asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if the War Trade Department consulted interested consumers who manufacture morphia from imported opium whether the re-export should be allowed; if the War Trade Department withheld permits in order to accumulate stocks of unsold opium in this country with a view of the manufacturers buying it at their own prices later on; whether he has considered if such action will prevent the further import of opium into this country and divert the trade to other countries after the War; and (2) if he will state the reason that permits are being withheld for the re-export of Persian opium to the United States, Japan, and other neutral countries; is he aware that the stocks in London are already 1,000 cases and that there are further supplies of about 500 cases coming forward; and is it the intention of the Government to permanently injure the trade of this country by compelling merchants to sell direct to consuming countries without passing through the United Kingdom?

Opium is of special importance for the treatment of the wounded, and, in view of the great demand for this drug and of the special conditions affecting the usual sources of supply at the present time, it is not considered that the present and prospective stocks are in excess of what may reasonably be regarded as necessary for the requirements of the country. There is no foundation for the suggestion that there has been any restriction of exports in the interests of the manufacturers of morphia, nor is it considered that the policy of the War Trade Department in safeguarding home supplies will have the effect indicated in the last part of the questions.

Does His Majesty's Government think that such action will prevent supplies coming to this country?

I would like to have notice of that question.

asked the total annual cost in 1913 of the Consular services in the United States and in Spain; and what percentage that cost bore in each case to the value of our exports in that year to each of those countries?

The amounts expended on the Consular service in the United States and Spain respectively in 1913 were £33,527 and £7,626—that is, about .05 per cent. of the value of our exports to the United States of America and .07 per cent., of our exports to Spain.

asked if the work and responsibilities of Consular officers in certain neutral countries have been increased since the War began; if so, whether our Consular services in such countries have been strengthened numerically and better remunerated; and if the services of all Consular officers who were formerly employed in enemy countries are now being fully utilised?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. The staff in neutral countries has been generally increased, and in some of them very largely. Extra remuneration is not given to members of the salaried Consular service for increased work in the present crisis, but is given to some Consular officers who are not in the regular service.

Have any commercial men been appointed to these positions?

I should not like to answer that without notice. The hon. Member will see that it is impossible for me to carry in my mind all the additions to the Consular service.

asked if British Consular officers are entirely under the control of and solely responsible to the Foreign Office or if they are in part controlled by or responsible to any other Department; and, if so, which Depart ment and to what extent?

British Consular officers are entirely under the control of and solely responsible to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, except in regard to the administration of the Merchant Shipping Acts, on which subject they receive instructions from the Board of Trade.

asked whether the high cost of living in Russia, as compared to other countries, is taken into account and fully counterbalanced by higher rates of pay and allowances to British Consular officers in Russia?

The cost of living in Russia was carefuly considered when the present rates of pay for British Consular officers were fixed in 1913.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state whether any countries require documents relating to exports to them from this country to be certified before their Consuls here, and fees to be paid for such certifications; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of requiring that similar Consular certificates should be required in respect of imports intended for this country and of devoting the fees derived therefrom to the strengthening of our Consular service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Melton on the 26th of January and 22nd ultimo.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether preference will be given to the soldiers unfit for further active service in the clerical work of the War Department before taking the physically unfit for active military service from civil employment?

Ex-soldiers are, as far as possible, employed on the work of the War Office in preference to civilians. No civilians within the limits of the recruitable ages are being taken on as clerks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any arrangement has been made by which married men with large families serving at the front will, as far as possible, be replaced by men with less or no dependants; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of adopting such an arrangement?

No, Sir, no such arrangement is in operation. It would not be practicable at present to adopt it, but the matter is one which will not be overlooked.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed recently by the East Riding of Yorkshire Recruiting Committee, stating that serious injustice would be perpetrated upon the married men of military age who had attested under the group system unless the Government saw fit to bring in compulsory military service for those married men who had failed to attest; and whether he has received other resolutions of a similar nature?

No, Sir, my attention has not been called to this resolution, but I have received a resolution of a similar nature.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this resolution actually expressed the general opinion of the country?

