asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that none of the neutral Governments have made public any protests to Germany concerning her reckless policy of strewing mines on the routes of non-combatant shipping, whether he can say if any appreciation has been addressed to His Majesty's Government by any of the neutral Powers concerning the services rendered to them by the British seafaring professions in clearing the seas of these mines so that commerce between America and Europe can be continued without loss of life?

No, Sir; so far as I am aware no such appreciation has been received, though the facts are as stated in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the practice in Germany with regard to the treatment of companies or firms in Germany which are wholly or mainly owned or controlled by British subjects; whether such companies and firms are considered and treated as being alien enemies; whether they are allowed to carry on business except under the control of a supervisor or manager appointed by the German Government, and what fees are paid to such supervisor or manager; and whether such supervisor or manager has power wholly to discontinue or to wind up the business of such companies and firms?

From the information in the possession of His Majesty's Government the practice of the German Government is to place under compulsory administration those undertakings whose capital belongs wholly or mainly to British subjects. The administrator appointed by the central authorities in such cases appears to have discretionary powers either to carry on the business of the undertaking concerned in whole or in part, or to limit his action to the liquidation of the current business of the undertaking. He may also dissolve the undertaking, although in this case the authorisation of the Imperial Chancellor is, I believe, required. I have no information as to the scale of fees payable to the administrator.

Does the Government propose to give facilities to the Bill dealing with this subject which is introduced in another place?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of legislation in this country on the lines of German legislation?

I cannot answer without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make a statement on the exchange of invalid prisoners of war, indicating whether this is still being carried on between Great Britain and Germany; whether there remain interned in either country prisoners of a non-military age; and what are the reasons actuating their continued detention?

Exchanges of invalid prisoners of War take place at regular intervals. Certain classes of persons of non-military age are interned because it has not so far been possible to arrive at an agreement for their mutual release, but it is hoped that the necessary agreements in the majority of cases will be reached shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has official information to the effect that English women have been rudely treated by Germans on the British concession of Shameen, and that the German community celebrated the sinking of the "Lusitania" by an entertainment, jubilating over this incident; and whether he can see his way either to intern the Germans or turn them off the concession, with a view to preserving the peaceful amenities of the concession to British subjects residing there, in view of the attitude taken up by the Germans?

The answer to the first two questions are in the negative, whilst, with regard to the third, I cannot at present add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Melton on 14th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the length of the lease of the concession of Shameen from the Chinese Government to the British Government; whether the German Consul still flies his flag on the concession and exercises jurisdiction over German subjects; whether he can exercise his jurisdiction on our concession as long as he can rent premises on it; and, if so, what is the length of lease which has been accorded to the German Consul and were the terms of the lease submitted to the Foreign Office for approval?

His Majesty's Government hold the concession on a perpetual lease. I am not aware whether or not the German flag is flown over the German Consulate at present, but the Consul exercises jurisdiction over German subjects by virtue of the authority vested in him by his Government, and not by virtue of residence at any particular spot. The lease of the German Consulate was made in 1883 for ninety-nine years, with the authorisation of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Do not the Germans in this concession occupy the position of lodgers, and if a person has an undesirable lodger in his house has he to refer to the ground landlord before he turns him out?

I cannot add to the answer I gave the other day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, in view of the recent arrest of the British Consul at Shiraz by Germans and their emissaries, can see their way as a reprisal to occupy the German concessions in Chinese treaty ports and put the German Consuls and officials under arrest to prevent them conspiring in China against the interests of the British Empire and their Allies as they have done and are now doing in Persia?

The danger to which my hon. Friend refers has not been lost sight of, but I do not think it would be desirable to say anything further on the subject at the present moment.

Is the Government taking full notice of the intrigues of the Germans in our own concessions of Shanghai and their shipments of arms and seditious literature to India?

The intrigues of Germans, not only in particular concessions, but in China generally, are the subject of anxious consideration on the part of His Majesty's Government.

Having assisted in turning the Germans out of their much greater possession of Tsingtao, could we not proceed to attack them in their smaller places? Is it not as if, having swallowed a camel, we were straining at a gnat?

