asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Italian navy is co-operating under the command of the naval commander-in-chief of the Allies in the Mediterranean; and whether he can safely communicate to the House any statement concerning recent naval work accomplished by our gallant Italian Allies?

It would be inadvisable to state in detail the organisation of the allied naval commands in the Mediterranean; but the general command is in the hands of the French Commander-in-Chief—at present Admiral d'Artige du Fournet; the command of the Adriatic and its approaches is in the hands of the Italian Commander-in-Chief—His Royal Highness the Duke of the Abruzzi; and other local commands are assigned to British officers.

The best general indication of the work performed by the allied fleets in the Mediterranean is the successful transport of large military forces to Salonika, Valona, and Egypt; the successful evacuation of the allied expedition from the Dardanelles; and last, but not least, the transportation of the Serbian army from Albania—a result chiefly due to the ability and energy displayed by the Italian fleet. Beyond this, I have no statement to make at the present time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty still retains the services of the person or persons who have devised the offensive/ defensive methods which have been effectively employed against the so-called enemy submarine blockade; and whether he can now, with due regard to naval interests, disclose further facts as to the results of the means taken to overcome the enemy submarine menace?

As far as I am aware, all the officers who have contributed to schemes of anti-submarine warfare are still in the service of the Admiralty. As regards the second part of the question, nothing, I think, can be usefully said.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the allegations made against certain officers of the Royal Naval Air Service, referred to in my question of the 21st September last, have now been investigated and with what result?

I feel sure my hon. Friend will realise that the Admiralty cannot undertake to make public the findings of Courts of Inquiry, which are confidential. Nevertheless, I think the House should know—without departing from established rule, which must, of course, generally be respected—that after perusing the report of the Court of Inquiry, the Board consider that the charges made against an officer of the Royal Naval Air Service, and referred to by my hon. Friend in his question of 21st September last, were unfounded.

Does that answer mean that I made any charge?

No, not at all. My hon. Friend drew my attention to certain charges which had been made and I said inquiries would be made. This reply gives the result of those inquiries.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty wheher the six Rolls-Royce touring cars and their chassis, fitted with lorry body, which are being sold by the Director of Navy Contracts, are old cars or new cars; how long they have been in use; and whether they are being sold without reserve?

Six Rolls-Royce cars and one Rolls-Royce chassis, fitted with lorry body, have recently been sold by the Admiralty. These cars were purchased at various dates since the commencement of the War, and are now being disposed of in the interests of economy. The question of reserve is not applicable as the cars were sold by tender after advertisement, and the Admiralty was at liberty to decline all tenders if prices offered were not satisfactory. This contingency did not arise in the present instance, as prices obtained were quite satisfactory.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the officials of the Admiralty now get about?

That does not arise out of the question. The cars in question were being used by the Air Department.

Are we to consider this to be the forerunner of other economies in the Admiralty?

That I cannot say.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of John Doughty, who, after serving for seven and a half years in the Navy, during which time his character was uniformly rated officially as very good and he was awarded a first-class good conduct badge, was invalided out of the Service on the 21st July, 1905, in consequence of injuries received while in the performance of duty, by which he sustained compound fracture of the nose and wrist, and a resulting attack of double pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and inflammation of the heart, by which he has been permanently disabled from making a livelihood; whether a temporary pension of 1s. per day for two years and of 6d. per day for the following three years was awarded to John Doughty, and a naval gratuity of £7 was then offered him as final compensation but was not accepted; and whether, having regard to the nature of the case, he will treat it as a special case in which, by the exercise of the Admiralty's discretion under the Regulations, a pension may be awarded in lieu of a gratuity, or, in the alternative, if he will award to John Doughty a Greenwich Hospital Pension, Class IV.?

Doughty was invalided from the Service in July, 1905, after five years' man's service, on account of an injury to his wrist received on duty. He had also received injury to his nose and suffered from rheumatic fever and pneumonia. A pension, varying from 1s. 0½d. to 6½d. a day, according to the medical reports as to his physical condition, was awarded to him until 30th September, 1911. He was then reported to be "materially" able to contribute to his support and to be actually employed as an insurance collector. A gratuity of £7 in final compensation—making a total of £88 granted for the injury—was accordingly awarded. The necessary papers were issued, but nothing was heard from Doughty, although payment would have been made at any time if so desired, without prejudice to reconsideration of the case. The Regulations do not contemplate the award of permanent pensions to men of short service unless the injuries are of a serious character. In all cases of men who have been injured in the naval service the Admiralty feel in duty bound to give sympathetic and careful consideration to any representations made at any time. Although, in accordance with the medical reports at the time, a man may have been correctly awarded final compensation and his case apparently closed, should his physical condition subsequently deteriorate, owing to a recrudescence of the effects of his injury, the Admiralty is always ready to review the case and, if the facts justify such action, to award further compensation. Steps are being taken to have Doughty medically surveyed, and, if his condition warrants such a course, his pension will be revived at the appropriate rate.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if naval observers reported the approach of enemy seaplanes to Walmer and Lowestoft on Sunday morning last; and if any naval seaplanes were sent up to attack them?

