asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he contends that the Entertainments Tax extends to the annual subscriptions of members to friendly societies of the character of the Druids, Oddfellows, Foresters, Buffaloes, and Freemasons, who are accustomed at their regular meetings to have refreshment, generally in the nature of a meal, followed by music; and what is the determining factor upon which it is contended the tax becomes payable?

No general ruling can be given to cover the cases referred to. The tax is leviable under Section 1 (4) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, if the subscription paid by a member does, in fact, include any payment for admission to any entertainment, and this can only be determined on consideration of the facts of each case. I am informed, however, by the Board of Customs and Excise, who are, under the Act, the authorities to decide the question, that while some entertainments would undoubtedly render the subscription liable to taxation, the mere fact that impromptu songs and music were given after a particular meeting would not in itself have this effect. Societies concerned should lay the facts before the Board for decision.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that several old age pensioners have been obliged though illness and by reason of the increase in the price of the necessaries of life to enter the Mountmellick workhouse hospital and have given their pensions as part payment for their support; and, as the pension officer is making this a pretext for depriving these poor people of their pensions, will he take steps to prevent such action by the pension officers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Wexford, County, South, on 24th July last and to the hon. Member for Kilkenny, County, South, on 3rd August last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the grounds on which a labourer named James Fox, Bathbracken, Granard, county Longford, has been refused an old age pension; whether he is aware that this man attained the full age last May and has since been informed that he will not get the pension due to him unless he refunds money claimed to have been paid to him in error two years ago; and will he see that the law is carried out in this case and the pension is granted?

I am informed by the Local Government Board that this man obtained a pension at the rate of 5s. a week from the 1st January, 1909, until the 7th February, 1915, when a question was raised as to his right to a pension on the ground that he was not the statutory age. It was found that the pension had been granted on an incorrect baptismal certificate, given in October, 1908, being that of a brother Charles, baptised 30th July, 1837. As the result of the disqualification there was a debt due to the Crown of £80 5s., and by order of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise the new order book is to be withheld until this debt is recovered. The Board have no authority to interfere in the matter, and Mr. Fox has been so informed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the war bonus granted to females and persons under eighteen in the Civil Service is only half that granted to men; and, if so, will he state why the bonus granted to women is not similar in amount to that of the men?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. The payment of bonus to women at half the rates allowed to men follows the terms of the arbitrator's award to the Post Office staff last year, and it appears justified by reason of the fact that the majority of the men now serving in Government Departments have to maintain families out of their wages, whereas the majority of the women do not, and accordingly the increased cost of living falls more heavily on the men than on the women.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if it was due to the action of the Censor that the speech of the hon. Member for Waterford was not printed in the "Freeman's Journal" as delivered; why was the charge of scandalous bad faith against the Government struck out, and also the threat to go into open and vigorous opposition?

I am informed that the Censor had nothing to do with the matters referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the claims of dependants of the victims of the shootings in Dublin will be considered and by whom claims will be heard; and what time will elapse between the hearing of claims and the payment of the awards to those now almost homeless?

Mr. Orpen, President of the Incorporated Law Society, Mr. Charles O'Conor, Inspector of the Local Govern- ment Board, and Mr. Taylor, of the Finance Division in the Chief Secretary's Office, have been appointed a Committee to investigate these claims. The reference to the Committee requires them to inquire and report with regard to applications for payment out of public funds to ( a ) Persons who have suffered loss by reason of personal injuries sustained by them without misconduct or default on their part in the recent rebellion; and ( b ) dependants of deceased persons who without misconduct or default on their part were killed or injured in the recent rebellion.

The Committee held a preliminary meeting last week. They will proceed with the investigation of claims and make their report with all practicable dispatch.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what has been the decision of the Commission appointed to inquire into the cases of those employé s in the Land Commission service who were suspected with having taken part in the recent rebellion; and whether the Government will lay the Report immediately upon the Table of the House, with the evidence taken in each case?

Of the six members of the staff of the Irish Land Commission suspended in connection with the rebellion whose cases were referred for investigation to the Committee appointed by the Home Secretary, the Committee recommended the dismissal of five and the reinstatement of one and this recommendation has been acted on. The Committee heard each officer personally and were guided not only by his past acts but also by his own declarations in arriving at their conclusion as to his fitness to remain in the Civil Service of the Crown. They took no formal notes of evidence. As at present advised, the Government do not propose to lay the Report.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it was due to the action of the Censor that no report of the conference at which the hon. and learned Member for North-East Cork and other notabilities were present was published in the "Irish Daily Independent"?

The Censor informs me that he has no knowledge of any such conference.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a boy named Thomas Neville was arrested in Bandon, county Cork, during the rebellion; that the local military authority, Colonel Lindsay, declared, in the presence of a responsible witness, that he should never have been arrested and immediately discharged him; that an old fowling-piece was taken from him, which is the property of his father, Mr. E. Neville, J. P., Bandon, who has a licence for it and used it for the purpose of protecting his crops from birds, that the fowling-piece has been retained by the military authorities and his crops have been considerably injured in consequence; and whether he will make inquiries into the case and give instructions to have the owner's property returned to him?

This case has already been fully inquired into, and my hon. Friend has been made acquainted with the result.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he is aware that James Walsh, of Knockea, Clonakilty, is interned without any proof against him that he was of hostile associations beyond being a member of the Irish Volunteers; whether he was ever guilty of any offence whatsover beyond being a member of the Volunteers; if so, what offence; if not, is the fact of being a member of the Irish Volunteers sufficient offence to deprive him of his liberty; when this was declared an offence against the law, and why; and (2) if he is aware that Mr. Peter O'Donovan, of Casheliskey, Clonakilty, is interned on account of the following charges made in evidence against him, namely, that he had a full uniform and equipment; that the Volunteers held meetings in his house; that he went on recruiting platforms and made speeches to get men to join the Volunteers; and that he had been organising; whether he is aware that these charges are entirely false in every detail; and, if not, whether he will have inquiries made and allow this prisoner to be submitted to some tribunal where he will be allowed an opportunity of proving his innocence?

I will answer this and the next question together. James Walsh and Peter O'Donovan were both interned on the recommendation of a competent military authority under Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The ground for internment in each case' was membership of an organisation which has promoted armed insurrection against His Majesty. Both men had full opportunities of stating their cases to the Advisory Committee, who recommended their continued internment.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the learning of wireless telegraphy has been prohibited in Ireland, and when permission to teach will be restored?,

I am not aware that the learning of wireless telegraphy has been prohibited in Ireland, but it is not the view of the Government that in time of war indiscriminate facilities either for the teaching of, or for the use of, wireless telegraphy can be sanctioned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that many rebuilding schemes in Dublin are being delayed owing to the refusal of the Government to issue permits to build; if he is aware that the workers attached to the building trade in Dublin are in a poor condition for want of employment; and if he will say why the Government are delaying building operations?