I do not think that I can be taken to believe that one resolution expresses accurately the composite opinion of the country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has studied the measures adopted by our Allies to mitigate the dislocation of business, the breaking-up of homes, and domestic hardship which may be entailed by married men when called up for service; and, if so, whether he will lay the result of such investigations upon the Table of the House?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given yesterday by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the President of the Local Government Board, to which I cannot at present add anything.

asked the Prime Minister if, when he gave his pledge to the married men who attested under Lord Derby's scheme that they should not be called up till the unmarried men had been called up, by compulsion if necessary, he made any reservation regarding the possible exemption of large numbers of able-bodied unmarried men of military age; and whether the numerous exemptions of such men now being granted by the tribunals constitute a violation of his pledge to the married attested men?

The Derby scheme from the outset contemplated that men who were in various ways indispens able to the country should be exempted from military service. This is made clear in the letter of 19th November from Lord Derby to the Prime Minister and in the Prime Minister's reply of that date.

The tribunals are doing their work very well, and the number of exemptions is not due to any laxity on their part, but to the large number of men claiming to be starred, badged, or in reserved occupations. This has caused the Government much anxiety, and steps are being taken not only to revise all lists of starred and badged men, but materially to reduce the number of reserved occupations.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that if the exemptions were to reach an unnecessarily large figure it would constitute a violation of the pledge to the married men? [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no."]

Will the revision be retrospective?

I understand that it will have that effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of No. 14,756, Gunner F. Ellender, 15th Division, C Battery, 73rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, who enlisted in August, 1914, at the age of sixteen years, against the wishes of his parents, and, although not yet eighteen years of age, has been on active service in France since July, 1915; if he is aware that correspondence, with a view to having the boy sent back to England, has been passing between his relations and the military authorities for eleven months, and that his birth certificate was sent to, and acknowledged by, his commanding officer several weeks ago; if he will say who is responsible for such delay in sending the boy back from the front; and whether, especially in view of the fact that Ellender's parents have five other sons serving in the Army, he will take immediate steps to have the boy transferred to a unit at home until he attains nineteen years of age?

I am having inquiry made into this case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether previously retired officers serving with the Colours draw full service pay in addition to their retired pay; and, if so, what amount would be saved if they only drew service pay?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for the Barnsley Division on the 24th February.

Can my hon. Friend remember the amount?

I think I said I could not give the amount.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state what arrangements it is proposed to make to give effect to the exemption or exception from the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, of officers and men in the Merchant Service?

The hon. Gentleman will have seen the notice which appeared in the Press yesterday informing officers and seamen of the Mercantile Marine that they are entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Military Service Act. A placard to the same effect will also be exhibited at Mercantile Marine offices and elsewhere. If officers or seamen receive notices to present themselves for military service they should return the notices to the military authorities claiming exemption.

Is it not necessary for them to obtain any certificate at all showing that they are exempt from service?

Evidence will, of course, be required that they are serving in the Mercantile Marine. Discharge certificates in the case of seamen and the usual certified statements in that of officers will no doubt be effective for them.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the statements published by the Admiralty and the Board of Trade, the Army Council will issue specific orders to recruiting officers to cancel previous notices served on ships' officers and men of the Mercantile Marine other than stewards of passenger liners; and instruct them not to enlist merchant seamen until an agreement between different Government Departments is reached?

I am in communication with the Board of Trade as to the quickest and most effective administrative means of protecting officers and men in the Mercantile Marine. There is no question as to the principle involved nor is there any disagreement. The Board of Trade are today drafting suggestions on the matter, which will no doubt be approved and passed to recruiting officers.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the action of tribunals under the Military Service Act who are refusing exemption to single men who are the sole supports of their widowed mothers; and whether, in view of his pledge given to the House and the country on 5th January on the introduction of the Military Service Bill, he will take any action in the way of instructions to tribunals or otherwise to have that pledge of his fulfilled?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the letter addressed by the President of the Local Government Board to the Central Appeal Tribunal on 23rd February.

Did not the Prime Minister say in this House that to take these men would be a monstrous state of affairs?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in his letter of advice to the tribunals under the Military Service Act, he has indicated to them that in the case of only sons of widows who are dependent on those sons for financial support they ought not to be exempted where the mothers will, after the departure of their sons, have means of subsistence; whether this means that no only sons of widows will be exempted on the ground of hardship; and, if so, whether, in view of the pledges made to the country in the various discussions on the Bill, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I do not admit that the interpretation given in the question of the letter I sent to the Central Tribunal is correct. In that letter I gave illustrations of the circumstances in which it seemed to me that serious hardship might be considered to arise in connection with the sons of widows. My letter could not be read as meaning that no only sons of widows will be exempted on the ground of hardship.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not said in his letter that there would be no serious hardship for widowed mothers as long as they had means of subsistence?

