asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether active measures are being taken to counteract the effect of the false statements and propaganda of German agents in the United States of America, in Persia, and in other countries which are at present neutral, as well as in India and in other British Possessions; and whether adequate efforts are being made to prevent the influence of such agents, exercised through the Press and otherwise, from continuing to prove injurious to British interests?

Energetic steps are taken in various ways to counteract the effect of false statements made in the interests of the Central Powers in neutral countries. It would obviously not be in the public interest to enter into any details as to the nature of these activities.

asked whether Russia and Great Britain have now agreed to the moratorium requested by the Persian Government in respect of the payment of interest on loans made by this country and Russia; whether the main object of this moratorium is for the payment of the gendarmerie sections of which have just revolted; and whether, under the circumstances, he will consider the employment to command this force of officers having Asiatic experience and will make a recommendation on these lines to the Persian Government?

His Majesty's Government and the Russian Government are engaged in amicable negotiations with the Persian Government, with a view to placing the latter in a position to maintain -order in Persia and to uphold the duties incumbent upon a neutral State. Until these negotiations are further advanced I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to make a detailed statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the exact understanding which has been arrived at between the Allied Powers and the Greek Government?

I do not think I can usefully make any statement at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether letters and printed matter posted in Switzerland to Members of Parliament in England, whether directed to the House of Commons or to their private addresses, are subject to be censored by British War Office officials, or by French officials, or by both; whether, in case such postal matter is considerably delayed or destroyed, he will in future communicate with any hon. Members whose correspondence is thus treated; and whether he can make any statement which will guide hon. Members as to the course which they should pursue when they desire to receive foreign letters and publications?

Letters and printed matter posted from Switzerland to Members of both Houses of Parliament and addressed to the respective Chambers are not subject to censorship, but if such letters are sent to private addresses they are subject to censorship. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to an answer I gave to the hon. Member for Dumfriesshire on the 6th July. I think that what I have said in regard to postal matter from Switzerland would apply also to the action of the French officials. As regards the second part of the question I do not see exactly what purpose could be served by the suggested increase of my correspondence. In reply to the third part of the question, I would advise my hon. Friend to request his foreign correspondents to address their letters, and any publications they may send him, to this House, when, as I have stated, no censorship would be imposed.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 4th Scottish Provisional Battalion was recently paraded and addressed by the colonel of another battalion, who informed them that those of them who were unmarried and did not join their Imperial Service Battalion by the 30th November would be forced to do so in December; whether that, statement was authorised by the War Office; and, if not, will he take measures to intimate to the battalion that the statement was unauthorised?

A portion of the 4th Scottish Provisional Battalion, which originally belonged to the 2/6th Black Watch, was addressed by the colonel of the 2/6th Black Watch, who was anxious to persuade a large number of the men to undertake the Imperial Service obligation. This was, I think, a perfectly legitimate proceeding. The statement with reference to what might happen after the 30th November was perhaps based on insufficient information, but in substance it is, of course, the case, as I stated the other day, that any other measures which may have to be adopted will apply to all sections of the population.

asked whether officers and men who have been seriously injured at the front owing to defective bombs or other causes, and who have lost a limb or their eyesight by reason of such accidents, are precluded from having their names placed on the Roll of Honour; and, if so, will he say the reasons?

The principle followed has been to show as wounded, in the announcements to the Press, only those whose wounds were received in action. This decision has been based on the view that the casualty list is intended to be a list of the men killed, wounded and missing in action with the enemy. Outside this category there are various other forms of casualty not due to action with the enemy the inclusion of any one of which would make it difficult to draw any clear line. I think if any misunderstand- ing exists on this point, it is due to the use of the misleading term "Roll of Honour" instead of "Casualty List." Inclusion or exclusion from the casualty list ought not to be regarded as a measure of a man's service to his country.

Do not all public bodies, public schools, and the universities establish a Roll of Honour, and are only the people who are actually in the casualty list to be on that roll? Is that not so? Is it not a great injustice to these men not to be on the roll?

I dare say it is true that a large number of public schools and other bodies have adopted the phrase "Roll of Honour," but if they would adopt the phrase "Casualty List" they would include those who have unfortunately suffered from these accidents.

Does not the phrase "Roll of Honour" as employed by public schools include all those who have gone to serve, and not merely those who are in the casualty lists?

Yes, I think that is so.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is considerable doubt in the country as to the official age at which young men can be recruited for the Army; will he say whether the official age is nineteen, with the reservation that lads can be enlisted three months prior to their attaining the age of nineteen for training; and whether he can give any assurance that Lord Derby is not recruiting any persons under this age?

The second part of my hon. Friend's question is a correct statement of the position in regard to the men attested, passed to the Army Reserve, classified in a group, returned to civil employment and eventually called up to the Colours, except that these men may be accepted after passing the age of eighteen, but would not be called up under existing Regulations until three months before attaining the age of nineteen. As regards direct enlistment, no man is eligible v ho is below the age of nineteen. My Noble Friend Lord Derby has given instructions for the strict adherence to this rule.

Are any steps taken when a person enlists to ascertain whether he is nineteen years of age or not?

Oh, yes. Steps are taken to ascertain whether the recruit is or is not nineteen. If he is nineteen he is eligible, and not until he is nineteen years of age.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether efforts have been made to enlist fit men of military age now dressed in khaki and engaged in various departments of war work, either at home or abroad, which could be undertaken by men over military age or by women; and whether any steps have been taken to co-ordinate action and prevent overlapping and the present competition of the various Government Departments to get the men they want irrespective of the country's needs?

I am not quite sure to what classes of men my hon. and gallant Friend is referring, but I can assure him that efforts are being made to secure the enlistment of every fit man of military age irrespectively of whether he may be a civilian dressed in khaki or not. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think it is the case that the various Government Departments are competing for men irrespective of the country's needs. But at a time of stress some competition is unavoidable.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether men who are attested and sent back to civil employment under Lord Derby's scheme of recruiting are to be counted in the number of men authorised by Parliament for the year 1915–16 on the Home and Colonial establishments of the Army exclusive of those serving in India?

