asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government propose to make use of German shipping for the Belgian relief; if so. whether this is to be done with the advice of the Admiralty; and for how long the Government propose to continue to feed the Belgian population, which ought to be fed by Germany?

His Majesty's Government have decided to allow the Commisson for Relief in Belgium to charter German ships in neutral ports through a Dutch Company on certain strict conditions which should ensure against any appreciable benefit accruing to the enemy. This decision has been taken in consultation with our Allies and on the advice of the Shipping Control Committee. His Majesty's Government intend to continue the facilities hitherto afforded to the Relief Commission so long as that Commission maintains and enforces proper arrangements with the German authorities.

Has this been done by the advice of the Admiralty?

It is the decision of the whole Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, considering the ill-treatment that the British Consul, superintendent of telegraphs, bank manager, and other members of the British community at Shiraz are being subjected to while held prisoners at Ahram, in Persia, by German emissaries, he will now inform the German Government that unless these British prisoners are released and conducted safely to Bushire within one month from this date the British Government will, as a measure of retaliation, order the German Consul, postmaster, bank manager, and other German residents in the British Concession of Shameen, in China, to immediately leave that place, in which case the British Consul, whose official residence is understood to have recently collapsed, would be installed in the vacated premises?

I have nothing to add to the answer which was given to the hon. Member on 9th December and the hon. Member for Wirrall on 7th December, but I may inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the German Consul at Salonika, who was deported from that town, has been detained by the French Government at our request pending the release of the British Consul at Shiraz.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether Mr. Masterman's campaign of manipulating the Press of Foreign countries in the interest of England is under the control of the Foreign Office or only assisted by British representatives abroad; whether he has intervened in any of the instances in which that campaign miscarried and became a subject of public ridicule; whether any of the expenses of that campaign are to be comprised in the Foreign Office Vote; and (2) whether he will make available to Members of this House a copy of the account of the forcible suppression of newspapers in Dublin by the military sent or to be sent by Mr. Masterman to the Foreign newspapers subsidised through him, with a list of the newspapers and the places in which they are published?

These questions are founded largely on suggestions which are untrue, and are in themselves wholly mischievous. I must, therefore, beg respectfully to decline to answer them.

Does the Noble Lord deny that Mr. Masterman is engaged as described in the question?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the persistence of atrocities at the hands of the enemy, of the need of finding some deterrent, and of the certainty that terms of peace will be dictated by the Allies, he will take into consideration the advisability of issuing a joint declaration to the effect that no peace will be concluded until those responsible, in whatever rank or station, are dealt with by a tribunal set up for the purpose of determining culpability?

I am not prepared, without previous consultation with the Allied Governments, to express any opinion on the hon. Member's proposal. My right hon. Friend will consider the suggestions made by the hon. and gallant Member, but it is obvious that it would be improper for me to express any opinion at present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) what the alleged offence is for which Mr. Ernest Blythe has been arrested and ordered to leave Ireland; who was the witness; what was the evidence; whether the sentence of transportation is to be enforced without trial; and (2) what the alleged offence is for which Mr. William Mellowes has been arrested and ordered to leave Ireland, who was the witness, and what was the evidence; and whether the sentence of transportation is to be enforced without trial?

Blythe and Mellowes have been arrested for disobedience of an Order made by the competent military authority for Ireland, under Regulation 14 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, prohibiting them from residing in that area. For months now last past both these men have been busily and actively engaged in travelling about districts in Ireland organising meetings and other propaganda for the purpose of the promotion of sedition and anti-recruiting. The Order was made by the competent military authority, in pursuance of the powers vested in him by this Regulation in the case of persons suspected of acting, or of being about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety or the defence of the realm. All the proceedings required by the Regulations have been taken and complied with.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question—what is the alleged offence, or whether there is any offence but that stated in public newspapers by certain Members of this House?

No, Sir, there is no occasion for me to state the nature of the offence, although I have indicated it in the reply I have given.

Will the allegation against those two men be subjected to trial?

No, Sir.

Why?

asked the Chief Secretary if he will specify the alleged illegality or untruth for which four newspapers in Dublin have been forcibly suppressed and essential parts of their mechanism and other property seized and carried off without statement of cause; what law is held to authorise this procedure; whether all those papers denounced the taxation of Ireland which, when half what it now is, a Royal Commission condemned as excessive; whether the alleged offence was common to them all; whether it was more than an expression of political opinion; will he say what is the authority for this action in Ireland and, if the law was supposed to have been violated, why were not those responsible tried legally; why the Dublin Press has not been allowed to publish any statement of the facts but that supplied by the aggressors; and whether the unoffending papers seized and the documents essential to carrying on the business connected with them will be immediately restored?

The action referred to in the question was taken by the competent military authority under the Defence of the Realm Regulations for the most flagrant offences against these Regulations. If anyone is in doubt about the propriety of this military action he has only to read recent numbers of "The Gael," "The Spark," and "Honesty," and his doubts will disappear. The question of overtaxation of Ireland has nothing whatever to do with the action of the military authorities, nor were any of the articles relating to that subject even considered. So far as I am aware, the Dublin Press published a full and accurate account of the occurrence.

