant (honorary). I do not follow the allusion contained in the last line of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the skilled mechanics who are recalled from military service for munitions work continue to receive military pay and allowances and to be provided with uniforms in addition to the wages of their civil employment; and, if so, whether, having regard to the high wages being earned by munitions workers, he will take steps, in the interest of national economy, to suspend the military pay and allowances of soldiers while in such civil employment?

No, Sir; the position is as I explained on the 26th July last in reply to a question put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Aston Manor. The soldier receives neither pay nor allowances unless in any week his civilian earnings fall short of the sum to which he is entitled as a soldier, in which case the deficiency is made up.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the regiments in the trenches in France are specially in want of more rifle grenades and trench mortars;. and whether Government factories are being made or machinery collected to meet this need?

Increased supplies of the two munitions referred to have been asked for, and the production of both has been greatly increased and is being pressed forward. Special arrangements for their manufacture have been made and are now in working. I may say that the weekly output of grenades of all kinds is now more than four times what it was three months ago.

Does that include rifle grenades?

Rifle grenades have not increased quite in the same proportion, but there has been a great increase in their production.

My hon. Friend will realise that rifle grenades just now are more important.

Yes, but they are difficult to manufacture.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to allegations that, during the last few weeks, a firm offered to supply the Government according to specification with brass strip used for making cartridges at 29 cents a pound f.o.b. New York, which at the present rate of exchange is about ¾d. a pound higher than the Government's fixed price; that the offer was for deliveries to start promptly of 70 to 120 tons per week; that no attempt was made to enter into negotiation with this firm, and that they were not even asked to lower their prices although there was a lack of brass for making cartridges; and whether he will have inquiry made into the circumstances?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for calling attention to these allegations. No such offer as that referred to in the question can be traced. I may say that it has been found possible to meet requirements from sources in this country at a lower price than that named, which, moreover, does not include freight, and that arrangements have been made which will, it is hoped, lead to a still further reduction.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he intends to ask further powers from Parliament to enable him to take over as controlled establishments undertakings like electric-power stations and other businesses essential to munition works but in which munition work itself is not actually carried on?

My right hon. Friend hopes to deal with this question in a Bill which will shortly be laid before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Munitions who are the contractors for the construction of the new factory at Gretna, and on what basis they are to be paid?

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the answer given on November 9th to the hon. Member for Chippenham.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the provisions of Memorandum L 2, issued by his Department, are applicable to the Hayes Gramophone Company; if so, is he aware that the wages paid by this firm to women employed on men's work are, in fact, considerably lower than those prescribed; whether application for arbitration, under Part I. of the Munitions Act, was made on behalf of the workers so long ago as 24th September; and what steps have been taken to settle the differences which have arisen and to secure the adoption of L2?

I am making full inquiries into this matter, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend. I would point out, however, that the memorandum referred to relates only to the employment of women over eighteen years of age. I can assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend intends to use every endeavour to promote the adoption of the recommendations contained in. the memorandum in the cases to which it applies.

asked the number of labour officers appointed under the Munitions Act; what their duties are; what their occupations were previous to appointment; and what are their qualifications for the position?

The number of labour officers is nine. Of these two were officers of the Board of Trade, six were engineers, and one was connected with business. These officers have eighteen assistants, of whom five were officers of the Board of Trade, ten were engineers, and three were connected with business. The duty of the labour officer is to make, personally or by his assistants, inquiries and reports upon such points in connection with the supply and use of labour for munitions purposes as may be referred to him from the Ministry; and to co-operate on behalf of the Ministry with local munitions committees and labour Advisory committees in matters relating to the local supply and use of labour for munitions work.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that the 3rd Lincolns have been in camp under canvas at a place known to the hon. Gentleman since last May, and that last Friday night over one-third of their tents were blown down and the camp made untenable by being flooded; if he can explain why no huts have yet been erected for their use; and if he is aware that huts have been at a railway station three weeks pending a dispute between the contractor and the railway company owing to the latter company refusing to deliver the huts to the camp because it is outside their delivery area?

I am obtaining information on this matter, but have not as yet received it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many complaints are made by relatives of soldiers reported as killed or missing or imprisoned by the enemy respecting the return of property, kits, and clothing; and whether he will inquire into this complaint and endeavour to provide a remedy?

