asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the result of the inquiries made by the Federal Government as to the imprisonment in Switzerland for seventy-two days of Mr. Draycott, who was not brought to trial but was released owing to the absence of evidence against him; whether this gentleman was arrested and imprisoned at the instigation of the German military attaché at Berne; and whether Mr. Draycott has succeeded in his demand for compensation for wrongful imprisonment?

At present only a telegraphic summary from His Majesty's Minister at Berne of the Note addressed to him by the Swiss Government has been received giving the result of the inquiries made by them into the case of Mr. Draycott. According to this report Mr. Draycott's request for the withdrawal of the decree of expulsion made against him has been rejected by the Federal Council. Mr. Draycott has accordingly left Switzerland. At the same time it is admitted by the Federal Council that Mr. Draycott underwent thirty days unmerited detention, and he has been awarded an indemnity of 600 francs. Upon receipt of a full report on the case from His Majesty's Minister at Berne the question of the responsibility of the German military attaché and other matters shall be carefully considered.

asked how soon this House may expect to receive, in the form of a White Paper, the Reports obtained from the American Embassy in Berlin upon the treatment of British prisoners in Germany, which have already been communicated to the Press during the past two months, but have not been divulged in full to the public, which anxiously awaits complete official accounts of the camps in which thousands of their relatives are interned?

The Reports will be laid before Parliament in a White Paper as soon as the pressure of work in the printing department permits. The Reports have already been issued to the Press in extenso.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any Reports from the representatives of the United States Government upon the treatment of British prisoners of war interned in Bulgaria and Turkey; and whether the Ottoman Government now permits neutrals to visit our prisoner camps in the Turkish Empire?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the Porte agreed on the 18th of January to the inspection by a neutral of camps in Turkey in which British prisoners of war are interned. On the 11th of April they limited their assent to camps to be named by them. A strong protest has been made against the attitude now adopted by the Porte, which is the more inexcusable in view of the excellent treatment accorded to Turkish prisoners of war in our hands, as is shown by the Reports of United States officials.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he proposes to publish the Report about our prisoners in Bulgaria?

I cannot say.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has now been furnished with the record of British prisoners repatriated from Austria-Hungary promised on 28th March; and can he inform the House how many still remain interned in the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

I regret that it has not been found possible to obtain the information asked for by my hon. Friend owing to the fact that a number of the British subjects repatriated from Austria-Hungary returned to this country before records were kept by the Home Office, and there is necessarily no record of the British subjects who proceeded from Austria-Hungary to Italy; the Austro-Hungarian Government informed the United States Ambassador at Vienna on the 16th March that ninety-three British subjects were interned in Austria-Hungary. Since we have been notified of arrivals from Austria-Hungary nineteen persons have been repatriated. Others may have remained in Italy or Switzerland either altogether or sufficiently long not to be recorded as coming from Austria-Hungary.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether any protest has been made by the Greek Government in connection with the recent occupation of Greek territory by the forces of the Allies; and, if so, can he make any statement on the subject?

Certain protests from the Hellenic Government in regard to the measures which the Allied Governments have been obliged to take on Greek territory or in Greek territorial waters have been received.

The circumstances which have rendered such measures necessary are as follows:

The French and British Governments, as is known, originally decided to dispatch troops to Salonika on the invitation of the then Greek Prime Minister. Shortly afterwards there was a change of Greek Government, accompanied by a change of policy on the part of Greece, but the Allies could not then recede from the undertaking to which they had committed themselves. When Serbian territory was overrun by hostile forces, the Allied Governments selected Corfu as the nearest available place of refuge for such portions of the Serbian Army as could be rescued.

The presence of Allied forces at Salonika and of Serbian forces at Corfu have led to the Allies taking certain naval measures of precaution in Greek islands and waters, designed to provide for the safety both of the forces themselves and of the shipping employed in keeping these forces supplied. The reason for these measures is apparent in view of the action in the Ægean of enemy submarines, whose bases of operation, there is ground to believe, are in Ægean waters. Any steps of this nature which the Allies may take follow as a natural consequence from their decision to send an expedition to the help of the Serbs—a decision which was reached in the first instance at the request of Greece herself.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister, M. Venizelos, in the Greek Chamber, has denied that he invited the landing at Salonika under the circumstances? Cannot he say whether that is a breach of our intentions to fight for the rights of small nations?

Everything that has been done in this case is on public record.

Another Belgium!

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a statement by M. Longuet, of the French Chamber of Deputies, to the effect that the Socialist Parliamentary party had called on its representatives in the Government to urge that the Russian Government should be invited to forego its claim to Constantinople in order to make possible the withdrawal of Turkey from alliance with the Central Powers, and to the further statement that this proposal had been favourably considered by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French Parliament; and will he give consideration to the subject?

I know nothing of any such statement.

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

I have made inquiry, and I find that some men were incorrectly sent temporarily to reserve units for accommodation and rations pending their appointment to their Non-Combatant Corps. This has now been rectified. In no case were any of these men equipped with rifles. My hon. Friend may not be aware that a certain number of men who had originally conscientious objections to combatant service have now voluntarily undertaken to fight.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the voluntary agree- ment to fight has been the result of persecution and tyranny of a most abominable character?

