asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board intends to take parallel action to the War Office in regard to medals or distinctive badges for invalided and wounded men?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what charge Michael Walsh, Ratharoon, Bandon, county Cork, was arrested; whether he is aware that Walsh was in no way connected with the Volunteer movement; whether the soldiers and police had left the house without arresting him, as nothing of an incriminating nature was found on the premises; if his arrest was only made when he followed the police and soldiers to complain of the loss of over £4 which was missed after the raiders had left; if the charge made by Mrs. Walsh against the midnight raiders will be fully inquired into and the loss made good; whether Michael Walsh is one of those recommended for release; and, if so, when he will be set free?

Michael Walsh will be able to lay full particulars regarding his case before the Advisory Committee, and the Committee, if they consider such a course necessary, will cause further inquiries to be made into the points raised by the hon. Member. I am not aware of any charges having been made by Mrs. Walsh.

asked how many arrests were made in Ireland of those who had no connection with the recent outbreak upon the mere suspicion of the police; how many were released; how many have been recommended for release; and how many males and females are still in custody?

One thousand one hundred and seventy-four prisoners were released by the military authorities, and this may be taken, therefore, as approximately the number of those who were able to establish to the satisfaction of the military authorities that they had no complicity in the rebellion. This figure does not include those who may have been released by the Home Office. On this point and on that raised in the last part of the question, perhaps the hon. Member will seek information from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

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?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 10th July.

asked whether there is any record of the names of witnesses and the evidence they gave against Dr. Hayes in connection with the affair at Ashbourne, county Meath; and, if one of the witnesses now wishes to correct his evidence in justice to the prisoner, will an opportunity be given him to do so before a civil tribunal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the evidence was given before a court-martial and an opportunity to correct it before a civil tribunal could not be given. Any representations, however, of the nature indicated can be made to the War Office and would not be refused consideration.

asked whether the poems and other documents written by the late Mr. Pearse for delivery to his mother, but withheld by the military, are still with-held; if so, whether the reason for with-holding them is the same reason for which the military authorities prevented his mother and brother from seeing Mr. Pearse before his execution; and when the originals of all those poems and documents will be delivered to Mrs. Pearse?

Information has already been given to the hon. Member on this matter in answers to questions put by him on the 12th July and previous dates. I would ask the hon. Member to refer to these answers. I am unable to afford him any additional information.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now state the number of funerals from Dublin to Glasnevin after the suppression of the insurrection which even the nearest relatives were not allowed to accompany, with the official reason for this prevention; the number of coffins burst open on the way by the military and police, with the official reason for this desecration; whether anything was found in any of the coffins to justify this desecration; and, in view of the Irish feeling that the dead should be inviolable, will he say who was responsible for it?

As I stated on the 12th July, this question was answered by my right hon. Friend, the present Secretary for Scotland, on the 6th July. As I then stated it is not proposed to make inquiry on the point mentioned, additional to that already made. As I then also stated the results of the inquiries already made have been communicated to the hon. Member in the answer given to him on the 15th May.

asked the Home Secretary if he will allow Miss Ryan, Miss Kearney, and Miss Moloney, Irish prisoners now detained at Lewes Prison, to be tried by a judge and jury in open Court; and if he will allow them the ordinary facilities of defence granted to prisoners in every country in the civilised world?

These prisoners have had a full opportunity of stating their cases before the Advisory Committee, which is presided over by a judge of the High Court, and they had legal assistance beforehand.

asked the Home Secretary whether, with a view to expediting the release of untried Irish prisoners, he will, as soon as the information obtained by the Advisory Committee permits, classify them, and make a single order for release apply to an entire class, beginning with those arrested in mistake or against whom there is no evidence; and whether those against whom the only evidence is that of non-political Gaelic teaching and propaganda will be released in this first category?

The hon. Member's suggestion is not practicable.

asked when the suppression of the Gaelic League was considered by the Government and it was deemed inexpedient to incur the odium; what guarantee was received, and from whom, that a sufficient number of Gaelic Leaguers would be found to destroy it from within; what was the consideration given to those who organised the recent meeting in the Gresham Hotel, Dublin, for this purpose; and, should they not succeed at the approaching Ard-Feis, whether the Government will undertake to leave the Gaelic League alone henceforward?

The suggestions contained in the hon. Member's question are without foundation.

asked why no separation allowance has been granted to Mrs. Gallagher, Burtonport, county Donegal, in whose favour her son, John Gallagher, No. 21412, Royal Irish Regiment, made an allotment of pay of 3s. 6d. a week on 5th January, 1916?

Inquiry will be made and my hon. Friend informed of the result in due course.

asked why the colonial allowance is not being paid to non-commissioned officers and privates with the troops in Egypt, seeing that the promise was given several months ago that this allowance would be paid to these classes in kind?

As I have explained in answer to previous questions, non-commissioned officers and privates are not entitled to colonial allowance. I am not aware of any promise to the contrary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that H. F. M'Kinlay, No. 105, Army Book 414, an attested man and until recently employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, was called up on 21st June, medically examined at Mill Hill, and passed as fit for sedentary duty abroad; that he was then told to return home until he was wanted, with the result that, having been discharged from the Royal Small Arms Factory he is unable to obtain employment; and whether, as M'Kinlay is a capable clerk, he will be now posted to a record and recruiting office or some similar position?

