asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what services on the sea have been rendered by the two representatives of the Admiralty on the Contraband Committee; and whether, without disparaging the personnel of the Committee as at present constituted, he will consider the desirability, in the public interests, of arranging that the Committee should be strengthened by the addition of a sailor of acknowledged and recognised naval service and of two experienced business men, familiar with the ways of commerce and the recognised methods of invoicing, and the use and misuse of bills of lading, in order to give an article carried a designation, character, and destination that it frequently does not possess?

The hon. Member must ask the Admiralty for information as to the qualifications of those chosen to represent it on the Contraband Committee. I believe that one of their representatives has had many years of sea service, that the Committee has the necessary technical knowledge, and that its efficiency would be impaired by in creasing its numbers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in Sweden some 24 out of 31 British Consuls and Vice-Consuls are aliens, in Norway 26 out of 30, in Denmark 19 out of 26, and in Holland and its colonies 14 out of 24; and whether it is now propesed to limit the appointment of British Consuls and Vice-Consuls to men of purely British descent?

I must point out that the hon. and gallant Member has mixed up salaried and unsalaried officers in his question. This is hopelessly misleading. All salaried Consular officers in the countries named are of British birth. Of the unsalaried officers the great proportion in the countries named are foreigners. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that these appointments are made in places where it is a choice between having an unsalaried officer or none at all.

In such places where a suitable British candidate is forthcoming he is given the post, but British merchants and ship-owners constantly employ foreigners as their agents, and it therefore often happens that there is no one of British birth resident and qualified for the unsalaried post.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not take steps to replace these unsalaried aliens by salaried Britishers? Could it not easily be done by instituting a system of Consular invoices, bringing in several millions?

The question which the hon. and gallant Gentleman is raising is whether a vast amount more should not be spent on the Consular service than is being now spent. It is a very big question. When the trade or importance of a place justifies the appointment of a salaried Consular officer one is placed there. There are lots of places that are not of sufficient importance to do so, and in those cases an unsalaried officer is appointed. A British subject is chosen if available, and, if not, the most suitable foreigner.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question at all?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the conditions of naval and military service in force in France, Italy, and Russia, and also Germany and Austria, with regard to the pay and allowances to the dependants of professional men and others engaged in civil occupations and earning substantial incomes at the outbreak of war who have been summoned to the Colours; and whether there is any total or partial suspension of current obligations for rent, rates, taxes, insurance premiums, or their equivalent periodical payments in such countries?

The information we have on this subject is incomplete, but all the available decrees of foreign Governments bearing upon it in the possession of the Foreign Office will be placed in the Library of the House

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make any statement regarding the treatment of British prisoners in Bulgaria; and if he has received any report from the American Ambassador regarding their condition?

The United States Chargé d'Affaires informed the United States Ambassador here by telegram, on the 17th ultimo, that all the British prisoners of war in Bulgaria were to be transferred to Philippopolis, that an American physician had been placed in attendance, and that the present arrangement was very satisfactory. The Chargé d'Affaires has also reported that there are sixty or seventy British prisoners of war in different hospitals in Sofia, and that they are well treated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be receiving further reports?

Yes, we are constantly receiving them. We are getting them as frequently as we can, and by all the means in our power obtaining the fullest information we can.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to accounts which have recently appeared regarding the treatment of British prisoners at Schneidemuhl; whether the American Ambassador has been asked to inquire and report on the treatment of prisoners in this camp; and, if not, will he take steps to have inquiries made?

A report on the camp at Schneidemuhl by the United States Embassy at Berlin was published in the Press on 2nd November. The report is not unsatisfactory. Many complaints have been received as to the conditions prevailing at this camp at an earlier date, and it is, I presume, to such complaints that the hon. Member refers. If the hon. Member has received unsatisfactory information as to the present conditions at this camp, and will communicate this information to me, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British prisoners are being used by the German authorities for cleaning the streets, clearing away the snow, and for similar work?

Perhaps the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the 1,000 tons of copper, forming part of the cargo of the "Esrom," was neutral property at the time the vessel was brought into Lerwick; whether there was any evidence to show its ultimate destination; whether it has been allowed to go forward to Copenhagen; and, if so, has any guarantee been given that it will not reach the enemy?

The answers to the first and second questions are in the affirmative; the answer to the third question is in the negative, but the copper has been re-exported from this country under Privy Council licence to Gothenburg, the vessel herself having been placed in the Prize Court; the answer to the fourth question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the whole agricultural county of Kirkcudbrightshire, in which no military are stationed and no munitions manufactured, was scheduled, along with Carlisle and Dumfriesshire, with the result that certain licensees are ruined; why the local governing bodies were not consulted before the Order was issued; whether any petition has been received for the exclusion of Minnigaff; and, if so, what answer has been returned to such petition?

I am informed that it was decided to schedule the whole of Kirkcudbrightshire on account of its proximity to an important munition centre and as the result of the inquiry held by the Central Board at Carlisle, which was attended by representatives from the county. In reply to the latter part of the question, I am informed that no petition has been received from Minnigaff.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire about the petition?

