asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why men with thirteen years' service employed at Bull Point Depot, Devonport, are receiving papers calling them up to the Colours while men who have entered since the War are being retained as indispensable; and if he is aware of the belief among the workmen that the discrimination is because certain men are relatives of friends or officials, and the men singled out for Army service are members of the union who have been prominent in trade union matters?

I have called for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Alfred W. Evans, a conscript who objected on grounds of conscience to the taking of life but offered himself for the Royal Army Medical Corps, was placed in the Non-Combatant Corps and refusing to obey military orders was shipped to France and there sentenced to death, the sentence-being commuted to ten years' penal servitude; and whether he will serve his sentence in a military prison or will be brought back to England and transferred for punishment to the civil authority?

The hon. Member may rest assured that all prisoners sentenced to penal servitude are sent to England as soon as the necessary arrangements for their movement have been made. The procedure is clearly laid down in Section 58 of the Army Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps will be taken to bring those men who are now under-going detention for refusing, on conscientious grounds, to obey orders under the provisions of the new scheme so that they may be transferred to civil custody; and when this will be done?

Conscientious objectors now undergoing detention fall into two categories:(1) Those who are obeying military command, while under detention, and (2) Those who are not. As regards (l), there is no question of their being transferred to the civil power.

With regard to (2), these men are being brought before courts-martial, and will thus come under the new scheme and be transferred to civil custody in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether time-expired soldiers are not granted the month's leave on re-engagement unless they have signed a form to re-engage before the 31st May last?

No such restriction has been imposed, nor would such be the policy of the Army Council.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a letter dated 25th June, from the detention barracks at Woking, addressed to a Member of Parliament with regard to the release of a prisoner, which was opened by the Censor and detained until the 8th July; and why such long delay should take place in the examination and delivery of letters on such business to Members?

If the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to produce the cover of the letter referred to, inquiry shall be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the letter, containing a postal order and stamps, posted in Dublin on 17th June, in care of the Censor, to Michael Murphy, Wandsworth Prison, and not delivered up to 5th July, has yet been delivered; what is the cause of this delay; why has the letter complaining of it to a Member of this House been delayed; and whether these untried prisoners will be released, tried, or treated as untried prisoners are entitled to be treated?

I cannot answer the first two parts of this question until I have made inquiry, nor does the question give sufficient data in regard to the letter of complaint to enable me to make any statement. The fourth part of the question has been answered on previous occasions.

asked how many Irishmen are now imprisoned in Great Britain on suspicion of having been concerned in the rebellion; how many have been recently released; and for how long, approximately, they had been in prison?

I stated on the 10th July, in reply to questions addressed to me by the hon. Members for North Sal-ford and West Islington, that between 1,800 and 1,900 prisoners are interned in connection with the Irish rising. They have been in custody since the rising took place. As regards releases, I beg to refer to the statement I made yesterday in answer to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. James N. Dolan, late of Manorhamilton, in Ireland, who was first detained at Woking and now sent to Frongoch; whether he has received letters from various Members of Parliament, the parish priest, and leading townsmen of his district with regard to this gentleman; whether his case has been examined by the Committee; and, if so, what decision has been arrived at?

I have not received any such letters. The case is now under consideration by the Advisory Committee.

asked how many letters per week prisoners in internment camps are allowed to get; and, seeing that whilst in prison in England much greater liberty was allowed them than in these camps, why those liberties should not now be also allowed?

No restriction has been placed on the number of letters which prisoners in internment camps are allowed to receive. They must, however, be mode-rate in length, and if they were excessive in number a limit would have to be fixed. The second part of the question does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Marks McGrath, Ballywilliam, was arrested immediately after the Sinn Fein outbreak, and is now a prisoner in Frongoch, although he took no part in the rising, and was quietly engaged on his mother's farm when arrested; whether he is aware that Marks McGrath had no firearms in the house; that he was never up for a breach of the peace, and is a young man of exemplary character; that his only crime seems to be that he marched with the Sinn Fein volunteers on some occasions; and, as he is devoted to the business of his mother's farm, where his services are very much needed, will he see that this young man is allowed to return home?

