asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Custodis, Limited, have received an order for a factory chimney at Langwith, near Mansfield, for the Munitions Department; and whether, seeing he is aware that this company last year, in writing, deliberately made false statements that there was no German capital embarked in the concern and that the directorate was entirely British, he communicated these facts to the Minister of Munitions with a view to preventing orders being placed with alien-owned firms in preference to British firms?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions that the order for the factory chimney referred to is not being placed with Custodis, Limited. I may, however, inform my hon. Friend that the constitution of the company has changed since the statement to which he refers. The shares and debentures have been transferred out of the names of the persons by whom they were then held, an amount due to Mrs. Custodis on the transfer has been handed over to the Public Trustee, and new directors have been appointed. Having regard to the past record of the company, I have thought it desirable that the business should be kept under supervision, but my present information does not justify my taking action to prevent orders being given to the company.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines who have made the maximum pension and who are kept on in the Service after completing twenty-one years' service can gain any extra pension; and if non-commissioned officers who have completed twenty-one years' service and are placed on the supernumerary list while kept on in service are eligible for promotion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. But the question of making addition to pension in respect of extended service is under consideration. Non-commissioned officers who have completed twenty-one years' service and are placed on the supernumerary list whilst retained are eligible for promotion when recommended by their commanding officers for special or distinguished service.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if there is any intention of closing the Marlborough Row gate, Portsmouth Dockyard; and if he is aware that any such closing would entail inconvenience to the dockyard men and loss to small owners, lodging-house keepers, and tradesmen in the district?

The question of the arrangements for entering the dockyard by the various gates is under considera- tion, with a view to the greater safeguarding of the public interest. But no decision such as that indicated in the question has been taken.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if colour-sergeants who completed time for pensions prior to the 27th August, 1915, are eligible for promotion to warrant officers, Class II., seeing that this rank was granted to the corresponding Army rank by A.O. 70, February, 1915; if colour-sergeants who have been employed as company sergeants during their twenty-one years' service, but became supernumerary before August, 1915, can be promoted to warrant officer rank, as is the case with those colour-sergeants who have not been appointed company sergeants, but who became supernumerary since August, 1915; and, seeing that quartermaster-sergeants who completed twenty-one years' service before August, 1915, have been classed as warrant officers, Class II., if the same rank can be given to colour-sergeants who have held the appointment of company sergenats, and have completed time for pension since A.O. 70 came into force in February, 1915?

Colour-sergeants who completed time for pension prior to 27th August, 1915, are eligible for promotion to warrant officer, Class II., if still serving, when recommended by their commanding officer for special or distinguished service. The number of colour-sergeants authorised for promotion to warrant officer, Class II., is limited to the number required for appointment to company sergeant-major, and these have been selected from lists of the most suitable colour-sergeants recommended by their respective commanding officers. The rank of warrant officer, Class II., in the Royal Marines was instituted by Order in Council of 10th November, 1915, with effect from 27th August, 1915.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men have been raised in Ulster additional to Infantry for the Royal Army Medical Corps, Divisional Train, Royal Engineers, Cavalry Squadron, Cyclists, etc., connected with the Ulster Division?

I understand that the figures included in the Lord Lieutenant's recent Report on recruiting in Ireland included recruits for the arms mentioned in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that very urgent representations have been frequently made to the proper authorities for commissions to be granted to suitable candidates in the third-line Royal East Kent Yeomanry, and that no reply can be obtained; and whether he can take prompt measures to relieve the inconvenience caused by this neglect?

No, Sir, I am not aware of the representations mentioned. Any recommendations for the granting of commissions must be dealt with under the regulations for the time being in force. Suitable candidates, who have been nominated to the War Office, will be sent to a cadet unit for training, and will be given commissions if reported upon as being suitable at the end of their course.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the number of the Royal Irish Constabulary at the outbreak of the War, and how many county and district inspectors there then were; how many of each rank of officers were of military age, and how many of those have joined the Army and how many have expressed their willingness to serve; and how many of the rank and file also expressed their willingness to serve in the Army if allowed, in addition to those whose services have been accepted?

At the outbreak of the War the strength of the rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary was 10,235. There were 37 county inspectors and 196 district inspectors, none of the former and 71 of the latter being of military age. Thirty-two district inspectors have joined the Army and 7 county inspectors and 17 district inspectors have expressed their willingness to serve. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his previous question on this subject on the 29th June last, and also to the reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for East Limerick on the 18th November last, since which date the position has remained unchanged.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if Irish migratory labourers who come to Great Britain periodically to assist in agricultural operations will come under the compulsory provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916?

