asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the circumstances under which Prince Salm-Salm, an active officer in the German Army, was released when a prisoner in our hands; whether any and what number of British officers were asked for in exchange for so important a prisoner; and whether on his release any undertaking was given by him or by the German Government that he would not bear arms during the War against Great Britain or her Allies?

After full consideration of all the circumstances an agreement was reached with the German Government for the exchange of Colonel W. E. Gordon, V.C., interned in Germany, for Prince Salm-Salm, who was interned in Gibraltar. No undertaking not to bear arms during the War was given by either officer.

Is Colonel Gordon considered to be equivalent to an officer in the position of Prince Salm-Salm in the German Army, and is it not usual that there should be an equal exchange in these cases?

The whole subject has been very fully considered.

As this matter is within the department of the Foreign Office, was this exchange carried out with the concurrence and approval of the Secretary of State for War?

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Justice Younger's Committee has consented to the publication of its reports on German prisoner camps; and, if so, whether they will soon be circulated in a White Paper?

We propose to publish any Reports sent to us by the Government Committee which are likely to throw light on the treatment of our prisoners in Germany without detriment to their interests. Many of these Reports refer to a state of things existing some months ago, and in reading them that fact must be clearly borne in mind.

Has the Committee consented to the publication of these Reports, and will they be circulated with the White Papers?

The Reports forwarded by Mr. Justice Younger's Committee are being considered with a view to seeing which part of them can be published without detriment. It is quite obvious that information might be disclosed which might act unfavourably on the treatment of prisoners.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Reports have been in the possession of the Foreign Office a good many months, and will they make up their minds soon?

I was not aware of that.

asked whether His Majesty's Government have yet arranged to send invalid civilian prisoners to Switzerland under the same terms as those which apply to French, German, and Belgian civilian prisoners of war?

As the transfer of German invalid civilians interned in this country to Switzerland would be a matter of considerable difficulty, a scheme is now under consideration for the mutual repatriation of such invalids from this country and Germany on somewhat the same lines as to the method of selection and schedule of invalidity as now obtain for the transfer of combatant prisoners of war to Switzerland.

asked whether the German Government are making allowances to the wives and families of interned civilian prisoners; and, if so, how do these allowances compare with those made to the wives and families of interned civilian prisoners in this country?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part of the question does not therefore appear to arise.

asked whether any further Reports have been received from the American Embassy regarding the condition of British prisoner camps in Germany since 30th June; and, if so, when they will be circulated in a White Paper?

Further Reports have been received. The question of their publication is still under consideration.

asked how many unsalaried Consular officers of foreign origin receive an allowance for office expenses and part of certain stamp fees; and whether these payments are to be allowed in the future?

All unsalaried Consular officers receive either office allowances or fee allowances. These arrangements are made only in places where the appointment of a salaried Consular officer is not warranted by the amount of work to be performed, and where but for these appointments there would be no Consular officer at all, to carry out the routine and notarial duties which are required.

Is it not a fact that these foreign Consular officers gat a certain amount of money, and did not the Noble Lord say before that they did not get anything?

If I did it was inaccurate. It is obviously very unfair to ask questions about the salaries of Consular officers and their expenses.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any Consular certificates are at present being issued at any of our Consulates abroad, and, if so, if he will state the countries in which they are being issued, the nature; or classification of the certificates, and the fees, if any, charged for each kind of certificate?

Besides the certificates mentioned in the Table of Consular and Marriage Fees, His Majesty's Consular officers in certain countries are now issuing certificates of interest and certificates of origin and interest, particulars in regard to which will be found in the "London Gazette" of 26th September, 1916. The fee for each of these two certificates is 5s.

asked how many German Consuls, post offices, telegraph offices, banks, and commercial firms are located in British concessions in China; and how many British Consuls, post offices, telegraph offices, banks, and commercial firms are similarly located in German concessions in China?