Men who are passed to the Army Resrve are not borne on the Parliamentary Vote for numbers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will exempt medical students from pressure who are approaching the end of their third year's course; and he will give instructions that the first and second-year students who desire to continue their training shall be allowed to do so?

I will read to the House a communiqué which was recently made to the Press on this matter:—

"Students who at or before the close of the present winter session will be qualified for entry to one of the examination? for the third-year students in medicine and duly enter for the examination for which they are now studying will not be attested until after its conclusion, and if they are successful will be included in the class of fourth-year men under Lord Derby's scheme."

I answered the latter part of the question in Debate the other day, and I adhere to what I then said. I fear I cannot undertake to give the instructions suggested any more than I can undertake to cancel the decision that candidates for holy orders are to be regarded as eligible to be canvassed and enlisted or to receive commissions.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War on what ground ministers of religion and clergymen have been placed in the last class of recruits, and. seeing that such ministers and clergymen have received Lord Derby's invitation to enlist, will he say if these persons are being canvassed; is he aware that some clergymen who have volunteered for military service have been told by their bishops, as by the Bishop of Salisbury, for instance, that if they undertake military service they will be deprived of their livings; will he ascertain from Lord Derby how many such cases the canvass returns reveal; and will he send on to the Attorney-General particulars of all such cases in order that the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act against hindering recruiting may be put in motion against these bishops who have used these threats against responding to the appeal for recruits?

Any ministers of religion or clergymen who enlist are put into the groups appropriate to their age and marital condition, and they are not remitted to the last class of recruits. I am not aware of, nor am I responsible for, what may or may not have been said by the Bishop of Salisbury or by the leaders of any other communion to ministers or clergymen, nor have I any information as to what may have been revealed by canvass returns in regard to this matter. As regards the last part of the question, I must congratulate my hon. Friend on his new-found enthusiasm for the Defence of the Realm Acts, but I may say that neither as regards the clerical nor as regards the medical profession is it proposed to put in motion the Act against those heads of communions in the one case or heads of medical schools in the other who have expressed the opinion that the ordained minister or the qualified and nearly qualified medical man do better service to the country by staying at home for the cure of souls or bodies respectively than by enlisting. In either case the attitude adopted has the approval of the War Office, and I could not consent to such a misuse of the Defence of the Realm Acts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, having regard to the statements of the Government that the recruiting now going on under the National Register is resulting in men being starred who ought not to be starred and in men not being starred who ought to be starred, what steps it is proposed to take to remedy what has been wrongly done and to prevent similar failure in future?

It is hoped to rectify such errors as have been made by means of the various tribunals which have been set up. My hon. Friend will agree that in the circumstances error could not have been entirely avoided.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is inexcusable and culpable negligence?

Would it not be possible to allow all canvassers to have starred cards as well as unstarred cards, in order that they may know from the beginning what persons are and what persons are not to be canvassed?

In reply to the hon. Member for Salford, I cannot agree with his definition, picturesque as it is; and, with regard to my hon. Friend behind me, I should say that it is, of course, desirable that all recruiting men should be armed with all the necessary documents and powers.

asked the Prime Minister what answer a canvasser under Lord Derby's recruiting scheme is instructed to return on behalf of and as binding upon the Government to an unmarried man, aged twenty-six, who is his widowed mother's support, and wishes to enlist, attest, and serve, not in any postponed group, but immediately, is satisfied with the arrangements as to help from his employers and dependant's allowance for his mother during his active military service, but feels unable to enlist because absolutely nothing has been provided for his mother in the event of his falling in action; and whether the Government will issue in leaflet or poster form a Government pledge which will supersede the present position?

A poster of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy has already been issued, stating the pensions and gratuities for dependants of soldiers. It is being distributed in large numbers among recruiting committees and canvassers, besides being exhibited at barracks, post offices, police stations and other places.

Is this poster quite a new one or is it one with which we are familiar? Does that deal with the particular case to which I call attention in the question?

My impression is that it is a new one. When my hon. Friend sees a copy of the poster he will be able to answer the question himself.

No doubt, but does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is one of the difficulties which Lord Derby's canvassers have encountered at every turn during the last month?

I cannot answer that without notice.

asked whether the number of men on the Home and Colonial establishments of the Army, exclusive of those serving in India, has reached the total authorised by Parliament for the year 1915–16 of 3,000,000; and, if not, what margin remains to be recruited?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I am not prepared to give figures for the present strength of the Army.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are a number of ex-Territorials of military age serving in His Majesty's Dockyard, Chatham, who would be willing to rejoin the Colours if consent to their so doing were given; and will he cause inquiry to be made as to their number and employment, with a view to ascertain whether consent could properly be given to their rejoining without any detriment to the effective working of the yard?

The workmen in His Majesty's Dockyards and Naval Establishments, who are eligible for recruitment, are now at liberty to enlist under Lord Derby's scheme, for immediate transfer to the Reserve, it being understood that they will not be withdrawn for military duties unless and until their services can be spared by the Admiralty. The cases of men desiring to join the military forces for immediate service will be dealt with individually according to the circumstances affecting each of them, on the application of the employés concerned. It would be open to the individuals whom my hon. and learned Friend has in mind to make such application to the heads of their Departments, who are best able to judge whether their services can be spared.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has issued a notice intimating that certificated merchant captains and officers should not enlist, having regard to the importance of maintaining British shipping; whether he has intimated that seamen should also be exempted from enlistment owing to the large inroads already made upon the personnel of the mercantile marine for the requirements of the Navy, and that, as sea fishermen are the only remaining class with practical experience of the sea, they may be required to be recruited as seamen in the Royal Naval Reserve; and, if so, whether he will at once take steps to have a suitable badge, armlet, or other token issued to all these men, so that they may be free from the stigma attached to other men of military age who have not, joined any of His Majesty's Forces.

A notice of the nature indicated applicable to captains, officers, engineers and crews of merchant ships has been issued by Lord Derby and my right hon. Friend. Fishermen have been included in a list of reserved occupations, so far as enlistment in the Army is concerned, but are available to be recruited in the Royal Naval Reserve. As regards the proposal to issue a badge, I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on the 26th October.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the British mercantile seamen class is to be the only class in the whole community who are to be left without any token of their doing their duty in serving as they are at present?