If those papers have so notoriously violated the law, why have they not been put on trial?

We are living in a state of war, and these Regulations enable us to act with promptitude.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the part of the question with reference to unoffending papers seized at the same time?

I do not know that there are any of those. If the police authorities have taken possession of any unoffending matter, I have no doubt they will do their best to restore it.

After all, would it not be better to allow free play of opinion in Ireland?

There is a great deal of free play of opinion in Ireland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the (House whether the offence of these papers consisted in nothing but differing in political opinion from him and his party?

No, Sir, that has nothing whatever to do with it.

The hon. Member must put any further questions down.

On a point of Order. I desire to ask a part of the question which the right hon. Gentleman has not answered, namely, whether all these papers have condemned the taxation of Ireland?

I really cannot answer that question. If they have that is not the reason why they have been condemned.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case at Burnfoot Petty Sessions, county Donegal, in which William Marshall, of Inch, has been fined £5 for the burning of furze bushes on his land by boys whom Mr. Marshall tried to prevent; whether in this case of an offence from its nature widely visible any evidence was produced but that of two policemen too remote to distinguish whether Mr. Marshall was preventing or encouraging; and whether, having regard to Mr. Marshall's character, the fine will be remitted?

William Marshall was convicted and fined £5 at Burnfoot Petty Sessions on the 17th instant for having lighted a fire in a place and manner contrary to the provisions of No. 26 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The police who gave evidence in the case were in immediate proximity to the fires and saw Marshall himself light them with the assistance of some boys. In reply to an inquiry by the police, he stated that he had no authority for this action. There has been no appeal from the conviction, and I have no power to remit the fine, which appears to have been fully justified.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) when the Report on Irish imports and exports for 1914 will be published?

The Department expect that the Report in question will be available next week.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether steps will be taken to secure greater publicity, in the interest of wider knowledge of Ireland's capacity for undertaking the making of explosives and other munitions from local raw material, for Professor Morgan's article on Chemistry, the War, and Ireland in the current issue of Studies; and whether he will consider favourably its publication by the Department as a separate leaflet or in the journal of the Department?

The Department will consider the question of further publicity for this and other information as to Irish raw materials and their relation to munitions of war.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he has received any information showing that people who used to be content with sixpennyworth of whisky now have a bottle in the house and do not go to work on Monday; and if he will advise a return to the former custom of retailing small quantities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on this subject on the 28th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can see his way to recommend the Liquor Control Board to issue for exhibition in licensed premises and clubs a condensed form of the Regulations, having regard to the size of the present printed Order, which has been described by the Croydon justices as cumbersome?

I am informed that this question has been under con- sideration, but that it has not at present been thought advisable to issue a condensed form of the Regulations.

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) whether there is any evidence of excessive drinking or delay to munitions or military movements due to the delivery of light beer to private houses by the vans of family brewers; and (2) if it was the intention of the Government that the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) should put every possible difficulty in the way of the ordinary householder who desired to have in his own house reasonable supplies of light beer for consumption with his meals; whether representations will be made to the Board that such action is quite unnecessary; what evidence of drunkenness is there from that cause; and will he consider the desirability of rescinding the restrictions which have already been placed on family trade brewers?

The Board have found it necessary, owing to representations made to them, to increase the stringency of their restrictions as regards distribution of liquor, and, although certain inconvenience may result to the family brewer, the considerations which made the further restrictions necessary are, in the view of the Board, of paramount importance.

Are the intoxicating effects of beer carried round in vans less than those of beer served over the counter?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether it is with his sanction that Messrs. Vickers, Limited, have notified their intention of substituting two twelve-hour shifts for the former three-eight-hour shifts, an addition of twenty-four hours to the working week; if this is in conflict with the policy recommended by the Health of Munition Workers' Committee; and whether he is aware that, although representations have been made against the change by the National Federation of Women Workers, the firm have refused to postpone it until reference can be made to arbitration under Part I. of the Munitions of War Act?

As regards the first and second part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday on the same subject to the hon. Member for Plymouth. I may point out that the suggestion made in the question that the change involves the increase of twenty-four hours in the working week is entirely incorrect. The actual effect was given in my answer yesterday. As regards the last part of the question the answer is in the affirmative.

Who recommended the change?

I cannot say who was primarily responsible, but there was a good deal of discussion, and we allowed this as an experiment with a view to allowing them a whole Sunday off.

Is the hon. Member aware that, arising out of this change, about forty of the women concerned have asked for certificates of discharge? Is he prepared to see that the matter is submitted to fair and speedy arbitration?

I was not aware of that, and, as I said yesterday, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Munitions, in view of the fact that the Health of Munitions Workers' Committee has reported that if the present long hours of work are allowed to continue it will not be possible to secure or maintain for an extended period the maximum output of which women are capable, and that the eight-hours shift appears to give the best results in the long run, in what number of munitions factories have steps been taken to introduce the eight-hours, shift for women?

