asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the negotiations with neutral Powers relative to the seizure by Britain and her Allies of enemy property passing to and from enemy country through the post?

His Majesty's Government and the French Government have just presented to those neutral Powers who have protested against their treatment of the mails a Memorandum, which has been laid upon the Table and will shortly be in the hands of Members. I do not know that there is anything which I can add to the statement there made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the action of his Department in developing the economic blockade of enemy countries?

I am afraid that within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question it would not be possible to go into detail on this subject. Speaking generally, I think I may say that the effectiveness is fully maintained in every way possible.

Is it possible by any White Paper or other means to communicate to the House some of the results upon this matter?

I imagine that it would entail a great deal of work, but I think the hon. Member had better address that question to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why men holding certificates of exemption from combatant service are being attached to Infantry regiments and why they are being compelled to accept rifles; and if he will take immediate steps to secure that the conditions of such persons' service are strictly observed by the military authorities?

My information on this point is not yet complete, and I will ask my hon. Friend to repeat the question next week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the representation made to the War Office by the Mayor of Lich-field, as chairman of the Lichfield City Tribunal, to the effect that a large number of single and young married men are employed in the Army Pay, Record, and other non-combatant units at military centres in Great Britain, who would otherwise be eligible for service at the front; and whether, in view of the fact that there are a large number of men above military age who are able and willing to take up these duties, he will make arrangements to transfer these young men from non-combatant to more active military service?

I have already dealt fully with this matter in answer to questions put to me on the 23rd February last, and I fear I can add nothing to the answer I then gave. I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many men over military age who are only too anxious to be made use of at the present time?

Yes, but my hon. Friend will see that in the administration of a very complicated business you cannot suddenly take away all the trained members and substitute wholly untrained men.

Are you taking them away gradually?

Yes, it is being done gradually.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a deputation of married men, who waited on Lord Derby on the 3rd April, offered to organise themselves into committees to assist in tracing single men and compelling them to serve, and that Lord Derby accepted this offer; whether such committees have now been formed and are co-operating with military representatives and recruiting officers; whether special instructions and duties are being given to these committees; whether starred single men and exempted men are suspicious of the operations of these committees, fearing that spying in workshops and at home and working out old grudges may now get full play; and whether he will give such orders that members of these new recruiting committees may be publicly known and carry some distinguishing mark of their authority?

I am informed by Lord Derby that the deputation offered to supply him with the names of single men who had not been able to be traced by the military authorities. Lord Derby accepted this offer, but asked them to supply the information to the local recruiting officer instead of to him. There is no question of forming new recruiting committees.

Then we may be quite sure that there will be nothing like spying or trying to get men out of their jobs in order to put other persons in such as is definitely feared by certain people who have only access to the newspaper reports?

No, Sir; I am really not able to say what steps the married men may take to track the single men.

asked the Under-secretary for War if he will make inquiry into the case mentioned by Dr. E. Vipont Brown, of Surrey Lodge, Birch Lane, Long-sight, Manchester, of a patient of his who has been refused exemption from military service by the Salford Local Tribunal, the youth being an epileptic and the Army doctor who passed him actually saw him in an epileptic fit; and whether he will take suitable action against the medical officer guilty of this conduct?

I am obtaining a report.

asked the Under secretary for War if he has called the attention of the military representative on the Runcorn Rural District Tribunal sitting at Dutton Workhouse to the illegality and impropriety of his remark at a sitting of the tribunal held on the 28th March when, after the tribunal had refused an application for exemption on conscientious grounds by Edwin H. Jenkins, the military representative suggested that a military escort should be sent for the appellant that night; and has he removed this military representative from his position?

I have no knowledge of the statement alleged to have been made by the military representative of the Runcorn Rural District Tribunal. I could not associate myself with the condemnation of the military representative unless the illegality and impropriety were clearly established.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the facts stated in the question?

Yes, Sir, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that no direct representative of labour has been placed upon the Lewisham Local Tribunal, although the Trades Council made application to the borough council for such representation; and whether he will communicate with the borough council with a view to labour being directly represented on the tribunal?

My right hon. Friend is informed that there is a labour representative on the tribunal. He is making further inquiries in the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to a case which was before the Hedington Rural District local tribunal on 1st April, where a highly-educated young man claimed exemption on conscientious grounds; whether it is proper for a man in a military position to be chairman of the tribunal; whether he is aware that this chairman impatiently obtrudes his own views and opinions, instead of ascertaining those of the applicant; will he say whether this chairman was justified in browbeating and bullying this applicant, and telling him he could go and commit suicide; whether this tribunal was acting according to the instructions and regulations in refusing to hear documentary evidence in support of the claim; and what action he has taken, or proposes to take, in regard to the case?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries into the case.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has now inquired into the case of the shepherd Rattray before the tribunal for the Aberdeen district; and what steps he proposes to take?

