asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the amount of public money paid in salaries and in fees, respectively, to each holder of the office of Attorney-General and of Solicitor-General since 1st August, 1914, and the period covered by the payments to each?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my predecessor gave to the late Sir Arthur Markham on 22nd December, 1915. No later figures are yet available.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in connection with the statement made by Mr. M'Neill against Major Price, he has satisfied himself that the name of Sergeant Jones was given as being part and parcel of the conspiracy to associate the names of two hon. Members of the House of Commons with the rising of Easter week; where is Jones now stationed, and will he be asked for a statement on the subject; and, in view of the assertion made that there is nothing in the whole case, will he explain why Major Price and Sergeant Jones are prevented from justifying themselves before a proper tribunal, and not have them go on in the public service with a stigma which will for ever cover them with dishonour and deceit?

The charge of conspiracy contained in this question is made now for the first time. I believe it is entirely unfounded. Sergeant Jones denies the various statements which have been made about him. Whether there is a stigma upon him is a matter of opinion. I do not think there is.

asked the Home Secretary whether Major Price, county inspector of Carlow, was in charge of a party of constabulary who fired on the populace at Newmarket, county Cork?

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to a reply which I gave to a question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour on the 7th August last, to the effect that Major Price was in charge of a party of constabulary on the occasion in question. I am glad to have an opportunity of explaining that that reply was unfortunately wrongly reported in the Daily Debates. The words I actually used were as followsNo; it is another officer of the name of Price. Perhaps I should correct that An Inspector Price was in charge of the police on the occasion referred to by the hon. Member, but I am not sure that his description of the occurrence is accurate. The Major Price who was the subject of the question never served in county Cork and was not in charge of any police in that county on the occasion referred to or on any other occasion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it was on the advice of Sir John Maxwell that the memorials signed by members of the Irish party and Dublin Corporation for the removal of hard labour from Mr. Patrick Mahon's sentence was refused; if he is aware that Mr. Mahon's sentence of six months was for printing the newspaper the "Irish Volunteer," which had previously been printed in Belfast; if he is aware that the refusal to remove hard labour disqualifies Councillor Mahon from attending his public duties, and that such disqualifica- tion is resented by Mr. Mahon's constituents; and if he will cause the memorials on behalf of Mahon to be reconsidered?

The exercise of the prerogative of clemency is vested absolutely in the Lord Lieutenant, and his Excellency has decided that in this ease the law must take its course. I have not inquired as to the grounds upon which this decision has been taken. Patrick Mahon was convicted of committing acts and making statements likely to cause disaffection and prejudice recruiting. I am not aware that there is any person at Belfast who ought to have been charged with him.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Government is now prepared to advance to the owners of property recently destroyed in Dublin such sum as the Goulding Committee recommends as the sum to be advanced, provided that such owner is prepared to rebuild forthwith, and, as a safeguard, that no sum in respect of such rebuilding will be paid except on the production of the architect's certificate; and whether he is aware that, owing to the delay in making this matter clear, many owners are precluded from making any arrangement for rebuilding, and that they are in danger of losing the trade or business formerly done in the destroyed premises owing to the lapse of time since their destruction and the consequent diversion of custom.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) if he is aware that dissatisfaction is being caused in Dublin by the delay of the Government in settling the claims of owners of property destroyed during the recent rebellion; whether he is aware that unemployment is becoming very general in the city amongst skilled and unskilled workers; that the high cost of provisions is accentuating this discontent, and that the peace of the city will be seriously endangered unless something is done at once towards facilitating the rebuilding of the damaged portion of the city; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and (2) whether he is aware that discontent exists amongst the owners of property destroyed during the recent rebellion owing to the delay of the Government of the Treasury in giving any intimations to the property owners as to the amount they will receive for buildings destroyed as separate and distinct from stock or goods; whether he will press upon those responsible for the delay the urgency of the matter, seeing that the loss of profits and loss of business has been suggested as consequential losses for which no allowance is proposed to be made; if he is aware that a substantial portion of capital has been expended by the various owners in advertising their business, and that a large portion of the business thus secured is lost through the delay by the transferring of the business to other traders; and if he will state what he proposes doing to prevent further loss to these business firms who are being sacrificed by the delay?

I am not able at present to add anything to the answers I gave on the 12th and 18th instants to the hon. Member for North Dublin and the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin.

asked the Chief Secretary what are the qualifications as a specialist in mental diseases of Dr. Dawson, inspector of lunatic asylums; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances of the case of Captain Bowen-Colthurst, he will consider the desirability of obtaining the opinion of some expert in mental diseases who would be free from any suspicion of partiality?

Dr. Dawson has devoted practically the whole of his professional career to the study of mental diseases, and has held numerous important appointments in connection with the treatment of the insane. He has been for upwards of five years Government Inspector of Lunatics in Ireland. I think there is no foundation for the suggestion in the latter part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary by whom the several members of the Committee of Inquiry into the destruction of property by the military in Dublin last April were nominated, the interests they were supposed to represent, and the terms of reference; especially having regard to the fact that book debts are not insurable against fire, what instructions were given to the Committee, and on what advice and authority, with reference to the loss of book debts by the burning of account books and papers; on what advice and authority claims for damages directly con- sequential are barred; seeing that the Prime Minister has acknowledged the liability of the State for the damage and that delay in settling established claims, imposes continuous and growing loss, leading to insolvency and inability to resume business, in some cases preventable by prompt settlement, on what advice and authority is this additional loss barred; whether the opinion of a court of equity will be obtained on the three foregoing; points; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the sufferers with the personnel of the Committee and with its awards; whether he will place in the Library or make otherwise available to Members interested all the claims, with a list of them, showing in each case the amounts certified by different valuers, the sums awarded, paid, and not paid, respectively, the dates of payments, and all communications, official and other, between the Government and the Dublin Fire and Property Losses Association; whether the aggregate loss by destruction of property amounts to £5,000,000; whether he has any knowledge of an offer of a loan of one-fifth of this sum by an American bank; and, having regard to the lack of employment in Dublin, which would be relieved by the work of restoration, when will the claims be considered by an independent committee and all established claims paid?