No, Sir. I do not think the hon. Gentleman's description is at all a fair one. As a matter of fact the British seamen, we hope, will be more at sea than at home, and a badge will be no use

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that all regimental officers coming home on leave from France are obliged to travel via Havre, whereas Staff officers use the more expeditious and comfortable route via Boulogne; and whether he will give instructions, if there is insufficient accommodation by Boulogne for all officers travelling between France and England, that the privilege of using this route shall be granted to officers according to their military rank, without regard to their employment in Staff or regimental duties respectively?

The statement made in the first part of the question is incorrect. Regimental officers have never as a class been obliged to travel by Havre. Under the arrangements now about to be put into force some of the officers and men will travel by Boulogne and some by Havre, but whether officer or man travel by one route or the other will be a matter for decision by the military authorities in France.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of those routes is very much more expeditious and comfortable than the other, and therefore, if there is a preference, will he arrange that it shall be given in virtue of military rank and for no other reason?

It is very difficult for me to undertake what the hon. Gentleman suggests, inasmuch as all these decisions have to be made by the officers on the other side, but I will bear in mind the suggestion of my hon. Friend, and see whether I can get anything done in that direction.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that a parcel properly addressed to Private Avis, No. 6846, No. II. Ward, No. 6 General Hospital, Rouen, France, posted in London on 3rd November, was returned to the sender bearing an endorsement showing that it was delivered at the hospital by the postal authorities at a time when the addressee was, as he still is, a patient in the hospital; and if he will say who was responsible for the return of the parcel instead of its delivery to the addressee?

As I have before stated, I cannot be expected to be aware of what happens to individual letters or parcels addressed to individual officers or men serving at the front. If the facts are as stated it would certainly seem that a mistake was made in the individual case in question. I cannot, however, say who committed the mistake nor can I undertake to ask for an inquiry into errors of this kind unless it can be shown that they are of general occurrence. I am satisfied that amongst the millions of letters and parcels which are sent weekly to the troops an infinitesimal portion fail to reach the addressees and this state of things reflects, I think, great credit upon all those concerned.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the skilled munitions workers who were dismissed from Woolwich Arsenal by Lord Haldane, while he was Secretary of State for War, and who obtained employment in Krupp's works, at Essen, returned to this country on the outbreak of war; and if he can say whether any of them are still employed at Essen?

If any such migration as that indicated in the question did take place (which at this date I am unable to determine), I think we may safely assume that, on the outbreak of war, the migrants acted as good patriots and returned to aid their country and did not, as the hon. Gentleman appears somewhat gratuitously to suggest, remain behind in Germany to aid the enemy. I cannot associate myself with the hon. Gentleman's suggestions of want of patriotism.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no such suggestion as he implies, and am I to understand from his answer that he knows nothing about the matter?

Yes. I think my hon. Friend may safely assume that; otherwise, I would have told him so. I have been unable to get any facts.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he has yet considered the question of granting a Return of the cases which have come before the Tribunals; and will he have inquiry made as to the number of cases against employés and employers, the numbers in each case dismissed or sustained, respectively, and a summary of the grounds of complaint?

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) how many cases have been tried under Clause 7 of the Munitions of War Act; and how many leaving certificates have been refused, granted, and delayed, respectively; and (2) how many cases have been brought before the Munitions Tribunals, local and general, and how many workpeople have been directly affected; how many of these cases have been brought by employers and how many by workpeople; and how many workmen have been fined, imprisoned, otherwise penalised, and acquitted, respectively?

A Return up to the 27th November is being prepared and will be presented to Parliament as soon as available, showing the total number of persons charged with offences under each Section of the Act, the total number of convictions and fines inflicted or acquittals under each Section, and the total number of applications for certificates and the decisions.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the fact that articles necessary for the conduct of the war are costing us three or four times as much as they would have cost if the old conditions had prevailed, he can state what such increased cost is due to; and whether there is any prospect of an early reduction to a figure more commensurate with the increased cost of manufacture which prevails in the ordinary trades of the country?

It is undoubtedly the case that articles necessary for the conduct of the War are costing more than they would have cost before the War, but I have no information, except in the case of one raw material, as to such articles costing three or four times as much. I shall be glad to inquire into any particular case in regard to which my hon. Friend can give useful information. The increased cost is due to many causes, such as increased demand, extra cost of freight brought about by the restriction of available shipping, and the advance in the cost of production of raw material and in the cost of labour. The manufacturing costs have also advanced because manufacturers have had largely to extend their factories to meet the increased demand, and as the new demand may cease with the War, they have had to provide in their prices for part of their new capital expenditure becoming unremunerative at the end of the War. The costs in some cases have also been increased owing to manufacturers undertaking work to which they were previously unaccustomed. An important factor in the increased cost of labour is the pressure at which work is being carried out, involving, as it does in many cases, the payment of high overtime and other special rates. Prices are now being carefully investigated lay a special accounting staff, and I am glad to say that in some directions material reduction in cost has already been secured.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Secretary of State for the Colonies stated to this House that munitions of war were costing three or four times as much as they did before the War?

I can only say I have investigated the subject, and I can only find one raw material to which that applies.

asked the Minister of Munitions if his attention has been called to the lack of proper facilities for men getting to and from work at munition factories; is he aware that from six to seven o'clock in the mornings there is a scramble in the south-east parts of London, on the part of women as well as men, for the Woolwich tram-cars, with risk to life and limb; has he considered the advisability of using motor transport cars to ease the congestion, and is he aware that there are hundreds of these vehicles in the streets adjoining Camberwell entirely unused; and is he aware that on the Clyde there is the same lack of service from Glasgow and intermediate places and that men lose time and wages as a consequence of late cars and trains, although the rules promise them exemption if late in consequence of late service?

