asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many salaried Consular officials were employed in enemy countries before the outbreak of War; whether he can give any detailed information as to how many are now receiving their salaries; and whether the duties they are now discharging are in every respect specially calculated to promote British trade interests after the War?

The number of salaried Consular officers who were employed in enemy countries before the War is as follows:

In Austria-Hungary	…	…	5
In Germany	…	…	9
In Turkey	…	…	23
In Bulgaria	…	…	3
Total	…	…	40

With the exception of three, who have retired, one whose services have been lent to the military authorities, and one who is a prisoner of war, all the above-mentioned Consular officers are employed in various capacities and continue to receive their salaries or the salaries of other posts to which they have been appointed. With regard to the last part of the question, though it is certainly part of the duties of these officials to promote British trade interests after the War, I do not know that it would be true to say that in every case their duties were in every respect specially calculated with that object. The most important matter at the moment is that duties should be calculated to promote success in carrying on the War, and this must be the paramount consideration at present.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that many postcards have been received from British prisoners, captured at Kut and now in the hands of the Turks in Angora, requesting that money, food, and clothing be sent to them; and whether he can give any indication of the best and safest means of sending these comforts from this country with a reasonable possibility of the prisoners receiving them?

A considerable number of postcards and letters from prisoners of war from the Kut Force, interned at Angora and other places in Asia Minor, requesting especially that money and clothing may be sent to them, have been communicated to us. The United States Embassy at Constantinople are sending clothing, money, and comforts to the prisoners as soon as their arrival at a camp is known. To supplement the supplies available at Constantinople, we have asked the Porte to allow a neutral vessel with all kinds of supplies required to put into a port on the coast of Asia Minor, the unloading of the ship and distribution of the supplies to be in the hands of neutrals. We have not yet had a reply to our communication, and are pressing for one. With regard to the last part of the question, parcels under 11 lb. in weight should be sent C/o Ottoman Red Crescent Society, Constantinople, and General Post Office, London. Parcels over that weight can be sent through the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, or the American Express Company. It is important that the rank and regiment of the prisoner and the place of internment should be clearly stated. When the place of internment is doubtful, parcels may be sent through the General Post Office or American Express Company (according to their weight), and the United States Embassy at Constantinople. It is inadvisable to send parcels to prisoners of war of whom no news has been received.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether parcels sent to British prisoners in Germany still reach those to whom they are addressed, or whether parcels sent to each camp are opened and their contents distributed among all the occupants; whether the supply of parcels is now regulated in England so as to ensure as far as possible an even distribution among the various camps; and whether he is satisfied that the contents of parcels do in fact reach British prisoners?

We have lately received several communications from the German Government stating, in reply to inquiries, the number of parcels delivered to individual British prisoners during a given period. We> have no information that parcels are not handed over to the addressees. The whole question of the dispatch of parcels to British prisoners of war is being considered by a Committee at the War Office. It has been found that parcels are unevenly distributed, and arrangements are being made which it is hoped will result in the regulation of the distribution. Our information is that the contents of parcels reach the prisoners as a rule. When complaints reach us as to the non-receipt of parcels at a particular camp the United States Ambassador at Berlin is requested to investigate the matter.

May we hope for an even distribution of parcels so that one man with a greater number of friends shall not receive a larger number while another not so fortunate will get none?

I understand that is exactly what is now being inquired into by the War Office Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether it has yet been possible to make arrangements with Germany to accept the offer recently made by Denmark to give hospitality during the War to British and German wounded prisoners; and, if so, whether he can state when it is hoped that the first batch of British prisoners will arrive in Denmark, to what place they will be sent, and in what numbers?

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon on the 10th August in regard to this matter, which is still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that Lord Crewe, on 7th June, 1915, inti- mated that if the Germans used the machinery of the Relief Commission to coerce the Belgian workmen to take employment, directly or indirectly, with the service or for the benefit of the occupying army they must feed the population themselves, that all arrangements between the Government and the Neutral Commission must cease, and that the Foreign Office, in a Memorandum issued in July last, drew the attention of the Neutral Commission to the practical working of forced labour in Belgium and to the fact that many Belgians were working for their enemy, the Government intend to take any action in the direction Lord Crewe indicated?

I think if the hon. Member will read the Memorandum issued in July last he will see that no statement was made in it that "many Belgians were working for their enemy," and I believe such a statement would be an insult to the patriotism and the determined resistance of the Belgian people. But the answer to the hon. Member's question is that His Majesty's Government do intend to take action in the direction indicated by Lord Crewe as soon as they learn that the Germans are attempting to make their illegal but hitherto futile efforts at coercion more effective by interfering with the freedom of action of the Neutral Commission. Article 4 of the German Decree of 15th May provides that "if communes, associations or other bodies favour refusal to work" by granting relief, their heads shall he held responsible and liable to a fine of 10,000 Marks and two years'imprisonment. If any attempt is made to apply this provision to the Neutral Commission His Majesty's Government will certainly take the action indicated.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether on the outbreak of War officers of the Indian Army permitted to reside at home until they become eligible for pension were informed that the India Office had no employment available for them, but that the officers were at liberty should other employment offer to accept it; whether those officers who accepted other employment have been penalised by having deductions made from their Indian pay, in some cases months after they had accepted other employment, and the deductions then recovered in arrears, and this despite the fact that in the order granting them permission to accept other employment no intimation was given that any portion of their Indian pay would be deducted; and, if so, whether he will now have orders issued that these deductions irregularly levied shall be refunded to the officers concerned?

