asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any American journalists here not in complicity with the British Government have been convicted of transmitting false information to America; if so, what action has been taken with regard to them either here or in America; if not, can he state any reason but their refusal to become accomplices in falsehood for denying them liberty to transmit the truth to a neutral country; and to what restraint and surveillance are those American citizens resident in this country now subject?

The answer to all the suggestions in this question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now explain his statement that no objection had been raised to American citizens of repute visiting Ireland for a philanthropic purpose, when at that time Messrs. Kelly and M'Clure, eminent American citizens on their way to Ireland on such a mission, were prevented from going there; will he state the nature of any correspondence to which that incident led; and what beneficial result is attributed to that treatment of citizens of a neutral State?

The assumptions of fact contained in the first part of the question are untrue, and the remainder of the question does not therefore arise.

Did not the Noble Lord deny, last summer, that American citizens had been prevented, at the very time they were detained in Liverpool? Then that is only an official denial.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any correspondence has passed between the American and British Governments with reference to the execution of Roger Casement, in disregard of the points raised in the impartial review of the case addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by the American lawyer who had watched the case, especially the fact that the British Government had prevented certain relevant material being brought before the Court, thus preventing the Court having the "whole case before it; and whether any such correspondence will be made available to Members of this House?

The hon. Member's notice on the Paper contains one question and certain statements. The statements made by him are not true, and the answer to his question is in the negative.

Does the Noble Lord deny that this American citizen sent to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a statement on the case in question?

I have given my answer to the hon. Member.

Then Irish Members, if they are Nationalists, need not expect any answer except an evasive one.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Miss Emily Hobhouse obtained permission from the Foreign Office to travel in Belgium?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a Miss Emily Hobhouse, a British subject, has been enabled to travel hundreds of miles through Germany and Belgium; by whose permission Miss Hobhouse went to Germany and Belgium; whether it was with the knowledge of the British Government; and, if so, were they aware of Miss Hobhouse's object in going?

His Majesty's Government are aware of Miss Hobhouse's visit to Germany and Belgium, which evidently took place with the permission of the German authorities, but His Majesty's Government had no knowledge of the matter until after the lady's return to Switzerland.

Surely the Foreign Office had to issue a passport showing where this lady was going to travel?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Foreign Office certainly never issued a passport to enable any British subject to go to Germany.

Did they issue a passport to allow Miss Hobhouse to go abroad?

I should like notice of that, but I presume she had a passport before she went abroad.

May I ask whether the visits of this lady to high officials in the German Foreign Office might be of great service to this country?

No, Sir; I think it is very undesirable that any British subject should pay visits to German high officials.

Is the Noble Lord going to take any action in the matter?

Are we to infer from the Noble Lord's replies that if Miss Hobhouse obtained a passport to leave this country she must have done so under false pretences?

No, Sir, I should not like to say that. I do not know that the facts in my possession warrant any statement of that kind. No doubt she obtained a passport to go to an Allied or neutral country. What she did after that I do not know. I have no reason to suppose that she made any false statements to us.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland for what alleged offence and for how long Mr. John Hegarty was restricted to a specified area in county Cork; why he was not tried; on whose direction the police threatened Mrs. Hegarty that they would shoot her husband if they saw him approaching his home; and, Hegarty having since disappeared, whether he has been shot or is in custody?

John Hegarty's movements are restricted because he had been unlawfully engaged in drilling. He was not tried because he gave an undertaking as to his conduct. The police did not threaten to shoot him. He has not disappeared or been shot. He is not in custody, but is living at home with his wife, and I have not received any complaint from him with regard to the police or the military authorities.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what charge two of the police of Cahirdaniel, county Kerry, recently arrested Mr. Miceal Breatnac, otherwise Michael Walsh, a Gaelic League organiser well known to them, and another man, no charge having been made then or since; whether it was in accordance with instructions from head- quarters or with the policy of the Government that the sergeant made use of his position to insult the two men with offensive remarks about the Gaelic League and Gaelic language, and insisted upon their speaking and writing in English, while showing his ability to understand and speak sufficient Irish; if no charge is to be brought against those men; whether the sergeant will be required to apologise to them; and, in view of the irritation and disaffection caused by the police hostility to this non-political literary organisation, whether it will be discontinued?

