asked the Prime Minister whether, the recent speech of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the foreign journalists represents the views of His Majesty's Government?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the quantities of beer and spirits cleared for Home consumption in each of the months of the present financial year compared with the figures for the corresponding months of the previous year?

asked a question in similar terms.

submitted the following figures:—

— Beer, Imported. Beer, Home-made. Spirits, Imported. Spirits, Home-made. Barrels. Barrels. Proof gallons. Proof gallons. April, 1915 … … 1,900 2,226,000 1,022,000 5,170,000 April, 1916 … … 1,300 1,875,009 276,000 1,216,900 May, 1915 … … 2,400 2,562,000 64,000 438,000 May, 1916 … … 1,300 2,253,000 323,000 1,322,000 June, 1915 … … 1,900 2,673,000 234,000 1,284,000 June, 1916 … … 300 2,267,000 215,000 1,090,000 July, 1915 … … 2,400 2,847,000 289,000 1,697,000 July, 1916 … … 100 2,250,000 187,000 1,079,000 Aug., 1915 … … 2,100 2,682,000 338,000 1,761,000 Aug., 1916 … … — 2,607,000 208,000 1,112,000 Sept., 1915 … … 1,800 2,783,000 488,000 2,426,000 Sept., 1916 … … — 2,282,000 298,000 1,354,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state precisely what remains to be done in the winding-up of the Deutsche, Dresdner, and Disconto-Gesellschaft Banks, respectively, and in particular what is the amount of the outstanding liabilities of each bank to creditors other than enemy alien creditors; and whether there is any reason for carrying on the business of these banks after such outstanding liabilities have been paid or provided for?

With the permission of the House, I will take this opportunity of making a short statement with regard to the affairs of the banks in question.

Very shortly after the commencement of the War the carrying on of banking business by enemy subjects in this country was prohibited under the Aliens Restriction Order, and enemy banks were in consequence closed as far as banking business was concerned.

Additional steps were, however, taken with respect to the three German banks—the Deutsche Bank, the Dresdner Bank, and the Disconto-Gesellschaft—and two Austrian banks—the Laender Bank and the Anglo-Austrian Bank—with a view to collecting and dealing with their assets and paying off British, Allied, and neutral creditors. In consequence a licence was issued which permitted anything to be done which was necessary for making the realisable assets of the banks available for meeting their pre-war liabilities to British, Allied, or neutral creditors, and for discharging those liabilities so far as practicable, but nothing more.

Since that date, this realisation of assets for the purpose of the discharge of liabili- ties has been regularly proceeded with, and has been practically completed; British, Allied, and neutral creditors have been paid off, and arrangements have been made for the immediate payment in the case of the Deutsche Bank to the Bank of England of a sum of£375,000, representing the approximate surplus assets of the bank together with the transfer of securities which are at the absolute disposal of the bank itself as apart from its customers. This deposit is subject to an undertaking on the part of the Treasury to provide for any liability which may subsequently be disclosed or matured.

Apart, however, from the realisation of assets and payment of creditors, arrangements have been made for disposing of the various securities and balances by the bank, the effect of which will be, as regards British, Allied, and neutral customers, to break the connection of the bank with those customers; and as regards enemy customers, to vest their property in the custodian.

The first step in this operation has been taken by means of instructions being given to the banks as to the disposal of those securities, and by a vesting Order in general terms as to securities which are to be vested in the custodian.

The securities have to be sorted out into various classes: (1) Securities which are at the absolute disposal of the bank. These go to the Bank of England as part of the surplus assets of the bank. (2) Customers' securities: ( a ) securities the absolute property of an enemy free of the bank's lien. These go to the custodian; ( b ) securities the absolute property of British, Allied or neutral customers 1331 free of lien. These are returned to the customers; ( c ) securities held in the name of other branches of the bank or the head office for persons unknown. These are handed over to the Custodian, with notice of any lien of which the bank have knowledge; ( d ) securities subject to the bank's lien. The bank have been instructed to give notice to their customers in these cases that unless the customer gives special instructions or sends a remittance to cover the debt, the securities are liable to be sold so far as necessary for the payment of the debt. After satisfying the bank's lien the securities are treated in the same way as securities free of lien; ( e ) securities which are the property of British, Allied, or neutral customers who are technically enemies owing to their residing in or carrying on business in enemy countries. Arrangements have been made for allowing these securities, on being claimed by the customer, to be handed over to a British or neutral bank in this country, an undertaking being given by the bank that they will hold them till the end of the War and make no advance against them while the customer remains technically an enemy.

The process of the realisation of assets and discharge of liabilities has been completed in the case of the Deutsche Bank, and, in the case of the Dresdner Bank and the Disconto Gesellschaft has been so far completed that practically all the creditors have been paid with the exception of the Bank of England.

When it is realised that in the case of these three banks debts have been collected and assets realised in all parts of the world, and that the sum paid to British, Allied, and neutral creditors amounts approximately to£20,000,000, it must be seen that no time has been wasted in dealing with these banks.

The disposal of the securities still remains to be completed, and must inevitably take time. The securities have to be sorted into the different classes mentioned above, instructions have to be taken from customers, and the title of customers has to be considered; all involving correspondence carried out under very difficult conditions.

The approximate value of the securities held by the three banks is about £20,000,000, consisting of every sort of security. Before these securities are lodged with the Custodian, full details are required, including the distinctive number of every share and bond held and their approximate market value.