I am not aware that any licence for the rebuilding of premises in Dublin has been refused. I understand that owing to war needs permits are not at present issued to commercial firms for the purchase of constructional steel, but I am informed from the Ministry of Munitions that licences with a view to construction in ferro-concrete in which steel, other than constructional steel, is to be used would probably be given.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have recently notified the King's County County Council that all roads are to be advertised for tenders for contracts and that none should be worked by direct labour as has been done for ten years past; and, if so, what is the reason for this direction, and whether it will be revoked?

No such notification as that given in the question has been sent by the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how much land has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board since the commencement of the War; and how much land has been reserved for men who have enlisted in the Amy or Navy for service in the present War.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that since the outbreak of war 47,000 acres of tenanted land and 20,000 acres of untenanted land have been vested in them. In making allotments of untenanted land amongst the classes of persons prescribed in the Acts, the Commissioners, subject to their statutory obligations, give a preference to men who have served or are serving in the Army or Navy or have members of their families so serving; such men have not been classified separately, and the Commissioners are not therefore in a position to state the number to whom allotments have been made. The congested Districts Board inform me that since the declaration of war they have only purchased one estate on which there is practically no untenanted land.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the facilities for acquiring land in Ireland do not include the means of obtaining land in the immediate neighbourhood of cities, towns, and villages; and whether he will make further inquiry and place similar opportunities for land cultivation by allotment to urban dwellers in Ireland as are already in successful operation in England?

The hon. Member was informed in answer to his question of 14th March last that the extension to Ireland of the powers contained in the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, for the provision of allotments by urban authorities is not practicable. Under that Act allotment schemes are intended to be carried out without loss to the local authorities, and in order to satisfy this requirement in the case of Irish towns it would be necessary to let the land at a figure which would be beyond the means of the labouring classes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has been in consultation with any responsible authority respecting the supply of coal to the poor of Dublin; whether he is aware that, owing to the increase in price, it will be necessary to provide a fund to avert a fuel famine; and whether he can state what measures the Government propose taking to avert such a calamity?

I am in communication with the Irish Local Government Board and the Board of Trade on this subject.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what progress has been made with the Report on Irish imports and exports for the year 1915; and when will the publication be issued?

The Department are doing all that is practicable to have the Report in question issued, and hope that it may be published before the end of the present year. It may be added that the compilation of this Report has been much handicapped by the fact that several of the staff previously employed in connection with it have joined His Majesty's Forces.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men wounded on naval service have been discharged under Article 1932, King's Regulations, with a gratuity of 20s. only in lieu of all claims?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under an entire misconception of the purpose of Article 1932. It does not apply to men wounded on naval service, but to men invalided for disabilities not in any way attributable to nor aggravated by the Service. I can find no trace of any case in which a gratuity of 20s. only has been granted to a man discharged under this Article who has received a wound in action or on duty. If my hon. and gallant Friend has knowledge of any such case, I should be very much obliged if he would bring it to my notice so that it may be investigated.

also asked on what basis do the Admiralty interpret Article 1932 of the King's Regulations in regard to the words dealing with a man who is materially able to contribute to his own support; and, if a man's wounds have incapacitated him from service and he is no longer able to earn as much as before his voluntary enlistment for the War, whether the Admiralty give no compensation to him if they think he can materially contribute on a lower scale to his own support?

The awards made under Article 1932 are applicable only to the cases of men invalided for disabilities not in any way attributable to, nor aggravated by, the Service. In cases of disability not attributable to, nor aggravated by, the Service, compensation is naturally not awarded in respect of disability but in respect of the man's service. When the service exceeds ten years (except for non-continuous service men, where fourteen years is required), a life pension is given; but for men of less service than that a gratuity or a temporary pension is awarded according to the man's ability to contribute to his own support, the less favourable award being confined to men whose earning capacity is reported by the medical authorities to be less than half impaired. Men discharged on account of wounds are granted compensation under the War Disablement Scale based on the Report of the Select Committee of this House or under Article 1931 of the King's Regulations if more to their advantage. In all such cases the effect of the wound, if permanent, is taken into account and an award made accordingly. In the case of a man who has sustained a wound which does not have any serious effect upon his earning capacity and is not the occasion of his discharge, compensation is granted on his being invalided for other causes or on discharge to long service pension, additionally to the award to which his service otherwise entitles him. My hon. and gallant Friend appears to have some case in his mind in which he considers the man has not been adequately compensated. If I am correct in my assumption, I shall be glad if he will give me particulars, and I will have the necessary inquiries made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) if he is aware that S. H. Wallis, No. 16,144, who was reported on resurvey to be suffering from no disability so far as his earning capacity was concerned, is, in fact, constantly losing time at the Post Office through recurrence of illness due to his injuries; and, if so, what action he proposes to take; and (2) whether, seeing that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty based their decision refusing a pension to S. H. Wallis on the report of a medical resurvey which states that he was suffering from no disability so far as his earning capacity was concerned, although the man has admittedly lost the use of a hand, he will see that this case is reconsidered and a pension paid to this man; and, if not, will he state what authority fixes the wages standard in a case of this kind 2

I must refer my hon. Friend to the very full statement I made to him regarding this case on 3rd August. I can only add to that statement that if Wallis definitely loses his employment in the Post Office directly on account of the disablement which caused his invaliding, his case would—as already stated—receive sympathetic consideration; but if he is only intermittently absent from his employment, he is presumably in receipt of sick pay or full pay for such periods?

asked the number of those of military age in the service of the Admiralty on 30th September who had received commissions and who, since the beginning of the War, have not been engaged in active naval or military service?

There are eighty officers of military age, with temporary commissions, now serving at the Admiralty who have not been engaged in actual naval or military service since the beginning of the War. Nearly all of these are employed in the Air Department in connection with the design and production of material for the Royal Naval Air Service, and were entered for this and no other purpose.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty under what Section of the Naval Enlistment Acts the Admiralty make consent to vaccination a condition precedent to admission into the Royal Navy?

Section 10 of the Naval Enlistment Act, 1853.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether canvas huts are being erected on the East Coast of Yorkshire for the use of the troops in winter; and whether any provision has been or is to be made for heating them?

A small number of canvas huts in addition to wooden huts are being provided for winter accommodation on the East Coast of Yorkshire. In all cases provision for heating is being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Territorial regimental sergeant-majors have only acting rank, whereas regimental sergeant-majors in the New Armies have temporary rank and their names published in the Army List; and if he can see his way to place all these men on an equal footing?

My hon. Friend does not state the facts quite correctly. The sergeant-majors in the New Army do not have their names published in the Army List. As was stated in a reply given by the present Secretary for Scotland to the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division on 25th May, all sergeant-majors, whether of Regular battalions, New Army battalions, or Territorial Force battalions, are on the same footing as regards emoluments.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give, for the past twelve months, the average percentage of casualties in the Infantry?

It is not possible to make public information of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any figures are available showing the number of Irishmen who have received commissions in the Army, temporary or otherwise, since the outbreak of war?

