asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will propose to the French and Italian Governments concerted measures for making known as widely as possible throughout all the North African countries, by Arabic translations or otherwise, the papers recently captured in East Africa revealing the German attitude towards Islam?

The contents of the papers were at once telegraphed to the British authorities in Egypt, in order that the widest publicity might be given to them in Egypt and the Soudan, and copies of the papers were sent to the French and Italian Ambassadors in London. The French and Italian Governments have doubtless considered how they may best be used. Steps are being taken to obtain photographic facsimiles of the original documents, and these will be made available in the same way for circulation in Moslem countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a state of war exists between Italy and Germany?

War has not been declared.

Can my Noble Friend tell me the reason why war has not been declared?

I should like notice of that question.

Do normal trade relations continue to subsist between Germany and Italy?

Certainly not. All commercial intercourse between the two countries has been forbidden by the Italian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, adverting to the recent statement of the German Chancellor that this country entered the War to prevent the free exercise of Germany's peaceful endeavours, can he say whether the telegram of His Majesty the Czar to the Kaiser, dated 29th July, 1914, stating that it would be right to give over the Austro-Serbian problem to The Hague Tribunal was omitted from the German White Book; and whether he has any information that any German newspaper has been permitted to publish this telegram, or whether the fact has been concealed from the German people that, instead of the Allies forcing war on Germany, they offered to refer the causes which led to the War to the peaceful arbitration of The Hague Tribunal?

Yes, Sir; the telegram referred to was omitted from the German White Book. I understand that, after its publication in the Russian Press, the telegram was published in Germany with an unconvincing explanation as to its omission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that, after the murder of the British Vice-Consul at Shiraz in September last, the danger to which the British residents at that place were exposed and the advisability of their removal was pointed out to both the Home and Indian Governments by the British Consul there, he will state the reasons which led the two Governments to disregard the warning given and to dissent from the course suggested being taken, with the result that the British community in Shiraz have now been held prisoners since the middle of November last and are reported to be subjected to hardships, while one has been murdered and another is missing?

The instructions issued to His Majesty's Consul at the time were to the effect that he should remain at Shiraz as long as possible, but that if the situation so developed that safety required it, he was authorised to leave with the British colony.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether information has been conveyed to the German Government that the German Consul at Salonika is being held prisoner by the French Government at the request of His Majesty's Government pending the release of the British Consul at Shiraz, in Persia; and, if so, on what date was that information given, and whether any fixed time was named within which the exchange was to be effected?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The intimation was made to the German Government on the 21st January. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, con- sidering that in addition to the British Consul at Shiraz the superintendent, medical officer, and chief clerk of the Indo-European Telegraph Department and the manager and clerks of the Imperial Bank of Persia were arrested and have been held prisoners by the German emissaries in Persia since November last, while an inspector of telegraphs is reported missing and a telegraph clerk was shot by a revolted Swedish gendarmerie officer, he will now take measures to arrange for the arrest of a similar number of German officials either in the British Concession at Shameen, in China, or at any other place that may be more convenient, and to have them held prisoners till the British officials in Persia are released?

As regards the Germans in the Shameen Concession, I can only refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer returned to his question of the 9th of December last. I would add, however, that information has been received to the effect that the Persian authorities have recently arrested certain German officers in Southern Persia, and His Majesty's Minister at Tehran has been instructed to ask, if this is the case, that the persons in question may be detained pending the release of the British prisoners at Ahran.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that it has been laid down in the "Zamora" case that Prize Courts are not bound by executive orders of the King in Council; and whether, having regard to this decision, he will consider the advisability of denouncing or repudiating in a formal manner such portions of the so-called Declaration of London as are still held by the Foreign Office, if not by the Courts, to be binding, and such Orders in Council as are based upon a Declaration, which is admitted to rest upon no legal or authoritative basis?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part of the question, I take due note of what my hon. Friend says. I hope, however, he will realise that there are certain objections to His Majesty's Government acting independently of their Allies in such a matter as this.

Is there any objection to stating what neutral is likely to object?

I could answer that question, but I should prefer to do so privately.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many public utility companies find it impossible to buy their requirements of coal for the coming twelve months; and whether, under these circumstances, power could be given to the local coal committees which have been recently established in the colliery districts to requisition coal?

A number of cases in which public utility undertakings have experienced difficulty in obtaining contracts for the full supplies of coal which they require have been referred by the Board of Trade to the district coal and coke supplies committees, and they have in some of these already been able to make suitable arrangements. I hope it will be found that supplies of coal to these undertakings can be maintained without requisitioning.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the shortage of coal in South Wales and of the difficulty in obtaining coal for shipment either as cargo or as bunkers at these ports; whether he is aware that bunker coal for steamers loading in these ports is difficult to obtain and at prices ranging from 40s. to 50s. per ton, and that 500 tons of Monmouthshire coal was with great difficulty purchased on the 11th instant at a price of 45s. per ton; whether he will inquire into the reason for these prices; and (2) whether he is aware that coal freights from Bristol Channel ports to River Plate ports was on the 11th instant about 60s., and that even at these reduced rates cargoes of coal are almost unobtainable; whether he is aware that the rate of freight from Virginia, United States of America, ports is 95s. per ton and that, notwithstanding the much higher freights from American coal ports to River Plate, the requirements of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay are being largely supplied with American coal owing to the much cheaper price of American coal; and whether he can state the price f.o.b. for Admiralty list coal at Bristol Channel ports and the price of best American coal f.o.b. United States ports?

