asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consent to place in the Library of the House at least one copy of such reports as he may receive concerning the treatment of British prisoners of war at the same time as such reports are supplied to the Press?

If there is any general desire that this course should be taken, there is no objection to it.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he as received any reply to his last proposal to the German Government on the question of the treatment of British civilian prisoners at Ruhleben; and whether he can add anything to his last public statement with reference to this matter?

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to communicate the reply of the German Government to the representations and threats of reprisals that have been made by the British Government in reference to the treatment of prisoners in Ruhleben camp; and what action, if any, it is proposed to take in the matter?

The Note of the German Government which was despatched within the time limited by our Note has now reached us. It denies that insufficient food is being given to our prisoners, and while rejecting our proposal as to exchange, makes another proposal on the subject. His Majesty's Government are considering what reply should be sent to it, and will communicate the German Note and our reply to this House as soon as possible. In the meantime, we are asking for a further Report on the conditions at Ruhleben.

Can my Noble Friend give us no information as to the contents of the German answer to the ultimatum?

I did state very briefly what was contained in it. It denies that insufficient food is being given to our prisoners, and while rejecting our proposal as to exchange makes another proposal in substitution. If my hon. Friend' will repeat his question, I hope to-morrow, or by the latest on Wednesday, I shall be able to give a fuller answer.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he will make further inquiry into the unfair-rate of exchange for English money given to British prisoners in Germany; and whether, in the meanwhile, he will advise the public to transmit money to Germany in Marks rather than in pounds sterling?

Remittances by money order from this country to British prisoners of war in Germany are advised through the Netherlands Post Office in Marks. Messrs. Holt and Company have informed us that they utilise money orders in making the remittances in question, and Messrs. Cox and Company have informed us that the remittances they make are forwarded by their agents in Holland to Germany in Marks. It is, therefore, difficult to understand how the application of a fictitious rate of exchange can account for the deductions which are made. We hope to clear the matter up with the assistance of the United States Ambassador at Berlin, to whom we have explained the position. As it appeared certain that deductions were being made by the German Government, we made a strong protest through the United States representative on the 7th June, but have not yet bad a reply. It follows from what I have already said that there would be no object in advising the public to transmit money to Germany in Marks.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the absence of co-ordination in the arrangements for sending parcels to prisoners of war, both civil and military, resulting in waste and inequality of distribution, he will, in consultation with the War Office, set up a central department entrusted with the care of prisoners of war and the coordination of the efforts of the charitable associations which are now sending parcels to them?

The Prisoners of War Help Committee, 39, Russell Square, W.C., was established early in the War for this purpose. The committee is in close touch with the regimental and other prisoners aid societies. We should be very glad if all prisoners aid societies would act in conjunction with the committee, and thereby obviate the waste and inequality of distribution referred to.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is willing to allow British officers and men now prisoners of war in Germany to give their parole that if released they will not again engage in combatant service in this War; whether it would itself be prepared to give an undertaking not to employ such released prisoners of war in combatant service in this War; and whether it will be prepared to release reciprocally German prisoners of war on similar conditions?

No, Sir; I am afraid this is not a practicable suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the interest taken in the condition of British prisoners at Ruhleben, Germany, he will undertake that before Supply closes the Foreign Office Vote will be put down for discussion?

I doubt if a general discussion on the Foreign Office Vote would be desirable in the public interest. But if there is any desire for a discussion on the condition of British prisoners in Germany, I will see what can be arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many German prisoners of war have been transferred from imprisonment in this country to the French Government for labour purposes; and whether, as an act of retaliation, the German Government has sent British prisoners of war to work in captured territory in Poland, and, if so, how many?

Two thousand seven hundred German prisoners of war have been transferred to British camps in France, where they are under the same Regulations as prisoners in this country. They have not been handed over to the French Government. Notification has been received that the move of British prisoners, understood to be 2,000 in number, to Poland, was consequent on the dispatch of German prisoners to France.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the average crop of potatoes in Belgium for the years 1911, 1912, and 1913, and the estimated crop of the year 1915?

The average potato crop of the whole of Belgium may be taken as a little over 3,000,000 tons. No accurate estimate of the crop of 1915 can be given, as a very large part of the crop is grown in the districts under military administration and in those still held by the Allied Armies. The 1915 crop in the so-called "zone of occupation" under German civil administration was probably slightly above normal.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the total value in Belgium of the foodstuffs imported into that country by the Neutral Relief Commission; and the amount of the contributions made to the Commission by the United States, by other neutrals, by the British Empire, and by the other Allied Governments respectively?

The hon. Member further asked the Under-Secretary unstarred Questions : (1) Whether he can state, in tons, the monthly importation of lard into Belgium and Northern France by the Neutral Relief Commission; (2) whether he can state, in tons, the monthly importation of foodstuffs into Belgium and Northern France by the Neutral Relief Commission?

