asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that two Dublin detective police officers visited on the 24th instant, Empire Day, the residence in Dublin of Mr. T. Adminaruyana Chettiar, a leading citizen of the Presidency of Madras, who has been living with his wife and son in Dublin for the purpose of qualifying for the Bar at the King's Inns, where he has passed most brilliant examinations, winning on several occasions the highest prizes, and that the police officers, having for several hours searched all Mr. Chettiar's papers, books, and effects, found nothing in the slightest degree which threw any suspicion on his loyalty and took nothing away from his house; whether he is aware that Mr. Chettiar, who has been subjected to this treatment, has for over twelve years rendered honorary service to the Government of India, having served as a special magistrate, vice-president of the local board, and honorary visitor of the Salem Gaol, has been exempted from the operations of the Arms Act in India, has been awarded in open Durbar the silver medal at the Coronation in 1911, which celebration, as well as that in 1903, he attended at Delhi, and has been asked to advise the Indian Government in several important matters, including Lord Morley's reform in the Indian Legislative Councils, and has organised nearly 100 co-operative societies in his native district; and whether, having regard to the indignity to which Mr. Chettiar has been subjected and the indignation and unrest which this incident has created among the Indian community, especially his fellow Indian students, and in Dublin and is likely to create in Berlin, he will take steps for an investigation of the circumstances and of the character of the information under which Mr. Chettiar's house was thus visited and searched by the police while his wife was ill, and for the vindication of Mr. Chettiar's character and an apology to him, and, through him, to the loyal subjects of our Indian Empire who are aggrieved at this insult?

Inquiries are being made ino this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War by whose direction, and under what prison rule, fifty-nine uncharged and untried prisoners have been taken from Richmond Barracks, Dublin, and after tea and biscuits at 3.30 p.m. on Friday fortnight given three biscuits, 12 ozs. of bully beef, and a morsel of cheese as ration to last until one o'clock the following day; kept standing in the hot sun until five o'clock; then marched to North Wall; put on board a boat amongst cattle in a space 10 yds. long by 4 ft. wide; given one bucket of drinking water for fifty-nine men; left twelve hours with no water; at Holyhead crowded into a train, eight in each compartment constructed to hold four; kept so for twelve hours with armed guards to prevent ventilation; at Victoria Station, during a delay of two hours forty-five minutes, refused permission to get refreshment at their own expense; whether many were sick from hunger and this treatment; whether the Government accept responsibility for this treatment of uncharged and untried prisoners; whether other such prisoners have been and are being treated similarly; whether he is aware that the food in Lewes Detention Barracks is inferior in quality, inadequate for the maintenance of health, and served offensively in dirty vessels; and whether uncharged and untried prisoners in this and all other places of detention will be allowed to provide themselves at their own expense with tobacco and newspapers?

I should hesitate to believe that what is stated in the first half of this question is any other than an exaggeration. The Government certainly did not desire that there should be any avoidable discomfort. As regards Lewes I may say that various restrictions originally imposed on prisoners have now been modified.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that John and Peter Donovan, of Cashelilky; Edward Sullivan, of Kilben; Jim Walsh, of Knockea; Timothy and John Crowly, of Letter, all in the vicinity of Clonakilty, county Cork, were arrested on the 5th May and removed from Cork prison on the following Tuesday at 5 a.m. and got nothing to eat or drink until 8 a.m. the following morning; when are they to be tried; on what charge and where; and is any opportunity to be afforded them of consulting a solicitor or making a defence?

It is not the present intention to try any of these men by court-martial. If they were to be charged and tried a solicitor would be allowed for consultation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, seeing that there has been no insurrection in county Mayo and that there is no evidence connecting the seven men arrested at Balla with any illegality, whether those men will be allowed to return to their civil avocations and to answer before a civil tribunal any charge that may be made against them?

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 if Edward O'Dwyer, of Ballagh, Goolds Cross, county Tipperary, was arrested at Killenaule on Saturday, 29th April, unarmed and without having committed any offence, and has now been four weeks in gaol without trial or a charge being made against him; and will he say with what object his confinement in Richmond Barracks is prolonged?

Full inquiries are being made, the result of which will be communicated as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if on the 4th May, Mr. William Sears, editor of the late "Enniscorthy Echo," was arrested and has been deported to England; if he is aware that he was never a member of any political association and took no part in the rebellion; will he inquire if, for many years past, Mr. Sears has been an invalid, unable to take solid food, and subject to heart attacks; if he is aware that he is the sole support of his wife and three children, who have now no means; if he will say in what gaol in England he is confined; and will he be brought to trial if there is any evidence against him?

This man is at Wandsworth. His case is being investigated with a view to release.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many Belfast Nationalists who had no part in the rebellion have been arrested; how many of them have been deported, and to what prison; and is it intended to make any charge against them or bring them to trial?

The numbers of prisoners from particular areas are not yet available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Mr. John P. O'Shea was arrested at his residence, 20, Arran Road, Drumcondra, on 3rd May, although he was attending to his business during the rebellion and had no part in it; whether he has been deported to Wandsworth despite ample written proofs sent to the authorities testifying to his innocence; and is he to be left in prison without trial or accusation?

