asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether men who are enrolled in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anti-Aircraft Corps, and have been trained in the use of anti-aircraft guns and searchlights for a considerable period, are now receiving conscript forms calling them up for military service; (2) whether, assuming the military authorities have the right to call them up, an opportunity will be given to the so-called half-time married men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anti-Aircraft Corps to volunteer for full-time duty and so place themselves on an equal footing with other members of the corps; and (3) in view of the fact that numbers of men from the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anti-Aircraft Corps who went to attest were refused permission to do so at different recruiting offices, being told that they were already in His Majesty's Services and that it was unnecessary to attest, and in view of the fact that all the men of this corps voluntarily signed on for the duration of the War and are subject to the Naval Discipline Act, whether instructions will be issued that these men are not to be discharged from His Majesty's Navy for the purpose of making them conscripts?

So far as I am aware, no members of the Anti-Aircraft Corps who desired to attest were refused permission to do so. If they were, the refusal was not in accordance with our desire or advice. If vacancies occur, half-timers in the corps, if recommended, will be given an opportunity to volunteer for full-time duty in the corps. I should add to that statement that there are no vacancies at present. As regards half-timers, as I have already indicated, so far as we are concerned every opportunity has been given to them to attest; if they have not done so they are now liable to be called up under the Military Service Act. When so called up they have the right to express preference for service in the Navy, and if the Admiralty desires to avail itself of their services they will be transferred to naval service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that applications to join the Navy have been repeatedly made by Russian Jews, and as recently as 29th July a Russian Jew was refused at Hammersmith as being an alien; and whether Russian Jews recently refused at Stratford and Hammersmith will now be allowed to join the Navy instead of being deported?

Only men and boys who are the sons of British-born subjects are now accepted for entry in any branch of the Naval Service.

May I inquire how it is that in these questions there is the underlying assumption that our gallant Allies are unjust and oppressive to their subjects?

I do not read that into this question: it is a simple question.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why the Government refused to allow transports proceeding empty to Egypt to take out from this country iron bands so essential for baling Egyptian cotton and so useful for baling hay for Army horses; and whether, in coming to this decision, the resulting loss to Egypt, the cotton trade of this country, and the military authorities was considered?

I am afraid my hon. and gallant "Friend has been misinformed. In the first place, no transports are proceeding empty from this country to Egypt, and, in the second, the Admiralty, when approached, offered to assist in shipment of these bands if the suppliers found it impossible to secure freight. Nothing further was heard of the matter.

Would the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the Commissioner?

I have not gone very fully into the matter, but I shall be very glad to have any information the hon. Gentleman has in his possession.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will have the case of Temporary Lieutenant C. A. Schurr, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who died recently of enteric, inquired into; whether his widow is entitled to a pension; if not, whether a gratuity can be granted to her, and of what amount?

The case of the late Temporary Lieutenant C. A. Schurr, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, is at present under consideration, it being necessary to decide to what extent, if any, his death was attributable to the Service. A decision on this point will be reached in a day or two, and the widow will then be informed as to the amount of the award (whether pension or gratuity) for which she may be eligible. She will not, in any case, receive less than a gratuity of one year's pay of her husband's rank.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why a steamship when on a voyage to Alexandria was diverted from her course to land an officer and four or five cases of goods at Malta at a cost to the public of at least £1,000 for coal consumed and time wasted; and will he state why the officer and goods could not have been conveyed by one of the boats which call regularly at that island?

I am calling for a report on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that copra can be used with better advantage than palm kernels for the manufacture of margarine and cattle food; whether he is aware that Germany can obtain ample supplies of copra outside the British Empire; and what steps he proposes to take to achieve, the object of an Export Duty on palm kernels from West Africa?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is impossible to make any exact statement on the second part of the question. The object of the Export Duty in question is to secure that the palm kernels from West Africa, which were ground mainly in Germany before the War, and which are now being ground here, shall continue to be ground in this country after peace is declared, and I have every reason to believe that this result will be attained.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House upon whose authority he has answered that the first part of the question is in the negative?

I am afraid I cannot answer that in the absence of my right hon. Friend. I am only answering on behalf of the Colonial Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the premises of the London Irish Club, the Union of the Four Provinces, have been seized; and, if so, whether he can inform the House of the circumstances that have led to this step?

I understand from the inquiry which I have caused to be made that the premises in question have been taken possession of. I understand that they were wanted for the use of the Ministry of Munitions. No doubt my hon. Friend will, if he requires any further information, address a question to my right hon. Friend the present Minister of Munitions.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the average price paid per ton for hay in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, respectively, last year; and is it the intention of the War Office to allow the same price for hay in Ireland during the coming autumn and winter as that paid in Great Britain?

The Irish price for hay during the ensuing year will be, approximately, 5s. per ton less than that paid in Great Britain. Last year's prices were on the same basis, but sufficient time has not been given to collect the figures and arrive at the averages for the different countries.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of people who sell hay to the military are waiting for their money?

There is a question bearing on that point.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of all the facts connected with the punishment of Driver Graham, namely, that it was his first offences; that every practical motor driver knows that it is at times practically impossible to keep the speed of the motor down to six miles an hour; and that the punishment inflicted was that of the severest nature; will he restore to Mrs. Graham the money of which she has been deprived; and whether, if he is unable to do this and the money is raised by public subscription, any further punishment of Driver Graham will follow?

