asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any communications from the public authorities to the effect that there is distress among old age pensioners caused by the increase in the price of food; and whether, in view of the fact that the Government Committee on Prevention and Relief of Distress will not allow any payment to be made out of the Prince of Wales' Fund unless there has been an actual diminution of income, he will consider the advisability of increasing the pensions of such old age pensioners as are recommended by the pension officers as being in special need of this additional assistance?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I fear I cannot adopt the suggestion contained in the second part of the question. As already stated in reply to a previous question by my hon. Friend, it is feared that if every case of hardship due to the special circumstances of the War is met by a grant from public funds, the heavy expenditure entailed by the War will strain the resources of the country almost to breaking point.

Has my right hon. Friend or the Government considered at all the position of these old age pensioners who are struggling along on 5s. a week, and paying 2s. for rent—has the Government given any consideration to their deplorable situation?

Yes, but the circumstances for the reasons I have given are not exceptional. There are a great many cases of extreme hardship consequent upon the rise in prices.

Would it not have been better to give the 2s. 9d. given to the starred men who attested under the Derby scheme to these old age pensioners?

That is a question for the War Office.

Has the Government considered any other expedient beyond that of granting public money—have they made any suggestions whatever to the local authorities or to the Prince of Wales' Fund? Have they considered any expedient by which these old people could be helped and prevented from starving?

I will inquire what steps the Local Government Board can take.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, considering the decision to allow the official photographs from the front to be shown as' films in public places, he will consider the possibility of obtaining from the French Government leave to exhibit their films showing the work of their troops?

I am not aware of any restriction upon the exhibition of French Government films.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the French Government if he can have these films?

The matter rests entirely as a commercial matter upon the laws of supply and demand. If there is a demand for them, undoubtedly they will be produced.

Would it not be much more educational to people here if they had films of the real fighting?

I am all in favour of carrying out what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in view. I am only uncertain as to the manner in which His Majesty's Government could act to that end.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement about any recent developments or changes in the anti-aircraft de-fences of London?

It is not in the public interest that any such information should be given.

Can we know whether Sir Percy Scott is still in command of the guns?

Yes, he is in command of them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if. in view- of the shortage of labour, men returned from active service and temporarily unfit for further service are allowed to return to civil life?

Men who are medically unfit for service abroad or at home, and who are not likely to become fit within six months, are discharged from the Service; but men who are temporarily unfit are not discharged. I recognise the necessity of returning to civil life men who are no longer fit for military service, but it is necessary that the permanent unfitness should be conclusively established.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers over forty-five years of age who are found permanently unfit for general service by a medical board may be informed that they are allowed to return to civil life?

No, Sir, I fear such an intimation would not be in the interest of the Army nor of the State at large. A very large number of officers who have been found permanently unfit for general service are of the greatest use for training purposes and their return to civil life would be a loss to the Army from every point of view.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the starred men who attested under Lord Derby's scheme each received 23. 9d.; and, if so, whether he will state the amount of money so expended.

Any man attested was entitled to 2s. 9d. for the day of attestation. I am unable to state how many starred men actually drew this money.

Is my hon. Friend not in possession of Lord Derby's figures on that point?

Yes. but although the men were entitled to the money some of them did not get it.

How much has either been spent or is owing to the men?

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the pledges given to individuals, classes, and trades under Lord Derby's scheme received the sanction of the Cabinet; and (2) whether he will issue as a Parliamentary Paper the pledges given to individuals, classes, and trades or professions in connection with Lord Derby's scheme?

asked the Prime Minister if he will state how many recruits have been obtained by ordinary enlistment since the conclusion of the Derby campaign on 12th December?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government can now announce what is the proportion of eligible unmarried men who came forward under Lord Derby's scheme; and what is the proportion which he considers sufficiently substantial to justify His Majesty's Government in holding the married men who enlisted to their pledge?

I will deal with these questions in my statement to-morrow.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in the statement he is to make to-morrow, give complete returns from every Parliamentary Division in the country?

I am afraid that I cannot give that undertaking.