It is impossible, of course, to deal with these securities and to gain the information necessary to carry out the instructions given to the bank:— (1) without the assistance of the general managers of the bank; (2) without a considerable staff of trustworthy persons; (3) without keeping possession of the bank's premises, in which the securities are kept under Sir William Plender's control.

The matter is being proceeded with with all possible dispatch.

To sum up,—In the first place, by the exertions of the persons in whose hands the control of the affairs of these banks has been placed, all British, Allied, and neutral creditors of the banks have been paid off or provision made for their payment, up to an amount, as mentioned above, of about£20,000,000. This, of course, would have been quite impossible under any other arrangement, such as the compulsory winding-up of the banks.

In the second place, the disposal of the securities held by the banks—a step which involves the severance of their connection with their British, Allied, and neutral customers—is being proceeded with, and is within a measurable distance of completion.

And, thirdly, considerations of the same character apply to the vesting in the Custodian of securities owned by enemies and held by the banks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Sir William Plender is solely responsible for the manner and means by which the assets of the German banks in London are disposed of?

Any transactions of the German banks in London under their licence are subject to the supervision and control of Sir William Plender, who was appointed for the purpose by the Treasury. He has absolute discretion: ( a ) to refuse to permit any payment that may appear to him to be contrary to the interest of the nation; 1333 ( b ) to permit any such new transactions as are in his opinion necessary or desirable for the purpose of the completion of the transactions first mentioned in paragraph 1; ( c ) to permit or to refuse to permit the completion of any particular transaction whatsoever.

In performing these duties Sir William Plender has been in constant consultation with the officials of the Treasury. The task has been a very heavy one, and anyone acquainted with its details would realise how much the country owes to Sir William Plender for his work in this connection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what properties are held in London by the three German banks now under control; whether any of such properties are held on behalf of German shipping companies; and what steps have been taken to dispose of them?

The only freehold premises held by the banks are those of the Deutsche Bank in Lombard Street. The deeds relative to these properties are held by the Public Trustee. The Dresdner Bank holds a lease of premises in Old Broad Street and the Disconto-Gesellschaft of premises in Cornhill, both of which are partly let. The Disconto Gesellschaft further holds as trustee for the Hamburg-Amerika line a lease of certain premises in Cockspur Street which have recently been in Government occupation. Particulars of this property have been returned to the Public Trustee in compliance with the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1914, and it is open to any British creditor of the Hamburg-Amerika line to apply for a vesting order in respect of it as a means of securing the payment of his debt. The property is not an asset of the bank.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to increase the pensions of Irish retired national teachers in view of the fact that the majority of such pensions do not afford at present the necessary minimum of subsistence?

This question is one in the first instance for the consideration of the Irish Government.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can give the number of emigrations from Ireland since the famine of 1847; and if he will state whether any means are at his disposal that would enable him to find out the number of soldiers serving in the Australian, Canadian, and South African regiments who are sons and grandsons of the Irish emigrants who were compelled to leave Ireland within the past seventy years?

The total number of emigrants, natives of Ireland, who left Irish ports from 1st May, 1851, when statistics were first collected, to 30th September, 1916, was 4,314,781, being 2,242,723 males and 2,072,058 females. I have no information which would enable me to reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is now in a position to announce the figures with regard to recruiting in Ireland and the number of men of military age still available for enlistment?

I propose to lay a Return forthwith on the Table of the House.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that quantities of timber are being cut down in Kerry and other counties in Ireland and being shipped to Wales to be used as pit props; whether he is aware that there are millions of trees growing in Wales, especially around Bala and Ruabon, which are most suitable for pit props; and whether, in view of the scarcity and high price of coal in many parts of Ireland, he will consider the desirability of having this Irish timber, if it has to be cut down, sold as firewood to the poor, who in many places cannot get, owing to scarcity, and cannot purchase, owing to high price, coal during the coming winter?

The Department are aware that timber has been sold and shipped to Wales for pit props. The export for this purpose is not at present greatly in excess of the average of recent years. The Department have no specific information as to the state of the timber supply in Wales. In regard to plantations in Ireland, the Department have no power to act as suggested. In view of the present scarcity of timber for war and other purposes, the Department would not be prepared to recommend that any commercial timber should be used for firewood.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether, in view of the almost complete failure of the potato crop in Connemara and of the difficulty of the tenants to procure the necessary seed for the coming spring setting, he will advise the Department to obtain the best seed potatoes for those tenants and at the lowest possible price?

Reports from officers of the Department are now being received daily. They are to the effect that less than half the crop has yet been raised. The crop in the west so far as can be judged at this stage would appear to be from one-half to two-thirds of normal. The amount of disease varies. Generally it is much more prevalent than in recent years. The effect of the reduced yield and of disease on the seed supply is being inquired into and a conference of the Department's officers on the subject has been arranged for to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Great Eastern Railway Company, either alone or jointly with the Great Northern Railway Company, have, between 16th and 21st October, given notice to traders and farmers that they will not accept potatoes for conveyance to King's Cross potato market, which is the largest wholesale potato market in Great Britain, and that at the time that such embargo was imposed the available stocks were about 50 per cent. below the normal requirements of the market, some salesmen being entirely without stocks; and whether, in view of the loss caused to farmers owing to the waste of time occasioned by their teams and teamsmen being refused facilities for unloading this produce at stations on the Great Eastern Railway, he will take steps to obtain the removal of these restrictions upon the supply of an article of food in general consumption and of considerable value as a substitute for meat or bread?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but I am making inquiries, and will let the hon. and gallant Gentleman know the result.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amounts of the increased rates, respectively, effected by the tramp agreement of 1st March, 1915, in respect of tramps and those effected by special agreement taking effect as from 1st January, 1915, in respect of small colliers and oil tankers?

