asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the International Red Cross Society at Geneva has yet paid visits to British prisoner camps in Bulgaria and Turkey; and whether, officially, or otherwise, His Majesty's Government has received from that society any reports upon the condition of those camps?

We have no information that delegates of the International Red Cross Society, at Geneva, have yet paid visits to camps in Bulgaria and Turkey in which British prisoners of war are interned. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that about five weeks ago he promised to inquire, and can he give me any information?

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

Perhaps he will make inquiries.

Certainly.

asked why the transfer of civilian invalid prisoners to Switzerland from Germany and Great Britain, respectively, was not included in the agreement recently arrived at between the two countries; and whether any negotiations are now pending to secure for such invalids the same advantages as were originally obtained by agreement between France, Germany, and Belgium?

The scheme for transferring partially incapacitated combatant prisoners of war to Switzerland was in its inception largely experimental. For that reason, and for the reason that the result of the negotiations respecting the transfer of combatant prisoners of war to Switzerland might have been prejudiced had the issue been enlarged, it was not thought advisable to include invalid civilians in the original proposal we made to the German Government. As the hon. Member is aware, negotiations are now in progress for the repatriation or internment in a neutral country of all British civilian prisoners of war now in Germany, whether invalids or not.

Independent of the negotiations now pending, will the right hon. Gentleman do whatever he can to secure the transfer of the invalid civilians who are now occupying a sanatorium at Ruhleben to Switzerland or home, as half of them are rotting and half of them are mentally deficient owing to long internment in that particular sanatorium?

I would be very glad to do anything I can, but I am sure that my hon. Friend would not wish to imperil the fate of the larger negotiations by any fresh proposals at this moment.

asked how many British subjects are now interned in neutral countries?

The number of naval and military prisoners in neutral countries on 31st July was as follows:—Naval: In Norway, 105; in Holland, 1,838; in Denmark, 14; in Switzerland, 4; total, 1,655. Military: In Holland, 27; in Spain, 1 (one); in Switzerland, 446; total, 474.

asked the Secretary of State for War what decision has been arrived at with reference to bands, including pipe bands, of third line units of the Territorial Force?

asked whether third-line Territorial units are to be allowed to retain their bands, including pipe bands, provided that no bandsman of military age and fit for general service is employed?

The collection from Commands of the information necessary to form the basis for a 'well-considered decision has not yet been completed. This is being accelerated, but I cannot, I regret to say, announce any decision to-day. My hon. Friend will realise that if these bands are retained, the men will be drawn from the ranks of those who are unfit for military service, and to this extent men who might otherwise be suit-ably employed on munition or other work of a national character will be retained with the Colours.

Will the hon. Gentleman keep in mind also the great value from the military point of view of having this music?

Yes, Sir, that will be borne in mind.

asked whether the Brigadier - General Commanding the 178th Brigade recommended Major Sir Francis Vane for mention in dispatches for his distinguished conduct when in command of the attack on the South Dublin Union; whether Sir Francis Vane came to London to report to the Prime Minister and Lord Kitchener the murder of Messrs. Skeffing-ton, Dickson, and M'Intyre; whether Sir Francis Vane was thanked by the Prime Minister and Lord Kitchener for this service; whether the report of the Brigadier-General was held back by Sir John Maxwell and not forwarded by him to the Army Council; whether Sir John Maxwell seat am adverse report on Sir Francis Vane's conduct, with the result that Sir Francis Vane is now unemployed; and whether, in view of the services of this gallant officer, any action will be taken to make available Sir Francis Vane's services in the field?

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that Sir Francis Vane, one of the officers in command, made a personal report to Lord Kitchener respeting the murders of Messrs. Skeflington, Dickson, and M'Intyre, and thereby, one week after the crimes had been committed, obtained the arrest of Captain Bowen-Colthurst, for which action he was thanked by the Prime Minister and his action approved by Lord Kitchener; whether he is aware that the treatment of the civilian population by Sir Francis Vane during the rebellion has won the confidence of the Irish people; whether he is aware that Sir Francis Vane has been now unemployed for two months either in a military or in a civil capacity; whether he is aware that Major Sir Francis Vane was one of the first officers to report himself at the front in this War, coming from Italy at his own expense and joining the French Army at Belfort on 14th August, 1914, and on his return to England he, of his own initiative, raised 500 men for the Army from among the London stores and factories and for one year trained the officers and men of a battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, whose attachment and loyalty to him have been publicly expressed; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

If the hon. Member wishes to regard this matter in the light of the ordinary practice as regards mention in dispatches, I must point out to him with reference to the first and fourth parts of the question that it is not customary for Commanders-in-Chief to forward with their dispatches the reports of subordinate commanders, and the Army Council have no knowledge of any recommendation having been made by the officer referred to. On the general question of the further employment of Sir Francis Vane, I can only say a report has been received from Lieutenant-General Sir J. Maxwell that this officer's services are no longer required for recruiting duties, and as there is no other employment for which he is required he is now unemployed. He was adversely reported upon as a regimental officer and cannot be employed in this capacity again.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Colonel Maconochie, on the 8th May, reported as follows on Sir Francis Vane: "That he rendered valuable assistance, that his dispositions were excellent, and that he recommended him to be mentioned in dispatches, and to be permitted to return to the front"; and whether it is a fact that Sir J. Maxwell has now discontinued his services solely because he reported, and insisted upon reporting, the murder of Skeffington and others in portobello Barracks?

I have no reason whatever to think that is the case.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries whether this report which I have read is true or false?

