asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the names of the gentlemen who inquired into and assessed compensation for bombardment losses in Hartlepool and Scarborough, and the terms of reference or instruction, written or otherwise, given them as to the basis upon which they were empowered to award compensation?

The Committee consisted of the Right Hon. Lord Parmoor, K.C.V.O. (chairman); A. J. Ram, Esq., K.C.; Robert Lewis, Esq. Their terms of reference were to investigate the damage to persons and property sustained in the bombardment of the Hartlepools, Scarborough and Whitby by German warships, with a view to affording relief from Imperial funds to the persons affected, and their reference was subsequently extended so as to include damage sustained in various air raids down to the 17th June, 1915. The Treasury did not prescribe any basis upon which the Committee were empowered to award compensation. The question was not one of compensation but of relief, and the Grants were purely matters of grace and favour and not of legal right. The sums which the Committee recommended should be paid by way of relief in individual cases were approved by the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether British owners of British vessels registered at Colombo and Hong Kong are and have been liable to the Excess Profits Tax on those vessels?

If the business is owned or carried on by a person ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom liability to-Excess Profits Duty arises.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to make any provision to secure from highly-watered companies as large a relative portion of their real profits under the Excess Profits Duty as is contributed by those companies not so watered?

The question of watered capital arises only where a percentage standard is placed, and in such cases if capital has been created upon a reconstruction or other operation for which there has been no bond-fide subscription, or which represents no actual outlay, the Act provides that the capital of the business for purposes of the standard shall be measured by reference only to the cost price of the assets employed in the business.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the American Beef Trust are called upon to pay Income Tax?

The firms popularly known as, the American Beef Trust which are trading in this country are called upon to pay Income Tax in the ordinary way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the advisability of employing the services of experienced collectors to sell 6d. stamps weekly for war savings cards by house-to-house visits; and whether he will state why he has not hitherto adopted a system of this character to encourage thrift?

I understand that the National War Savings Committee have carefully considered the question of instituting a system of house-to-house collection, but are of opinion that such a system is not suitable for general adoption. It is, however, open to any of the local central committees for war savings which have been established throughout the country under the auspices of the National War Savings Committee to undertake a system of house-to-house collection wherever the local circumstances seem to them to make it advisable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether vessels which before the imposition of the Excess Profits Tax were registered in the United Kingdom can now be registered in the Crown Colonies or at the treaty port of Shanghai?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The registry of a ship registered at a port in the United Kingdom can be transferred to another British port of registry on compliance with the formalities laid down in Section 53 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any British steamship company or companies whose vessels were registered in Great Britain and whose head office or offices were in London at the beginning of the War have transferred the registration of their vessels or transferred their domicile to a Crown Colony or a treaty port; and, if so, will he give particulars of such transfer or transfers?

A search has been made and no ease of this kind has been discovered. If the hon. Member has any particular transaction in mind I shall be glad if he will furnish me with particulars.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused by the closing of the Port of Drogheda to passenger traffic; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have the restriction removed and the port reopened for passengers at the earliest possible date?

The restrictions imposed by the military authorities upon passenger traffic from Irish ports have now been removed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War where James and William Meade, of Kilgarriff, James. Leary, of Casheliskey, and Eugen O'Keeffe, of Courlea, all in the neighbourhood of Clonakilty, are detained at present; when are they to be tried; on what charge; and, inasmuch as the people of this district have contributed liberally towards this War, is there any reason for detaining them any longer?

All those mentioned in this question are either interned or under orders for internment at Frongoch, and their cases will no doubt receive the consideration of the Advisory Committee.

asked why John and Peter Donovan, of Casheliskey, Edward Sullivan, of Kilbeen, Jim Walsh, of Knockea. Timothy and John Crowley, of Letter, all in the vicinity of Clonakilty, county Cork, who were arrested on the 5th May and removed from Cork Prison on the following Tuesday at 5 a.m., got nothing to eat or drink until 8 a.m. the following Morning?

I am making inquiries about the allegation contained in this question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain how it is, consistently with regard for hygiene and health, that the medical officers in charge of the places in which Irish prisoners of war are kept have not reported or remedied the neglect of washing the prisoners' bedding or underclothing for five or six consecutive weeks, notwithstanding the prisoners' complaints; and whether immediate and regular attention will be given to this matter in all the prisons and places of internment?