If my hon. Friend will look at the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Burnley he will see that all that he asks for in this question is covered by the undertaking I gave on behalf of my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Major Sir Francis Vane received a written order from the Viceroy appointing him major on the recruiting staff in Ireland on 31st March, 1916; that on the outbreak of the rebellion Sir Francis Vane volunteered to help in its suppression, and was appointed by garrison order of 24th April a major attached to the 3rd Royal Irish Rifles; that on the 8th May he was recommended by the brigadier commanding the 178th Brigade for his distinguished conduct at the attack on the South Dublin Union, 27th April, as a major commanding the attacking force; that Sir Francis Vane reported in person to Lord Kitchener, as a major, the murders of Messrs. Skeffington, Dickson, and M'Intyre, and was thanked for so doing; that he was ordered to return to England by Sir John Maxwell to report as a major at headquarters, London; and whether he authorised the communication to this officer from the Army Council that, in view of the Report of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland (Sir J. Maxwell), he would be relegated to unemployment and would relinquish the temporary rank of captain from the date of the communication?

On the third and fourth parts of this question I have nothing to add to what has been stated in the previous replies which have been given. As regards the first point, I am aware that Sir Francis Vane was appointed to perform recruiting duties, but I have no knowledge of any written order from the Viceroy. What is stated in the second part of the question is, no doubt, correct. It would be a local arrangement, details of which would not be reported to the War Office. As regards the fifth part of the question, it has not, I think, ever been suggested that Sir Francis Vane was disobeying orders when he came to London and gave information on what had happened. When it was reported from Ireland that the services of Sir Francis Vane were no longer required for recruiting duties he automatically ceased to be employed, and his temporary commission was automatically terminated.

What has Sir Francis Vane done to incur the censure of the Government, beyond reporting to Lord Kitchener the fact of three murders being committed in Ireland? And is it because of that you would not even allow him to retain his temporary rank of captain?

No, Sir, so far as I am aware that has nothing to do with it.

How did you get at it, then?

How did you discover this gentleman until he came over specially and reported these three abominable murders?

The hon. and learned Gentleman is probably not aware of an answer that I previously gave to this question. If he will refer to it he will see that Sir Francis Vane ceased to be employed in a military capacity in June, 1915.

How is it you took his services and allowed him to risk his life during the rebellion?

That was a matter for the Viceroy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will have an inquiry made into the treatment of E. J. Cornwell and J. J. Cornwell, of 54, Spencer Street, Norwich, conscientious objectors, who were arrested on 2nd June, handed over to the military on 3rd June, sent to Falmer Camp on 5th June, attached to the 9th Royal West Surrey Regiment, and on 12th June sentenced to twenty-eight days' detention and sent to Lewes Gaol and, on this being found to be illegal, were brought back to Shoreham Camp, were sentenced by court-martial to twelve months' hard labour, commuted to 112 days on 30th June, and seven days later the Norwich Tribunal decided their cases and granted them exemption from combatant service; as these men were illegally arrested while their cases were undecided by the tribunal, what action he proposes to take against the military officials responsible for this illegality; and will he order the immediate release of these two men and the cancellation of their military sentences and give them adequate compensation for the treatment they have received?

Inquiries are being made into the circumstances in which these men were arrested. At present I am informed that their cases are before the Central Tribunal, in accordance with the arrangement outlined by the Prime Minister in his statement of the 29th June.

May I ask if any action has been taken in regard to the illegal conduct of the military in arresting these men?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked why eight conscientious objectors named Wheeldon, Groome, Carrier, Clarke, Rogers, Hollingsworth, Sims, and Cook, who were sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour for refusing to obey military orders, and transferred to the civil prison at Derby, and their sentences reduced to fifty-six days, this sentence having expired on 26th July, were sent back to the Army and placed straight into the guardroom at Seaburn hutments, Roker, though they had committed no further military offence; and why these men were not treated under the new scheme end given the offer of work under the Home Office scheme?

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that arrangements have now been completed whereby all conscientious objectors whose cases have not been reached by the Central Tribunal during the currency of their sentences are sent on furlough with permission to wear plain clothes. They are required to furnish their addresses and they will receive a communication in due course from the Central Tribunal in regard to the presentation of their case. Men in detention are being sent direct on furlough from the detention barracks, but it is not possible to make these arrangements in regard to civil prisons (owing to there being no military authorities there competent to carry out the furlough) and in consequence such men are being sent back to their unit for the sole purpose of their furlough being arranged and carried out. Inquiry will be made as to why these men were placed in the guardroom and they will be sent on furlough forthwith, if such procedure has not already been carried out. The hon. Member will doubtless realise that owing to the fact that these men were in a civil prison a certain amount of interdepartmental delay is bound to arise.

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that in regard to men who have been undergoing sentences of detention steps were taken on the 29th July last to give effect to this procedure, and all conscientious objectors who have been released from detention are now on furlough with permission to wear plain clothes awaiting the review of their cases at the hands of the Central Tribunal. Instructions have been given that their furlough should be made out as from the "date on which furlough was given "until" they receive a notification from the War Office to rejoin "Such notification will not be sent unless their cases are rejected by the Central Tribunal, and if the tribunal upholds their appeal they will be forthwith transferred to Section W of the Army Reserve, under the conditions announced in the Prime Minister's statement of the 29th June. With regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, these cases have not been treated under the new scheme for the reason that the Central Tribunal have not yet reached their cases.