The Minister of Munitions is aware that the unsatisfactory conditions to which the hon. Member refers prevail in in some places. At Woolwich some improvement has already been made in the tramway and ferry services, but further improvement is needed. The question is being actively considered by a number of experts on transport questions, but the problem is a difficult one. I will see that the suggestion as to the use of transport cars is considered. Inquiries are being made as to the position on the Clyde.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any steps are being taken to provide canteens in or in the neighbourhood of munition works where food and non-alcoholic refreshments will be supplied to the workers?

The Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) are dealing with the question of canteens for munitions workers, and have constituted a standing committee for this purpose. I am informed that a large number of such canteens have already been established by voluntary societies constituted for this purpose and by employers, and, in order to encourage this provision in controlled establishments, the Minister of Munitions is prepared to give full consideration to capital expenditure incurred with the previous approval of the Control Board for this object in assessing current profits under the Munitions of War Act.

I may add that my right hon. Friend is issuing a special Memorandum on the subject of industrial canteens, which has been prepared at his request by the Health of Munition Workers Committee, with a covering letter urging the importance of sufficient accommodation being provided.

Will my hon. Friend consider as to circulating the Memorandum he refers to as a Parliamentary Paper?

Yes, that will be done.

Will consideration be given to the quality of the tea supplied? There are many complaints.

The first thing is to calculate the stocks of tea. I have no doubt the committee will see as far as possible that good food is supplied.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of housing schemes which have been already approved for providing accommodation for munition workers, giving in each case the district in which the scheme is to be carried out, the number of houses to be provided, the rents to be charged, and the grant to be made towards the cost of building?

All the details of these schemes have not yet been decided, and I do not think that it would be expedient to make an incomplete statement.

Are the grants towards these housing schemes being made so that in each scheme the same proportion is being made available?

The principle is the same in every case, but we take into careful consideration the circumstances of the particular case.

I beg to ask the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that Messrs. Ackroyd and Best, of Morley, Yorks, have failed to comply with a provision of the Munitions of War Act to the effect that differences of wage and other questions in munition work should be reported to the Board of Trade; that the firm having failed to report the difference locked out a large number of workpeople with an intimation that they had to accept certain new prices for work which would have the effect of largely reducing earnings; that the firm have refused to meet representatives of the workpeople to try to settle the dispute; and whether he proposes to take action? Since this information came into my hands I have received notification this morning that the prices have been cut down, in some cases 50 per cent.

As soon as my hon. Friend's question was received, instructions were given for inquiries to be made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

Will the hon. Gentleman speed up this matter, because other workpeople working at this particular factory are very anxious to make common cause with the other workpeople unless the matter is settled speedily?

We are already speeding it up.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he will say what percentage of the Territorial Forces has volunteered for foreign service?

If I were to state the proportion of the Territorial Force which is under foreign service obligation, I should be stating the proportion which potentially might be sent abroad Such a statement would not be in the public interest, and I, therefore, fear that I must not make it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any obligation whatever on the part of the Territorial Force to go abroad?

There is no such obligation upon members of the Territorial Force who enlisted in the Force prior to the outbreak of war; but after the War they were requested to volunteer for Imperial Service, and, as my hon. and learned Friend is aware, a very large proportion of them undertook that obligation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if Territorials whose time of service expires in India are being brought home and given their discharge, although in excellent health and well trained?

In the existing state of the law it is incumbent upon the military authorities to bring home and discharge time-expired men who do not desire to re-engage, irrespectively of whether they are in excellent health and are full-trained soldiers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the possibly exaggerated importance which is being given by our soldiers at the front, officers and men alike, to their not being in possession of steel helmets; that they declare that these helmets reduce the casualty lists and lessen the number of serious head wounds remarkably; and that no French soldier is without one; and whether he can say when an issue of steel helmets will be made to regiments serving in the trenches?

I stated on the 14th and 21st October that helmets were already at that date being supplied to the troops in large quantities in accordance with the recommendations of the Commander-in-Chief. I have every reason for knowing that the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief is aware of the feelings of all ranks under his command in reference to this question and to others, and I have no doubt that he has taken these feelings fully into account in making his recommendations on this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Members of Parliament besides myself are receiving continually letters on this particular subject, asking that helmets may be issued to the troops in the trenches, thus inferring that up to the present they have not been issued? And is there any other form of armour protection being suggested, for instance over the heart, or anything of that kind?

I shall be obliged if my hon. Friend will give me notice of the last part of his question. With regard to the first part, I would say that I have no official information that large numbers of letters are being received of the kind he mentions, but he himself has given me an intimation in previous questions that it is so. I can only restate that all the demands made by the Field Marshal in Chief are being carried out. The numbers of helmets required are being sent out as fast as they can.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of granting separation allowances in cases such as where a mother, supported by her husband at the time when her son enlisted, becomes dependent on her son owing to her husband dying penniless?

I regret that I can add nothing to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 16th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Lance-Corporal James Isaac, No. 975, of the 3/4th Welsh Regiment, stationed at Hearston camp, Haverfordwest, joined His Majesty's Forces for Home service last year as a bugler; whether he was only fifteen years of age on the 15th of this month; whether he has recently been prevailed on to sign for foreign service; whether the lad's father has objected to the officer commanding to so young a boy being taken abroad and has asked to have him discharged from the Service, but has received no reply from the officer commanding; whether he will make immediate inquiries into the case and stop a scandal which is causing injury to the Service; and whether, having regard to the extreme youth of the lad and to the fact that the lad's brother is now serving with His Majesty's Forces in Gallipoli, he will communicate with the officer commanding with a view to obtaining Lance-Corporal Isaac's discharge?

I have called for a report on this case.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if it is proposed to reprimand Captain Milne, of the Post Office Rifles, for a speech delivered by him within the building of the Controller's Office, London Telephone Service, on Thursday, 21st October last, in which he stated that with regard to Conscription the opinion had been expressed to him by responsible persons who, he understood, would assist in drafting the Conscript Bill, that the civil pay of Civil servants would not be paid to conscripts; that the Deputy-Chairman of the House of Commons was of that opinion; that conscripts would receive bad treatment at the hands of volunteers he felt certain, as he was basing his opinion on the tone of the fellows at present in the Post Office Rifles; and that he further said that he would pity conscripts who came under his personal command; and whether the War Office will issue some general statement deprecating such statements as the above at recruiting meetings, in view of their effect upon recruiting?