I will represent it to my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary for War.

As this is a matter which obviously is one of great public importance, will the hon. Gentleman press for a definite report upon the subjects mentioned in these questions and the allegations contained therein?

Will the hon. Gentleman direct his investigations to this point— whether the gist of the matter is that a zealous and efficient officer has been punished because he set his foot in the way of the illegal operations of the military, and that the whole influence, esprit de corps, and chicane of Government Departments is now being used against him?

I do not think there is a word of truth in those allegations.

Let the facts tell.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire into the facts I have stated, and let the public know the facts?

I have already assured the hon. Member that I will report what he has said to the Under-Secretary of State for War, with whom it will remain to decide whether or not an inquiry shall take place.

Will the hon. Gentleman suggest to the Prime Minister that the inquiry into the death of Mr. Sheehy Skeffington shall be so arranged as to bring into consideration and report the matters brought forward now?

The hon. Member is such a persona grata with the Prime Minister that I am quite sure his representation would be considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the circumstances in which a soldier was billeted on Mr. John O'Dwyer, of Market Square, Kilrush, on the night of 1st July last; whether he is aware that, on account of the delicate state of health of a member of his family, Mr. O'Dwyer paid for lodgings elsewhere and incurred loss; whether he is aware that the some soldier was billeted on him again, arriving when the house had been closed and all the inmates were in bed; and, seeing that the exceptional powers of billeting are used by the police to cause annoyance to political opponents, whether any general instructions have been given to use billeting powers with tact and discretion?

Special inquiry has been made into this matter, and as a result I am informed that a recruiting serjeant was billeted on Mr. John O'Dwyer, publican, of Kilrush, for three nights at the beginning of July. I am also informed that no member of the family of Mr. John O'Dwyer was sick, as has been stated to the hon. Member.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry and see whether the police are using these exceptional powers in a vexatious spirit, and, if so, will he put a stop to it?

I have no reason to think that the police are acting otherwise than with perfect propriety.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is acquainted with the circumstances in which on two occasions parties of the Royal Munster Fusiliers were billeted at the house of Miss Kate M'Cormack, Irish House, Ennistymon, county Clare; whether he is aware that on the first occasion a price was agreed to and paid, but on the second occasion payment on the same scale, though at first agreed to, was subsequently to the event refused, the final payment involving also a reduction on the account already settled; whether he has considered the effect on recruiting of such proceedings; and whether he will do justice to Miss M'Cormack?

I have already explained the position to the hon. Member. It is not admitted that any agreement was made on the second occasion. The billeting took place under the Army Act, and only the legal amount can be paid.

Is it admitted that there was an agreement upon the first occasion, and, if it is so admitted, as the money was actually paid, why was some part of that money deducted on account of a subsequent transaction?

I think there was a deduction made in the first instance, as the hon. Member suggests, but the deduction was made by mistake, and the full amount was subsequently offered.

Was not this transaction on the part of the War Office a cheating of this poor woman, who might not of herself be able to make complaint?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the feeling among the relatives of soldiers and among the public generally that the military authorities are acting unfeelingly as well as unfairly by sending back to the trenches men who have newly recovered from wounds, in many instances time after time, before their turn comes to go into the trenches again; and whether he intends to take action in this matter?

I was not aware that there is any such feeling as my hon. Friend refers to. I can assure him that men are not sent back to the front until they have fully recovered from wounds and are fit for service in the field. When such men have returned to the front they would necessarily have to take their turn to go into the trenches with their battalion, but they would not, of course, be taken out of their turn in ordinary circumstances. Trained and experienced men are, of course, valuable, and I think I may say that commanding officers at the front are too well aware of the value of the services of these experienced men to subject them to any avoidable risk or strain.

Is it a fact, as stated by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dundee the other day, that the wounded men are placed in a class as men who are the first to be sent back to France?

I do not think that I could apply that as a general rule.

Is it not a fact, as the hon. Member for Dundee said, that men who remain at home are promoted, even to the rank of major, and men in the trenches often receive no promotion at all?

I do not think that that arises out of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that numbers of tuberculous persons are being taken into the Army; that in a large number of cases these consumptive soldiers, without value from a military standpoint and an additional burden to the State, are at the same time a source of danger to healthy soldiers; whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Leeds Insurance Committee that out of 110 tuberculous insured persons who enlisted in Leeds during the year they had lost trace of sixty-six, but that out of the remaining forty-four about thirty had had to be discharged, whilst three had died; and whether it is proposed to take any action in this matter?

I am not aware that considerable numbers of tuberculous persons are being taken into the Army, but I, of course, agree with my hon. Friend that no such persons should be taken. Instructions have been issued to recruiting medical boards to ask each man definitely whether: (a) he has been under treatment in a sanatorium; (d) his name has been notified to the sanitary authorities as suffering from consumption? No man whose answer to either of these questions is in the affirmative will be taken, but it will obviously be necessary to verify his statements. The Local Government Board have also arranged for local tuberculosis officers to supply particulars of all men of military age who are on the tuberculosis registers, and these particulars will be notified to the proper recruiting areas with instructions that such men are not to be accepted for service. The advice of these tuberculosis officers will also be asked for in cases of doubt. As regards the statement referred to in the latter part of the question, the Army Council have at present no information, but they have caused it to be referred for immediate investigation.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when this new instruction regarding tuberculous men was given to the medical boards?

I cannot give the date.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when I asked him for the instructions to the medical boards this instruction was not included?

Can the hon. Gentleman say how the War Office or the medical faculty ascertain whether there is tubercle present in the human form or not?