I did inquire, and I was informed there was nothing of that nature.

asked the Minister of Munitions the grounds upon which the Munitions Department have, without notice and without any preliminary negotiation, entered upon the experimental farm of the Yorkshire Council for Agricultural Education at Garforth; whether some 70 acres, including the plots where the chief seed and other experiments are conducted, are already staked out; and whether a more suitable site for a shell-filling factory can be found in the neighbourhood?

It was at one time under consideration to use a portion of the land referred to in the question for the purposes of a filling factory, but I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made which render it unnecessary for the Ministry of Munitions to take possession of the land.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the fact that the families of many men who are employed on munitions work in Dumfriesshire reside in a stewartry of Kirkcudbright, he will endeavour to arrange for a workmen's train to be run night and morning between Dalbeattie and Gretna?

I understand that a workmen's train runs between Dumfries and Gretna, and that there would be no difficulty in arranging for a workmen's train to run from Dalbeattie to Dumfries; but Dalbeattie is forty-one miles from Gretna, and it seems hardly possible for workmen to travel that distance morning and night each day.

I should like to appeal to hon. and right hon. Members if they would be good enough not to put down questions which will indicate the locality of munitions factories. It is giving information which, I am sorry to say, has turned out on one or two occasions to be rather valuable to the enemy, and it has endangered one or two factories. I should be exceedingly obliged to hon. Members when they frame their questions if they will not frame them in such a way as to indicate the existence of munition factories at particular centres.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has been in communication with the controlled firm of Messrs. E. H. Bentall, Limited, at Maldon, who have discharged three of their workmen because they were members of a trade union; whether any decision has been arrived at; and, if so, what action does he propose to take in the matter with a view to putting a stop to this practice and thereby safeguarding the interests of trade union members?

I am taking legal advice in this matter, and will communicate my decision to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in order to ensure that the production of shells and other munitions of war in adequate quantity may not be endangered by the necessity, particularly in the case of women, of allowing one day's rest in seven, he will recommend the employment of week-end relief workers in controlled and other munition factories and take steps to provide further facilities for the training of additional workers of this class?

I am entirely in agreement with my hon. Friend, and a special branch of the Labour Supply Department has been formed at the Ministry of Munitions to encourage the use and organise the supply of special shifts of labour for week-end work. This is done in order to give a necessary day of rest to regular workers and at the same time to secure the minimum diminution of output. The head of this branch is now visiting various munition areas with a view to furthering the policy.

Will that apply to women workers also?

Undoubtedly.

asked the Minister of Munitions 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.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a circular from soap manufacturers stating that the War Office or the Ministry of Munitions paid £250 per ton for glycerine from America?

No, we are not buying any from America. Steps were taken here to secure the glycerine required for war purposes at a considerably lower price than that paid in America. The hon. Gentleman is perfectly right in saying that prices are very much higher in America than here. That is why we took action in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the system of Post Office current accounts and postal cheque payments introduced in Germany since the War; whether he is aware that by these means the amount of outstanding Reichsbank notes has been reduced, the issue of current coin restricted, and all classes supplied with the advantages of banking facilities; and whether similar methods are contemplated to ease the currency and relieve financial and commercial stringency in this country?

The postal cheque system was introduced in Germany some years before the War, namely, on 1st January, 1909. The conditions in this country are different; the banking system is more widely extended, and, in view of the extensive use of cheques and postal orders for remittances, it is doubtful if there would be much demand or scope for the system suggested.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that Germany has since the War largely developed its postal cheque system, and has given popular banking facilities which gets a great amount of current money into the hands of the Government?

I understand that the system to which the hon. Gentleman refers was inaugurated on 1st January, 1909. I will have inquiry made with regard to the other matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has information showing the number of railway directors, railway company officials, Board of Trade officials, and representatives of other Government Departments to whom passes still in use have been issued entitling the holders to travel free in first-class carriages over the railways of England; and, if no exact figures are available, whether he has formed an approximate estimate of the number of such outstanding privileges?

I have no information which would enable me to furnish either the exact or the estimated figures desired by my hon. Friend. I have, however, no reason to suppose that free travelling by directors or officials of the railway companies has in any way increased during the period of the War, and I understand that the number of free passes issued to representatives of Government Departments is very small.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the speeches of members of tribunals under the Military Service Act, 1916, to the effect that our export trade is of less importance than the supply of men at the front; and, if so, will he take some action to impress on tribunals the necessity of keeping our trades going, especially during War time?

The Board of Trade have no direct control over the local tribunals, which were set up by the Local Government Board. I have no reason to think that the tribunals are insufficiently impressed with the necessity of maintaining our export trade, to which their attention has been called in a circular issued by the Local Government Board, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make an authoritative announcement on the subject of the calling up for service of married men; whether the Government are taking steps to introduce legislation with a view to relieving these men from the pecuniary obligations for which they would still be liable when called to the Colours; and whether he can give an assurance before the married men are called up that the Government will consider the whole question of hardship that is likely to arise?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a widespread feeling of alarm exists among many married men who have attested under the Derby scheme as to the total insufficiency of the separation allowances to meet payments of rent, rates, taxes, and insurance premiums and for provision for the maintenance of wife and children; and whether, having regard to the substantial incomes, especially in the case of professional men, which will be lost by reason of military service, he will consider the necessity for and make additional provision in such cases where serious loss is proved to have been sustained?