This is a case for the applicant, if he is dissatisfied with the decision of the local tribunal, to appeal to the tribunal created for the purpose. I am informed that he has, in fact, appealed.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chairman of this tribunal expressely referred to private transactions between himself and the applicant, and does he consider that that is in accordance with his duty as chairman of the tribunal?

No, Sir; I am not quite prepared to take that as a representation of what occurred.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a petition from Edinburgh, protesting against the administration of the Military Service Act, 1916, by the Lothians and Peebles Appeal Tribunal; and what action he proposes to take?

Having read the petition referred to and made inquiry into its allegations, I do not see any adequate reason for intervention.

On account of the unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give the Secretary for Scotland notice that I will raise the question to-night on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether dockers employed in the Glasgow docks who have attested under the Derby scheme are being called to the Colours or are being exempted; and whether adequate provision has been made for carrying on the essential work of the docks?

There is no reason to suppose that regular dockers employed in the Glasgow docks who have attested are being called to the Colours. Recruiting officers have received the most careful instructions on this matter in order that the essential work in the ports shall not be disorganised.

Can my right hon. Friend give a definite assurance that attested dockers are not being called to the Colours?

My hon. Friend would be right to take that as an assurance. Of course I cannot guarantee that in no individual case have attested men been called.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is closely watching the daily conduct of the military service tribunals; whether anything more can be done to check the treatment, often accompanied with unseemly language, which is often meted out to conscientious objectors; and what steps he proposes, to take in cases where these quasi-judicial courts act in obvious defiance of the law they are set to administer?

My right hon. Friend is, of course, keeping in touch with the work of the tribunals. He cannot endorse the estimate of their work apparently held by the hon. Member. Cases may have occurred in which unseemly language has taken place, but I may perhaps be allowed to remind the hon. Member that newspaper reports are not always fair indications of what takes place.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Mr. W. A. Cooper and Mr. R. E. Pond, both schoolmasters, applied for complete exemption on conscientious grounds before their local tribunal, and were given exemption from combatant service only; that they appealed against these decisions before the South Staffordshire Appeal Tribunal on 24th March, their appeal being supported by a letter from their headmaster, A. H. Angus, who stated that he did not share their views, but would like exemption to be granted till the end of July for the sake of the boys who are taking Oxford local examinations; and that upon this testimony the military representative said that, if the men had attested or shown any desire to serve their country he would have been inclined to let them stay, but as they had not attested he wished to have them; and whether, seeing that the appeal was in both cases refused and leave to appeal to the Central Tribunal was also refused, he will say what action he proposes to take in view of the Military Service Act, 1916?

My right hon. Friend has made some inquiry in this case and he is informed that these two applicants were given a fair hearing. He cannot go behind the finding of the tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that magistrates are refusing requests for a remand by or on behalf of men arrested as absentees under the Military Service Act, 1916, who have been arrested and immediately brought before the Courts; and, in view of the fact that in many oases there is doubt as to the legality of the military claim that these men come under the Military Service Act, 1916, will he issue a circular to the magistrates that in all such cases a remand must be allowed if asked for in order that a defence may be prepared?

The question whether a remand is desirable in the interests of justice must in each case be decided by the magistrates. I have no reason to suppose that they have been slow to use their discretion for this purpose in cases arising under the Military Service Act.

asked the Home Secretary on what grounds and by whose instructions the police arrested a man, named Burkle, residing at 65, Quicks Road, Wimbledon, as an absentee under the Military Service Act, 1916, who was taken to Kingston barracks, seeing that this man had received no notice calling him up, and why he was deemed to have been enlisted in such circumstances; if he was taken before a Civil Court before he was handed over to the military; if not, why the police did that without the authority of a Civil Court; and what action he has taken or proposes to take upon the action of the police?

The hon. Member has been misinformed. The man Burkle was not arrested by the police, nor was he taken by them to Kingston barracks nor handed over by them to the military.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me where he has derived that information, and on what authority he makes that statement?

From the Commissioner of Police.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries, because I am in possession of facts which entirely contradict his statement?

If the hon. Member will be kind enough to send me his information I shall be glad to make further inquiries in the matter.

asked the Secretary for India what steps have been taken by the Government of India for the consideration of the pronouncement of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce in favour of compulsory military training for all Europeans in India?

The Government of India have informed me that they are not prepared at the present time to refer the subject matter of the memorial to a commission for inquiry and report; but they have taken steps to improve the efficiency of the Indian Volunteer Force by increasing the Government training grant.

Am I to understand that it practically comes to this, that the Europeans in India, through their Chamber of Commerce, are offering their services to the Government, and the Government of India and the Secretary of State are refusing to take advantage of those services?

