asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any wounded military prisoners dying of their wounds have been summarily executed in France since the present War began; and, if so, can he state the reason why they were executed when in that condition?

I really cannot undertake to answer questions of this kind, which I cannot think are seriously put.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that numbers of the people of Serbia are every day dying of starvation and the remainder becoming so enfeebled from want of food as gravely to diminish the possibility of renewing the population; whether offers of efficient distributing organisations have been made by two sets of neutrals; whether the services of Serbia to the allied cause deserve at least as much recognition by way of aid as those of Belgium; and whether he can now make any statement with regard to the provision by His Majesty's Government of help to Serbia?

I have no official information as to the first part of the question, but I cannot doubt, in view of past experience of the way in which the enemy treats the population of occupied territories, that the state of Serbia is very grave. In regard to the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government have received various proposals, but none which gave any particulars or any guarantee of an effective organisation for distribution and control. The answer to the last part of the question is that His Majesty's Government have demanded from the German and Austrian Governments that the latter shall provide adequately for the civil population of Serbia, Montenegro and Albania in return for facilities for the relief of Poland. That demand has been published, and we await a reply.

If nothing comes of the request to the Austrian Government, does our Government not propose to do anything?

We obviously can do nothing in Serbia without the consent of the Austrian and German Governments.

In Belgium we worked it all right?

Of course, entirely with their consent and by arrangement, not with us but with the American Embassy.

May I ask if the Noble Lord has any hopes that something will be done with the consent of the Austrian Government?

I do not know at all what will be the result of the pourparlers. With respect to the general question of Serbia, I have had an opportunity of seeing representatives of those interested in this question, certainly on one occasion, and I rather think on more than one occasion, and I have always informed them that we are waiting a definite scheme which shall give particulars and a guarantee of an effective organisation for distribution and control, but I have never received such.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had his attention drawn to the increase of tea prices by the gambling of certain persons operating in the London tea market; and whether he is taking, or will speedily take, such action as may be necessary to protect the public against such practices?

I have been making careful inquiries into the matter referred to by my hon. Friend, with a view to determining what action may be appropriate in the circumstances. I hope to complete those inquiries very shortly.

Does the right hon. Gentleman see any reason to believe that there has been any withholding of supplies?

I would rather express no opinion upon it at the present time, but if there has been any withholding of foodstuffs we shall exercise the powers we possess.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a case in the Lambeth Court in which a milk retailer, who sells milk at 6d. per quart, stated that the price at which he sold milk was fixed by the Dairy Farmers' Association; that the association had asked him to advance the price a penny per quart, and that under the terms of his contract he had no option except to do so; and whether he has yet been able to adopt any policy by which the price of milk can be kept at a more normal level?

My attention had not previously been called to this case. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me some further particulars as to date, etc. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained on Thursday last, a policy which would make milk production less profitable than the production of meat might endanger the milk supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any licences have been granted to import cement into this country from Denmark?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Royal Mail steamer "The Danube" engaged a crew of Chinamen in the Port of London during the present week; whether he is aware of the number of British sailors and firemen unemployed; whether it is his intention to take steps to prevent the employment of Chinamen, so as to provide employment for the British sailors and firemen who are out of work; whether he is aware that the steamers "Queen Eugenie" and the "Crown of Seville" have signed on this week at the Mercantile Marine offices, East India Dock Road, full crews of Chinese sailors and firemen, when over 200 British seamen were standing outside waiting employment, many of these men having been torpedoed on two or three occasions; and whether he is aware of the discontent amongst, these British seamen?

A number of Chinese seamen were engaged to serve on the three vessels mentioned last week in London, and the number of Chinese employed on British ships has increased during the War owing to the difficulty of getting other crews and the necessity of keeping our ships going. There is no power to prevent the engagement of a Chinese seaman on a British ship if he passes the language test. The reports I have received do not support the statement that any considerable number of British seamen are unemployed at the present time, but I shall be glad to receive any definite information which my hon. Friend may possess.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has seen any of the protests made by the various trade unions against the action of the Dublin Port and Docks Board in reducing the wages of its employés, by stopping trade allowances which they had hitherto paid; if, in the interest of peace and to prevent labour troubles, he will have inquiries made as to the wages paid and the general working affairs of the Dublin Port and Docks; if he is aware that the standard rate of wages paid to labourers, most of them married men with families, is from 20s. to 22s. per week; and if he is aware that the Board of Trade Returns show that the cost of living has increased 50 per cent.?