The disturbance of mining operations and transport in South Wales, caused by the recent storm, has led to a considerable decrease in the available supply of coal, and very high prices have been paid for parcels ready for prompt shipment. Any comparison between the prices charged at the moment for these current purchases and prices in the United States would, in the circumstances, clearly be misleading, but the hon. Gentleman's statements in his question are correct, and I cannot view without apprehension the displacement of English by United States coal in South America.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that storms have nothing to do with the rate of freight from Cardiff to the River Plate?

That is perfectly true, but I was referring particularly to the price of coal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total number of steamers and their respective nationalities which loaded cargoes of coal in the port of Cardiff during the months of January and February last; and whether he can state the number of steamers which loaded coal for Italy during the month of March last, giving their respective nationalities?

The number and nationalities of steamers which loaded coal at Cardiff (including Penarth and Barry) during the months of January and February, 1916, are:

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the statement which has been made in the Italian Press and by Italian gentlemen in this country, which is detrimental to this country, that British shipowners are bleeding the Italians?

There is no justification for the statements from whatever quarter they emanate. The figures I have just quoted show obviously that British shipowners have not done that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether books in English printed abroad are excepted from the restrictions as to importation imposed on paper and paper-making materials; and whether, seeing that this exception is equivalent to a bounty on books of foreign origin, he will say what steps the Government propose to take to protect British publishers from this competition?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The object of the restrictions is to secure tonnage space, and I am not satisfied that the quantity of English books imported is sufficient to justify a prohibition on this ground.

Even if the quantity is small, is it not very oppressive on British publishers?

further asked the Presdent of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the price of certain classes of paper required for the production of educational books has recently been increased by 150 per cent.; whether this increase, or any part of it, is due to the shortage caused by the restrictions against the import of paper, whereby paper makers and middlemen are enabled to charge higher prices; and what steps the Government propose to take to prevent excessive and unreasonable prices being charged?

The price of paper has increased considerably, and it is possible that this may be due in part to the restriction of imports. The Paper Commission will use such power as it possesses to deal with definite proved cases of excessive charges for paper, if they are brought to its notice; but it must not be assumed that a price is unreasonable simply because it is in excess of the normal price. I understand the price of paper-making materials outside the United Kingdom has risen much more than 150 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in connection with the orders for the prohibition of imports, he has taken into consideration the difficulties of traders in allied countries who have booked orders and cannot ship the goods to this country; and if he has had any representations from allied countries in favour of a modification of the order, so as to allow of goods actually ordered before the 30th March to be imported?

Communications have passed with the Governments of our Allies in regard to various aspects of the prohibitions with a view to ensuring that no unnecessary damage should be inflicted upon their trade. The need for tonnage to carry essential supplies both for ourselves and for our Allies has rendered it necessary, however, to make the prohibitions applicable to all goods not actually on the way or paid for.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the widow of a captain in the Indian Army who had been second in command of his regiment for more than thirty days, but who did not happen to be second in command at the date of his death, is entitled to the pension allowed to the widow of a major, in accordance with the terms of the recent communiqué regulating temporary promotion with pay of rank?

The step of rank granted when an officer has acted in certain appointments for a period of thirty days is temporary only, and the officer reverts to his permanent rank on ceasing to hold the appointment. But if he is wounded or injured while so holding temporary rank, and dies in consequence of such wound or injury, his family would be granted the pensions appropriate to the higher rank, even though at the actual time of his death he had ceased to hold such rank.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the original suggestion for the advance on Baghdad was made by the Government of India or by the British Government; and whether the suggestion had the approval of General Townshend?

The first proposal to advance on Baghdad after the battle of Kut-el-Amara was made neither by the Government of India nor by His Majesty's Government, but by the General Commanding-in-Chief in Mesopotamia. General Townshend was under the command of Sir John Nixon, and did not communicate with either the Government of India or with His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now communicate to the House General Townshend's reply to His Majesty's gracious telegram sent to Kut?

The King has graciously permitted me to read to the House the following telegram from Sir Percy Lake, dated 17th February, 1916:

"General Townshend has asked me to kindly communicate the following message to the King Emperor:—

'It is hard for me to express by words how profoundly touched and inspirited all ranks of my Command have been by His Majesty's personal message. On their behalf and my own I desire to express to His Majesty that the knowledge that we have gained the praise of our Beloved Sovereign will be our sheet-anchor in this defence.—GENERAL TOWNSHEHD.'"

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the fact that, owing to the course that the operations in Mesopotamia have taken, General Townshend has been passed over for promotion has been considered; and whether he can undertake that, if and when he is relieved, the fact that the forces under his command have been besieged for the past four months will not be a factor which will operate to deprive him of rank which, under other circumstances, he might have been given?

I am informed that Major-General Townshend is forty-ninth on the list of Major-Generals and that he has not been superseded. I cannot give any undertaking in the sense mentioned in the latter part of the question, but the House may be well assured that none of the circumstances attending General Townshend's skilful and gallant conduct of the defence of Kut and during the operations connected therewith will fail to receive adequate and sympathetic attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Private A. C. Tulley, No. 14071, Royal Marines, with ten years' service, died at the Barrack Hospital, Millbank, recently, weighing only five stone; if he is aware that this man went out to Antwerp weighing about fourteen stone and was there taken prisoner by the Germans; that he was confined at Doberitz and, by statements received, was starved, ill-used, and knocked about, and finally sent back to England about the middle of February in a dying condition to the Millbank Hospital where he died within a fortnight of his reception; if representations will be made to the American Ambassador with a view to alleviating the brutality and ill-treatment of other prisoners of war in this camp; and if he will state how many prisoners of war returned from this camp have since died in England and the cause of their death as diagnosed by the medical authorities here?

