asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about securities of value which have been intercepted in the letter post on the journey from Holland to America; what is the approximate value of such securities; whether they are being retained or used to strengthen the British exchange; and whether any neutral countries have been in communication with the Foreign Office concerning this matter?

The face value of the securities seized on the ground that they are of enemy origin in approximately £2,000,000 sterling. The securities will be dealt with in the Prize Court in the same way as other German exports. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. Various neutral Governments have protested against the action of His Majesty's Government and discussion with them is proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the conditions previously approved by His Majesty's Government under which the consignment of 1,000 tons of copper was shipped in the steamship "Stockholm" on her last voyage and what guarantees His Majesty's Government had that any part of this consignment of 1,000 tons of copper would not reach Germany in any shape or form; and whether the ownership of the steamship "Stockholm" had anything to-do with the decision to hurry up the proceedings of the Contraband Committee so as to cause the release of this ship within twenty-four hours?

The copper on the steamship "Stockholm" was shipped under the following conditions: that it should be consigned to actual consumers in Sweden; that the contract of sale should contain a clause that neither the copper itself nor any of its products should be exported from the country and that, on arrival, it should be put into warehouse so that it could not afterwards be declared in transit. These conditions were fulfilled. The answer to the second question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether certain classes of goods, such as earthen ware, crockery, gloves, artificial flowers, glass, and optical instruments, are being exported to the United States through Holland, Denmark, and Sweden; and, if so, whether he can state the conditions under which such goods are allowed to pass through the blockade?

For the conditions on which His Majesty's Government have allowed the shipment of goods of enemy origin to neutral countries, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question put by the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division of Nottinghamshire on 4th November last. No facilities are accorded to the goods enumerated beyond those which would be accorded to other classes of goods, and all are subject to the conditions already referred to. I take this opportunity of repeating that the contract for the purchase of the goods to be exported must have been made before 1st March, 1915, and that no extension of that date can be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of British prisoner camps in Germany and how frequently they are visited on behalf of His Majesty's Government; and whether, in view of the recent Report on the prisoners' camp at Wittenberg, he can arrange for more frequent visits to be made to all camps and for the Reports received on same to be published immediately they are received?

According to an official statement by the Prussian Ministry of War, which was issued to the Press on 14th February last, there are in Germany twenty-five camps for officer prisoners; forty-six for rank and file, and forty-two lazarettes. Nearly all the camps and a considerable number of the lazerettes have been visited by the United States Embassy at Berlin, the more important camps on a number of occasions. When complaints are received with regard to a camp, the United States Ambassador at Berlin is requested to send a member of his staff to inspect it; the reports on camps are issued to the Press as soon as they are received. The staff of the United States Embassy at Berlin is being increased by four medical men to enable more frequent visits to be paid to camps. The German authorities refused to permit a visit to Wittenberg, during the period covered by the recent report, on the ground of infection.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present number of British prisoners at Wittenberg; what is the date and purport of the last report of the American Embassy in Berlin on their visit to the camp; and whether, in view of the recent published report on this camp, he will arrange for frequent and special visits and reports of this camp?

There are about 700 British prisoners at Wittenberg Camp and in the outlying camps attached to it. The last report from the United States Ambassador at Berlin on this camp is dated the 10th of March, was received on the 22nd of March, and was issued to the Press on the 28th of March. The report states, among other things, that there was a decided improvement in conditions since the previous reports in November and January and that the Commandant had been changed. Three visits have been paid to this camp since October and the reports have been issued to the Press as soon as they were received. It is hoped to lay before Parliament shortly these reports with a considerable number of others on camps in Germany which, however, have all been issued to the Press.

Were the Foreign Office aware of the serious facts of the case at the time they occurred, and what steps did they take to deal with them?

I shall be obliged if my right hon. Friend would give me notice of the question as to when we first knew of the conditions at the camp. As the House will gather from the report, we did not know the full facts until quite recently, when the two doctors had been released from the camp. With regard to the steps taken, we pressed continually for visits of inspection to the camps and reports on the camps whenever we heard that there was trouble. The right hon. Gentleman will realise from the answer I have just given that in the Wittenberg case the German authorities refused to permit visits to Wittenberg during the period covered by the recent report, on the ground of infection, therefore we could not know.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the proposed visits to which he has alluded are known beforehand or are they surprise visits?

I should like to have notice of that.

When will reports be issued showing the number of British prisoners who have died in German camps?

I cannot say that. When the reports are issued, if questions arise upon them, they can be put. Reports have been issued to the Press already.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will arrange, in all cases where female workers have been recently changed from 8-hour to 12-hour shifts, that a full Report may be sent to him weekly of all cases of discharges, temporary absence from illness or other cause, loss of time, accidents, and illnesses; and whether he will periodically consider, in the light of such reports and of the results obtained in output, whether the 12-hour shift system should be continued?