The Committee referred to was appointed by the Lord Lieutenant and its terms of reference, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, were published in the Dublin newspapers of the 19th June last. Claims for consequential damages are expressly excluded by these terms from the scope of the ex-gratia grant. I have no reason to believe that there is any dissatisfaction with the personnel of the Committee. Its functions are limited to making recommendations to His Majesty's Government within the terms of reference. There is no intention of placing Papers in the Library as suggested or of constituting another Committee for the same purpose. I have no information in regard to the proposed loan from America except what appears in the public Press.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether, in the case of Maurice Collins, a member of the Dublin Post Office staff, alleged to be implicated in the rebellion, who has been dis- missed from his position on no other evidence beyond his own statement, he will be paid his salary and emoluments up to the time that he got notice of his dismissal?

I am having inquiry made, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Home Secretary how many Irish prisoners in pursuance of military orders are now detained at Dartmoor, Frongoch, Reading, and Aylesbury, respectively?

If by military orders the hon. Member means orders of courts-martial, the numbers are:—Sixty-five at Dartmoor, fifty-seven at Portland, eighteen at Wormwood Scrubs, and one at Aylesbury Interned prisoners are detained not in pursuance of military orders, but by orders of the Secretary of State made under No. 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The number of Sinn Fein prisoners so detained is 547 at Frongoch, twenty-eight at Reading, and two at Aylesbury.

asked the Home Secretary (1) when it is proposed to release the Irish prisoners at Frongoch; and if, pending their release, they will be placed under the civil power; and (2) if he has yet considered the advisability of treating as political prisoners the Irish prisoners now undergoing sentences in internment camps and civil prisons in Great Britain; and if he is prepared to grant an amnesty for all prisoners arrested and detained owing to the rising?

In answer to Question 112 and the first part of Question 113, I would refer the hon. Member to the observations of the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary in the Debate in this House on Wednesday last. In answer to the second part, the Home Secretary does not propose to change at Frongoch the practice which prevails at all the internment camps of putting them in charge of military officers; but questions relating to the treatment of the Irish prisoners interned are dealt with by the Home Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government proposes to pay damages to those persons who, having been arrested in connection with the recent rising in Ireland, and who having been detained for a period, were ultimately set free without trial; and whether the Government intends to award compensation to such persons for the losses resulting from their imprisonment to or in their respective trades or occupations?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that some among the prisoners from Ireland may be released on certain conditions, such cases will be submitted to the Advisory Committee; if he will state to whom applications should be made, and to what tribunal the said prisoners shall apply for reconsideration of their cases; and whether court-martial cases come within the scope of this proposal?

It is not thought necessary to resubmit cases to the Advisory Committee. Application may be made to the Home Secretary or to my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland, on behalf of any interned man, if he is willing to undertake not to engage in any act of a seditious character or calculated to hinder the prosecution of the War, and if in cases where this is required satisfactory sureties can be found for his future good behaviour. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he will make it perfectly clear that local justices are entitled to sit in judgment on cases brought up in Ireland under the Military Service Act; what statute entitles a magistrate before whom informations and not depositions are sworn to deprive other justices from adjudicating in such a case; was it a clearly understood proceeding that only under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act could such a right be maintained; and are cases under the Military Service Act to be treated as under that Act or have instructions been issued to resident magistrates suggesting to them the desirability of excluding from the bench of justice in military service cases all magistrates who are tainted with Nationalist ideas?

No such instructions as those suggested by the latter part of the hon. Member's question have been issued. The question of the competency of a single justice to adjudicate in the cases of alleged absentees under the Military Service Act is at present, as I am informed, pending for decision in the case of an alleged absentee who has been arrested in the County of Limerick, and who is represented by counsel and solicitor. The Attorney-General has given instructions to the Crown solicitor to appear on behalf of the police, who made the arrest, in order that the question of jurisdiction may be fully argued and, if necessary, carried by either party for final decision before the High Court of Justice in Ireland. The Criminal Law and Procedure Act (Ireland) has, I am told, no bearing upon the case.

asked the Chief Secretary if he has read a resolution, unanimously adopted by the urban district council of Lurgan on 16th October, that the compulsory powers of the Military Service Acts now in operation in Great Britain should be extended to Ireland; and, having regard to the feeling in favour of this proposal in Ulster, what action he proposes to take?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Herefordshire on the 17th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received communications from Wexford public bodies protesting against Conscription and asking for the release of Irish political prisoners; and whether he will do anything to meet their wishes?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part I am unable to add anything to the statements made on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the course of the Debate on Wednesday last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what steps have been taken to secure combing out in Government-owned naval factories?

Of course, my hon. Friend will fully realise that work in the Royal dockyards and in the naval establishments is of the utmost importance in connection with the maintenance of the efficiency of the Fleet and the Naval Service. Up to the present time there has been but little opportunity of sparing men from this service for duty elsewhere. So far from that, there has been a continuous demand for particular kinds of labour. We have met that situation by a system of dilution and of substitution. Women have have been introduced, unskilled and semiskilled workmen have been put upon work within their capacity; preference has been given to men either medically unfit or beyond military age.

Investigations have been in progress for some time and arrangements are proceeding to ensure that, wherever possible, workmen who are eligible for military service shall be released as soon as their places can be filled by substitutes who are unfit for military service; men so released will be almost entirely confined to the unskilled classes. My hon. Friend will be interested to know that up to the 14th July last, the date of the latest completed Return, no less than 8,203 men had been released for military service from the dockyard establishments, and that in August last we were employing over 3,500 women in the dockyards and other naval establishments.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that after the 1st November fishing will be no longer a certificated occupation, and that in all probability many men in Shetland will be required to enrol in the Royal Naval Reserve; and, in view of the fact that there are many naval and civilian doctors in or near Lerwick, whether he will not require the men to undertake the voyage to Aberdeen and back for medical examination?

An intimation to this effect has been received from the Board of Agriculture and fisheries. The Shetland men will not be required to go to Aberdeen for medical examination, and arrangements are now under consideration for carrying out their enrolment locally.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the increase of salary or the war bonus asked by the Irish national school teachers, in common with other large classes of public servants, has been or will be conceded; and, if so, whether it will be retrospective to the date from which increase or bonus has been paid to other public servants?

The Treasury has agreed that a war bonus shall be granted to Irish teachers on the same scale as though they were Civil servants of the Crown. The question of the date on which the bonus should take effect is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the judge's remarks in sentencing Asseling in the recent War Office prosecution, he will note that many men are employed at totally inadequate wages carrying out responsible inspections in his Department; that for years at Chatham and other places his Department has employed skilled master butchers to inspect live cattle and dead meat and supervise slaughtering arrangements at the remuneration of £3 10s. or £4 a week; that on the ability and honesty of these men depended the rejection of tuberculous and other diseased meat tendered for the Navy; that these men have had to be possessed of the highest technical knowledge in their trade to do their work effectively; that, as the Navy is largely now fed on frozen meat, these men are now employed on work for which the War Office is paying its inspectors seven and a half guineas a day; and that it has been repeatedly stated by the War Office that this remuneration is entirely required by the responsible character of the work; and whether, in view of War Office practice, he will raise the remuneration of his underpaid master butchers to the same figure as that paid in the War Office?

