asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if an agreement is being negotiated on the Pope's initiative, that all prisoners who have been confined for more than eighteen months and are fathers of three children and over will be sent to Switzerland and interned there whether disabled or not; and if Germany accepted the proposal on the 7th July and France has also agreed?

We understand that a proposal in this sense has been made through the good offices of the Pope to the French and German Governments; neither the French nor the German Government appears to have replied at present; we are asking His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris for the details of the proposal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent murder of a British captain of a merchant ship, and of the ill-treatment of British civil prisoners in Ger many, he will reconsider his decision not to agree to the German offer to send the 4,000 British civil prisoners back to this country and allow the 26,000 alien enemy prisoners to be sent back to Germany?

His Majesty's Government have made a proposal to the German Government in the sense of my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, on the 15th July. This proposal, if accepted, will secure the release from Germany of all the British civilians now interned there.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information regarding the state of the Panama Canal; and if he has any information showing that the American Government contemplate abandoning it and that American engineers are now in this country investigating data regarding a canal route through Nicaragua?

Our information is that although the movement of shipping through the canal is occasionally delayed for a short time owing to the necessity of dredging after landslides, the canal traffic is otherwise proceeding normally. His Majesty's Government have no information with regard to the last part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary why and under what conditions Mrs. Burnyeat was released from internment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Chippenham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to advise His Majesty's Government to withhold consent, at least during the period of the War, to applications from persons of obviously alien origin for changing their names?

It has been frequently explained, in answer to questions on this subject, that while alien enemies are prohibited from changing their names under the Aliens Restriction Order, the law imposes no restrictions with regard to changes of name by other persons; and I am not satisfied that a case has been made out for any alteration of the law in this respect.

Is it proposed to alter the law?

I have answered that.

asked whether Major Price, now one of the chief advisers of Sir John Maxwell, is the same gentleman who at Newmarket, in county Cork, some seven years ago, as inspector of police, ordered the police to fire on the people during an election riot when there was no necessity for such action, with the result that one innocent man was killed and several wounded; and, if so, who recommended this gentleman for the position of responsibility which he now occupies?

Major Price, who was appointed to his present position on the recommendation of the late Inspector-General, had no connection whatever with this matter. It was another officer, with the same surname, who was in charge of the police on the occasion referred to.

asked the Home Secretary (1) when the following pri- soners at Reading are likely to be rr-leased: Arthur Griffith, Dublin; Ernest Blyth, Dublin; William' O'Brien, Dublin Trades Council; J. J. O'Connell, Cork; Terence M'Swiney, Cork; Denis M'Cul-laugh, Belfast; Shaun T. Kelly, town councillor, Dublin; C. Shannon, Belfast; P. T. Daly, town councillor, Dublin; Herbert Pirn, Belfast; John Milroy, Dublin; ex-Alderman Cole, Dublin; and M. J. O'Connor, Tralee; whether they have yet been tried by the Advisory Committee; if so, what are their recommendations; and (2) whether he will consider the advisability of releasing or allowing out on parole from Frongoch Mr. P. T. Daly and Mr. William O'Brien, ex-president of the Dublin Trades Council, to enable them to attend the trades congress at Sligo on Monday and Tuesday, 7th and 8th August: and if he is aware that both are labour men, holding official positions in the Irish Labour movement, and that their presence at congress is of importance to Ireland?

William O'Brien, Denis M'Cullagh, and Herbert Pim. have been released on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. As regards the other persons mentioned, the Advisory Committee have dealt with their cases and have recommended to me that they should remain interned. I regret that I cannot authorise the release of P. T. Daly on parole.

asked whether the whole of the evidence taken in private before the Hardinge Commission is to be published in the forthcoming volume on the subject?

The volume of evidence was published on Monday. It does not contain the evidence taken during the private sittings of the Commission.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in the minutes of evidence given before the Royal Commission on the Rebellion in Ireland, reference is made to the notes handed in by Sir Mathew Nathan of a talk he had with Lord Midleton; whether, with the exception of one extract read by the Chairman, the notes were treated as a secret document; will he say why the said notes were not published in the appendix; is he aware that, according to the minutes, Sir Mathew Nathan answered thirty-six questions in private and that Viscount Midleton answered thirty-two questions in private; whether he is aware that, to certain questions in the evidence, Sir Mathew Nathan, Viscount Midleton, Major-General Friend, Mr. Richard W. Booth, and County-Inspector Sharpe are represented in the text of the minutes of evidence by merely the numbers of the questions followed by asterisks; will he say whether these omissions are due to the censorship; and whether, in the public interest, he will give instructions that Sir Mathew Nathan's notes of his talk with Lord Midleton, the evidence given in private, and the questions deleted from the Report, together with the answers, shall be published as a supplement to the minutes of evidence?

No, Sir; this was a matter which was within the discretion of the Royal Commission, and I am not prepared to interfere with their discretion.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Special Commissioners he has appointed to inquire into the cases of Government officials suspended for alleged complicity in the recent rebellion are to hold their sittings in private; whether they have shorthand notes kept of the proceedings before them; and whether they allow legal assistance to be obtained by the persons into whose cases they are inquiring?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Commissioners themselves take such notes as are necessary. The investigation is a purely administrative one in each case such as the head of a Civil Department would conduct. There is nothing in the nature of legal proceedings, no request for legal assistance has been made, and nothing has, so far, happened to indicate that legal assistance is desirable for the elucidation of the facts or for the benefit of the suspected official.

