asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the need of recruiting for the Navy and the number of friendly aliens of military age in this country, among whom are engineering students who are refugees from Belgium, he will now follow the example of the War Office and permit friendly aliens to enlist in the Navy up to 2 per cent, of the authorised strength?

As I informed my hon. Friend on Wednesday last, only men and boys who are the sons of British-born subjects are now accepted for entry in any branch of the Naval Service.

Yes, but if you accept friendly aliens in the Army, why cannot you accept them in the Navy? Is there any legal or political difficulty?

It is not a question of friendly aliens. We admit only the sons of Britsh-born subjects for service in the Navy.

Was it not exactly the same with the Army a few months ago? And if the Army has changed its policy why cannot the Navy do so also?

What about Battenburg?

The hon. Member is arguing the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent dispatch setting forth the admirable work of the Dover patrol flotillas, he proposes any recognition of the arduous services rendered by patrols generally around the coast?

I am only too glad of the opportunity of saying that the Admiralty most highly appreciate the skill, devotion, and gallantry of the large body of our seamen who are engaged in the arduous work of patrolling our coasts; and the nation as a whole may well be grateful for the invaluable services which many units of the Navy, of which they hear nothing, are quietly and unostentatiously rendering. The services of those concerned, officers and men, in this arduous work will be fully considered with a view to suitable recognition.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will say why a steamship, when on a voyage to Alexandra, 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?

The report regarding this matter has not yet been received, but may be expected any day. If it is not received before the House rises I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is not the comprehensive answer to this and other questions that war is war, and war is waste?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether he is aware that the Workers' Union on the 6th April last reported to the chief industrial commissioner a difference with regard to the wages of yard-craft men and rope-makers employed in Devonport Dock- yard, and that the Admiralty have refused to submit the matter to arbitration; will he state the reason for this violation of the Munitions of War Act on the part of the Department; and (2) whether he is aware that the Workers' Union on tie 2nd June last reported to the Chief Industrial Commissioner a difference with regard to the wages of workpeople employed at the Holton Heath Cordite Factory, and that the Admiralty have refused to submit the matter to arbitration; and will he state the reason for this violation of the Munitions of War Act on the part of the Department?

As regards the wages of yard-craft men and ropemakers in our employment, the Workers' Union made application as indicated. I can assure my hon. Friend that the greatest possible care has been taken by the Admiralty to survey in detail the conditions of service of the men in question. So far-as the yard-craft men are concerned, a most competent Admiralty Committee examined their hours of labour, conditions, and wages a year or two since, and submitted to us a most valuable Report, many of the recommendations of which have already been incorporated in our Regulations. The case of the ropemakers, in common with those of all our employés, has been the subject of the most careful consideration. With regard to Holton Heath, the Workers' Union also communicated with the Chief Industrial Commissioner asking that the rates at the factory should be adjusted to those at another factory within the London area. This demand, so far as we are concerned, cannot be conceded. The rates of pay at Holton Heath were settled after very careful consideration, and they have been the subject of close review. They are considered just and equitable.

May I ask, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give me any reason why these particular works are not to come within the Munitions Act, seeing that the Munitions Act was passed in order to avoid disputes; and if they do not come within the Munitions Act, are not the n en entitled to leave?

The men have the most ample means of representing their grievances through the machinery which is already in existence as part of the Admiralty scheme for hearing the men's complaints.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the men employed in the Victualling Yard are only being paid bare time for working during the August holidays, although the men employed at Woolwich are receiving an extra day's pay; can ho state the reason for this differentiation; and will he take steps to have the men at Deptford treated the same as the men at Woolwich?

In view of the method adopted at Woolwich, the men in the Victualling Yard who worked on the 7th and 8th August can, if they wish, receive the extra day's pay in respect of each of these days so worked to which they are entitled. But if they do, on the dates on which the postponed holidays are taken they will, of course, receive no pay. Further, if they work on those days, they will be paid at ordinary rates.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the price of slops, e.g.,all the clothing, caps, boots, brushes, blankets, etc., in short, everything that a sailor requires and which he has to buy has been very largely increased since the victory of Jutland; is he aware that the order increasing these prices was issued on the 14th July but antedated to the 1st July; that the quality of these articles is not so good as before the War; and that the wear-and-tear is greater in times of war than in peace; and will he consider whether, in the circumstances of the case, he can withdraw the new prices and restore the old?

The question of these prices was most carefully considered by the Admiralty, with the object that the general increase in the cost of production of clothing throughout the country should affect the men of the Navy as little as possible. In the majority of cases the revised issuing prices are much below the actual cost of the articles themselves, and very much less than the prices at which they could be purchased on shore. I would instance boots, shoes, blankets, serge, duck, and flannel. The 1st of July is the usual date for the issue of a new price list for the year, and it would have been most inconvenient for accounting pur- poses to bring in new prices for a broken period of a quarter. The delay of a few days in issuing the price list was unavoidable. As regards the suggestion that the quality of certain articles is not so good as before the War, I would observe that under war conditions departure from the strict Admiralty specification is unavoidable at times, but I am not aware j that the wearing qualities of the articles have been prejudiced by such changes. I should add that where conditions have entailed undue wear-and-tear of clothing, special action has been taken; for example, there is an annual free issue of warm clothing, which includes articles of general wear which the men normally provide for themselves, namely, jersey, comforter, drawers, stockings, socks, and in some cases flannel vests. Again, naval ratings employed on active service on shore, where the wear-and-tear of clothes is greater than on board ship, have the worn-out clothing replaced free of charge. And again, the establishment of protective clothing (e.g. oilskins, sea boots, duffle suits, and in some cases blankets) has been largely increased, thus indirectly saving the wear-and-tear of the men's own clothing.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider with regard to the services named that this concession ought to be made by the nation?

