asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why no steps have been taken through the aid of the Ambassadors of neutral nations to bring about an exchange of prisoners of war; and whether he proposes to take such steps and when?

Exchanges of British and German incapacitated prisoners of war have been taking place for some time past through the intermediary of the United States Ambassadors in London and Berlin. Whether any further proposals are desirable can only be decided in consultation with the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the sitting of the Greek Chamber of 3rd November, and to a statement made by M. Venizelos in addressing M. Gounaris, that in the spring of this year the latter had received a dispatch from London on the part of an official personage, who was not the Greek Minister in London, transmitting a confidential communication from the then Chancellor of the Exchequer relating what had passed at the Cabinet Council, and in which statement M. Venizelos charged M. Gounaris with considering this dispatch as unworthy of attention because it did not emanate from the Minister of Foreign Affairs; can he state whether such a communication was made; and, if so, for what reasons this procedure was adopted?

My right hon. Friend has no record of such an interview, and cannot, after such a long interval, say what the statement quoted by the hon. Member alludes to.

Does the Noble Lord mean the present Minister of Munitions or the Foreign Secretary?

The question is addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Will the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs reply to the question: Whether the Minister of Munitions sent such a dispatch or participated in sending such a dispatch?

Will the hon. Member kindly ask his next question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the debate in the Greek Chamber on 3rd November, and to the statement made by M. Gounaris that, in reply to the soundings sent to the Governments of the three Allies as to the participation by Greece in the first attack on the Dardanelles, one of the Powers replied that such participation would not be in harmony with public opinion in his country from the moment when she had as goal the conquest of the capital of the neighbouring empire, and to the statement in reply of M. Venezelos that he knew that one of the Powers was not favourably disposed towards the participation of Greece in the enterprise; and can he say whether the opposition of this Power has been withdrawn; and, if so, at what date?

There is in the Foreign Office a report of this debate. As regards the last part of the question, I have no reason to suppose that any of the Allied Powers would object to Greek cooperation against the common enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the official position held by Sir Eyre Crowe in the Foreign Office; and whether this official has any relatives fighting in the German Army?

Sir Eyre Crowe is an Assistant Under-Secretary. My right hon. Friend has expressed his great sense of the value of Sir E. Crowe's services in the public interest. The attacks made upon him are resented not only by my right hon. Friend, but by the whole of the Foreign Office and by everyone who works with Sir E. Crowe, and my right hon. Friend must ask the House to support him in declining to, answer any questions which are obviously connected with the attacks that have appeared in the Press.

asked whether His Majesty's Government has now formally recognised the existing de facto Government of the Republic of Mexico, of which General Carranza is the chief executive?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether the Swedish officers of the Persian gendar- merie who have lately revolted had been, or at the time of their defection were, in receipt of pay provided by His Majesty's Government; and what is the total amount of money that has been advanced to Persia for the upkeep of this gendarmerie since the formation of the force?

His Majesty's Government and the Government of India, in the hope of securing the safety of the Southern trade routes, have on several occasions made joint advances to the Persian Government for the upkeep of the Persian gendarmerie.

Thus, £25,000 was advanced in 1912 for the gendarmerie in Southern Persia, £100,000 in 1913 for the Fars gendarmerie, and £50,000 in 1914 for the gendarmerie in Fars and Kerman.

In addition to this the conditions of the joint Anglo-Russian Loan of 1912 for £200,000 contained a stipulation that a "considerable portion" of the advance should be devoted to the organisation of the gendarmerie with the assistance of Swedish officers.

I have no information as to whether the salaries drawn by the officers of the gendarmerie at the time of their defection were derived from the above sources or from other and more recent revenues of the Persian Government.

How many of the Swedish officers and how many of the men remained loyal to the Persian Government?

I am afraid that I must ask notice of that question.

asked whether His Majesty's Government will now arrest the German Consul, bank manager, postmaster, and other Germans on the British concession at Shameen, in China, and detain them in custody at Hong Kong till the British Consul, superintendent of telegraphs, bank manager, and other British subjects arrested at Shiraz and detained in custody by the German emissaries in Persia are released and conducted safely to Bushire?

I have nothing to add to the answers given to the hon. Member for Wirral on Tuesday.

Does that mean that in the conditions it is impossible to take the action suggested?

I am afraid that I cannot carry it any further. I understand that on Tuesday my right hon. Friend answered the question of the hon. Member for Wirral.

Had that any connection with this at all? Is not the other a quite separate thing?

If the answer given does not answer the question, perhaps my hon. Friend will communicate with me and explain what further point he wishes to have cleared up.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether about five years ago Major Stokes, an English officer, was appointed by the Persian Government to organise and command the constabulary throughout Persia; and whether the difficulties, which caused the resignation of Major Stokes, were in any degree due to the attitude of the Government of Persia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; that to the second part, in the negative. Major Stokes was offered an appointment, the object of which was the organisation of a gendarmerie force to assist the Persian Treasury officials in the collection of direct taxes throughout Persia. His Majesty's Government considered at the time that it would be inconsistent with the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Convention to support an appointment the effect of which would be to invest a British officer with certain executive and military powers within the Russian zone in Persia. Major Stokes was therefore induced by His Majesty's Government not to accept the appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Shah's Government has failed to fulfil the promises given to the representatives of England and Russia and has allowed the German agents to transport from Teheran to Hamadan a huge quantity of bombs, maxims, rifles, cartridges, and other military supplies?

