asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the American Ambassador and the representatives here of other neutral countries to arrange for the attendance of a special representative of each of their respective countries at the full and searching inquiry promised into the recent incidents in Dublin?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to the shooting of untried prisoners in Portobello Barracks; and whether, in view of the fact that the officer responsible for the shooting of Skeffington, Dickson, and M'Intyre remained in authority in Portobello Barracks up to 6th May, and that the military authorities in Dublin were not aware of the conduct of this officer for nine days after the shooting of these untried prisoners, he will order an impartial public inquiry into all that took place in the Portobello Barracks during the period following the deaths of Skeffington and his companions while the officer responsible was retained in a position of authority?

asked what will be the constitution of the tribunal which will conduct the public inquiry into the circumstances of the deaths of Messrs. Sheehy-Skeffington, Dickson, and M'Intyre, and what will be the method of procedure?

As far as I am aware, the three persons named were the only prisoners shot in Portobello Barracks. The officer who is alleged to be responsible is about to be tried by court-martial, and the proceedings will be public. The matter is therefore sub judice, and until the trial is over I cannot determine the precise scope or method of the inquiry which I promised.

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?

The Government have just received the report of the Court of Inquiry which has been held into what took place in North King Street, and a dispatch from Sir John Maxwell dealing with this and other incidents of the rising. Until we have had an opportunity of considering these documents it is impossible to say whether any further inquiry is needed.

Will these documents be made public?

I hope so.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state the number and nature of the wounds which James Connolly when he surrendered was found to have sustained; whether the military authorities first decided that he should not be tried until his wounds were healed; whether on the surgeon reporting that Mr. Connolly was dying of his wounds they tried him; whether, being too ill to walk to or stand for his execution, he had to be carried on a stretcher to the place of execution, propped up in a chair there, and shot in that condition; and if he will give the date and place of any precedent for the summary execution of a military prisoner dying of his wounds?

The medical authorities were consulted before the trial of James Connolly took place, and they certified that he was in a fit state to undergo his trial. He was wounded just above the instep, and although he was unable to walk there was no reason why in the interests of humanity the execution should have been delayed. The House will thus see that the hon. Member's question is characterised by the inaccuracy and exaggeration to which the House is becoming accustomed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer two clauses of the question—was this man certified to be dying of his wounds when put on his trial, and what is the precedent for the summary execution of a dying man?

I have already said that the medical authorities certified he was in a fit state to undergo his trial, therefore the other question does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether the late Mr. Sean MacDermott while in prison, including the night between sentence and execution, was confined in a cell without bed or stretcher of any kind, with no clothing but what he wore on his body, except two extremely small light blankets; whether he had to wrap his boots in one of these to form a pillow; why the priest he specially desired to attend him was not sent for; and whether in all these particulars this was the treatment of all those executed?

This man received the same treatment as all other prisoners. He asked for more blankets, and these were supplied to him. He asked to see one of the Capuchin Friars, but, on being visited by Father McCarthy, he expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and if he had not done so the Friar in question would have been summoned at once, as has been done in all cases where a special priest has been named. This is another instance of the hon. Member's inaccuracy.

Was the prisoner treated as described in the question, or was he not? I hold in my hand a letter from a gentleman who visited this prisoner on the night in question, and I am willing to put it into the hands of any independent Member.

The statement as to the blanket is the only one which seems to be correct.

Is it a fact he had no pillow and wrapped his boots up in one of the blankets to make a pillow. I am willing to put this letter into your hands, Mr. Speaker—or into the hands of any independent Member. If you will allow me—

The hon. Member can ask a question.

If you will allow me, as a matter of personal explanation, in view of the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman—

Order, order!

If a Minister, after answering a question, proceeds to comment on the question, is not the Member putting it a right of reply?

It depends on whether the hon. Member brought the comment on himself by reason of the nature of his question.

The nature of the question was the truth of it.

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?

I thought that the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary answered this yesterday. It is not desirable to produce these reports, but the sanitary accommodation and treatment of these prisoners have been most carefully considered. I myself visited one of the most important places of detention and I asked for complaints and invited complaints, but received none. If my hon. Friend has got any cases to bring to my notice I shall inquire into them.

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?

This was answered yesterday.

