asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether letters addressed by seamen on active service to Members of Parliament at the House of Commons are subject to censorship; and, if so, whether he can explain why the Admiralty pursues a different policy to that practised by the War Office in this respect?

Under Admiralty orders, letters, whether written by Officers or men, are censored on board ship by an officer specially appointed for the purpose. The censorship applies to all letters, to whomever they may be written.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could make a statement as to the operations of Admiral Troubridge and the British bluejackets in Serbia; and what arrangements have been made with regard to this force at present and for the future?

The Naval Mission under Admiral Troubridge, which was sent to assist the Serbian Army in the defence of the river frontier of Serbia, appears to have played a highly creditable part in the resistance offered to the overwhelming Austro-German attack, and then to have accompanied the Serbian Army in its retreat. It is, of course, numerically a very small force, and its disposal must naturally be incidental to the general operations, but it is contemplated to retain it in touch with the Serbian Forces so long as its services can be of use.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if there is any probability of an early payment being made of naval prize bounty; and, if not, if he can state the cause of the delay?

We have prepared, and authority will be sought by Order in Council for, a revised scale of distribution which will be the basis of award both for prize bounty and for prize money. Preliminary steps are now being taken in the preparation of the rolls of the ships' companies considered to be entitled to share in prize bounty. A statement will shortly be ready to enable the Prize Court to determine the amount of prize bounty and the ships to which it should be awarded in respect at any rate of the earlier engagements. It is hoped that payments may be made in respect of these engagements at an early date. As regards prize money, I have already stated that certain questions affecting its distribution are involved in the Naval Prize Bill which the Prime Minister stated on 4th November would be proceeded with without undue delay. But in any case, as I think my hon. Friend will see, it will in all probability be quite impossible to make any distribution until after the close of hostilities.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is possible to make the first distribution of prize bounty this year?

I should very much like to do so before Christmas, but I am rather sceptical about it. All expedition will be used. There is the difficulty of getting the facts from the various ships, and then there are the Prize Courts. I cannot control the Prize Courts. It would give me great pleasure if I could possibly make the distribution.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour—

There are a great number of questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the name of the Minister who succeeded Sir Henry George Bax Ironside, and the date of his arrival in Sofia?

The arrangements come to in regard to His Majesty's Legation at Sofia were described in my answer to the hon. Member for North Somerset on 20th October last, to which reply I have nothing to add.

asked on what grounds the British Minister at Sofia was granted indefinite leave of absence, and on what date he left Sofia?

His Majesty's Minister at Sofia was granted leave of absence and left Sofia on 9th July. The diplomatic negotiations in progress at that time had reached a stage at which a change in the person of our representative was considered desirable.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he could give the House any further information regarding the condition of affairs in Persia?

A full statement of the facts at present in the possession of His Majesty's Government was made yesterday in another place, and I have nothing to add to the information which was then given.

asked whether the responsible advisers of the Sultan of Egypt are British or Egyptian; whether martial law is now in force throughout Egypt; and whether any Egyptian troops have been used against the Turks in this War?

The Sultan of Egypt is advised by his Cabinet, the members of which are of Egyptian nationality. We have always accepted responsibility for British advice in Egypt. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the third part, which is of a military nature, I can give no information.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the pledge given to the Egyptian people at the beginning of the War on behalf of Great Britain has been kept, or has been violated?

I do not think that any pledge has been violated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman—

The hon. Member must put down any further questions.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has been asked for a safe conduct for Captain Boy-Ed, of the German Embassy in the United States; and will he say how many safe conducts have, up to the present, been issued to Germans and Austrians to enable them to return from the United States to Europe?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The number of safe conducts given hitherto to German or Austro-Hungarian subjects is four.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the passports were of a naval or military character, or were they all for civilians?

I think they were all to civilians. One was to Dr. Dumba, the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, and another to Herr Dernburg. If the hon. Member likes to put down a question, I will give all four names, and the particular circumstances under which the passports were given.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he has any information regarding the condition of the Serbian refugees in Montenegro and Albania, and especially if he can say whether food supplies have yet reached them; and whether he is in a position to make a statement on the subject?

Information is as yet necessarily vague as the Serbian refugees have not penetrated far enough through the mountains for His Majesty's representatives to be able to report definitely on their numbers or conditions. Two representatives of the Serbian Relief Committee are, however, I believe, now in Montenegro, and their report will, I hope, throw further light on the situation. At present, our latest information is that there are 10,000 refugees on the road from Ipek to Podgoritza.

I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject except that His Majesty's Government are doing all they can to help the Serbian people.

Is there any organisation on a grand scale for sending supplies of food to these troops who are really starving?