Shall we get them at any time?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether no report upon our lack of a sufficient number of machine guns, as compared with the German equipment in this behalf was received from the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief or any of our generals on the Western front until upwards of ten months had elapsed from the commencement of the War; or whether such reports, if received, were not communicated to the Minister of Munitions?

Yes, Sir; recommendations for increase in the scale of machine guns were received from Field-Marshal Sir John French before the date indicated in the question, and steps were taken to provide considerably more than the number for which he asked. These recommendations, of course, formed the basis of the statement of requirements for the War Office which was communicated to the Ministry of Munitions.

Was the Minister of Munitions mistaken in the reference he made to this matter?

I think I indicated that there had been a misapprehension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, without giving hurtful information to the enemy, he can state what progress has been made in developing the Aircraft Service during the last three months, particularly in regard to the construction of large aeroplanes utilising several engines capable of developing great horse-power and of attaining a high rate of speed?

I am, of course, always glad to give, through the medium of answers in this House, information which is hurtful to the enemy, and I may state that aeroplanes of the type mentioned in the latter part of the question are being constructed from several different designs. If, however, I were to give details, that would be information which would not be hurtful to the enemy but might even be of assistance to him.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the construction of this type of aeroplane is being pushed forward at the highest possible rate?

Yes, I can give that assurance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the Royal Flying Corpus experienced flying officers are rapidly raised to the rank of general; and whether corresponding promotion is made possible to those officers who have been pioneers in the Royal Naval Air Service?

I understand that the officers of the Royal Flying Corps who have been promoted to the rank of general are all officers whose regimental seniority is such as to qualify them for this promotion in their own arm of the Service. None of the pioneers in the Naval Air Service are of such seniority as to justify their promotion to flag rank.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, on several occasions during the last few months, young flying officers with no knowledge of war have been sent out to the front and appointed flight commanders over the heads of men who are experienced flyers; and, if so, what is the justification for this course?

No, Sir; I know of no case which can be described exactly in the terms chosen by the hon. Member. He will, however, of course, be aware that promotion to the rank of flight commander is entirely by selection, and there is a possibility, in the case of promotions made amongst officers serving in the Expeditionary Force, of the promotion of junior officers over the heads of officers more senior in the Army. The justification would be the ability of the officer promoted. I think the hon. Member will see that, in regard to flying, seniority is not the first consideration to be taken into account.

I quite agree; but this question does not relate to officers who have been to the front with the Expeditionary Force, but to officers promoted from here to flight commander-ships?

I do not say that is an impossibility, but skill ought to be the first consideration.

I agree.

And it is.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when Commander Briggs and Commander Smyth Osborne were appointed as wing commanders, there were none of the pioneer officers of the Royal Naval Air Service on the squadron commander's list worthy of promotion to wing commanders, and who is responsible for the system of passing over the flying officers?

The pioneer officers of the Air Service are, generally speaking, young officers with little experience outside actual flying. The Board of Admiralty which is responsible for all promotions in the Royal Naval Air Service is perfectly satisfied as to the appointments of the officers in question, and the services of the pioneer officers have not been overlooked.

Does Commander Osborne know anything about the Royal Naval Air Service?

I should think so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the rate of pay of a commander, second in command of a ship; what is the rate of pay of a wing commander in the Royal Naval Air craft Service; and whether the wing commander's extra pay is in consequence of the risks and experience needed in the Air Service?

The pay of a commander second in command of a ship is 22s. a day. He is entitled, in addition, to an allowance of 5s. a day if serving in a ship bearing the flag of a commander-in-chief, or 2s. 6d. a day if serving in a ship bearing any other flag or broad pennant. The pay of a wing commander, Royal Naval Air Service, is 40s. a day. The rate is inclusive, nothing additional, either in the form of command money, or specialist allowance, or flying pay, being payable. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is the extra pay for great experience in flying, and have those two officers that great experience of flying?

That does not arise out of the question.

It arises out of the two questions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what air experience had Commander Briggs and Commander Smyth Osborne when they were recently graded to the rank of wing commander over the heads of all other flying officers?

These officers have taken their pilot's certificate, though they had little air experience when graded. They possess, however, other special qualifications.