No, Sir; it does not practically come to that. I can scarcely, in reply to a supplementary question of that kind, state the whole of the facts. The obligation upon the Volunteer Forces of India to serve at the present time is under very narrow restrictions. So far as I am aware no general offer of service thoughout India, or throughout the Empire, has been made by these Volunteer Forces.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the privilege of pass cards printed in English, French, Italian, German, and Turkish, soliciting kindly treatment for members of corresponding societies, friendly and enemy, with whom the holders may come in contact, is limited to Freemasons in the British Expeditionary Forces abroad or is available to members of other societies in those forces who may desire it; what is the authority for giving this privilege to Freemasons; whether the kindness so asked is reciprocated in the treatment of German and Turkish Freemason prisoners captured by the British; in what the difference in treatment consists; and whether the appearance of partiality will be removed by making the privilege available to all soldiers?

I have made inquiries and find that nothing is known in the War Office of any privilege in regard to pass cards printed in various languages having been given to soldiers of the British Expeditionary Forces abroad either in the case of Freemasons or those who are not Freemasons. If there were any such privilege extended to Freemasons the question whether such privilege should be extended to any other society would depend upon the objects and character of the society for which the privilege was asked. But, as I have said, nothing is known of any such privileges being asked for or conceded.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these cards are actually in use?

No, Sir; nothing is known of them at the War Office. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will communicate with me and send me one of the cards.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many field officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps (India) have been promoted or decorated in connection with the Mesopotamia Campaign?

So far only two field officers of the Indian Medical Service have received rewards, but the lists of rewards so far published only cover the period up to the 15th April, 1915. There will shortly be some more, covering the period up to the end of September, 1915.

The right hon. Gentleman will notice that I ask about the Royal Army Medical Corps and not the Indian Medical Service?

Yes, the Indian Medical Service is separate, certainly.

I did not ask about that.

asked the Secretary for India what is the effect of the new arrangements for the control of operations in Mesopotamia on the position and responsibility of the Government of India and the Secretary of State for India, respectively; and whether the War Office is now the Department of His Majesty's Government to which all questions relating to phases of the campaign subsequent to the 16th of February should be addressed?

Broadly speaking, the effect of the new arrangement is to leave unchanged the duties and responsibilities of the Indian authorities; but the Chief of the Imperial General Staff is substituted for the Secretary of State for India in all communications dealing with these operations, and, as stated by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of the War Office on 23rd March, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff issues instructions when necessary to the Commander-in-Chief in India in regard to Mesopotamia in exactly the same manner as to Commanders-in-Chief in other theatres of war. Questions in regard to the operations should now be addressed to the representative of the War Office.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War what progress has been made towards transferring British invalid prisoners of war to sanatoria in Switzerland?

As I have already informed the House, the internment of British and German invalid prisoners of war in Switzerland has been agreed to in principle, and the French Government has granted permission for the passage of German prisoners from the United Kingdom through their territory. The necessary details to give effect to the scheme are now being worked out.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea how long it will be? There is a good deal of anxiety in the country yet.

I am afraid I cannot say.

Did the right hon. Gentleman say "German prisoners"? The question relates to British invalid prisoners.

Yes, Sir. The idea is that British and German prisoners should equally be interned in Switzerland, the one in exchange for the other—it is not really an exchange; it is a joint arrangement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any order has been issued to prevent an officer of a Second Reserve (Service) Battalion attached to a Territorial unit abroad from receiving temporary promotion?

No, Sir; no such order has been issued. Officers so situated are eligible for temporary promotion under the rules laid down.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter if particulars of the circumstances are submitted to him?

Certainly, I will consider it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether dissatisfaction prevails with regard to the manner in which transfers from one unit to another are being carried out; whether he is aware that men in the Queen Victoria Rifles who had not entered for foreign service did so before 2nd March on the distinct understanding that they would have the privilege of transferring to any unit they desired; that about eighty of these men had signified the units to which they desired to be transferred, and the transfers were well on the way to completion when they were cancelled and the men all transferred to the London Irish Rifles at Warminster; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter and take steps to have the understanding on which the men signed for foreign service carried out?

I have answered several questions on this point to which I would ask my right hon. Friend to refer. These answers were given in reply to the hon. Members for North Somerset and for the Ealing Division on the 28th and 30th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether antiaircraft defences extend to Scotland; and whether they are considered adequate?

I answered yesterday a question put by my hon. Friend with reference to the Firth of Forth. To-day he puts the same question in regard to Scotland as a whole, and I am able to give him the same answer as I gave him yesterday, which I am sure he will consider satisfactory.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether any measures have been taken with regard to important points on the West of Scotland?

