asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds in such cases as the attempt on the life of the Sultan, Egyptians are tried by Military Courts instead of by the Assize Courts, which are equally under British control; whether they are allowed Egyptian barristers to defend them in their own language; and whether any mitigation is intended in these respects?

Cases of the nature indicated by the hon. Member are, under martial law, properly tried by Military Courts. As regards the second point, I can assure the hon. Member that at all trials proper provision is made for the representation of the accused and, when necessary, for interpreting from and into his own language. So far as I am aware, no change is intended.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Russian railway from Julfa to Tabriz, in North Persia, has been completed; and what progress has been made with the British concession for the Mohammerah-Khoramabad railway in South Persia?

The answer to the first part of the question is, I believe, in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the survey of the Mohammerah-Khorama-bad line has inevitably been delayed by the disturbed local conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the large purchase of wool by Italy at the recent wool sales at Sydney; and whether, as Italy has not the machinery to use all the wool she has taken from various sources since the war started and as she has not as yet declared war upon Germany, he will make special representations to the Italian Government that none of such wool is permitted to go into Germany or Austria?

The importance of preventing wool from reaching Germany and Austria-Hungary has frequently been brought to the notice of the Italian Government, who have prohibited the export of all wool from Italy and have taken strict measures to prevent smuggling which I have every reason to believe are effective.

aaked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, as the result of permitting all the Allies to compete for wool in Sydney, Italy had taken most of the wool and compelled another serious advance in prices; and whether these continued heavy Colonial purchases will receive the serious attention of the Government?

The decision to allow the Allies to take part in the recent wool sales in Australia was arrived at after the most careful consideration, and after consultation with the Australian Prime Minister. The whole position is receiving the closest attention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the resolution of the Paris Conference of the necessity of tightening up the blockade before the new German harvest is available, he can give the House the assurance that the Navy will at once be allowed to enforce a strict blockade on all goods like to have enemy countries as their final destination?

The policy advocated by the hon. Member is now being carried out, and there is no intention to abandon it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will put himself into communication with the French Government with a view to expediting the granting of passes to British subjects living in or wishing to enter the area in France now occupied by the British Army, as these individuals are at a disadvantage as compared with other nationalities?

The matter is already engaging attention, but private interests must be subordinated to military necessities. The French authorities are carrying out the wishes of the British military authorities in this matter.

Will the attention of the military authorities be drawn to the case of a well-known British dentist practising at Compiegne, who was allowed to circulate freely during the whole time that French troops were in occupation of that area, but since the arrival of the British has been refused permission to move about, and his practice has therefore been entirely suspended?

If the hon. Member will ascertain the name of the individual in question, full inquiries will be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if ho is aware of the statement of Mr. Burton, Minister of Finance, Railways and Harbours, South Africa, to the effect that he had requested the High Commissioner to press upon the Imperial Government the fact that increased freight facilities would procure more and cheaper meat for England; and, if so, are any steps being taken with that object in view?

The utilisation of the cattle resources of South Africa has for some time engaged the attention of the Board of Trade and the Department of the High Commissioner of the Union. What insulated space there is on the ships usually trading to South Africa is being used to its full capacity, and there are no ships that could usefully be diverted from other routes. My hon. Friend will be aware of the difficulties which at present attend the building of new ships.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Home production of sausage skins is utterly inadequate to meet the demand, and that owing to the prohibition of the import of such goods their price has increased, with the result of restricting still further the sources of the supply of cheap food; whether the object of the restriction of imports is to prevent, as far as possible, the rise in the price of food; and, if so, in view of the fact that the prohibition of this article defeats the object of the restriction of imports, whether he will remove the prohibition?

My information is to the effect that the supply of sausage skins in this country is at present adequate, and T am not prepared to remove the prohibition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received representations from the Houghton-le-Spring Board of Guardians, and other similar authorities in the North of England, calling his attention to the increased cost of maintaining the poor, which results in additional taxation on the ratepayer, and their appeal to the Government to facilitate the cheapening of the necessaries of life; and, if so, what steps are proposed with that object?

a Committee has been appointed to go into the whole question of the increase of price of necessaries, and I have therefore caused copies of the representations made to me to be forwarded to the Committee for their consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a number of victuallers' shops have been closed down in Ireland owing to a shortage of meat; if he is aware that cattle has now reached the price of 8d. per pound live weight, which is equivalent to 1s. 2d. per pound dead weight; if he will cause an inquiry to be made as to whether the increase in price and the shortage in supplies have been caused by an undue amount of imported meat being hoarded in cold storage in England; if, to obviate further speculation in the people's food supply, the Government will, as in the recent wool market, curtail dealings except under Government supervision; and if he will take the necessary steps to prevent shippers and others making any undue profit on food supplies during the War?