I was not aware of the protests to which the hon. Member refers. So far as the Board of Trade are concerned, I think they have no authority to hold an inquiry, such as is suggested, except in connection with specific differences between employers and employed which may be referred to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of discontent exists in Dublin among these workmen, and, seeing that the cost of food has increased by 50 per cent. and that the maximum wages earned by the average work- man does not exceed 22s., can he say how they can subsist and maintain their wives and families and educate their children?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what railway companies have so far pooled their wagons; what has been the result in diminishing congestion of transport; and whether he is taking further steps in the direction of further pooling; and (2) whether his attention has been called to a memorandum, dated 24th May, from the Traders' Traffic Association, regarding the shortage of railway wagons; and whether, in the absence of a complete system of wagon pooling, he is prepared to take steps, and, if so, what, to meet the difficulty?

Arrangements for the pooling of their wagons have been brought into operation between the Great Central, Great Eastern, and Great Northern Railway Companies, and also between the Great Western, Lancashire and Yorkshire, London and North-Western, Midland, and North-Eastern Companies. I understand that in both cases the result has been satisfactory. I am informed that similar arrangements will shortly be in force between the Caledonian, Glasgow and South-Western, and North British Companies. I have not yet seen the Memorandum referred to by my hon. Friend, but any specific cases of difficulty which may be brought to my notice will receive careful consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to pool the whole of the wagons in the United Kingdom, under one committee or authority?

No, Sir; after looking very carefully into the subject I came to the conclusion that there would be no saving or increased efficiency by pooling privately-owned wagons

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that soldiers stationed in India are required to pay Customs duties on small quantities of dutiable goods sent to them by friends as comforts; and whether he will ask the Government of India to remit the Customs duties on small quantities of comforts sent to them?

I have ascertained from the Government of India that they now exempt from Customs duty all articles imported by post for Territorials and Garrison regiments and have sanctioned numerous concessions in respect of individual consignments from the Red Cross and similar associations.

Will he say how long these Regulations have been in force, and what steps have been taken to make them generally known?

I am afraid that I cannot say when these changes were made, but the Secretary of State for India no doubt will be able to inform the hon. Member.

May I ask if the exemption will apply to the British and Indian troops in Mesopotamia?

I think that question had better be put down.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of casualties in Great Britain caused by hostile attacks from the sea and from the air since the outbreak of war up to the present date?

The total casualties caused by hostile attacks from the sea and from the air in Great Britain since the outbreak of war up to the present date are as follows: In the three attacks from the sea 141 persons were killed, including 61 men, 40 women, and 40 children, and 611 persons were injured. In the forty-four air raids 409 persons were killed, including 222 men, 114 women, and 73 children, and 1,005 persons were injured. These figures differ slightly from the totals of those published from time to time, owing to the fact that some persons reported as injured subsequently died and a few additional cases of injury of a minor character not known to the police at the time were afterwards reported.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the number of civilians on the one hand and of military on the other?

I have not the figures of the number of soldiers and sailors killed, but they were only a comparatively small fraction of the total.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction is felt by those engaged in directing and managing banks in the City of London having branches in India, Burma, the Straits Settlements, East Africa, and China, and discouragement as to placing further issues of 5 per Cent. Exchequer Bonds among their customers in those countries, by the fact that the authorities engaged in the collection of Income Tax hold that exemption may not be granted on such bonds issued by the Bank of England on 16th December, 1915, to holders ordinarily resident in such countries for purposes of trade or profession except on declaration of having abandoned all intention of returning to the United Kingdom; and whether, seeing that this strict definition of new domicile did not appear until the issue of Form C, No. 6 Income Tax, some months after and was not in contemplation of the holders at the time that they subscribed to the issue of 16th December, 1915, and seeing that the word "domicile" is ambiguous as a term of law and in regard to acquired domicile is not always so strictly interpreted, he will, in order to give relief in cases of misconception, make inquiry into the circumstances?

My attention has been drawn to this matter and I propose to move an Amendment on the Committee stage of the Finance (No. 2) Bill which will have the effect of giving exemption from Income Tax in respect of 5 per Cent. Exchequer Bonds to persons not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, irrespective of the condition of domicile.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether claims have been put forward for the exemption from military service of certain employés at the Imperial Paper Mills, Limited, Bycliffes, Gravesend, and the Amalgamated Press, Northfleet, Graves-end, both businesses being Harmsworth concerns; whether the manager of the Imperial Paper Mills, Limited, is a member of the local advisory committee; whether he is aware that invitations were sent to members of the local tribunal in Gravesend and the advisory committee to meet some of the directors and to be shown over the works, and that members accepted this invitation and had motor cars provided for them, and were hospitably entertained in the board room on Tuesday, 23rd May; whether this was preparatory to considering the claims for exemption; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