Michael Walsh has not recently been arrested by the police at Cahirdaniel, but some months ago a man in his company was required, for the purpose of identification, to go to the police barrack, and Walsh went along with him. Neither of them was arrested. No charge was made against these men in respect of this incident, and I am assured that the sergeant referred to made no offensive remarks and said nothing that requires apology.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Cornelius Doody and Thomas Sheehy, of Duagh, have been arrested; what charge has been preferred against them; and whether he will order their immediate release?

These men have been arrested on a charge under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, which is due for hearing at Listowel Petty Sessions on Saturday next.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what efforts are being made by the Local Government Board and other branches of the Irish Civil Service to comb out of the Civil Service all those of miltiary age and fit for service; whether the need for the same policy has been impressed on the various local authorities; . whether they have been requested not to take into their employment men of military age; and, if so, what have been the results to date?

I am making inquiries about this matter.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether, in order to en- able various Colonies to contribute their quota to the man-power of the Empire, measures "will now be taken to make the Military Service Act applicable to Malta and Cyprus?

His Majesty's Government do not consider that such an extension of the application of the Military Service Act would be useful.

Is it not a fact that Greeks in Cyprus are volunteering to join Venizelos, and would it not be just as well for us to enlist them and send them there?

asked what the Government's intentions are with regard to the substitution of single men by men who as a result of military service have been found unfit for further active service and whose services are of greater value to the country in civil life than in the Army?

I understand that a substitution scheme is being considered by the Man Power Distribution Board and the different Government Departments concerned which will meet the cases in question. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, a scheme of substitution for the munitions industry was announced yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will submit to the House a complete statement giving the names of Members of military age who form part of the Government, either as being Cabinet Ministers, or Under-Secretaries, or Parliamentary Secretaries, or as belonging to the Office of the Whips, or the like, together with the explicit reason in each case why the Member in question is not serving in the field?

No, Sir; I see no reason to adopt this suggestion.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the effect on the country of working men being asked to sacrifice their lives when there are so many embusqué in this House?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can indicate the system that is to operate in respect of man-power substitution; whether all workmen about to be released from their present employment and drafted into the Army by the substitution of less fit men now with the Colours will have the right to appeal before tribunals on the ground of domestic hardship or on other grounds; and whether instructions for the guidance of tribunals have been issued on this matter?

On the first part of the question I may refer to the reply given yesterday by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions to the hon. and gallant Member for Wednesbury. Any man has the right of making an application for exemption, or for the renewal of an exemption, within the period specified in the Regulations or instructions. New directions on the matter are not required.

Is it not the fact that instructions are being issued to ignore all exemptions on the ground of domestic hardship?

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether he is aware that the Appeal Tribunal at Reading have refused conditional exemption to a man who maintains his father and mother, the former being almost blind and the latter suffering from heart disease, in addition to an invalid brother and his grandfather; and whether, in view of the speeches made by responsible Ministers at the time of the passing of the Military Service Acts, it is proposed to take any action to obtain more uniform and equitable administration of the Acts?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of the case. If the hon. Member will furnish him with full particulars he will consider whether he can usefully make inquiries.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that when hearing the appeal of E. V. Burns before the Liverpool Appeal Tribunal on 5th October the Lord Mayor, as chairman, and after consultation with the clerk, stated that there was no provision in the Military Service Act for exemption from military service on moral as distinguished from religious grounds of conscience and dismissed the appeal; and whether he will take steps to point out clearly to tribunals the powers they possess under the Act in order to avoid the recurrence of such misconception?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of this case. He has no reason to think that the tribunal are not fully aware that exemption can be given in respect of a conscientious objection based on moral grounds. I am sending the tribunal a copy of the hon. Member's question and of my reply.

( by Private Notice ) asked whether the Secretary of State for War is now in a position to state what extension of time will be allowed to the recently called-up men in Group 46 for appealing and for joining the Colours?

I imagine my right hon. Friend intended to answer that question himself. I have not the answer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the activities of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) can under the Defence of the Realm (No. 3) Act be extended to Ireland; and, if so, what areas have been scheduled and the population affected?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No areas have up to the present been scheduled in Ireland.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of Orders issued by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) prohibiting the sale and supply of spirits, the areas to which these Orders are applicable, respectively, and the population of each area?

Three such Orders have been issued, one for the Scotland, northwestern, area, which comprises the western parts of the counties of Inverness and Ross and Cromarty, one for the Scotland, north coast, area, which comprises the counties of Caithness and Sutherland, and one for a part of the Scotland, northern, area, which applies to two parishes in Ross and Cromarty not comprised within the north-western area. The population covered by these Orders is approximately 142,000.

asked the Minister of Munitions the number of licensed premises acquired by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) under their statutory powers in Scotland and England, respectively; the number of such premises which have been closed by the Board; and the number at present being managed by the Board?

