asked who has re placed Lieutenant Arnold-Forster, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, as Admiralty representative with Captain Longden, Royal Navy, on the Contraband Committee?

As I have already stated, Captain Longden was and remains the Admiralty representative on the Contraband Committee. Lieutenant Arnold-Forster acts as his assistant only.

Then no second representative of the Admiralty is to be appointed on the Contraband Committee?

The difficulty in answering these questions is that the hon. and gallant Gentleman is trying to define a thing much more precisely than the Committee itself has ever defined it. When it was originally appointed different Departments, I understand, were asked to send a representative. The Admiralty sent one representative, and also sent someone else to assist him, so that the Admiralty has had from the beginning one representative and an assistant.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman state that the Admiralty would have two representatives?

I stated that the Admiralty had two representatives. I thought it was so. I inquired and was told originally that there were two representatives, from the Admiralty. That answer was given to me because, as a matter of fact, two persons were sent by the Admiralty to attend. When I inquired further I found that what was actually the case was that the Admiralty had sent one representative, and had sent another to assist the; representative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that allotments are not procurable for cities in Ireland and are available only to a small number of towns and villages where the estates have been sold; and whether, in view of the necessity for increased intensive cultivation of land for food production, he will consider the advisability of introducing for Ireland a suitable modified extension of the English Allotments Act?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such distinction as that referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question on this subject on the 14th March, and I may add it is not considered that the measure suggested would be likely to meet the necessity to which he alludes.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that the remains of the Ballykelly Wood, in county Londonderry, are being cut by instructions of his Department; if it is the policy of the Department to discourage the removal of ancient woods and encourage afforestation; if he will explain the action of the Department in the matter of the Ballykelly Wood; and will he state whether men of military age are being employed on this work?

The work of preserving and improving the wood at Ballykelly involves the clearance of a quantity of scrub and undergrowth, and the cutting of a few trees that are ripe for felling. Any ground cleared is being replanted. The Department do all in their power to discourage the premature felling of trees unless the timber be urgently required for war purposes, and to encourage the replanting of old woods wherever the maturity of the trees renders their felling advisable. Only one man is at present employed at Ballykelly; he is, the Department understand, of military age.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the wagons of the Great Northern, Great Eastern, and Great Central Railway Companies have lately been pooled; whether the result of the pooling has been to relieve congestion; and, if so, whether he will use his powers to enforce the pooling of the wagons of other railway companies as well as of private wagons?

The arrangement between the three railway companies named in this question has been in operation for some time, and I am informed that so far it has proved satisfactory. A somewhat similar arrangement has just been made experimentally between five other leading railway companies and may possibly be extended. As regards private wagons, I am afraid I cannot add to the reply given to the question asked by my hon. Friend on the 26th January last.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that already some considerable improvement in congestion has been effected by arrangement just made with the other railway companies, and is it the hon. Gentleman's intention to compel, as he has powers to do, the Southern railway companies, who so far have been obstructive, to enter into this arrangement?

the hon. Member had better give notice of that.

I gave an answer to that in my reply.

asked whether bunker coal is in many cases unobtainable except at ports under the control of His Majesty's Government, with the result that neutral steamers would practically be unable to trade at all unless they came to terms with His Majesty's Government for the purchase of bunkers; and whether, under these circumstances, the withholding of bunkers provides His Majesty's Government with the means of bargaining with neutral steamers about the rates of freight to be charged by them for the carriage of coal and other cargo to France and Italy, the charge for which is at present a matter of complaint in those countries?

Bunker coal is obtainable at several ports which are not under the control of His Majesty's Government. The importance of the control which we are able to exercise over the supply of bunker coal is fully recognised, and if my hon. Friend will call at the Board of Trade my officials or I will be happy to explain to him the measures that are being taken with regard to this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government are still permitting the shipment of ground nuts, which contain a large percentage of glycerine, from the British Colony of the Gambia direct to Holland; and if he can state the number of steamers that have loaded in the Gambia for Holland direct since 1st January, 1916?

A shipment of the nature stated is in contemplation, but I am not aware that any steamer has as yet been actually loaded. Consent to the issue of the licence was given at the request of the French Government in favour of a French firm in Holland, and the shipment is to be consigned to the Netherlands Oversea Trust.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any figures as to the value of the motor tyres imported into this country in the years 1913, 1914, and 1915?

The value of motor tyres and tubes, and parts and accessories thereof, imported into the United Kingdom from all sources during the years specified was £2,557,000 in 1913, £1,893,000 in 1914, and £1,967,000 in 1915. These amounts are exclusive of the value of motor cycle tyres, which was £101,000 in 1913, £40,000 in 1914, and £105,000 in 1915.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is going to take to amend the form of policy against raids issued by the Government so as to make it include the risk run of damage to property on or near the sea shore which may arise from explosions of mines and bombs and shells, whether projected from ships on or under the water or in the air; and if any further premium will be required for a complete insurance against such damage?