The answers to this question and to the unstarred questions Nos. 1 and 2 contain a number of figures, and with the permission of the House I propose to have them printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT,

May we take it that, in the opinion of the Department the foodstuffs sent by this Neutral Relief Commission are not being got at by the Germans?

That is our opinion,certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs why, considering that the Russian railway from Julfa to Tabreez, in the North of Persia, has been completed despite the War and disturbed local conditions, no progress has been made with the British concession for the Mohammerah-Khoramabad railway in South Persia which, at any rate, could have been laid as far as Dizful; and, if the British Government are too much engaged to take the matter up, will the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs hand over the political control of Southern Persia to the Government of India, and permit them to take the matter in hand?

The military situation in South-Western Persia has rendered impossible for the time being any further development of the scheme for a railway from Mohammerah to Khoramabad, but when the local situation has improved further steps will be taken in consultation with the Government of India.

Were not military considerations in the North of Persia just as bad as in the South?

Apparently not.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has been acquainted by our Legation at Washington of statements made in the United States of America that the military in this country have, by executing, imprisoning, and deporting thousands of Irishmen, left the families of these men without a breadwinner and that in consequence the impending harvest from lack of hands to gather it must be lost; and, if so, will he lay such reports before the House?

No such reports have been received, and the alleged statement is entirely untrue.

Is it not a fact that statements to this effect have been published and printed in the "Times" newspaper actually bearing out the basis of my question?

I can only say that, so far as we are concerned, no such reports have been received.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that an appeal has recently been issued by the Archbishop of San Francisco for funds to relieve destitution in Ireland and stating that under the presidency of three cardinals of the Catholic Church a nation-wide movement has been started to relieve the misery and destitution that exists to-day in Ireland, and that an American relief committee is proceeding to Ireland to work under the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin; and whether this committee will land in Ireland with the sanction of the Government of the United Kingdom?

His Majesty's Government have not been approached in connection with this proposal, and can express no opinion upon it until they know more about it.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to whether any British subjects are still residing in Germany without being interned?

We do not know the actual number of British subjects permitted to reside in Germany without being interned. There are a number of women and men over fifty-five, also a number of men of military age, most of whom have been released or exempted from internment on account of ill-health or because they are German in sentiment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of companies and firms which have been; investigated by the Committee appointed under the provisions of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916; how many businesses it is anticipated the Committee will still be called upon to investigate; and, should it be ascertained that there remains a large number to be dealt with, will he consider appointing a further Committee or Committees so that the object of the Act may be attained as promptly as possible?

The Advisory Committee appointed under the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916, have investigated the businesses of 415 companies and firms, and it is anticipated that there may be somewhat over 200 additional cases for their consideration. Most of the important cases have already been considered by the Committee, and in view of the progress which has been made and the desirability of uniformity of treatment I do not think it is necessary to appoint any further Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the hardships suffered by residents on the East Coast, by reason of their having to insure against aircraft raids and bombardment risks; and if he will grant them the privilege of being allowed to pay their insurance premiums by half-yearly or quarterly instalments as the payment of the full yearly premium presses hardly upon the class of people residing in these districts?

While I sympathise with the hon. Member's desire to make the payment of aircraft insurance premiums as easy as possible, I fear that it would not be possible at this stage to arrange for the annual premiums to be paid in instalments. The premiums are very small, and any system of payment by instalments would increase the working expenses out of all proportion.

Why does not the Air Risks Insurance give the usual days of grace for the repayment of the premium?

That is rather a complicated question. I have already explained the matter to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the price at which the Board is supplying beef and mutton to public institutions; and the price at which these commodities are being acquired by the War Office?

The Board of Trade purchases frozen meat primarily for military purposes, and the meat so used is transferred to the War Office or to the Allied Governments at the full cost price, including cost of meat, freight, and all other expenses. Such meat as belongs to the Board of Trade and is not required for the Armies (mainly Australasian mutton and lamb) is put on the market for sale to the civilian population of this country; the wholesale price varies, but is kept as steady and moderate as possible. A few public institutions that have had difficulties in covering their requirements from private sources are supplied with moderate quantities of this meat by the Board at the wholesale market price of the date of supply, as ascertained by the Board's assessors. The quantity of meat available for sale in this way is, of course, comparatively small.

asked whether any steps have been taken to consider the advisability of making preparations for carrying out any part of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Canals and Waterways as a matter of national benefit and with a view to mitigating labour difficulties which are likely to arise on demobilisation?

The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Canals and Waterways will be borne in mind in considering the problems of demobilisation And reconstruction.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the amount of the claim of the "Freeman's Journal" Company, Dublin, in respect of destruction of property, and the amounts under other heads; what the other heads are; and where particulars of the entire claim can be seen?