I do not know what words the hon. Gentleman is quoting from. I have got a copy of my letter before me, and I do not recognise his description. What I have done quite clearly is to indicate what is the duty of the tribunals. They have to consider all the facts of the case and come to a decision according to the facts and the Statute. There is nothing in my letter which justifies the assumption that sons of widows who come within the category of suffering serious hardship would not be exempt?

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider it was going against the Regulations if cases are brought forward in which the sole support of widowed mothers have been refused appeal by these tribunals?

I really cannot answer a general question of that kind. As I stated, I am quite prepared to consider definite cases brought before me, but so far I have not received one.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman write that letter to stiffen up backs of the tribunals?

No. I wrote it in order to discharge my duty and in order to answer questions according to what I thought the right answer to be given. I did it after very careful consideration, and I am prepared to abide by every word contained in it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Government's Committee in Scotland on substitutionary clerical and commercial labour reported in favour of the employment of women in banks in place of men released for military service; whether he could state, approximately, what proportion of clerks in the service of each of the Scottish banks has been so released; whether one of their number, while permitting and encouraging its clerks to enlist, has not co-operated with the Government in the employment of women; and whether the bank in question is employed by any Department of the Government?

I have received no report dealing specially with banks, but I understand that the Committee were generally in favour of the employment of women in place of men released for military service. As regards the other parts of the question, I have no official information, but if the facts are as stated the tribunals can be trusted to deal with the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of a conscientious objector who appeared before the local tribunal at Harpenden, on 22nd February, and stated that, being unable to undertake any kind of military service, he was prepared to undertake work of national importance, whereupon the tribunal refused to consider any such suggestion and, on the applicant's referring to the speech of the Home Secretary, made in the House with reference to this point during the passing of the Military Service Act, 1916, informed him that they had no time to read speeches, and that the tribunal was not a debating society; and whether, in view of his own instructions and the expressed intentions of the Act of Parliament, he will take steps to prevent similar action in the future?

I have seen a copy of the application and a note of the decision of the Committee who exempted the man from combatant service. He has, I understand, appealed from the decision. The case does not seem to demand any action on my part.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that the question I have raised is that the tribunal refused to consider the applicant's desire that he might undertake service of national importance. This is a governing case. It is of vital importance to people that the tribunal should have considered an option that was given by Parliament in the Act?

The information before me does not agree with the statement made by my hon. Friend. I have seen an account, a brief account, in which they appear to have considered the whole case. They have exempted the applicant from combatant service, and he, if not satisfied, can appeal, which he has done.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not read the full account which I handed to him and in which it is clearly stated that the tribunal would not consider this point?

They have considered it, because they have granted exemption from combatant service. If he is not satisfied, there is an appeal; but it is quite obvious they have considered it.

The tribunal said they would not consider this offer. It is not considering it if they at once say they will not consider it. I wish to give notice that at an early date I shall raise this question, if the President of the Local Government Board is not able to make a public statement which will be of some assistance to tribunals.

We cannot accept conditional notices.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Second-Lieutenant Plummer, while on duty as a recruiting officer at Aberlour on 3rd December, 1915, without warning or cause brutally assaulted a man named Stewart, who was present to be recruited, knocking him down and then kicking him so severely in the face that the wounds had to be stitched; that Second-Lieutenant Plummer was three hours late for a written appointment with the recruits; that the local military authority suppressed any Press notice of the incident; that the officer in question gave money to Stewart to suppress any further proceedings; that no report other than that made by the local military authority has been made upon the incident; and if he can say if Second-Lieutenant Plummer still retains his commission in His Majesty's Army?

This case has been brought to my attention by my hon. Friend. It has given rise to much correspondence, which is not yet complete. I will inform my hon. Friend when a decision has been reached.

Has the right hon. Gentleman caused a Court of Inquiry to be held into this matter?

No Court of Inquiry has been held.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that civil proceedings were started, but were quashed by order of the military authorities so as to keep the matter from the public?

I am not aware of anything of the kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

There is an inquiry going on.

A military inquiry?