My right hon. Friend has received a letter from the Imperial Paper Mills, Limited, which does not bear out the suggestion of the hon. Member. It is true that representatives of the local tribunal who had inquired as to the possibility of substituting female labour for male labour recently visited the mills to see things for themselves. No motor cars were provided and no directors were present, and the entertainment consisted of some tea and bread and butter. I am informed that the mills employ approximately 800 men and boys and that there are now only eight single men eligible for the Army, 234 employés having already jointed the Forces. There is, of course, an appeal from the decision of the local tribunal to the Appeal Tribunal, and this appeal may be made by the military representative in any case in which he considers this course right.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received the names of men in attendance at the United Free Church colleges at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen with a request for their exemption; and whether he proposes to accede to the request?

Requests for exemption or other special treatment have been received from a large number of students of various denominations, and the Army Council are preparing new instructions which will shortly be made public. I should be glad if my hon. Friend would possess his soul in patience for a few days.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Bridgnorth Tribunal consists of five members, of whom three, including the chairman, are boot and shoe retailers and repairers, whilst another is a director of a local factory; whether he is aware that in the case of two recent applications for exemption made by two master boot and shoe repairers, one being also a retailer, the tribunal merely granted in each case fourteen days' exemption, the term to expire on 23rd May, being six days before the calling up of their group; that in the case of another boot and shoe retailer, although considered entitled to exemption until 30th November by the Advisory Committee and the military representative, the tribunal only granted exemption until the end of July; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made and take steps to prevent any tribunal on which there is a majority of men belonging to one trade adjudicating on the claims for exemption of their trade rivals?

My right hon. Friend has no previous knowledge of the particulars of the cases referred to. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which he gave him on the 24th instant, in reply to a question on a similar subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Hustler Hustler, the military representative of Middlesbrough tribunal, on the 18th instant, to the effect that there was no advantage to be gained by adjourning a case for a man to be examined by the medical board because they were taking every man for something; and whether this is in accordance with instructions from the Army Council?

I have asked for a report on this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that numbers of men travel daily from all parts of the Houghton-le-Spring Division of Durham to Sunderland for medical examination, many returning, after wasting a day, and in some instances more, unexamined, owing to the medical board being unable to examine the numbers presenting themselves, and, seeing that much annoyance is caused, time lost, earning power sacrificed, and output reduced, will he set up a medical board in Houghton-le-Spring whose decision shall be final; and is he aware that this place is easy of access, and that the above difficulties may be thus avoided?

I have not been aware of the circumstances to which may hon. Friend draws my attention. The difficulties connected with carrying out the medical examination of men are being met, but I have had a note made of the difficulty in this present case. I think it would be wise for persons desiring examination to make an appointment with the medical boards before presenting themselves.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether circulars have been sent to all the medically rejected in Anlaby, near Hull, asking them to kindly call at the central recruiting office; whether, if this is so, none of them possessed a proper rejection certificate; and whether he proposes to call up all others all over the country?

I am not aware whether circulars have been sent to all the medically rejected in Anlaby, near Hull. I stated last week, in reply to my hon. Friend, what classes of men will not be summoned for medical re-examination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of gentlemen of military age engaged in the War Office or in work connected with that Department to whom temporary commissions have been granted but who had no military experience previous to the War and have since not been under military training; and whether steps are being taken to release these gentlemen and to replace them by men not of military age?

My hon. Friend presumably refers to those cases where temporary commissions have been given to gentlemen possessing special qualifications the possession of which renders them of greater value to the country when employed at the War Office, where their special qualifications have scope, than if employed outside it under conditions where their special qualifications will not find scope. My hon. Friend will see that a waste of effort would be involved if the process he recommends in the last paragraph of his question were applied to these gentlemen.

Can a list be published of these gentlemen with special knowledge of value to the State, so that their services might be recognised and known to the public?

I do not see that any object would be gained by that.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that Private William Alexander Marsh, No. 8,311, 6th Battalion, the Buffs, who enlisted at Folkestone in September, 1915, giving his age as nineteen years, was in fact under eighteen years of age and only attained the age of eighteen on the 6th of April last, and that he enlisted in the absence from home of his mother and without her consent, and is now serving in France; and whether, in view of the fact that Private Marsh is his mother's sole means of support, he will give instructions for him to be transferred to a unit at home until he attains military age?

I am not, of course, acquainted with the circumstances of this case. I would, however, remark that the mother of Private Marsh would not be pecuniarily any better off if her son were serving at home instead of in France.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he will have this young man retained for Home service until he reaches military age?