I have made it a rule— I think my hon. Friend will agree it is a good one—not to make any statement about definite points.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the principals and instructors of the civilian schools of aviation, who are doing work in the making and training of pilots, are being called up under the Military Service Act, 1916; do the War Office realise the value of these training establishments; and, if so, will he give an assurance that the position of these schools will be assured and action taken by the Government to enable them to continue their national work?

Principals and instructors of civilian schools of aviation will be called up under the Military Service Act and where possible placed in the Royal Flying Corps, if unmarried and not attested, unless they have received certificates of exemption or have applied for exemption to a local tribunal.

Does the right hon. Gentleman refuse to give an assurance to these civilians that they and the good work they are doing shall be recognised? Could they not be given some assurance in carrying on this work, which is of great value to the country at the present time?

It depends upon the value of the work being done. If it can be proved that they are doing good work, then I can give the hon. Gentleman the assurance for which he asks.

The returns of the private schools for the last twelve months compare very favourably—[Interruption].

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he has made inquiries and satisfied himself of the truth of the allegations respecting a dummy gun erected on the roof of a foundry in an East Coast city; has he discovered the name of the firm on whose premises the gun was set up; has he been informed of the material used in its manufacture; does he know where it was made; can he inform the House when it was removed and where it was burnt; can he give the number of soldiers who were told off to guard the gun during the time it was employed by the military; who was responsible for this hoax; and can he give the assurance that such a practice will not be repeated?

The hon. Gentleman has, presumably, in the course of his experience, heard of ruses de guerre. The object of such measures is to deceive the enemy, and if such a measure has been resorted to in this country its object would be to mislead the enemy's air scouts or agents and not to hoax the civil population. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will permit me to say that it is not always in the interests of the country to tear aside the veil.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that once this trick of war has been exposed they will refrain from carrying it out again?

Does it help to deceive the enemy to have these discussions on the floor of the House?

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, on the occasion of last Sunday's raid, a Zeppelin passed on two occasions within easy range of an anti-aircraft gun stationed in an Eastern county; if so, why was the gun not fired; why was no official warning given to the officer in command; and whether an officer is left without any discretion as to when he shall fire?

The Army Council are addressing to the hon. Member a letter inviting him to furnish particulars of the time and place at which the incidents mentioned are believed to have occurred.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is yet aware that friction has arisen among the members of the Joint War Air Committee recently appointed by the Government; whether he is aware that the disputes and delays which have resulted have arrested all hope of progress; and can he say whether any members of the Committee have declared to their colleagues their intention to resign?

There are, of course, differences of opinion, but no friction whatever exists between members of the Joint Air Committee. I understand that two members have resigned.

asked on how many days flying was possible at Upavon in February and March; and whether he has considered the advisability of less exposed training grounds for aviation purposes?

The answer to the first part of the question is seventeen and twenty-six; and to the second part that many other training grounds are now in use.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet has considered the future air policy of the country as a whole, apart from the requirements of either the Army or the Navy; and, if so, what decision has been arrived at?

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend that it is possible to consider this problem "apart from the requirements of the Army and Navy." His Majesty's Government give, as is their duty, constant attention to this as to all other problems arising out of the War.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the quantity and value of foreign grown meat supplied to the military in Ireland since the present War began; the estimated net saving, deducting the cost of carriage to Ireland, effected by supplying foreign as compared with Irish meat; to what extent, if any, preference is given to Home produced meat on account of its superiority; and to what extent, if any, a preference is given in consideration of the Home producers' share in the money that goes to pay their foreign competitors?

A small reserve of frozen meat is held in Ireland which has to be turned over periodically, but, apart from this, the troops in Ireland, since the beginning of the War, have received only Home produced meat. I hope that this assurance will satisfy my hon. Friend, and that he will excuse my attempting the elaborate calculations which his question suggests.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that, in the month of July, 1915, Private John O'Rourke, No. 19,947, A Company, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, allotted to his mother, Elizabeth O'Rourke, j of Farnasculloge, Lisnaskea, county Fermanagh, 6d. a day out of his military pay; that the Lisnaskea pension committee decided that 8s. 6d. per week (including the allotment) would be a fair allowance to Mrs. O'Rourke as a dependant of a soldier; and can he say why no allotment or allowance whatever has yet been paid by the authorities to Mrs. O'Rourke?

I will inquire, and communicate the result in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury has announced that the assistance hitherto given from public funds towards the treatment in sanatoria of tuberculous cases amongst soldiers and sailors is to be withdrawn, and that this is to be undertaken hereafter by the Statutory Committee on Soldiers' and Sailors' Pensions; and whether the Government is prepared to grant to the Statutory Committee further funds for establishing and maintaining such sanatoria?

The arrangements hitherto existing have been purely temporary. The need for relief in these cases was urgent, but pending the setting up of the Statutory Committee there was no source other than public funds from which assistance could be given. It is proposed to entrust the work in future to the Statutory Committee, within whose province it would appear naturally to fall. No special addition to their funds is contemplated, as it is estimated that the number of cases will be small.