Statistics on this subject are not available in the Foreign Office, but the information required will be obtained from His Majesty's Legation at Peking.

asked whether particulars have been conveyed to the Argentine Government of the charge, if any, against Mrs. Wetzger, an Argentine citizen now interned at Aylesbury; of the date of her arrest; of the reason why she was for six months after her arrest prevented from communicating with her husband; and whether a representative of the Argentine Government has been or will be allowed to interview Mrs. Wetzger apart from prison witnesses?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this. Mrs. Wetzger is not an Argentine citizen, but a German subject. The answer to the first and last parts of the question are, therefore, in the negative. She was arrested on 7th December last. She could have written to her husband before 15th January, but did not avail herself of the facility. At that date, owing to an attempt to smuggle a letter out of the place of internment, she was deprived of the privilege of writing letters for four months. Since the expiry of that period she has written several letters to her husband and other persons.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether three men, named Hubert Wilson, James Farrell, and Patrick Connaughton, are at present interned at Frongoch; whether no charge of any kind has been made against them; whether, in the case of Wilson, his only offence was to say that although he was not a Sinn Feiner he had sympathy with them, and in the case of Farrell he simply did not answer, through ignorance, a question put to him by the Advisory Committee; and will he undertake personally to inquire into these cases and direct the release of these men who have been now five months in custody?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The ground for the internment of each of these men was stated in the notice of the Order which was served upon him. They had full opportunities of stating their cases to the Advisory Committee, who recommended their continued internment, but I will inquire whether these are cases in which release could now be allowed under guarantees.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two of these men, Wilson and Farrell, are absolutely innocent of any complicity, and that no charge whatever was made against them?

If that were so, I do not think that the Advisory Committee would have recommended their internment.

Would the right hon. Gentleman supply us with a copy of this document these men are supposed to sign, so that we may have a look at it?

I have already stated the terms of it in answer to a question.

Can we get a copy of it?

Yes.

Do I understand that the grounds on which the Advisory Committee refused their release were communicated to them?

No, Sir; I should say probably not. The grounds on which they were interned were communicated to them, and were communicated to the Committee, who decided that the internment should continue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Advisory Committee dealt on the average with over 100 cases per day? What consideration could they give to any man's case, dealing with 100 cases in a few hours?

I think that the hon. Member is quite mistaken in stating "over 100 cases." If that were so, they would have completed their inquiry in sixteen days, whereas it took them several weeks.

Was not the whole thing a farce?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has ascertained that the name of Sergeant Jones was set out in Mr. John MacNeill's statement concerning his relations with Major Price; and whether any steps have been taken to secure evidence from him?

The name of Sergeant Jones was set out in the statement. He states that he was not present during any conversation between Major Price and Mr. John MacNeill.

May I ask whether it is a fact that it was not stated that he was present, but that he subsequently visited Mr. John MacNeill and pressed Mr. John MacNeill to accede to the request made to him by Major Price?

I do not think that was stated.

Yes, I may tell the right hon. Gentleman that it was stated.

How can the right hon. Gentleman claim that he has made any sort of investigation into this case when last week he denied in the House that the name of Sergeant Jones was even mentioned in John MacNeill's statement?

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say what has been the result of the Wilson-Byrne Inquiry into the case of Maurice Collins, a member of the Dublin post office staff, who was suspected of having taken part in the recent rebellion; whether he is aware that Mr. Collins was released from Frongoch Internment Camp by the Advisory Committee on their having heard his statement; having regard to this fact, will he say whether there was any evidence against him that "was not before the Advisory Committee; if so, who gave it; whether it was given on oath; and, if no further evidence was given, will he say why he has not since been reinstated in his position?

Maurice Collins was released from Frongoch in July on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. Subsequently the Commissioners appointed to review the cases of Civil servants alleged to be implicated in the rebellion, after hearing his statements at length, recommended his dismissal from the Civil Service, and he has been dismissed. They kept no formal notes of their evidence, and they inform me that they took no other evidence in this case beyond Collins' own statement, which was not on oath. The Advisory Committee, over which Mr. Justice Sankey presided, were concerned only with the question whether continued internment was or was not necessary in the interest of the public safety, and it by no means follows that because that Committee held that a person need not be kept any longer in detention he is. therefore, suitable to be reinstated and retained in the Civil Service of the Crown.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the decisions of the Wilson-Byrne Inquiry and the evidence on which they relied, and is he aware that grave dissatisfaction exists in Ireland, and the impression is created that these Government officers are being penalised in the interests of the ascendancy gang who require offices?

The hon. Gentleman is asking questions which the Home Secretary could not possibly answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the Report of the Wilson-Byrne Inquiry, and the grounds on which these men were dismissed from their positions?

That question was asked a few days ago of the Chief Secretary and was answered by him.