I am aware that the prices of meat and cattle have reached a level considerably above the normal. The information at present in my possession does not indicate that the rise is to any material degree the result of speculative dealings, or that an undue amount of imported meat is being detained in cold storage. I am, however, transmitting a copy of the hon. Member's question to the Committee which is investigating the causes of the rise of price of necessaries, and it would be well if the hon. Member would put any evidence in his possession before that Committee. In the event of the result showing that prices are being artificially forced up by market manipulation, I should not hesitate to take or propose drastic administrative or legislative action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can furnish a list of German-owned or partly-owned firms who have up to the present, at the request of the naval or munitions-authorities, been withdrawn from the operations of the Committee dealing with the winding-up or sale of enemy firms?

The views of the Departments concerned with munitions as to the expediency of making orders-requiring businesses to be wound up under Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916, have been obtained for the information of the Committee advising the Board of Trade on the matter, but no firms have been withdrawn from the consideration of that Committee.

Is it not the fact that particular firms, at the request of the naval and military authorities, have been withdrawn or, it may be, temporarily protected from the operations of the Committee?

I am not sure whether that is so, but I will speak to the hon. Member on the subject.

I will put the question, down for another day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to give immediate effect, so far as it can be done by administrative action under the existing law, to all the recommendations of the Paris Economic Conference relating to measures for the War period; if he will say which, if any, of such recommendations cannot be carried out under the existing law; and if he intends to introduce without delay whatever legislation may be requisite for giving effect to all such recommendations?

I understand that the Prime Minister will make a statement on èthe whole subject shortly, and I do not think it would be desirable to anticipate that statement.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give a day for the discussion of the Resolutions passed at the Paris Conference?

asked the Prime Minister when an opportunity will be given the House for the discussion of the recommendations of the Economic Conference of the Allies recently held in Paris?

Yes, Sir, if there is any general desire for such a discussion the Government will endeavour to provide an early opportunity for it.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Secretary of State for the Colonies was right in saying the other day that the Paris Conference Resolutions were the policy of the Cabinet?

I must ask for notice of that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that one day will be sufficient to discuss a question which means the abandonment of the Free Trade policy of this country?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Resolutions passed at the Economic Conference in Paris will, so far as possible, at once be given effect to by the British Government; and whether the House of Commons will be given an early opportunity of expressing its adherence and support to the policy recommended?

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement of Mr. Hughes, one of the British representatives at the Paris Economic Conference, that the necessity for immediate action on the Resolutions of the Conference applies t5 Great Britain in a special way, and that not to act promptly is, so far as results go, as fatal as not to act at all, expresses the views of the Government; whether the Government have yet considered what action will be necessary to give effect to the Resolutions of the Conference; whether effect can be given to any and, if so, which of the Resolutions without resort to fresh legislation; and if he will say when it is proposed to introduce such legislation as may be required?

asked the Prime Minister if he can make a statement as to the steps which the Government propose to take to give effect to the recommendations of the recent Paris Economic Conference?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether his attention has been called to the warning of the French Minister of Commerce to the Allies against the employment of Germans in national industries; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent alien enemies from coming to the United Kingdom after the War for the purpose of spying in the interest of their own country and depriving our own people of work and wages in the United Kingdom; (2) whether he can give the House the assurance that immediate steps will be taken by the Government to carry out the Resolutions of the Paris Conference, in view of the fact that the Allies expect the British Government to give the lead; and (3) whether his attention has been called to the statement of the French Minister of Commerce to the effect that the Germans were at present manufacturing and assembling immense stocks of all classes of goods for the purpose of dumping them at half price on the world's markets after the War; and, in view of this evidence, can he now say what immediate steps the Government propose to take to prevent our industries from being ruined and our working people from being starved for want of employment?

I propose to make a general statement on this subject at an early date.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he thinks the same as his colleague the Colonial Secretary?

Time will show. [An HON. MEMBER: "Wait and see!"]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in sanctioning the scheme of reconstruction of the Rubel Bronze and Metal Company, Limited, necessitated by the large enemy alien interest in the company, he made it a condition that the company should give the German shareholders three months within which to take up their shares and to pay the application money thereon; whether more than 40,000 shares were applied for by and allotted to Germans, and whether the German shareholders have remitted through a neutral country sums amounting to 4s. per share upon their holdings, which sums the company has received under permission from the British Government?

The facts stated in the question are substantially accurate, but, taken by themselves, they give a totally misleading account of what has taken place. They require to be supplemented by the statement that the whole of the shares allotted to enemies under the reconstruction scheme have been vested in the custodian of enemy property in order that they may be sold to British subjects. I may add that the reconstruction scheme itself arose out of circumstances independent of the enemy interest in the concern, and that the licences granted by the Board of Trade were necessary incidents in the reconstruction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether steps have been taken by owners who have lost ships insured against war risk to replace such ships; and, if so, whether he can state the percentage of ships being so replaced or on stocks, having regard to the total of ships lost and insured against war risk?