A Report has been called for, and the result will be sent to the hon. and gallant Member with his permission by letter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the court-martial held on Monday, 26th June, at Windygates, Fife, upon James Croall, a conscientious objector to military service, and the sentence of twelve months' detention passed by the Court; whether he is aware that this occurred more than a month after the promulgation of the Army Order X. of 25th May, whereby such men were to be sentenced to imprisonment and transferred to civil prisons; whether James Croall is now undergoing his sentence of detention in the military section of Perth Prison; and whether any steps are being taken to apply to his case the provisions of Army Order X. of 25th May, 1916?

Inquiry will be made into this case, and the Under-Secretary of State will take the liberty of sending the results of the inquiry to the hon. Member by letter.

asked when transfers to the Territorial Force (W) Reserve will take place?

These transfers have been in process ever since the issue of Army Order 203 of 1914 which bears the date 8th June.

asked the Prime Minister when the Government authorised a secret circular to be addressed by the military authorities to the Press in Ireland prohibiting the publication of blanks indicating matter censored; if he can state the cause that led to the issue of this circular; whether such an order has been issued to the Press in this country; whether it is to be enforced by the suppression of periodical publications printed with censored parts blank; if he will name any publication now due which has been prevented from appearing by this order; and, seeing that the omission of print from paper is not a positive act punishable under any Statute, that to compel concealment of the blank would be to compel a misleading false pretence, and that the secrecy of the circular prevents the public being informed that they are being misled, will he say under what statutory provision this circular has been issued and the publication of it forbidden?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The Press in Ireland has had the benefit of the same guidance in this matter as has been given to the Press in England. The circular was a request to the Press and has been accepted and followed in the spirit of loyalty to the national interest which might be expected. The object of suppressing blanks indicating matters censored is to avoid the suggestion of information to the enemy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether orders for the supply of artificial limbs to wounded soldiers have been and are given to an American firm; if he will state the prices now being paid for artificial legs and arms, respectively; and whether opportunities have been given to British firms to provide these appliances?

I am informed that orders for artificial limbs for soldiers admitted to Queen Mary's Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital, Roehampton House, S.W., have been placed with sixteen different firms, of which three are American, the remainder being British. The orders are placed in accordance with the recommendations of the consulting surgeons at Roehampton, and the limbs supplied are of the types commended by the judges at the exhibition held there in July, 1915. The prices range from £6 10s. to £ 17 for an artificial arm, and from £8 18s. 6d. to £20 for an artificial leg. The prices vary according to the nature of the amputation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he can see his way to increase the allowance for the billeting of troops?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 13th instant to the hon. Member for the Thornbury Division of Gloucester.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give an approximate estimate of the total sum involved by paying for British wool 35 per cent. over the price ruling in June and July, 1914, instead of at that price?

The payment of 35 per cent. in excess of the prices of British wool ruling in June and July, 1914, represents an increase of over £2,000,000 on the total purchase price of 1914.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been directed to a resolution passed at a meeting of the Donegal rural district council on the 8th instant requesting the Government to send immediately inspectors or agents to purchase wool, 1916 clip, to Donegal and the surrounding districts, having regard to the fact that many farmers are put to inconvenience owing to the recent Order, having drawn accounts under the belief that the sale for wool would have been under the same conditions as in previous years; and whether, having regard to the grave public interests to which the resolution relates, steps will be taken to carry its recommendations into effect?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to and am taking steps, in consultation with the Irish Department of Agriculture, to arrange for the purchase of Irish wool to begin before the end of the month

asked the Minister of Munitions whether all the employés at the National Shell Factory, Darlington, have received a week's notice; if so, whether work is to be resumed in eight weeks' time; whether, when the new arrangement is complete, only 500 girls instead of 1,400 will be employed; and whether he accepts responsibility for this reduction in the labour employed?

The facts are substantially as stated in the question. It has been necessary, having regard to the Army requirements, to change the class of work done at the factory. Special instructions have been given to assist the workpeople in finding work elsewhere, and I understand that a number have already done so.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies if he is now in a position to say what the charge was on which Mr. D. B. Jayatiloka, B.A. (Oxon), a barrister, of Lincoln's Inn, was imprisoned for forty-six days last summer with about 800 men in the Welikada Gaol, Ceylon, a prison constructed to accommodate only 150 prisoners; whether he has read any Report of the sufferings endured by this and other gentlemen from the insanitary condition of that prison when so congested; seeing that those gentlemen had to be released without trial or even charge against them, will he say what, in the nature of reparation, has been made to them; and whether Sir Robert Chalmers, then Governor of Ceylon, now Under-Secretary for Ireland, has been asked for an explanation of his treatment of those gentlemen?