The question is not quite so simply disposed of as the hon. Member thinks. I can only call his attention again to the first part of my last answer. The danger to which he refers has not been lost sight of, and, as a matter of fact, is the subject of anxious consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the situation in Persia; what proportion of the Swedish officers and gendarmerie have revolted and joined the German agents; whether the Shah's Government have failed to fulfil the pledges given by it to the representatives of England and Russia, and have allowed the Germans to transport from Teheran to Hamadan a huge quantity of bombs, maxims, rifles, cartridges, and other military supplies; and what was the nature of the undertakings offered to the Persian Government before the Russian troops commenced their advance on Teheran?

I fear that recent events in Persia have demonstrated that little reliance can be placed in the Persian gendarmerie as a whole, although, so far as I am informed, it is only at Shiraz and Hamadan that they have as yet openly defied the Persian Government. The British Consul and some members of the British Colony at Shiraz were made prisoners; the Consul at Hamadan has made his way to Kasvin. I am confident, however, that the Persian Cabinet, as at present constituted, are sincerely anxious to restore order, and they have already endeavoured to take effective measures at Hamadan, where there is reason to believe German agents have stored a large quantity of arms and war material.

The presence of Russian troops between Kasvin and Teheran was necessitated by the danger similar to that at other places which threatened the British and Russian Legations and Colonies. The Russian troops have not entered the capital, and the Persian Government have been assured that if they are obliged to do so it will only be to protect Allied life and property. Meanwhile, what measures are possible against the revolted gendarmerie who have committed the acts described above are being taken.

The right hon. Gentleman took no notice of the last part of my question: whether there is any truth in the statement that the Shah of Persia has broken his pledges to the British Government and allowed large stores of bombs, maxims, rifles, cartridges, and other military supplies to be taken away by Persian agents from Teheran and transferred to Hamadan—that is a very important part of the question?

I do not think I have confirmation of that. All I can say is that the Persian Cabinet as at present constituted is sincerely anxious to restore order. I have really not had time to study this quite carefully. If the hon. Member will put it down as a separate question I will see if we have information. At present I am not aware that we have.

I will put it down as a separate question. I will ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will see that any information given in another place by the Government on the Persian situation is communicated to this House?

I will do my best.

How far is the revolt of the Swedish gendarmerie due to the fact that they have not received their pay?

Is not the gendarmerie really a Persian force in revolt under the Swedish officers who were formerly in command of them?

It is not a Swedish gendarmerie at all, but Persian. The officers are not Swedish officers in the sense of being under the control of the Swedish Government at all. They are persons of Swedish nationality who are employed by the Persian Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether there is not really an army in being at Hamadan?

Have the Government ever realised how much easier it would have been for the Persian Government to put a stop to this disorder if we had had another gendarmerie under British officers?

Nobody knows better than the hon. and gallant Gentleman the difficulty there would have been two years ago, before the War broke out, in organising a force of gendarmerie with the consent of the Persian Government under British officers.

Was not a force of Persian gendarmerie organised five years ago under Major Stokes, until the British Government insisted on his withdrawal?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many males and females are employed in the Censor's Department, and how many are, respectively, of foreign birth?

The answer to the first part of the question is 1,081, and to the latter 235, the majority of whom are of the nationality of the Allies.

asked the Under-Secretary for War how many female assistant censors and deputy assistant censors there are in the Censor's Department, and how many of them are of foreign birth?

There are two female assistant censors and nine female deputy assistant censors. Of the former one is of Swedish birth but now a British subject. Of the latter two are of foreign birth.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he could give an assurance that the amount charged per diem for messing of officers in reserve Cavalry regiments to which third-line Yeomanry officers are attached for training is limited in any way; and if he will state the maximum amount allowed to be charged against these attached officers?

Messing charges are restricted not by expressly prescribed figures which may not be exceeded but by giving officers commanding full authority and by requiring them to check unnecessary expense or extravagance. A searching inquiry was instituted a few months ago into the whole question of messing charges, from which it appeared that the highest rate in operation (after the deduction of ration allowance) in a Reserve Cavalry Regiment was 4s. 5d. per day. This included hire of plate and linen and cost of stationery, but it was considered too high and the General Officer Commanding was informed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether it has gone up or down since the inquiry?

