asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that in Portsmouth Dockyard there is practically no overtime worked in the directorate of works, while all other departments of the dockyard are working overtime; and if he can remedy a state of affairs which falls heavily on the poorer ratings?

At present approximately 63.8 per cent, of the total number of workmen in the Director of Works Department, Portsmouth Dockyard, are employed on overtime. The matter has been receiving the careful attention of the Board of Admiralty and everything is being done, subject to the needs of the Service, to adjust and distribute overtime work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will take immediate steps to ascertain through the American Embassy who were the members of the pretended court-martial, alleged to have consisted of officers of the Marine Corps, sitting at Bruges, who confirmed the sentence of death and who were principally concerned in carrying out the murder of Captain Charles Fryatt, of the Great Eastern Railway Company's steamer "Brussels," with a view to the individual punishment of every person so concerned in this illegal and inhuman act?

We are asking the United States Ambassador to endeavour to ascertain the constitution of the court-martial which tried and sentenced Captain Fryatt. With regard to the point raised in the last sentence of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister in the House on 31st July.

asked what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to individual exchanges of prisoners of war between Great Britain and the Central Powers; whether Lord Newton's statement on the 25th May, 1916, regarding the inadvisability of such exchanges has precluded the Foreign Office from negotiating them with Germany and from proposing them to Austria; how many such exchanges have in fact been effected since Lord Newton's statement; and will similar proposals for individual exchanges be considered in future?

We have decided, after careful consideration, that, except when definite public advantage is to be anticipated, no steps shall be taken to effect individual exchanges of prisoners of war, whether combatant or civilian. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. Since Lord Newton's statement was made five British subjects have been exchanged for five German Consular officers, in accordance with an agreement arrived at early in the War for the exchange of British and German Consular officers. It was provided in the agreement that, as the number of German Consular officers held by us exceeded that of the British Consular officers held in Germany, the balance should be made up by British civilians.

Does the Noble Lord agree to the suggestion that all the individual exchanges which have been recently made have been, to use the words of Lord Newton, matters of definite public advantage?

We selected those whom we thought we might, ask for with most advantage.

Does that mean that personal or individual influences had been brought to bear in connection with these particular exchanges?

I do not know quite what my hon. Friend suggests. We have got somehow or other to select British prisoners to be exchanged for German prisoners, and I do not see how that can be done except by selecting individuals for the purpose.

I have a definite case in my mind. May I bring it to the attention of the Noble Lord privately?

I shall always be pleased to hear anything privately or publicly from my hon. Friend.

Is the selection made according to the position occupied in the Army?

They are all civilians. The object is to select those who would be most useful in this country.

asked what is the policy of His Majesty's Government regarding the exchange of British and Austrian civilian prisoners; whether the age limit proposed by the Foreign Office was to be over fifty in October, 1914, was altered to fifty-one early in 1915, then to fifty-five, sixty, and back to fifty-five in the same year; whether the age limit for exchange is now fifty-one; if so, why it is higher than that recently proposed to Germany; and whether it could be reduced to over fifty, as originally proposed in 1914?

We have proposed to the Austro-Hungarian Government that British and Austro-Hungarian civilians who have attained the age of fifty-one years should be repatriated, provided that there are no military reasons for their detention. We have also proposed that those who have attained the age of forty-five years should be repatriated if they are unfit for service in the field, and provided that there are no military reasons for their detention. The Austro-Hungarian Government have replied with a request for a definition of military reasons. This is under consideration. The age limit was originally over fifty. In June, 1915, we were obliged to raise it to fifty-one years, and in August, 1916, to sixty years, which is the present age limit. The age limit was raised because the Austro-Hungarian Government raised the age for military service on two occasions subsequent to the conclusion of the original arrangement. We consider that the age limit could now be reduced without any serious military disadvantage.

To the age of fifty?

I think so. I will inquire.

Could it be made identical with Germany? The age there, is fifty, I think?

Yes, it is.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state how many seamen belonging to the British mercantile marine have been captured by the Germans: and whether he has any information as to their present location, treatment, and condition?

About 1,500 British Merchant seamen are interned in Germany; their treatment does not differ from that of other civilian prisoners. The majority are at Ruhleben, but a small number are at Brandenburg, Hameln and Dulmen. The crew of the trawler "Horns," of Grimsby, are kept by themselves at Brandenburg. We have inquired as to the reason for this.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information as to the treatment of the ether officers and the crew of the steamship "Brussels"?

The United States Ambassador informed us on the 1st July that the officers and crew of the steamship "Brussels" were safe and well and were interned at Ruhleben. The five stewardesses were separated from the crew at Cologne. The United States Ambassador at Berlin was inquiring as to their whereabouts and urging their prompt repatriation in accordance with our request. It appears from a postcard received from one of the stewardesses, dated 4th July, that on that date they were interned at Holzminden. This information reached us on 20th July and we at once addressed to the German Government a strong protest against their detention.

asked whether the United States Ambassador has consented to the publication of the Report of the United States Consul-General in charge at Sofia regarding the recent treatment of British prisoners of war in Bulgaria; and, if so, what are its terms; and whether it gives the numbers and the conditions of these prisoners?