I am very much obliged to the hon. Gentleman, but may I ask him if he will make further inquiry into these particular cases to see why seven out the eight have been treated as stated in the answer, but the eighth man, Sims, has not been so treated? Can the hon. Gentleman inquire why this discrimination has been made?

Yes, Sir; I will make inquiries.

asked the Home Secretary whether conscientious objectors will be called upon to sign any documents before undertaking work under the direction of the Home Office Committee; if so, what safeguards are to be set up that the terms of such agreements are adhered to; and whether the Government will give an undertaking that conscientious objectors shall not be required to sign conditions that might be formulated later?

The persons referred to will be invited to sign a paper showing that they understand and accept the conditions on which they are released for employment on work of national importance under the civil authority. These conditions will, however, apply whether they sign the paper or not. If they fail to observe the conditions, they will return to prison if still under sentence, or, if not under sentence, they will be recalled to military service. So long as they observe the conditions they will be entirely free from military control.

asked the Home Secretary if the Home Office scheme for dealing with conscientious objectors referred to them by the Central Tribunal is now complete; if so, will he give particulars of the scheme; can he state how many cases have been received from the Central Tribunal; and if the men who have expressed their willingness to accept work under this scheme are now actually employed under it?

Arrangements have now been completed by the Committee for the employment of some hundreds of men on the upkeep and repair of important public roads under the Road Board. The number of cases received from the Central Tribunal up to this morning is 110. Of these, fifty will be discharged on Monday next and sent to their place of employment, and it is hoped to discharge the remainder a day or two later.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration in formulating this scheme that some of these men might be very much better employed in the national interest in following the trades in which they are skilled?

The Committee which is dealing with the matter are taking all these considerations into account.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that five theological students in immediate preparation for the ministry at Carmarthen College, who had been refused exemption at Carmarthen, were given leave to appeal to the Central Tribunal on the ground that they came under Army Regulation 462, but that the Central Tribunal refused the appeal as the question whether the Regulation applied to these men was not a matter within their jurisdiction; whether the Regulation means anything and, if so, what; and whether, until some consistent and final interpretation of the words, immediate preparation for the ministry is given by some competent authority, he will undertake that theological students shall not be called up who are actually preparing for the ministry without any intention of taking intermediate employment before entering it?

In reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question I would remind him that the duty of the tribunals constituted under the Military Service Acts of 1916 is to consider applications for exemption from military service on certain grounds set out in these Acts, while instructions issued by the Army Council to its own officers deal amongst other matters with administrative questions concerned with calling men to the Colours and are not addressed to tribunals. Army Council Instruction 462 was cancelled by a later Instruction of 30th May, which instructs recruiting officers not to call up men liable; for service who fall into certain? categories without special instructions from the War Office. Such an instruction does not affect the right of the men concerned to apply to tribunals.

In reply to the second part of the hon. Member's question, the definition of immediate preparation is a matter for the Army Council to decide. In doubtful cases the responsible authorities of each religious body have been consulted by the Army Council. For example: the Archbishop of Canterbury has informed the Army Council that as a general principle he does not desire any delay in the case of Church of England students at present studying, and the Wesleyan Methodists adopted a similar attitude some time ago. The question of more definite interpretation in relation to other denominations is now under consideration by the Army Council. Pending the completion of this reconsideration the Army Council does not at present propose to call up such students if certified by the head of a theological college to have commenced their studies for the ministry before 4th August, 1914.

As one of these students has already been called up will the hon. Gentleman see that his calling-up is cancelled if I give him the name?

I will make inquiries first.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to consider applications to release from Army service men passed for Home service only who are engaged by the military authorities in inferior clerical and similar duties, which can be performed by other persons, including women, provided such men would appear to be of more national value in their civil occupation, that acceptable substitutes be supplied, and the persons released make themselves efficient members of the Volunteer Defence Corps, or submit to other reasonable conditions of release?

A scheme of substitution on the lines indicated in tae question is in force already in certain districts, where it has been tried experimentally; as experience is gained by the staffs in the commands, districts and areas, it is being extended to the whole country. In order to secure effective working, the whole scheme is being decentralised so far as possible.

When will the scheme be put into operation in the Eastern Command?

I could not say.

Will any general information be issued so that the public at large may be aware of it?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the annoyance caused to Irishmen who were sent to Great Britain by their trade unions since the outbreak of war; if he is aware that Irishmen temporarily resident are being served with Army Form W 3,236 calling them up under the Military Service Act; and if he will cause instructions to be issued making it clear that Irishmen temporarily resident in Great Britain do not come under the Military Service Act?

The question whether a person is ordinarily resident in Great Britain within the meaning of the Military Service Act can, if disputed, be settled only by a Civil Court. Prima facie a man who has been resident and employed in Great Britain for a substantial period would be considered as having become ordinarily resident, and in that case he would receive a calling-up notice under the Military Service Act if he were otherwise liable for service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Irish labourers are being invited to come over to this country and work on munitions, and, despite the fact that they are given an assurance that they will be exempt from military service, that only recently two of these men, brought over under these conditions, were fined for not having registered under the Act although ignorant of its existence, and next day received notices from the military authorities calling them up?

Is the hon. Gentleman also aware that certain railways have em- ployed these men and that other men in consequence are refusing to work and threatening to strike?