At the outbreak of war unemployed officers of the Indian Army not required for Indian employment were informed that they might offer their services for other employment. At that time the terms of employment under the War Office had not been settled. The eventual decision was as stated in the answer to the hon. and gallant Member's question, No. 64, of 4th July last. The rules apply to all officers of the unemployed list irrespective of the date on which they have been re-employed by the War Office. I will look into any cases in which recovery as an arrear of sums paid in excess of the sanctioned terms is being enforced.

Is there any Regulation regarding officers of the Indian Army authorising this deduction from their pay?

I must have notice. I cannot profess to carry all the Regulations in my mind, but I believe what has been done is to place them in the same position as officers of the British Service.

As there is no such Regulation, will my right hon. Friend have this question reconsidered?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has just asked whether there is such a Regulation.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether officers invalided from Mesopotamia have been detained for considerable periods at Bombay before being sent home owing to sanction having to be obtained from Simla to the decision of the medical board invaliding them home; and, if so, whether greater discretionary powers will be given to the local authorities at Bombay and the excessive centralisation at Simla thus avoided?

It has been the general practice to obtain the permission of the Commander-in-Chief in India before sending the officers home, but it has always been open to the local authorities to act in anticipation on their own responsibility when circumstances demanded it. The permission when sought was given by telegram. Discretionary powers are now being definitely given to local authorities to act without reference in all urgent cases.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the refund granted early in 1915 to officers of the Indian Army of the cuttings from their pay on account of rations in the field for themselves, servants, and horses, has not yet been adjusted in certain cases owing to the complicated instructions issued by the Indian Hay Department from headquarters; and, if so, whether orders can be issued for this refund to be now completed?

A simplified procedure for making the refunds has now been arranged by the Government of India, and the matter is under completion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made with regard to the management and running of the German ships seized by Portugal, now taken over by the British Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships hitherto interned at Lisbon and other Portuguese ports are being placed at the disposal of this country, and upon what terms; and whether those vessels will be controlled and run by the State or by private owners?

The exact number of ex-German vessels to be placed at the disposal of this country by the Portuguese Government is not yet determined. They will be chartered to us at 14s. 3d. per ton gross per month, we paying all expenses. They will be managed by a leading firm of shipowners on behalf of the Government, and any profit or loss will be for Government account.

What does my hon. Friend mean by paying all expenses? Surely the 14s. 3d. covers the cost of provisioning and insurance?

Will my hon. Friend tell us the name of the firm managing these steamers?

Furness, Withy and Company, and they are acting as Government agents without profit.

Without any remuneration?

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government has any agreement with the Portuguese Government that none of the money paid to them for the hire of German ships shall be paid to Germany or German subjects; and can he give any reason why we should pay Portugal at the rate of £8 per gross ton per year for ships hired from Portugal which do not belong to that country?

The hon. Gentleman can rest assured that none of the money paid for the hire of these German ships will find its way to Germany. As soon as the ships are condemned by the Portuguese Prize Court they become the property of Portugal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any application has been received from the Scottish coalowners for an increase in the standard amount allowed by the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, 1915; whether, before dealing with such application, he will take steps to check the evasions of the Act of which complaint has been made to the Board of Trade; and whether, before coming to a decision, he will consult representatives of the consumers and, in particular, of the municipalities whose assistance the Board of Trade has solicited in regard to the distribution of coal to small consumers?

No application has been received for an increase of the standard amount as respects collieriss in Scotland.

Will matters affecting Scotland be dealt with by the Board of Trade?

All matters pertinent to any undertaking will be dealt with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the attention of his Department has been called to the wages dispute in the railway world; and whether he proposes in any ease to investigate the facts with the object on the one hand of contributing to an amicable understanding between the railwaymen and the railway companies, and on the other of placing the public in case of need in possession of an impartial resumé of the issue in dispute?

I understand that a request has been made to the railway companies for the reconsideration of the war bonus granted in October last. I do not think I can say more at present than that the Board of Trade will take such steps as seem to them to be required by the circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any foreign hops which had not been picked prior to 8th June, 1916, will be admitted into the United Kingdom?

As such hops would doubtless not have been paid for before 8th June, they would not be admitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has official information to the effect that hops are being illegally imported into this country; and, if so, will he say what steps he proposes to take to stop this practice?

No, Sir; but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will furnish me with full particulars of such alleged illegal importations, I will make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many manufacturing concerns belonging to enemies in the United Kingdom have been prohibited or wound up since the War began?

Orders have been made under Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, in respect of 312 businesses of which approximately fifty carried on some manufacture in the United Kingdom.

asked how the vegetables for the troops stationed at Aden are sent there?

They are sent from Bombay; but the Government of India informed me some weeks ago that they were arranging to restart the old commissariat garden at Sheikh Othman.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if they are sent by cold storage or upon decks?

I am sorry to say that cold storage is not available. They have had to be sent as cargo in the ordinary way.

asked whether ice is provided for the troops all the year round at Aden?

The answer is in the negative. I am having the matter considered. It has never been the practice in peace time to issue the ration alluded to, but I am having the matter inquired into.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider that owing to the very great severity of the weather ice ought to be issued as a ration the whole year through?

