asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of revenue yielded in the year 1915–16 by the Undeveloped Land Duty, the Increment Value Duty, and the reversion duty, respectively; and what is the estimated yield of these three duties in the year 1916–17?

The net receipt of the Increment Value Duty and the Reversion Duty for the year 1915–16 was £46,070 and £11,796, respectively, and the estimated yield of those duties for the current financial year is £50,000 and £10,000, respectively. As stated in the reply to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 28th March last, the assessment and collection of Undeveloped Land Duty has, in consequence of a judicial decision affecting the principles of valuation of land liable to this duty, been suspended.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of the Land Valuation Department for the year 1915–16; and what is the estimated cost of the same Department for the year 1916–17?

The cost of the Land Valuation Office for the year 1915–16 was £466,000 (as compared with an estimated cost of £587,000), and the estimated cost for the year 1916–17 is £368,000. These figures include sums of about £45,000 for 1915–16, and about £93,000 for 1916–17 in respect of the salaries of men on active service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a Super-tax payer, in spite of paragraph 2 in the terms and conditions in the recent issue of War Savings Certificate books, will have to pay either Super-tax or Income Tax on income derived from an investment up to £387 10s. in Five per Cent. War Savings Certificates?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the reduction of the remuneration of the majority of registrars of County Courts and district registrars, amounting in some cases to £500 on an income of £1,350, and caused by emergency war legislation, has been brought to his attention; and whether he is prepared to consider a proposal that during the War the remuneration of all registrars should be averaged on the basis of income earned during some number of years previous to the War?

My attention was called last year to the fall which had occurred in the remuneration of many of the County Court registrars. This remuneration is fixed by Statute and varies according to the amount of business transacted in the Courts. Any alteration of this system would require legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the salaries of Irish national teachers are much below those of British teachers, although they render equivalent if not better services to the State; whether British teachers have received their bonus whilst Irish teachers are expected to continue their services for a salary with a purchasing value of something like £38, and in some cases as low as £17; whether all other classes of public servants, including police, postmen, etc., have received a bonus; if so, why the national school teachers have not received it; is he aware that many competent teachers are leaving the service, and that the training colleges are unable to find candidates for training to fill existing vacancies; and will he make provision for the demand of the Irish national teachers, namely, 7s. 6d. per week for those earning under £2 per week and 5s. per week for those earning over £2 per week, an increase which would still leave their salaries far below those of the British teachers?

Representations on this subject have just been received from the Irish Government and are now under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received any communication from the Civil Service Federation respecting the recent war bonus award to the lower-paid grades in the Civil Service; and whether it is intended to receive a deputation on the subject.

I have received the communication referred to. The Government's decision with regard to the war bonus to the Civil Service was leached after the fullest consideration of all the circumstances, and no useful purpose would be served by my receiving a deputation on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the bonus of 4s. a week granted by Army Order of 1st July, 1916, to temporary clerks will be received by civilian clerks in the Army pay offices?

asked the Financial Secretary, to the "War Office whether the temporary civilian clerks in the Army Pay Department are to participate in the recent bonus awarded to the lower grades in the Civil Service; and, if not, will he state the reason?

Civilian clerks in the Army Pay Department participate in the benefits of the recent war bonus. The necessary instructions were issued on 5th October.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what action, if any, has been taken to carry out the promise in the Treasury circular of 29th April, 1912, to improve the salaries of certain second-class clerks in the Estate Duty Office, and to mature the attention promised to the matter?

This matter is still under consideration, but I hope that the decision of the Treasury will be communicated to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to give any estimate of the value of British property and investments in the German Empire, and of the value of German property and investments in the British Empire?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given by the Minister of Blockade to a question of a similar character which was addressed to him by the hon. Member for Bethnal Green on 16th August. I am sending him a copy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the conditions and scales of rates for hire of merchant vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty remain in accordance with the Report on Sub-Committees of the Admiralty Transport Arbitration Board which were appointed on the 22nd September, 1914, and issued in the form of a Blue Book; and, if not, what, if any, changes have been made?

The rates recommended in respect of tramps were increased by the Tramp Agreement, dated 1st March, 1915 (the increase taking effect as from the 1st January, 1915), and for small colliers and for oil tankers by special agreement taking effect from the same date. An agreement supplementary to the Blue Book and the Tramp Agreement was also arrived at for steamers of smaller tonnage than was provided for in the Blue Book. The rates as so amended have since remained unchanged for these types of vessels. Supplementary agreements have also been made reducing the rates for armed merchant cruisers of lower speeds throughout their period of engagement and for all vessels of this type after a year's service. With these exceptions the rates and conditions as published in the Blue Book in 1914 remain in force for all vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when lads under age are discharged, even after a year or more service, the War Office refuses them a civilian suit of clothes on the ground of the expense they have been to the State; whether this practice has his sanction; and whether he will remedy it?