I am aware that there have been some complaints. I am afraid that some losses are inevitable. No absolute guarantee can be provided, owing to the nature of the campaign, but I can assure my hon. Friend that all possible steps are taken.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that, under the Coal Mines Regulations Act, no person can be in charge of a mine or do surveying unless he is the holder of a certificate granted by the Home Office; that at the present time owners of mines find it difficult to get men properly qualified to enable them to carry out the Act of Parliament; whether these men are being canvassed and recruited at the present time; and will he, therefore, ask Lord Derby's committee not to canvass any colliery manager or mines surveyor or chief sales agent of any colliery whose services are necessary for carrying on the mine?

Colliery managers and surveyors are engaged in essential work below ground, and it is recognised that they are indispensable to the working of the mine. In view of the arrangements already announced they should not be canvassed and instructions are being given to this effect. As regards sales agents, each case must be considered on its merits, and it will be open to the employer to offer evidence before the local tribunal that his agent cannot be spared.

Will the colliery managers and surveyors be given badges?

I imagine that they will be given armlets.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, seeing an accident took place on 16th October in the Fleur Baix bombing school in France, an officer having accidentally detonated a bomb which killed him and wounded three officers and a sergeant, who had won the V.C., he is aware the War Office refused to allow the names of any of these officers to appear on the roll of honour; whether this ruling excludes these officers' names from the public rolls of honour at their public schools and universities; why an officer or man who loses his life through no fault of his own is treated in this manner; whether he is aware that many badly designed and defective bombs have been sent to France by the Ordnance Department; and whether all persons who have lost their lives owing to these defective bombs are under the War Office ruling precluded from having their names placed on the roll of honour?

My hon. Friend is incorrectly informed. The names of all officers and men accidentally killed with the Expeditionary Force are announced, but the names of those wounded and not killed are not announced, because if accidental injuries of one kind are announced it is impossible to exclude accidental injuries of all kinds, which would include the trivial. I cannot accept the accuracy of the statement contained in the penultimate part of the question, although I admit that accidents have occurred, such incidents are unavoidable. The proceedings of the Court of Inquiry on the accident in question have not yet been received at the War Office, and it is therefore impossible to say whether it was due to a defective bomb or not.

May I say that I have a letter from the War Office definitely stating in writing the names of those accidentally wounded? Why are the wounded not included in the roll of honour?

If you included cases where no deaths occurred you could not eliminate very trivial injuries, sprains or something of that nature.

asked the Prime Minister whether there are any other committees in addition to the Retrenchment Committee appointed by the Government to examine into public expenditure with a view to securing economy in every possible direction?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer. The wider questions of financial policy are, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has stated, being considered by a Committee of the Cabinet. The Retrenchment Committee and the public Departments are dealing with the details of retrenchments that can be effected in the Civil Service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is adequate machinery at the Treasury to supervise and control the increased national expenditure of the country?

Any detailed supervision or control by the Treasury over naval and military and munitions expenditure for carrying on the War would clearly be impracticable. Subject to this qualification, I am satisfied that the machinery of the Treasury is adequate to discharge the functions referred to in the question.

asked the Prime Minister if, in order to avoid the waste of coal consequent upon increased tonnage, of male labour employed in un-remunerative service, and possibly of unconsumed food, the Government will discontinue the running of dining and other refreshment cars upon all British railways now under Government control?

This question is receiving the attention of the Railway Executive Committee. Refreshment cars are only run on business trains, and while the use of them saves business men a good deal of time, I am advised that the economy in coal and labour that would result if they were discontinued would not be so great as seems to be generally supposed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the French Chamber of Deputies and the British House of Commons could be brought into closer relations for the purpose of promoting the interests of both countries in connection with the War and matters arising out of the War?

