asked whether the evidence at the field court-martial on Thomas Kent, who was executed in Cork and was refused Christian burial, would be published?

The result of my inquiries in regard to this question is that I understand the military authorities do not see their way to permitting publication of the evidence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether attested men belonging to Volunteer Corps who obtain exemption either for definite or indefinite periods may join and become attested members of the new Volunteer Forces when re-organised under the Volunteer Acts; and if such men who may have attained the age of forty-one years and have been passed into the Reserve under the provisions of the Military Service Acts may join the Volunteer Forces of the United Kingdom?

Exempted men may join the Volunteers, but this will not prevent them being called up if their exemptions lapses or is cancelled. Men over forty-one may join the Volunteers, but men passed to the new Special Reserve at the age of forty or over remain liable for service, and should be dealt with as Army Reservists as under the old Volunteer Regulations, i.e., they may not be enrolled as Volunteers, but may be attached to a corps as supernumeraries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has inquired into the case of two brothers named Durkin, of 11, Fletcher Street, Wallgate, Wigan; whether he is aware that these men were taken away from their mother and sister, whom they support, and sent to Ashton-under-Lyne; why the mother and family are refused any information about them and are not allowed to write to these men; where these men now are; whether they have been punished, and, if so, for what offence and with what punishment; and what action he proposes to take?

I am not aware that the two brothers named Durkin have been treated as stated. If these men have been sentenced to detention my hon. Friend will find in the Rules for "Detention Barracks" the conditions under which detained men can communicate with their relatives. As I have indicated, the War Office do not possess any information to enable them to answer the two penultimate parts of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether conscientious objectors who are enrolled for service on work of national importance are obliged to take up the special occupation to which they are detailed; and whether they are entitled to more than the pay and allowances which they would have received had they joined the Army?

Conscientious objectors who are allotted work of national importance are not under the jurisdiction of the Army Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some conscientious objectors when ordered to parade are called before the commanding officer and simply admonished while others are thrown into prison and subjected to court-martial; and whether, with a view to equality of treatment, an Order will be issued which will cause conscientious objectors to be similarly treated by the different commands?

Such an Order would be ultra vires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why the request made to the War Office that the case of J. Rickett, a native of Quendon, Essex, should be investigated by the authorities locally where his antecedents and mental deficiency are well known has not yet been acceded to?

This man, James Rickett, was examined by the medical board on 24th March, 1916. He gave his occupation as being that of woodman. He was asked the routine questions as to his previous health, and his replies gave no indication of mental deficiency. He appeared to understand the questions put to him. He made no reference to insanity in his family, and brought with him no documents bearing on his family history. The board found that he was "dull" mentally, and made a note as to his partial deafness, which was thought to account for his "dullness." As a result of the examination, the board was of opinion that neither defect was sufficient to prevent the man—since he was a woodman—from carrying on his customary work in the category of "labour abroad." In doubtful cases of mental disease, the local medical practitioner is always communicated with before a decision is arrived at, but, in this case, there was not sufficient evidence to suggest the necessity of further investigation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a British-born British subject who afterwards became naturalised in the Union of South Africa, and there enlisted and served under General Botha in the recent campaign against German South-West Africa, and was discharged at the close of the campaign from the South African Army subject to the condition that he should serve again in South Africa if called upon to do so, and is now on a visit to England, comes under the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, or the Military Service Bill?

He is not ordinarily resident in this country and is consequently not liable under the Military Service Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in some instances, men who have presented themselves to the military authorities at the date of their call, and who were passed as fit for service, were not drafted into the Army immediately, but were returned home and informed that notification would be given when their services were required; that some of these men had relinquished their businesses and positions in civil life before reporting to the authorities; and, in view of the fact that they are deprived of the means of supporting themselves in the period which elapses between the date of their call and the time when their services are finally required, will he say whether any provision, in the form of Army pay and allowances or otherwise, will be made for them during this interval?

Arrangements have been made to enable men to be authoritatively medically examined before they are called up. If they will take advantage of these arrangements the chances of such occurrences as those described recurring will be minimised.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a number of civil medical practitioners were paid sums varying from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per head for medical examinations of recruits attesting under the group scheme; whether these certificates are now not accepted by the military authorities; whether the men then passed as medically fit for service have now to appear before a military medical board, with the result that the public money spent on the examination of recruits under the group scheme by civil practitioners have been wasted; and whether this medical board which assembles at the regimental depots consists sometimes of a single junior medical officer?

Civil practitioners who are appointed examining medical officers are allowed 2s. 6d. per head for each recruit examined subject to a limitation of £2 per day for a full day's work and lesser amounts for part of a day only. This is the primary medical examination. It is necessary that all men should be examined by a medical board when called up for service irrespectively of whether they have been examined on attestation by a medical board or at their own request previous to being called up for service. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in cases where men are brought up before medical boards and are recommended for discharge, instructions are given that the men's civil occupations are to be noted in each case?

