asked the Prime Minister (1) if he can give any information as to the intentions of the Government in connection with the proposal to close, or partially close, the national museums and picture galleries during the period of the War; if he can say whether the Government, or the different trustees concerned, intend to take any further steps to safeguard the irreplaceable treasures still exposed to the dangers of bombs or subsequent fire; if not, will he consider the advisability of removing at least the most valuable portions of our principal national collections to some place of safety beyond the general radius of enemy Zeppelin activity, as has been done in France and Italy; (2) whether the proposed closing or partially closing of the national galleries and museums has been recommended on the ground of safety or economy, or both; if the proposal to close them has been suggested on the ground of economy; if he can say what the estimated annual saving to the Treasury will be; if he will also say, if any of these galleries and museums are to be closed, whether the present directors, keepers, and members of the specially trained staffs will retain their present posts and salaries, or whether they will be asked to transfer their services to some other Government Department for the duration of the War; and (3) whether the London Mueum is shortly to be closed, in accordance with the unofficial notification which has been already circulated; whether it is the intention of the Government to close the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the British Museum; and, if so, whether he will consult with the trustees of the British Museum as to the possibility of permitting the reading room to remain open?

His Majesty's Government are of opinion that the following museums and galleries should be closed to the public:—

The British Museum (except the Reading Room).

The Natural History Museum, South Kensington.

The Science Museum, South Kensington (except to students).

The Geological Museum, Jermyn Street.

The Bethnal Green Museum.

The Tate Gallery.

The National Portrait Gallery (already closed).

The Wallace Collection.

The London Museum.

It is not intended to close the Reading Room at the British Museum, the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, or the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Apart from the greater security of the collections which may result, it is hoped to effect a substantial economy by closing these institutions, and to enable further members of their staffs to be freed for other occupations there will be a considerable saving on police services. The exact amount of the total saving cannot yet be stated, but it may be estimated at not less than £50,000 per annum. It is not proposed to alter the salaries of permanent members of the museum and gallery staffs, but such of them as can in the opinion of the various trustees be spared from their normal duties will be asked to transfer their services temporarily to other Government Departments, where there is a need of extra staff for work in connection with the War.

I am informed that the question what steps can and should be taken to safeguard the collections against damage from air raids has engaged and is engaging the constant attention of the trustees, in consultation with expert advisers.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inquire into the circumstances attendant on the examination at Falmouth of passengers and their luggage arriving by the Holland-America Line, so that the procedure may involve no affront or unnecessary delay to friendly neutrals?

I am inquiring into this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will ascertain and state the extent to which the teaching and study of German, French, and Irish, respectively, are subsidised out of public money, whether voted by Parliament or not, in each of the universities of Ireland, in each of their constituent colleges, and under the Intermediate Education Board?

The following information, which I owe to the courtesy of the universities and colleges concerned, is supplemental to that which I gave the hon. Member on this subject in reply to his question of the 30th June last with regard to the study of Irish and German. The National University of Ireland employs an extern examiner in French at a remuneration of £100 per annum. There are two studentships into which the subject of French enters, each of £200 a year, tenable for two years, and usually offered for competition every second year. At University College, Cork, the teaching of French is provided for by the Professorship of Romance Languages, with a salary of £450 a year. At University College, Dublin, there is a Professor of French with salary of £600, and provision is also made for an assistant. Irish, French, and German are on the same footing in respect of competition for scholarships and award of exhibitions in modern languages. In University College, Galway, the provision made for French is the same as that for German. Irish, French, and German are subsidised out of the money granted to the Queen's University of Belfast during the current financial year as follows:—

Irish, £291 (including salary of Lecturer, External Examiner's fees, and Grant to Department).

French, £758 (including salary of Professor, supplement to Professor, salary of assistant, External Examiner's fees, and Grant to Department).

German, £576 (including salary of Professor, supplement to Professor, External Examiner's fees, and Grant to Department).

The three languages are on precisely equal terms for students competing for scholarships and class prizes. The value of the composition prizes awarded in 1915 by the Intermediate Education Board was: in Irish, £105; in French, £111; and in German, £71.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men serving in the Territorial Force can be transferred or posted to the Regular Army and the New Army without their consent; whether men serving in the Regular Army and the New Army can be transferred or posted to the Territorial Force without their consent; and whether, under the Military Service Bill, men serving in the Territorial Army who have engaged for Home service only under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act can be sent abroad without their own consent and without any Amendment having first been made in the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, which limits their service to the United Kingdom?