The Ministry is giving careful attention to the hours being worked by women, and has set up a Committee which is taking vigorous action to reduce hours which are excessive. The policy of the Ministry is to substitute eight-hour shifts for longer ones as recommended by the Committee, wherever the exigencies of the case admit, unless special circumstances render other arrangements preferable in the interests of the workers. Energetic measures have been and are being taken to carry this policy into effect, but the information at present available does not enable me to state the precise number of factories in which women are working eight-hour shifts.

What steps has the Minister of Munitions taken to abolish seven-day labour?

I have answered a great many questions on that subject during recent weeks; perhaps the Noble Lord will refer to those replies.

asked what steps, if any, have been taken to carry out the recommendation of the Committee on the Health of Munitions Workers that a suitable system of welfare supervision should be established in munitions works where 500 adult males or 100 boys are employed?

The Welfare Department of the Ministry of Munitions has hitherto-been mainly concerned with supervision in the case of factories employing women and girls. The Department now has under consideration the question of introducing welfare supervision in factories employing as many as 100 boys. So far no actions has been taken in the case of factories where only adult men are employed.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the Health of Munitions Workers Committee has recommended, in view of the increase of industrial disease and accidents in controlled establishments, that a sickness register should be kept, that provision should be made for the medical examination of all workers on their admission to the factory, that one or more trained nurses should be appointed, that a committee of workers should be entrusted with the duty of investigating every accident which occurs-in their own workplace, that local dressing stations should be established in each workplace for minor injuries and a central dressing station for more serious cases, and that provision for organised medical treatment should be made in every munitions factory; and what steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Committee?

My right hon. Friend is about to issue to controlled establishments a circular containing a summary of the recommendations made in this and two other Reports recently received from the Committee. Active steps are also being taken by specially appointed officers of the Ministry to bring home to employers in certain factories the need for action on the lines recommended by the Committee.

Will the circular contain a recommendation for eight-hour shifts?

Yes; the circular will contain recommendations on the lines recommended by the Health Committee. I can assure the hon. Member that we have lost no time whatever in giving effect to them as far as we are able.

asked the Minister of Munitions, seeing that at the time of the women's procession organised by him and Mrs. Pankhurst there were on the register of women war workers the names and addresses of 75,000 women who had not up to that time been given work to do, if he will say how many of these were employed on munition work one month later; and will he explain why it was deemed necessary to spend £3,000 of public money on a procession to stimulate women to work at a time when so many women were reluctantly idle?

I am informed by the Board of Trade that over 90,000 women were on the War Service Register at the date in question, but only a comparatively small proportion were available for munition work, nor can it be assumed that all these women were idle. As regards the latter part of the question, the demonstration was part of a campaign both to encourage women to take part in munition work and to promote their employment by showing the readiness of women to come forward. The object of this campaign was not mainly directed to the demand for such workers actually existing at the time of the procession or a month later.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that any recommendation from Mrs. Pankhurst will discourage many women from coming forward?

All I can say is that it was a very successful procession, and it seems to have had good results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether at the time of the procession and demonstration organised by Mrs. Pankhurst on 17th July, for which public money was paid, there were already 75,000 women enrolled on the Special War Register for whom no employment had been found; whether Mrs. Pankhurst was given access to the Labour Exchange Registers for War Service for Women, in order that she might circularise the women waiting for work and induce them to walk in her procession; whether Mrs. Pankhurst at that time was recognised as a Government agent or official; and, if not, by whose authority Government documents of a confidential character were open to the inspection of a private individual using them for her personal purposes?

The number of women whose names were on the Special War Register on 16th July last was 90,855, but a comparatively small proportion of these women were available for munitions work. Through a misunderstanding the names and addresses of a certain number of women who had registered as War Work Volunteers were furnished to the organisers of the procession referred to. As soon as my attention was called to the matter the permission was withdrawn.

asked for what purposes the new priority branch of the Ministry of Munitions has been established; who are the heads of this branch of the Department; and what are their qualifications for the duties which they are called upon to undertake?

No new priority branch of the Ministry of Munitions has been established, as is suggested in the question. A priority branch has been in existence in the Supply Department since September, 1915, for the purpose of coordinating work of various sections of the Ministry with reference to certain questions that arise from day to day. The head of this branch is Mr. George M. Booth. A Priority Committee attached to the Labour Supply Department has also been established since January of this year. The head of this Department is Mr. C. F. Rey. Both gentlemen have held high and responsible positions in the Ministry of Munitions since its formation.

Have any protests against these restrictions been received, except from those interested in pushing the sale of drink?

No, I do not think so. I cannot recall any.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Nigeria have granted permission to traders of the Colony to open trading stations in the Cameroons; whether it is the intention of the Government to allow them to trade in spirits; and whether British ships will be used to carry the spirits out to West Africa?

I am not aware of any action taken or proposed by the Government of Nigeria in this matter, and the arrangements for the provisional administration of such portion of the Cameroons as may come under British control are not yet completed. The question of the importation of spirits is under consideration.

Does my hon. Friend not consider it desirable to prohibit this trade during the War, owing to the present scarcity of tonnage?