These persons would not, in my opinion, be ordinarily resident in Great Britain, and would not, therefore, be within Section 1 (4) of the Military Service Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Private Robert Sutherland, No. 1,804, D Company, Scottish provisional battalion, Ballnagath, Aberdeen, who enlisted on 12th August, 1914, for a year or for a longer period provided His Majesty should so long require his services but in no case should this retention exceed six months, this period of service having expired on 12th February; is he aware that Private Sutherland has twice applied for his discharge to the officer commanding without result; and will he take steps to provide that Private Sutherland is granted his discharge without further delay?

The general question upon which this case depends is under consideration, but it is hoped that a decision upon it will shortly be reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether possession of an armlet by a man who, since 14th August, 1915, has been duly certified as unfit for military service on account of organic disease, renders the possessor more or less liable for service in some capacity than a man who, in precisely similar circumstances, has not applied for and obtained an armlet?

The fact that a man has offered himself for enlistment and been rejected since 14th August, 1915, excepts him from the operation of the Act. If he has a certificate to this effect in proper form he is not liable. The possession of an armlet in addition does not affect the question of liability under the Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of the probability of married men recruited under the Derby scheme being shortly called to the Colours, he will give instructions for the transfer of all single men in the Army Service Corps, the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Army Ordnance Corps, and the Army Pay Corps to Line regiments and for their places to be filled by such married men?

I am advised that the summary procedure suggested would lead to the immediate disorganisation of the whole Army. In the circumstances, I can give no undertaking that it will be adopted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers serving in the Balkan Expeditionary Force, at Salonika, are not allowed what is called Colonial allowance, although the climate is as trying and the difficulties as great as in Egypt, where this allowance is made; what is the reason of this distinction in treatment; and whether, having regard to the fact that with this exception of Colonial allowance the allowances in both places are similar and that the preferential distinction in the case of officers in Egypt is regarded as a grievance by officers serving in the Balkan Expeditionary Force, the Colonial allowance will be extended to them also with the arrears thereof?

Colonial allowance is a special allowance designed to meet the extra expense thrown upon officers of the British Army by service in Egypt and certain other places under peace conditions. The question of its discontinuance during war in places where it was drawn in peace presents difficulties and is under consideration. I regret that I cannot extend it to officers serving at Salonika.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Driver Neil M'Fadyen, No. 96,714, Royal Field Artillery, made an allotment of 3s. 6d. a week to his father, Donald M'Fadyen, Borne, Barra; that Donald M'Fadyen received the first payment only on the 10th of this month, and, in response to his inquiries, can get no information as to the arrears due to him; and will he have inquiry made and have this matter put right?

I have had inquiry made into this case, and find there had been failure to notify the paymaster of the allotment. All arrears of the allotment have now been issued.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that dissatisfaction still continues on account of the delay in arranging an examining and receiving depot in Dublin; whether he is aware that its establishment would prove more economical and convenient than the present method; and whether, under these circumstances, he will take measures to carry out the promise made by the Duke of Connaught when Commander-in-Chief in Ireland to establish a depot in Dublin?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the full reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 9th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has any information that Mr. Gustav Gerhardt Coppel, of Sheffield, has declined to associate himself with the protest made by other naturalised German subjects in Sheffield declaring their loyalty to the British Crown and their horror at the atrocities committed by Germany on land and sea; whether he is aware that Mr. Coppel has, on the contrary, stated that under no circumstances would he take a similar course as it would be a great disadvantage to him after the War was over, as other German naturalised subjects in Sheffield would find to their cost; whether he will bring before Mr. Coppel the declaration made by his fellow naturalised British subjects and ask him if he is prepared to make a similar declaration of his loyalty; if not, will he see that Mr. Coppel and his German employés are interned; and (2) whether Mr. Coppel, managing director of a limited company engaged in the manufacture of steel in Sheffield, is a naturalised British subject; if so, when was he naturalised; whether he is aware that his company did an extensive trade with Germany prior to the outbreak of war; whether two German subjects of military age are still employed at his works; and why is this permitted, seeing that other German subjects in Sheffield engaged in similar works have been interned?

The answer to the first part of the past Question is in the affirmative. I am informed that the allegation in the second part has not been substantiated. Mr. Coppel came to England in 1870, and was naturalised in 1878. He is one of the directors of a firm in which other directors are among the best-known men in Sheffield. The firm did an extensive trade with Germany prior to the War, but has since been engaged on important war contracts for the British and Allied Governments. They have only one German employé, who has been exempted from internment on the ground of the utility of his services. I do not think that there is sufficient ground for ordering the internment of this naturalised British subject and the employé in question.

asked the Home Secretary why a permit was issued to Herr Friedman, an alien enemy, a young man of twenty-eight, of the Forester Paper Company, Limited, Acton, to spend week-ends at Brighton, Bournemouth, and now every week-end at Margate; how long have these permits been issued to this alien enemy; and what are the reasons why he is not interned?