I am sure that the Prime Minister will very gladly consider any suggestions that the hon. Member may wish to make in this connection.

asked the Prime Minister if he will have prepared, printed, and hung up in post offices, church porches, and other public places for the guidance of the public a list of the chief imported luxuries, as well as of ordinary commodities, the imports of which from abroad have, during the last twelve months, exceeded in value a certain datum, say, £5,000,000, and thus enable home consumers by a process of restriction of user and of selection to reduce the increasing export of gold for the purchase of goods other than munitions of war?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar question by the President of the Board of Trade on 2nd November, in which my right hon. Friend expressed the opinion that it would be impracticable to prepare a list of the kind contemplated.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he has arranged for the discharge of those men who have remained, since the date of their active service; whether, in some regiments, because they were found to be unfit for active service; whether, in some regiments, there is a considerable number of such men who ought never to have been accepted as recruits; and whether any steps are now being taken to secure a more efficient medical examination?

A soldier who is unfit for active service abroad is not necessarily discharged. If he is fit for garrison duty abroad or for service at home he is retained accordingly. If unfit for any of these forms of service he is discharged. A certain number of men have been accepted in the past as recruits who have been found after enlistment not to be in all respects fit for service. These men, if unfit for any form of service, have been discharged. Every endeavour is made to secure efficient medical examination of recruits, and we are not aware that there is now any ground for complaint in this respect.

Is it not the fact that examining doctors are paid by results, with the consequence that they have a direct inducement to pass as many men as possible?

I am not quite certain. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the persons discharged from sanatoria as partially cured are passed by the doctors?

I should like notice; I cannot possibly give an answer.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the action of the officer commanding a Public School Battalion in refusing to grant discharges to those men under his command who have the offer of commissions in other regiments for which otherwise they would be well qualified; and whether, in view of the paucity of officers in many regiments, the Secretary of State will see that when a private would be able to obtain a commission under such circumstances his commanding officer shall not withhold his leave without good reasons being shown?

The position of the Public School Battalions in the New Armies is that no further commissions can be granted until the battalions go abroad.

If the battalion goes abroad, can commissions be offered in cases properly recommended?

If they are properly recommended; that is my statement.

Cannot the commanding officer still refuse?

No; he will not have the same authority as he has now. I will see that the matter is made public.

When will that begin?

I am not in a position to say.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he will consider the position of Territorial regiments which require reinforcements but are at present unable to obtain them owing to the fact that recruits are sent to newly-formed units; whether he is aware that this causes unnecessary waste of money by the fact that the officers of the older regiments are left with insufficient men while still receiving full pay; and whether he will provide that new units shall not be formed until the older units have been adequately replenished?

I dealt with this matter in debate last night. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to refer to what I then said. Within the necessarily brief limits of an answer, I could not make the matter as clear as I hope I was successful in doing yesterday.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the salary paid to surveyors appointed to deal with claims for compensation for disturbance of property for military requirements under the Defence of the Realm Act, and other claims of a like nature, is £150 a year; whether in such a salary is included travelling and other expenses; whether it has been possible to secure the services of capable men, to be trusted in the handling of the sums of money involved; and whether the delays in the payment of claims often due to men of small financial means have been caused by shortage and incapacity of staff owing to the small salary offered?

The sum of £150 a year is the normal salary in peace time of an assistant agent under a chief agent on War Department local estates. At the outbreak of war a number of experienced valuers made public spirited offers to assist the Department at this salary as a temporary arrangements. These terms have recently been revised, and the temporary assistant agents will now receive £200 or £250 a year according to their experience, chief agents receive salaries of from £300 to £600. The work of all these agents is supervised by valuers of great experience at the War Office, who are assisted by agricultural experts of the highest standing from other Departments and private estates and by partners in some of the best known firms of surveyors. The salary is exclusive of travelling expenses and allowances for journeys undertaken on the public service. The answer to the third portion of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative and to the concluding portion in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts of 3½ per cent. War Loan, 1925–28, 2½ per cent. Consols, 2¾ per cent. annuities, and 2½ per cent. annuities that have been converted into 4½ per cent. War Loan, 1925–45, in accordance with the terms of the prospectus of the 21st June?

The following are the approximate totals:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that well-washed English fleeces of the description known as Lincoln hogs of 36's quality advanced in price from 12½d. to 18d.–18½d. between 6th August, 1914, and 5th August, 1915; and if he proposes to tax the extra profits which farmers have made on their wool in consequence of this increase in prices due to the War?