Yes, Sir. There is an organisation which is collecting supplies of food and sending them to the troops as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that it has been stated by His Majesty's Government that the Order in Council of the 11th March, 1915, does not affect the validity of the Declaration of Paris, 1856, the Declaration of London, 1908, fourteen Conventions determined upon at the Second Peace Conference held at The Hague in 1907, and all juridical niceties relative to contraband and the right of capture at sea: whether he is aware that, subsequent to this statement, His Majesty's Government declared that the Declaration of London had no international validity; and whether he will explain to the House which of the Declarations, etc., mentioned are valid and which invalid?

The validity or invalidity of the instruments referred to depends upon the provisions of the instruments. themselves, to which I must refer the Noble Lord for the information which he requires Their validity is what it has always been. The Declaration of London never had any validity as a convention, because Article 67 provided for ratification, and the Declaration was never ratified.

asked whether the commodities which may be exported to Denmark under the agreement with the Merchants' Guild, include any commodity which is produced in Denmark; and, if so, whether it is part of the agreement that the export of that class of commodity from Denmark to Germany shall be entirely prohibited, or merely that the prohibition of export shall only apply to the re-export of commodities imported under the agreement?

I can add nothing at present to previous statements. We cannot make the arrangement public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it was by the instructions of the Foreign Office that the Consul-General at Valparaiso issued last summer instructions to British ships that no cargo was to be received which is shipped by or belongs to Germans, Austrians, and Turks, and no cargo to be shipped in lighters belonging to Germans, Austrians, and Turks; and if he can state why British shipmasters were informed at a later date that they need not conform to the instructions, but were entitled to accept lighters, even if German, and cargo, even if belonging to our enemies?

No instructions in the sense stated were issued to British ships, but His Majesty Consul-General at Valparaiso expressed to the agent of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company at that port the opinion that it was undesirable for British ships to carry goods owned by Germans in Chile or to load goods from German lighters. I agreed with the personal opinions expressed by the Consul-General, and in communications which took place with the Pacific Steam Navigation Company on the subject the company were so informed, but pending further legislation it is not of course illegal for British shipping companies to carry goods or to make use of lighters owned by enemy subjects resident in South America.

I understand that the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's agent at first acted in accordance with the view expressed by the Consul-General, and I am unable to say why the company's attitude subsequently changed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this matter, in which it seems that the policy of the Foreign Office has been overridden by the action taken by this company in committing precisely what is said in the right hon. Gentleman's reply, and which it is desirable, from the Foreign Office point of view, should be prevented?

I have explained in my answer that pending further legislation it is not illegal for British companies to carry goods or use lighters owned by enemy subjects resident in South America.

asked whether the War Office keeps a list of names of officers in the Army Ordnance Department who have been to the front and a list of those who have not; and whether those that have been longest on Home service and have not been out will be sent out prior to those who have already been out, going out again, so that all may take their turn on active service?

Yes, Sir, a record is kept of all officers of the Army Ordnance Department who have and who have not been to the front. As regards the latter part of the question, I can only say that officers of the Department are detailed for duty with the Expeditionary Forces as the exigencies of the Service require.

asked the number of time-expired men who have left the Colours since the outbreak of war; what inducements are offered to those men to re-enlist; and how many have done so?

I am afraid I cannot state the number of time-expired men who have left the Colours since the outbreak of war. I am sending to my hon. Friend a paper which states the concessions which are being offered in regard to gratuity, Service pay, pension, etc., as inducements to men to continue in the Service or re-enlist for the duration of the War.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if the rules against recruiting with threats of compulsion and against recruiting from essential industries are uniform throughout the United Kingdom; will he explain why the young fishermen, Hugh Gill and Joseph Folan, were recruited under threat of compulsion off the Arran Isles, county Galway, on the 26th November last; and whether they will be immediately restored to the industry in which they had been engaged?

Recruiting is conducted on the voluntary principle uniformly throughout the United Kingdom. The recruiting from essential industries in Ireland has not so far in the interests of those industries had to be restricted by special rules. I find upon inquiry that Hugh Gill and Thomas Folan enlisted in the Army voluntarily, having of their own accord put out in a boat from the Arran Islands to join the steamer which had the recruiting party aboard.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept his information in these cases from the military authorities?

I obtain my information from the head office. I dare say that they obtain their information from the military in Ireland.

I have got it from a different source.

asked the Under-Secretary for War, in view of the fact that the General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Egypt gave a pledge to the Egyptian people that Great Britain took upon herself the whole burden of the present War without calling upon them for aid, will he say why Egyptians resident temporarily in England are urged by recruiting officers to enlist and threatened with compulsion; and whether instructions will be given for the discontinuance of this conduct?

No such instructions are necessary, as recruiting officers are already in possession of instructions which preclude the enlistment of Egyptians in the British Army.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that they have been threatened by the recruiting officers unless they join?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of any definite case I will have inquiries made.

I will do that.

Recruiting officers ought to take no one who is not of European descent for enlistment in the British Army.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War how many clergymen and ministers of all denominations have enlisted; what is the number of such persons who received Lord Derby's appeal to enlist; if such persons have been canvassed; if he is aware that there are thousands of clergymen of military age, mostly unmarried; and if, instead of enlisting medical students, he will withdraw the support of the War Office from clergymen who do not enlist?