In England, up to the 21st October, the Board had taken possession of 127 licensed premises. Of these, twenty-one had by that date been closed for the sale of intoxicants, and 106 were being conducted under the direct control of the Board. In Scotland, the corresponding figures were forty-two, sixteen, and twenty-six.

Have any been taken over in Ireland?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will furnish the names of the Combing-Out Committee appointed to deal with the question of single men and men of military age employed in the Department of the Ministry of Munitions; and also if he will state whether the Admiralty and the War Office are represented thereon; and, if so, by whom?

The members of the Committee were: Mr. E. B. Phipps (chairman). Mr. J. B. Wimble. Mr. J. A. Potter. Mr. G. M. Booth. Mr. P. G. Henriques. In Mr. Phipps' absence, Mr. R. H. Carr acted as chairman. The Director of Re- cruiting, War Office, was invited to nominate a member of his staff to represent him on the Committee, but preferred to nominate Mr. Wimble and Mr. Potter, of the London Shipowners' and Transport Workers' Military Service Committee, of which Mr. Wimble is chairman. The Admiralty were not represented.

Have the War Office nominated two representatives on this Committee, and may I ask whether the Admiralty have also nominated a representative?

The War Office nominated these two gentlemen. I do not think the Admiralty were represented.

Is it not desirable that the Admiralty should be represented on such an important Committee?

I do not think so. I do not know that the need of the Admiralty is anything like that of the War Office in this matter, and the need of the latter Department is notoriously great. I will inquire whether the Admiralty desire to be represented on the appointment of any future Committee.

How many have been combed out of the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

I think, speaking from memory, something like 160.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the evidence submitted, and the comments made, in the case of two workmen who applied for leaving certificates before the West Wales Munitions Tribunal; whether he is aware that these workmen urged, among other reasons for desiring to leave, that they wished to be employed fully on munitions, inasmuch as at present they are forced by their employers to idle much of their time and being paid per day are paid for work they have not done; that the employers being sub-contractors to a controlled establishment encourage this system because they are paid a percentage on the total expenditure on the work and employ more men than necessary, thereby increasing expenditure and their own profit; whether he is aware that the tribunal found that there was at these works an appreciable amount of avoidable idleness and slackness due to and in part caused by laxity and inefficiency of supervision on the employers part; that the tribunal was further of opinion that contracts on the lines revealed afford unusual opportunities for abuse and even fraud, and that the evidence and allegtions submitted were sufficently grave to warrant a Govrnment inquiry; and what steps it is proposed to take?

My attention had already been called to this matter, and inquiries were made into the men's allegations. I understand that the cases were dismissed by the tribunal. I am informed that the controlled establishment in question had had frequent difficulties in obtaining certain materials, with the result that the sub-contractor's work was delayed. But further inquiries are being made into the whole matter, and I will let my hon. Friend know.

asked the Minister of Munitions the most recent returns for drunkenness in the areas under the Central Control Board compared with the figures for previous periods; and if he will state in detail the figures regarding Carlisle?

I will circulate the figures asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, for Carlisle the convictions for drunkenness in the fourteen weeks since the middle of July, about which time the Board's scheme of direct control began to be put into effective operation, have reached a total of 183. For the immediately preceding fourteen weeks the total was 380.—[ See Written Answers. ]

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Government has now definitely decided to comb out of the Royal factories all single men between the ages of nineteen and thirty-one?

The work of finding substitutes in the Royal factories for unskilled single men of thirty years of age and under who are fit for general service is being prosecuted with all possible speed having due regard to the maintenance of output. This is being done as a part of the general scheme of substitution to which my right hon. Friend referred in his answer yesterday.

Who is the authority to say whether a man is a skilled workman or whether he is not?

I am.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of distilleries which have been taken over by the Government in Scotland, England, and Ireland, respectively, with a view to their output being used in connection with the manufacture of munitions?

One distillery in Scotland and one distillery in England have been taken over by the Government, with a view to their output being used in connection with the manufacture of munitions Two other distilleries in Scotland and two other distilleries in England will be taken over later on for a similar purpose.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has yet been called to the fact that in the Burwarton district, near Bridgenorth, Shropshire, several men passed as fit for foreign service, although refused exemption by the tribunals, have, just before being called up for service, applied to and been taken on by the Home-grown Timber Committee, a Government Department, and been given badges; and whether, as these men are now employed as unskilled labourers, he will have them taken for the Army and men of Class C or discharged soldiers put in their place?