In both the attacks the enemy seaplanes approached at a very great height, and were not observed either by look-outs or patrols until they dived just before their bombs were dropped. In each case naval fighter aeroplanes and seaplanes from the nearest naval air stations proceeded immediately in chase, but were unable to sight or get into touch with the enemy machines.

Are there any naval observers in the neighbourhood?

I imagine there were, but if the hon. Baronet wants any further information I shall be very glad if he will put down a question. Of course they were in the neighbourhood, but the exact distance I cannot say.

Is there any professional patrol, or is it only an amateur patrol on that part of the coast for this special purpose of watching for enemy aircraft?

I am not sure that I quite appreciate the distinction between amateur and professional patrols, but if the hon. Gentleman will put down any further questions on the subject I shall be glad to answer them.

Is one of the chief reasons why our aeroplanes could not get up in time the fact that the mess is two miles away from the aerodrome?

No; it is 200 yards.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any military aeroplanes were sent up against the German seaplanes which threw bombs at Walmer and Lowestoft on Sunday, the 20th instant; and if he will state at what time the authorities received warning of the enemy's approach, and at what time the defending aeroplanes went up?

No military aeroplanes were sent up against the German seaplanes which dropped the bombs at Lowestoft. As regards Walmer, the nearest station of the Royal Flying Corps received information at 11.35 a.m. that hostile aircraft had made an attack, and the first aeroplane from this station ascended at 11.45 a.m.

asked if definite orders have now been given to all the forces in the Eastern counties to fire with their rifles at Zeppelin airships whenever they come within range; and if they are now supplied with ball cartridge for this purpose?

I stated, in reply to the hon. Member on the 9th June last, that the orders were that all Zeppelins were to be fired at if and when they offered a target. That reply still holds good, and I have nothing to add to it except that ball cartridge is available for the purpose in the hands of the troops.

Has the right hon. Gentleman really made inquiry on this subject, for I have most explicit information that not only are there no orders to fire, but that the troops have orders actually not to fire on Zeppelins, however close they may be?

I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will be so good as to give me the source of that information.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the troops would be quite safe in firing at an airship—would they be quite sure that it did not belong to Britain?

We have got none!

We have one!

Quite certain if it belonged to an enemy—oh, yes!

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on the occasion of the last Zeppelin raid a bright light was shown in a top window of two different houses and that in both cases the police tried, but were unable, to get into the house, and declared that they had no lawful authority to break in; and, in view of this, will he take steps to strengthen the Defence of the Realm Act so as to give the police power to force an entrance into houses in such cases?

The police are already empowered by No. 11 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations to "enter any premises" or "to do any other act necessary" in order to deal with lights which contravene the Order, and they have been instructed to this effect. If the hon. and gallant Member will give me exact particulars of the incidents he refers to, I will have inquiries made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let the police know that they have the power to break into houses in these cases?

They have been informed.

asked whether any compensation is provided out of the public funds for special constables who may be killed or injured by enemy aircraft while on duty?

The question is one for police authorities, who are empowered by an Order of the Home Secretary under the Special Constables Act, 1914, to grant pensions or allowances in such cases at rates similar to those prescribed for police constables.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of a railwayman who was injured whilst engaged on his engine at Hartlepool during the bombardment of that town, for which the North Eastern Railway Company denied liability and are upheld by the judgment of the Court of Appeal as pronounced on the 25th November last; whether he is aware that this decision has caused railwaymen to inquire whether they would be justified in the event of danger in leaving their posts and seeking safety; and, having regard to these circumstances, whether the Government will accept responsibility for loss of life or injury to railwaymen whilst on duty caused by hostile aircraft or bombardment?

I am aware that in the case to which my hon. Friend refers it was decided that the railway company were not liable under the Workmen's Compensation Act as the accident did not arise out of the man's employment. This decision would not, however, appear to place the railwaymen in a different position from other classes of workers, and I do not think that it would be practicable for the Government to consider their case, specially in relation to the question of compensation for injury or loss of life caused by air raids. I am not aware of any inquiries on the part of railwaymen such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the verdict of a Staffordshire jury of wilful murder against the German Emperor and his son in connection with recent Zeppelin raids and to an attempt of the coroner to prevent the jury giving such a verdict; and whether he will issue an official instruction to coroners that juries are not to be restrained from registering a lawful judgment by a technical plea that it is impossible for effect to be given to their decision?