Civilian clothing is issuable to the men mentioned in the question under already existing regulations, and I am not aware that the supply of a civilian suit has been refused to any man as described in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a new class of the Army Reserve known as Class I. has been created consisting of skilled tradesmen belonging to some fifty trades; and whether it is intended to attest and enrol in this class all tradesmen of these trades of military age and physical fitness at present employed in Government and controlled works?

Class T of the Army Reserve is to consist of men of the engineering trades enumerated in Army Order IV. of 1916, who are not required for immediate service in the Army. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements has been made for the distribution of badges to those entitled to them on account of having been discharged from the Army owing to "wounds or physical disabilities contracted during the present War?

Silver war badges are issued to approved applicants, in the case of officers, nurses and civilians direct from the Deputy Director of Ordnance Stores, Woolwich Dockyard; in the case of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men, through the officer in charge of Records of the units with which they served. Instructions on the subject were published in the Press on the 16th of September, 1916, together with a notification that a pamphlet containing full information as to whom individuals should apply, could be obtained from any Post Office. Supplies of these pamphlets have been distributed to the Post Offices throughout the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether negotiations are in progress for the release from Germany and England of prisoners of war who have been interned for over two years; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of General Friedrichs last week before the Reichstag Committee to the effect that over 600 British prisoners are immediately to be repatriated; and whether he can confirm this information?

The War Office have no knowledge of this other than what has appeared in the papers.

asked the Secretary of State for War what information he now has as to the number, treatment, whereabouts, and condition of health of British prisoners in the hands of the Bulgarians; and whether he will consider the possibility of arranging for those unfit for combatant service being released, exchanged, or interned in Switzerland?

The number of these prisoners is about 450. The latest information is that all British prisoners of war are to be concentrated at Philippopolis. The difficulty of ensuring that proper clothing shall reach the men was mentioned in the reply given to the hon. Member for West Belfast on the 17th October. Arrangements have been made, in principle, with the Bulgarian Government for the mutual repatriation of those who are incapacitated for further service, but the military situation is such that it is extremely difficult to put it into execution. According to information in our possession very few of our men in Bulgaria are eligible for such repatriation. My hon. Friend will appreciate the difficulty of transferring invalid soldiers to Switzerland.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that soldiers from Orkney and Shetland on short leave from the front have special difficulties in reaching their homes; and if he will take into his consideration how these difficulties can be met and further concessions granted putting them on a fair level with others more fortunately situated?

The special difficulties which soldiers from Ireland, the Orkney, Hebrides, Shetland, and the Isle of Man have in reaching their homes have been brought to the notice of the military authorities in France for their consideration in connection with the assessment of the amount of leave to be granted to these men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether secret military orders have been issued to the Press in this country, as in Ireland, prohibiting the publication of blank space in the case of matter censored, prohibiting the publication of the fact that matter has been censored, and permitting in advance the publication of matter appearing in a newspaper under Government control, as Irish newspapers are permitted in advance to publish whatever appears in the "Freeman's Journal "; what newspapers in this country are for this purpose under Government control; and, if these practices are not followed in this country, in what way the promised uniformity of administration of the law is observed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on 24th July. As regards the second part of this question, no newspapers are under Government control in this country, so far as I am aware. The regulations in regard to what the hon. Member calls "the publication of blank space" apply equally to the Press in Great Britain and Ireland. There is thus uniformity, as the hon. Member desires.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his undertaking that cast Army horses shall not be sold on the Eastern front applies to the Salonika force, as well as to the Egyptian and Mesopotamian?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Committee appointed under the Army Act Amendment Act to inquire and report on a question of War Office administration has yet completed its inquiry; and, if so, when he expects to lay the Report upon the Table of the House?

The Report has not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it has lately been found necessary to reduce the forage allowance for Cavalry horses at home; and what is the present daily ration?

No, Sir, no reduction in the scale has been made, but instructions have recently been issued that from the 1st proximo the chaff portion may be varied with a like quantity of hay. It is also under consideration whether the extra quantity of oats allowed during the training season shall be continued for the winter months. I will send my hon. Friend the information for which he asks in the last paragraph of his question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private James Kennedy, No. 48620, 75th Training Reserve Battalion, No. 9 Camp, U Company, Hut 21, Prees Heath, Whitchurch, has been for some time brought each day before the commanding officer of his regiment and put back each time for trial by court-martial; and what is the charge against him?