Is it not proper that this young man's own wish should be consulted rather than that of his mother?

Of course, there might be a conflict between the two. I cannot give an undertaking of the kind suggested by the hon. Member (Mr. McNeill). I will investigate the case. I cannot say more.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to see that this young man is brought back without making a definite pledge that he will do so, and will he obtain the information more rapidly than he did in a similar case, which took him ten weeks, recently?

I cannot really promise that it will not take ten weeks in this case. We have to refer all such cases abroad to the Commander-in-Chief through the Brigade, Division, and Army Corps. You cannot have these things done in ten minutes.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Under - Secretary for War whether sixteen conscientious objectors under detention at Richmond for refusing to obey military orders are ordered to France to-morrow, in spite of the recent Army Council Order, and whether he will take steps to prevent them being sent to France?

My hon. Friend only put this question into my hands as I came into the House. Therefore, I cannot give him what I may call a considered reply. I do not think I ought to say more than that I will investigate the case.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the policy of the War Office that men who are under detention for refusing to obey orders should be sent to France?

I should like to disabuse the minds of my hon. Friends in that quarter of the House of the suspicion that persons who are sent out to France are not treated properly. That really is not the case. On the contrary, as I have told the House more than once, these men have been doing very good work and very useful work in the Army, and it is very desirable that that should proceed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that these men are not men who are willing to go to France, of whom there are a considerable number at Richmond, but men who have persistently refused to obey military orders, and that their being sent to France will merely result in bigger penalties?

I will bear that in mind.

Has not an order been issued by the War Office, and published in the "Times" on Saturday, stating that conscientious objectors who are under sentence will be transferred to civil prisons in this country, and is not this action a contravention of that order?

I do not agree that it is a contravention of that order. If it were, it would not be done.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what provision has been made for the widows and dependants of the officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have been killed in the recent rebellion in Ireland?

( who had been asked by the Prime Minister to answer this and other Questions relating to Ireland ): The manner of dealing with these cases is receiving consideration.

Will the men wounded and disabled also receive special consideration?

I am not sure that is not already provided for by existing Regulations.

I desire to express the sympathy which we all feel for the right hon. Gentleman the Under-Secretary for War in the accident which has befallen his son.

An application for release was received on 26th May, and was investigated, with the result that Mr. O'Doherty was released on 27th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in the case of young men arrested in Belfast and deported, though no arms, ammunition, or incriminating documents were found in their possession, the parents and other immediate relatives have repeatedly written letters of inquiry to the military authorities, enclosing stamped and addressed envelopes, but have got no reply; and, as these people believe their sons and brothers are being tortured, whether these and all such prisoners will be allowed to communicate immediately with their relatives?

Nothing is known respecting this allegation. All prisoners are allowed to receive and send letters. I should be obliged if hon. Members would contradict such wicked and absurd rumours as are suggested in this question.

Seeing that these so-called rumours come from the relatives of the prisoners and the prisoners themselves, will the right hon. Gentleman say where he gets his information?

From sources which I consider somewhat more reliable than those on which the hon. Member relies.

From the accused persons?

asked on whose information or on what grounds Alderman James Nowlan, of Kilkenny, has been arrested and deported; what offence, if any, he has been charged with; where he now is; and when he will be either released or given an opportunity of meeting in a Civil Court any charge that may be made against him?

This man is at present at Wakefield. All such cases are now being investigated as rapidly as possible, and where no hostile association detrimental to the public safety and the defence of the realm is apparent the military authorities will order release.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mortimer O'Connor, who is an American citizen, was arrested by the military at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Lovett, on Monday, the 15th May, at Abbeydooney, North Kerry; whether he will state what charge, if any, has been made against Mortimer O'Connor; whether O'Connor has claimed the protection of the American Consul at Queenstown and the Alaskan Delegate at Washington on the grounds that he is an American citizen, and arrested and detained by the military authorities without any charge being preferred against him or any trial given; and whether his release will be ordered?

It is true that Mr. Mortimer O'Connor was arrested on the day at the hour mentioned. It is not known whether he has claimed the protection of the American Consul at Queenstown or the Alaskan Delegate at Washington. His case is now under investigation.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries? This man, as he knows, telegraphed to the military authorities on the 15th May, but the messages were not allowed to proceed for three days.

I have made investigations about these cases, but my hon. Friend must realise it takes some time. There is only a certain amount of machinery available for the purpose and the more complete the investigation the longer it takes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there was no disturbance in any shape or form at this place? As the man has been in gaol since the 15th, will he deal with the case at once?