( at the end of Questions ): In the course of questions your attention, Mr. Speaker, was called to the fact that while you ruled out criticisms of answers, you allowed Ministers to criticise the questions on the Paper, and you appeared to justify that ruling by saying that it was due to the nature of the question on the Paper. The question referred to was No. 10. I hold in my hand a short letter from a gentleman who was in the prison and in the cell on the night preceding the execution. It is only one of the documents of evidence on which this question is based, and no question has been put on the Paper by me without evidence as good, sometimes even better. This gentleman writes: There was no bed, or stretcher of any kind in the cell. There was no clothing, except what Mr. MacDermott wore on his body, and a light raincoat and two extremely small blankets, one of which Mr. MacDermott was obliged to use by rolling it about his boots to form a pillow. Mr. MacDermott specially asked to have Father Augustine, of Church Street, with him while being shot. Father Augustine declares he never got the message. So much of the letter applies to the question on the Paper, and it fully justifies the putting of it. It shows that the Minister was not justified in criticising it, and that you were not correct in sustaining him in that. The character of the question on the Paper has no other defect than this, absolute truth, and that it shows to all concerned who are, indeed, the Huns. I invite you and the Minister to justify yourselves.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will say where Messrs. James N. Nolan, James MacLoughlin, Thomas MacLoughlin, Bernard Maguire, John Daly, Thomas Gilgun, and Bryan Gilgun, arrested by the military in North Leitrim, now are; no charge having been made against them, and nothing illegal found in their possession, for what supposed offence are they prisoners; and whether they will be immediately released or given an opportunity of meeting in a Civil Court any charge that can be made against them?

Lists are published periodically in newspapers giving places of detention of all prisoners. All such cases are now being investigated as rapidly as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether two citizens, both Protestant Unionists belonging to the landowning class, namely, Octavius Hardy and Joseph Hardy, were arrested at their residence at Rathmines during the recent disturbances in Dublin, and that some old fowling - pieces which were taken from their house were found to be utterly useless and returned in a few days, and notwithstanding this the gentlemen themselves were detained in custody for a fortnight; whether for three days and three nights of that period they were confined in a room at Richmond Barracks with about forty other prisoners, most of whom had been taken from the slums of Dublin, and that during the period mentioned they were left unprovided with sleeping accommodation or bedding or bedclothing of any description, and were obliged to sleep without any covering, in company with the other prisoners, on the floor of the room aforesaid; whether the Messrs. Hardy were then marched through the streets of Dublin in custody and placed at night on board a cattle-boat, with some 300 other prisoners, for conveyance to England; that they were then placed in solitary confinement for about ten days in Wakefield Gaol, from which they were ultimately released in a bad state of health, without reparation or apology for the treatment to which they have been subjected; whether, during the time of their incarceration, testimony as to their character, social position, and non-complicity in the rebellion had been tendered to the authorities both in London and Dublin and substantial security for their appearance whenever called upon was offered by relatives, who were denied all access to them or knowledge of their whereabouts; and whether, as these offers have been refused consideration and Messrs. Hardy were held in custody until after a question as to their fate had been asked in Parliament, he will say what compensation it is proposed to offer them for the damage which they have suffered?

I answered a question regarding these two men on 18th May, by stating that inquiry was being made, and I received, a day or two ago, information that both men were released when it was discovered that they had been arrested by mistake. In the meantime my right hon. Friend's question has swollen to double its previous dimensions, and it now includes a large number of new points. I fear, therefore, I must plead for time to make further inquiries. I would seriously ask my right hon. Friend whether he considers that any good purpose is served now that the men have been released, which, I think, is the main thing he desired?

On the contrary, I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not take steps, especially in cases like this, where evidence of the innocence of these gentlemen was offered, both in England and in Ireland, to clear the gaols of these innocent people who had been so harshly treated?

That is quite a different question.

It is in the question.

My right hon. Friend is surely aware, from all the answers which have been given by the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, and myself, that the most urgent steps are being taken—

indicated dissent.

It is no good my right hon. Friend shaking his head. If he would like to know, I will give him the figures. Up to now 339 have been released.

Out of how many?

About 2,000, I believe. I have received a statement to-day to say that another thirteen have been released.

Is it not now confessed that these mistakes—many of them are very gross mistakes—are numbered by hundreds?

Of course, if we were aware of mistakes, the men would be released at once. They have been released in all cases where a mistake has been discovered. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that every step is being taken to try and discover such cases.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister stated that 150 cases a day were being dealt with, and how then does it arise that only 339 have been set free?