From reports received all prisoners' bedding is properly cleaned and fresh underclothing given to those who require it. Every attention is given to this matter in all places of detention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can give a reference to any prison rule under which the letters and other trifling souvenirs given by Captain Colbert, of the Irish Volunteers, on the morning of his execution to a friend in prison for delivery to others were not allowed to be taken and delivered; also any rule under which the condemned men and their friends in prison were told by the soldiers in charge that the noise of shooting outside was that of soldiers practising for the executions; and, if these acts were not enforced by rule, can he say by whose order they were enforced?

I am having inquiries made.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the number of persons arrested on suspicion of having been implicated in the recent insurrection in Ireland; how many have been released; how many are still detained to be examined; whether the process of examination will be expedited; how many are likely to be tried and what facilities will be afforded for their defence; and whether any change has been made in regard to detention regulations?

Roughly, 3,000 prisoners have passed through the hands of the military authorities, of whom about 1,200 have been released. The examination by the military authorities is now, with some few exceptions, practically completed. Those not released will be dealt with under the provisions of Regulation 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and they are detained under the jurisdiction of the Home Secretary. It is improbable that many more trials will take place.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to assist the passage of legislation exempting the Corporation of Dublin from any claims that it may be responsible for in consequence of injuries to property owing to the recent rebellious outbreak; and whether, having regard to the promise made that no legislation of a contentious nature would be introduced during the War period, no assistance will be given to any measure relieving the corporation of any liability until all claims are fully met from other Government sources?

The question referred to by the hon. Member is under consideration in connection with the legislation which the Government hope to introduce dealing with conditions which have arisen out of the recent disturbance in Ireland.

asked whether it has been proposed to the Government and considered by it, and with what result, that a Bill enlarging the powers of the Corporation of Dublin to control the structure of new buildings on the ruined areas in that city; and whether, before lending Government assistance to the passage of any such measure, a Committee of Inquiry will be appointed to hear evidence and report upon the equity of its provisions?

The question of introducing a Bill for the purpose indicated by the hon. Member is at present under consideration.

asked whether the statement issued from the Under-Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, bearing date 15th instant and which appeared in the Press of 19th instant, is intended to convey that the Government have decided upon awarding compensation value for buildings and stock ruined in the recent outbreak in Dublin upon the basis of actual loss suffered irrespective of the amount for which insurance might be in force?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement itself, the terms of which are quite clear.

asked the Home Secretary if he will allow members of this House who so desire to visit once a month the Irish prisoners of war who are serving long terms of imprisonment in English prisons; and if he is aware that the treatment of Irish political prisoners in the past makes these visits essential?

I presume the hon. Member refers to prisoners under sentence of penal servitude. Such prisoners are entitled in the first part of their sentence to one visit in four months, but the interval is gradually reduced, if their conduct be good, to one month. I can find nothing in the past treatment of ' Irish prisoners that would be a precedent for exceptional measures in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are a number of boys under the age of eighteen years still detained in English detention barracks since the rising in Ireland; if he is aware that two boys under the age of sixteen and a half years are at present undergoing sentences of twelve months' hard labour; and if he will have inquiries made into their cases, with a view to their immediate release?

A certain number of boys under the age of eighteen are still detained in English detention barracks. "These are all cases in which the military authorities have considered it advisable to recommend internment under Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and under that Regulation they nave the right of applying to the Advisory Committee for a reconsideration of their cases. If the hon. Member will furnish the names of the two boys who are said to be undergoing sentence of twelve months' hard labour, I will make inquiry with regard to them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any death has taken place within the last month of a soldier detained in Wandsworth Military Detention Barracks; and, if so, under what circumstances?