No, Sir. That is not according to my information. I much prefer to believe that these men have come to a proper sense of their duty.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction among the men in the New Army in consequence of their not being able to get leave from time to time in accordance with the promise made when they joined; if he is aware that some of the men are getting their second leave before some of the others have received any at all; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I have no knowledge of such dissatisfaction as is alleged in the question, nor am I aware of any promise with regard to leave having been given in connection with, or as a condition of, enlistment. I have frequently stated that leave is a privilege which can only be granted as and when the military situation permits.

asked the number, if any, of men called up under the Military Service Act, 1916, who have died at the camp at Whittington, Salop?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh on the 23rd March. The answer to his question is, one.

asked the Under-Secretary whether he is aware that Richard Ivor Parry, of Llanaelhairn, Carnarvonshire, has been unable to follow his employment for thirteen months suffering from heart disease, and that, notwithstanding the certificate of his medical adviser to that effect, he has been passed at Wrexham for general service; and whether he will take steps to secure his release and to prevent other unfit men being passed for service by the medical authorities at Wrexham at the risk of the men's lives?

I have asked for a further report on this case.

asked whether the Army Council instruction to military representatives, not to oppose exemption from military service of theological students in college studying, or intended for the immediate work of the ministry, applies to all theological students at all stages in their course of study?

The instructions in question refer only to students who are in immediate preparation for the ministry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the total number of cases brought to his attention by the hon. Member for Mansfield of boys who have been sent to the front under the age of eighteen, despite the protests of their parents; and whether he will see that all boys who have given incorrect ages, or who have been invited by recruiting sergeants to give false ages, shall not be sent to the front before they attain the age of eighteen?

My hon. Friend has certainly sent me a considerable number of these cases, and had I known that he would at any time call upon me to state authoritatively to the House the precise number I would have kept an exact record. But, as a matter of fact, I have not done this. As regards the latter part of the question, he will, I am sure, bear with me if I say that I have not anything to add to my previous answers on this point. The furnishing of the Registration Card, which is now the rule, has put a stop, I hope and believe, to the occurrence of these cases which my hon. Friend and I unite in disliking.

Why cannot these boys of eighteen be enlisted for service under Lord Derby's scheme? Seeing that boys of seventeen are still being sent to the front, why cannot all boys of eighteen be sent to the front?

I understand that the proposal is such as will make it practically impossible for any boy under eighteen to get up to the standard. Of course, if a boy seems very active it is very difficult for the authorities to make certain what his age is.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that I sent in the names of 150 cases of boys under eighteen in one batch?

Yes. I am aware of that fact. That was in September or October.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he promised me six weeks ago to inquire into a case of this sort, which I brought to his notice, and that I never heard anything further about it?

I am not aware of it. I am very sorry if that is so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Thomas Moran, No. 6,521, 3rd Battalion Connaught Rangers, enlisted at Westport, county Mayo, on 27th July, 1915, when he was only seventeen years one week old, without the consent or knowledge of his widowed mother, Catherine Moran, and that Mrs. Moran has made several unsuccessful applications for the discharge of her only son on the ground that he is not of military age; and if he will state whether, if Moran cannot be discharged, he will be withdrawn from militant service and placed at other necessary work until he attains the age of nineteen?

I would take the liberty of referring the hon. Member to the previous answer I gave on this subject to a question put to me by the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 2nd November, 1915.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has yet received a report upon the case of Harold Hargreaves, late of Burnley, and afterwards residing at 20, St. James's Street, Southport, who offered himself for enlistment at Blackburn, on 26th October last, and was then rejected as medically unfit, but has since been compelled to join the Army under the Military Service Act, 1916; and if he will now say whether this man, on receiving a yellow notice requiring him to join for service with the Colours, called at the recruiting office at Southport on Friday, 3rd March, and produced the certificate of rejection which had been given him at Blackburn, but was informed that this could not be accepted, because it was signed only by a non-commissioned officer; whether, on Monday, 6th March, he travelled to Blackburn and called at the recruiting office there to ask that the certificate should be corrected, but was told that this could not be done, as the doctor who rejected him had resigned his post; whether, on Thursday, 9th March, the police called at the shop where he works at 10.45 a.m. and told him that unless he reported himself for military service by 11.30 he would be arrested as a deserter; whether he then went to the barracks as ordered and was passed for immediate service although, in fact, suffering from rheumatic affection of the heart; and whether the War Office propose to take any steps in the matter?

I have now received a report on this case, from which it appears that this man presented himself at the recruiting office at Southport in response to the notice calling him up for service, and produced what purported to be a rejection certificate made out at Blackburn on 26th October, 1915, and signed by a corporal. This certificate was irregular in itself, and there was no record in the office papers at Blackburn that this man had been medically examined. It consequently could not be accepted. Hargreaves was sent for service on 8th March, 1916, and passed as fit by the medical board. The local police were not sent, I am informed, to his place of employment. As regards the medical aspect of the case, the officer commanding the recruiting area reports that the case is one of determined attempt to evade military service, and that Hargreaves' own doctor had stated that no medical man ought to reject him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience and expense that is being caused to the attested men in Burnley and the district through being required to travel to Preston if they wish to be medically examined before being called up under the Derby scheme; whether men who are liable for service under the Military Service Act, 1916, can be medically examined at the Burnley Barracks before their groups are called up; and whether he will see that at least equally good facilities are provided for attested men?