The rest have been detained.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are hundreds of cases of Irish prisoners detained in this country whose cases have not been inquired into?

I am aware that that is a necessary concomitant of the situation.

asked the Home Secretary, seeing how obediently all Irish daily newspapers have since the outbreak of the insurrection suppressed statements the publication of which might be inconvenient to the rulers of Ireland, will he say what was the nature of the restriction imposed upon English newspapers during the same time on the same subject; and, if there was any doubt of the accuracy of the statement in London newspapers of 8th May that fifty bodies of insurgents had been buried without identification or inquiry as to the cause or manner of death, what action did the Censor take with reference to that fact either before or after its announcement.

asked the Prime Minister what action has been taken to ascertain the cause and manner of death and the persons responsible, if any, for the deaths of the fifty persons whose bodies were announced to have been buried unidentified and without inquiry; and, seeing that all those deaths occurred within the walls of a military barrack, will he explain the delay of the military in accounting for them?

The control of publications in Ireland while martial law prevails rests with the military authorities, not with the Press Bureau. In Great Britain Press messages from Ireland during the first two days of the rebellion were held up by the Bureau, and were afterwards passed freely except where there were military objections. The particular statement referred to by the hon. Member was passed, with the intimation that the Bureau could take no responsibility for its accuracy. It is now known that there was no truth in the statement. Question 46 therefore does not arise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whose authority he has for the statement that there is no truth in the statement made in these papers?

General Maxwell.

The very person accused!

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether the fact that the interview with the German Chancellor which appeared in the "New York World" has not been published in full in this country is due to any action for which he is responsible; and (2) whether the fact that the speech recently delivered by President Wilson at Charlotte, in which he stated that the time had come for the Government of the United States to come forward in the cause of peace, has only had a few lines devoted to it in the British Press is due to any action for which he is responsible?

The reply to both is in the negative. There has been no prohibition by the Press Bureau, and newspapers were free to publish in full the interview and speech to which the hon. Member refers.

asked 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?

This question was answered yesterday by the Home Secretary. The matter is under consideration.

Would the Prime Minister consider rather the compensation of the families of the Sherwood Foresters whose breadwinners lost their lives in this rebellion?

asked the Prime Minister whether there are any but political reasons for the present discrimination between different sections of the Irish people alleged to be connected with the illegal acquisition and possession of arms and military enterprise; and whether anything will be done to inspire confidence in the impartiality of the law by dealing in precisely the same manner, irrespective of politics, with all involved in illegalities of this nature in Ireland within the last three years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the general statement I made last Thursday, to which I can at present add nothing.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government on the question of Irish suspects to establish, so far as possible, uniform treatment in the various places of detention; and, if so, whether he will cause the Governor of Galway Prison to be instructed that such persons may be visited by their friends?

I will convey the request of my hon. Friend to the General Officer Commanding in Ireland, and I hope he may be able to give the necessary instruction to carry out the desire of my hon. Friend.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement that on Saturday a Proclamation was issued by the Lords Justices of Ireland, extending the application of martial-law to the whole of Ireland for an indefinite period; whether he has approved of this Proclamation, and, if so, on what grounds he justifies the application of martial-law long after all disturbance has come to an end, for an indefinite period, to the whole extent of Ireland, nine-tenths of which remained perfectly peaceful throughout the recent insurrection; and whether he considers the issue of such a Proclamation calculated to promote an atmosphere favourable to the settlement of the Irish difficulty by general government, will and assent?

I said in my statement, last Thursday, that martial-law is being continued for the time as a precautionary measure, and in the hope that its disappearance will be speedy and complete. In the meantime it will not be resorted to except in cases of urgent necessity, and with the minimum of inconvenience to law-abiding persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the United States Ambassador in this country to furnish, if possible, through the good offices of the United States Ambassador at Berlin, a weekly statement of the diet supplied to our civilian prisoners interned in Germany at the Ruhleben Camp and elsewhere?

Dr. Taylor, of the United States Embassy at Berlin, has recently drawn up an elaborate report on the feeding of the British civilians interned at Ruhleben. This report will be laid before Parliament in a few days. There are a small number of civilians at Hameln, Schloss Celle and Havelberg as to whose weekly diet inquiries have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the United States Ambassador in this country to furnish, if possible, through the good offices of the United States Consul-General at Constantinople, a statement of the general conditions and the diet supplied to the captains, officers, and seamen comprising the crews of the steamers "City of Khios" and "Assiout" who are interned at the Magnesie Camp, near Smyrna, Turkey?