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member's question of the 7th inst., the Persian Government have already endeavoured to take effective measures at Hamadan, where there was reason to believe the Germans had stored a large amount of war material. Some of this material may, indeed, have been brought clandestinely from Teheran, but the greater amount must have been smuggled over the Turkish border.

May I point out that that is not an answer to the question? The question was put down again to-day at the request of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who said that he would give a full answer. The point of the question is: whether it is true that the Shah's Government failed to fulfil the promise given to the representatives of England and Russia, and allowed this huge quantity of warlike stores to be transported to Hamaden?

I regret very much that the question has not been answered. I am afraid that I could not answer it without further consideration. If the hon. Gentleman will, be so kind as to put it down again for Monday I will take care that it is properly answered.

I will put it down for Tuesday.

Is there or is there not a large and well-equipped army at Hamadan under German command?

I will certainly make inquiry. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the fact that an alleged official summary of the points of the agreement concluded between His Majesty's Government and certain associations of trade in Denmark has already been made public in that country and republished in Great Britain, he will consider the advisability of stating in what respects the summary in question is inaccurate?

I have not yet had an opportunity of seeing the statement as to the scope of the agreement which has, I believe, been published in Denmark. The summaries which have appeared in the Press of this country are both incomplete and misleading, but, short of publishing the whole agreement, it would be impossible to indicate satisfactorily in what respects these summaries are misleading. As I have already stated, in the public interests the publication of the agreement is undesirable.

I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this question on the Adjournment.

Will the Noble Lord explain why a document circulated freely in Denmark can be more accessible to Germany if published here?

I have no reason to suppose that the document has been circulated freely in Denmark.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the representatives of the Merchants' Guild, Copenhagen, and the Industrial Association of Denmark contains any provision with regard to the export of barley, millers' offal, or other feeding-stuff from this country to Denmark and the export of bacon from Denmark to this country; and, if so, whether he can state the terms of the agreement so far as these articles are concerned?

I have already explained the reasons which preclude His Majesty's Government from announcing the provisions of the agreement. I may, however, say that under enactments which have been in force in Denmark for a long time, and remain in force, the export from that country of all animal feeding-stuffs is absolutely prohibited. The export of bacon from Denmark to this country is in no way affected by the agreement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an English gentleman residing in Tralee, and occupying the position of district inspector of the Irish Constabulary of that town, has applied to be relieved of his present duties in order to serve with the Colours; if so, will he say why was his application not complied with; and will he arrange for the duties of all district inspectors of constabulary of military age to be discharged by the more experienced head constables and permit the 160 out of the total of 190 district inspectors to be free to volunteer for service with the Colours?

The district inspector at Tralee has not applied for permission to join the Army. Apart from other objections to the course suggested in the concluding part of the question, more than 100 of the district inspectors in the Royal Irish Constabulary are over military age.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) (1) what measures, if any, have been taken by the Department corresponding to those taken by the Board of Agriculture in England to prevent recruiting among skilled agriculturists and to restore to agriculture any skilled agriculturists who have been improperly recruited in contravention of the policy of increasing tillage; and (2) what measures the Department is taking corresponding to those taken in this country to exempt men skilled in essential industries from recruiting, and to have any improperly recruited restored to those industries; and if he will have the young fishermen, Hugh Gill and Joseph Folan, who were recruited under threat of compulsion off the Arran Isles on the 26th November, restored to that occupation under the rules in force in this country?

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction are not aware of Irish agriculture having suffered through the recruiting which has already taken place. The Department have the position of agriculture in this and all other aspects as affected by the War under careful review. I find upon inquiry that Hugh Gill and Joseph 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.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whose decision it is under which certain industries are protected against recruiting in this country, while in Ireland they are left to only the most general consideration?

I do not think that there is any occasion to be particularly anxious on the subject of denuding Irish agriculture of men by recruiting. If there is, the matter will be carefully considered by the Department of Agriculture.

asked the Attorney-General whether magistrates in this country are treating agitation against Conscription as prejudicial to recruiting; and, if so, whether any men are in prison for having agitated against Conscription?

So far as I am able to ascertain, there is no ground for the suggestion contained in the first part of the hon. Member's question, and the second part, therefore, does not arise.

Have Members of Parliament any immunity from punishment for discouraging recruitment? Have they any immunity in this behalf?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it was by direction of the Censor or of the Undersecretary at Dublin Castle that the recent public letter of the Bishop of Limerick was suppressed by the West British Press in Ireland; and will he specify the grounds for the suppression?

No direction at all was issued to the Press in Ireland on this subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the evidence in his possession showing that the Irish Volunteers have endeavoured to foment disloyalty to Ireland?

The evidence that the Irish Volunteers have endeavoured to foment disloyalty in Ireland is voluminous, and much of it must be known to the hon. Member from the utterances of the leaders of the organisation, from the articles and letters in its official organ, and from the reports of proceedings against its officers and organisers, to which the hon. Member has himself at various times made reference. I do not think it advisable further to disclose the details of my information in the matter

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question on the Paper, which refers to disloyalty to Ireland.