I am glad to be able to announce that it has been arranged that damage to property on shore, caused by the explosion of mines which drift upon the coast, will be treated as if covered under the Government policy of insurance against aircraft and bombardment. The other risks referred to are, in general, covered by the policy.

Thank you; that is very satisfactory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to close Cambridge Heath Station and other stations on the Great Eastern Railway; and whether, before anything definite is done in this direction, he will receive a deputation of local representatives, with a view to the local requirements being fully considered?

I have asked the railway company for their observations on this matter, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend upon receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has taken any steps to discourage the permanent appointment of school masterships while masters and suitable candidates are away in the Army; and wall he intimate to education authorities the wish that all such positions shall be temporary until the conclusion of the War and thus prevent attempts to take advantage of the military absence of masters and other suitable candidates?

The Board, of course, take the view that men should not be prejudiced with regard to their position and prospects in the educational service by reason of their absence on military service. I have, however, no reason to think that local education authorities are not fully alive to the claims of men who are serving with the Forces, and I doubt whether it is necessary for me to address any special communication to the authorities on the matter. I do not think I should be justified in advancing the proposition that all permanent appointments to vacant posts should be suspended during the War.

Have not such cases already occurred?

I am not aware of it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is part of the functions of a Central Tribunal to advise the appellate and local tribunals as to points of special difficulty under the Military Service Act, 1916; and whether he is aware that the military representative at the Middlesex Appellate Tribunal on 27th March informed that tribunal that a point before them was involved in a case pending before the Central Tribunal, whose decision would bind that and other tribunals, and that such intimation was ignored by the Middlesex Appellate Tribunal, who dismissed the case forthwith?

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. An Appeal Tribunal have power to decide a case finally, but may give leave to appeal. It is the duty of the Central Tribunal to decide cases which come before them. I have undertaken to circulate the effect of decisions of the Central Tribunal which seem to be of importance for the guidance of local and Appeal Tribunals.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that certain Appeal Tribunals have, since the issue of his last Circular pointing out that they have power to grant absolute exemption on conscience grounds, refused to accept this interpretation of the provision of the Act, one such Appeal Tribunal being the Middlesex County Appeal Tribunal; and what action it is proposed to take to secure the legal rights of such applicants where the proof of claim has been admittedly established?

I am in communication with the Middlesex Appeal Tribunal on this subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the North Staffordshire Appeal Tribunal sitting on 31st March, when nine men who had been granted exemption from combatant service on conscientious grounds by the local tribunal appealed for absolute exemption, with the result that the Appeal Court recommended all for active service; is he aware that one applicant had put before the local tribunal correspondence he had had with the rector of Stoke in August, 1914, in which the latter acknowledged the genuineness of his protest against a sermon in advocacy of enlistment; does he propose to take steps to rectify this disregard of the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, and of the instructions he has issued; (2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that appellants before the North Staffordshire Appeal Tribunal of 31st March allege that they were not permitted by the chairman, Mr. Twyford, to make any connected statement; that one applicant who commenced with the words Lord Jesus Christ was stopped by the remark that we respect that sort of thing but these are serious times; will he cause an inquiry to be made into the action of the chairman in disregarding the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, and of the instructions he has issued for the guidance of tribunals; and (3) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at the sitting of the North Staffordshire Appeal Tribunal, held at Stoke on 24th March, a number of cases were dealt with that had come before the Audley Local Tribunal; is he aware that a member of this tribunal had stated that no resolution was taken by the members on those cases, that one appellant got the Appeal Tribunal to disclose the reason given by the local tribunal for refusing his claim, which was that they had at first intended to recommend him for the Royal Army Medical Corps on account of his skill as a chemist, but subsequently decided not to do so on account of those with whom he associated, who, as a matter of fact, are of good repute; and can he state what steps he proposes to take, in view of this administration of the Military Service Act?

I am making inquiries into the matters referred to in these questions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the presence of the military representatives overawed these tribunals?

I propose to make inquiries as to the facts of the case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that on 28th March the chairman of the Glamorgan Appeal Tribunal, western section, informed Mr. H. Davies, an appellant, that if he understood all the instructions that are being issued he must be very clever, that he, the chairman, did not, but that it seemed clear to the tribunal that they had no power to grant absolute exemption in such cases; will he take steps to ensure that the instructions issued are understood and regarded; and will he say if he proposes to take any action to remedy the injustice that has been done to appellants in consequence of tribunals and Appeal Courts disregarding the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, and the instructions issued?

I will make inquiry in this case.

asked whether the Central Tribunal does not intend as a rule to see appellants in person; and, if so, whether, in cases where the appellant is not heard, the military representative will also not be heard in person, in order that the two parties to the case shall be on an equal footing?