I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy of the Blue-Book and the supplementary agreements.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether fishermen enrolling for deferred service in the Royal Naval Reserve section will have an opportunity of lodging applications for exemption with tribunals on the same grounds as are competent under the Military Service Acts?

Fishermen may apply to tribunals for exemption on any grounds laid down in the Military Service Acts and the Regulations thereunder before enrolling in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Section Y) for deferred service in the Royal Navy, but once the men are enrolled in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve they have no right of appeal to tribunals for exemption or postponement of service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner M. Cowan, now serving with the 32nd Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, at Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow, was arrested in Rathfriland, County Down, on 16th August whilst working on his mother's farm and forced into the Army; whether he has ascertained that Cowan was only a few months in Scotland in his life, was not ordinarily resident there, and had returned permanently to Ireland a year before his arrest; and whether, as he is therefore illegally detained and has, moreover, been found to be physically unfit for drill, he will now be released?

Gunner M. Cowan was resident in Scotland from April to October, 1915, and he registered under the National Registration Act. It is the case that he was brought before a Court and charged with being an absentee, but he claimed to be an Irishman and not liable for military service. The Court decided that he was an absentee, and ordered him to be handed over to the military authorities. I am having inquiries made as to Cowan's medical condition, but I have not yet received a reply to the telegram which has been sent.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men of military age are employed in the Army Schools Department; and whether, in view of the fact that the work of these men could be equally well done by men above military age or by women, he will make arrangements to permit them to join combatant units?

There are 230 Army schoolmasters of military age in the United Kingdom. Almost the whole of these Army schoolmasters, who are warrant officers, are employed in teaching soldiers. This is work which could not be done by women and for which qualified teachers above military age are not procurable. Army schoolmasters are enlisted men who have been specially trained for the teaching of young soldiers their curriculum, including military map reading, military accounts, military correspondence and calculations, sanitation, and the laws of health.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of the Rev. Sydney Key, the minister of the Otley and Wharfedale Mission, and therefore a regular minister of a religious denomination as defined by the Military Service Act, and as such exempted from its provisions; whether he is aware that Mr. Key was arrested after a meeting at his mission on the 5th September, brought before the magistrates on the 6th September, and fined 40s. and handed over to the military as an absentee; whether he is aware that Mr. Key was tried by court-martial at Clipstone Camp on the 22nd September for refusing to obey orders, and that he is still held in detention by the military authorities; and what action under these circumstances he proposes to take?

I am informed that Mr. Key applied for exemption to the tribunal on grounds of conscientious objection, but was not granted a certificate of exemption. He appealed to the Leeds Tribunal and his appeal was dismissed. On being summoned to the Colours Mr. Key failed to report, and on being brought before the magistrate claimed that he was exempted in view of his work. The case was decided by the Court, who held that Mr. Key was liable for service. As Mr. Key's liability for service has been decided by a magistrate, it is not open to the Secretary of State to take any action. I have no information at present on the last two parts of the question, but I have no doubt that Mr. Key's refusal to obey orders was dealt with in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a conscientious objector named Faulkner, resident in the Hyde Division of Cheshire, who is attached to the 1st Monmouth Reserve Battalion at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, and who is a Primitive Methodist, was refused permission to see the Rev A. F. Slater, who wished to see him in his capacity of chaplain; whether he is aware that similar action was taken in the case of another conscientious objector named Hugh Dempster, who is attached to the Liverpool Scottish at the same camp, and who was refused permission to see the Rev. E. K. Jones, of Ruabon; and if he can see his way to issue permission for these men to be visited by responsible clergymen of their own faith?

A report on these matters has been called for, but has not yet been received.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has been informed that eleven conscientious objectors, resident at Risbridge House, Kedington, were locked out on the night between the 11th and 12th October and threatened with arrest if they repeated an orderly protest that they had made against a certain regulation ordering them to be in at nine o'clock, imposed by the Risbridge Board of Guardians and confirmed by the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors; and if he will say under what Statute or Order in Council was such threat made, in view of the fact that by the ruling contained in his own letter of 6th October their sentences had run out at the time in question?

