asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the hospital ship offered by His Majesty's Government to facilitate the exchange of disabled military prisoners will also be used to transport German and bring back British civilian prisoners from internment?

The suggestion made by my hon. Friend has been carefully considered, but there are practical difficulties in the way of its adoption, which I shall be happy to explain to him. The repatriation of British and German invalid civilians will not be prejudiced by the decision not to use the hospital ship in question for this purpose.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs how soon he expects the Swiss Medical Commission to arrive in this country to take evidence as to German prisoners qualified by illness to be sent to Switzerland; and whether he can give the House any details as to the destinations or probable departure of the first batch of British prisoners for Switzerland?

I regret that I do not know the exact date on which the Swiss Medical Commission will arrive in this country, but the Swiss Government are fully alive to the urgency of the matter; we understand that the first batch of British prisoners will be sent to Chateau d'Oex and its neighbourhood. It is hoped that the first batches of prisoners may leave this country and Germany by the end of this month.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what arrangements have been made for the supervision of the German prisoners sent over to Switzerland? Will they be interned in like manner as they are here?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to insure the whole of the railwaymen against injuries by reason of enemy air craft or bombardment while on duty or proceeding to or from duty on the company's premises, so that compensation will be paid in the event of injuries being received; and, if the existing Workmen's Compensation Act requires amendment to bring in these men, will he take prompt measures to deal with the same?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies which I gave on the 23rd February and the 12th April to questions by the hon. Member for Derby, of which I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy. I fear I cannot add to those replies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has ob- served the continued rapid rise in the prices of food and other necessaries of life and how heavily this bears upon the poorer sections of the community, whose wages are in consequence seriously shrinking in value; whether at the same time he has also observed the excess profits made by shippers, manufacturers, traders, and the commercial classes generally; and whether he can give the House an assurance that the Government propose to take immediate action to regulate the supply and prices of food and other necessaries?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I have repeatedly given in this House to questions of a somewhat similar character. My hon. Friend must be well aware that all aspects of the subject to which he refers have long engaged the anxious and unremitting attention of the Government, and any practicable action to ameliorate the situation is being and will be taken, short of steps which by their nature are likely to defeat the main object by restricting supplies.

This question is postponed until to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the fact that the Order whereby the import of hickory or ash tool-handles is prohibited, unless in the case of any particular consignment a certificate can be produced showing that they are urgently required for Government purposes, will have the effect of depleting the stock of such handles in this country, so that in the event of large numbers of spades and shovels being required by the military authorities on an emergency the manufacturers would not be able to supply them without great delay?

I hope the answer to Question 6 will cover the answer to Question 5. I have given directions that a general licence should be issued for the importation of hickory tool-handles into the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any arrangements have been made by the Government for Canadian woodmen to come to this country to cut timber; and, if so, how many it is proposed to bring over and when are they expected to arrive?

Arrangements have been made for a battalion of Canadian woodmen, 1,500 strong, to be raised in Canada to work in this country for the Home Grown Timber Committee. A large number of the men have already arrived, and are at work.

Will these men be under military law?

I am afraid I cannot answer that. If the hon. Gentleman will approach the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture he will let him know exactly the terms on which they are working.

Are these men cutting timber?

Yes.

Is this the season for it?

We are so short of timber that we cannot avoid taking some, although the sap may be rising. We are cutting where least damage will be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state if the Sir Hugh Bell who has been selected by the Board of Trade to serve upon a Committee appointed in connection with the iron and steel industries to consider trade after the War is the same Sir Hugh Bell who has recently circu- lated a pamphlet setting forth his conviction that we could not if we would and should not if we could capture German trade, and advocating that Germany should be encouraged to sell us all she can?

Sir Hugh Bell is a distinguished ironmaster and a member of the Board of Trade Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence. No matter what Sir Hugh Bell's views on fiscal questions may be, I have no doubt that he will effectively discharge his duties as a member of the Committee on the Iron and Steel Industries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if he thinks he can get wellsidered views on the future from a Gentleman who now state that his prewar convictions are so strongly planted that no change in conditions can alter them?

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange a discussion between my hon. Friend (Mr. Shirley Benn) and the gentleman in question?

There is always great difficulty in getting any gentleman from any of these commercial committees who had not some views on the fiscal question before the War. In my experience I have found that consistency in their views is not restricted to Free Traders.

Is this Sir Hugh Bell the same Sir Hugh Bell who has recently circulated a document to Members of this House?