Am I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that meanwhile soldiers and sailors now employed suffering from this disease are to be deprived of treatment until the Statutory Committees can set up the machinery, which it is not in their power to do at the present moment?

For the moment the non-employed soldier or civilian can be dealt with by the local authorities. That is the normal practice. But there are certain local authorities which had no institution and no facilities for dealing with these cases, and pending the establishment of the Statutory Committees we gave grants, out of the public funds. Now, however, we hope that the Statutory Committees will undertake the work and there will be no further need for the grants.

Is it not the fact that only a very small minority of the local authorities have such an institution and that it will be utterly impossible for the Statutory Committee to set up anything in its place if this assistance is withdrawn?

My information is quite different, and I understand that the local authorities in a vast majority of cases have sanatoria.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if local committees are being formed in the county of Durham under the Statutory Committee for administering the Patriotic Fund; and, if not, will he hasten their formation, in order that hard cases may be promptly dealt with?

The Statutory Committee have communicated with the seven local authorities in the county of Durham who are entitled to frame schemes under the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc., Act. In six cases draft schemes have been forwarded to the Committee, and four of them have been approved. In the remaining cases the scheme is in course of preparation, and it is expected that it will be forwarded to the Statutory Committee early next week.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether married or single men who are fit for service are at present being discharged from the Regular or Territorial Forces as time-expired men?

Discharges in the conditions mentioned are taking place. Inducements are offered to such men to continue in the Service. So far as these inducements fail to secure the object in view, the only method of supplementing them would be by obtaining further statutory power from Parliament.

Will the right hon. Gentleman proceed at once to obtain these further powers? Can the country afford to let such men go at the present crisis?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good deal of public anxiety and concern is being manifested as to the case of these perfectly young and active men who have served in the Territorials and are now time-expired?

It will be, of course, for Parliament to determine whether such powers shall be granted to the Government.

Will Parliament soon be asked to come to a decision?

That question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether a decision has now been arrived at making the payment of bonus to time-expired Reservists retrospective?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on this subject to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ealing on the 21st March last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has now obtained information with respect to the discharging of men with long service from the military department at Haulbowline and their work being done by military; and whether he will take steps to have the civilian workmen reinstated?

I have obtained and communicated to my hon. Friend the information for which he asks, and I am sure he will excuse me from repeating it here and now.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that young men joined the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps with the view of obtaining commissions in Infantry regiments; that they were lately asked to submit themselves for examination for commissions in Artillery regiments and were turned down; that, after a slight examination lasting in some cases under a minute, some were also turned down and refused commissions in Infantry regiments; that they were thereupon told that they must join the Army as privates; that several Scotsmen wished to join Scottish regiments, Irishmen Irish regiments, and Welshmen Welsh regiments, but were told that they must sign applications for transfer to English regiments; and that many of them refused to do so; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances and give these young men, some of whom have been with the Officers' Training Corps for five months, a chance of joining a regiment of their own countrymen?

I dealt with this matter in Debate last night, and I cannot, I fear, now add anything to what I then said.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question? I do not think he did so last night.

I will see what I can do in the matter.

asked whether Irish members of the Officers' Training Corps who are being trained in Great Britain can be transferred against their will to English or Scottish regiments; and whether, though not ordinarily resident in Great Britain, they are liable to be called up under the Military Service Act, 1916?

Members of the Inns of Court or Artists Officers' Training Corps enlist in the Territorial Force, of which they become members. If they do not turn out suitable for commissions, they are transferred or attached to other Territorial Force units as non-commissioned officers or privates. As there are no Territorial Force Irish units, they can only be transferred to English, Scottish, or Welsh Territorial Force units.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether a firm with the title of the Mills Equipment Company, Limited, has any contracts in hand for the War Office; if so, whether inquiries were made as to the bona fides of the firm; whether he is aware that of the £50,000 capital of this company the Universal Patents Company, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, United States of America, holds £37,550 of the shares; that the directorate of this latter company is composed of three persons, named David Froehlich, Emma E. B. Froehlich, and Samuel Froehlich, and that according to the company records of New York the company is dissolved; whether, in view of the names of these three directors, any inquiry has been or will be made as to whether they are alien enemies; and whether, having regard to this and the other facts relating to the Mills Equipment Company, steps will be taken to ascertain the character and standing of this firm of contractors?