There are well-known methods for ascertaining that by suitable and searching medical examination.

By what process?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a young apprentice named Alfred Evans, a conscientious objector under the Military Service Act, was called up on 25th April, was sent to Felixstowe, where he refused to obey military orders, was sentenced to twenty-eight days' imprisonment, and confined in Harwich Circular Redoubt; whether, after serving one week, he was sent to France, where, still refusing to obey military orders, as they were opposed to his moral and religious principles, he suffered various penalties, including extension drill; whether, on 24th June, he was court-martialled and sentenced to death, the sentence afterwards being commuted to ten years' penal servitude; whether he was brought to Winchester on 13th July and his parents visited him on 18th July, having some conversation with him through the double grille; whether he had, in ignorance of the rules, incurred a further penalty by speaking to a fellow conscientious objector and had been given solitary confinement; whether he is aware of the effect of the experience of the past few months on these lads, who are intelligent, clean-living fellows whose only offence is their devotion to their God and refusal to take part in the destruction of human life; whether he and his companions now in Winchester Gaol are to be sent to Portland Convict Prison; and whether, in view of the Prime Minister's pledge that the men who are held to be genuine conscientious objectors will be released from the civil prison on their undertaking to perform work of national importance under civil control, and that all the men whose objection to active military service is founded on honest conviction ought to be and will be able to avail themselves of the exemption which Parliament has provided, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

In view of the fact that this case will be considered by the Central Tribunal, no action in the matter is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War how men who have been undergoing imprisonment as conscientious objectors will be treated during the "period elapsing after release from prison and before the Central Tribunal has settled their cases; if retained in prison, will their condition be modified and their punishment relaxed; if retained in the camps or barracks of the Army, will they again be liable to courts-martial; if allowed home on leave, will they be held under surety bound to report themselves; and how many cases of this kind have been remitted to the Central Tribunal?

Arrangements are being made whereby such men will on release from prison be granted furlough until such time as the tribunal may have adjudicated upon their cases. In the event of the Central Tribunal rejecting their claim such men will receive an order from the War Office to return to their unit. The hon. Member will realise that it is not possible to retain a soldier in prison on the expiration of his sentence. I am not yet in possession of information as to how many cases of this kind have arisen, but I do not think that up to the present moment there have been many such cases. As regards men in detention there have been twenty-nine cases, all of which have been dealt with on the lines indicated above.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the exemption from combatant service granted to Mr. H. Adams, a school teacher, by the Enfield Local Tribunal was withdrawn by the Middlesex Appeal Tribunal on 17th July; whether the chairman, Mr. Regester, refused to take the applicant's evidence, although he had documentary evidence showing that his objections to war dated back many years; whether the only questions put to the applicant by the chairman of the Appeal Tribunal were questions as to his religious views, and as to whether he belonged to any Church or not; whether the appeal of the local education authority to the effect that the applicant's services were necessary to the successful conduct of the school was also disregarded, on the ground that the work of teaching was not of such national importance as to justify exemption; and whether, in view of these facts, he will order a rehearing of the case?

I am informed by the tribunal that after careful consideration of the case they formed the opinion that the objection of Mr. Adams was not conscientious, and they withdrew the exemption from combatant service granted by the local tribunal, which exemption he had stated he was not prepared to accept. The applicant also stated that he was not prepared to do work of national importance approved by the tribunal as a condition of his exemption from all military service. As regards the appeal of the education authority, I am informed that this was not rejected for the reason stated in the question, but because, in the opinion of the tribunal, it was not expedient in the national interest that Adams, instead of being employed in military service, should continue to be engaged in his present work. I am not prepared to intervene in this case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the North Staffordshire Appeal Tribunal has refused to hear the appeal of Mr. G. H. Howe from the decision of the Longton Local Tribunal declining to vary his certificate of exemption from combatant service; whether he is aware that the clerk of the tribunal stated that he had received instructions from the Local Government Board that Mr. Howe had no right of appeal and that his appeal was not to be heard; will he say whether such instructions were given with his sanction; and whether he will instruct the Appeal Tribunal to hear this man's appeal?

I am making inquiries respecting the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military authorities in Scotland are in some cases seeking to enforce compulsory service in respect of Irish migratory labourers not ordinarily resident in Great Britain who have signed registration forms in this country; and whether, having regard to the pledge given by members of the Government that the Registration Act' would not be used for such a purpose, and to the provisions of the Military Service Act in respect of migratory labourers and other persons not ordinarily resident in Great Britain, he will issue instructions to prevent such action in the future?

Inquiries will be made and the result will, with my hon. Friend's permission, be sent to him by letter without the necessity for him to take any further trouble in the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider some system of giving passports to these labourers before they leave Ireland so that they will not be molested, because I can assure him that this is an important matter and may affect English agriculture very seriously?

Will the hon. Gentleman send instructions to the military authorities in Enniskillen to release two men who have been there for the last ten days, who were tried a fortnight ago and discharged and have not been arrested again? I put a question yesterday and got an unsatisfactory answer. I ask the hon. Gentleman now to wire to Enniskillen to release these men. One is blind of an eye and is ordered to go and serve as a military man, and he was only about eighteen months in this country altogether?

Inquiries are being made. The suggestion of the hon. Member for East Mayo will be considered.

Do I understand that the hon. Gentleman will take such action as is indicated in my question, and that he will send out instructions?

I want to make inquiries first, and as soon as the inquiries are made I will communicate with the hon. Member.