It is for the Central Tribunal to determine their own procedure. I will communicate with them on the subject to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether R. A. Minto, of 31, Mulkern Road, Upper Holloway, has been accepted for the Army; whether he was a patient in the Downs Sanatorium, Sutton; whether he produced evidence of sputum tests to prove his ailment; whether, in spite of this, he was accepted; and whether he is to be retained and so inevitably requires to be pensioned?

I have asked for a report on this case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the failure of the appeal for exemption on the part of Mr. John Danagher, V.C, late Connaught Hangers, for his seventh son; whether he is aware that Mr. Danagher has six other sons serving with the Colours, viz., Colour-Sergeant Danagher, Sergeant P. Danagher (who has been killed in action), Corporal Danagher (prisoner of war), Sergeant A. Danagher, Lance-Corporal Danagher (wounded in France), and Drummer Danagher; and whether, in view of the patriotic response of this one family, he can see his way to review this decision?

My hon. Friend has been good enough to send me some particulars of this case. I am making some inquiry into the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that certain tribunals refuse to allow solicitors representing applicants to make any statement on their behalf but restrict them to asking questions; and whether, in view of the difficulty of putting the material facts before the tribunals under these restrictions, he will give instructions that solicitors shall be permitted, when necessary, to make a brief statement on behalf of the applicant they represent?

The Regulations and Instructions require parties and their representatives (if any) to confine themselves to the presentation of evidence and the elucidation of facts, and unless it is shown that an applicant is not being given a fair opportunity for the presentation of his case, I do not think that it would be right for me to intervene.

May I ask whether the presentation of a case involves the making of a statement, or whether it may be interpreted as simply asking questions?

My hon. Friend is quite as able to answer that question as I am. It depends upon the tribunals.

With great respect I ask the President to be good enough to give a decision upon this question. Does he not think by leaving it in this nebulous state great injustice is being done by these tribunals, and this difficulty only accentuates the injustice?

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers or of any injustice. The tribunals vary and so do the cases.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the conduct of the Luton Tribunal in cancelling a certificate giving temporary exemption to Mr. H. J. Odel because he had given advice to another apellant on how to fill up his application form; and if he will say whether a certificate granting temporary exemption on business grounds can properly be withdrawn for such a reason as the one referred to?

I am making inquiries in this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has had a sight of a letter, dated 27th March, from Mr. Thomas Smith, mayor of Mansfield, the chairman of the Mansfield tribunal under the Military Service Act, 1916, stating that all the members of the tribunal were unanimously agreed that the Government pledge as understood by the married men has not been fulfilled, and that the attested men by obeying the instructions issued by the Government had placed themselves in a worse position than if they had not done so, for they were led to believe that if they did not attest compulsion would be applied; whether he is aware that this tribunal has postponed the hearing of appeals by married men on the ground that the tribunal is unanimously of opinion that they, cannot carry out their duties without injustice to the married men; and what steps does he propose taking?

I will answer this question together with No. 70 put by the hon. Baronet to the Prime Minister [To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a ciruclar headed "England Expects every Man to Do his Duty" was issued in the Mansfield district last December to married and single men, signed by Captain Muschamp, recruiting officer under Lord Derby's scheme, stating that there is no chance of appeal if a man does not attest; that all the members of the Mansfield Tribunal, including the mayor, four ex-mayors, and two labour representatives, read this circular to mean that compulsion would be applied to married men unless they attested; that for this reason all the members of the said tribunal urged all married men to attest, including men who in their opinion ought not to be called for military service; and will he, in view of these facts, at once introduce legislation to release all men of their liability under the Derby scheme who were led to attest on the faith of a false statement made in an official document].

I decline to have both my questions answered together, and I withdraw them. I beg to give notice that I shall ask Question No. 25 on Wednesday and No. 70 on Thursday.

asked if Irishmen sent into Great Britain by the Irish Labour Exchanges for temporary industrial work are exempt from the Military Service Act, 1916, so long as they remain in the employment to which they have been transferred?

The Military Service Act only applies to persons who were ordinarily resident in Great Britain on 15th August, 1915, or who become ordinarily resident in Great Britain subsequently to that date. It does not apply to persons residing in Great Britain temporarily or for some special purpose.

Are we to understand from that reply that the answer to my question is in the negative? The point I raised in the question has not been touched at all in the answer.

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's description of my answer. I have given an answer which is accurate, based upon the interpretation of an Act of Parliament. If the hon. Member is referring to the specific case of Irish labourers who come over here to work in one form of industry or another, they do not come within the provisions of the Act.

asked what it is intended to do with the numerous cases where applicants for exemption on conscientious grounds before the local and Appeal Tribunals have been refused exemption because the tribunals acted under the belief that they had no power under the law to grant absolute exemption, though they admitted that the applicants had established their cases for absolute exemption to the satisfaction of the tribunals?