The responsibilities devolving upon the meat inspectors employed at certain naval establishments are fully recognised, but it is not considered necessary to increase their emoluments under present conditions. The partial substitution of frozen for freshly killed meat at these establishments, to which my hon. Friend refers, has, in point of fact, tended to reduce somewhat the responsibilities of these officials, as the meat has already been examined and passed by Government inspectors before it is delivered to the victualling yards.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a British airship's sudden appearance over parts of South Wales on Monday night created a good deal of excitsment that would have been avoided had any warning been given, even by a brief notice in the newspapers as had been the practice in London; and whether he will direct the officials responsible for these flights by British airships to give warning, whenever possible, of such proposed visits?

Airships were over South Wales during Monday, the 16th October, but returned to their base in daylight. No reports have been received indicating that any alarm was caused.

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 contractor originally provided wrong doors, which were at once returned for proper doors to be supplied.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Beckett's blue uniform supplied to our wounded soldiers is defective, in that the outer skin of the garment, which is of flannelette, shrinks when washed at a different rate from the lining; that this produces an unsightly and badly fitting garment; and can he say why flannel clothes cannot be given to the wounded instead?

The outer skin of the garment referred to is, I am informed, not flannelette, and garments of flannelette have never been issued as hospital clothing. There is, however, I am informed, some liability to shrinkage in washing in the case of the outer material. Large quantities of flannel clothing have been issued as an alternative to the blue serge.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long Private A. Pope, No. 12985, Cold stream Guards, has been in hospital during the past eighteen months; whether nineteen medical officers have signed his papers declaring him to be suffering from valvular disease of the heart; why this man is retained in the Army; and whether, instead of being discharged, he has now been sent to rejoin his battalion?

I have caused inquiry to be made into this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who have been detailed to join the British Expeditionary Forces have been informed that in the event of their refusing to be inoculated they would be deprived of the usual short furlough granted to men of all ranks prior to the date of their embarkation; and whether men have been placed in detention for refusing to be inoculated?

I am not aware that any men have been informed as stated in the question, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given on this matter to the hon. Members for the Attercliffe Division, and for Blackburn, on the 29th March and the 8th May respectively. I am not aware that these men have been placed in detention for refusing to be inoculated, and I should be glad if further particulars could be furnished. A soldier cannot be placed under arrest for refusing to submit to inoculation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what imports have now been taken over by the authorities under the Defence of the Realm Regulations?

Powers conferred by the Defence of the Realm Regulations have been used by the War Department to control the import of Russian flax, and certain classes of hides and tanning materials.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to state whether one of the captured German guns which has been condemned as useless for military purposes is to be allotted to the borough of Islington?

A further distribution of captured guns is being considered. I cannot, however, say whether any particular place will have a gun allotted to it for exhibition.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware of the shortage in the engineering shops engaged on munition work of skilled blacksmiths and skilled drop-stampers; and whether, in the circumstances, he proposes to take steps to obtain the immediate release from the Army of the men necessary to fill the vacancies?

The shortage in the engineering shops engaged on munitions work of skilled blacksmiths and skilled drop-stampers is receiving the attention of the Ministry. A number of men of the types mentioned have already been released from the Army, and further applications have been forwarded to the War Office to obtain the release of skilled men for this class of work.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in the case of Amy Bowley v. Woolwich Arsenal heard before the local munitions tribunal on the 25th September, the case for the Arsenal was conducted by Mr. Young, a fully-qualified solicitor; whether this is contrary to the rules for constituting and regulating munitions tribunals made in pursuance of the Munitions of War Act, 1915; and what action it is proposed to take?

I am informed that Mr. Younger is a qualified Scottish Law Agent, but that in the case in question he appeared not in that capacity taut as being in charge of the Department at Woolwich concerned in the matter. His professional position was not raised at the hearing of Bowley's case, but it is understood that it had been raised at a previous case in which Mr. Younger appeared. In that case the tribunal decided that, as Mr. Younger had not practised since the outbreak of the War, he was entitled to appear as an ordinary member of the staff. The question whether the Munitions (Tribunals) Rules have been complied with is one for the munitions tribunal in the first instance, but their decision is subject to appeal on a question of law or of mixed law and fact. However, in view of all the circumstances, I do not propose again to employ Mr. Younger in this capacity.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to a case in which twenty women employed by the Bothwell Park Quarry and Brickwork, Limited, Fallside, Lancashire, at 14s. 3d. per week, plus 1s. 3d. bonus dependent on good time-keeping, were charged before the munitions tribunal with striking and fined; whether these women are employed on work for the Ministry of Munitions; and what steps it is proposed to take to enforce a reasonable living wage for these workers?

My attention had not previously been called to the case, but I am causing inquiry to be made, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of. Munitions whether he is aware that the Standard Woodwork Company are paying 3d. per hour to adult women workers on Government work; and what steps he proposes to take to secure that a fair remuneration shall be paid to these workers?

The matter had not been brought to my notice, but I am causing inquiry to be made. The application of Order 447 to establishments of this class is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Munitions what firm has the contract for the feeding of the employés in the Gretna munition area; has his attention been called to the dissatisfaction of the employés with the food and the fact that the girls are unable to do their work on account of not being supplied with sufficient nourishment; and win he have the matter investigated and put right?

The feeding of the employes at Gretna is under the direct control of the Ministry. The reports which have reached me do not bear out the hon. and gallant Member's criticism. I shall be glad to afford him an opportunity of studying the conditions on the spot if he desires it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any communications from the Secretary of State for War and the Minister of Munitions in regard to the scheme for replacing single men working on munitions by men unfit for general service; and, if not, will he state if his Department is responsible for the delay in arranging for this matter to be proceeded with?

The Board of Trade have been in communication on this matter with the two Departments referred to. There has been no avoidable delay, but it is necessarily a difficult and complicated matter to adjust the detailed working of a satisfactory scheme for replacing on a large scale men fit for general service in munitions works and other employment throughout the country. A complete scheme for this purpose has, however, now been arranged, which it is anticipated will come into operation on Monday next.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to bring to justice, and with what results, the Moor whose public murder of a Sinhalese in the presence of the police led to the rioting in Ceylon?

