asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to attacks in certain organs of the Press on our Italian Ally, notably her alleged abandonment of Serbia and Montenegro in distress; and whether he intends to take any action against the authors of these articles or the papers in which they have appeared?

My attention has been drawn to these articles, the inaccuracy and injustice of which I deplore.

I am glad to have this opportunity of asserting once again the entire confidence of His Majesty's Government in the loyal co-operation of Italy in the joint efforts of the Allies to bring succour in circumstances of extreme difficulty to Serbia and Montenegro.

A warning has been issued to those responsible for the publication of the articles in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the special terms subject to which the Italian Government gave its adhesion to the agreement among the Allied Governments not to make separate peace?

The answer is in the negative.

Negative of what? Are there special terms and will the Noble Lord tell the House what they are?

I am afraid I cannot say more than that I must reply to the hon. Member's question in the negative.

It is no answer at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the European Commission of the Danube still meets to regulate the navigation of the Danube; and, in view of the fact that the Commission consists of representatives of seven belligerent Powers and one neutral, whether reports indicate that business is harmoniously conducted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part of the question, it appears that the business of the Commission is conducted as harmoniously as can be expected in the circumstances?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the British Consul, bank manager, and other members of the British community at Shiraz, in Persia, now held prisoners at Ahram, near Bushire, by German emissaries, are being badly treated by their captors; and whether he can give any information as regards the safety of Mr. and Mrs. Christmas, of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, who are reported to have left Shiraz for Ispahan about the middle of November last?

The latest information I have received though not from an official source, is that the British subjects detained at Ahram are not being so well treated as they were at first. As regards the last part of the question Mrs. Christmas has reached this country, but I regret that I have no information as to the present whereabouts of Mr. Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the French, German, and Russian Governments have each recently attached to their Legations at Berne a diplomatic representative to deal exclusively with questions regarding the treatment of prisoners; and whether he will consider the advisability of attaching to the British Legation a secretary of equivalent rank for the same specific purpose?

The only information in my possession with regard to the first part of the question is that already communicated to me by my hon. Friend; I think that correspondence with the German Government respecting the treatment of prisoners of war must for many reasons, which I shall be happy to explain to my hon. Friend, continue to be conducted through the United States Ambassador at Berlin.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that within the last fortnight sixteen Royal Naval Reserve prisoners of war, interned at Groeningen Camp, were sentenced to fourteen days' solitary confinement in cells and to other punishments for a trivial offence committed and confessed by one of them; and, if so, what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to secure the cancellation or reduction of these sentences?

I have received information to this effect from my hon. Friend. I have addressed an inquiry on the subject to His Majesty's Minister at The Hague, but have not yet learnt the result.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this sentence was passed a fortnight ago and that information reached the Foreign Office some ten days ago?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the black-listing of the names of certain merchant shippers and consigners in the United States of America, Argentina, and Uruguay, whereby British ships are prohibited from carrying their goods, is in no way inflicting injury or even inconvenience upon those firms, who since the outbreak of war have been provided with an ample and regular supply of neutral steamers by an American shipping firm; and whether this prohibition will seriously injure British shipping and trade, thereby reducing our national resources for the prosecution of the War?

No statutory lists have yet been settled or published for the United States, Argentine, or Uruguay. The rest of the question does not therefore arise.

Does the Noble Lord say that no black list has been issued with reference to the countries mentioned?

Not with respect to those countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British Government has contributed £2,500 to the completed Palace of Peace at The Hague; and whether he can state for what purpose the Palace of Peace is being used?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the First Commissioner of Works, on 22nd December, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is now the view of his Department that, where men are ordered through the public Press as in Cardiff or otherwise to present themselves again, although they had presented themselves and had been declared medically unfit since 14th August, they may ignore this order and have the matter tried in the Civil Courts?

I think we may start with the assumption that it is the desire of all eligible persons to assist the administration of the Military Service Act and not to hamper it. The facts are now, I think, clear to everyone— i.e., that a man who has a certificate of rejection in proper form signed by the proper authority is excepted from the provisions of the Act. Men who have not so offered themselves and been rejected since 14th August, 1915, will be held to serve under the terms of the Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer which he has just given is not in accordance with the terms of the Act?

No, Sir, I am not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a circular issued to local recruiting authorities on 20th February urging that every endeavour should be made to secure that military representatives, Advisory Committees, and local tribunals are taking all possible steps to obtain men for the Army; whether he will say by whose authority this circular was issued; and whether, in spite of the fact that local tribunals were created by Parliament to exercise judicial functions, the Government propose that they ought to be classed with military representatives and Advisory Committees as an agency for obtaining men for the Army?

My hon. Friend will agree that it is the proper function of military representatives and Advisory Committees to obtain men for the Army. The position of the local tribunals is, of course, different, and the Army Council have not, and have not ever had any intention of endeavouring to turn local tribunals into agencies for obtaining men for the Army. Any such attempt would have been properly resented by the tribunals. My hon. Friend has presumably seen only an incomplete and partial presentation in the Press of the letter of the 20th February to which he refers. This letter was addressed to General Officers Commanding and explained the duties of certain officers appointed to work in co-operation with the staff of inspectors of recruiting. I think it is certainly the duty of the local military and recruiting authorities to place the facts completely before the tribunals just as much as applicants for exemption are entitled to state their case fully. The business of the tribunal is, as my hon. Friend observes, to exercise judicial functions, but it is essential that the military case shall be fully and properly presented and, if necessary, driven home.

