asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the present Government of Mexico recognises the paper money issued by preceding Governments, whether or not recognised by the United States Government; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government proposes to ask the former Government whether it intends to take any and, if so, what steps to restore Mexican exchange and to rehabilitate the Mexican dollar, which has fallen in sterling value by 500 per cent?

I understand that the present Mexican authorities have declared all paper currency issued by rival revolutionary parties to be worthless, and I have instructed His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Mexico to furnish a report on the matter. Until that report arrives no further step can be considered. I do not know whether the United States Government have yet decided what attitude they shall adopt with regard to such issues.

Is not the position in Mexico rendering paper money worthless, due to and dependent upon the action of the United States, and will not His Majesty's Government, therefore, approach the Government of the United States in regard to this matter?

I should not like to go further than I have already gone; the condition of Mexico is so very uncertain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is advised that the Treaty of 1863, which confirmed the gift of the Ionian Islands to Greece, and by which, at the same time, the independence of Greece as a constitutional monarchy was guaranteed by Great Britain, France, and Russia, retains its binding force, in view of the present relations between the Greek Government and the Parliament, the powers of which are now virtually in abeyance?

I do not think it can be said at present that the conditions of the Treaty have been violated.

asked whether any steps have been taken or are being taken, either direct or through the neutral Embassies, to bring about a general exchange of prisoners of war between Great Britain and Germany?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War as regards Lieut.-Colonel Eric Murray, commanding the 20th (Service) Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, whether there are any limitations in his commission of lieutenant-colonel; what is his substantive commissioned rank; and what is his length of military service?

I am not sure that I quite understand my hon. Friend's question. Lieut.-Colonel E. Murray has the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel. His commission, like others, in the New Armies is temporary. His military service began on the 30th September, 1914.

Does this commission give rank or precedence over Indian majors and majors in the British Army, including brevet rank, during the campaign?

I imagine the answer would be in the affirmative; but I do not like to give an answer on so technical a point without reference to the military authorities. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in order to improve promotion in the Regular Cavalry, the War Office has decided to offer promotion into the Artillery and Infantry to all suitable Regular Cavalry officers of the rank of captain and under who are willing to accept it and are recommended for such promotion; whether he is yet in a position to state if the opinion of officers commanding brigades of Artillery at the front has been asked or ascertained as regards the effect the above proposal would have on the prospects of captains commanding batteries of Artillery or of lieu- tenants acting as captains of batteries; and (2) whether the proposal to promote captains, lieutenants, and second-lieutenants of the Regular Cavalry into higher ranks in the Infantry and Artillery is extended to similar officers in the Yeomanry; and whether those who are promoted into the Artillery will have to undergo any special training?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, as regards the proposal to improve the prospects of officers in the Regular Cavalry, by offering them promotion from the rank of captain in the Cavalry to the rank of major in the Artillery and from that of lieutenant in the Cavalry to that of captain in the Artillery, whether there is any intention to require the promoted officers to undergo a course of training at Woolwich or elsewhere in Artillery subjects, or to give a Cavalry captain promoted to be major in the Artillery the command of a battery in the campaign without special training?

As I stated on the 11th of November, a proposal on the lines of that mentioned in the first part of question No. 11 has been put forward for consideration. If such a proposal were finally adopted its effect on those concerned would, of course, be thoroughly considered from the standpoint of the Army as a whole in the first instance, and also so far as it affected the position of individual officers, but the commanders of brigades of Artillery have not been consulted. The answer to the first part of question No. 12 is in the negative. As regards the remainder of question No. 12 and question No. 14, I may say that if the proposal to transfer Cavalry officers to the Artillery is adopted, arrangements will certainly have to be made to train such Cavalry officers in their new duties.

How long will be the period before a Cavalry officer is allowed to command a battery in the field?

I imagine that no hard and fast rule as to the time will be adopted. An officer would be considered fit to join a new unit when he has finished his course.

Are officers commanding brigades of Artillery at the front to be consulted?

I do not know.

asked why a rifle range was made at Straffan, in Ireland, when it was not found necessary to use it for more than a very few weeks?

The troops who first used this range have gone abroad, but others will, I am sure, be available shortly and the range will then be in use again.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to advertisements appearing in certain newspapers which expressly invite applications from men of military age; and whether any steps will be taken to discourage such proceedings?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any special communication is being addressed by the Director-General of Recruiting to ladies who advertise in the public Press for a third footman where butler is kept or to so-called sportsmen who similarly advertise for a third or fourth gamekeeper without any proviso as to eligibility for military service; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of his doing so if only to avoid the deterrent local effect of an unpatriotic example?

My attention has been called to the advertisements mentioned by the Noble Lord. Such advertisements, I think, reflect great discredit on those who are responsible for them. I do not know that any specific steps can be taken against these persons, but if the managers of newspapers saw fit to exclude such advertisements, I think they would be performing a public service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Government Department actually engaged a man of military age during the last month?

I was not aware of that, but it really does depend, of course, as to whether the person in question was indespensable or not.

He was not in the Service before?

He may be an expert?

No, he is not.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a number of naval volunteers from South Africa are now in this country; and, if so, whether he will extend to them the same privilege as other naval volunteers of individually offering their services for the Royal Navy afloat?

The offer of the services of a number of the South African Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was gladly accepted by the Admiralty, and the men are now attached to the Royal Naval Division in this country. It was understood that they wished to serve as a unit representing their corps, but if individuals wish to volunteer for service afloat it is quite open to them to do so, and their applications will be considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the amount of prize money now in hand; whether the sum now in hand is a subject of investment and, if so, how is it employed; whether he can inform the House when this prize money will be distributed to those entitled in the Fleet; and whether the interest will be apportioned to the respective sums payable to the officers and men, will be added to the sum to which they are entitled, or how otherwise will this interest be dealt with?