My hon. Friend has called my attention to several points in connection with the furnishing of soldiers for the War, but I do not remember that he has previously mentioned this point. He will, I make no doubt, recognise the impossibility of providing medical boards in each town in the United Kingdom. The medical board for the recruiting area in question is at the depot at Preston. The question of allowing men, who wish to be examined prior to being called up, railway warrants is being considered, but I can give no undertaking as to what the decision will be.

asked whether the substantial consideration held out to men in the Territorial Forces to induce them to sign for foreign service was that they would be sent into the firing line with their own units; whether Army Council Instruction, No. 552, dated 11th March, contemplates sending them into the firing line with their own units; and, if not, whether, in view of the discontent, existing amongst a very large number of men, steps will be taken to transfer to their own units before going into the firing line those men who have been attached elsewhere?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Army Council Instruction, No. 552, of 11th March, orders the attachment of men serving in English provisional battalions—who had undertaken the Imperial service obligation prior to the appointed date—to units in three Territorial Divisions—the 61st, 60th, and 59th Divisions. This was necessary in the interests of the Army.

asked how many single men who had been employed in the production of munitions in response to his appeals for labour and who had been satisfactorily doing work of national importance have been discharged in consequence of the agitation of the attested married men?

I have no information as to any man having been discharged by employers in the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend. I may, however, point out that no man holding a certificate of exemption in respect of employment on munitions work has been called up for military service unless it has been decided by the Ministry of Munitions, after full consideration, that he is more urgently needed in the Army than for munitions work.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of these men have been withdrawn from munitions work for military service at a time when he says he requires more men?

I cannot answer that question offhand. A considerable number of men have been released from munitions work, and their places will be taken by women. I could not say how many.

Seeing that the hon. Gentleman said just now that he kenw of no case where a man had been dismissed on the grounds stated, may I ask whether it is not the fact that his Department recently received a letter giving the facts as to the dismissal of a man employed by a firm in Glasgow under such circumstances as those mentioned in the question?

Really, the hon. Gentleman cannot be expected to reply without notice in regard to a particular case of that kind.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to a decision by the Brightlingsea Tribunal granting exemption until July to Arthur Leonard Hibbs, a partner in the firm of E. A. Hibbs and Son, contractors for Army requirements, who entered Hackney College, West Hampstead, as a theological student after the War broke out, but who, during vacations, has been actively engaged in the work of the firm; whether the tribunal was justified in granting exemption on the ground stated, namely, that Mr. Hibbs was a theological student, in view of his having so recently entered the college; whether the tribunal of eight members included his father, his father's partner, his father's late partner, and two cousins; whether the camp commandant, who is billeted on the father, wrote to the Advisory Committee recommending exemption; whether the military representative, who frequently dined with the father, raised no objection; whether the hearing at Brightlingsea was illegal; and what steps will be taken to have this case heard by an impartial tribunal in the district in which this residential college is situated?

I have made inquiries respecting the case, and I will send the hon. Member a copy of the information which I have received, and which differs in certain particulars from that upon which the question appears to have been based.

asked the President of the Local Government Board during what period the 300,000 single men, referred to in his speech to the deputation of married men to the Prime Minister, of the 12th instant, have been obtained; what number of them have been obtained from starred or certified industries; what number had voluntarily attested; and what number had been enlisted under the Military Service Act, 1916?

I am obliged to the right hon. Baronet for putting the question as there appears to have been some misapprehension in this matter. In my remarks to the deputation I did not intend to refer to the number of men who had been obtained from starred or certified industries. I stated what I thought was an approximate figure of the total number of single men who had been obtained for the Army during the last few months.

asked whether Henry Sara, a conscientious objector, is now a prisoner at Parkhurst gaol, Isle of Wight; whether he was informed by the prison authorities or by the military authorities who brought him there that on the expiry of his sentence he might have his hands handcuffed above his head and his feet fastened to the floor; whether such treatment is in any case sanctioned by the Home Office; and, if not, whether Henry Sara will be informed that the threat held over him will not be carried into effect?

I have seen some correspondence which states that this man is at the Military Detention Barracks at Parkhurst, but I have no official information to that effect. I think it highly unlikely that any such statement as that contained in the second part of the question was even made, and I would advise my hon. Friend to be backward in accepting any such suggestion. Mr. Sara is a British citizen, and has had the opportunity of placing his case before the tribunals provided by law.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will have inquiries made into the case of Mr. D. S. Wood, of No. 4, Commercial Road, Peckham, S.E., whose appeal for exemption on conscientious grounds was dismissed by the London Appeal Tribunal on 7th April, with the result that the applicant is now liable for full combatant service, and in particular if he will say whether this tribunal refused to read a letter written by the Rev. Thomas Phillips, minister of Bloomsbury Chapel, in support of the applicant's claim, and also refused to hear a witness who had come to give evidence on his behalf; whether he is aware that the applicant has devoted his leisure for many years past to philanthropic and charitable work; that he is accepted for missionary service in Africa, and that he is known to have held strong views for a long time past as to the incompatibility of war with Christianity; and whether the Local Government Board will take any steps in the matter?