I am not clear as to what incident the hon. Member has in mind, but I can find no ground for his suggestion as to the origin of these riots.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statement made by the Governor of Hong Kong at a meeting of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, in reply to a proposal by the Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak, a member of the Council, that it was expedient that all trade marks belonging to alien enemies and now on the register should be expunged, that the proposer was asking the Council to oppose the policy of His Majesty's Government, and that such a proposition would be inevitably vetoed; and whether this official action has the support of the Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether 100 alien enemy trade marks have been renewed at Hong Kong; and whether the Governor refused to have them expunged because this would be vetoed by the Imperial Government?

The answer is in the affirmative. The action taken in Hong Kong is in accordance with the general policy adopted here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to permit neutrals as well as British and Allied subjects to bid at the auction of enemy properties and businesses in Nigeria which is to take place in London on the 31st instant?

I shall be glad to see purchases made by British or Allied persons or firms, but I am not prepared to prevent subjects of neutral Powers, who are not acting on behalf of enemy interests, from purchasing such properties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the British merchants and companies interested in Nigeria are willing to form a new company, exclusively British in regard to control and capital with official representation on the board, if desired, in order to acquire, manage, and develop the whole of the enemy properties and businesses now being offered for sale; and, if so, whether it would be in Imperial interests that the plan should be carried out subject to any exceptions that may be desirable on special grounds?

I have been informed to this effect, but I am not prepared to say that it would be in the general interests that all these properties should be acquired by one company.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, if His Majesty's Government is unwilling to carry out the plan of selling to an all-British company, the conditions of sale will contain effective provisions to prevent any such properties and businesses being secretly bought or run in enemy interests, or hereafter transferred to enemy individuals or to companies controlled in enemy interests; and whether the proposed conditions of sale can be laid upon the Table forthwith, in order that they may be considered by this House before the auction takes place?

An Ordinance will be introduced in the Legislative Council of the Colony of Nigeria and enacted by the Governor of the Protectorate by which effective provision will be made against the transfer of the immovable properties of enemy firms in Nigeria being secretly bought or carried on in enemy interests or hereafter transferred to enemy individuals or to companies controlled in enemy interests. I will lay the conditions of sale of these properties on the Table.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the amount of opium cultivated and prepared in India under Government monopoly for the use of British subjects in India and Burma in each of the last five years; whether he will state the number of shops licensed for the common sale of opium during the same period; and whether, in view of the prohibition of the exportation of the drug, he can give an assurance that, subject to any existing obligations affecting the Native States, the future supply of opium in India will be limited to medical purposes?

A statement will be circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT showing for the last five years for which figures are available the amount of opium issued for consumption in British India and the number of shops licensed for retail sale. There is no such general prohibition of export of opium in force in India as is implied in the last part of the question. The question of confining the production and use of opium in India to medical purposes was examined by the Government of India in connection with The Hague Opium Conference and dismissed as impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any endeavours are being made to establish a direct mail service between Aden and Basra or between Aden and Karachi, with a view to speedier communication with the troops in Mesopotamia?

The Government of India have considered the question of establishing such a service and have decided against it. The proposal is impracticable owing to dearth of shipping.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the promotion of the senior lieutenant-colonels of the Indian Supply and Transport Corps has been retarded in consequence of the retention on the active list of substantive colonels who, if the War had not broken out, would have been retired; if so, will steps now be taken to prevent this stoppage in the flow of promotion, either by treating as supernumerary the officers due for retirement or else by temporarily increasing the establishment of substantive colonels?

So far as I am aware, out of eight colonels employed with the Supply and Transport Corps only one is over fifty-seven, the age for compulsory retirement from the service. Others but for the War would have vacated their appointments, but unless they exercised the option of retirement vacancies on the establishment of colonels would not result. That establishment has been supplemented since the War began by a considerable number of brevet promotions, three of which have been received by lieutenant-colonels of the Supply and Transport Corps. It is not proposed to adopt the special measures suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps are being taken to remedy the defects shown in the Indian Army system in respect to artillery, aviation, intelligence, and medical equipment; and whether the Indian military organisation is under the control of the India Office or of the higher command at the War Office?

It would not be in the public interest at the present time to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. The control of the Army in India is by law vested in the Governor General in Council, who is required to pay due obedience to such orders as he may receive from the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for India when the Report of the Royal Commission on the Public Services of India will be issued; and whether, having regard to the delay which has occurred in dealing with this question, the Government propose to take immediate action upon the recommendations?

The Report is being printed off, and copies will shortly be dispatched to India. It is proposed that it should be issued simultaneously here and in India. The Government of India have been requested to take the Report into consideration with as little delay as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the state of things in some of the smaller military hospitals in India; and whether he can now say what has been done to make these hospitals fit for soldiers?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the communique issued to the Press on the 6th September and my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Plymouth last Tuesday regarding certain hospitals in Madras. If the hon. Member has any particular Indian hospitals in mind, and will give me their names, the Secretary of State for India will, if the facts warrant it, call for a report.

asked the Home Secretary how many German civilian prisoners there are in the camp at Knockaloe at the present time; how many of these are over forty-five years of age; what form of employment is being undertaken by the civilian prisoners and what proportion of the men have definite work assigned to them; whether there are signs that insanity is increasing amongst the prisoners; and whether he has considered the possibility of some of the men being engaged in some useful work of reclamation?

There are 22,435 alien enemy prisoners at present in the camp at Knockaloe, of whom it is estimated that about 3,500 are forty-five years of age and upwards. Large numbers of the prisoners are employed in various duties about the camp, in making clothes, in horticulture, etc., etc. Small parties are from time to time engaged in stone-breaking, peat-cutting, farm work, etc., in the island, and others carry on wood carving and other private occupations. Efforts are made to provide as many as possible of the prisoners with useful work; but the problem is a very difficult one. Among the first schemes considered was that of the reclamation of land, and work of this character has been started on a small scale in the island, which it is intended to extend so far as weather and other conditions permit. I am happy to say that, while the effect of prolonged internment on the nervous and mental condition of prisoners must always cause anxiety, the incidence of lunacy among the prisoners at Knockaloe is low. The cases of lunacy certified between April, 1915, and September, 1916, represent an annual occurrence rate of 1.6 per thousand, which is much less than the rate among the general population of this country for males of the same range of ages.

asked the Treasurer of the Household whether Prince Salm-Salm, an able-bodied German prisoner of war, was allowed to go back to Germany; whether he gave his parole not to fight in future; and who were received in exchange for him?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for South Monmouthshire on 19th October. It is believed that Prince Salm-Salm was able-bodied.

asked the Treasurer of the Household whether it is the German view that a prisoner has a cash value as a labourer; whether the Germans make our prisoners work; and what proportion of the German prisoners we hold are doing work of similar character?