What answer did he give?

asked whether he will submit to Members of this House the evidence on which John MacNeill was convicted in connection with the Dublin rebellion?

The proceedings of courts-martial are under the control of the Secretary of State for War. It has been pointed out to me that on 18th May last the Under-Secretary of State stated that it was not proposed to lay on the Table the proceedings of the court-martial in question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that in replying to a question of mine the Prime Minister himself promised to consider this matter some two months ago?

I was not aware of that, but if a question is put either to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State for War I am sure effect will be given to the promise.

May I ask whether, in view of the fact that Mr. John MacNeill exerted all his influence to prevent the rebellion in Ireland, he will consider the desirability of having him released?

That is a matter over which, so far as I am aware, the Irish Executive has no control.

May I put the question to the Home Secretary?

It does not arise out of this question. The hon. Member should give notice of it.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will say whether Captain Bowen-Colthurst was certified as insane by any competent medical authority; and if he will state the name and qualifications of such authority and the date on which the certificate of insanity was given?

I am informed that Captain Bowen-Colthurst was found guilty, but insane, by the court-martial which tried him, and that before committal to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum he was examined and found insane by Dr. Dawson, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, at present serving in Ireland as mental specialist to the Forces in Ireland.

May I ask whether the military superiors of Captain Bowen-Colthurst are also insane? Are they still retained?

I do not understand that there has been any trial or any conclusion on any matter of that kind.

Give them all medals.

Is it not the fact that Captain Bowen-Colthurst was found unfit to control a section of the Army on the battlefields of France fighting the Huns, and will he say why he was allowed to run loose on unarmed citizens in Dublin?

Captain Bowen-Colthurst was never under the control of the Executive whom I at present represent in this House. He was at all times a military officer, and the Department which represents him in this House is the War Office, and no doubt if a question is addressed to the Secretary of State for War he will answer it. I am not able to do so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he was under Major Price or not?

I have not the least idea.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say at what particular moment did Captain Bowen-Colthurst conveniently become insane?

asked whether particulars have been conveyed to the Ameri- can Government or to the American Ambassador of the charge, if any, against Mrs. Evelin, an American citizen, inveigled ashore from a Dutch ship at Falkirk by the false pretences of a British naval officer, separated from her child, and now interned at Aylesbury; whether this separation and internment of an untried citizen of a neutral country is a breach of international law and of a pledge of the present Government; if there be any evidence against Mrs. Evelin why has she not been tried; why her wish, that the child should be sent to Mr. Evelin at San Francisco, has not been granted; and what is the intention of the Government with regard to this case?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Mrs. Evelin is not an American citizen, but a German by birth and a British subject by marriage. The answer to the first part of the question is, therefore, in the negative, and the second does not arise. Mrs. Evelin is interned under Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and has made representations to the Advisory Committee, who advised that the order of internment should stand. Her child has been living at Aylesbury for some months past at the mother's own desire, and she sees her several times a week; arrangements are being made for the child's joining her father in South America.

asked whether Belgian workmen who work for the enemy in Belgium and civilian Germans in Belgium receive, and are entitled to receive, the regular quota of food allotted to the civilian population of Belgium and imported by the Neutral Commission; whether out of their earnings these Belgian workmen and civilian Germans are also able to purchase additional foodstuffs; whether this arrangement is in accordance with the agreement assented to by the British and German Governments, respectively; and whether the Government will communicate to the House of Commons the terms of the agreement for the importation and distribution of food in Belgium by the Neutral Commission and the German Government?

The principles on which the Commission works are that no German can receive any supplies from it, no Belgian who is earning enough to feed himself from native supplies at their present high prices receives anything from the Commission but bread, and any Belgian working under coercion by the Germans should be maintained by the Germans. If my right hon. Friend desires further particulars of the actual working of the Commission I shall be glad to give them to him, but I do not think it would be desirable to publish the agreement to which he refers.

asked whether, in regard to Greece and the Grecian Isles, it is the intention of this country to recognise the Provisional Government established by M. Venizelos?

I regret that at present I am unable to add anything to the answer given to the hon. Member for the St. Augustine's Division of Kent on the 17th instant. The question is one to be settled in agreement with the Allied Governments and not one in which His Majesty's Government can take separate action.

This question is so urgent and I am so deeply dissatisfied with the entire action of the Government that, at the end of questions, I propose to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.