I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. On the other parts of the question I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on the 30th November.

Is it not particularly appropriate that they should enlist, seeing that there is nothing doing in Christianity at the present time?

asked the Prime Minister, concerning the cumber of married men who have enlisted under the group system whose wives will be left to meet all expenses for the maintenance of themselves and their families, including fixed expenses for rent, rates, and insurance, amounting, in many instances, to 15s. per week, and whose employers have refused to make any allowance to keep their homes together during their absence, whether he proposes to take any measures to ensure that the homes of men in these circumstances will be kept together, if they are called up, until they return?

This question is being carefully considered, but as I stated in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Swansea on November 4th, its solution is attended by many difficulties, and the Government are not yet in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the present recruiting system, each county is being worked separately from other counties; and whether, in a county in which the eligible single men generally have offered themselves for service, the married men in that county are exempt from service though single men in other counties have failed to respond sufficiently; in other words, must single men generally throughout the country offer for service or be bound to serve before married men are called up?

With regard to the first question, the unit is the Parliamentary constituency. As to the second question, I have already made a statement, to which I can add nothing.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes, when the results of the Derby recruiting campaign are known, to inform the House of the actual number of enlistments in the various groups, of the number of authorised exemptions, and the number of men of military age who are not accounted for in either of the two preceding classes; how and when the Cabinet will reach a decision as to the measure of the response and the policy to be followed; whether the House of Commons will be given all the information in the possession of the Government; and whether a full opportunity will be afforded it of expressing its opinion on all the circumstances of the case as then developed?

I cannot at present answer the various points raised by my hon. Friend, but all of them will be taken into consideration.

When will a discussion take place in the House on Lord Derby's scheme?

I cannot fix a date yet, but I promise there shall be a day.

May I ask whether in any figures which are published we shall have figures given of the men enlisted in the different districts since the commencement of the War?

I cannot answer that without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a memorandum to the House before the Debate, so that Members may have a full opportunity of considering it in all its bearings?

I think the House ought to have the fullest possible information.

May I ask whether a day will be given between now and the Christmas adjournment?

I have already said so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will grant a day for the discussion of the Resolution standing in the names of the hon. Member for the Lancaster Division and other Members?

["That, in view of the necessity for maintaining the financial strength of the country for the successful prosecution of the War, this House is of opinion that the new Scheme of Recruiting affords inadequate security for the retention of a sufficiency of labour for the carrying on of the vital trades of the country and the maintenance of exports."]

There will be an opportunity of discussion on Army Supplementary Vote A, which we shall present in a few days.

asked whether the Comptroller of Munitions Inventions has made any report to the War Office on the use of mobile forts propelled by caterpillar tractors for use in traversing ground honeycombed by trenches; and, if so, has he reported favourably on their utility?

No, Sir. No such report has been received in the War Office.

asked whether, having regard to the promotions above the rank of captain in the Territorial Force consequent upon the formation of second and third-line units and provisional battalions, the fact that a number of field officers of the New Armies have very little more than one year's service, and the recent promotion of line captains of fifteen years' service to field rank, captains of the Special Reserve having twenty years' service may be promoted to the rank of major?

Special acceleration of promotion is only justified on public and military grounds, and I am informed that there are no military grounds for quickening promotion of captains to majors in the Special Reserve. The object of quickening promotion of captains to majors in the Infantry was to provide a stiffening of field officers for the New Armies.

asked whether sergeants who have received their promotion at the front, and are subsequently wounded and sent home to recuperate, are not only drafted out of battalions other than their own, but lose their rank and have to start again as privates; whether a private, lately sergeant, if he is wounded again and permanently incapacitated only receives a private's pension, and if killed his widow only receives a private's, widow's allowance; and, if so, whether the Army Council will amend the Regulations in order that such men may retain their rank when promoted, except for misconduct?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the full answer I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for the Hough-ton-le-Spring Division, on the 29th September. If a sergeant is a substantive sergeant he does not revert on coming home. If his rank is acting rank he may have to revert to his substantive rank, but this I am informed is not a frequent occurrence. Where the rank is substantive widow's pension follows the rank.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Christmas and New Year leave which is to be given generally to the troops in this country will extend to those units engaged on home defence; if not, will his Department take into consideration that there are in those home defence units at least 10 per cent. who are still eligible for service overseas, and that refusal of any leave in such circumstances, others being granted it, may have a deterrent effect in recruiting for foreign service?