I have inquired into this case. The alleged letter from the Rev. Thomas Phillips was a print of a communication from the reverend gentleman to the public Press, and in no way referring individually to the appellant. The tribunal did not refuse to hear any witness for the appellant. The whole circumstances of the case were carefully and courteously considered by the tribunal before coming to their decision.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will have inquiries made into the case of Mr. J. B. Thomas, of 125, Seymour Street, Harringay, N., heard before the Middlesex Appeal Tribunal on 11th April; whether he is aware that this man had applied to the Tottenham Local Tribunal on 23rd March for exemption on conscientious grounds and that the local tribunal, after hearing his evidence, granted him absolute exemption; whether he is aware that the military representative appealed against their decision on the ground that the man's conscientious objection was consequent upon his Socialistic and political views, and that the Middlesex Appeal Tribunal thereupon reversed the decision of the local tribunal, with the result that this applicant is now liable for full combatant service; whether the military representative produced any evidence whatever to show that the local tribunal had been misled or that the applicant's claim was not a genuine one; and, if not, will the Local Government Board take any steps in this matter?

I am informed that this case was fully considered by the Appeal Tribunal, and I have no authority to revise their decision.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Eric Chappelow, formerly in the Education Department of the London County Council, who was recently fined and handed over to the military under the Military Service Act, 1916, and if he will say whether this man had originally been granted absolute exemption by the Mortlake Local Tribunal on conscientious grounds; whether this decision was reversed by the Surrey Appeal Tribunal; whether the applicant offered to undertake work of national importance if not under military discipline, but was not allowed to do so; whether, at the hearing before the magistrates, he asked for an adjournment which was also refused; and whether, in view of these circumstances and of the man's high character and antecedents, the Local Government Board will take any steps in the matter?

I have inquired of the Surrey Appeal Tribunal concerning this case, and am informed that the tribunal were satisfied that Mr. Chappelow had a conscientious objection to combatant service and after carefully considering the facts were of opinion that an exemption from combatant service was the proper relief to be afforded.

Is not this the tribunal the chairman of which has repeatedly stated that he cannot give total exemption even where the possession of conscientious objections is proved to the satisfaction of the tribunal?

I really cannot say, and I do not see how that bears on the question.

Is it not the fact that the local tribunal granted this applicant absolute exemption, but the military representative appealed against their decision on the ground that it was not possible under the Act to grant absolute exemption, and the Surrey Appeal Tribunal reversed the decision of the local tribunal expressly on that ground?

I believe that that is exactly contrary to the fact. I am informed that the military representative appealed on totally different grounds.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether not more than 400 of those seeking to escape military service for conscientious reasons have been sent to join the Non-Combatant Corps; and, if so, can he say what has become of the remainder of those who have been granted by the tribunals exemption from combatant service only?

At the present time no more than 400 men have been allotted to the Non-Combatant Corps. It seems impossible to give at present an exact analysis of what has happened to the remainder, but many have appealed from the local tribunal to the Appeal Tribunal against the decision that they should be allotted for non-combatant service. In many cases the Appeal Tribunal have reversed the decision of the local tribunal and have decided that the claim was not a sincere one and have allotted the appellant to combatant duties. Another reason why not more than 400 men have yet joined the Non-Combatant Corps is that men presenting themselves at the recruiting office with their form marked by the local tribunal as being allotted to non-combatant duties have stated that they have now changed their minds and wish to do the right thing. They ask accordingly to be allotted to a Line regiment, and their wishes have been carried out. Others, of course, are being given work of national importance—for example, serving in the Friends' ambulance unit or sanitary service.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a photograph which appeared in the "Daily Sketch." last Friday, proving that some of these conscientious objectors are being subjected to gross persecution?

I have not seen the photograph, and I am very loth to believe anything of the kind. If the hon. Gentleman will bring a case to my notice I will inquire into it.

Is not the explanation of the fact that only 400 men have, so far, been put into the Non-Combatant Corps, that a very large majority of them have been illegally attached to Infantry combatant regiments?

I have never heard of any such proceeding until the hon. Member mentioned it.

I beg to give notice that, on the Adjournment, I will call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to a case of gross persecution, of which I can give full particulars.

I must ask by whom the alleged persecution was perpetrated?

I will call attention to the matter on the Adjournment to-day.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will inform the House of the reasons that have induced the Government to weaken the Forces of the Crown by enrolling men in a special corps which will not be allowed to bear weapons of offence, and in setting up a Committee whose terms of reference are to advise tribunals of safe occupations of a national character for those unwilling to bear arms?

The Military Service Act provides that men who apply for exemption on the ground of a conscientious objection to the undertaking of combatant service may be awarded exemption from combatant service only or exemption conditional on the applicant being engaged in work which, in the opinion of the tribunal dealing with the case, is work of national importance. The Non-Combatant Corps has been devised for the purpose of meeting the case of men who are granted certificates of the former kind, and the Committee to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers has been appointed to assist in dealing with cases of the latter class.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he can give an assurance to the country, especially the coast towns, that every effort is being made to defend them from Zeppelin raids?

In answer to two questions put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for East Edinburgh, I made a statement in the sense desired in reference to Scotland. What applies to Scotland applies to the whole of the United Kingdom as far as it may be affected.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he can offer any encouragement to municipalities that are willing to organise their own citizens in self-defence against raids, when such are organised by the municipal authority?