So far as I know, the only controlled establishments which have recently changed from a three to a two-shift system for women workers are the one to which reference has been recently made in questions asked in this House, and one other. Both these cases are being carefully watched, particularly from the point of view of health, and if necessary my right hon. Friend is quite prepared to call for a reversion to the previous system.

Is one of these places Woolwich Arsenal?

No, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether in any national factory directly under the control of the Ministry of Munitions—Huddersfield, for example—a recent change has been made from an eight hours' to a twelve hours' shift?

I think there was a case, only one case, which is the other referred to here. I am not quite sure whether it is that place or not. I only got to know of it a few days ago. I do not think the shift has been changed yet.

Is it not a very serious thing that a national factory under the control of the Ministry of Munitions is going to give this example to private employers to increase the working hours from eight to twelve?

It is not an increase in the working hours.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, though he has answered several supplementary questions, he has not directly answered the question on the Paper, namely, whether he will periodically have reports of this nature sent to him?

There is only this one case and the other which I am still doubtful about. There is no other case in existence that I know of.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received an offer from the Dublin Port and Docks Board of 200 men for munition work; if so, whether he is aware that the majority of these men are unskilled workers; whether he made any request to the Dublin Port and Docks Board for men; and if, before the said 200 men are dismissed, the Munitions Department will guarantee them employment?

No such offer as that referred to by my hon. Friend appears to have been received in the Ministry of Munitions from the Dublin Port and Docks Board, nor has a request for men been, addressed to the Board by the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to a case of a fitter tried before the Swansea Munitions Court for falling asleep at his work in an explosives factory; whether he is aware that the defendant stated without contradiction that the hours were more than men could stand, and that he worked twenty-four hours at a stretch twice a week, and that, in view of the good character of the man, the summons was dismissed; and whether he will cause investigation to be made into these hours with a view to redress?

I have seen the chairman's notes on a case which appears to be that referred to. There was evidence of long hours being worked, but the case was dismissed on the ground that the factory was not a controlled establishment at the time when the offence was alleged. I am, however, having inquiries made of the firm.

asked the Minister of Munitions, whether his attention has been called to the case of two Canadian workmen, Thomas Losh and Robert Arthur Woodward, who appeared before the Barrow Munitions Court in order to apply for their release certificates; whether he is aware that these men have worked under a six months' agreement drawn up with the Board of Trade and that the agreement has expired; that the men desire to leave Messrs. Vickers but to continue munition work in this country; that, as Messrs. Vickers refuse to grant the release certificates and as the Munitions Court upheld this decision, the men are free to return to Canada but are not free to accept employment in any part of this country; and, as this decision will affect a growing number of Canadian workmen, whether it is proposed to take any action?

My attention has been called to this case, and notice of appeal to the Munitions Appeal Tribunal has been given on my behalf.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a decision in a directly contrary sense has just been given at Manchester, and a Canadian there, after a six months' working agreement with the Board of Trade, has been liberated and is free to seek employment elsewhere? What is the policy of the Ministry of Munitions on this subject?

The Appeal Tribunal was set up in order to standardise questions of this kind, and the Ministry has put the case before the Appeal Tribunal in order to get their views on the subject.

Is not the case of the Canadian brought over to this country under a six months' agreement with the Board of Trade in a different category from an ordinary case of British workpeople under the Munitions Act?

I understand it involves legal questions, and that is why I have asked the Appeal Tribunal to advise us.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that ejectment notices have been served by Messrs. John Brown and Company, Limited, on a number of munition workers in Clydebank; and whether, in view of the fact that there is no housing accommodation available in the district for the men threatened with ejection, he proposes to taken any action in the matter?

This matter has not previously been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Munitions. If my hon. Friend would be so good as to send me information about it, I shall be glad to have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will introduce legislation to limit the use of gas and electricity for lighting purposes after a stated hour, thereby increasing the supply of certain by-products required for munitions, and also effecting further economies in the use of coal?

My right hon. Friend does not think that the action suggested would produce the result desired; but I may say that steps have already been taken to ensure that the requirements of munition work should rank before all other considerations in the conduct of both gas and electricity undertakings.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many boys and girls, respectively, are working for seven days in the week at Woolwich Arsenal?

No girls or boys in the Ordnance Factories at Woolwich are engaged continuously upon seven shifts per week. The maximum number of shifts that young persons under the age of eighteen years are called upon to work is twelve and a half or thirteen shifts per fortnight.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will reconsider the Order made by the Central Control Board prohibiting the representative of a brewer from calling for orders or collecting money for the delivery of beer required for home consumption, in view of the fact that such restrictions operate with hardship in rural districts and have a general tendency to substitute the consumption of spirits for that of light ale?

As I have previously stated, there are strong grounds for the Order in question, and it would not be expedient to modify its provisions.

Arising out of the unsatisfactory nature of the hon. Gentleman's reply, I shall raise the question on the Adjournment to-night.

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 and 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 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?

