asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the omission from the recently appointed Committee to consider commercial and industrial policy for adoption after the War of any representative having special knowledge of the arts, art trades, and art industries; and whether, in view of the interests concerned in the production of prints, process illustrations, glass, pottery, furniture, textiles, and other commodities in which design is such an important commercial asset, and the fact that, previous to the War, such commodities were imported in quantities from Germany and Austria, he will favourably consider the appointment, on the Committee of a member nominated by the Imperial Arts League or some other representative body in the interests of the manufacturers and workers engaged?

I am afraid that it is not practicable to include in Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Committee representatives of all important industries. Every effort however has been made to secure the services of leading men in the industrial or commercial world, and the hon. Member may be sure that representations to the Committee from such bodies as he mentions will receive due consideration.

asked, the Prime Minister whether he can give any assurance to the effect that the operations of the Control Board (Liquor Traffic) will be limited to the period of the War and the twelve months following?

To extend the operations of the Central Control Board beyond the period mentioned in the question would require fresh legislation.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the rate of payment per week to males temporarily employed upon clerical war work which is of a superior kind to that done by ordinary copyists is £4 or £5 a week, whilst the payment for the same work done by females is between 35s. and £3 a week, that the hours of attendance are at least seven per day, though in respect of the females they are longer; and will he therefore cause inquiry to be made with the view of establishing a more even rate of payment for this work irrespective of the sex of those employed upon if?

I do not know to what class of temporary male employôs my hon. Friend is referring, but I do not think it can be assumed that their work is the same as that of temporary women clerks paid at the rates named. I shall be glad to make inquiries if he will give me details.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Commodore Wake's dispatches in relation to the Bushire Expedition can be published?

A reference to these naval operations is contained in General Nixon's dispatch, which was gazetted on the 27th July. It is not proposed to gazette Captain Drury Wake's letters. The services of the naval officers and men engaged have not been overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether instructions have been given that officers in the Special Reserve and Territorial Force who are temporary unfit by reason of disability not caused by the performance of military duty are to be allowed sick leave with pay up to a maximum of three months, but if they are not fit for duty at the end of three months no further sick leave with pay is to be granted; whether these officers while still not discharged, and while incapable by illness of earning income, are deprived of all means of subsistence, and are nevertheless liable to be called up for military duty as soon as they recover sufficient strength; and whether he proposes to take any action to remedy this state of affairs?

Yes, Sir; instructions in the sense of the first part of the question have been issued. Officers of the New Army and Territorial Force officers cease to serve after three months on sick leave and Special Reserve officers in the same circumstances are demobilised. As a general rule officers who ultimately become fit are recommissioned. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether salaried lay readers in the Church of England who are engaged for their whole time on religious work are exempted by any order of the Army Council from military service?

The present practice under Army Council Instructions is that persons wholly employed as evangelists or lay agents in work of a definitely religious character are not to be called to the Colours. This arrangement applies to the Church of England in common with recognised denominations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the three officers who reported unfavourably of Major Sir Francis Vane were removed from their commands; that Sir Francis Vane was entrusted by his general with the general military instruction of young officers of the brigade for four months (October, 1914, to January, 1915), and that it was not till six months subsequently, when Sir Francis Vane in a recruiting speech had declared himself a Nationalist, that his general reported unfavourably; whether he will inquire of the officers in London trained under Sir Francis Vane who are prepared to bear testimony; and, as there now is evidence that Sir Francis Vane was recommended by the brigadier of the 178th Brigade for distinguished service at the South Dublin Union to General Maxwell, for these reasons, whether the Court of Inquiry repeatedly asked for will now be granted?

The three officers referred to were unfitted for active service in the field, but this purely physical disability in no way invalidates the opinion they formed and expressed on the military efficiency of Sir Francis Vane. It is the case that it was not until Sir Francis Vane had been tried in more than one regimental capacity that the adverse opinion was formed, but the Army Council cannot blame the officers referred to for avoiding precipitancy in forming their judgment. It is not possible to refer matters of military efficiency to subordinate officers. Courts of Inquiry are not granted in cases where an officer's military efficiency is in question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the special war allowances, because of the issuance of which Colonial allowance to officers in Egypt has been reduced by two-thirds, have been, or are to be, automatically raised by an amount corresponding to the reduction in the Colonial allowance, or does the reduction represent an actual diminution in the amount which officers who have been resident in Egypt for long periods since the outbreak of war have been receiving; and, if so, will he say on what grounds this reduction in payments has been introduced suddenly at this stage, without any compensation as compared with the emoluments hitherto enjoyed, seeing that the expenditure of officers in Egypt has increased rather than diminished owing to the trend of prices?