I am afraid it is impossible to say how much money on account of prize is now in hand, or how the same is being invested. Possibly information as to the proceeds of prizes dealt with in the London Prize Court might be obtained from the Admiralty Registrar or the Admiralty Marshal, but, as my Noble Friend is aware, prizes have been dealt with in several Courts abroad, as for instance Australia, Egypt, Ceylon, Gibraltar, and so on. As regards the distribution of prize money, I am afraid no answer can be given until the several questions involved in the Naval Prize Bill—which the Prime Minister, on 4th November, stated would be proceeded with without undue delay—have been finally settled. I should imagine that it will not be possible in any case to distribute prize money until after the close of hostilities, though, as I have several times stated, we very much hope that it will not be necessary to wait until the close of hostilities before making awards of prize bounty in the cases of particular actions. As regards the last part of the question, Section 21 of the Naval Agency and Distribution Act provides that any sum accruing as interest on prize money awaiting distribution under the direction of the Admiralty shall become part of the total sum available for distribution.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House the total amount of prize money due now?

Probably I could, so far as the money in the keeping of the London Court is concerned; but there are others abroad, as I have said.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the relatives—widows, or other relatives— of the men who die in the War will receive the share of the prize money due to those who have fallen?

I think so, speaking off-hand.

They always did.

Is there any holding up of the Prize Bill? When does the right hon. Gentleman consider it will be drafted and proceeded with? In regard to prize bounty, is a Bill really necessary?

As regards prize bounty, a Bill is necessary, because we want discretion to fix the ship's agents' fees at a sum not exceeding 2½ per cent. Under the old law, as my hon. Friend knows, it is fixed at 2½ per cent., but we think that in some cases that might not be equitable, and that we should have power to fix it up to a maximum of 2½ per cent. Until we have got that power through this Bill, we cannot distribute the prize bounty.

What is the policy of the Government in relation to prize money which has been outstanding for several years and is still outstanding?

That is in another category to prize bounty. That is an award of another character. I do not think a Bill is necessary for that.

When will the Prize Bill be proceeded with?

The Prime Minister on 4th November said it would be proceeded with without undue delay. I am afraid I cannot add to that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the disabilities attending the present rank of naval schoolmaster; and whether he can see his way to grant them on entry a higher rank, the status and privileges of acting warrant officer, and to promote them to full warrant rank after a period of four years' service as acting warrant officer?

The conditions of service of naval schoolmasters were exhaustively considered a few years ago, and considerable improvements in their pay and prospects were made in 1910. At that date the scale of pay of the class was improved all round. The number of chief and head schoolmasters was increased, thus giving better prospects of promotion. The maximum pension of chief schoolmasters was increased. The relative rank of lieutenant was granted to chief schoolmasters retired after three years' service in the rank. Improvements were also made in the scale of widows' pensions and of compassionate allowances to children. I regret that it is not practicable to reopen the question at the present time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Royal Naval Division has been transferred to military command; and whether paragraph 443 of the King's Regulations for the Army or any other regulation of similar tenour applies to its members so as to prohibit expression of praise or censure of superiors or any others in His Majesty's Service and subscriptions for testimonials or presents to any such person?

Certain units of the Royal Naval Division are under military command. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that three ships of a total tonnage of about 35,000 tons were obliged to leave Liverpool last week for the United States in ballast because there was not sufficient labour to load them with the cargo ready for exportation; and whether he will take steps to provide more labour at this port?

My right hon. Friend has requested me to reply to this question. I am in communication with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board as to the facts, and I will let my hon. Friend have the information he desires as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has now received an application from the Mayor and Borough Council of Bethnal Green for permission to enrol a battalion to be called the Bethnal Green Battalion; and, if so, whether the application can be acceded to?

Yes, Sir. An application to raise a local battalion was received from the Mayor of Bethnal Green on the 19th November, but, as I have already informed the House, no more local units are being raised, and I regret that the offer made cannot, in consequence, be accepted. I hope that the Mayor and Borough Council of Bethnal Green will use their influence to promote recruiting generally.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of a soldier in Kilwinning who was fined £l and whose father was fined £2, on the ground that the lad had falsely stated his wages before enlistment to be 27s. per week; whether the pension officer privately investigated the soldier's earnings for six months prior to his enlistment and found the average to be 22s. 6d. per week; whether it was admitted in Court that for three weeks before enlistment the soldier, a miner, had earned 28s. a week; whether he is satisfied that under these circumstances the soldier was wilfully giving false information for fraudulent purposes; and whether a uniform basis will be provided for such wage calculations?

This case has been tried in the Sheriff Court, and I understand an appeal is pending. In these circumstances it would not be proper for me to express any opinion on the case.

asked what steps are being taken, in connection with the large number of recruits now being enrolled, to avoid any repetition of the delay and confusion which existed in training the recruits who joined the Colours in such large numbers in the earlier stages of the War?

I think my hon. Friend may rest assured that the necessary expansion of the machinery of training recruits has now been made, and that there will be no difficulty in dealing with any number that may be forthcoming. He will recollect that Lord Derby's scheme provides for recruits being called up in groups as they may be required.

asked what provision exists for the military training of the recruits now joining the Army; whether there are sufficient commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers of the new battalions; and whether the accommodation, outfit, and military equipment will be sufficient?