Five badges have been issued at the request of the Homegrown Timber Committee to men working on the Burwarton Estate, four prior to May last and one during August. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars and names of the men referred to, I will cause investigation to be made. I would point out that it is always open to the local military authority to lodge an appeal through the War Office to my Department against the retention of any particular badge. If this is done the circumstances are immediately investigated and the appropriate action taken.

Is it not a very bad plan to allow a Government Department to take young men fit for all kinds of foreign service when they have been refused by tribunals?

May I ask whether "appropriate action" means that all physically fit under the age of thirty-one are to join the Colours?

I imagine there is certain work required to be done by the Home-grown Timber Committee which cannot very well be done by people who are not physically fit. Timber is heavy stuff to move.

Could not German prisoners be employed there?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is with his consent and sanction that Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington has been subjected to police espionage and persecution since the murder of her husband; whether recently, when Mrs. Skeffington was absent from home on a short holiday, her lodgings were visited by detectives, who cross-examined her landlady and threatened her with penalties for not knowing and revealing Mrs. Skeffington's address; whether the police officer who directed these operations was Sergeant McGahey, who is in charge of the aliens' department; and whether it is proposed to continue this system of persecution?

I am informed that there is no truth in the allegations contained in the first two parts of the question. Mrs. Sheehy - Skeffington's landlady, Mrs. Schmutz, was recently questioned by the police in regard to Mrs. Schmutz's failure to return to them a travelling permit which had been issued to her to enable her to visit her husband, an alien interned in England, and his inquiries of her had relation to the restrictions on the movements of aliens. No person acting under the authority of the Irish Executive desires, so far as I know, to cause Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington any kind of annoyance.

asked the Home Secretary why, notwithstanding his promise, Irish literary matter having no political bearing, given to the Irish prisoners of war in the various prisons in this country, but taken from them at Frongoch, has never been restored to them, and parcels of similar matter sent subsequently have never been delivered to them; will he explain the fact that some of the undelivered works, including "The Four Gospels," in Irish, with the names of the prisoners for whom they were intended written in them, have been offered for sale in London; by whose direction does the Censor at Frongoch withhold from their owners, the prisoners, and sell educational works, including the four Gospels; and whether such property, if bought again and sent to Frongoch again, will be delivered to the owners?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 19th to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin. I am informed that all Irish literary matter having no political bearing is issued to the prisoners for whom it is intended. As regards the latter part, I am unable to find any foundation whatever for the suggestion that any book addressed to an Irish prisoner has been disposed of by the authorities, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the incident which he believes to have taken place, I will make further inquiry.

The right hon. Gentleman is accustomed to cast doubt upon my question—

If the hon. Member has any question to ask he is entitled to ask it if it is relevant, but he is not entitled to make observations on an answer.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the book, "The Four Gospels," mentioned in this question, was sent to and used by Mr. Cole in Wandsworth Prison, was taken from him when he went to Frongoch, and was bought afterwards in Farringdon Street, in the City of London, off a second-hand book barrow with many other books of the same character, with Mr. Cole's name written in it. Will the right hon. Gentleman explain who sold the book to the second-hand bookseller?

asked the Home Secretary if the result of the court-martial on Patrick Daly at Frongoch is yet declared?

The answer is in the negative.

By what law or warrant are untried and unconvicted prisoners court-martialled?

I have already answered that question. This is not a court-martial, but a disciplinary military court, such as may be held under the Royal Warrant dealing with disciplinary matters in any internment camp.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of prisoners who were sent to terms of punishment during their stay at Frongoch camp; what the punishment was for; how many were court-martialled; and by what law courts-martial were held on untried Irish prisoners?

I have not had time to obtain a complete return since the hon. Member's question appeared on the Paper; but, as regards punishments imposed since 15th July, I would refer the hon. Member to the printed reply I am giving to-day to the hon. Member for North Westmeath. One man has been sent before a military court, which can be held upon an interned prisoner in pursuance of the Defence of the Realm Regulations 14b.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that within the last six weeks 180 men have been sentenced to various terms for refusing to clean out the soldiers' lavatories, and is that work for untried Irish prisoners?