I am obtaining a statement of what was said on the occasion referred to, but until I have received it, I cannot pronounce any opinion on this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he can say who is responsible for the messing arrangements at the officers' training camp, Fort Purbrook, Cosham, Hants; whether he is aware that there have been numerous complaints with regard to these arrangements; and whether he will take steps to see that improvements in regard to them are made?

I made a statement on this matter on the 24th November, in reply to the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth. I am informed that one complaint has been received and that it was inquired into, and that the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Command has satisfied himself that there were no grounds for this complaint.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to explain to the House his repeated denial that any hay had been commandeered in Westmeath, in view of the evidence placed in his hands that, prior to and at the time of his denial, the military authorities in Ireland were dealing with complaints against the manner in which they had commandeered hay in Westmeath?

The hon. Gentleman has sent me details of the case in which he appears to think hay has been commandeered. I am informed that the hay in question was taken by the military authorities by a contract of sale and not by requisition. The military authorities seem to have studied as far as possible the requirements and convenience of the seller who appears to be quite satisfied with the arrangement.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain to the House the difference between commandeering and purchasing compulsorily?

I had better have notice of that question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether in view of the official statement that retired officers who are now employed were not receiving both full pay and retired pay, he will explain why officers who were on the retired lists and who are now being employed receive retired pay in addition to the full pay of their present appointments?

The official statement alluded to is, I understand, the answer given by me to my hon. Friend's question of the 6th July. That, however, related to half pay, which is drawn, not by officers retired from the Army, but by officers on the Active List during temporary absence from duty.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that in several commands in the United Kingdom the issue of rations has been reduced so as to avoid waste, and that savings of some thousands of pounds a day have thereby been effected without any detriment whatever to the troops, and without any complaint whatever arising, and in view of the fact that in certain commands no reduction whatever has been made in the issue of rations, he will instruct the general officers commanding in those commands to take immediate steps to effect proper reductions?

My hon. and learned Friend may rest assured that the views expressed by the Prime Minister and recited by him in his question of the 18th instant on this subject will be carried into effect.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the urgency of avoiding waste and of issuing proper instructions to officers in command for that purpose?

I do not think anyone realises it more fully.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether retired Civil servants who are employed by the Government receive their retired pay in addition to the full pay of their present appointment?

The payment of pension to a retired Civil servant upon re-employment is governed by the provisions of Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the need for economy and the increase in the value of agricultural land owing to the War, he will consider the desirability of withdrawing the relief granted to the land-owners, under the Budgets of 1909–10 and 1914, by which a revenue of £300,000 a year is lost?

The relief referred to is based on average actual expenditure and in these circumstances my right hon. Friend cannot adopt my hon. Friend's proposal.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit the figure of £300,000 given in the question?

No; I do not know anything about the accuracy of the figure. I believe, however, that the cost has been stated in answer to a question.

Did not the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself give that estimate?

I was aware my right hon. Friend gave an estimate. I did not know this was the sum.

In view of the fact that many Members of Parliament have given up their salaries will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any land-owners have given to the State the taxation of which they are relieved in this respect?

It was considered by the House of Commons inequitable that land-owners should be charged Income Tax on money spent in maintaining their estates and I see no reason for departing from that decision.

asked whether there is any statutory authority for the promise given by the Minister of Munitions to allow unsettled valuations under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, to remain unsettled to the end of the War?

Under Section 27 (2) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, notice of objection to a provisional valuation may be given "within sixty days of the date on which the copy of the provisional valuation is served, or such extended time as the Commissioners may in any special case allow." The absence oh active service of owners of land, agents, solicitors and others was regarded by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue as justifying special consideration.

Is it not the case that this relief is being granted generally, irrespective of special cases?

I have quoted the terms of the Act of Parliament under which the Commissioners of Inland Revenue are acting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the work on the new City Hall at Dundee is still being actively proceeded with, he can see his way to publish the full correspondence which has passed between himself and the Lord Provost of Dundee and Sir James Caird on the subject?

My right hon. Friend has communicated with the parties concerned and they have not seen their way to assent to the publication of the correspondence for the present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has met representatives of employers and workmen as to the best method of collecting the Income Tax as set forth in Clause 25 of the Finance Bill; and, if so, whether any arrangement has been arrived at?

My right hon. Friend is proposing to hold conferences with representatives of employers and workmen on Friday next

asked if co-operative societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts will be liable for Excess Profits Tax or any other income or Property Tax under the Finance ill now before Parliament?

Co-operative societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts will be liable to the Excess Profits Tax. They are already liable to Property Tax (Income Tax, Schedule A) in respect of all premises owned by them. As regards Income Tax on trading profits I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh on the 10th instant.

asked if the men serving on mine sweepers and patrol boats are included under the heading of soldiers and sailors in the service of their country as being not liable to pay Income Tax unless their income from all sources exceeds £300 per year?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 24th November to a similar question by the hon. Member for Devizes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, approximately, how much of the War expenditure of £5,000,000 a day is paid in this country; and if he will arrange a scheme to pay a percentage of this sum in War Loan Stock instead of in cash, so that the recipients would have a fund to fall back upon at the end of the War?

I am afraid that I am unable to give the figures asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the latter part of the question, as has already been stated in the House, it is of the greatest importance that all classes of the community should invest their savings in War Loans, and my right hon. Friend has already outlined a scheme for offering increased facilities for so doing.

Is the scheme mentioned in the question the only one which would make a large number of people save any of their income?

No; but I think we had better proceed with one scheme at a time.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps have been taken to prepare a scheme for the settlement or employment on the land in Scotland of sailors and soldiers, whether disabled or otherwise, on their discharge; whether he has appointed any body to advise him on this matter; whether any specific questions have been referred to it; and whether any report has yet been received?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have under consideration proposals by the Scottish Advisory Committee on Forestry for combining small holdings with afforestation for the settlement and employment of sailors and soldiers, and are also in communication with the Development Commissioners for the purpose of establishing a training school for discharged sailors and soldiers with a view to qualifying them for rural occupations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to give his support to any local schemes for disabled soldiers until a general scheme has been brought out, and will he make representations to the Treasury in favour of a Grant for that purpose?