We have not yet received the consent of the United States Government to the publication of this Report. The names of seven officers and 447 other ranks have so far been reported to the War Office as prisoners of war in Bulgaria.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Dorset depot at Dorchester has remained practically empty since the War commenced; whether the building is capable of holding 800 men and is now unoccupied; whether it could be converted into a military hospital if not otherwise required; and whether, notwithstanding that this building was empty, the War Office has erected huts within 200 yards to house the guard of the prisoners of war camp which faces the depot?

It has been necessary in the past to reserve accommodation to meet a sudden influx of recruits. The huts were built under this necessity. The disposal of such accommodation not now required is being dealt, with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Stanley Oxley, now undergoing imprisonment in Portsmouth Civil Prison, has been three times court-martialled, on 13th April at Horfield Barracks, Bristol, on 26th June at Portsmouth, and again on 5th July at Portsmouth; whether it is due to the military authorities, in spite of repeated assurances in this House, that conscientious objectors are subjected to repeated courts-martial at short intervals; and whether, in view of the expenditure of time, the unnecessary strain imposed on officers and men, and the economic waste involved, the military authorities will now be instructed to act in accordance with the avowed policy of the Government?

If the facts be as stated, Oxley is now undergoing imprisonment in Portsmouth Civil Prison, and his case will be investigated by the Central Tribunal, and, provided the latter find he is a genuine conscientious objector, he will not again come under military authority, but be put to work of a civil and national importance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Geoffrey Austin Lees, a conscientious objector, was arrested on 4th May and has since been court-martialled and sentenced to six months' hard labour, which he is now undergoing at Horfield Barracks, Bristol; and when will he be treated under the scheme announced by the Prime Minister?

The hon. Member may rest assured that all such cases are being dealt with under the scheme announced by the Prime Minister as quickly as possible.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will order an inquiry to be made into the case of Mr. W. H. Thompson, solicitor, of Longton, whose application for exemption from the provisions of the Military Service Acts on business grounds was refused consideration by the Stoke-on-Trent Local Tribunal and by the North Staffordshire Appeal Tribunal because he was a conscientious objector to military service, and was informed both by the mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, who was the chairman of the local tribunal, and by the town clerk of Stoke-on-Trent that he would have been exempted on business grounds had he been willing to withdraw his claim on conscientious grounds.

I have had a long correspondence respecting this ease, and I do not see any ground for further intervention.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether exemption on conscientious grounds from the provisions of the Military Service Acts can be granted for reasons other than religious and to persons not belonging to any particular religious body; and whether the Beckenham Local Tribunal were in order in refusing the applicaton of A. Elliman, of 57, Wiverton Road, Sydenham, on the grounds that, the applicant not being a member of any religious body and only having attended the meetings of the Society of Friends since the outbreak of the War, the tribunal came to the conclusion that he has no very deep conscientious objection?

Exemption may be granted in respect of conscientious objection based on religious or moral grounds. I have no information of the circumstances of the case to which reference is made. The proper course for a man who is aggrieved by the decision of a Local Tribunal is to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of the Local Government Board promising to institute an inquiry into the case of Mr. W. H. Thompson, solicitor, of Longton, he will cause instructions to be given that Mr. Thompson shall not be arrested as an absentee until the result of such inquiry has been decided?

I understand that my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board will reply to Question No. 39 on the Paper, which deals with this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been arrived at for the granting of military distinctions, such as the D.S.O., D.C.M., and Military Cross, posthumously, in the same way that the V.C. is now granted; whether he is aware that it is the practice in France to grant such distinctions posthumously; and whether it will be possible to announce a decision at an early date?

The generals in chief command in the various theatres of war were asked for an opinion. The last of the replies has just been received. Speaking generally, their opinion is that while the principle may be sound, though they do not all go even so far, yet it would be impossible to introduce it in the middle of a war without injustice and inequalities. From the outset, when commanders were told that posthumous awards could not be made, recommendations have been confined to the living. There have been so many changes in commands of all grades, that these recommendations could not now be reviewed, nor could the events on which recommendations are based be recalled in sufficient detail.

Considering that it is better late than never, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this question?

I think if my hon. and gallant Friend reads the answer I have given, he will see that the matter has been sympathetically considered, but there is reason to think that we could not make this change without inflicting very serious injustice upon a great many people.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who rejoin a military unit on the completion of their term of service are entitled to a bounty; whether a soldier who joins a naval unit forfeits this bounty; and, if so, whether he can state the reason for this difference in practice?

Broadly, the position is as stated. As regards the latter part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a single man, who enlisted under the group system and was in December last and again on 12th January not accepted on account of being under standard, is still liable to military service; and, if so, ought he to report himself now or await a further notification from the authorities?

If by the word "enlisted "the hon. Member means "attested" the man to whom he refers is an Army Reservist, Class B, and so far as the facts indicated in his question lead us, no question of the man's non-liability for service appears to arise. On the presumption that the man is a voluntarily attested soldier in reserve he should await orders, but if he wants to know exactly how he stands there does not appear to be any reason why he should not go to the recruiting office and find out. It may perhaps be helpful to hon. Members to remind them that attested men are not affected by the provisions of the Military Service Acts in so far as these affect questions of enlistment, medical examination, exemptions, exceptions, etc., or, in fact, by any of the provisions of the Acts except conceivably in the distant future questions of continuance in the Service. There appears to be a good deal of misunderstanding on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, among the now many badges, he can see his way to give some distinguishing badge to men of military age who have tried their utmost to enlist but who have failed for physical reasons and who are thereby subjected to petty annoyance?