Municipalities can, I think, best assist by taking steps to preserve order and by ensuring the observation of any precautionary measures ordered by the military authorities. My hon. Friend will see that the actual work of suppressing air raids is one that can only be satisfactorily undertaken by His Majesty's Forces.

asked whether, seeing that the civil authorities of towns in the county of Nottingham have taken steps to ensure the lights are turned out so soon as notice has been given of a Zeppelin raid, why, when this step has been taken and persons fined who show any light, the railway companies serving these towns are permitted to have brilliant lights burning on the stations?

The arrangements in force provide for railway station lights being obscured in sufficient time in the event of an air raid, but if my hon. Friend will supply particulars as regards time and place of the cases he has in mind I will have the facts investigated. I may add that signal lights are considered to be invisible at a comparatively low altitude.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that much of the advantage of the darkening of towns as a protection against air raids is nullified by the refusal of certain railway companies to extinguish railway signals after they have been duly warned of the approach of a Zeppelin; whether he is aware that the lights from railway signals at large railway junctions make a considerable illumination that must act as a guide to airships; whether his Department will make representations to the railway companies to extinguish railway signal lights after they have been officially warned of the necessity of doing the same; and, if that is not possible owing to the need of maintaining the lights for signal purposes, whether he will make arrangements with the railway companies to so guard the lamps of signals that they are not visible from an airship?

The experience gained by our aviators during the recent air raids clearly shows that railway signals are not visible to aircraft flying at a greater height than 3,000 feet unless several signals are collected together on one gantry. In such cases, where it has not already been done, arrangements will be made, in localities open to the attack of aircraft, to shade the lights so as to render them useless as guides to enemy airships.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in considering the issue of a medal or medals for the present War before its termination, all the factors that render the practice in other wars in which this country has been engaged inapplicable as a precedent have been considered; and whether he will undertake to have all the circumstances reconsidered with a view to making a reasoned statement shortly after the Easter Recess?

The general practice is, I think, not to issue a commemorative medal before the conclusion of the campaign for which it is granted, but I am aware that there have been exceptions. I cannot give any undertaking to make a statement of the land suggested shortly after the Easter Recess. I do not underrate the importance of this matter, but there are many considerations which have to be taken into account before an issue of this kind can be made. For instance, the hon. Member has doubtless not failed to reflect that it would be most undesirable for one portion of the Allied Armies to be granted a medal before the other Allies took a similar course. I cannot help thinking that the issue of a commemorative medal at the present time might be misconstrued into a belief that the War was over, or nearly over. The prevalence of such an impression would react unfavourably in many respects on the concentration of effort which is necessary to win the War.

Do not the precedents of what has taken place in previous campaigns in effect show that they are entirely inapplicable to the present great War? Would not the conclusion to be arrived at from the issue of a medal be exactly the opposite to what has been stated, namely, that we anticipate that the War will go on so long that it is necessary to give some recognition to the men before the War terminates?

If the hon. Member will look at the precedents he will see that in the case of the Crimean campaign the medal was not issued until some important engagement had been won by the British Forces. In the case of the Mutiny it had been practically put down before any medals were issued. In the case of the South African War, the war was nearly over.

Will the Government consider the desirability of having twenty-three medals issued for foresight and vigour for members of the Cabinet?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any Report has been received from Sir Frederick Stopford on the subject of the operations under his command at Suvla Bay; will he state when it was received; and will he cause it to be published, seeing that the Reports of Sir Ian Hamilton and General Monro have been published?

Sir Ian Hamilton and Sir C. Monro were Commanders-in-Chief and Sir F. Stopford a subordinate commander. It is only customary to publish the dispatches of a Commander-in-Chief or senior officer in command.

Has not Sir Frederick Stopford asked for an inquiry?

I believe that to be so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the case of Sir Charles Warren and Sir Redvers Buller, in which the report was published, and why should not the report of Sir Frederick Stopford be published as well as that of Sir Ian Hamilton?

I cannot recall at the moment whether the dispatches which the hon. Member mentions were, in fact, published before the conclusion of the war. I think that it was after the conclusion of the war, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put down another question.

In view of the Prime Minister's views regarding the advisability of an inquiry at the time of the South Afrcan War, will the right hon. Gentleman not direct an inquiry in this case?

Notice should be given of a question of that kind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Bridget Walsh, of Westport, county Mayo, was officially informed on 28th April, 1915, that her son Private Francis Walsh, No. 10351, 2nd Battalion Connaught Rangers, died on 10th April, 1915, from wounds received in action; if her separation allowance as dependent on deceased was stopped on 4th May, 1915; whether he is aware that this woman, now a widow, has since been destitute; and why she has received no reply from the War Office to her application for a pension or allowance?

Through oversight this case was not brought to notice until long after the soldier's death, and it was found difficult to establish her dependency upon him. This has now been done, and an issue including arrears will be made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether he can now say if the widows and children of men who have died from disease developed in or aggravated by service with the Colours are eligible for pensions on the same basis of four-fifths as a man discharged on account of disease so developed or aggravated in the Forces; and (2) when the new Royal Warrant embodying the recent changes in pensions will be published?

I should explain that I have been in communication with my right hon. Friends at the Treasury and Admiralty in the hope of arranging a method of meeting the claims of widows and children which will allow more consideration to be given to the circumstances of individual cases than the method suggested in the question. The Royal Warrant will, I trust, appear at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the corporation of the city of Glasgow has unanimously resolved to petition His Majesty's Government to increase the allowances granted to dependants of sailors to the same level as those granted to dependants of soldiers, and to review the scale of allowances all round in view of the increase in prices since the scale was last fixed; whether he is aware that all shades of political opinion are represented in the corporation of Glasgow; whether the petition has been received; and whether any action will be taken?