No, Sir, I regret that no figures are available showing the number of Irishmen who have received commissions in the Army since the outbreak of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any scheduled period of hours during which men of the various categories are subject to training; and whether in some cases the period is as long as twelve hours per day?

The training of the various arms are carried out in each case under a syllabus, but I cannot find that in any case the number of hours during which a man is under training in the day is anything like twelve hours a day, except possibly during periods of training in field work, when men are being accustomed to active service conditions. On these occasions arrangements are always made for the feeding and rest of the men, and this is part and parcel of their training in the field.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Mr. T. S. Overbury, a conscientious objector, is now in close confinement at West Hartlepool under the officer commanding the 4th West Yorks Regiment; whether he has persistently refused food since his arrest on 30th September; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the case?

I do not think that any special action is necessary in this case. If the facts be as stated, I have no doubt but that his condition has formed the subject of attention at the hands of the medical authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department how many conscientious objectors to military servise who were in prison or under military detention have up to now been examined by the Central Tribunal and have accepted work under the Home Office Committee; to what localities they have been sent; and what is the nature of the work given them to do, the hours of work, the housing accommodation, the pay or other allowances, and the detailed character of the regulations imposed upon them?

The number of men of the class referred to who, having been examined by the Central Tribunal and referred by the tribunal to the Home Office Committee, are now actually at work is 1,037. In addition to these there are approximately 300 men on furlough whose sentences of imprisonment expired before they were examined by the tribunal, or before work could be provided for them by the Committee. All these men have now been referred by the tribunal to the Committee, but it has not yet been ascertained whether all of them will accept work under the Committee. The 1,037 men referred to above are distributed as follows:— Employed on the repair and reconstruction of roads under the Road Board: At Clare 50 At Newhaven 164 At Dyce 252 At Kinlochleven 53 Employed on the repair and construction of waterworks under the Llanelly Rural District Council, near Llanelly 118 Employed on wood-cutting under the Home-Grown Timber Committee: At Weston-super-Mare 32 At Newport 20 At Wigtown 20 Employed on various forms of manual labour at Work Centres established by the Committee: At Wakefield 123 At Warwick 205 1,037

Their hours of work in no case exceed those obtaining in the district for similar classes of labour. The great majority of the men are housed in buildings or huts, and all of them will be so housed in the course of the next few days. The pay is 8d. a day, food, clothing, lodging and medical attendance being provided. Separation allowances at Army rates are granted where it appears to be necessary or proper to do so, a deduction from the men's pay up to a maximum of 6d. being made in all such cases. The regulations made by the Committee vary in accordance with local circumstances, but generally speaking are only such as to secure the well-being and reasonable discipline and industry of the men under their control, without unduly restricting their liberty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prisoners have been examined by the Central Tribunal and, after establishing the genuineness of their conscientious objection to military service, have been offered and declined to accept work under the Home Office Committee; and what is the exact nature of the punishment to which these men are to be subjected?

The number of prisoners who, having been examined by the Central Tribunal and referred by the tribunal to the Home Office Committee, have been offered work by the Committee and have declined to accept it is 214. The fact of their refusal to accept the work offered to them by the Committee does not render these men liable to the imposition of any punishment. They remain in prison until the expiration of the sentences they are serving and are then returned to their units; but it is open to them at any time, either during or after the expiration of their sentences, to withdraw their refusal and to apply to the Committee to be given work.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a case tried at the Mansion House on 4th October in which Robert James Miller, a fish porter, was convicted and fined for loitering for the purpose of betting, having previously been fined £25 for assisting in the management of a gaming house; whether he is aware that it was stated in evidence that Miller had been exempted from military service for the purpose of pursuing the business of a fish porter; and whether such exemption is in accordance with the principles laid down by the Local Government Board for the guidance of tribunals?

I am informed that a certificate of exemption was granted to R. J. Miller, as an attested man in a certified occupation, by the Recruiting officer, not by a tribunal; and that steps are being taken for the withdrawal of the certificate

asked the Secretary of State for War whether retired majors and retired captains of Militia and Special Reserve who previous to the War had, respectively fifteen and thirteen years' service to their credit, and who have, since the War began, rejoined the Army and have done two years' further service therein, are entitled to the respective ranks of honorary lieutenant-colonel and honorary major, as they would have been had their service been continuous regimental service?

Such cases as those referred to by my hon. Friend will not be lost sight of; but it is not proposed to give honorary rank in consequence of services during the War until the War is over, when the question of the conditions under which it can best be given will be determined.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an application for a pension has been received from the widow of Corporal Weekes, of Dungarvan, county Waterford, who has been killed in action, and, if so, what action has been taken on it?

If my hon. Friend will give me the full name, regiment, and regimental number of Corporal Weekes, I will have inquiry made into the case of his widow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a scale of gratuity and pension for officers disabled as the result of frostbite has been determined; and, if so, can he state the gratuity and pension to which a subaltern officer would be entitled who had lost by amputation all his toes and a portion of the ball of one foot?

The question is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the view of the Statutory Committee is to the effect that they have no power to advance money for emigration purposes out of State funds; and whether, seeing that this view conflicts with the undertaking given to the House when the Bill setting up the Statutory Committee was passing through Parliament, he can see his way to make a pronouncement on the subject?

The Statutory Committee have not at present as a body expressed any opinion as to their power to advance money for emigration purposes out of State funds. The only undertaking given to the House when the Bill setting up the Statutory Committee was passing through Parliament was that the Act would contain the power to make Grants for emigration, but it was distinctly stated that the power could only be exercised if funds for this purpose were placed at the disposal of the Statutory Committee. If the Statutory Committee decide that it, is desirable to advance money for emigration purposes out of State funds it will be open to them to do so, subject to the consent of the Treasury.

(Paddington, S.) asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether the agreement as to the treatment of disabled men between the Statutory Committee and the Insurance Commissioners can actually be made effective unless the Commissioners obtain the necessary Exchequer Grants and the co-operation, where necessary, of the War Office and Admiralty?

The agreement with reference to the treatment of disabled men after they are discharged from the Service is, of course, subject to the necessary funds being provided, and in the supplementary answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport on 10th October I stated that the scheme had yet to receive the assent of the Treasury. The scheme covers England, Scotland, and Wales. Other arrangements are in progress with regard to Ireland. Before the scope of the scheme can be settled or its operation commenced the decision of the War Office as to the extent of the use of military hospitals must be ascertained and the full co-operation of that Department and of the Admiralty must be secured.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what other counties the price for hay requisitioned by the Government has been the same as that fixed in Lancashire; and whether the current rates of wages and other expenses of farmers can be said to be approximately the same in these counties?

The price is the same for all counties in England and Wales, allowance being made for proximity to ports or troop centres. Lancashire farmers are exceptionally well placed in this respect, and they are not considered to be in any way penalised in comparison with farmers in other parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for War what allowance has been made in the prices fixed for requisitioned hay in Lancashire for the increase in the cost of production over pre-war prices?