If they apply for legal aid will they be able to get it?

No request for legal assistance has been made.

If a request is made?

The Commissioners will have to consider it.

Will each of these men get a statement of the charges made against him, and by whom?

The Commissioners decide their own procedure. The procedure is more or less informal, and there is not the smallest doubt that the men know-perfectly well what are the acts on which the charges are founded.

Will the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Commissioners the advisability of giving each one of these men a copy of the charges made against him, and by whom, so that it may be known who are making the false charges against these men?

I will convey to the Commissioners the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether there has been a considerable increase in the number of cases of poisoning and of anthrax and toxic jaundice reported to him under the Factory and Workshop Act for the six months ending June, 1916, as compared with the same period of the previous year; whether the number of deaths was thirty as compared with eighteen of the same six months of 1915; whether he can state to what this increase is due and how far it is attributable to relaxed factory inspection; what action, if any, he proposes to take; and (2) whether the number of anthrax cases has increased from twenty-nine in the six months ending June, 1915 to fifty-three in the six months ending June, 1916; and what steps are being taken in this matter?

The figures for lead poisoning for the periods in question show a slight decrease, but there has, unfortunately, been a considerable increase in cases of anthrax. There has been no slackening of inspection for the purpose of enforcing the Regulations, and the increase can only, I am advised, be accounted for by the fact that, owing to the heavy demand, manufacturers have been forced to use all kinds of material. The problem of prevention is being thoroughly investigated by the Departmental Committee appointed for the purpose, and there is good reason to hope that they will be able to put forward effective proposals. The notification of toxic jaundice—that is, jaundice due to tetrachlorethane, or certain other poisonous substances used in explosive works— was made compulsory for the first time this year, and this is the chief reason for the apparent increase in reported cases of poisoning. The number of persons employed in the factories concerned has also been constantly increasing. These factories have been subject to frequent inspection, and much has been done by improved mechanical ventilation, medical examination of the workers, and other precautions, to minimise the danger. As regards poisoning from dopes containing tetrachlorethane, this danger should very shortly be eliminated altogether by the substitution of the non-poisonous dopes now being brought into use.

Can the hon. Gentleman state any specific time when the Bill regarding poisoning will be brought in, and is it not the fact that jaundice has increased most largely in the factories where they use dope for varnishing aeroplanes?

I believe that is so, but if the hon. Gentleman will put a question on the Paper I will endeavour to get him full information.

asked the Minister of Munitions if his attention has been called to a practice which, during the last few months, has become common, namely, the service by numerous lessors of property in London of notices of dilapidations and wants of repair, accompanied by claims for damages and costs, and threats to reenter upon the property, compliance with which would entail hardships upon lessees during war time; and whether he will take steps to prevent the labour, money, and material necessary to comply with such notices being used at a time when they could be much better employed?

The permission of the Ministry of Munitions has to be obtained for the execution of work on repairs or alterations to buildings so far as these involve the use of constructional steel or cost more than a sum of £500. Numerous applications of this nature are being received, and are carefully considered from the point of view of the labour and materials that would be required for the purpose before a licence to do the work is granted. As at present advised, I am not prepared to extend the scope of the Order beyond its present limits.

asked the Minister of Munitions, in view of the notice given by him forbidding any building without a licence, whether he can say when a licence was given for the building of a villa, for sale on easy terms, at Seaview, in the Isle of Wight?

No licence has been given for the building of a villa at Sea-view, Isle of Wight. An application has been received for a licence to continue the building of a house at Seaview, which was started before the 20th July, the date on which the Regulation took effect. Inquiry is now being made into the circumstances attendant upon the work in question, with a view to deciding whether or not a licence should be granted.

Did not the Ministry of Munitions issue a warning on 30th March that buildings should not be started without consultation with the Ministry?

Yes, we issued a number of warnings and we only had recourse to licences because we found ourselves unable by the other way to get labour or material.

What is the limit of value prescribed?

Five hundred pounds.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the workers in a controlled factory partially engaged in the manufacture of munitions come, in all cases, under the provisions of Section 7 of the Munitions of War Act, and are thus all debarred from leaving their employment without the permission of their employer or a munition tribunal, or whether Section 7 only applies to those of the workbrs who are actually engaged in the manufacture of munitions?

The provisions of Section 7 of the Munitions of War Act as to leaving certificates apply only to persons who are engaged on or in connection with munitions work and are engaged in an establishment to which the Section has been applied by order of the Minister of Munitions. Both these conditions must be fulfilled, so that persons engaged on private work are not subject to the provisions of Section 7, even though employed in a controlled establishment or other establishment to which the provisions of Section 7 have been applied by Order of the Minister of Munitions.

Seeing that that very important fact is not known to large numbers of workpeople and to even a considerable number of employers, can the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make it more generally known?

Yes, we will do so.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will take steps to see that the provisions of Order 447 shall be fixed at the entrance of every factory to which the provisions of that Order have been applied, and in such other parts thereof as he may from time to time direct, and be constantly so kept fixed in such position as to be easily read by the persons employed in the factory or workshop?