On the question of leave at Christmas and the New Year, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Manchester on the 10th November. I note the point he makes in the latter part of the question.

asked what arrangements have been made for leave for soldiers at Christmas, especially those who have been serving many months at the front?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Manchester on the 10th November. Arrangements have recently been made for increased facilities for leave from France, but it will be recognised that it is impossible to grant general leave at any one particular time.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether his attention has been called to the number of men who have enlisted in the Public School Brigade who have applied for commissions; and, seeing there is dissatisfaction at the manner in which the applications are being dealt with, will he say what action he proposes to take?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to what I said in reply to the hon. Member for Burnley an the 17th November, and I would add to what I then said that a nominal roll of those who have not yet got commissions has been sent to the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, by whom the applications will no doubt be dealt with on their merits.

asked whether for the future no commissions will be granted in the Army except after service in the ranks; if so, whether service in the Officers' Training Corps counts as service in the ranks; what is the position of members of the Officers' Training Corps of eighteen years old and upwards under Lord Derby's scheme; and what course they should take under this scheme with regard to attestation?

Yes, Sir. Generally speaking, it is not the practice now to give first commissions to candidates who have not served in the ranks. Previous service in the Officers' Training Corps, with the military experience it brings, of course, puts the individual in a better position than those who have not such experience. Members of Officers' Training Corps of eighteen years old and upwards should, if not accepted for commissions, be attested under Lord Derby's scheme, as I have already stated

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether Officers' Training Corps in this country have completed their usefulness; whether they have drained dry the reservoirs which were to supply them with a particular class of recruits; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider the desirability of transferring all such Officers' Training Corps to France and of selecting their members exclusively from soldiers who have already seen service at the front?

It is not considered that the contingents of the Officers' Training Corps have completed their usefulness, and there is no necessity to transfer any Officers' Training Corps to France, as arrangements exist there already for training young officers.

asked how many persons of alien enemy birth, male or female, are now employed in the War Office?

I gave the hon. Gentleman yesterday the number of persons of foreign birth employed in the Censor's Department. Other than those no persons of alien enemy birth, male or female, are employed in the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether before appointing Mrs. Savile to a post in the War Office he had any communication with the police authorities in Yorkshire; and, if so, what was the nature of the information he received?

Yes, Sir, the War Office at the time in question was in possession of the local reports made on Mrs. Savile. These reports are, of course, confidential.

Did the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the police after the lady had applied for work at the War Office?

We made no communication to the local police, because the whole of their reports were in possession of the Department which has the matter in hand.

Might not her origin be betrayed by her Teutonic accent?

asked who introduced Mrs. Savile to the War Office; what investigations were made into her qualifications for the post; and whether such post was open at the time to public competition?

asked on whose recommendation and authority did Mrs. Savile obtain a post of employment in the War Office?

A form of application was sent to Mrs. Savile in the ordinary course. The qualifications put forward were investigated in the same way as those of other applicants. The post is of a purely temporary character, and was not and is not now open to public competition by way of examination.

I may add that I have received a letter from Mr. Savile offering Mrs. Savile's resignation in order to avoid any embarrassment to the Government or the War Office.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that Mrs. Savile's resignation has nothing whatever to do— I am making no complaint against her— with the action of the Government in making the appointment?

The hon. Member is making a statement.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this point on the Adjournment.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has any recent information concerning frostbite, so-called, amongst our troops at the front; does it threaten to be as bad as it was last year; is it more or less common amongst our men than amongst French and Belgian soldiers; do French and Belgian soldiers wear puttees; are rubber thigh-boots provided in sufficient numbers for actual duty in the trenches; and, if so, are they worn with puttees or with long woollen stockings?

I understand that during the week ended 27th November there were approximately 770 cases of trench-foot reported from France. It is hoped that the measures adopted will cause a great reduction in the incident of this ailment. I cannot say whether frostbite is more or less common among our soldiers than amongst French or Belgian soldiers. Rubber thigh-boots have been provided in large quantities for the use of men actually on duty in the trenches, and still further quantities are being sent. As far as is known, puttees are being worn with them.

asked if the granting of commissions in the Army rests entirely with the commanding officer and, with the view of removing any suspicion of favouritism, will the War Office consider the idea of placing this matter in the hands of a small committee on which there shall be at least one civilian?

Recommendations for commissions must emanate in the first instance from the commanding officer. Final selection to meet the vacancies available is made at the War Office, and I do not agree that there is any ground for suspicion of favouritism. The committee; suggested is not considered necessary.

asked the Undersecretary for War if he has seen the memorial from a number of university representatives and medical men pointing out that the fewness of the number of medical students is a very serious matter, and that it will be a national catastrophe if all the medical students are called up; has this expression of opinion made any impression on the War Office; and will they reconsider their attitude in regard to the enlistment of medical students and revert to the position they took up in June last?

I have seen various statements in the Press, but so far as I can find no memorial on this matter has been officially sent to the War Office. It is not proposed to alter the policy which has been announced in this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the importance both to officers and men at the front of having their teeth properly attended to, he can see his way to appoint a certain number of consulting surgeon dentists and so ensure the greater efficiency of the Army?