All such claims are being investigated by Sir William Goulding's Committee, and until the Report of the Committee has been received I shall not be in a position to make any statement on this or any other individual claim.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether it is under cover of these claims that the money is to be advanced for forming and running a new paper in Dublin?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department where Miss Howsin and Mr. L. Græme Scott are now detained; how long they have been there; whether they are kept solitary; whether allowed to be visited by their respective legal advisers and medical advisers; whether the latter has in either case expressed fears for the health of the prisoner if imprisonment be continued; visers; whether the latter has in either case, why its value has not been tested in a Civil Court; whether in Mr. Scott's case evidence is available to prove his imprisonment to have been compassed by personal malice; how many English women and men are now in prison in this country untried like these two; and when it is proposed to give them the benefit of the law as it existed before the War?

These two persons are interned under Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations—Miss Howsin at Aylesbury since 8th September, and Mr. Scott at Islington since 27th July last. They are not in solitary confinement. Both have been visited by legal advisers, and Scott by a medical adviser, but the medical adviser did not express any opinion which would justify his release. The suggestion that personal malice is responsible for Scott's internment is without foundation. Apart from the recent internment of persons concerned in the insurrection in Ireland, there are fifty-seven other British subjects who have come within the scope of Regulation 14B and are interned there-under.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why Mr. Scott is not allowed to communicate an ordinary letter to his mother, such as this in my hands?

He is subject to the ordinary rules of interned prisoners.

Are interned prisoners not allowed to communicate with their mothers?

Yes, Sir, they are allowed to forward proper communications. I do not know what the character of the alleged letter may be. If it has reached the hon. Member apparently he has been allowed to communicate.

Has the House received a statement of a hostile association which was promised to be communicated to us by the right hon. Gentleman?

I should like notice of that question.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this letter in my hand was returned to Mr. Scott and not allowed to go to his mother, and that it is because it was returned it is now in my hand?

I was not aware of that, but I will make inquiry as to the surreptitious means by which the letter has been obtained.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the character of the letter itself, and why it has not been allowed to go to the lady to whom it was addressed?

I will make inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will have the statement sent to the War Office in March, 1915, by Mr. L. Graeme Scott, and for the writing of which Mr. Scott is now interned, made available for Members of this House to read, to enable them, in the light of events, to compare it with official statements on the same subject?

The hon. Member is incorrect in assuming that Scott was interned for writing the statement referred to. The case has been fully considered by the Advisory Committee, who dismissed the appeal against internment. It appears, therefore, that no useful purpose would be served by submitting Scott's statement, which only represents a fraction of the case, and which did not form the grounds for internment as alleged, for the consideration of Members.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as one result of the recent Irish rising, nearly 2,000 persons have now been interned in this country for many weeks without charge or trial, of which number a large proportion are presumably innocent of any complicity or even sympathy with the rebellion; and seeing that the prolonged investigations of the Advisory Committee have not yet resulted in the release of any of these interned persons, whether a second or third Committee of Inquiry can be set up, or some means of acceleration adopted, so as to obviate the detriment to the British reputation for prompt justice which must otherwise result?

asked the Home Secretary how many of the cases of Irish prisoners in this country have now been examined by the Committee; in how many cases has release been ordered; and what course with regard to trial has been decided upon with regard to those not released?

Between 1,800 and 1,900 persons are interned in connection with the Irish rising; they are interned under the Defence of the Realm Act and not committed for trial. Some hundreds of them have been seen personally by the Committee, and I expect to receive from the Committee at an early date recommendations with regard to a considerable number. So far four have been released on their recommendation. The Advisory Committee are dealing with the cases as rapidly as possible, and I do not think any advantage would be gained by setting up a second or third committee.

What is the object of detaining persons who have been adjudicated upon by the Committee and found innocent?

There will be no undue detention after I receive the recommendation of the Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the work as much as possible in view of the statement being made in America that the condition of the people in Ireland under General Maxwell is no better than that of Belgium under von Bissing?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many interned prisoners the recommendations of the Judicial Committee refer to, and how many of the prisoners have been recommended to be released by the committee?

I have already said that I have so far only received recommendations in four special cases. I am expecting to receive in the course of a very few days recommendations in regard to a considerable number, possibly some hundreds.

At the rate of four in a month, how soon does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be able to get through 2,000?

asked the Prime Minister if he will cause the Irish prisoners who were tried and sentenced by court-martial to be treated as political prisoners or released; and if he will submit to the House the evidence for and against the prisoners which was taken at courts-martial?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part I have already promised that these reports shall be published in due course.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to find out the verdict of the coroner's jury on the causes of death of the victims of the shootings in North King Street during the rising in Dublin?

I am acquainted with the terms of the verdict referred to. As I informed the hon. Member for North Westmeath on Monday last, Courts of Inquiry have been held in all the cases in question.

Are these civil courts or military courts?

Military courts.

asked the Prime Minister whether he recognises the right of the House of Commons to express its opinion upon the condemnation of the Government, contained in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Rebellion in Ireland; and, if so, when he will give a day for the purpose?

asked the Prime Minister whether any action is proposed with reference to the Report of the Royal Commission on the Rebellion in Ireland; and when this House will be given an opportunity to discuss it?

