asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of establishing a naval shipbuilding base on the River Liffey, Dublin, with a view of facilitating the more rapid replacement of naval losses in the present War and thus afford the Irish capital a share in the naval expenditure to enable it to bear its burden of war taxation?

The subject of my hon. Friend's question depends on various considerations, which I scarcely think it would be possible to discuss in an answer to a question. I may observe, however, that the Admiralty are already employing Irish shipbuilding firms to a considerable extent. Moreover, in addition to the expenditure on naval establishments in Ireland, I may point out that a very considerable number of orders are placed with Admiralty contractors. In this connection, I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the terms of an answer which I gave to the hon. Member for St. Stephen's Green on 4th May, a copy of which I shall be happy to send him.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having in view the scarcity of available British tonnage and the urgent requirements for transport of wheat from Australia and Argentina during the next four months, he will arrange that British steamers shall not be requisitioned or chartered by the Admiralty for carriage of nitrate of soda for agricultural purposes; and whether, in view of the fact that there are large supplies of nitrate and no prospect of scarcity, he will recommend that foreign vessels be chartered for shipment of the purchase of 50,000 tons recently made by the Board of Agriculture?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the West Derby Division of Liverpool yesterday, in which I stated that the question of the carriage of this nitrate is under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can see his way to amend paragraphs 3 and 8 of the White Paper on dependants' allowances and leave untouched the disablement benefit granted under the National Insurance Act?

We have given careful consideration to the representations made by my hon. Friend and other Members, and have come to the conclusion that the White Paper of 25th October should be modified in the direction he desires, that is to say, in the award of allowances from Navy and Army Funds to dependants of deceased sailors and soldiers other than widows and children. Disablement benefit under the National Health Insurance Act will not be reckoned in diminution in assessing the said allowances. A White Paper in substitution of that previously issued will immediately be laid.

I am much obliged.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if the representatives of His Majesty's Government abroad are instructed to report to the Foreign Office grossly incorrect and damaging statements issued on behalf of our enemies; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of so instructing them, to ensure that a prompt denial is given to statements of this character which are now being issued more freely than ever in neutral countries?

Steps have been taken to ensure that His Majesty's Government are made aware, through British representatives abroad, of statements issued on behalf of the enemy in the Press of foreign countries; and denials are frequently given. But if my hon. Friend has any particular false statement in mind which has not been contradicted I should be very glad if he would inform me of it.

Has not my right hon. Friend got any staff engaged in studying the foreign Press with a view of correcting these misstatements?

Oh, yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a cablegram from the British Chamber of Commerce of Buenos Ayres protesting against Press messages to the Argentine Press being passed by the Censor which convey an entirely false impression regarding the conditions and state of feeling in Britain; and whether the Government appreciate the value of maintaining British prestige in neutral countries and will take adequate steps to ensure the transmission of veracious news to such countries and to our Allies?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pembroke on the 2nd ultimo. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, on or about the 20th November, a statement was issued from the British Legation at Athens that a naval blockade of Greece had been instituted; and, if so, whether he can explain the connection of this statement with the dementi published on 23rd November by the Foreign Office?

A notification was issued by His Majesty's Legation, at Athens, on the 19th ult., which was misinterpreted in some quarters as implying that the Allied Governments were blockading Greek ports. There was no mention of blockage in the notification. In order to remove this misapprehension, the communiqué referred to in the last part of the hon. Member's question was published in London.

We may take it, then, that there was no change of policy and no real inconsistency between the two official statements?

I do not think that there was any inconsistency between the two statements.

May I ask whether there was any control over the issue of licences?

I should like notice of that question; it does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the present arrangement with regard to leave is that officers of all ranks who are on the staff are allowed to proceed on leave viâ Boulogne, and consequently get to this country after a journey not lasting more than about six hours, whereas even senior regimental officers have to make the journey viâ Havre, occupying twenty-eight hours, and whether he can take any steps to get these regulations altered so that officers of equal rank may have the same facilities, whether on the staff or engaged in regimental duties?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to an answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the St. Augustine's Division in answer to a question almost precisely identical.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any steel helmets or steel plates for the purposes of making helmets have been ordered in America?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he will favourably consider giving the appointment of instructor to officers carrying out instructors' duties in the Ordnance College, Woolwich, in view of the fact that this is the only educational establishment in the Artillery where officers carrying out such duties have not received the appointment, seeing that the numbers under instruction is in a threefold ratio to that prior to the War, and the amount of instructional work falling upon the present officers, without appointment as instructors, is in a similar ratio?

I understand the question to refer to two officers who were recently granted commissions in recognition of their merit. The work they are doing is, I am informed, substantially the same as they were performing before they were granted commissioned rank. In the circumstances the pay of their rank, which they are receiving, is considered adequate.