The Army Council do not see their way to adopt this suggestion. The clerical labour involved in tracing all these men, in examining their bona fides and establishing their identity would be enormous, and both the labour and the expense involved could, it is thought, be demoted with greater advantage to other objects. At the same time my hon. Friend will not take me as indicating that men of the category he mentions do not deserve sympathy if they are subjected to petty annoyance. My information, however, is that the number of persons who haye been and are subjected to any annoyance is very small. It is now, I believe, universally known and appreciated that under the Military Service Acts all men physically fit for military service in its varied forms are at the disposal of the State. Any annoyance there has been in the past has now ceased.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when a recruiting officer turns a man down for medical reasons he has got to do certain things and register the fact; and how would it involve any more work to give a man a badge?

According to the form of the hon. Gentleman's question, it is to apply to everybody declined since the outbreak of war.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the case of a man who purchased his discharge from the Army before the War and has since rejoined, any refund is made by the War Office?

Yes, Sir; soldiers who purchased their discharges since 31st March, 1893, are, if they rejoined during the War, eligible for refunds of one-half to two-thirds of the purchase money, according to the circumstances of the individual cases.

To whom should they apply?

I should like notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether there is any obstacle put in the way of recruits affirming instead of swearing the oath?

Men called up under the Military Service Acts are not required to take the oath of allegiance. Attested men can affirm or take the oath.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that military service tribunals are granting exemption on grounds of business and domestic hardship on condition that the man undertakes to become either a special constable or joins a Volunteer corps; and will he say by what authority either of these conditions is imposed upon men who have proved their claim to exemption on one of the legal grounds on which the Act provides for exemption?

Tribunals are authorised to grant conditional exemption, and may impose any condition which is reasonable.

asked whether the military representative of the Lewis-ham Local Tribunal is authorised to send a soldier to the private residence of an official of the Society of Friends, and joint editor of the Quaker monthly journal, and subject his wile to a lengthly catechism as to his age, salary, number, and ages of his children, what provision for maintenance would be forthcoming should he be placed in the Army or the Non-Combatant Corps, and also whether her husband belonged to a particular religious body?

I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member. If, however, the gentleman in question is liable to military service and is making an application to the tribunal for exemption, it is within the province of the military representative to ask for information relevant to the application, in order to decide whether the application should be assented to or contested. If the applicant or his wife choose to refuse such information they can do so, but in that case the matter would have to be gone into in detail before the local tribunal.

Is the military representative in order in sending to a man's private residence?

Only in order to investigate the facts. There is nothing against sending to a man's private residence. If the man's wife or anybody else refuses to answer the questions, nothing happens except that the matter has to come before the tribunal.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that people are very much afraid of the representatives of the Army?

asked the hon. Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. D. Gillingham, of 36, Charlesworth Street, N., and Mr. W. J. Young, of 32, Richmond Road, Barnsbury, who had been awarded non-combatant service and both of whom had applied for their certificate to be reviewed by the tribunal, were on Saturday brought before the Clerkenwell Police Court, fined, and handed over to the military authorities; and whether, seeing that the tribunal had not decided upon their application for civil work, he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has not been previously drawn to this case, but I am advised that an application to have a certificate reviewed does not debar a Court of Summary Jurisdiction before whom a man is charged as an absentee under the Reserve Forces Act from dealing with the charge. I cannot see in the facts stated any sufficient ground for action on my part.

Are not these men entitled under the Act to get civil employment?

That is a matter for the Court to consider.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in cases of aliens being accepted for enlistment in the Army, they will at once by that act become naturalised British subjects and assume the liabilities as well as the privileges incident thereto?

I have already stated I am arranging facilities for the naturalisation of such aliens, and I hope in a few days to make a public statement in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that application has twice been made by the proprietors of the "Banffshire Adertiser" for their paper to be allowed by the Censor to be sent by post to neutral countries; whether he is aware that up to the 27th July no reply had been received; and whether there is any objection to granting the permission asked for?

The "Banffshire Advertiser's" first application, which should have been made before the 1st July, was received on the 15th July. After necessary inquiry the proprietors of this paper were informed on the 31st July that they should arrange to send the publication through a newsagent holding a permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lieutenant Radcliff, of the Royal Defence Corps, on Sunday, 16th July, visited the house of a railway platelayer named D. Roach, of Lake Viaduct, Sourton, near Bridestowe, when he posted a guard at the door and himself entered without knocking, and proceeded to make a search of the whole premises; and, in view of the fact that this has occurred twice in six weeks, and also that complaints are made about a sergeant at Meldon Viaduct, Okehampton, interfering with railwaymen in the performance of their duties, whether he will have inquiries made into the matter and put a stop to this attempt at subjugation of the civilians of the district?

Inquiry is being made, and the report received will, with the hon. Member's permission, be communicated to him by letter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the men of the Yorkshire unit of the Royal Defence Corps, stationed at Eastcote (P.O.W.) Camp, have been away from their county for over eighteen months, and when visiting their families have had to pay anything from 11s. to 20s. for railway fare, whilst at the same time units from other counties are doing duty in Yorkshire, e.g., the Leicesters at Selby; and, in view of the promise made at the beginning of the War that all National Reserves should do duty as far as possible in their own county, whether he will consider relieving the Yorkshire company at Eastcote by some Midland unit or by a company which has been in Yorkshire all the time?