May I ask whether it is expedient and in the public interest to raise delicate questions as to our relations with Greece involving our Allies at this moment?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in regard to the situation in Greece, and also to the military operations in the Balkans, considerations of a secondary order have been allowed to intervene to the detriment of the chances of success of the Allies?

No, Sir; this is quite untrue.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement as to the nature and purpose of the visit of Prince George of Greece to this country, and as to his interview with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Foreign Office?

The answer is in the negative. The visit of Prince George to this country is of a private character, and he has been received here as in Paris.

Why was it publicly announced that he went to the Foreign Office?

Because of the enterprise of the Press, I suppose.

Does the Noble Lord mean to imply that there has not been an interview between the Foreign Secretary and Prince George of Greece?

I do not think it would be safe to read into my reply anything which I did not say.

Could not the time of the Foreign Office be better occupied than in interviewing stray gentlemen from abroad?

He is protecting "Tino."

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his Department was consulted before the recent restrictions on the sending of Irish newspapers to neutral countries and America were imposed; whether he is aware that a number of country people in Ireland with no knowledge of the intricacies of the regulations made have posted, and are posting, papers weekly to their friends in America, not one of which is either returned or delivered; and whether, seeing that a Press censorship exists in Dublin to control such matters, he will undertake to have these restrictions modified so as to allow papers which are censored in Ireland to be sent without further trouble?

No, Sir. The Irish Government was not consulted before the restrictions in question, which were adopted as a measure of postal censorship, were imposed. These restrictions apply throughout the United Kingdom, and their object is to prevent the communication of military information by secret means. The Press censorship is not concerned. Regarding the second part of the question, the papers which are stopped are returned to the sender whenever he can be identified.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have a Press Censor in Ireland, and that all the local newspapers have to submit to this Press Censor; and, that being so, why should they not be at liberty to send their papers direct to people in America?

It is not really a question of the Press Censor. The hon. Member will understand that it is quite possible to convey secret information by making various markings or notes on the margin of a paper which has already passed the Press Censor. It is more a question of the Postal Censor.

This is an important matter for the local newspapers in Ireland. Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is fair that local newspaper proprietors in Ireland should have to send their newspapers to commission agents in London, who, of course, earn remuneration for themselves without any reference whatever to the rights of these people to communicate with their customers in America?

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that it is necessary to send the newspapers over here.

I have seen the circular.

The papers, I suppose, can be forwarded through the licensed agents in Ireland?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these licensed gentlemen have to get permission to send on to America, and they have also to pay a commission?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the recent increases in pay and bonus to meet the increased cost of living which have, since the commencement of the War, been granted to members of the police force in the Metropolis and country districts of Great Britain have been extended to the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, if so, will he say how the pay of a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary compares with that of a member of a police force in an average English or Scottish county?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask what is the pay of the district inspectors and inspectors who are already overpaid, and how it compares with the pay of the inspectors in England?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down. The statutory pay of the Royal Irish Constabulary was increased shortly after the outbreak of war, and a war bonus at the rate of 3s. 6d. a week for head and other constables of the force was granted as from 1st July last. Representations for a further increase of pay for this force and for the Dublin Metropolitan Police are at present under consideration by the Irish Government and the Treasury. The general comparison suggested in the last part of the hon. Member's question cannot usefully be made within the limits of a Parliamentary reply, as factors other than pay (such as allowances, housing accommodation, and general conditions of service) have to be taken into consideration, and they are not uniform.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the inquiry now going on will include the pay of district inspectors?

The inquiry has taken account of the conditions of all members of the two police forces.

Is it not a fact that the increase in pay of 2s. per week took place before the War?

I believe the fact is that there was an inquiry before the War, but I gather from the official information that the order for the increase of pay, which depends upon an Act of Parliament, was made shortly after the outbreak of the War?

Is it not a fact that they are already overpaid?

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the nature of the proposals which have been submitted to the Treasury to improve the condition of the Dublin Metropolitan Police; if they have yet been sanctioned; and if he will state from what date the new conditions will take effect?

The proposals which have been submitted to the Treasury cannot be published, as they have not yet been sanctioned. The date from which it is proposed that the new conditions shall take effect is subject to the same restriction. I expect to be able without long delay to make a further answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the year 1882 the Dublin police were on a level with the London police in pay, and that since then the Dublin police have only received one shilling per week increase, whilst the London police have advanced twelve shillings?

