asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the steamship "Heliopolis" was purchased by the Admiralty; what price was given for her; whether any use has hitherto been made of this vessel; what amount of money has been expended on her up to the present date; whether she is now sold; and, if not, when it is expected that she will be available for carrying freight?

The "Heliopolis" was purchased in February, 1913. It is not considered in the public interest to state at the present time what price was given for the vessel or what expenditure has been incurred on her since the date of purchase. The vessel was intended to be converted into a hospital ship, but progress on the work of conversion was delayed by more pressing work being required to be carried out at the dockyard to which the vessel in question was sent for conversion—work which, to a large extent, was not foreseen at the time the conversion was taken in hand. No use has been made of the vessel since she was purchased. The vessel has not yet been sold, but steps have been taken with a view to sale very shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is only one of many similar cases?

No. There is only "Heliopolis."

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a very large number of similar cases?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we have got 137 questions to dispose of?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the fishermen at St. Helens have been deprived of the whole of their livelihood by the Admiralty through not being allowed to use their drift nets in the area within the examination boat off St. Helens; if he is aware that these men, of which there are only five, are very old inhabitants of the Isle of Wight and very well known to everybody; if he is aware that their request to fish from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset has been refused; and if he can state any reason why these fishermen should be treated in this way?

I informed my hon. Friend on 7th January that, after full consideration, it has been found impossible to accede to the request of these fishermen. I regret the decision cannot be modified.

asked what is the total enrolment of officers and men in the Navy, respectively; what has been the enrolment since the beginning of the War; what is the total number of men who are engaged in the maintenance of the Navy, that is, as seamen and also as workmen in Works and stores for naval purposes; and how many men have offered themselves for naval service on ships of war since 1st August, 1914?

My hon. Friend asks for a number of detailed particulars the collection of all of which would involve some labour, and certain of which it would be quite impossible to furnish except in the most approximate fashion. The time at my disposal renders it out of the question for me to make any attempt to reply to his question now. But I will go into the matter and will communicate what I can to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements have been made between the French and German Governments under which wounded prisoners of war may be treated in Switzerland; and whether similar arrangements could be made to apply to British prisoners?

It is understood that the French and German Governments have arranged to send certain glasses of wounded and tuberculous prisoners of war to Switzerland. With regard to the second part of the question, I regret that no means have yet been found to overcome the difficulties which, as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Tavistock on the 22nd ultimo, then existed.

Will the Noble Lord make efforts to overcome those difficulties, seeing that it is so very desirable that the same advantage should be extended to our wounded?

I will convey my hon. Friend's observation to the Secretary of State for War, with whom the matter rests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that nurses in uniform travelling back and forward to France on war service have the same difficulties and the same inconveniences as the general public in getting passes from his Department and are not put on the same level as soldiers in these respects; that the same methods rule with all the Consulates that have to be consulted; and, if so, whether he will take any action to put these nurses in a privileged position so far as obtaining passes more speedily?

It does not rest with the Foreign Office to say who shall receive military passes. The hon. Member should make representations to the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that nurses in uniform passing back and forward to France are not granted the same privileges as soldiers, or any advantages over the general public, in having their passes examined; that this frequently subjects them to long waits sometimes exposed to the weather; and, if so, will he see that such nurses, being on war service, are put on the same level as soldiers in the way of journey privileges?

Nurses in the uniform of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, and others who travel with military warrants, embark and disembark from military gangways and are on the same footing as soldiers. Ladies temporarily employed as nurses with certain voluntary organisations who do not travel on military warrants or under military orders pass the examination of passports as all passengers do. The regulations which make this examination obligatory were drawn up toy the French and British military authorities, and are necessary in order to prevent impersonation.

Can the right, hon. Gentleman say how these nurses are to become entitled to these travelling privileges?

It depends upon whether they are engaged upon military duties in the strict sense of the word, or whether they are members of some voluntary agency.

asked whether sanction has been given for the transfer of the German ship "Purelight," of the Deutsche Americanische Petroleum Gesellschaft, to the American flag, and, if so, was the Admiralty consulted on the subject; whether this transfer is a fresh concession to the American Standard Oil Company, and additional to twenty-two German ships already taken over as well as four others for their Dutch branch; whether guarantees have been given that the ships will not be employed either directly or indirectly in trading with enemy countries; and whether any conditions were exacted in all these cases concerning the non payment of any money to Germany?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The consent of His Majesty's Government to recognise the transfer of the "Purelight" was given as part of an agreement with the Standard Oil Company by which the latter accepted certain restrictions upon their importation of lubricants and paraffin wax to certain countries. The United States Government have been officially informed that the neutral character of the various vessels now in the registered ownership of the company and transferred from the enemy flag since the outbreak of war will only be recognised by His Majesty's Government so long as they are not used directly or indirectly in trading with the enemy countries. Except in the case of the "Purelight," which was owned by a company of which 25 per cent. of the capital is said to be held in Germany, the various vessels have been certified by the United States Government as having been before the War in the beneficial, actual and entire ownership of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, to whom the money was paid.

asked whether the cargo of the American ship "Kim" was condemned by the Prize Court; whether the cargo or its equivalent in money is to be returned to the original owners in Chicago; and, if so, is the prize money that would have accrued to be lost to the officers and men of the Royal Navy?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The bulk of the cargo of the American steamship "Kim" was condemned as Prize on the 16th September, 1915. The owners of the cargo condemned have appealed to the Privy Council and the appeal has not yet been heard. No agreement has been made for the return of the condemned cargo or its equivalent in money to the original owners, and the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had any information as to the whereabouts and safety of the British Minister and his staff in Montenegro?