Have they qualifications which entitle them to the rates of pay?

If they are wing commanders they get 40s. a day.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has any official information regarding the employment of a considerable number of able-bodied men, including men of military age, in laying out a new golf course near Gleneagles Station, on the main line of the Caledonian Railway; whether this golf course is situated in a bleak and sparsely inhabited tract of country owned by an English company; and whether, having regard to the absence of local interest in the scheme and the desirability of releasing men for military or other national service and for productive labour, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

As the result of inquiries I have made, I am informed that about forty-four men are employed on the golf courses at Gleneagles, mainly on the maintenance of the courses. The number is being gradually reduced, and it is expected that a reduction of about one-half will be effected in the course of a few weeks. Of those employed five are eligible for military service, all of whom have been attested. The men employed are stated to belong to the district, and the ordinary labourer's wage current in the district is being paid. The golf courses in question have been constructed by an English company, which was formed for the purpose of building a hotel and laying out golf courses at Gleneagles. Whether the ground belongs to the company or not I do not know. I have no power to take any action in the matter, but I think it very desirable in present circumstances that labour on golf courses should be reduced to a minimum.

Can the hon. Gentleman suggest that the Board of Agriculture should lay out some small holdings instead of golf courses?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Board of Agriculture have nothing to do with laying out golf courses.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will apply to the War Office to allow woodmen serving with the Forces at Home a month's furlough for work in the woods, in the same way as was done for men for harvest work?

The whole question of the employment of soldiers on work in connection with agriculture is under reconsideration, and I will see that the case of skilled woodmen serving with the Forces is not overlooked, as it is of very great importance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the licence for the Grand Hotel at Hong Kong is now held by a man of German nationality, and the licence for the Peak Hotel by a German who has recently been naturalised, both being of military age; whether at the licensing board meeting the unofficial members all voted against the grant of the licences to these two men; whether, when these licences were refused last year, they were granted by an overriding order of the Government; what action has been taken on the present occasion; and what are the reasons inspiring official policy in this matter?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The Governor informs us that the licensee of the Grand Hotel is thirty-four years old, left Germany in 1897, and had no intention of returning. His sympathies are stated to be British, and he married in 1903 an Australian wife, whose father lives with the licensee. He has held a licence since 1909. The licensee of the Peak Hotel is of the same age, and has resided in Hong Kong for eleven years continuously, was naturalised in 1911, and has been licensed seven years. The Governor states that both bear good characters. One licence only was opposed last year, and was granted on appeal to the Governor in Council. On the present occasion both licences were refused by the unofficial majority, but were granted on appeal to the Governor in Council, one member alone dissenting. No question of policy was involved, and the Executive Council acted throughout in a judicial capacity under the licensing ordinance.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many canteens in connection with the controlled establishments are run by his Department; how many are under the management of voluntary agencies; whether he will state what those agencies or associations are; whether he is satisfied with the present management; and what steps the Board of Control is taking to start these canteens either within or without munition works?

I am informed by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) that they have not, up to the present, undertaken the direct management of any canteens, their duty being rather that of super- vision and control. Some 120 canteens have been established by about a dozen voluntary societies, and the Board have power in suitable circumstances to make Grants to approved societies in aid of the capital expenditure incurred for this purpose. The management of these canteens must be satisfactory to the Board.

A recent concession by the Ministry of Munitions under which consideration is promised to approved expenditure on canteens at controlled establishments in calculating the profits at such establishments will, it is hoped, induce many employers to provide canteens for their workers. At a considerable number of munition works such canteens already exist, and some of them are managed by the workers or by joint committees of employers and employés. The Ministry of Munitions is providing canteens in the national projectile and filling factories, and in conjunction with the Central Control Board is taking active steps to encourage the establishment of canteens in "national" and "controlled" establishments. I understand that the Canteen Committee of the Board is in direct communication with a large number of employers in the principal munition and transport centres.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us how many of these canteens are run by the People's Palace Association, a voluntary organisation working for profit?

I cannot tell that without notice.

Will you inquire?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he could give an estimate of the time lost by foremen, managers, and workmen in attending the sittings of munitions tribunals?