I am assured that there are sufficient commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers to carry out the training of recruits. I cannot enter into all the separate points raised in the question, but I may say that no difficulty is anticipated in the clothing of the recruits.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the War Office is making the best use for training purposes of private soldiers who have experience in the fighting line and who have been wounded, but not so seriously as to disable them completely from further military service or to require their immediate discharge to civil life; and whether he will consider the advisability of establishing a non-commissioned officers' training corps to which such private soldiers might be attached and drawn upon as required for training the new recruits?

The use of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men with war experience has always been fully utilised in training troops. Schools for non-commissioned officers have been established. Any private soldier fit for non-commissioned officers' rank is specially trained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of making some readjustment with regard to. the employment of orderlies, so as to enable as many young men as possible engaged in duties of this kind to be transferred to the fighting line?

Instructions have been in force since the beginning of the War to ensure that no men who are fit for general service are employed on duties which could equally well be performed by unfit soldiers or by civilians.

asked whether, seeing that while in some districts ordinary unskilled agricultural labourers have been starred, in a large number of others skilled agricultural workers essential to the conduct of the farm and the maintenance of its output of human food have been left unstarred and are now being attested for military service to the disheartenment or despair of their employers, steps will be taken to secure the exemption of these indispensable farm workers where, owing to the semi-industrial or urban character of the locality, the local arbitration tribunal will have little or no acquaintance with agricultural operations and their relative importance?

Ample precautions have been taken by which indispensable men will be returned to their employers.

asked the Prime Minister if his announcement on the 2nd November on the subject of national service and the statement of the Government's intentions in Lord Derby's letter of the 19th November, namely, that married men will not be called up until young unmarried men have been, and that if these young men do not come forward voluntarily the married men will be released from their pledge or a Bill will be introduced into Parliament to compel the young men to serve, applies equally to all parts of the United Kingdom?

My statement did not discriminate between local areas, but I have every reason to hope that it will not be necessary to propose such legislation for any part of the United Kingdom.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he has received a resolution from the council of the North Staffordshire Labour party declaring its strongest opposition to compulsory military service, and expressing the opinion that if the pay for military service were equal to that for industrial service more than sufficient recruits would be forthcoming under the system of voluntary enlistment; and will he take this view into consideration?

Yes, Sir; I have received the resolution referred to. All relevant considerations will be taken into account.

Will the Prime Minister note for consideration the manifest injustice of compelling some men to accept employment in the Army at 1s. per day and leaving others in civil employment at higher wages?

That is rather argumentative. All these things will be taken into account.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that this is considered an injustice, and is retarding recruiting, seeing that he is prepared to stick at nothing— [Interruption.]

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the hardship inflicted on the relatives of soldiers who are reported as missing when the latter have been the holders of life insurance policies, having regard to the fact that some of the insurance companies still continue to collect the weekly and monthly premiums even when the certainty of the insured's death may be reasonably assumed; and, if so, will he consider what regulations can be issued and steps taken to prevent a continuance of this position?

Yes, Sir. This problem has been before me In the case of soldiers who have been reported missing and of whom no reliable information can be obtained within a reasonable period, death would be accepted for official purposes, but it will, I think, be obvious that sufficient period must have elapsed since the date on which the soldier was missing. I hope that this arrangement will meet the difficulties to which my hon. Friend alludes. I cannot think that any difficulty will be made by insurance companies in refunding payments which have been made subsequently to the date accepted officially for the death of the soldier.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what a "sufficient period" means?

It varies, of course, but it would have to be somewhere within the region of two or three months.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that it is the invariable practice of insurance companies to return premiums so paid, in addition to the death benefit; and is he also aware that many policies have been honoured, and when, subsequently, individuals have been proved to be alive, it has been impossible to recover the money from the beneficiaries?

I hope my hon. Friend is not altogether accurate in his last statement, but, with regard to the first statement, I am very glad to hear corroborated what I assumed in the answer I gave.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many ladies in khaki uniform are under the control of the War Office; and if he will consider the possibility of sparing a few to meet the trains arriving at Victoria and Waterloo with soldiers on furlough from the front, and make some provision for their protection and comfort?

I fancy my hon. Friend must be referring to the Women's Reserve Ambulance. This organisation is not, however, under the control of the War Office, but I am informed by the Colonel and Officer Commanding, London Battalion, Mrs. Lintorn-Orman, that organised parties of the corps have been meeting furlough trains for several weeks past.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is a feeling of disappointment among many officers who before the War had retired from the Army, but who have now been re-employed at the War Office, that though recommended in some cases for promotion they have been passed over, while other officers, also serving at the War Office, of no previous military training and experience, have been promoted; and whether he proposes to take any and what steps to remedy the grievance?

The rule which governs this matter is that rank is given commensurately with the functions to be exercised. I cannot, I fear, hold out hope that general promotion will be given.

In cases where promotion has been recommended, is it not possible for them to be considered by a Committee?

I do not see really that there is any reason for a Committee to consider them.

asked whether the question of the issue of ration allowance to officers serving at the War Office has yet been decided upon?

No issue has been made since April, and there the matter rests for the present.

asked in what commands in this country the meat ration has been reduced below 1 lb. per head per diem; whether there have been any complaints in consequence of such reduction; and what is the total saving of national expenditure resulting therefrom?

I gave the information asked for in the first part of the question in reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York on the 9th instant. No complaints in consequence of such reduction have been reported to the War Office. The saving is roughly estimated at £3,500 a day.

asked what allowance will be made to Mrs. Susannah Demain owing to the fact that her son Fred Stowel Demain, aged twenty-three years, No. 92,638, O battery, 74th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, has been killed in France?