May I ask whether the military representative is not practically dictating to the tribunals all over the country?

I think my hon. Friend is mistaken. In cases in which the military representative on the Advisory Committee thinks no action should be taken in opposing a man's claim no action is taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what business the Advisory Committees have in this matter at all?

I answered my hon. Friend in the Debate the other day, and gave illustrations of what the Advisory Committees have been doing, but unfortunately my hon. Friend was unable to wait until I had spoken. It would be a great disadvantage if I had to repeat everything I said. The Advisory Committees have been of the greatest assistance, and no words can be too high in their praise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Islington local tribunal has refused exemption to a man who is now the only son of his widowed mother, his only brother having been killed in the War, and his mother being entirely dependent on him for her support; and whether he will issue directions to local tribunals that exemption should be granted in such cases?

My attention has not been drawn to the case referred to, and my hon. Friend's suggestion is one for the Local Government Board to consider. I believe that the local tribunals are administering the Act and Regulations both carefully and conscientiously. Any decision to which they may come is subject to the right of appeal.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Prime Minister stated that the tribunals would exempt the last remaining members of families?

I am quite aware that the Prime Minister stated that. I am not aware that the tribunals have done differently.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the tribunals have announced that they will grant no total exemptions?

I am not aware of that.

Read the "Daily Mail."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a man who had attested under Lord Derby's scheme and had been rejected was subsequently placed in Group 35, was subsequently informed that he must be examined again, that he was so examined at Chipping Norton and that his certificate of rejection was taken from him and retained, and that he was afterwards placed in Group 36; and whether he will take steps to prevent this man from being called up?

I cannot identify the man simply as a man without particulars of his name. If my hon. Friend will give me adequate particulars inquiry can be made, and action, if found necessary, can be taken.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if applicants for exemption before the local tribunals may arrange for notes of the proceedings to be taken by friends, in view of the possibility of an appeal being lodged; and, in view of the action of the Manchester tribunal in ordering out of the room persons who were taking notes on behalf of applicants, if he will instruct the tribunals that this must be allowed?

I am in communication with the local tribunal for Manchester on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question, as to whether the local tribunals may arrange for notes of the proceedings to be taken by friends, in view of the possibility of an appeal being lodged?

I do not think that I should be called' upon to express an opinion: This is not a matter dealt with either in the Act or in the Regulations, and it may very well be left to the tribunals to decide.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a circular on the subject?

No, Sir, certainly not?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Deptford tribunal, while considering their decisions, are, unlike the tribunals in Greenwich, Lewis-ham, and Woolwich, excluding the representatives of the Press, and, on being readmitted, the chairman merely informs the applicant as to the decision without giving any reasons; and whether he can approach the tribunal in question with a view to securing uniformity in procedure?

The Regulations provide that the local tribunal may exclude the parties and the public for the purpose of conferring upon any question affecting the decision of an application, and I do not think that it would be right to interfere with their discretion in this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the result of his inquiry into the constitution of the local tribunal set up by the Pickering (Yorks) Rural District Council, which is composed wholly of farmers; and what action he has taken to secure a representative composition of the tribunal?

This matter is still under consideration. I am in communication with the local council on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the ease at the Lewisham tribunal of a man who, on claiming exemption from compulsory service on the ground that he was the sole support of three invalids, two sisters and a widowed mother, quoted the assurances of the Prime Minister; that he was told in reply that these assurances were not in the Act and that his appeal was refused; whether his attention has been called to the case of a grocer's assistant at Worthing, the only son and sole support of a widowed mother, whose appeal was refused, one member of the tribunal remarking that the exemption of this man would form a bad precedent when the cases of the married men came to be considered; and whether any further steps will be taken to ensure that tribunals carry out the expressed policy of the Government respecting sons who are the sole support of widowed mothers?

My attention has not been called to these cases. The local tribunals have a very difficult and ungrateful task to perform. Their duty is to administer the Act and the Regulations to the best of their ability, and I believe that they are generally fulfilling that duty faithfully and honestly. If they come to a decision which is thought to be improper the aggrieved party has the right to appeal.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will give instructions that forms for lodging an appeal against a decision of a local tribunal shall be on hand in the Court, seeing that instances have already arisen where considerable delay has occurred in applicants being able to obtain such forms from the clerks to the tribunal?