I think if my hon. Friend will look into the matter he will find that the scarcity of tonnage is principally in cargoes from West Africa, and not in cargoes to West Africa.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, the Admiralty is permitted, without the consent of the War Office, to have photographs taken of buildings being erected for the Admiralty; if not, whether recently it took five weeks to secure such permission from the War Office, the photographs being needed to enable the Admiralty to have a weekly photographic report of what progress had been made; and whether he is taking any steps to secure full liberty of action to his Department?

The suggestion in the question that the War Office was responsible for delay is without foundation. There was no delay whatever in taking the photographs. Certain formalities as to permission had to be fulfilled, for the protection, of course, of the photographer himself. It may very well be that in this case—one of the first cases, if not the first, of obtaining permission of this character—some little time may have elapsed before the matter was finally completed. But I repeat that there was no delay whatever in taking the necessary photographs.

Is it not a fact that five weeks' delay took place, and is the Admiralty not sufficiently responsible to decide what photographs should be taken, or must they always go to the War Office for permission? Surely that is absurd.

The War Office is not responsible for the delay. There was no delay in taking the photographs, which were proceeded with and the formalities complied with.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question: Is he taking any steps to secure full liberty of action for his Department and not be going on his knees to the War Office?

We are not going on our knees to anyone. I do not think there is any need for any action. The photographs are taken forthwith, and whatever formalities are required under the Defence of the Realm Act are satisfied.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what action it is proposed to take in cases where applicants for exemption from the Military Service Act, 1916, on conscience grounds have had total exemption refused solely because the tribunals were under the erroneous impression that the Act did not give power to grant total exemption?

My right hon. Friend referred to this matter in a circular he addressed to tribunals last week, and he has also had the opportunity of addressing a large number of chairmen, of Appeal Tribunals on the subject.

asked whether, at Shoreham, or elsewhere, there have been any cases of hunger-striking by men who have been compelled to join the Army in spite of conscientious objections; and, if so, whether he will state what policy the authorities have pursued regarding these cases?

Neither at Shoreham nor elsewhere have any cases such as are mentioned in the question occurred so far as the information at my disposal goes.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that exemption is being granted to single men of military age who are employed in the Remount Department or by race-horse trainers and others who have undertaken the care of horses for the Government; and whether, in view of the fact that this work could be equally well done by married men or men above military age, he will issue an instruction to local tribunals that such employment is not sufficient ground for exemption?

I am aware that some civilians of military age and fit for active service are being employed in remount depots. I am also aware that steps are being taken to keep this number as low as possible and that the handling of rough horses cannot be done entirely by old men. As regards race-horse trainers, I would ask the hon. Member to furnish me with specific information.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that a man of forty-five or fifty is not capable of managing a horse?

That depends on the man and on the horse!

asked if any Welsh-speaking Welshmen have been added to the Appeal Tribunal for the county of Pembroke?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the tribunal recently heard fifty-nine appeals from the centre of the Welsh-speaking part of the population, and that in only one case were the services of the interpreter required, no difficulty of any sort being experienced. In the circumstances, he is not proposing to take steps in the direction suggested.

I beg to give notice that I will, on the Adjournment, call attention to this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the fact that the Haverfordwest Rural District Local Tribunal has held all its sittings in private; and whether he has made representations suggesting that this should not be the normal practice of this tribunal?

My right hon. Friend has informed the local tribunal that their proceedings should, as a rule, be conducted in public.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many cases have been adjudged by the local tribunals under the Military Service Act, 1916, and how many remain for adjudication; how many appeals have been taken to the Appeal Tribunals by aggrieved persons and how many by permission of the Army Council; how many of these appeals have been decided, stating the results as to confirmation or reversal; how many appeals have been taken from the Appeal Tribunal by its leave to the Central Tribunal, if any; and what progress has been made in the Central Tribunal in disposal of such appeals?

My right hon. Friend has not at present statistics available, and while the tribunals are so busy he is reluctant to call upon them for returns, but he hopes later to obtain figures showing what the tribunals have done.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether appeals are now pending from the local tribunals to the Appeal Tribunals, and whether there have been actual appeals brought by the latter body to the Central Tribunal, in order that we may know the state of progresion in this matter?

I can answer in the affirmative to that, but I cannot give numbers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the number of cases in which the Appeal Tribunals have refused to grant leave for appeal to the Central Tribunal, he will issue recommendations to the Appeal Tribunals advising them upon what principles they should proceed in the granting and withholding of such appeals to conscientious objectors who have been granted by the local tribunal exemption from combatant service, and whose appeal to the Appeal Tribunal has been refused?

In a circular which has been issued to members of Appeal Tribunals it was stated that, "It is intended that the cases to be passed on to the Central Tribunal should be those involving an important question of principle which has not yet been decided by the Central Tribunal, and cases in which there are special reasons why the party desirous of appealing should be allowed to obtain a decision from the Central Tribunal." My right hon. Friend also referred to this matter at a conference which he recently had with the chairmen of Appeal Tribunals He does not think it necessary at present to issue any further recommendations.

Would not a difference of opinion between the local tribunal and the Appeal Tribunal justify a further appeal?