I am afraid that it is quite impossible to obtain statistics on this subject without an amount of labour which would be very disproportionate to the advantage obtained.

Would it not give some idea of the futility of the Act?

No, I do not think so.

Is not a very large amount of time being unnecessarily wasted by requiring people to attend these tribunals?

A considerable amount of time must necessarily be involved, but it does not necessarily follow that the time has been wasted.

asked the Minister of Munitions what is the cost of the working of the munitions tribunals up to 31st December?

Up to the 30th November the total expenditure on sixty-five munitions tribunals was £6,502. The figures for December are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Munitions in how many cases men have been brought before munitions tribunals for refusing to work on Sunday; and in how many cases penalties have been imposed?

I am informed that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether ho could state the results of his recent conferences at Glasgow and Newcastle; and what further alterations he suggests in the Amending Bill to the Munitions Act as a result?

My right hon. Friend's visits to Glasgow and Newcastle were undertaken with a view to explaining the necessity for the scheme for the dilution of skilled with unskilled labour promulgated by the Ministry of Munitions on the advice of the Central Munitions Labour Supply Committee. It is too soon to say what practical result has been achieved. The visits had no direct connection with the Amending Bill to the Munitions of War Act. The Government Amendments have already been circulated.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why it is necessary to suppress the Report?

There is another question on the Order Paper on that subject.

Is it due to the fact that the Minister of Munitions had a hostile reception at Glasgow that reports were suppressed?

My right hon. Friend went there because there was considerable misconception in the area and hostility arising out of it. He went in order to try to meet it.

Did he succeed in removing the misconception?

I hope so.

asked the Minister of Munitions what progress he has made in securing his additional 80,000 skilled workers for the national factories?

As my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, it is hoped to obtain these men by the dilution of skilled with unskilled labour, the withdrawal of men from the Colours whether serving in this country or abroad, the training of semi-skilled men for special operations, the utilisation of the services of mechanics from overseas, and the withdrawal of men from occupations not essential to the national interest. All these operations are in progress, and it is anticipated that their combined effect should produce the necessary results, given the whole-hearted co-operation of the interests involved.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the question on the Paper— whether he has made any progress in securing the additional 80,000 skilled workers?

Yes, considerable progress has been made in securing them, as my hon. Friend will see from my answer. A great many facts are involved and we cannot separate one from another.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he has succeeded in withdrawing any skilled workers from the front?

Yes, a considerable number.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that Sir Frederick Donaldson told the Control Board that there was no drink problem in Woolwich and that further restrictions were unnecessary; will he explain why, after that expression of opinion, Sir Frederick Donaldson was removed from Woolwich Arsenal; and why were the present restrictions enforced?

Sir Frederick Donaldson's views on this subject were last expressed in a letter dated 3rd September, but the statement in the question does not correctly represent the view expressed by Sir Frederick Donaldson. Sir Frederick, at the request of my right hon. Friend, has recently been engaged in America upon an important temporary mission on behalf of the Ministry of Munitions. The decision to entrust him with this mission was in the interest of the production of munitions, and had, of course, no connection whatever with his opinion on restrictions on the liquor traffic, and I regret that my hon. Friend should have conveyed such a suggestion in his question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that convictions for drunkenness in the area in question have decreased by 50 per cent. since these restrictions were imposed?

I believe that is so.

( by private Notice: ) I beg to ask the Lord Advocate upon whose authority and by whose orders the Scottish labour paper "Forward" was seized, and what was the ground for such action?

( by private Notice: ) I desire to ask the Secretary for Scotland a question of similar import, namely, whether the Glasgow newspaper, "Forward," of 1st January, has been suppressed, and, if so, under what Regulation or Order in Council this has been done; and whether the editor will be brought to trial and proceedings conducted in public?

( by Private Notice: ) I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the current issue of "Forward" has been seized by the police, and, if so, can he state whether this has been done because the paper published a report of a recent meeting held by the Minister of Munitions, and showing that he received a hostile reception from organised labour on the Clyde?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question, and I will at the same time reply to a question to the Lord Advocate of which the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division has privately given notice. I have not yet received the official report of the details of the action taken against the newspaper "Forward," but I understand that action was taken by the com- petent military authority in Scotland under Regulation 51, Defence of the Realm Regulations, at the instance of the Ministry of Munitions. The ground for the action taken was an offence under Regulation 27. It does not necessarily follow that there will be any trial.