I will answer this question and Question 61 together. I am disposed to deprecate such a discussion at the present moment. But if any specific Motion appears on the Paper I will consult my colleagues on the matter.

asked by whose direction collectors and organisers of funds for relief of dependants of those killed in the recent insurrection in Dublin are now being thwarted and deterred by police-surveillance and annoyance in various parts of Ireland; whether any competent authority has declared such organising and collecting to be illegal; and whether such interference, whether official or officious, will be discontinued?

There has been no police interference with the collection of funds for bonâ fide purposes of relief, but in cases where it appeared that the collection was intended to be accompanied by the sale or distribution of disloyal flags or tokens, the organisers were warned by order of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief that they would be liable to arrest and prosecution under the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Regulations.

asked whether, in consonance with the public safety, he can give the House any information with regard to the present strength and efficiency of the National Volunteers; are they fully armed and provided with uniforms; have they taken any oath similar to that taken recently by the Volunteer Force in this country; have they been, or any part of them, inspected by any competent military authority; if so, will he-state the nature of the Report; and does the Irish Government contemplate using them in the event of an invasion of Ireland?

I am unable to add anything to the reply which was given to a similar question of the hon. and gallant Member on the 27th January last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the trial of Dr. Richard Hayes, of Lusk, county Dublin, was by secret court-martial; what was the reason for the secrecy; whether counsel on his behalf was allowed to raise the question of the legality of trying by court-martial in secret; whether any evidence was produced that Dr. Hayes had any other connection with the occurrence at Ashbourne than as a medical man giving professional aid to wounded men irrespective of the side to which they belonged; whether the sentence of twenty years' penal servitude for this will be reconsidered; and whether his motor car has yet been restored to those in charge of his property?

The procedure at the trial of Dr. Richard Hayes was in no way different to that adopted at the trial of other prisoners tried by Field General Court-Martial. The Court found the prisioner guilty on evidence which convinced them that his actions were not solely confined to giving professional aid to wounded men. Owing to the serious nature of the offence it is not possible, at present, to make any statement regarding a reconsideration of the sentence. Inquiries will be made as to the motor car.

Was not this court-martial held in secret?

I do not know,

It is asked on the Paper?

asked the Secretary of State for War the principle on which Sergeant Cusack, of the Royal Irish Rifles, has been arrested, imprisoned for a week in Belfast, and his person and house searched because he has been for some time an instructor of a company of the Irish Volunteers; whether the search revealed anything but papers and a card of membership of the Irish Volunteers, dated March, 1914; whether he was in November, 1914, and is now again, penalised for that connection; whether officers and noncommissioned officers connected with the Ulster Volunteers at that time and since have also been penalised for that connection; and, those two bodies having been declared equal in point of legality, will he explain the difference of treatment and undertake that Sergeant Cusack shall not be penalised for conduct similar to that of the officers and non-commissioned officers?

Sergeant Cusack was placed under arrest pending investigation into a charge of a serious breach of King's Regulations, paragraph 449A. A similar charge was brought against him in November, 1914, when he was cautioned. He has not been penalised in either case. No similar breach of discipline has been reported of any other officer or soldier serving in the Irish Command.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the breach of discipline was while instructing the Irish Volunteers, and whether this man will be given permission to change to another regiment?

asked the Secretary of State for War under whose orders the military, in their domiciliary visits after the insurrection, generally smashed the doors of houses instead of waiting for them to be opened; what was the excuse for smashing the door of Daniel Kelly's house at Cashelnagore, county Donegal, on 6th May, when Mrs. Kelly was ill in her confinement; why did the soldiers tell one of Kelly's children that they would shoot his father unless the child told them where the father's rifle was; whether any rifle was found, or any evidence that Kelly ever had a rifle, or had ever learned to use a rifle, or had been absent from his usual business; whether Kelly is now interned; and, seeing that Mrs. Kelly has been left ill, moneyless, and helpless with seven children, the eldest only eight years old, whether representation will be made to have the case investigated without delay and the man released and compensated?