I have no information on the subject mentioned by the hon. Member, but it appears to me to be a case where the provisions of paragraph 485 (last sentence) of the King's Regulations are being strictly complied with. I am not aware of the nature of the charge, but, in view of the provisions of Section 45 of the Army Act, I am not prepared to take any action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he proposes to take any action in the case of the men of the 3rd Southern Company, Non-Combatant Corps, at Westham, who are being stopped leave because they will not submit to the voluntary operations of vaccination and inoculation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division on 29th March; and also to the answer given to himself on the 8th May on this subject. It is not proposed to take any action.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a new military order has been issued affecting any non-commissioned officers or men in France who have not been inoculated during the past twelve months or who cannot produce a medical exemption certificate to the extent that they will not be granted leave to England; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I am not aware that any such order has been issued, but if such be the case I am not prepared to intervene in any action which the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Armies in France, may deem fit to take for the preservation of the health of the troops under his command.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers who have obtained a commission from the ranks since the War will, on the completion of eighteen years' total service, be entitled to the long service and good conduct medal which would have been awarded to them had they not been promoted to commissioned rank?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can state the cost of the new Detention Barracks at Wimbledon Camp; when they will be ready; for how many men accommodation is being provided; who is responsible for carrying out the work; and whether the cells were originally fitted with the locks inside the doors?

The estimated cost is £1,300, but the actual cost when ascertained will probably be rather less. The buildings are nearly completed; some small defects still require remedying. The accommodation provides for twelve cells and the guard. The officer responsible for carrying out the work is the General Officer Commanding London District. The contracts originally provided wrong doors, which were at once returned for proper doors to be supplied.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps for the erection of a repair unit somewhere in France where such things as shell-carriers and other articles constantly in use may be economically and expeditiously repaired instead of sending such work to Woolwich or elsewhere for repair?

My hon. Friend is attempting to force an open door. Large workshops, fitted with every description of necessary machinery and tools, and employing a large number of artificers, form part of the Army Ordnance Depots at each base. There are, in addition, smaller workshops at other stations, and in addition travelling workshops allotted to corps and armies. Articles such as shell-carriers are not sent to Woolwich for repair. It is only when repairs are beyond the capacity of the shops mentioned that the stores are sent to this country for repair.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in addition to the usual separation allowance, a soldier's dependant can claim any allowance for rent in a provincial town under the Civil Liabilities Committee scheme?

Subject to the Regulations, assistance under the Civil Liabilities scheme may be granted to a soldier, whether married or unmarried, to enable him to meet certain obligations, including rent, for which he is responsible and which he could not otherwise meet without serious hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to the 130 cases of heat-stroke amongst one contingent of wounded sent from Mesopotamia to embark for Bombay; how many cases proved fatal; and whether these cases occurred on an overcrowded light-draught steamer waiting for two days in the hot weather on the bar at the mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab, because of the failure to co-ordinate her departure from Basra with the arrival of the "Dongola?"

The Viceroy of India telegraphed on the 5th August, 1916One hundred and thirty cases of heat-stroke occurred amongst British sick and wounded being transferred to India on the recent voyage of steamship 'Dongola' from Basra to Bombay. There were seventeen death attributable to heat-stroke among invalids and crew and rive deaths among invalids considered to have been influenced by heat. The voyage was carried out under the most trying climatic conditions, and a following wind was experienced which necessitated the 'Dongola' being turned round every four hours for first day and half of voyage in order that air might get into the wards of the ship. These cases appear to have occurred on the "Dongola" itself, and not on an overcrowded light-draught steamer.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that inconvenience and loss is caused to Irish farmers through the delay on the part of the Government in paying for hay purchased by the military authorities; and if he will see that prompt payment will be made so that farmers may be in a position to meet their financial calls?

Arrangements already exist for deliveries of hay to be promptly paid for, and I am not aware of any cases where delay has taken place. If my hon. Friend would furnish me particulars of any specific cases, I will have full inquiries made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whereas farmers are compelled to sell their hay either to the War Office or to private consumers at the price fixed by the Government, namely, £5 10s. per ton, whether he is aware that in certain places the same hay is sold retail at the price of 1s. 3d. per stone, equivalent to £10 a ton, or a profit of 92 per cent.; and what steps, if any, he is prepared to take in the matter?

I am not aware that hay is being retailed at the price mentioned, or in fact at any price in excess of that laid down in the Order issued under the Defence of the Realm Regulations. As soon as any specific contraventions are brought to the notice of the Department they will be investigated with a view to legal proceedings. Perhaps my hon. Friend will furnish me with precise particulars of the case which he has in mind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether men who are in receipt of proficiency pay of 6d. per diem are also entitled to a further 4d. per diem working pay when attached to sanitary sections of the Royal Army Medical Corps?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that No. 34297, Private A. E. Evans, 3rd Battalion, the King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), who has been passed fit for general service, is permanently injured with broken-arch feet through being run over with a railway wagon in April, 1913, and was in receipt of compensation from the Midland Railway Company, and was employed, prior to being called up for military service, on special work in a railway shed; that this soldier suffers pain in performing his drills and marches, having often to fall out of the ranks; and that Sergeant Thomas has threatened to break his ankles, to hammer his feet with a rifle, and to put him in the guard-room if he failed to keep up with the other soldiers or fell out of the ranks again; and, in view of the pain and suffering caused to Private Evans by general service, whether he will have him transferred to other duties which will not involve such strain upon his feet and ankles?