There is another question on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary if any system of examination has been set up to secure a supply of pure and wholesome food for the prisoners at Frongoch camp?

All foodstuffs for prisoners (with the exception of bread) are supplied direct by the Officer Commanding Supplies from Chester, at the same time and in the same manner as for the troops stationed at Frongoch, the meat ration arriving daily by train. They are examined before issue by the orderly officer as well as by the adjutant and quartermaster. Bread is baked at Frongoch by a contractor, nominated by Officer Commanding Supplies, for both prisoners and troops. Prisoners have been notified, and are aware, that they may object to any part of the rations at the time of drawing from the stores if they consider it not of good quality. If there is at any time the slightest doubt as to the soundness of any article of foodstuff received the medical officers are at once asked to examine the article in question and give a certificate as to its soundness or otherwise. Anything certified unsound would be at once withdrawn and replaced.

Are any steps being taken to prosecute the contractor who supplied the meat which was condemned as unfit for human use?

I must have notice of that question.

asked how many Irish interned prisoners at Frongoch have been punished and penalised because they refused to clean out soldiers' quarters, and what was the punishment and penalty inflicted; whether the punishment and restrictions were imposed with the knowledge of the Home Office; and whether the punishment and restrictions are still being continued, or will be again enforced, for similar refusal by Irish interned prisoners to clean out refuse of any description from any quarters occupied by the military?

One hundred and forty-two men were removed for a time to the North Camp, with the loss of certain privileges; for refusing to remove rubbish from the guards' quarters. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the fourth, I remitted the punishment on 9th October, after consultation with the commandant, and arranged with him that the men should no longer be required to perform this particular fatigue.

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the Irish prisoners interned in Frongoch Camp have, owing to their confinement, been removed from there as lunatics, and, if so, how many; when did the removal take place; and what lunatic asylum are they now confined in?

William Thomas Halpin is the only prisoner at Frongoch who has been certified as insane. He was removed to the North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum, Denbigh, on 3rd August, where he still remains.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this man's family there has never been any tinge of lunacy? If while he was confined at Frongoch Camp he became a lunatic, why was he not released?

I believed the man showed signs of insanity very soon after reaching the camp, and as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made and certification made he was transferred to a lunatic asylum.

If he showed any signs of lunacy was not that the time for the medical officer at Frongoch to recommend his release immediately, rather than keep him there until he became a lunatic?

I have no doubt he took all the necessary measures in this sad case.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the interest of reconciliation, the Government will accede to the desire of Irish people of all classes and allow the remains of the men executed last May to be removed from the places in which they now lie and buried in consecrated ground on the 2nd of November next?

The Government is unable to take the course suggested by the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the charge made in this House that Major Price visited John MacNeill in prison and offered him certain terms if he would consent to implicate two hon. Members of this House in the recent rebellion, and of the admission made by the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland that Major Price had visited Mr. MacNeill in prison for the purpose of obtaining information, he will appoint a Select Committee of this House to investigate the conduct of Major Price, and to inquire by whose advice or authority Major Price was authorised to offer terms to a prisoner awaiting trial?

I have not yet quite completed my inquiries in this matter, but I will give a definite answer on Tuesday.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number, if any, and names of any Civil servants employed in his Department who are of enemy origin; and, in the event of there being such employé s of enemy origin, if he will for the period of the War take necessary steps to replace them by men of undoubted British origin?

All persons employed in the Home Office are natural-born British subjects, and I believe that there is no one now working in the office whose father was not a natural-born British subject.

Have they recently appointed a Judge-Advocate-General who was born in Germany and is an official of the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

That does not arise out of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the reason why I put that question?

The right hon. Gentleman cannot possibly know what is in the mind of the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that a girl of German nationality, named Bastendorf, is employed at the Command Pay Office, Regent Street, under Major Donajowski; and whether, considering the confidential nature of the information dealt with in this office, he will see that she is removed from this position and that in future persons of alien enemy nationality are not employed in any capacity in positions where they can obtain information of use to the enemy?

My hon. Friend will be glad to learn that this girl's father is serving in the Royal Field Artillery in France. Her grandfather fought in the Franco-Prussian War on the French side. After that war her grandparents came to England and have resided here since.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that persons of enemy alien origin have become naturalised and changed their names during the War as well as before it in order to keep German capital and businesses in this country, he can now say what steps the Government have taken in these cases to get rid of German commercial and money interests during and after the War?