I have told my hon. and gallant Friend that that has never been done in peace time, but my attention having been drawn to the matter I am having it considered. I think my hon. and gallant Friend might for the moment be content with that answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers are experiencing difficulty in obtaining supplies of sulphate of ammonia on the terms recently announced by the Board as having been offered by sulphate of ammonia makers; and what action the Government propose to take in the matter?

The Board have heard of a few cases of difficulty, and will be very glad to investigate any that are brought to their notice, if particulars of the quantity of sulphate of ammonia required, and the name of the producer or dealer to whom application was made, and the date when it was made, are sent to the Secretary of the Fertilisers Committee, at 3, St. James's Square, London, S.W. The Board have no reason to think that the arrangement accepted by the sulphate of ammonia makers, under which farmers will be able to obtain sulphate of ammonia at reasonable prices, is not being observed, but they would be bound to consider what action could properly be taken if it were found that makers were not allowing a fair proportion of their make to be used for agricultural purposes on the terms recommended.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the labourers employed at Kew Gardens made an application for 1s. per day in addition to their usual wage when engaged on haymaking; whether the Board acceded to the request; and, if not, whether he will state whether anything extra was granted to these men and, if so, how much?

The labourers made such an application, but the Board were unable to accede to it. A bonus of 5s. and the usual allowance of beer or ginger-beer were given to the men engaged on the job.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if out of 27,000 selected soldiers placed at the disposal of the farming community for harvesting operations application has been made by farmers for 3,000 only; whether he is aware that in some counties, where the county war agricultural committee is inactive, many farmers are still unaware of the availability find the method of obtaining soldier labour, and that in others the cumbrous machinery for obtaining such labour acts as a deterrent; whether arrangements can be made whereby farmers can at short notice obtain the help of soldiers, and especially of their own former employés, during the corn harvest now in progress by applying direct to commanding officers without the intervention of the Board, the county war agricultural committees, or the Labour Exchanges; and whether public notification on the subject can be made during the current week in the public Press?

Under the new arrangement which was advertised in the Press on the. 5th inst., applications were received by mid-day on the 9th inst. for 3,244 soldiers required to start work in the corn harvest for the period 14th to 26th inst. The number of men applied for for general purposes under the previous arrangement which still continues is largely in excess of that number and is increasing from day to day. It is possible that some farmers are still unaware that soldier labour is available, but as 33,089 soldiers were applied for through the Labour Exchanges during the period 3rd June to 28th July, which included many personal applications which could not possibly be granted, and 14,227 were supplied by the military authorities (a number which must have very considerably increased since then), it seems to me that the machinery has not been found to be too cumbrous, and that it has been working fairly well. The terms on which soldiers can be released were agreed with the War Office after careful consideration of all the circumstances and it is not proposed to vary them, and while a farmer may apply for his son or one of his former men by name, there is no certainty that the man can therefore be allowed away, and it is much wiser to make a general application. Frequent notifications on the subject have been made through the Press and this will continue as occasion may require. The general position is that if farmers are still short of labour they should apply by the means which are in general quite well known to them. To scrap the machinery now, as the hon. and gallant Member suggests, would produce chaos.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is a scale of wages fixed for these particular soldiers working in the harvest field, or are they paid ordinary soldier's pay?

They are paid a rate equal to and in the opinion of the farmers exceeding that usually paid for similar labour in harvest time.

Are these soldiers free to refuse their service if called upon to do it?

As they get paid a very great deal higher than the ordinary rates, they are very anxious to do it, and particularly when they get transferred to their own homes for the purpose, and we do not get any refusals.

Are they allowed to refuse?

I will make inquiries, but I do not think such a case could possibly occur.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Commission set up to inquire into the cases of those Government officials suspected of being connected with the Sinn Fein movement has yet completed its work; and, if so, with what result; and will those found innocent of the charges preferred against them be allowed full salary during their period of suspension?

The inquiry is concluded and the Report of the Commission has been sent to the heads of the Departments concerned. The point raised in the last part of the question is for them to decide.

Will the Report be laid before the House of Commons?

That is a matter under consideration at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary if he will publish a full list of those prisoners still interned because of their connection with the Irish rebellion so as to afford an apportunity to their friends, both in this country and in Ireland, of supplying them with comforts in the shape of newspapers and books, as at this moment in Ireland many parents do not know the whereabouts of their sons, whether they are to be released or not, or what becomes of them?

My right hon. Friend is having a list prepared, and it will be ready shortly.

Will it be published?

I will mention that to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary if he would say how many members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police were on duty in the streets of Dublin, and particularly O'Connell Street, on Easter Monday and how many of them were killed or wounded; at what hour were the police taken off duty; whether he has read the Report issued by Sir John Maxwell; whether he stated that the Dublin Metropolitan Police had to be taken off the streets or they would have been cruelly murdered if they fell into the hands of the rebels; is he aware that numbers of the police force were taken prisoners by the rebels and kept unmolested at the Four Courts and at Jacobs' biscuit factory; and whether, in all the information that he has at his command, he agrees with the statement in General Maxwell's Report as to the murder of any policeman falling into the hands of the rebels?