I have no authority to issue instructions of this kind to coroners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the steamship "Heliopolis" has ever been used for its intended or any other purpose since it was purchased by the Admiralty; and whether this steamer has now been disposed of?

I have already, in previous answers to my hon. Friend, explained very fully the circumstances in connection with this ship. As I have explained, she was purchased for the purpose of being converted into a hospital ship, and was allocated to Pembroke Dockyard. When War broke out it was necessary to take the men off her, precedence being given to urgent war work. She has not been used for any service since she was purchased, and the vessel is advertised for sale by public auction at the Baltic Exchange, on Wednesday, 1st March.

May this be taken as an example of foresight or of economy, or of neither?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, if any, have been taken to give effect to the Resolution passed by the House of Commons on 10th January, that the Government should enter into immediate consultation with the Governments of the Dominions in order with their aid to bring the whole economic strength of the Empire into co-operation with our Allies in a policy directed against the enemy?

I have nothing to add at present to the answer given in reply to a similar question addressed to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Hereford on the 20th of January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the extent of the Colonial Possessions of the German Empire at the time of the outbreak of War; and the extent of such territories now in the occupation of the Allies?

The extent of the Colonial Possessions of the German Empire before the War was between 1,100,000 and 1,150,000 square miles. The amount of territory in the hands of the Allies is slightly over 730,000 square miles. The area of German East Africa accounts for the remainder.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many British civilian subjects have been tried by military tribunals in the United Kingdom since the War began; how many are now awaiting trial by such tribunals; in how many of the cases has the charge been high treason; the names of the persons so charged; and what time and assistance they have been or will be allowed for defence?

The answer to the first part of the question is thirty-four. I am informed that there are none now awaiting trial. In no case has the charge been that of high treason. Ample time is allowed for preparation of defence in each case, and prisoners are invariably defended either by solicitors or by counsel.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, in view of the practice of the competent military autho- rity in Ireland in treating the use of Irish as an offence under the Defence of the Realm Act, if he will say by whom a bilingual recruiting leaflet is now being issued through the post; whether its purpose is to bring a number of innocent people within the criminal law; if not, where and by whom it may be read without that risk; and what rules or instructions have been issued on the subject?

The practice alleged in the first part of the hon. Member's question does not exist, and the last part does not, therefore, arise. A bilingual recruiting leaflet has been issued by the Department of Recruiting and will, it is hoped, be studied by all persons receiving it. How it could have the effect suggested by the hon. Gentleman it is difficult to see. The only risk which its readers would run would be that they might thereby be induced to undertake a national and patriotic duty.

Would they not run the same risk as Mr. Chavasse, that of being imprisoned, stripped, abused, and fined?

I should like to know the crime for which these particular punishments were awarded before I can agree with my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the crime was that of speaking Irish—nothing else was alleged?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

How many recruits have been obtained in this part of Ireland?

Quite a considerable number—I cannot say exactly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the recruiting officers who recently visited Ballinadee, county Cork, did not deliver their intended speeches; the number of recruits they secured there, and when they will visit that place again?

I am informed as regards the first part of the question that no recruiting officers have recently visited Ballindee. The remainder of the question does not accordingly arise.

asked whether a soldier who has purchased his discharge, but who would have been serving now had he not done so, will be obliged to attest under the Military Service Act; and, if so, will his purchase money be refunded?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the latter that half of the purchase money will be refunded.

Do I understand my right hon. Friend to say only part of it?

Yes, half.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Aubrey Ross, of 12, Bridge Street, Leominster, attended on 10th December, 1915, at the drill hall there and declared his conscientious objection against combatant service; that he is a member of a sect known as the Brethren; that he expressed a wish to join a branch of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and that he was told that if he would not accept the oath for general service his papers would be torn up; and whether he intends to take any action which will admit of a Derby recruit who attested to assist in preserving a voluntary Army being used in a branch of the Ser vice in consonance with his religious conviction?

I am not aware of the circumstances stated by my hon. Friend. A man who becomes voluntarily attested under the group system was and is entitled to express a preference for any particular branch of the Service. A note of his wishes is to be entered in the Army Register against his name, and as far as possible his preference is respected. It is not, of course, always possible to draft a man to the particular branch of the Service selected by him if, when he is called up, there are no vacancies in that branch. But, as far as possible, the religious convictions of any man who has voluntarily attested are respected in selecting the arm of the Service in which he is to serve. I would point out that a soldier joining the Royal Army Medical Corps would have to accept general service. Assuming the facts to be as stated, it seems to me to be a case where the man should be transferred to a non-combatant branch of the Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the tribunals have power to put back to later groups any clerk or person who in their opinion is urgently necessary for the carrying on of the business in which that clerk or person is now engaged, provided that such clerk or person is unfit for foreign service but fit for some sedentary occupation in the Army or at the War Office which occupation could be equally well filled by another man?