The price being paid is considered ample to cover all expenses and leave an average margin of profit quite equal to that under pre-war prices.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in requisitioning hay from farmers, he will consider the possibility of demanding an equal percentage of all farmers' hay instead of requisitioning the entire crop of some and leaving that of others untouched?

I am afraid that the Noble Lord's suggestion is impracticable. The Army Council are not now requisitioning hay from individual farmers, but have by Order under the Defence of the Realm Regulations taken possession of all hay, releasing that which is unsuitable for Army purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether instructions have been issued to district purchasing officers concerning the 1916 crop of straw, and, if so, when they were so issued; and, if they have not yet been issued, whether he is aware that farmers' straw has been held up in Lancashire for lack of instructions?

Full instructions have been issued from time to time since 30th June last, and I am not aware that straw has been held up in Lancashire through any failure in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what principle compensation for land requisitioned by the War Office for the erection of huts, etc., has been paid to farmers?

The principle is that of making good any direct and substantial loss caused to the farmer by the military occupation. In disputed cases the amount to be paid is determined by the Defence of the Realm Losses Royal Commission, and on this point I would refer the Noble Lord to paragraph 8 of their Interim Report dated the 19th September last (Cd. 8359).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is able to give the House any information respecting the proposed internment of Moslem prisoners of war at Famagusta, in Cyprus; and whether it would be practicable for the military authorities to use that camp for Bulgarian instead of for Turkish prisoners?

Yes, Sir, a camp for the accommodation of the Moslem prisoners of war is in course of formation at Cyprus. The local authorities have, of course, been consulted, and no reason is seen for reserving this camp for Bulgarian prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make any statement about a recent attack made by the Turks on the town of Kerbela, in Mesopotamia, or the holy places there which the Shia Moslems hold in reverence?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 6th July regarding the disturbance at Kerbela and subsequent fighting between the Arab population and Turkish troops. No news of further disturbance in this area has been received.

asked (1) if sick and wounded soldiers arriving at Wellington and other small stations in the Nilgiri Hills lately from Mesopotamia found no mattresses or pillows on their iron beds, and had nothing to lie on hut coir; whether there was insufficient underclothing and no stock of either clothes or utensils; and whether the supply of drugs was inadequate for many days; and (2) whether, owing to practically no provision having been made for receiving wounded and sick soldiers at Wellington and other smaller stations in the Nilgiri Hills lately, it has been necessary for charitably disposed people in Calcutta to collect money and goods to relieve the situation?

Last August my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India, on receiving accounts of deficiencies in the equipment of certain military hospitals in Madras, telegraphed to the Government of India for a report. As regards Coonoor, the Viceroy replied that there had been small defects of a temporary character, but that these had been promptly remedied, and that the G.O.C. of the Division, in the course of frequent visits, found the invalids contented and happy. As regards Wellington, the Viceroy was satisfied by an exhaustive inspection carried out by the G.O.C., in company with the Governor of Madras, that there were nothing more than inconveniences of a temporary character, which were quickly dealt with. The Viceroy added that there was no dearth of comforts or stores, and that private relief was merely supplementing official resources.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will state the present position with regard to the workmen who were deported from the Clyde district; whether any and, if so, how many of the workmen have been allowed to return to their homes and upon what conditions; the reason why all of the men have not been allowed to return; and whether, in view of the length of time the men have now been away from their homes, he will favourably consider the advisability of allowing them to return on suitable conditions?

Ten men in all were deported from the Clyde district. In August last it was decided to allow six of these to return to their homes conditionally upon their giving an undertaking to take no action during the period of the War likely to impede the output of munitions, and provided that they were ready to submit any grievance which might arise to be dealt with by the officials of their union. Two of the six men refused to give the undertaking required. One has asked permission to go to Canada. Permission has been given to the other three to return to Glasgow. With regard to the remaining four men, I have to refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to him on the 10th August last.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the local tribunals of Carmarthenshire have protested against the employment of single men at certain munitions works, who have been brought there from all parts of the United Kingdom, while the homes of married men in the locality are being broken up under the Military Service Bill; whether he has caused investigation to be made into the conditions prevailing at the munitions works; and whether he is prepared to substituute for the single men doing unskilled work women and married men living in the neighbourhood?

A protest from the local tribunals at Carmarthenshire has been received by the Ministry of Munitions, and local investigation has been made at the munitions works referred to. In accordance with the policy which has been adopted for some time past, arrangements have been completed for releasing a number of unskilled men of military age and employing an increasing number of women and men ineligible for general service.

asked the Ministry of Munitions what steps are being taken by his Department for the distribution of discharged men to replace single men working in controlled establishments, and whether a number of discharged men are available for the purpose, and if he can state what is the cause of the delay in arranging further exchange?

As my right hon. Friend indicated last week, a scheme is under discussion between the Ministry of Munitions and the War Office for replacing single unskilled men working on munitions by men unfit for general service. I regret that it is not yet possible to announce the details.

asked the Minister of Munitions if the Department have given instructions that employers in controlled establishments are to send leaving certificates of men of military age to the local recruiting officer to be endorsed, that as the bearer of the certificate is eligible for the Army and has been debadged no person can employ him after the date of leaving his employment; and, if so, will he explain why this is done in the face of the provisions of the Munitions Act and the Military Service Act in regard to the six weeks period of grace?

No instructions of the kind mentioned in my hon. Friend's question have been given by the Department. If he will furnish me with any specific instance of leaving certificates being endorsed I will make immediate inquiries in order to have the matter rectified.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what steps are being taken by the Government of India to place restrictions on enemy traders after the War?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for East Nottingham on 12th April last.

also asked when the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the causes and responsibility for the deaths from heat-stroke that occurred in the troop train amongst the men disembarked from the transport "Ballarat" at Karachi in June last will be published?

The Secretary of State does not propose to publish the Report of the Inquiry. The findings of the Committee and the action taken thereon by the Government of India as regards the responsible officers concerned has already been communicated to the House. The hon. and gallant Member will be glad to hear that the Government of India have now issued revised Regulations regarding the dispatch of troops by rail during the hot weather which should prevent the recurrence of such an incident.

asked what is the yearly cost of the Indian Students' Department in the United Kingdom, and what are the various salaries paid to different officials thereof, and what allowances are paid to them.

The cost of the Indian Students' Department in the United Kingdom was £5,564 in 1914–15 and £5,544 in 1915–16. For details of salaries and allowances I would refer my hon. Friend to the financial statement appended to the Annual Report on the work of the Indian Students' Department which is presented to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that officers of the Indian Army permitted under the Indian Army Regulations to reside in England applied, on the outbreak of war, to the India Office for employment but were refused; whether he is aware that these officers, on attaining the age of fifty-seven in the case of colonels and sixty-two in the case of major-generals, should, under Indian Army Regulations, be transferred to the unemployed supernumerary list, from which the Indian Government has the power, under the same Regulations, to recall them should their services be required; whether the India Office have delayed placing these officers on the unemployed supernumerary list with the object that small sums may be cut from the Indian pay of those officers who have accepted other employment in England on the plea that they are still on the active list; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to put the officers concerned on the unemployed supernumerary list on the regular dates and to see that their rights to full Indian pay. are not infringed?