I am informed that one of the conditions on which Risbridge House was let to the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors by the Risbridge guardians was that all men should be in, unless special leave had been granted, by 9 p.m., and that lights should be out by 9.30 p.m. The Committee did not consider this rule unreasonable, especially in view of the fact that the men breakfast at 6.15 a.m., and duly confirmed it. On the night in question eleven men left the building at 8.58 p.m. and returned at 9.30 p.m. They were not admitted. The Committee's agent at once reported the facts to the Committee, who approved the action taken, and instructed him to warn the men that should their conduct be repeated the men concerned would be treated as provided for in the conditions under which they were released from prison. It is the case that the sentences of the eleven men referred to above had expired on the date in question, and they were, therefore, not liable to be sent back to prison. They were, however, liable to be recalled from Army Reserve W to the Colours, should they cease to carry out any of the conditions on which they were released, and this action will be taken should any of these men be guilty of any further deliberate breach of the regulations for their conduct and well-being made by the Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Boy J. Mantle, No. 2312, late 2nd Hants Regiment, Newport, Isle of Wight, enlisted at the depot on the 2nd February, 1915, as a boy and gave his correct age, and was transferred to B Company, 2/8th Hants, on the 5th March, 1915, and appeared in Part 11, battalion orders of the 5th March, 1915, as being taken on the strength of the battalion as a boy, and drew boy's pay of 8d. a day and kit allowance, less allotment, during this period; and that he was discharged on the 18th August, 1916, under an Army Order as being under age, with about a week's pay, and was informed by the regimental paymaster at Exeter, on 27th September, 1916, that he was not entitled to any allowance in lieu of civilian clothing, or any gratuity, as he was discharged under Paragraph 392, xv. la, of the King's Regulations; and whether, seeing that under Paragraph 125 of the King's Regulations for the clothing of the Territorial Forces during the War it is stated that all soldiers except those discharged for misconduct, recruits of less than three months' service, and non-commissioned officers and men discharged on appointment to commissions in His Majesty's Forces, will receive on discharge a suit of plain clothes, including cap and neckerchief or, if already in possession of plain clothes, a sum of 17s. 7d. in lieu; and that Paragraph 126 states that, even if a man is discharged for misconduct and he does not possess them, and is without funds, he will be issued a suit of plain clothes on discharge; and that Mantle was properly enlisted as a boy, and was shown as such in battalion orders, and that he served eighteen months and was discharged by order of the Army Council, and that the boy made no mis-statement on entering the Army or upon his discharge, he will explain why he is refused the allowance for clothes which he claims?

Inquiry is being made, and my hon. and gallant Friend will be informed of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the number of male British subjects of military age still residing in France and other European countries; and whether, in view of the unfairness to British subjects resident in those countries who have voluntarily enlisted, and in view of the growing demand for men, he will now consider the extension of the Military Service Act to such cases?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. and gallant Member for the Enfield Division on the 24th October. I would add, in supplement to what was there stated, that it is not at present intended to introduce legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private T. G. Ellison, who volunteered early in the War, was discharged from the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers on 6th November, 1915, without a civilian coat, suffering from lung trouble, after seven months in hospital; and whether, in view of the fact that his illness was entirely due to his military service, some State provision will be made to help Private Ellison, who has a wife and four children?

This case was fully considered at the time, and was reconsidered on appeal. The medical authorities are clear that the disability was neither caused nor aggravated by military service, and a pension cannot, therefore, be given from Army Funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men discharged from hospital on furlough pending discharge from the Army find a difficulty in obtaining civil employment while they are waiting for their discharge papers; and whether arrangements will be made too provide them with temporary discharge certificates?

Instructions for dealing with the discharges of soldiers provide for discharge papers reaching them within twenty-four hours of discharge. I do not, therefore, think that any necessity exists for the issue of temporary discharge certificates; but if my hon. Friend has any information to show that the instructions are not operating satisfactorily, perhaps he will be good enough to give me instances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that numbers of men who were rejected subsequently to 14th August, 1915, and who did not receive notice before 1st September, 1916, to present themselves again for medical examination, have now received notices requiring them to present themselves for service with the Colours; whether these notices have been sent out by error; and what steps ought to be taken by rejected men who have received them?

My hon. Friend speaks of men who did not receive notice before 1st September, 1916. It is, however, the date of despatch of the notice, which would be sent to the last known place of abode, and not the date of delivery, which determines the matter. If any question arises through a man not answering the calling-up notice, the matter will be referred for the decision of the Courts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can state the conditions upon which miners serving with the Colours are at present being released from the Army in order that they may undertake work in the coal mines; and whether applications from skilled miners serving both at home and abroad are now being entertained?

Miners not fit for general service are being released from the Army to enable them to assist in increasing the output of coal. The only condition attaching to their release is that they engage in coal mining. If they cease to engage in coal mining they are liable to be recalled to the Colours, as they also are in the event of national emergency. Miners serving overseas and fit for general service are not being released.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he 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?

The tribunals have directions to receive applications from these men within seven days after the calling-up notice has been sent to them, and it is hoped they will use their discretion in cases where it is shown to their satisfaction that the applicant for a sufficient reason has not been able to lodge an application in the prescribed time.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops are at present quartered in Ireland; and whether these would go a long way to meeting the demand for more men now?

I think my hon. Friend will realise on further reflection that it is impossible to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is that any men who are available from any source not hitherto used would, of course, serve, in proportion to the numbers that might be available, to meet the demand for men.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the proffered arrangement by a Scottish committee to send a party of well-known Scottish artistes to give concerts to Scottish troops requires the consent of an English committee?

I am not clear to what the hon. Member refers. As he knows, a letter has been sent to him asking him for further details.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will call the attention of the military authorities to the fact that Irish migratory labourers who come to England occasionally for a special purpose and return home when their special work is done are not ordinarily resident in Great Britain and are not, therefore, liable to compulsory military service; and will steps be taken to have a number of such labourers who have been forced into the Army released from service forthwith?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin. I can assure him that careful inquiry is made into all cases in which it is alleged that Irish migratory labourers have been improperly taken for military service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is in the public interest to state what has been the cost of equipping the Canadian forces with the Ross rifle; and whether it is now in use?

No, Sir; it is not in the public interest. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can say if a draft of 200 men from the Connaught Rangers have been taken from Kinsale, county Cork, and sent, not to the Connaught Rangers, but to the Seaforth Highlanders, and compelled against their will to don the kilt; whether he can say who is responsible; whether the men will now be restored to their own regiment; and, seeing that a number of similar instances have occurred, whether he can state how the War Office proposes to keep the Irish regiments up to strength if men are withdrawn from them to fill up gaps in English and Scottish regiments?