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the troops in France and in the Mediterranean, and not to the troops at home, and I may inform him that a considerable number of full-time dental officers have already been appointed over and above such as may have been appointed to go with the Canadian contingent and the Australian and New Zealand forces, and any voluntary hospitals. Any more that may be asked for will be sent, and they can be used either as consultants or as executive officers, as the authorities may decide.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of officers and men are now suffering from a complaint of the jaw which could have been obviated had there been a sufficient number of dentists on the spot?

No. I am really amazed to hear that statement from the hon. Gentleman, because we have had not only a sufficient but a surplus number of dental surgeons who are ready to go at any time that they are required.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware of the increasing number of men invalided home from the front on account of teeth; that there are eight Red Cross hospitals in France without a dentist; and whether, in view of the necessity of maintaining the Army in a constant state of efficiency, he will consider the advisability of making arrangements for a larger number of dentists to accompany the troops?

There is no evidence of any increased number of soldiers being invalided for defective teeth in proportion to the numbers of men in the field. I am not aware whether eight Red Cross hospitals in France are without a dentist, but the hon. Member may accept my assurance that all demands for dental surgeons made by the authorities oversea have been met.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that men invalided home from the front for teeth have often to remain in this country a much longer time than would be necessary owing to insufficient dental arrangements at the various hospitals; that at one of the temporary hospitals in the London district seventy-five men are still waiting to have their teeth attended to; and whether it is possible to employ a larger draft of dentists or, at any rate, to see that men are not kept waiting for dental operations to the detriment of their general health?

I have no knowledge in the sense of the first two parts of this question. Men are not kept in hospital for dental treatment, but the bulk of the work is done whilst the men are at their duties. In each command a number of full-time commissioned dental officers has been appointed, and these are being added to as required, and the general officers commanding are also empowered to employ as many civilian dentists as there is need for. I may add that the importance of proper dental treatment of officers and soldiers is fully realised.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to challenge any statement which I have made in the question?

I would not go so far as to challenge any statement made by my hon. Friend. I can only say that his statements are not in accordance with the official information received by me.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can now announce that arrangements have been made to grant the same scale of pay and the same incidence of promotion to veterinary surgeons of the Territorial Forces as are granted to veterinary surgeons of the New Army?

I regret I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 2nd instant.

Is it the case that this matter has been hung up by the Treasury officials, and that the War Office are prepared to grant this concession to veterinary surgeons serving in the Territorial regiments?

I think I had better say nothing more at present. I hope to be able to announce a decision before very long.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether at least one Indian representative will be included in the Committee which is to advise the Secretary of State in the selection of candidates for the Indian Civil Service?

As I said in the Debate on the Bill, I do not think that the Selection Committee will be required until the War is over, or that it would be in the interest of anybody to settle its composition until the circumstances with which it will have to deal are better known than they are at present.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, following upon the Report of the Committee on Emigration, appointed in 1909, and the more recent Report of Messrs. M'Neill and Chimanlal, a further deputation to Fiji, of Messrs. Andrews and Pearson, has been ordered by the Government of India; and, if so, will he say why so many reports are necessary on this subject, in respect of which there has been unanimity of favourable opinion as to the existing system?

I understand that Mr. Andrews' visit to Fiji was a private one. I have no information as to Mr. Pearson.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what were the losses in detail of the British force in the recent actions at Ctesiphon and in the retirement to Kut-el-Amara, in respect of killed, wounded, and missing; whether reinforcements are on their way to or have reached Sir John Nixon; and when he proposes to publish in this country a full report of what happened?

The casualties in the fighting at and about Ctesiphon were, as already announced, 4,567. These include 643 killed, 3,330 wounded, leaving 594 not yet accounted for. I have not yet received details as to the distribution of the losses in the retreat, but the total, according to my present information, is under 300. Reinforcements were ordered to Mesopotamia before the advance on Ctesiphon was begun. Some of them have already arrived.

I cannot say when a full report will be received from the General Officer Commanding. In the communiqués that have been issued I have endeavoured to give as full an account of the recent operations as military exigencies allow, and I can add nothing further on this subject. I should like, however, to take this opportunity of expressing my admiration for the fine military qualities shown by the troops, both British and Indian, in the heavy fighting in which they were engaged, and in the withdrawal before superior forces.

The House will be glad to know that Sir J. Nixon reports that the general condition of the wounded is very satisfactory, and that the medical arrangements worked well under circumstances of considerable difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for India on what condition proficiency pay is granted to soldiers in the Indian Army; whether it is given solely on account of putting in two fifteen-day periods in camp, and is refused to noncommissioned officers who have proved their efficiency but have not had the other qualification; and will he see that real efficiency is the recognised qualification?

