asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of appointing a Select Committee of this House to investigate the commercial conditions of this country and of the Empire that may require to be dealt with at the conclusion of the War, and to make recommendations, on the strength of evidence that may be available, as to the measures it may be necessary to adopt?

The matters referred to in the question are being carefully inquired into by the Departments concerned, and I do not propose to appoint a Select Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will recommend to the Treasury that those Civil servants who were deprived of the benefits of the Courtney scheme because of alleged ill-health should be given the same pension rights as their colleagues, provided they pass the medical examination for enlistment in the Army?

Applications to adopt the provisions of the Superannuation Act, 1909, were carefully considered in the light of medical evidence of the state of the applicant's health at the time. I regret that it is impossible after this lapse of time to reopen the decisions then arrived at.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can say whether the Lord Mayor of Liverpool proposes to hold the customary Liverpool banquet known as the Goose Feast during the second week in December; and, if so, whether, with a view to the promotion of the rigid economy now advocated by the Government and in the interests of national finance, he proposes to recommend that it be not held this year?

I have no information with regard to the first part of the question. As regards the last part, I have no reason to doubt that the Liverpool authorities will have due regard to the need for setting an example of public economy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that numbers of parcels for the men at the front have not been delivered, although perfectly addressed; if he is aware that a trusted representative of the New Zealand Government is willing to proceed at his own expense to the Dardanelles with comforts and necessities for the New Zealand forces; and if the Admiralty will afford him every facility in their power?

It is, of course, not sufficient that parcels should be properly addressed. They must also be properly packed, and many have been undeliverable from this cause. A proposal was made that a representative of New Zealand should go out, and a conference at which this point and others might be discussed was proposed. I think it is desirable that this discussion should take place, if it is still wished that a special representative should be sent. I understand that there is already in Egypt an assistant director of postal services belonging to the New Zealand military forces, who is charged with the supervision of mails for the New Zealand troops.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether those joining the Army Service Corps as packers and labourers were promised 1s. 8d. per day for home service and 3s. per day if sent overseas; whether the men drafted to France are still being paid 1s. 8d. per day only; and, if so, will he give instructions for the higher rate of pay being made?

No, Sir. There was certainly no official authority for any such promise, and I am not aware that it was made. Men are paid at the rate at which they were enlisted, whether serving at home or abroad.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of the late Private Joseph Doyle, of the Legion of Frontiersmen; whether he is aware that Doyle's services were accepted by the War Office at the outbreak of the War, that he was sent to Avonmouth to train horses for the front, and that while there he received injuries and died on 26th December, 1914, in Bristol infirmary, leaving a widow and six children; whether he is aware that the Legion of Frontiersmen was not taken over by the War Office until early in 1915, that this fact was advanced by the War Office as excusing payment of any separation allowance to the wife or pension to the widow, and that Mrs. Doyle has received nothing but a grant of £15 from the Patriotic Society in weekly instalments and a few grocery tickets from the local fund; and whether some pension can be given to Mrs. Doyle and some allowance made for her children?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been called to this case, the circumstances of which are not quite as stated. This man was employed for a short time as a civilian groom at Shirehampton, and died of kidney disease. There is no record of any injury. His widow was not entitled to anything in respect of his death, but a small compassionate grant was made to her from Army funds. The relations between the War Office and the Legion of Frontiersmen are not relevant.

asked the Undersecretary for War, seeing that he has stated that where hay had been commandeered from collieries this would be replaced with other hay, will he explain why this undertaking has not been carried out in the Cardiff district?

I am not aware of any case where hay has been requisitioned from collieries. In cases where it has been agreed to exchange one class of hay for another, such exchange has presumably been carried out, unless some other arrangement has subsequently been agreed upon. At Cardiff there exists a committee composed of two members of the South Wales Mineowners Association, a representative of the Admiralty, and the district purchasing officer for South Wales to deal with these matters, and no report has been received from them or any other source to show that any dissatisfaction exists in the district with the arrangements made. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any case which he has in mind, I shall be pleased to have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a naturalised German named Philip Horgesheimer, a baker, of Malvern Road, Kilburn, was fined £5 last week for failing to reduce his shop lighting, and that it was stated by the police at Willesden Police Court that owing to his having a very bright light in his window he was cautioned to put up the shade, and that when the police officer turned his back Horgesheimer immediately removed the shade; whether he is aware that on the night of the last air raid his shop light was particularly bright; whether this man is to be interned; and, if not, will he say why this course will not be taken?

I understand that the question relates to a case in which, on the 18th October, a fine of £5 was imposed for the offence of screening inadequately a light in the middle of a shop. The person in question had been warned on a previous night, but it did not appear from the police evidence that he had removed the shade when the police officer turned his back. The police do not regard the man as a suspect, and there is no evidence which suggests that, in addition to enforcing the conviction and sentence, he should be dealt with under Defence of the Realm Regulation 14b.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there has recently been any modification of the financial arrangements originally made with the railway companies; what are these; and what is the total cost to the Government up to date?

There has been no recent modification of the agreement between the railway companies and the Government.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the terms of reference under which the Railway Executive Committee was appointed; whether the Government pay any portion of its expenses and to whom the executive is responsible for the efficient working of the railways; and if the Government have any power to exercise any control over ordinary passenger or commercial transport?

There are no precise terms of reference to the Railway Executive Committee. They are entrusted by the Government with the management of the railways, of which possession has been taken, and to the Government they are responsible. The expenses of the Committee form part of the working expenses of the railway companies, and are consequently taken into account in calculating the aggregate net receipts. Ordinary passenger and goods traffic is interfered with as little as possible, but preference is necessarily given to some traffics, and this involves restrictions on others.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that the workmen employed in making the new road to the sorting office in Regent's Park are being paid at the rate of 6d. per hour; that the standard rate of the district for this class of work is 8d. per hour; and whether he will give instructions that these men be paid the proper rate while engaged on this work?

The facts are as stated. Instructions have been given that the men are to receive the higher rate during the period when they are employed on road-making.