The answer is in the affirmative, but the tribunal must be definitely of opinion that it is expedient in the national interests that the individual should continue to be engaged in his civil employment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if the tribunal considered that it was not in the national interest, but in the interest of business, that would be sufficient to meet the case?

No, Sir, I do not think it would.

asked whether men who have attested under Lord Derby's scheme, or since the introduction of the Military Service (No. 2) Bill, can now claim to be exempted from combatant duties before the local tribunals?

Primâ facie a man who has voluntarily attested cannot claim that he had a conscientious objection to combatant service. But if he wishes to obtain exemption from such service on conscientious grounds he should apply to the War Office, who will deal with each case on its merits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at several recruiting offices in Glasgow and the West of Scotland men who had already offered themselves for enlistment since 14th August, 1915, and been rejected, and who were in possession of documentary evidence to that effect, were on their again entering these recruiting offices, either to procure their khaki armlets or in response to a summons to again appear, forcibly deprived of their signed forms, which were in some instances destroyed in their presence; and, if so, will he say whether he proposes to take any measures to find out the names of the medical men and recruiting sergeants who thus acted while serving as agents for his Department and to punish them by depriving them of their military rank?

The circumstances of the particular case stated by my hon. Friend have not been brought to my notice, but I am having inquiries made into the statements made in the question.

If it is found that these officers were guilty of the alleged charge, will the right hon. Gentleman administer his severest rebuke?

Well, Sir, I must really wait and see what the report is on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an Army Order has been issued to commanding officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps instructing them not to appoint men attested under the Derby scheme to advertised positions in the sanitary section of the Royal Army Medical Corps; and whether he is aware that men with special qualifications and experience as sanitary inspectors are passed over because of their having attested under the Derby scheme, and a preference given in making appointments to such positions to unattested men?

I have no knowledge of any order in the sense mentioned having been issued. If my hon. Friend is aware of any specific case in which an attested man has been passed over and will furnish me with particulars, I shall be glad to have it fully investigated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men in the Army Pay Department are fit for combatant service; and if it is intended to transfer all such men to other units for active service and replace them by men who are incapacitated for the fighting Services?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there are women and also able-bodied men of military age now employed in the Army Pay Office; and whether there are many wounded and disabled soldiers capable of doing this clerical work; and, if so, could the able-bodied men be taken into the Army and the women employed in munitions works, so that the disabled soldiers could find employment?

There are a certain number of able-bodied men of military age employed in Army Pay Offices, though I cannot give the exact number. There are also large numbers of women. If the hon. Members have followed the history of the expansion of these offices and the public anxiety as to the discharge of their duties to the wives and dependants of soldiers they will appreciate the impossibility of dispensing, otherwise than gradually, with the better-trained portion of the staff. Subject to this, everything is done to spare able-bodied men from pay offices. I have no reason to think that disabled soldiers qualified for the work of these offices are finding any difficulty in securing employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Great Western Railway War Relief Committee represents a thousand men, that a quarter of the men have gone to the War; is he also aware that a considerable number of women and able-bodied men are employed there, and that naturally the Committee and the men are very anxious about the matter, as at the present time things are very unsatisfactory?

Well, I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will believe me when I assure him that we are doing all we can, and so long as I have anything to do with the War Office it will continue to be done, in regard to our soldiers.

asked how many non-commissioned officers and how many private soldiers called up from the Reserve to the Colours since the commencement of the War have been discharged and gone back to private life; and if any and what bounties have been offered to them to induce them to remain with the Colours?

I am unable to give the numbers of those who came from the Reserve and have taken their discharge. By Army Order issued on the 20th instant a bounty of £15 will in future be paid to men who re-engage for the period of the War after completing thirteen years' service. The inducement, generally highly valued by Regular soldiers, of serving on for pension had already been offered.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the question of married men who have applied to continue their service if it is possible, and to be counted on the strength after the War is over?

I do not think any distinction is made between unmarried and married men.

Oh, yes, it is.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is with his sanction that Irishmen who have come to Great Britain for munitions work and the erection of structures in connection therewith are now refused permission to return and informed that they come under the Military Service Act; and, if not, whether he will have this restraint removed as not warranted by that Act?

I have no knowledge of any such practice. No action of the kind is being taken under the authority of the Home Office.

If cases are brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman, will he have the restraint removed?

I should like to see the cases first.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant a return of the number of clerks of military age still employed in Government offices, and of the number of those so employed who have enlisted and received the usual kit allowance but are still retained in their clerical work?