I am speaking of the whole United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state for what reasons, there was inserted in the Trading with the Enemy Proclamation, of 9th September, 1914, the proviso that where an enemy has a branch locally situated in British, Allied, or neutral territory, not being neutral territory in Europe, transactions by or with such branch shall not be treated as transactions by or with an enemy; whether the effect of this proviso is or may be to enable persons in England to-trade with German enemies carrying on a branch of their business in the United States, and thereby to enable such German enemies to make profits which can be transmitted to their head office in Germany; and, seeing that a further effect of this provision is or may be to enable persons in England to trade with German enemies carrying on a branch of their business in England and thereby to enable such German enemies to make profits which are being kept in safe custody till the end of the War, whether, in view of these and other consequences, he will advise His Majesty to issue a proclamation repealing this proviso?

It is hardly possible to discuss the matters raised by the hon. and learned Member by means of question and answer, but an opportunity will be given for their full discussion on the Second Reading of the Trading with the Enemy (Extension) Bill, which was introduced yesterday by~ my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he will state how many citizens of neutral countries have been deported without trial from this country since 4th August, 1914, how many of these have been men and how many women; (2) whether, under the Defence of the Realm Acts or the regulations made thereunder or otherwise, British citizens have been deported from the United Kingdom since the outbreak of war; if so, in how many cases; and (3) whether any citizens of allied countries have been deported, without trial, from the United Kingdom since the outbreak of the War, and, if any, will he say how many of these were male and how many female?

No British subjects have been deported; the figures as regards subjects of allied or neutral States are:—Allies, 81, of whom 8 were females; neutral, 17, all males. I do not think it desirable to enter into explanations as to the reasons for the deportation of these persons or generally as to the steps taken to remove from this country aliens of whatever nationality whom it is not desirable to retain here in time of war.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain the statement that no British subjects have been deported, in view of the fact that numerous Irish Volunteers have been banished from Ireland altogether?

My statement is perfectly correct, that no British subject has been deported from the United Kingdom.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he accounts for the deportation or banishment of Irishmen to America, if Ireland is still a part of the United Kingdom?

Nobody, so far as I know, has been banished from Ireland to America. It may well be that somebody has been moved from Ireland to some other portion of the United Kingdom.

Have those persons against whom the policy of deportation has been adopted any right of appeal either to their Consuls or to any other authority?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has carried out his expressed intention to visit France to consider with the military staff abroad any possible changes in the providing and censoring of news from the front; and whether any changes in the conduct of the official Press Bureau are in operation or in contemplation?

I have recently had the advantage of meeting in this country officers of the General Staff in France who are responsible for these matters, and some proposals I made to them are under consideration. I am able, however, to make one announcement forthwith. In order to secure a more regular supply of news from the Western Front, a daily communiqué from General Headquarters is promised, and I understand arrangements are being made to begin to issue it next week.

Will there be a similar report from Salonika?

My answer referred to the Western Front.

asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. J. I. T. Lincoln has been extradited from the United States; if not, whether his extradition is to be shortly expected; and, if and when he is extradited, whether he will be charged with espionage or only with that offence of forgery for which his extradition has been demanded?

The extradition of Lincoln has not yet taken place, and I cannot say when the American proceedings will be concluded. He will not and cannot be charged in this country with any offence committed before his extradition other than those in respect of which extradition is granted, and espionage forms no part of the charges on which his extradition is claimed.

asked the Home Secretary whether detectives have been sent to the house of a certain person for the purpose of inquiring whether he was visited by Mr. C. H. Norman; and, if so, by whose instructions and under what authority has this kind of espionage upon British subjects been instituted?

It is the duty of the police to make such investigations as may be required in the public interest, and in the discharge of this duty it may often be necessary to make inquiries respecting persons who may be perfectly innocent. It is in this way that suspicions are frequently dispelled. I have no reason to suppose the police have exceeded their duty in the matter in question, and it is wrong to describe their action as espionage.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has decided to give notice by telephone to schools in the London district of the approach of hostile aircraft?

No, Sir. The London educational authority has issued instructions as to what should be done in the schools in the event of an attack by air occurring during school hours.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, prior to issuing the recent Order affecting London, the Board of Liquor Control consulted the Metropolitan borough councils regarding the need for such an Order; if not, why such evidence was not sought; and can he state whether any of the borough councils have since made representations to the Board of Control regarding the stringent terms of the Order?

I understand from the Central Control Board that the Metropolitan borough councils were not represented at the conference held prior to the making of the Board's London Order. It was considered that the licensing justices throughout the county and the London County Council were the appropriate authorities to consult for the purpose. I am informed that two Metropolitan borough councils have communicated to the Board their dissent from the Order.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether steps will be taken to ascertain what are the views of the local public affected before the Central Board of Liquor Control schedules other districts than those with which it has already dealt?

The Central Control Board inform me that they make it a general rule to hold inquiries before scheduling any area, and that at these inquiries opportunity is given for leading sections of local opinion to state their views. The Board will not make any Order affecting any new area without consulting interested parties in the locality, such as naval and military authorities, police, local government and licensing authorities, leading employers, trade union organisations, and the licensed trade.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that there is a feeling in some areas, at any rate, that the exceptional powers given to the Board are used unnecessarily to the detriment of the liquor trade?