I am not aware of the particular circumstances mentioned, and if any promise such as that mentioned by my hon. Friend was made, it was probably made by the local Territorial Force Association without any authority. The terms of enlistment cover service in any place in the United Kingdom. It would be impossible that all men should do duty near their own homes, but I am able to inform my hon. Friend that a readjustment is being made in the location of various units of the Royal Defence Corps, and every regard will be paid to the convenience of the men on the particular point in question when this is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an item of £3 17s. 6d. for repair to post-corporal's bicycle and over £20 for the installation of baths have been charged against the ration allowance of the Yorkshire National Reservists stationed at Eastcote Camp; that one day a week these men are served with biscuits instead of bread, which they are unable to eat owing to the condition of their teeth, and consequently this has become known as fast day, and that no steps have been taken to change their blankets, which they have already had for over seven months; and whether he will have inquiries made into these matters?

I am having inquiry made, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the shortage of tank steamers, he will consider the advisability of shipping petrol for the use of the Army direct from America to France in tins by ordinary cargo steamers instead of bringing it in bulk to England in tank steamers, landing it, putting it in tins, reshipping it by other steamers to France, and using further transport to bring back the empties; and whether he is aware that, besides economy in the use of tank steamers, there would be a considerable saving of cost?

Only a proportion of the petrol requirements for France is tinned in this country, and that proportion will be lessened in the future. The course proposed in the first part of the question has been considered, and the balance of advantage has been held to be against it.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the suggestion of the hon. Member is sensible, economical, and practical, and will he press this view upon the Admiralty?

Is it not a practice which is carried out in all other countries?

It may be practical, and sensible, and possess all the other attributes to which my hon. Friend refers, and yet the balance of advantage may be against it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is willing to direct that road surveyors should be placed in Class A instead of Class B, so as to enable them to get sufficient petrol to discharge their official duties; that many surveyors are doing double and treble duty for absent officers; that the roads have to be regularly inspected, especially in districts like Bristol and Salisbury, where military transports are numerous; and that 24 gallons for three months for 250 miles of roads is barely a quarter of what is necessary?

Owing to the present shortage of petrol, I am afraid that it is improbable that the Petrol Control Committee will be able to increase the amounts of petrol that road surveyors have been authorised to procure.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that under the new military hay trade restrictions, the granting of permission for the sale of hay is in the hands of one military officer for the whole of Queen's County; and, as farmers have been caused trouble and inconvenience in the sale of their hay by these restrictions, will he take steps to have them removed?

The Department is not aware of the trouble and inconvenience alluded to; the distribution of the Permit Officers in Ireland is considered adequate to the requirements.

Is there only one office for the whole of Queen's County?

We are doing everything we can. I have gone into the matter lately to see that every facility is given to the farmers.

Is it not the fact that there are 4,000,000 tons of hay in Ireland and that the Government requirement is for only 100,000 tons? Having regard to that fact, will the hon. Gentleman devise some scheme by which the hay not required by the military can be sold by the farmers?

I hope, as the result of the arrangements we have been making in the last few days, that the grievance to which the hon. Member refers will be materially lessened if not altogether removed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very heavy crop in Ireland and that there is no necessity for restrictions at all?

I am very glad to know that the crop of hay is very heavy in Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has' yet devised a scheme by which a certain class of hay not suitable for the Army can be sold by farmers to intending purchasers without the necessity of having to get a permit for the purpose; whether, as the Army do not require all the hay grown in Ireland, some means will be found by which intending purchasers can acquire some of the clover and rye hay without a permit; and whether, to convenience the public, he will appoint an officer in Limerick for the purpose of granting permits in the counties of Limerick and Clare?

It is not considered practicable or desirable to allow the removal of any Irish hay without a permit, but an adequate number of officers are now systematically touring the counties named with wide discretionary powers as to the release of hay.

Why have farmers not been allowed to sell cow's hay without restriction?

I think I have already dealt with that question.

Is there any intention of curtailing the farmers who will probably require the hay to feed their own cattle?

Oh, no; certainly not.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the late Board of Control of Military Canteens has handed over to its successor, the Military Canteen Committee, the sum of £163,000; if so, to what purpose is it going to be allotted; and whether a portion of it can be applied to assist in creasing the supply of potatoes to the troops at home, who are now limited to the allowance of half a pound per diem?

The Army Council has requested the late Board of Control of Regimental Institutes to hand over its central fund, which amounted to £163,000, and it is hoped that the transfer will be effected as soon as the actual sum to be transferred is ascertained. The fund will in future be administered by the Army Canteen Committee, under the directions of the Army Council for the benefit of the Army. Other measures are being taken which it is hoped will result in an improved supply of potatoes to the troops at home, and which will not necessitate drawing on this fund.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the scandals do not arise which took place after the South African War?

The object is to prevent any scandals arising. The whole question of canteen management was entrusted to the Board of Regimental Institutes, and lately to the Army Canteens Committee, who will administer the fund according to the directions of the Army Council.

May I say that this money has come from the personnel of the Army at present serving, and has not been spent, and many of the officers would like to see some of this money spent on the men serving in the Army at the present time?