This man was arrested in connection with the recent rebellion. His case has already been investigated, and he was released from Wandsworth Detention Barracks on the 25th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the brothers E. and L. J. Moran, of Rose Villa, Curragh of Kildare, were arrested while at work on their farm and sent to Wakefield on 12th May, although they had no part in the rebellion; and, as no charge has been made against them, will they be allowed back to their work?

These men were arrested in connection with the recent rebellion and sent to Wakefield Detention Barracks. Their cases are now under investigation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the present slow rate of progress of the investigation into the cases of the men at present confined in Wandsworth Prison for assumed complicity in the recent rising in Ireland, he can see his way to appoint a small commission of inquiry of, say, two or three Members of this House to investigate the claims for immediate release of those amongst them who declare that they are entirely innocent; and whether in the meantime he will give instructions that the prisoners confined in Wandsworth and elsewhere in England will be dieted on a similar scale to the one adopted in the prisons in Dublin for the same class?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated yesterday what action has been taken in regard to the release of these prisoners, and how they would in future be dealt with. I do not think the proposed commission is feasible. Under the new procedure the men would be in an internment camp and not in prisons, and the question of discrepancies in the diet scales between one prison and another would not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that none of the men of South Louth took any part in the recent disturbances in Ireland; whether, notwithstanding this fact, a number of young men belonging to the division who had been at home attending to their business from the time of the outbreak to the time of their arrest, were taken from their homes and removed in irons to various prisons in Ireland and England; whether he can give the names of the men so arrested and the names of those already released; whether he can state what steps are being taken to investigate the cases of the young men in question who are still in prison, and who are prepared to prove that they took no part in the insurrection; and whether the mayor and corporation of Drogheda, from which most of the prisoners from South Louth have been taken, have declared their belief in their innocence and respectability?

As regards the steps being taken to investigate these cases, I would refer to my answer to the previous question. I am not aware of what is stated in the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Messrs. D. J. Hegarty and Christopher O'Connell have been arrested in Mallow, where the Irish Volunteers were never seriously organised and where the Army has found hundreds of its bravest recruits; and whether he will direct the immediate return home of these young men from the Wakefield Detention Barracks to which they have been deported?

I have no information about these two men, though the reputation of Mallow in reference to the supply of recruits is known to me. I cannot, I fear, direct the immediate return of these two men, whose cases must be dealt with in the same way as those of others.

asked whether the following prisoners from the Fermoy district: Patrick O'Shea, engineer, John O'Brien, gardener, Patrick Devane, teacher, Martin Kinery, shopkeeper, Martin Kinery, car-owner, James Moore, teacher in the Christian Brothers school, and Messrs. Spillane (Rathcormac) and Savage (Castlelyons) are now detained; and whether, after one month's incarceration without any definite charge and deprivation of any communication whatever with their relatives, they will be either promptly put on trial or returned to their homes?

I have not received any information that these men have yet been released.

asked where John Coleman, arrested in Galway City and taken away the first week in May, now is, his relatives having failed to get any account of him, public or private?

If John Coleman's present position is not known to his relatives, this must be due to his having failed to communicate with them. I know of no reason why he should not have done this.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, to render possible systematic attention to the special wants of all the untried Irish political prisoners now in custody, he will supply a list of names of those in each place of detention?

The prisoners are supplied with forms upon which they can apply for release, and most of them have already done this, and do not, therefore, need the hon. Gentleman's assistance. Lists of the prisoners at the various places of detention have also, I think, been published.

asked whether the anonymous writings which have led to the arrest of young men at Ballaghaderreen and to their deportation have been traced, or whether any effort has been made to trace them, to local business rivals of the men deported; and, if not, whether a competent and impartial outsider will be sent to examine and trace those writings, so that those young men may be tried or released to return to their homes and business?

Any necessary investigation into the circumstances attending the arrest of these young men will be made and they will be released, if it is found there are no grounds for detaining, them further.

asked on what charge, if any, is Mr. John O'Hanrihan, ex-sergeant of the Royal Artillery, who served twenty-one years in the Army, now in Richmond Prison, Dublin; and, if there is no charge, whether he will be released, forthwith?

If there is no sufficient ground for detaining this man, he will be released under general instructions already given.

asked whether, now that Mr. Louis J. D'Alton, of Tipperary, has been set at liberty from Glasgow Detention Barracks, the other Tipperary men arrested with him, who have now been detained for more than a month without charge or trial, will also be released?

I am not at present able to say whether these other Tipperary men will be released.

asked whether Maurice Collins, a prisoner at Wandsworth, has yet been released?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) 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; whether his release will be ordered; and (2) whether he is aware that Joseph O'Leary, of 11, Tremadoc Road, Clapham, London, who is spending his holidays in Ireland was arrested on Tuesday, 16th May, in Dublin, and detained since in the Bridewell; whether he will say why Joseph O'Leary was arrested and detained; what charge, if any has been made against him; and whether his release will be ordered immediately?