If my hon. Friend will refer to Clause 21 of the Bill now before the House, he will see that a very substantial increase is proposed in the taxation of profits made by farmers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the question of enforcing the law as to three men being required to attend agricultural engines on the high road; and whether, in view of the shortage of labour in the country, he will take steps to get the law altered in this respect?

No, Sir; no representations have reached the Department as to any practical difficulty having arisen in complying with the statutory requirements which the hon. Member has in mind. Any question of altering the law in the matter would be, of course, for the Local Government Board to consider.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what amount was expended in the purchase, fitting, and stocking of the agricultural model farm at Ballyhaise, county Cavan; what amount has been realised by the sale which took place on the 3rd instant, also the reasons which have led the Department to close this model farm; and why, if it is a measure of economy, the Department have recently taken another farm between the Santry and Malahide Roads, near Dublin?

The amount expended since it was bought in 1904 in the purchase, fitting, and stocking of the Ballyhaise Agricultural Station was approximately £30,000. The recent sale of portion of the stock and implements is expected to realise £1,300, and some outlying portions of the farm suitable for small holdings are now being sold by public auction. As intimated in my reply to the hon. Member for East Limerick on the 4th instant, the Department have been compelled by financial stringency to suspend for the present the educational work at Ballyhaise, but it must not be assumed that that work may not be resumed should circumstances permit. The Department have not taken any farm in County Dublin as stated in the question, but acquired twelve months ago under the Development Act a small portion of land in the district referred to for the purposes of a veterinary research laboratory.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what it is proposed to do with the unsold portions at Ballyhaise?

They are selling what they are likely to find a market for, and holding the rest over.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much will be saved by this?

I cannot say, but I will ascertain.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a summons at Pewsey in the case of Emily Stone, whose husband is serving in the Army abroad, and who was summoned for not sending her boy of twelve years regularly to school instead of employing him to assist her with milking, etc., and to the decision of the bench that this boy must be sent regularly to school; and whether, in view of the representations made to the local authorities by his Department as to employment of children in agriculture during the War, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not been called to the case. He is bound to assume that both the local education authority and the magistrates have full knowledge of the local circumstances and have given due weight to them. The facts, as stated in the question, do not appear to warrant any action on the part of the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that information was given to the police authorities at Scotland Yard some ten days ago regarding suspicious circumstances relating to a person who claimed to be a special constable; if so, will he state if the police made inquiries; and, if so, when those inquiries were made; if the result of those inquiries suggested that the person in question was desirable as a special constable or otherwise; if otherwise, will he state why the person in question is not desirable as a member of the Special Constabulary; and what steps have been taken in regard to him, and when?

I am obliged to the hon. Member, who when he previously called attention to this case gave no details, for the trouble he has since taken to place further information before the police. Inquiries were at once made, and as it was found that this person was not possessed of the necessary qualifications for being a special constable, the Commissioner of Police directed, on the 9th instant, that he be asked to resign his office.

asked the Home Secretary what measures have been taken to regulate the emigration of British subjects of military age?

The Government has decided that during the continuance of the War British subjects of military age who have occasion to desire to leave the United Kingdom must first provide themselves with special permission to do so, and this permission will not be given without good cause. An Order in Council is being obtained and other machinery devised to carry this policy into effect.

Where are they to apply for that special permission?

It would be difficult for persons in distant parts to apply to London, but that matter has been thought of and provided for, and it is intended that there should be applications in localities in cases where it is called for.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the case of the two men arrested on suspicion in connection with the recent Zeppelin raid, one of them was still in custody on 22nd October; has this person since been released; if so, upon what date; and was he an alien enemy or a naturalised British subject?

The answer to the first and second points are in the affirmative; to the third point, 29th October; and to the last point, a registered alien of Swiss birth.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the manager of a hotel in Northumberland Avenue, a large part of which is occupied by the Ministry of Munitions, is a man called Flukinger, who passes by the name of Fredericks and professes to be of Swiss nationality; whether he is aware that persons acquainted with Flukinger regard his loyalty as open to grave suspicion; and if he will take measures to ascertain what is Flukinger's real nationality and whether the suspicion referred to is justified?