If any such case occurs at a local tribunal the applicant can appeal. If an Appeal Tribunal considers that it has proceeded on a mistaken view of its powers, it can allow an appeal against its decision.

Supposing the Appeal Tribunal does take a mistaken view of its powers, what remedy has the appellant?

The only remedy provided for in the Act is that the applicant can apply to have the case reheard, revised, and so on, but there is no remedy against the decision of the tribunal if they refuse the hearing.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies that have been given to this series of questions, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion of Adjournment tonight.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to whom the application is to be made?

asked the Home Secretary if he will issue a circular to magistrates and justices of the peace pointing out that an alleged deserter under the Military Service Act, 1916, who states that he is a conscientious objector should be allowed to establish in the Civil Court, by giving and calling or by calling evidence, the fact that he is a conscientious objector, so that that matter should be considered by the Civil Court in any sentence that is inflicted?

Parliament has enacted that the question whether any person should be exempted from the provisions of the Military Service Act on the ground of conscientious objection is one to be decided by the tribunals established under the Act. It is open to the justices to consider any representation made by a defendant that he has applied to the tribunals and failed, but I see no reason for the issue of a circular on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the magistrates all over the country are refusing remands for the purpose of preparing a defence to people arrested on charges under the Military Service Act, and are absolutely ignoring the fact that these men are sent into the Army without having had an opportunity of testing the question whether they have or have not been enlisted?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases the remanding of the men has been granted by the Police Court, and will he do his best to secure uniformity of practice in the different Courts?

I shall be much obliged if the hon. Gentlemen will supply me with the specific cases they have in mind.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need for men in the Army, he has yet decided to propose an amendment to the Military Service Act, 1916, so as to bring within its scope all men who have reached the age of eighteen since 15th August, 1915, and also all men on attaining the age of eighteen?

I will deal with this question in a short statement which I will make at the end of questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to arrange for Members of the House who are engaged in military or naval service to attend the House when the question of the extension of the Military Service Act is debated, as was done when the Bill for Military Service was before the House?

This matter, if and when it arises, must be left entirely within the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state what action the Government propose to take in regard to the cases where applicants for exemption from the Military Service Act have been refused certificates through the illegal action of tribunals; and, in view of the number of men who are being arrested every day whose cases are identical with others who have been granted exemption, will he at once take the necessary steps to prevent this state of affairs?

I can only say at present that the Government are keeping a close watch on these cases.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Newcastle-under Lyme Borough Council protesting against any charge being made upon municipal authorities in respect of the housing of married men called to the Colours, and proposing that as the question is one of national importance the financial burden thereof should be borne by the State; and, if so, if he will say whether the Government will arrange as requested for the payment of such charges from national funds?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. My attention had not been called to the resolution referred to, which relates to one aspect only of the general question of the position of married men who have been or will be called to the Colours. For the moment I fear I can add nothing to the statement on the subject made on the 29th March by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the Military Service Act, 1916, came into operation there have been a number of cases of suicide of men who have left letters indicating their intention to commit suicide rather than serve in the Army; whether he is aware that such occurrences are likely to continue in view of the fact that the tribunals and Appeal Courts have subjected men claiming total exemption on conscientious grounds to ridicule and contempt, and have rejected their claims; and does he intend to take any steps in the matter?

My attention has not been drawn to cases of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can see his way to meet a deputation of widows who wish to lay the case of only sons before him?

The circular issued by the Local Government Board seems to me to deal fairly with this matter, and I doubt whether there is sufficient ground for receiving the deputation suggested by my hon. Friend.

If they wish, will the right hon. Gentleman meet them?

Who—the widows?

Yes.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in his circular of 23rd March to local and Appeal Tribunals in Scotland, he stated that the Military Service Act, 1916, did not provide for absolute exemption for conscientious objectors, but only for exemption from combatant service and exemption from military service on condition of the applicant being engaged in work of national importance; and, if so, what is the reason why his circular differed from that of the President of the Local Government Board, which states that any certificate of exemption, including one on conscientious grounds, may be absolute, conditional, or temporary?

The allegations in the question are without any foundation. If my hon. Friend had read my circular and compared it with that of my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, he would have found that they are in this respect in identical terms. I have also seen an allegation in the opposite sense, that I had issued instructions to tribunals that conscientious objectors are entitled to absolute exemption, which suggests that tribunals have no option; this allegation is equally baseless. My circular simply states, like that of my right hon. Friend, the powers of the tribunals under the Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Scottish Churches, in reply to the request of the War Office, suggested the words, "men in immediate preparation for the ministry" as the term to designate those men who should be exempted from the Military Service Act, 1916; whether the Scottish Churches defined such men as final-year students and probationers; whether he is aware that in England the denominations defined all divinity students, including those accepted but not yet begun their divinity course; whether he is aware that, as a result of this difference of treatment,, divinity students who may have put in six, five, four, three, two, and one year of their divinity course are being called up while divinity students of any year elsewhere are not being called up; and whether he will now place all such students everywhere on an equality?