I have made inquiry, and am informed that the statements in the question are substantially correct, but there is no record of Private Tulley's weight at the time of death. It appears from his statements that he was confined in the camp at Doberitz, and that after working in the wet he had no means of drying his clothes, and could get no underclothes. The men were covered with lice. In July, 1915, he got rheumatic fever through going on daily fatigue duty, getting wet through and having no change. He was sent to hospital and after five weeks was convalescent, and was sent to another camp called Dyrotz, about seven kilometres from Doberitz. He had to carry all his kit on the march, and broke down and was never well after that. A little later he was put into hospital at Doberitz, where he had no treatment at all and had to depend upon an English prisoner, one of the patients. They had no drugs. When he arrived in this country he was in an advanced stage of consumption and extremely emaciated, and he died in hospital a fortnight after his arrival. The Medical Board, who reported upon his condition, stated that it was due to exposure, insufficient food and clothing whilst a prisoner in Germany. Tulley himself stated that the conditions in the camp had much improved before he left it, and other reports confirm this. This improvement seems to have resulted from the efforts of the American Ambassador. There is no record of any other prisoners of war released from Doberitz Camp having died since their return to this country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any official information showing that the German Federal Council has adopted a Daylight-Saving Bill to be enforced in Germany during the summer months; whether he has any information of the intention of the Government of the French Republic to enforce a similar measure forthwith; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to take a similar step in the interest of national economy and the comfort and efficiency of the working classes?

I have observed statements in the Press to the effect that Germany and Austria are about to adopt a measure similar to that embodied in the Daylight Saving Bill, but I have no official information. I am making inquiry with respect to France and other countries. The question is receiving the attention of the Government.

asked what are the respective numbers of deaths from burns and from fire not caused by enemy air raids or bombardment which have been the subject of inquests in Great Britain and Ireland during the year 1915 where the victims were officers, non-commissioned officers, or privates of His Majesty's Army, including the Territorial Forces, and munition workers, respectively?

It is doubtful whether the figures which the hon. Member desires could be obtained at all but, in any case, they could not be obtained without an exhaustive search in the records of inquests which would involve more labour than the results would justify.

asked whether correspondents of American newspapers were permitted to interview the officers of the Zeppelin captured near the mouth of the Thames; and, if so, by whose authority such permission was granted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second by the War Office.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether similar facilities were given to the correspondents of English newspapers?

I cannot say without notice.

Is there any reason why British correspondents should not have the same facilities as American?

No, Sir; none.

Then why do not they have them?

I am not quite sure whether this will form a precedent for the future.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he has any information that for the first nineteen months constant friction and jealousies have existed between the War Office and Admiralty in connection with the Air Service; whether he is aware that the Admiralty and War Office have had separate staffs of designers; that the trials made by one service of new machines were not in many cases either witnessed by or communicated to the other service; that the two services have been competing against each other for the purchase of engines abroad and at home; will he say when he first became acquainted with this state of affairs; and whether the responsible persons will be removed from their offices; and (2) if he will state the reason why Lord Derby and Lord Montagu have resigned from the Joint Committee charged with the business of the Air Service?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the statement which I hope to make on this and other kindred matters before the House rises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War on what date Captain P. K. Wise was appointed a flight commander and a squadron commander, respectively, in the Royal Flying Corps (ballooning branch); on what date he completed his ballooning course, and what experience had he had of work in the air and artillery observation; and whether there are many officers in the Royal Flying Corps, whether pilots or observers, far better qualified both by experience and length of service for appointment as squadron commander?

It is, I think, generally admitted that the canvassing of the merits or demerits of particular officers by means of questions in this House is to be deprecated. Captain Wise was selected for his present post as the most suitable officer to fill it, and has justified his selection. I can send the hon. Member the other particulars for which he asks in his question, if he so desires.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Captain Wise gave up ten or twelve years' seniority in the Indian Army to join the Army in France as second-lieutenant, and that any promotion he has got he has got through meritorious services?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of those facts.

asked the Home Secretary (1) if he has any power to enforce precautionary measures for the safety of life from fire in buildings of a civil character erected on land owned, leased, or occupied by the Government for Army purposes, as, for instance, the Young Men's Christian Association huts, where two lives were recently lost; whether the Cinematograph Act applies to the cinema entertainments given in such temporary buildings of a highly inflammable character; if so, what authority should see that the requirements of the Act are complied with; (2) if he has any power to enforce precautionary measures for the safety of life from fire in munition works owned, leased, or occupied by the Ministry of Munitions, either under the Factory Acts, the Explosives Act, or any other enactments or regulations; if he has any similar powers over hostels, institutes, or club rooms, such as Young Men's Christian Association huts used by civil workers situated within the boundaries of or in connection with such works; and (3) whether, in the event of his not having sufficient powers to enforce precautionary measures for the safty of life from fire in premises of a civil character on land occupied by the Government for Army purposes or as munition works, he will consider the advisability of suggesting to the Departments concerned that the necessary precautions be taken; and whether he would further make representations to the Young Men's Christian Association, the Church Army, the Salvation Army, and similar bodies who generously provide hostels, institutes and club rooms, that every endeavour should be made to decrease the risk of fire and facilitate the means of rapid exit for the users and the staff engaged on premises under their control?