I have made inquiries in this matter, and am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the Swiss nationality of the person in question is vouched for by the Swiss Legation, and that there is no justification for the suspicion referred to.

asked the Home Secretary why Frederick Moss, an unnaturalised German Jew, is permitted to remain at liberty at Braintree; and will he have him interned or sent home, seeing that he recently beat a British schoolboy of fifteen years of age with a thick hedge stake, inflicting a wound over the boy's right eye which will mark him for life, his defence being that some schoolboys had called out, "We will kill the German spy"?

Moss, who is sixty-three years of age, was exempted from repatriation on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, as he had resided in this country for forty years, was married to a British wife, and had six British-born children. In view of the incident to which my hon. Friend refers, I have thought it right for the case to be reconsidered.

asked if alien enemies resident in neutral countries are permitted to run steamship services to United Kingdom ports; and, if so, is it intended to continue this privilege?

Speaking generally, the answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative. It is, however, possible that persons of enemy origin domiciled in neutral countries may in some cases have an interest in neutral steamers trading to this country.

On behalf of my hon. Friend, and on account of his modesty, I beg to ask question No. 84.

I am informed on inquiry that Adolph Schultz, who changed his name to "A. Markham," is a natural-born British subject, and that the Exports Committee as a whole were under no misapprehension as to the identity of A. Markham and Company. It is singularly unfortunate, to say the least of it, that the firm should have adopted the name of a well-known colliery proprietor. I have to-day received a letter of explanation from the firm which I shall be glad to show my hon. Friend, if he cares to see it. In the meantime, he must remember that his name is a famous one. For example, a well-known children's book called "Little Arthur's History" was written by a lady who assumed the name of "Markham" for the purpose.

Does my right hon. Friend seriously think that any person ought to have the right to change his name any month he thinks fit to do so? Will he recommend that this firm take the name of John Simon?

I am afraid that that name would not command the same authority in the coal world. I would remind my hon. Friend that if the name were assumed in order to mislead, the law provides a remedy. It must be remembered that this firm is not an alien firm; the man in question is a natural-born British subject. During the War we have already a regu- lation that aliens cannot assume other names save under certain conditions.

Is this gentleman named Schultz of hostile origin or association?

I should have to have notice of that. I am assured that he is a natural-born British subject.

If the right hon. Gentleman finds that he is of hostile origin or association, will he have him interned under his own Order?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the desirability of publishing a list of the actual articles the public are buying at the present time which are of foreign manufacture, with a view that the people should refrain from buying them, and thus further diminish the amount of gold going abroad?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Wigan on 2nd November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state if the official figures indicate that 260,500 yards of cotton goods were exported from this country to Turkey during the month of October last; and, if so, will he explain why such exports were permitted and say if such exports are to be allowed to continue?

The cotton piece goods and other commodities shown in the Monthly Accounts as exported to Turkey were in fact consigned to ports in territories formerly Turkish but now in the occupation of other Powers. Pending a final adjustment of the new boundaries of the Turkish Empire consequent upon the Balkan wars, it was decided that for statistical purposes exports to ports and places in the territory formerly Turkish but now occupied by other Powers should continue to be recorded as exports to Turkey. An explanatory note to this effect will be inserted in the Monthly Accounts in future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the London Emery Works Company, Limited, is controlled by a German named Seligmann, who holds all the shares except one, who since the War changed his name by deed poll to E. Selwyn; whether he is aware that this firm is an off-shoot of the German firm Vereignite Schmirgel Fabrik, at Hainholz, near Hanover, of which E. Selwyn, late Seligmann, is the sole director and controller; whether, seeing the London Emery Works Company, Limited, was registered as a British company after the War, and that they have received numerous Government orders while purely British companies in Sheffield doing a similar business have been short of Government orders, he has communicated to the Government Departments the fact that this a German firm, the accumulated profits of which will at the end of the War go to the German parent company?

The London Emery Works Company, Limited, is controlled by a naturalised British subject of German origin, in whose name all the shares except two are registered, and who has changed his name of E. Seligmann to E. Selwyn since the War. The shares are held in trust for an enemy, and the business is a branch of the German company referred to in my hon. Friend's question. I have no definite knowledge as to the constitution of the German company, but my information is to the effect that it does not belong to Mr. Selwyn. I have appointed a supervisor of the business carried on here and any profits which in the ordinary course would have been sent to Germany will now be payable to the Public Trustee as custodian.