As I pointed out, the revised issuing prices are much below the actual cost of the articles themselves, and very much less than the prices at which they could be purchased on shore.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the scale of pensions for amputations now determined by Chelsea for the Army is to be followed by the Admiralty?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a few weeks ago Field-Marshal von Weber, Military Governor of Montenegro, issued a proclamation to the effect that if General Veshovitch, the Montenegrin ex-Minister of War, and his two brothers, who had fled from the country, did not surrender themselves within a few days, his father, aged seventy-five, and another brother, who were held as hostages would be hung; whether he has any official information showing that this threat has been carried out; and, if so, whether he will take cognisance of the fact and hold Field-Marshal von Weber personally responsible for the outrage at the end of the War?

Information in the sense of the first part of the question has reached me, and in a subsequent edition of the "Bosnishe Post"—an official newspaper, edited and published in German at Sarajeo—it was stated that the brother of the general was executed, but that his father, "by an exceptional act of mercy," had been reprieved. For our future action as regards proceedings of this kind I understand that a question is on the Paper addressed to the Prime Minister which deals with this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Western frontier of Egypt is now completely tranquil; and whether he can make any statement as to the co-operation of the British and Italian Governments with regard to future policy in dealing with this part of Northern Africa?

The situation on the Western frontier of Egypt may now be regarded as far more satisfactory. It is, however, not opportune at the present moment to inform the enemy of action which the British and Italian Governments, who are working in complete accord, may find it desirable to adopt at some future time.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he can state the estimated value of property and financial interests belonging to British subjects in Austria-Hungary at the outbreak of war; whether he can give any information as to how these matters are being dealt with in Austria-Hungary at the present time; (2) whether he can state the estimated value of property and financial interests belonging to British subjects in Turkey at the outbreak of war; whether he can give any information as to how these matters are being dealt with in Turkey at the present time; and (3) whether he can state the estimated value of property and financial interests belonging to British subjects in Germany at the outbreak of war; and whether he can give any information as to how these matters are being dealt with in Germany at the present time?

To answer these questions would be to give information to our enemies which, in certain events, might be of value to them. I am sure, therefore, my hon. Friend will not press them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the new scheme for dealing with men in the Army who refuse to obey military orders on the ground of conscientious objection provides that every case will come under review where the objector has been summarily dealt with by the commanding officer and given punishment not exceeding twenty-eight days' detention; where a punishment of detention has been given by a court-martial; where punishment of imprisonment has been given and the man has been transferred to a civil prison; whether in all these cases, or in which, the War Office sends on the case to the Central Tribunal for consideration, with the view of offering work under the Home Office scheme; and what is proposed to be done with the men who refuse to accept work under the Home Office scheme, will they be kept in prison until the termination of their sentences and then sent back to the Army, and if they again refuse to obey military orders will they again have to pass through the same proceedings of court-martial, civil prison, reference to Central Tribunal, reference to the Home Office Committee, refusal, and continued imprisonment?

All such cases, with the exception of those dealt with summarily by a commanding officer, are being remitted to the Central Tribunal for consideration. It is not intended to provide for cases which have been disposed of summarily by a commanding officer, because it would entail a considerable amount of work which is quite unnecessary in view of the fact that under the provisions of Section 46 (8) of the Army Act no soldier can receive an award of detention except by his own consent. Men who refuse to accept work under the Home Office scheme will be kept in prison until the termination of their sentences, and will then be returned to their unit. If they again refuse to obey military orders they will be dealt with in accordance with the Army Act, and they will have no further opportunity of presenting their case to the Central Tribunal.

What is the meaning of the phrase that "they will be dealt with under the Army Act?"

They will have to serve without being allowed to appeal to the Central Tribunal.

Will they be sent to the front although they still continue to protest?

I expect not.

Will steps be taken to see that such further penalties as are inflicted shall be inflicted in the civil prison?

No, Sir; they have now got their chance; if they do not take it, it is their own fault.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the treatment of Mr. Charles Slifield, of Sheepwash, North Devon, by the Army Medical Board at Exeter, to which he had been directed to go by his Appeal Tribunal; whether the Board first inquired whether he was attested, and then if he was a conscientious objector; whether one of the Board then remarked to the other member that if he was a conscientious objector they would pass him for general service; whether the Board did not feel his pulse or test his eyesight; whether they proceeded to pass him for general service, although he suffered from chronic throat affection; and whether he will take any further action in the matter?

Inquiries have been instituted in regard to this case, and the results when received shall be at once communicated to my hon. Friend.

asked whether the offer by the Road Board to the Sussex County Council Roads and Bridges Committee, to supply conscientious objectors for road-making, is part of the scheme of the Home Office Committee; and is it intended to employ these people on such work at rates of pay less than the trade union standard in the industries affected?

Arrangements are being made by the Home Office Committee to send a party of 200 men for employment under the Road Board in Sussex, and I understand from the Road Board that the Sussex County Council will be required to pay to the Road Board the actual value of the work performed by these men at local piecework rates.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what means of redress a person has under the Military Service Act where an Appeal Tribunal deliberately refuses to carry out the provisions of the Act, as in the case of Arthur Plater, who appealed on the 5th instant before the Surrey and Croydon Appeal Tribunal on conscientious grounds and was told publicly by the chairman, Sir Lewis Dibdin, that he admitted that appellant had a genuine conscientious objection to both combatant and non-combatant service and that he was sure he was an honest man, the military representative concurring, but notwithstanding the appellant was given non-combatant service, although the chairman said he could give him absolute exemption but he did not choose to do so?

I am making inquiries into the statements made in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will direct the military representatives appearing before the tribunals to act on the spirit and letter of the Prime Minister's declaration that both for this year and next the highest possible output of home-grown food supplies remains an essential object of the first importance for the security of Great Britain?

I can assure my right hon. Friend that military representatives are working in accordance with the agreement come to between the War Office and the Board of Agriculture. The importance of this question is fully realised, and the instructions issued to tribunals by the Local Government Board are perfectly clear.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases the agreement reached by the War Office and the Board of Agriculture is not being adhered to by these local tribunals?