It is not what is called a Court of Inquiry, but an inquiry by the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state how many prisoners of war are at present interned in Ireland and the approximate cost annually of their maintenance and support; whether these prisoners have been employed at any work of public utility; and whether, having regard to the treatment of English prisoners of war in Germany and their compulsory employment in reclaiming slob lands and making new roads, he will consider the advisability of forthwith employing prisoners of war in Ireland in cleaning the River Barrow and other Irish rivers, the flooding of which has this winter devastated whole districts, destroyed tracts of arable land, and rendered the proper tillage of a vast area impossible?

The answer to the first part of the question is 575. As regards the second part, I fear I cannot give the annual cost of maintenance without considerable research, which I am reluctant to impose upon the Department, already much overstrained. No such employment as in indicated in the third part of the question has been found for these prisoners. The men in question, being all civilians, cannot be forced to work otherwise than in the maintenance of their camp. I understand that the German Government enforces no labour on interned civilians.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of candidates for commissions in the Army from Ireland have entered various Officers' Training-Corps with a view to qualifying for commissions, and that some of them have been already recommended for commissions by the officer commanding of their different training corps, but that they are now informed that commissions are only obtainable through the ranks owing to a change in the Regulations; and whether he will see that candidates for commissions from Ireland, who have already entered Officers' Training Corps in Ireland or in England, are allowed the benefit of the conditions on the strength of which they joined originally?

The general rule now in force is that commissions shall not be granted to any candidate who has not passed through the ranks of a cadet unit unless he has previous military experience as an officer. Cadets of contingents of the Officers' Training Corps who have attained the age of eighteen and a half years and are approved by the Army Council will be eligible for admission to a cadet unit. The granting of a commission will depend upon whether the cadet, after his course in the cadet unit, is reported as suitable in every way to hold a commission. Membership of an Officers' Training Corps will not by itself qualify for a commission.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what are the total emoluments of the Secretary of State for War?

The amount issued from public funds as the emolument of the present Secretary of State for War is £6,140 per annum, being the salary of Lord Kitchener as Agent-General in Egypt, less the regulated amount issuable to the present High Commissioner.

Is that in addition to the £5,000 he receives as Secretary of State for War?

No, Sir.

What is the period of the Secretary of State for War's appointment as Commander-in-Chief—for the period of the War, or for a period of years?

I cannot undertake to answer that question. I shall require notice.

Does the salary remain the same although the duties have been reduced?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the award of the new war medal for bravery in the field will be retrospective?

It will be open to commanding officers in drawing up lists of those whom they wish to put forward for the award of the new medal to take into consideration previous good service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state why the Remount Department have practically ceased to purchase horses for Army purposes in Ireland and are at present importing horses from the Colonies and else-, where at considerable expense, notwithstanding the abundant supply of horses in Ireland suitable for all branches of the Service which have been purchased and maintained by their owners to meet Army requirements; and whether the agents or representatives of our Allies will be allowed a free market to supply the wants of our Allies from the stock of horses in Ireland, as the embargo on the exportation of horses and the cessation of Government buying is inflicting losses on Irish horse-owners who have to keep over their stock owing to the price of provender?

The Remount Department ceased buying horses for the Army in Ireland on a large scale when the supply of horses of suitable age and stamp ran dry. It is intended to recommence purchase in the spring, when this year's crop will have reached maturity. Under these circumstances it is not considered desirable to permit the export to foreign countries of horses which may be required for our own Army.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the average price paid in Ireland by the Remount Department for horses required for Army purposes; if he will state the average price paid in Canada and elsewhere; and if he will state the freight per head paid at present on horses imported from Canada and elsewhere?

I regret that it is not considered in the public interest to publish the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

Is it the fact that £30 per head is paid for the importation of horses in this country?

No, Sir; nothing like it; nothing approaching it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if all the glycerine produced by Irish soap manufacturers has been commandeered by the Government at the price of £59 10s. per ton; if the War Office are paying American soap makers £250 per ton for glycerine and, if not, what price is being paid the American makers; if he is aware that the percentage of glycerine in the fats used in making soap is 10 per cent., and that the American manufacturer, owing to the price paid him for his glycerine, can afford to pay £20 per ton more for his fats than the Irish manufacturer and make his soap as cheaply; and if he is aware that the stopping of the importation of American soap during the War, owing to the increase in the production of British-made soap, would place at the disposal of the War Office an increased supply of cheap glycerine?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.