This matter is engaging the careful attention of the Government, and a statement as to the civil obligations of married men called to the Colours will be made as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that before any of the married groups are called up this question will be settled and proposals made?

I do not think it is possible to give an undertaking of that kind, but I understand that the question will be settled quite soon.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that many married men whose groups may shortly be called up have purchased and are paying for their houses by means of periodical instalments combining payment of interest and repayment of the capital sum, and extending over a period of more than ten years; whether the Government have considered the position of these men in the event of their not being able to continue such periodical repayment of the capital sum; and whether, having regard to the consequences which might be entailed to building and other societies in the event of such repayments ceasing under any extension of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1916, he will say what action the Government intend to take?

Although I have no official information on the subject, there may, no doubt, be cases of the kind referred to. In the event of any proposal being made to extend the Act in question, the point mentioned by my hon. Friend would be borne in mind.

asked whether a single man who in December last applied under the Derby scheme for admission to the Naval Reserve but was rejected as medically unfit, and given a paper to that effect signed by a doctor and magistrate, is under any obligation to be re-examined for the Army, or whether he is exempt for further service?

If the man applied through the Army group system and was rejected by the Army medical authorities, he is not subject to the Military Service Act, provided such proof of rejection as the hon. Member mentions is produced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether a rejection for the Navy or Royal Naval Reserve is for the purposes of the Military Service Act the same as a rejection for the Army?

Is there any difference between "rejected" and "not accepted"?

No, I understand not.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that a man who is rejected but given no certificate comes within the Act?

He has to give the necessary proof of rejection.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that tribunals are showing no consideration to cases of men who are the last remaining members of their families; and whether he will take steps to prevent entire families being wiped out by casualties in the War?

I must remind my hon. Friend that in cases of doubt there is a right of appeal ultimately to the central appeal tribunal.

Would it not save a great deal of trouble if the tribunals did as the Government said they were to do?

I understand they are doing so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no right of appeal to the central tribunal except by permission?

Perhaps I may reply on that point. There are two kinds of cases, as I told the House the other day. There are those under attestation. Attested men have an appeal to the central tribunal, and there is no middle court of appeal. In the other cases there is an appeal from the tribunal to the local tribunal court, which has been established now and is of a very high order all over the country. In these cases, it is true, an appeal from them to the central tribunal can only be with consent; but in the instructions which I have issued I have made it quite clear that in special cases that consent should be given.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the statement made at the Sheffield Tribunal by the military representative, Mr. A. C. Caporn, B.A., LL.B., that there was only one ground of total exemption before his tribunal, and that was "death"; and whether any steps will be taken to acquaint this military representative with the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend calls attention. I do not know whether the statement reported was in fact made. Instructions on the administration of the group and class system will be circulated to military representatives this week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter if I supply him with information in regard to this statement?

Yes.

I will supply the right hon. Gentleman with the information.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that when application was being made before the Sheffield Tribunal on behalf of the Brightside and Carbrook Co-operative Society for the exemption of their prime costs clerk, the military representative remarked that co-operators did not pay Income Tax; whether he is aware that a similar assertion was made by the military representative at the Chesterfield Tribunal on 23rd February; and whether steps will be taken to inform these military representatives that remarks which have no foundation in fact, and which can only be introduced in order to prejudice the issues, decrease public confidence in the impartiality of the tribunals, and render more difficult the smooth administration of the Military Service Act, 1916?

I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend. If irrelevant remarks are made it is for the tribunal to check them. Regulation No. 16 lays down very clearly that only questions relevant to the decision of an application may be raised. As I have just stated, the new book on the administration of the group and class systems will be circulated this week to military representatives and others concerned, and stress is laid in that book on the fact that all that is allowed is the presentation of evidence and the elucidation of facts relevant to the decision of an application. It is also pointed out that speeches or advocacy on the part of the military representative or on the part of an applicant are undesirable.

Will those instructions about to be issued be available for Members of Parliament?

Yes, Sir; I will see that they are.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the policy of the recruiting authorities of compulsory enlisting for clerical work men who are medically unfit for military service; and whether, in view of his pledge that the Military Service Act would not be used for the purpose of introducing compulsory labour, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Men only fit for clerical work who are not immediately required for such work in the Army are returned to their civil occupations, and are not called up without at least two months' notice. They may never be called up, but it is impossible to give a pledge that their services will not be required under any circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the War Office can use discharged soldiers for clerical work to take the place of the other men, instead of asking other employers to employ them?

I think that is a question that ought to be addressed to the War Office.

With special regard to the part of the answer that says these men might never be called up, is it the intention to leave these men in doubt as to whether or not they will be called up, and in doubt as to whether they should make arrangements for disposing of their businesses and the meeting of other contingencies?

They will not be called up unless they are absolutely needed by the War Office for the purpose of the War. It cannot be stated at the present time how many will be required, but as soon as it is known ample notice will be given so that these men can make their arrangements.

