asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, approximately, the amount of Treasury Bills in the possession of neutral countries; and whether he is aware of any amount that may be held in neutral countries by financial houses which have enemy associations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have no materials that would enable me to answer the second part.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether it is the intention of the Government, before the Adjournment, to make an issue of a loan by which Treasury Bills at present outstanding, amounting to over £800,000,000 sterling, may be consolidated; and (2) whether it is the intention of the Treasury to limit the amount of Treasury Bills at any one time; and, if so, whether he will state that amount?

As I stated, in reply to my hon. Friend on 20th July, it would not be in the public interest to make any statement on these matters at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is with his knowledge and sanction that thousands of forms (V. O. 71) are being delivered to property owners by the Land Valuation Department; is he aware that in these forms the recipient is asked to sign and return a statement that he does not desire to take advantage of the existing undertaking to extend the time for giving notice of objection to valuations made by the Department for the duration of the War; and, seeing that this action is a breach of the spirit of the undertaking, will he say what steps he proposes to take?

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension; Form V. O. 71 is only issued in those cases where the owner or person interested in the land himself desires to obtain a settlement of the provisional valuation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the amount collected in Great Britain for the last completed financial year?

The revenue collected in Great Britain in the financial year 1915–16 was £308,231,000.

asked whether the incomes of naval officers temporarily placed upon half—pay through illness contracted on service may be assessed at the pre—war rate when such half—pay does not exceed £300 a year?

A naval officer whose total income for the year of assessment does not exceed £300, and who at any time in the course of that year has served on the active list of the Navy, is entitled to the pre—war rate of tax in respect of the whole of his service emoluments for the year, including any half—pay he may receive during a part of the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet made any arrangement, and, if not, whether and when he proposes to make such arrangement, whereby Exchequer Bonds, 5 per cent. 1919, 1920, and 1921, which can be registered at the Banks of England and of Ireland, can also be registered at the Bank of Scotland; and whether he is aware that this inconvenience hinders the success of these bonds in Scotland?

As my hon. Friend is aware, there is no Government Bank in Scotland corresponding to the Banks of England and Ireland, and it is not proposed to make any arrangements for the registration of 5 per Cent. Exchequer Bonds 1919, 1920 and 1921, at any Scottish bank. It is open to any purchaser of bonds to request their registration at the time of purchase; this avoids altogether the necessity of sending bonds through the post, and would seem to provide adequate facilities for the registration of bonds by Scottish holders.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, with reference to the threatened destruction of the herring fishing at Howth, county Dublin, by reason of the want of facilities for transport across Channel, he has made any independent inquiries as to the facts of the case; whether there are any vessels not actually engaged on naval or military service which might be released for the carriage of fish from Ireland to England; and, if so, why the Admiralty declines to release such vessels for such traffic?

Except for written and verbal communications upon the matter, which my hon. Friend has been so good as to make to me, I am not aware of any independent inquiry. I shall be glad to consider any representations which may be made, but I am bound to say that I can hold out no prospect that vessels engaged on naval or military service can be released, nor am I aware of any vessels not so engaged that can be released for this work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on Saturday, 1st July, on the ship that left Havre loaded with German prisoners there were about twelve of our own soldiers on the same boat coming home on leave; that on the morning of 2nd July the whole of the German prisoners had breakfast served to them, but that no breakfast was served out to our soldiers, although they had just come out of the trenches; and can he give any reason for such treatment being inflicted on our soldiers?