I should think that that will have to be decided in each particular instance.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Military Service Tribunal of Chorley was only provided with three copies of the Regulations, which arrived only on the morning of the first hearing of cases; that the clerk, being inevitably unable to master the Regulations, instructed the tribunal wrongly on several points; that a sense of injustice prevails both in the minds of applicants and among the public generally; and whether he will order a rehearing of the cases heard by the Chorley Tribunal?

My right hon. Friend is communicating with the local tribunal with regard to the hon. Member's question.

asked the Prime Minister when the promised proposals of the Government dealing with the civil liabilities of men called up for service will be announced?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board.

When will an opportunity for discussing these proposals be given?

I am not in a position to make a statement on that point.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether legislation will be required for all the proposals or for only some of them?

Well, I understand that legislation will not be required except for the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make quite sure that the Committees are able to do this work in addition to the pensions work which is taking up so much of their time?

I think my hon. Friend had better put that question to the President of the Local Government Board.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the report of proceedings in the Brentford Police Court on the 13th instant, when it appeared that several young men had been arrested by the police and locked up in the cells on Sunday and Monday night, bail being refused; whether two of these cases were under appeal to the Middlesex Tribunal; whether one of the others had made three applications to the Ealing recruiting office to know where he was to join and was told not to worry as he would have notice; whether the magistrates described the proceedings as disgraceful and said that the men had the sympathy of the Court; and whether he will take steps to see that this kind of conduct is not repeated by the military authorities?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been called to the cases in question and I find that the information given to the hon. Member does not correctly represent the facts.

In two of the cases, those of Le Pla and Hawkins, the petitions had been rejected some time before the date on which the men had been reported as absentees. Both men had received a semi-official letter reminding them of their duty, of which they took no notice, and in each case the men, having been arrested by the police and released on bail, admitted the case against them before being sent off to join as recruits. In each case the magistrate dismissed the case when it came before him.

In the third case, that of Lewis, a petition was refused by the Finsbury Tribunal on 26th January, and he was called up for service on 18th February. Lewis made a second appeal to the Ealing Tribunal, which was heard and dismissed on 15th February. Having made these two successive appeals to the local tribunal he made a third appeal to the Central Tribunal on 17th February. Although notice of this fact was sent to the recruiting officer, it was accidentally overlooked, and on 25tta February Lewis was notified as an absentee. After having been arrested by the police he was released on bail, when he proceeded to the recruiting office and asked for the case to be withdrawn, and the magistrates discharged him until the result of the third appeal was known. I understand that he has now joined for duty.

In the fourth case, that of Harber, the appeal was dismissed on 31st January. The man having been warned for service for 8th February, he was notified as an absentee on 25th February. The second appeal was apparently made either by the man or by his employer, but no proof of an appeal to the Central Tribunal was produced in court when the man came before the magistrate. The magistrate discharged the case until the result of the appeal was heard. These four men were locked up on the Sunday night, but they were all released on the Monday morning by the order of the magistrate on their own bail of £5 each.

The statement about one man applying three times to the Ealing recruiting office is not correct. I am informed that the chairman of the magistrates did not make any reflections on the military authorities.

Has the right hon. Gentleman communicated with the magistrate who made those remarks?

Yes, that is the information supplied to me officially.

asked whether Thomas Brown, a young married man attested under the Derby scheme, and who is in Group 26, which is called up for 7th April, will be allowed to join the Royal Engineers, in view of the fact that he has two brothers in that corps and that one of the inducements held out to married men to join was that they should have choice of regiments?

On the information contained in this question it would appear that Thomas Brown, if suitable for the Royal Engineers, has some claim to be selected for that corps. He should inform the Area Commander of his claim. I cannot, of course, decide these cases by answers given in this House, which must necessarily be based on such information as the question contains, and my hon. Friend will excuse me for saying that the information supplied to hon. Members in these personal cases is often necessarily ex parte.

Am I to understand that, if possible, brothers are sent to the same regiment to serve together?

Yes, if possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the recruiting office at Kirkwall refuses to allow a married man whose group has not been called up to enlist at once; and whether this action on his part is by instruction from the War Office?

No, Sir. It is not on the instructions of the War Office that the recruiting officer at Kirkwall has refused the permission mentioned, if it has been refused. Any man may come forward out of his group for immediate service with the Colours if he should desire to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the information telegraphed at once to the recruiting officer at Kirkwall?

Yes, I will have it conveyed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of men belonging to the Territorial Force who had signed on for foreign service before 2nd March have been drafted to other units while their own local units require more men to complete them; and, seeing that this is causing some amount of discontent, will he take steps to keep the men with their own units until they are complete?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave on the 28th March to the hon. Members for North Somerset and for the Ealing Division.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is nothing in the letter of the War Office which is the cause of discontent which states that the War Office reserves to itself the right to send soldiers where they please? In the letter to the War Office the option was given to these Territorial soldiers to elect to which battalion they should be sent, and the action now taken has caused serious discontent throughout the whole Territorial Force.

The actual joining of the regiment will be done—the regiment of their choice, but the War Office has to reserve to itself the power of attachment to other units to make them up to the strength, and we cannot avoid it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account that the promise given was that men should have the option of joining their own Territorial unit? The suggestion he now makes is not in their opinion carrying out that promise.