When a soldier is discharged, his trade is entered, together with other particulars, on the Army Form B 268 on which his discharge is carried out. It is also entered on the man's character certificate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an orderly in one of the Red Cross hospitals who attested in France under Lord Derby's scheme on 27th March, and was rejected as unfit for military service and received Army Form W 3,153b, need offer himself for further examination?

I understand that it will not be necessary for such a man to offer himself for further examination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government possesses powers to enlist for service abroad men of alien nationality; if so, whether the number of men so to be en- listed is limited and, if limited, to what extent; and whether the Government intends to seek, extend, or use such powers to enlist aliens for the purposes of the present War?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 95 (1), Army Act. There is no intention of seeking power to extend the legal limitations on the enlistment of aliens.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the pecuniary sacrifice which must ensue upon the calling up of married men who have attested, he will consider the possibility of allowing such of them who have applied to the Commission appointed to consider the grant of financial assistance to remain in civil employment or in possession of their businesses until their application has been determined?

I cannot give any promise of the kind suggested in this question. The claims of the men referred to for financial assistance will not be prejudiced by their being called to the Colours before the applications are determined.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will bring before the Army Council for consideration the question of the enlistment of married men, whether voluntary or compulsory, who are the sole proprietors of businesses or may be otherwise so situated that the business would have to be closed down were they wholly withdrawn for military purposes; and whether an Army Order or other instructions can be issued providing for the transfer of these men to the Reserve under conditions which will permit of their continuing to give limited supervision to their business and yet ensure such a measure of military training as would prepare them and thus shorten the period of the final training which would be necessary for employment with the Expeditionary Forces overseas?

Arrangements with regard to these specially difficult cases are under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a man named Record, of Godalming, was arrested on the 10th May and brought before the Guildford bench on the 12th and then handed over to the military authorities; where this man now is; whether he has been attached to any unit; and whether he has been subjected to a court-martial?

I cannot undertake to inquire into the situation of individual soldiers unless any primâ facie case is shown for making such inquiry. No such case is shown, I think, in regard to this man.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the position under the new Military Service Act of a man who has been discharged from the Army with ignominy, and whose discharge paper states that if he enlists he will be liable to two years' imprisonment?

Such a man is liable under the provisions of the Military Service Act and Bill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men called up in the remaining Derby groups in the event of their joining before 13th June will receive a month's leave from the date of their attestation, and whether the men will receive a month's leave if they join on 13th June?

All men in the groups have a month's grace before being called up. This dates from the date of the Proclamation calling up the group to which any individual man belongs. Those who attest after the Proclamation has been published have a month counting from the date of their attestation.

asked whether an old soldier of military age who purchased his discharge in 1904 under Article 1,142, R.W., on payment of £25, will be compelled to again join the Colours under the Military Service Bill?

If of military age, he is liable under the Bill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what are the powers of commanding officers to award punishment to officers and soldiers reported to them by the civil police for contravening the Regulations under the Defence of the Realm Act in respect to lights on vehicles and lights in houses?

A commanding officer has no power to award punishment to an officer or warrant officer. The limits of his powers of awarding punishment to non-commissioned officers and men are prescribed by Section 46 of the Army Act and King's Regulations 493.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire whether embarkation leave will be given to the privates of the 1st/3rd W.R.D., R.E., at Lark Hill, Salisbury Plain, who have had their leave stopped by the commanding officer for refusing vaccination, seeing that these men have had no furlough for five months?

I cannot think that leave was stopped for the reason stated or that there is any intention not to give these men embarkation furlough, but inquiry will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that by the Regulations the Territorial Force Reserve is included in the Territorial Force, the former force is at present mobilised; and to what use the officers of the Territorial Force Reserve are being now put or are likely to be put in the future?

Officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Force Reserve who were suitable and fit for employment were called up to serve with their first line units on mobilisation or shortly afterwards.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will consider the application of Mrs. E. Gallagher, of Cordiver, Ballyshannon, country Leitrim, for separation allowance out of her son, Private Thomas Gallagher, No. 7,595, Irish Guards; and whether this woman, who is illiterate, is to be deprived of her allowance owing to her omitting to state that she was receiving it when applying for the old age pension?

Mrs. Gallagher's claim has been very carefully considered, but I am afraid that her dependence on the support of her son before his enlistment has not been satisfactorily established.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of cases having occurred whereby, by the death of the father, the mother of a soldier who up till then was in good circumstances, and in respect of whom the soldier had not therefore made any allotment, becomes in straitened circumstances; whether the son is now precluded, owing to the answer made by him previously from making an allotment; and, if so, whether he will take steps to allow of this being done?