I am not aware of either case, but, on the facts, as stated by the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Snowden), I am very much surprised to hear that men ordinarily resident in Ireland, on coming over to this country under the pledge to which he has referred, can be held to be anything but temporarily resident here.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of putting an end to all these differences by applying the Military Service Act to Ireland?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Labour Exchanges and trade unions of Ireland put up posters in Ireland giving guarantees to the men that if they would come to this country they would not be interfered with; and is he also aware that those guarantees were given by members of the Government to the trade unions?

It seems to me that the whole difficulty turns on the question, whether the man is, or is not, ordinarily resident in this country. If there is any dispute, it can be settled on reference to the Civil Courts.

Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been drawn to the wholesale arrests in Scotland last week of Irishmen who have only come over since the outbreak of the War?

The hon. Gentleman must give notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as a large number of exemptions of agricultural labour for military service will expire soon after the coming harvest, he will define, for the guidance of the tribunals, the policy of the Government as to the necessity for maintaining for next year the highest possible output of Home-grown food supplies?

The policy of the Government in this matter remains the same as that which I stated in answer to a question in this House on the 11th of May last. The Government hold that the maintenance of the highest possible output of home-grown food supplies remains a national object of a most essential nature.

Does that apply to next year as well as to this year?

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can give an assurance that the river craft used for conveying troops up and down the River Tigris and the River Euphrates have proper appliances for securing that the drinking water shall be uncontaminated and not dangerous to health; and (2) whether he is now able to assure the House that sufficient supplies of drugs, medicines, bandages, and other medical appliances have reached the troops at Basra, and in the stations on the lines of the Tigris and the Euphrates?

My hon. Friend asks me for two assurances, but he will, I am sure, have taken into account that since the War Office assumed the additional responsibilities with which I dealt in the speech I made on the 20th July no sufficient time has elapsed for an appreciable change to have been effected in the situation as a direct result of the change of responsibility. Subject to its being understood that the Army Council do not claim that all has yet been done which should be done and will be done, I may inform him that, on all new boats ordered in the United Kingdom, arrangements for securing adequate proper drinking water have been made. Filtration barges are being sent, and supply tanks on various points in the river will be provided. As regards the vessels already on the spot, I am informed that an installation for sterilising water, recommended by the Director of Medical Services and the late Sir Victor Horsley, has already been provided on many ships and will be fitted to the remainder. Two tanks holding 40 gallons for cooling purposes have also been added on each vessel. A large number of hospital river steamers and barges have also been ordered. As regards drugs, medicines, bandages and other medical appliances, all demands have been supplied and, as the General Officer Commanding has repeatedly been told to ask for all he wants, I am satisfied that sufficient supplies are now available on the spot.

Does that sufficiency of supplies include tea, because there have been complaints that tea was not supplied?

I have no special information upon that point, but I will look into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether anything further has been heard of the crew of the steamship "Coquet" in the hands of the Bedouin Arabs; whether it is possible for the relations of these men to send anything to them in the shape of clothing, food, etc; whether there is any probability of their release before the end of the War; and whether any steps can be taken to ensure their receiving proper treatment?

We have just heard that the members of the crew of the steamship "Coquet" have been handed over to us. They were expected to arrive at Bengasi on the 6th August.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the new corps of training reserve, separate training reserve battalions will be formed specially to supply drafts only to Lowland and Highland Scottish regiments; and whether lie can give an assurance that all Scottish Infantry recruits will have the right of claiming to be> allocated to Scottish regiments?

Separate training reserve battalions will be provided for the Scottish command, and it is hoped by this means to ensure all Scottish recruits going to Scottish regiments. No definite pledge can be made, howeverߞas it must depend on military experienceߞbut the hon. Member may rest assured that every endeavour will be made to adhere to the above principle.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether 27,000 men are to be spared for harvest work in various parts of the country; whether he is aware that only forty-eight are allotted to the county of Wiltshire; and whether, in view of the need for harvest labour there and the importance of this county from an agricultural point of view, he will see that a more adequate allotment is made?

The 27,000 men to be made available for harvest work throughout the country will be distributed to the best advantage, and on this point the Army Council will be guided by the advice of the Board of Agriculture. I think my hon. Friend was premature in concluding that the county of Wiltshire, well known to be an important agricultural county, had received a final allotment of forty-eight men.

Can the hon. Gentleman say on what terms these men will be employed? Will they be paid the ordinary soldier's pay, and will any charge be made to the employers?

Speaking generally, where the; men are employed as civilians they are treated as civilians in regard to their pay. Where they are employed in working parties under military command as soldiers, they receive the emoluments of soldiers.

Is no charge made to the farmers for their services?

The farmer has to pay the wages

May I make my question a little clearer? Where these men are employed on agricultural work as soldiers and receive soldier's pay, is the farmer expected to pay anybody anything in addition to the soldier's pay?

Naturally we cannot allow the employers to make a profit out of the employment of soldiers.

Does the War Office make a profit out of the employment of soldiers? Does not the soldier, if employed as an agricultural labourer, get the ordinary agricultural labourer's wages in the district?

He gets more.

He never gets less?

The best thing I can do is to send the hon. Member the Army Order under which these arrangements are made.

In cases where men are employed in working parties under military command, to whom is the difference between ordinary agricultural labourer's pay and soldier's pay given?