Inquiry will be made as to whether this soldier has been improperly called up.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military representative for Wells, Somerset, has ordered a railwayman named Henry J. Lane, who holds an exemption certificate and war service badge issued by a railway company, to join the Volunteer Training Corps, notwithstanding that the conditions of his employment do not permit him to devote any time for this purpose; whether such action on the part of the military representative has the sanction and consent of the War Office; and whether, under such circumstances, a man is obliged to take any notice of the order of the military representative?

I have no knowledge of the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member. A military representative has no power to order a man to join the Volunteer Training Corps, but it is open to a tribunal to attach such a condition to a certificate of exemption, and if the condition be not complied with the exemption ceases to be effective.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many of the Volunteer battalions already wear badges and shoulder titles purchased at considerable cost to themselves, such badges having for the most part been duly sanctioned in the first instance by the Central Association Volunteer Training Corps; whether he is aware that the new 1,936 Volunteer Force Order, No. 20, issued from the War Office on the 10th October, will involve an additional minimum expenditure of 2s. to 3s. per man, the aggregate cost of which to the Volunteer Forces of the country to be borne by themselves would amount to a large sum of money; and whether he will consider the possibility of modifying Order No. 20 to such an extent as to exempt from its provisions those battalions which have already under authority acquired and are wearing badges and titles of identification?

Instructions have been issued on this matter, and the War Office is unable to sanction the wearing of any badges, etc., different from the patterns authorised by these instructions, which may have been purchased after the date of the instructions. The Army Council will, however, be prepared to consider cases where badges have actually been bought, different from the authorised pattern, prior to the issue of the instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the total number of conscientious objectors to military service who have been executed, who are now under sentence of execution, and who are now undergoing penal servitude, respectively, for having exercised their statutory right of conscientious objection; and if he will state the authority by which that statutory right has been abrogated?

No soldiers have been punished for exercising their statutory right of conscientious objection, for the reason that a soldier has no such statutory right. The hon. Member is, I think, confusing the legal remedies which a citizen, before he becomes a soldier, possesses derived from the statutory exemptions which may be granted under the Military Service Acts. Certain soldiers, however, have been tried by court-martial for offences of insubordination, such offences they allege being due to conscientious objection to military service. Of such soldiers none have been executed, none are under sentence of execution, and one is undergoing a sentence of penal servitude solely because he refuses to accept his release under the terms offered to him by the Brace Committee of work of national importance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, apart from the categories of general, garrison, and home service, namely, A, B and C, he will give the classes into which men either on joining or during their service may be placed, and the qualifications or conditions which they are required to fulfil before being placed in each class?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a Paper which explains the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue are proceeding to release second-division and assistant clerks for military service; whether this permission will also be extended to first-division and intermediate clerks; and if he will state the number of clerks in each of the two last-named classes under twenty-six years of age and the number who have entered the Department since the outbreak of War.

The Board of Inland Revenue have decided to release for military service their remaining second-division and assistant clerks under the ages respectively of twenty-six and thirty-one who have not already joined His Majesty's Forces.

The first-division clerks working in the Department are at present 40 per cent. below the normal establishment, and no further diminution of their numbers is possible. Nor is it possible to reduce further the intermediate clerks in the Estate Duty Office, where the shortage of trained and even partially-trained staff engaged upon the technical work in that office is already a matter of some concern.

I presume the figures for which my hon. Friend asks are meant to relate to officers now at work in the Department, and they are: For first-division clerks 4 and 4 For Estate Duty Office, intermediate clerks, respectively 104 and 47

asked the Minister of Munitions how many persons are engaged on the headquarters staff of the Ministry; what number of these are qualified for military service; and what steps are being taken to release them and substitute others not qualified for military service?

On the headquarters staff of the Ministry 6,407 persons are now employed; 835 of these are eligible for military service, and found, as the result of a medical re-examination of the entire staff of military age to be fit either for general service or for garrison duty. A thorough investigation has been made, by my right hon. Friend's direction, into the case of every one of these men by a strong Committee, including two business men nominated by the Director of Recruiting. My right hon. Friend is arranging for the release of men whom the Committee have reported to be dispensable or replaceable without serious detriment to the efficient conduct of the work of the Ministry.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the local tribunal at Largs has refused to grant exemption in a single case to the sole head of a business; and whether he will take steps to call the attention of the tribunal to the terms of the Act and of the instructions to tribunals?