I am not sure that the matter is one in which I have any jurisdiction. But if the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with any instances I shall be glad to give them consideration.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to a passage in a letter written by the hon. Member for North Somerset, which was read at Bow Street on Friday last, in which it was stated that a speech in this House which was not reported in the Press had been translated and published in full in Switzerland and Germany, presumably from the official verbatim Reports; and if he will state if the Official Reports of Debates are allowed to be sent or taken out of this country without any restrictions?

There are no restrictions.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the new Shop-Closing Order allows shops to remain open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays, the Order can be amended so as to make the closing hour on the other days of the week 8 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., as at present proposed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the closing of all shops at 7 p.m. must cause inconvenience to a large body of persons, more especially to women engaged in clerical work; that in many cases it will necessitate women giving up working overtime and so lowering their weekly wage; and can he see his way to modify the arrangements so as to allow of certain food shops remaining open until 7.45 p.m.?

The question of the effect of the Closing Order on the small shopkeepers and on the convenience of the working classes was very fully considered. After consultation with several of the largest local authorities and with the Labour Adviser of the Government, it was decided to fix the hours at 8 o'clock on Fridays, 9 on Saturdays, and 7 on the other days of the week. From some quarters earlier hours had been suggested, and they have, indeed, already been adopted in many places. The Order exempts the sale of meals to be consumed on the premises or newly-cooked provisions to be consumed off the premises. I would add that I have been pressed by the organisations representing the great retail trades to make this Order.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this regulation plays directly into the hands of the great firms and means absolute ruin to nine-tenths of the small traders?

I cannot accept that. After all, it only affects them on three days of the week as a rule. They are allowed to keep open till 9 o'clock on Saturdays, and till 8 on Fridays. On Sundays they are as a rule closed, and there is an early closing day for most of the shopkeepers, so it only applies on three days of the week.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I will raise the question this evening on the Adjournment.

asked under what Act the recent Order as to the early closing of shops has been made; and have the Government, before making the Order, considered the loss of trade that will be inflicted on suburban retail businesses whose customers are largely the class that only return to their homes after the new hour of closing, and, in the case of tobacconists, to the fact that intending purchasers will be diverted to licensed premises or clubs for the purchase of their tobacco?

The Order has been made under the powers conferred by No. 10b of the Defence of the Realm Regula- tions. The position of suburban businesses was carefully considered before the Order was made. It will not be permissible under the Order for licensed victuallers or other retail traders to sell tobacco after the hour at which tobacconists are required to close.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the possibility of extending the hours during the Christmas holidays beyond those now laid down for the closing of the shops under his new Departmental Order?

Yes, Sir; this matter will certainly receive consideration. No reference was made to Christmas trade in the Order because I am anxious to consult the local authorities further on the point. A decision will be reached in good time.

asked the Home Secretary if he has fully considered the injustice that will be inflicted upon the small shopkeeper who, under the new Regulations, will be obliged to close at 7 p.m.; if such places as picture palaces, theatres, public-houses, and bookstalls are to be permitted to sell such articles as are usually sold by the small shopkeeper as tobacco and confectionery after 7 p.m. when the shopkeeper is closed; and if he will cause all dealers in the same article to be placed on the same footing?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The Order is intended to place all retail trade under the same restrictions, subject to the exceptions specified in the terms of the Order itself. I am advised that it will not be permissible under the Order for tobacco and confectionery to be sold on premises such as are referred to by the hon. Member after the hour at which tobaconnists' and confectioners' shops are required to be closed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the opposition to this Order would be withdrawn and satisfaction would result if an eight o'clock limit was allowed to the poor struggling shopkeepers who have no combination to protect themselves like the great shopkeepers?

That is a question similar to that which I have just answered. I think that the opposition on the part of certain traders is due to the fact that they are under a misapprehension which I have met in the answer to the question. They think that while they are closed certain competitors are open. That is not so.

Does that mean that a hotel or restaurant must not provide a cigar after closing time—after eight o'clock?

Yes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the retail confectionery trade depends largely upon the public amusements with which they are connected, and if public amusements are allowed to be open to a late hour, will there not be a great loss to that trade, and to a much greater extent to the tobacconist trade?

I can hardly accept that. On the questions generally of tobacconists and confectioners at a time when the most earnest appeals are made to the whole nation to avoid any form of unnecessary expenditure, I hardly think that the House would desire that a special exception should be made in order to enable tobacco and confectionery to be purchased up to a late hour.