As regards the second part, no glycerine is being bought from America by the Ministry of Munitions.

As regards the third part, the answer is in the affirmative.

As regards the rest of the question, I am not aware of the price being paid by American manufacturers of soap for their fats, nor what it costs them to make soap. All possible steps are being taken to increase the supply of cheap glycerine for war purposes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a receiving depot will be established in Dublin for all supplies made in Ireland; and if the War Office will procure a Report as to the urgency and expediency of establishing such a depot from their superintendent engineer for Dublin and the South of Ireland?

I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 9th December last to my hon. Friend the Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of this answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a Russian subject, Peter Petroff, has been interned on a warrant of the Home Office for the duration of the War; whether any charge has been or will be preferred against him; and whether his internment is due to the denunciation or evidence of persons other than the police?

asked whether a Russian subject, Peter Petroff, is now interned in Edinburgh Castle together with German prisoners of war; whether any charge has been preferred against him in connection with the cause of internment; and, if his internment is to be for any length of time, whether it is intentional that he is not being interned with others of his own nationality?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions. Petroff has been interned under an order of the Secretary for Scotland under Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, to the terms of which I would refer my hon. Friend. His case has been considered and his appeal refused by the Scottish Advisory Committee. He is at present detained in Edinburgh Castle, pending a decision as to his final place of internment.

Has my right hon. Friend not promised that this man shall have a civil trial?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not consider whether civil trial could not be extended in this case, especially in view of his being a Russian subject and opposed to Prussian militarism?

I have no official knowledge whether this man is a Russian subject or not.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will say what are the several classes of friendly race or sympathies who are technically of German nationality other than persons of French race from Alsace-Lorraine; and how many of the 14,000 un-interned alien enemies technically of German nationality belong to such classes?

In addition to the natives of Alsace-Lorraine there are Poles and a few natives of Schleswig-Holstein and of Heligoland, and there are also aliens of German race but friendly sympathies, e.g., those who have been long established here or in an allied country, sometimes from infancy, and have sons fighting for the Allies. I regret that I cannot give more detailed figures than those already furnished in answer to previous questions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the people of Holstein are distinctively of German race, and is there reason to suppose that their sympathies are opposed to Germany, and would not the same apply to many of the Poles?

It does apply to a considerable number of them, but each case is considered on its individual merits.

The right hon. Gentleman does not therefore assume that in the case of a member of one of those particular nationalities he is therefore friendly to this country and a subject for consideration?

I do not assume that he is therefore friendly to this country, but it is assumed that he is therefore a subject for consideration, and the case is inquired into. He is not treated as in the case of a pure-bred German.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will say for what reason some 3,700 male Germans and Austrians of military age, other than Czechs, Poles, Southern Slavs, and natives of Alsace-Lorraine, remain still uninterned, notwithstanding the announcement by the Government eight months ago that all such persons would be interned with as little delay as possible?

If the hon. Member will refer to the announcement of the Government's policy made by the Prime Minister on the 13th May and my predecessor on the 10th June, he will see that the internment of male alien enemies of military age was to be subject to exemption for special reasons on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government proposes to take, either by enforcing the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act or otherwise, to put a stop to the publication in this country in the "Labour Leader" and other journals, or in the form of leaflets, of matter calculated to be of use to the enemy in adversely influencing public opinion in neutral countries by conveying erroneous information as to public opinion in this country on the subject of the Military Service Act, the production of munitions, and other questions vital to the prosecution of the War?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Elland Division on the 17th January.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that a man called John M'Lean, a graduate of Glasgow University, has been arrested in Glasgow on a charge of making certain speeches in which harsh things were said of the present Coalition Government; whether he has been handed over by the police authorities to the military authorities for trial; if so, whether his Department is responsible for this handing over for military trial; and whether it has up till now been the practice in this country to courtmartial members of the public for making strong speeches?

In regard to the two earlier parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate to the Member for East Edinburgh on the 17th of February. The answers to the two latter parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Irish and English toilet soap makers are handicapped in competition with American rivals as, owing to the impossibility of procuring brass, nickel-plated, and tin tubes and boxes, they cannot present their goods attractively as heretofore, and the public purchase the attractive American article; if he is aware that many of the American manufacturers put the addresses of their London agents on their boxes, and the public cannot tell whether they are Irish or English made; and whether, in view of the importance of restricting the purchase and consumption of imported articles, especially where, owing to the exigencies of the War, these articles have a competitive advantage over the home-manufactured ones, he will take practical remedial action?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I returned to a similar question addressed to me on the 24th February by the hon. and gallant Member for the Enfield Division of Middlesex.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that 597 French and Belgian decorations were conferred upon British soldiers on one day last week; and whether a corresponding recognition of the eminent services of soldiers of our Allies has been made by the British Government?