My hon. Friend has been good enough to send me the letter to which he refers. On the substance of his question I would refer to the reply given by the Prime Minister yesterday to the hon. Baronet and to my reply on Thursday last to the hon. Member for South Paddington. The hon. Baronet has no doubt seen a report of the statement made by the Prime Minister to a deputation yesterday.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the circular in question was issued by the authorities of Mansfield?

No, I cannot. I made inquiries just before I left my office, but I did not receive any information.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether an attested man who is the only child of parents both over sixty years of age, and who has claimed exemption on the ground of exceptional domestic hardship, is entitled to appeal to the Central Tribunal if his claim is rejected by the local tribunals; and what steps he can take if the local Appeal Tribunal refuses him leave to appeal to the Central Tribunal?

The Miliary Service Act provides that a person aggrieved by the decision of an Appeal Tribunal can only appeal to the Central Tribunal by leave of the Appeal Tribunal. If leave is not given, the decision of the Appeal Tribunal is final.

Then the appeal to the second tribunal is really of no use unless the body which has judged the case permits it?

Yes, that is so.

Do attested men come under the Military Service Act? The question is with regard to the attested men.

They come under the procedure of the Military Service Act in regard to notice of appeal.

Has not the attested man a right to appeal to the Central Tribunal?

No.

Yes, he has.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether coopers employed in the fishing industry, although they are in a reserved occupation, have been refused exemption by the Lowestoft Tribunal; and whether he can take any action to secure for these men similar treatment to that accorded to coopers in other places and have them granted exemption?

I am not aware of the matter to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. I am having inquiry made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Noel Webb, of York, who applied for exemption from the Military Service Act, 1916, on the ground of conscientious objection; whether the local tribunal granted him absolute exemption; that, on appeal by the military representative, the York Appeal Tribunal reversed the decision and granted exemption from combatant service only; whether members of this Appeal tribunal have stated that this tribunal has proceeded on the assumption that it is not competent for them to grant absolute exemption to conscientious objectors; and, if so, whether he will take steps to inform this tribunal of the extent of their legal powers, and will advise them to allow an appeal to the Central Tribunal in cases which have been decided by them on a misinterpretation of the law?

I am making inquiries in the matter to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he has had his attention called to the case of Thomas Peter Robinson, of Tooting, who was arrested for failing to surrender under the Military Service Act, 1916; whether he is aware that the Advisory Committee, as well as the military representative, had agreed that Robinson should have exemption, and that he possesses a form to that effect from the Advisory Committee; that the magistrate at the South-Western Police Court declared that this man should not have been arrested; that his brother had been killed at the front, and that his widowed mother was told that she had nothing to worry about; and whether inquiry will be made to ascertain why this man was arrested and kept in a cell?

asked the Under secretary for War whether he is aware of the facts connected with G. S. Abbott, of Bridport, a conscientious objector, whose appeal was refused by the Dorchester Appeal Tribunal recently; that he was arrested on 4th April and handed over to the military authority that day; that on his father calling on Colonel Wakely at Dorchester on 5th April he was referred to a clerk, a sergeant, who told him that if his son did not do his duty he would be put up against a wall and shot, and repeated this statement to the father the following day in the presence of several non-commissioned officers; whether G. S. Abbott has now been sent to Wyke to the camp of the 3rd Dorsets, where there are epidemics of scarlet fever and measles and cases of small pox; is he aware that this man has offered to join the Friends' ambulance unit forthwith at his own expense or perform any work of national advantage outside military control; and what course does he propose to take with him?

asked what action has been taken upon the conduct of Major Bruce, the local recruiting officer at Walsall, who has threatened to arrest a local trade union secretary for sending out a circular to trade union branches asking for assistance in forming a local branch of the national council against Conscription, to combat the spirit of militarism, and to demand the repeal of the Military Service Act, 1916?

asked the Undersecretary for War who was the doctor who certified as fit for military service the late Private Llewellyn Davies, No. 25,606, D Company, Welsh Regiment; whether he has received from the Rhymney District Council the information that Davies had been unable to follow his employment for fourteen years in consequence of ill-health, and that he died twenty-three days after having been called upon to join the Army; and whether it is intended to allow the medical officer who certified Davies as fit to continue to examine recruits for the Army?

asked the Under-secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the action of Major Garland, of the Ellon Tribunal, in which he explained to the tribunal that because John Forbes, a farm servant who had been granted a temporary exemption, had asked for higher wages from the farmer he had called him up again immediately; whether he has sanctioned the military representative interfering in a man's private affairs; and what action he proposes to take?

asked the Under-secretary for War whether he is aware that yellow forms summoning men to report themselves are being issued by the recruiting authorities at Wandsworth Town Hall indiscriminately to men whose cases are under appeal; whether his attention has been called to the case of Thomas P. Robinson, 295, Franciscan Road, Tooting, who, though the Advisory Committee and the military representative had agreed to his exemption, was arrested on the 4th instant, kept in gaol during that night, and brought before the South Western Police Court on the 5th, when he was discharged; whether he proposes to offer any redress to this man; and whether he will give instructions that more care be exercised in the issue of the notices so that similar blunders may be prevented in the future?