The last report on the condition of the crews of these vessels was received in February. It indicates that there was a lack of proper exercise, only a few men being allowed out each day to buy provisions. The food supplied was being diminished in quantity and was inferior in quality. For seven weeks only one leg of goat was supplied in the way of meat. The usual rations were horse beans, olive oil and flour, and sometimes olives. Very little oil for lighting or charcoal for heating in the cold weather had been supplied. On the receipt of this information a protest was addressed to the Porte on the subject of the inadequacy of the rations supplied, and the United States Consul-General at Smyrna was requested to increase the allowance to the prisoners from 8d. to 1s. a day for each man. Inquiries are being made as to the present condition of the crews.

Has any answer been received to the protest we sent?

So far as I am aware we have received no reply as yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to an interview in England with Professor Paul Miliukoff, leader of the Constitutional Democrats in the Russian Duma, in which he stated our supreme aim in this War is to get possession of Constantinople, which must belong to Russia entirely and without reserve; and can he say whether this statement represents the views of the Russian Government as regards its supreme aim in the War?

Professor Miliukoff is a distiguished member of the Duma, but it is not necessary or desirable to make official comments on unofficial statements.

Did Professor Miliukoff correctly interpret the views of the Russian Government; does it follow under the pact of London that this country cannot consider terms of peace until Russia has secured Constantinople?

The hon. Member is asking for a statement which I do not think it desirable to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any diplomatic visit to the United States on behalf of the British Government has been determined upon; and, if so, is he in a position to make an announcement upon it?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Sir C. Spring Rice, His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, possesses the full confidence of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have issued and are issuing licences for the export of fodder to Denmark?

( representing the War Trade Department ): Licences for the export to Denmark of fodder in the form of certain kinds of feeding-stuffs for which there is little demand in this country have been issued from time to time.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what use is made of this fodder? Is it for feeding cattle for the German markets?

No doubt it is used for feeding Danish cattle.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many unattested married men were secured by direct enlistment during the four weeks ending 27th May?

There is no record immediately available.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he has yet received a report upon the case of Jack Foister, a school teacher, of 17, River Side, Cambridge, who, after applying for exemption on grounds of conscience, was recently enlisted for non-combatant service, and particularly if he will say whether, on 8th May, a notice was sent to this man from the Cambridge recruiting office calling him up for service with the Colours on 23rd May; whether on 25th April, nearly a month before the date on which he was due to join, he was arrested as a deserter and taken before the Cambridge bench of magistrates; whether, as the result of their order, he was handed over to the military authorities, although his application for exemption had not then been finally disposed of; whether, on 3rd May, while still not liable to military service under the Act, he was sentenced by a court-martial to twenty-eight days' imprisonment for refusing to sign a paper, and kept in solitary confinement; whether, on 8th May, he was removed under escort to France along with sixteen others who had also refused service; and whether he is still there?

This question was deferred, but I wrote to my hon. Friend at length on this case on 24th May, so that there might be no delay in his obtaining the information he desired.

How was it notice was served on this man on 8th May calling him up for service on the 23rd May?

I will look into the facts in order to give my hon. Friend an adequate answer.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the case of four conscientious objectors, Messrs. Carter, Jones, Knight, and Mandale, of Kendal, who, being recognised to have conscientious objections by their local tribunal and having failed to obtain permission from either the local or Appeal Tribunal to undertake service of national importance, declined to undertake military service and were arrested and handed over to the military authorities; whether the officer commanding the district expressed his desire to refer these men to the Friends' ambulance unit, which was willing to accept them; whether the men in question are now in detention in a camp in North Wales; and whether he will take steps to allow these men to engage in useful and necessary national service, in accordance with their religious convictions, which they are anxious to undertake, instead of retaining them in useless inactivity at the expense of the nation?

No, Sir, my attention has not been called to these cases, but I have asked that an inquiry may be made.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has received a communication from the religious denomination known as the Scottish Baptists of North Wales in reference to the liability of their ministers under the Military Service Acts; whether he is aware that they administer the sacraments of the Church and perform all the duties usually assigned to ministers; and whether he can give an assurance that under these circumstances they will be regarded as regular ministers of a religious denomination?