This case is under consideration by the Advisory Committee, who will have these points before them.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the names of any Irish prisoners of war transferred to the penitential internment camp at Reading; whether the only reason for this transfer is their interest in the Irish language, literature, music, and industries; whether all interested in these subjects are to be sent for special punishment to Reading; if there be any other offence or reason will he specify it; whether the men sent to Reading are to be isolated from each other; in what other respects the treatment differs from that at Frongoch; and whether the duration of their internment is unlimited, or will end when their classes and other Gaelic enterprises in Ireland are deemed to have been destroyed?

Twenty-seven Irish prisoners have been transferred to the place of internment at Reading. It would be contrary to practice to give lists of the prisoners interned in particular places in answer to Parliamentary questions. Their internment has nothing to do with the matters mentioned in the question, but arises out of their connection with the recent troubles in Ire-land. They are not isolated but live in association. Their treatment is similar to that of prisoners at Frongoch. I cannot say how long they will be detained, but their cases will be considered by the Advisory Committee.

asked what arrangements are being made to assist farmers who have no proper accommodation for the storage of wool pending valuation and purchase by the Government; and whether in the case of its depreciation and damage, not the fault of the farmer but owing to lack of proper storage accommodation, full compensation will be paid?

Farmers who have in-sufficient storage accommodation are authorised to make arrangements to con-sign their wool preferably to the merchant or broker to whom they consigned their wool last year, on the understanding that the wool remains the property of the farmer and is held at his expense. The farmer is responsible for the storage and safe custody of his wool until it is purchased by or on behalf of the Army Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Irish Cattle Traders' and Stockowners' Association protesting against the Government fixing the price of wool on a basis of 30 per cent, over the 1914 price and stating that anything less than the 1915 price would be unsatisfactory, also that immediate payment should be made in full when the price has been fixed, as it is of importance to the small farmer to be able to meet his rents and other obligations at the end of the half-year; and whether he can state what course will be adopted by the Government in this matter?

Yes, Sir; I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. My hon. Friend was present at the deputation which I received at the War Office yesterday, and will, no doubt, agree that what I said there answers the points raised in his question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can now give any information as to Private W. Pearce, Hants Regiment, and the question of his mother's right to dependant's allowance?

It has been decided to admit the claim as a special case and payment at the rate of 12s. per week will be made with effect from 2nd December, 1915.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can state the scale under which the Chelsea Com-missioners make their award of pensions to men maimed in the War 1

The amount awarded depends upon the circumstances of each case, and cannot be governed by a precise and definite scale.

asked whether only officers are engaged as pilots of flying machines on active service; and when the officers so engaged intimated their desire that their names should not be mentioned in the dispatches of the Commander-in—Chief when they had performed acts of gallantry which had received high commendation from the Commander-in-Chief in his dispatches?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The name of any officer or man who is mentioned in the dispatches of the Commander-in-Chief as having performed an act of gallantry is made public, but it has been considered desirable that the names of officers and men should not be published until the Commander-in-Chief has had an opportunity of considering the merits of the action performed, and com-paring it with others which may be equally commendable although, perhaps, less sensational. As I intimated on the 11th of this month, the question is being further considered. In the work of the Royal Flying Corps particularly those actions which appeal to the public are not necessarily more commendable than many which are performed in the ordinary routine of duty, and only the Commander-in-Chief is qualified to judge the respective merits of each case. I feel sure my hon. Friend will realise the justice of this decision. I think what I said in answer to a supplementary question the other day may have given rise to some misunderstanding. When I said that officers of the Royal Flying Corps wished that their names should not be published in the Press, I meant that they did not wish their names to appear in the descriptive articles furnished by news-paper correspondents. I was not referring to mention made by the Commander-in-Chief. That is an honour which officers of the Royal Flying Corps prize as highly as any other officer in His Majesty's Service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether by Army Order 493, 1914, rates of pay throughout the Service in the Royal Garrison Artillery were increased, except for district officers, and that by Army Order 197, 1915, district officers were ordered to receive the same rates as officers in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and that subsequently the authorities have ordered that no major district officer can receive the 2s. increase until he has had twenty-four years' commissioned service; and, seeing that district officers have in most cases received commissions from the ranks and in most cases are thirty-five or forty years of age before receiving commissions, and must retire at fifty-five, the Army Order 197, 1915, is rendered void by this ruling, will he inquire into this matter and see that district officers are given the advantage clearly intended?