Will my right hon. Friend reply to the last part of the question?

I think an answer has been given. There is no compulsory labour. These men are serving in the Army, and as the Army requires men to do clerical work they are doing military service, and not compulsory labour in any sense of the term.

May I—

I would remind hon. Members that there are a very large number of questions down on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Army Form W. 3236 has been addressed to a man named C. S. H. Oliver (Regimental No. C/203), New Cross, dated 23rd February, 1916, warning him that he is required to join for service with the Colours on 10th March under the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916; whether he is aware that the above-named man enlisted on the 26th November, 1915, and is now serving (No. 4802) in D Company, 2/20th County of London Regiment, at Warminster; whether this man was included in the 650,000 unattested single men, notwithstanding the fact that he was married and had enlisted; and whether he will institute inquiries with a view to preventing annoyance and waste of time and money by adopting some system which would also avert the Military Service Act, 1916, being violated in this manner?

If the facts are as stated in the question, it would appear that a mistake has been made. This is a matter for regret, but, in view of the enormous burden of work which the recruiting authorities had to deal with in the last few months, a mistake is not altogether surprising. I cannot see that the man in question has suffered any damage.

asked whether under the Derby scheme recruits have the right to choose their regiments provided there are vacancies therein; if so, is he aware that the officials of the Whitehall recruiting office are refusing to allow Scotsmen to choose Scottish regiments even where vacancies are known to exist, and in particular that they have recently refused to allow men to proceed to Scotland to join the Lowland Brigade Royal Field Artillery, even though they had arranged with that Brigade so to act; and whether, in order not to injure recruiting, he will see this matter remedied?

Subject to the existence of vacancies which, of course, depend on the exigencies of the Service, men are sent to the regiments they desire to join. If a Scotsman, who finds himself in Whitehall, wishes to return to his native country to join a Scottish regiment in which there is a vacancy, I can assure my hon. Friend that he would be posted to it. I have made inquiries regarding the incident mentioned, but the officials at the Whitehall recruiting office, who are most sympathetic to the claims of national patriotism, have no recollection of the case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet had any information as to the destruction at several of the recruiting stations in Glasgow by the recruiting sergeants and by the medical examiners of the evidence of medical unfitness since 14th August of men calling at these stations for purposes other than enlistment; if so, what action he proposes to take; and are these recruiting sergeants and medical men to continue as agents of his Department?

Where a man has not attested the certificate of rejection will be returned to him. Instructions have been issued that the rejection certificate of any man who subsequently attested and was placed in category "B," which consists of men previously rejected on account of eyesight or some slight physical defect, is not to be destroyed but should be preserved by the recruiting officer and filed with the man's documents.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of R. Hope, S 2522, of Exeter, who attested under the group system in November last, was medically examined both at Taunton and Bristol, and passed as fit for service and placed in Group 6; whether he is aware that this man when his group was called up made all arrangements to leave civil life and gave up his employment as a shop manager; that on presenting himself he was again examined, informed that he was fit for Home service only, given 2s 9d., and sent away by the military authorities, who told him to hold himself in readiness to be called up in a week or a month or six months; and that similar cases are occurring in other places; and whether it is the intention of the Government to accept financial responsibility in respect of men treated in this way?

My attention has not been called to the case mentioned by my hon. Friend. It is open to any man who has been attested and who is desirous of knowing whether he is likely to be accepted as fit for general service to apply to the recruiting officer for medical examination by a board at any time before he is called up. The only expense the man is put to in the matter is that of his journey if the examination cannot take place near his own home. If upon such examination the man is rejected as unfit for service he is not called up. If he is passed as fit for service he will be again examined when he is called up, but the former certificate will be attached to his papers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that starred and badged men at Sheffield who have asked for exemption forms have been refused such forms on the ground that the applicants were starred and badged; and whether he will state definitely that such men are exempt from compulsory military service, and cannot get into trouble at any future time because they do not possess a certificate of exemption?

I am not sure whether the hon. Member is referring to men who have become voluntarily attested or to men to whom the Military Service Act applies. Instructions have been given by the War Office that a voluntarily attested man who is engaged in a certified occupation can go to the recruiting officer, and, upon satisfying him as to his occupation, receive a document corresponding to a certificate of exemption.

In respect of men to whom the Military Service Act applies it was necessary for every man who desires exemption from the provisions of that Act (other than a man rightfully in possession on the 1st March of a war badge, and a certificate in conjunction therewith) to make an application to the local tribunal before this date. I am not aware that any starred and badged men have been refused exemption certificates on the ground that they were starred. A badged man does not require any other certificate than the certificate issued with his badge.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Philip Edward Davey, private in the Royal Engineers, was wrongfully arrested as a deserter; that this lad went to the front at the age of sixteen and is only seventeen at the present time; that Davey, being claimed by his father on account of his age, was granted indefinite leave; and will he say on whose orders the wrongful arrest was made?

Until I have made inquiry I cannot answer this question. I am making inquiry.

asked whether the British-born sons of enemy aliens will be accepted under the Military Service Act, 1916?