It is very advisable to get through the questions.

This is a very important question. [Hon. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

Question Time has been extended on purpose to enable questions to be answered, and hon. Members really must not occupy time unduly with supplementary questions.

asked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to state for the information of the small nations whose cause the Allies unanimously champion what representation the Allies consider that each of the small nations, especially Poland and Ireland, ought to have at the International Peace Conference to follow the War; what steps have been taken to ascertain whether the small nations in question concur in that view; and whether the Allies agree that the adult inhabitants in each case should be left free to appoint genuine representatives?

I have nothing to add to what I have already said in public in regard to peace terms.

Does that mean that the pretence of fighting for small nationalities is all humbug?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Reservists cannot apply to the Civil Liabilities Committee for relief; and whether he proposes to extend the benefits of this Committee to those men?

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether Reservists who were mobilised in 1914 come within the scope of the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) scheme?

The scheme does not at present apply to Reservists, but the question of their inclusion is receiving consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to various resolutions passed by public bodies calling for Government action in regard to the increase of venereal disease; and whether immediate steps will be taken with a view to notification and compulsory treatment, and thus mitigate the danger arising to innocent persons by contagion and also to safeguard the welfare and health of our troops?

My attention has been drawn to the resolutions referred to. As the House is aware the Government have already taken definite action in accordance with the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases. That Commission, however, came to the unanimous conclusion that no system of notification of these diseases should be put in force at the present time, and after careful consideration I am satisfied that more progress is likely to be achieved in the immediate future in diminishing these diseases by following their recommendation than by taking the steps indicated in the resolutions.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the manifesto signed by Mrs. Pankhurst, Mrs. Lloyd George, and other ladies upon this question, and can he say whether the Government, before they take action—if they intend to take any action—in the direction of the compulsory notification of venereal disease, will consider that the whole weight of expert evidence is in the direction of showing that this would have exactly a contrary effect; that it would drive the matter underground and—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

The hon. Member is stating arguments.

asked the Prime Minister whether the recent decision of His Majesty's Government that the War Office would in future be responsible for the exchange, repatriation, and internment of prisoners of war affects the powers of Lord Newton's Interdepartmental Committee set up by the Secretary of State for the Home Department; and whether the latter body still controls the policy concerning these matters?

Lord Newton's Committee has never controlled policy in these matters. Large questions of policy are in the last resort determined by the War Committee, which in regard to prisoners of war acts on the view that military considerations, of which military or naval authorities are the proper judges, should predominate. The question of prisoners is a complicated one which, from the nature of the case, cannot be confined to any one Department.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Lord Newton's Committee is still in existence?

Yes.

For what purpose?

For all the purposes except those which have been specially referred to the War Office.

What Minister will answer questions on this subject?

There is another question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the past fortnight four of His Majesty's Ministers have been answering questions connected with prisoners of war; and what steps are being taken to fulfil the promise that one member of the Government would answer all such questions?

I was not aware of the occurrence mentioned in the first part of the question, and am sorry to hear of it. Steps are being taken to fulfil this promise, and such questions will in future be answered by my hon Friend the Treasurer of the Household.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that prisoner questions addressed to the War Office side or to the Foreign Office side will be answered by the Treasurer of the Household?

The only exception is that questions in regard to the administration of civil internment camps in this country will continue to be addressed to the Home Office.

asked the Prime Minister whether the consideration which he has given to the whole question of the treatment of alien enemies after the War has yet led to any decision on the matter; and if he will say what course he proposes to adopt?

This matter, which is a complex one, is still under consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that after three months' cogitation on the subject some decision might have been arrived at?

It has not yet reached its full fruition.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Bank Holidays at Whitsuntide and August were cancelled for State purposes, he will consider the possibility of making some arrangement, as was done in the case of the munition workers, so that bank clerks may not be deprived of the holidays due to them?

I am not at present able to make any definite statement, but the question is receiving sympathetic consideration, and I trust that it will be possible to make arrangements on the lines suggested.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has no longer a seat in this House, he will arrange a Secret Sitting at which the Secretary of State may discuss with Members of this House important matters relating to his office on which it is desirable that Members should be kept well informed?

I see no necessity for any such sitting, especially as the Foreign Office is so well represented in this House by my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary, who has a seat in the Cabinet.