I dare say what the hon. Member says is perfectly true, but it does not follow, if there was no disturbance at the place the people were wholly unaffected.

asked the Prime Minister on what charge) Mr. James Kingley, county surveyor of Meath, was arrested and deported to London; whether it is proposed to try him and, if so, where and by what tribunal; and, if not, whether his immediate release will be ordered in view of the testimony of numerous witnesses to his innocence of any connection whatever with the recent outbreak?

James Kingley is charged with taking part in the rebellion. It is proposed to try him before a general court-martial, at Dublin.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the recent arrests in the county of Mayo, including those of Mr. Joseph M'Bride, secretary of the Westport Harbour Board, Mr. Darrell Figgis, a literary man of distinction, and a number of young men in Westport and Castlebar; whether in all these cases the charge is really the ex post facto offence of belonging to the organisation of the Irish Volunteers, which was not proclaimed to be illegal until after their arrests; whether the principal ground of suspicion of Mr. M'Bride is that he is a brother of Major M'Bride, who was executed in Dublin; and whether, considering that no insurrectionary disturbance of any kind has taken place in the county of Mayo, he will put an end to the growing public irritation by ordering the release of these young men?

All these cases are being investigated as rapidly as possible. Prisoners are given forms to fill up, upon which the grounds for their release should be plainly stated, and where no hostile association detrimental to the public safety and the defence of the realm is present the military authorities will in every case order their release.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to admit that there will be no offence in the case of the ex post facto charge of merely belonging to the Irish Volunteers, which is quite as legal as the other unrecognised volunteer associations?

That requires a considered answer. I cannot say definitely.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister made a declaration last week that mere membership of the Irish Volunteers Association was no reason why a person should be kept in prison?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state on what charge John Brennan, of Ballinasloe, county Cork, a young man eighteen years old, was arrested on the 8th May; whether this young man was compelled to sleep on a plank bed and given food to eat as if he were a convicted felon; whether Brennan was unable to communicate with his people from the 8th to the 18th of May; and, if no definite charge of a treasonable or criminal nature can be made against him, will he have this young fellow released immediately?

I have written to the hon. Member asking him to postpone this question, as I have not been able to get the information.

asked the Prime Minister whether the case of Joseph Sweeney, a prisoner in Stafford Detention Barracks, in connection with the recent rising in Ireland, has yet been investigated; and whether the military authorities are prepared to release him?

This case is now under investigation.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether Patrick Carmody, Jeremiah Twomey, James Buckley, William Buckley, Jeremiah Riordan, and his son, Michael Riordan, and two sons of Mr. Denis J. Murphy, R.D.C., were arrested at Millstreet, county Cork, on the 3rd instant and following days; whether most, if not all, of these are detained at present in Wakefield Barracks; whether any definite charges have been made against them, and whether any of them had any connection with the recent rebellion; whether he is aware that Patrick Carmody had built up a business by his own energy and industry, that about a year ago he got a motor van to deliver his bread round the country, and that this van was refused a permit, his petrol commandeered, and himself arrested though he had no connection with the Sinn Fein movement; whether he is aware that the local constabulary have been needlessly provocative and offensive when making searches and arrests; and will those men against whom no charge can be made be immediately released?

These men are detained at Wakefield. They were arrested as having been connected with the recent rebellion. No definite charges have been made. Investigations are in progress, and those whose innocence is established will be released.

asked the Prime Minister when the seven prisoners arrested by the military under the Defence of the Realm Act on suspicion at Manorhamilton, county Leitrim, on the 14th instant, without any charge being preferred against them and now detained in Woking Prison, will be tried or released?

One of these men, Peter Goolgan, has, I am told, already been released, and the cases of the others are being inquired into.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these men who are now at Woking have not had any charge made against them, and that they never belonged to the Sinn Fein Volunteers, but that some of them belonged to the Nationalist Volunteers?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that Maurice J. Collins, who was arrested in Dublin in connection with the rebellion, and is now in Wandsworth Prison, did not use a rifle on the occasion, but only did Red Cross work; and whether this fact will be brought to the notice of the military authorities on his trial, with the view to have him released?

It is not the present intention of the authorities to try this man. His case is now being investigated with a view to release.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Maurice J. Collins, who was arrested in Dublin in connection with the rebellion, and is now in Wandsworth Prison, did not use a rifle on the occasion, but only did Red Cross work; and whether this fact will be brought to the notice of the military authorities on his trial, with the view to have him released?

A report has just been received from the War Office on these allegations, and if the hon. Member will be good enough to put his question down to me to-morrow I shall be able to give him an answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the nature of the gas bombs used in the taking of houses in Dublin, followed by the bayonet while the victims were stupefied; and, seeing that non-combatants and women and children would inevitably be slain in this treatment, whether he will explain such treatment?