Has this profit been made out of the sale of intoxicating liquors to the soldiers?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable sum has been spent under the orders of the Army Council?

Only a very small amount under the orders of the Army Council—about £2,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has increased the Irish Advisory Committee, formed in connection with the purchase of wool, by the addition of the names suggested to him by Irish representatives?

I have considered the representations made to me by the hon. Member and other of his colleagues, but I have not been able to adopt their suggestion. It is considered that the Committee as at present constituted is already sufficiently representative of all the interests concerned.

Having regard to the unsatisfactory answer, I will raise this question on Adjournment to-night.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can publish the dispatches relating to the action at Katia in which the Worcestershire Yeomanry were engaged?

No separate dispatches will be published relating to this action, but it will be covered by a general dispatch from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief which it is understood he is preparing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great anxiety amongst the friends of the men who were in that action to know where the responsibility lies for the blunder and unnecessary sacrifice

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who had earned their pensions by twenty-one years' service with the Colours and who rejoined in response to the call for experienced non-commissioned officers at the outbreak of war, and who may have since been wounded or incapacitated, are to have their previously earned pensions forfeited and to be allowed only the same pension as men without previous service or experience; and, if so, will he rectify this grievance by granting to such old wounded or incapacitated soldiers a disability pension for this War in addition to and supplementary to their pensions already earned?

I can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave him on the 18th July. I may add, however, that I have the matter under consideration.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider that nothing so distresses these old soldiers as any forfeiture or attempted forfeiture of the pension, and to state once and for all that once granted the pension is a sacred thing not to be touched again?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet received any further report upon the circumstances under which the public were excluded from the court-martial held at Chelsea Barracks on 12th July, in spite of the King's Regulation that a court-martial shall always be open to the public so far as the limits of the Court allow; whether he is aware that no less than five credible witnesses, two of them Members of this House, are ready to state that on the occasion mentioned the Regulation was not complied with and that the information supplied to him on this subject was inaccurate; and whether he will see that in future the King's Regulations are as far as possible carried out?

The General Officer Commanding has again been asked for further information on the subject, and has repeated his former statement that general orders have been given for the admittance of members of the public at these trials in such numbers as the capacity of the room will allow, and disobedience of these orders is in contravention of his instructions, and he is assured that they were acted upon on this occasion. Further orders will be given, in order to prevent any misunderstanding in the future.

May I ask whether those instructions apply to courts-martial in Ireland?

No, Sir.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to deny that the sergeant in command of the guard had instructions from the Commanding Officer to say that the Court was not open to the public?

The General Officer Commanding says that instructions were given that the public are to be admitted to those trials, and any disobedience of these orders is in contravention of instructions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the case of the late Gunner R. T. Perks, No. 19869, 164th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, who enlisted on the 8th May, 1915, and died whilst in training, on the 26th November,, at the military hospital, Salisbury; whether he is aware that his wife and child, residing at 41, Beall Street, Attercliffe, Sheffield, have received no pension or other allowance for over four months and have been informed that no Government pension will be forthcoming; whether the official reason for this is that the late Gunner Perks is stated to have suffered for six years from chronic kidney disease which in the opinion of the doctors was not aggravated by service; whether the existence of this chronic disease was known at the time of his enlistment and, if so, why he was enlisted; upon what ascertained facts the doctors base their conclusion that his disease was not aggravated by the new and hard conditions of Army training; and, in view of the fact that this soldier's widow and child have been left in very poor circumstances and have already had to break up their home, if he will say what action be proposes to take?

The disease, unfortunately, was not recognised when the late Gunner Perks enlisted, and the medical opinion on which the claim to pension was decided was that there was no evidence by which the disease could be regarded as caused or aggravated by military service. Further inquiries, however, are being made, and I will let the hon. Member know in due course of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been directed to the case of Private Horace Wright, No. 7086, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, of 27, Coronation Avenue, Dinnington, near Rotheraham; whether he is aware that this soldier took part in the fighting in France and was severely wounded in November, 1914, being buried in a trench for forty minutes owing to the bursting of a shell, thereby sustaining permanent injury to the spine, and being shot through the wrist in addition; whether he is aware that the man was discharged on 18th November, 1915, as no longer fit for war service with a pension of £1 a week, and that, though medically certified to be unfit for work of any sort, his pension on 6th April, 1916, was reduced to 12s. 6d. a week; whether he can say for what reason the pension was reduced; and, since the man has a wife and child and is quite unable to undertake employment, whether steps will be taken to increase the pension to the former amount?

I am having this case inquired into and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the residents adjoining the convalescent enteric depot at Woldingham, Surrey, object to the patients walking beyond the grounds of the hospital; and, if so, does he propose to continue to agree with their wishes?

Inquiry is being made from the Command with reference to this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will arrange for the Post Office to accept Scottish bank notes at their face value for, at any rate, the period of the War?

Scottish bank notes are accepted at their face value at all post offices in Scotland, but I am afraid that it would not be practicable to extend the arrangement generally to other parts of the United Kingdom.

Is there any objection to the post offices, particularly in London, where this leally operates most, having Scottish bank notes cashed at face value at Scottish banks in London, thereby giving a great convenience to Scottish soldiers in London?

I cannot very well argue the question by question and answer, but there are difficulties.