Since the War began every effort possible has been made to re-employ officers of the Indian Army residing by permission out of India under the Indian Army Regulations, but many were senior lieut.-colonels or colonels for whom employment suitable to their rank and years could not be found. With regard to the rest of the question, no officers can claim to be put on the unemployed supernumerary list on a particular date, as the right of the Secretary of State to postpone such transfers is reserved in the Royal Warrant establishing the list. During the War retirements from the Army are not allowed, and as a natural sequel transfers to the unemployed supernumerary list have been suspended.

asked if there is any possibility of the Indian indigo industry being revived; can he say what annual average value the sales have been in the past, i.e., before 1898; have they been worth more in money value to the Empire than all the coal-tar colours this country uses put together; and is there anyone within or advising the Department who really understands the position of this valuable industry?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question asked by the hon. Member for East Nottingham on 5th July last. The average value of indigo exports from India in the five years ending 1896–7 was about £3,000,000 a year, but I am afraid that I am not in a position to make the comparison suggested by the hon. Member. An indigo research branch under a competent chemist has been constituted in the Indian Agricultural Department, and its investigations are examined and criticised by a small expert Committee which the Secretary of State has appointed in this country. The Committee includes an eminent chemist and representatives of the planting interests and dye users.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received complaints of the unhealthy and insanitary condition of the Knockaloe Camp, Isle of Man, and of the Alexandra Palace Internment Camp, and whether, in view of the approaching winter, he will see that the huts are weather-tight, that the drinking water is filtered, that the sanitary and sleeping arrangements are adequate, and that food may be sold to those who can buy it at cost price?

The Alexandra Palace Camp is under the control of the War Office and not of my Department. Knock-aloe Camp receives the constant attention of the Insular Authorities and of the Destitute Aliens Committee on behalf of the Home Office. The sanitary arrangements have recently been the subject of special investigation; a new system of drainage is under construction, and its completion is being expedited. Steps are being taken to ensure that the huts will be proof against the winter weather when it comes. The supply of drinking water is excellent and is the same as that used by the officers and by the town of Peel. The health records are very good. Food is sold in the canteen at low prices, and any profits derived from the sale are handed over by the camp authorities to prisoners' committees and devoted to the general welfare of the prisoners.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the continued complaints into the treatment of the Irish prisoners at Frongoch Camp; if he will say why the recent inspection of internment camps by officials of the American Embassy did not include Frongoch Internment Camp; and if he will allow the chief sanitary authority of Ireland, Sir Charles Cameron, and his assistant, Dr. Matthew Russell, to inspect and report on the treatment and general surroundings of the Irish prisoners at Frongoch Camp?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 12th instant, this camp has been inspected three times. Two of these inspections were made in July and August by a representative of the Home Office, and the third was made in August by a specialist sanitary officer of the R.A.M.C. All the reports were favourable. When the camp was occupied by German prisoners it was inspected by the American Embassy, whose report was entirely favourable. As I pointed out, in answer to a question by the hon. Member on 11th July, the American Embassy are not charged with the interests of prisoners other than those of enemy nationality, and I see no reason for inviting them or any other authority to carry out an inspection of the camp. I would add that, as the War Office wish to use the South Camp at Frongoch for another purpose, all the Sinn Fein prisoners are about to be moved to the North Camp, which I understand they themselves regard as preferable.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the French Government have now power to revoke licences of naturalisation granted to those of enemy alien birth; whether similar powers are possessed by the Home Office; and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation to that end?

A law empowering the French Government to rescind in certain circumstances decrees of naturalisation granted to persons of enemy origin was passed in April, 1915, and an amending Bill has just passed the French Chamber of Deputies, the object of which is to remove difficulties which had arisen in giving effect to that law. The Bill provides inter alia for the reference of all cases proposed for denaturalisation to the Courts of Law. There are considerable difficulties, as the French experience has made clear, in the way of effective legislation on this subject, but the whole matter is now engaging the attention of the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say in what way the new Lighting Order in London, applicable to the Metropolitan area, differs from the Order in force last year; whether he is aware that at the West End of London there are innumerable cases of ill-fitting blinds and unshaded lights which pass unnoticed by the authorities, while in the provinces the least infringement of the regulations is punished with a heavy fine and in some cases imprisonment; and whether he can see his way to place all areas and all persons on the same footing in this respect?

The provisions of the Order with regard to the lighting of shops, houses and other premises have been brought into line with the corresponding provisions of the Order applying in the provinces and somewhat strengthened in points of detail, but in substance they are similar to those in force last year. Though a slightly ill-fitting blind may not constitute a breach of the Order, cases of lights being insufficiently screened undoubtedly occur, but active measures are taken by the police, in the West End as elsewhere, to enforce the Order where necessary, and the restrictions have undoubtedly been better observed since the new Order came into force. In the last six weeks there have been about 2,000 prosecutions for offences against the Order in the Metropolitan area.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the lighting restrictions, it is the intention of the Government at an early date to enforce an early closing order for shops; and, if so, what hours are proposed?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Yes, Sir, in view of the restriction of lighting which is now necessary, and also with the object of economising our coal supplies as much as possible, the Government are proposing to make an Order for the closing of all shops, subject to a few exceptions, during the winter months at seven o'clock on days other than Saturday or the weekly half-holiday, and at nine on Saturday The inquiries which have been made of local authorities and important trade organisations show that such a measure will be welcomed, and that it has, indeed, already been anticipated to a large extent. The chief exceptions proposed to be allowed will be for the sale of meals, of newly-cooked provisions for consumption off the premises, of medicines and articles required in the case of illness, and of newspapers; and an extension of time to eight o'clock instead of seven will be allowed in the case of barbers and hairdressers The Order does not apply to the hours of sale of intoxicated liquors, which are regulated otherwise. It is proposed that the Order shall come into operation on the 30th of this month. It will not apply to Ireland, where the lighting restrictions are not operative, and where the economy to be secured would be inconsiderable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government contemplates the issue of any Order relative to the earlier closing of shops?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day to the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to a decision of Judge Atherley Jones at the Newcastle Quarter Sessions on the 6th October, in which his honour is reported to have held that an enemy alien for ordinary purposes was a person domiciled or having business in an enemy country, otherwise if resident in this country he enjoyed all the rights of a British subject, and that therefore the Newcastle Watch Committee was not entilted to withhold a pawnbroker's certificate from a unnaturalised German long resident in England; and whether, assuming this decision to be a correct statement of the existing law, he will introduce legislation to withdraw the rights of British citizenship from unnaturalised aliens of enemy nationality?