I assume it has gone down, but I have no information. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question I shall be glad to obtain the information for him.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that only one member of Royal Field Artillery batteries at the front is allowed on leave at a time; and can he state how long it must be before every man therefore gets leave?

I find that there is no rule such as is indicated in the first part of the question, and I have consequently assumed that my hon. Friend would excuse me from executing the calculations suggested by the second part of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that it is the practice, whether it is the rule or not?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that. Perhaps my hon. Friend can assure me that it is so?

asked the Undersecretary for War whether there is any rule or practice which prevents an officer v ho holds1 a commission only for the duration of the War from being appointed on the Staff; and if so, whether the authorities of the War Office will consider the propriety of modifying such rule or practice in proper cases?

There is no such rule.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether he will grant the return relating to hutting standing in the name of the hon. Member for Rushcliffe? [Return relating to hutting during the present War for troops in the United Kingdom showing:—

I regret that the necessary figures are not yet available in a good many instances. Perhaps my hon. Friend will repeat his request at a later date.

Will the hon. Gentleman issue the return as soon as the figures are available otherwise we shall have to wait a considerable time?

There is not the slightest desire to hang the thing up.

asked the Under-Secretary for War, how many men there are in Territorial Home-service battalions; and whether these men if of military age will be compelled to join for foreign service before the married classes are called up under Lord Derby's scheme?

I have already stated in answer to the hon. Member for Chertsey Division that I cannot give the number of the officers and men of the Territorial Force who are under Home-service obligations only. I have also stated that in the event of Lord Derby's scheme not producing the necessary results all classes of the population other than those already enlisted for Imperial service must be dealt with on the same footing

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the new decision to promote all Infantry captains of fifteen years' service to the rank of major, provided that they are the senior of their rank in the regiment, is acting harshly in the case of those regiments where there happens to be a junior. captain brought in from some other regiment at the head of the list; whether he is aware that in the Middlesex Regiment there are no less than twelve captains of fifteen years' service kept back from promotion in this manner; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this grievance?

I understand that there are some peculiar features in the case of the Middlesex Regiment in regard to this matter, and that special steps are being taken. The regimental system of promotion has always been liable to produce cases of individual hardship, and it is impossible to provide against them altogether. But the other advantages of this system are considered sufficiently great to outweigh this objection.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider this case—it is a very serious case?

The Middlesex case?

Yes.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has seen the advertisement issued by the commanding officer of the central training camp at Havre asking for 100,000 sandbags to keep the trenches, breastworks, etc., in repair during the winter months; and, seeing that this request conflicts with the recent statements made on behalf of the War Office regarding the Army's requirements in the matter of sandbags, can he advise the various hospital depots how to proceed in the matter?

I am having inquiries made regarding the advertisement referred to by my hon. Friend. As I informed him in answer to a supplementary question on this subject on the 11th November, there are many millions of sandbags in reserve at Havre and other bases in the North of France.

Will the hon. Gentleman communicate with me when he has received the information?

Certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the partners in the firm of Tolme and Runge, sugar brokers, of Mincing Lane, are Mr. Hermann Runge, born of German parents in Cuba, Mr. Richard Runge, brother of Hermann Runge, and Mr. J. J. Runge, son of Hermann Runge, born in England and expert adviser on sugar to the Royal Commission on Food Supply; whether the firm of Tolme and Runge is or was until recently closely associated with the German firm of Runge and Bacmeister, of Hamburg; whether any of the partners in the firm of Tolme and Runge are partners in the firm of Runge and Bacmeister; whether Mr. A. Goldfinger, an Austrian by nationality and not naturalised till 19th August, 1914, is or was until recently a confidential clerk in the employment of Tolme and Runge; whether Mr. E. Lorenz, a German by nationality but naturalised in this country, was until 31st July, 1915, a confidential clerk of Tolme and Runge; whether Mr. Gattke, a German by nationality but naturalised in this country, is or was until recently the cashier of Tolme and Runge; whether the firm of Tolme and Runge can properly and accurately be described as a British firm; and whether he will instruct the Royal Commission on Food Supply in future to buy sugar only through firms of British origin and associations?