I regret that I cannot add anything to what I stated yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) on what charge Mr. P. J. Cahill, secretary of the firm of Messrs. Donovan and Company, Tralee, has been arrested and deported to England; whether, if no offence in connection with the recent rebellion can be alleged against him, he will be at once liberated; (2) whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. William O'Brien, of Galbally, county Limerick, who was a member of the Queenstown corps of the Irish Volunteers before their Proclamation as an illegal body, and who, like the rest of the members of the Queenstown corps, had no connection whatever with the recent rebellion; whether he was, as a matter of fact, confined to his bed for a fortnight previous to his arrest, under medical treatment, suffering from tuberculosis in a dangerous form; whether considering he has now been nearly a month under arrest, without any stated charge, and is in danger of permanent injury to his health, he will be at once released from Wakefield Detention Barracks to which he has been deported; and (3) whether he will inquire into the cases of a number of respectable young men in New Ross, county Wexford, who were arrested on 4th May, and, after detention in various prisons, were finally deported to Walsham Detention Barracks; whether no offence can be alleged against them except membership of the Irish Volunteers, which, up to the date of the Proclamation, was as legal as membership of any other unrecognised volunteer association; whether he is aware that the New Ross Volunteers took no part whatever in the recent rebellion and surrendered the few firearms in their posssesion on the publication of Sir John Maxwell's disarming order; and whether, under these circumstances, the memorial for their release signed by the townspeople of all classes, including the parish priest and the Protestant rector, will be complied with?

If the facts in regard to these men are as stated in the questions they will be released without avoidable delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will invite the American Ambassador to arrange for the representative of the American Government, who inquired into the death of Nurse Cavell, to visit Dublin and investigate the death of Nurse Kehoe, and also to visit the prisons there in which young ladies are now detained for having rendered first aid to the wounded in the recent insurrection?

I do not propose to answer this question, which, as usual, contains a statement the facts of which are not within my knowledge, and which I have no reason to suppose is true.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will say how many Derry prisoners unconnected with the rebellion have been deported, and to what prisons; whether they are allowed to write or receive letters; whether, as to the brothers Joseph and Vincent O'Doherty, their solicitor was given a pass to go to Dublin and was refused audience with them when in gaol there; whether no letters have been received from these brothers by relatives since their deportation; and, if they are in Wakefield, will a permit be necessary to visit them?

The numbers of prisoners from particular areas are not at present available. Letters may be sent and received by prisoners at detention, barracks, and visits can be arranged by application to the Commandant of the Detention Barracks where the prisoners are detained. Prisoners in Richmond Barracks can always see their solicitors when they make application to that effect. No permit is necessary for friends to visit prisoners at Wakefield.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether letters of and to German prisoners in this country, written in German, are allowed to pass through the post; whether a person is employed for the purpose of reading them and, if so, will he explain why letters of and to Irish prisoners arrested in consequence of the insurrection, written in Irish, are not allowed to pass, though a person to read them can as easily be obtained?

Several persons are employed for the purpose of reading letters of and to German prisoners in this country, which are allowed to pass if they contain nothing contrary to the regulations. Letters of and to Irish prisoners are treated in the same way. About fifty letters in Irish have so far been submitted to censorship and all of them have been sent on.

asked with what object prisoners in Richmond Barracks, Dublin, have been repeatedly told that they were free to buy any articles they desired, while their money, essential for buying, was withheld from them; and whether consistency will be introduced in this matter?

If there has been any temporary inconsistency, as to which I am not informed, it will be removed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the bitterness and dissatisfaction which is being caused by the delay in dealing with the Irish prisoners; and if he will take the necessary steps to have them tried or immediately released?

I think this point is covered by the statement my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made on 31st May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, seeing that it is held that neither the Army Act nor the Defence of the Realm Act gives power to try by court-martial in camera, will he specify the part of any Statute relied upon as giving that power?

The hon. Gentleman should address this question to my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General.

asked the Prime Minister whether it was with the sanction of the Government that the bodies of the men recently executed in Ireland were buried at the places of execution; whether, in consideration of the public feeling in Ireland, the Government will now allow the removal and Christian burial of them all; should this be refused in any case, whether any public inquiry in a Civil Court will be allowed to vindicate the character of the deceased in such case; and should this also be refused, whether he will, while the facts are fresh in the minds of officers and men, cause a map or plan of the place of execution, with the point of burial marked theron, to be given to the relatives for use in better times?

Yes, Sir; it is not considered advisable to allow the removal of these bodies. No public inquiry is to be held, nor is it considered desirable to carry out the proposal in the last part of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will convey to the American Ambassador an expression of the gratitude of the Irish people for the mitigation in the treatment of the Irish political prisoners, due to the influence, direct and indirect, of American Consuls and other American citizens?