It applies to the question of rank. I want to know why these men have not been put on the same equality as officers in other establishments?

I am told that it is really a question of fact. Do I understand that the object of the hon. Member really is to secure that these officers shall be paid the emoluments of Regular instructors? A Regular instructor possesses very high qualifications which these gentlemen lack. I do not think that it is possible to put them in the position of a Regular instructor such as passes through the course of instruction.

I will give the hon. Gentleman some information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to enabling more adequate provision to be made for the needs of British prisoners of war in Germany during the winter, he can state the total number of British prisoners of war, stating the number belonging to the Army, Navy, and merchant service and other civilians separately?

I cannot state the number of British civilians interned in Germany. That would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. The total number of military prisoners is approximately 32,000, and of naval prisoners 1,050.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when both landlord and tenant unknown to one another each insure the same property against air-raid risks under the Government scheme, the Treasury refuse to return either of the two premiums paid on the same risk or to allow one premium to be allocated to another risk?

Where a building has been insured by two different parties ( e.g., landlord and tenant) the Aircraft Insurance Committee, not being in a position to determine which of the parties is responsible for the reinstatement of the building, have had to make it a rule to refuse applications for refund of premium.

Is it not a fact that in a case like this the Government are taking double premiums for one insurance?

It has to be left mainly to the discretion of the Aircraft Insurance Committee. I will make any representations the hon. Member likes, but that is the position they take up.

They do take two premiums for one insurance?

In these cases, yes. Two people pay, each thinking that he is responsible; and they have no means of ascertaining who is responsible.

If they can agree, will not the Government allow one or the other to withdraw and get his premium back.

I will ask the Committee that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the formation in the United States of a 50,000,000 dollar company to develop foreign trade with the United States; whether, in view of the fact that the greatest field for the new company is looked for in Russia, he has considered the sympathetic treatment of British groups with the same end in view; and, if such groups be formed, whether they can rely upon the maximum goodwill and support of the British Government?

I have seen statements in the Press with regard to the proposals to which the hon. Member refers. Any well-considered scheme for the development of trade between this country and Russia will, of course, be welcomed by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, in view of the fact that under the Finance (No. 3) Bill it will be the duty of every person liable to pay Excess Profits Duty to give notice himself to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue before the 31st December next, he proposes to take any special steps to bring this obligation to the notice of those concerned?

I propose to introduce on Report an Amendment substituting 31st January, 1916, for 31st December, 1915. As in the case of the Super-tax, the obligation to give notice of liability to Excess Profits Duty will be announced in the "London Gazette," and a copy of the announcement sent to the principal newspapers.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not do something in his own interest, in the interest of the State, to make this obliga-well known? The people who have had this obligation put upon them do not read Acts of Parliament.

I think that the sending of notices to the London and provincial Press will be sufficient after the Debates in this House. I hope so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Sir Ernest Cassel subscribed to the Anglo-French Loan in the United States, and, if so, whether the interest payable in respect of his holding will be liable to Income Tax?

Yes, Sir, and Sir Ernest Cassel did so with the knowledge and full approval of the Treasury. The application was made in respect of funds already in America and with the object of assisting the issue of the Loan. Sir Ernest Cassel will be liable to Income Tax in respect of his holding. I am obliged to my hon. Friend for giving me an opportunity of making this statement.

Is it not the fact that this question was put down as I had unwittingly done Sir Ernest Cassel an injustice?

My intention was to convey the impression that both my hon. Friend and I were glad of the opportunity of making this statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the number of Grimsby fishermen who have lost their lives by the explosion of mines and submarine attacks while pursuing their ordinary peaceful occupations; and if he will in their case waive the payment of Excess War Profits Tax, in consideration of their conduct in providing a valuable supply of food for the nation and risking their lives for their country?

If the fishermen to whom the hon. Member refers are employés, they are outside the scope of the tax. In any event, however, before Excess Profits Duty can become payable the profits earned in a year must exceed by more than £200 the pre-war standard of profits. I may say generally that if the estate of a deceased person includes an item which is assessable to Excess Profits Duty, there is no hardship in a beneficiary bearing the duty on his share.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture the usual annual consumption of nitrate of soda as a fertiliser in the United Kingdom; and has the consumption increased materially during the last ten years?

The normal annual consumption of nitrate of soda in the United Kingdom is about 120,000 tons, of which it has been estimated that about two-thirds or rather more are used as a fertiliser. There is no evidence of any material increase in the consumption during the past ten years, but I hope that, in view of the appeals made to farmers to increase the production of the land, there will be a substantial increase in the quantity of all kinds of fertilisers required during the present farming year, if adequate supplies can be made available.

asked the average cost per quintal free on board of the nitrate of soda bought by the Board of Agriculture for fertiliser purposes; and is the present market price higher or lower than that average cost?