What are the Regulations with respect to registration forms? Are the men who have got those forms to carry them on their person or are they bound to keep them in their residence?

I must ask for notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private W, H. Dalziel, No. 4721, Highland Light Infantry, 1/9th, who, although only I7¼ years of age, has been sent to France and to the trenches, and has been refused leave to return to this country, the commanding officer at the end of June writing that he had no authority to send home youths of that age; that on 15th July he was wounded in the thigh and taken to hospital at Rouen; that they there refused to send him home and informed him that he would be sent again to the trenches in a few weeks; and, if so, will he see that promises made in the House with reference to boys under eighteen are fulfilled in this case?

My Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State has already informed my hon. Friend that this case will be dealt with under the recently issued instructions which have been referred to in this House. Instructions have been given to the officer in charge of records in this sense.

Why has the War Office Order of 13th June not been observed? Only this morning I have heard from Glasgow that a boy under eighteen was shot last week whose parents had applied for his discharge over a month ago.

I am very sorry; I have not heard of it. We are doing what we can to see that the instructions are observed.

How long does it take an instruction to reach the proper authority?

My hon. Friend will see that depends upon where the authorities are.

Will these boys be sent home—Yes, or No?

My impression is that a youth over seventeen years of age serving in France may be Bent home if he is willing to come. If he is not willing he will be sent to the Training Corps at the base, and at any rate will be kept out of the firing line.

Is not the hon. Gentleman mistaken, and that under the Regulation a boy under the age of eighteen at the Front is sent home, and a boy between eighteen and nineteen is sent to the base?

I do not think so. I think it is my hon. Friend who is mistaken.

Has not the birth certificate been sent each time, in as many as three applications?

I do not know whether it was sent.

It was sent on each occasion.

Is it the superior officer who asks the boy to remain in France?

I think that is so.

Has the War Office any control over officers?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether officers when prisoners in enemy hands are placed on half-pay?

No, Sir, unless they are above the substantive rank of colonel.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if it was with his sanction that the father of ex-corporal James Burton, No. 4190, Royal Army Medical Corps, who, at the commencement of the present War, was in the Army Reserve after having previously served nine years with the Colours including periods of service in India and South Africa, who, during the present War, was wounded at Ypres and afterwards, when he was supposed to have recovered, was sent to Egypt and then to Salonika with the Royal Army Medical Corps, at which latter place his strength gave way altogether and he was sent into hospital at Malta a nerve-shattered wreck who, on leaving the hospital at Malta, was discharged from the Army and, after a short stay in an asylum in the South of England, was finally sent into the lunaticasylum at Menston, Yorkshire, on behalf of which last-mentioned institution the Bradford Board of Guardians, in the absence- of adequate arrangements on the part of the War Office for meeting the cost in such cases, not to mention the failure to provide accommodation for them elsewhere than in lunatic asylums, has put the father of ex-corporal Burton to the indignity of proving that he is unable to bear the charge of 12s. per week towards the cost of nursing back his war-broken son to health and strength if that is possible; and, if he has not sanctioned the proceedings in this case, what action he proposes to take in regard to it and other similar cases?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is now in a position to say whether men of the National Reserve who joined up at the outbreak of war for one year or for a second year if the War still continued will, on the termination of their two years' service, if not yet forty-one years of age, be kept on and come under the same conditions as the Regular soldier and be entitled to a bounty and furlough on completing their two years' service at the front?

Men serving on a one-year engagement, whether National Reservists or not, will, if under the age of forty-one, be retained in the Army under the Military Service Act. They are not, however, eligible for the bounty given to men who were serving on an Army engagement when the War broke out and have since become time-expired.

Why are they not eligible?

My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that at the time the bounty was given it was' intended to be given to those men who were serving at the outbreak of the War and since then have become time-expired.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Central Appeal Tribunal, in considering the case of H. F. Runacres, formerly a theological student of Pusey House, Oxford, who claimed exemption on conscientious grounds, decided that his objection was a political one, and that such an objection was not a conscientious objection within the meaning of the Act; whether he is aware that the claims of many Socialists and other persons who do not plead a religious objection have been refused on this ground; and whether he will take steps to represent to the tribunals that this supposed antagonism between politics and conscience ought not to be made a ground of refusing relief to a sincere and genuine applicant?

I have no authority to give directions to the Central Tribunal in this matter. I see no reason to differ from the decision of the Central Tribunal in the case to which reference is made.

Are we to take it that the Local Government Board holds that politics and conscience are necessarily incompatible?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement in the question about Socialists is not in the least correct?

Certainly I am aware.

In view of occurrences in the Cabinet, will they not have more sympathy with conscientious objectors?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can hold out to allied aliens of military age the prospect of immediate naturalisation on their offering themselves for enlistment in the British Army?

I hope to be able within a few days to make a further statement on the conditions of enlistment into the British Army, and of naturalisation when enlisted, of Russian subjects resident in the United Kingdom.

Will it be made in such a form, as on the introduction of a Bill, that it may be discussed in this House?

No legislation is necessary.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can say how many officers of military age are now retained in the Department of the Public Trustee; how many are single and how many are married; will he state what is the average age of the unmarried men; and whether he will consider the possibility of entrusting the work now done by these unmarried men to women or men outside the limits of military age?

The number of officers of military age now retained in the Department of the Public Trustee (excluding those rejected or postponed on grounds of health) is 65, of whom 19 are single and 46 married. The average age of the unmarried men is 27½. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on the 26th July.