The hon. Member's question contains statements which, so far as the Foreign Office is aware, are not true, and I do not therefore propose to take any action upon them.

asked the Prime Minister whether men eligible to vote under the new register will be able to record their votes in September next, directly after the present Parliament comes automatically to an end?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer which I have given on this subject to-day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make arrangements by which dollar bonds and shares of less than 5,000 dollars minimum in any one issue may be received on loan by the Treasury?

At present the minimum amount of securities accepted by the Treasury under the deposit scheme is 5,000 dollars (or £1,000) nominal value. I am, however, considering whether arrangements can be made to enable holders of smaller amounts to take advantage of the deposit scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much per day the National Debt is being increased?

In the financial statement presented to the House on 4th April the deficit for 1916–17 to be made good by borrowing is estimated at £1,323,105,000. On the assumption that the borrowing is spread evenly throughout the year this will involve raising by loan on the average just over £3,600,000 per day.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether men enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anti-Aircraft Corps are given a grant of £3 kit allowance and a similar amount on promotion to chief petty officers; whether, if they are discharged, even after eighteen months' service, in order to take commissions in the Navy or Army, they are compelled to refund two-thirds of such allowance; and, if so, whether he will take steps to stop this hardship?

The kit allowances payable to ratings of the Anti-Aircraft Corps are £6 to chief petty officers and £3 to A.B.'s. Under the Regulations of the corps men who resign voluntarily are required to refund the allowance, and each man enrolled in the corps agrees to refund the amount paid to him if called upon to do so. No man who enlists in either the Army or Navy is called upon to refund, but men of the Anti-Aircraft Corps obtaining commissions are called upon to repay two-thirds of the gratuity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a man can be discharged from the Navy against his wish when he is in good health and has not committed any offence against the Naval Discipline Act; if so, for what reason?

The Board of Admiralty have power to dispense with the services of any man who is found to be unsuitable for retention in the Royal Navy, or whose services are no longer required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there exists in our Army an organisation such as has existed from the first in the French Army for the collection and repair of abandoned or damaged uniforms, rifles, and other equipment of war?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when inoculating troops against typhoid and cholera certain officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps do not sterilise their hypodermic needles between individual inoculations, relying solely on the sterilisation of the skin, which incurs the risk of local or general septic infection; whether he is aware that there is an objection on the part of troops to be inoculated under such conditions; and whether he will issue a general order to all medical officers concerned in the Expeditionary as well as the Home forces defining the sterilisation methods which ought to be adopted?

I am not aware that certain officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps do not sterilise their hypodermic needles between individual inoculations. Instructions have been and are now issued with all consignments of anti-typhoid vaccine emphasising the importance of sterilising the needle after each injection. This is understood to be a routine practice with all injections. If there is evidence that these instructions are in some instances not being followed, all Commands will be informed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is a considerable number of men over forty-one years of age serving with the Colours certified unfit for general service; and whether he will consider the desirability in the national interest of giving their discharge to any of these men who desire it, especially in cases where their ordinary civil employment is connected with an industry of national importance, such as the railways?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is contemplated to pass all men whose services can be dispensed with and are medically fit for some form of service into the new section of the Reserve which is being established under the authority of the Military Service Act, 1916 (Session 2).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the position of Mr. Edward J. Thomas, 4, Hargrave Mansions, Upper Holloway, N., who offered his services in April, 1915, and was rejected on medical grounds, and who, on presenting himself a second time at the request of the authorities under the Derby scheme, was informed, after a note of the particulars given on his certificate of rejection had been taken, that he would not be troubled further although he was not medically examined a second time and no new certificate of rejection was given to him; and, in view of the fact that the April rejection was, in substance, adopted subsequent to 14th August, 1915, will he say whether he must now be treated as an un-attested man and deprived of the provision made in Section 2, Clause 3, of the Military Service Act?

I have asked for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, notwithstanding his undertakings to the contrary, the military authorities continue to take into the Army boys under military age and, when furnished with certificates of birth, answer that the age given by the boy is his official age and that he will be retained in the Force; will he say what is the authority for this theory of official age, seeing that it would cover sending such boys to the front; and, if a specific case of this is brought under his notice, whether he will have the boy sent home to his parents?

If information as to any cases where lads under age have been taken into the Army can be given the matter will be fully inquired into.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to procure the discharge, or at least the recall from the front, of Private John M'Cann, No. 27,155, 18th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, aged seventeen years and six months, seeing that he joined the Army on the 2nd August, 1915, then aged sixteen years and nine months; that on discovery of his true age his father was informed that in January, 1916, he would be discharged, and the amount of his fare home was demanded of the father and duly paid by him, and that, nevertheless, the father is now informed that his son has been sent to the front, although the birth certificate showing his true age has been called for by the military record office at Hamilton and supplied by the father?

I have called for a report on this case.

asked whether, under the Military Service Act, soldiers whose services expired before the War will receive notice to rejoin or are they expected to report themselves to their old regiments within the thirty days?