The Colonial allowance as it stood before the reduction is a peace allowance. After full consideration, it has been decided that it should not be issued in full so long as the special war allowances are issued in Egypt. The reduced allowances together with these war allowances amount to more than the full Colonial allowance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the case of Sapper Benson, Royal Engineers, whose record shows that he joined the Colours in October, 1914, was in the battle of Neuve Chapelle, where he was gassed and shot through the groin and leg, and, after recovery in England, returned to the front and took part in the battles of Ypres, Hill 60, Soissons, Messines, and Loos; whether he is aware that Benson, during an assault by the Germans on the British trenches, succeeded without aid in rescuing eight wounded men and a wounded officer, and while carrying another wounded man was shot through both legs, blown into the air, and subsequently buried in debris from shell burst, and as a consequence losing his sight and the use of his limbs; whether he is aware that a record of his conduct was read out in brigade orders at three parades and recommended by the general; whether he is aware that Sapper Benson is now at home again, blind and partially paralysed, that he is thirty-eight years of age and has a wife and three children, that he is totally incapable of any employment, his injuries being pronounced as permanent by the Army medical officers, and that so far he has not received any recognition of his action nor has he received any pension, his sole means of subsistence for himself and his family being an allowance from the local relief committee of 25s. weekly; and whether, having regard to Sapper Benson's conduct while at the front, any recognition that may be due shall be awarded him and, having regard to the fact of the present hardship this soldier is enduring, an allocation of full pension and other allowances to which he may be entitled will be promptly made?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will he informed as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the practice in regard to disablement pensions, their amount, and to whom they are paid, in respect of soldiers with dependants, when such soldiers have been discharged to asylums?

Soldiers who lose their reason through service are entitled to the same pensions as other soldiers who are totally disabled. The cost of their maintenance is the first charge against their pensions, but any balance is paid to the man's family or dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether separation allowance has been withdrawn from the wife of Private M'Kean, No. 490, Leinster Regiment, since the 29th May last; whether he is aware that her husband is most anxious that the separation allowance should now be given to her and his child, who are in a state of semi-starvation; and whether he will take any action in the matter?

Inquiry is being made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a pension will be granted to the wife of Private Neill, No. 10,407, 8th Royal Irish Fusiliers, whose husband served two and a half years in the Boer War and has also served in the present War; and whether he is aware that this woman and her five children are now destitute?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any pension will be allowed to Private Joseph Walsh, No. 2960, 2/4th Black Watch, Territorial, who served one year and 212 days in France, being passed medically fit by Dr. Ash at Falkirk; and whether he is aware that Private Walsh contracted tuberculosis in France and was discharged with a good character, and is now permanently unfit for work, his four children and himself being completely destitute?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether permission will be granted by the military authorities for local traders in provincial towns in Ireland to purchase new hay for the use of van and post horses, in order that their ordinary business may be carried on; and, in the event of permission being given, to whom should application be made for the necessary order?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am sending to my hon. Friend the information asked for in the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received the Report of Colonel Maurice Moore and Major Joseph Byrne, the military commissioners appointed by the General Commanding at York to investigate the frauds upon Reservists called to the Colours in the county of Durham in March, April, and May, 1916; and, if so, whether he is able to state the recommendations of Colonel Moore and Major Byrne, and the decision of the Army Council upon the facts reported?

No, Sir. So far as I am aware Colonel Maurice Moore and Major Joseph Byrne were not appointed as commissioners to investigate any charges at Sunderland. The first Court of Inquiry having failed to elicit satisfactory information, a second Court of Inquiry has been found necessary, and this is at present sitting under the presidency of a general officer and is investigating on oath the allegations of fraud. Until their Report has been received and considered by the Army Council no decision can be arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the probihition of the purchase of cocaine extends to unqualified dental surgeons now in practice; and, if so, how soon do the Home Office contemplate changing their rule in this respect?