How many officials are there altogether?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers of the Mechanical Transport, Royal Flying Corps, and Royal Naval Air Service motor daily between London and the Northern and Midland counties to transact business in the factories; and whether, in view of the train services, he will take steps to check this waste of petrol?

There are local inspectors of Mechancal Transport in the Northern and Midland counties, so that it is not necessary to send anyone from London for this purpose, whether by road or by rail, but generally I may inform my hon. and gallant Friend that motor journeys on duty exceeding forty miles can only be made when special authority has been obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of training Army drivers on large motor lorries burning about a gallon of petrol for every five miles run; and whether, in view of the petrol shortage, he will consider the desirability of training such men on lighter cars with about a quarter of the petrol consumption?

It has been found, by experience, that it is impracticable to train lorry drivers on motor cars. Men have to be taught on the type of vehicle which they will have to drive on service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether convoys of 100 motor-vans and lorries have sometimes driven 200 miles from their place of manufacture in the North to pass tests in London, afterwards returning to be shipped from near their place of origin; whether, on such a journey, a convoy burns from 2,000 to 8,000 gallons of petrol according to horsepower; and whether he will arrange for inspections to take place at the factories in future?

The normal procedure in such cases where the port of embarkation is known beforehand is to have the vehicles inspected at the manufacturer's works and sent direct to the port. I should be obliged if my hon. and gallant Friend would give me any particular case where this rule has been departed from.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the necessity for the curtailment by over 60 per cent, of the normal requirements of commercial and private users of petrol is due to a sudden unforeseen and temporary cause of which his Board could have had no expectation two months ago; whether he is aware of the loss to the revenue caused by the inability of the Petrol Commission to allocate petrol on which a licence Duty of 6d. a gallon is being paid; and will every effort be made to free tonnage otherwise employed and so secure a valuable sum to the revenue?

The probable necessity for regulating the use of petrol has been foreseen for some time, and was one of the reasons for which the Petrol Control Committee was appointed in April last. The considerations referred to in the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question are being borne in mind. Commercial users have not been cut down to the extent suggested in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any conference has been, or is likely to be, held between the military authorities of the Entente Powers to secure, so far as is possible, identical treatment of prisoners of war held by them and joint representations to the Central Powers as to the treatment of their prisoners in Germany and elsewhere?

No, Sir, I am not aware that any such conference has been held or is in contemplation. Whether any joint representation to the Central Powers would effect any change in their attitude towards prisoners of war is not clear, but this will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inquire whether Mr. Arthur Sexton, secretary to the National Society of Chauffeurs, was assured by Sir Reginald Brade that no commanding officer had any right to exceed orders by inflicting first field punishment for minor offences, seeing that this punishment was substituted for flogging and no man was flogged unless he had committed a very serious offence; and, in view of the punishment inflicted on Driver Graham for a first offence, he will ascertain what punishment can be administered to the court-martial who were guilty of such a dereliction of duty?

I fear that I cannot add anything to the answer I gave my hon. Friend yesterday. This man was dealt with not by his commanding officer but by a court-martial who were within their rights in giving the punishment named. The court-martial doubtless took all circumstances into consideration before awarding the punishment.

Has not this man received double punishment, as not only was he sentenced to this heavy punishment, but he was deprived of his allotment?

I am afraid that the deprivation of the allotment is a necessary consequence of the condemnation by court-martial.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that cast Army horses at the front are habitually sold; and whether, in view of the fact that such horses have rendered valuable service to this country, he will consider the desirability of their being painlessly destroyed rather than sold abroad?

It is the case that cast Army horses at the front are sold. Those fit for work and certified by a veterinary surgeon as fit to be exposed for sale are sold locally to farmers. They could not be sold profitably if brought back to England. From the sentimental point of view, I would suggest to my hon. Friend that it is a better fate for a horse, no longer capable of service in the Army, to pass into the hands of our Allies, the French, for agricultural work than to be painlessly destroyed as my hon. Friend suggests. I think it is an undeserved slur to suggest that the farming population of our Ally are not at least as careful of their horses as are our own farmers. Horses unfit for any work must in any case be destroyed, and I can assure my hon. Friend that this is done in the presence of one of our own military officers. These horses could not be brought to this country for destruction. Generally I may say with confidence that both the Director of Remounts and the Director of Veterinary Services in France have always kept prominently before their minds those considerations other than material which, I quite agree arise in connection with the disposal of cast Army horses.

May I point out that the suggestion that the Allies do not know how to treat their horses is not contained in the question, and has the hon. Gentleman not ascertained that these horses are very often sold when they are in quite an unfit condition and exposed to a great deal of suffering, and for the trifle which is obtained for them is it worth while to sell these poor old horses which have done battle for us, rather than to destroy them painlessly by the humane killer?

Horses unfit for work are destroyed. Those horses still fit for work are sold.

As the suggestion that the Allies do not treat their horses properly is not contained in the question, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he does not consider that horses which have fought for us on the battlefield ought to be destroyed painlessly and not exposed to unnecessary suffering?

The right hon. Baronet is asking the same question over again.

asked whether a few of the thousands of hutments in military camps in England and Wales will be available, either before or immediately upon demobilisation, for the equipment of the three experimental land settlement colonies for ex-Service men?

It is unlikely that any of the hutments will be available either before or immediately on demobilisation for the equipment of the three experi- mental land colonies for ex-Service men. My hon. Friend's suggestion will, however, receive sympathetic consideration, and when it is decided upon what lines demobilisation will be carried out it should be possible to give a definite reply.