From the inquiries which I have made it appears that the report to which the hon. Member refers does not correctly represent the decision, and that the facts are are follows: The alien in question, who is seventy-six years old, and has resided here for about sixty years, failed to register under the Aliens' Restriction Order, because, as he states, he regarded himself, in virtue of his long residence as a British subject. For this offence, and for residing in a prohibited area without a permit, he was prosecuted last February, and fined and required to register. Subsequently, the Newcastle Watch Committee, in execise of their powers under the Pawnbrokers' Act, refused to renew his pawnbroker's licence, which he had held for forty years, on the ground that he was not of good character in view of these convictions, and was an alien enemy who had not obtained his discharge from German nationality. The Recorder's decision was, I understand, that the convictions in question did not affect the man's personal character, and that, as he was resident in this country and now duly registered, he was not by reason of being an alien enemy thereby disqualified from holding a pawnbroker's licence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Paul Stulick, an unnaturalised enemy alien, is carrying on a restaurant with a licence to sell intoxicating liquors in the West Central district; whether he has official information showing that such restaurant is the meeting place of treasonable Germans; and, if so, why it is allowed to exist?

It is proposed that this Austrian should be interned.

asked the Home Secretary how many enemy aliens, male and female, are still uninterned; how many have been interned since the House rose; and how many have been released from internment?

The figures of alien enemies interned and at large are substantially the same as those which I stated and explained to the House in the Debate on the Home Office Vote on 29th June. The number interned since the House rose is about seventy. The number released during the same period is thirty-one, of whom fifteen are Austrians or Hungarians released to work on farms to meet the shortage of agricultural labour, and four are Syrian Arabs.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet had a report from the Committee on the subject of enemy aliens in prohibited areas; and how many of such aliens are still allowed to live in such areas?

The two Commissioners have not yet presented their Report, but I understand they hope to do so shortly. Until they have completed their inquiries I do not think figures can usefully be given.

asked the Home Secretary how many naturalised Germans and Austrians have changed their names since the outbreak of war; and whether he will consider the advisability of insisting upon the original names still being used for business purposes, in order that commercial men might know with whom they were dealing?

The information which the hon. Member asks for in the first part of his question is not available. I have no authority to give effect to the suggestion contained in the second part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has been asked to meet a deputation of constables of the Metropolitan Police on the question of wages; whether he is aware that similar deputations have been received by several of the provincial police authorities; and whether he proposes to give the men of the Metropolitan Police an opportunity to lay their claim before him in a similar manner?

There is a recognised procedure by which the members of the Metropolitan Police Force may make representations, but no such representation on the question of wages has been received by me or by the Commissioner. Being fully aware, however, of the circumstances of the force, I have recently approved the grant of an additional war bonus on the lines stated to the House in answer to questions on 12th October. The secretary of an unauthorised and unrepresentative association sent me a request to receive a general deputation of police and prison officers. I do not propose to accede to it.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state how many applications from police officers have been received during the past six months by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for financial assistance from the relief fund on account of debts incurred; and whether inquiries have shown that these debts are due to the inadequacy of the police pay in the lower ranks to meet the increased cost of living?

The Relief Fund is a police private charitable fund, over which I have no control. The Commissioner informs me, however, that the number of applications received during the six months ending 30th September was seventy-one, as compared with 113 during the corresponding six months of 1914. The cause of the application was in every case illness of family or other domestic affliction.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Regulation safeguarding police officers in the impartial performance of their duty by prohibiting them from taking other employment, and so placing themselves under financial obligation to members of the public, has been suspended or withdrawn; and, if so, whether this was due to financial distress amongst the constables?

The Regulation in question has been neither suspended nor withdrawn, but owing to the shortage of men provision was made in August, 1916, whereby police officers may during war time accept employment in their own time if national interests can be thereby served. Special sanction has to be obtained in each case, the only sanction hitherto given (save in one instance) being for constables to assist in harvesting operations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, on the occasion of a recent Zeppelin raid, two railway companies in the Midlands refused either to stop their trains or to extinguish the standing lights on the lines, sidings, and stations; and what steps he proposes to take against a repetition of the occurrence?

Instructions as to the action to be taken by railway companies in case of air raids have been issued by the Railway Executive Committee, at the request of the military authorities, and the railway companies are expected to comply with these instructions only. My Noble Friend does not state by whom the two railway companies in the Midlands were requested to stop trains and extinguish lights. It is not desirable to make public details of the policy which is followed in regard to this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether it will be open to the Committee on Franchise and Registration to recommend that so-called conscientious objectors should not be placed upon the register of voters whilst soldiers at the front are unable to vote; and (2) whether the Committee on Franchise and Registration, over which Mr. Speaker is to preside, will have power to consider and report upon the over-representation of Ireland in Parliament?

I would prefer to leave it to the conference to determine the limits within which their recommendations should range.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Blind; and, if not, when it is expected to be issued to the public, and what is the reason for the delay in issuing it?

The Committee, although they have concluded the taking of evidence, are not yet in a position to present their Report. They are unanimous in thinking that the interests of the blind community will be best served by deferring the issue of the Report until a more opportune time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many industrial assurance policies have lapsed since the commencement of the War; how many ordinary branch policies have lapsed during the same period; and how many of these policies belonged to the men of our Army and Navy and their wives and families?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Board of Trade have no information as to the number of assurance policies lapsed since the beginning of the War, but the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act prevents the lapsing of any industrial policy for an amount not exceeding £25 the premiums on which had been paid for two years before the beginning of the War without an application to the Court.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether arrangements have been made for supplying at cost price unions, infirmaries, hospitals, and other public institutions direct with meat bought by the Government, notwithstanding the fact that all surplus meats were practically ear-marked to be disposed of through the ordinary wholesale channels?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I may refer my hon. Friend to an answer, of which I am sending him a copy, given to the hon. Member for Hanley on 10th July last, explaining the action of the Board of Trade as regards supplies of meat to public institutions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is ware that a firm of British manufacturers of margarine have recently been threatened with prosecution by Government officials because they put in their packages a printed slip notifying that their margarine was British made after they had been forbidden by a Government Department to print the words "British made" on the statutory wrapper; and, if so, will he give the reason for such action?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Maypole Dairy Company, which is a British company with works at South-all, Middlesex, has been prohibited by a Government Department from enclosing with their packets of margarine a slip of paper stating that it is British made; and, if so, will he say on what ground this has been done?

No such prohibition as is referred to has been issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, or so far as they are aware by any other Department, but the Board understand that one of the local authorities charged with the execution of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts did threaten to prosecute a seller of margarine who was using a printed slip of the kind in question in such a way that the wrapper in which the margarine was handed to the purchaser did not comply with the requirements of those Acts. It is hardly true to say that a firm of sellers was forbidden by the Board to print the words "British made" on the statutory wrapper. What the Board did in the case which is evidently that referred to was to point out that the wrapper did not comply with the provisions of the Acts and that the firm was, therefore, liable to prosecution by the local authority concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to an advertisement by the Maypole Dairy Company, Limited, to the effect that they had been forbidden by a Government Department to print the words "British made" on their statutory wrappers, and that they had been recently threatened with prosecution for having put in their parcels a small printed slip to notify the fact that their margarine is British made; and, if so, what is the object of the Department in preventing the company from making known to their customers by means of printed statements the fact that their products are British made?