That question has already been answered by the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails in Australia owing to the Board of Trade in this country refusing to issue a list of alien enemy firms over whom either a controller or a supervisor has been appointed; whether he is aware that full lists of alien enemy companies are published in the Australian journals, and will he say why this course is not followed in this country; whether he is aware that many people in this country have no desire to do business with German firms and that, owing to alien firms adopting British names, it is difficult for traders to know with whom they are actually dealing; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware that lists of enemy companies have been published in Australian journals. The names of companies and firms in respect of which an Order is made requiring the business to be wound up are published in the "London Gazette." I do not think it advisable to publish the names of other companies and firms in which there are enemy interests on account of the injustice which would result in certain cases to the British shareholders and the undesirability of damaging a business when the enemy interest may be transferred to British subjects under the provisions of Section 4 of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916.

Is there any reason why there should not be published a list of those companies where the majority of shares are held by Germans or alien enemies? What earthly reason is there why they should not be published?

I intended to convey in the second part of my answer the reasons which have actuated the Board of Trade. If we had not passed the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1916, I think there would be great force in the objection taken by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the stoppage of several hundreds of motor drivers employed by the British Motor Cab Company; whether he is aware that this company, acting with the union representing the men, placed on the 26th of April before a Court of Arbitration, constituted by the Chief Industrial Commissioner, the points in difference between the company and the men; that the award of the Court was against the claim of the company; that the company, the day after receiving the award, entirely ignored it by requesting the workmen to sign a document in favour of the course rejected by the arbitrators; and whether, in view of the public incon- venience occasioned by the stoppage, he will bring pressure to bear upon the company to conform to the terms of the award?

I am aware of the fact that difficulty has occurred in connection with this matter, and the Department are in communication with the company and with the men's representatives.

In the event of a firm or company going to arbitration, and the Arbitration Court deciding against them, and the following day they insist upon the workmen signing an agreement contracting out, what position are you going to take up in regard to the company?

If and when the case arises I will try to deal with it.

That is the case here.

I cannot go beyond the statement in this case. Communications are passing between the company, the men's representatives, and ourselves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the rates of wages paid by the Irish railway companies to the various grades of their employés and the number of hours worked by each grade daily; if any increase in wages has been granted to meet the 50 per cent. increase in the cost of living since the outbreak of war; and, for the purpose of comparison, will he give the same information regarding employés of railways in Great Britain?

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman up-to-date information on the rates of wages paid to and the number of hours worked by the employés of the railway companies. An increase of wages has, I understand, been granted in certain cases by way of a war bonus, varying on the Irish railways from 1s. to 2s. a week, and of 5s. a week on the British railways.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the dearth of petrol for necessary purposes, such as the requirements of the medical services in country districts where long distances have to be traversed; and whether he is prepared to consider regulations which would secure that the supply for such necessary purposes should not be interfered with by its use for purposes of luxury and amusement?

I am aware of the position in regard to petrol in this country, and I appointed a Committee to consider what measures are necessary to secure adequate supplies of petrol for the purposes of the War and other essential needs, including medical services. This Committee are now inquiring into the whole subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Regulation of the Board of Trade in reference to railway trains has largely accentuated the dearth of petrol throughout the country by leading to the increase of private motor cars?

I have been making inquiries on that subject since it was first raised in the House and I cannot find that there has been any great increase in the use of private motor cars. As far as I can ascertain the number of private motor cars in use is lower than before.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the case of an established business which has had to be closed down altogether owing to the complete prohibition of certain imports; and whether he is prepared to provide any compensation for losses thus inflicted upon individuals in the interest of the nation as a whole, or whether he will permit reduced imports, as in the case of wood pulp and paper, to enable the business to be carried on?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with specific instances of the facts alleged in the first part of the question I will consider them; but, in any case, I cannot undertake to provide monetary compensation. It must be evident that if all prohibited articles were treated similarly to paper and wood-pulp, the prohibitions would largely fail of their effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a prisoner of war at Wakefield has ordered from time to time electrical accessories from a London firm, and that among them a number of pocket flash-lamps have been included; whether, in October, 1915, prisoner of war, R. Hitner, who is interned at Wakefield, wrote to a London firm asking them to for ward six to twelve samples of pocket-lamps, and in February this year two dozen pocket-lamps, and that these goods were duly delivered to the German prisoner; and, if so, will he explain why the authorities allow a prisoner of war to receive flash-lamps and for what purpose are they used?