What is the earliest date upon which a definite reply can be given, and must the land settlement scheme proceed now upon the assumption that no such hutments will be available?

The question of demobilisation, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend, is even more difficult than the problem of creating the Army. I do not think that it would be right to count upon the hutments being available, but the suggestion shall be considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the reduced rate for officers' Income Tax applies only to incomes of officers on the effective list; and, if so, will he make it apply also to the pay and retired pay of those officers on the retired list who are employed under the War Office in the present national emergency and are for the time being effective officers?

The conditions under which the relief in question is applicable are set out in Sections 30 and 31 of the Finance Act, 1916. The relief provided by these Sections applies to the pay of retired officers re-employed under the War Office during the present emergency on work of a military character, but not to their retired pay.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he refers to the Income Tax they have to pay?

I do not think I can add anything to the answer I have given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the profits declared by shipowners, he will consider the advisability of taking a much larger proportion of the excess profits so as to discourage their profiteering on the transport of food supplies and raw materials; and whether he will make inquiry into the feasibility of putting an increased harbour charge on neutral vessels?

As regards the first part of the question, I fear I can add nothing to the statements I have already made as to the reasons which led me to propose that the rate of Excess Profits Duty should not exceed 60 per cent. It must be remembered that Income Tax and Super-tax are payable in respect of the remaining 40 per cent. The second part of the question concerns the Board of Trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what returns have been made or receipts collected of Income Tax or Excess Profits Tax in respect of businesses carried on by a non-resident person with a resident person in this country; and whether any disputes have arisen or have been settled with Armour and Company and other large meat companies, who have conducted business on this side with the War Office, Admiralty, and Munitions Department, and in respect of which profits have been made available for collection of Income Tax under Section 31, Sub-section (3), of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I should be precluded from publishing details of the character suggested in the question, even if they were readily available. I may further remind him that the accounts of the Inland Revenue receipt of Income Tax, Schedule D, and Excess Profits Duty would not differentiate between the class of taxpayer which he appears to have in mind and any other class of taxpayer. As regards American meat companies in general, I may refer him to my answer of 29th June last to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (South). I am sending him a copy of that answer.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, respecting the case of an applicant for an old age pension whose claim was dealt with recently by the Bradford Old Age Pensions Committee, the total income of the [applicant being 12s. 6d. per week allot- ment and dependant's separation allowance from a soldier son, from which amount the pensions officer in calculating the applicant's means deducted 1s. 6d. per week for his son's unused (reserved) accommodation, thereby making it impossible for the old man to claim more than 2s. a week under the Old Age Pensions Act; whether he will instruct the pensions officer in this and other similar cases to exclude separation allowance for the purpose of calculating the means of an applicant for a new pension in like manner as he has instructed pensions officers to exclude separation allowance for the purpose of calculating the means of soldiers' dependants who were already pensioners when claims for separation allowances were made for them?

The hon. Member appears to be under some misapprehension in regard to the nature of the concession made to existing old age pensioners. In those cases the support given by the sailor or soldier should aleady have been taken into account in calculating the means for old age pension purposes, and, where this is the case, no action is taken for reduction or withdrawal of the pension in consequence of any increase in means due merely to the excess of the separation allowance and allotment over the value of the support as previously estimated for old age pension purposes. There is, therefore, no case, on the analogy of the treatment accorded to existing pensioners, for excluding dependant's separation allowance and allotment in calculating the means of a claimant to an old age pension.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have again considered the question of giving to the old age pensioners an extra payment since the deputation of the Trade Union Congress Parliamentary Committee put the case before him on Wednesday, 19th July?

Yes, Sir, the matter has been since considered. I am glad to say that I was able to announce to the deputation certain administrative measures taken by the Government which will, we hope, go far to mitigate the hardship which some pensioners are suffering.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what they are?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give to the House an indication of what the measures are?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing with the various local War Pensions Committees due to the delay of the Statutory Committee of the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation in issuing Part I. of their Regulations; if he can state the reason of such delay; and whether he can expedite the issue of such Regulations?

I regret that any inconvenience should have arisen in consequence of these Regulations not having at present been issued. The Statutory Committee have given unremitting attention to them, but great care was required in framing them, and actuarial advice had to be obtained. The Regulations have now been submitted to the Treasury for approval, and as soon as that approval is obtained they will be issued.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these Regulations are to be submitted to the House of Commons for their approval or criticism, apart from the Treasury, before they are published?

The House of Commons will have an opportunity, no doubt, of debating them, and that opportunity will be given before very long.

What is the use of debating Regulations after they are framed and people have actually been paid? Why cannot the House of Commons, which controls these matters, discuss them before they are assented to?

The House of Commons gave power to the Statutory Committee and the Treasury, and that power is being exercised in the usual way.

What is the object of these Regulations?

The object of the Regulations is to erect some standard by which the flat rate of pension may be supplemented, and to, as far as possible, enforce that general standard throughout the country acting through local committees and on their recommendation in each individual case.

asked whether it is intended to renew for a further period of twelve months the provisions of the Elections and Registration Act, 1915, c. 76, under which the elections of local authorities and other bodies were postponed and provision made for the filling of casual vacancies?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Will that require a Bill?

It will have to be included in the Clause of a Bill.

asked whether the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee are declining to grant relief to, or to entertain any claims by, wives of soldiers who have no children, even if such wives are unfit to work; and, if so, for what reason the Committee adopt this course?

No, Sir. The Committee are not declining to grant assistance to wives of soldiers who have no children where the wives are unfit to work.