I have no authority in regard to the class of buildings mentioned, and the exhibition of cinema films in such buildings, being in Crown premises, would not come within the Cinematograph Act. The matter is one entirely within the jurisdiction of the War Office, who, I understand, have it under their consideration, and I will draw their attention to the hon. Member's suggestions.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Sergeant Taylor, of the Australian Field Force, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment at Westminster Police Court in February last for having put on a Victoria Cross in order to address a recruiting meeting in Trafalgar Square, believing that by this he might appeal more successfully for recruits; whether he is aware that this soldier was one of the few survivors of the Gallipoli expedition, where he was wounded; whether any representations have been made to the Government by the High Commissioner for Australia or the Prime Minister of Australia on this man's behalf; and will the case be immediately considered with a view to the remission of the remainder of the sentence?

No representations have reached me from the High Commissioner for Australia or the Australian Government in regard to this case, but it was brought to my notice by a petition from the prisoner himself, and I am, making inquiry with regard to it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform me later of the result of his inquiry?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Victoria Cross is awarded to the parents or representatives of a soldier or sailor who has earned it but is killed in action before receiving it, and in view of the fact that the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and the Military Medal, and the corresponding naval distinctions are, like the Victoria Cross, awarded for gallantry in action, he will consider the propriety of awarding in proper cases all such distinctions by way of posthumous honours in like manner as is done in regard to the Victoria Cross?

The question of the extension of the present practice in regard to the posthumous award of the naval and military distinctions mentioned by the hon. and learned Member is being considered. The Generals Commanding-in-Chief in the various theatres of war are being consulted in the matter, and I hope soon to make an announcement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Munitions if the Central Board (Liquor Traffic) proposes to acquire all licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Carlisle; if Carlisle is a munitions area; and if houses are to be acquired, how are they to be valued and the funds provided for payment?

Carlisle has great importance from the munitions standpoint, and the question of the control of the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor there is under special consideration. If any steps taken involve the payment of compensation out of Government funds, the amount of the compensation will be a matter for the Royal Commission.

asked whether the canvass on the twelve-hour shift which re- cently took place at Messrs. Vickers', at Erith, was initiated by a representative of the firm, who asked one or two girls to canvass the other girls in one of the shops; whether they only canvassed one shift and did not canvass the other two shifts in this shop; and whether none of the other shops were canvassed?

I am informed that the head foreman in charge of the whole department concerned in the change of shifts requested his assistants to ascertain the general opinion of the female workers with reference to the change, and that as a result arrangements were made for the canvassing of the workers, but that the actual arrangements for this canvassing were left in the hands of the women workers themselves, and that the canvassers were not selected by the firm.

Were all the shops canvassed?

Yes; I think all those concerned in the change.

Have any steps been taken for replacing in other works the women so displaced?

Have any arrangements been made for a recanvass in view of the great doubt as to whether they are in favour of the change?

I think the hon. Member will see a reply to a subsequent question which covers that point.

asked the Minister of Munitions, whereas he has power under the Munitions of War (Amendment) Act to give directions as to the rate of wages and the hours of labour of female workers in munition works, whether he will give directions to Messrs. Vickers, Maxim to abandon in their works at Erith the twelve-hour shifts for female workers who are engaged on what was formerly men's work on the ground that the Health of Munition Workers' Committee has reported that women are unable to bear the strain of long hours as well as men?

As I have stated in reply to previous questions on this subject, the substitution of two for three shifts at Messrs. Vickers' Works at Erith was carried through as an experiment with the assent of the Home Office and the Ministry of Munitions. In the circumstances, it is clearly necessary to wait for the result of the experiment before issuing any instructions on the matter. Moreover, arbitration on the subject is in progress before the Board of Trade.

Is the reason why the women have been put on the twelve hours' shift because of the difficulty of getting a sufficient number of women to work the eight hours' shift?

That is not the real reason.

Has the hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that it is decent to work these women twelve hours in succession, which involves taking them away from their home for fifteen hours?

The women do not work twelve hours in succession. They work sixty hours in one week and fifty-eight hours in the following week. On inquiry the hon. Member will find that this is considerably within the Regulations, both of the Home Office and the Admiralty.

Is it not a fact that this change involves an increase of seven hours work for each woman per week?

I think that is what it does involve. I have explained the circumstances many times to the House. It is an experiment which was only permitted after it had been specifically assented to by the Home Office Chief Inspector and our own Sunday Labour Committee.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, in view of the great discontent existing in the minds of the women and others concerned, he will order the firm immediately to put these women back on the eight hours' shift?

The question of discontent is one on which I find it very difficult to satisfy myself. I have endeavoured to find out. However, the whole matter is before the Board of Trade and a subject of arbitration, and I am sure they will deal with the matter fairly. If it is found to be harmful to the women, we shall have no hesitation whatever in putting them back on the eight hours' shift.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the firm in question is, as a matter of fact, on principle opposed to the eight hours' shift?

asked what steps have been taken to carry out the recommendation of the Health of Munition Workers' Committee in favour of a weekly period of rest for all munition workers; and to what extent it has been found possible to reduce Sunday labour?

My right hon. Friend is keenly alive to the importance of securing to munition workers an unbroken rest period of not less than twenty-four hours weekly. A circular recommending that this weekly rest period (preferably on Sundays) should be secured to all workers was sent out on 7th December, 1915, to all controlled establishments. This was followed by an inquiry addressed to each establishment, and a Committee was subsequently appointed to deal systematically with the subject. There are many practical difficulties in the way of securing the entire abolition of Sunday labour, but substantial progress has been made, and, out of 2,383 firms from whom particulars have been obtained, 1,440 are now employing no Sunday labour. Of those firms who work on Sundays sixty have notified the Department that all workers are provided with a rest period of at least continuously twenty-four hours each week. Constant and pressing attention is being given to the matter, and it is hoped that the number of firms employing no Sunday labour will shortly be largely increased.

asked on what basis applications for financial assistance by companies having contracts with his Department are granted or refused; and if no loans are made unless the security for the capital advanced is deemed adequate?