I will raise this question on the Scottish Estimates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on the demand note for Income Tax the only reference to the fact that an abatement can be claimed where income has diminished by more than 10 per cent, is contained in an obscure note printed in the smallest type on the back of the form, and that as a consequence a large number of persons have remained in ignorance of the abatement being claimable; and whether such action on the part of the Inland Revenue, with the consequent suspicions created in the mind of the taxpayer, has his sanction?

I cannot, for a moment, admit the suggestion contained in this question. Unless official forms are to be unlimited in size, it is essential to reserve the bolder type for the points of most general interest. The Commissioners of Inland Revenue vary the type on different forms according to the probable applicability of the Income Tax provisions to the recipients for whom the forms are intended. If my hon. Friend I would care to see speciments of various Inland Revenue forms which are prepared in accordance with the principle I have just explained, I should be happy to arrange with the Commissioners of inland Revenue to give him an appointment for the purpose.

Is it not the case that this is the only note on the form printed on the back in small type, and that it is therefore overlooked by a large number of people?

asked whether Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington sent through her solicitors a request, for the return of the documents and other property taken from her house by the Royal Irish Rifles on 28th April; why headquarters ignored this request till on 23rd May Major Sir Francis Vane accompanied Mrs. Skeffington to Dublin Castle; whether the Deputy Provost-Marshal, Major Moule, informed her there that her property had been sent from Portobello Barracks to the Castle and, after lying there some days in the rain, had been taken to Richmond Barracks; why, on going to Richmond Barracks with Major Vane, was Mrs Skeffington informed by Colonel Frazer that her goods could not be returned till after Captain Colthurst's court-martial on 6th June; and was the reason of this detention in cider to furnish a possible defence for Colthurst's murder?

The suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's question that the documents and other property taken from the house of Mr. Sheehy-Skeffington were retained in order to furnish a possible defence for Captain Colthurst is without foundation. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 31st July all property removed is reported to have been returned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has noted the allegations, suspicions, and recriminations arising from the fact that many Irish citizens, men and women, are detained in custody, restricted in their correspondence and their friends' visits, and not allowed to appear before any public Court to rebut the charges against them; and whether he can give an assurance that after a limited period no Irish subject shall be detained in prison without the option of having a charge preferred against him in a Criminal Court?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I made a full statement on this subject on the 26th July, and I would refer my hon. Friend to that statement and to answers which I have given on several occasions in reply to questions.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Edward Foley, Wexford, now detained in Frongoch Prison, took no part in the Sinn Fein disturbance and that he had ceased to be a member of the Sinn Fein Volunteers previous to the rising; if he will say how many persons from South Wexford are still detained in prison owing to the Sinn Fein disturbance; and, seeing that the National Volunteers of South Wexford are still volunteering for the front and that they assisted the forces of the Crown to keep order during the rising, if he will consider the advisability of liberating the few remaining prisoners?

Edward Foley of Wexford is being released on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. Of the persons from Wexford who the Committee have recommended should remain in internment, only three appear to come from the southern part of the county.

asked the Prime Minister whether Major Sir Francis Vane has been asked for or will be allowed to make any report on the recent events in Dublin during his time in charge; and, if not, will he call for and cause to be published a report from this man who was so closely connected with events in Dublin during the rising?

No report has, I understand, been asked for from this officer, but no doubt evidence will be taken from him at the inquiry over which my right hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow will preside?

Will the inquiry be held before this House rises?

I cannot say. It will be held with all possible promptitude.

asked the Home Secretary whether there is any intention to remove the Countess Markiewicz from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, to some prison in this country; if he is aware that she is receiving instructions in Catholic doctrine with a view of entering that Church; whether, pending the completion of those instructions, he will say any contemplated order for her removal; and if he will state whether the Russian and American Governments have communicated with the Government of this country as to the evidence upon which she was convicted?

asked the Home Secretary whether any instructions have been issued to remove Countess Markiewicz from Dublin to an English prison; if so, will he say why this course is to be adopted; if he is aware that her husband is serving with the Russian Army; and if until his return or her release the countess will not be removed from Ireland?

All the other prisoners connected with the rebellion have been removed to prisons in England, and it is intended to remove the Countess Markiewicz also. She registered herself at Mountjoy Prison as a Roman Catholic, and will therefore be treated as a Roman Catholic prisoner in England. There is a Roman Catholic priest attached to the English prison where she is going. I am informed that her husband is serving with the Russian Army. No communication has been received from either the Russian or the American Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where will this lady be transferred?

No, Sir; I am not quite sure.

asked the Home Secretary whether the case of James Flanagan, one of the Irish prisoners at Frongoch, has been considered by the Advisory Committee; and, if so, what has been the decision come to on it?

There is record of two persons of this name. One James Flanagan, of Oranmore, county Wexford, was released on the 13th July. With respect to the other James Flanagan, of 40, Belvedere Road, Dublin, the Advisory Committee recommend that he be retained in internment.

asked the Home Secretary whether the 570 prisoners at Fron- goch, and ordered to be interned, will have any opportunity of a civil trial; if they will be allowed to instruct counsel for their defence; and if he will say why they were denied counsel when before the Advisory Committee?

The men referred to in the question have had a full opportunity of stating their cases before the Advisory Committee, and they were allowed to have legal assistance beforehand. I informed the hon. Member on the 29th June that the Advisory Committee had decided not to avail themselves of the assistance of legal advisers as advocates.