I will have inquiry made into this case at once and will, in due course, let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that the understanding that publishers of newspapers and periodicals should continue to be allowed to post copies of their publications to neutral countries is not being observed by the War Office; that certain publishers have been refused the necessary permission and have been asked to send their publications through an agent; and whether, in view of the inconvenience and cost to the publisher involved by despatching through an agent, he will see that publishers are allowed to post their publications to neutral countries themselves?

I am not aware of any understanding such as that referred to by my hon. Friend. I am informed that a large proportion of the publishers have displayed great readiness to co-operate in the effective working of the present regulations by coming to an arrangement with an agent to whom a permit has been issued. The system which my hon. Friend suggests in his question would involve a large increase of staff, the cost of which would not be justified at the present time.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what is the practice in the case of those men in Territorial battalions who enlisted on the outbreak of war for home service only; and whether these men can be sent to serve with their battalions abroad except by their own consent in writing?

The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative. These men are being placed in provisional units for home service only, but, as I said the other day, it is hoped that these men will endeavour to overcome the circumstances which prevent their accepting Imperial service obligations, and so be able to reconsider their position and offer themselves for service abroad.

asked whether the General Officer Commanding of each division recommends officers in his division for Staff appointments; whether there are now complete Territorial divisions on the West front; how many Territorial officers in each of these divisions have been so recommended up to 31st October, and how many appointed up to 20th November?

It is open to a General Officer Commanding a division to make recommendations for Staff appointments. I believe my hon. and gallant Friend is right in supposing that there are complete Territorial divisions on the Western front. The answer to the last part of the question would involve reference to General Headquarters, where recommendations of the kind in question would be dealt with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether men of a Territorial Battalion were employed last month unloading sugar at Greenock from the ships "Strathgile" and "Corsemore," and were paid l½d. per hour (limited to 1s. per diem); and, if so, why were they not paid the usual dock labourers' wage, and who benefited by the transaction?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I imagine these men were being paid under the usual working pay rules, but I am obtaining information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the sufferings of British prisoners in Germany; whether he is aware that the French Government have secured proper treatment of French prisoners in Germany by enforcing German conditions upon German prisoners in France; whether he is aware that this reciprocal treatment of German prisoners in France has had excellent results; and whether His Majesty's Government will now take steps to enforce reciprocal treatment of German prisoners in England in order to reduce the intolerable hardships which British prisoners in Germany are suffering?

The reports available go to show that in the majority of the prisoners of war camps in Germany the conditions and treatment of the prisoners have materially improved lately, owing to the unremitting exertions of the members of the United States Embassy in Berlin. As regards the last three parts of the question, I have no knowledge of any acts of reprisal by the French Government, who, I am informed, adhere strictly to the provisions of The Hague Convention; but further inquiry is being made. I have great sympathy with the hardships—sometimes unavoidable, but often, I fear, avoidable—undergone by the British prisoners of war in Germany, but it is not proposed to alter the treatment of the prisoners of war in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that German officers in this country are obtaining game licences for shooting? Could not that be prevented?

I should require, if I may say so, further evidence as to that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an inspector was sent by the General Medical Council to report on the examination by the Apothecaries Hall of Ireland of an officer, wounded in the Dardanelles, who desired to become qualified to serve in the Royal Army Medical Corps; and that the examiner in surgery, Dr. C. B. Maunsell, of Mercer's Hospital, who has himself been appointed by the General Medical Council to conduct the examination, thereupon refused to proceed with the examination, on the ground that there existed no statutory authority for the inquisition, that no inspection had ever been attempted to be made by the General Medical Council under similar circumstances for the past thirty years, and that it would be improper to subject an officer of His Majesty's Forces to espionage; whether he is aware that Dr. Maunsell has, in protest, since resigned the office of examiner in surgery to the Apothecaries Hall, to which he was appointed by the General Medical Council, and that no other Dublin surgeon can be induced to accept the office under the present conditions of espionage; whether, as a result, it is for the time being impossible for this medical licensing board to qualify men to serve in the Royal Army Medical Corps; and will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I do not think I can add anything to the answer I gave to the hon. Gentleman on the 18th November. The Army Council has no power to intervene in this matter.

asked what additional cost would be incurred were the pay of all soldiers receiving less than 5s. a day, inclusive of allowances, brought up to that standard?

The cost would be many millions. The possibility of any such action is so remote that my hon. Friend will, I am sure, spare my Department the labour of preparing an estimate.

Would the labour be so very great? If so, will the hon. Gentleman supply me with a few facts to enable me to make the calculation?

Yes, it would be very considerable.

Do I understand it would cost many millions? I would suggest it would not cost a great many millions.

I think it would cost a great many millions.

asked the reasons why officers who were on the retired list and who are now being employed receive retired pay in addition to the full pay of their present appointments, when officers in the Navy, under similar circumstances, only receive full pay, together with a bonus of 25 per cent., calculated on their full pay without allowances?

The conditions of service in the Army and Navy are not identical. The existing rule as regards the re-employment of retired officers in the Army was adopted after full consideration and with the approval of the Treasury, as the results of the experience of the South African war. It must be remembered that the additional service now being given will not count for increase of retired pay, as was formerly the rule.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that thousands of men joined the Army at great sacrifice, and have made that great sacrifice without extra pay, while these retired officers are getting pay and a half?

My hon. Friend must bear in mind that these gentlemen who are giving their services are retired officers and have had the experience which that involves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability, in the cause of economy, of reducing some of this expenditure?