I think it is the case that the German authorities value their prisoners as labourers. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 18th October.

asked the Treasurer of the Household whether we hold as prisoners of war any members of noble German families; and whether any inquiry has been made as to officer prisoners that have royal or political influence in Germany?

Some prisoners belonging to German families of high social position are held, and inquiries with regard to some of them have been received from the German Government.

asked the Treasurer of the Household whether on or about 6th October there were fifty-seven disabled British prisoners exchanged for eighty-four German; and, if so, why we do not only exchange man for man, seeing that the Germans are keeping some of our men out of Switzerland on frivolous excuses?

. Fifty-seven disabled British prisoners were repatriated on 8th October. At the same time fifty-seven disabled German prisoners, four mental cases, and twenty-eight German medical personnel were sent back to Germany. Disabled prisoners in both countries are selected for repatriation by medical boards. The exchange is not on the basis of man for man.

asked the Treasurer of the Household whether he has any evidence that it is usual in Germany to hold out hopes to individual British disabled prisoners of war that they will be sent to Switzerland, which hopes are disappointed, sometimes after they have been brought within sight of the Swiss frontier; and, if so, will he see that no German disabled prisoner is sent to either Germany or Switzerland in excess of the numbers of British sent to either place by Germany?

It may be that in some cases hopes are held out, but the Army Council have no evidence that this is done as a measure of persecution in the knowledge that the hope will not be realised. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to-day to the hon. Member for Mile End.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the selection now proceeding of sick German prisoners in British hands to be interned in Switzerland will be carried out on the basis of a strict numerical equivalent to the corresponding action by the German Government?

No, Sir. The selection of invalid prisoners of war for transfer to Switzerland is based on a standard of disability which has been agreed to between His Majesty's Government and the German Government. Equality of numbers transferred is not a condition of the agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will inform the House why the German Government has refused to allow more than one British-born clergyman to minister to 30,000 British prisoners of War in Germany; and whether he will publish the negotiations that have passed on the subject?

The German Government state that over sixty German ministers of religion, who speak English, are carrying out their spiritual duties among the British prisoners, and that Mr. Williams, the only British clergyman who remained in Germany after the outbreak of war, has been allowed to carry on his work without interference. We are prepared to lay correspondence on this subject if there is a general desire that this should be done. I should like to take this opportunity to express our high appreciation of the work of Archdeacon Nies, an American citizen, among our prisoners in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he has been furnished with the reasons of the German Government sending prisoners to Rennbohn Camp, Munster, Westphalia; how many English prisoners were sent there; what they are doing; and if particulars as to their clothes, food, and work are known or can be obtained?

No recent reports have been received from the United States Embassy in regard to this camp and we have no reason to suppose that the conditions obtaining there are essentially different from those obtaining in other camps in Germany. If the hon. Member will furnish me with the information in his possession as to this camp I will see that the causes for complaint are investigated.

asked the Home Secretary what is the number of registered dental practitioners in the United Kingdom; what is the estimated number of unregistered dental practitioners; and how many of the latter are members of the Incorporated Dental Society, Limited?

I am informed that the number of registered dental practitioners in the United Kingdom is 5,560. The number of unregistered persons practising dentistry must be very considerably larger, but I am unable, from the nature of the case, to say even approximately how many there are. I am informed that the membership of the Incorporated Dental Society is about 2,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in framing the proposed early closing regulations for shopkeepers, he will take into consideration the disadvantage which will be caused to tobacconists if publicans who sell tobacco, cigarettes, and cigars are allowed to open their premises during the hours that shopkeepers are compelled to close?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to-day to the hon. Member for North Salford.

asked the Home Secretary whether, under the proposed early closing regulations for shopkepers, licensed victuallers and barbers will be allowed to sell tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes after the hour at which tobacconists will be compelled to close?

It will not be permissible under the Order for licensed victuallers, barbers, or any other class of shopkeepers to sell tobacco after the hour at which tobacconists will be required to close.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has evidence that the compulsory closing of shops at seven o'clock will bear with undue severity on retail tobacconists and confectioners, who do the principal part of their trade in the evenings between 6.30 and 8.30, and that the Order will bring about the ruin of many of these small traders, and only contribute to the benefit of the large stores and multiple shops; and whether he will reconsider the Order?

The Home Secretary has very carefully considered the representations which have been made to him on behalf of these trades, but it would not be possible to justify an exemption from the general order for non-essential trades such as the sale of tobacco or sweets. I do not think that the fears which have been expressed as to the effect of the Order on these trades will be justified; trade may be expected to adapt itself to the new conditions. I would point out also that the Order is limited to the winter months, when evening shopping would in any case, quite apart from the Order, be greatly diminished by the lighting restrictions?

asked the Home Secretary whether any money has been paid out of Army funds for the repair or any work in connection with the roads in Haverhill, Suffolk, and Newhaven and district in Sussex; and are these roads military roads?

As regards the road at Haverhill, I understand that the War Office agreed to bear 25 per cent. of the cost of the reconstruction which is now being carried out by conscientious objectors under the direction of the Road Board, and that in accordance with this agreement the sum of £ 6,316 has been paid to the county council out of Army funds. The road is a country main road and is not a military road.

Conscientious objectors are employed on the reconstruction of two roads near Newhaven. Both will be county main roads and not military roads. As regards one of them, no part of the cost is being or will be paid out of Army funds. As regards the other, about half the total cost of just over £10,000 will ultimately be paid out of Army funds.

asked the Home Secretary whether conscientious objectors are being employed under the Home Office scheme to carry out work under the Road Board at Newhaven, Seaford Road, and Bury, Haverhill Road, at rates of pay below those current in the district for similar work?

Conscientious objectors are being employed by the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors to carry out work under the Road Board on roads at Newhaven and Haverhill. The Road Board, who are acting as the Committee's agents in the matter, receive from the local authorities the full value at local piece-work rates of the work performed by the men in question.

asked the Home Secretary whether His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of the Channel Islands has yet completed his general inquiry into the enforcement of obsolete Ordinances in Sark and elsewhere; and, if so, whether the results of his investigations have yet been published?