What about free speech?

The ground for the action taken was an offence under Regulation No. 27. It does not necessarily follow there will be any trial.

May I ask whether it has become an offence and a crime in this country to give a truthful account of the reception accorded by organised labour in Glasgow to the Minister of Munitions, and whether we are to look upon this as the first fruits of Conscription?

No, Sir, I trust my hon. Friend will draw no such conclusion. The Orders under which this newspaper was proceeded against was submitted to the legal authorities in Scotland, and I have their assurance that they were perfectly legal and in order.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Minister of Munitions went to Scotland as the champion of free speech and appealed to the working men there on that ground to hear him, and used the name of the hon. Member for Leicester for that purpose; and does he think it is in accordance with the professions with which he went there that this should be the first action after his visit?

I am assured that this newspaper published, was about to publish, and did, in fact, publish articles; whether they were in the nature of news or articles I am not aware, as I have not seen them; certainly they did publish something which was distinctly against the Defence of the Realm and dangerous to the country. I am assured that was so. Such an article would be dangerous to the country if it were to be an article asking the makers of munitions not to produce them in the numbers required. [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no."]

May I ask whether the War Office which alleges that it is responsible for this action has taken into consideration the effect it is likely to have upon the workers in suppressing labour papers and not those which are doing the most mischief?

I was not aware until the hon. Gentleman's statement that this paper was an organ of organised labour. [An HON. MEMBER: "It is not."] I am very doubtful about it. I do understand this newspaper did incite the workers on the Clyde to abstain from the production of the munitions which are necessary. [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no!" and "Withdraw!"] That must be not a question of opinion but of fact, which is perfectly ascertainable. If my information is correct, then there can be nothing more to be said.

May I ask if instructions were issued to the Press not to report meetings held by the Minister of Munitions and only to insert the official report, which gave no proper account?

I have no knowledge of that. [An HON. MEMBER: "Yes, they were!"]

May I ask the Minister of Munitions whether, as a sensible man, he will, not see that this whole business is stopped if he wants to stop the dissension and discontent going on in labour circles?

My hon. Friends did not give me any notice of this question being raised. If they had I should have supplied myself with a copy of the paper, and could have shown the House that this paper has been deliberatetly inciting the workers there not to carry out an Act of Parliament which has been passed by this House in order to promote the output of munitions.

Arising out of that reply, may I ask the Minister of Munitions this plain and simple question? Is it not the fact that this issue of the paper was suppressed because it contained a report of the right hon. Gentleman's meeting in Glasgow, and the Under-Secretary of State for War said just now that proceedings had been taken under certain Sections of the Defence of the Realm Act, and may I ask if those Sections of the Act deal only with two offences—first of all,, action prejudicial to recruiting—

Speech!

The hon. Gentleman is not now asking a question; it is more like a speech.

May I ask the Minister of Munitions whether the time to have suppressed this paper was not when the articles that he complained of appeared and not when the paper reported what actually happened?

I think it is very likely the hon. Gentleman is right; it ought to have been suppressed before.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will arrange that facilities are given for a discussion of this matter on the Adjournment on Thursday? [An HON. MEMBER "Get rid of the Minister!"]

I knew nothing about this matter. I heard nothing of it until I came to the House to-day.

It is tune you resigned.

I hope my right hon. Friend will see that a large body of opinion in the House—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] I am asking the right hon. Gentleman to consider a large body of opinion in this House that desires a discussion on this administrative action without any judicial action being taken at the same time.

I will consider the matter.

Arising out of these questions and these answers, may I ask the Under-Secretary for War whether he will now consider the desirability of dealing with the "Times" and "Daily Mail"?

Answer!

A question of that sort cannot be answered on the spur of the moment.