No, Sir, I am not. If my right hon. Friend will bring any case he has in mind to my notice I will inquire into it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the tribunals in some cases refuse to take any notice of the representations of the military representative?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any detailed physical standard has been issued to the various Army medical boards to ensure that cases shall be dealt with on uniform principles and, in particular, whether any instructions have been issued to secure a uniform method of dealing with organic diseases such as diseases of the heart?

The physical standard is fixed for each of the categories and this standard is determined by the nature of the duties assigned to the particular category. Apart from this conferences are from time to time held to secure co-ordination between the work and practice of the different boards.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the examination of recruits by the various Army medical boards is inspected from time to time by competent medical experts?

Yes, Sir; the Deputy-Directors of Medical Services of the Commands are responsible for inspecting from time to time the work of examining recruits.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if soldiers are engaged from time to time unloading barges at the Woolwich Arsenal; what hours the soldiers are called upon to work and what pay they received; if a number of civilians are being discharged from the Arsenal and soldiers put to work in their place; if he intends taking any action; and (2) if some time ago a number of soldiers were working for Messrs. Leithams, flour millers, at York; what pay the soldiers were receiving for the work performed; how many hours per day they were working; if the firm were called upon to pay the full standard rates of wages to the War Office; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he can now state if each individual of the 102 soldier-workmen at the Llanelly Steel Works receives the equivalent of the standard wage current in the district; if the War Office makes any and, if so, what profit out of some of the men; how many of these men are medically unfit; if they are punished for being late in the morning by being paraded at night; if there are among them shop assistants, ship painters, electricians, colliers, cabinet makers, navvies, general labourers, and paper-hangers; how many were steel workers before the War; and if ho will consider the advisability of taking steps to secure that all the unfit and incompetent among these men should be absolutely discharged from the Army so that they may return to their own proper and accustomed avocations?

I have no information as to these particular cases, but, as the hon. Members are aware from the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport on Monday, new Regulations are being issued under which the pay of soldiers employed as working parties outside the Army will be based on the local rates for similar work.

How long will it be before these Regulations are made public property?

I think the Regulation was approved last night. I will send a copy of it to the hon. Member.

Is there going to be any time limit fixed as lo the length of time for which a working party can go on without the soldiers being placed on the Reserve?

No. I think the arrangements in regard to the length of time will remain as they are—that is, a maximum of two months without further reference to the Army Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he has taken or proposes to take upon the conduct of the recruiting officers at Warrington who have caused the arrest of two clerks named Wright and Saunders, employed by the Cheshire Lines Committee at Warrington, as absentees under the Military Service Act, seeing that their cases are before the Labour Advisory Committee on Industrial Conscription, it being alleged that these two clerks are the victims of persecution and discrimination by the railway company?

The cases of these two men have been brought to the notice of the War Office and are the subject of inquiry. I do not think any blame attaches to the recruiting officers for causing them to be dealt with as absentees, but as I have said the cases are being inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there have been recently given to the members of Advisory Committees either powers or instructions to detain, or denounce to the police, any men who may be thought to be of military age, with the object of these men being forced into the Army?

No instructions as to detaining men or denouncing them to the police have been issued by the War Office. Probably the hon. Member will agree that it is the duty of any citizen to inform, the police if he is aware that the law is being broken. Authority has been given for the issue of certificates to members of Advisory Committees enabling them to require the production of certificates of exemption.

asked the Prime Minister whether, considering the feeling shown against Irish harvesters in certain parts of England, he will now make the Military Service Act applicable to Ireland, I and thus put the whole of the United Kingdom on an equal footing?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a letter from Mr. G. Simpson, of Street, Somerset, with reference to his fourth son, who is to be called up under the Military Service Act, 1016; and, seeing that Mr. Simpson has three sons already serving with the Colours and that his fourth son is the sole support of his father, who is suffering from incurable cancer, and of his mother, who has heart trouble, and in view of the further fact that the son in question has only been passed as fit for labour at home, will he take steps to have the son released from the Military Service Act so as to prevent the hardship to the parents which will otherwise be caused?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. A letter from Mr. Simpson has been received. I am informed that Mr. Simpson's son has been given two months' exemption, and although it is stated that the certificate is non-renewable, it is open to the son or to someone in respect of him to apply to the tribunal for leave to apply for a renewal. It is also open to Mr. Simpson to have appealed from the decision of the local tribunal if he was dissatisfied with the decision. Parliament appointed tribunals to deal with claims for exemptions and the War Office are unable to intervene.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that in cases where soldiers have applied for relief to the Civil Liabilities Committee their female dependants, in the soldiers' absence, have been asked to attend at police stations to undergo examination, and that in certain cases these ladies have declined to attend with the result that all relief has been refused; and whether the Civil Liabilities Committee will be asked to be more tactful and considerate in their procedure?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am not aware of any case in which applicants have been required to attend at police stations, and as some 65,000 applications have already been received I think I should have heard if there had been any cause for complaint. If, however, the hon. Member will send me the particulars of any case which he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that in a number of cases the military representatives have refused to act on the recognised scale agreed on between the War Office and the Board of Agriculture as to the minimum number of men required on farms; and whether, in view of the Prime Minister's announcement of the Government's policy that the highest possible output of home-grown food supplies is an essential object of national importance, he will take steps to ensure that military representatives observe the agreement arrived at between the two Departments?

I have not heard of any cases in which military representatives have refused to recognise the scale referred to as a guide for their action and that of the tribunals. If my right hon. Friend knows of such cases and will communicate them to me, I am sure that the War Office will be most anxious to look into them. As he will realise, the scale, owing to the great variety of agricultural conditions, cannot be regarded as a hard and fast rule to be applied to every case. It was agreed to as a general guide to the tribunals and is, I believe, being so observed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will explain definitely the present position of Jewish refugees in this country in regard to the military service or deportation Orders; can he give an approximate estimate of their number; will he say whether the Russian Jews now in England are receiving the persistent attentions of the police; whether some have been arrested, others warned, and their publications stopped; and will he make it quite clear before Parliament rises, both for their own information and for that of the police, what are their legal position and remaining rights?