I am not sure that the situation arises in connection with agricultural employment. It has arisen in connection with the shipment of munitions and things of that kind. The hon. Member will realise that we cannot allow contractors to make a profit out of the employment of soldiers, and, therefore, either in the terms of their contract or in other ways we expect them to pay to the State the full amount of the civil wages.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the difficulty of carrying on many of the private hospitals for wounded soldiers owing to the inability of those providing them to obtain the necessary supplies of petrol?

The attention of the War Office has been called to a few instances where inability to obtain necessary supplies of petrol have been alleged, and the hospitals concerned have been informed how to obtain their requirements. The proper course is for hospitals to bring their difficulties in this matter to the notice of the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the Commands. It would save time if hospitals would communicate direct with the commands with whom the decision rests.

asked whether an officer who is an inmate of a military hospital is on sick leave; and whether in the case of an officer who has been granted sick leave for three months with pay the sick leave dates from the time when he was admitted to hospital or the time when he was discharged from the hospital?

The date from which an officer's sick leave begins is the date on which the medical board is held if it was held before the officer embarked for the United Kingdom from abroad; if the board was not held before the date of embarkation the officer's sick leave runs from the date of embarkation. The board is, where possible, held while the officer is in hospital overseas. If this is not possible it is held as soon as possible after arrival in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the £163,000 transferred from the late Board of Control of Regimental Institutes to the Army Canteen Committee was derived largely from profits on purchases by men now at the front, and as units at the front have no source of income for their regimental funds, he will consider making a grant from this £163,000 to units at the front for the local purchase of fresh vegetables and other objects for the benefit of the men?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Belfast on 2nd August. My hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that no units at the front have any source of income for regimental funds, and it is not at present considered advisable to make a Grant of the kind which he suggests. Fresh vegetables are, whenever procurable, provided as a part of the Service ration.

If it is not possible to buy fresh vegetables locally, could the regiments not have the money to purchase supplementary rations?

I think that is very desirable.

In whose possession is the £163,000?

It has accumulated under the management of the Board of Control of Regimental Institutes, but now the management of the canteen business has been transferred to the Army Canteen Committee. The £163,000 is in course of being transferredߞI cannot say whether it has actually been transferredߞto the Army Canteen Committee.

Do they get any allowance?

Speaking from memory, I think they get a rebate on the amount of purchases of mess supplies carried out is the canteens.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of spending this money on temperance huts?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that out of 1,369 military contracts only 24 were placed in Ireland, or a percentage of 1.27; whether he can explain this disparity of custom; and whether the delay in establishing a properly equipped examining and receiving depot in Dublin is a reason why Irish manufacturers are unable to tender upon equal terms with British competitors for Army supplies for troops stationed in Ireland and elsewhere?

The figures given in the first part of the question are approximately correct as regards contracts placed direct by the War Office, except that the percentage appears to work out at about 1.75 instead of 1.27. My Noble Friend and I recently received a deputation with regard to the establishment of a receiving depot at Dublin, and at their request an officer was sent to inquire into the matter. His Report has now been received and is under consideration.

Will the hon. Gentleman also consider the advisability of establishing another depot in Belfast to supply a much larger number of soldiers?

I will consider it.

Is there any chance of a greater proportion of the custom being given to Ireland?

It is slightly more than the proportion which my hon. Friend thought.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the three Commissioners who have inquired into matters of medical supplies and transport in the campaign in Mesopotamia will be laid upon the Table before the House rises this month?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me on the 17th July to a supplementary question put by the hon. Member for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities.

Are we to understand that this Commission is not to report, and that the appointment of a new Commission is only to result in the suppression of the Report which we were led to expect?

No, Sir. It the hon. Member will refer to the reply to which I alluded he will see that the Secretary of State said that he was doing all he could to expedite the Report.

Has the hon. Gentleman not yet heard from the authorities in India whether they are prepared to send home that Report or not in order that it may be published?

He has not got anything further to say than what was contained in his answer.

It is being concealed.

How long are we to go on without having any explanation of the delay?

The explanation given on the 17th of July was that it was necessary to give the Government of India an opportunity of considering the Report.

Does he not see that that is three weeks ago and we want to know what has been done meanwhile?

Is the hon. Member aware that I asked that a telegram should be sent to India, and has no reply been received?

I cannot say

It is subterfuge all through.

How long would it take to expedite this Report?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received information, and, if so, what, in response to his inquiry in April last as to the provision of electric fans for cooling the hospital and barracks at Lahore?

The installation of electric fans in the hospital for British troops at Lahore has been sanctioned and I believe completed. The question of providing electric fans for barracks at Lahore and other cantonments where similar climatic conditions prevail is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in estimating the wages of their workpeople for the purpose of Income Tax certain employers are including the 2s. 6d. daily extra allowance paid to workers in respect of lodging and expenses when employed a few days in the week in some place other than their homes; whether it is proper to regard such special allowance as wages and to include it in the returns for Income Tax; and, if not, will he take steps to inform employers and workpeople accordingly?

Outworking and lodging allowancesߞpaid solely by way of subsistence allowances to workpeople temporarily employed away from homeߞare not regarded as earnings chargeable with Income Tax. The Surveyors of Taxes proceed upon this principle, and if and when the question arises employers and workpeople are so informed.

asked whether, in view of the fact that stockbrokers often advise their clients to invest considerable amounts in the aggregate in War Savings Certificates, he will reconsider his decision not to allow them the same commission as is granted to bankers in respect of such Certificates?