His Majesty's Minister at Cettinje, who at the time of the recent occurrences in Montenegro was without any staff, has now reached Italy, and arrived in Rome on the 22nd instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether, in order to avoid the hardship and inconvenience caused by the present system of having the letters of Nationalists in Cork censored elsewhere, causing a delay of several days, he will arrange to have them censored in Cork and delivered, together with their enclosures, with not more than one day's delay; if for any reason this cannot be done, whether he will have business enclosures, such as cheques and postal orders, delivered without any delay; and whether, in the case of the censored letters so far delivered without the orders for money which they had contained, he will have those enclosures delivered to their owners immediately?

I am afraid that I cannot admit that the Nationalists in Cork, even if it were possible to distinguish by their contents letters emanating from that section of the population of Cork, have any claim to have their correspondence treated differently from other persons in Cork who are not Nationalists. If this were done it would increase rather than diminish the delay in delivery. All letters, including business letters and letters containing securities, are dealt with as quickly as possible. I hope the hon. Gentleman does not impute dishonesty in the last part of the question. If there is any question of this kind the matter should be brought to the test by submission of specific instances of alleged removal of money orders or postal orders for investigation in the first instance by the Post Office authorities.

The right hon. Gentleman has not said why the letters are not censored in Cork to avoid the delay?

It is impossible to treat these letters differently from others.

asked whether it was with the approval of the competent military authority that Mr. David Moriarty, Crown prosecutor for Kerry, asserted, for the purposes of his case against Edward J. Gleeson, at Listowel, that France had exhausted its last reserves in the War; the County Court judge having described that assertion as a serious offence, what action will be taken with reference to it; and whether the sentence of four months' imprisonment obtained against Gleeson by such means will be enforced?

The accused in this case was dealt with by a civil tribunal and I am informed that there was nothing in the remarks of the Crown solicitor to which exception was or could seriously be taken. It is not for me to interfere with the sentence.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the observations of the County Court judge in this case? Why has not that observation been acted on?

The observation, I understand, was made in the form of a judicial jest.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has had a sight of a letter sent to the Member for Mansfield by Messrs. Cooke and Byrne, of Dublin, dated July, 1915, in which Mr. Byrne states that his firm are devoting their attention exclusively to munitions of war and Army contract sup plies, and that the senior partner in the firm, Captain Leonard Cooke, was with the Forces at the front; whether he is aware that a number of Army officers in Ireland have become associated with Mr. Byrne; will he at once direct these officers to withdraw from the partnership seeing that Mr. Byrne is an ex convict who has served a number of terms of imprisonment, and was described by the Recorder, when he sentenced him at the Old Bailey to five years' penal servitude in 1907, as being an habitual criminal; and has Mr. Byrne or his firm, Messrs Cooke and Byrne, received any contracts for munitions of war or Army contract supplies, either in this country or in Ireland?

I have seen a copy of the letter referred to. I have no knowledge as to the association of Army officers in Ireland with Mr. Byrne. No orders have been placed by the War Office either with Mr. Byrne or with Messrs. Cooke and Byrne. As regards munitions of war, I must refer the hon. Member to the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Mr. J. T. Byrne, acting on behalf of Messrs. Markham, Nelson, and Company, alias A. C. C. Schultz, senior, on 19th October, 1915, received from the Army Contract Department a verbal order for 162,000 blankets at 8s. 5d. per blanket; whether Mr. G. W. Jameson and another witness were present when the said verbal order was given; whether Mr. Byrne subsequently went to Woolwich to see these blankets tested, and were the sample blankets approved; did the War Office send any telegrams or letters to Mr. J. T. Byrne asking him to come to London from Dublin in connection with this business; was this verbal order not confirmed owing to the War Office discovering that certain commissions had been arranged between the parties; and whether he is aware that the said blankets, offered to the War Office at 8s. 5d. through the agency of Messrs. Markham, Nelson, and Company, were on offer to this firm through the representative of Messrs. Joseph Hoyle and Sons at 7s. 6d. per blanket?

No order, verbal or otherwise, for blankets was given to Mr. J. T. Byrne on 19th October, 1915, or at any other time. A sample blanket submitted at Woolwich on 12th October, 1915, was reported as suitable, and Mr. Byrne was asked, by telegram addressed to his firm's London office, to call on the War Office Contracts Department in order that it might be ascertained whether they were manufacturers. Mr. Byrne called accordingly on 19th October, accompanied by a gentleman who was understood to be Mr. Jameson. On a subsequent occasion he was accompanied by another gentleman also. Mr. Byrne purported to be acting on behalf of Messrs. Cooke and Byrne, and not on behalf of Messrs. Markham, Nelson, and Company. It transpired that the former firm were not manufacturers, and it was therefore decided not to place an order with them. I have no information as to the terms on which these blankets were offered by the manufacturers to Messrs. Markham, Nelson, and Company, or any other firm.

Is the Markham referred to in the question anything to the hon. Member for Mansfield?

No, Sir.

asked whether arrangements will be made for the pay of the men in France in denominations of lower value than five franc notes, as, owing to the difficulty of getting small change, especially at the bases, men have to accept less change in silver than they are entitled to or to accept local notes of small denominations which are only current in a particular town or small area and not universally in France?

I am inquiring into the matter, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the rapid promotion in temporary rank conferred on many officers of the New Armies who have in many cases only a few months' service, it is now proposed to reconsider the position as regards promotion of ex-Regular officers who were on the reserve of officers and have been recalled to their old corps, and have not the same opportunities of promotion as officers of the New Army; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a system on the lines of the Indian system whereby officers who have completed a certain number of years' service are given a step in rank either temporary or permanent?