I propose to issue as soon as possible a circular to the establishments in question giving effect to the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether any orders for munitions have been placed in the hands of Dublin engineering firms within the past three months; if he is aware that two engineering firms that built machinery for the manufacture of munitions are about to close down for the want of orders; and if he is aware that an English firm have offered to buy their machinery to carry out an order that has been denied to Dublin?

Numerous orders for munitions have been placed with Dublin engineering firms during the past three months. I have no information that any engineering firms in Dublin are about to close down for want of orders, although I understand that in certain cases contracts for shell components which are no longer required have not been renewed. In all such cases, however, endeavours are made to offer other work to the firms in question as far as possible. I have no information as to the statement contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

If the shells are no longer required, can the right hon. Gentleman say why English firms have offered to buy the machinery which makes the shells?

The machinery may be useful for many other purposes; I do not know what it can be used for.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he has statutory powers of control over the policy or proceedings of the Central Control Board; if so, what those powers are; and, if he has no such powers, will he state to which of the Ministry such powers belong?

asked the Prime Minister (1) by what method effective Parliamentary control is intended to be exercised over the proceedings of the Central Control (Liquor) Board; what Minister is responsible to this House for the policy of the Board; whether, if no effective Parliamentary control over the Board exists, he will take measures to secure it; and (2) if he is aware that the authority of the Ministry of Munitions in relation to the Central Control (Liquor) Board is limited to the scheduling of areas to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Board and does not extend to any control over the Orders issued by the Board for such areas; and whether he will issue a Regulation extending the authority of the Ministry of Munitions in this respect so as to bring the proceedings of the Board under effective Parliamentary control?

The Central Control Board is established by an Order in Council under statutory powers. The appointment of its members rests with the Minister of Munitions, but beyond that he has, under the Order in Council, no control over the proceedings of the Board. The Order in Council is, of course, made on the responsibility of the Cabinet and could be amended or revoked on their advice. The scheduling of particular areas is a matter for an Order in Council. Within these areas, subject to the powers conferred by the Regulations, he Central Control Board can make Orders and impose restrictions without reference to the Minister.

Are the Regulations made by the Control Board or by the Ministry of Munitions?

By the Control Board.

Is there any control at all over the Control Board?

By Parliament, I suppose.

Has the Minister of Munitions power to remove any member of the Control Board it he should be dissatisfied with his action?

I should like notice of that question.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Central Control Board have given ten days' notice to the parish council of Annan that it proposes to take possession of their offices at the expiration of the notice, and that it proposes to use them for the extension of an hotel; whether he will state under what Act the Board has this power; whether he will undertake to arrange that this notice is not carried out until the Board has provided other offices for the council and agreed to provide compensation for any loss sustained by the removal; and whether he will make the same provision for any other tenants of the same premises?

In response to an inquiry into this matter a telegram has been received this morning stating that the matter has been satisfactorily arranged. I may say also that every possible consideration will be shown to those whose premises have to be taken over. I have not been able since the receipt of the hon. Member's question to get the answer to his inquiry on the point of law, but if he will be good enough to put another qnestion down an answer will be given.

May I say that I have received a telegram from Annan, dated 2.55 this afternoon, saying that no settlement has been made. In view of that, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that this notice shall not be carried out until some arrangement is made?

All I can say is that I have the telegram in my hand from which I quoted. [HON. MEMBERS: "Time!"] It is earlier than that; it is 10.20.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Minister of Munitions has any control over this Liquor Board?

I do not think he has.

Will the. Government consider whether it ought not to disestablish this Board of Control?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has promised the London General Omnibus Company any guaranteed payment, for the two new omnibus services put on at his request for Woolwich workers between Woolwich and Brockley and Woolwich and Penge; if so, can he state on what basis such a payment is made; and is it on the mileage run?

No arrangement has been made with the London General Omnibus Company as regards any guaranteed payment for the two new omnibus services referred to in my Inn. Friend's question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that out of 1,369 military contracts only twenty-four were placed in Ireland, or a percentage of 1.27; whether the same facilities for tenders and equal advertisements for articles manufactured in Ireland are afforded to Irish contractors as those given to British contractors; whether he is aware that the absence of an examining and receiving depot in Dublin, as sanctioned by the local military authorities, contributes to this disparity of custom; and whether he pro poses to take any action in the matter?

So far as he Ministry of Munitions is concerned, the policy followed is one of equal treatment of all parts of the United Kingdom, and every endeavour has been made to make the best use of the engineering resources of Ireland as of other parts of the United Kingdom. A depot has been established in Dublin for the reception and examination of supplies ordered by the Minister of Munitions. If the hon. Member refers to contracts placed by the War Office, his question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that an increased salary to Irish prison warders has been sanctioned by the Treasury since last April, and that although almost four months have elapsed since then the warders have received no advance; if he is aware that the cost of living has in creased by nearly 100 per cent., and that prison warders are paying indirectly a large portion of their salary towards the carrying on of the War, and that they are only receiving the same salary now as they did two years ago; and will he say when the Government intend to increase the salaries of these officers?

I would refer to the reply which I gave on the 24th ultimo to a question of the hon. Member for South-East Cork. I am informed that the proposals of the General Prisons Board for giving effect to the decision of the Treasury in this matter are about to be submitted by that Board to the Irish Government I have urged them to expedite the matter.

Will that apply to female prison warders?