I am compelled to refuse all such returns, in view of the heavy labour which they involve, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Warwick and Leamington on the 14th October last.

Having regard to the feeling which exists in the country, is it not desirable to issue an order to Government offices that they should do their utmost to let the men go?

It has been done.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to issue instructions bringing the Derby attestation scheme into line with the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, in regard to exemptions?

Instructions have already been issued assimilating, so far as is appropriate, the provisions relating to voluntarily attested men to those relating to men who come under the Military Service Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether representations have been made by the military authorities to the Minister of Munitions and heads of other Government Departments as to the number of single eligible men whom they have provided with badges of exemption but who are engaged in work which could be undertaken by men above military age or by women; and whether, in view of the necessity for every fit and eligible man being with the Colours, he proposes to intervene in the matter?

I am not sure whether the hon. Member refers to the issue of war service badges or to the issue of certificates of exemption by Government Departments under Section 2 (2) of the Military Service Act.

As regards the former, the Ministry of Munitions is now the sole authority responsible for the issue of badges. Every care is taken to prevent the issue of badges to men who cannot properly be regarded as indispensable, and the arrangements between the Department and the War Office provide for appeal by the military authorities in any case in which it appears that a man has been improperly badged or that it is no longer necessary to retain him in civil employment.

As regards the latter, the certificates can only be issued after consultation between the Government Department concerned and the Army Council.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that opposition to the Military Service Act is being justified in the country on the ground that a Member of this House was asked to organise such opposition by a member of the Cabinet, as the hands of the Prime Minister himself had been forced; and whether he will give a complete denial to such a statement?

The statement mentioned in the first part of this question is without foundation.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the central tribunal states that it is against their practice to allow appellants to appear before them either personally or by counsel in regard to cases that come before them; whether local tribunals and appeal tribunals are compelled (Clause 8 of R. 36, and Clause 18 of Section 2, Part I., and Clause 1 of Section 2, Part II, of R. 48) to hear solicitors, counsel, or any person appointed by the applicant; whether, seeing that the right hon. Gentleman and the Attorney General gave assurances when the Military Service Act, 1916, was under discussion that such assistance should be at the disposal of the applicant in all the tribunals before which his case came, why no rules complying with these promises and governing the procedure of the central tribunal have been made; and will he at once carry out the pledges made, and so secure the proper presentment of their case before the central tribunal by numbers of men who are not skilled in setting forth facts and arguments before a judicial tribunal?

The Central Appeal Tribunal have hitherto been dealing only with claims and applications under the instructions previously issued to local tribunals. It was not deemed necessary to hear parties, though opportunity is given to make written representations, and this is freely exercised. It will be considered whether any change in procedure is desirable in view of the regulations and new instructions which have been issued. It must be remembered that, under these regulations and instructions, a case will have already been heard twice—by the local tribunal and by the appeal tribunal—before it comes before the central tribunal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of us had Amendments on the Paper during the passing of the Military Service Act, and that we withdrew them on receiving the assurance that this right would be granted absolutely under the instructions?

No, no; the hon. Member is mistaken. There is really no controversy between us as to the procedure. In regard to this point, I have examined carefully the whole of the Debate—I am sorry to say to my personal regret—that we had on this subject, and in regard to the tribunals. I am only waiting in order to see how the proceedings are conducted. At first sight what is asked would appear undesirable, but if necessary I shall take steps to have it done.

Did not the Attorney-General especially state to the House that probably there would be points of legal importance on which counsel ought to be heard?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state how it is proposed to deal with the case of a man under the Military Service Act, 1916, who has appealed to one tribunal on the point of domestic conditions, namely, to the tribunal of the district where he lives, and to a second tribunal on the point of commercial conditions, namely, to the tribunal of the district in which his work or business is situated; is each of these tribunals to hear only half his case, or is some arrangement to be made so that all the points may be stated to one Court; and, if the latter, will he say what the arrangement is?

It would obviously lead to confusion if applications in respect of the same man were made to more than one local tribunal at the same time. If an employé finds that his employer wishes to make an application in respect of him on grounds connected with his employment, while the employés desires to put forward personal grounds for exemption, he should arrange with his employer. If the personal grounds are subsidiary—that is to say, if the main grounds of the application relate to the employment of the man—the application should be sent to the tribunal for the area in which the place of employment is situated. On the other hand, where the question of the man's employment is the less important, and where the man relies mainly on some personal, domestic, or financial question, the application should be sent to the tribunal for the area where the man resides.

Are we to understand that the initiation is to be taken by the man who is admitted to be a soldier?

Where it is a question of a man desiring to escape from fighting on domestic grounds he will do that for himself in his own home; further, if it is a question of his employment where he Works, and he considers that the more important, that will be put forward by him.