It is presumed that the hon. Member is referring to soldiers of the Territorial Force battalions now serving in India. Such soldiers are treated in this matter in the same way as all other soldiers in the Territorial Force. The qualification for proficiency pay comprises a certain length of service, and a certain degree of military proficiency combined with physical fitness. The military efficiency is imputed to non-commissioned officers as a matter of course, but they must have the service qualification.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the estimate of the cost of local government in London at 52s. 6d. per head compared with 31s. 6d. in Birmingham for the same service; whether he is aware that there are in London twenty-nine town clerks, twenty-nine borough surveyors, twenty-nine borough accountants, and a due setting of subordinates in every case; that the cost of the collection of street refuse is 42s. a ton in Westminster, as compared with 11s. 8d. in St. Pancras; and that the livery companies in the City of London hold property to the value of over £17,000,000; and whether, in view of the necessity for economies and of utilising to the full the nation's resources, he will have inquiries made into the expenditure of municipal administration in London and of the wealth and administration of the livery companies?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. No comparison can properly be made between the expenditure in London and other places. London is a county containing several boroughs, and its size, population, and other circumstances place it in a unique position. I hardly think that inquiries such as are suggested would be of much value at the present time. As the hon. Member knows, my Department are taking what steps are practicable for securing a reduction in the expenditure of local authorities.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of municipal extravagance going on all over the country, and that classic instances are the City Corporation and the borough councils of London?

I do not know that I would commit myself to the description of the hon. Gentleman that there is a great deal of municipal extravagance. There is a great deal of municipal expenditure which is absolutely unavoidable. Some of it has been in the past, and payment has to be made now. Therefore, it is difficult to judge of the actual rates of expenditure until we know all the circumstances of each case. Still, I do know that reductions have been and are being made, and so far as my experience of the local authorities goes, I have been met most generously, and they are most anxious, to accept any suggestions that are made to secure, where possible, strict economy.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit the accuracy of the figures in the question?

So far as I know, they are not inaccurate.

Is not any comparison with London misleading, having regard to the enormous day population?

For that and a good many other reasons which my hon. Friend knows very well, no comparison can be made between the expenditure of London and other large towns.

Is it not a fair comparison to take the cost per head in municipal boroughs like Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester and the cost per head in the Metropolis?

No, Sir. There are a great many reasons which render that misleading, amongst them that London is the capital of the country and the seat of Parliament; which means that an immense expenditure is entailed upon London which is not for the benefit of its population, but is an expenditure for the country as a whole.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state which are the Departments that are inquiring into the commercial conditions that it may be imperative to deal with at the conclusion of the War; whether these Departments are taking evidence from chambers of commerce and from representatives of different commercial interests; if he will consider whether a Committee selected from business men of both Houses would be a more suitable body to undertake this work; and whether their recommendations would carry greater weight than suggestions made by officials of the different Departments?

asked whether the Government have information that for some time past preparations have been made in Germany for the purpose of pushing German trade after the War; what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to counteract any resulting injury to the trade of the British Empire; whether any Committee or Commission to consider this question is in existence, and, if so, when did such Committee begin their sittings; who are the members of the Committee and who is the chairman; and have all Government Departments been instructed to refer to this Committee all questions relating to trade after the War?

Commercial problems which are likely to arise on the conclusion of the War have been under the consideration of the Board of Trade and the Foreign Office. These Departments are assisted by business men who are investigating for the Government some of the numerous questions on which full information is desirable. It is not necessary or advisable to give a list of names at present.

Are these Committees taking evidence from certain interests in commercial centres?

I believe so.

How long have these investigations been going on?

For a considerable time.

asked the Prime Minister (1) what was the objective of Lord Haldane's constant attendance at the War Office during the month of November; (2) if Lord Haldane, on the occasion of his private visit to Sir John French in October, visited Switzerland; if so, was this visit made with the knowledge of the Government; and what was the object of his mission; and (3) if Lord Haldane was in Calais on Saturday last; did he attend the meeting of the Allies' war council; and, if so, in what capacity?

It is absolutely untrue that Lord Haldane was in constant attendance at the War Office in November, or that he was present at Calais. Whether he went to Switzerland or not I do not know, and do not intend to inquire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any payments have been made by the Treasury direct, or indirectly through any other Department, to Lord Haldane by way of salary, travelling or other expenses, other than his pension of £5,000 a year as ex-Lord Chancellor?

No. such payment has been made by the Treasury.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of evidence of the systematic reproduction and circulation by Germany in other countries of reprints in seven languages of matter calculated to injure British interests, he will state if the Government have taken any steps to counteract such propaganda by circulating reprints in the same countries and in the same languages of matter calculated to promote British interests; if so, when such counteracting steps were taken in those countries; and, if not, whether the Government will take any steps in those and other countries to counteract the German propaganda?

The Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who was to answer this, has been obliged to leave the House, and he has asked me to say that he would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned on the 30th ultimo to the hon. Member for London University.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of recent disclosures as to the uses made by Germany of matter published in this country calculated to affect British interests prejudicially, he will state what is the Government's policy in regard to any Member of this House who has written for publication articles which could have no effect but to encourage the enemy, and which have in fact been reproduced and translated by Germany and circulated in various countries in order to affect British interests prejudicially?