No such bombs were used.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what steps, if any, have been taken towards recovering and restoring to Madame O'Rahilly the watch, chain, and ring taken from the body of her husband, The O'Rahilly, who fell in the insurrection; and whether the officer or soldier who took them is allowed by his superiors to keep them?

No report has reached the military authorities of the occurrences alleged in this question prior to the question being received. Any personal property that may have been removed and is not required by the authorities will be reurned in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the message to the Irish people, written by P. H. Pearse between sentence and execution, has yet been handed over to any person on his behalf; if so, to whom; and, if not, who holds it and when will it be given to those entitled to it?

No message to the Irish people was received from P. H. Pearse. The letters and other documents addressed to his mother have been delivered.

asked the Prime Minister whether 200 soldiers of the Sherwood Foresters, under the command of Captain Jackson, without asking permission, which would have been freely granted, took possession of St. Clare's Hall, in Manorhamilton, county Leitrim, last week, and while in possession smashed several musical instruments, tore scene screens, and did other damage to the hall and goods contained therein belonging to the temperance club; whether they will be held responsible for such damage; and, if not, to what source will the club apply for compensation?

Sixty non-commissioned officers and men of Captain Jackson's company, 6th Sherwood Foresters, were billeted in St. Clare's Hall, on 13th and 14th May. The billets were arranged for by the district inspector, R.I. C., and the caretaker opened the hall for the troops. The non-commissioned officers in charge are prepared to state on oath that no such damage as is alleged in the question was done by the troops.

Will any compensation be paid to the troops who were murdered?

That question does not arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that in the case of charges against soldiers of looting in houses in Dublin entered by them for the purpose of search, and of taking money, watches, and rings from prisoners, the sufferers could have no confidence in the impartiality of a Military Court, a Civil Court will be constituted to deal with these cases and accused soldiers compelled to appear before it; and whether meanwhile the soldiers who searched houses and those who at any time had charge of prisoners will be searched for small valuables for the possession of which they cannot satisfactorily account?

If there be such cases as these alleged by the hon. Member the offenders are triable by court-martial only. Persons complaining of such acts as are alleged are, however, at liberty to pursue their civil remedy in the ordinary Courts. No new tribunal is necessary. No such search will be made as is suggested in the last part of the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House the reason why there is to be no such search?

The reason presumably is that this allegation is one of the vague and unfounded allegations which the hon. Member recklessly puts down upon the Order Paper of the House of Commons every day.

In view of that insolent answer—[Interruption]—I beg to ask what other reason there is for not searching the men unless it is that they have got the articles?

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that the Irish prisoners detained in the Wandsworth and other military detention barracks, and against whom no criminal charges have been made, are kept twenty-two hours out of the twenty-four in solitary confinement; and if he can see his way to direct that they be allowed to have six hours in the open air each day with liberty to speak to each other and to smoke if they desire to do so?

The Command have been directed to allow as much exercise as possible. The restrictions as to communication have been removed, and it has always been intended to admit communication as soon as circumstances allowed.

Cannot they have six hours' exercise instead of two; and is it right to keep a man, against whom no charge is made, locked up for twenty-two hours in a cell?

It is desired to give them as much exercise as possible, but the accommodation available is not unlimited.

Cannot they be allowed to smoke for half an hour in some remote part of the grounds?

Smoking is allowed in all the prisons except Wandsworth.

I refer to Wandsworth.

I will see if that can be arranged.

asked the Prime Minister why Peter Fox, an American citizen, was arrested at Carrickmore, county Tyrone, and is at present confined in Wandsworth detention barracks, no criminal charge having been made against him; whether a letter which he addressed from prison to the American Consul in London on the subject was delivered to the Consul, no acknowledgment or reply to it having been received by the prisoner; and whether the American citizenship papers taken from him at the time of his arrest will be returned to him or submitted to the American Consul if the prisoner so desires?

Peter Fox was arrested under the Defence of the Realm Act as being of hostile origin and associations. Any papers relating to American citizenship which may have been taken from him will be returned should he so desire. I have no information as to the letter alleged to have been addressed to the American Consul, but I am making inquiries.

Have these papers been sent to the American Consul?

I am making inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of his statement that the Irish political prisoners are allowed the ordinary facilities extended to prisoners of war, he will give instructions that all political prisoners incarcerated in connection with the late rebellion in Ireland shall be treated on the same terms as the German prisoners of war are treated in England?