I regret to be unable to modify the decision stated to the House in my answer to the hon. Member's question on the 2nd August.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that stockbrokers have been doing very badly, and that there is really no reason why they should not have the same proportion of the commission as bankers; and will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to state his reasons?

That does not arise.

Is it out of order for me to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will indicate the grounds on which he differentiates between the two cases?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the hon. Member himself on the 2nd of August, he will see the reasons given in full.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman mistaken in making that differentiation, and is it not a fact that the stockbrokers bring in in the aggregate a great many of these Certificates?

The reason is given. It may be a bad one, but it is given.

It is a bad one.

asked whether the restrictions on the sale of sugar operate in Ireland in the same manner and to the same extent as in Great Britain; and, if not, whether he will consider the propriety of rendering the restrictions necessitated by the War uniform in all parts of the United Kingdom?

The answer to the; first part of the question is in the affirmative. The second does not, therefore, arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable complaint amongst retailers in Ireland that speculators are allowed to accumulate stocks of sugar, and this prevents the retailers getting them at the normal price? Who looks after the supply of sugar in Ireland?

The Commission here do. If the hon. and learned Member will give me the circumstances of the case he has mentioned, I will see that the matter is inquired into at once.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now perused the one or more affidavits of Charles Sarno produced in the High Court of Justice at the hearing of the applications made for a writ of habeas corpus; whether Charles Sarno deposed on oath that he was willing to enter the British Army; and what action he proposes to take?

I have obtained a copy of the affidavit made by Sarno on the 18th July for the purpose of his first application to the High Court, in which he stated that he was willing to join the British Army. He had previously, however, volunteered the information to the police, on 16th June, that he did not propose to join the British or any other Army. In any case, I would repeat that the decision to deport this man had nothing to do with any question of military service. I may add that his removal from this country, which will be effected as soon as the arrangements can be completed, will comply with his latest wishes as expressed in a petition dated 31st July, namely, that he may be sent to Russia as soon as possible in order to aid his country against her enemies.

asked the Home Secretary (1) why Mrs. Sheehy Skeffington was not allowed to fetch away the body of her murdered husband, which lay on the floor of an outhouse in the Portobello Barracks all day long on 26th April; why was a similar request allowed in the case of another of Captain Colthurst's victims; why was the body hurriedly buried and the widow never officially notified; and what was the first date on which any officer, except Major Sir Francis Vane, reported that Captain Colthurst was insane or suspected of insanity; and (2) whether before Mr. Sheehy Skeffington was murdered on 26th April he requested that he might have a trial; why was that request not complied with; whether he is aware that Mr. Sheehy Skeffington requested that he might be allowed to see his wife before he died; and why was this request refused, seeing that the relatives of men condemned by courts-martial were allowed to see the convicts before execution?

I venture again to suggest to the hon. Member that many, if not most, of the points raised in this question and the next, which I will answer at the same time, are sub judice, and it would therefore be improper for me to express any opinion at this stage. It has been, as the hon. Member is well aware, freely admitted that there was much that was regrettable in connection with this episode of the rebellion, but I suggest that, now that an inquiry has been granted, nothing is to be gained by action or by words which might tend to create prejudice either one way or the other.

Why was Sir Francis Vane dismissed? Was it because he belonged to the National Liberal Club?

Will this inquiry also include the cases of the other people who were shot by Captain Colthurst and by those acting under his instructions?

The Prime Minister tells me that will be so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that all sections of Nationalists in Ireland view with a certain amount of alarm the retention of General Sir John Maxwell as head of the military command there; will he say if General Sir Bryan Mahon has been recalled from Egypt; and, if so, will steps be taken to have him put in command of the forces in Ireland and thus, even to a small extent, help to allay that feeling of unrest which exists in Ireland?

With regard to the first part of the question, I am not aware that the facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The answer to the second part of the question is that Sir Bryan Mahon is home on sick leave from Egypt. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary if he can say whether the wounded Irish prisoners transferred from Dublin hospitals to English prisons have yet been before the Advisory Committee, and what are their recommendations; and if he can give the names of those to be released?

I have not complete information as to all the prisoners who may at some time have been in hospital; but on 8th July I received a list of seventeen then in hospital in Dublin. Of these, five are unfit for removal, and the orders for their internment have been revoked. Of the remaining twelve, nine have been released, and three remain interned on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. It would be contrary to practice to give lists of names in answer to questions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state who was responsible for the shooting of Constable Frith in Dublin during the rising; and if compensation is to be paid to his dependants?

Constable Frith was shot through the window of his bedroom, at Store Street Barracks, on the 27th April last, and there is nothing to indicate by whom he was shot. The question of a gratuity to his dependants is receiving consideration.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman be able to make a statement as to compensation or gratuity, as he calls it, before we proceed with the Bill giving compensation to property owners?

The matter to which my right hon. and learned Friend refers is under the consideration of the Government, and I hope that the Prime Minister, or some other member of the Cabinet, will be in a position, at an early date, to state the conclusion at which the Government have arrived. He will see that many considerations are involved as regards persons which do not arise in regard to property, and those considerations have to receive attention.

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend think that compensation to the individual or his relatives is just as important as compensation to property owners?

I am sure my right hon. and learned Friend will find that the point of view he is representing now will receive the sympathetic consideration of His Majesty's Government.

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman says that this man was shot through the window of the barracks, has he seen the letter of the man's brother giving the name, rank, and regiment of the soldier who shot him?