The Mills Equipment Company, Limited, holds War Office contracts of considerable value. The usual inquiries, including an inspection of the firm's works, were made before the firm was noted on the War Office list. I am aware that the Universal Patents Company, of U.S.A., holds £37,550 of the Mills Equipment Company's shares. I am informed that the former company is still in existence, and that its directorate does not include any person of the name of Froehlich; but, in view of the statements in the question, I am causing further inquiries to be made into the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether last year the large steamship "Arragon," lying off Mudros, was used for many months as the headquarters of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, or for portions of his staff; whether while used for that purpose the cost to the public represented by the ship and her running expenses was at least £50,000 a month; and whether, in the interests of economy and in view of the needs of tonnage, he will take steps to prevent a similar occurrence in the future?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The total amount spent on hire and running expenses was only a fraction of the amount suggested. As regards the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I do not think a similar situation is likely to arise again.

May I have the fraction, please? I have been told the sum that really was spent.

No, I do not think that is desirable.

I do not think it is.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, and his Staff are still in occupation of the buildings in Pall Mall, opposite Marlborough House; how much was spent in furnishing them and fitting them for military occupation; and whether, in the interests of economy, he will take steps to vacate these head quarters in one of the most expensive streets in London and secure premises at a less rent than £4,500 a year?

Yes, Sir; the Staff of the Eastern Command are still in occupation of the offices referred to, and, as I informed my hon. Friend on the 15th March, it is the only suitable accommodation which could be obtained sufficiently near at hand. The question as to the cost of furnishing and fitting up the premises is one that should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works.

Does the hon. Gentleman really say that suitable headquarters could not have been obtained within a reasonable distance of the War Office?

I said it was the only suitable accommodation which could be obtained near at hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether undeveloped land taxation is now payable on those assessments in respect of which demands were made for the years 1910–11, 1911–12, and 1912–13; and whether, in consideration of many persons having paid in respect of these assessments, it is intended either to demand payment of those who have been served with demands but who have not paid or to refund payments made to those who have paid moneys paid on a demand which has not been equally and impartially urged?

I can add nothing to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 28th March by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, beyond saying that there will be no eventual discrimination.

As we want money now, will the right hon. Gentleman take the matter in hand at once, with a view of getting from these people who are four or five years behind in their payments what money he possibly can?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the reply I have given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter if I put a question down for a fortnight hence?

I am afraid that legislation of the kind suggested by the hon. Member would have very little chance of getting through the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of Excess Profits Duty will be payable by persons who become liable to that duty for the first time after 1st July, 1915?

I am not sure whether I precisely understand the contingency which the hon. Member has in mind, and it may be convenient if I explain my proposal as a whole. In the case of a business commenced before the outbreak of war, I propose that the 60 per cent. rate should begin to operate after the expiration of one year from the commencement of the first of its accounting periods to which the Excess Profits Duty applies. In the case of businesses commenced since the date of the outbreak of war, it will operate for accounting periods terminating more than a year after that date. The increased rate will apply for the computation not only of a charge of duty where excess profits are realised, but also of a set off or repayment where profits fall below the margin of liability.

Are we to understand that this demand is not retrospective as regards these particular cases?

It is not retrospective in those cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he intends, in taxing excess profits realised by the sale of profit-producing assets, to make the tax operate in the case of sales already completed; whether the tax will be levied notwithstanding the fact that the assets are continuing after the sale to produce profits, on which duty is levied, in the hands of the purchaser; and (2) whether it is proposed to include amongst profit-producing assets, the proceeds of the sale of which are to be brought into account for excess, profits, capital assets such as ships, even although the owner may be selling in order to buy another ship to take the place of the one sold?

I fear I cannot anticipate the contents of the Finance Bill, on which it will be open to the House to discuss the points raised in these questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated yield in a full year of the proposed tax on cider and perry, and the estimated cost of collection; and if the tax will apply to cider made by farmers and supplied free to their workmen?

The yield in a full year is estimated at something over £100,000. The cost of collection is negligible. The tax will only apply to cider and perry sold or kept for sale.

Has the right hon. Gentleman estimated the reduction in the consumption of cider which will inevitably result from this tax?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether zoological gardens are to be treated as entertainments under the new Amusements Tax?

Zoological gardens, being exhibitions of wild animals, will, under the Definition of Entertainments in Clause 1 (5) of the Finance (New Duties) Bill, be liable to the Tax, but I will, of course, keep an open mind with regard to any representations which may be made to me on this matter before the Committee stage of the Bill.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in addition to passing off as Irish bacon and Irish butter commodities which are not Irish, certain traders in Glasgow are now selling as Irish eggs the produce of other countries; and whether, in view of the prevalence of these practices whereby the genuine Irish products are brought into disrepute and profit realised in consequence of the difference in price, steps will be taken to put an end to this practice?

I am aware that in Glasgow the description "Irish" is sometimes falsely applied to eggs the produce of other countries. In such cases prosecutions under the Merchandise Marks Act are instituted, and recently a number of convictions have been obtained.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what sort of fines were imposed in these cases?