Daniel Kerry was arrested by the police, no military being present. He refused admission to the police, who had to force open the door. No threats were made by police to Kelly's, children. One .22 rifle and ammunition and also one bolt of a Lee-Metford rifle were found together with 320 revolver cartridges, some items of Volunteer equipment, and seditious literature. Kelly had been absent for short periods on several occasions. He is interned at Wakefield. Mrs. Kelly had practically recovered and was cared for by her mother, to whom Kelly gave money before leaving.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Irish untried prisoners in Frongoch will be allowed to organise a canteen and name a contractor to supply their wants, or must they be dependent on a contractor named by the Government; and what security will they have for the honesty of such a contractor or the quality of the provisions supplied by a person they cannot dispense with?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The arrangements for the canteen at Frongoch are the same as those for the other internment camps. The canteen is managed by a contractor chosen by the military authorities, who undertakes to-give a certain rebate on the purchases which is, with the exception of small charges made against it, devoted to the benefit of the prisoners. It is supervised by the commandant, who receives and considers any representation which may be made to him by a small committee of the prisoners appointed for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether ,he is aware that the Catholic chaplain at Frongoch is obliged to come from Wrexham on Sundays, a distance of thirty miles, and has then to return to discharge his local duties at Wrexham; whether he is aware that when a much smaller number of Catholic prisoners were in Stafford and Wakefield prisons, the chaplains there were occupied with them for several hours weekly in addition to Sunday duty; are the Government aware that the practices of the Catholic religion are not confined to Sunday observance; and, as the Government have arrested well conducted inhabitants of Ireland without alleging any crime against them, do they intend to inflict religious disabilities upon them in prison, or will they arrange that they shall have as free exercise of their religion as if they were left in local English gaols?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am informed that, at the present time, the -Catholic priest who ministers at Frongoch arrives on Saturday afternoon and stays there until Sunday night or Monday morning. I am making inquiry whether it would be possible to increase the facilities for religious observances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether General Maxwell made any report to the War Office in reference to the part taken by Major Sir Francis Vane after the three murders committed by Captain Colthurst in Portobello Barracks; and was Major Vane's action in informing Lord Kitchener of the murders approved or disapproved of by General Maxwell?

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the Forces in Ireland has made no report to the War Office in reference to the part taken by Sir Francis Vane after the regrettable incident at Portobello Barracks.

Is it not the fact that Sir Francis Vane has been called upon by the War Office to resign because of General Maxwell's report?

I understand that we have had no report from General Maxwell.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the War Office has not called on Major Sir Francis Vane to resign within the last week, in consequence of the report of General Maxwell?

So far as I am aware, it is not so. Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will give notice.

The hon. Gentleman has given no answer to the last part of the question. It seems to have been overlooked?

It was not overlooked. We have had no report from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that censoring of Irish prisoners' letters by the military at Frongoch Camp has caused considerable delay in delivery; if he is aware that censored letters take eight or ten days to go to and from Ireland; if he is aware that the usual time for delivery of uncensored letters is twenty-four hours; and if he will take steps to remedy the delay?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. A certain amount of delay in the censorship of letters has occurred, due to several causes-letters being wrongly or insufficiently addressed, pressure of work on the censors, and especially the movement of these prisoners from one place of detention to another. Steps have now been taken which will reduce the delay to the minimum.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether 3,000 girls working on munitions at a Scotch factory are prevented by the management from forming or joining a union; and whether these girls are worked on munitions during the night without any extra pay?

I am asking my hon. Friend for fuller information on this subject with a view to making full inquiries.

asked the Minister of Munitions (1) whether the insurance policies of controlled establishments, and any subsequent sub-letting of those policies, are under the full control of experts in the Ministry of Munitions so that no details of their work can pass through hands liable to be willing to convey the secret information to the enemy; and (2) whether, in the interests of secrecy, the strictest regulations are drawn up limiting the insurance companies which may participate in insuring plant of controlled companies; and whether he will consider a pooling arrangement of the insurance companies for this purpose which will enable these secrets to be absolutely safeguarded?

A general notice was issued to the Press on this subject by the Admiralty on 6th December, which expressly stated that the liability of insurance companies to prosecution for communication of information to any firm or person other than a registered British company or a British subject, applied to all work or materials in preparation or in store for any Government Department or Government contractor. The Ministry have not considered it necessary to adopt the particular measures suggested in the two questions.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the women workers in Messrs. Vickers' works at Erith are still working on the ten-hour day and night shift system; and whether, in view of the effect on the health of the workers and loss of output involved in this system, he will exercise his powers under the Munitions Act and reduce the length of the shifts?

The Department have under consideration the system of two ten-hour shifts on which the women workers at Messrs. Vickers', Erith, are still working, but have not yet arrived at a decision on the question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the approximate number of patients at Haslar Naval Hospital; whether there is any recreation room for the men, and, if so, what its accommodation is; whether there is any place where men are allowed to smoke indoors; whether convalescent sailors are allowed to sit or lie on the grass in the grounds; and whether easy chairs are provided for them on the grass in the grounds, and, if so, how many?

I take the opportunity of giving in some detail the arrangements at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, for the comfort and entertainment of patients. Entertainment performances are given on five afternoons each week in the Erroll Hall. There are two large smoking sheds and six large colonnades where, as well as in the airing grounds, smoking is permitted. It is not permitted in the wards. Patients are allowed to sit and lie on the grass in the grounds, and for them there are available easy chairs, folding chairs of cane and canvas, ordinary bath chairs, Merlin chairs, spinal carriages, etc., as required, as well as numerous ordinary iron garden seats and forms at intervals throughout the grounds.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the approximate number of easy chairs?

I am sure there are plenty of chairs.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire and see if there are sufficient chairs?

I have made very careful inquiry.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty satisfy themselves as to the arrangements made by private establishments in regard to the insurances they effect with fire insurance companies; and whether these inquiries cover all the ramifications of the insurances so as to prevent disclosure of the work being done coming into undesirable hands?