Yes, Sir; for the reasons which I explained to the House last Monday, I have not seen my way to include unregistered dentists among the classes of persons authorised by the Regulation to purchase cocaine. I have taken steps, however, to make available for the use of unregistered dentists a sufficient supply of novocaine, which is an efficient substitute for cocaine, and is used by many dentists, and as this supply is not immediately available for use in the form in which it is usually required by dentists, I have granted a temporary permit which will allow unregistered dentists to con- tinue the use of cocaine in the interval. A full statement on the subject, issuel last week, appeared in the Press on Friday morning.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that since November, 1914, repeated representations have been made both to the Local Government Board and to the military authorities by the local sanitary authorities and the East Biding County Council as to the nuisance caused by the sewage from the military camp at Rowlston, in the East Hiding of Yorkshire; that an assurance was given to the Local Government Board by the Army Council in March, 1916, that steps would be taken to remove any further cause for complaint; that, notwithstanding this, serious cause for complaint does exist; that there is still a nuisance which is a menace to the health of the inhabitants of the district; that one end of the field in which the camp is situated adjoins the seashore, and that engineers who have inspected the site have advised that the sewage could, without serious expense, be discharged into the sea; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware of these representations, and am in communication with the War Office with regard to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what period of grace has been arranged for notices required to be lodged before 1st August, 1916, under Section 2 of the Output of Beer (Restriction) Act, which only received the Royal Assent on 3rd August?

I understand from the Commissioners of Customs and Excise that a large number of notices under this Section have already been lodged. In view, however, of the fact that the measure did not receive the Royal Assent until after the date specified in the Section, I have arranged with the Commissioners that any outstanding notices may be lodged up to 15th August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to make any statement as to the coalowners' associations seeking permission from the Board of Trade to raise the standard limitation price of coal?

The only application at present before the Board of Trade for an increase of the standard amount under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, is in respect of the collieries in the Forest of Dean district, and the Board are awaiting further information in regard thereto.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will state the names of the nine enemy firms for which, owing to one of the War Departments having notified that the businesses were meeting some of its requirements, no recommendation has yet been made for their winding-up; and (2) if he will state the names of the thirty-seven enemy firms, for which for special reasons no order for winding-up has yet been recommended, which are referred to in the summary of cases dealt with by the Advisory Committee up to the 2nd June, 1916?

I am not at present prepared to publish the names of the firms referred to in respect of whose businesses no order for winding up has been made, but I shall be pleased to show the hon. Member a list of those firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government has taken control of the leather trade or to what extent have they done so; is he aware that the price of this commodity has gone up enormously; and, in view of the hardships which such prices inflict upon small traders and shoemakers, etc., will something be done in order to enable such people to acquire, at something approaching reasonable prices, stocks of leather which will enable them to pull through in such trying times?

The necessities of the British and Allied Armics have rendered it imperative that the Government should take steps to acquire so much of the available leather as is of suitable quality and weight. There are, however, considerable quantities of the lighter descriptions of leather which are unsuitable for military requirements and are, therefore, available for civilian purposes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to prepare a translation into English of the latest French Yellow Book upon the inhuman conduct of the German authorities in evacuating the occupied territory of France of its native inhabitants?

A translation is now being prepared.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how much money was spent on the preparation, printing, and publication, and generally in the compilation of the Reports and Records issued by the Historical Manuscripts Commission in 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916?

The expenditure of the Historical Manuscripts Commission (including printing and publication) in the five financial years ending 31st March, 1916, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Estates Commissioners have received several petitions, influentially signed by several Members of Parliament, clergymen, and representative men of different counties, praying that they may grant to Lawrence Hughes, at present residing in Drumlish, county Longford, an equivalent holding in any part of Ireland to the holding he was evicted from in county Cavan, Derrycassan townland; whether he is aware that this man is in distress, having been evicted from a holding which cost him £800; will he now say what steps the Commissioners propose to take to indemnify this evicted tenant; whether he is aware that this man has been a pioneer in the growth of foodstuffs for over twenty years, an exhibitor and a winner of farm produce at Irish and English shows, and has been thanked by the Department of Agriculture on 3rd November, 1906, for the crop and manner of treatment he turned out that year, and by the Board of Ariculture and Fisheries on 31st October, 1913, for the interest he manifested in turning out of the land what it was capable of yielding at Kempshot, Basingstoke; and whether, in the public interest, this man will be given a farm?

The Estates Commissioners have received a number of communications in reference to the application of Lawrence Hughes. The Commissioners have no information as to the present condition of this man or of the other particulars quoted in the question, but they inquired very fully into his application and in the exercise of the discretion vested in them they have decided not to allot him any land, and he has been go informed on several occasions.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Report of the Joint Select Committee on the Larceny Bill that the Bill should be amended on various points with a view to removing certain existing anomalies and inequalities; and whether, under these circumstances, the Government are prepared to move or assent to a Motion that the Bill be sent back to the Select Committee with an instruction to introduce amendments mitigating the existing penalties, with a view to bringing this portion of the criminal law into harmony with the more humane sentiment of the present time?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Amendments recommended by the Joint Committee for the purpose of removing anomalies were, on the Motion of the Lord Chancellor, incorporated in the Bill in the House of Lords. It is, therefore, unnecessary to refer the Bill back to the Committee.