It is intended that each local tribunal should have a supply of forms on which appeals from their decisions may be made, and if any case is brought to my notice in which there has been difficulty in obtaining a form, I will take such steps as may be necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what action he proposes to take in the case of a ticket-collector at Mutley Station, Plymouth, named R. Rice, who attested under Lord Derby's scheme, but who, having a widowed mother and an invalid sister dependent upon him, applied to the local tribunal for exemption, who granted him a month's extension, but a week later an armed escort went to his home and, not finding him, proceeded to where he was employed and arrested him as a deserter and, in spite of his protests and explanation, he was marched through the streets under a military escort to the recruiting station, where he was detained for some time and eventually let go?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a Great Western Railway ticket collector at Plymouth, named R. Rice, who attested under the Derby scheme, appealed to the local tribunal on the 21st February for postponement on the grounds of having a widowed mother and invalid sister dependent upon him, and was granted one month's extension; that on the 28th February an armed escort called at his residence, and, finding Rice absent, proceeded to the railway where he was employed and there placed him under arrest as a deserter, and, notwithstanding his protest and request to be taken home, where he could produce evidence of exemption, he was marched through the town under arrest to the Plymouth Corn Exchange, where he repeated his protest, and after inquiries it was found a mistake had been made and he was thereupon released; and, having regard to this conduct towards a citizen who had shown his loyalty and patriotism by voluntarily attesting, whether he will take steps at once to have those responsible for this blunder punished?

No, Sir; I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend, but I have given instructions for an immediate inquiry to be made with a view to proper steps being taken if the facts are as stated.

Will the result of that inquiry be communicated to me?

I shall be glad to communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the Town Hall, Brixton, S.W., a man was medically rejected after attesting under Lord Derby's scheme and was refused a certificate of rejection on the ground alleged that none were now being issued; and will he give directions that the man, E. N. Tom, shall be supplied with a certificate of rejection?

If the facts are as stated, and if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the address of Mr. Tom and of the date on which he was rejected, I will see that proper steps are taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether clerks in holy orders who have attested under Lord Derby's scheme are liable to be called up for military service; and, if not, whether he will issue an authoritative statement to that effect?

Yes, Sir, a clerk in holy orders who has voluntarily come forward and has been attested under the Group system for general service is liable to be called up in the same way as any other man, but my hon. Friend will be aware that clergymen were not canvassed under Lord Derby's scheme, and that they are not subject to the provisions of the Military Service Act.

asked for what reason considerable numbers of people medicaly unfit for active service are being enlisted in the Army; what is the nature of the clerical duties they will be asked to undertake; and if steps are being taken to ascertain whether they would be rendering more responsible and important national service by remaining at their civilian duties?

No man is accepted for the Army unless he is considered medically fit to serve in some capacity. Men who are not fit for active service in the field may be fit for some other form of service equally essential to the Army, and on being called up they are classified according to their condition of fitness. At the present time men who are classified as fit only for garrison service at home or for sedentary or clerical duties are not required to join immediately, and are being sent back to their homes.

If they break down do they get pensions?

Not unless they have done military service.

asked whether men enlisted in the Army but medically unfit for active service will be subjected to drilling and training; and whether, in the case of the unfit as in the case of the fit, the cost to the nation will work out at from £250 to £300 per head per annum, irrespective of the loss involved by their withdrawal from productive industry?

Men unfit for general service are at present being taken only if fit for certain forms of service, and such men are trained in the duties for which they are required. The figure £250 to £300 which has been mentioned in another connection as the cost of the Army per head has no relevance to this question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that obstacles are being put in the way of men desirous of joining a particular regiment, even though they hold papers of acceptance from the unit desired, and that they are being compelled to join the local regiment; and, in view of the promise given in connection with Lord Derby's scheme that the men's choice would be respected as far as possible, whether he will see that this is carried out both in spirit and letter?

Yes, Sir, I will see that the promise given, which was that choice of a particular unit would be respected as far as possible, is given effect to, and I will ask my hon. Friend to be good enough to furnish me with any definite instances of departure from this undertaking which may have come to his notice.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that recruiting officers say they are not bound by what he says in this House?

If my hon. Friend will give instances I will have them investigated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman permit me to bring to his notice one or two very serious cases in Scotland, where men have been forced into regiments other than those for which they had expressed a preference?

If my hon. Friend will bring them to my notice I will certainly have them investigated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Department is issuing instructions to the medical examiners under the Military Service Act, 1916, to retain the same standard in passing men into the Army, in view of the fact that these agents of the War Office are now passing men who formerly would have been considered quite unfit for soldiers?

Exactly the same standard is observed in respect of all classes of men coming before Army medical authorities for examination, whether they report themselves for service under the Military Service Act or come forward voluntarily. Recruits are now, however, and have been for some time past, graded in different categories according to their suitability for various forms of military service.

Are we to understand that the medical standard to-day is quite the same as it was, say, three months ago?

Yes, the standard is the same, except that there is a gradation, as I have stated in my answer. Indeed, the standard is more carefully looked after to-day than it was before.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at Westminster they are taking epileptics?

I am not aware of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say for what military service the man with a cork leg, who was passed the other day, would be fit?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that seamen, ship stewards, and other members of crews are not being allowed to sign on for vessels unless and until they have attested; whether he is aware that these men have been officially informed that the efficient maintenance of the mercantile marine is of vital national interest, and that the men will be doing as good service for their country by continuing to man British ships as by joining the Army; and whether this policy to compel attestation has the sanction of the War Office?