This matter has received very full consideration, and I regret that I cannot hold out hopes that the decisions arrived at will be reconsidered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any arrangements are to be made for more detention barracks to be made available, as, owing to the limited number of such barracks, inconvenience is caused?

Arrangements have been made to open other detention barracks to meet necessary requirements this and next month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that under existing regulations in military hospitals certain medical appliances, including those of trifling cost, have to be ordered from Woolwich, entailing a delay often of several weeks; and will he consider the advisability of permitting the authorities to purchase these appliances locally, if possible, at reasonable prices, and so benefit the patient and reduce the period during which he has to be detained in hospital?

There are no regulations in military hospitals directing that medical appliances are to be ordered only from Woolwich. The regulations already provide for local purchases under specially urgent circumstances not admitting of delay, but as these local purchases are a more expensive method of meeting requirements than obtaining what is wanted from War Office contractors they are restricted to cases of urgent necessity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Sir Anthony Bowlby and Sir John Rose Bradford occupy places on the Advisory Board for Army Medical Services reserved for civilians, the essence of such reservation being to check the opinion and action of the officers of the Army Medical Service, or are they themselves, as their uniform, pay, and duties indicate, officers in the Army Medical Service; and whether, in this case, it is competent for them to control the action of senior officers in the Army Medical Service?

The Advisory Board exercises no control, but advises the Director-General of the Army Medical Services. The value of the opinions of the individual members of the Advisory Board is in no way affected by the military positions they occupy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all combatant officers in the Army who were drawing a pension before the War are now drawing the full pay of their rank in addition to their full pension, or whether it is only officers in the Royal Army Medical Corps who are receiving full pay of rank as well as full pension?

The same rule applies to combatant officers and officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is any arrangement made by his Department regarding repayment of railway fares of parents in visiting wounded soldiers in hospital; if so, will he say to whom application for such should be made?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 28th June last to the hon. Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool. I will send him a copy of this answer. In the case of relatives entitled to free travelling, any application for repayment of railway fares should be made to the medical officer in charge of the hospital concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of British soldiers who have been shot for desertion or other military offences since the beginning of the War?

No British soldier has been shot in the United Kingdom since the beginning of the War. It is not in the public interest to give statistics of the numbers who have suffered the death penalty in the forces overseas, but I will ask my hon. Friend to be good enough not to believe that the number has been considerable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will say what is the reason for the delay which has taken place in the erection of the huts at the military camp on Wimbledon Common; whether the camp was intended to house men during this winter from camps which were situate on heavy land; and whether he is aware that progress has been so dilatory that it seems now as if the camp will not be ready before the time arrives suitable for living under canvas again?

The reasons for the delay may be stated shortly—firstly, shortage of transport; secondly, shortage of labour; thirdly, congestion of railways; fourthly, bad weather at a time when most of the work to be done was out of doors. The latter may be regarded as an act of God, and the three former causes of delay as due to the fact that this country is at war and that business is not as usual. As regards the second part of the question, it was certainly hoped that the huts at Wimbledon would accommodate a brigade during the winter.

If the necessary amount of work had been done in August and September, when the weather was fine, would not the huts have been completed?

I cannot answer that question The hon. Gentleman must give me notice, and I will furnish the information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will give the names of any senior officers of the Special Reserve who have received official recognition in the honours list or in any other way of the services rendered by them?

No, Sir. I do not think it is right to specify in answers in this House the names of officers who have or have not received rewards. If the hon. Member will consult the Overseas Honours Lists he will find the names of many such officers. If he is referring to commanding officers at home he is right in supposing that no honours have been awarded to them. This course has been taken advisedly, as it is not considered the time has yet come for these officers to be rewarded.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government are prepared to appoint at once a number of small committees to undertake, for the leading industries of the country, inquiries similar to those recently made by the special sub-committee of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence of the Board of Trade, and to appoint upon the Report of such committees a Royal Commission, representative of various schools of fiscal opinion and of the leading Oversea Dominions and India, to make recommendations as to the commercial policy of this country consequent upon the War?

I propose to arrange for inquiries, similar to that to which my right hon. Friend refers, to be undertaken shortly into a number of groups of industries; but I am not at present in a position to state what subsequent action will be taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman defer this matter until the meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce on the 29th February, at which this subject will be considered?

Of course, I value very highly any view expressed by the Associated Chambers of Commerce, but there are matters which cannot wait.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in considering the proposal to increase old age pensions on account of the increased cost of living, he will bear in mind the fact that the need for the increase is greater in Ireland, where the diffusion of money for war purposes is negligible compared with what it is in this country?

asked if the Prime Minister has yet considered the case for the raising of the old age pension by an amount approximating to the increase in the cost of living during the War; and if he has regard to the fact that the cost of an increased pension would be largely set off by the present increased cost of pauperism by pensioners being forced into the workhouse, and to the further fact that such cost per year would not, in any case, much exceed the cost of the War for one day?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these questions. The matter is at present being discussed by the Departments concerned, which will give due regard to the considerations urged in the questions.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the shortage of shipping space and the direct influence of imports on exchange, and the necessity for national and personal economies, whether he has considered the need for prohibiting or allowing importations only under licence of all goods and products which are not necessary for the War or for the maintenance of health and efficiency; and whether he can make a statement as to the Government policy and course of action in these matters?

The method by which unnecessary imports can best be excluded is now being considered, and a statement will be made on the subject as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Army flour damaged in Dublin and sold at a loss was of Irish growth or manufacture; why it was purchased elsewhere without inviting tenders from Irish millers on the list of Army contractors; and to what extent contracts for flour have been placed with Irish firms since that occurrence?