The question referred to has by no means been lost sight of. The Admiralty is satisfied that steps have been taken by every practicable means to prevent the disclosure of important information to the enemy and that these steps are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the reason why Miss French Mullen, of Dublin, was prevented from travelling to Paris; if he is aware that after a strict investigation she obtained a passport and proceeded to Southampton, where she was detained and examined; if he is aware that she was ordered back to London without her luggage, which has not yet been returned to her; if he will say why the passport was issued and then withdrawn; and when she will be allowed to travel?

This lady was refused permission to embark at Southampton because I considered it undesirable on account of her connection with the Sinn Fein movement that she should be allowed to go abroad. A passport had been issued to her before this decision was reached, but a passport confers no right to embark without the leave of the proper authorities. When stopped at Southampton she was recommended to go to London to explain at the Passport Office the difference between her declared intentions when applying for a passport and her statement at Southampton of the objects of her journey. She was at liberty to make her own arrangements in regard to her luggage. I can hold out no hope that this lady will be allowed to go abroad.

Who is responsible for the blunder of issuing the passport, and will the lady get her luggage, as she is in London now waiting for it?

I know nothing about the lady's luggage. It has not been detained by any official authority. So I am informed. The passport was issued by the Foreign Office. Afterwards it came to our knowledge that the lady was proposing to leave the country and she was informed that she could not be permitted.

asked whether Mr. Chester Jones has yet made a Report on his inquiry at Bradford on the proposal put forward by the chamber of commerce in favour of the reduction of the school-leaving age to thirteen years as a means of meeting the shortage of labour in the spinning industry; and whether it will be published as a Parliamentary Paper?

I am informed by Mr. Chester Jones that a settlement has been reached locally, and in the circumstances I do not think it will be necessary to ask him to submit any formal Report.

Will Mr. Chester Jones be sent to hold inquiries in other places on the same subject?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give notice.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will take action in the case of an applicant for exemption on conscientious grounds who was informed by the chairman of the Glasgow Tribunal that he had proved his claim, but that it must be rejected, as he could not be permitted to set his conscience against the interests of the State?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the name of the applicant and the date of the hearing I will inquire as to the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the treatment of Mr. E. Palme Dutt, a senior classical scholar of Balliol College, Oxford, and a conscientious objector to military service, who, while awaiting court-martial at Aldershot contracted a feverish chill and was ordered by the doctor to be taken to hospital; whether he is aware that Mr. Dutt was removed to hut C 7, practically all the occupants of which were Army convicts undergoing sentence and mainly suffering from venereal disease; and, seeing that the precautions against contagion were inadequate, whether he will take steps to prevent the recurrence of such treatment of conscientious objectors and to remedy the conditions which make such an occurrence possible in the case of any other soldier?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for drawing attention to this state of affairs. Steps are being taken immediately to remedy them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in spite of Army Order X. of 25th May conscientious objectors to military service still continue to be sentenced to detention instead of imprisonment, and are therefore sent to detention barracks instead of civil prisons; and whether he is taking any steps to secure that the intention of the Government that such men should be transferred to civil prisons should be generally carried out without the delay caused by sentences of detention?

It has been repeatedly pointed out that if soldiers are submitting to the summary award of their commanding officer, instead of claiming trial by court-martial under Section 46 (8) of the Army Act, sentences of detention are no doubt continuing to be inflicted, and it is not possible in law to prevent such procedure. I am not aware, that a single case of detention has been inflicted by a court-martial since the Army Order has had time to be fully circulated. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the intentions of the Army Order are being fully carried out, and the only "delay caused by sentences of detention"arises, if such be the case, through the fault of the men themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the considerable number of men invalided from the front who have temporarily lost their mental balance and have been sent to asylums, and that whilst there the local authorities claim and receive their pensions or allowances, leaving their wives and children to exist as best they may; and will he at once take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to ensure that adequate provision be made for the wives and children of these men?

I understand that this question relates only to men discharged from the Army. Pensions are granted primarily for the maintenance of the pensioner, but any balance is handed over to his family, and I may observe that asylum authorities frequently reduce or forego their claim if the family is in need.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of men who have been afflicted in this manner are discharged from the Army, and that their wives and families are in absolute want, and will he take steps to remedy this state of things?

Certainly. Whenever we have any reason to think that the family is in need we either do, or certainly shall, make strong representations to the asylum authorities.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the authorities claim that the Statute law requires some action on the part of the Government?

As I pointed out to my hon. and learned Friend the asylum authorities frequently, if not invariably, make either a reduction of, or forego altogether, their claim, when it is seen that the family is in need.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Sidney J. C. Warr, of Southend, who made his claim for exemption before the Appeal Tribunal on Saturday, 17th June, and on the 24th received a telegram from the tribunal granting him leave to appeal to the Central Tribunal, but notwithstanding that he had returned his calling-up paper to the recruiting officer with the information that he was appealing to the Central Tribunal was arrested on 27th June as an absentee; and what steps he is taking to remedy the injustice that has been done?