The urgency of the demand for the munitions concerned, together with the repute of the contractor and his ability to execute the order within the stipulated time, are primary considerations in allowing or withholding financial assistance. The applications received vary greatly and each case is dealt with upon its merits.

asked whether it is proposed to erect living huts for the women shortly to be employed at munition works?

The Ministry of Munitions have made careful investigations at every munitions centre where there appeared to be any likelihood of a shortage of accommodation for munition workers, and in every place where a need for additional housing was discovered which could not be met in any other way the Department have built, or are building, huts or hostels or houses. At the particular place which, as I understand, my hon. Friend has in mind, inquiry showed that on the information at present available there is no need for additional huts for women workers to be built.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will ascertain by whose authority the civil proceedings, in the case of assault by Lieutenant Plummer, on Charles Stewart at Aberlour, of the 3rd December, was stopped, after the case had been taken up by the police and reported to the Chief Constable of Banffshire; and whether he will take steps to see that the case is heard in a Civil Court on proceedings brought by the police?

The proceedings at the instance of the Procurator-fiscal in this case were abandoned by him, in the exercise of his discretion, in consequence of a communication which he received from the Garrison Commander at Aberdeen, stating that Lieutenant Plummer had been dealt with according to military law, and suggesting that any further action appeared to be unnecessary. In view of all the circumstances, I am not disposed to order proceedings to be reinstituted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Court of Inquiry into the Aberlour recruiting case has arrived at a decision; if so, whether he can state the effect of such decision; and, if not, what steps will be taken to make the decision public?

The Court of Inquiry found that Second-Lieutenant Plummer received gross provocation; that no attempt was made to suppress proceedings by giving Charles Stewart money—the 7s. 6d. was paid at instigation of Provost Morrison; that Lieutenant-Colonel Leith was justified in expressing the opinion to the newspaper that the anonymous letter should not be produced in the Press; that Lieutenant-Colonel Leith in his letter of the 16th December to Mr. McGowan was justified in saying "of course, nothing can appear in the Press"; that the statement "that a great many of the men had had too much to drink and as the result there was much bad language being used" was not inaccurate in its application to Charles Stewart. The Court was an open one and the Press were admitted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the account of the receipts and payments of the Paymaster-General for Supreme Court business on behalf of the Admiralty Division in Prize for the period ended the 31st March, 1915, with copy of the correspondence with the Comptroller and Auditor-General thereon, presented to this House; whether he has considered the statement of the Treasury in the letter dated 6th March, 1916, embodied in this Return, namely, that such an arrangement affords special advantages which it would be difficult to secure otherwise, in particular, while fully safeguarding the funds against improper application it leaves for determination, as and when convenient, the question whether or how far the Crown should exercise the powers, which my Lords think must be admitted that it possesses, namely, the power of distribution among the officers and men of His Majesty's ships of the net proceeds of prizes, which are droits of the Crown, and the power of bounty by way of redress of hardships; and whether he will now take the necessary steps to secure the distribution of the net proceeds of prizes to the officers and men in the Fleet who are entitled to their share of such Prize Money as has been realised?

Yes, Sir. The matters raised in my hon. Friend's question are receiving careful consideration. As regards the distribution of Prize Money—as distinguished from Prize Bounty, with which I am about to deal in other answers—I am afraid the change in the system whereby the proceeds of droits of the Crown are to be distributed to the whole Navy instead of only to the captors, makes it impossible to do other than await the close of hostilities before proceeding to the award and distribution of Prize Money.

How does the right hon. Gentleman propose to prevent injustice being done to those men who may die before the Prize Money has been distributed?

That is being very carefully considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether in a combined action by ships and airmen entitling them to bounty money, the whole of it is divided between the sailors and the airmen get nothing; and, if so, will he say why there should fee this distinction; and (2) whether bounty money is payable to members of the Royal Naval Air Service who may sink a submarine?

The grant of Prize Bounty under the Naval Prize Act, 1864, is limited to such of the officers and crews of His Majesty's ships of war as are actually present at the taking or destroying of any armed ship of any of His Majesty's enemies. Legislative authority will be required for any amendment. It is the intention to extend the award to aircraft. Of course, the effect of the extension would be retrospective so as to cover any successful attack made before the legislative amendment were secured.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the decision of the learned President of the High Court, Admiralty Division, in the case of the captain of His Majesty's Ship "Carmania," on 27th March, 1916; whether he will submit to the House a Return of ships whose officers and men were entitled to present claims for the destruction of enemy ships under the provisions of the Order in Council of 2nd March, 1915; and whether he will expedite the payment of such claims as were acknowledged to be legitimate in accordance with Section 42 of the Naval Prize Act, 1864, as confirmed by the declaration of the Order in Council of 2nd March, 1915?

We are, of course, aware of the decision respecting the "Carmania," and action is being taken for the distribution of the award to the persons entitled to participate therein. I am afraid I cannot promise the Return asked for. It is not for us to say which ships' officers and crews are entitled to prize bounty. That is for the judges of the Prize Court. We shall certainly assist in every way in the preparation and presentation of claims and expedite payment when award is made. But in order to prevent disappointment, I would remind those whom it may concern that it may not always be expedient from the point of view of the public interest to disclose in open Court the details of an action. In such a case I am afraid claimants may have to wait for the determination of the matter, and payment of award made till after the close of hostilities.

By the latter part of his reply, does the right hon. Gentleman mean that there is a general rule that prize bounty would not be distributed until after the end of the War?