I am not able to give details as to the prices paid for supplies purchased for the Government until a proper report can be made to Parliament upon the conclusion of any scheme.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the fact that many munition volunteers have been working for several months at long distances from their homes, he will arrange for tickets at reduced fares to be issued to such workers to enable them to visit their homes during the short holiday which will be granted at Christmas?

As my right hon. Friend has already stated in reply to a question on this subject, he does not think it would be fair to give special facilities to munition volunteers only. On the general question of facilities for munition workers, the Ministry of Munitions is in communication with the railway executive, and I will let my hon. Friend hear the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Munitions, whether munition volunteers have been transferred from other centres to Sunderland and, notwithstanding the pledge that was given that they would be paid wages not less than those prevalent in the district from which they were transferred, receive lower rates for overtime in certain cases than were paid to them before they were transferred to Sunderland; whether some munition volunteers are required to work longer hours at time rates than they were accustomed to work in the districts from which they were transferred; and whether he proposes to take any action to fulfil in detail the promises given to men who volunteered for munition work?

A war munition volunteer transferred by discretion of the Ministry of Munitions is, in accordance with the terms set out on his enrolment form, entitled to the rate of the district to which he is transferred, provided that if in any case the man proves that this is less than the rate he was receiving before enrolment he shall be entitled to receive such higher rate. It is true that the number of hours forming the recognised week varies slightly in different districts, and consequently on transfer a man may sometimes have to work either longer or shorter hours as the case may be for the same weekly rate as he had hitherto been receiving. Extra payments for overtime are made at the rate of the district to which the men are transferred. This decision was come to after consultation with the National Labour Advisory Committee. My right hon. Friend has caused special inquiries to be made as regards the case of certain men transferred to Sunderland, and he is satisfied that these conditions are being observed in their cases.

Would it not be possible where the men have to work longer hours than they have been accustomed to to pay them at overtime rates for those additional hours?

My hon. Friend knows that this is a very difficult and intricate question, as conditions vary very much. The terms of payment are the result of a general agreement, arrived at by the Advisory Committee, and I think, on the whole, it is a good one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the particulars of the Canadian gift of flour sent to this country about twelve months ago, 50,000 bags being sent to Dublin; whom the flour was intended for; and if the wishes of the Canadian Government have been carried out in its distribution?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The hon. Member will find full particulars up to the end of last year on pages 33 and 34 of the Report on the Special Work of the Local Government Board arising out of the War, of which I am sending him a copy. The balance of the flour has since been distributed on similar lines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has information showing that Import Duties and tariffs have been dropped, relaxed, or moderated since the outbreak of the War by any of the following countries: Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, France, and Italy; and whether any reductions or relaxations of such duties have been in respect of food-stuffs, manufactured articles, or both, in the respective countries?

I am informed that in the cases of Germany and Austria-Hungary the import duties leviable on a very large number of food-stuffs and raw or semi-manufactured materials have been suspended or, in a few cases, reduced. In the case of France the duties on a number of similar commodities have been suspended, but in some cases they have since been re-imposed. Similar suspensions of the duties on various food-stuffs have been decreed in Italy. As regards Russia, the Customs Tariff was revised in March, 1915, the new rates being for the most part higher than those previously in force.

Is it not a fact that this country is the only country in the world which has not reduced tariffs, but on the other hand has increased them, during the period of the present war?

I am not aware what tariffs have been increased in these countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of grocers who hold stocks of cube sugar for which they paid the full price and which they now have to sell to the customers at a lower price in consequence of the reduction of 1d. per pound; and whether he can make arrangements for a rebate of that amount to shopkeepers who purchased sugar from the Commissioners at the higher price?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question put by my hon. Friend the Member for West Bradford on the 22nd November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there were exported from this country to Holland nearly 3,000 tons of tallow in six weeks ending 3rd November; whether that would produce 600 tons of nitro-glycerine; and whether he is satisfied that such tallow or the resulting glycerine does not reach Germany?

Exports of tallow of United Kingdom origin are not separately distinguished in the official statistics, but I understand that the re-exports to Holland of imported tallow amounted to 2,259 tons in the last two months. I believe the yield of nitro-glycerine from a given quantity of tallow may reach that indicated in the question. All animal fat exported to Holland is consigned to the Netherlands Oversea Trust, which guarantees that neither the fat nor any product derived therefrom will be exported to Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a German named Frederick Moss, lately fined at Braintree police court for a brutal assault upon a schoolboy, was not interned as an alien enemy at the beginning of the War; and whether he is still at large?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave to the question by the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division on the 17th November. Arrangements are being made with a view to the man's removal from the area in which he at present resides.

Had he been interned then? I could not hear the right hon. Gentleman's answer.