This question is, I think, based on a want of understanding of the system followed. Rations are not placed on board the ships plying between Havre and Southampton for men going on furlough, because they either draw their rations for the journey, or receive an allowance instead and find their own food. In most cases the allowance is issued. In the case of German prisoners of war rations are placed on board sufficient to last the men for the journey and until midnight on the day of disembarkation—that is, until they have reached their place of internment. If I have correctly identified the ship which my hon. Friend has in mind, there were 120 furlough men on board. No complaint was made on the arrival of the ship, and if twelve of the furlough men had no breakfast it was, I fear, their own fault, for not having provided themselves with rations. I may add that the system, followed is well established and well known.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that John M'Namara, clerk at Mr. O'Carroll's, drapers in Bray, was arrested at Mooney's, Parnell Street, Dublin, on the Wednesday after Easter, and that £9 10s., a watch, a girl's wristlet watch, and a gold medal were taken from him there by the soldiers; that he was detained at Wakefield Prison for six weeks and afterwards released and has not since got back either his money or any of the above articles; whether he is aware that he was leaving for home on his holidays and was bringing his father this money; can he say what steps he proposes to take to compensate him; and (2) whether he is aware that Thomas M'Namara, of Knocknaboula, Loughill West, county Limerick, a boy of about fifteen years of age, who was sent by his father to Dublin on the Friday before Easter to be educated there, was arrested on the Wednesday after Easter at Mooney's, Parnell Street, Dublin; whether he is aware that £3 10s. and a watch and chain were taken from him there by the soldiers; that he was taken to Richmond Barracks and kept there for four weeks, although he took no part in the rebellion, and that he was afterwards sent home; and whether, under the circumstances, he will take steps to see that he gets back his money, watch and chain, or its value?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that the military authorities in Sheffield have issued and posted on the hoardings a long list of persons alleged to be absentees under the Military Service Act; that this list appears to have been issued with little or no investigation into the accuracy or otherwise of these charges as affects individuals; whether he is aware that men have been posted as absentees who are now actually fighting in France, that other men have been so described who hold a badge and certificate from the Ministry of Munitions, and that the military authorities have since been obliged to cover up these posters; whether he will cause investigation to be made as to the circumstances in which such a poster was issued and who was responsible for it; what action he propoes to take in respect of the person or persons responsible; and (2) whether his attention has been called to the case of A. E. Gompertz, whose application on grounds of conscientious objection to participating in war was refused by the South Shields Local Tribunal but subsequently admitted by the Appeal Tribunal, who granted him exemption from combatant service and promised that his certificate would be forwarded to him; whether he is aware that this man, his certificate not coming to hand, was arrested as an absentee, handed over by the magistrate to a military escort, taken to Newcastle Barracks, placed in a combatant regiment, court-martialled, and sentenced to four months' imprisonment; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the facts of the case?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a person named Henry Smith, of Derby, a member of a well-known Quaker family, was charged with being a deserter and, on the case being dismissed by the magistrates, it was referred to Quarter Sessions on the appeal of the military authorities, and Smith is being again summoned to the Colours, notwithstanding the fact that the appeal has not yet been heard; and whether this action on the part of the local military authorities is being taken with the sanction of the War Office?

It has been necessary to obtain reports with reference to these matters. As soon as the reports have been received, the Under-Secretary of State will, with the permission of the hon. Members concerned, send them a statement regarding the cases in which they are respectively interested.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the health of the British troops in Salonika and district is satisfactory; and whether, in view of the desire of their relatives and of the country generally for more information, he will arrange for the issue of occasional official bulletins with regard to these forces?

Oases of enteric and dysentery have been very few, although there has been during the past three months some increase in the admissions to hospitals owing to the larger number of cases of malaria, diarrhoea, and pyrexia. The medical authorities, however, consider that on the whole the health of the troops is satisfactory. The issue of official bulletins must, of course, be dependent on there being anything to report. Such bulletins are, and will continue to be, issued whenever there is anything to say.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the temporary women clerks employed by the War Office work forty-eight hours a week for 25s., instead of the forty-two which is the practice in other Departments, and that, with overtime, their hours are from nine till seven every day, including Saturdays, whether, in order to preserve their health and to increase their capacity for work, he will consider the advisability of giving them one half-holiday a week, without loss of pay, as is done in the Ministry of Munitions; and, if not, why this step is not to be taken?