As I explained to my hon. Friend on the 21st March, the responsible authorities of the different denominations were given the opportunity of stating, subject to general directions, what students they considered should be excepted under the Military Service Act, and they were asked to suggest a formula for inclusion in the official instructions on the matter. The formula suggested by the authorities of the Scottish Churches was adopted by the War Office. If my hon. Friend suggests that these authorities put forward a formula which they now find there is some good reason for modifying, their proper course is to approach the War Office. The matter is much too technical and arouses too much emotion to be dealt with on the floor of this House.

(Paddington, S.— by Private Notice ) asked the President of the Local Government Board whether there is any truth in the allegation that misrepresentations have been made to induce men to enlist?

I regret to say that evidence that the Government have received within the last few days satisfies us that there has been a certain amount of misrepresentation. I am not prepared to admit that the Government were in any way responsible for this, but I acknowledge that the circumstances are as I have stated, and that they appear to render it necessary that there should be some reconsideration of these cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular I sent him yesterday, issued by the recruiting officer, did come from the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee?

The local committee.

No, the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee in London.

No, I am not aware of that.

I will send the right hon. Gentleman a statement from the recruiting officer at Mansfield.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Grants made by the Government for the provision of artificial limbs for disabled soldiers and sailors, and for their maintenance in hospital whilst the limbs are being supplied and fitted, are totally inadequate to meet the needs of the case, and voluntary subscriptions are being solicited to augment the Government Grants; if he is aware that many of the Poor Law guardians in the different parts of the country have passed resolutions stating that the Government should take immediate steps to render all such expenses a national charge, and to provide sufficient funds to defray the full cost of artificial limbs and of the maintenance in hospital of soldiers and sailors who through injuries in the war may require them irrespective of the date of their discharge; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I think the hon. Member will find upon further inquiry that he is misinformed. Artificial limbs are supplied in kind at Government expense, and the recipients are fully maintained in hospital at public expense while they are being fitted. My right hon. Friend, who has asked me to reply to this question, is not aware of any such resolutions as are stated to have been passed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in consequence of the very high price of foodstuffs, where a great many hospitals are dealing with wounded soldiers and where they rely upon public subscriptions they feel that they are being very hardly hit?

They are kept, if possible, in hospital until they are provided with artificial limbs, and I think I am right in saying that they are kept for a period at least two months after the limbs have been fitted.

asked whether the proposal by the Statutory Committee to make up incomes to two-thirds of the pre-war income applies to widows without children?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I think that it would be better for my hon. Friend to await the issue of the Regulations to be framed by the Statutory Committee under Section 3 of the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc., Act for information on the point to which he refers in his question or other similar points.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us what we are to say to widows who are making these applications now?

All the hon. Member can say is that he must await the decision of the Statutory Committee as shown in the Regulations which will very shortly be issued.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if the father and mother of a deceased soldier who were both dependent on the deceased will both receive a pension or whether a joint pension will be granted; and whether, on the death of the father of a deceased soldier who was granted a pension, such pension will be continued to be paid to the mother of the deceased soldier, who was also dependent on the deceased soldier?

When both parents are totally dependent, the pension is granted to them jointly, and if otherwise payable, continues for their joint lives.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether all girls and women at Messrs. Vickers' works at Erith who have recently been put on to twelve-hour shifts had been medically examined?

The girls and women at Messrs. Vickers' works at Erith who have recently been changed from the three-shift to the two-shift system were not medically examined prior to making this change. There is, however, a qualified medical man in residence close to the works, who has been specially appointed to look after the health of all the firm's workers, and he has a surgery, first-aid station, and the assistance of a qualified nurse.

asked how many controlled establishments where women are employed have changed from three eight-hour shifts to two twelve-hour shifts since the recommendations of the Health of Munition Workers Committee recommending eight-hour shifts were published?

So far as I am aware, only one establishment, namely, Messrs. Vickers, Limited, of Erith, have changed their system of shifts for their women employés from a three to a two-shift system since the issue of the Health of Munition Workers' Committee's Memorandum on the subject of Hours of Work. My hon. Friend should understand that under the system introduced there, work is confined to six days a week and that the total working hours are from fifty-eight to sixty. One of the chief reasons which induced the Minister of Munitions to agree to this experiment, after a careful Report by a leading Home Office inspector, was that the weekly rest time was increased from sixteen continuous hours to twenty-six in each of the first two weeks and from twenty-four to forty-eight in the third week.

Surely sixty working hours a week are too much for girls to> work even on munitions?

I agree, but that is within the limits of the Home Office Regulations and the Munitions Workers' Committee's recommendations.

Before the change from eight to twelve hours was made were the workers consulted in accordance with the Treasury agreement?

Yes, I understand that that was so.

No.