The question of the disposal of these prisoners is at present under consideration, and the Prime Minister hopes to make a statement on the subject before the House rises.

asked the Prime Minister if he will lay upon the Table of the House of Commons the reports of the medical officers regarding the sanitary accommodation provided for, and treatment of, prisoners awaiting trial in the various prisons and hospitals under the military authorities in Dublin?

No, Sir. The Prime Minister does not think it desirable to publish these reports, and that his own experience in Ireland leads him to think that the sanitary accommodation of the prisoners is satisfactory.

Did the Prime Minister inspect the sanitary accommodation of what we know as the Black Hole in Dublin?

I cannot answer as to what particular places the Prime Minister went to. I know he visited a large number of places.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether General Maxwell's recent Order as to correspondence into and out of Ireland makes it illegal for passengers to or from that country to carry with them or have in their possession letters which they have received in the ordinary way and which they may not yet have dealt with or may wish to preserve?

I have not seen the exact terms of the Order referred to, but I understand it does not make it illegal for passengers going into and out of Ireland to carry with them letters which have been received by them personally, the contents of which are for their own personal information and use. The Order is designed to prevent private persons taking upon themselves the functions of the Post Office and thereby aiding in the evasion of censorship.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether full official shorthand notes were taken of the proceedings in the field general courts-martial held in Dublin on the rebel leaders who were executed or sentenced to imprisonment; whether similar notes were taken of the proceedings in the general court-martial that tried Mr. John M'Neill; if not, can he state the nature of the official records in these proceedings; and whether such records will be preserved in case it may be later considered desirable to publish them?

The hon. Member may take it that all usual and necessary notes were taken of the proceedings in the field general courts-martial and that they will be preserved; they are not intended for publication.

What are the usual kind of notes in these cases?

They are generally very full notes.

Are they shorthand notes?

Yes

Is it really intended to keep permanently for the knowledge of the public the evidence on which these men were convicted and executed?

I think I should like notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will consider the question of ordering a full public inquiry into the circumstances under which fourteen men who did not take any part in the recent revolt in Dublin were shot during the occupation by the military of houses in North King Street; and, if so, whether the relatives of such deceased persons will be entitled to be professionally represented?

Most careful inquiries are now being made into this matter, and until the Prime Minister is in possession of their result he is not in a position to state whether a public inquiry is necessary or desirable.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will consider the question of compensating those working-class families whose furniture has been destroyed as a result of military action during the recent street fighting in North King Street and other areas in Dublin?

The Government are considering the question of the limits of compensation, and a further statement will be made as soon as possible.

Is not the question of compensation for the Sherwood Foresters more urgent, as these men have lost their lives?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked the Prime Minister if, on the conclusion of the inquiry by Lord Hardinge's Committee, he will publish a verbatim Report of the evidence as a Parliamentary White Paper?

As the Prime Minister has already stated, the question of whether the Commission should sit in public or in private is left entirely to their discretion, and it follows that the question of the publication of their evidence must also be left in their discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any of the Crown Colonies or Protectorates, and, if so, which, have offered annual contributions towards permanent war debt charges; and what, if any, are such amounts in each case?

As the answer involves lengthy figures, I propose to circulate it with the Votes.—[ See Written Answers. ]

Will the right hon. Gentleman at the same time state the gifts made by the Colonies and Protectorates?

There is a reference to them in the answer I propose to. circulate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the event of financial contributions being offered by any of the Crown Colonies or Protectorates, he will, before accepting such offers, take into consideration the relative weight of such assumed burdens, having regard to the ability of the financial position of any suggested contributor?

I can assure the hon. Member that the ability of every Colonial or Protectorate Government to undertake a contribution for war purposes is always carefully considered before such an offer is accepted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to a case in which the owner of a coalfield in Scotland whose income there from for the three years 1913 to 1915, inclusive, showed continuous diminution has nevertheless been asked to pay Excess Mineral Rights Duty; whether many cases of this kind exist; if so, whether this was the intended effect of the Statute; or whether an amendment is in contemplation?

The principle of the Excess Mineral Rights Duty is to charge a recipient of mineral royalties who, owing to an increase in the selling price of the minerals in the accounting year, has received, as rent in respect of the right to work minerals, an amount in excess of such rent had it been based on pre-war prices. I am aware that cases of the kind referred to by the hon. Member may arise in consequence of a diminution in the quantity of minerals worked; but I am unable to give any pledge as to an amendment of the Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the rise in the price of meat, His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of arresting the increase by limiting the sale per head of the population?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The whole situation as regards meat sup- plies and consumption is under review by His Majesty's Government, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement, thereon.

asked the Prime-Minister whether he can make any statement to the House, or will lay Reports upon the Table, as to the economies effected by the committees appointed to prevent wasteful expenditure at the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Ministry of Munitions?