I am informed that no death of a detained soldier has occurred during the past month.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that twenty-eight men who were working at the Rahendoran Lime Works, Queen's County, have been thrown out of employment since 29th April, 1916, owing to the proprietor of the works, Mr. James Connor, who had no connection with the rising, being shot in Stephen's Green, Dublin, when driving through in a motor on Easter Monday; and whether these men, who have families dependent on them, will be compensated for these losses under any scheme of compensation applicable to Ireland

I understand that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question, but that some at least of the men have since found other employment. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Basil Robert, awarded non-combatant service by the Appeal Tribunal of Bristol and now sentenced to 112 days' detention, is or has been required to drill with a rifle; and, if so, whether orders will be given to prevent such rifle drill being given in the case of members of the Non-Combatant Corps?

I am making inquiry about this matter.

asked what is the maximum punishment which can be imposed upon a soldier for refusal to obey military orders by the commanding officer, by a regimental court-martial, and by a district court-martial; if a soldier can be given imprisonment only by a district court-martial, and under what circumstances a sentence of detention and not imprisonment can be given; if soldiers who disobeyed military orders through conscientious objection can secure that they will be given a sentence of imprisonment and not detention; and, if so, what steps should a soldier take to secure a sentence of imprisonment and not detention?

As regards the first part of the question, the punishment for refusing to obey a lawful command is set out in Section 9 of the Army Act. A commanding officer cannot award any greater punishment than twenty-eight days' detention. A regimental court-martial cannot award a sentence of death, penal servitude or imprisonment, nor more than forty-two days' detention. A district court-martial cannot award a sentence of death or penal servitude. As regards the second part, a sentence of detention may be given in lieu of imprisonment for any offence for which imprisonment may be awarded—detention being a less severe punishment than imprisonment. A soldier can always claim trial by district court-martial when detention is to be awarded by his commanding officer. The answer to the third part is "No"— this rests with the Court by whom he is tried, but Army Order 179/1916 instructs Courts to award imprisonment in such cases. The last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the treatment during his detention in military custody at Chelmsford of Mr. Harold Reulhe, a conscientious objector to military service; whether he was struck, knocked down, kicked, and otherwise maltreated; and whether measures are being taken by the authorities to prevent this method of treating men in his position from being employed?

I am making inquiries, but in the meantime I must not be taken as accepting the allegations contained in the question.

asked whether lads of eighteen years and one month, when called up, have the choice of regiments given them?

Recruits under nineteen years of age will be allotted to regiments in the same way as other recruits. Recruits called up in any area will be appointed to the regiment affiliated to that area unless no men are required at the moment for such regiment, in which case they would be sent to another area in which the number of recruits was insufficient to meet requirements?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men rejected under the Derby scheme, on re-examination rejected again, given an armlet, and the fact recorded with the cause of rejection, given cards signed and dated by an officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps and endorsed "Not accepted; medically unfit," will be called upon again; whether he is aware that there are a considerable number of such cases in Edinburgh; and can he relieve their legitimate anxiety?

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the instructions on this, matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Thomas P. Alexander is now in Perth military prison; whether he is aware that he is a member of the International Bible Students' Association; whether he is aware that Alexander claimed exemption from the Leith Local Tribunal and was refused; that he appealed to the Appeal Tribunal and was refused; that leave was refused to appeal to the Central Tribunal; that a message was sent to him on 25th April to his place of employment on the representation that he was required at the recruiting office in connection with his appeal; that he was arrested as soon as he came; whether he was subsequently court-martialled at Glen-corse Barracks, sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and sent to Perth military prison for fifty-six days; whether such: action was irregular, and that Alexander should have been cited before a Civil Court in the ordinary way prescribed by the Act; and what steps he is prepared to take to remedy the injustice?

I have received some correspondence from my hon. Friend about this case, and on that I am pursuing inquiries which are not yet complete. I cannot therefore answer this question in detail to-day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the appointment of Mr. S. A. Francis, gas and water engineer to the Claeton Urban District Council, as military representative to the Claeton military' recruiting tribunal; and is it in accordance with regulations that a public servant responsible for the employment of a number of public employes should be appointed as military representative?

I have no information as to the ordinary occupation of Mr. Francis. If, as is stated, he is in the service of a District Council, he has no doubt obtained the consent of that authority to his acting as a military representative. The War Office see no objection to him so acting if the District Council have no objection.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice of the War Office to cancel a temporary commission which has been gazetted on the ground that the officer so gazetted has been wounded at the front?