The action taken by individual owners in the way of replacing lost ships is not reported to the Board of Trade, and it is therefore not possible to give exact information or percentages, but I know of no reason to think that owners are refraining from ordering new ships. There is no lack of orders; the difficulty is in getting them completed owing to war conditions.

May I ask if the Government are taking the necessary steps to ensure that the carrying capacity of the nation is being maintained?

Yes, it is being watched daily.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information as to the position and prospects of our troops in Mesopotamia?

Such information as can be made public without prejudice to the success of the operations has been and will be issued to the Press in the form of communiqués. I am afraid that it is not at present desirable in the public interest to give further particulars.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the interest and anxiety taken in all parts of England as regards the forces on the Euphrates and for some kind of information about them?

I am very well aware of the general interest taken in this subject. I cannot give any information today, but perhaps my right hon. Friend would be good enough to repeat the question.

I will repeat it on this day week.

asked the Secretary of State for India when it was decided to dispatch the two divisions from France to the assistance of General Townshend as mentioned in General Nixon's telegram, No. 7, of the 11th April, 1916?

My right hon. Friend, who is unable to be present, asks me to refer my hon. Friend to Sir John Nixon's letter of 11th April, 1916 (No. 7 of the White Book), in which he says that the decision reached him on 24th October. It was taken on the preceding day.

asked whether General Townshend, at any time after his telegraphic communication to the Chief of the Staff of 3rd October, 1915, sent to the General Commanding any dispatch as to the first battle of Kut-el-Amara; and, if so, whether that dispatch contained an appreciation confirming the said telegram?

My right hon. Friend would refer my hon. Friend to the statement in General Sir J. Nixon's letter of 12th April (No. 10 in the White Paper) that he received no representation from General Townshend subsequent to his telegram of the 3rd October.

asked whether General Nixon communicated General Townshend's definite opinion, expressed in his telegram of 3rd October, 1915, to the effect that great risk would be run in the advance upon Bagdad without two divisions to the Government of India or to the Secretary of State; and when the Cabinet first became aware of such opinion?

If my hon. Friend will refer to Command Paper Cd. 8253 recently published, he will see that before April last neither the Government of India nor the Secretary of State had any knowledge of the opinion which General Townshend had expressed to Sir John Nixon. Its existence was made known to His Majesty's Government by the Viceroy's telegram of 9th April.

asked (1) whether the Cabinet were warned by the military authorities in Mesopotamia that strong Turkish reinforcements had been dispatched from the North to reinforce the Bagdad Army prior to the Battle of Ctesiphon; and whether it was these forces which contributed to the compulsory retirement of General Townshend after that battle; and (2) whether the advance upon Bagdad was decided on political rather than military reasons; and whether lie will publish the whole of the dispatches and telegrams passing between the Secretary of State and the Government of India or the Officer Commanding in Mesopotamia containing the orders for such advance?

My right hon. Friend asks my hon. Friend to wait for the promised Papers on the Mesopotamian Expedition. Every effort is being made to present them as soon as possible and to make them complete.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what quantity of malt remains to be exported from the United Kingdom under contracts already sanctioned; and if any further export of malt will be licensed when these contracts are finished?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. From inquiries which have been made by my Department it appears that considerable stocks of malt have been manufactured during the recent malting season which have been specially prepared for the brewing of lager beer and for which there is no market in this country. As at present advised I see no advantage in refusing to allow the export of malt of this description, but I am considering whether such export should not be confined to British Possessions and to the territories of our Allies; and, further, whether exports to our Allies should not be limited, so far as possible, to cases in which it can be shown that it is required for brewing beer for the British or Allied troops. Communications with the English and Scottish Boards of Agriculture are, however, still proceeding. I have no precise information as to the amount of these stocks, but I will take steps to procure it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that malt, which he describes as specially prepared for lager beer, can easily and at small expense be converted for ordinary use for English ales?

I will take the hon. Member's word for it.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the fact that large buildings are being erected near a southern seaport by his Department by direct labour, he will state what other Government Departments are carrying out building operations in this manner; and what precedents there are for its adoption?

The Minister of Munitions is not in a position to give the information asked for with respect to other Government Departments. For many years Government factories have been in the habit of employing direct labour for carrying out building operations.

If the right hon. Gentleman says that Government Departments have been doing it, can he not give the information? He must have the information or he could not state that it has been done in the past.

I said that Government factories had done it in the past. I do not know whether other Government Departments are doing it at the present time

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can now make an announcement as to what extra holidays it is proposed to grant to the men employed in controlled establishments next August?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Whitsun Bank Holiday has been postponed to 8th August. As regards special local holidays, it is the intention of the Government that, subject to the military exigencies of the moment, the full holiday which would otherwise have been given in June and July shall be given in each district on the date fixed locally for taking the postponed holiday.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make an announcement in the different localities as to when these holidays will be given? Is he not aware that it is very inconvenient to have the matter held up until the last moment?