Before I made certain recommendations with regard to the pay of the police, I ascertained, I think, all the salient facts with regard to the matter. I cannot recall whether the hon. Member has accurately stated the circumstances.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is now in a position to give full particulars of the number of recruits enlisted in Ireland since the commencement of the War and the number of men of military age remaining available for enlistment; and if he will give for each county in Ireland the number of men of military age at the outbreak of war, the number of recruits who have joined the forces, and the percentage of recruits to eligible men?

The particulars are being prepared. I shall be able to tell my hon. Friend next week what course the Government will take as to publishing them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, according to the official figures for 1911, the latest year for which they are given in Thorn's Directory, the number of occupiers of agricultural holdings in Ireland is 535,675 and the number of males of all ages engaged in agriculture is 721,669; and whether he can say what number of such persons is between the ages of eighteen and forty-one?

The figure 535,675 mentioned in the hon. Member's question represents the number of agricultural holdings in Ireland according to the Census of 1911 and not the number of occupiers as stated. Of the 721,669 males at all ages returned in the General Report of the Census as belonging to the agricultural class, it is estimated that 327,350 were eighteen and under forty-one years of age at the date of the Census.

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.

Cannot women conduct the whole of this work and by degrees be put in to replace the men?

No, I do not think so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that semi-skilled single men who have been debadged with a view to their being made eligible for service in the Army are being found fresh jobs by the Labour Exchanges; and whether, to save further conflict between the authorities, he will give instructions to the Labour Exchanges that no men of military age are to be found fresh employment without the consent of the military authorities?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Employment Exchanges have received instructions not to find jobs for men of military age who are or have been employed in controlled establishments if such men are unattested, but on ascertaining that a man is not attested it is the duty of the Employment Exchange clerk to report the man to the nearest recruiting office; if he is aware that such action is distinctly in violation of the provision of the Military Service Act which allows two months in which to get other work; will he explain why the Employment Exchanges are acting in this manner; and if it be on the instructions of the Minister of Munitions or the War Office?

The Employment Exchanges have been instructed that they should not assist men who are liable to, but are evading, military service, to obtain civil employment. No further instructions on the subject have up to the present time been issued by the Board of Trade to the Exchanges. They have under consideration, however, the issue of more detailed instructions dealing with the whole matter.

Does that apply to skilled men being enlisted in the Army while skilled men are being brought from France, and can that waste be prevented?

No, it does not cover that question at all. This only applies to men who are evading military service.

Did the right hon. Gentleman say Employment Exchanges have been instructed to make a discrimination between attested and unattested men and that when a man says he is unattested they have instructions not to find him a job?

No, I did not say what apparently is in the hon. Member's mind. What I said was that Exchanges have been instructed that they should not assist men who are liable to, but are evading, military service in finding civil employment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an answer to my question whether any instructions have been given to Employment Exchanges to discriminate between attested and unattested men with regard to jobs?

The hon. Member ought to put that down.

I have it on the Paper. The right hon. Gentleman answered my question at the same time.

If the hon. Member had listened carefully to my answer he would have heard me further say that no further instructions on the subject have up to the present been issued.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by men who are evading, or attempting to evade, military service? Does he mean that the Employment Exchanges are to endeavour to discriminate or ascertain what the man's intentions are?

If the hon. Gentleman wishes to ask a series of questions he might take the trouble to put them down. Otherwise he cannot expect to get answers.

On a point of Order. It arises out of a question which I have addressed to the right hon. Gentleman?

It may well arise. A hundred questions may arise out of an answer given, but that does not prevent the questions being put down.

I suggest that this is a most important matter.

I suggest that the more important the matter is the more necessary it is to put the question down.

Does not your ruling equally apply to Irish Nationalists?

It applies to everyone, even to the hon. Gentleman himself.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether every tribunal in the country furnishes a return to the Board showing the total number of claims for exemption received by each tribunal and the total number of exemptions granted by each tribunal; and, if so, whether he will give the information to the House?