If "Forward" was not suppressed because it contained an accurate account of the proceedings between the Minister of Munitions and the men's conferences on the Clyde, will the right hon. Gentleman see that that portion, at all events, is reissued and circulated to the public?

That is not the reason, I am assured by the Lord Advocate.

Can we have a copy of this paper placed in the Library? Or, if that is not possible, can it be published as a White Paper and circulated?

Is it not the case that similar proceedings have been taken against another paper issued in Scotland, belonging to what is known as the Harmsworth or Northeliffe Press?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at the opening of the War the gas undertaking of Frankfurt-am-Main was in the hands of a British company and has now become the property of the municipality, and whether this transfer, which was contemplated by a pre-war arrangement made by the company, has had the attention and sanction of the Board of Trade?

I understand that the arrangements for the transfer were submitted to Parliamentary counsel, and received his approval.

Did it receive the approval of the Board of Trade?

The consideration and approval or disapproval of this particular matter has been referred to the Parliamentary counsel who deals with it, and the Board of Trade has assented to his opinion upon it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the result of his inquiry into the shortage of supply and high price being charged for coal at Erith; and whether he intends to take any action to remedy these conditions?

I asked the London Merchants' Coal Prices Committee to look into the matter on my behalf, and I am forwarding the hon. Member a copy of their report.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what steps the Board of Trade take themselves to see that the arrangement come to with the merchants is carried out?

It depends upon circumstances. Any case such as that which the hon. Member has reported is looked into when any complaint is received. We have every confidence that the merchants are doing their best to carry out the arrangement.

Have the Board of Trade any machinery for seeing that it is carried out, apart from a Member asking a question in the House?

There is no such machinery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the German ships now detained at United States ports are to be sold to Scandinavian Governments and delivered at Scandinavian ports with the consent of the British Foreign Office on behalf of His Majesty's Government?

His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any such arrangement.

asked the Prune Minister whether, in view of the fact that on 13th October it was estimated that our advances to our Allies equipped and maintained 3,000,000 men in the field, the present conditions remain as they did in this respect last October; and, if not, whether our advances to our Allies today are greater or less than they were three months ago?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have given the House all the figures which I am at present in a position to give as to the advances to our Allies. I may add that on the occasion referred to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary quoted an estimate of the number of our Allies soldiers which could be maintained in the field by an expenditure equivalent in amount to our advances, and it is open to anyone else to make similar estimates.

Was that estimate based upon the figure that each soldier in the field costs £230 a. year or £300 a year?

It was based on the figure that the cost to the Allies is less than the amount stated by my hon. Friend.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us to-morrow, in connection with the Bill to be introduced, some further figures which will enable us to judge generally of the whole financial, military and political situation as it is now?

I hope called upon to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state who will answer questions in connection with the Statutory Committee on War Pensions and Allowances?

Questions will be answered by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to state the names of the members of the Statutory Committee of the Naval and Military War Pensions Act, the name of the chairman, and the name of the paid vice-chairman; whether he can say if instructions have been given for the setting up of the local committees, or whether these will not be set up until the Statutory Committee gets to work; and whether he can give the address of the offices, temporary or permanent, of the Statutory Committee?

I am glad to be able to state that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has consented to act as chairman of the Statutory Committee. I will circulate the names of the Committee. I understand that instructions for the establishment of local committees will be issued when the Statutory Committee meets. No final decision has been arrived at as to the Committee's offices.

Can my right hon. Friend not expedite the formation of the local committees, which do not depend at all upon the Statutory Committee, who are to gather together the claims throughout the country?

That will be considered.

Who is the paid vice-chairman?

I have not given his name.

Why not?

May I ask whether the paid vice-chairman has been appointed, or is about to be appointed, or whether we are to know who he is before his being appointed?

! said I would circulate the names of the whole Committee. The vice-chairman is Mr. Cyril Jackson.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of recent adjustments in the military commands, what are now Lord Kitchener's duties?

Lord Kitchener'is continuing to discharge the duties of Secretary of State for War.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether his duties are now less military than political?

I cannot discriminate between them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the duties have been transferred to the Ministry of Munitions?

Has he any duties at all

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the transference of the functions of the Ordnance Department to the Ministry of Munitions, what are now the duties of General Von Donop?