The War Office have no knowledge of these circumstances, but are obtaining information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability, in fairness to persons of British extraction, whose names were assumed by persons of German nationality between the outbreak of war and the 12th October, 1914, as for instance in the case of Karl Klosch, who during this period assumed the name of Charles Bathurst, of making the prohibition of such assumption which became operative on the latter date retrospective as from the 4th August, 1914, so that all such piracy during the War may receive like treatment?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The prohibition to which he refers is already retrospective. Article 25A of the Aliens Restriction Order prohibits both the assumption and the continued use by an alien enemy of a name other than that by which he was ordinarily known before the War. I have no information as to the particular case referred to in the question, but will be glad to make inquiry if the hon. Member can furnish me with details.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Great Yarmouth steam drifter YH 887, in the service of the Admiralty as a patrol boat, found the Zeppelin L 15 damaged in the Thames estuary and made a rope fast to it and took on board the commander and four of the crew of the airship, and held on for an hour until a cruiser arrived; and, if so, will some recognition of an honorary nature be made of this service?

The drifter, YH 87, which is presumed to be the one referred to, was one of three patrol vessels to whom the Zeppelin surrendered. The conduct of officers and men of all three was all that could be desired, but the circumstances do not call for any exceptional recognition.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, seeing that the business of making artificial limbs and supports has now become one of great national importance, he will make representations to the Appeal Tribunal which recently refused exemption to Mr. J. Bush, of Wakefield, who is engaged in that business and has work in hand which cannot be completed if he joins the Army, with the object of inducing the tribunal in question to reconsider his case?

As I have previously explained, I cannot interfere with the decision of a tribunal in an individual case of this kind.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the recruiting officer at Mansfield has refused to allow married men who desire to know at the earliest date whether their services will be required to be medically examined unless they first attest; whether he is aware that at other places facilities have been given by the recruiting officers to married men without their attesting; and whether he will direct the recruiting officer at Mansfield to give like facilities to the married men in his district?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have called for a report as to why such men are not examined by appointment if they wish to be.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a railway loader named Norman M. Williamson holds a certificate (No. 823) of exemption from the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, which was issued by the East Ham Local Tribunal, the exemption being conditional whilst he contiues in his present occupation; that the local recruiting officer has now summoned him to join the Colours on 17th May and informed him that the exemption certificate is void as from 1st May; and, having regard to the fact that Williamson is still following his occupation as a railway loader, whether the recruiting officer has made a mistake in this case?

I have called for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a time-expired man who as recently as six weeks ago was a sergeant and discharged from the Service with the commendation of the colonel commanding his battalion will, on being recalled to the Colours under the new Military Service Act, be entitled to the rank and emoluments that he enjoyed before he was discharged from the Service?

He will be recalled to the Colours in the rank in which he left.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any special corps or regiment now exists in which officers or soldiers who are experts in various subjects are included; if so, what are the special badges or marks worn on the uniform of such men; what are their rates of pay; and whether any Members of Parliament not officially shown by the War Office in the OFFICIAL REPORT of the 6th January, 1915, to be borne on the strength of any other regiment are serving in this special corps or regiment?

There is no special corps or regiment into which all experts in various subjects are put, but there are experts in different corps and different arms. No special badges have been devised, so far as I am aware, to indicate these experts. There is no general rate of pay for experts, and as there is no special corps it follows that the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. Speaking generally I am somewhat in the dark as to what my hon. Friend has in mind. Possibly he will enlighten me.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the meaning of the green badges that I see officers wearing on their coats? It is quite an innovation.

I believe it is Intelligence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an officer who has been required to resign his commission on the ground of defective eyesight or ill-health is exempt from the Military Service Act and from the Bill now passing through the House?

An officer who has ceased to hold a commission in consequence of ill-health is excepted from the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, and also under the Bill at present before the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will define the status of a man who offered to attest under the Derby recruiting scheme and was rejected in consequence of his holding a certificate showing that previously he had been discharged from the Army as incorrigible and worthless; if he will state whether men in such circumstances will be liable to serve under the present Military Service Bill; and, if so, will they be regarded as conscripts?

Such a man, unless he now re-enlists or attests, will be liable under the Bill now before the House.

If a particular individual has got the certificate mentioned in this question, will it be forcible upon the authorities to take him because the man has applied on one or two occasions and has been absolutely rejected?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars I will inquire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can state, for the convenience of men already rejected on medical grounds, the names and numbers of the certificates which, if held by them, will obviate any further medical inspection; and (2) whether an unattested man rejected under the Derby scheme who has received an armlet as a reject and possesses rejection form No. B 2512 A, totally medically unfit, or B 2505 A, will be requested to submit to further medical examination under the new Bill?