I have nothing to add to the reply given on the 2nd of this month to a question on the same subject by the hon. Baronet the Member for Mansfield.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House who are the members of this firm who have been purchasing sugar for the Government, and whether any of these persons are partners in the German firm of Runge and Bacmeister?

No, Sir. If the hon. and learned Gentleman will look at the answer I gave he will see that all the parts of his question relative to members of this firm are answered. In regard to the employés of the firm I have not answered, and I see no reason why it is necessary to go into the question as to the origin of the clerks of particular firms. All the other points in the question have been answered.

If a firm employs entirely German or Austrian clerks of alien enemy origin, does it not come to the same thing, and show that it is a firm of German origin or associations?

No; this is not a firm of German origin, nor is it of German associations. The fact that it employs one or two clerks of German or Austrian origin is not really germane to the question. If the hon. and learned Member will inquire he will find that a great many sugar firms have employed German or Austrian clerks, for the simple reason that the main business in sugar has been done in the past in Germany and Austria.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the partners in this firm, which is purchasing for the Government, are not of German origin, and whether the head of the firm is a German, born of German parents?

So far as I have been able to investigate the descent of the family tree, I believe on one side the gentleman's parentage is entirely German, but three generations back. If the hon. Gentleman will look round he will find a great many families many of whose ancestors, generations back, have been Germans.

Is it quite impossible to find an English firm without all these German connections to do this particular work?

No, Sir. I understand that in the sugar trade the principal firms have all got foreign members. The names of principal firms will readily occur to the hon. Gentleman. He will know that there are foreign members in almost every case. We are employing all the principal firms, and it would be undesirable—indeed, I think it is most undesirable—to press questions of this kind which, while they are detrimental to one firm, cannot fail to be advantageous to another firm.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum the Government proposes to place at the disposal of the Statutory Committee constituted under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act; and what will be the basis upon which this sum will be estimated?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the question of removing the present restriction under which Treasury Bills are issued only in sums of £1,000, £5,000, and £10,000, and permit of their issue in amounts of £500, or even £100, so as to enable smaller investors to avail themselves of this security?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Manchester on the 11th November.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give any facts of the attack on His Majesty's transport "Woodfield"?

The "Woodfield" was sunk off the coast of Morocco by an enemy submarine on the 3rd November. The casualties amongst the military and crew were 6 persons killed and 14 wounded. The survivors, 45 British and 9 Arabs (firemen), are all understood to be now in the hands of the Spanish authorities, by whom they have been treated with every consideration and kindness, the wounded in particular being well looked after.

asked if any arrangements, and what, are being made for giving such men in the Navy as have had no leave for twelve months leave for Christmas?

As I pointed out in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Devonport on the 22nd July, the granting of leave must entirely depend upon the exigencies of the Service. I am afraid I cannot carry the matter beyond that.

On the question of leave, will the right hon. Gentleman insist on the railway companies giving soldiers proper facilities for travelling? I travelled last night for eight hours, and— [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

This is not a matter of debate.

asked if the Admiralty are responsible for providing overalls and overcoats for the coastguards and auxiliary coast watchers?

Coastguard ratings have to provide their own kit in the same manner as other service ratings. Over- coats are part of their compulsory kit; overalls are optional. Civilian coast watchers are expected to provide their overcoats; but oilskins are issued on loan whilst the men are patrolling. In Ireland, however, where wages are generally lower, coast watchers have been provided with overcoats. It has been decided recently that, having regard to the exceptional wear and tear to which, under present conditions, the overcoats of coastguard ratings on coast watching and war signal duties are subjected, any service overcoats taken up by these men this winter shall be charged for at half price.

asked if the Admiralty chartering agents who requisition tonnage on behalf of the Admiralty are paid by an annual salary, or are they being paid a commission on the enormous tonnage now engaged on Admiralty service; and, if so, what is the rate of commission and the total amount that has been paid for their services since the outbreak of war?

The Admiralty Transport Department requisitions the tonnage necessary for all war purposes direct, with the exception of collier tonnage. In this case, the Admiralty agents at Cardiff and Newcastle, who, prior to the War, were entrusted with the chartering of the colliers as well as the stemming of the coal, have been employed in requisitioning collier tonnage in accordance with the requirements notified by the Admiralty. Under their agreement they are paid a salary, with a commission on the number of tons of coal shipped or put on rail—not on the tonnage of the ships employed.