The Army Council have no information which corroborates the statement in the question, but perhaps my hon. Friend would give me in private any information of which he is in possession.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a large number of men who belonged to the Home Hospital Reserve and who have been on duty since the beginning of the War joined this Reserve on the understanding that they would be retained for service at the Home hospitals, and that many of these men, some of them over military age, are being drafted for service abroad into any unit that the Army authorities select; and whether, seeing that these men are serving under a special agreement, they have the right of appeal to any tribunal if they object to serve abroad?

The men of the Home Hospital Reserve joined originally for service in hospitals at home. Many of them, however, volunteered for service with Armies in the field, and of these a considerable number have been drafted for service Overseas in some unit of the R.A.M.C. Those who did not volunteer have been retained at home.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a separation allowance has not been granted to Rose Ellen Teevan, of Munachybane, Garrison, county Fermanagh, sister and dependant of Private J. Teevan, No. 25419, who made her an allotment, and lodged a form claim- ing separation allowance on 16th December, 1915; and will he take steps to have the claim investigated and the proper allowance made as soon as possible?

Inquiries are being made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that wives and dependants of soldiers and sailors are frequently unable to obtain their allowances and pensions because the necessary draft books have not been sent to the post offices; and whether, as omissions to send draft books punctually occur every quarter, he will take steps to remedy what is causing hardship?

My attention had already been drawn to this matter, and I am having inquiries made into some specific complaints of such delay in the case of Army allowances and pensions, and any steps necessary to remedy it shall be taken. Perhaps my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty could reply as far as sailors are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the interim grants in the case of discharged men of 10s. and 20s. are now abolished and an interim grant of 14s. and two weeks' separation allowance is substituted for it in all cases; and whether, seeing that the new interim arrangement is likely to cause confusion, he will consider the desirability of continuing the soldier's pay with ration allowance and separation allowance till the pension is fixed?

The new arrangement has already come into effect, and as far as I am aware no confusion exists. I fear I cannot make the further modification suggested.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that in a number of cases soldiers' dependants have been called upon to repay, by means of weekly deductions from their separation allowances, amounts which have been overpaid to them through the fault of the regimental paymasters or Army pay officers; if he knows that in some instances large sums have to be repaid in this manner which have been innocently received and economically spent for the benefit of their young children and the welfare of the household by poor people, although afterwards, when repayment has been imposed upon them by means of reduced separation allowances, every member of their households have been obliged to endure long periods of privation and want through no fault of their own; and whether he will put a stop to this practice of enforcing repayment in the circumstances mentioned in view of the fact that no respectable business firm would attempt to recover from poor persons in similar cases?

Full consideration is. given to the circumstances of each case before any recovery is decided upon, and such recovery as is found necessary is effected by small instalments spread over such period as to avoid hardship.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is the rule of his Department that no allowance is given to the parents of a soldier who joined the Colours early in the War if his wage was under 10s. a week, but an allowance is given to the parents of a soldier who delayed joining the Colours until his wage reached the 10s. a week or more; and, seeing that this amounts to penalising the most patriotic soldier, whether any remedy is proposed in these cases?

All these considerations were no doubt fully before the Select Committee which determined that the basis of separation allowance should be the actual facts existing before enlistment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has any funds at his disposal to meet such emergencies as rent, doctors' fees, and subsistence for soldiers who have been discharged without any pension and unable to work owing to wounds and sickness contracted during military service; if so, if such is applicable to men discharged from Irish regiments; if the method adopted in the distribution of public funds in Ireland, particularly in Dublin, proved to be most unsatisfactory, and families allowed to drift into utter degradation and hunger; if his special attention has been drawn to this matter by a man named Mates, who has been peculiarly subjected to such harsh and unjust treatment owing to the fact that he was receiving no pension; and if he will, in order to allay the discontent that prevails, consider the advisability of having such relief distributed in future by unprejudiced Government officials, and cause inquiry to be made into the refusal to render this man assistance?

The duty of affording relief to discharged soldiers would seem to lie at present with the Statutory Committee and the local committees constituted under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act, 1915. The Local Government Board have no funds at their disposal out of which assistance can be given in such cases. Their attention does not appear to have been drawn to the specific case named in the question.

asked the Minister for Labour whether Private W. G. Quin was discharged on 15th April, 1916, after 189 days' service in the Royal Engineers, 66th East Lancashire Division, with exemplary character, as no longer fit for war service; whether be is aware that he has a wife and nine children, and that the£1 a week allowed to Quin by the Chelsea Commissioners down to about the end of June was then suddenly stopped, and a demand for£11 overpayment has now been made; whether he is aware that Quin is only capable of light and occasional work; and whether it is still suggested that the£11 should be refunded?

Inquiries are being made and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Minister for Labour whether he is aware that Corporal J. Noden, No. 3625, late 8th Lancashire Fusiliers, Territorial Force, of 3, Hodson Street, Salford, was discharged on 16th March, 1916, after 326 days' service as no longer physically fit for service; that he is a married man with eight children under sixteen years of age; that, owing to asthma contracted in, or aggravated by, Army service, he is incapable of work, and has been so found by his trade union; and whether the Chelsea Commissioners have refused to make any grant of pension?