I am afraid I cannot answer my hon. Friend's question in terms of the names and numbers of the certificates. He knows as well as I do that Army forms are capable of being wrongly used and that they have been wrongly used. He may, however, be assured that no man known rightfully to hold a certificate of rejection on medical grounds issued by an authorised official would be required to be re-examined unless there be reason to believe that his medical disability was of a temporary nature, or of a nature which does not preclude his employment in some form of military service.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the large amount of anxiety amongst men who hold these certificates, and is he absolutely unable to give the names and particulars of any certificates which will exempt these men from re-examination?

The answer to the first part of the question is Yes. I believe that is so—there is some anxiety. There is no certificate which has been issued, so far as I am aware, which exempts a man from all forms of military service.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's first answer will he assure the House that it is not the intention of the military authorities to lower the standard for the Army, making the men more unfit?

Certainly it is not the intention of the military authority to lower the medical standard for general service. What I want the House to realise is that we have other categories besides general service.

What the men ask for is a certificate stating the position. They wish to know whether they are absolutely rejected or not, and can the right hon. Gentleman devise some means of enabling the men to get to know?

I will see if some means can be devised; it is a very difficult thing.

I will raise this point to-morrow night, on the Motion for Adjournment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether men who at present hold certificates of exemption from military service for medical reasons and who are re-examined and subsequently called up for service will be entitled to adequate financial compensation in the shape of pensions in the event of breakdown in health following military service; and if he will state that the War Office will accept full financial responsibility for men called up in the circumstances named?

Such men will not be called up unless the medical authorities are satisfied that they are fit for service in the category in which they are placed. They will therefore be upon the same footing as other soldiers for pension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state whether the four sons of Mr. G. A. Dunn, hat manufacturer, of Stockport, named, respectively, Randolph, Clifford, Howard, and Lloyd, have secured exemption from the Hertfordshire Tribunal from military service as conscientious objectors; whether he is aware that at the hearing of their appeal Mr. Frampton, a barrister, who appealed on their behalf, stated that his clients would refuse to kill rats or mice even if they attacked their crops, and if they saw a cat killing a rat they would try and prevent it; and if he will state whether the military authorities intend to appeal against the decision of the tribunal?

A report is being obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he will make an immediate inquiry into the treatment of a number of conscientious objectors who belong to Darwen, Lancashire, who were taken to the military barracks at Preston and there subjected to the grossest ill-treatment, being forcibly stripped and marched round the barrack square practically undressed, and after being put in uniform one of them was taken into a room and, on the testimony of a person there, brutally kicked around the room until his groans could be heard outside; in view of the fact that statements of similar and worse treatment of conscientious objectors are coming from many other districts, will he take immediate steps to have this brutal conduct on the part of the military stopped and proper punishment meted out to those responsible for it; and (2) what action he has taken upon the allegations of D. S. Parkes, a conscientious objector to military service, who has been convicted by a district court-martial at Winchester on charges of refusal to obey military orders; that on his arrest under the Military Service Act, 1916, he was placed in the guard room at Whitehall and informed that he would be shot at dawn for refusing to give information demanded; that he was insulted by the non-commissioned officer in charge of the guard room, who also placed a bayonet to his heart; that he was then taken into another room, where a rifle was pointed at him and then he was told that he was graciously pardoned; that this action was repeated later, a rifle being loaded in his presence and an order given to a soldier to fire; and, if no action has been taken upon these serious allegations, will he order a thorough inquiry at once into the alleged conduct of the non-commissioned officers, and soldiers who tortured this man?

As my hon. Friend has not seen his way to respond to the appeal I made last week, reports have been called for about these two cases.

May I ask if an action for assault can be brought in the Courts in a case such as that alleged in this question to have been committed?

I cannot answer that hypothetical question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state what will be the constitution of the Medical Boards which are to examine men previously rejected for the Army on medical grounds; whether such Boards will include civilian doctors of good standing in each locality where a Board is set up; or, if the constitution of such Boards is not uniform, what will be the variations in the constitution of such Boards?

The Medical Boards by which these men will be examined are those which have been appointed and are working in each recruiting area. The presidents are appointed by the War Office and the members are appointed in the commands.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many Boards there are in each tribunal?

I should like notice of that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any superior Medical Boards to which an appeal can be made against the decision of the first Board?

I would ask my hon. Friend to give me notice of that question. There are two Boards. I am not aware that an appeal lies from one to the other.

Will the War Office consider the propriety of having at least one civilian doctor in view of the fact that the new examinations are re-examinations, and awake a great deal of public interest and anxiety?