I am inquiring as to the facts in this case, but have not yet received a reply from the local tribunal. Perhaps my hon. Friend will repeat his question in a day or two.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the separation allowance promised last June to Mrs. Susan Spittle, Mountmellick, Queen's County, has not yet been granted, though her son, Lance-Corporal Richard Spittle, 3rd Battalion Irish Rifles, who joined the Colours on 1st December, 1915, has made several applications to the military authorities on behalf of his mother, who was partially dependent on him for the support of herself and family of seven children?

Inquiries are being made and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a letter published in a London newspaper of the 16th October, under the heading "The Lack of Irish Recruits," alleging that an Irish Guardsman sent home eight months ago, with an arm amputated at the shoulder, had been notified by the Government that they had done with him, and had no more money to give him; whether such a man is entitled under the regulations to a weekly life pension of 15s. or 16s.; and what steps have been taken to deal with the statement and to prevent its republication in Ireland to the further prejudice of recruiting?

My attention has been drawn to the letter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I have obtained the name of the soldier referred to, and I find that he was discharged on the 8th August and given a pension of 25s. for two months, and that he has on the expiry of the two months been given a pension of 14s. a week for life. The statment made in the letter, "that the Government notified; this soldier that they had done with him and have no more pay to give him," is, therefore, not understood, and further inquiry will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will see his way to grant the mother of Private Joseph M'Carthy, No. 4675, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, who was killed in action on 25th April last, a pension; and whether he is aware that Mrs. M'Carthy is now sixty-three years old and in delicate health, and if not assisted must necessarily suffer privation?

Although numerous inquiries were made no evidence was forthcoming that this soldier supported his mother before the War, and no pension can therefore be issued to her from Army funds.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the case of an apprentice whose mother is dead, and who has been brought up by an aunt, and in respect of whom a total sum of 15s. a week was paid to the aunt, the War Office refuses to grant any separation allowance, on the ground that the youth only earned 8s. a week out of that sum and the remainder was contributed by his father; and whether, in cases where a person was clearly dependent on a soldier before enlistment, it is the practice of the War Office to investigate the source from which the soldier derived his contributions, and to refuse an allowance unless they were wholly the proceeds of his own earnings?

The hon. Member has already submitted to me the particular case on" which this question is based, and I regret I am unable to add anything to the very full reply I sent him on the 9th instant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is the practice of the Department to deduct any sum from the pension of a widow of a soldier, on the ground that, through private charity in the way of education and maintenance of any child, the mother is no longer responsible for its maintenance.

No, Sir; the child's pension is paid to the institution responsible for its care and maintenance; the mother's own pension is untouched.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that much has been done towards providing wounded non-commissioned officers and men of the Army with better pensions, he can say when this is also going to be done for officers?

This has already been done by the Royal Warrant of 26th November, 1915, republished as No. 3 in Army Orders for January, 1916, and the Royal Warrant of 15th July, 1916, published as. Army Order 256. I will send copies to my. hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any of the officers or soldiers concerned in the incidents connected with the murder of Mr. Sheehy-Skeffington, Mr. Dickson, and Mr. M'Intyre would have been liable to punishment under the Army Act if they had refused to carry into effect any of the orders given to them by Captain Bowen-Colthurst in relation to these murders?

Without knowing the particular incident to which the hon. Member refers, it is difficult to furnish him with the information he desires. An officer or soldier, however, is only liable to punishment under the Army Act for refusing to obey a lawful command; and for a definition as to what is a lawful command, I would refer the hon. Member to Note 6 to Section 9 of the Army Act, in the Manual of Military Law, 1914.

asked the Minister of Munitions if compensation is payable to the sufferers in the recent explosion in Yorkshire; and, if so, when will the claims be met?

The explosion did not take place at a Government Factory, but at a factory belonging to a Joint Stock Company. The claims are being investigated as rapidly as possible, and I am informed that the company hopes to settle a considerable number of them very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that recently Messrs. W. Gittus and Son, of Penistone, improperly withdrew badge certificates from five men in their employ; and what action has been taken or is proposed to be taken in regard to the matter?

The action of this firm having been brought to our notice, and the facts having been found to be as stated, we communicated without delay with the War Office, with the result that prompt action was taken by them, and the men concerned have been offered the option of returning at once to civil life. The Ministry have already issued new badge certificates to be handed to the men as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there are still in this country schools or colleges owned and managed by people of German nationality or with teachers of German origin; if so, whether these schools are helped by German secret service money; and, if he proposes to do anything in the matter?