It is eminently desirable that all discharged soldiers should report themselves as soon as possible either personally or in writing to the Recruiting Officer nearest to their place of residence in order that he may arrange for their medical examination and communicate with the officers commanding the Depôts and Administrative Centres with a view to reposting them to their former units. Notice papers will then be sent to them to call them for service, and to inform them where to report. If they do not receive a notice paper by the 24th July, it will be the duty of every man to report to the Recruiting Office nearest his place of residence on that day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the view of many time-expired men who will be compulsorily brought back into the Army that they should be used solely for Home defence; and whether he can make a statement thereon?

Time-expired men recalled to the Colours will be employed where their services are of most value to the Army. Whether they are employed as instructors in draft-finding units at home, or in Home defence units, or in units in the field, will depend on their qualifications as instructors and their medical fitness for service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a time-expired soldier of the Territorial Force, who completed his service after the outbreak of war, but re-enlisted prior to the passing of the Military Service Acts, 1916, is entitled to a bounty from the Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave last Monday to the hon. Member for South West Ham, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army medical boards are now permitted to pass for different classes of military service men with serious bodily defects; whether a man totally blind in one eye is considered fit for garrison duty; whether he appreciates the complication that might arise on the question of compensation, much to the disadvantage of such a man, if, in the event of his having a claim against a former employer for the loss of one eye, he should have the misfortune to injure the other eye whilst serving with the Colours; and whether these men will be called up for service?

Men with one eye are considered eligible for some forms of military service. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on the 21st February.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what are the names of the four members of the local tribunals whom the Linlithgowshire County Council contend are representatives of Labour; and what is their representative connection with trades unions or Labour organisations in Linlithgowshire?

I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of the return furnished to me by the. County Council of Linlithgow showing the names of the members of the local tribunals.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Carr, No. 3,029, 9th Manchester Territorials, died in the Government hospital at Suez of erysipelas, having been injured in Gallipoli and sent to hospital at Alexandria with septic poisoning; that a wire was sent to his mother by the authorities to the effect that he was dangerously ill, and that he was afterwards sent to England on 1st January, 1916, on leave; whether he is aware that when his leave expired he was too ill to get out of bed and a medical man certified his unfitness to travel, but that notwithstanding this he was sentenced to ten days' C.B. for staying beyond leave; whether he is aware that he was sent abroad and died as above stated, and will inquiry be made into the circumstances whereby he was sent abroad in his state of health; and will his nearest surviving relation, his mother, receive any grant or allowance?

I will have inquiry made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will have inquiries made into the case of Richard Hirst, formerly a private, No. 13768, in the 10th East Lancashire Regiment, who enlisted at Burnley on 9th September, 1914, and was discharged from the Army on 24th April, 1916, and in particular if he will ascertain whether this man, who at the time of his enlistment was a bright, intelligent lad of good character, was brought back to his home under escort at midnight on 24th April in a state of insanity; whether his father was obliged to stay away from work for over a week in order to keep him under control; whether on 5th May he was admitted to the imbecile ward of the Burnley Workhouse; whether, on 16th May, he was taken from there to the Lancaster Asylum, where he still is; whether a payment of 30s. was made to the parents at the time of the lad's discharge, being 5s. himself and 25s. to his parents; whether any statement was ever made as to the lad's mental condition or how it was caused; whether the application made by the parents for an adequate grant or pension has been refused; and whether, in view of all the circumstances of this case, he will allow the matter to be reconsidered?

I will have inquiry made into this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is yet able to give a reply in relation to Bandsman W. Harvey, No. 1,417, 4th battalion Gloucester Regiment?

A pension of 25s. a week for six months (conditional) was authorised on the 17th May, and the balance of pay due was paid on the 19th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is still a waste of food at the front; and whether any organisation exists in our Army for the collection and return to supply bases of unused stores?

It is hoped that there is no undue waste of food at the front, but if my hon. Friend will let me know to what particular items of food, or to what particular instances of waste of food, he refers, inquiry could be made. Any unused stores of food would certainly not be wasted.

asked if certain men of the 1st/5th Gloucestershire Regiment have had no leave since their enlistment during the first week of January, 1915; and, if so, whether an opportunity will be taken of giving them the usual privilege in this respect?

Leave is a matter within the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and is, of course, also dependent on the good conduct of the individual. I cannot give any undertaking that particular men or groups of men will receive leave.

asked whether an Army Order has been issued which will have the effect of curtailing soldiers' leave on account of small-pox outbreaks in the counties of Lancashire, Northumberland, Durham, Glamorganshire, and Monmouthshire; and whether, seeing that the vast majority of the soldiers have been recently vaccinated, such an Order is considered necessary?

Orders were issued with reference to the counties mentioned, but have now been withdrawn, except in the case of three towns where cases of small-pox have recently occurred. Restrictions will not be enforced in regard to men who have been recently successfully vaccinated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state what percentage of the parcels sent from this country to British prisoners in Germany have up to now actually been received by the latter?

It is believed that the great majority of parcels which are properly packed and addressed reach the addressees, but it is obviously impossible to state any percentage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will arrange with the United States Embassy at Berlin that the vistis of the members of the Embassy to the camps occupied by the British prisoners of war in Germany, and to the places where British prisoners of war are being employed, shall be largely increased, so that frequent news could be obtained as to the conditions under which all British prisoners of war in Germany live and work?