An officer holding a temporary commission who is disabled in and by the Service, is entitled to the same amount of sick leave as a permanently commissioned Regular officer, and his commission is not summarily cancelled because he has been wounded, as is, I think, suggested in my right hon. Friend's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state for what reason Stanley Alexander Gibbons, who was gazetted on 22nd September, 1915, as temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), and was wounded on the 24th September, has had his commission cancelled?

This case does not come under the rule I have just stated in my immediately previous answer. This gentleman was selected as a suitable candidate for a commission, but as unfortunately he was unable to take up the proposed commission it became necessary to cancel the arrangements that had been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is with the sanction or authority of the Government that Private R. Hughes, belonging to the Gloucestershire National Reserve, and other men now serving with the 82nd Provisional Battalion at Walton-on-the-Naze, have been put on stoppage of pay in order to refund to the Government separation allowances paid to their wives for a period of seven days during which they obtained leave to go home to attend to their gardens; and, if so, how, seeing that they lost their pay and Government rations and had to provide for their own food during this week, such stoppage is justified?

My hon. and gallant Friend has already written to me about this question and inquiry is being made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a pension will be granted to Private William Shields, No. 16,070, Royal Irish Fusiliers, who was discharged from the Army on 1st May, 1916, as physically unfit for war service owing to his having contracted tuberculosis in the trenches in France?

This man was only six weeks in France, and never reached the trenches. His disability was present before enlistment, but as it was aggravated by active service he has been awarded a pension of 10s. a week for six months, conditional, and the question of an additional, allowance for his children is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if representations have been received from the Statutory Committee on Pensions in reference to the Royal Warrant in respect of allowances to dependants of soldiers, under which 10s. is promised to a wholly dependent person and 5s. per week to a person partially dependent only; does the War Office intend to adhere to an arrangement under which a person with 2s. 6d. per week from a friendly society or trade union, or as the result of individual saving, shall get only an additional 5s. per week and the wholly dependent person get 10s.; and, if not, what answer is to be made to the Statutory Committee, and when such answer may be expected?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty and I are receiving a deputation from the Statutory Committee on this question this afternoon, and the matter will be carefully considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information concerning the enlistment of men of friendly or allied nationality; whether they are posted to the old units or are formed into new and separate units; whether they will receive the pay, separation allowances, pensions, and other payments given to British subjects; and how many aliens have enlisted in the British Army down to the latest date for which figures are available?

The particulars as to enlistment of friendly aliens are contained in a Paper, of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy. These men will be posted to units of their selection if vacancies exist, and will receive the same pay and emoluments as other men of the arm in which they are serving. No return of the number of aliens who have been enlisted under this Instruction has yet been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any list has been published of the British officers who surrendered as prisoners of war at Kut-el-Amara; and, if not, when will he be able to make such information public?

The great majority of the names of those presumed to have been taken prisoner appeared in the Press on 7th June. The remainder will follow in due course. So far only a few names have been received from Turkish sources.

asked why there was no mention of the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt carried out by the North Midland (46th) Territorial Division on 13th-14th October, either in the final dispatch of Field-Marshal Lord French or in that of the present Commander-in-Chief?

During the period in question no events of outstanding importance occurred which seemed at the time that Lord French laid down the command to call for a dispatch additional to that of the 15th October, which has already been published. The change in the Chief Command and the subsequent assumption of new and onerous duties by Lord French caused an unavovidable delay, but a dispatch covering the period between the beginning of October and the middle of December is now being compiled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that there are many cases of members of His Majesty's Forces in France who have not had any Home leave for six, nine, and in some instances twelve months, instructions will be given to commanding officers to make, where possible, such arrangements as will permit of men who have been at the front for six months or over being granted, as far as possible, a short periodical term of leave in order to visit their homes?

I cannot, I fear, undertake to interfere with the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in regard to the grant of leave to officers and men under his command. If there are men who have not had leave for twelve months, that must be due to special circumstances, and should not be taken to mean that the claims of such men have not come up for consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the claims of the men of the National Reserve who volunteered for service at the beginning of the War, and who are now being discharged as over age and medically unfit; and will he recommend that a distinctive ribbon shall be awarded them in recognition of the services they have rendered in training recruits and to show that they did something in the great War?