Arising out of that answer, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Advisory Committee dealt with 100 cases per day, and can he say what legal assistance would be given to men at that rate?

There was a solicitor— indeed, more than one solicitor—who advised a very considerable number of them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the principal evidence before the Advisory Committee against these persons was the statement of a police officer or constable who was not present; that the prisoners had no means of knowing what were the charges against them, and, therefore, it was quite impossible to meet them; is he further aware that a number of these men are still retained, not from any evidence before the Advisory Committee, but simply because they are members of the Irish Volunteers, and are men who never, in any shape or form, took part in the rebellion?

No one has been retained whose case was not so recommended by the Advisory Committee. I do not think the hon. Member has been rightly informed as to the procedure of the Committee.

Are the Government afraid to give these men a fair trial in a Civil Court?

That question has been dealt with again and again in Debate, and during the Debate I have answered it.

We have got no satisfactory answer.

Can the right hon Gentleman say even now what are the intentions of the Government as to those men? Are they to be interned for an indefinite period, or are they to be given any form of public or judicial trial?

Notice should be given of a question as to how long they will be interned.

asked whether there is any fund to meet the case of a woman who loses her support through casualties to her sons due to Zeppelin bombardment?

No relief is given from public funds in respect of injuries or losses sustained through air raids since the inauguration of the Government insurance scheme except in so far as property is insured under that scheme. I understand, however, that temporary assistance is given from the National Relief Fund in cases such as those referred to in the question.

I am not asking about the temporary arrangements. Do the Government recognise a distinction between people who lose their lives in this country through attacks by the Germans from Zeppelins and people who lose their lives outside this country? Do they not propose to give some relief to people in that case?

I cannot commit myself to any statement with regard to the future. I have stated the facts as they stand at present.

Will you lay the matter before the Cabinet?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a communication from the Rabbis of Jewish communities in London deprecating the deportation of Russian Jews to Russia; and whether any reply has been returned to the request that he would receive a deputation of Rabbis?

I have received a communication sent in the name of the Rabbis of Jewish communities in London, which bears however only one signature, and I am not aware that it has any representative character. If an authoritative re- quest to receive a deputation were made on behalf of the Jewish clergy generally, I should, of course, accede to it.

asked the Primp Minister whether he will state what steps are being taken to ensure that there will be an effective organisation ready to deal with the problems of re-employment that will arise immediately after the cessation of hostilities through the demobilisation of the Army and the closing of munition works; and whether, in view of the fact that soldiers are already being discharged, he will consider the advisability of setting up such organisation now in order that such subjects may be investigated and such methods of procedure adopted as will make it possible to cope with the task of re-employment properly when the problem assumes larger dimensions, as it will do at the end of the War?

The whole matter has been for some time under the consideration of the Government in conjunction with the Departments concerned. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed that owing to the great demand for labour there is no difficulty at present in finding work for discharged soldiers and sailors through the ordinary channels.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to deal with the question of the reinstatement of demobilised sailors, soldiers, and munition workers after the War along the lines of the memorandum recently issued by the demobilisation committee of the Social Welfare Association for London; and, if so, how soon it is proposed to appoint the central committee therein suggested?

The measures to be adopted for facilitating the return of members of the fighting forces to civil employment during the period of demobilisation are being carefully considered by the Government. I do not think that the execution of the arduous and complicated task to which the hon. Member refers can properly be controlled by unofficial organisations, though when the proper moment comes I have no doubt that the co-operation of suitable bodies will be sought.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Government contemplate a redistribution of seats in order to give effect to their proposal that after the next General Election the representation of Ireland shall be reduced; if not, by what means this reduction will be effected; whether a redistribution of seats affecting any part of the United Kingdom, to take place before the next General Election, is still contemplated by the Government; and (2) whether the devolution to national legislatures within the United Kingdom of legislation and government now centred in the Imperial Houses of Parliament is still a policy contemplated by the Government; and will this subject be one for discussion in any Imperial Conference that may be assembled at a date subsequent to the termination of hostilities?

The matters raised in this and the following question are for the present no longer of immediate practical importance.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the indignation in Dublin caused by the suggested continuance of coercion in Ireland; and if he will cause martial law and the Coercion Act to be withdrawn?

This question will receive, I have no doubt, the immediate consideration of the new Chief Secretary.

asked the Prime Minister if he will grant facilities to discuss the Motion standing in the name of the Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin. ["That the suspension of the hon. Member for North Westmeath from his Parliamentary duties do cease from this date."]

I am afraid that unless there is a general desire to the contrary I cannot undertake to grant facilities for this Motion before the Adjournment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great loss Ireland has sustained through the absence of the hon. Member for North Westmeath? Having regard to that fact, will he give an early day to discuss the Motion?

The hon. Member was suspended for gross disrespect to the Chair. He ought to apologise for that disrespect before his reinstatement is considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the insults which the hon. Member for North Westmeath has received in this House?

Is not the Prime Minister aware that before the recent incident occurred there was a supplementary question of a grossly insulting character with regard to the hon. Member for North Westmeath?

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce a Bill to amend the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907 (Section 1, Sub-section 6), whereby if the Attorney General prosecutes he can nevertheless interpose his veto without appeal between the prisoner and the House of Lords?