asked the Under secretary for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of James A. Loukes, 370, Main Road, Darnall, Sheffield; whether he is aware that this man, a shorthand clerk, attended on the 9th December last the local recruiting station for the purpose of being attested under Lord Derby's scheme, but after medical examination the doctor stated he could not serve without first undergoing a serious operation to his foot and that the attestation form was marked accordingly; that he afterwards attended the Corn Exchange recruiting station and received an ordinary Army medical rejection form endorsed with a memorandum of rejectment, and signed by A. Gladwin, second lieutenant; that, despite this rejection, he received notice on the 8th March, under the Military Service Act, 1916, to join the Colours; that he returned the notice with a statement that he had been rejected on medical grounds and later sent a full copy of the rejection certificate to the recruiting officials; that on Tuesday, the 4th April, a police-detective visited his mother's house in connection with this matter and that on the following day two detectives visited him at his employer's place of business; that when he produced his rejection certificate the detectives stated that they did not think Lieutenant Gladwin's signature was genuine; and whether the War Office can take steps to prevent this man and many other men from being treated in this way?

asked the Undersecretary for War whether his attention has been called to the case of No. 5177, Private Albert Pemberton, 2/4th York and Lancaster, whose home address is 16, Main Road, Intake, Sheffield; whether he is aware that this private offered himself for attestation under Lord Derby's scheme on 8th December and was medically rejected, being unfit and below standard and only weighing 104 lbs.; that he subsequently received a form requesting him to appear before the recruiting authorities at the Corn Exchange, Sheffield, and that when he produced his rejection certificate it was taken from him with the remark that it was no good; that he was straightway forced into the Army and now lies ill in hospital; and what action the War Office propose to take?

asked the Undersecretary for War if he will say what action he has taken against the military recruiting officer at Banbury for illegally arresting John Upton, of Banbury, who was excepted from the Military Service Act, 1916, having been medically rejected on 11th December last; why the recruiting officer sent the Army form to Mr. Upton, which Upton promptly returned personally and was told that a mistake had been made; why after this, on 7th April, Upton was arrested and kept in custody till next day; and, in view of the number of similar acts on the part of military officers, will he make an example of the officer guilty of this offence?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Arthur Thomas Ellis, late of 26, Mundania Road, Honor Oak, S.E., a solicitor, aged thirty-seven, an attested man, wrote on the 26th February, 1916, to Captain Howard, recruiting officer at Camberwell Road, asking that he might be examined by a Medical Board at once in order that he might know how he stood, in accordance with the advertised suggestion of the War Office; that Captain Howard wrote him in reply on 3rd March that he could be at once examined for this purpose, and that he was accordingly examined by the Medical Board on 9th March at the Camberwell Baths, and was informed that he would be placed in Class B4 as only fit for clerical duties and would not be called up except after two months' notice and probably not at all, and need not report when his group was called; whether, notwithstanding this undertaking, Mr. Ellis was, on the 28th March, cálled on to join up on the 5th April and compelled on that day to undergo another medical examination before the same Board, when he was passed as fit for labour abroad, and on the following day was sent to join a labour battalion; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Ellis relied and acted upon the result of the first medical examination and the assurance that he would not be called up without two months' notice, he may be put back into the class into which he was first placed by the Medical Board, and that the undertaking given to him that he would not be called up without two months' notice may be carried out?

All these questions admit of being answered together, and it will save the time of the House if I give one answer.

The answer is that I am waiting for the information necessary to reply to these questions, and that I am not in possession of it to-day.

In what manner and by what medium will the information be conveyed to the respective hon. Members when the right hon. Gentleman comes into possession of it?

It has been my custom, as I think the hon. Member is aware, to write letters explaining and giving the answers in respect of these various questions to the hon. Gentleman concerned.

Arising out of the answer to Question 82, may I ask whether he requires to ask for information in regard to this, and whether he cannot say at once that it is not the duty of the military representative to take anything into consideration, but the fact that the man may or may not be eligible for the Army?

I must really understand the matter before I can go into it.

As the right hon. Gentleman has received a newspaper containing the information regarding Question 83 is he ready to give consideration to the details?

Did my hon. Friend send me the information?

Yes, I did.

If the hon. Member tells me that, I accept it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if widows' sons between eighteen and nineteen years of age who are to be called up for training will have the right to appeal to the local tribunal on the ground of indispensability?

Every person coming under the Military Service Act has been given an opportunity of applying to a local tribunal if his circumstances warrant it, and a similar privilege is accorded to all attested men.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to secure that his twice-repeated pledge, that the only son of a widow who was the sole support of his mother should not be taken, shall be observed; and what he proposes to do in the cases where sons in such circumstances are being taken under the Act?