I do not wish to be regarded as unsympathetic towards the work these men have done, hut I do not think a distinctive ribbon or medal can be specially granted to these men as distinct from other men who have been discharged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the unsatisfactory arrangements made in many places for military funerals; if in the Brighton area a very poor motor vehicle is used as a hearse for the burial of soldiers and no vehicle is provided for the relatives, who may have come long distances and cannot afford a conveyance and who have to walk a considerable distance to the cemetery; and if he will issue definite instructions for fitting arrangements to be made for the funeral of these men who have died for their country?

The motor vehicle referred to is a plain high-powered Napier hearse. Regulations do not admit of provision of a mourning coach for relatives, but, in exceptional circumstances such as those stated in the question, on application being made to the Command Headquarters a conveyance is sanctioned. No such application has been received from Brighton recently.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the 47th (London) Division, which did so well at Loos, has never since been brought up to strength; whether before the recent affair on the Vimy Ridge one battalion (the London Irish) has been reduced to 250 by the ordinary casualties of trench warfare; if so, whether the War Office have considered the effect of such depletion, when long continued, on the efficiency of the division; and whether this depletion partly accounted for the losses incurred on the Vimy Ridge?

This is a class of question which I have already stated my inability to deal with publicly without detriment to the public interest. My right hon. Friend may, however, be assured that the effects on efficiency of any and all cir- cumstances are the constant and daily study of the military authorities on the spot and at the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why there is greater difficulty in sending drafts to the Territorial regiments which have proved their worth than to Service battalions of the New Army; whether during the time when the London Territorials in France have been calling out for drafts several London battalions at Home have been refusing recruits, and, if so, by whose orders this was done; and whether he will impress upon the military authorities that, inasmuch as the normal Territorial establishment is only 800 and there is an increasing demand for details, the constant replacement of casualties is even more essential than in the case of the Regular Army?

What I have just stated applies also to this question. I may say, however, that the greater difficulty which has existed in sending drafts to Territorial Force Regiments has been due to the fact that transfers have not been possible in the Territorial Force as in the Regular Army until the passing of the Military Service Act (Session 2). The difficulty will now be no greater than in the case of Regulars. It is a truism that the constant replacement of casualties is equally important both in the Regulars and in the Territorial Force, and I may also add that every effort is made to foresee requirements in both forces equally.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if some steps could be taken by the naval and military authorities in the different theatres of war to inform married soldiers and sailors of the existence of the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Act?

Yes, Sir; arrangements are being made to inform soldiers. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will be good enough to address his inquiry, in so far as it concerns sailors, to the Secretary to the Admiralty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether lie is aware of the disappointment which is felt throughout Lanarkshire at the proposal to amalgamate the l/6th Scottish Rifles (the Cameronians), which is the local Territorial regiment, with the l/5th Scottish Rifles, which is recruited from another district, and the local desire that the l/6th Battalion, which has so highly distinguished itself again and again when in action since the beginning of the War, should retain its identity; whether he will consider the advisability of maintaining the battalion at full strength by drawing upon the 2/6th and the 3/6th Scottish Rifles Reserve Battalions, or by drafting into the l/6th Battalion men already enlisted who belong to Lanarkshire; and whether he is prepared to take steps to have the matter reconsidered?

I can understand and I can fully sympathise with any disappointment which may be felt at the amalgamation of the two battalions mentioned. This consideration was, of course, present to the minds of the military authorities in France and of those at homo, by both of whom the matter was most carefully considered. I can only say that the amalgamation was necessary in the national interest, and I feel sure that when the people of Lanarkshire realise this their patriotism will enable them to accept the situation cheerfully and that they will fully appreciate that the amalgamation does not imply any want of recognition of the valuable services given by the two battalions in question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether a special constable now in a Volunteer Training Corps, who enrols as a Volunteer and afterwards finds that he is unable to fulfil the duties required of him in both capacities consistently with giving proper attention to his business, trade, or profession, will be allowed to resign from one or other of the forces; if so, from which; (2) whether the need for additional special constables or the need for additional members of Volunteer Training Corps is the more urgent in the Metropolitan area; (3) whether in the case of a special constable who attests as a Volunteer it will be the military or the police authorities who will have the first claim on his services; and (4) whether he has considered the possibility of handing over to the Volunteer Training Corps certain of the duties now being performed by special constables, such as the guarding of electric power works, gas works, etc.?