I am not aware that any practical inconvenience or hardship has resulted from the operation of the provisions referred to in the question, but I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is something in the nature of a public scandal that the prosecution should have the right of granting or refusing permission to appeal?

The Attorney-General is supposed, and I think rightly supposed, to exercise a judicial function in this regard. But I think the suggestion is worth considering.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of factories and workshops visited once, the number visited more than once, and the number visited during the year 1915; the number of persons on the authorised staff of the inspector of factories; and the number actually available for inspection at the end of 1915?

I regret I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. In consequence of the loss of clerical staff in the district offices and the special calls made on the inspectors' time by war-work it has not been possible to collect the usual returns. As regards staff, the number of inspectors authorised at the end of 1915 was 222, and the number available 147, including five temporary lady inspectors.

If it is impossible to state the number of factories unvisited, how was it possible to make the statement which the hon. Member made when we were discussing the question of certifying surgeons of factories?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a question.

I will.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in many industrial establishments advantage is being taken in the grossest manner of the laxity of inspection? In view of the depletion of the inspecting staff, will he have a circular addressed to industrial establishments on the subject?

I will discuss the matter with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Lyons versus Woodilee Coal and Coke Company, in which the widow of a workman claimed damages under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906; whether he is aware that the facts showed that a miner employed on night shift at a pit on reaching the bottom of the shaft was kept waiting, owing to the cage failing to work, for an hour in a strong current of cold air; that he contracted a chill, which developed into pneumonia and caused his death; whether he is aware that it has been ruled, both by the sheriff-substitute and the Court of Session, that the workman was not injured by an accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, and that the widow has no ground for damages; and whether any legislative action will be taken to meet such cases?

I have seen a report of this case. It appears that the workman was kept waiting not because of any breakdown of the cage, but because he arrived at the bottom of the shaft at the time when the regular daily inspection of the shaft was due to be made and when he could not expect to be raised till the cage used for the inspection had reached the bottom. The time taken in the descent was generally half an, hour, but varied according to the amount of repairs necessary, and on the day in question the cage took an hour to descend. I am afraid I am not in a position to give any pledge at the present time as to further legislation.

asked what action the Government proposes to take on the resolution passed by the National Insurance Acts Committee to the effect that permanent disablement and serious illness, greatly injuring the State, are being caused by reason of the fact that insured persons suffering from venereal diseases are refused sickness benefit and medical attention under the National Insurance Act?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for Oldham on the 31st July, but I should like to point out that he is mistaken in supposing that persons suffering from venereal diseases are refused medical attention under the National Insurance Act. Section 14 (4) of the Act of 1911 precludes an insured person from being deprived of medical benefit on that ground.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the outdoor officers of the Board of Trade mercantile marine are only being paid from 25s. to 32s. per week; and will he consider an immediate grant of an increase either by the way of a war bonus or a permanent advance to cover the increased cost of living?

The pay of most of these officers is on a scale rising to 32s. a week, but there are higher posts rising to 41s. a week, with additional appointments above those scales, and a number of promotions were made in 1915. The point to which the hon. Member refers has not been overlooked and is still receiving consideration.

asked whether the firm of Werner, Pfleiderer and Perkins, of Peterborough, are on the controlled list, and are employed to supply goods to the Munitions Department; and whether this is to all intents a German firm?

Slightly under one-third of the shares of Werner, Pfleiderer and Perkins, Limited, are registered in the names of German subjects. The right to transfer these shares has been vested in the Public Trustee, who is now endeavouring to find a British purchaser. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Munitions informs me that the firm is controlled, and has contracts with the Ministry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that none of the profits from the firm go over to Germany?

If the hon. Member asks me to give a guarantee to him, I must ask him to give me notice of his question.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the exhausting system of alternate seven-day and seven-night shifts of eleven hours for women workers is still in force at the cordite Cannon Cartridge Factory at Woolwich; and, if so, whether it is proposed to continue it?

I am afraid I am not able at present to add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 20th July.

As the answer is very unsatisfactory, I propose to call attention to-the question at an early date.

asked how many per sons are now employed at Woolwich Arsenal for seven days a week; how many volunteer week-end workers are employed on Saturdays and Sundays; and whether it is in contemplation to discontinue seven-day labour and to increase the number of volunteer week-end workers?

Out of a total number of employés at Woolwich of over 60,000s the number employed regularly for seven days a week is about 3,000; but, in almost every case, they are given one Sunday in about three or four weeks. About 2,400 volunteer week-end workers are employed. It is proposed to discontinue seven-day labour as soon as the exigencies of the service will allow. Practically all women workers have one day's holiday in seven.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that the Canadian Imperial Munitions Committee awarded large contracts for shells to Americans who had no plant and refused contracts to Canadian manufacturers who applied for contracts and were in a position to furnish the shells; and whether he will, in connection with future contracts, take steps to protect Canadian manufacturers against Americans, other things being equal?

It is not clear whether the question refers to the Shell Committee, which ceased to exist in December, 1915, or to the present Imperial Munitions Board. No such contracts appear to have been placed by either body so far as the Ministry is aware, and the steps suggested are not therefore regarded as necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this matter has been recently investigated in Canada by a Commission appointed by the Canadian Government, and that such contracts were-given to America by the new Board?