No. It is subject to the public interest. My hon. Friend will readily see that there are cases in which it would not be in the public interest to give the details in open Court.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the names of the gentlemen who were appointed by the Government as a Commission or Committee of Inquiry to proceed to the Mediterranean to inquire into and ascertain the true facts regarding the wasteful use of requisitioned British merchant tonnage by the military and naval authorities in the Mediterranean; whether he will state when these gentlemen returned to England; whether they have handed their Report to the Government; and whether he will issue this Report in the form of a White Paper, or otherwise, to Members of this House?

The members of the Commission appointed were: Imperial needs." The Commission returned to England on the 21st December, and they handed over their Report to the Government on the 1st January last. This Report, as obviously would be the case, deals with many matters which I do not think it would be in the public interest to publish. It has been the subject of very careful consideration and steps have been taken, and are being taken, to carry out a number of the suggestions made in it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the steamer "Hellenes," requisitioned by his Department in Buenos Ayres to proceed in ballast to the West Coast, South America, to load a cargo of nitrate for this country, was allowed to leave the nitrate ports and prosecute her voyage to this country with over 4,000 tons of empty space in the ship although she called at a River Plate Port to bunker; and, if so, why in this case his Department did not adopt the course followed in the employment of the requisitioned steamer "Araby," the space in which was utilised by the Government agent at Valparaiso to carry an intermediate cargo of Chilian beans from West Coast ports to Buenos Ayres, consigned to Brauss, Mahn, and Company, the imperial German commercial agents at Buenos Ayres, and that, after discharge of these Chilian beans, the space in the ship was filled with hay by our Government agent at Buenos Ayres for the use of our Allies or ourselves?

The steamship "Hellenes" was requisitioned to meet an urgent demand, and loaded a full cargo of nitrate in Chili. The vessel was so loaded because the Department was being pressed to carry the maximum amount of nitrate. My hon. Friend appears to be misinformed as to the amount of unoccupied space on board. As the steamer was down to her marks, she could not have loaded Government hay in the Plate. Moreover, Government hay was not available at the Plate at the time the "Hellenes" would arrive there.

Does my right hon. Friend not see that by shipping a little less nitrate this ship could have called into another port and loaded oats for this country at a cheaper price, in a similar manner to that which was adopted in the case of Italy?

That is, no doubt, true, but we were called upon to carry the maximum amount of nitrate. She was up to her mark. Still, there was some space unoccupied, but not so much as my hon. Friend thinks.

Could not my right hon. Friend have employed a tramp steamer with much less measurement space, and so have saved this tonnage?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now satisfied that any deficiency in guns for the Fleet is now being amply provided for; and whether he is in a position to inform the House that the Board of Admiralty is now satisfied with the progress which is being made with naval construction of every kind necessary for the full efficiency of the Fleet?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the First Lord in introducing the Navy Estimates on the 7th March, in which he dealt fully with the whole question of new construction and armament.

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

I answered an identical question put by the hon. Member on the 10th instant. I can add nothing to that answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer that he gave to me was that he would deal with this in answer to the next question, and in view of the fact that I have been putting this down for a month will he undertake to answer it to-morrow when he makes his statement?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, now that Group 1 is being called up at eighteen and a half years of age he can see his way to transfer to the units formed from the same all lads still under nineteen serving with the Colours, and agree not to send them out of the country until they have reached that age?

Special units are not being formed from men called up from Group 1.

asked whether the Cabinet have yet determined the maximum number of men that can be withdrawn from industry to serve in the Army; and whether the figures of the number of men enlisted will be given to the House either in public or secret session before any extension of the Military Service Act, 1916, is proposed to the House?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tynemouth, on the 13th instant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a specific statement on this point when he makes his statement to-morrow?

I hope that I shall be able to deal with it.

asked whether it is still the opinion of the majority of the Cabinet and Lord Kitchener that the Military Service Act, 1916, will give the country sufficient men to ensure victory?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the statement I shall make to-morrow.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to help the House in arriving at a right decision as to the influence to be exercised on the course of the War by the extension of compulsion, the Government will issue next Wednesday representative extracts from the Press of our Allies, neutrals, and enemy countries showing the beneficial effect exerted by the knowledge that this Parliament had adopted a first instalment of compulsion under the Military Service Act, 1916?

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

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will grant an inquiry into the conduct of the tribunals under the Military Service Act with the object of getting unbiassed examination of conscientious objectors in accordance with the words and spirit of the Act; and whether he is receiving evidence that no real attempt is made in many tribunals to ascertain or understand the position of conscientious objectors?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. My right hon. Friend has received some statements to the effect mentioned in the second part of the question, and he is looking into these cases.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many conscientious objectors have been cast into prison for refusing to obey the judgments of the military service tribunals; and whether they are fed on bread and water and their clothes taken from them?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have heard of one conscientious objector who refused to fulfil the condition of his exemption and was sent to prison on failing to pay a fine of 40s., and possibly there may be one or two other cases. Such prisoners would not be fed on bread and water, but would receive the usual prison diet. Unless placed in the first division they would in the ordinary course wear prison clothing.

Am I to understand that only two or three at the most of these men have been sent to gaol?

Yes; so far as I am aware.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of Dennis Sydney, a conscientious objector, who appealed for exemption from the Military Service Act, 1916, at a sitting of the East Central Appeal Tribunal, Town Hall, Dewsbury; whether he is aware that the mayor of Batley, a member of the tribunal, protested on behalf of the minority of the tribunal against this break-of the Regulations; and, if so, will steps be taken to nullify the decision of the tribunal?