There are approximately 25,000 to 30,000 male Russian subjects of military age in this country, most of them of the Jewish faith. I am not aware that any action with regard to them has been taken by the police, otherwise than in the ordinary discharge of their duty. I understand that in one case a prosecution has been taken against a paper for contravening the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and that the plant was subsequently seized by order of the military authority; and that in one case a warning has been given to the editor of a paper that he was responsible for the advertisements as well as for the text. The present position is that men of Russian nationality, if of military age, may enlist in the British Army, and that no one has been, or is being deported for failure to enlist. I hope to be in a position to make a statement on the matter generally before the House rises.

On what date will the right hon. Gentleman make his statement?

There has been constant communication with representatives of the people affected, and there has been delay owing to that cause, but I hope at the beginning of next week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Foreign Jews' Protection Committee against deportation to Russia, representing 120 organisations, has requested him to receive a deputation; whether the names, addresses, and organisations of the twenty-five members of the Committee have been furnished at his request; and whether this deputation is to be interviewed by him shortly?

I have taken steps to acquaint myself fully with the opinion of Russian subjects in regard to their enlistment in the British Army. I intend shortly to make a statement as to the policy of the Government, and I do not think anything would be gained by my receiving further deputations.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to decline the offer of this very largo body, representing 120 different organisations, who want to come to lay their views before him?

I am well acquainted with the case, and among the 120 organisations which it is said are represented by those who are organising this deputation are some which could not in any circumstances be received at the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case recently heard before the Brighton military tribunal in which a claimant for exemption from military service stated that he was in partnership with a German in the business of a ladies' tailor, and that this German had been released from internment on condition that he did not reside on the South Coast; whether the German referred to is keeping his business going in London in competition with English tailors, many of whom are short-handed in their business owing to their employés having joined the Colours; and if he will say for what reason favour has been shown to an alien enemy under such circumstances?

I have no knowledge of the case to which the hon. Member refers. If he will give me the name of the German in question I will have inquiries made and let him know the result.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to two cases recently before the Wallasey Tribunal, in which the appellants stated that their claims to the Civil Liabilities Committee for a weekly sum to cover rent, rates, and insurance had been refused, whereupon the tribunal unanimously refused to pass the men into the Army, advising the men to renew their claims for financial relief, and the military representative to bring pressure to bear upon the Committee; and if he will state the Committee's reasons for referring these workmen to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association instead of giving them the relief that they understood they were entitled to receive direct from the Committee?

I have seen a newspaper report of the action of the tribunal and have already taken steps to correct the misapprehension which has arisen. As my right hon. Friend stated on the 24th July, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Harborough Division, in cases in which no grant can be given under the Civil Liabilities Scheme the applicants are referred to the local War Pensions Committee or to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, who are acting temporarily as agents for the Statutory Committee in districts where the local committees have not yet been formed. In both cases the grants are made out of public funds and not from charitable sources.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the case of Matthew George Layton, of Malvern; and whether, in view of the statement made by the chairman of the Malvern Tribunal, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am making inquiry respecting this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the guard composed of Royal Defence Corps, formerly National Reserve, now guarding certain explosive works, are about to be moved from their billets and placed under canvas, which involves expense; that the site of the works is unsuitable in every way for camping purposes, being on boggy land much below sea level, that the fumes from the acid boiling sheds blow over the parts of the island patrolled by the guard, causing pains and injury to the eyes and throat of the sentries, and that there is no proper system of drainage, which passes into an open ditch close to the site of the camp; is he aware that the present guard of No. 57 Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps, have been guarding these works since February last, that they are all men of middle age, several over fifty, and that for health and humanitarian reasons they should be given a change of station; and will he send a competent medical officer to inspect the proposed camping ground and report thereon?

I have caused inquiry to be made on this matter, and I will send results to my hon. Friend by letter, with his permission, as soon as they are received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is possible to give a greater number of military medals and other recognition by immediate reward in view of the fact that during the present operations a very large number of cases have occurred in which officers, non-commissioned officers, and men have performed exceptional acts of gallantly and devotion to duty which it is impossible under the present circumstances to recognise in any way?

All Commanders-in-Chief in the field have unlimited power to award immediately the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, and as regards the Military Medal commanders of corps have similar unlimited powers. I may inform my hon. and gallant Friend that more than 8,000 Military Medals are, known to have been awarded in Franco alone, although the decoration was only instituted on the 25th March last. Immediate awards of the Distinguished Conduct Medals in France average 300 a month. Of the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross combined, 370 are, on an average, awarded monthly by the Commander-in-Chief.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, arising out of the recent operations, battalions were cut-down to a ration of two or three mentions per battalion, including the officers?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of Stale for War if the Army and Navy Cooperative Society, Limited, are contractors or suppliers to the War Office; if so, whether an employé of the society, named Joyce, married, with four children, who had been in the employ of the society for fourteen years prior to his voluntarily joining the Coldstream Guards in 1914, was receiving wages of 26s. per week; whether the War Office inserts a Fair-Wages Clause in all contracts or orders it may give to the society; whether any such clause, if inserted, is observed; and, if not inserted hitherto, will he ensure that it is so applied to all orders and contracts that may be given by the War Office to the society in future?

The Army and Navy Co-operative Society are not on the War Office list of contractors, but urgent orders have occasionally been placed with them during the War. The Fair-Wages Clause is inserted in such contracts, and any complaints as to its non-observance would be investigated. Nothing is known about the employé referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private R. A. Sheraton, No. 14,441, B Company, Hut 13, 16th Durham Light Infantry, Penkridge Bank Camp, Rugeley, Staffs, who has been refused his final leave because he objects to inoculation; whether this man has been in the Army since the beginning of the War and has served in France; whether a similar objection in July, 1915, met with a similar result; whether his wife's appeal to the War Office then secured the man leave; and whether he will see that he has his final leave in spite of his objection to inoculation?