We understand that four additional members of the United States Embassy at Berlin have recently been appointed to inspect camps in which British prisoners of war are interned. Great energy is being shown by the Embassy in this matter. Between the 9th and 23rd May no less than thirty-four working camps near Berlin were inspected. As the hon. Member is aware, a large number of reports on camps in Germany were recently laid before Parliament.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Eastern Command orders direct all cases of alleged contravention of the Defence of the Realm Regulations in reference to lights and lighting by officers and soldiers to be dealt with by competent military authorities as matters of discipline, and that, as stated by him, a commanding officer has no power to award punishment to an officer or warrant officer beyond the limits prescribed by Section 46 of the Army Act and King's Regulations 463; and whether officers and warrant officers are, therefore, to escape punishment for offences against the Defence of the Realm Regulations for which civilians are brought before a Court of Summary Jurisdiction and heavily fined?

The instructions in question have, no doubt accidentally, omitted to specify the action to be taken against the warrant officers, but it is quite obvious that cases that are too grave for commanding officers to deal with are to be dealt with by court-martial. It is also obvious that offences committed by officers and soldiers against regulations framed for the better protection of this country should be dealt with as a matter of discipline. The attention of the Eastern Command is being called to the omission of the warrant officer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what money allowances are at present made in Great Britain and Germany, respectively, to prisoners of war of the following ranks, namely, colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sub- lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, and private; and, if the rates in Germany are lower, while living there is said to be dearer, whether he will now reduce the rates in Great Britain with a view to obtaining better conditions for our prisoners in Germany?

Germany pays British officers:— Captain and above 100 Marks a month. Below captain 60 Marks a month.

Great Britain pays German officers:— Captain and above 4s. 6d. per day. Below captain 4s. per day. Neither country issues pay to non-commissioned officers and men captured by them. As regards the second part of the question, I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 9th November last to the hon. and learned Member for York.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that officers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force who have been transferred to the Royal Flying Corps receive no additional pay either while under instruction or after having qualified; and if he can see his way to remedy without delay this inequality of treatment to these young officers?

Canadian officers serving with the Royal Flying Corps remain in the pay of the Canadian Government and receive the rates of pay authorised by that Government.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the town of Northampton is included in any area subject to the Orders of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic); and whether he can give the latest statistics as to drunkenness in Northampton as compared with areas scheduled by the Board.

The town of Northampton is not included in any scheduled area, and I am not in a position to give any recent statistics relating to it.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that in the cordite cannon cartridge factory danger buildings at Woolwich there has lately been introduced for the women workers a seven-night shift of eleven hours, alternating with a six-day shift of eleven hours, which, with the allowance for meals of an hour and a half per shift, means a week of sixty-six and a half hours' work alternating with one of fifty-seven hours' work; that the seven-night shift deprives the women of the week-end which they had under the former six-night shift; that under the new system the women, especially those living at a distance, are so completely exhausted as to be obliged to spend all their off-time in sleep, thus depriving such of them as have families of all chance of seeing their children; that the effect of the inhalation and absorption lay the skin of the vapours given off by cordite is to produce a drowsy exhaustion which lessens efficiency, and that, consequently, greater efficiency would be secured by shorter hours; whether, even under present conditions, the out-turn of the women exceeds that of men doing similar work; whether the average wages of the women are, notwithstanding, only About half that of the men; and whether he will appoint an independent committee, of which at least two members should be women doctors, to investigate and report upon the conditions of women's work at Woolwich?

It is the case that a system of seven-night shifts of eleven hours, alternating with six-day shifts of eleven hours, has recently been introduced for female operatives in the cordite cannon cartridge factory at Woolwich. The system is an extension of a practice already in force in these works under which women have been working for some time, and it provides for a break of twenty-four hours at each week-end. The question of hours of work at Woolwich generally is now receiving special consideration, and an investigation is being made on behalf of the Health of Munition Workers Committee and the Home Office Factory Department into the conditions of work as affecting the health of the workers. This will be pushed forward with the utmost possible expedition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the steps which have been taken to give effect to the application made on behalf of the clerks employed at the Deptford supply reserve depôt and the Royal Arsenal to have certain matters submitted to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Munitions of War Act?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich on 10th May, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that crane drivers at Newport have tendered their notices in consequence of what they feel to be an unfair award with regard to their rates of wages; whether the chief industrial commissioner has been approached on the matter; and whether any action can and will be taken to secure some amicable settlement?

I understand the men in question ceased work, but I am informed that they are now at work again.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in sanctioning additional race meetings, he made it a condition that the minimum charge for admission should be raised to £1, with the view of limiting the attendance at such meetings?

No stipulation was made by the Government as to the minimum charge for admission to these race meetings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for the first time in the experience of the milk trade the summer prices exceed the winter prices; can he say whether the present abnormal price is due to the farmers increasing their contract prices or to the action of a combine of milk distributors in London; and, if the latter, will the Government take action, by legislation or otherwise, to limit the price?