We are not holding it up at all. We are deliberately advising the employers and the men's representatives in each district to meet and make the arrangements most suitable to their own district. It would be very undesirable to lay it down from headquarters.

asked the Minister of Munitions when he proposes to make a statement of the policy of which the State purchase of the licensed liquor trade in certain localities in England and Scotland is a part; and whether he will explain whether further developments of this new departure are contemplated?

a statement of the grounds on which this purchase has been undertaken will be found in chapter VI. of the recently published Second Report of the Central Control Board (Cd. 8243). Since that Report was published it has been decided to extend one of the districts mentioned in the Report so as to include Carlisle. The further action of the Board in this matter will be guided by local requirements and by acquired experience.

asked what is the estimated cost of purchasing the breweries and the licensed trade in the Carlisle area?

The amount cannot be properly stated in advance of the determination by the Defence of the Realm (Losses) Commission which will adjudicate upon the claims.

Will the amount, if any, agreed upon be referred to this House for approval before the State is committed to purchase?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any and, if so, what allowances are made to or expenses are paid on behalf of the Commissioners of the Board of Control (Liquor Traffic)?

Members of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), when travelling on the business of the Department, are entitled to claim travelling and subsistence allowances at the rates laid down by the Treasury as applicable to temporary Commissions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if any contracts made by his Department for the supply of bleached cotton waste are arranged upon the basis of a profit on cost; if he is aware that the adoption of this system has resulted in an abnormal increase in the market price of the raw material and that, whilst the Government have to pay enhanced prices for their supplies and contractors who supply waste on the basis of a fixed price are unfairly handicapped, loss is occasioned to the entire cotton industry; and if he will take steps to terminate the system of contracting on a profit on cost basis?

There is no contract for cotton waste of the kind indicated by the hon Member wherein the amount of profit increases with the cost. The contract to which he may refer provides for a fixed profit per ton of waste supplied.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that there is no contract under the terms of which cotton waste is acquired upon the basis of a commission on cost?

That is so. There is no contract of the nature referred to by the hon. Member. The contracts referred to gives a definite profit; it does not take into account the cost of production. The profit does not vary with the cost.

asked the Home Secretary what measures he proposes to take to prevent naturalised Germans from changing their names before they have been officially discarded from German nationality by German law?

It is not possible to discriminate on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member, for the reason that definite information cannot be ascertained in individual cases.

Why can it not be obtained?

The laws of Germany, with regard to naturalisation, are such that one can never be sure that any individual German naturalised in this country may not have retained his nationality in his own country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent any naturalised Germans from changing their names?

I have already answered that question.

Is it not the case that any German who has been naturalised gets a certificate to that effect from his own country?

In any case, if one refers to the existing German law, I am not sure that that would prove a complete security.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that among the pamphlets seized by the police from a private residence in Penarth was one on the "Sermon on the Mount," by the Bishop of Oxford; and whether this publication is on the list of prohibited pamphlets mentioned by him on the 1st June?

I have made inquiry inquiry into this matter, as I undertook to do in answer to questions last week. The hon. Members who took an interest in this case will be glad to learn that there is no foundation for the statement that the Bishop of Oxford's book was seized by the police. The story appears to have originated from the fact that, when the police seized some pamphlets at Penarth, the owner of the pamphlets handed a copy of the Bishop's book to the police inspector, and asked him to read and return it. I have no doubt the inspector will return it when he has completed his perusal.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the police authorities at Port Talbot asked for power to destroy publications of the Woman's Labour League, issued in 1913, namely, "The Need for Baby Clinics, and Help for Babies," and that they obtained this permission on the ground that they were prejudicial to the Government and the conduct of the War; and will he say what action he proposes to take?

a few copies of a pamplet or leaflet, called "Help the Babies," appear to be included in a large mass of literature seized by the police near Port Talbot, but as an appeal is now pending from a decision of a Court of Summary Jurisdiction with regard to this case, I can make no statement with regard to it. The other publication is not included in the list of seizures which has been furnished to me.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the police authorities have seized, and in some cases destroyed, a number of leaflets and pamphlets found on the premises of the Independent Labour Party at Port Talbot and at Bargoed, as well as in private houses in Cudworth and Penarth; that they refused to produce the list of pamphlets they were instructed to seize which he stated had been sent to the police in all parts of the country; that the pamphlets seized had not been condemned by the Court, and a number of them issued by the Union of Democratic Control were, after examination as far back as August, 1915, restored to that organisation both in Manchester and London, with an intimation from the Home Office that there was no objection to their distribution; and whether he will prevent any further action of this kind by the police authorities in these districts?

I understand that a number of pamphlets were seized by the police at the places mentioned. The proceedings appear to have been taken on a magistrate's warrant under Regulation 51A, and therefore the documents seized either have been or will be brought before the magistrates. I do not know that any of them have yet been destroyed—in one case they are being preserved pending an appeal. I propose to make a statement on the general question in the Debate on tile Home Office Estimates on Thursday.

asked the Home Secretary whether the recent raid on the offices of the Council against Conscription and the seizure of their books and papers are authorised by the Government or by any Minister; and, if so, which Minister?