Returns were obtained from tribunals in May last, and my right hon. Friend proposes to ask for a further return shortly. There are objections on the ground of public policy to publishing the statistics. I may mention that my right hon. Friend is in constant touch with the work of tribunals through his inspectors.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will have a special inquiry made into the action of the Gower Rural Tribunal in respect of the case of H. V. Watters, an applicant for exemption from the Military Service Tribunal on the ground of being employed upon essential national work, and also on the ground of a conscientious objection, seeing that the chairman of the tribunal, a local land agent, had a grudge against the family of Watters, and had threatened that he would have his revenge, and another member of the tribunal had, nine days before the hearing of the case, been compelled to sign a withdrawal of certain charges which he had made against Watters, and also in view of the fact that Watters is the only agricultural mechanic and shoeing-smith in the district, doing the work for over fifty farmers who have petitioned the local tribunal, the Appeal Tribunal, the Minister of Agriculture, and the War Minister on his behalf; and will he also inquire into the conduct of Colonel Pearson, who at the hearing told Watters that he was a traitor and only fit to be on the point of a German bayonet or in a lunatic asylum?

My right hon. Friend is having inquiries made.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether instructions have been issued to resident magistrates in Ireland to the effect that in all cases under the Military Service Act no local justice of the peace is to be allowed to adjudicate?

No such instructions have been issued. The question, so far as I know, has never arisen except in one case which is actually now pending and sub judice, therefore I must decline to say anything further about it.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that in the particular case to which the right hon. Gentleman refers instructions were given to the resident magistrate a fortnight ago that he was entitled to try the case himself, and as a result of these instructions the local justices have been unable to act?

I have nothing to add to what I have said. Inasmuch as the case quoted is sub judice, I do not propose to refer to it any further.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this question has arisen and been the subject of dispute in previous cases; and is it not the duty of the executive Government to lay down, for the guidance of magistrates, what is the law in this matter, without its being fought over in the local Courts between the magistrates?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question: Whether instructions were issued to the local resident magistrate in this case not to allow the local magistrates to act?

The hon. Member has dragged that in very improperly. That is not an urgent matter. It is a matter which has gone by.

As we are told by the Attorney-General that this case is pending, would he say why in a case which is sub judice he has issued these instructions that justices of the peace of the district are not to be allowed to adjudicate?

That is exactly the question which I have ruled is not urgent.

It is urgent in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the recent Order in Council giving the police authorities power to prevent political meetings or processions likely to cause disturbance or disaffection is now in force in Ireland, and whether the earlier Order of the military authorities preventing all political meetings of every description without the prior permission of the police being obtained has in consequence been withdrawn?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the losses sustained by small farmers in Fermanagh county by restrictions in the sale of hay, steps will be taken to have such restrictions removed immediately and to permit the farmers to sell their hay in the open market?

In fairness to producers generally throughout the country, I am afraid it is impossible to consider the removal of the restrictions in the sale of hay, but I am not aware that they are involving the small farmers referred to in any losses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a scarcity of first-crop hay in the county of Fermanagh, and why should there be any restriction placed on these small farmers in the sale of their hay?

The only restriction is in the matter of price.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement which he has just made is inaccurate? There are several small farmers in various parts of Ireland who have been restricted up to the present in selling in the open market hay unfit for military purposes?

The hon. Member will remember that the Army Council has taken possession of all the hay in the United Kingdom. Licences are given if the hay is not suitable for Army requirements, and it can be sold for general use. The only restriction remaining is in the matter of price.

What is the purpose of the Army Council in taking possession of all the hay if it is unfit for military purposes?

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that several small non-judicial tenants on the De Vesci estate, Queen's County, have received notice that their rents would be increased by 50 per cent. in some cases; and, as most of these tenants are uneconomic holders, many of whom have sons or relatives serving at the front, will he take steps to prevent such increase being made in the rents of these poor tenants?

asked if he is aware that the agent of Viscount de Vesci has served notices on over seventy tenants on the Viscount's Queen's County estate demanding increased rents, in some cases the increase demanded being over 50 per cent.; if he is aware that the majority of these tenants hold small uneconomic bog holdings where their predecessors were planted in the famine days after being evicted from the good holdings on the estate; if he is aware that most of these tenants have sons or near relatives serving at the front; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

I am informed that a circular demanding increased rents has been sent to the tenants by the agent of the De Vesci estate, and that this has been done with a view to having judicial rents fixed. Out of 120 tenants, 75 are said to have agreed to increased rents. About ten of the tenants have bog holdings; three of the tenants are known to have relations in the Army. The matter is not one in which, upon the facts before me, the Executive could interfere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the effect of these notices has been to make several of these poor tenants pay increased rents?