Yes, Sir; large numbers of British decorations have been conferred on members of the Allied Forces fighting in the various theatres of operations.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to recommend the grant of posthumous honours by handing to the families of deceased soldiers the medals which the soldiers earned?

The war medal of a soldier entitled to receive it who has died before issue, is issued to the family of the deceased, unless otherwise bequeathed by will. As regards other medals, such as the Distinguished Conduct Medal, I am not in a position at present to add anything to what I stated on 20th December in reply to the hon. Member for East Wilts.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Rubber Committee will be continued as a separate Committee under the new arrangement whereby the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is to control all questions relating to blockade?

The Rubber and Tin Exports Committee was appointed by the Board of Trade to control the export of those commodities, and they advise the War Trade Department as to whether licences for export should be granted or refused. The position of the Committee in relation to the Department is at present receiving the consideration of the Minister of Blockade.

Can my hon. Friend say where all these communications should be addressed to? Is it to the new Minister of Blockade or to the conveners of each separate Committee?

I think that for the present anybody applying for a licence for rubber should apply to the Rubber and Tin Exports Committee at the Board of Trade.

Docs the hon. Gentleman consider there is any likelihood under the new arrangements of these applications being expeditiously dealt with?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether men are now being taken from the Territorial Reserve battalions for use at the docks; and, if so, under what kind of arrangement?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Barnsley Division on the 24th February. As regards the last part of the question, I have not yet obtained the information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether men from Home service battalions unfit for foreign service will be used to relieve the congestion on the railways?

I think that, should occasion arise, men of the category mentioned should be used in preference to those who are fit for foreign service. But I am not aware that occasion has yet arisen.

Has the right hon. Gentleman never heard during the War of the congestion of traffic on the railways so that men cannot get goods?

I do not say that I have never heard there has been congestion, because I believe that has been so, but not to occasion this particular alteration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been in communication with the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply in order to secure improvement in the method by which sugar is apportioned to the wholesale dealers, with a view to regularising the supply to retail sellers; and whether he can indicate the possibility of any new Regulations to deal with the matter?

I have no reason to suppose that the arrangements made by the Royal Commission for the distribution of sugar among the wholesale dealers are other than satisfactory, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any cases in which there are grounds for complaint of unfair distribution I shall be glad to consult the Royal Commission in regard to them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a number of men of the National Reserve were employed by the Post Office at various railway stations and post offices in December last on other than military duties; whether a small payment was made to some; and whether it is his intention to make a payment to all of the men for their services?

If the hon Member will be so kind as to give me particulars of any cases in which men of the National Reserve were employed by the Post Office without payment I should be pleased to make inquiry on the subject.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will state how many national munition factories have been established in Ireland; if all the necessary machinery for the manufacture of shells has been supplied to such factory or factories; and if it is his intention to establish one filling factory at least in Ireland?

One national munition factory has been established in Ireland. Part of the machinery has been delivered and is at work producing shell. With regard to the last part of the question, it is not at present intended to establish a filling factory in. Ireland as the output of shell in Ireland does not justify the erection of a special filling factory.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the remainder of the machinery will be supplied?

It is coming from America and for machine makers in this country. The Irish factory is getting its proportion. We are distributing it according to the quantity received. I cannot tell my hon. Friend when the rest will come.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the men who are idle owing to the non-arrival of this machinery are entitled to exemption by the tribunals?

That question is not relevant to the one on the Paper.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will consider the question of granting a war bonus to national school teachers in Ireland, in view of their difficulty of meeting the increased cost of living out of their limited incomes; and if he will accede to their request to have their salaries paid monthly, at least while the War lasts?

I have considered the subject of the first part of the hon. Member's question, but the difficulty to which he refers is one which affects the rest of the community in common with national teachers, and I fear I can hold out no prospect of a war bonus being granted to meet it. As regards the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the question of the hon. Member for the Leix Division of Queen's County on the 28th October last on this subject. I may point out that the loss to the Treasury entailed in making the alteration from quarterly to monthly payments is incurred at once and consequently the suggestion contained in the last part of the question is impossible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much the loss would amount to?