Will not all these profits go to Germany after the War? Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a very strong feeling in Sheffield at British firms not having fair play?

I cannot say what will happen after the War, but that will certainly be one of the points to be considered in fixing the terms of peace.

Did not the Home Secretary say just now that names could not be changed since the War started?

I understand that the Regulation with regard to change of names was not in operation at the beginning of the War, and I am informed that Mr. Seligmann changed his name before the Regulation came into force.

Is not the Home Secretary's Regulation retrospective?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will say whether Erich Gerbel is still the manager of the British Abrasive Wheel Company, Limited; whether this gentleman, who was a director of this company prior to the War, is an unnaturalised German; and will he say whether he informed the Munitions Department before this firm was taken over as a controlled establishment that the management was carried on by an unnaturalised German?

The returns filed by the British Abrasive Wheel Company, Limited, show that before the War there were seven directors of the company, of whom Mr. Erich Gerbel Strover was one, but that he has now ceased to be a director. I have no information as to the nationality of this gentleman, or whether he is acting as the manager of the company, but I will have inquiries made. No information was given by me to the Ministry of Munitions with regard to the management of the company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a considerable part of the foreign iron ore trade of this country is still in the hands of German firms; whether the firms of F. Dupré and Company, 27, St. Mary Axe, E.G., F. Haeberlin, 5, Whittington Avenue, E.C., and K. Ettlinger and Company, Finsbury Court, Finsbury Pavement, E.C., are carrying on their usual business from London, and, if so, why is this permitted; and whether he is aware that K. Ettlinger and Company is an offshoot of Messrs. Beer, Sondheimer, and Company, of Frankfort-on-Main, who were concerned in the recent case of Merton and Company, heard by the President of the Admiralty Division, relating to a cargo of zinc ore intended for Germany?

I understand that the firms mentioned by the hon. Baronet are engaged in the iron-ore trade. Firms established in this country are not prohibited from trading whatever the nationality of the members may be or whatever their relations may have been with enemy firms before the War. They are, of course, not permitted to have commercial intercourse with firms in enemy countries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused in the New Armies in France by sending out to them officers and drafts belonging to other counties than that of the regiment receiving the draft when officers and men of their own regiment are trained and available at home and anxious to join their friends; and will he take steps to remove this grievance?

I quite sympathise with the point raised by my hon. and galiant Friend. When drafts are available of the regiments requiring them they would naturally be sent, but it is frequently the case that drafts of the regiments are not available, and in that case recourse has to be had to the drafts available in other regiments. This arises from the unequal incidence of casualties as between different units. I would refer my hon and gallant Friend also to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Devonport on the 28th October.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to why drafts belonging to the 8th North Staffordshires were not sent to them, and whether they were available in this country?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether, with a view to the more harmonious co-operation between the regiments in the trenches and the Army Service Corps, any steps can be taken to pass into the commissioned and non-commissioned ranks of the Army Service Corps officers and non-commissioned officers who have served, but who are no longer perfectly fit to serve, in the trenches, and at the same time to pass fit officers from the Army Service Corps into the Line?

My information is that the relations between the Army Service Corps and the rest of the Army are excellent, and I should be sorry to know that my hon. and gallant Friend has any information to the contrary. Under certain circumstances exchanges are already permissible, and any individual case submitted will be judged on its merits; but if my hon. and gallant Friend is rightly taken as suggesting any wholesale arrangements of this nature, I can only say that I fear this would be impracticable. It would undoubtedly still further complicate the already difficult question of promotion in regard to which various Members of the House make representations to me from time to time.

asked whether there is any sufficient reason why pom-poms should not be used in the trenches, particularly with a view to batter down enemy's loopholes and machine-gun emplacements?

If my hon. and gallant Friend raises the technical point whether pom-poms cannot be used in the trenches, my answer is that I am advised that this is possible. I should be obliged if he would not press this question further in public.

asked whether-ammunition manufactured in the United States and recently supplied to the troops at the front has been found defective as a result of tests?