As my hon. Friend is aware, we have utilised and are utilising the services of a large number of civilian doctors.

Will the number of these Boards be such as to ensure adequate and proper examination of each individual instead of having the work scamped?

Yes.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can now state the scale of bounties which it is proposed to give to time-expired soldiers retained in or recalled to the Army under the Military Service Bill?

Bounties will be given to men, the depots of whose units are in the United Kingdom, who having become time-expired since the outbreak of war are now recalled to or retained in the Service on the following general lines:

As the House will see, these are bounties of a very generous kind.

As regards men retained in the Service, the bounty may be drawn as to one-third in cash, the balance being paid, with interest at 5 per cent., on the man's death or discharge from the Service.

Men who have left but are now recalled to the Service will have the option of drawing the whole or any part of the bounty in cash on being called up, any balance undrawn being treated as above.

Men who on being called up are passed into the Reserve and returned to civil employment will not be eligible for the bounty unless or until they are called up for military service.

asked the Secretary of State, for the Colonies, concerning the refusal by the High Commissioner of South Africa of a certificate of domicile to Mr. C. Jennings, who, after residing and working for two years and four months and qualifying for inclusion on the voters' list in the Boksburg district of the Transvaal, returned to this country in September last for the purpose of taking back to his home in the Transvaal his wife and child, and who cannot now obtain a passport in consequence of the action of the High Commissioner in refusing him a certificate of domicile, if he will make suitable representations to the High Commissioner of South Africa in order to enable Mr. Jennings to return home, or, in the alternative, if a certificate of domicile cannot be granted, if he will take steps to obtain a grant for Mr. Jennings from the Rand Munitions Association, a body formed for the purpose of assisting, by grants of money to pay their passage, men who come to this country to work in munition factories, seeing that Mr. Jennings, being unable to return home is now working at a munitions factory, and could therefore, presumably, have obtained a grant if he had come here with the intention of taking up his present employment?

I regret that I am unable to assist Mr. Jennings either to return to South Africa or to obtain a grant from the Rand Munitions Association.

asked what action, if any, was taken by Sir Robert Chalmers against Mr. Mitchell, superintendent of the Panawatte estate, Ceylon, on whose orders, without charge or trial, certain Punjabi soldiers executed by shooting Wattegedera Gamaralalage Serahami on the 13th June, 1915, after the disturbances, in which he was not involved, had ceased; and whether Sir Robert Chalmers has left Mr. Mitchell still in power in Ceylon or has brought him to Ireland?

I have no reason to suppose that there is any foundation for the allegation in the question. The last part of the question does not seem to call for serious reply.

How was this man slain?

I have no information.

Will you not inquire?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of Consols and Annuities which were converted into New 4½ per cent. War Loan; and what is the amount of such Consols and Annuities now outstanding?

The final figures are not yet available. The following are the appropriate figures as at 31st March, 1916:

Converted into 4½ per Cent. War Loan 1925–1945: Consols £255,200,000 2½ per cent. Annuities 8,200,000 2¾ per cent. Annuities 1,100,000

Amounts outstanding on 31st March, 1916: Consols £280,500,000 2½ per cent. Annuities 21,600,000 2 ¾ per cent. Annuities 2,700,000

The £255,200,000 Consols converted include £35,800,000 which were formerly held by the Post Office and Trustee Savings Bank Funds and were converted in connection with subscriptions through the Savings Banks to the 4 ½ per cent. Loan.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Bishop of Cork and the Lord Mayor, who exerted themselves with success to prevent any disturbances in Cork, applied for the body of Edward Kent, who was executed on the sentence of a field court-martial, with a view to its burial in consecrated ground, and were refused?

This probably refers to Thomas Kent. Edward Kent was executed in Dublin. In either case the answer is that it is regretted that the removal of the body in this and similar cases is not considered to be expedient.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the family of this man are most respectable people who suffer more from the accusation of murder against him even than from his execution, and will he publish the evidence that was given at the court-martial which will prove that the tragedy for which this punishment was inflicted arose out of resistance to disarmament?

That is a question of which I should like to see a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the evidence which will conclude the whole matter?

I think that I must defer an answer to that. The hon. Gentleman must give me notice.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any official information showing that three principal teachers of the Christian Brothers' Schools at Charleville were arrested while teaching their classes and marched handcuffed through the streets to an unknown destination; and, if so; whether, seeing that the small group of local Irish Volunteers have no firearms and that the town and district have been entirely free from any insurrectionary disturbance and have contributed an exceptionally large number of recruits to the Army, orders will be given to discontinue proceedings of this kind?