I am informed by the Lieutenant-Governor that his inquiry is not yet concluded.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Private Saunderson, attached to 700 Company, Motor Transport Supply Column, who was fined £ 3 on 9th August last for exceeding the speed limit in the Ashton Old Road, Manchester, was guilty of the offence when, acting on instructions, he accelerated speed so as to enable a load of shells to catch a special train, he can see his way to remit the penalty?

My right hon. Friend has made inquiry into this case, but regrets that he does not find any sufficient ground for advising a remission of the penalty imposed.

asked the Home Secretary by whose order it is that the police- men attached to Cannon Row station are ordered to produce a birth certificate for each child under the age of fifteen before being able to participate in the allowance announced by him; if he is aware that 3s. 7d. is charged for each certificate; and if it is with the sanction of the Government that this extra cost is imposed upon the policemen?

To facilitate the arrangements for the grant of the children's allowance to men of the A Division, a local instruction appears to have been issued that birth certificates were to be inspected. On its being represented that many of the men were not in possession of these certificates, the order was cancelled within thirty-six hours of its issue. No one was, in consequence, put to expense in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state why keepers of common lodging-houses, superintendents of shelters, and similar institutions are hot compelled to register the names of men who occupy rooms, as are proprietors of hotels and apartment-houses; whether this differentiation has enabled numbers of men of military age belonging to the casual labour class to escape military service; and whether he will consider if raids on these places would be likely to be more productive than raids at railway stations and music-halls?

The only requirements as to registering visitors which apply to proprietors of hotels and apartment-houses are those imposed by the Aliens Restriction Order. Under that Order the proprietor has to ascertain the name, address, and nationality of all persons staying in the house, but the registration applies only to those persons who are aliens. These requirements apply and are enforced in the case of keepers of common lodging-houses and similar institutions just as much as in the case of proprietors of hotels and apartment-houses. The second part of the hon. Member's question does not therefore appear to arise, and the third part is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Home Secretary whether the experiments upon living animals with chlorine gas, performed by Dr. Flack in the laboratory of the Medical Research Committee between the 2nd and 22nd July, 1915, were paid for by moneys provided by Parliament out of the general taxation of the country under the National Insurance Act; whether his attention has been called to the nature of these experiments as reported in the "British Medical Journal" of 4th December, 1915; whether such experiments are correctly described in the Annual Returns as experiments in the nature of simple inoculations, hypodermic injections, and similar proceedings, and as experiments not involving a serious operation; whether they were performed under a scheme of medical research prepared by the Medical Research Committee under the National Insurance Act; and whether he will lay a copy of any such scheme upon the Table of the House?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the hon. Member for Lincoln on the 12th instant. The Home Secretary's attention has been called to the experiments mentioned in the question. Twelve of the experiments were performed under Certificate A. They were inhalation experiments, and did not involve any operation at all. They were properly included, therefore, in Table II. B of the Return. The other experiments, six in number, are included in Table II.A, as they were performed under licence alone, and the animals were therefore anæsthetised during the whole of the experiment. The concluding part of the question relates to matters which do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Home Office, and should be addressed to the hon. Member for Lincoln as representing the National Health Insurance Commission.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total sum expended on experiments on living animals during the year 1915 from moneys provided by Parliament out of the general taxation of the country under the National Insurance Act?

No experiments of the nature referred to are separately provided for; and it is (necessarily and inherently) quite impossible to analyse the expenditure of the Committee, or of the fund, in a manner that would show separately what proportions of regular expenditure may be regarded as due to any particular portions of the daily work done.

asked the Home Secretary whether the experiments upon living animals with chlorine gas, performed by Dr. Flack in the laboratory of the Medical Research Committee between the 2nd and 22nd July, 1915, were paid for by moneys provided by Parliament out of the general taxation of the country under the National Insurance Act; whether his attention has been called to the nature of these experiments, as reported in the "British Medical Journal" of 4th December, 1915; whether such experiments are correctly described in the Annual Returns as experiments in the nature of simple inoculations, hypodermic injections, and similar proceedings, and as experiments not involving a serious operation; whether they were performed under a scheme of medical research prepared by the Medical Research Committee under the National Insurance Act; and whether he will lay a copy of any such scheme upon the Table of the House?

The answers to the first, second and third paragraphs of the question are in the affirmative. In reply to the fourth paragraph I may say that schemes approved by the Chairman of the Joint Committee under Section 7 (1) of the Regulations would not include details of the particular manner in which, or the particular experiments by help of which, a given scheme of research is to be carried out. In the present case the work was sanctioned as a piece of research which was necessary for the solution of certain medical questions of immediate national urgency in the War conditions of July, 1915, but which was also likely to produce knowledge of the greatest value in medical work for the civil population. In reply to the fifth paragraph, I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph (f) on page 20 of the Report of the Committee for 1914–15, presented to Parliament last year. Cd. 8101.

asked the Home Secretary if he will who are the auditors appointed by the Treasury to audit the accounts of the Medical Research Fund and the Medical Research Committee, respectively, as provided by the Statutory Rules and Orders under the National Insurance Act; and whether such accounts are published or open to inspection by the public?

Each of the accounts referred to is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General. The hon. Member will find the published figures in the Annual Appropriation Accounts of the Vote for the National Health Insurance Joint Committee presented every year to Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest at Faversham on Winifred Old field and, recently, the inquest on Lydia Elizabeth Gibson, who died of T.N.T. poison; can he say how many deaths from the same cause have occurred during the past three months; and what action is being taken to prevent these disasters?

The Home Secretary's attention has been called to both these cases. During the quarter ending 30th September the number of reported deaths from the same cause was twenty-one. The Home Office and the Ministry of Munitions are taking every possible step to investigate and deal with this new source of danger, as my hon. Friend will see if he refers to the answer the Home Secretary gave to a question by the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham on Thursday last.

asked the Home Secretary if he can make any statement as to the work of the Interdepartmental Committee on the Blind instituted in 1914; and when their Report is expected?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for Blackburn in reply to a question on the same subject on Tuesday last.

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions have taken place for violation of the Order in Council prohibiting the sale of cocaine for improper purposes; and in how many cases, if any, the source of supply has been traced to dental practitioners, either registered or unregistered?