I have already replied to the effect that I hope he will be able to do so.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been given to the proceedings of the Stepney Local Tribunals and the number of exemptions given there to licensed victuallers; whether he is aware that the military representative has stated that licensed victuallers appear to be the only exempted occupation in Stepney, and that the licensed trade has undue weight on this tribunal; whether he will instruct this tribunal to extend equal consideration to other small tradesmen who have worked hard to build up their businesses, and who now are being informed by this tribunal that they ought to sell up and get into the Army, and whether he will make it known to all tribunals that the licensed trade has no special claims for exemption which are not equally applicable to other businesses?

My right hon. Friend has made inquiry of the Stepney Tribunals, and on the information supplied there does not appear to be any justification for any of the statements made in the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that at least one-fifteenth of the members of this tribunal are in the licensed trade, and does not that introduce an undue proportion?

There is no justification, so far as we can ascertain, for a single one of the statements in the question, and this is one of the statements. I believe that no members of the licensed trade are on this tribunal.

I will refer to this matter again.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Treasury, on the 11th August, 1914, issued a circular promising civil pay to Civil servants who joined His Majesty's Porces and that, in the earlier part of the Derby scheme, certain clerks in the Scriveners' Department of the principal Probate Registry, Mr. Cawse and Mr. Byng amongst others, were told that if they attested this circular would apply to them, but that the grant would be based on their average earnings for the time that they had been in the service; whether he is aware that, on the faith of that, these clerks attested; whether now the Treasury refuses to pay them on the ground that ' they were not called up any sooner than I they would have been if they had not I attested and gone under the Military Service Act; and, if so, whether he will explain why the Treasury has not kept the promise made to its servants?

The circular referred to does not apply to Mr. Oawse and Mr. Byng since they entered unestablished posts after the outbreak of war, and the information given to them was incorrect. As this incorrect information did not in fact result in their being called up earlier than they would have been in any case under the Military Service Act, they in fact suffered no actual injury through the mistake, and I do not think any special concession to them would be justified.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really mean to say that his Department made a statement to two of its clerks, on which statement they attested, and the right hon. Gentleman now comes down and refuses to carry out the promise?

No, Sir; they made inquiry as to their position and were told by a subordinate official that their position was so-and-so. As a matter of fact, they were not taken under that, but only at the same time that they would have been compelled to enlist under the Military Service Act. If they had suffered any real injury and been put in a worse position than they would have been but for information given them, although I could not assent to the proposition that the Treasury must be bound by every statement or advice given by subordinate officials, I should have thought it was a matter for inquiry, but, as a matter of fact, they have not suffered any injury, as their position is no worse.

If that is the view of the right hon. Gentleman, I will call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.

Is it a fact that Civil servants called up under the Military Service Act do not receive the full amount of their civil pay?

That does not arise out of this question.

It will arise on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to a case where a man named Mates was discharged from the 3rd Con-naught Rangers on 23rd July, 1915, certified as unfit for further military service, suffering from a disease contracted while so serving; if this man, who was in perfect health when accepted and at the time carrying on the business of a painting contractor at Dublin, has, since his discharge, owing to and arising from such disease, been quite unable to perform any class of work, has been refused either a pension or compensation, and not having other means of support, his sons being also serving, has been obliged to dispose of his stock in trade, together with his household effects, in order to provide food for his family, and is at present practically destitute; why this man has been made to suffer such indignity; and how it is proposed to deal with such cases having such injurious effect upon recruiting in Ireland?

I am having inquiry made into this case, and will, in due course, let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could inform the House as to what is the exact meaning of the instruction issued by the War Office to recruiting officers in connection with the re-examination of men formerly found to be medically unfit, more especially the provision in that instruction which says that men concerning whom the recruiting officer is satisfied that there is no possible doubt will not be summoned for medical re-examination?

I will have the reply circulated in the OFFICIAL EEPOET. [See Written Answers.]

If it is printed, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it gets into the Press, not for my sake, but because it affects 300,000 men all over the country?

Yes, I will make a special request.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the advisability of awarding to officers and men who have served for a certain time with the British Armies in the field, whether in France or elsewhere, some distinctive marks or badges such as are used in the French Army in similar cases?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on the 20th July to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight Division?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information respecting Frederick Murfin, who was arrested at Tottenham under the Military Service Act; whether he was one of the thirty-four men sent to France and there sentenced to death for disobedience; whether he is now in Winchester Gaol; and whether, in view that there is no question as to his genuine conscientious objection to military service, he will see that he 's released to do some work of national importance under the new scheme?

The Central Tribunal will no doubt deal with this case in due course. It is, I fear, impossible to make reports as to the precise position in which the case of individual conscientious objectors stands from day to day. The general principles have now been settled and will, of course, be applied with all possible promptness.

Will this man's case only come up for review when his sentence of ten years' penal servitude has been completed?

My hon. Friend knows that that is not the fact.

asked whether Mr. Ian Colvin, of the "Morning Post" editorial staff, is of military age; whether he has been exempted from military service; whether that exemption is temporary or absolute; whether he has been exempted on grounds of physical or mental unfitness; and, if not, on what grounds his exemption has been conceded?

I am informed that an application in respect of Mr. Colvin is at present before the Westminster Local Tribunal, and will shortly be heard. Mr. Colvin is of military age.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member who has asked this question is opposed to Conscription for his own country?