No official information has been received of the incident described. Inquiry is being made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what charge Mr. Louis D'Alton, of Tipperary, has been arrested; if he has been deported to England; will he be returned to his own country for trial if he is to be tried; and whether he is aware that no insurrectionary disturbance of any kind has taken place in Tipperary?

Mr. D'Alton was arrested under the Defence of the Realm Act. It is expected that a statement will he made at an early date as to the steps which the Government will take to deal with this and other similar cases.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that four sons of Widow Boylan, of Dunboyne, county Meath, seventy-five years of age, were arrested by the military on 3rd May, and have not since been heard of by their mother, whose only support they were; whether none of these men took any part in the insurrection, and two of them were not even members of the Irish Volunteers; and whether, for the sake of humanity, the old woman will be apprised of the fate of her sons and permitted to communicate with them?

I learn that all four sons have been sent to England. Inquiry is being made into their cases.

What is the object of deporting these men to England?

That is a question of policy which, I think, should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Alderman James J. Kelly, J.P., ex-high sheriff of Dublin, was arrested on 26th April by the military authorities and deported to England and detained fifteen days without trial; if he can state what charge, if any, was made against Alderman Kelly; and if he will be compensated for the loss sustained by the action of the military authorities?

The facts as stated are correct. Mr. Kelly was arrested on suspicion, but, on investigation of the facts, it was determined that no charge should be preferred, and he has been released. The Government cannot recognise any claim to compensation.

who had the following question on the Paper addressed to the Prime Minister: [Seeing that large numbers of Irish Catholic prisoners in Stafford and other English prisons were prevented from attending Mass last Sunday, notwithstanding the protests of the Catholic chaplains, whether the right hon. Gentleman will have this restriction removed next Sunday and all succeeding Sundays], said: I have been asked to postpone this question.

I wish to make a reply, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of questions addressed to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister relating to military matters in Ireland, but I have not yet received the necessary information which will enable me to reply to them. Perhaps hon. Members will put their questions down again. I hope to be able to answer in a day or two.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the manner of proceeding by the military in certain counties of Ireland is causing the greatest exasperation amongst those citizens who hitherto have had no sympathy with the Sinn Fein movement?

How soon can we have a statement made in reply to the questions which are upon the Paper? Where are we to look for information except in this House?

In relation to these military questions I hope to be able to answer them in two or three days.

I assume the right hon. Gentleman is not in a position to answer Questions 57 and 58, but will he answer No. 59, which refers to occurrences of two years ago?

I think it advisable, if the hon. Gentleman will be good enough, to postpone this question until the Prime Minister is in his place.

When will that be?

I cannot definitely say.

May I say, with regard to the Prime Minister, that with all my heart I wish him success in his mission? I assume that the right hon. Gentleman cannot answer the question which I have on the Paper?

I am afraid I cannot, but I will give the hon. Gentleman the information as soon as possible.

I may assume that the right hon. Gentleman is not in a position to answer certain questions down in my name?

I cannot pretend to reply to them. The House will realise that owing to the congestion there are great difficulties of communication.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will say what were the terms that P. H. Pearse asked for before his surrender; why his expressed desire to see his mother between sentence and execution was refused;; why the letters and other matter written by him immediately before his death have not yet been delivered to the persons to whom they were addressed; when they will be delivered; and, seeing that the position of William Pearse in the Volunteer Force was quite a subordinate one, what ground was there for executing him other than his relationship to P. H. Pearse?

P. H. Pearse surrendered unconditionally. His desire to see his mother before his execution was not refused, but every endeavour was made to meet it, the Reverend Father Aloysius being sent in a motor car to bring her to him. Owing, however, to the firing which was still going on the car was unable to get through. All letters and papers written by him immediately before his death were delivered to the persons to whom they were addressed on the 3rd May. William Pearse was tried, convicted and sentenced to death by court-martial, and the General Officer Commanding duly confirmed the sentence.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, although Mr. Pearse ultimately surrendered unconditionally, what terms he asked in the first instance?

No, Sir, I am quite unable to say.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why his young brother, a minor in every respect, condition, and age, and not a signatory of the republican proclamation, has been shot?

He was convicted by a court-martial.

Was he convicted of any offence but that of being a brother of P. H. Pearse?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War by whose order during the fighting in Dublin little boys and girls running about in terror were caught by soldiers and shot out of hand on the pretext that they were carrying messages; why they were not imprisoned, when the truth or falsehood of that pretext could be tested; and whether any officers or soldiers have been or will be tried for these acts?