In the cases referred to in my question their own Territorial unit is not complete, and other men are being asked to complete that Territorial unit from some other portions of the country, including Scotland. Can that not be altered while their own local unit is incomplete?

It all depends upon the amount of depletion of the various units. We are very anxious to carry out the policy which my hon. Friend desires, but the needs of the Service must be paramount and above every other consideration. I am sure the House will bear me out in that. The Commander-in-Chief has found it necessary to attach certain drafts to units which are not their own local units, but they will not be there permanently and only for attachment. It is considered absolutely necessary that we should reserve that power.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that W. Russell, 1, Orchard Terrace, Crayford, went to attest in October last, and was given a medical certificate as unfit, as he has paralysis of the right ankle; that on 24th February he received a summons to go to Francis Street, Woolwich, to join up; that he went the same day to inquire why the summons had been sent, and on showing the certificate the recruiting officer took it from him and tore it up; will he say if the recruiting officer had any right to tear up the certificate; and will he see that Russell is relieved from service?

I am calling for a report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of men of military age engaged on clerical work or as messengers, or in any similar employment, at the Treasury, and in Departments or Offices under the direct control of the Treasury, showing the figures for each Department separately before the outbreak of war and at the present date; what steps are being taken to replace men of military age either by men over military age or by women, with a view to release men of military age for service in the Army; and whether he can state the number of single men and of married men, respectively, formerly employed at the Treasury and in Departments or Offices under the direct control of the Treasury who have been released for military service?

Questions in similar terms were addressed by Commander HAMILTON BENN in relation to (8) Foreign Office, (61) Board of Trade, and (73) Post Office; by Captain AMERY, in respect of (16) Irish Office, (67) Board of Education, (75) Home Office, and (79) Board of Agriculture; by Mr. G. TERRELL, relating to (20) Colonial Office and (109) War Office; by Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE, referring to (22) Admiralty, (51) Local Government Board, (69) Scottish Office, and (122) India Office; and by Captain BENNETT-GOLDNEY, in respect of (33) Ministry of Munitions.

Perhaps I may be allowed to anwer all these questions at the same time. The Return which was promised in reply to a question by the hon. Baronet the Member for Wellington will, I hope, contain substantially all the information now requested.

May I ask whether that Return will contain the numbers of unmarried eligible men who are serving at headquarters in different parts of the country?

I will inquire as to that.

When may we expect the Return?

I will inquire as to that also.

asked how many persons, including crew, sailed on the "Sussex" on her last voyage; how many lifeboats were on the ship and what their total carrying capacity was; how many of these lifeboats were launched after the ship was struck; and how many were found unseaworthy owing to leaks or other causes?

The "Sussex" is a French vessel, belonging to the French State Railways, and sailing under French regulations. Any inquiry into the circumstances of the accident which may be necessary would, therefore, be naturally made by the French authorities. I am not at present in a position to give the details asked for in the question, but I am in communication with the French authorities, and hope to be able to make a statement in a few days.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state how much of the mail was saved on the "Sussex"; whether the mails to Australia and India were wholly or partly saved; and whether the portion saved has been already forwarded or will be sent with the next outgoing mail?

I am glad to say that the mail for France which was on the "Sussex" was untouched, but unfortunately more than half the mail of about 2,000 bags for Egypt, India, Australia and the Far East generally which was also on board was entirely lost. About 800 bags of this mail which were in good condition were sent on as soon as possible by special train to Marseilles, where they were in time to be embarked on the P. and O. Packet, so that they will reach their destination in ordinary course. Some other bags, or parts of them, have been recovered in bad condition, but over 1,000 bags have been lost altogether.

asked how much tonnage accommodation was required for the importation of foreign spirits other than brandy and rum in 1915; and by how much such accommodation exceeded that required for the importation of foreign hops in the same period?

I am afraid that the variety of the containers in which spirits are imported and the fact that imports are recorded not in the form of actual liquid gallons but in the equivalent quantities of proof gallons, make it impossible for a satisfactory estimate to be framed with regard to the tonnage space occupied by imported spirits. The materials for the comparison asked for in the last part of the question are not, therefore, available.

Arising out of that reply, can the right hon. Gentleman then tell us why the other day he said that the reason for not excluding hops was that they did not take a considerable amount of tonnage, whereas he has excluded spirits?

I cannot give the exact figures, but I am sure the hon. Gentleman will have observed that the quantity was considerable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will explain to the House the conditions under which the Government are permitting the Sanatogen Company to trade in this country; whether sanatogen is regarded as a national necessity; and, if not, in view of the increasing cost of milk and seeing that in the district where the sanatogen factory is situated there is a demand for milk owing to the increased influx of population engaged in munitions and dockyard work and that milk is largely used for the manufacture of sanatogen, he will consider the advisability of winding up this company and so free quantities of milk for consumption purposes?

The business of the Sanatogen Company is being carried on in this country under supervision. The Advisory Committee appointed under the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, already have the case under their consideration, and inquiries are being made with regard to the points referred to.

My point was as to whether or not sanatogen is regarded as a national necessity?