The report which has been called for on this case has not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will appoint a medical court of appeal to consider appeals from medical boards, in view of the number of men who have been passed by these boards who are proving unfit for the service they are called upon to give; and whether he will state the number of men belonging to the City of London Territorial regiments who, during the last three months, after being passed as fit by the medical boards have been returned as unfit for training after joining their units?

This proposal has been carefully considered on several occasions, but it is not considered desirable. It is not possible to state the number of men asked for in the last part of the question.

Will the hon. Gentleman give the approximate number? Would he be astonished to know that there are several hundreds?

Yes, Sir, very much astonished.

It is so.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most of these medical boards are simply a farce?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a youth of eighteen years who has attested under the Derby scheme is still at liberty to remain in civil life until he has attained nineteen years?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who offered themselves under the Derby scheme and were rejected as medically unfit, but who have since been re-examined and passed, are to be treated as conscripts or as men attested under the Derby scheme with the rights of such attested men?

It is open to any such men to be attested and classified in a group up to midnight, 31st August, 1916.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that yellow forms under the Military Service Act, 1916, have been sent out to men holding medical rejection certificates calling upon them to present themselves at their recruiting office for the purpose of joining the Colours at the date prior to 1st September, 1916; whether this practice has been sanctioned by the War Office; and, if so, on what principle is it based?

Such forms may inadvertently have been sent, and would only be so in cases where the man's name was not entered in the register as having been rejected. If men who hold rejection certificates return the form to the recruiting officer, the latter would on production of the certificate note the fact against the man's name in the register.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a man rightfully holding a certificate of medical rejection, and who willingly presents himself by mutual arrangement for re-examination by a medical board prior to 1st September, will subsequent to that examination be entitled to attest under the group system, or whether he must voluntarily attest before the medical board will consent to examine him on a date prior to 1st September?

He can attest at any time up to midnight, 31st August, 1916, either before or after being re-examined.

asked the Attorney-General when the present practice of trying British-born subjects by court-martial in camera and executing decisions so reached was introduced; whether before those trials or before the executions the legality of that procedure and the law, if any, on which it was supposed to be based were ascertained, and the fiat of any Civil Court, judge, or law officer obtained; how many British-born subjects have been executed and how many are now undergoing penal servitude in pursuance of sentences of courts-martial held in camera , and, seeing that this procedure is not warranted by any law, but only by a Regulation which has never been judicially reviewed, and that its victims are now powerless to have it so reviewed, whether he will take immediate steps to get a decision of a competent Civil Court on the legality or illegality of holding field general courts-martial in camera , in order that Parliament may deal with the matter this Session?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. As far as I am aware, trial in this country of British-born subjects by court-martial has only been resorted to by virtue of the powers given by the emergency legislation passed by Parliament to meet the situation caused by the War. During this period the public have been excluded from any trial where the safety of the State requires this to be done. As regards the second and fourth parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the 3rd July. As regards the third part of the question, I may inform him that the results of all these trials have already appeared in the Press.

This question has been postponed at the request of the Attorney-General, and yet he is not here to answer it. What is the Statute law under which persons in this country are denied trial as stated in the question? There is no law, but a Regulation which has never been revised by any Court.

I have already answered that question.

I must repeat that question to-morrow.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has inquired into the case of the Cardiff gentleman who was ordered to leave Cardiff and the neighbourhood on 20th June, 1915, under Regulation 14 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations; whether he is aware that no charge has ever been brought against him and that no judicial or other inquiry has been made into his case; whether he is aware that he offered in October of last year to submit himself to cross-examination at the hands of any counsel nominated by the authorities and to pay the costs himself; why that offer, which is still open, has not been accepted or some other means taken to give him an opportunity of meeting any charge or dispelling any suspicion that may be felt against him; and whether, in view of the fact that he has been banished from his home and business without being charged or tried for over a year, he can see his way to advise the authorities to allow this gentleman to return to Cardiff or to try him on a specific charge?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. This gentleman is the British-born son of a naturalised British subject of German, origin. He is reported to have used on several occasions language of a pro-German character, which inflamed public opinion against him, and led the local police authorities to fear a breach of the peace. An Order was made by the competent military authority requiring him to leave Cardiff and the neighbourhood. After obtaining fresh reports, and having carefully examined all the facts of the case I am clearly of opinion that it is undesirable for this gentleman, in his own interest as well as on other grounds, to-return to Cardiff at present.

Is this gentleman kept away from Cardiff by the Home Office or the War Office, because I have made inquiries and was told the War Office?

It is through the cooperation of both Departments. The Order was made by the competent military authority on the recommendation of the local police authorities.

Is there any specific charge against this gentleman as to having used language at all of a provocative character?

No. The case has been thoroughly examined and in our view it is clearly necessary that this gentleman should not return to Cardiff.