The petition to which my hon. Friend refers has been received. A reasoned reply is being sent to it. I will take care that my hon. Friend gets a copy. Meantime, I must ask him to remember that Navy separation allowances to wives, children and, dependants represent an entirely new grant instituted directly in connection with the present War. The rates to wives and children and other dependants represent a clear increase over the payments made to the sailor and his family before the War, and they are on as liberal a scale as is considered to be warranted in view of all the circumstances. In making comparison with the allowances paid to soldiers' families, it is impossible to leave out of account such considerations as the pay and prospects of advancement open to the men, and the higher allotment which they are able to make as compared with soldiers. All these considerations were set out fully in a Parliamentary Paper, Command No. 7619, which will go with the reply to the Glasgow Corporation and therefore be furnished to my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that when some soldiers mentally affected are transferred to lunatic asylums in some cases it is impossible for the wife or the soldier's dependants to receive any pay during the time that the soldier is in the asylum; and if he can see his way clear to make different arrangements, so that the wife of the soldier or the dependants can draw the money in the usual way?

So long as the soldier continues in the Service, the issue of separation allowance to his wife or dependant continues unaffected by his transfer to an asylum. Perhaps the hon. Member will communicate to me particulars of any case he may have in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Accrington Division has been appointed a member of the Board of Control of Regimental Institutes; and can he give the names of all the members of the new Board?

Yes, Sir, the right hon. Gentleman has been appointed. As soon as the final constitution of the Board is settled an announcement will be made in the Press.

Is not this Gentleman a single man of military age, drawing £400 a year?

asked when the Regulations dealing with Volunteer Training Corps will be issued?

These Regulations will be issued immediately.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what "immediately" means, because we have been waiting for this so very long?

I hope before Easter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if orders have been issued that New Zealanders who may be wounded on the Western front must be sent to Egypt; and, in view of the fact that there is ample room in the hospitals in and around London, and that there are many objections—heat, flies, dysentery, infected soil—to sending wounded to Egypt, he will reconsider the matter?

I appreciate the point stated in my hon. Friend's question. The whole matter is under consideration.

asked what arrangements have been made for hutting the British and Indian troops on the Lower Tigris during the coming hot weather?

I am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that accommodation in huts at various points is being pushed on as rapidly as circumstances admit.

asked how many British civilian prisoners have been passed by German doctors as medically unfit and therefore qualified for repatriation; and what has been the result of the fresh steps announced by him to expedite the exchange of prisoners of this class?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. We have so far received no reply from the German Government to the proposals which we have made to them in the direction indicated in the second part of the question.

Has there been any difficulty with the American Government in having no answer to the first part of the question?

I must ask for notice. That is the only information which I have got.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now state or circulate the categories of diseases which will qualify British prisoners of war suffering therefrom to be interned in Swiss sanatoria; whether these categories will be identical with those agreed upon in February last between France and Germany; and when the panels of neutral doctors will begin their visitations of prisoner camps in Germany and England, with a view to ascertaining how many prisoners from both countries are qualified by the nature of their infirmities to take advantage of the hospitality offered by the Swiss Government?

A definite agreement as to the diseases which will qualify British prisoners of war for internment in Switzerland has not yet been reached with the German Government. The desire is that the category of disabilities shall be the same as that which is now in force between France and Germany. It is hoped that Swiss medical men will be prepared to commence tours of inspection in British and German camps as soon as an agreement has been reached with Germany.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman state the other day in this House that an agreement had been reached with Germany?

Yes; an agreement on principles has been reached with Germany, but not as to the actual diseases which should be admitted.

Has it been arranged that panels of neutral doctors should visit the prisoner camps in England and Germany?

I do not know what my hon. Friend is alluding to. I am alluding to the internment of British and German prisoners in Switzerland.

I am referring to my hon. Friend's question: "When the panels of neutral doctors will begin their visitations of prisoner camps in Germany and England?" Have any such visits been arranged?

No, Sir, I believe not.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why France was able to get attention to prisoners in. Switzerland nearly a year ago, while we are only just making a beginning?

It is true that Franc was more successful in concluding this matter. I cannot say why it was so.

Did we make an application at the same time as France or has it only just been done?

No, Sir, the application was made a very long time ago.

And nothing done!

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I drew attention to this subject three months ago?

I am quite aware of that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the repugnance of soldiers to carrying out sentence of death by court-martial when passed upon a youth, he will take steps to secure that this penalty shall not be inflicted upon any soldier under the age of twenty-one for an offence peculiar to the military code?

The hon. Gentleman is seeking to force an open door. No sentence of death awarded in the field is carried out without the concurrence of the Commander-in-Chief, who always give the most careful consideration to the prisoner's age, amongst other matters.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why, taking the need of economy into consideration, it is necessary to employ a military embarkation staff officer at Deptford; whether the senior supply staff officer of the War Office stationed there is of field rank; and whether the latter officer is competent to deal with the military side of the shipping work and could be relied on to link up the supply staff with the naval transport staff?