Assuming that the claim of the employer is negatived, will the applicant have the right to make his appeal on domestic grounds within the area where he resides?

No, of course he cannot have two shots.

It is not a question of two shots. It may be the employer wants to get the man off or it may be that the man himself desires to get off.

What I have said is that the man will try first what he considers the most important. I am sure no one wishes to multiply cases before the local tribunals.

Why should not the man have the right to put forth both grounds?

Both points can be put forward, but it is that which is considered the more important to be put forward first.

The man can himself choose which to put forward first?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the list of certified employments under the terms of the Military Service Act is at present being amended and largely curtailed by a Committee sitting at the War Office; and whether he will issue a recommendation to the local tribunals that they should at present not give exemption to any applicant in a certified employment for more than one month?

I have no knowledge of a Committee stated to be sitting at the War Office amending and largely curtailing the list of certified occupations. A War Office representative sits upon the Committee which deals with reserved occupations, and, as stated in the official paper dealing with certified employments, this list is subject to revision and cannot be regarded as final.

Is the list of reserved employments being curtailed or is it not at present?

I do not like to answer that without notice. I imagine it is, but I do not know.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a Royal Army Medical Corps officer at Margate who, because his landlady in her own private house switched off the electric lights at a certain hour, called in an Armyguard and placed the woman under military arrest; whether he is aware that a judge and jury awarded the woman £250 damages; and whether the War Office propose to take any further action concerning this officer?

I have seen a newspaper report of this case. An official report from the military authorities is being obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the official German estimates of German casualties are regarded by eminent military critics in this and other countries as wholly unacceptable, he will consider the desirability of accompanying any further statement on this matter that he may submit to the House with a reasoned analysis of the German official estimates?

To make public the reasoned conclusions reached from the consideration of the German official estimates would, no doubt, gratify legitimate curiosity in this country, but it would also, in a very undesirable way, gratify the curiosity of the German military authorities. As the curiosity of our own fellow citizens can only be gratified by gratifying that of the German military authorities, I submit that the proper course is to gratify neither curiosity. I trust my hon. Friend will agree with me in this conclusion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his Department is responsible for the giving out of contracts for military uniforms; if so, whether he is aware that at the beginning of the War flat rates were adopted both for material and made-up garments; that on these flat rates piece prices for the workers were fixed; and that subsequently the flat rates were abolished and the contracts thrown open to competition, with the result that cheaper rates were secured and the workers have suffered reductions in the piece prices amounting to from 30 to 40 per cent.; and whether, in view of the fact that in the manufacture of munitions of war the piece prices of the workers have not to be cut, he will take steps to apply this provision to the manufacture of military uniforms and restore to the workers the prices they previously earned?

My Department is responsible for the placing of contracts for military uniforms. The material for these uniforms is still issued to contractors at fixed rates. The fixing of flat rates for the made-up garments was adopted as an emergency measure in the early part of the War, but when the initial difficulties of supply had been overcome, it was decided to revert to the normal system of competitive tendering. Contracts placed on the flat-rate basis did not require the payment of any specified piece-rates to the workers, but contained the usual stipulation that the wages paid should comply with the requirements of the Fair-Wages Resolution of this House. Contracts placed under the present system also contain this stipulation, and if the hon. Member is aware of any case in which it is not being observed I should be glad to receive particulars with a view to inquiries being made.

asked the actual or approximate revenue derived from the Customs Duty collected on the cocoa and sugar contents of cocoa preparations imported and retained for Home consumption during the year 1915; and how much of this was derived from imports of cocoa preparations from Switzerland?

The net amount of duty received on cocoa and sugar contained in cocoa preparations imported and delivered for home consumption in the year 1915 was £117,963. The records do not disclose the portion of the duty that was levied on imports from Switzerland.

asked what amount of obligation the Government took on behalf of the financial houses in the City of London in August, 1914; and what proportion was connected with the financing of German trade?

As stated in the House of Commons on the 27th November, 1914, the amount of bills of exchange discounted by the Bank of England under Government guarantee at the outbreak of war was £120,000,000. I have no data for estimating what proportion of the obligations in respect of which assistance was given had arisen out of trading transactions with Germany.

Will the Treasury calculate—it must be quite easy to make a calculation—and find out what amount was devoted to financing German trade?

I should like to give my hon. Friend all the information I can, but if he considers the matter, he will see that the 'Chancellor of the Exchequer made some observations on the probable amount in his last speech in the House. There were £120,000,000 of the bills at the commencement of the War. There are now only £31,000,000. It would be a very laborious business to go back to all the out-of-date, obsolete, and paid-off bills to find out which were concerned with trading transactions with Germany.