A soldier can make an allotment of pay to his mother at any time; but, in accordance with the decision of the Select Committee, each allotment does not carry separation allowance from Army funds unless the mother was in fact dependent upon the soldier before his enlistment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any of the German 1917 class, having been called up and trained, have yet been put into the field, apart from volunteers who came forward before the class was called up?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the offer of the Scottish Women's Hospital to place an unit at the disposal of the Government for service in Mesopotamia has not been accepted; if so, whether this decision was taken on grounds particular to that offer, or whether it indicates a general rule to refuse similar offers; and, if so, what is the reason for this decision, in view of the fact that similar hospital units have proved their value in France, Serbia, Malta, and Salonika?

It is a fact that the Scottish Women's Hospital was offered for service in Mesopotamia and was refused. The Government of India has been informed that all necessary hospital equipment and personnel will be supplied on demand from Army services, and there is no need for the employment of small voluntary hospital units.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether considerable advances have been made for the erection of a large plant in Pembrey, in South Wales, for the production of ingredients in explosives; whether this plant has been found impossible to use, and if it is now being disposed of; whether the advances were conceded to the Nobel Company, one of the principal directors of which is, or was, also a director of the Nitrogen Products and Carbide Company; what representations were made to the experts of the Government in respect thereof; has it been ascertained that these representations were false and misleading; and, if so, will he seek to recover the amount advanced?

It is not in the national interest to make public statements as to the progress of particular munition factories, and it is undesirable that the localities of munition factories should be mentioned in questions in this House. Several of the suggestions in the question are inaccurate and misleading, and there is no ground for believing that any false or misleading representations with regard to the matters referred to were made by or on behalf of the firm in question.

further asked the Minister of Munitions if the Nitrogen Products and Carbide Company, which is largely identified with the Vickers interests, with a leaven of German and Austrian shareholders, has made any and what progress with Government contracts; has its advance of £50,000 from the Government, repayable by deductions from the price of the goods supplied in execution of the said contracts, been to any extent repaid; is its factory at Dagenham approaching completion or is there the slightest prospect of the contract being executed; whether he will inquire if the company owns a factory at Vilvorde, in Belgium, and that its balance sheets for the period up to the War showed that it was worked at a loss; and can he take any action for the recovery of the money advanced or make the directors responsible for misstatements upon the strength of which the contract was sanctioned?

I do not think it is in the public interest to make any statement as to the progress of particular munition factories. I can, therefore, only say that I am not aware of any misstatements by the directors on the strength of which the contract referred to was sanctioned, and I see no reason for making the inquiries suggested in the fourth part of the question.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Vickers Company contributed to the shortage of munitions in 1914–15 by undertaking war contracts which it could not and did not give effect to; if he will lay before the House a Return of the amounts of the contracts for munitions accepted by this company from August to December, 1914, and the amount actually supplied there within the dates of the contracts and subsequently, respectively; is he aware that the Vickers Company, in addition to breaking contracts for the supply of munitions to the British Government, broke contracts for supply to the Russian Government, either as to quantity or time requirements; has the failure to execute the Russian contracts resulted in grave dissatisfaction and prejudiced the Russian authorities against placing contracts with British concerns, by subjecting British contractors seeking to do business with Russia to the taunt that their guarantees might be no better than that of Vickers; and, in view of the manner in which the armaments group, of which the Vickers Company is the head, has defaulted in respect to the execution of munitions contracts with the British and Allied Governments, will he appoint a Parliamentary or other Committee to investigate and report upon the matter?

The strain upon all firms concerned in the production of munitions during the War has been very great, and in many cases firms were not able to produce the quantity anticipated. It would not be in accordance with the public interest to enter into details of such cases, nor to grant any such inquiry as the hon Member suggests.

asked whether Thomas Corrigan and his wife were granted an old age pension in 1914, but, on appeal by the pension officer, it was disallowed on the ground of means; and whether, having regard to the fact that Corrigan's yearly income is only £8 15s. 2d., as testified by the sworn affidavit of a public valuator, his application will be reheard and their pensions and arrears allowed?

Thomas Corrigan and his wife were granted pensions of 5s. a week by the Carrick-on-Shannon No. 1 Local Pension Sub-Committee in December, 1912, and December, 1913, respectively. Questions were raised by the pension officer that their means exceeded the statutory limit for the receipt of a pension, and these questions came before the Local Government Board on appeal this year. The Board allowed them, and determined that Corrigan and his wife were not entitled to any pensions. It appears that Corrigan has a farm of 14½ acres, held at a rent of £3 13s. a year. One acre is under tillage. He also has the following stock: Three cows, five yearlings, three calves, three other cattle, four or five sheep, pigs and fowl. He has besides 6½ acres of land on another farm, and enjoys grazing rights on a disputed farm of 30 acres and also the run of 9 acres free. The valuator's statement referred to in the question is incomplete and misleading, as it only refers to the two subsidiary farms mentioned, and takes no notice at all of the principal farm. The Local Government Board see no reason for altering their decision in the matter, and even if they did they are precluded by law from reconsidering it at the present time.