This man was discharged after 326 days' service, all at home. He was not subjected to any exceptional hardship or exposure, and, as the Commissioners were advised by the medical authorities that the disability was neither caused nor aggravated by military service, they were unable to award him a pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Higham, who has been a prisoner of war in Germany for fifteen months. Private Phillips, and others have recently been sentenced by German military authority to twelve years' imprisonment, and Dr. Bull, of Brussels, to six years hard labour; and whether these sentences will take effect immediately or will they be postponed, as in the case of French and German prisoners of war, until the conclusion of hostilities?

Information has been received that Privates Higham and Phillips and others have been sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, and that Dr. Bull has been sentenced to hard labour for six years. It is not known whether these sentences will take effect immediately; but it has not been found possible to effect an arrangement with Germany similar to that made between the French and German Governments. The whole question is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the reason for the delay in publishing the promised quarterly White Paper containing the Reports from the American. Embassy on British prisoner camps in Germany; and whether he is aware of the anxiety of thousands of prisoners' relatives in this country to receive such Reports at the earliest possible moment?

We consider it most desirable that the Reports should be published, and it is not the fault of His Majesty's Government that their publication has been delayed. My hon. Friend must remember that we cannot publish these reports without the consent of the Government of the United States.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a subaltern who has been wounded and, after leaving hospital, has. been attached to another unit generally loses all chance of promotion if the colonel of his late battalion has been incapacitated from further duty and his place taken by another; and whether any means can be devised for preventing this penalising of wounded officers?

Officers do not lose all chance of promotion owing to wounds or sickness; they are considered for promotion in the unit to which they are posted as vacancies occur on the establishment. In cases where the commanding officer under whom an officer formerly served is absent from the unit for any cause it is customary to communicate with him regarding the fitness of officers for promotion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, following the precedent created by Lord Kitchener, he will arrange to meet the Members of the House in secret Session?

If there is a general desire amongst Members that the Secretary of State should arrange to meet them in secret Session he will consider the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War concerning the circumstances preceding the death from gastroenteritis of Private Arthur Willie Keighley as related at an inquest which was held on 19th September last at York, whether he will ascertain by means of an inquiry among the men who accompanied Private Keighley on a route march on Friday, 8th September, after which route march Private Keighley, along with other men, were ordered to strip in their tents and put on their top-coats and boots and go across the parade ground to the wash-house for a cold shower-bath, which he and they did; if Captain Patrick J. Sheehy, Royal Army Medical Corps, was correct in stating at the inquest that the deceased soldier did not do any drill or active duty while under his care from 6th to 14th September?

The necessary inquiries will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Irish hay merchants are put to the trouble and expense of reporting to the military headquarters in Dublin a full account of their purchases of hay from parties to whom licences to sell have been issued?

The same system is in operation in England, Wales and Scotland and is necessary to secure that forage required for overseas is not purchased for home consumption and also that the maximum price is not exceeded in respect of the lower grades of forage.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what consideration has been given to the claim put forward last May by the civilian employes in the Army Ordnance Department at Stirling for an increase of wages?

I have agreed to the wages being raised to 29s. a week.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the foremen in the Army Ordnance Department are to participate in the bonus recently awarded to Civil servants; if not, whether he is aware that these men, being Civil servants, have not participated in the war bonus granted to the general workers; and whether, in view of this, he will reconsider their claim to participate in the bonus now granted to the whole of the lower paid Civil Service?

I hope shortly to make an announcement regarding the Ordnance Department foremen at Woolwich.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has had any complaints from the crews of the tanks at the front in France that they have not received any pay since the 28th of August; that this fact puts the men to great inconvenience in view of the facts that they are often back 20 to 30 miles in villages with no money in their possession, and that their friends are unable to send them money on account of the irregularity of their movements; and will he take steps to remedy this matter?

No complaints have been received. If the men have not received pay they should make representations in the usual manner through their commanding officers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the pay of the drivers of the tanks at the front in France is 1s. 1½ d. per day, while the pay of motor transport drivers is 6s. 6d. per day, on the ground that the latter are specialists; if so, will he say whether the training which the former men got for weeks and sometimes months in secret in this country constituted them specialists; and whether it is proposed to raise their pay accordingly?

The 6s. rate was a special rate offered in the earlier stage of the War to drivers who joined the Army fully trained. It did not apply to drivers who were trained by the Army. The last part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether British officers serving in France who are domiciled in or habitually resident in that country can be given similar railway facilities when proceeding on leave to their homes in France to those given to British officers proceeding on leave to this country?

Inquiry is being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is a dress regulation requiring officers to wear gloves when in uniform in London; if this applies to members of the different Expeditionary Forces on leave; and if, in view of the expense in which officers serving overseas are already involved in purchasing clothing and equipment essential for the different fronts, care will be taken to avoid increasing the number of articles which they are required to purchase to comply with dress regulations when on leave?

Gloves are worn by officers on all occasions with service dress. This order is long established and is not peculiar to London. Officers are not required to purchase additional articles to comply with the dress regulations when on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that swords are never worn by Infantry officers on service, and only very seldom by other branches of the Service, there is a new dress regulation in existence in some Expeditionary Forces overseas requiring officers to wear a sword frog with Sam Browne belts; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

There is no new regulation on this subject, but the frog is a part of the Sam Browne belt, and should be worn with it, except in one or two cases. Attention has been called to a very frequent omission on the part of officers in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the ingredient of the old iron ration which led to its condemnation many months ago is now being distributed to military hospitals throughout the country as a substitute for beef tea, much to the detriment of those who have the consumption of it; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

A certain quantity of Oxo cubes which used to form part of the iron ration, but which had never actually been packed in the rations, have been used up in military hospitals willing to take them. The cubes were all in good condition,' and no complaints have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether leave is being granted to the men of the 12th Division in France; and whether there are some men belonging to it who have not had such leave granted them for about eighteen months?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 12th October to the hon. Member for the Gainsborough Division.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any means at his disposal to find out the number of Irishmen, or men of Irish descent. that are at present serving in English, Scottish, Australian, Canadian, and South African regiments; and, if so, will he inform the House of the numbers?