The whole question was very carefully considered before the Army Order was issued, and I fear the question cannot be reopened.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the War Office to keep the second-line Yeomanry as units for home defence, or whether, in view of the fact that the officers and men composing them have taken the foreign service obligation and in many cases have been embodied for nearly two years, it is intended to allow them to transfer to some other branch where they may be utilised for foreign service?

I can quite understand the desire of these units to see service overseas, but I cannot, I am afraid, make any statement as to the probability of them being used in this way. They are at present being utilised to meet military requirements which are most important, although perhaps not wholly in accordance with the natural desires of the officers and men composing these units. I sympathise with men anxious to get to the front, and who have to remain at home; but I am sure my hon. Friend will realise that such matters must be left to the discretion of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, Home Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state who is now in command of the Mesopotamia forces; and what general information with regard to that campaign he can give to the House?

The force in Mesopotamia is under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Percy Lake. As regards the second part of the question, I understand the right hon. and learned Gentleman, the Member for Trinity College, is going to put a question to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister next week. Perhaps my hon. Friend will await what may then be said.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to secure that trolleys supplying free refreshments to the soldiers going to and coming from the front may be permitted on the arrival and departure platforms at Waterloo Station, instead of being banished to an underground sub way?

The present location of this buffet was settled after consultation between the Deputy—Director of Railway Transport and the general manager London and South—Western Railway, and was approved by the General Officer Commanding the London District. No complaints have been received as to the inconvenience of the present location. If good reasons for a change are put forward, the question will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the large number of people from New Zealand now resident in this country and who have relatives or friends fighting in the Expeditionary Forces, he will arrange that the lists of casualties in the New Zealand forces shall be published in the Press with as little delay as possible?

Steps have been taken after consultation with the New Zealand Record Office which is also concerned in order to accelerate the publication of names.

asked the Secretary of State for War in respect of what offences soldiers of His Majesty's Army are now punished by making deductions from their pay; and what was the aggregate amount so deducted from the soldiers' pay during the year 1915?

I am not in a position to state in respect of what offences soldiers are being punished by making deductions from their pay, but information as to the conditions under which deductions may be made will be found by reference to Section 44 (6) and 46 (2) (d) of the Army Act, and Article 977 (e) of the Royal Warrant for Pay and Promotion. With regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, it would not be possible to give this information without the most lengthy and elaborate inquiry necessitating reference to the pay accounts of every soldier of the British Army, and this I am certain the hon. Member would not ask the War Office to undertake.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the desire of wounded soldiers in Dykebar War Hospital, Paisley, for books, chess sets, and playing cards; whether a similar desire is felt in other military hospitals; and, if the Government cannot supply these things as normal equipment of those hospitals, whether he will, by making the desire known and removing any obstacle to its gratification, enable private persons to supply the things desired?

There is a normal supply to military hospitals of books, chess sets and other indoor games, but these are generally supplemented from other sources—and there is no objection to, or obstacle in the way of, private persons making such gifts. I will ascertain if Dykebar War Hospital is in need of these articles and arrange for a supply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of men who are undergoing imprisonment in military prisons and are reported to be in seriously bad health, permission will be given for an independent medical man to visit the prisoner?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any nerve-shaken soldiers have been recently transferred from asylums to military hospitals; and, if so, to which hospitals?

I have no knowledge of any such transfers, but, if particulars are produced, inquiry will be made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if a British subject released from Austria on condition that he did not join the British Army is free to undertake munition work without being called up for military service?

A British subject so released is excepted from liability to military service by Clause 8 of the Military Service Acts, 1916 (Session 2). His undertaking would not render him ineligible to engage in munition work.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will supply the terms as to profits, etc., upon which factories are taken over by the Ministry of Munitions?

I am not sure what kind of factories the hon. Member has in mind, or what precisely he means by "taken over" If he will send me details, I shall be glad to consider what information I can give him.

asked whether it is intended to adopt the recommendation of the Retrenchment Committee that the number of Lunacy Commissioners should be reduced to five and the salaries of all Commissioners largely curtailed?

As regards a reduction in the number of the Commissioners, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave this afternoon to the hon. Member for Black pool. A reduction in the salaries of the Commissioners was not suggested by the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the cost of transporting Russian subjects from this country, via Archangel to Moscow or Petrograd; and to what date in 1915 the port of Archangel was open to shipping entering?