There were 177 members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police on duty in the streets of Dublin on Easter Monday from nine a.m. They were all withdrawn before three p.m. There were in addition eight constables on duty in Sackville Street from nine a.m., and one superintendent, one station sergeant, and twenty constables from twelve noon; the latter party remained in Sackville Street about one hour, and the other eight were withdrawn before three p.m. Two constables wee killed and four wounded on Easter Monday. Members of the force were arrested and detained by the rebels at Jacobs' factory and at the Four Courts. The police in uniform, who were all unarmed, were withdrawn from the streets by order of the Chief Commissioner after he had ascertained that two constables had been killed by the rebels and several wounded. I have read the Report issued by Sir John Maxwell, and I think there can be no doubt that when the Chief Commissioner became aware that his men were being fired upon, and that two had been shot dead and four wounded he was right in his decision to take these unarmed men in uniform off the streets.

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that the rebellion broke out at twelve o'clock on Easter Monday? At twelve o'clock on Easter Monday, according to the answer just given 177 Dublin Metropolitan Police were in O'Connell Street, and remained there until three o'clock in the afternoon.

The hon. Member is mistaken. The 177 members were on duty in the city at large. The other numbers, I have stated, were in Sackville Street.

Of the 177 a great number were in Sackville Street, which was in possession of the rebels from twelve o'clock noon, yet in Sir John Maxwell's Report he suggests that the police had to be withdrawn, or they would have been cruelly murdered. How is it that those in Sackville Street were not murdered?

The hon. Member is giving information, not asking for it.

called upon Mr. King to ask the next question.

Am I not entitled to ask a supplementary question arising out of the answer of the Chief Secretary?

Yes, if it really is a supplementary question.

I hope so.

:I hope it is not like the other one.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which deals with Sir John Maxwell's Report, as to whether there is any foundation for the charge in that Report that the policemen would have been cruelly murdered by the rebels if they had not been taken off the streets?

The hon. Member has asked me a question in regard to a matter of opinion, as to which Sir John Maxwell has expressed his opinion, and as to which, so far as I know, it is not the business of a Minister to declare an opinion except upon an occasion when it can be debated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, or the Government which he represents, ask Sir John Maxwell to withdraw that charge, for which there is not a shadow of foundation?

Sir John Maxwell is as big a murderer as there is in Ireland.

Withdraw!

On a point of Order. Is it in order for an hon. Member to say of a gentleman who is actively in command of troops for his Majesty's Government that he is "as big a murderer as there is in Ireland"?

It is a most disgraceful phrase to use. It did not reach my ears. I hope the hon. Member will see fit to withdraw it.

Sir John Maxwell, in his Report, states that the rebels would have cruelly murdered the Dublin Metropolitan Police if they had not been withdrawn from the streets. The rebels were in possession from twelve o'clock until three o'clock, and no men were murdered. Sir John Maxwell, during his term in Ireland, has been as guilty of murder as—[HON. MEMBEES; "Withdraw!"]

The hon. Gentleman has availed himself of the privilege of asking a question to make a statement of a gross kind against a public servant. The hon. Member is entitled, in the course of Debate, to make statements, so long as they are of a Parliamentary character, but he is not entitled at Question Time to make statements of that sort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that five young men from the Kinsale district, county Cork, namely, Patrick Donohoe, Con Donohoe, Dan Donohoe, John Hales, and Edward Barrett, were placed under arrest after the rising in Dublin; whether there was no charge put forward against them other than being members of a branch of the Sinn Fein body; whether he is aware that the Donohoe boys are three brothers, the sons of a widow, and are her only help in working an extensive farm of land, and that this help will be indispensable at the forthcoming harvest; and whether, under all the circumstances and to ease the feeling in the district, where there was no trouble in April last, he will consent to set the prisoners at liberty?

These five men had full opportunities of making representations on their own behalf to the Advisory Committee, who have recommended that they should be retained in detention. The ground for their internment is that they are of hostile associations and members of an organisation called the Irish Volunteers or of an organisation called the Citizen Army, which have promoted armed insurrection against His Majesty, and are reasonably suspected of having favoured, promoted, or assisted in armed insurrection against His Majesty. My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot reopen any of these cases at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the exact reference to the Commission to sit in Dublin to inquire into the murders of Messrs. Sheehy Skeffington, M'Intyre, and Dickson; who the Commissioners are; whether the inquiry will be public; whether the newspapers will be allowed to publish freely the evidence given; whether the Commission will be able to allow the expenses of solicitors, counsel, and witnesses on behalf of the families of the three murdered men, especially in view of the fact that they are none of them persons of means; and when the Commission will open its sittings?

The terms of reference and the names of the Commissioners have already been announced; the Commission will open its sittings on Wednesday next in the Four Courts, Dublin. The mode of conducting the inquiry is for the Commissioners to determine, but I have no doubt that they will desire their sittings to be public, unless the national interest requires any portion of the hearing to be private. The expenses of witnesses summoned by the Commission will be paid on the prescribed scale and arrangements are being made for the presentation of their testimony by the civil authorities. Any other matters referred to in this question are under consideration.

With regard to the exact terms of reference, is the Prime Minister aware that it has been impossible for the solicitors representing the deceased persons' relatives to get the exact terms, and, in consequence, that they are in a difficulty to know how to prepare their cases, because they do not know, for instance, whether the question of property seized after the murders will be allowed?

Obviously, I cannot give an answer, but I am quite sure that the Commissioners will take everything into account in seeing that justice is done.

Will no limitation whatever be put upon free publicity in the Press?

I have answered that already.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the announcement recently made by the Russian Consulates that no person will be recognised as a Russian subject unless provided with documentary evidence; that thousands of persons have come to this country, themselves or their parents from Russia, without passports or any documents, and unable to prove their Russian or other nationality; and whether he intends to deport to Russia any Jews who may be here regarded and registered as Russians but who are not recognised as Russian by the Russian Government?