I have made inquiry, and am informed that permits have from time to time been issued by the police to Friedman, who is an Austrian subject, to enable him to visit his British-born fiancée, who has been long dangerously ill, and who died this week. Friedman was exempted from internment on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a permit has been given to Herr Friedman, an alien enemy, manager of the Forester Paper Company, Limited, of Acton, to continue trading in this country; whether he is aware that the Forester Paper Company, Limited, is controlled by the Deutsche Bank; that this company is carrying on a large business taking work from British paper manufacturers, two-thirds of whose employés have gone to the War; whether he is aware that a number of firms doing business with this company are wholly unaware that this is an alien-owned firm; and will he say why steps have not already been taken under the provisions of the Enemy Trading Act to put a stop to this company trading?

No permit is required to enable the Forester Paper Company, Limited, to continue trading in this country. One thousand of the company's shares were registered in the name of the London Agency of the Deutsche Bank, but the company is not controlled by that bank. Out of the issued capital of 13,500 shares, 7,799 shares are held by British subjects. The business has been inspected, and I am advised that it is not carried on wholly or mainly for the benefit or under the control of enemy subjects, so that the case is not one to which the provisions of Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, apply.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what steps have been taken by the Department to ensure a sufficient supply of flax seed to meet the requirements of Irish flax growers; and if he can state the quantities of Russian, Dutch, and Canadian or other seed, respectively, which will be available for the sowing season, and when such supplies may be expected to arrive?

Since the beginning of October last the Department have been constantly in communication with Irish importers and the Foreign Office in regard to obtaining flax seed from Holland and Russia, the two chief sources of supply. The Dutch authorities have issued permits for the exportation of over 35,000 bags to the United Kingdom. Of this quantity about 25,000 bags have already been received in Ireland, and further consignments are expected shortly. Arrangements have been completed for the immediate shipment from Christiania direct to Belfast of 3,800 bags of Russian seed, and it appears that the Swedish authorities have permitted the transit through Sweden of further considerable quantities which are being forwarded. The amount of flax seed imported this season from Canada and other minor sources of supply is about 6,500 bags. The supplies assured at present, including home-saved seed and Russian and other seed remaining from last season, is considered sufficient for sowing over 80,000 acres, or 27,000 acres in excess of last year's sowing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what has been the average gazette price per imperial quarter of British wheat, barley, and oats, respectively, during January and February of the present year?

The average gazette prices per imperial quarter of British wheat, barley, and oats, respectively, during January and February, 1916, have been as follows:— — Wheat. Barley. Oats. s. d. s. d. s. d. Week ending: January 8 55 8 47 8 31 5 January 15 56 7 48 6 31 11 January 22 57 2 49 6 32 6 January 29 58 0 51 0 32 11 February 5 58 3 52 5 32 4 February 12 57 6 52 10 32 2 February 19 56 11 53 6 31 9 February 26 58 2 54 2 32 2

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any treaties between Great Britain and other countries of the same nature as the treaty between the United Kingdom and the United States of America, signed on 15th September, 1914, by which all disputes of every nature whatsoever have to be referred to investigation by an International Commission prior to a declaration of war?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer returned to his previous similar inquiry of the 27th April last. No further treaty of the nature referred to has been concluded since that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Income Tax is required to be paid on tithe value under Schedule B of the Finance Act, 1915, as well as under Schedule A; and, if so, whether this entails paying the tax twice over on the same value?

The liability of the occupier under Schedule B is quite distinct from that of the owner under Schedule A. The fact that tax is chargeable in each case on the basis of the annual value of the land does not give rise to any question of double taxation. If there is a tithe rent-charge on the land it does not affect the occupier, the only result being to divide the liability in respect of ownership between the landlord and the tithe-owner.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that no representative of the National Federation of Employés' Approved Societies has been nominated to represent the societies on the Committee recently appointed by the Treasury to inquire into the finance of the National Insurance Act; and whether he is aware that this federation exclusively represents societies connected with the great industrial and trading concerns, such as the railway, gas, and engineering companies in all parts of the country, and that the members administering the affairs of these societies have a long experience of industrial insurance and have administered the National Insurance Act to a greater advantage than many of the approved societies, and in view of their special interest in the result of the inquiry he will take steps at once to appoint an additional member or members of the Committee to represent them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject yesterday.