As I pointed out to my hon. Friend on 9th March, the letter which my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board addressed to the Central Appeal Tribunal on the 23rd February seems to me amply to fulfil both the letter and spirit of the strictly limited statement I made on this subject. I have every reason to think that in the vast majority of cases the local tribunals are strictly following my right hon. Friend's advice, and individual cases of harshness seem to me to be adequately met by the system of Appeal Tribunals set up under the Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the experience of other countries where military service is compulsory, and after making any deductions necessary on account of those medically unfit and those who could not be spared from industries of military or national importance, he can state approximately what percentage of the total population the Government would expect to be available under conditions of compulsory military service for all males between the ages of nineteen and forty?

This is one of the aspects of the question of recruiting which, as I informed the House last Thursday, the Government are at present examining. I shall deal with it, as far as it can properly be dealt with, when I announce the results of this examination.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether Irish members of the Officers' Training Corps not ordinarily resident in Great Britain are liable to be called up under the Military Service Act, 1916?

The answer to this question depends upon the construction of Section 1, Sub-section (1), and Section 1, Sub-section (4) of the Military Service Act. I cannot, I fear, arrogate to myself the powers and authority of a Court of Law, and I am, consequently, unable to offer to my hon. Friend a ruling on the point which he raises.

Is it not the fact that these young men entered upon military training on the distinct understanding that they were going into the Officers' Training Corps, to be trained to become officers and receive commissions; is it the fact that a large number of them are now informed that they are not going to receive commissions, not through inefficiency or failure in training, but for other reasons; and are they now, under these circumstances, being forced to go as privates into the ranks?

I think a certain number, not a large number, so far as I know, of young men from Ireland have joined the Officers' Training Corps, and have been informed in the course of training in this country that they will not receive commissions. There may be a large number training, but only a small number, a fairly small number, have been informed that they cannot receive commissions, but that is not on other than purely military grounds. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is on purely military grounds. I understand that the hon. Gentleman is to give me the benefit of his company this afternoon, and we may then together go into the question in detail, but I can assure him that it is on purely military grounds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that at the present moment there are in this particular Officers' Training Corps 200 young Irishmen who entered the Corps on the understanding that they were to get commissions. Is it not the fact that a very large number, not a small number, but a large number of these young men, who have been recommended as efficient by the commanding officer of the Officers' Training Corps, have been informed that they will not get commissions, and that they must join the ranks as privates?

No, Sir. I think the hon. Gentleman has been misinformed. There are 4,000 young men in the Officers' Training Corps, and it may be that 200—not a very large number out of 4,000—are Irishmen; but the number who have been told that they are to receive no commissions is only fifty, and they cannot all be Irish.

Is there any distinction made in the granting of commissions between Englishmen and Irishmen?

No, Sir; none whatever.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman distinctly state a fortnight ago that no commissions—save in very rare cases—would be given except to men who have served in the ranks?

Yes, Sir; but the hon. Gentleman omits to say that I announced that commissions would only be given to young men who have either served in the ranks of a unit or in an officers' training company.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that young men have come from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada and joined the Officers' Training Corps expecting that they would become officers, and that these men were turned out of the War Office and told to be privates?

The hon. Gentleman cannot expect the War Office to be responsible for the military efficiency of every man that comes from Timbuctoo or any other quarter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Great Eastern Railway Company purpose closing the stations at Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath, and London Fields; and, if so, whether this is being done with his sanction?

I am in communication with the railway company on this matter, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that William Philpin, of Abercynon, aged fifty-nine years, recently terminated his employment on the Taff Vale Railway by tendering notice to the company; that he then made application for employment at the Dowlais Cardiff Colliery, where he was informed that an ex-railwayman could not be employed, owing to the existence of an agreement, without the sanction of the railway company; and thus being deprived of employment elsewhere Philpin inquired whether the railway company were prepared to re-employ him, to which the locomotive foreman replied in the negative, and the superintendent forwarded a letter stating that he could not be released from the company's service, for the reason that a refusal to carry out a duty must be dealt with in order to secure discipline; and, in view of the element of industrial compulsion involved in this case and also the attempt to prevent a man earning a living, whether he will, as President of the Railway Executive, at once take such action as will effectively stop practices of this kind?

I am making inquiries in regard to this matter, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend upon receipt of the information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a large number of men at present employed in the Post Office tube are urgently wanted for pioneer battalions and other Royal Engineer units; and if he will, on these grounds and on those of national economy, suspend such work until after the War?

For the reasons explained by my predecessor in December last, in reply to the hon. Member for Bosworth, it would not be expedient, from the point of view of economy, to suspend work on the Post Office Tube Railway. But I am considering, in conjunction with the Ministry of Munitions, whether it would be advisable to divert some of the men now employed on the tunnel.

I should like to put one or two points connected with this particular work before the right hon. Gentleman, if I may.

I shall be very glad to hear what the hon. Gentleman has to say.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that under the proposals for the restriction of brewing it will be possible for those brewers who own tied houses to give the usual supply to their own houses by the simple expedient of refusing to supply to those free houses which they formerly supplied; and whether, in view of the fact that such an evasion would not be in the interests of temperance, he will provide that free publicans will be entitled to obtain from brewers a certificate showing the amount supplied in the year 1914, that on presentation of this certificate any other brewer will be entitled to supply a similar amount less 28 per cent., and that the output of the brewer who originally supplied will be reduced proportionately, thus keeping the total output at the figure already determined upon?