This information could only be obtained by asking the Commander-in-Chief of the various British Armies in the field to call for a return from units. My hon. Friend will see that the throwing of this heavy statistical task on the staffs and units in the field would hardly be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Captain Colthurst has been dismissed from the Army; and, if so, whether he can state on what date the dismissal took effect?

This officer was retired on 10th June, 1916.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give the names of all the untried Irish political prisoners at Frongoch and at Reading, respectively, who have been isolated or subjected to solitary confinement or other punishment as distinguished from detention since 15th July last, with, in each case, the alleged offence, the tribunal, the punishment, and its duration; and if he will state the law or rule relied upon to authorise this treatment of untried prisoners?

It would be contrary to practice to give such a list as the hon. Member desires in answer to a question. At Frongoch since the 15th July last fifteen punishments of various periods of detention or close confinement not exceeding fourteen days have been awarded by the commandant, and one man has been dealt with by a military court. In addition to these, 142 men have been segregated in the North Camp for a time with the loss of certain privileges for refusing to perform a fatigue duty. There have been no punishments at Beading. The authority for the punishments is furnished by the Royal Warrant for the maintenance of discipline which is applied to these prisoners in pursuance of the powers conferred by Defence of the Realm Regulation 14B.

asked the Home Secretary how many untried Irish prisoners are now detained at Wormwood Scrubs; and in what respects the treatment of them differs from that of the untried Irish prisoners detained elsewhere?

There are no untried Irish prisoners at Wormwood Scrubs.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any objection to giving to the Member for North Dublin County a list of the persons belonging to that district who are still interned at Frongoch and other places in Great Britain in connection with the recent insurrection in Ireland?

A list of the interned prisoners belonging to North Dublin County is being prepared, and I hope to give it to the hon. Member as soon as it is completed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the correspondence relating to the alienation of American sympathy by the executions in Ireland last May will be made available to the House?

There is no such correspondence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an agreement has yet been arrived at between the medical and orthopœdic authorities of the Army, the National Insurance Commissioners, and the Statutory Committee as to the proper system for providing and coordinating the treatment of discharged disabled soldiers and sailors'!

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. I am afraid I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of resolutions and memorials received by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) from public bodies and other organisations in Scotland in favour of the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquor during the War?

The number of such resolutions and memorials appears to be between 400 and 500, the great majority having been sent to the Board by religious or temperance organisations.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state 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?

presented the following return: England. District. … Weekly average, January to September, 1915. … Weekly average, January to September, 1916. Greater London … 1,055 … 546 Liverpool … 155 … 116 Manchester … 83 … 51 Newcastle … 61 … 39 Birmingham … 44 … 26 Leeds … 26 … 12 Sheffield … 22 … 11 Middlesbrough … 30 … 17 Gateshead … 21 … 12 Total … 1,497 … 830* * A reduction of 44.6 per cent. (males 4669 per cent. females 38.7 per cent.).

Scotland. Edinburgh … … 114 … 80 Glasgow … … 505 … 326 Dundee … … 60 … 49 Aberdeen … … 43 … 31 Total … … 722 … 486* * A reduction of 32.7 per cent. (males 35.3 per cent. females 27.1 per cent.).

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

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the communiqué issued to the Press on the 6th September, and my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Plymouth on the 17th instant, regarding certain hospitals in Madras. If the hon. Member has any particular Indian hospitals in mind and will give me their names, the Secretary of State for India will, if the facts warrant it, call for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that soldiers who were sent out to Mesopotamia in May last, and whose relatives have written to them every week, have only received two letters and no parcels; and whether he can hold out any hope of an improvement in the postal service in the field in Mesopotamia?

The Secretary of State for India greatly regrets the delays in the transmission of letters and packets to the troops in Mesopotamia to which the hon. Member refers. The matter is engaging the attention of the Government of India, who have deputed a highly competent officer of the Indian Postal Service to investigate on the spot the position of the post office field service beyond Basra and effect improvements.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that in July last urgent appeals for help were sent to Calcutta from individuals at Wellington and other smaller stations at Nilgiri Hills on behalf of the wounded and sick soldiers arriving there in large numbers, and for whom no provision had been made; is he aware of the hardships and privations undergone by the wounded and sick from Mesopotamia at that date, that the early arrivals found no mattresses or pillows on their iron beds, that all they had to lie on was coir, that although it was cold the men had very few blankets between them, that they were drinking out of empty cigarette tins and empty condensed milk tins, that the supply of drugs was hopelessly inadequate, causing much suffering among the patients; will he say what is the situation to-day; and whether the officers and officials responsible for this condition of affairs last July are still in the employ of the Indian Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question asked on 17th October by the hon. and gallant Member for Plymouth.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can say if the Colonel Commanding at Lucknow is the same officer who was adjudged responsible for the overcrowding of the troop train from Karachi to Peshawar which resulted in the death of many soldiers; whether he will explain why this officer has been transferred from Simla to Lucknow at a higher rate of pay, in view of the undertaking that the Indian Government might be relied upon not to employ this officer again in a responsible, position; and will he say what posts have been given to the other officers implicated in the occurrence referred to?

