asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the men in the victualling department of the transport "Huntsgreen," chartered by the Orient Line, were offered on re-signing a reduction of wages of £l 8s. per month; whether on refusing they were informed that all those of military age would be taken by the military authorities; whether they were informed, contrary to the facts, that special constables were posted to prevent them leaving the docks; and what steps it is proposed to take to prevent men suffering reductions in wages under threats of being handed to the military authorities?

The transport "Huntsgreen" is not chartered by the Orient Line, who act only as Government agents, the ship being a prize ship. The current rate for men in the victualling department on transports signed on in London is £5 10s. per month, and this rate was offered to the victualling department of the "Huntsgreen." The ship was originally signed on at Belfast, where the port rate is higher than in London, and it was on this ground that the men based their claim for the extra £l 8s. The alteration in rate was notified several days prior to engagement, but no objection was raised until the day of signing on. In order that the ship should not be delayed, £6.5s. per month was paid. The company's marine superintendent informed the men that if they refused employment at the current rate of wages, their exemption from military service in respect of this ship would not apply, but did not inform them that special constables were posted to prevent their leaving the docks.

asked how many persons who offered themselves for service in the Navy from Ireland since the outbreak of war were rejected on medical or other grounds?

The information is not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not be able to get it?

I am afraid not. The recruiting officer is not required to keep returns for more than twelve months. I can only get the information up to that period.

Is the practice in the Admiralty different from that in the War Office. If returns are available for the War Office, why not for the Admiralty?

If they are available at the War Office they can be got. I have not seen them for a later period.

asked how many persons have been recruited for the Navy from Ireland since the outbreak of war; and whether the number so recruited is in addition to the official figure of 105,000 given by the Secretary of State for War as the total net number who have been enlisted for service in the Army?

Exact figures are not available, but it is estimated that the number recruited for the Naval Service from Ireland from the outbreak of war to 30th September, 1916, is, approximately, 4,500. This is in addition to the figure of 105,000 given by my right hon. Friend.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the exact figures are not available? Does not the Admiralty know how many men they have recruited from Ireland?

Yes; I gave them up to 30th September, 1916. The figure is, approximately, 4,500.

Why approximately?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that while outside Rosyth Dockyard the wages paid to bricklayers are 11½d. per hour inside the dockyard they are only lid. per hour, being one halfpenny below the standard rate of wages in the Dunfermline district; and, seeing that this is a violation of the Fair-Wages Clause, whether he will give instructions for the wages of the bricklayers employed in the dockyard to be brought up to the standard rate?

The bricklayers employed in the dockyard are paid in accordance with authorised dockyard scale, with an addition of 7s. a week war increase. This, together with several privileges enjoyed by dockyard employés, justifies me in saying that our employés are by no means inequitably treated. It may interest my right hon. Friend to know that when I was in Rosyth last, the men not in the dockyard employment made representations to me to the effect that their conditions of labour should be brought up to the dockyard level.

asked whether some 150 men employed at Rosyth Dockyard belonging to Kirkcaldy have been discharged in order to join the Army; and, if so, whether their places have been filled by Englishmen of military age?

Since men began to be called up for military service under the Derby Scheme, 140 men have been released from Rosyth Dockyard. Of these 100 were called up by the recruiting officers at Dunfermline, Edinburgh, and various parts of England and Scotland, twenty by the recruiting officer at Kirkcaldy, and twenty by recruiting officers whose addresses are not recorded. As many as possible of the resulting vacancies have been filled by men ineligible for military service. The remainder have been filled partly by local entries and partly by transferees from England, local entries being made wherever possible.

Is it true that you are employing Irishmen from Ireland?

I cannot say that. There are Irishmen engaged by the contractors.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that before Englishmen were brought there they exhausted the possibilities of Scotsmen?

It is not a question of Englishmen versus Scotsmen. It is extremely likely that some of the men brought from England to Scotland were already Scotsmen. I know there are a great many Scotsmen employed in the South. Of course, in order to get a nucleus at the beginning, we had to get men accustomed to our own dockyard work.

How many of the men imported are of military age?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down that question I will inquire.

Is there any object to be gained by taking men of military age for the Army and then importing men of military age from another area, to whom you have to pay higher wages?