I will consider any practicable scheme that is put before me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any, and, if so, what steps are being taken to bring into use as much home-grown pit wood and mining timber as possible, in view of the prices of foreign pit wood caused by high freights?

Yes, Sir; the Board are actively engaged upon measures having for one of their objects the increased production of home-grown pit wood. I hope to be in a position to make a further statement before long.

asked whether it is proposed to introduce legislation empowering urban and district councils to compulsorily acquire land for cultivation in accordance with the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on the Production of Food?

My hon. Friend will remember that the recommendation to which he refers is conditional upon failure to obtain unoccupied land by agreement, and as there is no present evidence of this, and as also it seems important, in view of the shortage of labour, to concentrate on the land that is now under cultivation or that has recently been cultivated, it is not proposed to introduce legislation at present.

asked whether the Government has taken any steps to help organisations other than the Government committees in their efforts to meet the war emergency of shortage of labour on the land by schemes of training; and whether steps have been taken to secure an efficient system of co-operation and so prevent overlapping?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked how many Government trainings have now been given to women to meet the present emergency of shortage of agricultural labour and at what cost per head; whether additional trainings are being given to meet the increasing shortage; and whether ploughing and other forms of farm work are now receiving attention in such trainings?

Rather over 300 women have been trained under an experimental scheme for the training of women in milking and light farm work, and the cost was from £2 10s. to £3 per woman. A circular has now been issued to local education authorities and to the war agricultural committees reporting the results of the experience gained in this scheme and other schemes, and urging the special importance of training women in farm work. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of it. Ploughing has not hitherto, so far as I know, been included in any schemes of instruction, but the matter is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether storehousemen and storehouse assistants employed in Scotland have not yet been given the privileges of other workmen in the matter of leave; and can he see his way to issue an order to the effect that all storehousemen and storehouse assistants lent from the Southern yards are to have the same privileges now granted to other workmen similarly placed, namely, seven days' leave at the end of three months with a free railway pass?

Storehousemen and storehouse assistants lent from the establishments in the South for duty at the Northern bases have been given the same privileges of free railway travelling as are enjoyed by dockyard workmen similarly situated during the War—namely, a free return railway pass in respect of each six months' service. As regards leave, I would point out that such leave as is granted to workmen is without pay and subject to the requirements of the Service. Any grant of leave to storehousemen and storehouse assistants would be on similar conditions, and must also depend upon the requirements of the Service.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a list of the requisitioned tonnage; and what proportion each ownership ought to provide in order to put all owners on an equality?

I do not think it would be in the public interest to give the detailed information asked for by my hon. Friend in the first part of his question. With regard to the second part of the question, I may say that, speaking very generally and apart from considerations of the particular suitability of certain types of ship, the proportion can roughly be taken as from 25 per cent. to 30 per cent.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a much larger proportion of certain fleets have been commandeered than of other fleets, thus inflicting great injustice and greater sacrifice upon those who have been over-commandeered?

My hon. Friend knows that every endeavour has been made to secure proportionate requisitioning. Speaking generally, apart from the consideration of suitability, the proportion may be roughly stated as 25 per cent. to 30 per cent.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he has yet completed the consideration of the claims of workmen at Gibraltar for higher pay; and, if so, will he state his conclusions and the reasons for them?

This question has been fully considered, and it has been decided that, in view of all the circumstances, a further increase of pay at Gibraltar would not be justified. I may remind my hon. Friend that locally entered workmen at Gibraltar are already in receipt of a war increase amounting to 1s. a week for mechanics and 6d. a week for labourers.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether ratings of the Royal Naval Reserve or Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, after shipwreck on one of His Majesty's ships, are charged for a new suit of clothes rendered necessary by the effects of the shipwreck on the old suit; whether such a rating being sent to hospital after shipwreck is charged for his board in hospital; and whether, when subsequently recommended by the surgeon for three weeks' sick leave and receiving from the senior naval officer a liberty ticket for that period, he is liable to be temporarily dismissed the Service with the right of rejoining after the restoration of health?

Men of the Royal Navy, including Reservists, who lose their Service kits in consequence of the sinking of His Majesty's ships are rekitted without cost to themselves. As regards the latter part of the question, probably my hon. Friend has some particular case in mind, and it would be scarcely possible to give an appropriate reply unless I am made aware of the details of that case. If he will be good enough to give me particulars as to the name, rating, and ship of the man concerned, I shall be happy to make inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in the case of an able-bodied seaman of the name of Travis, who was shipwrecked?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the steamers of the Khedivial Mail Steamship Line are still entitled to fly the British flag; whether three of this company's steamers, the "Tantah," the "Menzaleh," and the "Benha," are under time-charter to Mr. Enrique Behn, a German subject at present residing in Valencia, Spain; whether the steamers of the line are still officered and commanded by Italians, Austrians, Turks, Greeks, and Arabs, or whether any steps have been taken to remove officers of enemy nationality from these steamships; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand that the steamship "Menzaleh" is not chartered to Messrs. La Roda Hermanos, of Valencia. The steamship "Tantah" is on time-charter to the same firm, who claim that the steamship "Benha" is also chartered to them on time-charter, but the owners dispute this. There is, I believe, some arrangement between Enrique Behn and Messrs. La Roda Hermanos. The Khedivial Mail Steamship Company state that all officers of enemy nationality have long since been removed from their service.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the cost of living has largely increased in Hong Kong; and will he, to meet this increase, grant some additional pay or war bonus to the Admiralty employés employed in His Majesty's Dockyard, Hong Kong?