Inquiry is being made into this case, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result, as soon as possible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not an isolated case, and that thousands of cases like this are arising; and can nothing be done to stop this shameful persecution of good soldiers who are guilty of no offence and this penalising of their familes by keeping them months, and sometimes years, without leave?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the wounded from the front are very largely sent to hospitals remote from their homes, their wives, parents, and relations; if he will consider whether this difficulty might be greatly improved by better organisation, whereby the wounded might be sent to the great towns or counties from which they came; and if he will further bear in mind that he would in so doing confer a great benefit on the wives and parents whose means do not enable them to travel great distances?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War answered a question on this point on the 3rd of August, and to this I would refer my hon. Friend. Every effort is being made to give effect to the view expressed in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a number, about twenty, of officers wounded or sick from Mesopotamia were invalided home to England on leave on medical certificate for limited periods of three or four months, leaving Bombay on a hospital ship on 7th July, 1916, were landed at Suez on 18th July, and were there informed that there would be no hospital ship to take them on from Egypt until 20th August, if then; whether these officers were kept at Alexandria in hospital until 2nd August, when they were informed that if they liked they could go by ordinary transport thence to Marseilles, and, on embarking on this transport, were compelled to sign a declaration certifying that, if a passage to England by transport was granted to them, they would pay all expenses incurred en route, including, if landed at Marseilles, the fare through France, that they were travelling by transport at their own request and risk, that they would not in future prefer any claim whatsoever for the payment of any expenses incurred during the journey to England, and that they were aware that they were allowed to stay in Egypt and await passage to England by hospital ship, but that if they did so they must stay in hospital or convalescent home and adhere to the rules of that institution; whether the transport on which they travelled on these conditions also carried officers not sick or wounded, on ordinary leave from Egypt, who were given free warrants across France and were forced to pay no expenses; why this differentiation is made against officers invalided from the Mesopotamian front; and whether, seeing that the period of leave dated from leaving Bombay and no proper arangements were made for transportation for these sick and wounded officers beyond Suez, he will see that their leave is extended for the time they were detained in Egypt?

The statements made in the first three parts of the question are, I am informed, substantially correct, so far as the information in the possession of the War Office goes. As regards the fourth and fifth parts of the question, I cannot at present say precisely why the authorities in Egypt made these officers sign the declaration referred to, but I may inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the question of reimbursing the travelling expenses and also extending leave will be sympathetically considered. I may add that it is impossible to provide for hospital ships in Egypt to meet the Indian hospital ships, and that patients from India have to be transferred to hospitals in Egypt until they can come on. There has been a shortage of hospital ships in the Mediterranean lately owing to the heavy requirements arising from the operations in France, but this has now been remedied.

Are the arrangements for evacuating sick and wounded officers from Mesopotamia who are invalided home made by the Indian Army or by the War Office here? It seems that there is some confusion between the two.

I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to give me notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, while men of the rank and file of the regiments included in the Southern Command are usually given six days' leave after twelve weeks' training before leaving for service overseas, officers under the same command before leaving for service overseas are usually refused more than three days' leave; whether there is any reason why officers in the Southern Command should not receive the usual six days' Expeditionary Force leave which officers in other commands are given; and, if not, will he give instructions to that effect?

I would be glad if my hon. Friend would postpone this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will see that all soldiers in the Royal Garrison Artillery training school at Winchester, who require it, will be allowed leave to visit their families and to transact domestic business before they are sent to the front?

Orders have been given to all drafting formations that every man due to go overseas shall as far as possible have embarkation leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government has again refused to deal with the dangers to health to which our Canadian and other soldiers are exposed in the neighbouring towns to our military camps; whether, as these dangers must continue so long as the Government will take no adequate steps by legislation to keep sick, undesirable women under surveillance and control until they are cured, he will take steps to provide suitable and sufficient hospitals for the victims of our present neglect; and, with this end in view, if he will ascertain whether the present delay in carrying out the necessary work at Elham is due to the non-activity of the engineer officer responsible for such work at Ashford?

There has been no refusal to deal with the dangers mentioned. The matter is receiving attention, and my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State has recently held a conference on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take the necessary steps to accelerate the work which has been considered advisable to undertake in connection with the conversion of the union at Elham into a hospital for sick Canadian soldiers; if he is aware that, although the Government has now taken over the whole of this block of buildings, which it is estimated can accommodate some five to six hundred patients, arrangements are only in progress for the reception of 200; if his attention has been called to the position of the present tent hospital for such eases as it is contemplated to send to the Elham institution; if he knows that the men are now in immediate proximity to the much frequented and dusty high road between Hythe and Folkestone and that the tents and the patients are visible to every passer-by; and if he will take steps to provide more suitable accommodation either in the buildings or grounds at Elham?

The building referred to has been allotted to the Canadian authorities and they are making their own arrangements. The Army Council have no information regarding any work contemplated or already undertaken at this hospital, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a Court of Inquiry has yet been set up under the Army Act Amendment Act; if so, will he say who have been appointed to act upon it; whether the Press will be admitted to the proceedings; and whether the minutes of evidence and the decision of the Court will be published?

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State gave the names of the members of the Court of Inquiry yesterday in reply to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs. The proceedings will be held in private and the minutes will not be published. It will be for subsequent consideration whether the opinion, if any, recorded by the Court, or the decision thereon of the Army Council (with whom the decision rests), or both, will be published.

Having regard to the fact that the Court is purposely set up so as to deal with the rights of civilians, is there any reason why the inquiry should be held in camera?

I understand the matter has been very carefully considered by the Secretary of State, and this is the decision at which he has arrived.

If the Court was set up by an Act of Parliament, ought not Parliament to be informed what the decision of the Court is?

I will represent that to my right hon. Friend.

In view of the facts which are being considered, was it worth while to pass an Army Act in order to add to this Court of Inquiry a Member of this House who is an official?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether those over age of the seventy-nine or eighty fit men who volunteered at the beginning of the War, in response to a request from the Government, and who have ever since successfully served at Dover and in the neighbourhood in anti-aircraft searchlight and other military work, are, although now trained and anxious to continue their work, to be turned off as being no further use under the new scheme of transferring the work of protection from aircraft from the Admiralty to the War Office?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the St. Augustine's Division on the 10th August.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Report of the Aircraft Inquiry Committee is to be issued to the public; whether the Committee have sent in their Report; and, if so, what the delay is due to?