What is the total amount paid for their services since the outbreak of war?

I must have notice of that.

It is in the question.

I understood that the hon. Member wanted to know how they are paid.

Then I will repeat the question.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether there is the same system of internal financial control in the Ministry of Munitions as in the War Office and in the Admiralty, exercised through a duly appointed accounting officer whose function it is to review all schemes of expenditure as well as audit actual charges and to keep a record of liabilities incurred?

Yes, Sir. A finance department on generally similar lines to those in the War Office and Admiralty has been established in the Ministry of Munitions, and an accounting officer has been appointed by the Treasury.

Is the accounting officer made acquainted with all schemes of expenditure and the terms of contracts before the money is spent?

Yes. We have settled very elaborate machinery whereby the accounting officer is consulted before we are committed to the contract.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will consider the desirability of arranging with the railway companies for the issuing of return tickets at reduced fares whereby men engaged on munitions work may return to their homes from Newcastle and elsewhere to London for the Christmas holiday?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Sunder-land on the 1st December. I am still in communication with the Railway Executive Committee, and will let the hon. Member know the result at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) is contemplating an Order scheduling, with other districts, the whole or a large part of the county of Berkshire preliminary to the issue of regulations which may drastically affect the convenience of the inhabitants; and, if so, whether he will see that all classes in the area to be dealt with are given a full and early opportunity of stating their views and wishes in the matter, so as to ensure that no steps of this kind are taken unless and until it is ascertained that they are supported, on the whole, by local sentiment?

I understand that the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) have under consideration the application of the Defence of the Realm (Liquor Control) Regulations, 1915, to part of the county of Berkshire adjoining or forming part of the Aldershot training centre, and the issue of an Order in respect thereof. I am informed that representatives of the county and of local authorities and licensing justices have already been given an opportunity of expressing their views at conferences which were held at Alder-shot on 28th October and Salisbury on 19th November, and that representatives of the licensed trade were also received.

Will the Control Board take into consideration the statement made on this subject by the Minister of Munitions on 10th May in this House?

I will draw the attention of the Chairman of the Control Board to it.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will present to the House a Memorandum showing the numbers of staff, duties, rates of pay, and, generally, the organisation of his Department?

As the staff of the Ministry already numbers more than 3,000 and is growing daily, and the organisation of the Department is continually being modified by each development, the preparation of such a Memorandum would involve an expenditure of time and trouble which, in my right hon. Friend's opinion, would not be justified in view of the great pressure of work and of the fact that it would almost immediately be out of date. He will, however, be glad to give my hon. Friend any information possible, if he will communicate with the Department.

Would not all these particulars have been prepared for insertion in next year's Estimates, which must be nearly ready?

We have certain particulars including the names of principal officers and I will be glad to send the hon. Gentleman a copy.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly say what is now the population of Wales?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether representations have been made to his Department regarding the inconvenience caused to munition workers and others travelling on the Bruce Grove and Enfield to Liverpool Street routes on the Great Eastern Railway through the overcrowding of the trains, particularly the workmen's trains; and whether he will communicate with the railway company with a view to the provision of increased accommodation on the routes in question?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have communicated with the railway company, and am sending my hon. Friend a copy of their reply.

asked the Prime Minister if Mr. Charles Masterman is now in the employment of the State and, if so, at what salary; whether he is the first occupant of a post newly created; and if he is subject to the rules of the Civil service prohibiting interference in political affairs?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is unavoidably detained at a conference, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put the question down for to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in certain sections of the Metropolitan special constabulary the equipment sanctioned by him has not yet been provided; and, in view of the inclemency of the weather, the character of the duties performed by members of the force in exposed positions, and the desire to make the burdens of service press as lightly as possible, will he issue instructions for the equipment, without avoidable delay, of all men who desire equipment or its monetary equivalent, and are qualified by the discharge of the necessary number to duties to receive it?