I do rather wish to draw attention and emphasise the last part of the answer to my hon. Friend, that this additional service now being given by these officers will not count for increase of retired pay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether there are not other and better means of economy than cutting down the pay of officers?

It is obvious from that question that there is not unanimity on the subject in the House.

asked the approximate total cost of retired pay of all officers who are also receiving the full pay of their present appointments for the three months ending 30th September?

At the outbreak of war, the retired pay of military officers was at the rate of about £2,000,000 a year. I regret that there is no way of ascertaining how much of this is drawn by officers re-employed, without disproportionate labour.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office on what authority it is asserted that the ¾ lb. tins of bully beef are available for immediate use; and if he has received representations that the beef is so salt that it is uneatable until cleared of the brine?

The statement referred to was made on the authority of the officers responsible and represents the facts. No official representations have been made to the War Office that the beef is so salt as to be uneatable. The specification, on the contrary, lays down that there shall not be an excess of salt, and the manufacture is carried out under expert medical supervision. I have eaten some of the beef myself, and it is excellent. I invite my hon. Friend to taste it for myself.

Is my hon. Friend aware that New Zealanders never complain, and will he take evidence from the New Zealand soldiers now home from France, and other authorities, that the meat served to our troops is absolutely uneatable? It is so salt that it causes a large amount of diarrhœa and dysentery?

May I ask that a sample of this beef be put in the drinking bar?

I will consider that suggestion, but it will have to be inspected very quickly. With regard to the complaints made, I am sure if there is any reasonable ground even for suspicion that there is anything the matter with the food we will have the most searching inquiry made, but I can only say that nothing of the kind has reached the War Office from any responsible officer. I do not for a moment wish to appear to reflect upon the veracity of those who have brought the information to my hon. Friend. We all recognise fully the splendid services which the New Zealand troops have given, but I think there must be some misunderstanding in the matter. If my hon. Friend will give me further particulars, I will guarantee to have a full inquiry made.

asked who is responsible for the charges for messing at the officers' training establishment at Fort Purbrook, Cosham, and is he aware that young officers there are obliged to pay 5s. 6d. a day for their mess, whereas they only pay about half that sum at a regimental mess where they have better food, and that dissatisfaction is felt on the subject?

Under the King's Regulations officers commanding are responsible that messes are conducted without unnecessary expense. I am informed that the daily charge at Fort Purbrook is 3s., and that there are no extras. If the hon. Gentleman has any specific information on this point perhaps he will be good enough to furnish me with it.

I will send the hon. Gentleman a letter from the father of one of these young officers.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Viceroy has reprieved any and, if so, how many of the Lahore conspirators who were sentenced to death; whether Har Dayal, the inspirer of this plot, was awarded a scholarship by the Punjab Government in order that he might pursue at Oxford the studies which resulted in this endeavour to seduce Indian troops and produce revolution, and to manufacture explosives for the destruction of British lives and public and private property; and, if so, whether more scholarships will in similar circumstances be awarded?

The Governor-General in Council has commuted to transportation for life the sentences of sixteen out of twenty-four persons condemned to death by the Lahore Special Tribunal. Har Dayal, who had previously borne a good character, was awarded a Government scholarship by the Punjab Government in 1905. He resigned it in 1907. I am not prepared to suggest that all scholarships should be suspended because one scholar has turned out ill.

Did the right hon. Gentleman notice that I said, "in order that he might pursue at Oxford the studies which resulted in this endeavour," and there was no such implication intended?

I did notice the particular words quoted in my hon. Friend's question, but I am unaware of the meaning he attaches to them. If he suggests that the scholarship was given to him in order that he might pursue studies in sedition and murder, it is obviously absurd, and I am sure my hon. Friend never meant anything of the kind.

asked whether raw cotton is now being exported in large and increasing quantities from India to Japan, whence it is returned to the former country in the shape of manufactured piece goods, the imports of which are increasing in such quantities as to compete successfully with the like locally made goods and to threaten Lancashire products of the same character; and whether there is any reason to suppose that the Japanese Government is giving a bounty and Japanese shipping companies are quoting specially low rates of freight in this behalf?

Exports of raw cotton from India to Japan for the six months from April to September, 1915, amount to rather over 3,000,000 cwt., an advance of about 30 per cent. on the corresponding figures for the previous two years. Imports of cotton piece goods into India from Japan have considerably increased during the present year. I have no information that the Japanese Government give bounties in respect of these exports. If my hon. Friend can offer proof of that suggestion I shall be glad to be furnished with it.

asked (1) the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the decision on the part of a large number of the local authorities to take no action whatever in spreading the information contained in pamphlets circulated to them by the Board of Education explaining methods by which culinary and other domestic economies may be practised advantageously during the War in the homes of the poor, on the ground that in the first place precept should be addressed to, and practice commence with, the well-to-do; whether the Government propose to make their economy literature more convincing by public admonition addressed to, or restrictive legislation imposed upon, the more thoughtless and fashion-bound among the latter class; and (2) whether he realises the difficulty experienced by those who, on behalf of the Parliamentary War Savings Committee, have been endeavouring to impress upon the working-class population the advantages to the nation of their thrift and economy, and of the investment of any savings from their wages in War Loan vouchers, owing to the evident and obvious continuance of extravagant habits, even in face of national peril, among a certain section of the fashionable plutocracy; and whether, in order to carry greater conviction to the minds of the proletariat and to facilitate the task of the Government missionaries of thrift, he will make it evident as soon as possible that the Government mean to begin at the top, and not to require of the poor domestic and personal sacrifices which they are not prepared to insist upon, according to their means, in the case of the rich, or even of Members of Parliament?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that costly and extravagant luxuries in the shape of furs, jewellery, costly food, and drink still find ready and, in some directions, increasing sale in this country; and whether, in view of the fact that the present apparent prosperity is wholly fictitious and illusory and will have to be paid for at a later stage by deepened poverty and distress, he will outline what steps, apart from platform exhortations, the Government propose to take in order to cut out ruthlessly from the national life every form of luxury, extravagance, and waste?