An Interim Report of the Committee on the Administration and Command of the Royal Flying Corps was issued to Members yesterday, and is now available to the public. I cannot say when the Committee's final Report will be ready. The Committee make a statement on this point in the second paragraph of their Report.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many retail newsagents in Edinburgh have been granted permits to dispatch printed matter under the new postal arrangements; on what principle are such permits granted; and why have they been refused in certain cases?

In Edinburgh the requisite permission has been granted to five publishing firms, two newsagents and six firms of booksellers, librarians and stationers whose business is believed to be in part the export of newspapers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the newsagent mentioned is a wholesale newsagent, that the other shop is controlled by him, and that no other newsagent in Edinburgh has any permit to send newspapers anywhere?

I cannot honestly pretend that I know very much about it. The questions are so numerous that it has taken me the whole of the morning to deal with them. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the casualties of the Australian forces in France since 1st July?

No, Sir; it is not desirable on military grounds to give this information.

Why is it that the lists can be published from day to day but not the total casualties?

I think the hon. Member will see if he looks at the pages of the lists that they are anterior to the date he mentions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the total sum of the hutting contracts, and what percentage is to be paid to the contractors?

I hope to lay a Paper on this subject to-morrow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the Workers' Union, on the 19th June last, reported to the Chief Industrial Commissioner a difference with regard to the wages of foremen, labourers, and women workers employed at the Army Ordnance Depot, Forthside, Stirling, and that the War Office have refused to submit the matter to arbitration; and will he state the reason for this violation of the Munitions of War Act on the part of the Department?

The War Office reply to the Chief Industrial Commissioner asked for further information. This has only just been received, and the whole question is being investigated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that at the Royal Aircraft Factory, Farnborough, married men are being discharged while numbers of single unskilled men are being retained; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction being caused by this action, he will investigate the matter with a view to securing more equal treatment?

No, Sir. I am informed that single unskilled men are only being retained in a few cases, and that these will be dispensed with as soon as suitable substitutes can be obtained.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will give the names of the manufacturers who have been selected to supply jam to the Army without the contracts being put up to competitive tender?

I will circulate the names in the OFFICIAL REPOET. [See Written Answers.]

Will the hon. Gentleman give the number?

The hon. Member will see the number when he sees the names to-morrow. Speaking from memory, it is eight or nine.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think this is an extraordinary departure from sound business methods in giving out contracts that they should be limited to eight or nine firms, and there should be no outside competition?

You have to do a good many things which are extraordinary in time of war. If the hon. Member really takes an interest in the matter and will come to the War Office lie shall see everything that bears on the question.

Does the hon. Gentleman suggest that it is necessary as a measure of war that this contract should be confined to seven or eight firms without any outside competition?

If the hon. Member will come and look into the question himself he will see how advantageous the arrangement is.

Have you the specification?

In reply to another question to-day or to-morrow I am undertaking to put a copy of the contract in the Library.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can state the amount spent on jam for the Army during the last financial year?

About £2,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the contracts for the supply of jam to the Army are divided among a selected number of manufacturers without any competitive outside tenders; and will he say what steps are taken to secure that the prices quoted by these privileged firms shall be reasonable and in the public interest?

With regard to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to his question on the 14th instant. In reply to the latter part of the question, competitive prices for making the jam are obtained from the selected firms, the quantity of jam allotted to each firm being governed by the prices quoted. The cost of the fruit tins and packing cases is controlled by examination of the firms' books.

Will the hon. Gentleman say how the eight or nine firms are selected from the general list of these firms?

The contracts go to the firms whose tenders are considered best, and who are best able to carry them out.

When contracts involving £2,000,000 go to seven or eight firms, how can there be anything like a competitive price?

I must remind the hon. Gentleman that we are not dealing with an ordinary contract by tender.

Is not one of the chief advantages of the selection that you endeavour to make sure that you secure firms which are able to carry out the contract—firms that are strong enough to carry it out?

Yes, that is so.

Are there not more than eight or nine firms strong enough to carry out the contract?

asked the Prime Minister if he will be in a position before the Adjournment to state what steps His Majesty's Government intend to take with reference to the murder by the Germans of Captain Fryatt; whether this House will have an opportunity of discussing this subject; and if his attention has been drawn to a Motion standing in my name, and in the names of other hon. Members, making a suggestion in reference to this matter?

The Government are of opinion that this country would not tolerate the resumption of diplomatic intercourse with Germany after the War until reparation had been made for the murder of Captain Fryatt and similar outrages. Some of our Allies have suffered from brutalities even more gross and on a more extended scale than ourselves from the action of German authorities. We are in consultation with them as to the best and most effective steps to be taken, and as to what conditions should be exacted in the terms of peace to secure reparation and satisfy justice.

I would like to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government are prepared to make a declaration that Kaiser Wilhelm is wanted for wilful murder in this particular case?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in considering an ex- change of prisoners between this country and Germany or their removal to a neutral country, preference will be given to those officers and soldiers who have been longest confined in German prisons, and are consequently suffering from the strain?

I can certainly assure my hon. Friend that should the question of an exchange or transfer to a neutral country of prisoners of war, other than invalids, come within the range of possibility, the special claims of those who have been longest in confinement will be borne in mind?

Are we to understand that any special arrangements are to be made to bring that about?

I think the matter is under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state if he will give facilities for the passing in this House of the Registration of Business Names Bill, which has passed its Third Reading in the House of Lords?

Yes, Sir. I hope to give facilities for this Bill when the House reassembles after the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister if steps are being taken to make the military officers who have knowledge of the facts connected with the murder of Sheehy Skeffington and others available to appear before the Court of Inquiry?