Disputed cases—where there is a dispute—as to whether certain individuals do or do not come within the conditions of the Military Service Acts, can only be settled authoritatively in the Civil Courts. I have, however, received the communication referred to in the question, and I should be much obliged if my hon. Friend would see me about this matter or await the receipt of a letter which I am sending to him.

Are theological students in colleges, studying for the ministry, exempt or not? Can we have a straight answer to that question?

I think my hon. Friend misunderstood the question. It does not apply to theological students; it refers to unordained clergy, if I may so describe them, who administer the Sacrament.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether of the seventeen men who were recently taken from Harwich to France as members of the Non-Combatant Corps, while refusing on conscientious grounds to obey the orders given them, fifteen are now undergoing punishment in a field punishment barracks; and whether, in view of the fact that these men have shown by their endurance the genuineness of their conscientious objection, he will take steps to have them transferred to the civil power in accordance with the undertaking of the Secretary of State?

I am not aware that fifteen men are undergoing punishment in field punishment barracks. Field punishment is a not uncommon incident of active service, and it was never intended that every irregularity for which field punish- ment was awarded should lead to the delinquent being handed over to the civil authorities.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any prospect of these men who were sent abroad under detention on 8th May now being brought back to this country?

I imagine that would depend upon whether the conscientious objectors whom my hon. Friend has in mind were awarded a punishment equivalent to imprisonment. If they were only awarded detention that would mean they would not be handed over to the civil authority, but if they were awarded punishment equivalent to imprisonment they would be.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any recent report as to the position of these seventeen conscientious objectors and the punishment they are now undergoing?

I have already informed the House that all the information that has reached me is to the effect that these conscientious objectors are working peaceably and doing valuable work for the Army.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman confusing the members of the Non-Combatant Corps who have accepted that service with those who are conscientiously resisting this and other forms of military service?

Of course, it is impossible for me to be fully acquainted with all the personalities involved in the question. I cannot be certain that the seventeen or sixteen men of whom I am thinking are the same men of whom my hon. Friends are thinking.

Will the right Gentleman obtain a report?

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how far the promise given is going to be carried out and when, namely, that these conscientious objectors who are being punished shall henceforth be punished by the civil and not the military authorities?

I have already informed the House as to the conditions required in order that these men shall be handed over to the civil authorities. I do not think I can say more.

Would it not be possible to take steps to prevent these men receiving a perpetual series of punishment by detention, and so defeating the intention of the new Army order?

Oh, yes, I will certainly see to that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether instructions were issued by him prior to the 18th April that Private Jack Bannister, of 11, Chippingham Street, Attercliffe, Sheffield, a medically rejected lad who had been forced into the Army should obtain his discharge; and whether these instructions have been carried out?

On the receipt of my hon. Friend's letter, I caused a telegram to be sent inquiring as to the actual situation of this youth, but I have not had a reply. I will not fail to let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked if it is the intention of the Government to deal at an early date with the position of life policy holders who may be called up for military service and unable to protect their policies; and, if so, can he say when action will be taken?

Insurance premiums are included among the obligations in respect of which assistance may be granted under the Government scheme for enabling men serving with the Colours to meet their civil liabilities.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state, in view of the Return made up to 1st April, what steps, if any, are being taken to secure for military service any portion of the 17,305 men in the different Government Departments, other than the Post Office, who, in so far as they have not been medically rejected, may be deemed available for military service?

As has several times been stated, heads of Departments have from the outbreak of the War done their best to release for military service those of their servants not urgently required by reason of their training and ex- perience for the business of the Government, and have, whenever possible, substituted women and men ineligible for military service for eligible men who could be spared if thus replaced. I can assure my hon. Friend that this process continues and will continue, but I would remind him that there are obvious limits to it imposed by the additional burden which the War has placed on civil Departments, the efficient performance of whose duties is essential to the successful carrying on of the War.

Will my right hon. Friend see that, as far as possible, these men should be replaced by men beyond military age?

I have said so—by women and men who are ineligible.

Will the Government appoint a Committee of this House to comb out these people?

Are these the same men whom the Treasury were afraid to make work more than seven hours a day?

Can any man in a Government office under twenty-five years of age be considered indispensable?

I should be very sorry to say so.

I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this scandal on Thursday.

asked if the instructions to be given to local tribunals that small tradesmen having three dependants were to be exempt from service under the Military Service Act will be retrospective in its action; and if married men with three dependants who have attested under the Derby scheme will be allowed the same option?