In reply, I beg leave to refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I am giving to-day to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for the West Division of Wolverhampton.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the present arrangements with regard to sugar supply are having the effect of discriminating against certain British manufacturers and traders; whether he is aware that the Maypole Dairy Company, Limited, which is a British margarine manufacturer, and did not sell any sugar in 1915, is now being deprived of its business in consequence of other distributors, and did sell sugar in 1915, being able to insist upon their customers purchasing from such other manufacturers Dutch-made products; and whether he will take any steps to remedy such state of affairs and the inconvenience thereby caused?

The present arrangements for the distribution of sugar have been made in consequence of the urgent necessity of economising the amount of tonnage used for the transport of sugar and of assisting in maintaining the foreign exchanges, and are directed towards keeping the trade in its usual channels. The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply has not raised objection to sugar being sold only when other groceries are purchased, provided that the choice of groceries is left to the customer and sugar is not used as a lever to compel the customer to purchase particular goods. The Commission has no official knowledge of the effect of its arrangements upon the business of the company mentioned, but is aware that complaints have been made. The subject is one of very grave difficulty, and the Sugar Commission have always been ready to listen to any representations on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is proposed to erect in this country silos or granaries for the storage of wheat imported in large quantities by the Government from overseas, or, failing such storage, whether steps will be taken to avoid placing at one time upon British markets so large an amount of grain as to cause a violent and temporary depression in its market price resulting in a considerable shrinkage in the British wheat area due to its becoming a speculative and possibly unremunerative crop to grow?

The object of the Wheat Commission will be to ensure the regularity of supplies of wheat to this country, and beyond the maintenance of a sufficient reserve against emergencies, which has already been provided for, it is not intended either to store, or to place on the market, any excessive quantities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the import of broom-handles is prohibited while the import of wooden tool-handles is permitted; whether he will state what distinction is drawn between the two articles; whether he is aware that the identical article is prohibited under one description and admitted under another, and that goods admitted as tool-handles are afterwards sold and utilised as broom-handles to the injury of traders who have been prohibited from importing broom-handles; and whether a person who imports wooden tool-handles and afterwards sells them as broom-handles is liable to any penalties?

The importation of broom and tool-handles is prohibited under the heading of wood manufactures, but tool-handles of ash and hickory are for the present being admitted under general licence. In cases of doubt the goods are detained as broom-handles, and the importers are referred to the Department of Import Restrictions for a licence. In such cases a licence would be granted only on satisfactory evidence that the goods were tool-handles.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps for the immediate reorganisation of the Labour Exchanges throughout the country by reason of the number of men employed therein of a military age and replacing them with wounded or partially-disabled soldiers now fit for light duties?

The Employment Exchanges are now almost wholly concerned in work directly necessary for the prosecution of the War, and a very large part of their work relates to the supply of labour for munitions. Nearly 1,200 of the staff have already joined the Forces, and their places have been taken by women or by men unfit for military service. This number forms a much larger proportion of the total male staff than in the case of industry generally or of the Government Departments as a whole. This result has been achieved in spite of the special difficulties arising from the fact that a great part of the staff is scattered in small numbers through 400 Exchanges in various parts of the country instead of being concentrated in large numbers in the same building. It must further be remembered that the Employment Department being a very new one the staff naturally contains a much higher percentage of young men than that of old established Departments. The possibility of effecting any further substitution without detriment to the work is constantly under consideration, but I could not take the risk of carrying the process so far as to impair the efficiency of the Exchanges for carrying on work which is vitally necessary for the purposes of the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Ericsson Shipping Company, owning two steamers—one of them sunk in October last—earned 150 per cent.; whether he can take any further measures to control and reduce the freights now levied by shipowners; whether he can state the price of coal recently charged in Southport and that charged in Dublin; and whether the difference in price is mainly caused by rates for carriage by railway and shipping companies?

A Press report states that the total dividend paid was 20 per cent. and the credit balance shown in the profit and loss account was 67 per cent of the capital. No statement was made as to the trade in which these two vessels were employed. The questions of the supply of tonnage and rates of freight are constantly before the Government, and measures have been taken, and will continue to be taken, to control shipping in the national interest. I am not in a position to state precisely the average difference in the price of coal in Dublin and Southport respectively, but the difference is no doubt mainly due to carriage charges.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamship "Seistan," a 7,000-ton ship owned by Frank C. Strick and Company, Baltic House, E.C., which is in the Persian Gulf, is going to load a full cargo of dates for New York; whether he will consider the possibility of this vessel loading with wheat in India for this country instead of loading with dates; and if he can state how the owner of the ship in question got a licence for this voyage?

It is the case that the Ship Licensing Committee has given the "Seistan" a licence for a voyage from the Persian Gulf to New York, and other British vessels are from time to time given licences to trade between foreign ports. The primary consideration is, of course, the needs of the Empire and of Allied countries during the War, but, subject to this, it is very undesirable that all the foreign connections which have been built up by British steamship lines should be entirely severed, as these form a very valuable national asset. Due provision has been and is being made for the carriage of the exportable surplus of wheat from India.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many petrol licences have been issued for the quarter ending 30th October, and how much has been received in Licence Duties; how many clerks have been employed; and what is the total estimated expense of the Committee's organisation and work?

The number of petrol licences issued for the quarter ending 30th October is 292,250 and the amount of Licence Duty received is £116,900. The number of persons employed is 288, exclusive of clerks engaged only on evening duty, and the total cost (salaries and incidental expenses) down to 30th September was about £7,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has altered the arrangement for dealing with unemployment insurance in Scotland by removing the headquarters to London; whether before doing so he consulted any one locally or the Scottish Members; and whether he is aware that it was distinctly understood that no changes of this nature should be made by a Coalition Government?

The system of unemployment insurance, introduced by the National Insurance Act of 1911, has been, and continues to be administered by the Board of Trade partly from a central office in London and partly from divisional offices and local offices throughout the United Kingdom. Certain items of work, in particular the keeping of the workmen's accounts of contribution and benefit, and the authorising of claims to benefit, which were previously performed at eight separate divisional offices, have now been transferred to a single office in London. The centralisation of this work was decided upon solely on overwhelming grounds of efficiency and economy, and the change merely makes the position similar to that under which the accounts of all Post Office Savings Bank contributors are kept at a single office in London. The divisnonal offices will retain their most important and responsible functions. I am not aware of any understanding which would preclude the making of this transfer at the present time, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by consultation with local interests on a purely administrative office change of this kind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government have made a bargain with leading firms in Norway to buy up fish; if so, what becomes of the fish; and whether some of it is dumped on the Norwegian coast to rot?