No such action as is suggested in the first part of this question has been brought to my notice. After the grave words used by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer last Monday it ought to be clear that His Majesty's Government will not hesitate to adopt whatever means may be appropriate and effective for bringing home to all classes of the community the necessity for the exercise of rigorous economy.

asked whether, failing the publication of any official list, he will state, for public information and guidance, the chief commodities the importation of which from abroad involves the export of large quantities of gold, and the restricted consumption of which by patriotic citizens would aid the Government in the successful prosecution of the War?

Restriction of consumption of any commodities which are not essential to the maintenance of efficiency is calculated to reduce the need for the export of gold, since such restriction will either release productive resources at home, and thus facilitate a larger production for export, or it will reduce imports and thus diminish the amount for which it is necessary to find a means of payment abroad.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Woolwich is not a prohibited area for alien enemies; if he will say on what principle areas are scheduled as prohibited areas; whether he is aware that an important Government arsenal is situate at Woolwich, and that 225 alien enemies are at large in the borough of Woolwich and the neighbouring village of Charlton; and whether he will take immediate steps to have Woolwich and the neighbouring district scheduled as a prohibited area?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question, as the Aliens Restriction Act is administered by the Home Office. The localities to be made prohibited areas have been selected in consultation with the Admiralty or War Office on the principle of scheduling those where the presence of aliens was likely to be a danger. Woolwich lies on both sides of the river: the Arsenal is surrounded on three sides by a high wall and on the fourth by the river, and access to it can be gained only through certain gates which are specially staffed so as to maintain effective supervision over persons going in and out. In these circumstances it has not been deemed necessary to make Woolwich a prohibited area, the Arsenal being safe- guarded by its wall and river approach. Any special risk which might have arisen from the presence of unexempted aliens in this neighbourhood at the outbreak of war has now been removed by the internment of all alien enemies, except those permitted to be at large for special reasons. Of the males exempted many are in North Woolwich, and as to others circumstances may now permit of the carrying out of a number of internments which have hitherto been postponed at the request of the Admiralty. In any case the police best discharge their duty by concentrating on the points where they can guard effectively against agents of the enemy, and recent experience has shown that these may not be themselves enemy aliens, or even persons of hostile origin.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to a resolution passed by the executive council of the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom on the 9th November urging that the Government should prepare plans for preventing unemployment after the War being caused by German manufacturers pouring into this country large quantities of manufactured goods at low prices, and to secure continuity of business for those who have undertaken enterprises with the hope of obtaining a portion of the trade formerly done in competition with British subjects by those countries with whom we are at present at war; and if he can make a statement as to the policy of the Government in dealing with these questions?

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the growing sentiment against the resumption after the War of normal commercial dealings with our present enemies and in favour of commercial co-operation with our Allies, whether he will give an undertaking that the provisions of the Trading With the Enemy Act, 1914, shall be continued until after the electors shall have had an opportunity at a General Election of determining the future commercial policy of the nation?

The matter referred to and cognate matters are already being made the subject of close and systematic inquiry.

( later ): On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Question 54 standing in my name and addressed to the Prime Minister was not called from the Chair. I received no intimation that the right hon. Gentleman wished it to be withdrawn, and the first intimation I had that it was not going to be put was when you, Sir, passed it over. May I respectfully ask the reason why it was not called?

It was answered in conjunction with another question.

I answered it.

I beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. I did not catch that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any further information as to the steps being taken or in contemplation for the reconstitution of the great General Staff of the Army?

Various steps have been taken by additions to personnel and redistribution of functions to increase the effectiveness and to make more constant use of the advice of the General Staff. It is not desirable to give detailed particulars.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, in view of the great importance of his functions, the Chief of the Imperial Staff will be restored to his position of first military member of the Army Council, and relieved of his duties which do not bear directly upon the conduct of the War?

As a matter of fact, under a recent Order in Council, the members of the Army Council take precedence by their military seniority. That does not in the least degree affect the authority of the Chief of the General Staff.

Does not my right hon. Friend see that it affects the importance of the office?

No one is more alive than I am to the importance of maintaining the authority of the Chief of the General Staff. I can assure my hon. Friend that it will not be in the least impaired.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction caused by the regulations of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic); if he has considered whether the Central Board have outstepped the duties which they were appointed for in making these regulations; if the Government will consider withdrawing the said regulations; and, if not, will they compensate the licensed traders for their losses by exempting them from Licence Duty and taxes during the period of the War?

asked the Minister of Munitions to how many establishments approximately, apart from controlled establishments, the provisions of Clause 7 of the Munitions Act, prohibiting, under penalty of six weeks' unemployment, any workman leaving his employment without the consent of his employer, have been applied by Order or are in contemplation; approximately, how many workpeople are employed in such establishments; what steps are taken to make known to the workpeople concerned that they have been brought under this law; whether, in return for this assistance to the employers, they are subjected to any limitation of profits like the controlled establishments and, if HO, by what rules or other provisions; whether he will present to Parliament, or otherwise publish in the "Labour Gazette" or elsewhere, the conditions made with such employers for the protection of the workpeople, seeing that they are prohibited from striking, and even from leaving their employment, against reductions of wages, refusal to pay the standard rate, or neglect to observe standard conditions and other encroachments; if no such special protection is provided for the workpeople, how he suggests that they should defend themselves against the continual petty encroachments which cause so much industrial discontent; and whether the need for such protection is being considered in drafting the Munitions Act Amendment Bill?