A deputation of the workers and certain local trades union representatives were consulted, and they raised no abjection to the scheme before it came into operation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some forty girls have asked for their certificates of discharge as a result of this change taking place? Is he also aware that the organisation representing women has asked for impartial arbitration on this question, and is the Minister of Munitions prepared to grant it?

My hon. Friend is aware that I am going into this case much more thoroughly, but the firm states that they have never, as was stated in the House the other day, refused an appeal to arbitration.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the new restrictions, on canvassing imposed by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) are intended to apply to brewers doing business under a beer dealer's Excise Licence, by which, not less than four and a half gallons in cask or bottle can be sold; and, if so,, whether the Order will be modified so as to allow brewers to continue to use the services of canvassers to ask for orders; from wholesale trade customers and to avoid the unnecessary hardship arising from interference with the custom of the trade?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, the Order does not apply to sales to a trader for the purposes of his trade.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he can give the House any information as to the action of the Central Control Board with regard to workmen's clubs in London; whether the present regulations are leading to insolvency in the case of many clubs; and whether he will consider the desirability, in the public interest, of some modifications being now made to mitigate the hardships falling upon these institutions?

I am informed that the case of clubs has been frequently presented to the Control Board, and that it is not thought possible to accord them preferential treatment as compared with licensed premises.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will now issue as a Parliamentary Paper the Report of the Treasury Advisory Committee which last spring considered proposals for the State purchase of the licensed liquor trade?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the recommendations of the Health of Munition Workers Committee with regard to ventilation and mechanical devices for ensuring workers against the inhalation of poisonous fumes, etc., are being carried out with the co-operation and under the guidance of the Factory Inspectors' Department at the Home Office?

The precautions in question recommended by the Committee are, I understand, already being enforced by the inspectors of the Factory Department of the Home Office as a part of their general administration.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Health of Munition Workers Committee has reported that the health and efficiency of munition workers have been detrimentally affected by too prolonged hours of work; whether the Committee has pointed out that continuous overtime working not only tends to ruin the health of the worker of average powers of endurance, but also that such continuous overtime is excessively costly and prejudicial to economical and effective production; whether he is using or will use compulsory powers where necessary to prevent the continuance of the evils indicated; and whether he has made or will make arrangements for the distribution of the reports of the Committee throughout the country?

The answer to the first two parts of this question is in the affirmative. The action that is being taken in the matter was fully set out in my right hon. Friend's written reply given on the 4th April to the question on the same subject asked by my hon. Friend. The exercise of compulsory powers has not hitherto been found necessary, but if occasion arises my right hon. Friend is prepared to take this course. I should add that the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Memoranda of the Committee have been circulated to all controlled establishments, and it is contemplated that a further memorandum should be circulated.

asked the Prime Minister whether advantage will be taken of the presence in this country of the Prime Minister of Australia to endeavour to secure his attendance at the Paris Conference?

We should have been glad to make use of the services of Mr. Hughes, whose illness the whole country greatly deplores, in any way possible, but I understand that he is obliged to leave this country before the date of the Conference.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his statement that nothing will be said by the representatives of His Majesty's Government in Paris at the forthcoming Economic Conference which will in any degree fetter the free action of the House of Commons and of the desirability of the Conference being fruitful of practical results, he will afford an opportunity for this House to express an opinion that may guide the action of the British representative at the Conference by giving a day before the Conference meets for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for St. Augustine's?

I am afraid I cannot undertake to give a day for this purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has noted the growing inclination in this country in favour of the establishment of Parliamentary Committees which should watch, and be constantly informed concerning, the great Departments of State; and whether he can at an early date, preferably in debate, express to the House how far and under what conditions the Government is willing to move in this direction?

I have not seen any sufficient evidence of what my hon. Friend calls a growing inclination in this direction, and the Government do not propose to move in the matter.

Is the Prime Minister open to receive evidence which has been accumulating perhaps in his absence?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give a day for the purpose of discussing whether premium bonds should be issued or not?

I am not aware that any general desire exists for a day to be set apart for the discussion of a Government issue of premium bonds.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the British Government is one of the largest proprietors in the Suez Canal Company; whether this company has issued premium bonds with satisfactory results to the shareholders; and whether, in view of this precedent, he will introduce legislation to enable the Government to issue premium bonds in this country?

As already announced, the Government have decided that the issue of premium bonds would not be in the public interest. I am aware that such bonds have been issued at various times by the Suez Canal Company.

If the Government and the nation have made a profit out of these bonds in the Suez Canal, why should they not make a profit out of these bonds issued in this country?

Our holding in the Suez Canal is shares, not bonds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, sanctioned by the Treasury, last year an issue of debentures in an undertaking was made redeemable by drawings at a premium over the issue price; and, if the issue of premium bonds is against existing statutes, why the Treasury gave sanction to this issue?