Do I understand that the Treasury decline to inform the House of the huge amount of finance bills arising from German trade?

If the hon. Member will kindly confer with me, in order that I can see how I can get the information, I shall be very happy to do anything I can for him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the urgency of the substantive proposals made in Part I. of Sir Harry Verney's Commission Report on Land Settlements, an early opportunity will be afforded the House of considering the matter, as the proposals made might call for immediate action?

I am unable at the moment to say anything more than that the Report is receiving very careful consideration. The right hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that no time will be lost after a, decision has been taken in the matter in bringing before the House any proposals which require legislative sanction. The matter could also, no doubt, be raised at any of the ordinary opportunities should any hon. Member desire to do so.

I hope this Report will not be delayed until No. 2 is presented.

I can assure my right hon. and gallant Friend that that is not being done. We are pressing forward very rapidly. The Report is of very great importance and extreme urgency, and it would be a great pity if we came to wrong conclusions about the action to be taken.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea when the Commission is likely to complete its labours and when Part II. will be ready? It would be a great convenience if we could have a discussion on the matter as a whole.

I am afraid I cannot. I have heard nothing from the Committee as to how they are going on. We take the view that the Report they have presented is so urgent that we ought to get on with it as soon as we can.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Report recommends an expenditure of over £334,000 for the purpose of placing 300 exsoldiers and sailors upon the land?

Yes, Sir, and it is because of that that it requires very careful consideration before anything is done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee appointed to consider the settlement and employment on the land in England and Wales of discharged sailors and soldiers; and will he explain how it happens that the recommendations suggesting an immediate purchase of land for three pioneer colonies, extending in all to 5,000 acres, should be followed by schemes for three pioneer colonies covering 6,000 acres?

I am informed that the Committee considered that the three pioneer colonies might be one of 1,000 acres for fruit and market garden holdings and two of 2,000 acres for dairy or mixed holdings, making 5,000 acres in all as the minimum. The estimates of cost of the three colonies in paragraphs 96, 97, and 98 of the Report were based on a fruit and market garden colony of 1,000 acres and two dairy and mixed farm colonies of 2,500 acres. The latter area was taken from an actual case of an estate of that size, and the Committee considered that while 2,000 acres might be sufficient it would be better to have 2,500 acres. But the differences are not really at all material to the main recommendations of the Report.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that if the Committee recommend that these three pioneer colonies should consist of 5,000 acres, it is perfectly absurd to give estimates of pioneer colonies consisting of 6,000 acres?

I do not think that if the report is read carefully and intelligently that difficulty arises.

Is the right hon. Gentleman doing everything to see that in the meantime the men get employment from farmers at a decent rate of wage?

The difficulty is to find any discharged soldiers who want employment on land at all.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any cablegrams sent by Mr. Sheehy Skeffington, of Dublin, to any foreign country have been stopped; and, if so, whether the money paid on them has been or will be refunded?

In the absence of particulars, no trace can be found of the telegrams referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General, seeing that French and Welsh are freely spoken on the telephone here why the use of Irish on the telephone is not allowed in Ireland while numerous operators there understand the language?

During war time foreign enemy languages are not permitted on the telephone, and operators have instructions that such communications shall not be allowed. Welsh, Gaelic and Irish are permitted, but some operators have difficulty in recognising these languages. I shall be glad if the hon. Member can give me instances where the use of Irish has been stopped, and I will do my best to see that it shall not occur again.

asked what scale of remuneration has been sanctioned for sub-postmasters in respect of their War Loan work; and whether it works out to less than 1½d. per transaction without regard to the amounts involved?

The scale of remuneration sanctioned is £6 per 1,000 applications for War Loan stock of £5 or a multiple thereof; £1 10s. per 1,000 Scrip vouchers or certificates either issued or received back in Exchange for stock. The remuneration for receiving direct applications for stock of £5 or a multiple thereof works out at rather less than 1½d. per transaction, which is about the average amount paid for receiving a Savings Bank deposit. I propose shortly to receive a deputation from the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, who desire to make representations to me on this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the possibility of providing some form of compulsory continuation classes for the number of young girls now employed as temporary messengers in the Post Office, in view of the success which has attended the institution of such classes for boy telegraph messengers?

I regret that it is impracticable to make special arrangements, on the lines of those adopted for boy messengers, for the education of the girl messengers employed in the Post Office as a temporary war measure. In London the names and addresses of these girls are being supplied to the London County Council for the information of the children's care committees, and I propose to suggest to the council that those committees should encourage the girls to attend continuation classes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the Standing Committee on Boy Labour appointed by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor will take this matter into their consideration?