The provision of equipment for so large a body of men necessarily takes some time, but I have made inquiries, and am able to say that the special constabulary headquarters staff and their divisional commanders are completing this work with as little delay as is possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the action of the Great Central Railway Company in restraining women clerks from joining the Railway Clerks' Association, preventing them from attending meetings called by the association, and removing women who join the association to offices where the scale maximum rate of pay is lower than that in force in the offices from which they have been removed; and whether he will take action through the Railway (Executive Committee, over which he presides, or by some other means, to put a stop to these practices?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on Thursday last by the hon. Member for Stockport, with whom I am conferring to-day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of dissatisfaction is felt throughout the railway world with that answer, and could not the matter be put in a very much better light so as to satisfy the railwaymen?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman is referring to the answer given in this House or to the answer given by the railway company; if the answer of the railway company, it is under consideration.

Of course. I referred to the answer given in this House.

May I inform my hon. Friend that the answer given in this House merely gave the substance of the reply of the railway company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the freight for coal from this country for Genoa has reached as much as 60s. per ton, and the freight from Newcastle to London as much as 16s. per ton, and that these charges are primarily due to the conditions and want of organisation in the shipping industry; and whether he will state what prospect there is of this state of affairs being remedied without delay?

The whole question of shipping freights is being carefully watched. The governing fact in these problems is the pronounced and serious shortage of tonnage for this and every other trade. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him on 23rd November as to the steps which are being taken.

Is it not the fact that the raising of the freights for interned ships is mainly responsible for the increased rate of freights of homeward coal?

The interned vessels are entirely for the home trade—the coasting trade—and in no case is the rate as high on interned vessels as on vessels in the open market. Interned vessels have acted as a drag on the market.

Have not the rates for interned vessels risen from 8s., fixed by the Board of Trade, to 12s.?

That may be possible. At the same time, the outside rates have risen from 9s. to 13s.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state how many of the fifty-three steamers wrecked during the month of November were engaged on Government work; and whether he can give the numbers and the tonnage of new vessels launched during the year by the British mercantile marine?

The fifty-three steamers to which my hon. Friend refers were reported to the Board of Trade during the month of November as having been wrecked, but only twenty-four of them were lost during that month. The Admiralty do not think it in the public interest to say how many were engaged on Government work. According to the returns of Lloyd's Register of Shipping, the number of new vessels of 100 tons gross and upwards launched in the United Kingdom during the first nine months of 1915 for British owners was 254, and the aggregate gross tonnage was 511,166 tons.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Public Prosecutor has examined the Report of the Military Inquiry into the affairs of the Empire Battalion; and whether he proposes to take any action?

The Report of the Court of Inquiry and the documents which were produced to the Court have been considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who does not propose to take any further action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the annual number of appointments necessarily made to the Indian Civil Service to keep it up to the usual strength; whether casualties from death, sickness, and other causes are expected in the next two years to be only one quarter of, or very much less than, the normal figure; and, if so, for what reason?

In 1914 fifty-three appointments were made, and the theoretical number to be offered in 1915 had not most of the candidates joined the Army, would have been thirty-six. The service is at present somewhat in excess of the aggregate provincial cadres, and serious disadvantage is not anticipated from reducing recruitment while the War lasts.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any and, if so, what reply has been given to a petition presented by the Indian chaplains asking inter alia for the cancellation of the rule of 1892 regarding the addition of three years' probation to the period of qualification for pension; whether the enforcement of that rule has made it more difficult to obtain chaplains, who necessarily commence to serve in India at a later age than men in other India services; whether the petition was backed by the Indian bishops; and whether he will inform the House what was the actual disposal of the representations made?

The Government of India have been informed that I am unable to accede to representations which involved a considerable addition to the ecclesiastical charges. The representations were generally supported by the Indian bishops, but it has not been found that chaplains are not forthcoming to fill the vacancies that from time to time occur.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity, when economy is so desirable all round, to reduce ecclesiastical charges in India in respect of chaplains and others?

The Government of India is devoted in its attention to economy, just as the Government of this country must be.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a powder extinguisher made by an Eastbourne firm for which it is claimed that during the recent air raid in the London area a police constable successfully extinguished an incendiary bomb, also a fire in a roof by its means; and, if so, whether he has any official reports on the subject?

Yes, Sir. Inquiry was made by the Commissioner of Police when the advertisement referred to appeared in the Press, and he has ascertained that the claim is not in accordance with the facts.