It is, of course, undesirable that men not hitherto engaged in these occupations should take them up with a view to evading the Army service for which they would otherwise be liable. With this end in view the Board of Trade have agreed that no first voyage shall be entered on without previous attestation, except in the case of boys, apprentices, or engineers. The matter is not quite complete, but negotiations are proceeding on these lines.

asked whether steps are being taken to bring in all unmarried gipsies of military age under the Military Service Act, 1916?

The unmarried gipsies have not been forgotten. In cases where they are British subjects they are liable to the provisions of the Military Service Act in the same way as other persons of less nomadic habits. Steps are being taken to secure the services of men to whom the Military Service Act applies, whether they are confirmed or only casual nomads.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a married man who attested under the Derby Group scheme and afterwards, desiring to enlist immediately, applied at the Fulford Barracks, York, for enlistment in the Royal Garrison Artillery, was told that he could not be accepted because he was an attested man, although the officer admitted that if an unattested man came in immediately after he could accept him for this branch of the Service; and, if not, whether he will make inquiries and have this practice discontinued?

If the facts are as stated, a mistake appears to have been made, as a voluntarily attested man can at any time come forward before he is called up for immediate enlistment in any unit in which there are, at the time, vacancies.

asked whether papers have now been issued to any Territorials embodied for Home service asking them to sign for Imperial service; if so, how long they are given to decide; what happens to those who refuse to sign; and whether, if they are discharged and so resume civil status, they are still entitled to appeal when called up under the Military Service Act, 1916?

Single officers and men of the Territorial Force under forty-one years of age not coming within the exceptions provided for in the First Schedule of the Military Service Act were at liberty to put in a claim for exemption. If they are not exempted and if they have made no claim for exemption they are discharged from the Territorial Force and simultaneously become Reservists under the Military Service Act. There is no interval between the ending of the Territorial status and the beginning of the Reservist status.

As regards the period of time that Territorials may have had for coming to a decision, I can only say that there has been no time during their engagement when it has not been open to them to make a decision, but if they have not made a decision by the 2nd March the question then, subject to the settlement of claims for exemption by the tribunals, becomes decided for them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether married men in the Territorials who are not subject to the Military Service Act are at the same time being asked to sign?

The married men are not subject to the Military Service Act. My hon. Friend is quite right.

asked if an attested man who has not been called up who has reached the age of forty-one before the Military Service Act, 1916, was passed, will be released from his attestation and be exempt from military service, in view of the promise of the Government that attested men would not be placed in a worse position than unattested men who come under the Military Service Act, 1916?

A man who reaches the age of forty-one before he is actually called up for service, whether he is a voluntarily attested man or a man deemed to be attested under the Military Service Act, is not called up, but is passed to the Reserve, and would not be subject to be called up for military service unless the age of military service is, in future, extended. Instructions on this point were issued some time ago.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to inquire as to the identity of the Cabinet Minister who is alleged to have requested the hon. Member for the Tottenham Division of Middlesex to organise opposition to the Government policy in relation to the Military Service Act, 1916?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the public importance of the matter, he will grant facilities for a Motion for the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the allegation made by the hon. Member for Tottenham that he had been requested by a Member of the Cabinet to organise an opposition to Conscription?

No, Sir, I am not prepared to adopt the suggestions contained in either of these questions. I understand that the statement alleged in the latter part of Question 47 is denied.

In consequence of that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to the matter on the Motion for the adjournment of the House.

I will tell the hon. Member that I cannot take part in any such discussion.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that men are being accepted for clerical service under the Military Service Act, 1916, who are admittedly unfit for military service; and, if so, will he say why this is done, having regard to his pledge that there would be no industrial compulsion under that Act?

I answered an identical question on the 2nd March, put by my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Lanark. I have nothing to add to the answer I then gave.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that the last part of the question was not answered on 2nd March?

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can assure the House and the country that there are now no unmarried men of military age and fitness in any of the Government offices whose places can be taken by men over military age or by women; and, if there are, whether he will give orders to have the stars removed forthwith from their names in the National Register?

As I informed the hon. Member for Brentford on the 23rd February, instructions have been issued to Government Departments to dispense with the services of as many of their employés of military age as possible. A large number of men have accordingly been released. The remainder are for the most part attested under the Derby scheme, and each case is carefully reconsidered as the groups are called up. Clerks in Government offices are not starred.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can give the number of officers of the Civil Service on full or part pay who are doing duty as guards or other subordinate positions in the Territorial Forces for Home Defence; and if he can relieve these men for their ordinary duties so as in turn to relieve young men of military age who are now doing their Civil Service duties, and so add to the strength of the Army in the field and save the money of the taxpayer?