The cost would depend so much on the numbers carried and conditions of transport that it would not be possible to give any satisfactory estimate without full particulars. I understood that the Port of Archangel was open until the second half of December, 1915.

asked whether the cost of deporting Russian subjects from this country to Russia, which is proposed, is to be borne by Russia or by this country; and whether all Russian subjects deported will be really required to serve in the Russian Army?

Any expenses incurred will be defrayed either by the persons concerned or by the British Government. It will be for the Russian Government to decide whether persons of military age sent back to Russia should serve or not.

asked whether the Law Officers of the Crown have been consulted by the War Office or Home Office relative to the employment as agents of the War Office of two Lunacy Commissioners and the staffs of various lunatic asylums in the work of administering those war hospitals which were previously asylums and in which there are now a number of soldiers who are not certified and therefore not subject to any administration of the Lunacy Commission as defined by the Lunacy Act, 1890?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now give information as to the provision of electric fans for cooling the barracks and hospital at Lahore about which inquiries were promised?

I am still without the information which I have asked the Government of India to supply. As soon as I receive it I will communicate with the right hon. Member.

asked whether the Government are subsidising Dutch butter manufacturers; if so, to what extent per hundredweight; and why a portion of the taxes paid by Irish butter producers is utilised in such a way as to reduce the value of the goods they manufacture?

It is not a case that His Majesty's Government are subsidising Dutch butter manufacturers. An arrangement has been made with an association representing Dutch producers, whereby additional supplies of butter will in future be furnished to this country. The butter is placed on the market through the usual trade channels, and the legitimate interests of British and Irish producers will not be in any way affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government are subsidising Dutch butter manufacturers, and, if so, to what extent per hundredweight; and whether he is aware that the use in this way of a portion of the taxes paid by butter producers reduces the value of the goods they manufacture?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which has been re-turned to the hon. Member for West Cavan.

asked the Home Secretary if he will say when it is pro-posed to divide the land of Monascallaghan, county Longford, recently acquired by the Estates Commissioners; whether it is proposed to hand over the best of these lands to neighbouring farmers with large holdings; whether he is aware that there are a number of de-serving applicants with uneconomic holdings looking for portions of such lands; and will he see that it is to such claimants and not to people with large farms that these lands will be given?

I am informed that the Estates Commissioners have issued a proposal for the purchase under the Irish Land Acts of the McCutcheon estate, county Long ford, which has been accepted by the owner, but the Commissioners are not yet in a position to say when they may be able to acquire the property. No scheme for the distribution of the un-tenanted land on the estate has yet been prepared, but in the preparation of the scheme inquiries will be made and due regard will be had to the wants and circumstances of the tenants ' in the neighbourhood.

asked the Home Secretary whether any complaint has been received as to the delay in carrying out the sale of the Sir George Fetherstone estate in county Long ford; whether he is aware that it is now eight years since the agreements were signed and whether anything will be done to expedite this sale?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The estate is the subject of proceedings for sale by the owner direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in May, 1908. Having regard to the position of the estate on the principal register of direct tales (all cash) and to the number of other estates in priority thereon, the Commissioners are unable at present to say when it will be reached in its order of priority to be dealt with. When reached, it will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the direction of a local education authority which the managers of a non-provided school have to carry out with respect to the appointment of a head teacher, college training is a distinct educational qualification under Section 7 (1) (a) of the Education Act, 1902; and whether a local authority has the power to require the managers of a non-provided school to appoint a college-trained head teacher to fill any such vacancy that may occur?

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to a dispute which recently arose between the Local Education Authority for Accrington and the managers of a voluntary school in their area. In that case the Board of Education have determined that the direction given by the local education authority to the managers to appoint a college-trained teacher as head master was a direction as to the educational qualification of the teacher to be employed, and was, therefore, one which it was competent for the authority to give.

asked the—Postmaster General whether (1) he will reconsider his decision in reference to closing the Moydow, county Long ford, post office;; whether he is aware that this is one of I the oldest sub-post offices in Ireland and that its closing has meant a loss to the family who held it; whether, in the event of his adhering to his decision, he will give any compensation to these people for loss of office; and (2) whether he will take steps to provide that the delivery of letters from Edgeworthstown to Ballinalee, county Longford, is made after the limited morning mail arrives instead of cutting off this service altogether as he now proposes to do?

I am having in-inquiry made in both these cases and will write to the hon. Member.