Sir Stanley Von Donop is the technical adviser to the Secretary of State for War on all Artillery matters. He is also responsible for the administration of the Directorates of Fortifications and Barrack Construction.

Is that a new post?

No; not at all.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of a scheme to promote inter parliamentary intercourse between French Deputies and Members of this House; and whether the proposals which have recently been put forward by a member of the French Chamber of Deputies in this connection have received the support of His Majesty's Government?

I have heard of these proposals, which are, I understand, designed to promote a fuller understanding between the French and British Parliaments. Such an object must obviously command the sympathy of His Majesty's Government, but this particular movement is entirely of a private nature, and has not in any respect an official character so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that the Under-Secretary of State for War and at least two Cabinet Ministers were detained at the House of Commons by the prolonged discussion on the Vote for the further 1,000,000 of men and Supply on the 21st December until a very late hour; and if, to save the time and health of Ministers engaged in prosecuting the War, he will take the necessary powers that all measures brought in by the Coalition Government shall at each stage be put from the Chair at eleven o'clock or earlier during the continuance of the War?

No, Sir. As at present advised, I am afraid the hon. Member's suggestion is impracticable.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman arrange that at any rate a Cabinet Minister should not be expected to attend personally after eleven o'clock?

indicated dissent.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will give the House an opportunity to discuss the treatment of Serbia by this country?

I would remind the hon. Member that I have promised that a general statement would be made, which will include the Near East, as soon as it is possible to do so in the public interest.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to state that all the available scientific ability of the country has been organised and utilised in the most efficient way with a view to coping with problems introduced by the War; whether the roll of such scientific committees as exist has been mainly that of criticism and advice with regard to suggestions and inventions sent in from outside; and whether any body of scientific workers is definitely charged with the study of actual war conditions so as actively to examine, devise, or invent appliances which might be helpful to the Allies in the field?

In reply to the first part of the question, every endeavour continues to be made to achieve the object referred to. As regards the second part of the question, the activities of the scientific committees have by no means been limited in the manner suggested. The third part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the scientific ability of this country is being utilised to the utmost, and that the actual results have indicated that this has been done?

We are doing our very best with that object.

( by private Notice: ) I beg to ask the Minister of Munitions if he is in a position to state in what way he proposes to give effect to the agreement come to with the Amalgamated Society of Engineers on the subject of dilution of skilled labour and the remuneration of unskilled and partially skilled men?

In order to give effect to the agreement to which my hon. Friend refers, I propose to move a new Clause, enabling the Ministry of Munitions to give directions with respect to the wages and conditions of employment of unskilled labour brought in to supplement or replace skilled labour in controlled establishments. Copies of the proposed new Clause have been sent to all Members by post, and copies are also available in the Vote Office. Owing to the Adjournment, it has not been possible to place this Amendment on the Order Paper. I should like to ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker, as to whether, under the circumstances, by consent, I can move this new Clause, or whether it will be necessary to move to recommit the Bill for this purpose, either before or after the Report stage of the rest of the Bill has been taken?

I do not think the Clause can be moved on the Report stage. Being a new Clause, notice of it must be given, and it should appear in print with the other Amendments. It is open to the right hon. Gentleman to move to recommit the Bill, either before we commence proceedings on the Report stage or at the conclusion of those proceedings. If he moves that the Bill be recommitted in order to insert this particular Clause, the discussion will be limited to the Clause, and when the House goes into Committee the Clause can be moved and inserted if thought fit.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House whether, since the Adjournment, any members of the Cabinet have resigned, and whether any resignations have been accepted?

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has, to my great regret, resigned. The matter will be dealt with to-morrow.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if a decision has yet been reached as the time of valuation of the approved societies?

Since the date of my last statement on this subject the staff both of approved societies and of my Department has been still further depleted by enlistment, and it has become clear that it would not be justifiable under present conditions to press for the completion of the work incidental to valuation. Any long postponement would be unfortunate, as I am sure my hon. Friend will agree, and it has therefore been decided to make a beginning at the earliest date consistent with the fulfilment of more pressing national needs.