Certainly not without notice. I do not carry all these fines in my head.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that fines of £3 have been imposed, and that it pays these traders very well from one day's sales to make such payments?

I understand that the tribunals deal with them in a much more drastic manner if they are brought up a second time.

Is the right hon. Gentlemen aware that some people never come up a second time, and are able to make out that their brother or some other member of the company has been called?

asked the Lord Advocate if he will take into favourable consideration the cases of six Eyemouth skippers of motor boats who were fined £50 each at the Duns Court on 17th March last for breach of the Admiralty Regulations against fishing beyond the three-mile limit, as the penalty, with the alternative of thirty days' imprisonment, is out of proportion to the penalties usually imposed in such cases, the same week four North Shields skippers of steam trawlers being fined only £2 for a similar offence; and will he remit the excess punishment of the Eyemouth skippers?

As the result of inquiries which I have made it appears that the breaches of the Regulations were committed deliberately, after warning had been given in previous cases of a similar kind that more severe penalties would be imposed in future. For the offence in question a fine of £100 may be imposed, and, in view of the circumstances, I am not prepared to advise any remission of the penalties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether the Government of Hong Kong has received from the local chamber of commerce representations both as to the time taken and the methods employed in liquidating the local German firms; what action has the Government taken in reply; and (2) whether, in view of the fact that a year is customarily regarded as a fair period for the liquidation of German firms, he will call the attention of the Colonial authorities in Hong Kong to the fact that this limit has been very largely exceeded already; and whether he will take steps to expedite the process?

The Government of Hong Kong has received representations, as suggested by the hon. Member, from the local chamber of commerce. Arrangements are now being made for carrying out, as far as local conditions admit, a complete liquidation of the enemy firms and a complete realisation of their assets, and the execution of this policy is being accelerated as much as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the delay in the transport of goods for Stornoway, on the Highland Railway, and the continued congestion at Kyle of Lochalsh are causing hardship to the people of the island of Lewis; and will he take steps to have this grievance remedied?

I have communicated with the Highland Railway Company on the subject, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of their reply, from which he will see that the responsibility for the delay does not rest with the railway company.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the Admiralty has commandeered the steamship store at Stornoway, which was the repository for goods shipped by the Langland line of steamers to Stornoway; that the Langland line steamers, because of this, no longer call there, and the town of Stornoway and the Island of Lewis are thereby deprived of a source of their food supply; and will he take what steps he can, consistent with the naval exigencies, to free part of the store for the accommodation of supplies necessary for the community?

The store refrerred to by my hon. Friend was requisitioned for naval purposes, and from local investigation at the time it appeared that the minimum of interference with local trade was secured by the appropriation of these particular premises. However, the possibility of freeing part of the store, as suggested in the last part of the question, is being inquired into.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now state 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?

We are in communication with the French Government with regard to the loss of this cross-Channel steamer, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is still considered necessary to maintain compulsory ignorance in this country by excluding all foreign newspapers and periodicals indiscriminately; and, seeing that enemy countries admit all without detriment to themselves, whether the Government will consider the advisability of allowing the free admission and circulation here of all publications from at least neutral countries?

No foreign newspaper, whether of neutral or enemy origin, addressed to the United Kingdom is stopped by the Censor except those newspapers which are published with the sole object of disseminating German falsehoods.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to introduce a Bill to restore the right of personal liberty until forfeited on conviction of an offence proved according to law?

An identical question put by the hon. Member was answered on my behalf by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Munitions on the 22nd March. I have nothing to add to the answer he then gave.

Does or does not the right hon. Gentleman intend to introduce a Bill on this subject?

No, Sir, I have no such intention at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether it was his intention that the Defence of the Realm Act should be used to prevent the cultivation of the Gaelic language and literature in Ireland by punishing as criminals persons engaged in that work against whom no other charge has been made; and, if this was not his intention, whether, having regard to fines and imprisonment imposed in cases in which no other offence was alleged, he will at an early date introduce a Bill to amend the Act so that it cannot be used for that purpose?

The Defence of the Realm Act is not, and has not been, used to prevent the cultivation of the Gaelic language and literature in Ireland, and no persons have been punished for the use of the Irish language. Two persons named Chavasse and O'Conaire, both English-speaking people, refused to give in English certain information properly required by the police, thereby obstructing the police in carrying out the orders of the competent military authority. This constituted an offence against the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and for this offence proceedings were taken under those Regulations.

Was either of these men guilty of any offence whatever but that of answering a policeman in Irish?

Yes, Sir, as it was necessary to obtain from them information intelligible to the police, and as they knew English perfectly well—far better than they did Irish.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether men who have served in the Fleet and the Royal Fleet Reserve are entitled to a gratuity of £50 when discharged from the Service at forty years of age if they have completed twenty years' service; whether, in the present state of war, those men who are otherwise entitled to the gratuity but are not discharged are paid the gratuity; and, if not, will he state the policy of the Board on the matter?