These committees are effecting important economies in the Departments concerned, but I do not think it would be in the public interest to lay detailed reports of their activities.

Shall we have a Paper giving the evidence laid before the committees and the decisions?

No, Sir. These are Cabinet Committees which are carefully-investigating these matters in a confidential fashion.

Will the House of Commons have no opportunity of learning about wasteful expenditure made during the War?

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that these are Cabinet Committees? Surely they are composed, of people outside.

The hon. Member is not asking a question; he is arguing the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have reconsidered the original amount of separation allowances in view of the rise in prices; and whether he is prepared to refer this matter to the original Pensions Committee with a view to an increased allowance?

The Government do not think it necessary to increase the amount of the ordinary separation allowances in view of the provisions which they have made for exceptional cases being dealt with under the new scheme.

When will the new scheme be put in operation?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the removals of workmen caused by the pressure of munition and other work, the social and domestic changes involved by millions of men joining the Colours, the service and sacrifice of the womanhood of the country, the toll of suffering now and in the future, and the problems of reconstruction, the Government will consider the desirability of establishing a fully enfranchised democracy based on manhood and womanhood suffrage; and (2) whether it is the intention of the Government to accompany any revision of the Parliamentary register by an extension of the franchise to any class of persons not at present enfranchised; and, if so, whether he will consider the claim to enfranchisement of the women of this country?

All aspects of the question of registration are being considered, but the Prime Minister is not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether officers commanding Volunteer regiments should offer the services of those of their officers and men who wish to volunteer for guard or other duties in their own regimental area to the colonel commanding the regimental district in which the area of such Volunteer regiment is situated, or, if not to him, to whom should they make these offers of services?

Such offers of service should be made to General Officers Commanding-in-Chief.

asked the Under secretary for War whether he is aware that Volunteers who are badged munition workers are in doubt as to whether they ought to enrol under the Volunteer Act, 1863, as doing so might render them liable to be called away from their munition work in case of mobilisation of the Volunteers; and will he there fore see if arrangements can be made so that Volunteers who are also badged munition workers will not be called up in case of mobilisation if their services are required on their munition work?

The hon. and gallant. Gentleman may be assured that munition workers who are enrolled under the Volunteer Act, 1863, will be allowed to continue their services as munition workers unless some emergency should arise which would require their services elsewhere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some very large munition works are prohibiting their men enrolling because they are afraid they will be called up if the Volunteers are mobilised and will be unable to continue their munition work, and can the War Office issue some regulation which will satisfy them?

I will consult with the Minister of Munitions and see if we cannot arrive at some arrangement.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that railway companies are refusing permission to their employés to enrol in the Volunteer forces of the United Kingdom; and whether, seeing that a large number of railwaymen are already in the Volunteer Corps and are desirous to be enrolled under the provisions of the Volunteer Act of 1863, so as to be able, if necessary, to fight in defence of their country, he will see if arrangements can be made so that railwaymen will not be called up in case of mobilisation if their services are required on the railways?

This matter is under consideration between the War Office and the Railway Executive Committee, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman may be assured that in any case railwaymen will not be taken away from the railways in case of emergency.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether steel helmets have now been provided for all the troops on the Western front; and, if not, whether instructions will be given that when troops leave the trenches they shall leave the helmets for the incoming troops?

The supply of steel helmets has very nearly reached the number asked for up to the present, and it is believed that sufficient have been issued for the needs of all the British troops within the zone of shell fire in France, As regards the latter part of the question, I think we may safely leave the issue of any such instructions to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, in whom we all have the highest confidence, rather than attempt to dictate to him from this House on matters obviously within his purview.

asked the Under-Secretary for War, whether the use of steel helmets has diminished and, if so, to what extent the percentage of head wounds in British hospitals which about six months ago were 15 per cent.?

The percentage of head wounds to total wounds in British hospitals in France, from 13th February, 1916, to 15th May, 1916, is 12.35 per cent

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, under the new arrangements for the relief of soldiers from certain financial liabilities, a soldier who, after having been allotted a Grant-in-Aid, secures promotion to commissioned rank for good service in the field, will be required to relinquish the grant; and, if so, how such a man is supposed to be able to choose between declining his promotion on the one hand and sacrificing his wife and family on the other?

If a man who has joined the Forces in the ranks since the 4th August, 1914, is granted an allowance under the scheme and subsequently receives a commission he will not necessarily forfeit the allowance. It will, however, be necessary to consider whether the change in the man's circumstances should involve any revision of the allowance.