May I ask whether the Executive in Dublin Castle, under the advice of the Attorney-General, are now contemplating the advisability of making Lord De Vesci and his agent chairman and vice-chairman of the Abbeyleix Recruiting Committee?

If it has been contemplated, that fact has not been communicated to me.

Do you expect Irishmen to enlist under Lord De Vesci?

Would the Irish Government consider the advisability of putting the Defence of the Realm Act in force against Lord De Vesci?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that about three years ago a. Mr. Keller was sent down by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland to induce the farmers of the Kilcormac and Killyargey parishes to sow tobacco; whether they were informed that the tobacco when put on the market would fetch from 8d. to 10d. per pound, and that any profits the handlers made out of the tobacco supplied by the growers would be divided amongst them; whether he is aware that the growers for the past two years did not receive more than half the price stated, and that those who refused to sow tobacco this year were not paid the division of last year's bonus; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The Department did not send Mr. Keller, their tobacco expert, to Kilcormac or Killyargey parishes, as stated in the question. On the inception of a scheme of experiments in tobacco growing, Mr. Keller, at the request of the rehandler, who had undertaken the experiment, visited the parishes named for the purpose of assisting the experimenter in explaining to prospective growers the conditions under which a Grant would be payable to the rehandler. The Department have no knowledge that the prospective growers were led to believe that they would receive the price per pound named, and they are satisfied that the tobacco for the past two years has been valued according to the current market prices. The division of profits is a matter entirely between the rehandler and the growers, and is not one that concerns the Department. The entire responsibility in connection with the carrying out of the experiments rests with the rehandler.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a State Grant has been given to encourage tobacco growing in Ireland; and is there no supervision by the Departments as to arrangements made by the handlers; and is it not the duty of the Department to see that the growers get the benefit of the Grant?

It is the duty of the Department to see that the arrangement between the handlers and the Treasury is carried out.

Where does the grower come in?

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether a large proportion of this year's potato crop in Ireland is diseased and unfit for food; and whether, in view of the scarcity of other articles of food and the prospect of a still greater scarcity in the spring, he will recommend that immediate steps be taken to prohibit the exportation of potatoes from Ireland?

The condition of the potato crop in Ireland, whilst giving rise to anxiety, does not appear to warrant the use of the term "failure" in the question. The mid-October reports show that, generally speaking, the yield is poor and disappointing. On some soils where disease-resisting varieties were planted, and where also spraying was effectively done, the crop is described as satisfactory. But it cannot be overlooked that the broken weather of September and its low temperature, as well as the excessive rainfall since October set in, must have an injurious effect upon the final crop return. The period of lifting the potatoes has now arrived, and until that process has gone further it is impossible to say with anything like accuracy what the outlook really is. In regard to export, I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that the Department have no power to prohibit the export of sound potatoes, and that, after all, with a yield last year of 3,710,463 tons, there was only a balance of 250,000 tons available for export without restricting supplies for human consumption and stock-feeding. I must ask the hon. Gentleman to be satisfied with the assurance that the Department are fully aware of the grave importance of the matter and that the position is being carefully watched and reported upon in every district of the country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us the names of the different varieties of potatoes that he says are disease-resisting?

I should like to have notice of that question, but I can give the hon. Member one that does not resist—"Up-to-dates" have given way all over Ireland.

In view of the fact that potatoes are the staple food of the Irish people, would the right hon. Gentleman recommend that the exportation of potatoes from Ireland shall at least be suspended pending further investigation as to the extent of the disease? It is really a very serious matter.

I have endeavoured to convey that the Department fully realise the seriousness of the matter; indeed, I used the word "gravity," but we cannot proceed without the fullest information. We are daily at work getting that information. The potatoes are now being lifted. I am in communication with the Chief Secretary on the matter. He was consulted this morning, before this answer was drafted, and I think it meets the case at present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of potatoes in the local markets in Ireland is twice what it was this time last year?

I am aware of that.

Has the right hon. Gentleman personal knowledge that sulphate of copper, the principal ingredient used in spraying potatoes, was so scarce in the summer that the farmers could not get it?