Is it not the case that Mr. Colvin has advocated it for this country?

I asked what were the grounds upon which exemption was claimed for a gentleman who has been advocating Conscription all over the country for everybody?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will direct the Statutory Committee to indicate what special circumstances within the meaning of Section 2 (1) of the Naval and Military War Pensions Act, 1915, the Committee have had regard to in considering offers of assistance as local committees from boroughs of a population of less than 50,000, and in what respect, or respects, these special circumstances were absent in the cases of the following boroughs whose applications have been refused: Bromley, Chesterfield, Dover, Folkestone, Glossop, Guildford, Harrogate, High Wycombe, Hove, Leamington Spa, Llanelly, Mansfield, Reigate, Richmond (Surrey), Scarborough, Shrewsbury Taunton, Torquay, Tunbridge Wells, Worthing, and Winchester?

I would point out to the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board is not empowered to give directions to the Statutory Committee of the kind desired. I understand, however, that the Committee think that a hard and fast rule cannot be laid down as to what should be regarded as "special circumstances" within the meaning of Section 2 (1) of the Act, and that the question whether special circumstances exist in any particular case must be determined by a consideration of all the facts of that case.

Have the Regulations been issued?

Not all the Regulations; some of them.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether the Treasury has yet given its approval to the scale and Regulations governing the award of supplementary pensions by the Statutory Committee of the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation; and whether he can now inform the House as to the general financial position of the Statutory Committee in relation to the Treasury?

Yes, Sir. A letter containing the approval of the Treasury to the Regulations (including the scale of pensions) was sent to the Statutory Committee yesterday afternoon, and is now before, them. The general financial position of the Statutory Committee in relation to the Treasury may be stated as follows:

1. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will ask Parliament to place six millions (including the million already granted) at the disposal of the Committee, so as to provide the full estimated cost of supplemental pensions to widows and dependants of non-commissioned officers and men and "to totally disabled non-commissioned officers and men, and a provisional sum for partially disabled non-commissioned officers and men who have received a permanent pension from the Chelsea Commissioners, or the Admiralty, and the cost of administration. The Chancellor had already agreed (apart from the six millions) to bear the cost of supplementary separation allowances given in accordance with the Kegulations previously approved.

2. The sum of six millions is based on an estimated number of deaths amongst non-commissioned officers and men not exceeding 250,000. If this-number is found to be larger, the six millions will be increased proportionately.

3. An additional Grant will be made for the supplementary pensions in respect of commissioned officers and of men whose general and financial circumstances are like those of commissioned officers.

4. The Chancellor of the Exchequer estimates that out of the £6,000,000 a sum of between £1,000,000 and £2,000,000 will be available, which, after providing for the expenses of the Committee's administration, will more than cover the cost of the permanent partial disability pensions on the numbers awarded hitherto, and will be available towards temporary allowances in the cases of partial disability, in which pensions are awarded conditionally.

5. The Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes that the estimate of number and cost of partially disabled men should be revised before the end of 1918 in the light of the facts then ascertained, and that the financial provision should then be placed on a permanent footing.

I desire to draw special attention to the fact that the calculation upon which the Chancellor of the Exchequer's estimate is made is based upon a smaller number of deaths than had been submitted to the Actuary by the Statutory Committee, and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is willing that his estimate should be revised, should it be found that the number is too low.

The promises now made by my right hon. Friend show a substantial advance upon his previous announcement, and should cover the supplements to all permanent pensions, assuming that the Actuary's figures are borne out by the facts.

I hope that the Statutory Committee will feel justified in putting their Regulations into immediate operation, and that in doing so they will receive the cordial co-operation of the local committees.

Will these Regulations apply equally to commissioned officers as well as to non-commissioned officers and men?

Another estimate is to be submitted to meet the case of officers, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer has promised to consider that estimate and find a further some of money, and special Regulations will be issued hereafter to meet the case of officers.

Will these provisions be embodied in a Bill, or how else will they be laid before the House? [HON. MEMBERS: "They must be."]

The House will have an opportunity for debating the scale of Regulations on an early date next week, when the Vote which covers the salary of the Vice-Chairman of the Statutory Committee will be put down for discussion. Then afterwards a Bill will be required to cover the £6,000,000 of money which is to be advanced to the Statutory Committee for this purpose and on that again another debate can take place.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when in future he has such a long and important statement to make to try if possible to make it in Government time or circulate it with the Votes. I am sure he will see that by his long statement he is cutting out a great number of questions to-day.

I am very sorry. I had to make it at short notice indeed, and it was a statement greatly desired. A meeting took place this morning. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will accept my apology for taking up so much time.

How was the question down?

Will the capital as well as the interest be available for the supplementary pensions?

The £6,000,000 are given for supplementary pensions.

asked whether the Government have definitely settled what pensions non-commissioned officers and men are to receive for the loss of arms or legs and for total disablement, and what pensions the wives and dependants of men who have been killed or died of disease in the Service are to receive; and, if not, when the Government are likely to be able to publish their decisions on these matters?