My hon. Friend refers, I understand, to an issue of 5 per cent. debentures at 95, redeemable in and after 1917 by annual drawings at 101. I am not in a position to express an opinion on the legal question whether the manner of repayment infringed the statute law. The issue was permitted by the Treasury on the ground that the raising of capital for the purpose required was not at the time contrary to national interests, and though a copy of the prospectus was in fact before the Treasury, the Treasury did not consider the details of the terms upon which the money was to be raised.

Did not the Treasury sanction the very thing that is supposed to be contrary to the law now?

My hon. Friend will hardly compare the premium bond, if it be such, of the kind described in this question with the premium bonds which he has in mind. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Government are large stockholders in the Suez Canal Company, that the bonds of the company are redeemed by quarterly drawings, and that at each drawing a certain percentage of bonds have prizes added to their value, he will say if the Government has drawn a prize?

The British Government does not hold any bonds of the Suez Canal Company, its holding being confined to shares.

Even if the British Government is unfortunate enough not to hold any stock which has a chance of drawing a prize, have they ever intimated to the company that they do not approve of the system adopted by the company to pay off their bonds?

If the hon. and learned Gentleman will give me notice I will inquire.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to bills posted in various parts of the metropolis, entitled "Don't" and "Bad Form in Dress," issued by the National Organisation Committee of War Savings; whether his consent was given to the contents of these bills; will he give the names of this Committee; and is it proposed to spend public money in the same way as was done by the Recruiting Committee in issuing bills that offend against the public taste?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. The names of the Committee can be obtained at the Committee's offices, 18, Abingdon Street, S.W.; and it is not proposed to spend money in producing or issuing bills that offend the public taste. The question of taste is often one of controversy.

Is the House to understand that the Prime Minister holds the view that these posters do not offend against the public taste?

I have not seen them.

I will send the right hon. Gentleman copies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, and, if so, when a report will be issued by the National War Savings Committee?

The Committee is an executive and administrative body, and has not been asked to report on any specific question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the defects in the fitting out of the expedition to Mesopotamia during its control by the India Office; and whether, any steps are being taken to fix responsibility and to avoid recurrence of these shortcomings on all future occasions?

With regard to the first part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India on the 30th March. With regard to the second, as has already been explained to the House, the control of the operations was handed over to the War Office from 16th February, and a careful delimitation of the spheres of the War Office and India Office in the matter has been made.

asked the Prime Minister if there has been and if there is still any overlapping, preventable delay, or extravagance with regard to the purchase, supply, and manufacture of aeroplanes, sea-planes, other aircraft, and their accessories owing to the Munitions Ministry still being left without similar control in these matters as that which it now holds with regard to guns and other vital munitions of war; if separate design and contract departments are still run either by the Admiralty or the War Office or both, altogether apart from the Ministry of Munitions; and, if so, whether he can say when adequate steps will be taken to place all the business connected with the supply of aircraft, their materials and accessories, under the direction of the Ministry of Munitions so as to ensure greater efficiency, speed, and economy both in construction and output?

The whole question of the manufacture, supply and distribution of aircraft, and their accessories, for the Naval and Military Air Services is being investigated by the Joint War Air Committee. The points raised in the question can be more satisfactorily dealt with when I am in possession of the Committee's recommendations.

Are there any resignations pending which are likely to affect the decision of this Committee?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say when he will be able to give the promised day for the discussion of the position of the Air Service on the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Brentford?

I am afraid it will be impossible to give a day for this discussion before Easter. I understand that this subject has been a good deal discussed in the House during the last three weeks.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman on a former occasion, or did the Secretary of State for the Colonies, indicate to the House there would be an opportunity before the 15th April?

We will do our best. I do not know that it makes much difference whether it is immediately before or after. We will give a day.

In view of the urgency of the matter, may I press the right hon. Gentleman to give a very early day for this discussion?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Stoke-on-Trent County Borough Council expressing the opinion that it is unjust that any individual be required to bear the burden of actual damage inflicted in this country by the enemy or to pay for insurance against such damage; that the Government scheme of insurance constitutes an unfair and very great hardship in many cases, and strongly urging upon His Majesty's Government that the expense of such damage should be borne nationally out of the Imperial revenue; and will he say what steps the Government intend to take in dealing with the same?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The resolution referred to has been received, and the representations that have been made to the Government on this subject have been considered, but it is not proposed to alter the basis of the existing Government insurance scheme, which it is believed is well adapted for its purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the nature and scope of the inquiry into the air service promised by the Under-Secretary of State for War?

I hope to make a statement on the subject early next week.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that although air raids have taken place upon towns on the east and north-east coasts as long ago as twelve months and more, yet in many cases no measures have been taken to stop these raids; and will he take immediate action, such as the military authorities may suggest, to endeavour to stop the damage to life and property which is still going on?