The matters raised by my hon. Friend's question are difficult to deal with adequately by question and answer. As my hon. Friend is aware, my right hon. Friend is proposing at an early date to introduce a Bill to amend certain provisions of the Munitions of War Act, and I would suggest that he should wait until that Bill is published.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether for a considerable time after beginning work in this country the Canadian munition workers received no subsistence allowance, and that many of them received far less in wages than they had been led to expect; that numbers of them, finding it impossible in these circumstances to keep their homes going in Canada, sent passage money for their wives and children to come to this country; and whether, in view of the fact that the bringing over of families necessitated by Government delay in granting subsistence allowance has imposed a serious burden on the resources of these workers, he will take steps to compensate them for the outlay involved?

The Canadian munition workers received from the outset the full amount of all allowances to which they were entitled under the agreement signed by them, and I have ascertained that no exaggerated statements as to the wages obtainable in this country were made by or on behalf of the Board of Trade representatives in Canada. Later a special privilege was granted to these workers by the payment, over and above the allowance due to them under agreement, of an allowance to their dependants in Canada, and these subsistence allowances are now being paid. There is no ground for speaking of delay in the granting of subsistence allowances, since the workers in question had no claim whatever to receive these allowances. I do not think that the Government can undertake to extend this allowance or to pay any compensation of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend, and in this connection I may mention that the agreement signed by (the workmen expressly provided that no families would be brought over at the Government's or the employer's expense.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has so far found it possible to carry out his promise to have inquiry made into the housing accommodation and increased rents in Sheffield; if so, whether any report has been received; and whether such report will be made public?

The question of the insufficiency of housing accommodation in the Sheffield area has been investigated, and schemes for the provision of both permanent and temporary accommodation have been drawn up and agreed upon with the local authority, and are being carried out as expeditiously as possible. With regard to the raising of rents, the President of the Local Government Board has already stated that a Bill will be introduced very shortly.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the fact that there are or will shortly be several hundred thousand women working under the provisions of the Munitions of War Act, and that cases are coming before the Munitions Tribunal in which complaints, are made of improper behaviour of foremen, inadequacy of sanitary accommodation, and unhealthy conditions of work, he will consider the expediency of providing, in the amendment of the Munitions of War Act now under consideration, that at least one of the members of any Munitions Tribunal dealing with cases in which girls or women are concerned shall be a woman?

There are considerable practical difficulties in giving effect to the suggestion made in the question, but it will be borne in mind. I may point out that the particular subjects of complaint specified have for some time been under the consideration of the Health of Munition Workers Committee, which is advising my right hon. Friend on these and kindred matters.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will now rescind the Order in Council of January, 1869, and restore to the Board of Admiralty the collective responsibility in force before the Order in Council herein mentioned?

The Order in Council of January, 1869, was rescinded by the Order in Council of the 19th March, 1872. The collective responsibility of the Board of Admiralty continues to exist. The tradition has not been interrupted by the various Orders in Council which have been passed to define the individual responsibilities of the several members of the Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether the possible advantage has been considered of placing all the land forces, French and English, on the Western front under one supreme individual commander, as would be the case if the English and French Grand Fleets were operating together?

This has not been considered advisable.

asked the Prime Minister whether any arrangement has been made to permit or facilitate an interchange of Staff officers between the French and our Armies whereby we may obtain on occasion, until the Staffs of our New Armies can be fully selected, sufficiently trained and carefully tested, the services of technically highly-educated French officers accustomed to deal with great masses of soldiers in the field?

Officers on the Staffs of armies are carefully selected, and have been thoroughly tested by actual trial during the War, before they are placed in these positions. At least two-thirds of the Staffs of New Army Divisions have had experience in the War. French officers are attached to British Army Staffs, and their technical knowledge and experience can thus always be made use of. Similarly British officers are attached to the French Forces.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been directed to the amounts which co-operative wholesale and retail societies apply out of trading profits to purposes of reserve and insurance; is he aware that from 1898 to 1913, while sales and profits of these societies doubled, the appropriations to reserve and insurance increased fivefold; if Income Tax is levied upon any portion of the amounts so appropriated; and, if not, will he explain the exemption granted to large trading organisations which are in competition with private firms and companies?

If the sums carried to reserve were charged to Income Tax under Schedule D, the societies would be entitled to an allowance against the assessment in respect of the larger sums on which they now pay tax under Schedule A. The charge would not result in any additional yield of revenue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that The Co-operative Wholesale Society made about 32 per cent. of net profit a year and distributed only 4 per cent. to their shareholders, and does he not consider that the 28 per cent. retained ought to be made liable to Income Tax?

That opens up a very large question, with which I do not think I could deal by way of an answer across the floor of the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the 4 per cent. is distributed as a dividend and is not capital at all?

I have already said that this is a very large question, and I would not like to enter upon it now.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends the concession in respect of Income Tax that he proposes to make to soldiers and sailors to apply to sailors serving in the Navy auxiliaries, transports, mine sweepers, and other vessels employed by His Majesty in the conduct of the War?