I can only assure the hon. Member that at the port mentioned and at other ports it has been found by experience that a military embarkation staff officer is necessary for the purposes mentioned. The officer commanding at the supplies reserve depot is a lieutenant-colonel. My attention has been directed to the fact that the hon. Member's question of to-day, like that he put on the 10th April, gives information which should not, I think, appear in Parliamentary questions.

Is the real reason that the officer of one Department refuses to receive the report of the officer of another Department?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many contracts are in existence in which the terms are that the contractor is to be paid the cost of production plus a percentage on that cost; and what is the average percentage agreed to be paid on these contracts?

So far as can be traced, ten contracts on the basis referred to are still in existence; 9 per cent. is the average agreed to be paid.

Will the hon. Gentleman see in future, in connection with such contracts, that in no case 9 per cent. will be paid on the total cost?

I do not think anybody can form a judgment whether or not 9 per cent. is justified without knowing the details in each particular case. You may have these small contracts on which it would be quite proper to pay a high percentage, or you may have contracts involving large sums of money, in which the percentage is low, but if you lump them altogether and asked what is the rate of percentage on the whole, I am afraid that you do not arrive at a very accurate idea of the merits of the case.

Will the War Office, as far as possible, avoid contracts made in this way, on which the payment is by percentage?

As far as possible we do so. Personally, I do not like the method of payment of remuneration by percentage. I would rather do it on some fixed sum, as low as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, in the case of contracts in which the terms are that the contractor is paid the cost of production plus a percentage on that cost, how many such contracts have been entered into and completed since the outbreak of war, what amount of money they represent, and what is the average percentage paid to the contractor?

So far as can be traced, thirty-nine contracts on the basis of cost plus a percentage have been entered into and completed since the outbreak of the War. The estimated value of the contracts is about £210,000, and the average percentage paid is about 2¾ per cent. The contracts referred to in this and in the previous answer are, of course, exclusive of the agency agreements with certain well-known engineering firms for the erection of hutted camps.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can now state at what rate the Bulgarian and Ottoman Governments are feeding and lodging British prisoners of war?

I regret that I have not yet received the information for which I have asked.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Foreign Office to get an answer to this question through the American Government? It could be obtained quite easily.

We have already done so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what was the official use to which the Royal Mail steamer "Arragon" was put for many months last year when lying off Mudros, in the Ægean; and what department of the War Office was responsible for the manner in which that ship was used?

The "Arragon" was used as the headquarters and offices of the Principal Naval Transport Officer, the Superintending Transport Officer, and the Inspector-General of Communications and their respective staffs. Repeated representations were made by the Admiralty and the War Office as to the cost of this arrangement, and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief expressed the view that the work should be transferred to the shore. The Vice-Admiral Commanding, however, considered it preferable for the proper conduct of the naval part of the operation that a depot ship should be used for the purpose, and, as the exigencies of the situation made it necessary for the naval and military staffs to be in the closest possible touch, the arrangement was continued. But I do not consider that any responsibility rests with the War Office.

Could not the closest possible touch have been held with the shore at Mudros, which would have been a less expensive way?

Yes, undoubtedly, if the naval operations could have been conducted equally efficiently from the shore, but the Vice-Admiral was distinctly of opinion that they could not.

May I ask whether any representations were made to the Admiralty with regard to the use of this ship after I raised the question publicly in this House?

My hon. Friend should address his question to my right hon. Friend beside me representing the Admiralty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the tax on matches in Germany is equivalent to 2s. per 10,000 matches; that, if he is going to maintain the present suggested tax both on imported and home-made matches, it will mean doubling the price to the consumer; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

So far as I can ascertain, my hon. Friend rather underestimates the German tax on matches. I think that the general feeling of the House, as expressed in the Debate on the 12th April, was that the tax as rearranged is as satisfactory as any new tax can be, and I do not contemplate any alteration of it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of matches has jumped up 100 per cent., and that another 25 per cent. this week has already been threatened?

If that is the case, I think it is premature.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can see his way to allow clergymen, who often on short notice have to attend the sick and dying, in the discharge of their duties, the same concessions or deductions from Motor-car and Motor Spirit Taxes as are allowed to medical doctors and veterinary surgeons?

For the time being I can only repeat that I am considering all questions relevant to the proposed increase of Motor-car Licence Duty.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider the question of doctors and of veterinary surgeons? In the one case they attend patients and in the other they look after cattle; and will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the case of clergymen, who receive no benefit from attending the sick?

I think my answer covers that and other points.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that his proposals for increasing the duties upon motor cars bear hardly upon the owners of cheap motor cars; and whether he will consider the advisability of placing the tax on the capital value of the car rather than upon its horse-power?

I fear that this suggestion is not practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Income Tax at 5s. in the £ must be deducted from dividends paid to French shareholders in English companies; and, as the greater number of these shareholders have not an income on which Income Tax at 5s. would be payable, what machinery he proposes to establish to enable these shareholders to obtain repayment of the tax which may be wrongfully levied on them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 71 (1) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, under which no relief depending on the total income of an individual from all sources can, except in the special cases mentioned in that Section, be claimed by a person not resident in the United Kingdom.

Is there no hope for these people?

Unless they come under the special circumstances mentioned in that Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased responsibility thrown on assessors and collectors of Income Tax, by reason of the recent alterations in the Income Tax, he will consider the propriety of introducing a change in the law whereby appointments to those offices should no longer be annual appointments, but should be of a more permanent character?