There have been twenty-five prosecutions in the Metropolitan Police District for the violation of this Order in Council. In none was the source of supply traced to a dental practitioner. I have no information as to the number of prosecutions outside the Metropolitan Police District.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the promise given to the House that the Statutory Committee would take over the payment of supplementary rent allowances from the National Relief Fund, he will explain why in many cases the Grant has been taken away or reduced by the local war pensions committees?

I do not know what the precise promise is to which my hon. Friend refers. As he is no doubt aware, when the Statutory Committee assumed responsibility for the payment of supplementary rent allowances, these allowances became subject to the Regulations under the Act. The Regulations followed generally the lines laid down by the National Relief Fund, but there may have been cases in which allowances were being made in excess of those contemplated by the fund and by the Regulations, and of the pre-war income of the household. Local committees were instructed to review the allowances previously granted by the voluntary societies with a view of bringing them into harmony with the requirements of the Regulations, but the Statutory Committee are desirous that any cases of the kind should be dealt with in such manner as to avoid hardship.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he can state the nature of the inquiry which the Fabian Society is conducting for the Statutory Committee?

I am not aware, Sir, that any inquiry is being conducted by the Fabian Society for the Statutory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the freight rate for grain from the Plate to the United Kingdom on the following dates: One month before the War broke out, the middle of 1915, the middle of 1916, and on 17th October?

The following are the average rates per ton for grain from Buenos Ayres to the United Kingdom: July, 1914, 10s. 6d.: July, 1915, 55s. 8d.; July, 1916, 150s. 4½d.; week ending 14th October, 117s 6d. The rates from up-river ports are usually a few shillings more. I should add that these figures are based on such charterings as are reported at the given dates, and do not refer to sailings at those dates, nor to the rates paid to liners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state approximately the freight chargeable on coal from Great Britain to Ireland; whether he is aware of the increase in the price of coal, and that Irish coal merchants generally allege the main cause is the high freight charges and the difficulty of obtaining vessels; and whether he will adopt measures to regulate and moderate those rates, especially in regard to Dublin City supplies?

The present rates of freight on coal from South Wales ports to Ireland are reported to be: To Dublin 12s. to 12s. 6d. To Belfast 13s. to 13s. 6d. and To Cork 15s. The Dublin rate is less than that to Cork or Belfast. I am afraid I cannot add to my previous statements on the subject of coal prices and freights.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what rate is refrigerated beef carried from South Africa to London, and at what rate fruit, butter, cheese, and other goods carried in refrigerators?

The small insulated spaces in the Union-Castle steamers have not been requisitioned by His Majesty's Government, and I cannot say what rates have been or are being charged for the carriage of refrigerated produce in these spaces. When special cargoes of meat have been bought for the Allied Forces, a requisitioned steamer has been provided for their conveyance at moderate rates which have been agreed between the Government and the shipowners.

asked at what rate is meat carried from Australia and New Zealand; and at what rate fruit, rabbits, butter, cheese, and dairy produce?

The insulated spaces in ships from Australia and New Zealand have been requisitioned by His Majesty's Government on a fixed rate of charter money which has not been altered for the last eighteen months. I am not prepared to say what the terms are except that they are moderate. All the frozen beef, mutton, and lamb carried from Australia and New Zealand is the property of His Majesty's Government. When other refrigerated produce is carried in insulated spaces the Government charge the shipper's rates equivalent to the charter money.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there have been any Labour disputes at any of the Midland collieries during the past three months, and, if so, at which collieries; what amount of working time has been lost; and whether he has taken any special steps recently to have disputes between employers and employed settled by means of conciliation boards or arbitration so as to prevent resort to strikes, lock-outs, or stoppages of any kind during the War?

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, four disputes involving stoppages of work have occurred at collieries in the Midlands during the period July to October, with an aggregate duration of about 21,000 days. The colliery companies concerned were: Lord Dudley's Baggeridge Colliery Company, the Wollaton Collieries Company, and the Staveley Iron and Goal Company. As my hon. Friend will be aware, there are Conciliation Boards in existence in the coal trade, and such Boards have been very successful in presenting stoppages of work. I should add that the services of the Chief Industrial Commissioner's Department are always at the disposal of the parties for the settlement of disputes, and the Department are dealing with a very large and increasing number of cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there are no through bookings via the Port of Dublin; whether he can explain why the district served by the Midland and Great Western and Great Southern and Western and Dublin and South-Eastern are stopped, and why it is allowable to have through bookings viâ Belfast; and whether it is arranged that live stock can be booked at certain stations outside the Great Northern if it stipulated that the animals were to be sent to Great Britain viâ Belfast or the other ports in which the Great Northern Company are interested?

I understand that the position has not altered since my hon. Friend addressed a question to me on this subject in February last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state who in his Department is responsible for the meat prices published in the "Labour Gazette"; whether he is aware that during the whole of July, 1914, chilled flanks were purchasable in Smithfield at 2d. and 2¼ d. per lb.; that the first week of June this year the price was 8½ d. to 9d., a rise of 300 to 350 per cent.; that this week no firm have sold, even in big quantities, bright chilled flanks under 6½ d. and 6¾ d. per lb., a rise of over 200 per cent.; whether the figures supplied to the "Labour Gazette" are supplied by someone interested in concealing the facts respecting high meat prices; and whether he will take steps to secure greater care in tabulating these prices?

The figures quoted by my hon. Friend with regard to the wholesale prices are not inconsistent with those published in the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette" respecting retail prices. As is stated in the "Gazette," retail prices of inferior cuts of meat have risen since July, 1914, by 4½d. or 5d. per lb. During the same period wholesale prices have also risen by about the same amount, but as the wholesale price is always much lower than the retail price a rise of 4½d. per lb. wholesale represents a much higher percentage rise than an increase of 4½d. per lb. retail.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the enemy-owned shares in Siemens Brothers have yet been sold by the Public Trustee; if so, to whom; and for what price?

I am considering, in consultation with my expert advisers, the British firms or classes of firms to whom it is desirable in the interests' of the electrical industry of the country that the shares of Siemens Brothers and Company, Limited, should be sold. I hope this will shortly be decided, and the Public Trustee will then be in a position to deal with the shares which have been vested in him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in selling by auction the shares in Conrad W. Schmidt, Limited, hitherto held by alien enemies, he will instruct the Public Trustee to make, as conditions of the sale, that the business shall not be closed down; that British employés who have served this firm for years shall be retained in employment; that any privileges they may have acquired in such service shall be continued to them; that the payments now being made by the firm to twenty-six married employés who are serving in the Army shall not be stopped or reduced during the period of the War; and that the guarantee of re-employment on their return given to thirty-four enlisted unmarried employés shall be carried out by the new proprietors?