No such order was given. There is no evidence to lead one to believe in the truth of the allegations made in the question.

Will any inquiry be made?

No.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why at first no mourners were allowed to follow to the graves the remains of those who fell in the recent rebellion in Dublin; why only one mourner was afterwards allowed to follow; with what object were the coffins stopped and opened on the way; and, if anything was discovered to justify that desecration, will he say what it was?

It was found impracticable in the first instance to allow mourners to attend funerals, but as soon as possible one mourner was allowed to attend. It was deemed inadvisable to permit a larger following. In many cases it was necessary for the purpose of identification to open the coffins.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state what action the Government propose to take in dealing with the deported prisoners from Ireland; and whether the Government will bear in mind the precedent established by General Botha as regards the clemency shown to the prisoners in the South African rising?

The Government hope soon to be in a position to state their decision respecting the action to be taken in dealing with the prisoners deported from Ireland. In the meantime I can assure the hon. Member that there is every desire to deal as leniently with these persons as the circumstances may permit.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it was with the knowledge of the Prime Minister and of the Government that the policy of exasperating the Irish in this country was begun by the military raid last Friday—at the time of the Prime Minister's arrival in Dublin on a mission of peace—on the Gaelic League in London, a literary and non-political society appealing to all Irish people without distinction, and, having regard to the far-reaching consequences of such a policy, whether the military authorities will suspend the extension of it to all Irish societies and Irish residents in Great Britain until the Prime Minister and the Government have had an opportunity of reconsidering the matter?

As the hon. Gentleman only sent this message to me as I came into the House, it is obviously impossible for me to give any kind of reply at the present moment. I think he would do well if he waited until the Prime Minister returns.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any assurance that the military will be restrained in this work until the Prime Minister returns?

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he can state whether the Metropolitan Water Board are proceeding with their new reservoir at Staines; and, if so, what is the total cost of this undertaking; whether, in the interests of economy, the Government has taken any action towards requesting the Metropolitan Water Board to discontinue such works during the period of the War; and (2) whether the contract for the central offices of the Metropolitan Water Board at Rosebery Avenue is still being proceeded with; and whether he has taken any action with a view to curtailing this and other municipal works during the period of the War?

The work on the reservoir in question has been stopped, I understand, by the Ministry of Munitions. The discontinuance of the building in connection with the new head offices was considered by the Capital Issues Committee, but in view of the heavy and disproportionate expense which would have been involved by a temporary cessation it was decided that the existing contract should be allowed to be completed. As regards the general question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to him on Thursday last by the President of the Local Government Board.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has yet received a resolution submitted to the Hove Town Council to the effect that in view of the appeal made by the Government that local authorities should do everything possible to discourage any expenditure during the War period on other than absolutely necessary and urgent work it is the opinion of this council that representations should be made to the Local Government Board or other Government authority on the question of the repainting of houses in Brunswick Square, etc., asking for direction as to whether this may be deferred until next year; and, if so, will he authorise all such works to be postponed for the period of the War?

I have received a communication from the Hove Town Council on this subject. The requirement referred to is a statutory one, and I have no authority to give any directions with respect to it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many generals and other officers of the age of sixty-five are at present re-employed with His Majesty's Forces; whether these officers are drawing pensions in addition to the full pay and allowances of their rank; and whether he will give an undertaking that all officers upon attaining the age of sixty-five shall ipso facto cease to be employed and that all re-employed officers shall be called upon to relinquish their pensions during such times as they are drawing full pay?

The numbers could not be ascertained without a considerable amount of work. Under the existing Regulations re-employed officers, as a rule, retain their retired pay. I cannot give the undertaking asked for in the latter part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice to bury in his blanket a soldier killed in action; and whether it is the practice to charge the soldier's dependants 6s. 9d., or any other and what sum, for such blanket?

Soldiers killed in action are frequently buried in their blankets. It is, of course, not the practice to make any charge for the blanket, and if my hon. and learned Friend has knowledge of any case in which such a charge has been made. I hope he will let me have full particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of men over twenty-one shot by order of court-martial and the number of those under twenty-one shot by order of court-martial during the War on the various scenes of operations; and whether he will inform the House if any allowances are made to the dependants of such men?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 26th January. In reply to the last part of the question, I would inform him that the issue of separation allowance in such cases is continued for twenty-six weeks from the date of notification of death.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give an undertaking to the House of Commons that no death sentences shall be carried out upon any soldiers serving in France or other places until the record of the case has been submitted to competent legal authority in London for confirmation?