I understand that the Under-Secretary of State for War will deal with this question in answering Question 67.

asked the Prime Minister if he, as acting Secretary of State for War, was consulted before the offices of the National Council Against Conscription were raided on 6th June, and their books, documents, and other property removed by the military authorities; if the Secretary of State for the Home Department was consulted; and whether the property seized has been returned to the National Council Against Conscription?

The action was taken under the Defence of the Realm Regulation No. 51, which makes the competent military authority responsible for the search of premises suspected of being used in contravention of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. It was within his competence and the scope of his duties. The property removed has been returned, except four copies of a pamphlet which contravened the Regulations.

Are there to be any prosecutions as a result of the raid on these premises?

I am not quite sure. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.

Was the sanction of the Home Secretary obtained before this raid took place?

No, Sir; nor is there any reason why it should be.

Why, then, did the police assist the military authorities in carrying out this raid?

The military authorities are perfectly entitled to ask the assistance of the civil authority.

May I ask whether the objects of this council are not entirely legitimate and legal; and, if so, why this arbitrary ease of violence can be justified?

If a perfectly legal body chooses to undertake purely illegal actions they must put up with the consequences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain electric lighting companies are increasing the charge made for the supply of electricity to consumers in order to compensate themselves for the loss occasioned to them by the operation of the Summer Time Act; and whether he proposes to take any action, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent this attempt to defeat the objects for which the Act was passed?

I am aware that certain electric lighting companies, as well as local authorities, are increasing their charges to consumers, and that the operation of the Summer Time Act is given as one of the reasons for the increase. The Acts and Orders authorising the supply of electric light fix the maximum charges which may be made to consumers, and undertakers are acting within their statutory powers in increasing their prices so long as the prescribed maximum is not exceeded. The chief object of the Summer Time Act was to effect economy in the use of coal by public utility bodies, and I do not see my way to promote legislation to prevent electric lighting undertakers from increasing their prices for current actually used to compensate them for the reduced consumption.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to see that the increased charge is not continued during that portion of the year when the Summer Time Act will not be in operation?

I should like to see exactly what are my powers of preventing it?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the charge and the nature of the inquiry on which the five Irish ladies were deported from Mount joy to internment camps in this country; if he will say whether any evidence was taken from the ladies, or if they were allowed any opportunity to defend themselves at the inquiry which ordered their deportation; and, if not, will he say why this was not permitted?

These ladies are interned because of their hostile associations and of their having favoured, promoted, and assisted an armed insurrection against the King. Very careful inquiries were made by the military authorities before they recommended internment. Their cases will now be considered by the Advisory Committee, who will allow them to make any statements they desire in their own defence, personally, as well as in writing.

asked the Prime Minister whether the case of Dr. Richard Hayes, of Lusk, county Dublin, has been or will be considered by the Government; whether he is aware that for having gone to Ashbourne and given medical aid to the wounded there, irrespective of the side to which they belonged, and having no other than this professional connection with the occurrence, he has been sentenced by a court-martial to penal servitude for twenty years; and whether he will take immediate steps to have this gentleman released and reinstated in the public position which he has been filling?

Dr. Richard Hayes was tried and convicted by court-martial for complicity in the rebellion, and it is not proposed at present to interfere with the finding and sentence of the Court.

May I ask what has been done with his motor car?

I am afraid I shall require notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from Belfast a memorial signed by the Bishop of Down and Connor and other prominent citizens, and by many thousands of Belfast people of all political and religious opinions, asking, in the interest of justice and peace, for the immediate release of the Belfast men imprisoned without charge or trial, or an immediate trial if there be any charge; whether he is aware that evidence is available showing that all those men were at their ordinary avocations in Belfast or its vicinity during the week of the insurrection in Dublin; and whether, in all these circumstances, their immediate release or trial will be ordered?

This case, in common with others similar, will no doubt receive the immediate attention of the Advisory Committee.

asked the Prime Minister, having regard to the credit claimed for the dietary treatment of insurrectionary prisoners on the occasion of his visit to Richmond Barracks, Dublin, will he say why that scale has been substantially departed from in all the places in which those prisoners are now detained; those men being untried and detained against their will, by what rule or principle is the food given them in all those places so inferior in quality and insufficient in quantity that they would starve but for the additional food sent in by friends; and, if unwilling to order them a sufficiency of wholesome food for the maintenance of health, whether he will immediately order them at least the same dietary scale set up on the occasion of his visit to Richmond Barracks?

This question is a repetition of that put by the hon. Member on the 20th June. I have nothing to add to the answer I then gave.

Will the Prime Minister say whether the scale of rations ordered on the occasion of his visit was for a political purpose; if not, for what purpose was it?

There was no alteration in the scale of rations on my visit—

Yes! Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the scale is carried out in the camp as well?