I do not know to what the hon. Member is referring, but it is obvious that the duty of discretion in such matters is one which attaches equally to all subjects of the Crown.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the different conditions which exist in Scotland with reference to rents, mortgages, and rates, both in munitions areas and outside of them; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of introducing a separate Bill dealing with Scotland alone on the subject of increases of rent and interest on mortgages in that country?

The conditions referred to by my hon. Friend were carefully considered before the introduction of the present Bill, and as the same general principles apply in both countries it was thought advisable to introduce one Bill, with the variations rendered necessary by the considerations referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the names of the representatives of France, Russia, and Italy who attended the War Council of the Allies in Paris on Monday last have been published, he will say who represented Great Britain at that Council?

The representatives of Great Britain were Field-Marshal Sir John French, General Sir W. R. Robertson, and Lieut.-General Sir A. J. Murray.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can say when the Volunteer Bill, which has come from the House of Lords, will be printed and circulated?

I cannot yet make a statement with regard to this Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this House is overwhelmingly in favour of this measure and that the country generally desires it, and that under present circumstances private Members cannot make their opinions known or the opinions of this House unless the Government star the Bill?

No, Sir, I know there is a great deal of opinion in favour, and I should be very glad if I thought it was a non-contentious Bill, but at present I am not satisfied that that is the case.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an undertaking that no proposals made through neutrals or by any belligerent for negotiations based upon the evacuation of conquered territory shall be rejected by the Government without the knowledge of Parliament?

As the hon. Member is aware, the Governments of France, Russia, Japan, Italy, and Great Britain have mutually agreed not to conclude peace separately during the present War. If proposals of a serious character for a general peace are put forward either directly or through a neutral Power by the enemy Governments, they will be first discussed by the Allied Governments; and, till this contingency arises, I cannot give any other pledge. Should proposals for peace be put forward, it would be the desire of His Majesty's Government to take Parliament into its confidence at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that there is a concerted plot being carried out, apparently with the knowledge and approval of the military authorities, to prevent the public discussion of the question of Conscription; that within the last week meetings have been broken up by soldiers in uniform in many parts of the country; that at Nelson, in Lancashire, a number of members of the Home Defence Corps in uniform entered a hall in which a meeting against Conscription was being held, and that the leader of these men marched up to the platform and ordered the meeting to be brought to a stop; that at Halifax the band of the local Territorials paraded in front of the hall where a similar meeting was being held, and then members of the Territorial Force entered the hall and broke up the meeting; that at Bradford soldiers also prevented a meeting to discuss Conscription from being held; that a meeting of women to express opposition to Conscription was prevented from being held in London by the threat of organised disturbance; that the civic authorities of Glasgow have refused to allow meetings against Conscription to be held in the public halls; and, in view of these interferences with the right of public discussion of a most vital question on which, as the Prime Minister has stated, it is of great importance that the Government should know the views of the country, he will take steps to stop this action by men in the King's uniform, and take all other steps which may be necessary to secure the maintenance of the right of freedom of discussion of this question of Conscription?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information showing that the organised efforts of soldiers to forcibly prevent Members of Parliament from addressing their fellow countrymen in public meeting has hindered recruiting; and, if so, whether such conduct will be dealt with under the Defence of the Realm Acts and the offenders tried by court-martial?

Inquiries are being made into the allegations contained in these questions, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement. With regard to the statement about Glasgow in Question 60, I would point out that the municipal authorities of that city have absolute control over the use of their buildings.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the estimate that £20,000,000 has been collected for war charities since the outbreak of war; whether he is aware of the general view that, whilst much of this money is well administered by organisations that are above reproach, considerable sums are wasted by overlapping and some part of the moneys collected misappropriated; whether he is aware of the sentence of three months' imprisonment just passed at the Portsmouth Police Court on a man who, under cover of a bogus organisation entitled the Patriots' League, procured charitable contributions by fraudulent pretences; and whether he will take steps to eliminate waste and fraud from war charities by insisting upon the preliminary authorisation of a responsible department?

The hon. Member's suggestion shall be considered.

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?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of remuneration of Mr. Charles Masterman; and whether he received his present appointment after an examination or was the post thrown open to competition?

As I stated last week, Mr. Masterman is engaged on very valuable work of a highly confidential kind for the Government in connection with the War at their request. This work is temporary, it involves the creation of no new post with a paid salary, and it will cease at the end of the War; and the last part of Question 74 does not arise.

Mr. Masterman is not subject to the rules of the Civil Service, but I understand that he has not done and is not doing anything that can be described as interference in political affairs. He receives remuneration for what he does, which I am satisfied on inquiry is reasonable in amount, but having regard to the duties which he is discharging it would be contrary to longstanding practice to give further particulars in public.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is a desirable thing that a gentleman who has, been described as occupying a very confidential position should write articles in the daily Press setting forth what are to be the conditions of peace?