The Admiralty are not aware of any such increase in the cost of living at Hong Kong as would necessitate the grant of additional pay or war bonus to employés who are paid special rates of wages and allowances on account of service at Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the question as to the position of the sailors and marines of His Majesty's Fleet, whose period of service entitling them to pension expired before and since the commencement of the year, is regarded by them as of great importance; will he state as from what date those whose time expired on or before the commencement of the War will be entitled to draw their pensions in addition to their pay; from what date those whose time expired since the commencement of the War will be entitled to draw their pensions in addition to their pay; and whether in either case they will at the close of the War, on their discharge to pension, receive any additional payment for the period elapsing between the date when their time expired and their actual discharge to pension?

The Royal Proclamation of the 3rd August, 1914, extends the service of any seaman actually serving on that date whose term of service had expired or expires while the Proclamation continues in force, for a further period of five years from the expiration of such term of service, and the Royal Marine Act of 1914 applied these provisions to the Royal Marines within certain limits. Awards of long service pensions to men who complete time during the War or who had completed time but had not been discharged on the 2nd August, 1914, are accordingly suspended. Pensions will be awarded to the men in question when they are finally discharged from the Service, but payment will be made only from the date the pensions are awarded. The period elapsing between the date when time expired and actual discharge to pension will, however, be taken into account in assessing the pension when awarded, and the amount of pension earned by service at the date when time expired will be regarded as secured.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the Central Control Board have, in recent Orders made by them under the Defence of the Realm (No. 3) Act, added Article 4 ( e ), which prohibits payment being received in respect of intoxicating liquor by any person employed to deliver such goods to the customer's address; whether he is aware that this Article conflicts with Article 8, which prohibits the giving of credit, but provides that intoxicating liquor may be paid for at the time when it is supplied; whether he is aware that Article 4 ( e ) will entail inconvenience and expense upon the customer, because unless the licence-holder himself goes to the expense of authorising some person to collect the money who is not employed in delivering goods or in soliciting orders, the customer must either personally take the money to the licensed premises or send it through the post by cheque or postal order; and whether, in these circumstances, he can see his way to prevail with the Central Control Board to remove an irritating restriction unnecessary to prevent practices adequately provided against in the same Article under paragraphs ( a ), ( b ), ( c ), and ( d )?

I am informed by the Central Control Board that the provision in question is intended to check abuses in connection with house-to-house canvassing for the sale of liquor, as to which they have had many complaints and evidence in various districts. It does not compel the customer to take the money personally to the licensed premises, but leaves it open to him to send it by his own messenger, or through the post either in advance of the order or at any time before the order is executed. I am advised that there is no such conflict as is suggested between this provision and the other provisions of the Orders. The Board, however, are anxious that their Orders should cause as little inconvenience as is compatible with the attainment of the objects aimed at. They are ready to consider sympathetically any alternative suggestions which may be made to them for dealing with the evil at which they are aiming, and, in view of representations made to them, they have suspended the operation of this particular provision for the London area till the 1st January next.

Could not the hon. Gentleman recommend the Board of Control to ask for information on subjects before they issue Orders rather than after they have done so?

Yes, they do ask for information before they issue Orders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what, if any, steps are now being taken in increasing the remuneration of their examiners of masters and mates at the different seaports?

The staff of examiners of masters and mates has been reorganised, and new scales of salary have been approved by the Treasury and are now in force.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these revised scales are increases of salary or not?

We have adopted a new grading. We have now three senior examiners, three examiners, and superintendents of the mercantile marine offices, and ten examiners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to furnish any results arising out of his recent letter to two of the representative associations of merchant shipowners urging the provision of efficient equipment for signalling by night and by day onboard merchant ships; whether he can give any figures as to the number of vessels where improved signalling apparatus has lately been installed; and whether he will consider the desirability of representing this matter to all the different representative associations of merchant shipowners throughout the country?

I am not in a position-to give information as to the results of the letter addressed by the Board of Trade to two associations of shipowners on the subject of signalling apparatus, or to give figures as to recent installations of improved signalling apparatus on British ships. Inquiries recently made, however, indicate that the great majority of British ships of any considerable size have signalling apparatus. The whole matter is at present receiving careful attention.

The acreage under hops in the Netherlands in 1913, the latest year for which information is available, was only 27 acres, and the acreage in Denmark is apparently too small to be separately recorded in the official statistics. I have no information as to the alleged offers of Danish and Dutch hops in this country, but any such imports would be submitted to careful scrutiny by the Customs authorities and evidence of their non-enemy origin would be required. Up to the present time no hops consigned from Denmark have reached this country since the outbreak of War, and only 35½ tons of hops from the Netherlands, and I am not at present convinced that any prohibition of importation from those countries is called for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to fifteen letters which I can send to him from people wishing to send hops to this country from Holland and Denmark?

Yes, we will look into them.

Is it not to the national advantage that hops should be imported rather than labour should be employed here in growing hops which should be used for the growing of food?

I understand that this question does not apply to the importation of hops in general, but to the importation of hops of enemy origin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, are being taken to make known to women, and particularly to educated women, the openings which now exist for them in agriculture and in many other employments; and the means by which they may obtain such employment?

Information as to openings that exist for women at the present time is available at any Labour Exchange, and this information is coordinated and circulated throughout the country by means of a central clearing house. Between 9,000 and 10,000 women and girls are by this means being placed in employment through the medium of the Labour Exchanges every week. In addition, in order to give information to educated women, a special professional register has recently been established by the Board of Trade at Queen Anne's Chambers, the work of which is conducted in conjunction with schools and institutions of higher education and colleges of university rank and associations of women graduates and other professional associations. With regard to openings for women in agriculture, my Department and the local Labour Exchanges are also in close touch with the local education authorities and agricultural training colleges. In this way the training schemes that have been instituted to meet the present needs are brought to the notice of all suitable women who come into contact with any branch of the Department. In addition to the above, women's county agricultural committees have been and are being formed in various parts of the country. These committees are under the auspices of the Board of Trade and in touch with the Labour Exchanges. Through their agency it is hoped to organise the local labour of all classes of women suitable for agricultural work.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office possesses powers to collect in advance sums for local call fees estimated on a quarterly basis; whether this policy is being pursued all over the country; if so, whether the Post Office proposes to refund in cases where the estimated amount of calls has not been reached; and whether he has received any protest from subscribers with regard to the new arrangement?