Is there not some necessity to assure the minds of Members after the disastrous results of the diplomacy of the right hon. Gentleman?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the Cabinet's decision about a single pension authority; whether he proposes to reconstitute the old Select Committee to reconsider the existing scale of pensions; and whether he proposes also to refer to them the consideration of any increase on the existing scale of separation allowances in view of the continuing increase in the cost of living or to deal with this in any other way.

The question of setting up a single pension authority cannot be determined without regard to the distinction existing between pensions and grants which arise only in consequence of the War and the long-service pensions which are earned both in peace and war and the administration of which may be regarded as part of the regular business of the Naval and Military Departments. Subject to that reservation, the Cabinet Committee has recommended, and the Cabinet have approved, the appointment of a Pensions Board, with a Cabinet Minister at its head, to deal with the matter. The terms of the Bill, which must be introduced in order to give effect to the recommendation, have not yet been finally settled, hut I hope it will be brought in at a very early date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what will be the relation between this Pensions Board and the Statutory Committee?

That is just one of the points which will be fully explained when the Bill is introduced.

Will the Bill be introduced as soon as possible?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is intended that this Board should work through the local pensions committees?

That again is a question which has to be reserved for the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to make any temporary provision for disabled men whose disability is said not to be due to or aggravated by service until such time as other and permanent arrangements are made to deal with them?

I am advised that, in the opinion of the Departments concerned, the answer should for the present be in the negative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a statement by the Paymaster-General that the cases of men accepted as medically fit and discharged as suffering from disease due to service must be con- sidered by Parliament, and where the separation allowance to wives and children ceases immediately and neither pension nor separation allowance is paid would he consider giving the temporary allowance until the matter is finally adjusted?

Of course I will consider it, but I must leave it to the Statutory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the urgency for thrift and the effect on thrift attained under the No-Treating Order, he would take measures to have the importance of the strict execution of this Order brought home to magistrates and the police?

As each Order of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) containing the "no-treating" provision has been made, circulars have been issued to the police by my Department drawing special attention to this provision. Circulars also go to the magistrates; and I have every reason to believe that all concerned are fully alive to the importance of enforcing this Regulation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what are the respective numbers of inn servants, including barmen and barmaids, and of inn-keepers; what the average hours of labour were before the War for barmen and barmaids in London and in the provinces, respectively; whether, as a result of the restriction orders now in force in scheduled areas, these hours of labour have been reduced; and, if so, to what extent and in what proportion of the total number of houses?

As regards the first part of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to the information given in the 1911 Census tables. I am not aware of any more recent figures. As regards the remainder of the question, I regret that I am not in possession of any statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that David Sheriff, of Kelso, has been charged with having in his possession without lawful authority or excuse copies of a newspaper called the "Tribunal"; and also that Ernest William Venner was fined£10, or in default two months' imprisonment, by the Gateshead Bench, for distributing copies of the same journal, although the issue in question had been submitted to the Press Bureau and returned as suitable for publication; whether he still adheres to the view that the right course to test the legality of leaflets, etc., was to take proceedings against the publishers or authors, and that only after that had been done and the leaflet condemned by a Court should local action be taken to stop any continued circulation; and, if so, if he will explain why this course was not adopted in the cases named?

I will communicate with the Secretary for Scotland with respect to the first case. The second case came before the Gateshead Bench on 16th June, which was before the arrangements described in my speech of 29th June, to which the hon. Member refers, came into operation. Those arrangements are working satisfactorily.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there are employed in his Department Civil servants who are of enemy origin; if so, whether he will state the number and names of any coming under this category; and, in the event of there being such employés of enemy origin, if he will, for the period of the War, take necessary steps to replace them by men of undoubted British origin?

Out of a staff of nearly 7,000, only two officials are of alien enemy birth, and they have both been naturalised. They are in subordinate positions and are working loyally and well, and I do not think it necessary to adopt the suggestion made in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the money in the hands of the Public Trustee arising from liquidation of German interests in this country amounts to only£2,213,224, he will state the approximate value of other German concerns in this country which have not yet been liquidated; and whether he will state the approximate value of enemy concerns which are in course of liquidation the funds of which have not yet come into the hands of the Public Trustee?

I regret that I am unable to give any reliable estimate on these points. It should be borne in mind that the sums held by the Public Trustee as the result of liquidation of enemy businesses is only the net amount which remains after satisfying all non-enemy creditors.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire whether the enemy alien interests in this country did not approach somewhere about£100,000,000, and is it not very slow progress that only£2,000,000 has been received by the Public Trustee in closing up enemy-owned establishments?