I am assured by the military authorities that the officers referred to will be available if required.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his statement that Irish prisoners detained in England, so far as he was aware, do not desire to be tried by a Civil Court, he will take into consideration the case of Miss Ellen O'Ryan so detained, who claims that she took no part whatever in the rebellion and who desires to prove her innocence before a Civil Court; and will he take steps to secure her the opportunity of trial?

I am not aware that I ever made the statement attributed to me in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, I have nothing to add to the answers already given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these people are not able to be represented by counsel before the Advisory Committee, and that the charge was only made known to her just before she went in. Why should she not have a trial if she desires it?

I am informed this lady had legal advice before she appeared before the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the German prisoners in this country and the Irish prisoners at Frongoch are treated as political prisoners, will he state why the Irish prisoners sentenced for political offences arising in Ireland, and at present detained at Dartmoor, Portland, and other prisoners, are treated as common criminals?

The Irish prisoners referred to were convicted of criminal offences and sentenced to penal servitude or imprisonment: they are not entitled to any special treatment on the ground that their offences were of a political character. Special treatment on that ground has never been given to prisoners under sentence of penal servitude. I may say, however, that these prisoners have a liberal allowance of books, and will be allowed to receive technical and educational books, including books in the Irish language.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the German prisoners interned in this country are guilty of the murder of women and children in Belgium, and why are these men, who did not take up arms, treated on different lines from those German prisoners?

These are men who have been convicted of criminal offences and sentenced to terms of penal servitude or imprisonment.

What are those Germans but criminals?

asked why Mr. M'Grave and Mr. Hanratty, both of Dundalk, are still interned in Frongoch Camp, seeing that the other men arrested from there in exactly similar circumstances and under identical conditions have been released; and whether there will be a revision of the cases of these two men?

The Advisory Committee recommended that Thomas M'Grave and James Hanratty, both of Dundalk, should be retained in internment. I may say that they also recommended the retention in internment of other persons arrested at Dundalk besides these two. I cannot reopen these cases at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to a circular issued by Lord Curzon to Members of Parliament in which he says that the reasons against woman suffrage are as strong to-day as they were before the War, and that it would be in the highest degree undesirable and dangerous that any measure of woman suffrage should pass into law before it has been submitted to the full and considered judgment of the country; and if he has sanctioned the issue of this circular to Members of Parliament expressing views on a controversial political question which the Cabinet will be called upon to decide?

I had not seen this circular until my attention was called to it by the question. It was signed by Lord Curzon, not in his capacity as a Minister of the Crown, but as an officer of an outside association, which did not purport to state the views of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the arrangement made whereby British flax merchants are prohibited from buying or selling Russian flax or tow is causing dissatisfaction amongst British merchants, many of whose businesses are being ruined in consequence; whether he is aware that although the leading flax spinners were consulted with regard to the scheme they disapproved of it, and that the flax merchants were not consulted and are unanimously opposed to the scheme; and whether further consideration will be given to the matter with a view to preventing unnecessary disaster to British merchants?

Towards the end of 1915 there was a serious shortage of Russian flax in this country, and for this reason the Department was unable to obtain the full amount of linen goods required for military purposes. In order to secure adequate supplies of Russian flax and so far as possible to prevent unreasonable inflation of prices, it was decided to centralise the purchase of Russian flax in the hands of the four largest firms in the trade acting as Government agents. This course was rendered all the more necessary by the importance of organising transit and shipment to and from the port of Archangel. The scheme was adopted on grounds of public policy and was elaborated in close consultation with the leading flax spinners and merchants. It is not correct to say that flax spinners and merchants are unanimously opposed to the scheme, though criticism has naturally been expressed by private interests adversely affected. The arrangements for dealing with next season's crop are not yet settled, and I shall be prepared to consider any representations that may be made on the subject before coming to a decision.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that last winter, while the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Tyneside Scottish Brigade were stationed at Warminster, the men were given a few days' leave and were informed that their fares would be paid; that, as some of the men had already paid cash for their fares, they were informed that the money would be refunded; that correspondence has been taking place with the War Office, the commanding officers, and the Paymaster, Southern Command, ever since last January, and that up to the present a settlement of the matter appears to be as far off as ever; and whether he will take steps to have the matter expedited?

The investigation of the claims has been rather difficult, but I hope that the matter will be adjusted very shortly now.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether any claim for recognition or reward has been received at the War Office for designing pattern 1914 Infantry equipment from any officer or person other than the Mills Equipment Company; if so, will he state the nature of the recognition or reward; and to what officer or person has such been granted; (2) whether there is any documentary evidence at the War Office showing that a design for Infantry equipment was submitted by an officer prior to the Mills Equipment Company taking out a patent for such Infantry equipment; if so, can any explanation be given as to why a private company was permitted to take out such patents and charge royalties on the manufacture of an equipment the design of which was placed at the disposal of the War Office by an officer on the active list; and (3) whether any inquiry has taken place into the claims of the Mills Equipment Company to be the patentees of the 1908 and 1914 Infantry equipment; if so, what is the result of such inquiries; and whether during the course of such inquiries payments of royalties have been suspended?

In reply to these questions, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his question of 4th July. Inquiry into the whole question is being made, but meanwhile I am afraid that I have nothing to add to that answer.

asked the Secretary of State for India if Mrs. Besant has been required under the India Press Act to give a security of Rs.2,000 for the newspaper "New India"; if so, why has this security been imposed; is he aware that this action has created indignation throughout India; that 120 meetings of protest against the Government's action have been held; that every Indian paper of any standing has protested against the action and has demanded the repeal of the Press Act; that the Bombay Presidency Association has taken up the matter and is drawing up a memorial for presentation to the Government; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Security of Rs.2,000 has been required from Mrs. Besant's paper "New India" on account of articles which were considered by the Government of Madras to tend to bring into hatred or contempt the Government established by law in India and to excite disaffection. I am not prepared to interfere with the discretion which by law vests in the local Government. I am not aware that every Indian paper of standing has protested, or that the action has created indignation throughout India.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has been able to provide enough sugar to meet the requirements of fruit preservers, jam makers, etc.; or, if not, by what percentage does he estimate his shortened supply will necessitate their lessened purchases of the oncoming fruit crop of this year?