I think the hon. Gentleman did not hear what I said. I said that as many as possible of the resultant vacancies have been filled by men ineligible for military service.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if Ernest Walter Dickes, who is employed by the Admiralty at a salary of £485 per annum, and who recently appeared before the Lambeth Tribunal as a conscientious objector, is the same Ernest Walter Dickes who when deputy cashier at Portsmouth Dockyard "was ordered to leave that district by the military authority, acting under the Defence of the Realm Act; if so, why was he so removed; and why is he retained in the Government service?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, Mr. Dickes was tried at Portsmouth last year at the instance of the competent military authority on a charge of having a false certificate in his possession, and, after the case had been dismissed by the magistrates, the competent military authority issued a notice prohibiting Mr. Dickes from remaining in the neighbourhood of Portsmouth. As regards the last part of the question, Mr. Dickes has been retained because, after careful review of all the circumstances of his case and consultation with the military, it was not considered that sufficient grounds existed for his discharge from the Government service. He is, I should say, an established Civil servant with over twenty years' service under the Admiralty, married, and nearly forty-one years of age. After leaving Portsmouth, where he served as deputy cashier, Mr. Dickes was transferred to the National Debt Office. He is now employed in the Accountant-General's Department at the Admiralty in connection with the claims from dependants of deceased sailors. He was exempted as a conscientious objector by the Lambeth Tribunal, subject to the proviso that he should undertake work which, not being under military control, was nevertheless useful for the prosecution of the War, and the Committee on Work of National Importance have informed the tribunal that they could not recommend any work of national importance more useful for the prosecution of the War than that in which he is at present engaged. The present position is that the Lambeth Tribunal refuse to recognise this arrangement as fulfilling the condition on which they were prepared to exempt Mr. Dickes from military service, and the question of his further retention is now under consideration.

I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the statutory authority under which Australian citizens have been made subject to the Miliary Service Act in this country; whether communications on the subject have passed between His Majesty's Government and the Commonwealth Government; and whether, in view of the importance of the question as tending to define for the first time the political status of the Commonwealth and the limitations of its autonomy, he will make a statement on the subject?

Men ordinarily resident in the Dominions or resident in Great Britain for the purpose only of their education or for some special purpose are excepted from the provisions of the Military Service Acts. I have not received any communication from the Commonwealth Government on the subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman communicated with the Commonwealth Government, as this involves a question as to the rights of Australian citizens?

I should hardly be likely to communicate until I got some complaint, of which up to now I have had none.

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

This man is on the strength of the Depot Royal Fusiliers, but is at present undergoing a sentence of detention.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what for?

I asked before coming away, but I could not be told.

I will put the question down.

asked the Secretary for War if he is yet in a position to give the figures showing the number of men who have offered themselves for enlistment in Ireland since the outbreak of war and who have been rejected for service on medical or other grounds?

It is not possible to give exact figures, as many men are rejected more than once, after applying at different places. Since the outbreak of war, however, there have been 29,000 instances of rejection in Ireland.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for War gave the figure 50,000 the other day?

No, Sir. I should think that very likely it was a lapse of memory.

asked the Secretary for War whether he can arrange that when reports are sent by medical officers to the relations of men on active service telling them from what they are suffering they shall use medical terms which can be easily understood, as the use of technical medical terms without explanation, or the use of initials only to describe the illness, are frequently not understood and are apt to convey a wrong impression?

The matter has recently been brought to notice, and the necessary instructions will shortly be issued for communicating casualties in language more readily intelligible by relatives.

asked the Secretary for War if arrangements may be made to transfer home-service men employed in guarding munition works, railway bridges, etc., at a great distance from their homes to localities within their reach?

I am making inquiry to see if anything further can be done in this direction.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the last fortnight numbers of men in Class C have been called up to Winchester and sent back again; that great distress and uncertainty is thus caused; and whether such disorganisation will be prevented in the future?

I am making inquiries and will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take with regard to men in Categories C 2 and C 3, whom as a class the War Office does not expect to call up, in order to give to those who are engaged in business and who are at present debarred from entering into ordinary business contracts, by reason of the uncertainty as to whether they may be the individuals called up, the utmost possible security as to their position?

I fear I can add nothing to the answer which I gave the hon. Member yesterday on this subject.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the hardship inflicted upon these men, and will he do something to secure that the problem can be dealt with by businesslike methods?

I have already told my hon. Friend that in days like these everybody is suffering hardship, and it is inevitable that some hardship must be suffered. I told the hon. Member yesterday that I had already looked into the question to see if anything could be done, and I expressed the regret that it cannot.