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to small-arm ammunition, and on that assumption I would refer him to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on the 19th October to the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division.

But since that answer was given is it not the fact that defective American ammunition has been supplied to the field guns?

I was only dealing with small-arm ammunition.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether soldiers returning to the West of Ireland after fifteen months' service at the front have only the same time leave allotted to them as those returning to their homes in London; and, if so, whether, seeing that the leave time of the former will in many cases be almost exhausted when they reach their homes, owing to the length of the journey, delays of trains and boats, and from other causes, he will have this grievance redressed by having additional days of leave granted to Irish soldiers returning from the War?

In view of the numerous representations on this subject from hon. Gentleman who sit for Scottish as well as Irish constituencies, I have caused inquiries to be made of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief as to whether leave cannot with advantage be extended in some cases, if this is not already being done, for soldiers who have a long distance to travel.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House if the men serving in Territorial regiments in India whose time expires on the 1st April next are to be permitted to return?

The case of men serving in Territorial regiments in India, whose time may expire before the conclusion of the War, is in no sense peculiar. They will be dealt with on the same conditions as other Territorial soldiers. In an answer I gave on the 9th November to the hon. Member for the New Forest Division I stated what these conditions were. I will send the Noble Lord a copy of the Army Orders which govern the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any troops are still under canvas in this country; and, if so, can he say when the War Office propose to move them into winter quarters?

Yes, Sir; but where this is the case it is with the concurrence of the medical authorities, and the transfer to quarters or billets will be made shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Board of Inland Revenue are offering posts as surveyors of taxes, with salaries running up to £500 a year, to the discharged officials of their Valuation Department, while the surveyors appointed by the War Office to deal with compensation for disturbance of property for military requirements and claims under the Defence of the Realm Act all over the United Kingdom, involving the handling of large sums of money, are being paid at the rate of £150 a year; and whether this difference in salary represents the comparative importance of the work required to be done?

Applications are being received from members of various Departments of the public service (including the Valuation Branch of the Inland Revenue) in connection with future vacancies which may arise in the Tax Surveying Branch if the House of Commons sanctions the increased taxation contemplated by the Finance Bill. The figure of £500 mentioned by my hon. Friend is the maximum of the scale allotted to second-class surveyors of taxes, namely, £350 to £500, and it is not anticipated that posts of this character can be filled (save possibly in a few very exceptional cases) otherwise than by the promotion of trained tax surveyors of the third class.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of non-military age men recently dismissed from the Land Valuation Department who have been engaged for other Government work; and what further steps are being taken to utilise the services of the remainder of these men for any necessary Government situations suitable for them that offers?

I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 2nd instant to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford. I am causing a copy of that reply to be sent to him.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether, having regard to the official circular of the Insurance Commissioners (201 I. C), issued in September, 1914, to the effect that, owing to the War and to the additional duties now undertaken by the doctors, no substantial revision of the Regulations would be made, and having regard, further, to Sir Robert Morant's letter of 17th March, 1915, addressed to the secretary of the British Medical Association, confirming the above-mentioned statement, and adding that no changes of any kind have been under consideration for adoption during the present year, he can offer any explanation of the action of the Commissioners in having drafted new Regulations, to come into operation on 1st January, 1916, which materially modify the agreement entered into by medical practitioners, who are now required to accept the new conditions or to withdraw from the panel?

The reference in the documents cited by the hon. Member to modifications in the agreements between medical practitioners or chemists and insurance committees related only to the question of modifications during the course of the year 1915, under special powers taken for the purpose by Regulations introduced at the end of 1914. Those special powers have not, in fact, been used. A revision under the ordinary powers of the Regulations as from 1st January, 1916, was necessitated by the new terms of service for chemists. The consequential changes affecting doctors were, in view of the special circumstances of the War, carefully devised so as to secure that the doctors' financial position should be left untouched in all respects, and were fully discussed beforehand with representatives of the medical profession, and recommended by them to the profession for acceptance.

Were these the only alterations introduced into the Regulations in 1916?

There were two minor Regulations in reference to rubber stamps, and one other point, which can be exactly connected with the financial terms of the doctors, but they also were not objected to. They were discussed beforehand with the medical profession.