As I informed the House in Debate, everything that is possible is being done to deal with Zeppelin raids, and to secure at the earliest moment that the needs of the country should be met without in any way depleting the provision for the Forces at the front.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, during a recent air raid on the South-Eastern Coast, a guard party was unable to fire at a hostile aircraft flying very low owing to the absence of an officer, and was, owing to lack of direct telephonic communication with its headquarters, unable to obtain in time authority to fire; and, if so, whether he will give orders either that an officer shall always be present with a guard party or that in his absence the guard party shall have authority to fire?

I have no information as to this alleged incident.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the suggestions put forward for the immediate adaptation for offensive action of certain types of seaplanes at present unemployable will now be adopted, in view of the necessity of striking an immediate blow in aerial offensive against the Zeppelin bases of the enemy?

I do not think it desirable in the public interest to answer questions about future naval operations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any information of a more detailed character than that appearing in the Press to the effect that two of the three British sea planes captured in the raid on the Zeppelin station in Schleswig were forced to land owing to engine trouble; and has he any information as to why the third seaplane, which was captured at sea, was unable to reach the coast?

Naturally, we have no information from the seaplanes in question. For the rest, my hon. Friend has access, in common with all of us, to the statements which the enemy has published or allowed to be published.

Is this country, then, to rely for information solely on enemy reports?

This is obviously a. case where the information asked for cannot be given.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the admitted urgency of producing engines of proved efficiency for aircraft, he can inform the House what negotiations have taken place for the purpose of securing the rights of construction in this country of a famous Barcelona engine; whether the offer of a well-known British engineering firm to manufacture and supply these engines has been refused, and for what reason?

I am afraid I cannot undertake publicly to give particulars respecting the provision of warlike material. If my hon. Friend desires to be supplied with any facts for his own private information in regard to this and similar matters, I shall be very glad to give his request every consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the General Officer Commanding the South Eastern District has power to give direct orders to the aerodromes within his district for the ascent of aeroplanes, or whether he can only communicate these orders through the War Office?

As I have stated, I cannot give any information as to the system of command or communication adopted for this purpose, but I may say that the assumption underlying this question and others which have been put, that leave has to be obtained from London before an aeroplane may ascend, is incorrect.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether any rule or practice exists preventing women over forty years of age being engaged or employed in Government offices; and (2) whether, as among women applicants for Government employment any preference is given to the wives of men on active service?

There is no general rule against the employment of women over forty years of age as temporary clerks in Government offices. In practice, however, heads of Departments (in whose discretion such matters rest) find that younger women are generally more suitable. In view of the number of vacancies for these appointments the question of giving preference to applicants whose husbands are on military service does not in practice arise, but it is the practice of the Civil Service Commissioners to fill appointments in this way wherever possible.

Does that statement mean that there is no general rule preventing the employment of women over forty in Government offices, and that there is no difficulty in the way of their being engaged at that age?

There is no rule which prevents their engagement, but the head of each Department must be responsible for the qualifications of the people he desires to employ.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government are in possession of a scheme drawn up by Mr. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia, for the organisation of shipping; if so, whether it is proposed to accept the scheme; and, if not, will he give his reasons for its rejection?

No, Sir, the Government have not had any such scheme brought to their notice.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether some 3,000,000 tons of wheat now await shipment in Australia; and what steps, if any, the Government propose to make in order to secure that supply for this country; and (2) whether the British Government asked the Commonwealth Government of Australia to lay down as much land as possible in wheat in 1915; whether this request was communicated to the Australian farmers, who loyally complied with the request; whether, as the result of their efforts, wheat to the value of 30 to 40 millions sterling has been produced; and whether the Government propose to allow the loss of the new production to fall on Australia or to bring the wheat to this country and so cheapen the price of bread?

The loyal efforts of the Australian farmers to increase their wheat acreage are cordially recognised, and they are to be congratulated on the fact that Nature rewarded those efforts by giving an exceptionally bountiful crop. With the present demands upon tonnage the shipment of so large a quantity as 3,000,000 tons for so long a distance must obviously take a very considerable time, but every effort is being made to render such assistance as is possible. The Committee which is now engaged in purchasing wheat for the Allies has taken considerable quantities of Australian wheat, and up to the present between 500,000 and 600,000 tons altogether have been either already shipped or bought for early shipment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there are 3,000,000 tons awaiting shipment?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that considerable offence is being caused to many British scientists by the retention in the list of members of the Royal Society, the Chemical Society, and other learned societies of Great Britain of German scientists, including some who have been instrumental in concocting poison gas and other like inhumane products of modern science used in the destruction of British soldiers; and whether the Government propose to take any action in the matter?

This is not a matter in which the Government has any power to intervene.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now consider taking steps to prohibit the sale of spirits during the continuance of the War?

No, Sir; I am not at present prepared to adopt this suggestion.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the enormous increase in the consumption of spirits in this country during the War?

I do not know that "enormous" is exactly the right word to apply.

Three million gallons!