The Board are not aware that any school or college within their jurisdiction is owned and managed by persons of German nationality. As regards teachers in such institutions it is not possible for the Board to say how many of them are of German origin. The Board have no knowledge of the manner in which German secret service money is spent, and are not aware that occasion has arisen for action on their part Country of Birth. … Nationality. School. University. No. 1—Scotland … Natural-born British subject Dundee High School Edinburgh. No. 2—India … Natural-born British subject Native Institution, Ahmedabad. Bombay and 'Oxford. No. 3—India … Natural-born British subject Ernakilam College, Cochin State. Madras and Oxford. No. 4—Ceylon … Natural-born British subject Royal College, Colombo University College, London. No. 5—Scotland … Natural-born British subject Auchtermuchty Public School. St. Andrews and Oxford. Bell Baxter School, Cupar. No. 6—Scotland … Natural-born British subject Edinburgh High School Edinburgh.

asked the Secretary of State for India why the concession of free entry of parcels is granted to the Territorials in India and not to the invalided Regular soldiers; and why soldiers receiving 200 cigarettes from England have had to pay as much as three rupees three annas to secure delivery?

Under Orders issued by the Government of India last month all articles imported by post for British soldiers in Regular regiments in India have now been exempted from duty for the duration of the War.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many candidates were successful in the recent competition, August, 1916, for the Indian Civil Service; and what is the nationality and place of education of each of these candidates?

Six vacancies in the Indian Civil Service were announced at the open competition this year, and have now been filled by duly qualified candidates appointed in the order of priority in which their names appear on the results list. A statement showing their nationality and place of education is being circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The particulars regarding successful candidates at the open competition for the Indian Civil Service, 1916, are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the number of British subjects in India executed, imprisoned, and deported, respectively, on political grounds since 1st August, 1914; the number now in deportation and where; and if the leaders, not heard from since deportation, have not been executed, where they are?

The Secretary of State has not complete figures of the number of persons in British India convicted since August, 1914, by Courts of Justice of seditious offences, which generally involved violent crime, and sentenced either to death or imprisonment, but in the year 1915 forty-six persons convicted of such offences suffered capital punishment and forty-two were sentenced to transportation for life. During the same year ten persons were placed under detention under the Bengal State Prisoners Regulation and 216 were subjected under the Defence of India Act to restriction on their movements, the place of detention or residence in each case being specified in the warrant or order. No person so detained can be subjected to capital or other penalty otherwise than upon trial and conviction by a Court of Justice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the presence in business in Aldersgate, E.C., of an unnaturalised German, named Herman Schumacher, is creating dissatisfaction in the City of London, and particularly amongst the residents and people doing business in the Aldersgate Street ward; whether the fact that he has a naturalised German as a junior partner is any justification for his being permitted to continue to enjoy the privilege of freedom; and whether, in view of this unnaturalised German's frequently expressed, and well-known pro-German sympathies, he will cause this case to be reconsidered?

I am aware that complaint has been made that Mr. Schumacher should remain at liberty. The Advisory Committee recommended his exemption from internment in July, 1915. Since that time further inquiry about him has been made through the police, but nothing has appeared to show any reason for cancelling his exemption. So far as the public safety is concerned, I am aware of no ground for departing from the advice of the Committee. The question of his carrying on business is one for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who answered a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division on 12th October.

asked how many persons, men and women respectively, of German or Austro-Hungarian nationality, have been naturalised in Great Britain in the last ten years?

Between 1st January, 1907, and 30th September, 1916 (excluding cases of the readmission of British-born persons), 2,443 Germans and 712 Austrians and Hungaians have been naturalised Separate figures for men and women are not available.

asked the Home Secretary if he will appoint a Committee, representing all parties in this House, to inquire into the allegations so continuously being made by the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin of cruelty and ill-treatment of Irish prisoners at Frongoch camp?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer, which I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division, with regard to the inspection of the camp at Frongoch, and to my remarks on the subject in the Debate last night. I do not think there is any need for the appointment of a Committee.

asked the result of the courts-martial held at Frongoch on Tuesday, 17th instant; and if he will state the charge made against the prisoner Patrick Daly, and under what regulation the court-martial was held?