That is a matter of opinion.

No!

The only thing I am charged with is the duty of administering the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act. The matter will come before the Committee very soon and will be dealt with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a shortage of coal at Chatham; that as a consequence the poor are being charged 2s. 6d. to 3s. a hundredweight, a price they cannot afford; that on Tuesday, the 14th March, there were no coals at the Medway Union, where there are some 600 sick, aged, and infirm patients; and will he take steps forthwith to remedy this state of things and authorise larger deliveries by rail forthwith?

I am having inquiry made into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. and learned Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, to meet the complaints made in Italy regarding the high freights of coal, the benefit of which is largely reaped by neutral vessels, he will try the effect of withholding bunker coal from such vessels at ports under the control of His Majesty's Government?

Any steps that can usefully be taken in this question of freights are being and will be taken, but a general withholding of bunker coal, such as is suggested in the question, would drive the neutral ships out of the trade and increase the difficulty.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the local education authority for the area concerned has called his attention to its failure to secure a conviction in the Greenwich Police Court on 1st March against the parent of a boy for a breach of the attendance bye-laws; and, if so, what reply has been given to the local authority?

My right hon. Friend does not appear to have received any communication from the local education authority on the subject. He received, from the Woolwich District Teachers' Association, a resolution protesting against the magistrate's decision, which was acknowledged. He has, of course, no power to review the action of magistrates.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the desire of the public to seize the occasion of the approaching visit to this country of the Crown Prince of Serbia as an opportunity for displaying the admiration of the British people for the gallantry of their Serbian allies and of sympathy for the present sufferings of the Serbian people, if he will say when the Crown Prince of Serbia is expected to arrive in London; and what arrangements have been made for his reception and entertainment in a manner fitted to express the loyalty of England to our Serbian ally?

The Crown Prince of Serbia will arrive to-morrow, Friday. An announcement to this effect was made to the Press last night, and a further announcement will be made, giving the station and hour of arrival. The hon. Member may rest assured that suitable arrangements are being made for His Royal Highness' reception and entertainment during his visit. I may add that the visit is not a State visit, and that all the arrangements have been made in accordance with His Royal Highness' express wishes.

asked whether His Majesty's Government intends to pass into law forthwith the Registration of Firms Bill introduced in another place?

As I have reason to believe that the Registration of Firms Bill would not be accepted as a non-contentious Measure, the Government are not, as at present advised, prepared to proceed with the Bill in this House.

Would not this Bill be very useful for the purpose of administering the recent Trading With the Enemy Act?

This is, I understand, a controversial Measure.

asked the Postmaster-General if the post office in Upper Baker Street will shortly be closed; if he is aware that those who reside or carry on business in the vicinity are much alarmed at the prospect; and is he aware that, owing to the improvements which have been and will be made at the junction of Marylebone Road and Baker Street, there are growing and increasing needs for more rather than diminished postal facilities?

It is the intention to close the branch post office at Upper Baker Street temporarily as a war measure, in order to facilitate the release of more men for military service. Many branch offices throughout the country have already been closed for similar reasons. There are three other post offices within a radius of 600 yards from the Upper Baker Street Office, and the facilities afforded by these may, I think, be regarded as reasonably adequate to the requirements of the public under present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered friendly aliens there are of military age in this country who, if in their own countries, would be serving in their armies?

I am unable to give the figures desired, nor would it be possible, in view of the variations in the limits of military age and conditions of service in different countries, to obtain any such figures.

Is it not a fact that there are a very large number of friendly aliens in this country of military age who might with advantage go and fight?

I am not aware of that. We have endeavoured to meet the hon. Member's question, but we find we cannot.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that owing to the number of military camps through out the country the number of stray dogs has increased and that farmers in many places are suffering losses from the worrying of sheep and lambs by such dogs; and whether, in view of the difficulty and delay in obtaining damages in compensation for such losses by action at law, he will introduce legislation enabling farmers to obtain orders authorising them or, alternatively, the police to destroy any dog known to be dangerous to sheep?

The Department have received no information or representations which support the general statement made in the first part of the question. The powers which the Dogs Act, 1906, gives to local authorities enable them to deal adequately with the danger of sheep-worrying dogs, and I do not think that any additional powers of the kind named by my hon. Friend are therefore called for. Under this enactment, as the hon. and learned Member knows, a proved sheep worrier may be ordered to be kept under proper control or destroyed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture the quantity of nitrate of soda purchased by the Board of Agriculture in Chili during the last three months of 1915, and the price per quintal paid for it?

I fear I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to one of the questions asked by the hon. Baronet the Member for Elgin and Nairn on Wednesday, the 1st of December.

Is it the case that this nitrate of soda was sold at from 9s. 3d. to 9s. 6d., and that the present price is about 7s. 3d.?

I think it hardly desirable to give particulars, except to say I think these particulars are incorrect, of purchases made by the Government, until transactions are completed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any of this nitrate has been brought to this country and resold?

I can say none has been brought to this country yet.

Has any been resold in Chili?

There again I would rather not answer piecemeal until the Government transactions are completed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can communicate to the House the latest Report received upon the hutting arrangements for British and Indian troops, in view of the early hot weather expected on the Lower Tigris?