I will reply at the same time to questions Nos. 145, 146 and 147. The whole question of the position of special constables and enrolled Volunteers is now being examined comprehensively in the light of the changed conditions brought about by the opening of enrolment under the Volunteer Act of 1863?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office provide for officers undergoing treatment in recognised hospitals all splints and other surgical appliances which may be ordered by the surgeons in charge of the cases?

All splints and other surgical appliances considered necessary by the officer in charge of a hospital for officers or men undergoing treatment in recognised hospitals, other than purely private hospitals and those receiving a capitation Grant, are provided by the War Office.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what further arrangements have been made to hasten the establishment of the long-promised examining and receiving depot in Dublin; whether he is aware that the military authorities are in favour of its establishment, which has been called for by every important public body in the city?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to a similar question on the 9th of May.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state what sum has already been paid by the War Office to the London General Omnibus Company since the outbreak of War; what portion of that sum represents payment for motor omnibuses and motor chassis; and what sum is still owing?

Payments to date approximate to £750,000, of which some £714,000 represents the cost of motor vehicles, bodies, spare parts, etc. Bills awaiting payment amount to about £15,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, under the Regulations for the Volunteer Force, Regulation 11, Non-effective Grants, is meant to debar all Volunteers who earn over £2 a week from receiving compensation; or does it mean that every man is entitled to compensation whatever his earnings, but, should his earnings be above £2 a week, he will only be paid on the scale as though he were earning £2 a week?

This Regulation applies to unpaid temporary service. The compensation will be based on the local rate of average earnings for similar work (with a maximum of £2 a week) and not on the personal earnings of the Volunteer in private life, which will not affect the amount of compensation payable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that much wool has been sold before being clipped; and will he say whether the order prevents such wool being delivered?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the prohibition to the sale of wool is confined to the 1916 clip, or does it include wool in the growers' hands if produced in previous years; and will he state what method he proposes to adopt in claiming the wool and fixing the price to be paid?

The prohibition of the purchase and sale of wool only applies to the 1916 clip. Purchase of the wool will be conducted, so far as possible, through the ordinary trade channels, and arrangements are now being made to set up the necessary organisation with the least possible delay. The price to be paid for the wool will be fixed on the basis of the prices ruling in June and July, 1914, with the addition of a fixed percentage to cover the increased expenses of the farmers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the desirability of utilising the services and local knowledge of recognised wool dealers in any steps the Government may take in acquiring wool under the order?

It is proposed to utilise the services of local wool merchants so far as may be found practicable. Local advisory committees are being set up in each district to assist the Department's officers in selecting competent agents.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the decision of the Army Council to purchase the whole of the English wool-clip for 1916, he has considered the position of the spinner and manufacturer who has made a speciality of using this class of wool and who cannot find any substitute?

The Army Council is intending to utilise the bulk of the 1916 clip for military purposes, and in arranging for distribution to spinners and manufacturers who are able to undertake Government orders they will be guided by returns showing the quantity and class of wool which firms are likely to require. The balance of the clip unsuitable for military purposes will be disposed of at market prices.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private J. Downey, No. 9,320, Irish Guards, allowed his mother 26s. per week out of his wages before he enlisted on the 22nd July, 1915; if he is aware that his mother has been refused a dependant's allowance because Downey, through oversight, did not sign Army Form 01,838 claiming dependant's allowance until 10th February, 1916; and whether Mrs. Downey will be deprived of the allowance to which she is justly entitled through a technical irregularity?