The concession to soldiers and sailors whose income from all sources does not exceed £300 a year will apply to all persons in receipt of pay from Navy or Army Votes for naval or military service in connection with the present War.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the estimated loss to the Treasury by reason of providing that soldiers and sailors serving in the armed Forces of the Crown whose incomes from all sources does not exceed £300 shall be relieved of all liability to pay Income Tax on their pay at any higher rate than that provided in Section 3 of the Finance Act of 1914; and if he can state what the loss to the Treasury would be of freeing from Income Tax in excess of that provided in Section 3 of the Finance Act of 1914 all Army and Navy pay that does not exceed £300 and £400, respectively, in the case of each officer, non-commissioned officer, warrant officer, or man, without regard to any other source of individual income, deducting such Income Tax only from the pay, and consequently imposing no obligation in any case to claim return or rebate in respect of this provision?

Section 3 of the Finance Act, 1914, deals with Super-tax, and I presume the hon. Member intends to refer to Sections 2 and 4 of that Act. The estimate asked for in the first part of the question may be put at £590,000 for a full year, and in the second and third parts at £635,000 and £720,000, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether expert lecturers and writers on the War who are reputed to be making large profits will be liable under the Finance (No. 3) Bill to pay Excess Profits Tax?

I may refer my hon. Friend to Clause 37 of the Bill (as amended in Committee), from which he will see that the reply to his question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether directors of companies receiving commissions out of profits in their employment as managing directors, and therefore servants of a company, would be liable under the Finance Bill to pay Excess Profits Tax?

Excess Profits Duty is a charge in respect of profits arising from a trade or business, and special provisions are made in Rule 5 of Part I. of the Fourth Schedule to the Bill for the calculation of such profits in relation to the remuneration paid to directors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has withdrawn his proposal to apply the Excess Profits Tax to ship sales; and what estimate has he had before him of the probable yield should the tax be so applied?

I propose to introduce a substituted Amendment on the Report stage of the Bill, which will afford a more convenient opportunity for discussion than is possible by way of question and answer. Perhaps I might add that the Financial Secretary outlined the nature of the proposal which we shall make on the Report stage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that extravagance among all classes in Great Britain is largely traceable to the system of allowing trade credit, he will consider the desirability during the War of disallowing such credit altogether?

I presume the hon. and gallant Member has in mind credit given by retail traders in respect of goods supplied for domestic consumption and not trade credit generally, the stoppage of which would necessarily bring production and distribution to a standstill. But even within this narrower limit I fear the suggestion would not be practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, any plan has yet been formulated by the Government for acquiring American securities now privately owned in this country; whether the communiqué which has appeared was authorised by him; and whether an opportunity will be given for discussing the plan before it is put into operation?

Proposals have been made to certain institutions which are believed to be large holders of American securities with a view to their placing their holdings at the disposal of the Government. These proposals are at present confidential, and the statement which has appeared in the Press on the subject was unauthorised. I propose to make a full statement to the House before any invitation is issued to the public generally, and opportunity for discussion will be given upon that statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the scarcity and high price of aspirin and other salicylates, also of all coal-tar products such as phenacitin, antipyrin, etc., and of drugs requiring spirit in their manufacture; what steps he proposes to take to secure an adequate supply at a reasonable price during the War, in view of the large requirements of the hospitals; and whether he proposes to secure a larger production of drugs in this country by permitting the use of spirit free of all duty in their manufacture?

The question of maintaining the supply of these important drugs has received very careful consideration at the hands of the Department of the Insurance Commissioners. I fear that it is not possible within the limits of a Parliamentary reply to give any adequate statement of the steps that have been, and are being taken, to deal with the situation; but I understand that the position as regards available supplies is on the whole improving, and that there is no reason to anticipate any serious shortage in the future. It is not practicable to allow the use of duty-free spirit in the manufacture of drugs generally, but so far as it is practicable, it is or will be allowed under the terms of the Circular of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that improved supply refers to a supply of drugs manufactured in this country or imported from abroad?

I should like notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these drugs have registered names, and that the same drugs under other names can be obtained at cheaper prices and in fairly free amounts?

I think I ought to have notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the Russian newspaper "Ruskoe Slovo," of 17/30 October last, in which it is stated that articles on military matters published in certain English papers were made known widely in Greece, Roumania, and Bulgaria by the German Wolff Agency as a proof that the English acknowledged the shortcomings of their military organisation; and whether, in view of this circumstance, the Government will take steps to prevent any further articles appearing in the Press calculated to convey erroneous impressions prejudicial to the cause of the Allies?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for calling my attention to this short but striking illustration of the advantage which the enemy seeks to gain from a section of British newspaper comment. The matter is under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the article was?

The statement in the Russian paper was very brief. I will read it:—

"In newspaper circles here they lay a heavy responsibility on the English papers belonging to Lord Northcliffe, namely, 'Daily Mail' and 'Times,' for the failure experienced by the diplomacy of the Entente in the Balkans. After the quarrel of the owner of the 'Daily Mail' and 'Times' with the English Government these papers systematically began to blacken all the military and diplomatic measures of the English Government, and to foretell failure for the Allies. The Germans have naturally made wide use of this campaign of the 'Times' and 'Daily Mail' for their own propaganda in Greece, Roumania and Bulgaria, where they still consider the 'Times' semi-official. The articles by Colonel Repington have been disseminated by the German Wolff Agency with the view to proving that the English themselves recognise the deficiencies in their military organisation and their readiness for carrying on the War. Papers published in Roumania and Greece, at German expense, fill their columns with extracts from the 'Daily Mail' and 'Times' without any comment."