I wish to ask the Home Secretary a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether his attention has been directed to an alleged interview with the King of Greece, published in this day's "Times"; whether that interview was submitted to the Censor before publication, and whether the censorship accepts any responsibility for the authenticity or accuracy of the interview?

I only had notice of this question after I came into the House, but I have made inquiry by telephone, and I understand that the interview was submitted to the Censor; but whether it was submitted or not, the responsibility for its authenticity and accuracy, of course, remains with the newspaper. The fact that it was passed gives it no official authority.

I wish to ask the Secretary for India a question, of which I have given private notice: Whether, with reference to the agreement concluded between the Government and certain trading associations in Denmark, he can give an assurance that it in no way violates the undertaking, given by the Prime Minister on the 1st March, to prevent commodities of any kind from reaching or leaving the German Empire?

My right hon. Friend (Sir E. Grey) has been called away, but he had only just received notice of this question as he entered the House. He asks me to say that he can add nothing to the reply given in the House on this subject yesterday. He does not think it would be in the public interest to do so. If the right hon. Gentleman wants to carry the matter further, I must ask him to be good enough to put a question on the Paper to my right hon. Friend. Obviously I cannot add anything.

I wish to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether he is in a position to state the names of the members of the Committee which he is setting up to consider the question of obtaining contributions to War Loans from the working classes?

Yes, Sir. The names of the Committee are as follows:—

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether Mr. M'Donald has been promoted head store warder to Edinburgh Prison and is being paid the maximum amount of salary as a commencing wage; whether it usually takes fourteen years to reach the maximum; and why this exception is made in this case?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. A vacancy having occurred in the office of steward of Edinburgh Prison it has been decided not to fill the vacancy at present, but to assign the duties to an officer of the rank of head warder, who is remunerated on a much lower scale of pay than a steward. In respect of the discharge of the higher duties the head warder will be allowed the maximum rate of pay of his class, namely, £3 a week. The arrangement effects a saving to the State of approximately £75 a year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any other officer has ever been started at the maximum salary?

This is not a case of starting at the maximum salary. It is a case of a man doing different Work and being paid a salary which is an economy to the State.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any contributions out of Greenwich Hospital funds are made to the Admiralty for work done in connection with Greenwich Hospital business; whether the salaries of the clerical staff and director are paid out of hospital funds; and, if so, can he see his way, in view of the many applicants now awaiting their small pensions from these funds, to transfer the expenditure in question to Naval Votes, so as to allow of more money being available to meet the primary objects of the fund?

The following contributions are paid annually out of the funds of Greenwich Hospital to Navy Votes for work in connection with Greenwich Hospital business performed by other Admiralty Departments, namely:—

Is it not a fact that there is a considerable number of these men who have served their country loyally who are still waiting for their 5d. a day, and could they not be better able to get it if this £4,000 a year was placed as public funds?

If we put this expenditure on the Navy Votes, certainly a larger number of applicants would get this. I may say that we have got 1,360 applicants waiting. The great majority of those have life pensions of £20 a year.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware of the growing uneasiness of the leaders of the approved societies as to the future of their organisations; and whether he has invited the officials of the societies to meet him since his taking up his present office?

The hon. Member does not specify the grounds of the alleged general feeling among responsible officers of approved societies, and I am not aware that any such general feeling exists. I have been in constant communication with officers of societies through my Department, and in many cases personally, on matters arising in the course of their administration. I am always ready to arrange a conference where necessary with any society on points of difficulty, and I believe that the conferences hitherto held have satisfactorily attained their object.

Does not my right hon. Friend see the necessity of hearing the point of view of these people and not confining himself to the views of bureaucratic officials?

What I said was that I had been in constant touch with the officers of the approved societies.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he will state the basis of his statement on the current sickness experience of the approved societies; whether he is aware that many large societies keep careful records which are analysed by actuaries; and will he make himself acquainted with the tabulated results before giving assurances to the House?

I explained the basis of the statement referred to in the course of debate on the 1st instant. My Department is in close touch with approved societies of all types, and is much indebted to them for the readiness with which they have furnished particulars of their sickness benefit experience.