It is.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that parcels of perishable foodstuffs sent to Irish prisoners of war in English and Welsh camps have not been delivered for seven or eight days; if he is aware that, owing to this delay in delivery, parcels of food were rendered useless and prisoners left hungry; if he is aware that letters to and from Irish prisoners have been delayed for more than a week before delivery; and if he will take steps to remedy this grievance?

I have no knowledge of any delay in the Post of letters or parcels addressed to or sent by Irishmen who, since the recent disturbances in Ireland, have been detained by the military. If particulars are sent me I shall be glad to investigate the same, but I should point out to the hon. Member that if there has been any delay due to censoring correspondence it would take place at the camps, and any question, therefore, relating to delay thus caused should be addressed to the War Office.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's control over these letters ceases when they are delivered by the postman; whether he can relieve the congestion of a heap of letters for prisoners in the camp in Wales lying at the entrance not delivered; when will they be delivered, and what protection is there against people to whom they do not belong picking them up?

Letters are delivered at the camps and as soon as they are delivered the Post Office has no further responsibility in connection with their distribution amongst those who are regarded as prisoners.

Will the Under-Secretary for War account for these letters?

If the hon. Member will tell me where I can get the letters.

At the entrance to the camp in Wales.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the censoring of the letters in the Post Office so that they could be delivered when they do arrive at the camps?

The censoring is done by the military censor and not by the authorities connected with the Post Office. The Post Office authorities endeavour to facilitate the censoring, and if the War Office desire that the censoring should take place in some other place during the period of transition, of course we shall endeavour to meet their wishes.

I hope they will.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the names of Irish prisoners of war who have died in this country since internment, and the names of those now sick?

Michael McCarthy died at Wakefield on 14th May. As the numbers on the sick list vary from day to day it would be impossible to give this information.

Did Michael McCarthy die from a wetting sustained while in custody in Dublin from sheer neglect?

I am afraid I do not know what he died from.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that is being caused in Ireland owing to the treatment and visiting regulations for Irish prisoners of war at Frongoeh camp; if he is aware that the general treatment and visiting to the camp is much worse than when prisoners were in English gaols; and if he will take steps to see that such treatment shall not continue?

The regulations as to visiting these prisoners were laid down by the Home Office. Perhaps my hon. Friend would refer to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

Are these men prisoners of war or interned rebels?

As to what their precise designation is, I do not think it has ever been decided, but they are treated as prisoners of war.

Are they treated as prisoners of war?

Yes.

Then they are prisoners of war.

Has war been declared between England and Ireland?

Better ask your hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will print and circulate for the information of the Members of the House the evidence upon which the Irish prisoners of war were convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to life sentences; and if he will also cause the evidence submitted on their behalf to be made public?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right lion. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Mayo on 1st June.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the prisoners from Tullamore, who were taken out of the Civil authorities' hands by Sir John Maxwell in respect of an alleged offence occurring five weeks previous to the revolt in Dublin, have been tried by court-martial; if so, what was the date of their trial, and what sentence, if any, has been imposed; and whether the Government will see their way to release these prisoners, who have now been over three months in prison?

The result of this trial has now appeared in the Press. The proceedings were not confirmed, and the prisoners were released.

Was the trial in camera??

I do not know.

I put in the word "angry" before the word "feeling"; it seems to be necessary for the sense. I would like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it is a rigid rule that all adjectives must be taken out of the questions handed in?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the Government are as anxious as he is to restore ordinary conditions in Ireland as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any official information to give the House with regard to the present state of the city of Dublin; has sniping been totally suppressed in all quarters; and are officers and men of His Majesty's Forces wearing uniform able to land in Dublin and traverse the streets without molestation or insult whether singly or in parties?

As regards the first part of the question, the present state of the city is quiet and orderly. The reply to the remaining parts is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the fact that the Statutory Committee (Naval and Military War Pensions, etc., Act, 1915) have refused to allow Shrewsbury to set up a separate local committee, in spite of a unanimous resolution of the town council and of all friendly societies and labour associations in the borough humbly asking for this; and whether he will give instructions that this decision shall be reversed in the case of Shrewsbury and other town and urban district councils of a similar nature, or take such steps as may be necessary to so alter the powers delegated to the Statutory Committee as to prevent the boroughs being entirely deprived of the privilege accorded them by Section 2, Sub-section (1), of the Act of having a local committee established in boroughs and urban districts on the application of the council thereof?

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the War Pensions Statutory Committee has refused a request of the borough of Folkestone that a local committee for the borough be established under the provisions of the Naval and Military War Pensions Act, 1915; that Folkestone has a population of 35,000, and is a military centre from which some 4,000 men, many of whom are married, have joined the Army; that many boroughs with a smaller population than Folkestone have been granted local committees; and if he will bring pressure to bear on the Statutory Committee to reconsider their decision as regards Folkestone, especially in view of the fact that the circumstances of the town differ in many respects from those in other parts of the county of Kent, and that a local committee would better appreciate the position of applicants in the town than a county committee?