I have not any report on the hutting arrangements but I am telegraphing for information.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many senior officers of the Indian Transport and Supply Service and Indian Medical Service have been decorated in connection with the Mesopotamia campaign?

Two field officers of the Indian Supply and Transport have received brevet promotions and two field officers of the Indian Medical Service have received decorations in connection with the Mesopotamia campaign.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Sir W. Vincent and General Bingley, being sub-ordinate officers of the Government of India, have the power to examine and report upon the share borne by the military and financial members of the Viceroy's Council in planning and executing the Mesopotamia campaign and the short-comings connected therewith; and if they are precluded from so doing will he appoint an independent Commission to take the necessary evidence from the highest responsible authorities in India?

The answer to both questions is in the negative. The inquiry is confined to the medical and hospital arrangements of the Mesopotamian campaign. I assume that it will embrace all matters relative to the sufficiency or otherwise of the provision made in India and Mesopotamia for medical personnel, stores, and appliances; also as to the organisation of medical relief and the arrangements for dealing with the sick and wounded in the field, at the base, and in transit to the base. I have issued instructions that the Commission should fearlessly ascertain and assign the responsibility for the breakdown of relief, whether individuals or the system are to blame. Until the Commission has reported I cannot say whether a further inquiry will be needed. The Viceroy has informed me that he has invited Mr. E. A. Ridsdale, Red Cross Commissioner, now. en route from this country to Mesopotamia, to join the Commission as a member.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can state in pounds sterling the original and subsequent Grants made by the Indian Government in respect of the Mesopotamian campaign?

It is not in the public interest to publish statements of expenditure incurred or being incurred on military operations in any part of the globe. But I may state that under the terms of the Resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament in November, 1914, the portion of any such expenditure falling on Indian revenues is limited to what India would have paid if the troops from the Indian establishment had remained in India. The Indian Government, therefore, as regards all expenditure in excess of normal charges, is merely that of a disbursing authority, dealing with moneys provided by the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a German soldier, Private Ernst Heinrich Rabhow, who died at Leigh (Lancs), was buried with military honours; whether a non-commissioned officer of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who died in a British hospital from wounds received at Chunuk Bair, was buried without military honours; and, if so, will he say why any such distinction is made?

I cannot say without inquiry whether Ernst Heinrich Rabhow was buried with military honours, nor can I say whether a non-commissioned officer with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in regard to whom my hon. and gallant Friend gives no data for identification, was buried without military honours. Consequently, I cannot answer the last part of the question. Perhaps I may be furnished with details regarding the noncommissioned officer of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Is there any reason why German soldiers, having regard to their practices, should ever be buried with military honours?

I am bound to say I see very little.

asked what is the reason of the inferiority of pay for command and extra duty in third-line Territorial Force battalions for commanding officers, adjutants, and assistant adjutants as compared with similar ranks in Reserve (Service) battalions, and whether this difference to the disadvantage of the Territorial Force will be rectified?

Rates of command pay and other forms of extra pay vary according to circumstances, and especially to the size of the unit concerned. The establishment of these third-line Territorial units was at first fixed far below that of Reserve (Service) battalions. This establishment has now been raised, and a corresponding increase of the emoluments in question is contemplated.

Does that mean putting them on the same level as Reserve (Service) battalions?

It depends on the size. As the establishment is raised the emoluments would be reconsidered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Governments of Belgium, France, and Italy are anxious to buy light horses in Ireland; and whether His Majesty's Government will afford them the necessary facilities for doing so?

I am afraid that it is not possible to give the facilities suggested, as the supply of horses suitable for military purposes in the United Kingdom is required for the British Army. It would be of no use to allow these horses to be exported for the use of other Governments and for His Majesty's Government then to have to import horses, if it could find them, from other countries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that farmers and breeders of light horses in Ireland are intending this year to send 80 per cent. of their half-bred mares to Clydesdale and Shire stallions, with the result that remounts in future will not be obtainable in Ireland; and whether, in view of this state of affairs, the Government have any proposition to put before the farmers in connection with horse breeding?

Horse breeding in Ireland is the concern primarily of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland I think that that Department may be fully trusted not to neglect the best interests of farmers and breeders in Ireland. Any information or advice which the War Office can give to this Department is always at its service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the condition of light horse breeding in Ireland owing to the fact that the farmers and breeders of light horses in Ireland cannot dispose of the animals in their possession; what action the Government intend to take with regard to the future so as to induce farmers and breeders to put their mares to thoroughbred horses this season and keep alive the production of light horses in Ireland; and whether he is aware that Irish horses make the best Army horses owing to their hardiness and endurance?

The excellent qualities of the Irish horse are well known to the Remount Department. The purchases of horses in Ireland, both for Cavalry and Artillery, will commence quite shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give the total amount paid by the Government for light horses in America since the outbreak of the War, the total number landed in England or Ireland, and the cost per horse at Liverpool, Dublin, or other English or Irish port?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for North Leitrim on the 1st March in reply to a similar question, I regret that it is not considered in the public interest to publish the information asked for.