I have been informed that such a letter was published, but I have not had myself an opportunity of investigating this matter. I hope to have an opportunity at an early date; and if the facts are as suggested by my hon. and learned Friend that will, of course, differentiate the case and entitle the survivors to consideration different from that involved in the decision which has been arrived at.

Are there different considerations if a man is shot by a soldier or a rebel?

I do not intend to convey any suggestion of the kind my right hon. and learned Friend indicates in his question; but the circumstances in which a man is shot, and matters of that kind, must be known before 'you can come to a decision as to whether compensation is proper and as to the degree of compensation.

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman has admitted liability to compensation in this case, will the victims of the North King Street shooting also receive compensation?

I think I ought to have notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary if the Advisory Committee can see their way soon to liberate Mr. John Byrne, lately of Gorey, county Wexford, and now detained in Frongoch Camp?

John Byrne, of Gorey, county Wexford, was released on the 1st August on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say why Michael William O'Reilly, now at Reading-, was sentenced to 160 hours' solitary confinement on bread and water whilst at Frongoch Camp; if there were any labour troubles at the camp at this time; if O'Reilly was made aware of any complaint against him; if he had any opportunity to defend himself before being sentenced; and if he will state the recommendations of the Advisory Committee in this case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 27th July to the hon. Member for North West-meath, which contains full particulars of this case. The Advisory Committee have recommended that O'Reilly should remain interned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this man was punished; is he aware that there was labour trouble going on at that camp, that the men were getting 1½d. an hour to do some construction work in the camp, and that in the interests of trade unionism they thought it was not fair upon them to do the work?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer to which I refer him he will find that it gives a full statement of the circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what is the charge on which Mr. James Hannigan, of Mitchelstown, county Cork, is being detained at Frongoch; if the Advisory Committee was divided in its decision to keep him in gaol; will any public trial be afforded him; and (2) if the Advisory Committee was unanimous in recommending the detention of the 551 Irish prisoners detained without trial; has each of these prisoners been furnished with the decision concerning him and a statement of the grounds thereof, or will they be given any opportunity of rebutting the allegations leading to their continued imprisonment, or of lodging an appeal, or securing a rehearing of their cases?

The order for the detention of James Hannigan was made on the ground that he is of hostile association and a prominent member of an organisation called the Irish Volunteers, or of an organisation called the Citizen Army, which have promoted armed insurrection against His Majesty. The recommendations have been sent to me as from the Committee as a whole. It would be contrary to practice, and would be setting a bad precedent, to state what course individual members of the Committee have taken in their discussions of particular cases. I may say, however, that I have received no dissent from any member with respect to the recommendations. Every prisoner retained in internment is being informed of the decision affecting him. As the decision is merely the confirmation of the original order for his internment, and as each man received at the time a statement of the grounds for his internment, no further statement is necessary. As regards the last part of both questions, I have nothing to add to the answers I have repeatedly given in this House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the prisoners whose discharge has been recommended have now been released; and is there anybody now kept in detention except those whom the Advisory Committee, with the approval of the hon Member for Newry, recommended should be so kept?

think that is so. There may be one or two cases in which the recommendations have only just come in, but substantially they have all come in.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a list of those who are detained in internment?

I am proposing to supply a list of those detained in internment. Those who have been released have all gone home.

asked the Prime Minister at what time the Foreign Office first knew of the danger threatening Captain Fryatt at the hands of the Germans; and when they first consulted the Admiralty in the matter?

The first intimation received by the Foreign Office of the danger threatening Captain Fryatt was contained in a telegram from His Majesty's Consul-General at Rotterdam, dated 17th July, to the effect that the Dutch paper "Telegraaf," of the same date, stated that Captain Fryatt would be tried by court-martial at Ghent for ramming a German submarine. This telegram was communicated to the Admiralty immediately on its receipt, and the United States Ambassador was at once asked to ascertain by telegraph whether the report was correct. The various communications that have passed with the United States Embassy on the subject have been published in the Press, and show that till the report in the Dutch Press referred to above, the information received was that Captain Fryatt was safe and well, and gave no indication of any danger to him.

Are we to understand that the Foreign Office did consult with the Admiralty right the way through?

I am afraid that I cannot give any further information than that contained in the answer.

asked the Prime Minister if he has yet had an opportunity of consulting Viscount Haldane in regard to the publication of Papers relating to his visit to Berlin in February, 1912; and whether he is now in a position to arrange for the publication?

The answer is in the affirmative. My Noble Friend is anxious that these Papers should be published, but I am afraid there are valid objections to publishing Papers of this sort while the War is in progress. I must, however, repeat that Lord Haldane's visit to Berlin and all his proceedings in connection with it were undertaken at the request, and with the cognisance, of his colleagues.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he stated a short time ago in the House that if Lord Haldane was willing he would take steps to have the Papers published?

The public interest must come first.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with Lord Haldane to prevent him making any more indiscreet speeches?

Are we to understand that it is impossible to publish them now, but that it will be possible when the War is over?

Of course.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have now notified the representatives of the Allied Governments their decision to give full and complete effect to the policy set forward in the resolutions passed by the Economic Conference of the Allies held at Paris?

As the Conference was held at Paris, it was naturally to the French Government that the communication was made.

asked the Prime Minister whether before the holidays he will be in a position to make any statement on the policy of the Air Board?