It is the case that the War Pensions, etc., Statutory Committee have not assented to the formation of separate local committees under the Act of 1915 for the boroughs of Shrewsbury and Folkestone. I would point out that the Act does not confer upon either of these places a right to a separate local committee on the application of the town council. Under Section 2 (1) a separate local committee can only be established for a borough with a population of less than 50,000 if the Statutory Committee consider this desirable, having regard to the special circumstances of the case. As regards neither of the two places referred to did the Statutory Committee consider that there were such special circumstances as to render a separate local committee desirable, and hence they did not feel themselves able to assent to the application. My right hon. Friend does not consider that the matter is one in which he could interfere, as he has no control over the Statutory Committee. I may add that at the instance of the Statutory Committee the Salop County Council have included in their scheme establishing a local committee for the county special provisions for the representation of Shrewsbury on the local committee, and that the Statutory Committee have suggested to the Kent County Council to recommend the county local committee to consider the question of forming a special sub-committee for the borough of Folkestone together, possibly, with some adjoining area which could be suitably administered with it.

Do I understand from my right hon. Friend that he is prepared to use his influence on the Statutory Committee in order to get these local committees appointed?

I hope nothing I have said will lead my hon. Friend to think that I shall use my influence one way or the other.

In that case why does the right hon. Gentleman give me a long, answer which has given me no information that I had not before?

Was it not the intention of this House, when this matter was under discussion, that special considerations should be given to important towns like these?

My hon. Friend is as1 able as myself to judge of the discission.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if his attention has been called to the many resolutions passed by representatives of public bodies in conference and public bodies separately in the North of England appealing for increased assistance to old age pensioners; what steps are being taken to deal with this almost unanimous request; and (2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the many representations from conferences and public bodies in the North of England expressing regret that nothing has been done to assist old age pensioners by an increased payment to meet the increased cost of living; and will he say if the Treasury is determined to resist this public demand?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these questions. I fear I can add nothing to my previous answers on this subject.

Owing to the nature of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any resolution from Dublin asking) him to-consider the advisability of increasing the old age pension and reducing the age limit to qualify for the same; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in this matter?

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

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the old age pensioners are seeking relief from the workhouse authorities?

The question does not affect Ireland only, but also Great Britain.

asked the Prime Minister if a different method of dealing with conscientious objectors, as suggested by the late Lord Kitchener and further emphasised to a deputation of the leaders of the free churches, is about to be put in operation; and, if so, when this is to be done?

I hope to be able to make a general statement on this subject to-morrow.

asked the Prime Minister whether Private Howard Marten and three other conscientious objectors now serving in France have been sentenced by court-martial to be shot; and, if so, whether these sentences have been commuted?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the court-martial held at Boulogne upon Howard Marten, a member of the Society of Friends, and three other conscientious objectors to military service, at which the Court sentenced these men to death by shooting; whether this sentence was subsequently commuted to ten years' penal servitude by the Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in France; and whether, in view of the promises given in Parliament by various members of the Government and the provisions of the Military Service Act, any steps are to be taken to prevent similar action by courts-martial in future?

asked the Prime Minister, as acting Secretary of State for War, (1) whether four conscientious objectors were court-martialled in France on 2nd June and sentenced to death by shooting; whether this sentence has been commuted to ten years' penal servitude; what action he proposes to take; and (2) whether the four conscientious objectors who, on 2nd June, were sentenced to death by shooting, the sentence being commuted to ten years' penal servitude, were Howard Marten, a member of the Society of Friends, who had previously been sentenced at Harwich to twenty-eight days' cells, a diet of bread and water, and confinement in irons; Henry Scullard, a Congregationalist and secretary of a Young Men's Christian Association; John Ring, of Barnet, who had previously suffered solitary confinement, bread and water diet, and confinement in irons; and J. Foister, of Cambridge?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if four conscientious objectors named Marten, Scullard, Foister, and Ring, were sentenced to be shot at Boulogne on 17th June; if this sentence has been commuted to ten years' penal servitude; if the men are now in the prison at Rouen; if so, why the Army Order of 25th May last, directing that conscientious objectors sentenced to imprisonment must be immediately sent to a civil prison, has not been carried out in these cases, will this course be followed at once in these cases; and (2) if twenty-one conscientious objectors were court-martialled at Boulogne on 17th June, and if four of this number had the death sentence imposed, which was later commuted to ten years' penal servitude; if the sentences on the other seventeen have since been promulgated, if so, what are the sentences; if the sentences are imprisonment, will all these men be immediately brought to England for confinement in a civil prison; and if the eleven men now in prison at Henriville and the nine in prison at Rouen will also be immediately treated under the Army Order of 25th May last?