The flour was not of Irish growth or manufacture. Part of it was bought in January, 1915, for delivery to Liverpool, and transferred to Dublin in April, 1915. The balance was bought in May for delivery to Dublin, and one Irish firm was invited to tender, but was not successful. A complete list of Irish firms is now invited to tender as occasions arise, and three Irish firms have recently secured contracts for flour for Dublin.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there were several Irish firms capable of supplying all that was required, and will he inform the House whether the purchase from those firms would have meant greater loss than the purchase of rotten flour from foreign firms?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the quantity of flour described as intended for the Army but damaged, therefore sold by auction in Liverpool and Manchester last year; and, if the loss fell upon public funds, will he state the amount of loss, the source of the flour, and the cause to which the damage was due?

The quantity was about 71,000 bags. It formed part of a national reserve, the bulk of which the Army eventually took over. The loss, which has not been completely ascertained, will be duly reported to the Treasury. The flour was British, and its deterioration was due to long storage.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what the cost of the huts erected for the Army Pay Office at Warwick amounted to, and why this expenditure was incurred when buildings were available and had been hired temporarily for the purpose at a comparatively small rental?

The amount authorised for this service was £6,300. When the Pay Office requirements were small it was possible to accommodate the officers and clerks in hired buildings, but since the great expansion of the office at Warwick the available houses would no longer hold them, and it became necessary to put up a building which would take all the clerks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will now consider the advisability of doing away with the whole of the minimum prices of securities dealt in on the Stock Exchange, seeing that losses are sustained by the owners of such securities when they are forced, owing to the action of the Treasury, to realise through private negotiation instead of in the open market?

The question of minimum prices has been receiving my close attention, and I hope to be able to announce a decision very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has seen a correspondence between an investor in Edinburgh and the Bank of England, which shows that Edinburgh money invested in Exchequer Bonds on the 23rd December, 1915, was treated by the Bank of England as having been received in London on 5th January, 1916, with the result that the investor was deprived of interest for about a fortnight; whether the arrangements so resulting are beyond the control of the Government; whether the Government accepts any responsibility for the action of the Bank of England in its capacity of Government bankers and, if so, to whom questions concerning its action should be addressed; and whether he will explain who retained the benefit of the fortnight's interest lost by the investor in question?

The hon. Member has sent me a copy of the correspondence to which he refers, in which it is explained that a large part of the period which elapsed between the dispatch of a letter from Edinburgh on the 23rd December and the realisation of the cheque on the 5th January was due to postal delays incident to the Christmas season and to the intervention of two Bank holidays, two Sundays, and Christmas Day. As regards the last part of the question, the interest upon the money presumably accrued either to the investor or his bankers up to the date on which the cheque was presented to his bank for payment, and thereafter to the agent for the Bank of England on whom the expense of remitting the proceeds to London fell. I would point out that the Bank of England earned no interest on the money during the period, and that the Exchequer, which requires the money in London, cannot be expected to pay interest upon it till it reaches London or to bear the cost of remittance to London Questions regarding the Bank of England's action as Government banker should be addressed to the Treasury, which is responsible for the working of the statutory arrangements under which the Bank of England acts as Government banker.

Is the Edinburgh man entitled to compensation from another Government Department which deprived him of the opportunity of receiving the interest?

No, Sir.

Why not?

Because he is not.

Why is he not?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that applications made direct from Scotland on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th December to the Bank of England for Exchequer Bonds are only being credited for interest from 4th January, thus showing a loss of about twelve days interest; whether he is aware that this militates against the success of Exchequer Bonds in that part of the country; and whether, in view of that, he will choose some bank or banks in Scotland which will act for the Government there in the same way as he has recently chosen the Bank of Ireland to deal with Irish investors?

In regard to the first part of the question, the answer which I have just given to Question No. 69, put by the hon. Member for Leith, applies generally to investments in Exchequer Bonds made through the post during the Christmas season. In reply to the last part of the question, I understand that special arrangements have in fact been made between the Bank of England and the Scottish banks under which those banks receive applications from the public and forward them to the Bank of England with drafts payable in London without charge, thus performing an exactly similar service in this respect as that arranged for with the Bank of Ireland and enabling the Scottish investor to obtain Exchequer Bonds carrying interest from the date on which the money is realised in London exactly in the same way as the Irish investor does. I have no reason to think that Scotish investors have been deterred from investing in Exchequer Bonds by the fact that, in common with investors in all parts of the United Kingdom, they are not given Bonds bearing interest from a date prior to that upon which their money reaches the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in framing his new financial proposals, he will consider the advisability of applying the principle of the Excess Profits Tax to all persons whose incomes are above the pre war standard?

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion. For the rest, I am unable to anticipate the next financial statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain why the services of ten Germans are still indispensable for the carrying on of the Deutsche Bank; and whether he is satisfied that, after seventeen months of settling up, there are still no British subjects equal to satisfactorily undertaking this work?

I understand that the services of the ten Germans, owing to their detailed knowledge of the affairs of the bank, were considered indispensable to the work of assisting in discharging the pre-War liabilities of the London agency of the Deutsche Bank to creditors other than enemy creditors. I do not think that it would be desirable to take British subjects away from more useful work for the very temporary employment which could now be offered to them in the concluding stages of the work of discharging the bank's remaining liabilities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what will happen to the English employés of the Deutsche Bank?

If the right hon. Gentleman will give me notice I will inquire. I have no personal knowledge of the matter.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentlman thinks it safe to leave those ten Germans uncontrolled in London for the sake of settling a few liabilities?

It appears to have been safe for the last seventeen months. [An HON. MEMBER: "How do you know?"] So far as I am aware. I have no personal knowledge of the matter, and if the hon. Member desires further information I shall be very glad to make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the names and ad dresses of the ten German managers and heads of departments of the Deutsche Bank in London whose services are indispensable; and will he say if these Ger mans are at large in London at all times of the day and night, or are they con ducted to and from their work from internment camps?

I do not think any public advantage would be secured by giving the names and addresses of the persons in question. They are not interned, but are living subject to the restrictions of the Aliens Restriction Order, and are required to be at their registered addresses after nine o'clock at night.

Will the light hon. Gentleman say whether any English bank is being carried on in Berlin?

No, Sir.

asked whether the Deutsche Bank, which is still being carried on in London, is a branch of the same institution which was implicated recently in the American smuggling conspiracies and of financing ships for the destruction of British commerce in the earlier stages of the War?

The London agency of the Deutsche Bank, Berlin, was before the War a branch of the Deutsche Bank, Berlin. Since the War began, as the hon. Member knows, the London agency has been kept open solely for the purpose of discharging its pre-war liabilities to British, allied, and neutral creditors.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, whether it is a branch of the same institution which was implicated recently in the American smuggling conspiracies?

I have no knowledge of the facts, but if it was the Deutsche Bank, Berlin, it would be the same institution; if it was not, it would not.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest there are two Deutsche Banks?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the impression that the discount on Treasury Bills is not subject to Income Tax, whether he will make a statement in reference thereto?

Where Treasury Bills are taken up by banks, financial houses, etc., the profits would be included in the computation of the trade profits of those houses. Where such bills are taken up by a private person, the profits are regarded as a discount and as such are liable to Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what is the practice of his Department under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, Section 69, as amended by the Finance Act, 1914, where an allowance is given to an owner of land or houses where the cost of maintenance, repairs, insurance and management, on the average of the last five years, exceeds a certain percentage, in the case where the owner has not owned the house or land for as long as five years and cannot therefore give such average; and, if he is thereby deprived of this advantage, will this be rectified in the next Finance Act?

Where the owner has not owned the property for five years prior to the year of claim, and cannot give particulars of the expenditure for the period previous to his becoming owner, the claim may be based on the average annual expenditure during the period of ownership.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the expense incurred by his Department and others in Scotland from the practice of the former in having all disputes, however trifling the sum at stake may be, tried and determined by the Court of Session as the Court of Exchequer in Scotland; is he aware that the expenses sometimes amount to 300 to 400 times the sum involved in dispute; is he aware that the Sheriff Small Debt Courts in Scotland, decide thousands of cases annually at an average cost of 10s. a side; and can he make some arrangement whereby in order to save expenses in these times of war, he will insist on his Department remitting all revenue disputes to the Sheriff Courts instead of to the Court of Session?

The suggestion of my hon. Friend appears to be founded on a misapprehension. Where the duty at stake is small the Inland Revenue Department only appeal from an adverse decision of the District Commissioners if an important question of principle is involved, and" in such case recourse to a higher tribunal than the Sheriff Small Debt Courts is desirable and, indeed, economical in the end, the authoritative character of the pronouncements obtained preventing a multiplicity of appeals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of instituting a system of consular invoice certificates to be issued by British consuls abroad for all goods forwarded to Great Britain from other countries, as is done by foreign consuls in Great Britain in the case of goods forwarded from this country to their respective countries, and for such consular certificates to have affixed to them consular stamps on the same scale as is levied on goods coming to Great Britain by the country concerned?.

Consular invoices for goods exported from the United Kingdom are at present required only by the United States of America, and certain of the Central and South American Republics. The suggestion made by the hon. Gentleman will be borne in mind, but as at present advised I am not disposed to recommend its adoption, in view of the considerable additional burden it would impose upon His Majesty's consular officers.

When we are so taxed at home why refuse to accept an extra five million pounds which could be so easily brought in from abroad?

It would be very welcome to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but other considerations have to be taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sanction of the Treasury Committee on New Issues refused some months ago to the amalgamation of Barclay and Company, Limited, and the United Counties Bank has now been granted; and whether he will state, for the guidance of other applicants, upon what principle a sanction previously refused has now been given?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the question by the hon. Member for Colchester, on the 11th November last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Registrar of Public Companies has refused to register new companies or new issues of capital in existing companies unless the sanction of the Treasury Committee on New Issues has been obtained; whether, as such refusal has no legal authority, his action is based upon instructions from the Treasury Committee or other Government body; and, if so, whether such body will countermand such instructions and order the registrar to obey the law?

The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies has not refused to register any new issue of capital in an existing company. With regard to the registration of new companies in a few cases where the papers presented to him in connection with a proposed company showed that the signatories to the Memorandum of Association had subscribed for a substantial amount of capital and the sanction of the Treasury Committee on New Issues had not been obtained, the Registrar has, in agreement with the Board of Trade, declined to register the company until the subscriptions had been reduced to a nominal amount. I do not think it is expedient to make any alteration in the present practice.

asked whether His Majesty's Government proposes to organise a house-to-house canvass for the purpose of impressing the need for economy and for collecting small sums as subscriptions to the War Loans?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would await the Report of the Committee on War Loans for the Small Investor, which I hope to be in a position to publish before the end of the week.

asked whether, in view of the fact that rates levied by local bodies have not undergone a general or a sufficient reduction in order to counterbalance as far as may be the increases effected in taxation, and of the fact that urgent need for exemplary economy exists, His Majesty's Government proposes to take power to investigate and veto local expenditure during the War?

I do not think that we have reached a position which calls for the drastic action which my hon. Friend indicates, and I sincerely hope that such a position may not be reached.

asked whether contractors to the War Office and the Admiralty, who have contracted to supply jams and marmalade for delivery up to July next, will be paid at prices varying with the prices fixed for sugar from time to time by the Government Sugar Commission; and, in particular, whether allowance will be made to them in respect of the advance of 2s. 6d. per hundredweight announced on the 24th January?

This is a matter for the consideration, in the first instance, of the War Office and Admiralty. I have no knowledge of the terms of the jam contracts made by these Departments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is able to make his promised statement re increased home production of pit-wood?

The statement which I anticipated being able to make was with regard to the setting up of a Committee to purchase and convert standing timber, to supply such timber to Government Departments, and generally to make arrangements for the further utilisation of native timber resources. This Committee has now been at work for some weeks, and is actively engaged in producing pit wood as well as other descriptions of timber which are of national importance. A statement as to the present position with regard to pit props would exceed the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question, but I should be glad if I might discuss it personally with my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that building societies are threatening to call up loans from their customers unless they agree to pay ½ per cent. additional interest upon the same; and will he take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent the securities of such customers being realised during the War?

I have received a few representations of the kind referred to, but I cannot undertake to propose further legislation on the subject at the present time. I may, however, refer to the protection afforded by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the desirability of his Department taking measures to prevent the import of luxuries in order to provide tonnage for necessities and tend to the lowering of freights?

The method by which unnecessary imports can best be excluded is being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is able to enforce the recommendation of the Coal Mining Departmental Committee compelling ships to trade between home and foreign ports in the interests of the coal industry?

I cannot add to the answer to a similar question put by the hon. Member for West Monmouthshire on 17th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the interned steamers which were being used to bring coal from the North to the Thames are still being so used; and whether he is aware that there is still a great shortage of coal in these districts, and can any further facilities be given in order to in crease the supply?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. If my hon. Friend will give me some further particulars as to the districts he has in mind I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to a resolution adopted at a conference held at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Thursday, declaring that the exorbitant prices charged for coal in Ireland were due to the high shipping freights; and if he in tends to take action to limit or control these freights?

I have received a copy of the resolution adopted at a conference at the Mansion House, Dublin, concerning the cost of coal. The present high freight rates on coal to Ireland are due to the general shortage of tonnage, and I can add nothing to what I have already said on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will state the twenty commodities of which during 1915 the largest amount in value was imported into the United Kingdom; and (2) if he will state in order the twenty commodities, other than those required for essential home industries, of which the largest amount in value was imported from abroad into the United Kingdom in 1915?

I am not sure what my hon. Friend would regard as a separate "commodity." I am, however, sending to him a copy of the Monthly Trade Accounts for December last, which contain full details of the import trade of the United Kingdom in 1914 and 1915, and he will thus be in a position to make his own selection.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total values of imports into the United Kingdom in 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915, respectively?

The total value of imports into the United Kingdom in the years specified were as follows:—

Does that include the importation of munitions and military material by the Government for the purposes of the War?

We do not include in the trade returns the importation of munitions for either the War Office or the Admiralty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the value of food and beverages, respectively, imported into the United Kingdom in 1915 and 1916, respectively?

I presume my hon. Friend desires figures for 1914 and 1915. The total value of the imports of food was £283,600,000 in 1914 and £367,300,000 in 1915; and of the imports of beverages £5,900,000 in 1914 and £6,000,000 in 1915.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has given attention to the number of canal boats which are laid up for want of crews; and whether he is taking any steps, by conference or otherwise, with canal boat owners and others concerned to supply the men necessary, with a view to relieving the general congestion of traffic?

This question has been receiving the consideration of the Reserved Occupations Committee, and I understand they are formulating a proposal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mr. A. J. Jackson and Mr. T. W. Gimbert at the outbreak of war were employed by A. Schultz and Company, Limited, now A. Markham and Company; were either of these persons employed and, if so, when by his Department on a recommendation signed by A. Markham, of 165, Fenchurch Street or, if not, on whose recommendation were they employed; whether he is aware that Mr. A. J. Jackson, at the present time employed by his Department, visits the office of A. Markham and Company on Saturday afternoons, has letters addressed to this office, and communicates from the Board of Trade over the telephone with Mr. A. Markham; whether the services of Mr. T. M. Gimbert were dispensed with following a question raised in this House relating to A. Markham, late A. Schultz, junior; whether this gentleman, though employed at the Board of Trade by night, was at the same time in the employment of A. Markham and Company; whether Mr. B. M. Watt, a former secretary of A. Schultz, senior, is now employed as secretary to a member of the War Trade Department at India Office, Kingsway; whether he is aware that certain copies of the requirements of the Italian and French Governments for war stores passing through his Department are or were till recently in the possession of A. Markham and Company; and will he ascertain who took these documents from the Board of Trade to A. Markham and Company?

Mr. Jackson and Mr. Gimbert were engaged by the Board of Trade after the beginning of the War as temporary shorthand typists for evening work only. I understand that at the date of their appointment they were employed by Messrs. A. Markham and Company, They were not, however, engaged on the recommendation of the firm in question, but on the ground that they had both been employed on temporary work by the Board of Trade some time prior to the outbreak of the War. Mr. Jackson in particular had been known to members of the Department in connection with exhibition work for some years, and possessed high testimonials, He was subsequently appointed to work involving full time attend- ance, but I understand that before his appointment to full time work he had left the employment of Messrs. A. Markham and Company. I am not aware that Mr. Jackson has had any communications, either personally or by telephone, with the firm since his appointment to full time work, which requires and has received his constant attention from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and frequently later, daily, including Saturdays. Mr. Gimbert was not dismissed as a result of my hon. Friend's previous question in this House, of which the officer who appointed him was not cognisant at the time, but because he was found unsuitable for the work he was called upon to perform. I am not aware that any documents relating to Allied Government requirements have come into the possession of Messrs. A. Markham and Company, and I should be grateful to my hon. Friend for any further information he can give me on this subject in order that the fullest inquiries may be made. As regards Mr. D. M. Watt, who is not employed by my Department, I understand that he is private secretary to the Secretary of the War Trade Department, Central Buildings, Westminster, and that he was secretary to Mr. Schultz, senior, for about a year until September, 1913. I further understand that Mr. Watt has not seen Mr. Schultz or his son since January, 1914, nor had any communication with either of them since that date.