Such arrangements have been made as will enable those who preserve upon a commercial scale to preserve the home-grown fruit up to their full capacity, provided that they pulp the fruit for which sugar is not immediately available and await the additional supplies which will be placed at their disposal later. These arrangements have been made in consultation with representatives of the preservers, and are, it is believed, quite satisfactory to the trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is intended to make any grant or gift of money from the Treasury to any persons as compensation for property in Dublin destroyed or injured in the recent rebellion; if so, from what Vote will this money be taken and when will there be an opportunity of discussing it; and will he arrange that from the same Vote the necessary money is granted by the Treasury as compensation to the owners for property in the East Coast towns destroyed or injured by the bombardments and air raids from which they have suffered or may suffer at the hands of the Germans?

A Committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Sir William Goulding to assess claims to compensation in the cases referred to in the first part of the question, and the necessary funds for payment of claims are being provided from the Vote of Credit, on which the usual opportunities for discussion arise. Since the institution of the insurance scheme against aircraft and bombardment risks, compensation has not been paid from other Government funds to owners of property in East Coast towns.

May I ask if it is not the fact that if the inhabitants of Yarmouth were to destroy their own houses and property they would be rebuilt by the Government, but if the Germans come and destroy them they have to rebuild them at their own expense?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the, Board of Agriculture whether the Board of Agriculture holds a compulsory power of purchase over all hay in the hands of farmers in this country, at a certain price; whether he can state for how long the power extends, so that farmers may know when they are free to sell hay which is not required for their own or for Government purposes; and whether hay bought by the Government is paid for as soon as the decision to buy is notified to the owner?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The power referred to in the first part of the question exists, but it is vested in the Army Council and not in the Board of Agriculture. This power will be exercised over all hay now standing or about to be harvested, but permission is being granted as rapidly as possible to farmers to sell any surplus over their own requirements and those of the Army. An advance payment of 50 per cent, is made within fourteen days of the notification of decision to buy, and 5 per cent, per annum, interest will be paid on the balance of the purchase money outstanding after the 31st October.

Does the Government fix the price or does it vary?

I think that the Government fixes a maximum price. It varies downwards from that price according to scale.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of aliens of Allied nationalities who have been registered as of military age, giving the separate figures for the different nationalities?

I regret that the figures for which the hon. Member asks are not available, as the registration of aliens has not been generally effected in age groups. I understand, however, it may be possible to supply figures in regard to Russians of military age in London when the special registration which was recently undertaken is completed. I hope to be able to give the hon. Member this information as soon as the Returns are ready.

asked whether the works of British Dyes, Limited, Huddersfield, are inspected by factory inspectors; whether inquiry has been made concerning accidents and ailments due to the conditions there; whether eczema is common in certain departments to such an extent that some workers cannot sleep at nights and are frequently invalided; and whether conscientious objectors sent to these works are now engaged in production of picric acid, a high explosive, the work in connection with which is of special unhealthiness?

During the current year twelve visits of inspection have been made to the works in question by the factory inspectors, and inquiry has been made from time to time in regard to accidents and occupational ailments. Eczema is liable to occur among workers engaged in the manufacture and handling of high explosives, but the cases at these works have not been very numerous, and have only caused disablement in a compara- tively few instances. I am informed that none of the conscientious objectors employed at these works are engaged in the manufacture of picric acid and other high explosives, and no complaints on this subject have been received by the Committee on Work of National Importance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the residence of alien enemies at Buckfast Abbey, Devon; whether members of this community capable of bearing arms have been allowed to return to Germany; whether the censorship of letters, etc., is exercised by a naturalised German; and, if so, whether he is satisfied that the national security is in no way jeopardised by the residence of these alien enemies under the conditions now imposed?

As my right hon. Friend will be aware, only a proportion of the monks at Buckfast are of enemy nationality. Frequent inquiries have been made in regard to them since the War began, and it was decided, after consultation with the Chief Constable of Devonshire, that it was not necessary to remove them from the Abbey, but strict conditions have been imposed in regard to their movements. Three women, and three boys under military age, were allowed to return from the Abbey to Germany in 1915, in accordance with the international agreements. No men of military age have been allowed to return. The correspondence of the monks is supervised by the Abbot, who is a naturalised British subject. I understand that he is a native of Württemberg of French extraction. Any letters sent out of the country are also subject to the usual postal censorship. I have asked Sir Louis Dane and the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford, who, as the House is aware, are considering the cases of alien enemies allowed to remain in prohibited areas, to make further inquiries.

Is it not a fact that the Abbot is allowed to roam about the country without any objection?

I cannot answer that without notice. He is a naturalised British subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that five Austrians were turned out of their employment at the Commonwealth building in the Strand by the British working men employed there; can he say whether the Government had advised the firm to employ these Austrians, as stated by the sub-contractor; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the Government to recommend the employment of enemy aliens?

I find that five Czechs who had been employed on the building mentioned were withdrawn by their employers on account of their fellow workmen having taken exception to their presence. No recommendation of these men for employment has been made by my Department; but I may remind the hon. and gallant Member that the sympathies of the Czech race are regarded as generally favourable to this country, and Czechs have accordingly been given favourable consideration in the matter of exemption from internment. It is desirable that being at liberty they should be able to earn their living.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to a claim for exemption recently heard by the military tribunal at Brighton, in which exemption for six months was granted to a tailor who stated that he was in partnership with a German who was released from internment on condition of his not residing on the South Coast; whether this German has a shop in London while his partner runs a shop in Brighton; and whether the tribunal was acting under any instructions in granting exemption to a man of military age in order that he might continue to manage a business for a German?

My attention has not previously been called to this case, but I am having inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the shares in the British Petroleum Company, Limited, the Petroleum Steamship Company, Limited, and the Homelight Oil Company, Limited, registered in the name of a German company, have been vested in the Public Trustee; and whether the Board of Trade propose to sell such enemy shares in order to stop the profits accruing even nominally for the benefit of an enemy?