I cannot give the numbers asked for without elaborate inquiries, which I cannot impose upon Departments already overstrained. But, as bearing on the numbers, I may say that the Civil Service Commission, in taking on substitutes for the men who went to the Army, refused from the beginning of the War all men of military age and fitness unless they were married men with families, and, from April, 1915, refused all men fit for military service without exception.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state why, in view of the declaration made in November last that captains, officers, engineers and crews will be doing as good service for their country by continuing to man British ships as by joining the Army, stewards on passenger vessels have not been included in the list of persons entitled to exemption under the Military Service Act, 1916; whether he is aware that the trade union concerned has an agreement with the Admiralty for the supply of men and that it has had difficulty in finding sufficient; and whether steps will be taken to include stewards on passenger vessels in the lists of those entitled to exemption?

The Board of Trade do not look upon stewards on passenger vessels as being in the same category, as regards being indispensable to the merchant service, as captains, officers, engineers, and other seamen. The question of the stewards required for the needs of the Admiralty Transport Service is being considered.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in issuing his instructions to the Central Appeal Tribunal on 23rd February as to the position of the only son of a widow under the Military Service Act, 1916, he took into account the statement made by the Prime Minister on 5th January that it would be a monstrous thing if the State were to call for military service from a man in that position, and that such a man is as much entitled to exemption as any man in the Empire; whether he is aware that numerous cases are occurring of the calling up of widows' sons which appear to be a direct breach of the assurances given by the Prime Minister and by himself on this subject; and whether, having regard to the doubt and uncertainty that still exist on the subject, he will issue further and simpler instructions to local tribunals to the effect that unless it is clear that no serious hardship will be caused by the calling up of the only son or the only remaining son of a widow such a man ought at once to be exempted?

I do not think that the sentence in the Prime Minister's speech, to which the hon. Member refers, when read with the context, bears the interpretation which he appears to give to it; I suggest that he should read the whole passage. I think that the letter which I sent to the Central Appeal Tribunal, on the 23rd ultimo, carries out the assurances given in the House, and it does not appear to me necessary at the moment to issue further directions.

Has a letter on this question also been sent to the local tribunals dealing with this problem?

Yes, we have been in communication with the local tribunals.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will say what action he proposes to take upon the conduct of the Mayor of Croydon who has utilised the local National Register to send out circular letters to unattested men of military age stating that in their own interests the men should attest before 2nd March, and that if they were desirous of claiming exemption under the Military Service Act, 1916, they should attest at once?

I do not consider it necessary to take any steps in this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether a son born in Great Britain of Russian Jewish parents, such parents not being naturalised British subjects, is eligible for military service; and whether in any case he comes within the scope of the Military Service Act, 1916?

A man in the circumstances stated is a British subject and is entitled to the privileges and subject to the obligations of a British subject, including those imposed by the Military Service Act, 1916. The question whether any individual is personally eligible for service is one for the military authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at Bramshott Camp parties of soldiers are being employed side by side with carpenters and joiners on work proper to the trade; that the soldiers come to the workmen to borrow the necessary tools, which are frequently never returned; that there is little work for carpenters and joiners in the neighbourhood and, if soldiers are kept on what work there is, many men in the trade of over military age or otherwise unfit for service will be unemployed and have to leave the district; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter and put a stop to this policy of taking away the means of livelihood of civilian workmen?

Yes, Sir; Canadian troops are being employed in addition to civilian workmen for the purpose of completing huts at Bramshott. Owing to the increase in the numbers of the Canadian contingent the work has to be done quickly, and it is for this reason that these soldiers are being so employed. No complaints from the civilian workmen in connection with the borrowing of tools have been brought to notice.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of carpenters over military age are out of employment at the present time?

No, Sir. There is no desire to use military rather than civilian labour. This is a very urgent matter and it was almost impossible to get adequate labour.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the evidence of Private Wankin given at a district court-martial at Windsor on Saturday last, the 26th February; will he say how it happened that half a leg of good mutton was found in the refuse-bin; what Army Regulation is infringed by a man taking good meat from a dust-bin; who was the officer responsible for this waste; and what, if any, steps have been taken towards an inquiry into the matter?

The proceedings of this court-martial have not yet been received, and I am therefore at present unable to make a report to the House as to what happened in regard to the leg of mutton, or to deal with the other points mentioned, but I will inform the hon. Gentleman when the report has been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in the case of men sent to hospital in this country suffering from sickness other than wounds, 7d. a day is deducted from their pay; that this amount has to be refunded on their return to duty; that the net result of this reduction in the case of a married man who, possibly before enlistment receiving good wages, is compelled by regulation to allow his wife 3s. 6d. a week towards her separation allowance is that, during the time he remains in hospital, he receives only 6d. a day, and is therefore 1d. in debt; and will he consider the advisability of doing away with this deduction so that these men while in hospital may have a little money to buy stamps, cigarettes, and other small comforts?

A hospital stoppage of 7d. per day, or such less sum as the soldier's commanding officer may determine, is deducted when men are in hospital under circumstances which in the discretion of the commanding officer are held to justify the deduction. This discretion should prevent any case of real hardship in the circumstances mentioned.

asked in what respect the officers and men selected by the War Office to man gun and searchlight stations in and around London are better qualified than the Anti-Aircraft Corps who, in addition to nearly eighteen months' training, have had actual experience of Zeppelin raids; and whether officers of the Anti-Aircraft Corps have recently been instructing the military officers in range-finding and other work connected with anti-aircraft gunnery?