Mr. Jayatiloka was arrested on the 21st June, 1915, by order of the General Officer Commanding the Troops as a result of evidence disclosing seditious speeches and writings, and was charged under Section 120 of the Ceylon Penal Code and Section 41 of the Army Act. After being brought up on remand from time to time he was released on the 4th August, on entering into a bond to appear when called upon and to be of good behaviour. I have read his account of his experiences in prison, but the official reports which I have received of the prison in question do not bear out the statement that it was insanitary. I see no ground for reparation or for further explanation in this case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what Import Duty upon sugar is imposed by the Common-wealth of Australia for the protection of the local sugar growing and refining industries?

The duties at present leviable on sugar imported into the Commonwealth of Australia from all countries, except South Africa, are as follows:— Sugar: Per cwt. The produce of the sugarcane 6s. Invert sugar and invert syrup, including brewers' priming sugars 6s. Glucose 8s. Other sugar 10s. Under the Customs Tariff (South African Preference) Act, 1906, the rates of duty leviable on sugar imported from South Africa are:— Sugar: Per cwt. The produce of sugarcane— Produced solely by white labour 4s. Produced wholly or partly by black labour 5s.

[NOTE.—The importation of all sugar into the Commonwealth is at present prohibited, except with the consent of the Minister of Trade and Customs (Proclamation of 7th September, 1915).]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the wholesale price of sugar in any one of the chief cities of Australia at any date in 1913, and the price at the same date of that year in London, and in any chief city of New Zealand?

I am afraid it is quite impossible to give quotations which would show the relative value of sugar of absolutely identical quality in the three countries. I find, however, that No. 1 White Sugar in Brisbane varied in price in 1913 from £21 to £23 15s. per ton; that No. 1 Auckland Refined Sugar at Wellington was quoted at £18 11s. per ton in the same year, and that No. 1 Tate's Cubes were £18 5s. per ton in the middle of August, 1913, in London.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now give an assurance that the English railway companies are now accepting all goods offered for transit to Belfast and the North of Ireland and that all restrictions upon this traffic have been removed?

I am afraid that, in existing circumstances, temporary restrictions upon transit may continue to be found necessary to avoid congestion in the case of traffic between particular places or districts in Great Britain and Ireland. I am informed, however, that there is at present no restriction upon the acceptance of cross-Channel traffic to Belfast by the Heysham route, and that in the case of the Fleetwood route full cargoes of goods and empties were carried until Friday last, when, owing to special causes, some restriction had to be placed upon the acceptance of certain classes of goods other than foodstuffs, perishables and Government stores. I am inquiring into the complaints of delay to Belfast traffic of which the hon. Baronet has furnished me with particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of the "Appam"; and if the vessel has been restored to her owners?

The United States District Court before which the case is pending has not yet given its decision. His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington is being instructed to inquire of the United States Government whether the matter cannot be expedited.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the total revenue from Ireland; the amounts under the different heads for the last complete financial year; and the similar Return for each of the six preceding years?

The total revenue contributed by Ireland for the financial year 1915–16 was, approximately, £17,929,000. The usual Return giving the details under the different heads is being prepared and will be issued shortly. The information asked for in the last part of the question will be found in House of Commons Paper No. 309 of 1915 and the corresponding Returns for previous years.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the total quantity of land purchased and distributed in county Meath by the Estates Commissioners since the 1903 Act came into operation; the quantity they are at present negotiating for; the acreage purchased but not yet allotted; and when the latter will be distributed?

The Estates Commissioners have purchased 13,198 acres of untenanted land in county Meath. They have placed allottees in possession of 12,016 acres thereof, which have been divided into allotments, and the balance of the lands will be distributed when schemes of allotment have been prepared and approved, but the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when the lands can be divided. In addition there are some 1,200 acres of untenanted land situate on estates in county Meath pending for sale before the Commissioners, but they will not be in a position to deal with these estates until reached in their order of priority.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the number of both men and women old age pensioners for the year ended March, 1916; and if he will state the numbers that are receiving 5s. per week, 4s. per week, 3s. per week, 2s. per week, and 1s. per week, respectively?

The total number of old age pensions payable in the United Kingdom on the last Friday in March, 1916, was 978,112, of which 361,435 were payable to men and 616,677 to women. The number of pensions payable at each rate was as follows: 5/- 4/- 3/- 2/- 1/- 923,275 19,605 20,145 9,905 5,182

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Board have intimated their intention of confirming a demolition order made by the Hampstead Borough Council under Section 17 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, in reference to a house known as 83, Palmerston Road, Kilburn, although the house has been certified by experts to be perfectly fit for human habitation in every respect; and whether the Board will refer the matter to the president of the Surveyors' Institute, the president of the Architects' Institute, or the president of the Medical Officers' Association for report?

No intimation has been given of an intention to confirm the demolition order referred to. On an appeal by the owner against the Order, my Department have intimated that they are of opinion that the making of the Order by the Hampstead Borough Council was justified, but they are also giving the owner an opportunity of remedying the defects which have caused the house to be considered unfit for human habitation. I am advised in all these matters by very experienced officers, and I see no reason to refer this particular matter for report to any of the gentlemen mentioned in the question.