Daly was charged with committing an offence, in that he, on 6th October, when a prisoner undergoing disciplinary detention, refused to clean his cell when ordered to do so. He was tried on the 17th instant, not by a court-martial in the ordinary sense of the term, but by the Military Court which sits in all internment camps, under the authority of Royal Warrant, to hear discipline cases. The finding of the Court cannot be promulgated until it has been confirmed by the proper military authority. It has been forwarded for confirmation, but until the reply is received I am unable to state the finding.

asked the Home Secretary if he has considered the advisability of dismissing the commandant at Frongoch Camp; if he is aware that the methods adopted by this man and his treatment of the untried Irish prisoners of war is likely to cause a riot; if he is aware that the treatment of the prisoners is causing dissension and bitterness in Ireland even amongst the bitterest opponents of those who took part in the rising; and if he will cause the prisoners to be removed to Reading or other suitable place?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that many books in Irish have been refused admission into Frongoch Camp and were not returned to the senders; if he is aware that one book in Irish, the New Testament, which was sent to an Irish prisoner, was found on a book-hawker's barrow in London; and if he will state who is responsible for such actions as this?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. Books in Irish have been submitted to the Censor in London, but all the books so submitted have been passed and, I undestand, issued to the persons at Frongoch for whom they are intended.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on the 14th instant the Irish prisoners at Frongoch were supplied with a meat ration, 268 pounds of which the prisoners complained was bad and unfit for human consumption; if he is aware that when they complained about the bad smell of the meat they were ordered to wash it with vinegar and were told this process would remove the stench; if he is aware that this meat was offered to the soldiers, who refused it and handed it over for use by the Irish prisoners; if he is aware that when the Irish prisoners complained the adjutant was most abusive and insulting, and that, as a result of a firm stand, the meat was inspected by the prison doctor and his assistant, who subsequently condemned 176 pounds of the meat as unfit for human consumption; and if he will say whether the commandant has yet been removed?

I am informed that on the 14th instant part of the meat ration, which was found to be sour, was withdrawn and replaced by order of the commandant, whose attention had been directed to the matter. I am not aware of any foundation for the other allegations in the question, but am making inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether it is his intention to permit the illegal full-time employment of children of twelve years of age in cotton mills; and, if not, whether he will make some public pronouncement in order to remove the anomaly which exists in the difference of practice between law-abiding firms and their less scrupulous competitors; and (2) whethe his attention has been called to the illegal employment of children of twelve years of age for full time in cotton mills; whether any proceedings have been instituted against any firms or firms who have thus illegally employed children; and whether any warning has been issued to employers that legal proceedings will be instituted in future if children who do not possess the necessary qualifications are employed full time?

It has come to the notice of the Factory Department that in a few cases children of twelve have been employed full time for short periods during the recent school holidays. Such employment is, of course, illegal, but it was not thought necessary, in the circumstances, to take proceedings on this occasion. Cautions have, however, been sent, and the necessary steps will be taken to enforce the law.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that two deaths of female munition workers from T.N.T. poisoning have recently occurred; whether he has considered if they are due to the probability that the Regulations are either defective or badly administered; and what steps he proposes to take in order to make the Regulations in this process really effective to safeguard the health of the workers?

The Home Office has received reports with, regard to these two cases. In the case of one of the women, who was not an employé of the firm, but an examiner sent to the works on behalf of the Government, the usual precautions had, through a misunderstanding as to her position, not been carried out. In the other case, also, the doctor appointed for the factory, although a full-time officer, had not been able, owing to the amount of work to be done, to carry out the full periodical examination of the workers. Both defects have now been remedied. The question of T.N.T. poisoning is receiving the close attention of the Home Office and Ministry of Munitions, and special measures have been taken for dealing with it. Further modifications of the regulations are under consideration. The problem is a new one, and is made more difficult by the fact that the manufacturing processes are constantly being modified. The precautions which are now required, or under consideration, include all the measures which the experience so far obtained suggests, and further investigations, and experiments with new methods and appliances are being made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Coal Mining Organisation Committee on the subject of the internal reorganisation of mines and the provision of more suitable plant and haulage facilities so as to secure the largest possible output of coal from each colliery?

I would refer the hon. Member to the second and third Reports of the Coal Mining Organisation Committee. Generally the industry has taken steps as far as possible to increase the output of coal in the ways indicated by the Committee, by reducing development work, working the more productive seams or parts of seams, improving haulage arrangements and the like; but it will be understood that there is great difficulty at the present time in obtaining new plant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received any complaints from Wexford public bodies as to the high price of coal; and if he is prepared to do anything in the matter?

I have received a copy of a resolution passed by the Wexford Board of Guardians on the subject. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to a question asked by the hon. Member for the Leix Division, of which I am forwarding him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken by the Home-Grown Timber Committee to provide an adequate supply of timber for pit props; and if he can state the prices at present ruling for home-grown timber for use in the pits and also for imported timber?

I regret that I am not at the present time in a position to make a statement of the steps which have been and are being taken by the Committee in the matter of the supply of pitwood. I can, however, say that the Committee have purchased pitwood and have supplied it in various mining districts, and that they see no reason to apprehend a shortage of home-grown supplies. As regards price, the details are too numerous to be given in reply to a question, but the prices of pitwood, whether imported or home-grown, move together, that for the home-grown article being usually a little below that for the imported. The prices of pitwood have recently fallen.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have now been taken to secure the pooling of railway wagons in Scotland, including private traders' wagons, in order to provide for the earlier dispatch and delivery of coal from the pit head?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The wagons belonging to the principal Scottish railway companies are already pooled, and the question whether the arrangement can be extended to private traders' wagons is receiving careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether steamers are being built with starred labour in this country for neutral firms; whether in the terms of contract in such cases provision is made for the possibility of the British Government claiming such steamers at any stage in their construction; and, if so, whether, in view of the shortage of British commercial tonnage and the consequent increase in freight charges, he proposes to take over such steamers and employ them when completed for the purpose of importing necessary foodstuffs?

In the case of two of the vessels which are under construction in this country for neutral owners, provision has been made for the possibility of His Majesty's Government claiming them. This possibility has not been overlooked, but all the vessels now being built for neutral owners will either be sold to British owners or be chartered to the Government for the War and some months afterwards at a rate about half the market rate. The vessels will be employed when completed in the interests of this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Petrol Control Committee when making allotments made any difference between applicants residing in London and other large towns and those living in out-of-the-way country districts, where it is impossible to obtain a conveyance of any kind?

The allotments made by the Committee were based on the stated requirements, which, as a general rule, were much larger for applicants from country districts than those in London and other large towns.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to a circular or poster issued by the Maypole Dairy Com- pany, Limited, containing a variety of statements more or less calculated to create an atmosphere hostile to the Government; and if he will consider if he should reply to the allegation of want of good faith?

I have seen the circular referred to. However much it may have been open to objection on other grounds, I did not understand that it conveyed an allegation of want of good faith against the Government.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if, in view of the importance of getting on with land settlement, especially for the purpose of finding employment for returning soldiers and sailors, he will consider the possibility of passing an Act empowering the Board of Agriculture to make voluntary arrangements with landlords without the intervention of the Land Court?

My hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties with which this question is surrounded. At present I can only say that his suggestion will receive my careful consideration, along with others that have reached me on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of the potato crop, he will take steps to regulate the sale and price of this food, supply?

The Board is not, as at present advised, prepared to recommend the action suggested

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the position of the Limerick Workers' Benefit Approved Society, which, owing to the conditions brought on by the War, has been placed in a position of difficulty financially owing to the unexpected number of disabled soldiers and sailors, especially the former, who through wounds or disease have come on the funds of this society, so that it is a consideration for the committee of management as to how long the funds will bear the strain; and whether, seeing that numbers of men who, under normal conditions of peace, would not become a burden on the funds of those societies in anything like the numbers they do now owing to the conditions of war, the Government will consider the advisability of coming to the aid of those societies which have been so hard hit in this unexpected manner in order to prevent them from becoming insolvent by giving a Grant from Government funds in all those cases where men who have been injured in their health owing to the War have had to fall back on the funds of those societies?

On the facts at present available, no sound conclusion can be arrived at as to the position of an approved society in the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The ultimate effect of the War upon the finances of approved societies can only be ascertained by balancing the results of various opposing factors, as indicated in paragraph 40 of the Interim Report of the Departmental Committee on Approved Society Finance and Administration, and is essentially a matter for actuarial investigation after the War.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the judge who sentenced Patrick and James Power to eight months' imprisonment at Cork Spring Assizes has informed the Irish Government that it is not correct that he stated he would impose a sentence of three months' imprisonment and subsequently altered the sentence to eight months; and whether he will suggest to the Estates Commissioners that they should direct an inspector to investigate the whole circumstances of the eviction of John Power, the father of Patrick Power, and James Power from the lands of Newtown, county Waterford?

The learned judge informs me that he made no statement to the effect mentioned. I have referred to the Estates Commissioners for information as to the suggestion in the concluding part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the present position of the Sweetman Estate, South Wexford; and when is there likely to be a settlement?

I am informed that the Estates Commissioners intimated in 1913 to the Land Judge in whose Court the Sweetman Estate was the subject of proceedings the sum they were prepared to advance in Three per cent. Guaranteed Stock under the Land Purchase Acts for the property. The Land Judge refused to sell at the estimated price, and in the circumstances the Commissioners have not proceeded further in the matter.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation making it compulsory on magistrates in Ireland to impose adequate fines on those who habitually defy or neglect the safeguarding regulations to prevent sheep scab ordered by the Department of Agriculture; and whether the constabulary can be further utilised to report on cases of concealment or neglect?

I am aware of the desirability of enforcing the observance of sheep scab and sheep dipping orders by adequate penalties in case of neglect, but it is not practicable to compel magistrates to inflict fines. The police have received orders to exercise special vigilance in these cases.