The rates of pension for a private soldier who has lost an arm or a leg vary from 10s. 6d. to 25s. a week according to the nature of the amputation and the degree of incapacity, 2s. a week is added for a corporal, 4s. for a sergeant, etc. The general rates and conditions for the grant of pension to disabled soldiers are published in Army Order 212 of 1915, and for widows and children in Army Order 213 of 1915. The Regulations for gratuities or pensions for other dependants of deceased soldiers are contained in Army Order 85 of 1916.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what steps the Admiralty propose to take to prevent William Connor, 117, Foley Street, Dublin, a naval pensioner now almost blind, from becoming destitute; and if he will request the Admiralty to award this man who has had ten years' service in the Navy, a permanent pension sufficient to enable him to live without appealing to charity?

I am having inquiries made into this case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any supervision or previous inquiries made as to the source from which advertisements come when offered for insertion in the "Board of Trade Journal"; if so, why are advertisements which appear in the July number accepted from the Hol-born Surgical Instrument Company, Limited, of 26, Thavies Inn, London, E.C., and the General Surgical Company, Limited, of 147 and 149, Farringdon Road, London, E.G.; and if both these companies were only recently incorporated and previously owned by persons bearing German names?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The goods advertised in each case are of British manufacture, and while the two companies are permitted to trade in this country I see no reason for refusing to publish their advertisements in the "Board of Trade Journal." The Hol-born Surgical Instrument Company, Limited, was registered in 1903. The General Surgical Company was registered this year, and of its directors one, Mr. Goldschmidt, was naturalised twenty years ago, and the other, Mr. Schmerl, is a natural-born British subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will supply a report of the reasons given by the War Office, the Admiralty, and his Department to the Advisory Committee on enemy trading, with a view to suspend or stay the winding-up or sale of the forty-six cases mentioned in their Report under headings (4) and (5)?

The War Office informed the Board of Trade of the nature of the supplies they were obtaining from certain firms which they considered it inexpedient to close, and the Admiralty informed the Board of Trade that it was considered inexpedient to close certain businesses from the point of view of naval interests. These communications were referred by the Board of Trade to the Advisory Committee. There were, as stated in the Report, only nine such cases. No representations have ever been made by the Board to the Advisory Committee with a view to postpone the winding-up or sale of any enemy business.

If in consequence of representations from the War Office and the Admiralty the winding-up of these companies is stayed, ought not arrangements to be made so that the profits of the businesses should flow into the British Treasury and not be carried on through transactions with the War Office for the benefit of German firms?

I think that is probably being done. If the hon. Member will give me notice, I will give him definite information on the point.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring in a Bill to provide that all profits of the forty-six concerns which are permitted to continue trading by the Advisory Committee shall be treated as excess profits, and collected on behalf of the general revenue of the country without any deduction except salaries and expenses?

I do not think that such legislation would be advisable. In suitable cases the profits are already under the Trading With the Enemy Acts vested in the Public Trustee to be disposed of as may be thought proper after the declaration of peace.

Is it not a fact that the profits of these companies amount to at least £500,000, permitted by the Government to be made on behalf of German firms? Would it not be a considerable accession to our revenue if that sum were brought in from these German firms?

The money is in the hands of the Public Trustee, and will remain in his hands until determination is made by Parliament to make disposal of the money, but I do not think excess profits is at all a suitable way to deal with it.

Is it a fact that the Public Trustee merely holds these moneys as bankers on behalf of the Germans?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the firm of William H. Müller and Company, Limited, London, were reinstated as members of the Baltic Exchange at the instigation of the Board of Trade; and whether his Department interested themselves in any way in regard to the reinstatement?

The answer to both questions is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give the names of the officers or persons responsible for co-operation between the Air Services of the Navy and the Army during an enemy raid over the United Kingdom?

(repiesenting the Air Board): It would be undesirable to give the names of the officers or persons who, under the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief Home Forces, on the one hand, as exclusively responsible for Home defence and the Board of Admiralty on the other, as responsible for the defence of our shores, are engaged on the duties which the hon. Member describes. But the hon. Member may rest assured that there is effective co-ordination between the two services.

If I can show that there was not proper co-ordination between the two services the night before last, will the Government take action to see that in future there is?

Undoubtedly we shall be grateful for any information showing how the arrangements can be improved.

asked the Prime Minister whether his at-tenton has been drawn to the increased height at which the newest Zeppelins are now able to fly; and if, although it may be undesirable now to let the public or the enemy know whether the effective range of the anti-aircraft guns now in use at home is sufficient to serve any useful purpose against Zeppelins flying at altitudes over 12,000 feet, he can reassure the populations chiefly concerned by a disclosure as to whether we may expect any genuine improvement in the real adequacy and efficiency of our anti-aircraft defences outside the area of London in the near future?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. As was recently indicated in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Mile End, the development of the air defences of the country is proceeding as rapidly as the manufacturing output and the needs of the Navy and of our forces in the field permit. This development applies not to the London area only, but to the country as a whole. I am afraid that I cannot add anything to that statement.

Is there a range-finder in these Eastern towns?

Do not answer!

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state to what use the Government propose to put the Royal gift of £100,000?

After a review of the various other suggestions, the Government have come to the conclusion, of which His Majesty has expressed approval, that his generous gift would be most appropriately devoted to the general purposes of the War.

asked whether the Duke of Albany, the Duke of Cumberland, or the Prince of Schleswig-Holstein own any land or house property in this country; and, if they do, whether such property is vested in the Public Trustee and how much of it is land and how much house property?