In the case of the majority of assessors and collectors their Income Tax work is only part-time and is carried on by them in conjunction with other business or employment unconnected with the revenue. I see no reason for suggesting any alteration in the method of their appointment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received protests from Ireland against the proposed Amusement Tax; and whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing the tax where the admission does not exceed 4d. on sports promoted by the Gaelic Athletic Association, in view of the effect that the tax will have on the Gaelic pastimes of Ireland?

If the association can satisfy the Commissioners of Customs and Excise that they come within the exemption contained in Sub-clause 1 (5) ( d ) of the Finance (New Duties) Bill as amended on Report, no duty will be leviable. The association should apply to the Commissioners.

May I ask the Government whether this is the real reason for putting the Amendment in the Bill on the Report stage?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Newcastle-under-Lyme borough pension committee that, in view of the hardship which many old age pensioners are now suffering in consequence of the increased cost of living, the Government be urged to give favourable consideration to an increase of the rate of pension; and whether, in view of the reasonable character of the resolution and the feeling in the country, the Government will give effect at an early date to the proposal?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received the resolution passed by the York and District Trades and Labour Council stating that, on account of the high cost of living, the old age pensioners are suffering great hardships and urging that the pensions be increased; and whether he can now state what action the Government propose to take with regard to this matter?

Yes, Sir, I have received these resolutions. With regard to the second part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for West Leeds.

asked the Prime Minister if any public moneys of the United Kingdom are paid to the Duke of Cumberland or the Duke of Albany; and, if so, will he take steps to save such moneys or apply them to a better purpose?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second does not arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that, since the formation of the Coalition Government, Members have applied for the office of the Chiltern Hundreds and that new writs have been moved forthwith, thereby preventing the electors from having the necessary time to select an independent candidate, he will see that the old practice that prevailed prior to the formation of the Coalition Government is reverted to of giving the House at least twenty-four hours' notice when a new writ is to be moved?

I understand that no difference has been made in the procedure of moving writs. No notice was ever given to the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that though his answer is technically correct, in point of practice the House was fully aware when a writ was going to be moved in every constituency, and was therefore protected against an election being jumped without due notice?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that notice is given to the secretaries or Whips of the various groups in the House?

asked the Prime Minister what proportion of the total number of men considered to be required for the Army has been allotted to the campaign in the Near East?

The public interest forbids.

asked the Prime Minister if he has considered the disabilities under which the elected representatives of the people labour, in their desire to be of service to the Government in the present crisis, by reason of the necessary information being withheld from them which would materially assist them in determining the efficiency or otherwise of the present Administration under his leadership; and whether, in view of the fact that it cannot be in the national interest for him to publicly give such information as would assist Members to form a reliable judgment, he will consider the advantage that would accrue to the Government, the Empire, and our Allies, of holding a secret sitting of the House, as is done in France and Holland, in order that he may make a general statement for the purpose of correcting any unfounded anxiety or unnecessary criticism of the Government arising from an ignorance on the part of Members of the general facts of the situation?

I fear the hon. Member's suggestion is impracticable.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the difficulty under which Members of this House labour at the present time in doing their duty towards those whom they represent?

We have to balance all sorts of conveniences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make inquiries into the casualties, fatal and otherwise, arising from falls of roof and sides in the coal pits in the county of Durham during the years 1913–14–15, and first quarter of this year?

This question receives the constant attention of the inspectors of mines, and I am not aware of any need for a special inquiry at the present time. The inspector for the division reports that he is satisfied that there has been general improvement in recent years in methods of timbering, increasing attention being paid to proper timbering at the face, and the accident figures for the period referred to in the question show a substantial decrease since 1913. The total number of fatal and non-fatal accidents from falls in 1913 was 290; in 1915, 213; and in the first quarter of 1916, 49.

asked whether Peter Petroff, a Russian Jew, is still interned at Holloway; whether he is allowed free use of a separate room apart from the German prisoners there interned, whose attitude on the War is intensely repugnant to him; whether any payment has been or will be demanded from him for any special service or seclusion; and whether this man, who is a skilled scientific instrument mechanic, will be allowed to pursue his employment and thus cease to be a burden on the community?

Petroff is interned in St. Mary's Institute, Holloway. He has a separate room apart from German prisoners, for which he pays 5s. a week. This payment covers services in the way of cleaning, cooking, etc., which are performed by other interned persons, and the money is paid into a common fund for their benefit. I have no information that he is a skilled scientific instrument mechanic, and he has not asked to be employed on manual work.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many women and girls are employed in Great Britain in the branch of shell work known as inspecting and gauging; and what length of preliminary training was necessary to fit these women and girls to do this work?

The number of women and girls employed upon the inspection and gauging of shells and components amounts to several thousands, but I am not in a position to give the exact number, as they are spread over hundreds of firms throughout the country. This work is of a kind which can well be undertaken by women, and the policy of the Department is to extend the use of female labour as much as possible. I am communicating with all Government establishments and munition works with a view to the substitution of women for men where men are employed being effected as rapidly as possible. The period of preliminary training lasts on an everage about four to six weeks.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, when a deputation representing the female workers of Messrs. Vickers, at Erith, waited on representatives of the firm, they were told that neither the workers nor the firm had any option, as the change was in obedience to a Government order?

I am informed by Messrs. Vickers that no such statement was made to the deputation in question.