I began by referring to an answer previously given to the hon. Member. I told him this man had been exempted from internment by the Advisory Committee, but that I was considering what should be done and arrangements were being made to remove him from the area.

Is the right horn. Gentleman aware that this man has started another residence in the town of Felstead which is on the direct line for Zeppelins from the East Coast to London? Will he take steps to have him removed?

I shall be much obliged if the hon. Gentleman will be kind enough to let me have any information in his possession. It certainly is a matter in which information of that sort should be thoroughly investigated.

asked the Home Secretary whether local authorities have asked him to sanction by-laws under the Employment of Children Act which provide that children whilst attending school may be employed for wages during the mid-day dinner hour; whether he will withhold his sanction from such a provision when proposed; and if in any case it has been granted will he withdraw or suspend it, seeing that local education authorities are shortening the mid-day interval in order to secure economy of light and fuel in the school?

The policy of the Department is to discourage the employment of school children in the interval between morning and afternoon school, but in certain districts and in certain classes of work, such as carrying meals or shop minding, local authorities with whom, as my hon. Friend is aware, the decision rests in the first instance, have not seen their way to prohibit it entirely. One such case is now under consideration, but until I know the result of the inquiries which are being made I cannot express any opinion with regard to it. The consideration mentioned in the last part of the question will be borne in mind. As regards by-laws which are already in force, the Secretary of State has no power to withdraw or suspend them, except on a proposal from the local authority.

Will my hon. Friend state whether the Home Office has recently given its sanction to by-laws which do permit the employment of children for wages in dinner hours?

My hon. Friend must be aware that if there are no by-laws the result of refusing to sanction the code submitted would be that the matter would be subject to no regulations at all.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on 13th November a garrison order, 1892, was issued in the Shorncliffe Command, headed Exorbitant Charges by Local Tradesmen, and that this order states that it had been brought to the notice of the general officer commanding the troops, General Steele, that the soldiers in his command were being charged exorbitant rates by local tradesmen; will he say what steps he proposes taking on behalf of His Majesty's Government to mark their disapproval of the action of these trades people and to put a stop to this overcharging of the Canadians, who have come overseas to fight for the Mother Country; and whether the officers and men who are and have been in the Shorncliffe Command have for months past complained about these charges?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I have made myself acquainted with the garrison order referred to by my hon. Friend. The object of the garrison order was to obtain specific cases of overcharging as a basis for any action that may be possible. I am aware that complaints of overcharging have been general. They are, however, difficult to prove, and I am informed that the local authorities maintain that they are without foundation. My hon. Friend may rest assured that every specific instance that may come to light will be carefully followed up with a view to stopping the practice of overcharging, if and so far as it exists, through the force of public opinion or by any other means that may be found to be practicable. The fact that the order has been issued should act as a deterrent.

asked the Home Secretary in what branches of industry local bodies are training women; and, approximately, how many trainings have been given in each industry in which such trainings are given?

I am unable to give particulars at present. Information is in process of being collected.

asked the Home Secretary whether in a recently-issued circular the various local bodies were warned not to train too many women lest the labour market should be glutted with a superfluity; if so, whether this is the considered view of his Department as to the successful prosecution of the War; and whether he intends the proposed restrictions to extend to all Departments, including agriculture?

The circular to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers related solely to the training of women clerks. I do not think he can have seen the passage in the circular, which I will read:—

"It is probable that the demand will for some time be more than sufficient to absorb the largest number of trained women that the local committee will be able to supply, but the committee will no doubt bear in mind the importance of not training for this class of work a greater number of women than is likely to be required. Further and heavy demands in connection with other occupations are bound to be made on the available reserves of women in the near future, and it is not of course desirable that the risk should be incurred of depressing wages below a fair rate by bringing into the market a greater number of workers than is needed."

As regards the general question of the temporary substitution of women for men and of their training, I may assure my hon. and gallant Friend that this matter is receiving the earnest attention of the Government. The demand for women substitutes is large and is fast increasing, and I should like to avail myself of this opportunity of suggesting to employers throughout the country that they should take instant steps to meet this growing demand.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what control he has over private agencies in this respect?

I do not know that I have any control over private agencies. This is a circular that was addressed by the Board of Education and the Home Office to local authorities throughout the country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the same circular reference is made to private agencies? That is the reason why I asked the question.

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether there is any intention to change the conditions under which employés of the Post Office have enlisted in the Army, namely that their positions in the Post Office should be kept open until they return; and that while they are in the Army their pay as soldiers should be made up to their Post Office pay before enlistment?

There is no intention of changing the conditions In question, which apply only to the permanent staff of the Post Office.

Did any men who are not employed on the permanent staff of the Post Office enlist under an assurance that they would be protected by these conditions?

I believe there are two exceptions to this, so far as I remember.

If those two exceptions enlisted on the strength of a personal assurance from the Postmaster-General conveyed in a letter to them, will those conditions be observed in regard to them?

I should hardly like to answer that without reference to my right hon. Friend. At the same time, I expect they will be.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in constituting the statutory body to be set up under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act?

The constitution of the Committee is being completed as rapidly as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Order in Council of the 19th March, 1872, does not rescind the Order in Council of the 14th January, 1869, excepting in having re-established the Controller of the Navy and appointing a naval secretary; whether he is aware that both in the Order in Council of the 14th January, 1869, and the Order in Council of the 19th March, 1872, the collective responsibility of the Board of Admiralty was abolished and remains abolished; whether he is aware that the Order in Council of the 14th January, 1869, the Order in Council of the 19th March, 1872, and the Order in Council of August, 1904, all repeat the Clause which in 1869 deprived the Naval Lords of collective responsibility; whether the naval disasters in this War are attributable to the First Lord of the Admiralty being solely responsible to the King and Parliament and the Naval Lords only responsible to the First Lord; and whether His Majesty's Government will now rescind the Order in Council of the 14th January, 1869, and so prevent the recurrence of regrettable incidents in connection with naval administration?

It is scarcely possible within the limits of a question and answer to deal with all the points raised. Nor is there anything in the answer already given that appears to call for amendment. I can assure the Noble Lord that there is no intention of modifying during the War the constitution of the Admiralty as fixed by Letters Patent, Orders in Council, and long tradition.

Was the speech of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dundee incorrect? He did take the whole of the responsibility for these disasters.

No, Sir. I hardly think that is an accurate representation of what my right hon. Friend said. However, I will look up his speech and refresh my memory.

asked the hon. Member for West Essex, as representing the Kitchen Committee, whether a loss is still being made in his Department despite the subsidy of £2,000 a year given by the State to his Committee; and will he say why the charges are not raised to meet the cost of food supplied to Members, seeing the scale of charges are much lower than those prevailing outside the House?

It is hardly possible at the present stage of the Session to say whether a loss is being made in the trading of the Kitchen Department or not. A statement of the accounts and the Annual Report for 1915 will be laid upon the Table as early as possible in the New Year. The present scale of charges and the War Tax more than cover the cost of food supplied to Members and the maintenance of staff. If the outgoings for servants' wages, expenses, and laundry during 1915 do exceed the profits, and the "Allowance for Servants' Wages," it will be entirely caused by the abnormal conditions prevailing, and the greatly reduced revenue obtaining from the limited alcoholic expenditure of hon. Members now attending the House. The staff are being paid full weekly wages for the short sittings, and "full wages" (without board) during the Easter, Whitsun, and short adjournments; some are paid a retaining wage to enable their services to be permanently at our disposal. The amount paid in wages to our employés during 1914 were 29 per cent. on the turnover, as compared with the average 11 per cent. or 12 per cent. in outside establishments, which are always open.

Will the teetotalers, 183 of whom signed this petition, be surcharged with this deficit?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is a very interesting one. It will receive careful consideration. I am rather afraid that such a self-denying ordinance would make their hearts sink. As the hon. Member is aware, this petition has been signed by a great number of people who are, I am sure, like Potiphar's wife—[Laughter]—I beg pardon, I mean; Cæsar's wife—above suspicion. A great-number of them are total abstainers.

Has the price of alcoholic liquors been increased since the War?

Yes, Sir, I think we have increased everything up to the hilt as much as we can.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if Mrs. Savile, a German by birth, who was removed from a prohibited area by the late Secretary of State for the Home Department, is now employed in the War Office; and, if so, whether he will explain why a German is employed in any capacity in the War Office?

I find that Mrs. Savile is employed in the branch of the Finance Department which deals with the distribution of the effects of deceased soldiers. This branch of the War Office is housed, as hon. Members probably know, in St. James's Park, in the building which is known as Park Buildings. This employment was given to Mrs. Savile after a thorough investigation of her family history, connections, and associations. My military advisers have good grounds for believing that this lady is thoroughly loyal to the country of her adoption.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that, without making any charge against this lady, it is undesirable, on general principles, that the sister of a German officer fighting against us should be employed in any capacity by our War Office?

What I also see is that the wife of a rector in the Church of England in this country, who has shown by many actions of hers that she is thoroughly loyal to the country of her adoption, is a person whom one can trust.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the previous statement relating to this lady submitted to the Home Office for the police and other authorities in Yorkshire before she was removed from Lancashire?

I cannot say I have actually seen them, but I am aware of their contents, and I think a great mistake was made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman sit as a Court of Appeal for the Home Office?

My military advisers share my view.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided not to send the second line Yeomanry regiments abroad; and, if so, will he explain why they cannot be amalgamated with the third line with resultant economy?

No, Sir, no general decision in the sense of the first part of the question has been arrived at or contemplated. This being so, the second part of the question does not, I think, arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether, when the French Government found that the Germans had stopped the tobacco of French prisoners, they stopped the tobacco of the German prisoners in France; whether this act resulted in tobacco again being allowed to French prisoners in Germany; whether he is aware that similar action was carried out by the French Government with regard to letters with satisfactory results; whether M. Duperrayat, the Minister Plenipotentiary for Foreign Affairs, upon hearing that the French prisoners in Germany were getting bad food, diminished the abundant supplies of food given to the German prisoners in France, again with satisfactory results; whether the Russian Government are now adopting M. Duperrayat's methods in order to secure better treatment of Russian prisoners in Germany; and whether British prisoners in Germany are the only prisoners whose Government do not take suitable action in order to relieve the hardships which British prisoners in Germany are suffering?

I have no information as to the matter referred to in the first part of the question beyond what has been stated in the Press. With regard to the last part of the question, it is not the fact that His Majesty's Government have not taken suitable action to improve the conditions of internment of British subjects in Germany. There is, on the contrary, a consensus of opinion that those conditions, though still far from satisfactory in some cases, are better than they were. If the Noble Lord will furnish me with particulars of any special hardship that he has in mind, I will immediately inquire into it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the French Government have acted according to the letter of The Hague Convention which allows the exchange of the military unfit irrespective of number; whether he is aware that 7,000 French prisoners have been sent back from Germany as against 2,000 German prisoners sent back from France; and whether the reason of this disproportion is that the French have more military unfit in Germany than the Germans have in France?

I have no information as to the matters referred to.

asked the Prime Minister, if he is aware that builders who, owing to the War, are not able to command their usual resources in men, materials, and money, are being required in some instances by ground landlords to carry out large pre-war building lease contracts in the City of London and elsewhere for which at Common Law they are liable; that these contracts involve financing for large amounts at a time when such financing is against the public interest and the employment of able-bodied men who should be engaged in the service of the State; and, in view of the desire of the Government to protect all interests, will he consider the question of taking such steps as may be necessary, by legislation or otherwise, to enable such cases, whether few or many, to be referred to a tribunal empowered to grant relief by postponement or, as they may determine, in all cases of real hardship?

A case to which the hon. Member has called my attention is under the consideration of the Government, but I am not yet in a position to express any opinion as to the suggestion made in the latter part of the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive and consider representations from the London Association of Master Builders, relating to instances all over the country?

asked the Prime Minister when the 16th (Irish) Division is likely to go to the front; and whether any change has been made in the command of the division and in its constitution?

Arrangements of the kind which the hon. and learned Gentleman desires are, I understand, in contemplation.

asked the Prime Minister if, as starring has been so incorrectly performed in certain districts and that the canvass will not be quite completed by 11th December, he will extend the time limit till the end of the year?

I am not in a position to make a statement.

Will my right hon. Friend see that the starred lists are gone through and corrected before the voluntary system is finally abandoned?

It is very dangerous to answer supplementary questions. All I can say is that I will take it into consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if, in case Parliament should be adjourned before the result of Lord Derby's recruiting scheme is announced, Parliament will be summoned as soon as that result is ascertained in order to consider forthwith the situation as affected thereby?

This is a hypothetical question. I can say no more than that if and when the occasion contemplated by the hon. Member arises it will be for the Government to take such steps as they may consider suitable.

Will the Government take the House into consultation before taking any steps?

As I have stated, it is a hypothetical question. When the occasion arises I hope I shall give satisfaction to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to encourage national economy by setting an example of economy in every direction in which economy may be possible without prejudice to the vigorous and successful prosecution of the War; and, if so, will he state what steps will be taken to set such an example of economy and when they will be taken?

I can only repeat that the Government are giving continuous and anxious consideration to this question, and there is no Department of the public service in which the promotion of economy has been overlooked or will for a moment be lost sight of.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government can see their way to divide the Parliament and Registration Bill into two Bills, as the subject matter of the two questions are of a different character?

It will be found that the proposals in the Government Bill are connected, and that, so far as it touches Registration it is limited (as its title shows) to suspending certain machinery.

asked the Prime Minister whether, looking to the fact that the Parliament and Registration Bill has been postponed twice by the Government for reasons not announced, he will reconsider his determination to introduce the Bill under the Ten Minutes' Rule?

The best method of introducing the Bill is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the members of the Post Office wireless staff have been required by the Admiralty to enlist in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; whether the men who demurred were informed that refusal on their part meant confinement during the period of the War under the Defence of the Realm Act; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of introducing legislation imposing compulsory service on every man of military age and physically fit, instead of selecting individual classes and imposing compulsion on them while letting other men go free?

I understand that a scheme has been framed by the General Post Office and the Admiralty for enrolling in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve the wireless staff of the former department who are employed at stations engaged on Admiralty work. I believe that the General Post Office has received representations as to the details of the scheme made on behalf of the employés concerned, and these will be carefully considered. No statement such as that suggested has been authorised to be made to the men, and it hardly calls for contradiction.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything as to the last part of the question?

I will not say anything more about it than that I will consider it.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to make a further statement as to the plans and mission of Lord Kitchener; and whether such statement will include a full report giving the House and the country all possible information which the military circumstances admit as to our position on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the Balkan situation generally.

Any suck statement as my hon. Friend contemplates, would be undesirable at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister whether Mr. C. F. Masterman is in the employment of the Government; and, if so, what is his salary?

My hon. Friend is continuing certain work which he was requested by the Government to undertake at the beginning of the War. The work is of a highly confidential nature, and much of its efficiency depends upon its being conducted in secret, and it would not be in the public interest to make any further statements concerning it.

Will Mr. Master-man's salary be paid out of any Vote laid before the House, and what is the amount?

I do not know what the amount is.

I know.

I do not know what the amount is. Mr. Masterman is not in the Civil Service, but is employed specially for a temporary purpose. Whatever remuneration he receives, the hon. Member may be assured it will not be more than is adequate for the duties he has to perform.

Is it a fact that Mr. Masterman is paid a salary at the public expense?

Undoubtedly he will be.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an opportunity of discussing this gentleman's qualifications for the post he occupies?

I do not think it would be desirable to do that. Mr. Masterman was selected for this particular post after a full review of his qualifications. I believe he is adequately competent to discharge his duties.

Is there any Cabinet Minister who does know what the salary is, so that we may put our questions to him?

No, I think questions had better continue to be addressed to me.

I beg to give notice that I will put a question asking the right hon. Gentleman what the salary of Mr. Master-man will be.

I beg to give notice that I will call attention to the matter at an early date.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the joint issue of whips is to be understood as now abandoned, and, if not, what was the reason for sending a whip in regard to last night's Debate to the members of certain political parties in this House only, to the exclusion of others?

I know nothing about this matter, except from inquiries which I have made from my hon. Friend the Chief Whip (Mr. Gulland). I think that the explanation he has given to me, and which he is quite prepared to give to the House, is satisfactory. There appears to have been some fear that, partly owing to the fact that the nature of the business on the list of Orders was not of a very appetising character, and to other distractions, members might not attend here in sufficient numbers. Accordingly, it was suggested that a reminder should be sent in regard to the statement the Home Secretary proposed to make. There was no intention whatever to confine that to one party. By a mere act of inadvertence it did not reach my Noble Friend (Lord E. Talbot), who, jointly with my hon. Friend, holds the office of Chief Whip. The notion that there was any idea of inviting a certain section, or one or more sections of the House, rather than others to be present at the Debate is, I can assure the hon. Member, entirely unfounded. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"] I say entirely unfounded. I hope my assurance will be accepted. It was a pure inadvertence and mistake.

May I be allowed to supplement what the Prime Minister has just said as to the fact that the Whip was not sent out? Quite inadvertently I did not communicate with my Noble Friend the Member for Chichester (Lord E. Talbot). It was due entirely to inadvertence, and I have expressed my deep regret to my colleague the Noble Lord on that account.

When the right hon. Gentleman discovered that a mistake had been made, would it not have been better to give some notice to us on the other side, so that some of us might have known?

( was understood to say ): It was too late.

Is it not a fact that notice of this coming event was in the newspapers. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he will state the present position of affairs in regard to the new scheme of certification under the National Insurance Act in Ireland; if the proposal to appoint part-time Referees has been suspended until after the termination of the War; and if care will be taken to ensure that all appointments under the scheme will be decided solely on grounds of merit and experience?

The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative; I will send the hon. Member a copy of a memorandum on the subject issued by the Irish Insurance Commissioners. I understand that a conference to consider the position in the light of the revised proposals was held yesterday. I need not say that I am entirely in agreement with the principle enunciated in the last part of the question.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the draft proposal in the latter part of the scheme are acceded to?

I will do my best.

When are the Government going to appoint the Referees?

They are not going to be appointed at the present moment— not until the end of the War.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if Mr. D. J. Shackleton, of the Insurance Commission (England), is now in this country; if not, who is discharging his duties at this crisis; and whether it has been found that the help of a direct representative of the trades union approved societies is required in the working of the National Insurance Act?