asked whether it is intended to send another batch of conscientious objectors to France this week; and whether any of those already sent have been condemned to be shot?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether Messrs. J. Foister, H. Marten, Ring, and Scullard, who, as conscientious objectors to military service and members of the Non-Combatant Corps, were, for refusing to obey military orders, sentenced on 17th June to death by shooting, and whose sentence was at once commuted to ten years' penal servitude, have been taken from Boulogne to Rouen; whether any steps have yet been taken for their removal to a civil prison in England; and (2) whether he is now able to make any statement as to the position of conscientious objectors who have been drafted into the Army under protest and are continuing to resist military orders?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer Questions Nos. 57, 68 and 69, and I will also answer the other questions which are addressed to myself and deal with the same matters. It is the case that courts-martial held in France have, in the exercise of their judicial functions, sentenced certain men professing conscientious objections to death for offences punishable by death under the Army Act. In all these cases—thirty-four in number—I am informed the sentence has been commuted to penal servitude by the Commander-in-Chief in France. In accordance with Sections 61 and 62 of the Army Act, prisoners sentenced to penal servitude must undergo their sentence in the United Kingdom in a civil prison, and this statutory provision will, of course, be given effect. In reply to Question 103, I would state that no companies of the Non-Combatant Corps are to be sent to France this week. On the matter generally, I may inform those hon. Members who are interested that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes to make a statement on this subject to-morrow.

May I, in the first place, ask whether the Prime Minister's statement will be made in such a form as to allow of debate afterwards?

I cannot say that, but opportunity will doubtless be given in debate afterwards.

May I ask, further, whether all the conscientious objectors who have been sent to France, and are and have been disobeying orders on conscientious grounds since they have been in France, will now be immediately recalled to this country?

No, Sir, I can not give such a pledge.

How can the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that he has again and again misled the House as to the condition—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]—yes—

The hon. Member can hardly expect a reply if he puts his question in that form.

Are we to understand that thirty-four men have been sentenced to be shot, and that all of these have had their sentences commuted to penal servitude for ten years, or some other period?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative—that is to say, that all the sentences have been commuted. Whether or not they have all been commuted for ten years I do not know, but the first lot, at any rate, have been.

If these cases have been commuted to penal servitude or imprisonment, as I understand they have, why are these men not to come back to England at once and put into a civil prison?

If my hon. Friend had listened to my answer—

I did listen to it.

He would have understood that they have been.

Are persons liable to the death penalty other than those who are guilty of desertion in the face of the enemy?

If my hon. Friend will refer to Section 9 of the Army Act he will see the offences for which the death penalty can be applied.

If these thirty-four men are sentenced to death for disobeying the orders of their superior officers, why are they not shot like other soldiers?

Inasmuch as the Non-Combatant Corps are never brought in face of the enemy, are we to understand that these men were not in the Non-Combatant Corps, but in a combatant unit?

I do not think that is so, but I think the majority, if not all of these men, would be in the Non-Combatant Corps.

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman said on Thursday night, he must remember when he stated—

The hon. Member is not now asking a question.

asked the Prime Minister if he will institute inquiries into the allegations that have been made by many persons of the ill-treatment suffered by a number of conscientious objectors, whose names can be given, on or about 17th June, at Prees Heath Camp, near Whitchurch, Salop, and in particular if he will ascertain whether these men after being kept some time without food were punched, kicked, knocked down, and undressed and scrubbed with a stiff sink brush till they were sore and bleeding; whether a man named Lance-Corporal Barker was brought in specially to give this treatment; whether appeals were made by the men to be tried by court-martial; whether this was refused by the commanding officer, Colonel Bolton; and whether, in view of the fact that these allegations are made by men of the highest respectability, coming from Burnley, Nelson, and other Lancashire towns, and that their failure to obey orders was due to conscientious motives, he will see that a searching investigation is made into all the circumstances of the case?

Inquiry is being made into these allegations, the correctness of which J. must not be taken as accepting.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me how the inquiry will be made and whether the result will be published?

As a rule we do not publish the result of inquiries of this kind which are directed to an individual case. My hon. Friend has addressed many similar inquiries to me and I have always given an answer.

May I ask whether, in view of the allegation of brutal treatment by non-commissioned officers and officers of conscientious objectors, the right hon. Gentleman will have a thorough inquiry made and the evidence of these men taken?

I would ask my hon. Friend to remember that we are in the middle of a great war, and that we are endeavouring to obtain soldiers. I have never refused to cause inquiries to be made into individual cases where there is any reason to suppose anything has been done which ought not to be done which is either cruel or contrary to the instructions which we give, but I really would ask hon. Members to make some kind of inquiry for themselves first, in order that they may be reasonably sure that a primâ facie case is made out, before I take up the time of my office in conducting that kind of inquiry.

Will the inquiry take any more precise form than a mere letter addressed by the Adjutant-General to the Commanding Officer and the Commanding Officer's reply? Will it be in any sense an independent inquiry?

All these inquiries are made by communicating with the General Officer in Command, who puts the machinery in motion.

That is to say, then, that the only evidence the War Office takes is the evidence of the incriminated parties themselves?