The whole matter has been carefully looked into, but there are difficulties in connection with sending these girls to classes in the present time, when the streets are darkened, and it is obviously very undesirable that they should be travelling about London after their day's work is over.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any further facilities are being offered to the War Office by the Lunacy Commission for the accommodation and treatment of nerve-shaken soldiers; and whether the building of any new asylum or other lunatic institution is now either in progress or contemplation?

I am informed that no further facilities are being offered through the Board of Control for the accommodation and treatment of nerve-shaken soldiers, as no further accommodation can be spared. At the request of the War Office, the completion of the new Hampshire Asylum at Park Prewett is being expedited with a view to its being equipped and staffed by the military authorities as a temporary war hospital.

asked whether the Lunacy Board of Control has at present any super vision over the Maundsley County Asylum at Denmark Hill; and whether the asylum authorities are responsible for the treatment of nerve-shaken soldiers who, being still under the Army Act, are within the precincts of any lunatic institution?

The Board of Control do not exercise supervision over any military hospitals. Visits that they have for many years paid to a special section of Netley Hospital and more recently to temporarily-adapted hospitals for nerve-shaken soldiers—within which category Maundsley Hospital fall—have been made at the request of the military authorities. The responsibility for the treatment of the soldiers in question rests entirely with the military authorities, and not with any asylum authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have taken, or intend to take, power to prohibit the sale of British tonnage to any foreign Powers, whether allied or neutral?

If the hon. Gentleman refers to the British Ships (Transfer Restriction) Act, he will see that we already have power to prevent ships being transferred to any foreign flag.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the attention of Government has been called to the fact that certain owners of the highest class cargo liners, whose vessels have been employed in the British Transatlantic trade, have recently sold them for transfer to an Allied Power at extravagant prices, thus avoiding risk of requisition by Government and enabling them to secure in capitalised form the present freight rates; and whether he has taken any steps to prevent this further depletion of British mercantile marine?

If the hon. Gentleman makes further inquiries I think he will find that the vessels he has in mind are not being transferred from the British register, and are liable to requisition.

They will not be transferred ultimately to a foreign register?

They could not be transferred from the British register to a foreign register without the consent of the Admiralty and the Board of Trade.

Does the right hon. Gentleman authorise their being chartered to a foreign power?

If that foreign Power is an Ally of ours, certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether, instead of moving a Resolution recommending that no Member of Parliament should receive salary in the coming financial year both as a Member of Parliament and as a member of His Majesty's Forces, he will move a Resolution that in the coming financial year no Member of Parliament should receive any salary at all?

The answer is in the negative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations from his constituents objecting to payment of salaries to Members?

No, Sir, none.

Would the right hon. Gentleman submit a referendum to his constituents on the subject?

When will the Resolution be taken?

Not until the new financial year.

asked the Prime Minister why, in the case of seventeen British-born subjects, the right of trial has been withheld and the consideration of their cases handed over to a nominated advisory committee; why these men have been deprived of their liberty without any charge being made against them; and whether he will take immediate steps by legislation or otherwise to restore to His Majesty's subjects this safeguard against arbitrary acts of the Executive?

I can add nothing to the answers I have already given on this subject. As I have said, I believe the legality of the Regulations under which these proceedings were taken is now the subject of appeal.

Is not the advisory committee mentioned in the question nominated by the Government and removable by the Government, and is that a proper tribunal to advise?

There are two judges of the High Court upon it.

Are they not removable by the Government?

I must have notice of that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is now in a position to state what restrictions he proposes to place upon the importation of all kinds of fruit, and when it will take effect; and (2) whether the restrictions on the import of fruit will include all bananas or whether it will apply to other bananas than those from the Canary Islands?

I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement on the subject except that any restrictions which may be imposed will not apply to fruit coming from the Dominions or from British Colonies or Dependencies.

Is not the banana a rare and refreshing fruit?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make any statement about the prohibition of foreign films?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he has received a representation to the effect that, in view of the desirability of limiting unnecessary imports, the importation of foreign oysters and other shell fish, except for the purpose of planting for cultivation, should be prohibited; and if he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The advisability of further restrictions upon imports is receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked whether it is intended that the importation of printed matter of all sorts shall be curtailed by regulation or by imposition of duty; and, if not, whether the Government have considered the disadvantage at which native printers are being placed owing to the curtailment and consequent rise in price of the import of the raw material of their industry?

I understand that the question whether certain and, if so, what descriptions of printed matter should be regarded as covered by the proposed limitation of the imports of manufactures of paper is engaging the attention of the Commission, and I am awaiting a communication from them on the subject.

asked what salary or remuneration, if any, will be received by the secretary to the Licensing Commission on paper and paper-making materials?

The secretary to the Paper Commission will be remunerated at the rate customary for Royal Commissions, namely, £400 per annum.