On removal from his appointment as Deputy-Quartermaster-General in consequence of his share in the responsibility for the incident referred to, Brigadier-General Roe reverted to his permanent rank as colonel and to the Military Works Services, for which as a Royal Engineer he is specially fitted. He has now been appointed Commanding Royal Engineer at Lucknow, not Colonel Commanding at Lucknow, as stated in the hon. Member's question. The duties of this post are those of an engineer, and consist in the building of barracks, etc., and his responsibility is of an entirely different character from that attaching to his previous Staff appointment at Army Headquarters. As regards the other two officers who were removed from their posts at the same time as Colonel Roe, one is now unemployed in this country. I have no information as regards the other.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Board of Trade has already advanced, approximately,£1,000,000 for the regeneration of the coaltar colour industry; whether the regeneration of the natural indigo colour industry is even more important, seeing that the money value of the industry to the Empire was formerly worth more by 50 per cent. than the whole of the coal-tar colour industry to the country; whether the appointment of a single investigator and a small expert Committee is all that he proposes to do in this matter; will he give the names of the expert Committee he has appointed on the natural indigo investigations in order to establish confidence amongst those interested in the trade's revival; and why has the Dyers' Guild been ignored as advisers, seeing that it was this guild which started the agitation for the revival of the industry and for a full investigation on the economics of the situation?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The Committee which the Secretary of State for India has appointed consists of Professor Armstrong, Mr. Burgess, of Burgess, Ledward and Co., Manchester; Mr. L. I. Harrington, representing the Bihar Planters' Association; and Mr. L. J. Kershaw, CLE. It was not considered necessary, as the problem is essentially an Indian one, to add a representative of the Dyers' Guild, but the Committee will at all times be glad to receive any suggestions which the guild may have to offer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed at a special meeting of the Fethard Urban Council, presided over by the chairman, Mr. Michael Slattery, J.P., protesting against the action of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company in reference to the lack of facilities granted to man and beast at the Fethard October fair, and calling attention to the fact that cattle sent to the station at seven o'clock a.m. were not loaded until six p.m., inflicting hardship on the men in charge of them, the majority of whom had to come long journeys, starting from their homes at two o'clock in the morning, and involving injury to the cattle by leaving them standing in slush in the rough yards attached to the station; if he will say whether an inquiry will be held as to the cause of the neglect of the railway com- pany to provide sufficient accommodation; and whether steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence of such conduct in the future?

My attention had not previously been called to this matter, but I will make inquiries and inform the hon. Gentleman of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of cwts. of hops for which licences have been granted for the importation into this country, since the Prohibition Order, from the following countries: British Columbia, and other parts of Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, the United States of America, Belgium, and France?

The following table gives the particulars asked for so far as they are available. The weights of the hops licensed from each country cannot now be given, as the exact weight of each parcel is only ascertainable on arrival, and some of the parcels have not yet reached this country: Country of Origin. Number of Packages Licensed. British Columbia and other parts of Canada Nil. New Zealand 928 Australia 10 Tasmania 120 United States 764* Belgium 6,679 France 600 *All these parcels were either in transit or paid for at the date of the issue of the Prohibitions Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Sailors' and Firemen's Union of Dublin have no representative on the local marine board, which often deals with disputes and other questions arising out of the Merchant Shipping Act which affects their members; and if he will cause Mr. J. H. Bennett, district secretary of the Sailors' and Firemen's Union, to be appointed to represent the men on the marine board?

When a vacancy occurs, the Board of Trade, in accordance with the usual practice, will consider the question of appointing a representative of the men on this local board, but I should point out that disputes are dealt with by the superintendent of the mercantile; marine office, and not by the local marine board.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that on the Breadalbane estates of Auchallander, Bendorran, and Glenfalloch clearances of sheep have recently taken place, and that in one instance some 10,000 sheep were cleared, and that the sheep are to be replaced by deer; and, in view of the importance of this question on food supplies, whether he proposes taking any action?

I am inquiring as to the facts of this matter, but have not had sufficient notice of my hon. Friend's question to enable me to reply to it now. Perhaps he will repeat his question in a few days' time.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the necessity of proper housing conditions for the working classes in Dublin; if he is aware that there are 23,000 families at present housed in single-room tenements almost unfit for human habitation; and if he will say what steps, if any, the Government intend to take to help the Dublin Corporation, who are the housing authorities to build suitable housing accommodation at reasonable rents for the workers of that city?

From the Report of the Departmental Committee of 1914 it appears that there were then slightly over 20,000 families housed in single-room tenements. The Irish Local Government Board is preparing, at my request, a Report for the consideration of the Executive with regard to housing in Dublin and in other towns.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have yet come to any agreement with Edward Horseman with the view to compensating him for his interest in an outside farm, which he holds at Meelick, county Galway, on the Clanricarde estate; and whether he is aware that this man is willing to accept reasonable compensation, or a farm elsewhere, in lieu of the one referred to?

The Congested Districts Board have not come to any arrangement with Edward Horseman for the surrender of the farm he holds on the Clanricarde estate at Meelick. The Board hope to arrange terms with him during the winter.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the fowling-piece taken from the boy Thomas Neville belonged to his father, Mr. E. Neville, J.P., Bandon, county Cork; and, seeing that Thomas Neville has been, assumed to be the owner and that the fowling-piece could not therefore be returned to him, will he make further inquiry into the matter?

I fear I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 17th October.