I am not aware of the announcement to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am aware generally of the facts stated in the second part of the question, and that Russian Consulates usually refuse to give certificates of Russian nationality to persons who are without documentary evidence of their identity; but it does not follow that such persons will not be recognised as Russian subjects in their own country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has been made aware of the notices issued by the Chief Constable of Salford to Russian Jews who, being without passports, are refused certificates of their nationality by the Russian Consulate; how it is intended to regard these men who have no nationality; whether he will seek legislative powers to make them British citizens on condition that they join the British Army, do war work, or undertake approved work of national importance; and (2) whether he is aware that? there are in this country many Jewish persons who originally fled from that part of Russia now occupied by the German Armies, possess no passports, are liable when returned to Russia to be sent to their original towns of residence, are not legally able to reside elsewhere, and are therefore subject to penalties and imprisonment in Russia so long as they cannot return to towns now occupied by the Germans; whether, before deporting any of these persons to Russia, he will consult the Russian Government and obtain an assurance that they will be allowed freely to settle elsewhere in Russia, or whether he will either seek legislative powers to make these persons British subjects or deal otherwise with this problem?

My right hon. Friend has inquired with regard to the action of the Salford Police, and he finds nothing in what they said or did to give any ground for the suggestion that the persons concerned are of no nationality. As regards the rest of Question 37 and the whole of Question 38, I would ask him to await the statement which my right hon. Friend hopes to make to-morrow.

asked whether there has been any objection on the part of the conscientious objectors detailed for road making in Clare, Suffolk, on the grounds that they were being employed on work of an entirely military character, and that, so far from the Government's pledge that they should be under civil control being carried out, military orderlies are in attendance and the men are to all intents and purposes soldiers?

The men employed at Clare, being misled by a newspaper extract, wrote a letter protesting against being employed on a military road. This statement is entirely inaccurate. The road is one of the existing county main roads of Suffolk. It is in no sense a military road, and is not used and is not intended to be used for military traffic of any kind. The men themselves supply all the orderlies necessary, and there are no troops of any kind within many miles of the place. The engineer and foremen of the Road Board, who control the work, are all civilians.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government are considering the amendment of the Military Service Act in the direction of increasing the age of liability to miltary service to forty-five?

No such amendment is at present under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that postal and other Government servants who claim exemption from military service on grounds of conscientious objection conditionally on performing work of rational importance shall be excused from performing that work of national importance and allowed to remain on in their postal or other Government duties; and, if not, will he issue instructions that this is not to be permitted?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him on behalf of the Postmaster-General on the 15th of this month. I understand that the Committee follows a similar policy in regard to all Government servants.

Is it right that men who refuse to raise a hand to defend their fellow countrymen in a great national danger should be allowed to sit quietly in the haven of Government offices?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Bernard Paterson Short, of Reading, who offered himself for the Army in November, 1915, and was rejected as medically unfit, and who nevertheless has been called up for immediate military service without further medical examination in violation of the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916; and, if so, whether he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

asked if he will order the recruiting officer at Blackburn to stop the persecution of H. Hodgson, of Rishton, who was discharged from the Army on 12th August, 1909, as physically unfit, but was arrested on 18th June as an absentee, was kept in the cells all night, was three times brought before the magistrates, and finally discharged as an exception from the Act, under paragraph 5, Schedule I., but has since been summoned to come forward for medical reexamination aad threatened with rearrest if he does not comply?

asked if he is aware that Major Lucas, the recruiting officer at Cardiff, wrote to Evelyn C. Collins, of Gileston, Glamorgan, the wife of Thomas Collins, 720 Company, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, telling her that if she did not quit a cottage, the property of T. W. Lewis, stipendiary magistrate of Cardiff, she could get no assistance from the military; whether the woman, her two children, and furniture were placed by the police in the road under an ejectment order made by the Cow-bridge magistrates; if so, will he say under what powers Major Lucas acted; and what action is proposed to be taken in the matter?

asked whether he will inquire into the case of Private R. Hammond, No. 31619, 3rd Company, 5th Battalion, King's Royal Rifles, who, after being rejected on medical grounds for the Dispatch Corps, tried to enlist in the Cavalry and was again rejected on medical grounds, the doctor stating that his heart was in a serious condition, and subsequently was passed at Whitehall for the King's Royal Rifles; whether he has already had a serious breakdown in consequence; and whether any action will be taken to prevent more serious results?

I am having inquiries made in all these cases, and will communicate the results to my hon. Friends in due course.

asked how many men have been obtained for the Army up to the end of July under the Military Service Acts?

I am afraid I cannot give this information.

Is that because the material is not available or because of the right hon. Gentleman's unwillingness?

It is because I think it is most undesirable.

Why should it be undesirable when estimates of the yield under the Military Service Acts were laid before Parliament, and on those estimates the House of Commons agreed to pass the measures?

I am informed that the recruiting figures have never been given. All I can say is that I should be very glad if somebody in Germany would give us the same information about the German recruits.

asked what the present policy of the War Office is as to the calling up of medical students for military service; and if students are now permitted to continue their course of training for the medical profession?