I am aware that the prices paid to farmers for milk are usually lower in summer than in winter, while the new contract prices fixed at Lady Day were higher than those fixed at Michaelmas last year. I have already pointed out, in reply to more than one question on this subject, that the increase in the contract price, as compared with the rates paid prior to the outbreak of war, represents the larger part of the increase in the retail price of milk in London.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the sale of flour bleached by chemical process is forbidden within the United States; whether the sale of such flour is still permitted in the United Kingdom; whether any such flour is imported from the United States; and, if so, will he state the quantity imported from that source during the last recorded year?

There is no law specifically prohibiting the sale in the United Kingdom of flour bleached by artificial means, but I understand that a decree pronouncing flour so treated to be adulterated has been made in the United States. The sale in this country of flour or of other food materials is subject to the control provided by Sections 3 and 6 of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875. The laws of the United States would not prohibit the export of bleached flour to this country, and there is no information as to what proportion of the flour coming to the United Kingdom from the United States is artificially bleached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether licences for the import of their usual annual quantity of bulbs will be issued to seedsmen and growers; and, if not, whether, for the purpose of effecting a saving in tonnage, he will consider the advisability of allowing the importation of bulbs rather than the more bulky cut flowers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If the prohibition on bulbs should be found to lead to the importation in lieu thereof of any considerable quantity of cut flowers, I shall be prepared to consider the question of prohibiting the latter also.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to remove the measures adopted by some railway companies in England who have been for nearly six months refusing to convey goods to Ireland; and, considering the exceptional industrial strain placed at the present time on Dublin merchants, whether he will exercise his powers to ensure immediate relief from this treatment?

For some months past the traffic between England and Ireland has been abnormally heavy, and owing to the suspension of many cross-channel services and to other exceptional circumstances restrictions upon transport to Dublin have been necessary. I am informed, however, that it has recently been found possible to relax these restrictions to some extent, and that where practicable further steps will be taken in this direction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether heavy edged tools made in Germany are permitted to be sent in Dutch or other neutral vessels to all parts of the globe?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a temporary counter clerk and telegraphist, who has been officially stated to be unable to undertake the work of an ordinary counter clerk and telegraphist, has been used to displace an officer employed on writing duties in the Northern District Office; whether the employment of this temporary hand was opposed by the local post office authorities; and whether he will see that the displaced officer shall return to the work upon which he was previously engaged, and that instructions may be given that temporary workers who are not capable of performing the work proper to their rank shall not be employed on more congenial duties to the disadvantage of the permanent staff?

The temporary clerk to whom the hon. Member refers is a pensioned superintending officer. He is well acquainted with the writing duties in the Postmaster's Office; and as he can be employed to better advantage on that work than on ordinary counter and instrument duties, I do not propose to disturb the existing arrangements. I am not aware that his re-employment was opposed by the local post office authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of labour for work on the land, he proposes to take any steps to divert the immense amount of labour used in horticulture for work on the land, with a view to compelling owners of glasshouses, nursery gardeners, etc., to produce vegetables and other necessities of life in place of flowers?

The question to which the hon. and gallant Member calls attention is of great importance, but I believe that on the whole owners of gardens are using the staffs which remain to them—which in general have already been very heavily depleted so as to keep up the production of vegetables to the highest point. The County War Agricultural Committees are, I think, always glad if particular cases are brought to their notice to use their influence to secure this result.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Turkey has nothing to gain from a continuance of the struggle and has shown marked courtesy and con- sideration towards prisoners from the Allied forces, he would confer with the Allies on the desirability of concluding a separate peace with the Turkish Empire?

I do not think public statements can usefully be made about matters of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now publish Dispatch 28, which is missing from the British Diplomatic Correspondence relating to the outbreak of the War as presented to Parliament?

The answer is in the negative. The White Paper contains a full and complete record of the negotiations and communications between His Majesty's Government and other Governments which preceded the outbreak of the War.

asked the Prime Minister, in the event of progress towards an agreement with reference to the future government of Ireland, whether Mr. Thomas Sexton, of Dublin, a former Member of this House, and the only expert in Ireland's financial relations with this country in whom the Irish people have confidence, will be invited to examine and give his considered opinion on the financial part of any draft scheme; and whether such opinion will be made public?