Large purchases of salted and preserved fish have been made, and although arrangements have been concluded for the sale of a considerable quantity of the fish purchased, there are still very large stores in Norway which are unsold. The fish purchased consists largely of salted herrings, for which there is only a very limited market in this, country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that from the 6th instant to the 11th instant 2,265 boxes of fresh fish from Holland, of the value of £4,500, were condemned as unfit for food; and whether, in view of the price of this atricle of food, he will place the distribution of it in more capable hands than it is at present?

Such loss as has been incurred has been the result of transport under war conditions, and what precautions are possible are taken to prevent this loss.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the exports of lard and bacon to Belgium from the United States show the following differences: 1914–15, lard, 5,128,630 lbs.; bacon, 5,737,161 lbs.; 1915–16, lard, 70,132,156 lbs.; bacon, 60,160,749 lbs.; whether His Majesty's Government are fully convinced that none of this increased supply finds its way, directly or indirectly, into German hands; whether Belgium will be rationed down to its usual and normal requirements; and if he can state what the latest figures are up to date in 1916 for these two commodities?

As may be seen from the Reports of the Commission in the Library of the House, their importations into Rotterdam for Belgium and Northern France were as follows, in metric tons: 1st November, 1914, to 31st October, 1915, 15,355 tons bacon, 8,828 tons lard; 31st October, 1915, to 25th March, 1916, 17,626 tons bacon, 15,484 tons lard. The later figures are as follows: 26th March, 1916, to 25th June, 1916, 1,932 tons bacon, 8,454 tons lard; 26th June, 1916, to 25th September, 1916, 9,119 tons bacon, 17,792 tons lard. Part of the shipment for the last quarter is to be regarded as a surplus for storage at Rotterdam. I have lumped the figures for Belgium and Northern France together since, although the figures given by the hon. Member do not quite tally with the above—possibly owing to differences in the calculation of gross and net weights—they appear clearly to be meant to include the total shipments of the Commission. The answer to the second and third parts of the question are in the affirmative, except that the ration afforded by the Commission to the French populations and to the Belgian populations, in so far as the latter are dependent on imported foodstuffs, cannot possibly be brought up to the level of usual and normal requirements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the prisoners of war belonging to Irish regiments at present confined at Drinovitza, Bulgaria, have not received any boots or clothing either from the British Government or from their own regimental prisoners of war fund, to which they subscribed every week whilst they were at home, although the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, the Norfolk Regiment, and the Hampshire Regiment prisoners at the same place have all received boots and clothes of some description; that, apart from some underclothing received by some of them through the kindness of the Irish Women's Association, the Irish prisoners are unprovided for, and the majority of them are going about barefooted and naked, some without jackets, others bareheaded; that these Irish prisoners are the men who bore the brunt of the fighting in Serbian Macedonia; and whether he will take immediate action to deal with this state of affairs?

That prisoners of war of certain units interned in Bulgaria are better off than others as regards clothing had not been brought to the notice of the War Office. Arrangements were initiated in June last through the American Embassies concerned for the dispatch of clothing in bulk, but these have, unfortunately, not proved a success, notwithstanding all the efforts made by the American representatives. A letter was recently circulated to all regimental aid societies and similar bodies embodying information as to the articles which should be sent to individuals and recommending the best method of dispatch according to latest information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the hardships to which the British officers who are prisoners of war at Panitcherevo, Stara-Zagora, Bulgaria, are subjected; and whether he will take immediate steps to improve the conditions of their imprisonment?

As the result of an attempt to escape, the British officers, prisoners of war in Bulgaria, were transferred from Philippopolis to Sevlievo. We have recently heard that they have now been sent to Stara-Zagora, a change which is likely to signify an improvement. We have no information as to any punishment having been inflicted on these officers. We are, however, making inquiries on the subject. Such steps as are possible have been and will continue to be taken to improve conditions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has consulted the Allied Governments with a view to a joint announcement to the effect that no peace terms will be discussed with Germany on behalf of Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary or Austria, but that a separate peace will be concluded with each?

I am not prepared to make any announcement regarding confidential consultations which may or may not have taken place between the Allies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in conjunction with our Allies, he will publicly announce that, without prejudice to the situation with regard to past enemy atrocities, all inhuman violations of the laws of war that may be committed on and after a future date will be inquired into judicially with a view to fixing personal culpability and inflicting appropriate punishment on those primarily responsible in whatever rank or station?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Dublin University on 16th August, to which there is nothing at present to be added.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the mails arriving at Ballymote, County Sligo, by the 10.30 a.m. mail train from Dublin were until recently conveyed by bicycle from Ballymote to Chaffpool, viâ Bunnanadden, a distance of 10 miles, the postman returning in time for the up-train in the afternoon; if so, whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to cattle dealers, traders, and the general public by the discontinuance of a service which was of such importance to them; and whether, under the circumstances and in view of the small saving effected, he will have this service restored as heretofore.

The day mail service to and from Chaffpool was withdrawn in March last as part of the general policy of restricting postal facilities, under which many districts of not less importance in all parts of the United Kingdom have had their deliveries and collections reduced to one a day. I regret that there are no sufficient grounds on which I should be justified in making an exception in this case.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a communication from the Dundee Town Council regarding the requirements under the Lights on Vehicles (Scotland) Order, 9th February, 1916; if so, has he given consideration thereto; and whether he can comply with the request made?

Yes, Sir, I have received the communication, and it is under consideration along with other representations concerning the Order in question. I am not yet in a position to give the reply, but an answer will be sent to the town council in due course.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in order to make land in Scotland available in small holdings for returned soldiers, he will promote legislation defining an economic area of land, freeing individual economic areas from all taxation, placing on the value of each multiple of economic areas a graduated tax of such a rapidly rising incidence that its persuasive pressure will induce all holders of excessive areas of land held in comparative idleness to subdivide their excess and offer it to discharged soldiers at its production value, and thus avoid the delay and ineffectiveness of costly administration in all other land for settlement schemes?

I am not sure that I rightly understand the elaborate programme outlined by my hon. Friend. I would, however, point out at once that what my hon. Friend terms an economic area must vary in extent in different localities. If he will send me any definite proposals, I am ready to consider them, so far as they fall properly within the sphere of my Department.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the number of acres made available for small holders under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, the number of small holders supplied with land, and the cost to the State, including the cost of administration of the Act, per acre and per holder?

A Return will be prepared which will embrace answers to the first three parts of my hon. Friend's question. I regret that I cannot promise to furnish the information asked for in the fourth part of the question, as any attempt to do so could only be misleading.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the quantities of sulphate of ammonia that were exported to Holland in the years 1912–16, inclusive?

The quantities of British made sulphate of ammonia exported to the Netherlands since 1912 were as follows:— Tons. 1912 2,216 1913 2,872 1914 9,074 1915 31,741 9 months ending 30th September, 1916 6,977