I have gone into it and it is an enormous sum. It would require thirteen payments in one year instead of twelve, and although it could be recouped after a long time at the first start the loss would mean many thousands of pounds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the married teachers in Ireland are practically on the verge of want? Will he see if anything can be done to give them decent salaries?

I am very sorry, but all persons suffer when the cost of living is so greatly increased. I could not deal with the question of the national teachers alone.

Should not the people who are entrusted with the education of the youth of Ireland be given a salary on which they can maintain a family with self-respect?

Yes; I hope that that still continues to be done.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into account that this expenditure is a capital sum, and that the interest would come to a very reasonable amount?

I can assure the hon Member that I have carried on this discussion with the Treasury for the last eighteen months, and I do not think he can inform me of anything I do not already know.

asked if the Government have as yet made any purchases of Irish oats for Army purposes; if so, to what extent; and if the authorities propose to make use of the existing supply of Irish oats before making further purchases abroad?

Beyond the fact that 10,000 tons of Irish oats have, as I understand, been purchased on behalf of one of our Allies, I have no information on the subject of the hon. Member's question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter?

I have made inquiries and obtained the information that 10,000 tons of Irish oats have been purchased on behalf of one of our Allies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much was purchased for ourselves?

I can inquire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received a petition from the magistrates of Berwick asking the Government to retain a portion of the separation allowance of soldiers' wives; whether the magistrates invited the support of the clergy in this enterprise; and whether any answer has been returned on behalf of the Government, and, if so, what answer?

I do not trace the receipt of the petition in question, but I should not be prepared to withhold compulsorily any portion of these allowances; while for voluntarily saving the War Savings Certificate scheme seems to meet the requirements admirably. Any influence which the clergy or other benevolent persons can bring to bear in furtherance of this good object would be well bestowed.

asked how many of the 2,770 soldiers invalided out of the Service in 1915 on account of tuberculosis were found under the terms of the Royal Warrant to be entitled to a pension; and how many were not so entitled?

1,641 were awarded pensions and 1,129 claims were not accepted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will state what is being done with reference to the claim of Mr. William Boshell against the Government of Colombia for compensation for the confiscation of his property; and whether, in view of the fact that this case has been proceeding for some eleven years past, he will take measures to have the matter equitably arranged by arbitration or otherwise without further delay?

I have at present nothing to add to the information contained in the letter which was addressed to the hon. Member from the Foreign Office on 16th February. The nature of the instructions addressed to His Majesty's Minister at Bogota was stated in that letter.

Is there any likelihood of this case being concluded within a reasonable time, seeing that it has now lasted eleven years?

A great deal has been said about this case naturally during the last eleven years. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to talk to me about it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the recent amendment to the Ceylon Education Code, Grants are made con- ditional on the Department of Education being satisfied that the owner, manager, or teachers of the school have not associated themselves in any way with movements or societies which are concerned in any political or social programme directed against the Government or calculated to disturb public tranquility and excite unrest among any class of His Majesty's subjects; whether unrest has been caused by the Government opening about 1,000 liquor shops among them against the wishes of the Buddhist population, whose religion forbids the use of intoxicants; whether temperance societies have been formed to save the population from Government temptations by teaching them to be faithful to their religion; whether, in consequence of the amended Code, many schoolmasters have had to resign from such societies or lose their Grant; and whether he will cause the removal from the Code of this Regulation, which is believed to indicate the Government's hostility to temperance teaching, and under which all advocacy by school teachers of any kind of political or social reform can be penalised?

I have no information as to the amendment of the Education Code, nor as to the resignation of schoolmasters in consequence of it, but I will ask for a report from the officer administering the government of Ceylon. With reference to the second part of the question the excise policy of the Ceylon Government has been frequently explained in this House by my predecessor; I "would refer for example to the questions and answers appearing in the OFFICIAL REPORT for the 1st July and the 24th July, 1912. There is, of course, no foundation for the suggestion that the Ceylon Government desires to discourage temperance, or is in any way hostile to societies whose real object is the promotion of temperance; but I regret to say that it has been established that many of the so-called temperance societies have been largely used for the propagation of views of which it would be impossible for any Government to approve.