The suggestion made in the question has been considered, but it does not appear to be practicable to insist that a certain proportion of the reduced output of beer shall be set aside for particular dealers who have no contracts with brewers.

Will not the effect of the proposed arrangement be that the free houses will be crushed between the upper and the nether millstones, and we shall get no supplies at all, and the whole trade will be diverted into the hands of the tied houses?

I am aware that the question is one of very considerable difficulty. A Bill is to be introduced to-day to deal with the question and it can be considered then.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many quarters of foreign barley for brewing purposes were imported into the United Kingdom in the years 1914 and 1915, and the extent of the reduction in imports which the Restriction of Brewing Bill will make?

Imports of barley for brewing purposes are not distinguished in the Trade Returns from imports for other purposes. It appears, however, from inquiries made by the Excise authorities, that some 2,000,000 quarters of foreign barley were used in brewing during the brewing year ended September, 1914, and 1,500,000 quarters in the year 1914–15. The reduction in the output of beer which will be enforced by the Bill is intended to secure a reduction of one-third in the quantity of imported barley used, as compared with the latter year.

Is not the figure of 28 per cent. too large a percentage?

I think my hon. Friend is aware that the calculation has been very carefully made, and 28 per cent. is exactly the figure calculated to produce the result of a reduction of 33⅓ per cent.

It does not tally with the figure you have just given.

Yes, it does.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is in a position to state the name of the person who is shown by the books of the German Athenaeum, Limited, now in the possession of the Board of Trade, to have given or advanced to the said German Athenaeum, Limited, the sum of £15,000 with which a mortgage upon the property held by the German Athenaeum, Limited, was paid off; and whether he will give the date when such advance or gift was made?

The payment off of the mortgages of the property of the German Athenæum, Limited, was effected by a transfer of the mortgage, and the company's books do not show definitely by whom the money was provided. It appears from the minutes that Baron Schroder promised to provide £5,500, Sir Ernest Cassel £5,000, and Mr. Otto Beit £2,000 of the amount required, and no doubt these and other smaller amounts were paid. The transaction was completed early in March.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the amount of money per week saved to the Treasury by the reduction of the business hours in the principal post office of Kilkenny City, which has caused so much inconvenience to the citizens and aroused so much indignation?

The restriction of hours of public business at the Kilkenny Post Office has rendered it unnecessary to provide a substitute for a sorting clerk and telegraphist who has been released for duty elsewhere. The value of the services of a sorting clerk and telegraphist, reckoned at the mean of the scale of pay, is about 32s. a week, or rather over £83 per year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether post offices are now opened at 9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.; if so, why this change was made without giving warning to the public; whether the curtailment of office hours is to be further extended; and whether economy or short age of labour is responsible for this policy?

The hours of Business at post offices are being restricted generally, but any changes in the hours of opening are only adopted after careful consideration of public interests and are due to the depletion of staff and in order to effect economy. Notice of alterations in the hours of attendance is usually given in advance by the local postmaster to the public by means of window notices or through the local Press.

How many days are allowed to the postmasters to notify the localities and their customers?

The arrangements are made by the local postmasters in their own districts and a good deal of discretion has been given them as to the notice they may think it necessary to give to the public.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some postmasters take it upon themselves to close their post offices for this hour right away and then only give notice to the public afterwards, and will be stop that?

The postmasters, as a rule, are in close consultation with the surveyors of their districts. If my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any such instance as he has described I will look into it.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can say whether any effort was made on behalf of an Admiralty Committee in February, 1915, to secure an option on the total output of Norwegian nickel for twelve months; whether such option was obtained; and whether, in view of the fact that nickel is an absolute essential for all munitions, a contract was entered into, and why the same is not now in force.

I have been asked not to press this question and have been reluctantly compelled to accede to the request.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether men belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve are entitled to a bounty when they have completed their term of service; and, if so, whether, if any of these men lose their lives during the War, the bounty is paid to their next-of-kin?

In normal times Royal Naval Reservists are entitled, on discharge at the completion of their final term of service, to a gratuity of £50, payment being deferred, if necessary, until the age of forty is reached, or the grant of a deferred pension certificate carrying the right to a life pension of £12 a year from the age of sixty. All discharges, except for ill-health, have, however, been suspended during the War. Reservists on active service become eligible for compensation on the same scale as active service ratings, and if they lose their lives during the War the gratuity does not form part of their estates, but their widows or dependants receive pensions or allowances under the scales recommended by the Select Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether the officers and crew captured from the Zeppelin which foundered in the estuary of the Thames are regarded other than as ordinary prisoners of war; and, if so, what reason can be adduced for differential treatment?