Has this gentleman, been asked a single question either by the Home Office or the War Office?

Who is this gentleman?

Will not the Home Secretary consider the advisability of allowing the breach of the peace which is threatened to take place and then dealing with it by law?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that his Department, in dealing with profits from letting of furnished houses in coast and other health resorts, refuses to allow as a deduction for Income Tax the rent of another furnished house taken by the lessor while his own house is let; and, if so, whether he can see his way, in view of the hard times suffered by such health resorts since the War, to permit of such rent paid being a deduction on the profits?

I am aware of the practice referred to, which is governed by the Rules of Schedule D of the Income Tax Acts, and which has, moreover, been confirmed by the decision of the Court of Session (Scotland). The circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend would not warrant the treatment of the personal cost of living business expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the complication of Income Tax law, and of the fact that many of the older Statutes are out of print, he will publish a cheap official guide containing a reprint of the operative Clauses of the numerous Income Tax and Inhabited House Duties Acts?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a reply which I gave on the 21st February last to the hon. Member for East Islington. As he will see from this reply, a Consolidation Bill is in course of preparation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of making some concession in regard to motor and petrol taxation for officer owners of cars who have lost their legs or are otherwise permanently unable to walk owing to wounds received in the War?

As I explained in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Chippenham Division on the 22nd May, while I have every sympathy with those who have lost their limbs in the service of the country, I am afraid it would not be feasible to recompense them for their sacrifice in the manner suggested in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the rejection by the Russian Council of the Empire of certain war taxes carried by the Duma; and can he state whether this action will affect the liability of this country in the matter of the provision of loans to Allies?

My attention has been drawn to the incident referred to in the first part of my hon. Friend's question, but I am not yet in possession of full information on the matter.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the feeling in favour of the inauguration of an Imperial Chamber or Council, he will formally ask the various Dominions to submit their proposals and also appoint a small committee to investigate the matter generally; and (2) if he will consider the advisability of taking steps to arrange for an Imperial Convention by direct request to the Dominions concerned instead of waiting to discuss the matter at the next Imperial Conference, and thus save the delay which would arise by waiting for the next Imperial Conference before coming to a decision in this matter?

This subject, I need not say, is engaging the serious attention both of His Majesty's Government and of the Dominions, but it it impossible to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the Prime Minister, with reference to the intention to summon an Imperial Convention to consider the question of the government of Ireland in relation to the better organisation of the Empire, whether he is aware that if Australia were desirous of electing representatives to such Convention an Act to effect this object must be passed through each of the six State Parliaments, and time allowed to candidates to express their views to the electors; and, in view of this, will he consider the desirability of communicating with the Dominions in order that the necessary preliminaries to the Convention may be taken without undue delay, so that the Convention may assemble at as early a date as possible after the conclusion of the War?

I am informed that legislation such as my hon. Friend suggests is not necessary.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the statements made by the Treasury to the effect that an Imperial Conference will be necessary to modify certain Clauses in the Finance Bill, whether he will indicate if there is any possibility of the Government calling such Conference during the course of the next twelve months?

An Imperial Conference will take place as soon as seems desirable to His Majesty's Government and the Dominions, but I should not contemplate summoning one for this special purpose.

asked who are the members of the Reconstruction Committee; and what is the procedure adopted with regard to the receipt of suggestions and evidence?

The Reconstruction Committee is a Committee of the Cabinet, and, as my hon. Friend is probably aware, it is not the practice to give the names of the members of such Committees. In reply to the second part of the question, I may say that communications are referred in suitable cases to the Departments concerned or to the subcommittees of the Reconstruction Committee inquiring into the subjects to which they refer.

asked whether it is proposed to constitute a special sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee to deal with the subject of afforestation; whether any members of this Committee have yet been appointed; and what will be the specific duties assigned to the Committee?

I do not think that it would be convenient at the present stage to make any announcement as to the character of the inquiries which are being undertaken by the Reconstruction Committee. The Government are making every effort to deal with the whole range of questions which in their judgment will call for immediate treatment at the close of the War. I can assure my hon. Friend that the subject of afforestation will be brought under review.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has seen an appeal issued by the Archbishop of San Francisco for funds to relieve the destitution in Ireland which the loss of the harvest owing to lack of hands to gather it will cause; whether, in view of the exemption of Ireland from compulsory service in the Army, he has been able to ascertain if the shortage of agricultural labour is greater in Great Britain than in Ireland; and whether he will take an early opportunity of laying upon the Table of the House a report on the present condition and outlook of Irish agriculture?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the present condition of agriculture in Ireland, reports on the state of the crops are issued periodically by the Department. The figures as to live stock will be published as soon as possible after the conclusion of the census which is being taken at present. There is nothing in the reports so far to warrant any apprehension as to the harvest.

Has this report been seen by the President of the Board of Agriculture? Is the answer in the affirmative?

Yes, Sir, so I am informed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Foreign Office differ from the Home Office, and that the Foreign Office have not seen it?