The new Regulations will be issued immediately, and will deal with the question of serious hardship caused by the call to the Colours of men who are the sole heads of businesses. The Regulations will not be retrospective, but the same provision will apply to voluntarily attested men.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases tribunals have granted exemption for fixed periods, say for two months, with the stipulation that no appeal can in those cases be reopened under this Regulation?

I am not aware of that. If my hon. Friend will send me any cases of that kind I will take care that consideration is given to them.

asked the President of the Local Government Board concerning the advice given to tribunals by the Committee on work of national importance, which is to the effect that, even if an applicant for exemption from military service is already employed on work recommended by the Committee, as a general rule he should not be allowed to remain with his present employer; whether he has himself approved of the advice referred to; and, if so, what advantage is to be gained by the transference of a man from one employer to another when the work is the same in both cases?

The matter in question has not been submitted for my approval, but I certainly consider that it is not unreasonable that generally a man who is exempted from military service on conscientious grounds should be required to make some personal sacrifice.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will make arrangements for the duration of the War to release masters out of schools who are of serviceable age and replace them by pensioned schoolmasters?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. The local education authorities have been informed that during the War special arrangements for staffing schools may be made, and the Board have reason to believe that large use is being made of the services of teachers who have retired. The selection of such persons in the first place is a matter for the local education authorities and managers of schools.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has any informa- tion which can be safely imparted about flat-topped leaden bullets used by the Turks in Mesopotamia, at Aden, and on the Egyptian front; and whether these bullets are identical in character with certain bullets in cartridges captured during the rebellion in Dublin?

It has been necessary to telegraph to Mesopotamia on this matter, but the reply to the telegram has not yet reached me. The question raises an interesting point, and I will give my hon. Friend an answer as soon as I am able.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Young Men's Christian Association and other similar societies which provide institutions and huts in camps for the sale of refreshments, etc., to soldiers are required to surrender 10 per cent. of their takings; and, seeing that the effect of such a regulation, if enforced, will be to close down many of the institutions, will he say what action he proposes to take?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. At the end of last year it was decided that, owing to the special conditions of the time, the payment of the 10 per cent. rebate by the Y.M.C.A. and other philanthropic bodies should remain in abeyance during the War, and this arrangement is still in force.

If contractors are at a camp, do they still have to refund the 10 per cent.?

Yes, Sir, ordinary contractors do.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will issue instructions to commanding officers of battalions in this country that leave be given to men serving under them in special cases caused by business pressure and claims, and thus minimise the loss unavoidably befalling men called upon at this national crisis to leave all and serve their country?

Officers commanding are already in possession of instructions on this matter which meet, I think, the hon. Gentleman's point. I will send him a copy of the instructions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the very different life that recruits have been accustomed to in civil life, he could see his way to order the abolition of all parades on Sunday other than church parades, so that the men might have that day to themselves?

My hon. Friend will doubtless agree that in time of war the customs of peace cannot invariably be observed, but I can assure him that training is carried out on Sunday only in very exceptional circumstances, and when the urgent necessities of the case render such training essential.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to avoid as far as possible the parades, even although they have the training?

It is very desirable that there should be a church parade on Sundays.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men work several Sundays running, and have hardly any time to themselves at all?

I am not aware of that. I am informed that this is done only in very exceptional circumstances, when the urgent necessities of the case render such training essential.

Is it not a fact that Sunday is the very best day for parades?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when the Report on the breakdown in the medical arrangements in Mesopotamia will be published; and if the Report will say who were the medical officers or other authorities in India responsible for the shortage of medical supplies?

The Commission has not concluded its inquiry, and I am unable to give any date for the submission of the Report. The terms of reference require the Commission to ascertain and assign the responsibility of individual officers for any inadequacy or failure of relief, or shortage of personnel, equipment, vehicles or stores.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of an interim report, if possible?

No, Sir. I am entirely opposed to that suggestion. I invited the Government of India to appoint this Commission on my own motion, and without pressure from anybody. I did so because I thought it was very desirable that we should ascertain the facts, and I think that when the Commission report they should report with the presentation of the whole of the facts.

asked the Under-Secretary for War by whose authority funerals with processions, flowers, and military honours are from time to time accorded to German prisoners of war who die in internment camps in this country; and whether, in view of the frequent brutal treatment of our prisoners of war in Germany and of the complete disregard by the Germans of the provisions of The Hague Conventions, he will give directions that in future German prisoners of war who die in internment camps in this country shall not be accorded military funerals?