I do not accept my hon. Friend's opinion on the technical point raised in the first part of his question. I have never stated that the first category mentioned are better qualified than the second category mentioned. That is my hon. Friend's opinion. As regards the last part of the question, I can assure him that the officers of the two Services are working in the closest co-operation.

asked whether naval ratings are to be retained at searchlight stations in and around London until the soldiers selected to man these stations be come proficient in the use and care of searchlights; and whether searchlights have been damaged owing to the inexperience of the men in charge during the period which has elapsed since the present military personnel were introduced to replace the Anti-Aircraft Corps?

May I suggest to my hon. Friend that military interest would be better served if points such as this were not made the subject of questions. As a matter of fact nothing is known of any such incident as that mentioned. Every endeavour is being made to make the personnel efficient, both by recruiting from suitable sources and by training after enlistment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that at midnight on Sunday a Zeppelin visited an important city on the East Coast, dropped over twenty bombs, killed seventeen people and wounded fifty; and will he say what steps he. proposes to take for the protection of the people against such raids?

My right hon. Friend only put his question into my hands as I came into the House, and therefore I have not been able to consult my Department as to any future steps which may be taken in this direction, and I am not at all certain that it would be desirable to convey such steps to the public, even if I had been able to consult my Department. I can only say on behalf of the Government that we sympathise very deeply and warmly with the relatives of those who have been killed and injured. I hope that the figures given by my right hon. Friend to the House are in excess of the fact.

No.

The information which reaches me is not the same as that my right hon. Friend has conveyed, but I would only express on behalf of the Government our sympathy.

Would not the best defence be to lay one or two German towns in ruins?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is a position to inform the House whether the arrangements for transferring this matter to the War Office have yet been entirely completed?

asked under what authority Privates R. G. Williams and R. G. Thomas, of the 17th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, are still in the trenches, notwithstanding the fact that their commanding officer has had proof supplied him that they are only seventeen years of age and been requested to release them or give them work at the base?

I think if my hon. Friend refers to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn, on 2nd November, he will find the answer to his question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will emphasise the granting of leave to men who have been at the front twelve months and more, notably sappers and miners, 7th Yorks, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, and others?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will permit me to refer him to the answers I gave to the hon. Members for Derby and for the Eastbourne Division on the 2nd March. I must emphasise the fact that this is not the moment for discussing the grant of leave to British soldiers. The support of our Allies by all means, direct and indirect, must be, as it is, the guiding consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Members of the House of Commons are receiving many letters from parents of soldiers under nineteen years of age protesting against their sons being sent abroad before reaching that age; and will he take steps that such soldiers are kept for Home duties until such age where parents express such desire?

I made a full and, of course, authoritative statement on all aspects of this matter in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 2nd November. I would take the liberty of referring my hon. Friend to that answer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have brought to his notice several cases of youths under nineteen years of age, and in no case has he released any?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the official age of the soldier is always taken as the final age by the military authorities, no matter what evidence may be brought forward showing his real age?

No, Sir; I have always stated in this House the age of a man is always taken according to what his physical fitness is. If he says he is nineteen when he is only sixteen, then, if he is serving in this country, he would be released. If he is seventeen he would be allowed to serve, and to go abroad if necessary when his physical abilities were those of a man of eighteen and a half; but until that time he is not liable.

Then he may be abroad at the age of seventeen?

Yes, he may.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the number of officers of junior rank at present employed in the War Office and on the staff of the various Home commands who have hitherto been denied the opportunity of serving in the trenches or on other fronts; and whether it is intended to release these young officers for active service and replace them by officers who are incapacitated by wounds from further active service?

I am not aware what the number of such officers may be, but I do not think it is large. The principle suggested in the last part of the question has been acted upon from the beginning of the War wherever possible. It is not, however, inevitable that amongst the wounded officers the particular qualifications which are necessary for the headquarters or other staffs of the Army can be found. Members of this House are never tired of insisting, and with good reason, that the most competent officers shall be employed in the direction of the War without reference to other considerations. This is and must be the paramount criterion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of complaints made by commanding officers and Army medical officers to the effect that large numbers of men useless for service are retained in the combatant forces for weeks and sometimes for months after such complaints have been reported to the War Office; and whether, in view of the expense to the State in keeping these men in the service and of the shortage of labour, he will take means to accelerate the discharge of such men from the service?

I gave an answer on this point to the hon. and gallant Member for South Manchester on the 10th January. Perhaps my hon. Friend would be good enough to refer to that answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can say how many cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis there have been among soldiers quartered in the district of the Portsmouth Command, and what proportion of the same have proved fatal; and whether any and what steps have been taken to guard against any spread of the disease?