The British-born sons of enemy parents are not outside the provisions of the Military Service Act. Such persons may be taken for military service under certain conditions and restrictions.

asked if arrangements will be made whereby boys under eighteen years of age who have enlisted in the Army will be retained for Home service until they reach the enlistment age; and whether a boy under nine teen years of age who is an only son, or who is the surviving son of a family killed in action, and who enlisted under the age of nineteen, will be retained for Home service until he reaches the prescribed enlistment age?

I would ask leave of the hon. Member to take the liberty of referring him to the answer I gave on the 2nd November, 1915, to the hon. Member for Blackburn.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he can say on what ground the officer in charge of records, No. 12 District, Cork, refused the application of Mrs. O'Sullivan, Hill View Road, Newcastle West, county Limerick, to have her son, Private Mortimer O' Sullivan, 8th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, No. 5,816, discharged from the Army, as he is not yet eighteen years of age, as proved by his birth certificate forwarded to the said officer and receipt acknowledged; and whether, as he has not yet reached the military age, he will now be discharged?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the same reply which I, a few moments ago, referred the hon. Member for Leix Division of Queen's County.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the Rev. D. Coghlan, Presbytery, Bradford Street, Braintree, consented to billet nine soldiers, who remained from 4th November to 18th December, for which he is entitled, under the Army Regulations (Class III. a ), to a rate of 2d. per man per day; that Father Coghlan supplied firing and hot water free during the whole time, and gas for five weeks, when Captain Matthews expressed a desire that it should be cut off; that he withdrew his consent on 13th December, owing to the refusal of the military authorities to admit the rate payable under Class III. a, but readmitted the soldiers upon the same day under the threat of Brigadier Watts to enforce the Defence of the Realm Act; that he has vainly applied for payment to the following persons to whom he was referred, seriatim: Quartermaster-Sergeant Glass, the Adjutant, Captain Minnett, Captain Matthews, Brigadier Watts, War Office, Lieutenant Halcrow, Land Agent at Bishop's Stortford, and the Defence of Realm Losses Royal Commission, to state claim in detail and swear before a magistrate, and obtain his signature that the claim is correct; that the amount payable is £3 6s., plus 12s. 6d. (the estimate of the officer in charge) for dilapidations, and that Captain Matthews informed him on 13th December that he may get something within six months' time; that other people in the same locality are being treated in the same way; and what steps he will take to remedy matters?

I am having inquiry made into this case, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to allow fourth and fifth-year medical students to complete their curriculum and thus qualify for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps?

Medical students in their fourth or fifth years of study and those in their third year of study whose examination takes place during the winter session must either attest under the group system or become liable to the Military Service Act. The fourth and fifth-year students will not be called up, and if the third-year students pass their examination they also will not be called up, but if they fail they will be called up. Students who have not attested under the group system, and who in consequence become liable to the Military Service Act, must appeal to the local tribunal if they desire exemption.

What is the intention of the War Office as to using these men when they qualify?

It is intended that in the fourth and fifth year they should continue their studies.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that, by the unequal treatment in regard to promotion of Infantry and Cavalry captains with fifteen years' service and over, the latter not only suffer injustice at present but also must look forward during their future service to being superseded by officers now their contemporaries or their juniors; and whether he will take any action in the matter?

I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I have given to the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh on the 17th February. Perhaps I may be permitted to point out that when, as was the case for a considerable period, Cavalry promotion was more rapid than Infantry promotion, there was never any agitation to accelerate Infantry promotion to the same degree of rapidity as prevailed in the Cavalry. I regret that I cannot undertake that sympathetic promotion for the Cavalry will be adopted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the work of the International Investigation of North Sea Fisheries is still proceeding; whether the agreement made in 1914 with the Continental countries, including Germany, to continue the co-operation for other five years, is being carried out; if not, what has been arranged; and are the staff engaged still being paid their salaries?

The work, which now consists mainly of the study of material previously collected, is proceeding. The agreement is being carried out as fully as the state of war will permit, the central organisation being maintained, but on a reduced scale, and its expenses for the current year being met out of the reserve fund. The staff at Copenhagen has been reduced and the three principal remaining members of it are, at their own suggestion, being paid at salaries reduced from 30 to 50 per cent. of the original amounts. The Board's own research staff is very largely reduced and its members are very largely employed in war work. I can let my hon. Friend have details as to this if he desires.

Is the information obtained to be supplied to Germany as usual?

I am not quite sure about that; I hope not.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether insured civilians who have been interned abroad, and whose period of internment is to be treated as a period of temporary unemployment for the purposes of the National Insurance Acts, will be entitled to unemployment benefit in respect of any part of such period; must they pay such part of the contributions as would not have been payable in the ordinary course by the employer; and to what benefit will they be entitled in respect of such payments?

The statement that a period of internment is to be treated as a period of temporary unemployment relates solely to health insurance, and has no application to unemployment insurance. No unemployment benefit and no unemployment insurance contributions are payable in respect of a period of internment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether complete arrangements have now been made for the interchange of goods trucks between the railway companies so that the waste of power, time, and labour caused by sending trucks back empty to the various depots may be avoided and the congestion at so many junctions and stations relieved?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on Tuesday last to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Newington, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange that railway companies shall instruct all station masters to advise consignees of goods carried at station-to-station rates by telegram or telephone at once on receipt of the goods, instead of by post as at present, so that in many cases the accelerating of the unloading of the truck by at least twenty-four hours will result?