Article 19 of the Annex to The Hague Convention says that the same rules shall be followed as to the burials of prisoners of war as for soldiers of the national army, and that due regard shall be paid to their grade and rank. The custom in this country is based on the Article of the Convention quoted. The general custom as regards the burial of prisoners of war in Germany is not known, but the War Office is aware of cases in which military honours have been accorded.

Are not military funerals usually given as a mark of honour to those who deserve honour?

Not necessarily.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no desire in this country that we should enter into a competition in meanness?

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether German prisoners of war at Donington Hall are to be allowed to take walks outside the wired enclosures there and, if so, under what conditions; and whether, in view of the treatment to which British prisoners in Germany have been and are being subjected, the luxuries accorded to German prisoners at Donington Hall and elsewhere in this country will be curtailed rather than extended?

In agreement with the German Government officer prisoners of war are permitted to give a temporary parole for the purpose of taking occasional exercise outside the places of internment. Certain detailed instructions have been issued, of which one is that they are to be escorted by an officer of the camp staff. It may be added that this concession, which is much appreciated by the officers now interned in Germany, was in operation at several camps in that country some time before it was adopted here.

Are not luxuries accorded to German prisoners at Donington Hall?

I do not admit that there are luxuries at Donington Hall. I have already informed the House what is afforded the prisoners there.

So far as the right hon. Gentleman's official knowledge goes, do British prisoners anywhere in Germany receive anything like the generous treatment of the German prisoners at Donington Hall?

Is it not decided to close Donington Hall?

I do not know to what the hon. Member (Mr. Faber) is alluding. The scale of rations is not excessive and is not inadequate. It makes a just middle between what would be either excessive or inadequate. It is the proper ration. If that is considered wrong, I really do not know what the hon. Member desires.

It may be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to answer the question. May I put it again? So far as his official knowledge goes, do British prisoners anywhere in Germany receive anything like as good treatment as the German prisoners at Donington Hall?

I think probably the scale of treatment here is a good deal better. I regret that, but I do not know what the redress is.

Are German prisoners interned in Donington Hall allowed the privilege of smoking while Irish prisoners in Wandsworth Prison are denied the right of smoking?

I understand the Home Secretary answered a question about that yesterday.

Will the same privilege be given to the Irish prisoners in Wandsworth Gaol as is extended to German prisoners in Donington Hall? Will the Home Secretary be kind enough to answer?

I answered that question yesterday. The fact is that the Irish prisoners are allowed to smoke generally in all the prisons, but not in Wandsworth because of the large number of other prisoners there. I am inquiring to see whether they cannot be allowed to smoke in some secluded place.

asked the Under-Secretary for War is he aware that no church accommodation has been arranged for the many thousands of Presbyterian troops in Ripon, although a request was forwarded by the officer commanding the third-line group, Highland Division, for the use of the cathedral and Holy Trinity Church for services between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sundays, the vicar of the latter consenting, but which the highest legal and spiritual authorities refused; and, seeing that the. Presbyterians of Scotland are therefore singled out to worship in dining huts, whether he will confer with the ecclesiastical authorities to secure a dispensation of a temporary nature, so that at a time like the present those professing the Christian faith could hold their services in sacred edifices built for Divine worship?

I appreciate the difficulty which appears to have arisen at Ripon in the provision of opportunity for Divine worship for the Presbyterian troops. I do not, however, think that they can rightly be described as being singled out to worship in dining huts. In hutted camps special buildings for military services are not provided, and the different denominations make use of the sacred edifices built for Divine worship which already exist in the neighbourhood. If, as appears to be the case, there are no such buildings for Presbyterians in the neighbourhood, a difficulty obviously arises. I will consider whether the ecclesiastical authorities cannot be approached, with a view to the nave of Ripon Cathedral being made available.

May I point out that in Salonika the ecclesiastical authorities of the Greek Church have placed their churches at the disposal of the Presbyterian troops, while the same has been done by the authorities of the Catholic Church in France?