Men belonging to the Territorial Force cannot be transferred to the Regular Army; they can, however, be attached for duty to Regular units. Men belonging to the Regular Army (which includes the New Armies) cannot be transferred to the Territorial Force; they can be posted or attached for duty to Territorial units of their own corps. The Military Service (No. 2) Bill gives no power to send abroad without their consent men belonging to the Territorial Force who have not undertaken the Imperial Service obligation. Those whom the Army Council do not "except" under the provisions of paragraph 2 of the First Schedule would have to receive their discharge from the Territorial Force before they became liable for foreign service under the Bill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the promise made by Lord Derby that men enlisting under the Derby scheme would be allowed to select the regiment in which they desired to serve, so far as there were vacancies available, still holds good; whether this promise would cover a desire to serve in the Army Veterinary Corps; whether he is aware that an advertisement recently appeared in the Press to the effect that 1,000 men used to horses were required for this corps; and whether he can say why leave to join this corps has recently been refused to men enlisting under the Derby scheme?

The promise made still holds good that a man attested under the group system who wishes to join for direct service before his group is called up will, as far as possible, be allowed to select the branch or regiment in which he wishes to serve, and that in the case of grouped men who are called up every endeavour will be made to allot them to whatver corps, regiment, or unit they wish to join, though no pledge can be given that their request will be gratified. No men of military age are now being accepted for service in the Army Veterinary Corps unless they are ineligible for enlistment in the Infantry; this was clearly stated in the recent advertisement calling for men for this corps. It follows that no man who is eligible for attestation under Lord Derby's scheme can be accepted for the Army Veterinary Corps.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether arrangements have now been made for the proper examination of recruits; and whether he is aware that the delay in so doing is involving employers and recruits in unnecessary difficulty owing to the uncertainty as to whether recruits will pass a thorough medical examination, including eyesight tests, or not?

The examination of recruits will be carried out as expeditiously as possible, but the number of doctors available is limited and the work must be done efficiently and not over-hurried.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether temporary lieutenants of the Royal Army Medical Corps and captains receive considerably higher pay than captains, Special Reserve, Royal Army Medical Corps, although in many cases the latter officers served before the War, whilst the former had no previous experience; whether there has been no promotion in the Special Reserve, Royal Army Medical Corps, since the War beyond the rank of captain, though there are now in this service 543 captains of the Special Reserve as against thirty-nine at the outbreak of war; and whether he can see his way to giving equal pay and opportunities for promotion to this branch of the Royal Army Medical Corps as are enjoyed by the other branches of the medical services, namely, Regulars, Territorials, and temporarily enlisted?

Captains, Royal Army Medical Corps Special Reserve, receive the same pay as captains, Royal Army Medical Corps, Regular Army. Their emoluments are nearly the same as those of temporary lieutenants or captains serving under civil contract. The large number of captains in the Special Reserve is due to recent promotions and can hardly be made a reason for further promotions. The senior captain in the Special Reserve has less service than the senior captain in the Regulars. It does not appear that officers of the Special Reserve are at a disadvantage.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War when the honours recommended by Sir Ian Hamilton for those who served in the Dardanelles Expedition will be published?

Shortly, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to relieve the twenty-one military officers under forty years of age who are employed at the Army Clothing Factory at Pimlico, and at the depots in London and Leeds, of their employment of a civil nature in order that they may undertake employment of a military nature?

No, Sir; these officers are performing military duties appertaining to the branch of the Service to which they belong or are attached.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any of the military officers employed at the Army Clothing Factory at Pimlico and at the depots in London and Leeds receive any, allowances, remuneration, or retired pay in addition to their salaries?

These officers receive, in addition to their pay, the allowances authorised by the Regulations. Retired officers also continue to draw retired pay in accordance with the provisions of the Royal Warrant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) with reference to the increase in the value of our imports less re-exports, whether he can, by comparison of 1915 with a normal year, give the index numbers and show how much of the increase is due to prices and how much is really returned to this, country through shipping freights, banking, and insurance; and (2) in view of the fact that our exports of British produce were of approximately equal values for the years 1909 and 1915 and for the months of December in each year, whether he can state, what were the index numbers for each year; and what would be the difference in values for the two years and the two months calculated at the values of 1909?

The amount of detail available with regard to the foreign trade of this country in 1915 is only sufficient to enable a very rough estimate to be made as to the difference in the average price level of net imports and of exports of British produce and manufactures in 1915 as compared with 1909.

On the information available, however, it would appear that the imports less re-exports which in 1915 were valued at 755,000,000 sterling, would at 1909 prices have been valued only at about 615,500,000 sterling, and that 139,500,000 of the recorded increase in total value was therefore due to increase in prices and only 82,000,000 properly attributable to increased volume of trade. Thus the volume of trade shows an increase of 15 per cent. and the average level of prices an increase of 23 per cent.