I am afraid that a general arrangement such as that suggested by my hon. Friend would not be practicable. In addition, for example, to the considerable expense involved, it would throw a good deal of extra work on the depleted staff of the Post Office and the railway companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the demands of the Admiralty and of the War Office, and their contractors, are jeopardised by the prohibition of import of hickory, lancewood, sabicu, padouk, lignum-vitæ, and other non-furnishing trade woods?

A Committee has been appointed to issue licences in respect of woods covered by the prohibition, where special circumstances exist; and there is consequently no reason why any difficulties should be experienced of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend.

Will these licences be necessary in the case of vessels which left foreign ports before the date of issue of the Order making import licences necessary?

Yes, licences will be necessary, but they will be issued with regard to these circumstances.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received resolutions from Scotland asking that a scheme for providing discharged soldiers with allotments and small holdings should be carried out in Scotland; and whether he has anything further to announce regarding any such proposals?

I have received some resolutions to the effect mentioned in the first part of the question. In reply to the second part, I am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Perthshire on 17th of last month.

When will my right hon. Friend be able to add anything?

I cannot give an exact date.

asked the hon. Member for Oswestry, as representing the War Trade Department, whether the export of cotton licences come wholly under his Department or whether the work is shared with some other Department; if the latter, can he say whether this is one of the causes of the delays in granting such licences; and will he see that his Department, having the responsibility, will in future do all the work?

The export of cotton is controlled by the Cotton Exports Committee appointed by the Board of Trade, and they advise the "War Trade Department as to whether licences should be granted or withheld. The position of the Committee in relation to the Department is at present receiving the consideration of the Minister of Blockade.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that, in course of the argument on the Zadig case, the Attorney-General claimed that naturalborn British subjects could be interned without trial under the Regulations made under the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether, if the statement made by the Attorney-General represents the view of the Cabinet, he can see his way to afford the House of Commons an opportunity of discussing the advisability or otherwise of vesting such powers in the Executive?

The Attorney-General did not make the claim in the language or the sense suggested in the question. The Attorney-General claimed, as is the fact, that natural-born British subjects can be interned "if they have a hostile origin or associations," and not otherwise. I believe the case is under appeal, and I do not think it desirable that the question should be discussed in this House till the appeal has been decided.

Is not the Attorney-General so reported in the "'Times' Law. Reports"?

That I cannot say. The Attorney-General states that that is the position which he maintained in argument.

Are we to understand that no British subjects are interned under that Order?

If they are of hostile origin or association they come within that principle.

Did not the Lord Chief Justice expressly say that the question was not the validity of that regulation, but the power of the Executive to make the regulation, and that was the decision?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what "hostile association" is?

I understand that the matter is before the Courts.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the York City Council a resolution urging that the present scheme of insurance against damage to property by aircraft and bombardment is unjust; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending the scheme?

My right hon. Friend has received the resolution referred to, and the representations that have been made to the Government on this subject have been considered. It is not proposed to alter the basis of the existing Government insurance scheme.

asked the Prime Minister when the list of special rewards to officers concerned in the evacuation of Gallipoli, which he foreshadowed on 10th January, will be announced; and whether, in view of the delay which has occurred, he will arrange that any promotions which may be granted shall be antedated to 1st January, in order that the officers concerned may not be placed at a disadvantage as compared with those who were rewarded on the strength of Lord French's and Sir Ian Hamilton's recent dispatches?

I hope that the list may be published in the course of next week. Any promotions which may be given as special rewards will, under arrangements already made, bear date 1st January.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that a firm of ironbrokers in the city of Glasgow were aware for ten days beforehand of the intention of the Government to fix a minimum price for iron and what that price was to be; and whether he will take any action to prevent such leakage in the future of Cabinet information?

The Ministry of Munitions has been in communication for some weeks with the manufacturers of iron and steel in the country with a view to fixing maximum prices for their various products, and the matter has been discussed quite openly. The price depends on a variety of factors, such as the cost of ore, freights and coke, all of which have to be taken into account.

asked whether it is the intention of the British Government to include Montenegro in the promise that has been made to Belgium and Serbia?

The hon. Member may rest assured that the interests of Montenegro will not be lost sight of by the Allies in the final settlement.

asked whether arrangements can be made to pay the salaries of Ministers and Members of the House partly in cash and partly in Exchequer Bonds?

As regards Ministers, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for London University on the 29th ultimo; as regards Members, the question is one for the consideration of the authorities of the House, and perhaps my hon. Friend would consult with them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what he means by "this is a question for the consideration of the authorities of the House"? Is it not a question for the House itself?