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

asked the Attorney-General whether there has been submitted to him a circular issued and signed on behalf of the joint committees of the Friends' Service Committee and the No-Conscription Fellowship, in which it is stated that the Government should understand that the men spoken for can, under no circumstances, become part of the Non-Combatant Corps, that their objection covers any form of military service, combatant or non-combatant, and generally any form of civil alternative, and that, as the result of appearing before the Appeal Tribunals one or other of the Government conditions is imposed, the only course open is to await the penalties attaching to deserters; and seeing that these individuals are thus setting up their individual convictions against the national will and encouraging desertion, will he say what action he proposes to take?

The various points raised by my hon. Friend are not being overlooked. The Attorney-General has nothing to add to his answer of the 12th inst.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of men holding a certificate of exemption from combatant service only who are unable on ground of conscience to undertake military duties but have lodged a request before their local tribunal for a review of their certificates with a view to obtaining exemption conditional upon being engaged in work of national importance, he will issue instructions that these men shall not be called up for military duty until the tribunal has taken a decision upon their application?

I do not think any new fact has arisen since these men went before the tribunal in the first case and were given exemption from combatant service only to justify the delay inherent in what my hon. Friend suggests.

A new fact is the appointment of a Government Committee to deal with the cases?

It is true that a Government Committee has been appointed, but to say that it is appointed to deal with the case is, perhaps, stretching the terms of reference rather far.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he can see his way to secure exemption from military service for the head secretary or other official of friendly societies with a membership of over 500 members who may be exclusively engaged in administering the National Insurance Acts, by including such official in the list of reserved occupations, with a view to avoiding a breakdown in the efficient management of the State section of these societies?

I have already given this matter my careful consideration, and while I fully recognise the necessity of avoiding such a breakdown as is indicated in the question, I am satisfied that the course suggested by the hon. Member would not be the best method of effecting that object. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter showing the course which approved societies are being advised to pursue in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) what action he has taken with regard to the conduct of the military authorities at Mossley, Lancashire, who illegally arrested Samuel Dennis Munns, of Mossley, a conscientious objector, on Saturday last, before he had been tried by a Civil Court and found to be a deserter; and (2) whether a young man named A. Cork, a conscientious objector to military service, was brought before a Civil Court at East Ham on 31st March; whether he was fined £2 and was handed over to the military authorities; where he is now; whether he has refused to obey military orders; and, if so, what punishment he is undergoing for that offence?

asked (1) where Walter Lewis, late of 55, Bishop Road, Horfield, Bristol, is at present confined; why he was kept in the guard room at Bristol on Saturday, 9th, and Sunday, 10th April; why his parents were informed that they might see him at 9 a.m. on Monday, but when they appeared at that hour they were informed that he had been removed to Reading at 7 a.m.; is the man at present under confinement; and, if so, whether in a military or civil prison; (2) if he will explain why Samuel D. Munns, of 24, Hanover Street, Mossley, near Manchester, was arrested under the Military Service Act, 1916, and refused his request to be taken before the Civil Court; why he was taken straight to Ashton-under-Lyne barracks and locked up without the authority of a Civil Court; what action he has taken or intends to take against the military officer responsible for this; will he order the immediate release of Munns in order that his case may be taken before a Civil Court and an opportunity given to him to take civil action for illegal arrest; and (3) if two conscientious objectors who have been dragged into the Army and have been attached to the combatant branch of the Army, namely, the 21st Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, have been court-martialled for an alleged refusal to obey the order of a superior officer; what are the names of these men; if these men have been condemned to two years' imprisonment with hard labour; if they are confined in a military or civil prison; what was the nature of the order that they refused to obey; why these men, who have been given non-combatant service, were transferred to a combatant unit; what right the officer of a combatant unit had to give orders to non-combatants; whether the Army Regulations permit a sentence of two years' imprisonment with hard labour for such an alleged offence; and will he call for and give to the House a full report of all the circumstances and proceedings in this case?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the arrest of a man named Winter, of Poole's Park, North Islington, on a charge of being an absentee from the Royal Field Artillery; is he aware that Winter was taken to Hornsey Road Police Station and from there to North London Police Court, and thence to Aldershot under an armed escort; that, after being in the police cells for the best part of the day and then marched through the public streets, he was informed at Aldershot that he was not the man wanted and was sent home; that Winter had been taken to the police station three weeks previously on the same charge and was allowed to go; is he aware that the police-sergeant who arrested Winter received a reward of 10s. by direction of the magistrate when Winter was handed over to the escort; and will he investigate the circumstances and say whether Winter is entitled to any reparation?

Inquiry is being made into the cases dealt with in these questions.

Seeing that that is the sterotyped reply I get to questions of this character, and seeing also that these questions have been on the Paper for three or four days, I want to ask if there has not been time to give the right hon. Gentleman opportunity to possess the necessary information to answer the questions?

I hope my hon. Friend is not going to suggest to the House that when I say inquiries will be made he receives no answer to the inquiries when the results are received. I have sent the hon. Member many letters informing him of the results of inquiries. Two or three days is not enough, not nearly enough; it very often takes ten, twelve, or fifteen before you can get complete answers to the inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why it should be necessary in making such a simple inquiry as to whether a man has been illegally imprisoned, and is still in prison, to take twelve or thirteen days?

I really must ask the hon. Gentleman to use his imagination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that No. 6494, Private P. W. Davies, 4/1 City of London Regiment, a conscientious objector to war, was taken to Salisbury under military escort on the 5th instant; that on the 8th instant he was taken on parade for inoculation, and to his protest and objection the doctor replied by sticking the needle into his arm, and that several others were treated in a like manner; in view of this, whether he will state if inoculation is now made compulsory; and, having regard to the fact that Davies is willing to engage upon agricultural or other similiar work of national importance, whether he could consider the question of his release on that condition?