I took the trouble to find out the steps they are taking, and I am sure the Board have taken in every case the greatest pains to ascertain local opinion and requirements. Before issuing any Order they have con' suited with masters and men, they have consulted the police, the licensing authorities, the local authorities—

An HON. MEMBER: The liquor trade?

They always intimate to the liquor trade their intention to make an Order in any given district before it is made. I specially asked this question. They always send an intimation and that gives the liquor trade an opportunity of sending their case to the Commissioners. There has never been a case in which the Board have refused to hear a petition from the local liquor trade, or to hear any representations they wish to make.

asked the Minister of Munitions if, whilst the hours for the sale of intoxicating liquor have been reduced from 17 hours to 5½ per day, the licence holders will be entitled to a corresponding rebate of Licence Duty if they open their premises for the sale of refreshments which do not require a licence?

If, as I assume to be the case, the hon. Baronet refers to licence holders whose hours of sale of intoxicating liquor are reduced by Orders made by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), such licence holders will, after the passing of the Finance (No. 3) Bill, be entitled to the repayment of Licence Duty provided for in Clause 17 of the Bill; and the fact that the licensed premises are kept open for the sale of refreshments other than intoxicating liquor will not affect the title to the repayment.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that a widespread belief exists in the Midlands that the restrictions imposed on the sale of intoxicating liquor by the Board of Control are not in accordance with the weight of evidence and recommendation tendered by employés and others who were consulted at the Birmingham inquiry; and will he state what additional evidence had been taken subsequent to the inquiry which induced him to impose restrictions more drastic than appear to be warranted by the evidence taken at the above inquiry?

If the hon. Member will state in what particulars the restrictions imposed on the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Midlands are not in accordance with the weight of evidence tendered by employés and others who were consulted at the Birmingham inquiry I will refer the matter to the Central Control Board.

I may take this opportunity of stating that the result of the restrictions imposed was to reduce the number of prosecutions in Birmingham for drunkenness in the first week from eighty-four to fifteen.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will ask the Liquor Traffic Central Control Board to publish a Report in each case where they publish an Order for restrictions of hours, giving the reasons which have guided them in making the Order, with special reference to the hours fixed in the particular locality and the manufacture of munitions within its area?

I do not think any useful purpose would be served by complying with the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Ministry of Munitions is contributing to the cost proposed to be incurred by the corporation of Coventry towards a scheme for the housing of munitions workers at or near Stoke Heath; whether the corporation has acquired land for that scheme; and, if so, what is the area of that land; what was the price paid for it; and what was being taken as its annual value for rating when the negotiations began?

The Ministry of Munitions are not contributing to the cost of the site, but only to the cost of the houses, streets, and sewers. The corporation is acquiring about 50 acres of land for the purposes of the scheme, and the price to be paid for it is £200 an acre. I have no information as to its annual value for rating when the negotiations began.

asked the Minister of Munitions if his attention has been drawn to the report of a case where girls employed in munition work were improperly treated by a foreman and appealed for their discharge from that firm as the most adequate means of redress; that, as the tribunal was composed only of men, the girls could not properly state their case; and will he, in view of the number of women and girls that are now employed in munition work, arrange that at least one woman shall be appointed on every munition tribunal?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for North Somerset. The Bill about to be introduced will provide for a woman assessor in cases-affecting women.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the publication of the report as to munition workers before the introduction of the Bill?

I will consider that. The Bill is to be introduced to-day and I hope it will be in the hands of Members on Saturday.

Before the Second Reading then. Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it important that the House should be informed of the conditions before they discuss the Bill?

I think I shall have to confer with the Admiralty, as it concerns them, perhaps, more than any other Department.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that certain controlled establishments, by transferring workers from piece work to time work, have diminished the earnings of the workers, in some cases over 50 per cent., for the same output; and whether, in view of his promise to exercise his powers, if necessary, in order to prevent a reduction of piece rates as a consequence of increase of output due to suspension of restrictions, he proposes to take any steps in this matter?

If my hon. Friend will give me any specific instances of the nature described by him I will inquire into them. I may, however, point out that the promise referred to in the latter part of the question would not appear to have any direct bearing on such cases.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that at a meeting of munitions manufacturers, summoned by him on 11th November, at the Whitehall Rooms, to discuss in confidence matters of national importance, there was present Mr. J. G. W. Gruban, a native of Germany, naturalised on 2nd September, 1914, after the outbreak of war; whether he has received letters protesting against this gentleman's presence; and whether, in view of the feeling created, he will explain why an invitation was sent to him?

The statements in the first two parts of the question are substantially correct. Mr. Gruban is a director of the firm of Haigh, Gruban and Company, Limited, and I understand that a general invitation to be represented at the meeting was sent to his firm, in common with all other controlled firms engaged in the manufacture of machine tools.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he can state to what extent controlled establishments have been provided with food canteens; to what extent might workers can be supplied with soup, hot milk, tea, coffee, sandwiches, and other refreshments; and whether, in view of the importance of the matter from the standpoint of the health and efficiency of the workpeople, he can state what steps are being taken to make universal the arrangements by which munition workers can be supplied with sustaining food and drink?

It is difficult to reply to the inquiry of my hon. Friend sufficiently fully within the limits of an answer, but I shall take an early opportunity of making a statement on the matter. The subject is being actively and comprehensively dealt with, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular respecting canteens which has been issued to all controlled establishments. I fully share my hon. Friend's view as to the importance of the matter from the point of view of health, efficiency and temperance.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that Messrs. William Beardmore and Company, Limited, Glasgow and Paisley, a controlled firm under the Munitions of War Act, have declined to adopt the recommendations issued by the Ministry as to the remuneration of women on work customarily done by men; whether he is aware that this firm declines to recognise or negotiate with the National Federation of Women Workers, a registered trade union, representing the large majority of the women employés; that a request, made on 13th October by this organisation, for arbitration under Part I. of the Munitions Act, has been ignored; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction existing in consequence amongst the employés of this firm, he proposes to take any action?

Officers of the Ministry have been and are in communication with the firm with a view to the adoption of the recommendations referred to. I may also refer my hon. Friend to the provisions of the Bill to amend the Munitions of War Act, which is being introduced this afternoon.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether letters of probate granted in Ireland to the representatives of Irish soldiers and sailors dying on active service, and whose estates include balances of undrawn pay at their credit with any of the recognised firms of Army and Navy agents in London require to be re-sealed in the English Probate Court on the ground that pay to an Irish officer for services rendered to the Empire is distinctively English estate?

Irish probates and letters of administration require to be re-sealed in England for the purpose of making title to assets in England, and it is upon this principle that English bankers act in reference to balances in their hands belonging to deceased Irish soldiers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he considers it practicable for his Department to make arrangements with the various Navy agents and bankers which would obviate the hardship involved by the existing requirement that the confirmation granted by the Courts in Scotland to the executors of a Scottish naval officer dying on active service, and whose estate includes £5 of undrawn pay at his credit with an English Navy banker, must be resealed in the English Probate Court on the ground that Imperial pay is peculiarly English estate; whether the Admiralty have objected to such Navy bankers frequently waiving this requirement; whether his Department itself makes no such requirement in respect of undrawn pay which has not been paid over to such a banker and remains in the position of a naval asset?

My hon. Friend appears to have based the first two parts of his question on a misconception, as all payments to naval officers (or their representatives on written authority) are made either by the Admiralty or else by naval accountant officers, payment in no circumstances being initiated by outside agents. The amounts paid to officers' agents or bankers under power of attorney or written authority automatically cease to be naval assets, and in consequence are altogether outside Admiralty control and jurisdiction. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to take any steps, legislative or other, to relieve the estates of officers and men belonging to Scottish regiments and dying on active service for the Empire from the hardship involved in the existing requirement of English law that, in the event of such a deceased's estate, including £5 of undrawn pay at an English Army banker's, the confirmation granted in Scotland must be resealed in the English Probate Court; whether he is aware that English Army bankers sometimes dispense with this requirement, and would willingly be authorised to dispense with it altogether; and whether there are any recognised firms of Army bankers other than the well-known English firms to which Scottish officers and men can resort so as to avoid this hardship?

I am considering what steps, if any, can be taken in this matter. To deal with the matter by legislation will, as the hon. Member will realise, raise a rather wide question of probate law, and the difficulty, as I understand, does not always arise in practice.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he will state the authority for the practice according to which, in political cases in Ireland, every Court treats the threatening of a witness as contempt of Court when done on the side of the public, but not when done on the- Crown side; and whether he will bring under the notice of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland the refusal of Mr. Drury, police magistrate, in the Dyer case, to protect a witness from the threats of Mr. Robertson, Crown Prosecutor?

There is no such distinction as is suggested in the question. In the case referred to no contempt of Court was committed by Mr. Robertson, who, on the contrary, conducted the prosecution with great propriety.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the only document on which Patrick Dyer was. charged was an anti-Conscription document which he admitted on his arrest at Tubbercurry and has never denied; whether that document, described in the charge as intended to prejudice recruiting, was the only thing proved against him; why he was arrested, brought to Dublin, imprisoned and tried there, for an act which he admitted at Tubbercurry; and whether the entire time he has been in custody will be counted as part of the month to which he has been sentenced?

The evidence against Dyer showed that the defendant was responsible for the preparation and publication (by posting and otherwise) of notices calculated to prejudice recruiting and for calling and holding a meeting for the like purpose. Dyer was arrested and brought to Arbour Hill military prison at Dublin at the instance of the military authorities, and Dublin was the most appropriate venue. The period between the arrest and sentence does not count in the calculation of the month's imprisonment imposed.

Was the only evidence produced against this man a document the authorship of which he acknowledged?

No, there was other evidence.

asked whether the powers of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission include the assessment and payment of losses caused to brewers, spirit manufacturers, and licensees by the various Orders of the Liquor Trade Board or not; and whether, in order to allay controversy and put the question beyond doubt, some plain announcement can be made on the matter?

His Majesty's Government are of opinion that Regulations which are of general application and are made for purposes of national necessity ought not to be regarded as justifying compensation, but that individual and exceptional interference is so regarded. I would also refer the hon. Member in this connection to the provisions for repayment of Licence Duty in the Finance (No. 3) Bill.

asked the Prime Minister what portion of the £250 to £300 a year that he has estimated to be the cost of a soldier is to be attributed to pay and allowance in the case of a private?

As my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office explained in the House on the 18th November, the figure of £250 to £300 a year has no reference to the cost of the individual soldier, but is a rough-and-ready method of expressing the cost of the War in relation to the strength of the Army. The pay of a private soldier varies from £18 to £57 a year, and in War, generally speaking, he has no allowances in cash.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the rapidity with which events are developing in Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania, and considering the repercussion which will follow in adjoining neutral countries, he will give facilities before the House rises for Christmas for a general debate on the question of the Near East?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy on 6th December.

My point is that the present condition of Serbia is due to incompetence and delay on the part of the military and diplomatic authorities.

asked whether any arrangement has been made for reducing the remuneration of the Law Officers of the Crown during the War?

An arrangement has been concluded with the Law Officers. If. the hon. Member desires any further information, perhaps he would put down a question to the Attorney-General.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to propose a Vote to increase, the number of men in the Army; if so, when this Vote will be proposed; and whether the whole policy of the Government in all areas of the War will be fully explained when this Vote is moved?

A Vote will be proposed next week. I cannot anticipate-the statement that will then be made.

asked whether he can say whether there are 10,000 railway wagons out of commission on account of need of repairs; whether the railway companies are experiencing difficulty in storing them; and whether it would be possible to release men temporarily from the ranks to make the adequate repairs?

The Railway Executive Committee inform me that they are not aware that any unusually large number of wagons is at present out of commission.

Do they think that 10,000 is not an unusually large number?

I did not accept the number of 10,000.

asked the hon. Member for Oswestry, as representing the War Trade Department, whether he can state the amounts of sulphate of ammonia which have been exported in the last throe months?

The exports of sulphate of ammonia produced in this country for manure are shown at pages 234 and 235 of the Monthly Trade Accounts. The quantities exported during the last three months were:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can extend beyond the end of December the term during which a proportion of the sulphate of ammonia manufactured in Great Britain will be reserved for purchase by farmers at a maximum price, in view of the fact that many farmers do not usually purchase this fertiliser till later in the season?

The possible extension of the present arrangement with such modification as may be necessary is now under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the danger to the textile and other allied trades in Lancashire caused by the restricted supplies of coal and of the probability of a considerable stoppage of these industries in case of any prolongation of the Christmas holidays at the pits; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to secure the keeping up of the full output and, if possible, increasing it?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The question of securing the maximum output of coal and providing industries with the necessary supplies is receiving the close attention of the Coal Mining Organisation Committee and the Coal Exports (Licensing) Committee, and all practicable steps will be taken in this direction. The increased demand in Lancashire is fully appreciated.

Among the practical steps, is the hon. Gentleman taking that of pressing the railway companies to carry coal to the traders?

Two Committees at the Home Office have the matter in hand.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in Continental countries slightly tuberculised meat is sterilised and sold at a low price; and whether, in view of existing conditions, he will consider the advisability of avoiding the wasteful destruction of food and adopt the economical method practised with safety in other places?

I am aware of the Continental practice referred to, but do not consider that it would be expedient to adopt it in this country at the present time.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, in consequence of the War, it has been found impossible in many cases to carry out contracts entered into for the erection of buildings because of the present State necessities in the way of men, money, and material, and that the ground landlords are insisting upon their rents being paid and upon the fulfilment of the contracts; and whether he will favourably consider the possibility of giving protection to lessees in such cases?

I have no official information on this subject, and I cannot give any undertaking to be able to deal with it.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the confusion which has arisen by reason of the action of the Government in declaring that the provisions of the Declaration of London with modifications should be enforced; and whether, in view of the fact that this Declaration has in itself no legal or binding efficacy, and that its provisions as a supposed statement of international law has been modified by the Order in Council of 29th October, 1914, and by seven successive proclamations as to contraband, and that the provisions of the Declaration have proved to be inapplicable to modern conditions as disclosed by the War, His Majesty's Government will in concert with our Allies treat the Declaration of London as non-existent and repeal the Order in Council of 29th October, 1914?

I am afraid that as far as I can see the adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion would not result in any practical advantage.

Would it not be better that the Prize Courts should be free to decide prize cases unhampered by written rules, as was the case in the days of Lord Stowell?

I think it is a convenient practice to state to the world the rules by which belligerents propose to be guided. I should be sorry to differ with my hon. Friend on a question of law, but I certainly think that some such statement is always made at the outbreak of war.

Would it not be sufficient to issue instructions to the naval commanders, instead of laying down written rules for the guidance of the Prize Courts?

I think the course we have pursued is really the convenient course, in view of the fact that our Allies as well as ourselves are concerned.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated value of the properties in Ireland and Wilts which it is proposed to purchase from the hon. Member for Widnes; and what is the estimated annual cost of upkeep of the two establishments?

The information desired by the hon. Member is not at the moment available, but arrangements are being made for the valuation of the properties referred to, and for the preparation of estimates of the cost of upkeep for next year.

Has not a Royal Commission twice reported against the advisability of the Government embarking upon this industry of horse breeding?

No, Sir. The offer has been very, very carefully considered by the Government. It is on very well-matured opinion that action has been taken.

Will the hon. Member say in whose name these horses are to be entered?

I do not understand that any horses are to be raced in the name of the Government.

asked whether the Government have accepted the offer of the hon. Member for Widnes to give them his breeding stud of thoroughbred horses; and in what way they consider the nation will benefit by becoming the owners of this stud?

The Army Council had made urgent representations to the Board of Agriculture, based on its war experience, to the effect that the stock of horses in the United Kingdom suitable for military purposes had become dangerously depleted. An adequate supply of half-bred horses of the type and quality required must be founded on thoroughbred stock, and in the opinion of the War Office and the Board of Agriculture the acceptance of the hon. Member's generous offer will provide a greatly needed stimulus to the light horse-breeding industry, and a valuable source of supply of the class of stallion required for the production of military horses.

In view of the information the hon. Gentleman has just given, will the hon. Gentleman say why at first the Government refused this offer?

Sir, I do not know that there was any definite refusal; in fact, I think there was not. But clearly a matter of this kind must be the subject of very full consideration before it is either accepted or declined.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there is a deficiency in the amount of fees received by the shorthand writer to this House; whether he is aware that the shorthand writers on the staff have only been partially employed during this Session; whether he is aware that the shorthand writer has been entrusted with less than half the work of the departmental committees usually done by him; and whether he. will reduce the loss in this department by seeing that the duty of reporting the proceedings of the War Loan Committee is given to the shorthand writer of the House?

I am aware of the facts alluded to, and if the services of a shorthand writer are required by the Committee in question I shall be glad to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in any purchases made by the Government of bread-stuffs for this country, he will take care that all such purchases are made of corn and not of flour, in order that the offals may be readily available for feeding purposes in this country?

I fully recognise the importance of the hon. Member's suggestion, and will certainly bear it in mind.

asked how many of the 199 women for whom situations have been found by the women agricultural training committees, referred to in the recent circular to war agricultural committees, are still in their situations; and whether any, and, if so, what steps are being taken to ascertain whether the work which they are doing is being satisfactorily carried out?

It has not yet been possible to obtain particulars with regard to all the women referred to, but I will communicate them to the hon. Member as soon as they can be definitely ascertained. I should point out that the 199 women referrred to are those who were placed in employment through the Labour Exchanges after training under the special scheme initiated by the Board of Agriculture, and are only a small proportion of the total number who have been trained and placed in agricultural work by the Exchanges, acting in co-operation with the women's county committees where these bodies exist. As regards the last part of the question, the county committees and the Labour Exchanges keep, as far as possible, in touch with the women who have been placed in employment and with their employers, and, speaking generally, I understand that the reports received show that the work is being carried out very satisfactorily.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that quantities of pigs are being slaughtered weekly at small weights owing to the insufficient supply and price of barley, milling offals, and other feeding-stuffs; whether he can state the amount of barley and milling offals which have been exported under licences granted by the Board of Trade during the current year; and whether his Department will see that until there is a surplus of feeding-stuffs in this country no licences are granted for the export of barley, malt, barley meal, or milling offals?

From a special inquiry which the Board recently instituted, it was not evident that there has been in the country generally an unusual slaughter of small pigs. A few licences for the export of barley were granted in special circumstances some months ago, but with this exception practically no licences for barley or milling offals have been assented to by the Board during the current year.

The question is quite specific, and deals with malt as well as the other articles mentioned; it asks whether the Board of Agriculture will prohibit all exports until there is a sufficient supply of feeding-stuffs in the country?

I have recently given such full and exact particulars in regard to malt and the other articles mentioned that it is absolutely unnecessary to repeat them. I will communicate very full information to the hon. Member by letter.

Has the issue of licences for the export of malt been stopped?

Yes, Sir; that is to say, there may be—I do not think there is—a very small arrangement still outstanding; but I think licences to export malt have been absolutely stopped.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will consider the advisability of suspending during the continuance of the War the order prohibiting fishing by British fishing vessels within the three-mile limit and in the Moray Firth, with the object of increasing the nation's food supply?

Fishing within territorial waters on the coasts of England and Wales is regulated by by-laws made by Local Fisheries Authorities and confirmed by the Board. The latter have no authority, however, to suspend the operation of any such by-laws, as the initiation rests with the Local Fisheries Authorities concerned. As regards the Moray Firth and Scottish and Irish waters generally, I would refer the hon. Member to the Scottish and Irish Departments respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture when the bound volumes of leaflets will be ready for circulation, in view of the fact that the Board have recently called attention to these as being ready?

I much regret that, owing to the fact that recruiting has seriously interfered with printing and binding, it has not been possible to issue the bound volumes of leaflets as early as was anticipated. The third volume, which has not previously been issued, should be available from Monday next, and the other volumes by Christmas. Everything possible is being done to issue the volumes at an early date, but it has proved difficult for the printers to deal with any but the most urgent work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the most effective and economical period for the application of fertilisers on crops in Scotland is in the spring, he will take steps to extend the time for farmers obtaining nitrogenous manures under the Board of Agriculture's scheme from 1st January until 1st April?

The hon. Member's suggestion is already engaging attention.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the continued increase in the price of flour; and whether the Government will take steps to prevent any further increase in the price of this food-stuff?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I have not failed to observe the recent movements in the price of flour, but I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that the price of flour is dependent on the price of wheat. The price of No. 1 Northern Manitoba wheat in London is now about 26s. per quarter higher than it was two years ago, while the price of flour in London is higher by 20s. per sack. The question both of the supply and the price of wheat and flour is engaging the constant attention of the Government, and they have taken steps to secure an adequate supply, but it is clear that any attempt to fix maximum prices would only have the result of reducing the supply coming forward.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to the price of coal, which has increased by a shilling—

That is another story.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the vessels patrolling the North Sea are generally commanded by lieutenants, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; whether any and, if so, how many of these lieutenants, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, have been promoted to lieutenant-commander or have been decorated in any way since the beginning of the War; and whether he is aware that the pay of a lieutenant-commander, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, is the same as the pay of a lieutenant, so that such promotion to the commanders of such vessels would not involve any additional charge on the Treasury?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The remainder of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Will there be any recognition of the services of these gentlemen who have done this duty?

My hon. Friend asks me as to patrol vessels in the command of officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. There are no vessels that could be called patrol vessels in such command. These are commanded by officers of the Royal Navy or Royal Navy Reserve. Therefore my hon. Friend's question does not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now make a statement regarding the pensions of established men in His Majesty's dockyards who may be called up for service under Lord Derby's scheme; will these men be required to continue their contributions; will their time in the service count for pension; in the event of death how is it proposed to deal with the contributions already paid towards pension, and if unable to return to their former work owing to incapacity, either by wounds or disease, will they receive their full-time pension or part-time pension as the case may be; and, if so, will this be in addition to any Naval or Army pension to which their service may entitle them?

Established workmen who may be called up for service under Lord Derby's scheme will continue to receive their civil pay, subject to the deduction therefrom of Army pay (which is for this purpose calculated at 1s. a day for all below commissioned rank) and separation allowance. Their service in the Army will count as service for civil pension, and their legal personal representatives will receive, in the event of death on Army service, the same award for which they may be eligible under the Superannuation Acts as if the death had occurred on the same dates in the ordinary course of employment. Similarly, if unable to resume their employment on discharge from the Army, owing to infirmity, the men will receive the same awards under the Superannuation Acts as those for which they would have been eligible had they been invalided from their civil employment on the date of their discharge from the Army. These awards will be made to the men or to their representatives, as the case may be (in addition to any Navy or Army pension to which their service may entitle them.

Will these men be required to keep up their contributions?

They get different rates of pay if they are pensionable, a lower rate and a higher rate; and if they continue to make that rate of pay they continue their contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Treasury approval was given to the Regulation granting retired officers on re-employment, in times of national emergency, the full pay of their employment in addition to their retired pay and the reasons which led the Government to adopt this course.

Treasury approval was given to the Regulation in question in 1904. The experience of the South African War had shown that the system of remunerating re-employed officers then in force operated most unequally, and it was then thought that the present system would secure more equal treatment of individual officers without involving any large extra cost to public funds.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how much is being paid to these officers on retired pay per year?

I could not without notice, and I am not sure that I could with notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman also state why they are treated more generously than retired officers in the Navy and ex-Civil servants?

I think the question ought to be addressed to the War Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give instructions to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to prepare and circulate a model balance sheet for owners and tenants of woodlands to use under Schedule D, on the same lines as has already been done for farmers?

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue will be glad of the opportunity of discussing this matter with my right hon. Friend if he will be good enough to give them the advantage of his experience.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to include in the next Finance Bill a provision which will relieve judicial factors in Scotland of the difficulties as to Government Stocks, to which his attention was drawn in a recent memorial by the Faculty of Advocates and the Chambers of Commerce, etc., in Scotland; and whether he will consider the desirability of receiving a small deputation of the signatories to that memorial?

I am considering whether the provision now made to meet the case of the death of a holder of Government stock can be extended to cover the case of judicial factors. As the views of those interested in the question in Scotland have been very clearly put before me, I do not think it would serve any useful purpose if I were to receive a deputation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can yet say when he will make his promised statement concerning the proposals of the Government for acquiring the use of certain American securities?

I hope early next week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any data or authorities for his estimate of the wealth of this country at twenty-six thousand millions sterling; will he say whether his Department intended this figure to represent the wealth of the Empire or of the United Kingdom; and, if the former, how much of that sum represents the wealth of Great Britain and Ireland?

As stated in my previous reply on the 23rd November, the estimate of £26,000,000,000 related to the British Empire. The capital wealth of the United Kingdom is roughly estimated at £15,000,000,000. These figures are based on statistics prepared by Sir Robert Giffen and brought up to date in papers recently read before the Royal Statistical Society. The figure quoted for the United Kingdom is the estimate contained in the Census of Production Final Report, 1912. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that the estimates I have given refer to pre-war conditions, and it is impossible to say how far they require modification owing to the War.