This soldier enlisted 22nd July, 1915, and did not make an allotment or put in a claim for a dependant's allowance until 10th February, 1916, and my hon. Friend has already been, privately informed that, as the man had five months in which he could have made a claim, but did not do so, the case does not appear to be one for exceptional treatment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will explain why the War Office refuse to accept jams which contain apple juice; if he is aware that apple juice mixed with strawberry, raspberry, black currant, and plum jam improves the quality, makes it more palatable, and cheapens the production and if the War Office will remove the existing restrictions upon the use of apple juice, which have the effect of forcing up the price of jams to themselves and the general consumers and depressing the apple-growing industry?

The use of mixed fruits and the addition of so-called fruit juices in jam making are open to abuses which are difficult to control. The quality of the jam supplied to the Army has much improved since these restrictions were imposed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his attention has been called to the allegations that, pending settlement of their claims, disabled soldiers are not being paid either pay or pension after being discharged from the Army; and, seeing that there is a promise on the part of the War Office to pay at the rate of 10s. and 20s. per week, respectively, to single and married men, will he say what steps he proposes to take?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any actual cases which have come to his notice, I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can now state the reduced percentages paid to contractors for hutting contracts, and if he can give the name of the firms who executed those contracts, the amount of the contract in each case, and the original, percentage in each case?

I am at present negotiating with the agents on the subject of a possible revision of the terms, and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would, postpone his question for a time.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give the number of pensions awarded by the Chelsea Commissioners to date at the full scale as determined by the presiding Committee; the number re-examined on the basis of the provision of the four-fifths of the total scale pension; the number awarded the full four-fifths, and the numbers awarded less, with, if possible, the number at each amount?

I regret that it is not practicable to furnish this information in view of the amount of labour involved in its preparation and of the overworked condition of the staff.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether there are any special provisions for the treatment of soldiers deafened as a result of active service comparable to those for the blind?

Such soldiers would receive the regulated disability pension according to their incapacity, but there are no special provisions similar to those undertaken by Sir Arthur Pearson in the case of the blind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the scarcity of food and increased cost of living in Germany, as well as of the fall in the value of the Mark, he still adheres to the opinion expressed on 9th November last, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for York, that the pay given to British officer prisoners of war in Germany is sufficient to meet their requirements, that pay being in the case of subalterns only two Marks per day and in the case of higher officers only three and one-third Marks, as compared with four shillings and four shillings and sixpence, respectively given to German prisoners in Great Britain?

As at present advised, I see no reason to modify the answer to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, considering that the pay given in Great Britain to German officer prisoners of war is, irrespective of the fall in the value of the Mark, in the case of subalterns double of, and in the case of higher officers one-third more than, that given to British officers in Germany, while the cost of living is much higher there, he will now reconsider the question of the reduction of the rates of pay in Great Britain, in view of the fact that the negotiations mentioned in his reply to the hon. Member for York on 9th November last have apparently failed?

It is not proposed to disturb existing arrangements.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can give the total amount awarded for compensation by the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission; and if he can say whether any Report of their work will be issued by this Commission?

The Defence of the Realm Losses Royal Commission have awarded up to the end of May lump sum payments of £229,532 against claims for approximately £512,000, and annual payments at the rate of £145,700 a year against claims for approximately £268,000 a year. The Commission will, in the usual way, present a Report upon the conclusion of the duties which they were appointed to perform.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he can state, approximately, the number of persons employed and the amount of money paid weekly, respectively, in munitions manufacture in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales?

The returns on which information as to numbers employed on munitions work are based are only collected at definite intervals. It is not yet possible to give more recent information than that contained in the answer of 19th April.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Central Control Board have yet considered certain representations on the subject of restricted hours of business in the districts of Ventnor, Shanklin, Sandown, and Ryde which have been made on behalf of licensed traders of these localities; and whether in limiting the hours of consumption of alcoholic liquors the Control Board make any distinction between areas where munitions are produced and purely seaside towns, as the above?