Is this Mr. Watt any relation of the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow?

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the hon. Baronet the Member for the Mansfield Division (Sir A. Markham) is greatly annoyed by these Germans masquerading in his name and causing him all kinds of trouble by continually representing to Government Departments and others that they are acting for him?

I heard the hon. Baronet say something to that effect in the House of Commons some time ago. I am sure we should all deeply regret any misuse of his name, particularly in view of the illness from which he is now suffering.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that nearly 90 per cent. of the capital of the firm of Murrle., Bennett, and Company, Limited, of 13, Charterhouse Street, E.G., and representing a sum of £45,670, is held by enemy aliens; and will he say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware that £45,670 representing nearly 90 per cent. of the capital of Murrle, Bennett, and Co., Ltd., of 13, Charterhouse Street, E.G., is, as stated by the hon. and gallant Gentleman, held by persons of enemy nationality. In March, 1915, the Board of Trade appointed a supervisor of the business of the company, and the case is one which will require consideration under the provisions of the Bill which was passed by the House yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the Artistic Novelties, Limited, carrying on business at 13, Charterhouse Street, E.G.; whether the shares of this concern are held by E. Murrle, an interned alien enemy, E. Saache, an alien enemy resident in Germany, and C. F. Hirth, a registered alien enemy not interned; if he can say why the latter gentleman escaped internment; and if he has, in consequence, been hitherto able to carry on the business of the firm in this country?

The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to Artistic Novelties, Limited, of 13, Charterhouse Street, E.C. The shares of this company are held as stated by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I am not aware on what grounds C. F. Hirth has been exempted from internment, but I am informed that he has a son who is serving in the British Army. In March, 1915, the Board of Trade appointed a person to supervise the business of the company, and this is another case in which the application of the additional powers confered upon the Board of Trade will have to be considered.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the national importance of their work in connection with naval and merchant ships, he will consider the desirability of granting war service badges, or some other form of official recognition, to superintendents and masters of the docks, wharves, and basins in the different seaports in the United Kingdom?

The importance of this work has already been emphasised by its inclusion in the list of Reserved Occupations. My right hon. Friend is not prepared, as at present advised, to authorise the general issue of war service badges in such cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the issue to the special cases referred to in the question?

It is the practice in such cases to take the view of the Admiralty?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the arrangements for the creation of a bonded warehouse by His Majesty's Board of Customs, fitted with apparatus whereby films in bond can be screened for examination, has been completed; and, if not, when it will be?

As I informed the right hon. Gentleman during the Debate on the 6th December last, the provision of bonded warehouses is a matter for the trade; so far, the trade has only provided a warehouse for raw film. It is not proposed to allow the screening of film in bond.

Was not an undertaking given that these facilities should be afforded?

No, there was an undertaking that facilities for examination should be afforded, but nobody gave an undertaking that screening, which is an exhibition for trade purposes and during which duplication by photography would be quite possible, should be included.

asked whether any delivery has been made to consignees of parcels containing films which were detained gy the Customs at the Parcels Post Office on the 29th September last; whether the consignees have complied with every Customs House requirement; what is the number of persons who have been engaged to deal with this matter; and what is the approximate cost of the Customs examination?

There are no films under detention at the Parcel Post Depot which arrived on 29th September, but some which arrived in October are awaiting production by the importer of satisfactory evidence in Support of his claim for their free admission as returned goods. The examination of films at the Parcel Post Depot forms only a small part of the duties of the staff there, and it is not practicable to give separately the number of the staff engaged and the cost of examination.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether His Majesty's Board of Customs have intimated that no drawback can be allowed on imported films which have been examined by screening before re-exportation; and whether, in view of his undertaking, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The Board of Customs and Excise are advised that the screening of cinematograph film is use which would disqualify for drawback under Section 13(1) of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increasing congestion in the docks of London and other British ports with consequent delay to shipping; whether this congestion is due to mismanagement by the railway, dock, or other authorities, or to shortage of labour, both clerical and manual; whether he is aware that many thousands of men in this country are retained in the Army on full pay and rations who are quite unfit for military service but could with advantage to the country and themselves be utilised in transport work; and whether he will take steps to obtain the discharge of these unfit men from the Army?

I am only too well aware of the congestion at some of our principal ports, and of the serious consequences. Every effort is being made to reduce it. I am inclined to the view that shortage of labour is the chief contributory cause, and I understand that the Port and Transit Executive Committee is in consultation with the War Office as to means by which this difficulty can be overcome.

As regards the latter part of the question, I may refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Shipley Division on the 4th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his investigations have shown that high rates of freight throughout the world are due to shortage of ships and that the only real universal remedy is a greater supply of tonnage for commercial purposes; whether he will state the number of vessels and their total gross registered tonnage in which the insulated spaces for meat have been requisitioned by the Board of Trade; and whether, in addition to these steamers, he has information which shows that the Admiralty have requisitioned and otherwise engaged a great percentage of British shipping which, together with the British shipping engaged by our Allies for the conveyance of military stores, material, and animals, represents over 50 per cent. of the total number of British ships?