Under the present arrangements medical students in their fourth and fifth years, including those third year students who passed a professional examination at the end of March, 1916, are not called to the Colours, provided they are enrolled in an Officers' Training Corps. Where such students are not attested an exemption is required from the tribunals, but the military representatives support applications by such students. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, full time students in universities and university colleges and teaching establishments recognised by the Board of Education who are not passed as fit for general service are not at present called to the Colours, and arrangements are proposed by which second and third year medical students in this class who are at present serving shall be allowed to return to their professional studies.

asked whether Mr. Scott Duckers, who has served his term of imprisonment imposed by court-martial, has since been sent back to the Army, and is now stationed at Sheerness; and whether it is the intention of the Government to keep up this system of persecution by forcing men to go through the same process time after time?

I am informed that Private Scott Duckers at first refused to go before the Central Tribunal, but on the 7th August he agreed to go, and duly appeared before it on the 8th August. I am informed that his attitude towards the tribunal was that he would have nothing to do with the tribunal itself or the scheme in general. In view of these circumstances Private Duckers will be dealt with under the Army Act. I must take exception to the expression "persecution," used by the hon. Member. If such an expression were acceptable in this instance it would be equally applicable to any other insubordinate soldier who is being similarly dealt with according to the law.

asked whether men engaged in a starred occupation, namely, coal-mining, and medically rejected for military service, are being required to submit themselves for re-examination; and, if so, whether it is intended to pass such men into the Army or to retain them in the work of getting coal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is intended for the present to retain these men in the work of getting coal.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of appeals against military service still pending before the tribunals; and whether he will consider the possibility of expediting their hearing?

My right hon Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Information cannot be given as to the number of cases still pending before tribunals, but inquiries recently made have indicated that generally there are not serious arrears and steps are being taken to expedite the work where necessary.

asked approximately the amount of overcrowding now existing in asylums; by how many beds asylum accommodation has been reduced since the War began; is any further reduction now proceeding or in contemplation; and what is the present proportion of doctors to patients in the county asylums which remain available for the care and treatment of their original inmates?

The amount of overcrowding referred to varies in the different asylums, but, expressed as an average, it may be stated to be 17 per cent., that is, there are 117 patients in wards which are normally intended for 100 patients. The number of beds by which the total accommodation of county and borough asylums in England and Wales has been reduced by the use of certain asylums as war hospitals is 15,750. No further reduction of accommodation is now proceeding or in contemplation. The present proportion of doctors to patients in the county and borough asylums in use as such is one to 390.

asked the Prime Minister if he has yet nominated any Irishman to represent Ireland on the Committee set up to deal with trade and commerce after the War; and, if so, who that representative is to be?

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the judgment in the case of the Metropolitan Water Board v. Dick Kerr, and Company, in which the decision of the Court was that a contract is not determined by action taken by the Ministry of Munitions which renders it impossible to continue its execution; and whether he intends to introduce legislation to define the position of contractors under conditions brought about by the Defence of the Realm Act and other exceptional legislation necessitated by the War?

This question is under consideration. A deputation representing certain contractors has been received by my right hon. Friend the Solicitor-General, and further information is now being obtained with a view to an early decision on the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the provision in the Munitions of War Act that cases of industrial differences should not be carried to the length of a lock-out or strike, but should be referred to arbitration; whether he is aware that in several cases the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Ministry of Munitions have refused to agree to the demands of sections of workmen for claims to be submitted to arbitration; and whether he can take any steps to secure that the policy for the avoidance of disputes enforced upon private employers of labour shall also be carried out by the various Government Departments?

The Crown not being expressly named in the Munitions of War Act, 1915, is not as a matter of law bound by its provisions. There is a special machinery for settling such questions in the dockyards to which it seems desirable to resort in the first instance. There are other cases in which it is practically impossible to arbitrate in regard to isolated classes without reference to the interest of others. It is quite recognised that subject to exceptional cases the spirit of this provision of the Act should be observed by Government Departments.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is giving further consideration to the suggestions put forward before the War for the adoption of machinery intended to minimise the risk of acute labour disputes; and, in that case, can he inform the House what is being done?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The Government are fully alive to the importance of this matter, and are giving it their earnest consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make a definite statement thereon.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the nature of the body which is to make a comprehensive review of the existing provision of education in Scotland and to make proposals for developing it with a view to experience gained n the War, not as a special Scottish national problem but as part of a general review of the educational provision of Great Britain; whether any Committee or Commission is to be appointed for this purpose; and whether any independent authorities are to be consulted or whether it will consist simply of a series of memoranda by the Departments concerned?

With regard to the first two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Secretary for Scotland on the 16th instant. The methods of conducting the inquiry proposed will naturally be left to the discretion of the persons appointed to conduct it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the educational system of Scotland, both in its methods and in its scope, in its historical development, and in the attitude of the people towards it, has always been quite distinct from that of England, and that the problems of Scottish education are specially national problems; whether he is aware that the proposal to review the existing educational provision in Scotland as a branch of a comprehensive review of the educational provision for Great Britain will fail to inspire confidence in Scotland; whether he will take steps to secure that a comprehensive inquiry into the existing educational provision in Scotland from primary schools to the universities, with special reference to experience gained during the War, shall be conducted exclusively by persons versed in the Scottish educational system; and whether the Government will appoint a Commission for that purpose?

I am aware of the differences in the educational systems of England and Scotland to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am also aware that there are many educational problems common to the two countries which I think it desirable should be investigated jointly for the common benefit in the first; place, without prejudice to any subsequent separate inquiry which may be rendered necessary by the special circumstances of either country.