I understand that the Control Board have not seen their way to allow special relaxations of their Order in the towns mentioned in the first part of the question. With reference to the second part of the question, I may remind the hon. Member that the Board's powers extend not only to areas in which munitions are made, but also to transport areas and areas in which men belonging to naval or military forces are assembled.

asked the Minister of Munitions if any estimate has been made of the cost of purchasing the breweries and licensed trade in the Carlisle district as proposed by the Central Control Board; and if payment is to be made in cash or if payment will be deferred?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part of the question is that payment will be made in cash with an option to the vendors to take payment, either in whole or part, in Exchequer Bonds.

asked the Minister of Munitions if his attention has been called to the discharge by Colonel Brindley of certain engineers at the Rees Roturba Company's works, Ponders End, for losing time on Tuesday in Easter week; are the tribunals open to adjudicate upon such cases; whether he has considered the advisability of having engineers unemployed at a time when their work is in such demand for our fighting forces in the field; and will he call for a report on the matter and take steps to see that there is no recurrence of such flouting of the authority set up to deal with such cases in the district?

About 400 men were discharged by the Bees Roturba Company for failing to report for work on the Tuesday in Easter week. A special appeal had been made to them to resume work on Tuesday, and a notice had been posted to the effect that anyone who failed to report would be discharged unless he had valid reasons for absence. Of the 400 men discharged 150 were subsequently reinstated and compensated by the company of their own accord. A number of other cases were brought before the local munitions tribunal, and compensation was awarded. The decision of the local munitions tribunal was upheld upon an appeal being lodged. The matter has accordingly been dealt with by the duly constituted authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether the closing of Warwick Prison is a temporary measure only, and, if so, for how long; and whether the possibility of making use of it during the War for prisoners of war or otherwise has been considered?

Warwick Prison is closed as a temporary measure only. It is not possible at this date to say when it will be reopened as a civil prison. The use of the prison for other purposes is now under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the International Mercantile Marine Company of New Jersey, America, owns the White Star Line, the Dominion Line, the Atlantic Transport Line, the American Line, the Red Star Line, and 98½ per cent. of the ordinary shares of the Leyland Line, with a total tonnage afloat and under construction of 1,260,501 tons, and 25 per cent. of the Holland-America Line, 44 per cent. of the Shaw Savill and Albion Company, and 30 per cent. of George Thompson and Company, the last three with a total tonnage afloat and under construction of 400,074 tons; whether he is aware that many of the shareholders of the International Mercantile Marine Company bear German names; and whether he will take such steps as are necessary to prevent the possibility of the control of lines of national importance, so far as they are under the British flag, passing into German hands?

The statements of fact contained in the first part of the question are, I am informed, substantially correct. I cannot say how many of the shareholders in the International Mercantile Marine Company bear German names. The Government have taken steps which would effectively prevent the real control of any of the British lines referred to passing into enemy hands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what use the Report of the inquiry into industrial agreements by the Industrial Council has been put since the outbreak of war, seeing that during that time so much industrial unrest has existed, and still exists, in various important industries?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Report in question, from which he will see that it is doubtful whether the recommendations of the council bear very directly upon the labour questions which have arisen as a result of the special war conditions. Some of the recommendations would require legislation, and that is, I fear, in existing circumstances, impracticable at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Poor Law guardians have sent along resolutions asking the Government to increase the old age pension; and if the Government intend taking any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I fear the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the last part, I can add nothing to the answers which have already been given on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Dublin merchants complain of the delay in the cross-channel transit of goods and merchandise; whether he is aware that consumers generally complain, of the price charged for coal in the city and suburbs; and whether he will inquire into those complaints and endeavour to provide some alleviation by limiting the freights now levied by shipowners from the public?

I am aware that complaints have been made from time to time regarding delay in the transit of goods and the price of coal. All practicable steps are being taken, and will continue to be taken, to alleviate the tonnage difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has read the affidavit of Dandunnage Davit Sinno, of Algoda, Ceylon, that on the morning of the 10th June, 1915, a number of English officers and Punjabi soldiers came to his house, arrested him, tied him up, led him by the house of James Bass to the bank of the river; out of fifteen men placed three apart; talked in English, which the men did not understand; asked no questions whatever; bandaged the eyes of the three men, Podisirno, Thelenis Appu, and James Bass, and had them shot by the soldiers; under what authority they were summarily executed without having been questioned; and, if His Majesty disapproves of that procedure, whether Sir Robert Chalmers, then Governor of Ceylon, will be asked for an explanation?

I have read what purports to be a transcript of the affidavit in question, but I have no reason to believe that it accurately represents the facts.