A very interesting and creditable fact.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why Driver David Lees has only been awarded 8d. a day by the Chelsea Commissioners; whether he is aware that he enlisted on 14th October, 1914, at Coldburn Street, Edinburgh, and was discharged on 19th March, 1915, on account of chronic bronchitis; whether he is aware that on 14th December, 1915, he was sent to Woodburn Sanatorium, Edinburgh, suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis; whether he is aware that he has now left that institution, having made progress, and has to maintain himself and his only child on 4s. 8d. a week; whether such a case falls within the category of disease contracted in or aggravated by service; whether, in that case, he is entitled to four-fifths of the full pension plus 2s. 6d. for his girl; and, if not, will he give the medical evidence which induced the Chelsea Commissioners to refuse to increase his pension?

I am inquiring into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Royal Warrant embodying the proposals for four-fifths pensions is yet ready?

It is hoped that the Royal Warrant will be brought out very shortly.

A controlled establishment shares with all other trading concerns the liability to Excess Profits Duty, which is a tax of general application, but I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Clause 32 of the Finance Bill, which provides for an adjustment of the payment of this duty and of the Munitions Levy. As I have already stated, it has been arranged that in assessing controlled firms to Excess Profits Duty, in cases where new capital has been put into their business for the special purpose of making munitions of war, the Inland Revenue authorities will accept the depreciation allowance agreed between the firm and the Minister or awarded by the Board of Referees set up by the Minister.

Are we to understand, apart from the question of new machinery, that the arrangements entered into with the Minister of Munitions have been set aside by the Treasury?

I do not understand that there are any other arrangements entered into by the Minister of Munitions except those to which I have referred.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the controlled firms are all unanimous in the belief that the arrangement entered into with the Chancellor of the Exchequer is contrary to the statement he has made?

I do not understand. I have made no arrangement.

Is it not the fact that controlled firms were distinctly under the impression that they were not to be charged Excess Profits Tax beyond that fixed by the Minister of Munitions?

I am utterly unable to say what is the impression of the controlled firms, but I am sure they have no reason for being under any impression of the kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the arrangements under the Munitions Act were made at the suggestion of two or three of the large armament firms and were accepted by the Ministry? They were suggested on the understanding that they should continue during the War.

I understand the arrangements referred to all dealt with the question of the allowance for depreciation. I am not aware of any arrangement which relates to anything else. If the hon. Member will be so good as to bring any other circumstances to my notice I shall be very happy to consider them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Munitions and find out what arrangements were made.

I have consulted with the Minister of Munitions and I understand no arrangements have been made, except relating to depreciation.

What about the different lot of auditors distinct from Somerset House?

I am quite unable to understand that question.

The hon. Baronet had better ask the Minister of Munitions, and not the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In the right hon. Gentleman's opinion, will his answer clear up this interesting point whether the arrangement made by the Minister of Munitions is going to be upset by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I believe it will settle the difficulty entirely. Once the controlled firms know that for the purpose of depreciation they are to come under the arrangements made between them and the Minister of Munitions they will be quite satisfied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Germans and how many Englishmen are still employed at the Deutsche Bank in London; and if he can say how much longer it is anticipated it will take to discharge the pre-war liabilities of this concern?

There are still employed at the London Agency of the Deutsche Bank nine German subjects and one Austrian, mostly managers and heads of departments, whose knowledge of the outstanding transactions makes their services indispensable, and seventy-eight British subjects. The work necessary to discharge the pre-war liabilities of the London branch and to vest its remaining assets in the Public Trustee is being actively pushed forward, but I am afraid I cannot say how long it will take to complete.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many British subjects of military age have been kept employed at this bank?

I have not got the figures, but if the hon. Member will put a question down I shall be glad to find out. I have no personal knowledge.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter, in view of the statement he made in answer to my question many months ago?

I do not control the establishment. I will inquire into the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the present total of the prison population of Scotland, and what the equivalent figure was for 1914?

Excluding criminal lunatic, inebriates, and Borstal departments and legalised police cells, the total of the prison population in Scotland on 23rd May was 1,307. The equivalent figure for 1914 was 2,477.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the closing of English prisons owing to the decline in the number of prisoners since the outbreak of war; and whether he contemplates a similar measure of public economy in Scotland?

The answer to the first portion of the question is in the affirmative. As regards Scotland, portions of our two largest prisons have been handed over to the War Office for use as military detention barracks. If the circumstances, which are not quite the same as in England, should be considered such as to justify the entire closing of any prison, this course will be followed; but so far, while the question has been carefully considered, both from the financial standpoint and otherwise, such action has not been found expedient?

In these cases are they using the warders from the Scottish prisons for the purpose of looking after the military prisoners?

That is a matter of detail.