The hours of work of the temporary women clerks employed in the War Office vary according to the branch in which they are serving and are by no means always as long as the Noble Lord suggests. Pressure of work and the needs of public business prevent the grant of a general half-holiday, but every endeavour is and will be made to secure such a grant when possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War by what method temporary women clerks in the War Office are judged to be entitled to receive 30s. a week as the result of a satisfactory probation, whether by length of service, by examination, or on a report by their superior officers; and whether he will give the numbers still employed by the War Office who have failed to pass this test?

Advancement to the rate of 30s. a week is made on the recommendation of the head of the branch in which the clerk is serving. I do not think that it would serve any good purpose to state the numbers still employed in the War Office who have been judged ineligible to receive a higher rate.

asked whether the discharged soldiers in receipt of a pension who go before a medical board for re-examination are asked to state whether they have employment and what wages they are earning?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked whether the civilian clerks in the Army Service Corps, Fermoy, have been given notice that they are to be replaced by Home-service men, who are probably conscientious objectors and have no knowledge whatever of the work; if so, why are men supplanted who have given their services almost since mobilisation when the work was in a state of chaos, and who have, by loyally performing the duties entrusted to them, got it well up to date; whether two of the men being dispensed with are over military age, two under military age, and two have brothers already serving both in the Army and Navy, being the only male member of the family left at home to support their parents, and is he aware that if these men are discharged they have no prospects of getting other employment; whether these men practically lived in the office during the recent disturbance and worked day and night without receiving any extra remuneration; and will the dismissals be reconsidered?

I am informed that the replacements to which my hon. and learned Friend draws attention will not for the present be continued.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that £10,000 has been allocated from the Prince of Wales' Fund to Lord Knutsford's hospitals, with a view to obviating the risk of officers becoming inmates of asylums, he will bring before those concerned the desirability of allocating an amount proportionate to the needs of the rank and file, in order to make provision for convalescent homes for uncertifiable nerve-shaken private soldiers who have been discharged from the Army, and so that, in accordance with the recommendation of the Murray Committee on Disablement, such homes shall be free from association with any suspicion of lunacy, and afford, together with medical care and supervision, cheerful surroundings and appropriate occupation and interests?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 18th of July. The recommendation of the Committee referred to is fully borne in mind by the medical authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst those concerned in the growth of wool at the price fixed by the Government for the clip of 1916, inasmuch as it is considerably below the price prevailing before the intervention of the Government and does not take sufficiently into account the increase in the cost of labour and feeding-stuffs since 1914 and makes no allowance for the fact that the purchasers of store sheep, who generally make their purchases in the first months of the year, based the prices of same on obtaining at least the current prices then prevailing; whether he is aware that great inconvenience has been caused to the growers and all engaged in this trade at the delay in making definite arrangements for the sale of wool; and if he will reconsider the price, in view of the circumstances stated, and cause steps to be taken that sales may be proceeded with without further delay?

In regard to the question of price, I would refer the hon. Member to the report of my speech to a representative deputation of farmers on Wednesday, 12th July. Purchases of wool are already starting in some districts, and are expected to be in full swing during the course of next week.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Second—Lieutenant H. S. Smith, 2/25th (Cyclist) Battalion London Regiment, was required to relinquish his commission on the grounds of ill—health in April last, and that H. S. Smith has been medically examined by the well-known specialist, Dr. Theo B. Hyslop, who certified him as being fit to rejoin the Army; whether H. S. Smith has applied to the War Office asking that he may be examined by the Army Medical Board with a view, if found fit for service, of having his commission restored to him; whether there is any reason why he should not be so reexamined; and, if so, what is the reason?

My hon. Friend will probably be aware of the grounds on which this officer was declared unfit for military service either at home or abroad. In consequence of his recent appeal it has been decided to ask this gentleman to appear before a medical board at the War Office in order that his fitness or otherwise for military duty may be ascertained.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, now as farms are so depleted of labour, he will issue instructions that during the harvest season farmers may entrust the presentation of their cases to the agricultural representative, thus saving their personal attendance before the local tribunals?