I am not aware that is the case.

It is.

If the hon. Member will bring that to my notice I will inquire.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that a trained journalist would gladly have performed the functions performed by Mr. Masterman without any pay?

It appeared to us that Mr. Masterman has very special qualifications.

May I ask whether Mr. Masterman is paid a salary out of funds voted by Parliament, and if the House of Commons has not the right to know what that salary is?

No one knows better than my hon. Friend that there are funds out of money voted by Parliament which are placed at the disposal of the Government and with regard to which they take the assurance of the Minister that they have been properly expended.

On a point of Order. Is it not the rule of this House that no answer can be refused to a question unless the Minister can plead the public interest, which has not been pleaded in this case?

Certainly.

A full answer has been given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a clerk in the surveyor of taxes office at Blackpool, having passed the qualifying examination for admission to the establishment, was refused a certificate by the Civil Service Commissioners on the ground that he failed to satisfy the medical test; and whether this decision can now be reconsidered or investigated in view of the fact that he has since joined the Army and has undergone three medical examinations successfully?

The medical examination of candidates for permanent appointments in the Civil Service is very carefully conducted and I understand that the Civil Service Commissioners do not feel able to alter the decision arrived at on the ground that a rejected candidate is subsequently accepted for military service. I am not prepared to interfere with the discretion of the Commissioners in such matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Sir Ernest Cassel represented the Treasury directly or indirectly, or acted in any capacity on behalf of the Government, in the recent negotiations for a loan in the United States?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the United Kingdom is paying cash for imports from the Dominions; and, if so, whether financial arrangements can be made to prevent the drain of gold to other parts of the British Empire as well as to neutral and Allied counties by some general mobilisation of our Imperial finances?

Imports from the Dominions are being paid for in the usual way. The matter referred to in the last part of the question has not escaped attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the effect of the Excess Profits Tax in causing a further rise in shipping freights with a view to covering the tax; and will he consider the advisability of taking steps, by legislation or otherwise, to establish maximum rates of freight for the protection of the export trade of the country?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The whole question of shipping freights is being carefully watched, but I doubt whether the Excess Profits Tax has had much to do with the present rise, which is mainly accounted for by the scarcity of tonnage; and I do not think that legislation fixing maximum freights would have the effect desired.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the exact proportions of taxation contributed at the present moment by direct taxation and indirect taxation?

On the basis of estimated revenue shown in House of Commons Paper 344 presented to the House on the 21st September last the proportion was as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give his estimate of the total additional sum received in war wages as compared with the average wages earned by manual workers before the War which, after allowing for the increased cost of food, fuel, and house rent, can be considered reasonably to represent the amount which might have been saved and invested in War Loan by the working classes instead of in his opinion having been spent lavishly?

No precise figure can be given, but on the basis of the best statistics available it may be estimated that 4,500,000 workpeople have obtained since the war a rise, on average, of about 3s. 6d. per week on their rates of wages, as distinct from their total earnings. Four and a half millions are, however, only about a third of the total working population, and although it may fairly be assumed that part of the other two-thirds have had some advance in their rates of wages, it is not likely that such increases have been so great as in the well organised trades and in those more or less closely connected with the supply of war requirements. The increase in the cost of living since the outbreak of war may be estimated at about 30 per cent. This percentage increase in cost of living has been computed on the assumption that the same quantity, and as nearly as possible the same quality, of each commodity are being consumed now as before the War. I can only infer that considerable savings might have been made from the prosperous condition of many trades supplying commodities which at the present time must be regarded as luxuries.

The right hon. Gentleman is not satisfied with the savings of five millions?

No. I think a good deal more might have been saved, but I am not at all sure that the five millions represents the whole of the savings.

May I ask whether the total advance of 3s. 6d. only amounts to something like £50,000,000 per annum, while the extra cost of bread, flour, meat, and other articles amounts to over a £100,000,000?

I think my hon. Friend must not assume that the 3s. 6d. rise in the rates of wages represents the total amount of increase in the earnings. In addition to the rates of wages my hon. Friend must take into account the additional amount earned in overtime and extra work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the total advance of 3s. 6d. for the 4,500,000 persons amounts, roughly, to £50,000,000?

I believe my hon. Friend has worked out the sum accurately. I only caution him that that does not represent the total of the additional earnings.

asked the right hon. Member for West Essex, as representing the Kitchen Committee, in what proportion the prices of alcoholic beverages have been raised from what the charges were before the commencement of the War?

Such alcoholic liquors as stout, ales and lager as are affected by the increased (war) taxation, and "imported wines" purchased since the commencement of the War, have been raised in selling price to meet the increased cost of such items. I believe everybody has paid these increased prices except perhaps one hon. Member who dines on a glass of water and a banana.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what has been the increased price of champagne per bottle?