The answer to the first part of the question is, I am informed, in the negative; the rest of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked whether the Committee on Trading after the War will report on the possible output of this country, since in creating a demand it is essential to know the potentialities of the supply?

I will pass on my hon. Friend's suggestion to Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Committee.

asked whether the Government, in deciding upon the best and most appropriate national memorial to Lord Kitchener, will consider the desirability of establishing throughout the Empire Kitchener hostels and training colleges for the children of officers and men killed or disabled in the present war; and, if so, whether the Gov- ernment will take the initiative and invite the co-operation of the principal provincial centres in this country and of the Overseas Dominions in the promotion of this project?

The question of a national memorial to Lord Kitchener is, I am informed, in the hands of a Committee of which Queen Alexandra is president and the Lord Mayor of London, treasurer. The Committee will no doubt consider my hon. Friend's suggestion, but the Government have no control over the matter, which is quite distinct from the proposal of this House to erect a memorial to Lord Kitchener out of public funds.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now definitely state when the, new registration proposals will be communicated to Parliament?

No, Sir; I can only say that these proposals will be announced to the House before the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as apparently an entire fleet of Zeppelins has again been permitted to fly, with one exception, unmolested over several English counties and towns, he will consider the desirability of introducing fresh legislation to permit of a more equitable system of State-aided insurance against risks of injury or loss by enemy air raids; and, as although in contradiction to official prewar prophecies there appears to be no immediate likelihood of preventing enemy aircraft from inflicting injury and loss upon the non-military populations concerned, if he will also consider the question of State obligation to compensate near relatives of persons who may be killed and injured by Zeppelins or other aircraft?

No, Sir, I do not think fresh legislation is called for on this matter. I may point out that in the two latest raids no casualties and no substantial damage were caused.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a certain Royal Naval Air Service establishment was not informed of the Zeppelin raid on the night of 28th July; whether, in consequence, no machines were sent up though they were ready; whether this was owing to no instructions from the Director of Air Services having been received; whether explosions of bombs were distinctly heard and assumed to be gun practice; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The attention of the Admiralty was at once called to the omission referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question by the officer in charge of the air station. The Admiralty immediately proceeded to deal with it.

asked the Prime Minister when the new terms to old age pensioners will be issued to the House of Commons?

I presume that my hon. Friend is alluding to certain administrative measures which the Government has from time to time taken in connection with old age pensioners. I hope to have a statement of what these measures are circulated next week.

asked what instructions have been issued to old age pension officers to put into practice the policy of the Government to encourage old age pensioners to undertake work without their earnings being taken account of so as to reduce their pensions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 31st July, in answer to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Louth Division. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Has any definition of these instructions been issued?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state on what grounds the Admiralty refuse to carry mails only from Scrabster to Scapa, or to allow any other person to carry mails only; if this action on the part of the Admiralty is purely bureaucratic; and, if so, will he present an appeal to Admiral Jellicoe to relax the conditions which are crippling the entire trade and commerce of an important county?

His Majesty's ships have their naval duties to perform, and cannot carry the civil mails.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received a complaint that the firm of Messrs. Thomas Hinshelwood and Company, Glasgow, are not observing the provisions of the Fair-Wages Clause in the wages paid to the coopers in their service; and, if so, whether inquiries are being made with a view to the Fair-Wages Clause being complied with?

The answer to both parts of my right hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty give to contractors the name of a firm called Trubridge, of Milburn House, Newcastle-on-Tyne, as suitable makers of manganese bronze and gun-metal ingots; whether he is aware that till recently the name Trubridge was Keiffenheim: whether he is aware that this firm advertise that their ingots are made economically from scrap castings; and whether the Admiralty knows of and agrees to the use of ingots so made, provided the castings pass the usual tensile and chemical tests, generally or only in the case of this firm?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, except that a firm of engineers was granted, some considerable time ago, permission to use the castings of the company. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative, and to the third in the negative. As regards the fourth part of the question, the Admiralty does not in all cases specify the use of new metals.

Are we to understand that this firm of Trubridge is allowed to use scrap castings for making ingots, and other firms are not so allowed?

No, I think not. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the answer. If it is not quite clear I shall be glad to confer with him. That is not the intention.

Do the Admiralty allow scrap castings to be used in any case?

We do not specify new metals in every case—that is new in reference to this, or any particular firm.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has any statistics showing how much remuneration has been paid under Section 18 of the Local Loans Act of 1887 to the Bank of England out of the Local Loans Fund during the last five years in respect of loans made to public authorities in Scotland; and, if so, will he say what this commission amounted to?

No, Sir. The remuneration paid to the Bank of England from the Local Loans Fund for the management of Local Loans Stock depends on the amount of that stock outstanding, and not on the amount of loans made by the Public Works Loan Commissioners from the Local Loans Fund to any particular part of the United Kingdom in any particular period.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why the Bank of Scotland is not utilised for loans in Scotland in the same way as the Bank of Ireland is utilised in Ireland?

If my hon. Friend will read my answer, I think he will see that he is labouring under a misapprehension.

:No, no!

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the number of non-commissioned officers and men temporarily affected mentally by shell-shock, and in view of the present crowded conditions of asylums, he will consider the desirability of making an application for £100,000 from the Prince of Wales's Fund for the purpose of providing convalescent homes in country districts for these men, and so of giving them a chance of being restored to health?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport on the 27th July, and also to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 18th July.