The figure for the Portsmouth District Medical Administrative Area, which includes the Portsmouth Garrison, Isle of Wight, Winchester Area, Dorsetshire Area, and Portland Defences, including Weymouth, is thirty-one. The number of deaths has been eight. Special measures are carried out, under an organisation set up fifteen months ago, to guard against spread of the disease. These consist of isolation of the patient, disinfection of the patient's clothing, etc., segregation and special medical treatment of contacts and carriers.

asked whether, although numbers of promotions have been given in other branches of the Service to correspond with the increase in the Army, no additional substantive promotions to chief paymaster or staff paymaster have been made in the Army Pay Department since the outbreak of the War; and whether, in spite of the increase of work and responsibility thrown upon the officers of the Army Pay Department, absorptions are still being made of one vacancy in every three for steps to chief paymaster and staff paymaster, resulting in a complete deadlock of promotion, only one promotion to chief and two to staff paymasters having been made between 5th August, 1914, and 31st December, 1915?

The facts are generally as stated, but two recent promotions with antedates have made the numbers of promotion to chief and staff paymaster two and three respectively. The temporary increase of work has been met by temporary promotions carrying pay and substantive promotion must continue to be governed by the permanent establishment, of which the actual numbers in higher ranks are already in excess.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Patrick Mahone, of the Northamptonshire Regiment, is an inmate of the workhouse at Great Yarmouth; that he is now seriously ill, suffering from the after effects of gas; that his discharge from the Army was marked unfit for service; and that he has not been awarded a pension; will he say whether it is the intention of the Government to allow this man to remain in the workhouse; and, if not, will he take immediate steps to see that he is provided with an adequate pension so that he may spend the remainder of his days in such ease and comfort as his condition will allow?

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

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Charles Dow, 6th Cameron Highlanders, was discharged from the Army on 28th January as unfit for service with a pension of 6s. 3d. per week; whether he is incapable of doing light work; if so, whether he will explain how 6s. 3d. per week can be taken as sufficient pension for a man incapable of such work; and, if he is capable of light work, whether the War Office could retain him for such work instead of withdrawing medically unfit men from civil employments in which they are specially skilled and so disorganising the industries of the country?

This man was judged by the medical authorities to be capable of light work, and his pension was fixed accordingly. It has not been represented to the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital that he is incapable of such work; but if application to that effect is made to the Commissioners he will be further medically examined and his case reviewed

Would it not be better to keep him in the Army rather than take men from civil employments for this purpose?

He will be put to work which he is capable of doing.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will inquire into the circumstances under which Rifleman J. T. Taylor, No. 12,611, of the 21st King's Royal Rifle Corps, was induced to sign a declaration on Army Form O 1,838 indicating that he made no claim on behalf of his parents for separation allowance when, in point of fact, he was to the best of his knowledge and belief applying for separation allowance and should have had his attention drawn to an alternative form of declaration which is obscurely placed on the inside pages of the same Army Form; whether he is aware that the secretary of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Dependants Relief Committee at Bradford reports that there are a number of cases where mothers are only receiving payment of allotment and no Government separation allowance on account of their sons not having completed Army Form O 1,838 in the proper manner to give effect to their intention, owing to the fact that they have either been misinformed or have not had the matter fully explained to them; and if he will give Rifleman Taylor an opportunity of amending his declaration to make it correspond with the facts, as he intended it to do?

I will make inquiry, and give the man an opportunity of amending his declaration; but he signed a perfectly clear and definite statement that he made no claim to separation allowance, and there is no evidence whatever that he was induced to do this.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether a soldier's wife who enters an infirmary or sanatorium maintained out of the rates forfeits her separation allowance, while a soldier's wife who enters a hospital does not do so; if so, what is the reason for this distinction; (2) whether he is aware that in many districts soldiers' wives requiring treatment are compelled to go to an infirmary or a sanatorium by reason of hospital accommodation not being available, and thereby lose their separation allowances and are treated as paupers; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and (3) whether he will consider the advisability of allowing soldiers' wives entering an infirmary or sanatorium to retain their separation allowances, a reasonable amount out of such allowances being paid to the guardians or other authority?

When a soldier's wife leaves her home under the conditions named, the allowances payable to the children are raised to the motherless rate, but if the institution is supported out of the rates, no payment in relief of rates is made unless the soldier was himself making one. In that case it is continued, within the amount available. If the institution is not supported out of the rates, there is no bar to payment. The soldier's allotment is paid to the wife while in a rate-supported institution, for her personal use. These arrangements appear to me to meet the situation adequately.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that the situation is adequately met by depriving of separation allowance a soldier's wife who, through no fault of her own, is obliged to go into the infirmary, compelling her to go in as a pauper instead of as a paying patient?

With great deference, I do not think she is treated as a pauper. She has the husband's allotment paid to her for her own personal use.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, no payment being made to the guardians, she goes in as a pauper? If she does go in as a pauper, will he reconsider the situation?

I will look into the case again.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a boxing contest promoted this week by Sergeant Dick Burge had as its principal purses one of £800 and one of £300; that the money for these purses was provided by the public, who paid from 5s. to £5 5s. for seats, and that two days before the contest all £l 1s., 10s. 6d., and 5s. seats had been sold; whether, in view of the Government's appeals for economy, these private contests for private gain on the part of serving soldiers are countenanced by the authorities; and whether any and what portion of the proceeds of this contest is to be devoted to any military institution or fund?