The sale of the shares of Conrad W. Schmidt, Limited, will not relieve the company from any obligations it may have undertaken to its employés, and I do not think it necessary that the suggested provisions should be made conditions of the sale of the shares.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has, since the War, given any orders or contracts to the firm of Holzapfel, Limited; if so, to what amount; and if he is aware that 24 per cent. of the share capital of that concern is held by two naturalised persons of enemy birth, who left this country shortly after the outbreak of War and have not returned, and who, therefore, by reason of their naturalisation in this country coupled with their residence in neutral countries, are in a position to withdraw their share of the profits earned by the company and to apply such profits, if they see fit, in ways advantageous to the enemy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, orders for compositions are given by the dockyards, naval bases, and overseers under running contracts made at the Admiralty, and the compilation of the information asked for would, I am afraid, entail very considerable labour. I hope my hon. Friend will not press for it at present. The answer to the remainder of the question is in the affirmative. The information was given to him by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on the 18th instant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade 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?

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 the 16th August. I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state approximately the cost to the State of the recent increase in wages to railwaymen?

The annual cost of the additional bonus to the railwaymen, so far as can be estimated, is not likely to be less than £ 6,500,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the value of sugared goods of different kinds exported from this country for sale in the Allied countries and in neutral countries, respectively, in the years 1915 and 1916, and the amounts, approximately, of sugar used in producing such goods?

I am informed by the Customs that figures are not readily available and that their compilation would involve an amount of labour which is not easily made available in present conditions. I hope, therefore, that the hon. Gentleman will not press for this information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade 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, and who are not serving under special engagements in His Majesty's commissioned ships, 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?

There is no provision at present for the grant of special war badges for officers and men of the merchant service who may be permanently incapacitated owing to wounds or other injury arising out of the War. The question whether a special badge can be granted in these cases is being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the dairy farmers in the West of Scotland are making an organised refusal to sell milk at less than 1s. 4d. per gallon, equivalent to 1. 6d. per gallon delivered in Glasgow; and whether he proposes to take any local action in respect of this?

My attention had not previously been called to these figures, and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would send me further particulars show- ing what services are covered by the delivery price of 1s. 6d., and what are the other conditions of sale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the approximate number of men of military age now employed by the Labour Exchanges of this country?

The number of men of military age still serving in the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain (including men who have offered themselves for service and been rejected and men not fit for general service) is approximately 1,000. The exceptional position of the staff of the Employment Exchanges with regard to enlistment was explained in my reply to the question put by the hon. Member for Wednesbury on 19th October, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the precise terms of the instructions which have been given to the Employment Exchanges not to assist men to obtain civil employment who are liable to but are evading military service?

The actual words of the instructions referred to are:—"A man who is known to be liable to and evading military service should not be placed in employment." The Board of Trade are now in consultation with the War Office as to the framing of more detailed instructions on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, where a large number of soldiers is suddenly drafted into a town and no canteens are available, some concession in the Output of Beer (Restrictions) Act may be afforded to breweries supplying the public-houses in such a locality, to enable them to cope with the unexpected and unavoidable expansion of their trade?

The Act contains provisions for securing an adequate supply of beer to military canteens and further powers for the purpose will be asked for from Parliament in a Bill which will shortly be introduced. I regret that I cannot see my way to make special provision for additional supplies, except through canteens.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have any estimate of the number of ordinary insurance policies and of industrial insurance policies, respectively, belonging to men in the Army and Navy which have lapsed since the beginning of the war; and, having regard to the number of wives and families affected, will he say what action the Government propose to take in this matter, and when?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division on 17th October.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the feeling among postal workers, in view of the large increase in the cost of living, that a 5s. increase should be granted in wages; and, having regard to the concession that has been granted by the Government to the railwaymen, whether he can hold out any hope that he can revise his decision on this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, the postal servants received last year a war bonus, which has been increased under the recent decision of the Government granting a war bonus to Civil servants within certain wage limits. I have informed the National Joint Committee of Post Office Associations that if they will send me a written statement of their case, I shall consider whether I should lay it before my colleagues in the Government.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the employés of the Post Office have yet received any war bonus; and, if so, on what conditions and to what amount?

Post Office servants were granted a war bonus as from the 1st March, 1915. An increased war bonus has recently been granted by the Government, which has been paid as from 1st July last. This war bonus is payable to other Civil servants as well and amounts to 4s. a week for men whose wages do not exceed 40s. a week, and 3s. a week for men whose wages exceed 40s. but do not exceed 60s. a week. For female Post Office servants and for male Post Office servants under eighteen years of age the war bonus is one-half the amount payable to men under similar circumstances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the number of established and fully qualified women available, he will give an assurance that the position of the officer in charge at the Crouch End branch post office will continue to be filled by an established post office servant?

No alteration is at present contemplated in the status of the officer in charge.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the present national loan of the French Republic, issued in this country with the consent and approval of His Majesty's Government, makes no provision for applications being lodged with any Scottish bank, such application being permissible only through the Bank of England or the Bank of Ireland; will he say whether this arrangement was made with the consent of his Department; and will he in future, in view of the unwillingness of the Scottish people to do business through the Bank of England, make some arrangement whereby the loans of our Ally will be facilitated in Scotland instead of hindered?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. His Majesty's Government approved generally of the issue of a loan in this country on behalf of the Government of the French Republic, but they were not responsible for the detailed arrangements made.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will make inquiries into the conditions of the housing accommodation of the female staffs in Scottish prisons; whether he is aware that the officers were deprived of bedroom fires by order of the Prison Commissioners in February, 1915; will he consider the advisability of restoring this privilege in order that the women may enjoy some privacy; and can he state whether the Commissioners have taken any steps to redress the grievances about which the staffs have complained?

I have made inquiries, and I have every reason to believe that the conditions of the housing accommodation of the female staffs in Scottish prisons is quite satisfactory. These officers have the use of common sitting rooms with fires, and my right hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that they were deprived of bedroom fires generally in February, 1915. The fact is that they are allowed fires in their bedrooms when the Governor considers it necessary. The lighting of bedroom fires as a matter of regular routine led to waste of fuel and is no longer permitted, in view of the urgent need for economy in the consumption of coal.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the approaching Housing Conference in Glasgow, whether there is any immediate prospect of a Report, interim or otherwise, from the Royal Commission on Housing in Scotland?