Is there anything in this idea that could not be carried out? Is the right hon. Gentleman fully aware of the great importance of this matter?

Yes, Sir; I agree with my hon. Friend that the matter is of great importance, and is being very carefully watched.

Is it not the fact that the soldiers on discharge have to go to the asylums?

No, Sir. I do not think there is any truth at all in that suggestion.

Where are they sent on discharge?

asked the Prime Minister (1) what is the coloured population of the British Empire overseas; what percentage has been raised to fight in this War; why have steps not been taken to increase the supply of these British subjects serving in His Majesty's Armies: (2) whether, seeing that there are some millions of coloured fighting men in South Africa, Cape Boys, Zulus, Basirtos, Matabele, Swazi, Mashonas, Barotze, Bechuana, and other tribes in Cape Colony, will he take steps in conjunction with the Union Government to start recruiting among these British subjects; (3) whether his attention has been directed to the fact that large numbers of good fighting men of coloured stock can be readily raised and trained in East Africa to be ready for active service in the summer of 1917; whether His Majesty's Government have yet considered the desirability of increasing our fighting strength by the employment of these British subjects; and (4) whether His Majesty's Government will now sanction the enlistment and training of fighting tribes in German East Africa now subject to our rule; and whether he is aware that many of these tribes are anxious to fight against the Germans owing to the oppression and injustice they have suffered under German administration?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer these questions. To give the percentage of coloured men actually fighting to the whole coloured population would be of no value, and would be a slur on these races. The question of climate limits to a very great extent their employment, as also the conditions under which they would be called upon to fight. Steps are being taken to ascertain to what further extent these coloured races can be employed—and it is hoped that the result of these inquiries from those who have had practical experience in commanding these troops may be satisfactory.

Is it not the fact that the South African Government have refused the offer by the Barotse and other tribes who have expressed their willingness to fight for us, and why, therefore, has His Majesty's Government delayed the matter for two years, when it has been said that it is the last million men that will bring the War to an end?

Really it is a very difficult question.

Of course it is, all the more reason—

I agree with my hon. Friend that it should be carefully considered, and it was very carefully considered. But in the light of recent representations, like those of my hon. and gallant Friend (Major Wedgwood), who has just come back from where these black troops have been employed, further inquiries are being made by those actually in command of them.

Is it true that we have actually refused two divisions of Basutos?

I have not any information to that effect.

Would the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to the House of Commons that this policy of bringing over a large force of African natives to fight in Europe will not be embarked upon without giving the House of Commons an opportunity to consider it?

Will the House be given an opportunity of considering why there is no recruiting in Ireland?

That is a most insolent and offensive remark.

I do not think that is a proper term to use.

With all deference to you, Sir, was it a proper expression for the hon. Member to say that there was no recruiting in Ireland?

No compulsory recruiting!

In the first place, it is false; in the second place, it is most insolent!

It is improper to compare Irish with blacks.

Sometimes expressions escape from hon. Members more quickly than I can stop them. If I could have stopped the hon. Member I certainly should have done so. The remark was quite irrelevant, and it was provocative.

Am I not entitled, when an hon. Member asks why other British citizens should not join in the fighting, and when the French Government are using coloured battalions in every brigade, to ask why compulsory service should not be applied to Ireland?

The hon. Member is not entitled to ask such a question. These matters are more properly raised in Debate, and not at Question Time. The object of questions is to obtain information and not to make charges across the floor of the House.

Can we have an opportunity of debating this question?

Can we have an opportunity of discussing this, perhaps on the Vote for the Colonial Office to-night?

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that Sir Sven Hedin has justified and aided the Germans in their course of rapine and murder, he has taken any steps to deprive this man of the honours conferred on him by this country and, if not, will he do so; whether he has any information that Sir Rudolph Slatin is fighting in the Austrian Army; and does he therefore propose to deprive him of the numerous honours conferred on him by this country?

I have not been able to obtain any certain or recent information as to the present activities of the persons mentioned in this question, but I will look into the matter and consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say how many official private secretaries he employs and the salaries paid to those gentlemen; are any of them of military age; whether he is aware that important communications made to him by Members of Parliament are at times not even acknowledged, though the said communications have been sent by him or his secretaries to other Departments of State; and will he direct his secretaries to acknowledge in the future the receipt of communications addressed to him by Members of Parliament?

I employ three private, secretaries, and their salaries amount in the aggregate to £2,360 per annum, which includes in the case of two of them, who are Civil servants, their salaries as officers of their respective Departments. Having regard to the quantity and quality of the work they are called on to perform, they are not, in my opinion, over remunerated. The answer to the second part of the question is two, one of whom has twice been rejected for military service on medical grounds. I am sorry to learn the facts stated in the last part of the question, and can assure my hon. Friend that the omission was quite accidental and due only to pressure of work.

Are we to take it, then, that in the Department of the Prime Minister it is necessary to bring before the House the fact that three communications of great importance sent to him remained unanswered for a period of nine weeks?

No, Sir; I think it is a most ungracious complaint. Private secretaries, like everybody else, are very much overworked. If there was an omission in a particular case to answer a particular letter, it was due, as I have said, to pressure of work.