The officers and crew captured from the Zeppelin are regarded and treated precisely as other prisoners of war.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the conflict of opinion as to the duties and responsibilities of officers commanding anti-aircraft guns, he will state as far as is consistent with the public interest the nature of the orders under which they act and who is responsible in the event of failure to give the order to fire?

There is no conflict of opinion as to the duties of officers commanding anti-aircraft guns. The nature of the orders under which these officers act cannot in the interest of the public be made known, except to say that all officers in charge of guns have the most stringent orders to fire at hostile aircraft whenever they have any chance of hitting them. In the event of an anti-aircraft gun failing to fire, the officer in charge of the gun is alone responsible.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is with the sanction of the Government that the actual number of deaths from Zeppelin raids has been withheld from the public; and can he give an assurance that in future there shall be no attempt to conceal the total casualties?

The numbers of deaths from Zeppelin raids have never been concealed. The exact figures are carefully collected by the police and are published in full. The numbers are often increased by deaths from wounds, and in such cases revised figures are published. I must express my surprise that the hon. Member should have thought fit to make the allegation contained in the first part of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman wish me to state to this House the facts upon which this question is based?

I have given my answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information concerning the resignations of the Earl of Derby and Lord Montagu of Beaulieu from the Joint Air Committee; whether the Committee still continues its labours; and whether appointments have been made to replace the members who have resigned?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in resigning their positions on the Joint War Air Committee, Lord Derby as Chairman and Lord Montagu as a member of that Committee have put forward any practical proposals for making such a Committee an effective instrument; if so, can he see his way to putting those proposals before the House of Commons so that Members may have an opportunity of discussing them before the Easter Recess; (2) whether he has been informed of the reasons for the resignations of Lord Derby and Lord Montagu from the Joint War Air Committee; and, in view of the public interest in the matter, can he see his way to communicate those reasons to the House; and (3) whether he is aware that, owing to the recent resignations from the Joint War Air Committee, the work of the Committee has been brought to a standstill; and will he now disband that Committee and seek to establish some body which shall have real power and responsibility in the effective organisation of our Air Services for offence and defence?

All aspects of this question are at present under consideration, and I hope to make a statement on the subject early next week.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make any statement that will enlighten the public before the House adjourns?

I hope that it will enlighten the public.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the public anxiety as to the condition of the Air Services, he can now make an announcement as to the nature and scope of the inquiry into the allegations of the Member for East Herts?

The terms of reference to the Committee of Inquiry will be as follows: To inquire into and report upon the administration and command of the Royal Flying Corps, with particular reference to the charges made, both in Parliament and elsewhere against the officials and officers responsible for that administration and command, and to make any recommendations in relation thereto. The names of the Committee will be announced as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when this inquiry is likely to take place?

With all possible promptitude.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the property belonging to enemies or enemy subjects which has been vested in, or received by, the custodian for England and Wales, for Scotland, and for Ireland, respectively; and whether he will consider the desirability of forthwith making good all damage caused in this country by hostile air raids out of such property?

The approximate estimate of the amounts is: I am unable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the hon. and learned Member's question.

May I ask whether the Germans have established any claim upon us for special consideration in regard to safeguarding their property?

No, Sir, but I do not think that the question covers the whole ground.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me any reason for not adopting this suggestion?

I should be glad to discuss the question with the hon. and learned Member, but an answer to a supplementary question is not a convenient way of doing it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Board of Agriculture and the managing committee of the National Cider Institute were consulted before the new taxation of the Cider Duty was decided upon?

The National Cider Institute was not consulted. The Board of Agriculture was, of course, aware of the proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has formed any estimate of the return to the Treasury of his proposed Cider Duty; and, if so, by what amount such revenue is likely to exceed the cost of collection?

The yield is estimated at about £100,000 a year. The cost of collection is negligible.

After the large amount of enlightenment given to the right hon. Gentleman in the Debate yesterday, has he found opportunity to revise his estimates on both these points?

My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary will discuss the question this afternoon when the Amendments to Clause 7 come up.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the proposed taxation of cider will be a heavier burden on the industry than the Beer Duty is upon brewing; and whether he will favourably consider the reduction of the proposed rate of 4d. per gallon?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, I would refer my hon. Friend to yesterday's Debate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would state, approximately, how many farms, small holdings, and cottages there are in the United Kingdom where cider and perry are usually made, and which may there fore, under Clause 7 (2) of the Finance (New Duties) Bill be required to be registered or licensed?

I fear I am unable to supply the figures.

asked if imported cider will have to pay duty before it is released from bond?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to await this afternoon's Debate.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman cannot even go so far as to say whether the number would be in hundreds or thousands or tens of thousands?

I am sure that my hon. Friend knows a great deal more about the subject than I do.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman would take some advice from me on the subject?

I hope to get the advantage of the hon. Member's advice this afternoon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman relieve himself altogether of the burden of this matter by putting it on the hon. Member?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before introducing the promised Bill to increase the duties on motor cars, he will consider the possibility of exempting from such increase the cars of doctors, veterinary surgeons, and those using their cars solely or mainly in the public service?