A farmer may, if he so chooses, and the agricultural representative agrees, present his case through the latter. I may mention that a communication has been sent to Appeal Tribunals, with the concurrence of the War Office, that they may properly postpone the hearing of agricultural cases until after the harvest, if a request is made to this effect and the agricultural and military representatives agree to this course.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether Mrs. Flora Drummond, who accompanied and took charge of the girl munition workers from the Clyde on their recent visit to France, is the same lady who is known as General Drummond of the Women's Social and Political Union; whether this lady was responsible for the production of the paper known as "Britannia'' at the time of its suppression owing to alleged libels of certain members of the Government and misstatements of fact; whether Mrs. Drummond was paid by any Government Department in connection with this visit to France; and, if so, how much public money was paid to her as remuneration and expenses?

I have no knowledge of the expedition referred to by my hon. Friend and no payment was made to Mrs. Drummond by the Minister of Munitions in respect of it.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Government are carrying out the policy of the dilution of skilled labour at Woolwich Arsenal; and, if so, whether he can make a statement as, to what has been accomplished?

The dilution of skilled labour at Woolwich Arsenal is being carried out in pursuance of the policy laid down. A Report has recently been compiled by an officer of the Ministry specially selected for the purpose as to the extent to which dilution has already been carried and in what further directions it could be adopted. The Report is in every way satisfactory and reflects much credit upon the management. Dilution will be carried to the extent recommended. Five thousand men have been released from the Arsenal within the last three months.

asked what restrictions have been imposed, or are intended to be imposed, on distilleries and breweries in Ireland; where access to the Regulations can be found; and are any of them calculated to affect the price of" existing crops of barley?

Negotiations are in progress in order to effect a reduction in the output of the Irish pot-still distilleries next season. It is not possible to say what effect, if any, there will be on the price of existing crops of barley. The Ministry of Munitions has not taken any action in connection with Irish breweries.

asked whether the women's procession to Hyde Park last Saturday, in the interest of Tariff Reform, was paid for, as in a former case, by the Ministry of Munitions?

My hon. Friend is under some misapprehension. The Ministry of Munitions has never paid for any demonstration in the interest of Tariff Reform. The Ministry of Munitions made no contribution in any form towards the Women's Demonstration on Saturday last.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any reply has been received to the Memorandum on Excise Advisory Committees which was submitted to the Government of India for their consideration?

The Papers were sent to the Government of India on the 15th March and 13th April. As the Government of India will doubtless find it necessary to consult local governments a reply can hardly be expected for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that some of the families of officers taken prisoners at Kut-el-Amara are in financial straits because those officers have had their Indian pay stopped and are only receiving home pay since they were taken prisoners; and whether he will consider the question of continuing the pay at the Indian rate?

Before the fall of Kut the rules in force regarding the pay of officers taken prisoners while on the Indian Establishment were that— (1) Officers of British regiments should draw their full Indian pay for sixty-one days and then come under the same conditions as those applied by the War Office to all other British officers taken prisoners, namely, that they should get full British pay and allowances (with the exception in a few cases of such items as command pay and adjutants extra duty pay). (2) Officers of the Indian Army should draw full pay for sixty-one days and then the rates of Indian Army leave pay ordinarily given on leave out of India. These rates are sterling rates depending on length of service and may be said to approximate, roughly, to about half of the officer's full pay. There was a proviso that in any case an Indian Army officer should not get less than a British service officer, and this became operative in the cases of most junior officers. Since the fall of Kut the Secretary of State, in communication with the War Office and the Government of India, has reconsidered these rules, which pending any fresh decision applied to the prisoners taken there. It has now been decided that Indian Army officer prisoners after sixty-one days on full pay will receive full pay of rank, plus half the staff pay attaching to their ordinary employment. Speaking very roughly, this will on an average give them about five-sixths of their full ordinary emoluments. Staff officers still on the cadre of a regiment will after sixty-one days be treated as regimental officers This follows the War Office practice. It is not proposed to make any alteration as regards officers of British regiments who only lose to the extent of coming on to British rates of pay and allowances, which (unlike officers of the Indian Army) they are liable to do at any time. The decision to alter the rules for Indian Army officers has retrospective effect from the beginning of the War and applies to all prisoners and not only to those taken at Kut. Family allotments will be adjusted in accordance with the pay of the officers.

asked whether effective steps have been taken to remedy the admitted deficiencies in rations and medical necessities for troops in Mesopotamia, or whether a Report of the proposed Commission is to be awaited?