I have called for a report.

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, called 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?

The president of the Medical Board before whom Mr. A. T. Ellis appeared on the 5th April reports that he saw him there for the first time on that date and that he was found to be of good physique and quite fit for labour work abroad to which he was classified. I am afraid that, in view of the present needs of the Army, there are not sufficient grounds for reconsidering the decision in his case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will make further inquiry into the case of Fred Capper, who was kidnapped by the military at Glossop on 5th March, seeing that the report supplied to him by the recruiting officer at Glossop is not in accord with the facts of the case; will he demand the production of the medical rejection certificate which was stolen from Capper by the recruiting officer, of which the hon. Member for Blackburn has a copy, and which is a certificate of unconditoinal rejection and not temporary, as stated by the recruiting officer; and will he have the officer tried by court-martial for giving untrue statements to the War Office?

I have sent my hon. Friend a full statement about this case. According to my information, the certificate given read as follows: "I hereby certify that I have examined Fred Capper, and find he is temporarily unfit for His Majesty's Forces." The fact that the certificate issued was temporary is confirmed by the entries made in the office records. I do not see that there is any cause for any further inquiry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say from whom he obtained that information?

I obtained it through the usual channels—the command, the brigade, and the commanding officer.

The "usual channels" are, I suppose, the incriminated parties?

No, not at all. The usual channels are the three different commanders in order of power.

asked the Under-Secretary of State 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 of State 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?

As I informed my hon. Friends on 13th April, inquiry is being made. Until it is complete I can add nothing to the answer given on 13th April.

asked the Prime Minister, having regard to the taxation of Ireland, found by the Financial Relations Commission to have been excessive, never since remedied, doubled since the War began, and now being further increased, and to the consequent anxiety in Ireland, if he will say when the House can devote a day to the discussion of this subject so vital to Ireland?

I do not think that a discussion on this subject will serve any useful purpose at the present time.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise the importance of this subject in Ireland?

Yes.

I desire to give notice that on the Motion for Adjournment I will call attention to this subject; and I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, on the day of Adjournment for Easter, he will arrange for the House to meet at twelve o'clock and suspend the Eleven o'Clock Rule?

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that all the civilian members of the Board of Control of Regimental Institutes have been dismissed, he will say whether he or Lord Kitchener sanctioned this step, seeing that the board comprised some of the most prominent and successful business men in the country, including a lead- ing representative of the co-operative societies; whether he has any information that the work was well done by the late board; and can he make a statement on the matter?

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for Peterborough on the 10th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Under-Secretary for War gave us no information at all?

I have got his answer here. It is very long and very detailed.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the distress amongst old age pensioners owing to the increased cost of living consequent upon the War; and whether he will consider the possibility of making a temporary addition to the pensions out of the National Distress Fund during the continuance of the War?

With regard to the first part of the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield on the 6th April, to which I have nothing to add. With regard to the second part, the Government Committee on Distress have had this suggestion under consideration and have decided that the National Relief Fund cannot properly be used to assist old age pensioners who are merely suffering from the increased cost of living.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the question of relieving old age pensioners by the distribution of food at fixed prices?

No, I have not considered that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, under a recent decision in the Courts by the Judicial Committee, an Order in Council under which a vessel was seized was held to be illegal; whether he can state what expenses the country will be involved in by this decision in legal and compensation expenses covering the case in question and similar cases; and whether the Order in Council was a secret one or one published in the "London Gazette"?

The decision in question did not refer to the seizure of any vessel, but to an order made by the Prize Court authorising the Crown to requisition for military use certain copper which was the subject of prize proceedings. The order of the Prize Court was made under the Prize Rules, which are not secret, but were duly published in the "London Gazette." The decision of the Judicial Committee was to the effect that having regard to the evidence the authority to requisition the copper should not have been given. No order was made for payment of costs by the Crown and no question of compensation will arise unless and until the claim which is still pending for condemnation of the copper fails. No similar case is known to be pending.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the decision of the Judicial Committee in the "Zamora" appeal case, the Government now recognise elements of danger of secret Orders in Council; and whether they will now adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member for Maidstone which was refused last Session, and submit the whole of these secret Orders in Council to a Committee of the House?

Orders in Council are not secret, but are published in the "Gazette." The question is therefore misconceived.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that when I asked the Prime Minister a question he stated that a number of Orders in Council were kept private in the public interest?

This Order in Council was by no means kept secret. It was published in the "Gazette."

Are these Orders in Council held to be valid in face of this decision, and of the practical repudiation of the Declaration of London, on which they purport to be founded?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to take advantage of the presence in this country of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia to confer with him as to industrial and labour problems arising out of the War?

Yes, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman has already given His Majesty's Government the benefit of his advice at a meeting of the Cabinet and the War Committee, and we hope to make further use of his services.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will instruct a Return to be made to Parliament of the terms of reference to, and the composition of, all the Committees which have been appointed by the Cabinet or heads of Departments since the beginning of the War?

Command Paper 7855 is being brought up to date in accordance with a promise made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh. The new Paper will probably be issued before the end of the month.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could arrange to supply from any source within his control a ship adequately fitted to convey at regular intervals disabled British prisoners of war from the Dutch coast to England, seeing that the Dutch Government now declines to continue that particular service on account of the risks involved therein?

I am glad to say that arrangements have been made to use a hospital ship for this service. Of course, it cannot be guaranteed that one will always be available, but in so far as may be possible, the suggestion of my hon. Friend will be carried out.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the names of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and their respective functions?

The names of the members of the Board are: