asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many women were employed before the War, how many women are now employed, and how many women have replaced men in the Chatham, Devonport, and Portsmouth Dockyards?

The number of women employed in Chatham, Devonport, and Portsmouth Dockyards at a date shortly prior to the War was 430. The number of women employed in the same dockyards at the end of August this year was 1,630, and the number is still being increased. The additional women have been engaged for the most part for work which was formerly performed by men.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has received notification of the safety of any members of the crew of His Majesty's ship "Hampshire" other than the twelve men officially announced in June last?

No, Sir. No further information has been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the result of the negotiations that have been proceeding between his Department and the War Office concerning the temporary remission of grave punishments on prisoners of war in Germany and England, and the return to Germany of British prisoners now working in Russian Poland?

The Army Council have decided, after careful consideration of the matter, that it is undesirable that an agreement should be concluded with Germany similar to that concluded between France and Germany.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he will state how many British women and children are now detained in any belligerent country; will he give the numbers in each case; and will he state what steps are being taken to secure the repatriation of all such persons?

I regret to state that we have no complete information as to the number of British women and children detained in enemy countries. The number of women detained in Germany and Austria-Hungary against their will is very small. None are, as far as we are aware, detained in Bulgaria. We have made repeated representations to the German Government as to their refusal for many months past to allow British women to leave the occupied districts of France and Belgium. With regard to the Ottoman Empire, large numbers of women and children of British nationality have left since the beginning of hostilities. Negotiations are proceeding with the Porte for the release from Turkey of British civilians of both sexes.

Are British women in occupied territory in France allowed to come back with the French women who are being repatriated?

I do not think so, but I will inquire.

I will put a question down.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether any recent arrangement has been made whereby additional British civil prisoners are now to be repatriated from Germany; and, in that case, will he state the nature and details of such arrangement?

As stated yesterday by my Noble Friend Lord Newton, an arrangement has been made whereby all civilians over the age of forty-five interned in Germany or the British Empire will be repatriated, subject to the right of either Power to detain for military reasons not more than twenty persons.

asked how many German women and children have been repatriated from this country since the outbreak of war; and how many who are desirous of leaving still remain in this country?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Some 12,350 German women with their children have left this country since 11th August, 1914. Of these, 11,200 were returning to Germany. Any German woman now in this country may apply for permit to return to Germany, and, with the exception of five who are interned under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, I am not aware of any German woman whom permission to return to her country has been refused.

Do the same regulations apply to Austria?

I should like notice of that question.

asked whether representations have been made to the German Government that whereas this country has given financial assistance to the wives and families of interned civilian prisoners who require it, no such assistance is being given in similar instances in Germany?

The attention of the German Government was long since drawn to the fact that His Majesty's Government had arranged for allowances to be paid to the British-born wives of interned German civilians, notwithstanding the fact that the German Government had refused relief to the German-born wives of British subjects interned in Germany. We are considering whether we can usefully make further representations to the German Government on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have now received a definite statement on behalf of the German Government that they are willing to exchange British civilians interned in Germany of military age for Germans of military age intern d in this country; whether he is aware that there is a widespread feeling that the Government, in the interests of our prisoners, should entertain this proposal; and can he add anything further to his previous declarations on the subject?

asked whether information is received of the effect on their mental condition of the prolonged imprisonment of civilian prisoners of war in detention camps; and whether further efforts are being made for a general exchange of civilian prisoners between Great Britain and Germany before the winter sets in?

I may say that we understand that the German Government are not unnaturally willing to exchange British civilians for German civilians of military age. The Foreign Office are, however, informed that the War Office are of opinion that the military results of the exchange of these civilians make it impossible to accede to the proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Indian native officers and men are prisoners in German hands according to the latest return; what are the camps in which they are interned; and how many have been exchanged since the War began?

There are twelve Indian native officers and 667 of other ranks in German hands. Of these two officers and seven of other ranks are in Switzerland. The camps in which the Indian native officers and men are interned in Germany are at Zossen, Munster, Osnabruck, Friedrichsfeld, and Wahn. Eight Indian native soldiers have been exchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Indian native officers and men are prisoners in Turkish hands according to the latest Return; what are the camps in which they are interned; and how many have been exchanged since the War began?

The Army Council have definite knowledge of 199 Indian native officers and 654 of other ranks being in Turkish hands. In addition, there are a considerable number of Indian native soldiers of the Kut garrison of whom no definite news has yet been received. The officers and men are at Afien Karahisiar, Ras-el-Ain, Broussa, Konia, Yosgad, and Eskinchehir, and a certain number of hospital cases at Bagdad. Six officers and 1,139 men have been exchanged.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that on the 14th instant another large consignment of fish from Holland was destroyed owing to it not being fit for human consumption; if he is aware that the fish caught by Dutch fishermen and sent to this country is, after being packed, often detained four or five days before it is sent by cargo boat to this country; and whether, with the object of pre- venting the waste of food that is taking place under the present system, he will arrange for the fish being transferred from the fishing boats into steam trawlers or other boats and sent direct to some port in the country from which it can be sold while fresh?

An arrangement has been made for the purchase in Holland of certain quantities of Dutch fish. As it is not at present advisable to state publicly the conditions of purchase, the particulars will be given to the hon. Member privately. The delay which has occurred in connection with the transport of certain consignments of fish and other commodities from Holland is attributable to unavoidable circumstances. Whilst regular transport from Holland is still likely to offer difficulties, it is hoped that some improvement may be secured in the future.

Is the Noble Lord aware that last year there was as much fish imported from Holland as there is this year, and that the firms who handled it had very little of it condemned? Can he not see his way to let these firms deal with the present imports?

This question has nothing to do with the purchasing firm. I shall be glad to discuss this matter with the hon. Member. I think I can show him he is quite on the wrong track.

Is the firm handling the fish now a firm of fried fish dealers?

I have said this has nothing to do with the purchasing firm.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the accumulating evidence of a dread in high quarters in Germany that the Allies will dictate the terms of peace, he will now, in conjunction with our Allies, announce that, without prejudice to the present position, all enemy atrocities committed on or after a future date will be investigated with a view to fixing culpability upon those, in whatever rank or station, primarily responsible, in the hope that the dread of appropriate punishment may act as a deterrent?

I fear that I can add nothing to the reply returned to the hon. and gallant Member on the 17th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the evidence of internal disintegration in Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, their eagerness for peace, and the pretence of Germany that she is able to secure it for them on favourable terms, he will now, jointly with our Allies, announce that under no circumstances will terms of peace be discussed or concluded with Germany on behalf of these countries, but that each will be dealt with separately?

I regret that it is impossible for me at this stage to express any opinion on the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to say what, if any, steps have been taken to ascertain the views of the local native producers of palm kernels as to the effect upon the industry of the proposed export tax of £2 per ton?

Before any legislation on the subject can be enacted it will have to be debated in the Legislative Councils of the Colonies, where full opportunity for discussion will be given. It is also open at any time to interested parties to address the various Governors on the subject.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether, in the event of the imposition of taxation on exports, the local governments in West Africa are in a position to give a definite undertaking that the native kernel producers, who will pay the proposed export tax of £2 per ton on palm kernels, will receive the rebate without deductions upon palm kernels crushed in the Empire?

As I stated in the House on 3rd August last, I am unable to share the hon. Member's view as to the necessary incidence of this duty, and I cannot usefully add anything to what I said on that occasion.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether on the 16th September the Controller of Customs in the Gold Coast Colony telegraphed to all the provinces that from the 1st October there would be an export duty on cocoa of £2 6s. 8d. per ton; if he can state upon whose authority this order was issued; and whether before the imposition of this tax it had been thoroughly considered and agreed to by a full meeting of the Legislative Council?

The imposition of this tax was fully discussed and agreed to by the Legislative Council on the 25th and 26th September. I have no information as to the notice by the Controller of Customs, but it was doubtless issued under the authority of the Governor, as is usual in such cases, as a warning and conditional on the acceptance by the Council of the proposals of the Government.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the Ceylon Blue Book, Cd. 8167, does not contain proclamations and instructions of great importance, including a proclamation under which power was given to shoot British subjects at sight upon their refusal to supply information, he will now cause to be laid upon the Table copies of all official proclamations and orders issued in Ceylon from 1st June to 30th August, 1915?

I have seen a reproduction of a notice which warns people of the punishment to which persons who commit certain offences, including the suppression of evidence concerning rioters, render themselves liable. No such notice could, of course, give any power not otherwise possessed by the executive. I see no reason for publishing any further Papers about the Ceylon riots.

asked whether three prominent Sinhalese, named respectively, D. Goonewardena, D. Goonesekera, and G. Perera, of Hanwella, were sentenced to death by court-martial for offences in connection with, the Ceylon riots; whether their sentences were commuted; whether the innocence of these gentlemen has now been completely established and their release; ordered; and whether any compensation will be made to these gentlemen for the injury they have suffered?

I have already informed the House that the Governor of Ceylon is personally investigating the cases of persons convicted by courts-martial of offences connected with the riots. I have received no report on the investigation of the cases mentioned in the question, but I will ask for one.

Will the Report be laid on the Table?

I hardly think that will be necessary. I shall be glad to give information in answer to a question.

asked how many persons imprisoned in Ceylon in connection with the riots have been released since the arrival of Sir John Anderson?

I have not yet received a report in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any gratuity or allowance is made to the parents of young men who, induced by drink or other such means, joined the Army in the first year of the War and fell in action; and, if so, why no such gratuity or allowance has been paid to Patrick Walsh in respect of his son James Walsh, aged nineteen, No. 4562, 3rd Company 1st Battalion Irish Guards, killed in action 26th October, 1915?

Walsh enlisted in October, 1913, and there is nothing to show that while he was a soldier his parents were at any time dependent on him.

Will nothing be done in the matter?

I do not think so. There are no pre-war dependants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether notices are being sent out to relatives of soldiers, asking them whether they could do with a less amount in separation allowance than they are already receiving; is he aware that the allowance is already too small in thousands of cases; and, in view of the high cost of foodstuffs, etc., will he consider the advisability of increasing the amounts of allowances, and also put a stop to further circulars being sent out to soldiers' relatives?

No, Sir. It has been found necessary to ask them to make de- claration on a life certificate that all persons for whom allowance is drawn are alive, and that they are not aware of any reason—such as death of a child, etc.—why the payment should be reduced or stopped. As regards rates of allowance, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 17th October to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that relatives who have sons in the Army and who are only receiving a small allowance of 7s. 6d. or 8s. a week, are being asked by these circulars whether they can do with a less amount, and that trade unions all over the country have entered their protest against this miserly work on the part of the War Office?

With all respect to my hon. Friend, I do not think his information is correct. I am not aware of any circular which asks these people if they can do with a less amount. What has been sent out is a life certificate which they have been asked to fill up.

As a result of this reexamination is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of these cases are now being deprived of the supplementary rent allowance which the Chancellor of the Exchequer and this House have said they are willing to take over when the National Belief Fund ceases to be available?

No, Sir, I do not see how that can follow upon the circular that has been sent out. If my hon. Friend will give me further information about it, I will look into it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the repeated cases in which soldiers who have been accepted by the doctors as fit for active service and passed into the Army are afterwards discharged on account of illness and denied any pension; whether he is aware of the desire that the War Office should accept financial liability toward those who have been accepted and passed for service; and what further action he proposes to take?

If the illness in such cases is due to, or aggravated by, military service, financial liability is accepted by the War Office, but I fear we cannot insure all soldiers against the ordinary risks of life.

In view of the fact that the Paymaster-General has said that these cases will require to be discussed by Parliament, will not the War Office give these men a temporary allowance in the meantime, seeing that they neither get pensions nor their wives separation allowances?

When a soldier is discharged owing to severe kidney trouble, how can the doctors tell whether or not that trouble has been aggravated by military service?

That is one of the difficult questions that the doctors have to decide.

It is impossible!

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether the two boys of Widow Smyth, Loughrea, responded to the appeal for help and joined the Army from their college; whether, if they had been less patriotic and remained at home, they would be now contributing to the support of Mrs. Smyth and her family; whether separation allowances were refused to this lady on the ground that her children were at college; having regard to the public spirit displayed by the young men and the necessity on the other hand of assisting the widowed mother to maintain the rest of the family in their absence, whether he will take steps immediately to redress this case of hardship; (2) whether he received a copy of a resolution passed by the Loughrea Pension Sub-committee having reference to a defect in the Regulations regulating the separation allowances of young men who, after coming to the age of manhood and after being educated and prepared for taking their positions in life, and prospectively with helping to make ample return to the parents for the outlay incurred, get no solatium in the way of separation allowance when they volunteer for the Army during the War; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and (3) whether his attention has been called to the claim of Mrs. Ellen Kelly, of Loughrea, Ireland, for separation allowance for her son, who, after serving his apprenticeship to the tailoring trade, volunteered and joined the Army; is he aware that this woman had, and has, no means of living, except the prospective earnings of her son; and, in the absence of the usual separation allowance granted to all soldiers' dependants, will he state whether he proposes to take any action in this case?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question on 12th April by the hon. Member for East Edinburgh.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a married woman whose husband has been killed in the War is not entitled to a pension unless she was at the time of his enlistment living with him, although she had no separate means and could have legally compelled the husband to maintain her?

Pension is not paid if the man was not supporting his wife either voluntarily or under a maintenance order.

Are we to understand that, although a wife goes to Court and obtains a maintenance order, she has lost all right?

It is a question of fact. We can only come to a decision on the facts of the case. The case my hon. Friend has put is a hypothetical case.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when a maintenance allowance is being paid the War Office deny a pension?

No, Sir. What we do is to pay to the widow, in the case of the maintenance allowance, what a man was actually contributing.

Are we to understand that, although the wife is legally entitled to be maintained by her husband, and can enforce her right in a Court of Law, at a time when she is actually receiving maintenance from her husband she loses all right if he is killed in the War?

I do not think the State can do more for the widow than the husband is doing for the wife.

If we produce cases where there has been a reduction in the payment under the maintenance order, will the hon. Gentleman consider them?

I do not follow what the hon. Gentleman means by a reduction in the maintenance order. If he will give me a case, I will look into it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that under present conditions the pensions for officers totally disabled are quite insufficient, and in view of the fact that junior officers are more liable to be wounded than men, he can say what steps the Government intend to take in the matter?

The disability pensions of officers now paid are in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee of this House, which examined the question and reported thereon at full length last autumn.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in one case just lately a man sent down by the War Pensions Committee admitted that £150 a year was not enough for five persons to live on, but that he could not do anything, and if the War Office cannot do anything, does Lord Kitchener's Fund or any other fund allow officers to live in anything like decency and comfort?

My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that the Statutory Committee was appointed specially to deal with those cases of hardship when it lies outside the power of the War Office to deal with adequately under the regulations. The Statutory Committee is the proper body.

How does that help a man if the Statutory Committee will not do anything? Is it not the Government's business to provide these officers with something like an adequate pension?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will draw the attention of the Statutory Committee to it.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, as representing the Statutory Committee on Disablement, if he will state what is the number of soldiers, approximately, who have been discharged from the Army to their homes owing to the effects of un certifiable loss of balance, and how many similarly affected have been discharged direct to lunacy institutions; and what provision has been made in each case for their wives and families and other dependants?

The total number of such men discharged up to the end of August is 396, excluding cases in no way due to war service. I cannot give the hon. Member more detailed figures without an excessive amount of labour, but I may mention that many of these men who are sent to their homes are shortly afterwards sent to institutions. Any balance of pension not required for the cost of the man's maintenance is issuable to the wives and families.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of these asylums are charging almost the total amount of the man's pension, and that the family is left penniless, and is any provision made for cases such as these?

I understand that as a rule the committees in charge of these institutions leave the family sufficient for maintenance. In a certain number of cases where there has been no arrangement, there has been hardship, but in cases such as these the local authorities are generally willing to forego all charges for the man's maintenance.

If we can bring cases in which we know that what is left out of the money is not enough for the wife and dependants, will the hon. Gentleman consider that?

My hon. Friend knows quite well that is a matter for the Statutory Comuittee.

asked the Secretary for War whether any new instructions have recently been sent to recruiting officers with regard to the calling up of men in Groups 23 and 46 who have attained the age of forty-one years?

Yes, Sir. Instructions were issued on 12th October that recruiting officers were to begin sending out calling-up notices to men in Groups 23 and 46 and Classes 23 and 46 who have attained forty-one years of age, ordering them to report for service with the Colours on 1st November, 1916, and ensuing days.

Are we to take it that the Government intend to deliberately break the pledges they gave to this House?

My right hon. Friend dealt with the situation yesterday.

asked the Secretary for War if he is in a position to state the details of the scheme for replacing single men working on munitions by men unfit for general service; how many men unfit for further general service are waiting such exchange; and, if this matter has not been settled, where the delay arises?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to be given to his later question, No. 56, addressed to the Minister for Munitions. I have no information which would enable me to answer the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that a number of workmen who were sent from the trade unions and Labour Exchanges in Ireland to carry out work of national importance in Great Britain are being called up under the Military Service Act; and if he will cause instructions to be issued to prohibit prosecutions in cases where workmen received guarantees from trade unions and Labour Exchanges that they would not be conscripted in this country?

Instructions have recently been issued to recruiting officers that where a man claims that he is ordinarily resident in Ireland and comes to Great Britain only for some seasonal occupation, and returns ordinarily to Ireland as his permanent home, he should not be called up if he produces papers, or other satisfactory evidence, corroborating his statements. If he is unable to produce satisfactory evidence, the matter is one for a Civil Court to decide.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a number of prosecutions of men who came from Ireland to this country to do work of national importance, and that the men have been put to heavy expense to defend themselves? Will compensation or law costs be allowed in such cases?

I know there have been a certain number of cases taken into Court.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain the arrangements made in respect of less fit men returned to employers in exchange for fitter men released for military service; to what extent the men returned to employers will remain soldiers; and whether, in the event of an employer dismissing such a man, he will be free to seek employment elsewhere?

Men who are returned to employers in exchange for men re- leased for military service will remain in the Army Reserve. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what unit William G. H. Miller, who was declared liable to military service at the Brentford Police Court last month, is now serving?

I am making inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the Government's intention to extend the Military Service Acts to Ireland?

No, Sir, I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ever be in a position to make a statement?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now consider the advisability of appointing a small Committee from Members of this House to investigate the circumstances under which persons of military age and medically fit are being retained in the different Government Departments and to decide as to those who shall be released for military service?

No, Sir, the question whether more men can be spared from Government Departments for military service is receiving the consideration of the responsible heads of the Departments in collaboration with the Man-Power Distribution Board.

Is it not possible to give an appeal from the head of the Department to some independent authority, so that there might be some correlation between the numbers dispensed with in various Departments?

The Man-Power Board was created for the express purpose of exercising that function.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that heads of Depart- ments can be expected to act entirely impartially, and has the Man Power Board the function of a tribunal to decide upon this matter?

The Man Power Board is examining every case where they think available men are not being brought forward, and that especially applies to cases of this kind.

Do they sit every day?

I think they do.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether single men under twenty-six are still being retained at Somerset House among the clerks of the intermediate division; whether married men up to thirty-one are to be released for service, while single men of thirty-five are to be exempted; and what is now the total number of single men eligible for military service still employed in the Inland Revenue?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to my reply of 19th October to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn. Information on the subject raised in the last part of the question was given as recently as 18th May, 1916, in House of Commons Paper, No. 78. As the hon. Member will appreciate, the compilation of such information is a considerable task, and, in view of the pressure on Departments and the shortage of staff for essential work, I should not feel justified in asking at such short intervals for returns of the character suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we were promised yesterday to have that Return brought up to date?

No; I am not aware of it.

Yes, by the Secretary of State for War.

I will look into it.

Is the Man-Power Distribution Board dealing with this problem?

Yes.

Has the number employed by the Inland Revenue of men of military age been reduced since the Return in May?

Yes, I think so.

Would it not simplify matters and ease the work in every Department if the Government brought in a measure by which all men under the age of twenty-five would automatically come in?

It would simplify the matter from the single point of view of finding men under twenty-five for the Army, but it would not simplify the collection of the revenue. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] Of course, if the House of Commons does not desire the anticipated revenue of £500,000,000 to be reached—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] It is a fact. You cannot collect the revenue without machinery.

No man under it is indispensable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of John E. Jeffery, formerly attached to the Non-Combatant Corps, who, after appearing before the Central Tribunal at Wandsworth, was recommended by the Army Council to work under the Home Office scheme; whether this man accepted this scheme and was released on furlough; whether he is aware that he was arrested as an absentee on 13th October, taken before an occasional Court at Newhaven, and remanded to await an escort; and, since this man is under the control of the Home Office, if he will say what action it is proposed to take?

This man originally refused to accept the alternative service offered him by the Home Office Committee; and the War Office were informed in order that he might be recalled to his unit. He subsequently changed his mind, and was sent to work at Newhaven. By a mistake, which is regretted, the War Office were not informed of this; and Jeffery was arrested, as stated by the hon. Member, on the 13th instant. As soon as the mistake was discovered, the necessary steps were taken to get the man discharged from military custody, and he returned to his work on Saturday last, the 21st instant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give any information as to the number of Jews of military age of Russian origin or descent in this country, apart from political refugees, who are exempt from military service?

The number of Russians of military age in Great Britain is about 31,500. I am not in possession of any of the other particulars desired by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are thousands of young men who are not refugees who are to be seen in the streets at night?

I am well aware of it, and the matter is now engaging the attention of the Government.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he or the Central Tribunal proposes to make any representations to the tribunals to the effect that in considering claims for exemption on the ground of business or domestic hardship the fact that a man has been rejected for general service on medical grounds and has only been passed in Class C should he taken into account?

I am not aware that any representations on this matter are at present contemplated.

asked the President of the Local Government Board with regard to the notes on Case 61, Sole Proprietors of Businesses, decided by the Central Tribunal and circulated for the information of tribunals, in which it is laid down that if the business could not be revived without grave difficulty consideration would then have to be paid to the amount of capital involved; whether this is intended to indicate that only proprietors of businesses in which a large amount of whole capital is invested are to be exempted, and small tradesmen whose capital is only a comparatively small sum are not to be exempted?

Obviously each case has to be decided on its merits, according to the particular circumstances; but it seems clear that, other things being equal, the larger the actual loss to the man the more likely is there to be "serious hardship." The efforts which have gone to the establishing of a business would no doubt be another factor to be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War what decision has been arrived at in the case of the temporary officer of the Royal Army Clothing Department who was alleged to have had improper dealings with contractors; and whether the decision arrived at in the case of Colonel Langhorne involves his transfer from his present duties to some other position?

Investigations were made by a Departmental Court of Inquiry, and it was found that there was no suspicion attaching to him of collusion with contractors. I am not clear to what the hon. Member refers in connection with Colonel Langhorne, as he has not been involved in any inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers who, in obedience to Royal Command, travel to London for investiture by His Majesty with military decorations are obliged to do so at their own expense; and, if so, why such an exception is made to the rule that officers travelling on duty are entitled to warrants for travelling expenses?

The Regulation, which has been in force for a number of years, is as the hon. Member states. The question whether, under present conditions, any alteration of the existing Regulations is called for is now under consideration.

Can the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that there will be any change made?

I certainly hope so myself. I cannot go beyond that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the injustice to the memory of officers and men who died after the performance of deeds of great gallantry in the field, by reason of the Regulation which Prevents the conferring of any posthumous honour or decoration except the Victoria Cross, steps will be taken to alter the Regulations so as to enable the D.S.O. and Military Cross to be conferred in cases of death?

As I informed the hon. Member for York in August last, this question is very difficult, but I can assure him that very sympathetic consideration is being given to it. As the hon. and gallant Member for Wednesbury was informed on the 17th instant in reply to a question, certain proposals are now under consideration. My right hon. Friend has appointed a Committee for the purpose, and several of the members happen to be Members of this and of the other House. My right hon. Friend hopes that he will receive recommendations the adoption of which will meet the demand made on behalf of the next-of-kin of officers and soldiers who have fallen for some form of recognition of the sacrifice they have been called upon to make.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in view of the fact that the War correspondents of the leading British newspapers were requested to withdraw from Salonika and that the order was complied with, the representative of one newspaper has been allowed special facilities to send special dispatches from the Serbian headquarters through Salonika; and whether he can see his way to extend the same privilege to the representatives of other newspapers or provide that the information obtained shall be supplied to all papers alike?

This question is now under discussion between the Newspapers Proprietors' Association and the War Office, and it is hoped that some solution satisfactory to both may shortly be found.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the War Office does not pay bounties unless men were serving on 4th August, 1914?

It is not considered that the circumstances justified a distinction in this respect between those whose connection with the Army had ceased before the War began and the rest of the civil population.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very large amount of dissatisfaction that there is among those men who rejoined the Service, but who cannot get any bounty because they did not happen to be serving on that particular date?

If there is disappointment, I am afraid it is only natural.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the question of meeting the cases of these men, in view of the enormous amount of dissatisfaction?

No, Sir; I am afraid we cannot do that. The question of the issue of a bounty was confined—I think, quite properly—to those men who have become time-expired since the War began.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the total cost of the production and printing of the recently published volume on women's war work issued by the War Office?

I understand from the Stationery Office that the total cost of the paper and printing is £725, and that apart from this there has been no expense. The book is on sale at 1s. a copy, and considerable numbers have already been sold.

Will the 1s. a copy bring in a profit to the War Office?

That would depend upon the numbers sold.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware of the delay and inconvenience caused by the present method which has to be followed by farmers in obtaining permits to sell hay and straw not required by the Government; and will he devise some plan which would obviate such delay?

The system is found to be working satisfactorily, and I am not aware that it is causing general delay and inconvenience. Some delay may occasionally occur, owing to exceptional circumstances, and if my hon. Friend would furnish me with particulars of specific cases, I will have them inquired into at once.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether cooling-fans and lighting installations are available for the hospital and barracks at Barrackpore, where West of England regiments are stationed, in India?

(Comptroller of the Household): Electric lights and fans will be installed in the hospital at Barrackpore before next hot weather. The Government of India report that they are taking up electrification schemes as quickly as the staff and materials available permit, the order of urgency being determined by medical authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision he is prepared to make for the payment of a war bonus to Irish national school teachers, and if he has further considered the case of the women teachers?

The Treasury has agreed, in principle, to the grant of a war bonus to the Irish school teachers on the same lines as that recently granted to the Civil Service. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on the case of the women teachers.

Is it not a fact that, according to the Civil Service scale, women only get one-half of what a man will get of the war bonus; and is it not also a fact that there are over 2,000 women teachers in Ireland in receipt to-day of a salary not exceeding £28 a year; and is it not really a mockery to offer them as a war bonus 1s. 6d. or 2s. a week; and will the right hon. Gentleman and the Government take this seriously into consideration?

I am not in a position to discuss the rates of pay of women teachers in Ireland. Questions on that point should be addressed to the Chief Secretary. I have already said I am in communication with him on the case of women teachers.

If a bonus has been, granted, will it also apply to the pensioned teachers?

I will inquire.

From what date will the pension begin?

My memory is that it begins from 1st July this year. I cannot be quite sure, but I think that is the date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will submit to representatives from Ireland a proposal for bringing into immediate operation the Government of Ireland Act modified by the following provisions: That at any time, not being sooner than six months after the War, a stated number of electors in Ulster may petition Parliament to set up a Boundary Commission to define Protestant Ulster, that thereafter a plebiscite be taken of electors within such area to ascertain whether they will continue to send their representatives to the Irish Parliament or to any other local Parliament willing to receive them that may be set up or, failing this, to the Imperial Parliament, that any legislative or administrative Act of the Irish Parliament prior to such plebiscite may, in its application to Ulster, be vetoed by the Imperial Parliament, and that pending such plebiscite all Irish Members be retained at Westminster?

I am afraid that His Majesty's Government as at present advised cannot make themselves responsible for my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Have all possible means been exhausted?

I hope not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the arrangement for paying to all Civil servants who are serving in the Army a proportion of their salary sufficient to make their Army pay and allowances up to the level of their former civil pay applies also to the war bonus, or whether the war bonus is paid only in the case of Civil servants who are married and, if so, will he state on what principle a distinction is drawn between a married man who has no children and whose wife is earning a separate income in the employment of the Government and a single man who is the sole support of his invalid mother, to the disadvantage of the latter?

The arrangements governing the grant of civil pay to Civil servants serving in His Majesty's Forces do not extend to the payment of a war bonus. The award of the Post Office arbitration provided, however, that the bonus should be included in the calculation of civil pay in the case of married men and the same concession was accordingly allowed to the Civil Service generally. I understand that the distinction drawn between married men and single men with dependants has not, in fact, given rise to difficulties.

Is it not the case that there is a number of men drawing this war bonus who are married but have no children, and whose wives are earning good pay, whereas there is a number of single men who have mothers and sisters dependent on them who do not get this bonus?

Yes, I think that is very likely, but you cannot provide for every single case.

Is not the proper basis of distinction the number of a man's dependants and not the irrelevant consideration whether he is married or not?

I should have thought that was very relevant, but it is quite impossible to draw distinctions of that sort when you are dealing with thousands of people, and, after all, the war bonus is really a concession, and is not a thing which could have been claimed as a right.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether loans to existing landholders under Section 9 of the Small Landholders Act are now being granted to all classes of small holders and not restricted to those which fall under Section 7 (7) of the Act?

Owing to the high cost of building and the scarcity of labour, the consideration of fresh applications under Section 9 is being deferred for the present. In respect of applications pending when this decision was arrived at, loans are still being entertained under Section 9, and a number of such loans have recently been sanctioned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what interest is being charged at the present time?

I must have notice of that.

Is it not for the applicant to consider the cost of buildings, and not for the Scottish Office?

I do not know that that is so. I think it is incumbent upon the Department not to embark upon a policy by which the person, so far from being benefited, might possibly be ruined.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the case of three women charged at the Cardiff Munitions Tribunal with absenting themselves from a controlled establishment without leave; whether he is aware that it was stated in evidence that the women were paid 8s. a week; and whether he will take steps to redeem in this instance the pledges of his Department to establish a minimum of £1 a week for women in controlled establishments?

My right hon. Friend's attention had been called to this case, and inquiries have been made into it, and are being followed up, with a view to seeing whether an immediate improvement in wages cannot be effected under the provisions of the Fair-Wages Clause. The general question whether the recent Order as to the wages of women and girls employed on munitions work of a class not recognised as men's work should be applied to controlled establishments in the trade concerned is now under consideration by the special Arbitration Tribunal.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there is a big difference between 8s. and 20s. a week, and does he not think it is absolutely unfair that women who are getting 8s. a week, which, judged by pre-war prices, is only worth 5s. or 6s., should be legally debarred under a special Act of Parliament from leaving their employment in order to go to another place where they can get better wages?

The hon. Member knows very well what the views of the Ministry are. The only question is whether this is properly applicable to this particular trade. If it is not, we have no power in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the position in South Wales is a scandal; that the whole country is full of idle women and single young men who ought to be at the War; and will he do his best to find work at proper wages for these women and send these young men to the front?

The Ministry of Munitions cannot go about finding work for people on account of such cases.

asked the Minister of Munitions the cause of the delay in supplying the machinery for the Cork National Shell Factory; when it is expected that the machinery will be forwarded; and when work is likely to be commenced at the factory?

The delivery of machinery for the factory to which the hon. Member's question refers is nearly complete. Some delay has been occasioned by difficulties in connection with the foundations of the hydraulic press, but every effort is being made to commence operations at the earliest possible date. May I take this opportunity of again inviting Members to refrain from naming particular factories in questions? If the Ministry is informed privately of the factory referred to, care will be taken that the hon. Member is given as fully as possible the information he is seeking.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the final part of my question—when the work is likely to be commenced?

At the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is now in a position to make his promised statement as to the scheme arrived at between the Ministry of Munitions and the War Office for replacing single men working on munitions by men unfit for general service; and, if not, will he state which Department is responsible for the delay in arranging for this matter to be proceeded with?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the details of the scheme referred to in the answer given to him on 12th October, 1916, have now been settled. I propose, if my hon. and gallant Friend will permit, to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as it is very long.—[ See Written Answers. ]

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware of the shortage in the engineering shops engaged on munitions 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.