What I meant was that if a Member of the House of Commons desires that his salary should be paid in a particular way, the proper course is to apply to the proper authorities of the House and state his wishes.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Department, in estimating the value of the benefit derived by the inmate of a home applying for a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act, takes into consideration for the purpose of disqualification the increased value attaching to such benefit by reason of the increased cost of food; and whether, for example, a person resident in a home the value of the benefit from which had been increased from 12s. 6d. a week to 15s. a week on account of the increased cost of food, and who would have been eligible for a 5s. pension as part of the sum of 12s. 6d. becomes ineligible for such pension by reason of the increase to 15s.?

I do not find that a decision has been given in any case involving the point raised by my hon. Friend. An appeal, however, in circumstances similar to those mentioned in the question is now before me, and is being investigated. I will give the matter my most careful consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that in quite a large number of cases the landlords in Newcastle-upon-Tyne increased the standard rents of workmen's dwellings between the 3rd day of August, 1914, and the date upon which the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1916, became operative, and that in cases where the tenants refuse to pay such increase the landlords are entering the difference in rent in the arrears column of the rent books; and will he say what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

I am not aware that there are many cases of the kind referred to. I may point out that, if the increase above the standard rent was made between the 3rd August, 1914, and the date of passing of the Act, and there are arrears, such arrears are recoverable in respect of rent which accrued due before the 25th November, 1915, and are irrecoverable in respect of rent which accrued due on or after that date. In so far as the arrears are irrecoverable, the tenant seems sufficiently protected, and I do not think it necessary, on the information before me, to take any action.

asked whether the Colonial Office Vote will be brought on at an early day?

If there is a general desire that the Colonial Office Vote should be put down for an early date it will be so arranged.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the crews of the lightships stationed in the North Sea and to the fact that they have to pay full duty on the tobacco they consume whilst on these ships for two months at a time; and why they cannot, whilst doing what is to all purposes Government work during the War, be put on the same footing as an auxiliary force of the Admiralty and have their tobacco duty free?

I am afraid I cannot agree to extend to the merchant service in Home waters a concession which is strictly confined to the Royal Navy and is refused to other Government vessels.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the recent criminal prosecution, lasting for several days in the Edinburgh High Court, of the officials of a railway company; whether he is aware that the sum of money at stake was 19s. 2d. and that the costs of the trial, which engaged the attention of the Lord President of the Court of Session, six counsel, and several naval officers of high rank, are estimated at about £2,000; whether the case for the prosecution broke down on every single point; whether the whole costs now fall to be paid by the taxpayers of the country or by the defendants found guiltless of any offence; whether he is aware that the parties prosecuted have received the thanks of the Government for their services in connection with the mobilisation of troops; and whether his Department has any power to prevent such actions in Scotland?

The suggestion that the sum of money at stake was 19s. 2d. proceeds on a misapprehension of the proceedings. The proceedings were criminal proceedings for a contravention of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and not for the recovery in the Civil Courts of the sum of 19s. 2d.

My hon. Friend is, I believe, incorrect as to the costs of the trial, but upon that, no doubt, the Lord Advocate could inform him.

The object of the Admiralty in instituting these proceedings was to establish the principle that no local authority or person shall have the power to hamper the movements of any ship engaged in His Majesty's Service upon war work. This principle we still think of vital importance.

As regards the last paragraph of the question the Admiralty is always glad to acknowledge the great services performed by Mr. Whitelaw, as general manager of the North British Railway, in the transport of troops and war-like stores.

Did the Admiralty think it necessary to spend all this money to establish a principle?

The amount of money, I think, has not been quite correctly stated; but, as I have said, it was necessary to establish the principle.

Was it denied?

May I inquire whether one of the accused persons was the manager of one of the railways that is now controlled by the Government, and therefore one of the Government's own servants? Will the right hon. Gentleman see in future that one servant of the Government in one Department does not quarrel with another servant in another Department, so involving this kind of action?

Was £2,000 actually expended in this action?

As I have said, the Lord Advocate can give the facts, but I understand the figure is very much smaller—something in the region of £30—because counsel for the Crown, including the Lord Advocate, are paid an inclusive salary, and do not receive any fees for such proceedings as do English law officers.

Arising out of that question—

There are many questions on the Paper.

asked when it is to be expected that detailed naval dispatches will be made public dealing with the evacuation of Cap Helles and Suvla Bay?

It is not intended to publish these dispatches which concern themselves almost entirely with the organisation for carrying out the operation, and are therefore necessarily confidential.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the trawler "Nettle of Granton," belonging to Glasgow owners, has been commandeered recently by his Department; whether, in view of the fact that this vessel is to be used only for boom-protecting, many other boats less useful for fishing would have served the purpose of his Department; and whether he is aware that such commandeering of up-to-date trawlers deprives the workers of the West of Scotland engaged on important work for his Department of one of the necessary and cheap articles of diet?

My hon. Friend is misinformed. This vessel has not been commandeered by the Admiralty.

asked the names of the shipowners who are giving their assistance and advice to the Transport Department of the Admiralty?