Is it the usual practice of this Committee never to give a grant if there is more than £2 per week after paying the rent?

The Committee has not been authorised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give a grant when the amount is larger than £2 per week. That was thought to be a very considerable concession at the time and a concession for which we have received hundreds of letters of gratitude.

asked the Home Secretary whether he adheres to his policy of interning any man of enemy birth where there is doubt of his conduct; whether he will reconsider his decision to release J. G. W. Grüban if evidence can be produced that he has sold German machines to the Commonwealth of Australia as of British make; and whether an official of the Ministry of Munitions appeared before the alien tribunal and asked for his internment?

The only power of interning naturalised British subjects of enemy birth is that conferred by Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations; that Regulation applies only to cases where internment is required for the public safety or the defence of the realm, and I have not said anything beyond that. The charge referred to in the second part of the question was brought before the Advisory Committee, who found that it related to what happened before the War, and were of the opinion that it did not come within the scope of Regulation 14B. As regards the last part of the question, two persons on behalf of the Ministry of Munitions appeared before the Advisory Committee in support of the case for Griiban's internment. The Committee were, however, informed by the Ministry that the breaches of their Regulations, with which Grüban was charged, would be a matter for proceedings by the Ministry against Griiban's firm, if necessary, and that the Ministry did not desire that Grüban should" be punished by the Committee in respect of them. I would add, with regard to this case generally, that it has been repeatedly stated in the House that persons against whom internment orders are made under Regulation 14B have the right of appeal to the judicial Advisory Committee. When, as in this case, that Committee have given prolonged consideration to such an appeal, and have recommended that the internment should not be maintained, I should require to be satisfied that there were important new facts which the Committee had not had under their consideration before deciding to over-rule their recommendation.

Is it the fact that the Committee sat three days to consider whether this man should or should not be interned, and is it also the fact that the Ministry of Munitions applied that this man should be interned and that a representative from the Munitions Department made that request to the Committee, and, if so, why should there be any hesitation at all seeing that this man was an enemy alien when the War broke out? They ought to be interned.

With regard to the application from the Ministry of Munitions I have dealt with that in my previous reply. It is the case that the Advisory Committee sat for three days to hear this one case, and at the end were unanimously of opinion that he ought not to be interned.

The Committee ought to be abolished.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Table, so that we can judge for ourselves?

I will consider that suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Advisory Committee dealing with Irish prisoners hear over a hundred cases per day and hear no evidence of any kind?

asked the Home Secretary what were the alleged public grounds on which J. G. W. Grüban was naturalised in September, 1914; whether he is aware that Grüban took no interest in any public affair except a welcome to the Kaiser; whether he is aware that Grüban was not engaged upon Government work when he was naturalised; and whether Grüban is still in possession of his Prussian military uniform?

As I have already stated, in answer to the hon. Baronet's question of the 25th July, the certificate of naturalisation was granted by my predecessor on the ground that Grüban was the head of a large business which it was considered important should be kept going, as it employed a considerable number — several hundreds — of British workpeople. If naturalisation had not been granted, it was understood that he would probably have to close down his works and discharge his workmen. I have no information that Grüban was engaged upon Government work when he was naturalised. As regards the last part of the question, it was alleged before the Advisory Committee, during the hearing of Grüban's appeal against the order for his internment, that he had been seen in a Prussian military uniform. The Committee endeavoured to obtain evidence on the point, but none was forthcoming.

Does the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggest that it would be impossible for this business to be carried on without the naturalisation of this man?

That was the information before my predecessor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man has had nothing to do with this business for a long time, and that he was fired out?

55. The hon. Baronet asked the Minister of Munitions if a solicitor was sent to the firm of Haigh, Grüban, and Company, Limited, to investigate into its conduct as a controlled munition firm, under the management of J. G. W. Grüban; whether the aforesaid solicitor reported many breaches of rules and regulations and the making of false returns; whether since Grüban left the firm in March last the Ministry have been satisfied with the conduct of the present management; and whether the Home Office have been informed of the experience of the Machine Tool Committee respecting Grüban?

The affairs of this firm were specially investigated on behalf of the Ministry of Munitions by one of its officers, and his investigation disclosed certain departures from regulations and inaccuracies in return. A supervisor was subsequently appointed, and the Ministry are satisfied with the present conduct of the affairs of the firm. The Home Office have been fully informed of all the circumstances.

Does the right Bon. Gentleman admit that false returns were made by this man? If so, did his Department ask that he should be interned?

The man made a number of false returns—I am not sure that that is quite ah accurate way of putting it—a number of false statements, anyhow. The matter was submitted to the Committee, whose views were passed on to the Home Office.

Was this man prosecuted under the Munitions Act for making a false return and subjected to the penalty provided by that Act?

I do not know about that. I do not know that he was liable to prosecution.

Yes, for any false return.

Have any steps been taken under the Trading With the Enemy Act to wind-up this company?

A supervisor was put in to manage the business a long time ago.

Seeing that these aliens get contracts, will the right hon. Gentleman explain why loyal Irishmen, although on the tender list, are not even invited to tender for contracts?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that munition workers will receive extra pay for work done on their cancelled State holidays this month, it is the intention or desire of the Government that these State holidays shall be cancelled for the general community of workers as well?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a similar question put by the hon. Member for the Westhoughton Division on the 19th July, to which I would add that it is the Government's desire that these holidays should be postponed but not cancelled. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the statement which will be circulated in reply to Question 54.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that munition workers object very much to this pay being given for these holidays, and to have it thrown at them?