(Representing the Air Board): My Noble Friend proposes, during the recess, to make a Report to the War Committee. Until that Report is in the hands of the Prime Minister, he will not be in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister under what conditions does Lord Wimborne resume duty as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; what will his powers be; and if they will be any advance on the powers which he previously exercised?

The powers exercised by successive Lords Lieutenant from time to time have depended less upon the terms of their appointment than on the arrangements made by the Minister responsible to Parliament for the administration of Ireland. Lord Wimborne pointed out in his evidence before the recent Royal Commission certain respects in which the usefulness of the Office of Lord Lieutenant had been restricted by absence of means of official information and of opportunities for consultation. The state of things described by Lord Wimborne is not constitutionally necessary, and the present Chief Secretary agrees with Lord Wimborne in thinking it is not to the public advantage. It will be modified so as to enable the office of Lord Lieutenant to be discharged with the greatest advantage to the country. At the same time the ultimate authority and responsibility in Irish administration must necessarily remain with the Minister who is answerable to Parliament.

Are we to understand that there are other functions besides that of "gracious hospitality"?

That is exactly what I have conveyed in my answer. The reason there was some delay in making this appointment was in order to make this arrangement.

Will General Sir John Maxwell be under the control of the Lord Lieutenant or the Lord Lieutenant under the control of General Sir John Maxwell?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the proposal that the Rhodes scholarships hitherto allotted to Germany should now be allotted to those parts of the British Empire to which at present no Rhodes scholarships are allotted; and whether he proposes to make any recommendation on the subject?

This matter is, I understand, being dealt with by a private Bill and I see no reason to make any recommendation with regard to it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the increasing importance of the question of the treatment of British prisoners in Germany and elsewhere, he will consider the advisability of appointing a Minister whose whole time shall be given to the consideration of this question, and who shall be empowered to represent in this House His Majesty's Government in dealing with it?

I entirely share my right hon. and learned Friend's view of the importance of this question, but, after consideration, I doubt if his suggestion is practicable. The Admiralty, War Office, Home Office, and Foreign Office are all necessarily concerned in the matter, and I do not think it would be possible to override their special authority in their respective spheres, while broad questions of general policy affecting prisoners must be and are decided by the Cabinet as a whole. The Government have, however, taken steps to secure such unity and co-ordination of control as is possible by the appointment of an interdepartmental Committee under the chairmanship of my Noble Friend Lord Newton.

Will the right hon. Gentleman appoint somebody especially to devote himself to answering questions for this Committee in this House? There is Lord Newton in the House of Lords.

Yes, Sir, I will arrange for that.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the Callan Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society, Limited, Callan, county Kilkenny, consigned twenty boxes of butter on Easter Saturday to Messrs. J. Leonard and Sons, Little Green Street, Dublin, invoiced at £39, which were commandeered by the military; that the military authorities have only offered £28 in payment for the same; that there was not any danger of depreciation in value, as another parcel dispatched on the same day was not delivered until five weeks later to the consignees, and was then in perfect condition and sold at 1s. 7d. per pound; that the military authorities are treating other creameries in a similar manner; and what steps will he take to prevent this injustice?

The inquiries have been made as promised, and my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State has caused a letter, conveying the information obtained, to be sent to my hon. Friend. This letter should be now in his hands.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of alien enemies in this country who have been exempted from either repatriation or internment by order of the Home Office Advisory Committee; and whether a complete record is kept of each case which comes before the Committee for consideration?

With regard to the number of alien enemies at large, I would refer to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for North-East Bethnal Green. All those now at large have been exempted from repatriation or internment on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee or, in a few cases, after the Advisory Committee had finished its inquiry, by the Home Office, which has been guided by the practice of the Committee. The answer to The second part of the question is in the affirmative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how it is if a complete record is kept of all cases why he said he could not grant me the Return I asked for, on the ground that it would take up so much time of the police?

I must refer to my previous answer. Perhaps he will give me notice.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether immediately before the War a Commission reported in favour of a rise in pay to all ranks of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, if so, whether the allowance recently promised as a war bonus is to be taken as representing the recommendations then made as well as an allowance for the increased cost of living caused by the War; whether officers of the force are included in the allowance now promised by the Government; and, if not, whether, having regard to the responsibilities now thrown upon both officers and men of this force, an adequate response will immediately be made to their expectations of at least fair treatment?

The Committee of Inquiry of 1914 into the Royal Irish Constabulary reported in May of that year in favour of an increase of pay for head and other constables and second and third-class district inspectors and of an improvement of the initial rates of salary of first-class district inspectors. The Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, passed in August, 1914, gave effect to the increase recommended for head and other constables and sanctioned some improvement of the salaries of first and third-class district inspectors. The substantial war bonus recently granted is additional to these statutory increases, but does not apply to the officers of the force.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now satisfied that he has at his disposal all necessary means for dealing with the Zeppelin attacks; and, if not, whether he is taking adequate measures to obtain them?

I regret that I cannot add anything to the written answer which I gave on the 31st July to my hon. Friend, wherein I stated that the development of the air defences of the country has made great progress, and is proceeding as rapidly as the manufacturing output and the needs of our forces abroad permit.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether that still holds good after last night's raid; whether women and children were killed last night; and whether that is likely to recur under the existing organisation of the defences?

It still holds good, and all the more! The hon. Member must know that these unfortunate things cannot be avoided in time of war. We are greatly improving the defences, and I think the Germans are more aware of it than anybody else.