I regret that my investigation of this case is not yet as complete as I desire it should be. I will inform the hon. Member when I am able to answer the question, so that he may place it again on the Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware it is nearly three weeks ago that I first gave notice of a contest that took place within five miles from this House, and that since then a much more expensive one, in which the prizes amounted to £1,200, has been held in the Edgware Road?

I am quite aware the hon. Member was good enough to give me notice three weeks ago. I have made inquiries and investigations, which have resulted in a good deal of correspondence, but I am sorry to say, after all, it has not elicited the information which I desire.

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a small Committee of financial experts to report to him as soon as possible whether in their opinion the proposals of the Daylight Saving Bill, if put into operation during the coming summer, would result in substantial national economy?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a small Committee of the House to inquire and report at once whether any considerable economy would be effected by the adoption during the War of the proposals contained in the Daylight Saving Bill?

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will take into consideration the practically unanimous support recently given to the proposal in Scotland; and whether he is aware that, as reported in the "Times," daylight saving has been in operation in Germany since last summer? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!" and "That does it!"]

The joint effect of the darkening of the streets and the early closing of places where intoxicants are sold has probably contributed more, towards shortening the interval between sunset and bedtime than would the adoption of Central European time as the standard time during the summer. I do not think there is sufficient reason to appoint a Committee of Inquiry on this subject, which was examined by Committees of this House in 1908 and 1909.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1908 the Committee reported in favour of the proposal, and that in 1909 the Committee was only against it by a majority of 1?

The two Committees did not agree.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the Indian Civil Service (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1915; and whether opportunities similar to those given under that Act will be extended to those intending candidates for the Home Civil Service who are rendering naval or military services in the present War?

Yes, Sir. I am not sure that the method of recruitment contemplated by the Act referred to will be the best way of dealing with the problem in the Home Civil Service, but I am in full sympathy with the object in view, and appropriate steps will be taken to attain it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to appoint a new Committee to co-ordinate the various bodies now dealing with questions affecting prisoners of war; and whether he can give the names of those composing the new Committee and indicate the duties and powers that will be assigned to them?

An Interdepartmental Committee consisting of a representative from each of the following offices—the Home Office, the War Office, the Admiralty and the Foreign Office—is to meet under the chairmanship of my Noble Friend Lord Newton, which will deal with all questions relating to prisoners that require joint action of two or more Departments.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in December last a conference was held at Stockholm between representatives of the Russian Red Cross Society and the Red Cross delegates of the Central Powers to discuss questions affecting the treatment of prisoners; and whether His Majesty's Government will consent to a similar meeting for a similar purpose between Red Cross representatives of Great Britain and Germany in a neutral country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; His Majesty's Government regret that they are not able to adopt the suggestion made in the second part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the present winter three Russian Red Cross ladies, accompanied by three Danish gentlemen, have visited over seventy prisoner camps in Germany, and that three German Red Cross ladies, accompanied by three Danish gentlemen, have visited a very large number of camps in Russia; and whether His Majesty's Government would consent to a similar interchange of visits between Red Cross representatives of Germany and England accompanied by neutrals?

My hon. Friend has already communicated to me semiofficially and in general terms the information contained in the first part of the question. I am afraid that the suggestion made in the second part of the question cannot be adopted. The United States Ambassador at Berlin and his large staff have been good enough to devote a considerable portion of their time to the care of our prisoners. They have made upward of 170 visits to camps and hospitals in Germany where British prisoners of war are interned, and I am glad to say that their efforts, which His Majesty's Government highly appreciate, have met with a considerable measure of success.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at the present time about 1,600 French prisoners of war and. about 850 Germans suffering from specified diseases are now interned in sanatoria in Switzerland; whether any invitation has been sent from the Swiss Government offering to receive British prisoners similarly afflicted; and what answer has been sent in reply by His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government have received no official invitation from the Swiss Government to send wounded prisoners to Switzerland in the event of an agreement being arrived at with the German Government. It is, however, understood that such a course would be agreeable to the Swiss Government. The Government are favourable to this proposal, and action is being taken in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the facilities which have been promised before 15th April for the discussion of the payment to Members, he will take care that the Motion or Resolution on which this subject is to be debated is so framed as to admit of a discussion of the reduction or abolition of every other salary which is a public charge?

I cannot at present give any undertaking as to the form which the Motion will take.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us, as he has already assured the representatives of one group in the House, that the discussion will not be confined on the subject they wished to discuss, but that we shall be allowed to discuss every salary which is a public charge?

That will be a question, of course, for Mr. Speaker or for the Chairman who presides.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that medical officers on Home service receive an allowance for rations, but the same privilege is refused to dental officers, and can he see his way to place dental officers on the same footing as medical officers in this respect; and, if not, will he explain why any discrimination is made?

Dental officers at home are not entitled under the terms of their agreement for service to ration allowance, but I will further consider the discrepancy to which my hon. Friend draws attention.