The members of the Committee appointed to advise the Director of Transports are: Mr. T. Royden, Mr. E. W. Glover, Mr. F. C. Gardiner, Mr. J. Groves, Sir Edward Hain. My hon. Friend the Member for Hexham has been a member of the Committee from the beginning, but has been temporarily detached from the Committee while employed on another service for the Government.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the anti-aircraft defences of Lowestoft are under the control of the naval authorities; and, if so, whether he can say how soon after the German aeroplanes first appeared over the town, on Sunday, 20th February, our aeroplanes, if any, were sent up in pursuit?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Under-Secretary of State for War stated in Debate, on 16th February, the arrangements made under which the Navy undertake to deal with all hostile aircraft attempting to reach this country, whilst the Army undertake to deal with all such craft which reach these shores.

In this particular case, machines went up from the nearest air station to Lowestoft ten minutes after the hostile aeroplanes arrived at Lowestoft.

This is shown in the communication issued by the Press Bureau on 20th February.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if Grants in aid of building new schools or altering old ones in necessitous areas are still made in England while all building Grants are stopped in Ireland, even in areas where the health of the pupils and teachers is gravely endangered owing to insanitary surroundings; and whether Grants in aid of building schools in Irish necessitous areas will be made as heretofore?

No Grants in aid of building or altering schools are made in England. Such Grants in Ireland have not, as the hon. Member suggests, been entirely discontinued, but have been confined in the interest of the national finances to specially urgent cases.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether the Statutory Committee, acting under Section 3, Sub-section (3), of the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc., Act, 1915, have appointed a special Sub-Committee, including representatives of employers and of labour, to make provision for the care of disabled officers and men; and when the names of such Committee can be announced?

The special Sub-Committee in question has been appointed. Subject to the possible addition of a few members, who have not at present signi- fied their acceptance of the invitation to serve on the Committee, the membership of the Committee is as follows:—

Ex-officio Members— H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, as Chairman of the Statutory Committee. Mr. Cyril Jackson, as Vice-Chairman of the Statutory Committee. Right Hon. W. Hayes Fisher, M.P.

Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society—

Lord Cheylesmore.

Officers' Families Association—

Lady Roberts.

Admiralty—

Admiral Sir Wilmot H. Fawkes, G.C.B., K.C.V.O., etc.

Army Council—

Mr. B. B. Cubitt, C.B.

National Health Insurance Joint Committee—

Mr. D. J. Shackleton.

Labour Exchanges Dept. (Board of Trade)—

Mr. J. S. Nicholson.

Local Government Board—

Mr. A. V. Symonds.

Board of Agriculture—

Mr. F. L. C. Floud.

Representatives of Labour— Right Hon. G. N. Barnes, M.P. Mr. Harry Gosling. Mr. Will Thorne, M.P. Mr. Herbert Smith. Mr. Wm. Mullins. Mr. J. E. Williams.

Representing the Co-operative Interest— Mr. Lander, Mr. Harry May. Lieut.-Colonel (R.A.M.C.) Sir Alfred Pearce Gould, K.C.V.O., etc. Sir John Cowan. Sir Archibald McInnes Shaw. Mr. Patrick O'Brien, M.P. The Right Hon. R. Thompson, M.P. Mr. L. A. Martin. Mr. Harris Spencer. Dr. William Garnett.

Any more names?

Has my right hon. Friend any intention of setting up separate Committees for the various nationalities, or will this Committee deal with the United Kingdom?

That will be one of the first questions for the consideration of the Committee whose names I have just read out.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the continuance of hunts is strongly desired by the Government, the Treasury will grant reasonable subsidies to hunts in Ireland, the abandonment of which is inevitable owing to the impossibility of maintenance during the continuance of the War?

It does not appear to me that a case will be made out for the subsidies suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that owing to increased cost of living prison warders in Ireland are finding it impossible to support themselves and their families out of their present wage; and whether, taking into consideration the fact that a considerable sum has been saved out of last year's Prison Estimates, a sufficient increase of wages can be granted to enable a responsible body of public servants to support themselves and their families without incurring debts they cannot discharge?

I am aware of the difficulties with which Irish prison warders, in common with other classes of the community are faced in consequence of the present hight cost of living. Proposals for an increase of wages in their case are at present receiving the consideration of the Treasury and the Irish Government.

Is the right hon. Genman aware that before the War the Advisory Board appointed by the Lord Lieutenant unanimously recommended an increased wage for warders employed in our prisons?

I am very well aware that the prison warders have a very strong case indeed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that, owing to the increase in the cost of living caused by the War, the present salaries payable to national teachers in Ireland, at no time extravagant, are totally inadequate to meet their current expenses and that many teachers with families are verging on actual want; and whether, under the circumstances, an increase in salaries or grants will be made to Irish national teachers to enable them to live at least in a self-respecting manner befitting public servants entrusted with the education of a nation?

I am aware of the difficulties with which national school teachers, in common with other classes of the community, are faced in consequence of the present high cost of living, but I regret that under present conditions I am not in a position to recommend general increases of salaries.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any hope of getting the scheme for the payment of salaries monthly approved by the Treasury?

I have made proposals of that kind before the teachers, and I have urged them to accept them. I think it is most desirable for the teachers to accept them, and, although they do entertain them favourably, I have not yet received from the teachers any acceptance of the proposal.