Yes; but I am also aware that in the poorest part of Ireland, the West, the spraying was exceedingly well done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantities of iron ore were exported by the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company to Messrs. Krupp and other German armament firms in the year prior to the outbreak of the War; whether the contracts with Krupp's contained any war clause extending the term of the contract by a period equal to that of the war or having any other effect; whether the iron ore mines have been shut down in consequence of the loss of the German market; and whether any use can be made of the output of these mines in connection with the production of munitions of war by this country or the Allies?

An answer to the first two parts of this question was given by me on 25th January, to which I would refer my right hon. Friend. The Newfoundland Minister of Finance stated in his Budget speech on 18th April that, owing to the increased demand for iron ore for various forms of war work, as well as for commercial purposes, the mines at Bell Island were being operated on a scale of unexampled activity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether officers of the Royal Naval Reserve, either permanent or temporary, against whom charges may be made in connection with the performance of their duties are, prior to their being dismissed from His Majesty's service and their commissions cancelled, entitled to an inquiry enabling them to defend themselves against such charges?

No officer can be dismissed from His Majesty's service except by sentence of court-martial or disciplinary court. The reference is doubtless to cases in which officers temporarily employed by the Admiralty are discharged from the Service by Admiralty Order. In no case is any officer entitled to demand a court of inquiry.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any further progress has been made in respect to the adoption of a standard official uniform for the captains and officers of the merchant service; and whether, before any details are decided upon, these captains and officers, as the persons principally concerned, will be given the opportunity of due representation?

The Admiralty have been in communication with a number of the principal shipping companies, and certain general conclusions arrived at are under their final consideration. The question has turned not so much upon the adoption of a standard official uniform for officers of the mercantile marine as upon the elimination of characteristics likely to cause confusion between the uniform work in the merchant service and the Royal Navy. As regards the last part of the question, if the officers of the mercantile marine desire to submit representations upon the matter, of course due consideration will be given to the same.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to ascertain the views of the leading representative officers in the merchant service.; and, in considering the question of a uniform, has he borne in mind the desirability of arranging for a uniform which will be a pride to wear and not a disgrace?

The Admiralty are prepared to receive representations. I have said that if the officers of the mercantile marine desire to submit representations upon the matter, of course due consideration will be given to the same.

Would the right hon. Gentleman call a conference of the officers similar to the conference he had with the leading shipowners?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that silver War badges are being granted to those who have served in His Majesty's naval forces since 4th August, 1914, and whose service has been terminated on account of wounds or on account of physical infirmity for which they are not themselves directly responsible, there is any similar provision for officers and others of the merchant service who may be permanently incapacitated from following their employment owing to wounds or injury sustained in engagements with the enemy or other causes directly attributable to the War; and, if not, whether steps will now be taken to issue a silver or other badge in cases of this kind?

Officers and men of the mercantile marine serving under special engagements in His Majesty's commissioned ships are eligible for the award of these badges. As regards officers and men of the mercantile marine other than the above the matter falls to be dealt with by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether distress exists amongst the wives and families in this country of our merchant captains, officers, and seamen interned in Germany and Turkey; whether, in view of the profits which continue to be made by shipowners and to the fact that the purchasing power of a sovereign is only equivalent to 12s. comparative with the economic position before the War, he will take steps to see that the Government scheme providing for a weekly allowance, £1 being the maximum, which is granted to the dependants of the interned captains, officers, and seamen is substantially increased; and whether he will consider the desirability of doing this by making a small increase in the present premiums on the insurance of merchant ships under the Government scheme?

As I have on previous occasions explained to the hon. Gentleman, the allowance to which he refers is an entirely gratuitous one, and I regret that I cannot undertake to increase the amount of it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me some reply to that part of the question which deals with the shipowners' enormous profits, which can certainly make some contribution to keep these people in reasonable comfort?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the case of a man in His Majesty's Navy being court-martialled and the charge against him dismissed and the man restored to his former position, the acquittal carries with it the right to have refunded to him the legal expenses incurred in proving his innocence; and, if not, will he explain why?

Legal expenses incurred by an accused person in connection with a naval court-martial, in so far as they consist of expenses of witnesses, are paid by the Crown. The Crown does not pay the expenses of a legal adviser for the accused. The accused does not generally employ a legal adviser, but is assisted by a naval officer. As the prosecutor also is a naval officer, prosecution and defence are on an equal footing, and no reason is seen for providing the accused with a legal adviser at the expense of the State.