It is unnecessary to submit such sentences to legal authority in London, as, under present practice, no such sentence is ever carried out without being submitted to the Deputy Judge Advocate-General in France.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the course of assurances given by the British Government or any of the Allied Governments during the War that the holy places of Islam would be respected, any indication has been given or any question raised of the exact number, extent, and localities of such holy places; and whether he will indicate whether Baghdad and Jerusalem are considered to be holy places included in the Government undertaking?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. For a definition of the holy places of Islam, I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement which was published in the extraordinary "Gazette of India," of the 2nd November, 1914.

Can I have a copy of that sent to me?

I will send the hon. Member an extract from it.

May I ask the Noble Lord if he does not think that Mahomedans are likely rather to resent questions showing complete ignorance on the questions of holy places of Islam?

I am not responsible for the questions put down.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I was asked by a very distinguished Mahomedan to bring this matter forward, and that my questioner is really very well informed?

asked the Prime Minister if he can now indicate when he hopes to be able to introduce the measure establishing the Statutory Committee to administer the fund for the relief of enlisted persons who have exceptional financial liabilities?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. As I have previously stated, it is not at present contemplated that any legislation will be necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in answer to me the Prime Minister used the words "Statutory Committee"; and how can a Statutory Committee be appointed without legislation?

I am not aware that that expression was used; it never has been contemplated.

When are we to have this information, so that we may have an opportunity of discussing it?

I hope to issue a White Paper shortly, which will enable the hon. Gentlemen to deal with the question.

asked the Prime Minister at what age compulsory military service commences and terminates in the following countries: Germany, Austria, Turkey, France, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Japan, Serbia, Montenegro, and Great Britain?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The particulars asked for by my hon. Friend are too voluminous to be suitable to be given in an oral reply, but I will send my hon. Friend a statement. When he receives it he will be good enough to discriminate between time of peace and time of war. I am informed that no claim for discharge holds good in wartime in the case of Germany, Austria, and France, even if the upper age limit specified for those countries has been reached. In war-time Austrian and German conscripts are called up for active service at any time after their seventeenth birthday.

Will the reply be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Yes, if my hon. Friend desires it. [ See Written Answers, 16 th May. ]

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is taking steps for the establishment of an Air Board; and whether, in that case, he can announce its personnel and also the exact scope of its duties?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has asked me to reply, and to say that a statement will be made on the subject to-morrow.

Seeing that various Members of this House are preparing their speeches for to-morrow, and that there are various Amendments, would it not be possible to give us the particulars to-day?

The hon. Member is not in an unique position. There are other people also preparing speeches.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that in 1911 memorials in favour of the unification of British and Irish time were presented from all parts of Ireland from county and urban councils, chambers of commerce and other representative bodies, and railway and steamship companies, and that the Uniform Time Bill, which was framed in accordance with these representations, received general acceptance; and if the Government will bring in a Bill immediately to effect unification so that it may be brought into operation simultaneously with the Summer Time Bill?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the full statement on this proposal, which I made in the course of the Debate last Monday. If the change is to be effected it could be done more conveniently when normal time is restored on 1st October, than when summer time is introduced on Sunday next. The former proposal would involve putting back the clock time in Ireland by only thirty-five minutes; the latter would involve putting it forward by one hour and twenty-five minutes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the demand from the Western front for khaki covers for steel helmets, which can otherwise be easily seen from a distance; whether he is aware that many thousands have recently been supplied from private sources; whether the War Office has supplied any; and whether he will issue immediate instructions, to save further casualties, that such covers are to be provided with every helmet?

The Commander-in-Chief reports that all existing helmets are provided with covers or rough paint. The question of which method is the most efficacious is engaging his attention, but he is not yet in a position to make a recommendation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether in some cases when the military authorities have taken over workhouses and infirmaries, a number of male and female inmates have been engaged to do indoor and outdoor work in connection with these institutions; whether in some cases a small weekly allowance is being made to these people ranging from 1s. to 3s. a week, while in other cases no allowance is being made; and will he see that these workers are all placed on a uniform scale of allowance of not less than 3s. a week?

I have no knowledge of the cases referred to by the hon. Member. If he will give the names of hospitals concerned I will have inquiries made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, seeing that the Bulgarian Government gives no daily pay to British officer prisoners interned hi Bulgaria, he will immediately refund with interest to those officers' accounts the amounts hitherto deducted in the belief that Bulgaria was paying them?

The amounts deducted have already been recredited.