For several months past all demands received from India for supplies have been complied with, and large quantities have been and are now being dispatched from the reserves in the Mediterranean. As regards deficiencies in medical stores for the troops in Mesopotamia, all demands received have, as has already been stated, been complied with. My right hon. Friend will be aware that the War Office has now taken over the supply of medical stores, and I can inform him that the military authorities in Mesopotamia have been directed to submit any further demands for these stores direct to the War Office, where they will be promptly met.

asked the Home Secretary what the provisions in force in France and Russia with regard to the use of the German language by alien German enemies in public places are; whether he is aware that German alien enemies in this country are in the habit of using their native language in public for the purpose of insulting British citizens; and whether he will, by legislation if necessary, make provision for dealing with the matter along the lines of the regulations in France and Russia?

I am making inquiry as to the regulations in force in France and Russia on this point. If the hon. Member will be good enough to communicate to me any definite information in support of the allegation in the second part of the question, I shall be happy to consider it.

asked whether the request made by Lord Chief Justice Cherry and Mr. Justice Wylie to issue a proclamation respecting the continuance of martial law was made to them orally or in writing, and by whom was it made?

The request was made in writing by the Under-Secretary acting on the instructions of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether there is under consideration a Bill giving the Corporation of Dublin certain powers with regard to the rebuilding of the ruined area; if so, is it the intention of the Government to introduce it before the Adjournment for the holidays; and whether he has received a letter from the secretary of the Fire Losses Association protesting against legal pressure being put upon individuals to expend unremunerative capital for aesthetic reasons?

The reply to each part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked who was responsible for putting the hon. Member for Newry on the Advisory Committee to deal with Irish prisoners; and why none of the prisoners' own countrymen were placed on the Commitee, who were in touch with and living under British law as administered in Ireland?

The hon. Member for Newry has been for more than a year a member of the Advisory Committee dealing with appeals under Regulation 14B, to which the cases of the Irish prisoners were also referred, and has rendered most able service. A member of the Irish Bench, Mr. Justice Pirn, was added by me to the Committee for the hearings of these cases.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a letter written from Cahirciveen, county Kerry, on 5th July, 1916, and addressed to Miss E. Ryan at Lewes Prison, was not delivered to Miss Ryan until 20th July; and whether he can say why this delay has taken and is still taking place in connection with letters sent to Irish prisoners?

I am having inquiry made, and will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

asked the Postmaster—General whether he is aware that the Dublin daily newspapers have not been delivered recently in the House of Commons on the night of issue; and whether he will inquire into the cause of the delay and have it remedied?

I have had some inquiry made, but I am unable to explain at present why delay should take place. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as the facts have been ascertained. If he could let me have the covers of any newspapers not delivered on the days of issue, I should be obliged.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total expenditure on Irish services for the last completed financial year and for each of the five preceding years, and the cost of each Department for the respective years?

The total Exchequer issues for Irish services in the year 1915–16 were approximately £12,597,000. Details of the cost of the various Departments will be given in the usual Return which will be issued shortly. The figures for former years will be found in House of Commons Paper, No. 319, of 1915, and corresponding Returns for previous years.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the aggregate amount of the contribution payable by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in relief of agricultural rates for the financial year 1915–16 under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, and the Agricultural Rates, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1896, distinguishing the amount payable in England and Wales and the amount payable in Scotland, respectively; and what was the aggregate amount payable by the Commissioners in relief of the rates on tithe rent-charge attached to benefices in England and Wales under the Tithe Rent—charge (Rates) Act, 1899, for that financial year?