Will my right hon. Friend consider that this is a matter in which the fullest publicity is desirable, and is in the interest of the inquiry, and will he say, first, who are the people who are making the inquiry; second, what is the scope of the inquiry; and third, what is the method by which they are making the inquiry? Is the method to be simply a series of memoranda from the different Departments or are outside persons desired to make suggestions?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that such inquiries are often most efficacious if they are not conducted according to prescribed rule, but according to the discretion of those to whom they are entrusted?

As I said a moment ago, I think that the procedure is to be determined by the persons appointed. I hope that we shall get a thoroughly independent body of persons to do so.

Will the Scottish Members be consulted before the inquiry is constituted?

Not before, but I hope that we shall have their cooperation during the course of the inquiry.

Who is going to appoint the members of this inquiry?

The Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to give the names of the members of those Committees that have already been appointed to consider and report upon some of the matters connected with the present education inquiry; and whether he can state the terms of reference to each of those Committees?

The terms of reference and the names of the members to the Committee appointed some time ago on the education and instruction of children and young persons after the War have already been announced. An announcement as to Committees on the Teaching of Science and of Modern Languages will be made very soon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also make an announcement in reference to a Committee on the subject of physical education?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, during the Recess, he will be able to publish the terms of reference to the proposed Reviewing Committee suggested by Lord Crewe; whether, in settling the terms of reference to that Committee, he will consider the desirability of making the term sufficiently comprehensive to cover the several important subjects which have been already indicated as requiring investigation, with a view to the improvement of our present educational system and to the better adaptation of the different branches to the new social and industrial conditions that will prevail after the War; and whether he will publish the names of the members of that Committee as soon as the Committee shall have been appointed?

Yes, Sir, I hope to be able to adopt the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. The considerations mentioned in the second part of the question will not be neglected. I will consider the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Sir P. MAGNUS:

53. To ask the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to inform the House whether the resignation of the present Minister of Education has been accepted; and, if so, whether he can announce who has been appointed as his successor?

I have already received a satisfactory answer to this question.

asked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to make a statement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the calling of a representative conference, or the appointment of a Select Committee, to consider the whole question of the franchise and also the question of Redistribution?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the suggestion made by the President of the Local Government Board for the setting up of a representative conference on electoral reform and of his statement that be believed that such a conference would have valuable results, he is able to announce that steps will be promptly taken to summon such a conference?

I think that the suggestion made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board is a very valuable one, and I hope to be able to give effect to it, and that an indication of the procedure to be adopted may shortly be made.

Will the Prime Minister consider the putting at the disposal of such conference any legislative drafts that there may be for the extension of the franchise on wide lines, which would prove suitable for such conference to consider?

Yes, Sir; as far as possible, certainly.

A Government united one?

asked the Prime Minister if, in consequence of certain concessions to old age pensioners, the Government will consider the means of immediately assisting those who are sick, feeble, and helpless, to whom the concessions bring no help, either by Grant from the Treasury to local pension committees or an enabling order giving to local authorities the power to give to local pension committees such sums as will enable the pension committee to grant, after careful consideration, to the sick, feeble, and helpless old age pensioner a sum not exceeding 7s. 6d. per week?

The Government are satisfied, after careful inquiry into this matter, that there are cases of hardship which call for relief and for which provision must be made. The suggestion of my hon. Friend amongst others is receiving attention.

May I ask whether any public announcement will be made before the House adjourns?

I have already made an announcement.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the instructions, referred to in White Paper Cd. 8320, to pension officers not to raise questions in the case of existing pensioners in respect of any temporary increase of means due to pensioners' re-employment on account of shortage of labour during the War, are intended to apply to cases where the old age pensioner is the wife or other dependant of the person in receipt of increased wages due to the War; and, if there is any ambiguity in regard to the interpretation of the instructions, whether he will issue further instructions to deal with the point?

The instructions do not apply to the cases mentioned by my hon. Friend.

In asking this question, I would point out that the statements contained in the second and third parts of the question are the statements of Herr Zimmermann. They are not mine.

The German Government has as yet shown no disposition to agree to peace except upon terms that would be intolerable or humiliating to some of the Allies. The suggestion that the Entente has been influenced by any pressure from Great Britain is quite untrue.

Are we to understand from that answer that terms of any kind have been suggested?

Only what we have seen announced.

Nothing official?

was understood to indicate an answer in the negative.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many prosecutions have been instituted in Great Britain since the 1st of April, 1915, up to date against traders and others for the fraudulent sale of Irish butter?

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), what was the total quantity of butter exported from Denmark and Ireland, respectively, during the years 1914, 1915, and up to 1st July, 1916, and the average price per cwt. paid for the same?

The total Quantity of butter exported from Denmark during the year 1914 (the latest year for which statistics are available) amounted to 1,875,755 cwts., valued at £11,860,842, or an average price of 126s. 6d. per cwt. The total quantities of butter exported from Ireland during the years 1914 and 1915 were as follows: 855,068 cwts., valued at £4,641,673 (or an average price of 108s. 6d. per cwt.) in 1914; and 838,089 cwts., valued at £5,751,386 (or an average price of 137s. 3d. per cwt.), in 1915. Figures of the export of butter from Ireland during any part of the year 1916 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Munitions if it is the practice at Woolwich Arsenal for workpeople arriving half an hour late, through causes beyond their own control, to be suspended for the day, in some cases for two days; and, if so, whether the authorities will consider the desirability of deducting from the wages the equivalent value of the time actually lost, thereby bringing the establishment into line with the practice prevailing outside?