As regards doctors and veterinary surgeons, I beg to refer the hon. and learned Member to the answers I gave yesterday. I am considering the question of cars used exclusively in the public service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if motor cars used exclusively for business purposes will be subject to the increased taxes proposed in the Finance Bill for motor cars generally?

It is not proposed to interfere with the existing exemption of trade vehicles not being carriages within the meaning of Section 4 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1888.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that an Income Tax payer is allowed to deduct from his income the life policy contribution; and whether he will allow the £150 Income Tax payer to deduct from his income the contribution paid to his trade union and friendly society?

Under the conditions of general application, any taxpayer is entitled to a deduction from his gross income of sums paid for insurance on the life of himself and his wife and for so much of any contributions to a trade union as is allocated to superannuation benefits. No change in this rule is proposed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how soon he thinks it will be possible to introduce the promised Bill to prevent further depletion of the gold reserves of this country?

I hope to introduce a Bill to control the use of gold for manufacturing purposes at a very early date.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether a soldier's wife who has to enter an infirmary is deprived temporarily of the whole of her separation allowance; why this is so; and whether the War Office will allow in such a case the payment of her rent and other standing charges incurred by her whilst she is absent from home?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 4th instant to my hon. and learned and gallant Friend the Member for West St. Pancras. I regret I am not in a position to say anything further at present.

asked whether the Regulations provide that while the widow of an officer killed in action receives a pension assessed at the rates laid down for any temporary rank held at the time of the officer's death, an officer who is wounded loses his temporary rank on leaving his command, and, in the event of his death from wounds, his widow's pension is assessed at the rates laid down for his permanent rank; and, if so, whether this Regulation will be amended and made retrospective?

No, Sir. The Regulations provide that the widow in such case gets the benefit of the temporary rank.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will take steps to ensure that the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the new military medal shall in proper cases be granted to the parents or representatives of soldiers who have been killed in action by way of posthumous honours, in like manner as the Victoria Cross is now granted?

It would be beyond my powers to ensure that what my hon. and learned Friend desires will be done. I may tell him, however, that the whole question of posthumous honours is under consideration, and, when I say the whole question, he will realise that it is not only the War Office, but the Admiralty, Foreign Office, Colonial Office and India Office which are concerned. Obviously, if the rules and practice are altered, they must be altered generally, and not only as regards purely military distinctions such as those mentioned in my hon. and learned Friend's question.

Is not the analogy of the case I have mentioned and that of the Victoria Cross a very close one?

I cannot deny that.

asked how many military and Territorial hospitals have had verandahs built for the purpose, inter alia, of providing treatment for consumptive soldiers; and approximately the number of patients who could be accommodated and treated on these verandahs?

Soldiers suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis are discharged from the Service and admitted to sanatoria under arrangements made with the Insurance Commissioners and the Local Government Board. It is true that a special type of hut has been designed with verandahs for the treatment of some cases, though not necessarily for consumptive patients, but I have no data as to number of patients who could be accommodated in existing verandahs.

asked whether the Hon. E. Fitzgerald, described in the Army List as the unpaid private secretary of the Quartermaster-General, Is one and the same person as the Hon. E. C. G. S. Fitzgerald, described on a separate page of the Army List as a temporary captain; and, if so, what is the total remuneration now being drawn from Army funds by the officer in question?

This officer is paid as a temporary captain in the Army Service Corps and his emoluments as such amount to £370 a year. The first entry in the Army List is being corrected. It relates to a prior period when he was unpaid.

asked the age limit for candidates for commissions from the ranks; whether such age limit is strictly adhered to or waived in special circumstances; and, if so, the nature of such special circumstances?

For permanent commissions from the ranks there is no age limit; for temporary commissions the age limits are as stated in an explanatory Paper, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. Any special case would be considered on its merits. Perhaps if the hon. and gallant Member has a particular case in his mind he will send me the details.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the supply of steel helmets does not yet provide for every soldier whose duty takes him to the trenches; and how soon a sufficent number will be available?

I have acquainted myself with the state of the supply. I do not propose to inform this House or the enemy about it in detail, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the active resumption of hostilities will not find the troops in the trenches unprovided in this respect.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that there has been no diminution in the supply, and that it is being kept up steadily?

Yes. The supply is, on the contrary, being accelerated.

asked whether the award of the new Military Medal will be strictly confined to acts of bravery per formed by non-commissioned officers or men in action?

In the Royal Warrant instituting the new medal His Majesty announces his gracious intention of signifying his appreciation of acts not only of gallantry but also of devotion to duty.

Is the House to understand that the medal can be given to people who have never been in action at all?

Yes; I should say that it is meant both for gallantry and for work at the base.

Although the word "bravery" is used?

I do not remember the words, but I have quoted from the statement of His Majesty, "gallantry and devotion to duty."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when I first raised this question the Prime Minister said "gallant conduct in the field"?