In putting this question, may I say that the Report has now been laid?

(representing the Air Board):I will answer the second part of the question. The suggestion contained in the second part has been considered. The Royal Aircraft Factory is primarily and mainly an experimental establishment. It is consequently essential that it should be in close touch with and under the direct control of the Director-General of Military Aeronautics at the War Office, who is responsible for the development of military aircraft. It is, therefore, not thought advisable to place the factory under the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give instructions for the Report made by the Ministry of Munitions, and dated 27th June last, upon the labour conditions in connection with the manufacture by a private firm of aircraft engines of Royal Aircraft Factory design to be laid upon the Table of this House?

I regret that the information given in the question is not sufficient to enable me to trace the Report which the hon. Member has in mind. If he will supply me with fuller particulars further inquiry will be made.

Will the hon. Gentleman have the Report handed to the Air Committee of Inquiry if I tell him where he can find a copy?

I must see the Report first.

Are we to understand that if it is not a flattering Report it will not be handed to the Committee?

I have already told the hon. Gentleman that we cannot find the Report and do not know where it is.

asked whether a German named E. Dieckmann, a blouse manufacturer, of Gresham Street, now interned at the Alexandra Palace, has been permitted for the last twelve months to carry on business by an English manager; and whether he is still permitted to see his accountant and sign cheques once a week?

I am informed that the case of Dieckmann has been referred to the Advisory Committee appointed by the Board of Trade in connection with the Trading With the Enemy Acts in order that it may be considered whether Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Act, 1916, comes into question. In reply to the latter part of the question, Dieckmann's business is being wound-up, and in this connection extra visits and interviews have been permitted and Dieckmann has been allowed to draw cheques.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly answer the last part of the question—whether this man has been allowed to carry on business from the internment camp for the last twelve months, and, if so, why?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information concerning any deputations received by him, or requests for deputations, of persons who have approached him with proposals as to the policy of deporting Russian Jews to Russia?

A small number of requests to receive deputations have been made to me. I have received one deputation of Russian journalists. It was of a private character.

asked whether citizens of France, Italy, and Belgium of military age are liable to be deported without such an opportunity of appearing before a tribunal as is enjoyed by Russian citizens?

For many months His Majesty's Government have rendered assistance to the French, Belgian, and Italian Governments by returning to them their own subjects who are recalled to the Colours. The Russian Government have given permission to their subjects living in the territories of their Allies to enlist in the Armies of their Allies, and those subjects therefore stand on a different footing. I see no reason for altering the arrangements hitherto in force with respect to the French, Belgians, and Italians. I would express my regret that an answer which I gave to a supplementary question on the 18th July is open to misunderstanding. I had in mind only the new arrangements which are in prospect, but are not yet in operation, with respect to Russians.

Does that mean that French Japanese, or Portuguese political refugees may be deported without appeal to any tribunal?

The Japanese and Portuguese Governments have made no request, so far as I am aware, for the return of their subjects.

asked the Home Secretary whether any proposals have been put forward for introducing female labour in bakehouses during the night; whether the representatives of both the employers and employed have denied the necessity for any such step being taken; and what is his intention in this matter?

A conference was called recently by the Home Office between employers' and operatives' associations to consider and, if possible, settle the conditions under which women might be employed in bread baking to replace or assist men. No definite proposals for the night employment of women were put forward, but the question was discussed at this and subsequent meetings. Both parties have now expressed themselves as not favouring such employment, and no provision therefore with regard to it will be included in any general agreement that may be arrived at.

asked whether the wages prescribed in the Order 447 recently issued under the Munitions of War Amendment Act, 1916, are to be regarded as minima or as fixed wages; whether it is possible for special classes of workers engaged in ferns to Which the Order has: been applied to make we of the machinery provided by the Acts of 1915 and 1916 to obtain a higher rate of wages, or whether the arbitrators appointed under these Acts for the settlement of differences between employers and employed will be precluded by the terms of the Order from dealing with the question of wages on their merits?

I have made careful inquiries into the point raised in the hon. Member's question, and I am informed that it was the intention of the tribunal that the rates prescribed in the Order referred to should be regarded as the rates which should ordinarily be paid; but it is not intended that these rates should operate to prejudice the position of any person who is at present receiving higher wages nor to prevent employers from recognising special ability or responsibility.

Do I understand that these wages of 4d. and 4½d. an hour are fixed wages, and not minimum wages at all?

I understand that that point was specially considered by the tribunal, and that the intention of the tribunal was that they were to be regarded as ordinary wages and not minima.

I think it disgraceful that that should be the state of affairs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that manufacturers in this country have since the War employed capital and time in the building of factories, manufacture of bottles, and production of mineral aperient waters now being used in this country and exported to our Dominions and neutral countries, he could see his way to give a definite assurance that these new industries will be adequately protected by the Government from dumping after the War by proprietors of German and Austrian waters who employ little or no labour in this country and, not being possessed of factories, etc., here, pay next to no rates and taxes for the upkeep of our own country and market?

I cannot give any undertaking as to a particular industry pending consideration of the general policy to be adopted by His Majesty's Government after the War.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how manufacturers can be expected to give their time to the creation of new industries when they are liable to have those industries partially destroyed after the War?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received complaints as to the delay in the transit of eggs consigned from Ireland to industrial centres in Great Britain and as to the breakages which take place, especially in the case of eggs carried by the London and North-Western Railway Company; and whether, in view of the present shortage of our food supply, which is accelerated by waste of this character, he will take steps to secure an immediate remedy for the state of things complained of?