I have made inquiries, and understand that the penalty of suspension is imposed only in cases of habitual late attendance. In the case of employés who arrive late and begin work, the practice described in the last part of the question is followed.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the men working in Woolwich Arsenal called up for military service are entitled to leave work when in receipt of the two weeks' notice from the military authorities; if he is aware that those in authority at the Arsenal claim that men must remain at their work until the expiration of their notice; and if he intends taking action in the matter?

A man who has been notified by the Arsenal authorities that he is about to be released for military service is allowed to leave his work before the date of his joining the Colours in order that he may transact any necessary private business. A notice to this effect has been posted throughout the Arsenal, and no further action appears necessary.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the management of any firm can withdraw the badge of munition worker without first getting permission from the Ministry of Munitions in accordance with the regulations issued under the Munitions Act; and, if any badge is withdrawn without such sanction, what action the worker can take against the employer?

An employer is required to withdraw a War Service Badge, without reference to the Ministry, when the workman leaves his employment or ceases to be employed on war work. In no case, however, may he withdraw a badge certificate without the Ministry's authority, and any workman whose certificate is withdrawn without that authority should report the matter immediately to the Ministry of Munitions. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a workman's exemption from military service depends not upon his badge, but upon his badge certificate.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the India Bubber and Gutta Percha Telegraph Company's works at Silvertown, East, is a controlled factory; if he is aware that the carpenters working in the shop are not being paid the district rate of wages; that the pieceworkers in the same shop, whatever they earn, are not paid more than the hour rates, and that any balance of money which accumulates under this system is kept in hand as a fund to make up for deficiencies in earnings on future hour-rate jobs which are given out at so low a price that the men are unable to earn the proper rate; that, in consequence of this method of payment, there are three or four men who are entitled to draw at least £15; that this is a violation of Section 6 of the Munitions of War (Amendment) Act, 1916; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

The matters referred to in this question have just been brought to my notice and I am making inquiries. I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Minister of Munitions how it is proposed to provide fresh employment or the means of maintenance for the large number of tinplate workers in South Wales, Monmouthshire, and Gloucestershire who will be thrown out of employment by his decision to limit the output of all British tinplate works to tinplates required for Government purposes only.

In view of the large and unsatisfied demand for labour in connection with the production of munitions it is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in providing employment for such numbers of the tinplate workers in South Wales, Monmouthshire, and Gloucestershire as may be thrown out of employment by the limit imposed upon the output of British tinplate works. Any men who may become unemployed as a result of this limitation should at once report themselves to the nearest Labour Exchange, where, by arrangement with the Ministry of Munitions, full particulars of vacancies in munitions works are available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this limitation of output is likely to continue for the rest of the War?

I do not know about the rest of the War, but it will continue for some considerable time.

Will the manufacturers of tin biscuit boxes and articles of that kind be able to get any material?

It will only limit a certain percentage of the production of tin-plate.

That is not the impression amongst manufacturers. Can the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage that is?

I would rather not give any further details at present.

I will put down another question.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether arrangements can be made for munition workers who are taking holiday at the period appointed, and who desire to visit relatives some distance away, to be supplied with railway tickets for themselves and wives at the usual munition workers' rate on producing their cards?

The matter will receive consideration, but I understand that there are great difficulties in the grant of any facilities which are likely to increase the existing pressure on the railways.

Will the hon. Gentleman say how it can increase the traffic on the railways, as the munition workers will only be travelling when the holidays are granted by the Ministry, and will special terms be offered therefore to the munition workers?

It is not within the province of the Ministry to do so.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any arrangements and., if so, what have been made with the Belgian Government for the maintenance of the wives and children of the Belgian refugees now in this country who are shortly to be called up for service in the Belgian Army; and, if so, whether such arrangements can be communicated without delay to the various committees in this country who have hitherto undertaken the voluntary responsibility for the maintenance of the refugees?

At the moment I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on Tuesday last to the same question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any man of military age and fitness is liable to be treated as a deserter from the Army under the Military Service Act if he volunteers for and is accepted by the senior Service; and will he say by what means the recruitment for the Navy is now being maintained?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, provided, of course, the man has not been actually embodied in an Army unit. As regards the second part of the question, under the Military Service Act men are allowed to express their preference for Naval service, and the Admiralty have the first call on such men in case their services are needed.

Will the men be retained in their present employment until they are called up?

My right hon. Friend apparently refers to our system of deferred entry. We have such a system. I do not understand by whom men on that list have been discharged.

Is it on the authority of the Admiralty they are being discharged? I have had two such cases.

I am afraid I do not follow. If my right hon. Friend will give me the details I will go into it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, with reference to the estate of 12,000 acres gifted by the Duke of Sutherland of which the annual value of the land and shootings is £475 according to the Valuation Roll for 1914–15, whether he can state from the Valuation Roll how much of the annual value is attributable to the land, so that an estimate may be arrived at of the approximate value of the land on which it is proposed to settle soldiers and sailors?

In reply I may be allowed to refer my hon. Friend to my answer of the 17th August on this subject.

May I ask for what reason the right hon. Gentleman cannot give me the figures, which must be easily obtainable, without any cost to the Department, from the valuation roll. Is it for the purpose of concealment of the fact that this land is worthless when we arrive at the true rating on it?