The contributions in the financial year 1915–16 in relief of Agricultural Rates under the Acts referred to were—— £ England 1,323,458 Scotland 181,975 The payments in 1915–16 under the Tithe Rent—charge (Rates) Act, 1899, amounted to £181,030.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the many chief writers now on active service having had no opportunity of promotion to warrant rank before being pensioned, although recommended and in every respect qualified, their long service and exceptional character and professional ability, and of the good service and responsible duties now being performed by them, the Admiralty will consider the claims of pensioned chief writers to promotion?

I regret that I cannot give any general undertaking of the nature suggested. The practice of the Admiralty is to grant temporary warrant rank only to those who are performing the duties ordinarily undertaken by warrant officers. If any pensioned chief writer is performing such duties, a representation on his behalf would receive favourable consideration, but, as a general rule, it may be stated that warrant rank can only be granted to pensioned chief writers at the expense of chief writers on the Active List.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the head mistress of the Albourne Church of England School, Hassocks, East Sussex, has received three months' notice of dismissal, such notice terminating on the 30th June; that the local education authority has confirmed the notice of dismissal without granting an inquiry into certain alleged charges brought against the teacher of which no details were given to the head mistress; and that the school, which has an attendance of forty children, is now being car- ried on by a supplementary teacher and a monitress; and, inasmuch as this is contrary to the regulations of the Elementary School Code, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My only knowledge of this case is derived from a report of the proceedings before the High Court, in which a Motion on behalf of the teacher to restrain the school managers from acting on a resolution to terminate her appointment was dismissed. I have no knowledge of any charges brought against her, and, there do not appear to be any grounds on which I could intervene. With regard to the last part of the question, the case was only heard in the early part of this month, and I presume that any deficiency of staff which may exist is purely temporary pending the appointment of a qualified head teacher. On this point I may refer my hon. Friend to Article 9 ( g ) of the Code.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether there has been a suspension of the Tuberculosis Order, 1914, and the tuberculosis test by which milking cows and animals used for human food were tested and, if found to be either positive or suspicious, were slaughtered and compensation paid to their owners; if so, whether he is aware that, as a result of this suspension, farmers can sell tuberculous animals and are not obliged to state to whom they have sold them, so that inspectors may lose trace of tuberculous animals and are unable to prevent the sale for human consumption of tuberculous milk and flesh; and whether, in view of the consequent danger to infant life and the prevalence of consumption amongst persons of all ages, he will give orders for the Tuberculosis Order, 1914, to be reinstated.

I shall be obliged to my hon. Friend if he will come to the Board's office and talk over the questions which he raises, as I think this will be more satisfactory to him than any explanation of the position that can be given in answer to a Parliamentary question.

asked the Postmaster-General if he pays for the conveyance of mails from Scrabster to Stromness at the rate of £2,000 a year for a service three times a week; if this sum includes conveyance of mails from Stromness to Kirkwall by motor; and, if not, what sum is paid in respect of that service?

The remuneration to be paid to the company for the reduced service has not yet been settled. I am asking that a report from Scotland should be sent me as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture why the cargo of live stock on board the " Colleen Bawn," which sailed from Drogheda on the 15th instant, was held up at Birkenhead, and who was responsible; and whether he will also state if one lamb affected with scab was unloaded from the " Mellifont," if it was examined in camera, and interested persons refused permission to see the examination or the lamb subsequently?

Only the sheep in the cargoes of the "Colleen Bawn" and the " Mellifont" were detained at Birkenhead on the 16th instant, the reason being that one lamb on the "Colleen Bawn" was found to be affected with sheep scab, and as the sheep on both vessels were parts of the same consignments from Drogheda, and had largely come to Drogheda from the same owners, all had to be dipped before being allowed to proceed. The affected lamb was isolated, but the owner had free access to it during the hour that the whole of the cargo is open to inspection under the Regulations, and also after the period of detention had expired. No persons other than certain officials are permitted to be present during the veterinary examination on account, among other reasons, of the grave risk of spreading infection in the event of a highly infectious disease being discovered.