The main cause of the high freights is shortage of tonnage, and the shortage of tonnage is in great measure due to the large number of ships which are employed by the Allied Governments for war purposes. The exact total number of British ships so employed I am afraid I cannot give at the present moment, but the number is a very large one. The number of ships in which insulated space has been requisitioned by the Board of Trade for the carriage of meat is 152, with a gross tonnage of 1,219,186. I am afraid there is no one universal remedy, but I explained to the House last week some of the measures we are now taking. We will continue to do all that lies in our power to relieve the situation.

What about the latter part of the question; is it 50 per cent.?

I am afraid I cannot add to the information in regard to the Admiralty employment of vessels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he has in formation supplied to him by British ship owners of many instances of the wasteful and extravagant use of their vessels re quisitioned by the Admiralty for military purposes; and whether he has communicated with the Admiralty and the War Office on these cases with a view to the more economical use of requisitioned steamers and their speedy release for commercial purposes when the military authorities have no immediate use for them; and, if so, will he state the result of his efforts?

All information and suggestions which have been received by the Board of Trade from shipowners as to the manner in which their vessels have been used have been furnished by me to the Admiralty, and every effort is now being made to secure that tonnage employed for military and naval purposes shall be used as economically as possible.

asked what effect Government action totally prohibiting British steamers from trading between foreign neutral countries, such as the United States of America and South American countries, or between the United States of America and China and Japan, would have upon British commerce, trade, shipping, and finance?

We are restricting the trade of British ships between foreign ports as much as possible, but the total stoppage of all the established services of British ships between foreign ports would cause so much dislocation to trade and finance as to outweigh the advantage of bringing every one of these ships into purely British trade.

asked the number of British and neutral steamers, respectively, which, by reason of geographical position and climatic conditions, will for some months be kept idle?

I am afraid I am not in a position to give any official figures on this matter. It appears, however, that over eighty British steamers are in Baltic and Black Sea ports, seventy one steamers are interned in German ports, and a considerable number are frozen up elsewhere.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that, according to the Scandinavian papers, that in their locality there are over 100 ships frozen up, and that they will be there for many months?

I do not know what is the exact number; certainly a considerable number are frozen up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet taken any steps to remedy the congestion on railways due to the existence of many hundred thousand private wagons; and, if not, when he proposes to do so?

The question whether it is desirable or practicable to introduce any arrangements for the common use of private wagons during the War is under consideration, but as I have already stated, there are very great difficulties in the way of such a scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to facilitate the capture of German trade, he intends to introduce immediately legislation making compulsory the use of the metric system?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what conditions are permits given for Belgian manufactured goods or products to enter this country; can he state the number of permits given during the last six months, the class of goods allowed, and the value of such goods imported from Belgium; and, if money is paid here into a blocked account as per official instructions, can he state how Dutch or German banks can be prevented from making advances against the receipt vouchers given by the English banks?

Goods of Belgian origin may be imported by persons holding the Board's licence on condition that they are accompanied by a Consular certificate of origin and that payment is made into a blocked account in the United Kingdom. Since the conditions were altered in November last 399 licences have been issued. They are not confined to special classes of goods. The total value of goods consigned from Belgium in the second half of 1915 was £834,091. As regards the last part of the question, I may point out that the British bank is required to undertake that no charge on the blocked account will be allowed or recognised without the permission of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a recent decision of the Court of Appeal given on the 20th October last in the case of the Diamond Coal Cutter Company versus the Mining Appliances Company, Limited; and whether, in view of that decision, he will introduce legislation to ensure that a licensee of a British patent which is vested in an enemy shall not be exempt from the operation of Section 36 of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, and shall not be entitled with impunity to threaten the owner of another British patent with legal proceedings for alleged infringement of the enemy's patent?

My attention has been called to the decision of the Court of Appeal to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I do not think that any legislation is necessary or desirable.

Has the right hon. Gentleman called the attention of the learned Attorney-General to this case, and taken legal opinion upon it?

Well, Sir, this is a matter in which, if I may say so, administrative opinion is as good as legal opinion; although, of course, I am always glad to have the views of my right hon. and learned Friend.

asked the number of British steamers, and their total gross registered tonnage, purchased by the British Government since 1st August, 1914?

I regret it has been quite impossible, in the time at our disposal, to collect the facts asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary why the police interfered with certain individuals who were distributing handbills in the neighbourhood of Hansper Road, Dulwich; about 9 p.m. on the 18th instant, such handbills being statements in opposition to Conscription; why these individuals were taken to the police station, where the officer in charge refused to accept the charge that they had been committing a nuisance, but took their names and addresses and said he would communicate with Scotland Yard; by what authority was some part of the literature appropriated by the police; and what action does he intend to take against the police for this interference with the persons arrested?

A police officer, seeing persons distributing literature in opposition to Conscription, was of opinion that an offence was being committed against the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and requested the persons to accompany him to the police station; having given their names and addresses there, they went away. The police officer concerned acted in good faith, and it is not proposed to take official notice of the course taken by him. The answer which I gave in the House of Commons on the 17th instant on the general question will be a sufficient indication as to the course to be taken in the future.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent innocent persons from being interfered with in future?

I think the police are fully cognisant of their duties.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to an article in the "Weekly Dispatch" newspaper attacking the Minister for War and, with malicious innuendo, suggesting that he is neglecting his duty; and whether this paper has been suppressed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this article contains a malicious attack on Lord Kitchener, and insinuates that he is wasting his time and should go to the Nile; and can he explain why an attack on the Secretary of State for War is permitted and a Scottish newspaper, the "Forward," suppressed for reporting a speech of the Minister of Munitions?

The hon. Member must give notice of the question.

I will raise this question on the Adjournment of the House.