Members of Class B of the Royal Fleet Reserve who enrolled in that force prior to 1st April, 1906, become eligible, on completing twenty years' combined service in the Active Service and Reserve and attaining the age of forty, for the award of a gratuity of £50, in lieu of claim to a pension of £12 a year for life at the age of fifty-five. Those who enrolled in that force on or after 1st April, 1906, are entitled to the gratuity of £50 on completion of twenty years' combined service, provided they have attained forty years of age. Men who complete time during hostilities will not receive the gratuity (which can only be awarded on discharge from the Reserve) while they are serving with the Fleet, retention of the men's services under the Royal Proclamation for the time being cancelling all ordinary rules under which discharge could be claimed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the members belonging to the London and Provincial Retail Newsagents' Association are protesting against the method that is being adopted by the wholesale publishers on account of the increased cost of delivery, whilst at the same time the newsagents can only charge the face value of their goods; if Messrs. W. H. Smith and Sons have been sending out circulars to householders which will injure the newsagents; if the members of the London and Provincial Retail Newsagents' Association made an effort to start a co-operative supply and to employ only trade union labour, and although sufficient capital could have been raised to pay for the goods in advance, when they asked permission from the Treasury to raise the necessary capital permission was refused; and if he will state the reason why permission was refused?

The facts stated in the question correspond generally with those stated by the Association to the Committee on Fresh Issues of Capital, but I have no independent information on the subject. The proposed issue of capital was refused on the recommendation of the Committee after consultation with the Board of Trade because it was not considered that the circumstances were such as to justify an issue of capital at the present time, and it moreover appeared that the proposal would have led to a considerable duplication of labour and work upon a non-war service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say under what Statute that Committee has derived its powers?

No Statute!

Have they, then, really the power to stop the issue of new capital to the shareholders of any existing company?

No, Sir; they have no power to stop the issue, but there are certain consequences which follow if they issue capital without permission.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what those consequences are?

One of the consequences, the only one I can recall to mind readily at the moment, is that the shares issued without their permission cannot be dealt in on the Stock Exchange.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to make any statement for the information of the House on the results of the recent Allied Conference in Paris and on his visit to Italy?

It would not be desirable to make any detailed statement, beyond the information which has already been given to the Press, as to the various matters which came under discussion during the recent Allied Conference in Paris. The general results of that Conference, as was indicated in the resolutions which it adopted, were to reaffirm the entire solidarity of the Allies to establish the complete identity of their views, and to ensure perfect unity of action between them in the prosecution and conduct of the War.

My visit to Italy was signalised by a most striking manifestation of that traditional friendship between the Italian and British peoples, which their brotherhood in arms has served at once to demonstrate and to fortify. It would not, I think, be advisable that I should say more on the subject at the present moment.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he can state the number of men of military age at present employed at the various offices of the Ministry of Munitions and what steps he is taking to release such men for service in the Army; will he say what steps he is taking to replace single men of serviceable age now employed in munition works with women or men not eligible for service; and whether it would be possible to replace single men with married men when single men are called up for service with the Colours?

A return is being prepared by the Treasury showing the number of men of military age at present employed in all Government Departments. As regards the second part of the question, inspectors are now engaged in visiting the firms to which war service badges have been issued with a view to the withdrawal of exemption from those men who can be replaced by women or other labour ineligible for military service. I should not be justified in holding out hopes that single men from whom exemption is withdrawn will be replaced by married men eligible for military service. The hon. Member must, of course, remember that the production of many munitions requires the labour of strong and able-bodied men.

Can my hon. Friend say when the return may be expected?

No; I will look into that.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many men and women, respectively, in the area of Ireland south of a line drawn from Ballyshannon to Dundalk are employed on munitions of war and being paid wages in establishments which had not been making munitions of war previous to the creation of a branch of the Ministry of Munitions in Ireland?

The information desired by my hon. Friend is not available, and could only be obtained by imposing a good deal of work on the firms concerned, and on officers of the Department, who are already fully occupied. In the circumstances, I do not think it would be desirable to undertake the necessary inquiries.

asked the Minister of Munitions what proportion of the women and girls employed in connection with the making of munitions of war in Great Britain were skilled hands at any branch of the work before being employed by the Ministry; and of those who were not skilled hands, what was the average length of training they required in order to fit them to be usefully employed on munitions work?

About one-tenth of the women now employed on munition work were previously employed on similar occupations by firms engaged in the production of munitions. Of these, only a very few could be described as skilled. The length of time taken to train a woman varies in accordance with the work she has to undertake, but the majority are taken into factories without training. A woman could learn to operate most types of lathe in from fifty to 100 hours, and in many of the occupations on which women are employed they become usefully employed within a short time of entering the works.