Telephone calls must be paid for in advance; and it is usual to collect the fees for local calls on the basis of not less than a quarter's user in order to avoid the trouble of more frequent payments. At the larger exchanges, where meters are used on subscribers' lines, it has recently been found necessary, owing to the shortage of staff, to deal with meter records and accounts quarterly, instead of monthly. The transition from a monthly to a quarterly basis has resulted, in some instances, in a demand for prepayment being postponed, and consequently covering one or two months longer than the usual period, but the next prepayment will be correspondingly deferred and will be of normal amount. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any serious protests from subscribers on the subject of these arrangements. At the end of the rental year the value of all calls paid for but unused (except those covered by the minimum charge) are refunded to the subscribers in cash or credited to their accounts

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House as to the safety or otherwise of British subjects in Serbia?

I have no information with regard to the safety or otherwise of British subjects in Serbia other than those connected with the different hospital units in that country.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on the 17th instant with regard to the British ladies belonging to various hospital units in Serbia.

Sir Ralph Paget reported on 1st November that it was practically certain that some five or six British units (about 200 individuals) appear to have been taken prisoners between Krushevata and Kralievo.

On 26th November His Majesty's Minister at Attinje transmitted a message from Sir Ralph Paget to the effect that the Serbian military authorities had decided at the last moment that it would be safer for Red Cross units to leave Serbia for Montenegro instead of for Monastir, through Albania, as originally intended. Sir R. Paget is endeavouring to make arrangements for shelter and food for the hospital units along the roads, and hoped that the first detachment might arrive at Podgoritza on 27th November. The following are the approximate numbers of the various units on the way: Scottish Women's Hospital, 47; the Stobart Unit, 22; the Wounded Allies Relief Unit, 13; the 2nd Farmers' Unit, 9.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the statement he has just read includes all the nurses in the different Red Cross units that were serving in Serbia?

It is difficult to be certain, because the means of communication at present with our own representatives, whether Sir Ralph Paget or Sir Charles Des Graz, are so difficult. I would not like to pledge myself that it includes all the nurses, but I hope and trust that it does.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the desirability of confining the issue of Board of Trade certificates as master, mate and engineer to natural-born British subjects; and, if not, whether he will take steps to bring this about?

Enemy subjects are not allowed to present themselves for examination for certificates of competency as master, mate or engineer, but as at present advised I do not consider it necessary to prohibit the issue of certificates to subjects of allied or neutral Powers who have served in the British Mercantile Marine.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the action brought by Mackintosh of Mackintosh, Lord Lieutenant of the county of Inverness, against Donald Watt, a carter, who set a trap and caught a rabbit as a delicacy for an invalid child; whether he is aware that for killing one wild rabbit, of which there are hundreds of thousands on the Mackintosh estates, this workman was fined £l, with £l 1s. as expenses; and whether, in view of the fact that this workman has given three sons to the War and that one of them has been killed in action, he will take steps to have the sentence remitted?

I have made inquiry into the circumstances of this case, but have not received as yet the particulars required to enable me to reply to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to a statement by the Chief Secretary for Ireland that, in view of the necessity of maintaining the supply of fish, facilities for loans to those engaged in the Irish fishing industry will be continued; and whether, considering the national importance of the Scottish fishing industry, similar facilities will be accorded to Scottish fishermen?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Irish loan operations referred to are for purposes which it has not been found necessary to deal with by way of loan in Scotland. The continuance of the Irish loans has therefore no bearing upon Scottish conditions, and I cannot accept it as an argument for applying a similar system to Scotland.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if the men employed in the Royal parks, London, are paid only 27s, a week, and that the London County Council and the Royal Zoological Society pay their men 30s. a week for similar work, and that both these bodies have now decided to pay their men 3s. a week war bonus, making their wages 6s a week more than the men in the Royal parks; why his Department will not conform to the Fair-Wages Regulations under which the Government should pay wages at least equal to those paid for similar work outside, and why he refuses to grant a war bonus to the men in question; and will he reconsider his refusal and grant such bonus?

My information is that the men employed in the Royal parks receive the same rate of wages as in the London County Council parks and Zoological Gardens, except as regards the war bonus. The difference in wages is therefore 3s. and not 6s. a week. The question whether the Royal parks employés should not receive a war bonus is receiving attention.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether the general financial soundness of the Act as a whole depends upon a process of balancing the surplus of certain approved societies against the deficits of others, and that it is in this modified sense that the finance of the Act can be regarded as sound; and, if so, whether he has been advised that this modified degree of solvency can be maintained in practice except by depriving solvent societies of their individual surpluses?

I cannot accept the implication contained in the first part of the question; nor has it been suggested to me that the expedient indicated in the second part is one which need be seriously considered.

asked the Comptroller of the Household whether, in view of the prevalent fear that certain of the original provisions of the Act, taken together with subsequently emerging circumstances which could not some years ago well have been foreseen, threaten to bring about in some departments of its administration a condition of financial deadlock and in others disappointment, he is prepared to take steps of any kind to collect and collate the skilled opinion of officials and committees who have been administering the Act for some years with a view to placing it, by legislation or otherwise, upon a satisfactory basis?

The Commissioners are constantly receiving expressions of opinion and suggestions from persons or bodies engaged in the administration of the Acts. These are always carefully recorded and considered. I am personally glad at any time if suggestions for economy or other improvements in administration are brought to my notice. The particular apprehensions stated in the question to be prevalent are, however, not well-founded, and in this connection I may perhaps refer the hon. Member to my statement on the 16th November and to my replies to a number of questions recently asked in the House.

I beg leave to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment of the House to-night.

asked the Comptroller of the Household whether, as the calculation that the average cost of certain tuberculosis cases to the insurance committee for the county of Renfrew worked out at £327 11s. 6d. is regarded as incorrect, he will say to what extent approximately it is regarded as incorrect and what is regarded as the correct figure?

If the hon. Member will refer to the previous answers given to him on this subject, he will see that their purport is to suggest that calculations of the character referred to in the question do not support the inferences which he seems to seek to base on them.