A similar estimate in regard to exports of British produce and manufactures indicates that these exports which in 1915 were valued at 384,500,000 sterling, would at 1909 prices have been valued at about 318,500,000, as compared with exports in 1909 valued at 378,250,000, and that the nominal increase in value of 6,500,000 sterling represents a decline in the volume of trade of 36 per cent., accompanied by an increase in the average price level of 21 per cent.

I do not consider that an attempt to frame similar estimates in respect of a single month would give results which could be relied on.

No sufficient materials are available for the purpose of an estimate of the total receipts of this country from abroad in respect of shipping freights, banking and Insurance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of steamers of over 1,500 tons owned at the present time by the United States, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Greece, and Spain, respectively; and the total tonnage in all owned by these neutral countries?

The following statement compiled from Lloyd's Register gives particulars of the steam tonnage owned in July last by the countries in question:—

asked the Secretary to Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to cases of damage having been done to corps last year in certain parts of Scotland by hand-reared pheasants; and whether, bearing in mind the importance of food production during the War, he will give the matter his careful consideration?

My attention has been directed to certain cases of this character, but I have no reason to suppose that they are other than exceptional. The

increased production of food is of the first importance, and the preservation of game should not be permitted to interfere with it. I hope and believe that those who have the control of estates will show themselves alive to this vital consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what reduction has taken place during the past ten years in the general staff of ordinary warders in the Irish prisons service; whether the clerical staff in the Prisons Board's office has been reduced proportionately; whether it is necessary to maintain a controller of industries and an assistant, with joint salaries of about £900 per year plus expenses, to control the very few at present carried on in our few remaining Irish prisons, or whether this work could be performed by one man; if he will say how many hours per day on an average the governor of Waterford Prison spends in the prison; how many miles distant he resides from the prison; who occupies his quarters in the prison; and whether it is in accordance with Rules 123

and 128 of the general rules that this officer resides away from the prison?

The general staff of ordinary warders in the Irish prisons service borne on the estimates ten years ago was 323, and that on the estimates for next year 316, showing a reduction of seven. In addition nine vacancies are being kept unfilled as well as places of thirty-five of the warders serving with the Army or Navy. The clerical staff in the Prisons Board's office has been more than proportionately reduced. The duties of the Controller of Prison Industries include the supervision of the stores supplied to the prisons and the work of dealing with the contracts for such supplies. While the number of prisoners has fallen, the victualling of prisoners, clothing of officers and prisoners, supply of fuel and light, and contracts generally have, owing to the state of the markets and war conditions, become subjects of increasing difficulty. The duties could not efficiently be discharged by one individual. The daily average number of hours actually spent by the governor of Waterford Prison within the prison walls for the past month works out slightly over three hours per day, including Sundays. His residence is situated about a mile from the prison. A part of the quarters at one time occupied by governors in this prison is now used for administrative purposes, and the chief warder occupies the remainder. Rules 123 and 128 do not necessarily require that the governor shall reside within the prison walls.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state the number of Catholic and Protestant girls, respectively, admitted in each of the last three years to the school of domestic economy at Kilmacud; and, if the numbers are not proportionate to the Catholic and Protestant inhabitants of the district and their requirements, will he explain the discrepancy?

The number of Catholic and Protestnt students admitted to the Irish Training School of Domestic Economy, Kilmacud, during the past three years were:—

1913—

Catholic students, 7—Protestant students, 5

1914—

Catholic students,2— Protestant students, 7

1915—

Catholic students,8— Protestant students, 5

Entrance to the school is by competitive examination, and the Department have no knowledge of the religious beliefs of successful applicants until they attend to take up residence in the school. It may be added that the school draws students from and serves the needs of the whole of Ireland, and not only of the district in which it is situated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department proposes to hold an inquiry into the causes leading up to the recent disaster on the Grand Canal, near Edenderry, King's County, which causes the prolonged suspension of traffic on the waterway to the Midlands and South of Ireland?

It is not proposed to hold an inquiry in this case. I have, however, communicated with the canal company in this matter and am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of their reply.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of a complaint made by certain parents of children at Riccarton Junction as regards the requirements of the school board of Newcastleton that they shall attend classes at Newcastleton; and what action he will take in the matter?

My attention has been called to the complaint referred to. I am advised that the school board have not exceeded their powers in making the temporary arrangement to which certain of the parents object, and I have therefore no authority to intervene.