The Government will, of course, consult with all persons whom they consider likely to give them useful counsel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is aware that on the 22nd of May forty-four Chinese seamen were engaged on the British steamer "Danube," and gave their address and place of residence, at 8, Limehouse Causeway, East; whether he can state if the proprietor of this house is licensed under the London County Council's by-laws as to seamen's lodging-houses and, if so, what number of seamen it is licensed to accommodate; if he had a number in excess of his licence, what steps, if any, will he take to prevent such overcrowding; and (2) whether he is aware that the London County Council's by-laws as to seamen's lodging-houses, Section 30, provides that in any case where the keeper of a lodging-house has been guilty of a breach of the Merchant Shipping Acts, or allows his house to be kept where drunkenness, gambling, opium-smoking, immorality, or fraudulent practices prevail, the London County Council may suspend or revoke all such licences to such keeper; and whether he will advise the London County Council to act on this Section in all cases where the police obtain convictions?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer these questions. Inquiries are being made as to the facts indicated in the questions, and the Board of Trade will communicate with the London County Council on the matter, and inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Home Secretary whether a Chinese seaman named Ah Kow was engaged on the steamer "Danube" on the 22nd May, 1916, as a seaman, and gave his place of residence as 38, Limehouse Causeway, Poplar; and whether the occupier of 38, Limehouse Causeway, Poplar, is licensed under the London County Council's by-laws to keep seamen lodgers?

asked the Home Secretary whether a Chinese seaman, named Ho Soo, was engaged on the steamer "Queen Eugenie" on 23rd May, 1916, as a seaman, and gave his place of residence as 50, Pennyfields, Poplar; and if the occupier of 50, Pennyfields, Poplar, is licensed under the London County Council's by-laws to keep seamen lodgers?

asked the Home Secretary whether a Chinese seaman, named Chu Sang, was engaged on the steamer "Queen Eugenie" on the 23rd May, 1916, as a seaman, and gave his place of residence as 8, Pennyfields, Poplar; and if the occupier of 8, Pennyfields, Poplar, is licensed under the London County Council's by-laws to keep seamen lodgers?

asked the Home Secretary whether a Chinese seaman, named Ah Ting, was engaged on the steamer "Danube," on the 22nd May, 1916, as a seaman, and gave his place of residence as 45, Limehouse Causeway, Poplar; and if the occupier of 45, Limehouse Causeway, Poplar, is licensed under the London County Council's by-laws to keep seamen lodgers?

asked the Home Secretary whether a Chinese seaman, named San Fat, was engaged on the steamer "Queen Eugenie," on the 23rd May, 1916, as a seaman, and gave his place of residence as 10, Pennyfields, Poplar; and if the occupier of 10, Pennyfields, Poplar, is licensed under the London County Council's bylaws to keep seamen lodgers?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions, and I will answer them together. The administration of the by-laws in regard to seamen's lodging houses in London is a matter for the London County Council. I will communicate with the council with regard to the points raised in these questions, and will inform the hon. Members of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has read the deposition of Hakurudurage Allisa, of Hinguralakande, a village in the interior of Ceylon, that he witnessed, on the 10th June, 1915, a European, the superintendent of the Manikkanda estate, shoot at deponent's father, miss him, shoot again, and kill him, and had to run away to save his own life; what is the name of the superintendent mentioned; whether he acted with the knowledge of Sir Robert Chalmers, then Governor of Ceylon, now Under-Secretary for Ireland; and whether he still holds office in Ceylon?

I have read what purports to be a transcript of the deposition in question, but there is no ground for supposing that it represents the facts.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the action of the vaccination officer of Ilford, who is issuing printed notices headed, "Notice of Invalid Declaration," which are not in accordance with the forms prescribed in the vaccination officers' instructions contained in the Vaccination Order; and whether he will instruct that officer to keep strictly to the instructions issued by the Board?

My attention has recently been called to the matter, and I am making some inquiry into it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state the number of health visitors in the following Metropolitan boroughs, respectively: Camberwell, Islington, Southwark, Bermondsey, Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, and Poplar; how many health visitors are required in each of these boroughs to meet the needs of the infant population according to the recognised demand of the Board; and, in cases where the numbers are inadequate, what action he proposes to take?

The number of health visitors in the boroughs referred to, according to the information in my possession, is given in the following table: Metropolitan Borough. Number of Births in 1915. No of Health Visitors appointed by the Borough Council. Number of Health Visitors appointed by Voluntary Agencies. Bermondsey … 3,547 2 2 paid and some unpaid visitors. Bethnal Green … 3,514 2 None. Camberwell … 6,149 None. One. Islington … 7,544 None. 3 paid visitors who give their whole time, and one who gives half time. Poplar … 4,742 2 (one vacancy) (14 paid visitors who give their whole time, one who gives part time, and some unpaid visitors. Shoreditch … 3,114 2 3 paid visitors who give their whole time, and one who gives four days a week. Southwark … 5,239 1 3 paid and some unpaid visitors.

In a memorandum which I have issued it is stated that roughly one health visitor is required for each 500 births; the proportion varies with the social and other conditions of the area.

In cases in which the health visiting staff is considered insufficient for the needs of the district, my Department urge the local authority to appoint more health visitors. They are still in correspondence with some of the borough councils in the above list on this subject. Nearly all the Metropolitan boroughs have been visited by my inspectors, and action urged.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if any decision has been arrived at by the conference held between the London County Council and the representatives of the London General Omnibus Company on the duplication of passenger transit services on the main roads in London?

I understand that up to the present no decision has been arrived at.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if there is any reason why the new tea room on the Terrace should not be made fully available for the use of Members?

I will consult with my hon. Friend as to any attractions he may have to suggest.