At the request of the Ministry of Munitions, Mr. Shackleton is temporarily giving part of his time to the assistance of that Department. This arrangement does not involve the loss of his services as an Insurance Commissioner. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension if, as I assume, the last part of the question is intended to describe Mr. Shackleton's position. Mr. Shackleton was a Civil servant holding the post of Labour Adviser to the Home Office at the time of his appointment as an Insurance Commissioner, and his special knowledge of industrial conditions has proved of the highest value to my Department.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that a promise was given to the trade union representatives in this House that there should be a spokesman for their organisation upon the Commission, and if Mr. Shackleton is not there in that capacity, who is in that capacity?

I am not aware of any such promise having been given, or that Mr. Shackleton was appointed for that special purpose or with any understanding of that kind.

Will my hon. Friend look up the Debates in this House and verify it?

If that understanding exists, or if any promise has been given, I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will draw my attention to it. I have not seen it at present.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, if the schools in the rural districts of England were staffed with the same number of children to each teacher as are the elementary schools in the London area there would be a redundancy of 12,000 teachers; whether a policy of concentrating small schools and uniting them has been considered as a possible way of effecting economies both in teachers' labours and in money; and, if not, whether there will be any attempt made to initiate economies and improvements by treating small schools, and especially those in rural areas, by the methods suggested?

The statement contained in the first part of the question appears to be approximately correct mathematically, but of course small schools require a larger number of teachers in proportion to the number of children than large schools. With regard to the latter part of the question, the possibility of concentrating small schools is under consideration, but the difficulties involved are considerable and my right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Tod Sloan, an American citizen, has been deported; and, if so, whether the reasons for this action can be stated?

This man has been deported, and before making the deportation order I satisfied myself that it was not-desirable in the public interest at the present time that he should remain in the United Kingdom.

As a matter of fact, could not a criminal charge have been brought against him, and, if so, ought he not to be tried in the usual and ordinary way?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the reasons for deporting him are good reasons, and as he is an American citizen I do not see why we should be compelled to keep him in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in those cases where persons of eminence are deported it is generally assumed that it is to shield some other person behind them?

I can assure my hon. Friend that in this case, whatever be the eminence of this person, it was not on that ground that he was deported rather than being dealt with in any other way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now say why proceedings were taken for the suppression of a book entitled "The Rainbow," by D. H. Laurence, without any notice being given to the author of the book, who had a direct pecuniary interest in the matter, being entitled to a royalty of 25 per cent. on each copy sold, and whose prospects and reputation were gravely affected by these proceedings; whether he is aware that no direct evidence was given by the prosecution in support of the charge, but that the counsel employed by the police, who was the only counsel present, confined himself to reading the unfavourable comments of two journalists, who were not called to give evidence, and had not apparently read the book; and whether he will see that no further proceedings of this kind are taken by the police in respect of any work produced by an author of good standing and reputation, except after due notice being given to him, so that he may have at least as good an opportunity as any other accused man of replying to the charges made against him?

I have already explained to my hon. Friend that these proceedings were taken by the police in pursuance of their ordinary duty; the decision was a judicial decision arrived at by the chief magistrate, and was concurred in by the producers of the book. The Statute requires notice to be served on the occupier of the house where the books which had been seized were found. They are not required to serve any notice on the author, and they would not have any knowledge whether he had or had not an interest in the sale of the book or where he was to be found. The magistrate had before him the most direct evidence possible, namely, the book itself; and I am informed that it is not correct to say that his decision was arrived at without the book or the material passages therein being read. The police must, of course, continue to observe the requirements of the Statute; but if an author who has a pecuniary interest in the sale of a book thinks it necessary to do so, I imagine he could stipulate that his publisher should give him notice of proceedings such as these, and the magistrate would then determine whether he could not be heard.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that a grave injustice has been done to this man, seeing that he has had no opportunity of defending his book against the charges brought against it?

I cannot say that I see that; but however it may be, the provisions of the law were strictly complied with, and I feel quite certain that the magistrate would not act in a way which was contrary to the dictates of justice.

Is it not monstrous that a man should have this charge levelled against him and have no opportunity of defending himself whatsoever?

The only copies that were seized were copies found in a particular house. I imagine it will be possible, if the author thinks he has been wrongly treated, for another copy to be seized by arrangement, in order that he might defend the book.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Laurence had no knowledge of these proceedings until they were concluded?

No, I know nothing about it.

Were these proceedings taken under the Defence of the Realm Act? Is there any opportunity for the public to know what was suppressed, in order that they may avoid getting into the meshes of the law?

These proceedings were not taken under the Defence of the Realm Act. They were taken under a Statute which was passed, I think, about 1860.

Could these proceedings be taken against a classical author who may not be living? Would it be competent, on the decision of a police magistrate, to confiscate the works of Shakespeare, Rabelais, Swift, and others?

I think the hon. Member had better give notice of that question.