Is it necessary to keep twenty or thirty thousand men in suspense when the Government have already stated that they only require a few of them?

I did not say that we would only require a few of them, but that in the majority of cases we did not think they would be wanted. I cannot give any pledge.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman undertake to earmark those required first, and call them up first?

I dealt with that yesterday, and I was very sorry that it could not be done.

Why not?

asked the Secretary for War how many medical appeal boards have been set up and in what parts of the country; and whether he can state by what means a man who is convinced that he has not received fair treatment by the first medical board can get in touch with the Appeal Board and so obtain re-examination?

One special medical board has been set up in London. Men who after being passed fit for service by a recruiting medical board and convinced that they have not received fair treatment can produce evidence to that effect before the tribunal. If the tribunal consider that the men have not been correctly classified by the recruiting medical board, and the case goes to the special medical beard in London, arrangements are made for the man's travelling and subsistence during the period he is away from home.

May I ask whether the chairmen of the various tribunals in Scotland have decided that provision could not be made on account of the expenses involved; and, under those circumstances, could not an Appeal Board be established in the capital of each country?

I hope that the answer I have given will remove that feeling.

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the protests made at the Romford Urban Tribunal against the practice of sending unfit men into the Army; that two applicants who appeared before this tribunal stated that, after the most cursory examination at Warley, they had been passed for general service though holding medical certificates showing that they were quite unfit; that one member of the tribunal remarked that it was absurd to send such men for general service unless they wanted wrecks; that another member of the tribunal told of a Romford man, obviously weak and unfit, who was passed for general service and was dead ten days after joining, whereupon the military representative remarked that he would probably have died in any case; and whether he can state what further action the War Office propose to take in regard to such cases?

My attention has not been called to any particular representations made by the Romford Urban Tribunal, although I am, of course, aware that remarks have on several occasions been made at various tribunals about the efficiency of medical boards. Mistakes may have been made, but I can say without hesitation that the attacks made on medical boards have in the overwhelming majority of cases been found to be quite unjustified. The recruiting medical boards are not perfect, but they are composed of civilian medical men, and they are undoubtedly performing an exceedingly difficult and unpleasant task loyally and well.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the numerous exemptions allowed to employés of banks and insurance offices by the City of London Appeal Tribunal; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Exemptions of employés of banks and insurance offices in the City of London have been the subject of careful examination by an expert Advisory Committee, and exemptions have only been granted by the City of London Tribunal without opposition from the military representative where the bank or insurance company concerned has agreed to release for military service a number of men accepted for the time being as sufficient by the Advisory Committee. The military representative has recently issued a circular warning employers at banks and insurance offices that, in view of the increasing demand for men for the Army, existing agreements must shortly be subject to revision. I would point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that a large number of banks and insurance offices make claim in the City of London for the whole of their employés, and in such cases the exemptions cover employés engaged in branch offices in different parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for War who is in command of the British Forces in Mesopotamia; and whether the campaign is under the full control of the War Office?

The forces in Mesopotamia are under the command of Major-General (temporary Lieutenant-General) F. S. Maude, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. The campaign in that theatre is now under the full control of the War Office.

Is it not the fact that the forces in Persia and in India, from which the necessary drafts come, are not under the direct control of the War Office?

That is rather another matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the silver war badge for service is refused to medical men who have served for a year or over in the Royal Army Medical Corps if they have not relinquished their commissions on account of old age, or physical infirmity arising from wounds, or sickness caused by military service; whether he is aware that this Regulation works out unfairly to many medical men who have left the service only on the urgent call of duty to the civilian population, who are bound to have some medical attention; and whether he will alter the Regulation accordingly?

The silver badge was introduced specifically for distinguishing those who, having served with His Majesty's Forces since 4th August, 1914, have relinquished their commissions or appointments or have been discharged on account of age, wounds, or sickness. It is not a commemorative medal for service during the War. If a medal is granted for the present War, the claims of those persons whom the hon. Member mentions will be considered with all others who have served in the War.

Are men in this service, who have done their best at the front, to be refused this badge?

I have already explained the circumstances under which this badge is given.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when the Territorial Reserve Force is being disbanded or reduced in strength, the position of superfluous officers will be considered with a view to their being transferred, with their consent, to the Volunteer Force, carrying the seniority of their present rank?

Officers of the Territorial Force Reserve on the unemployed list are eligible for commissions in the Volunteer Force. Recommendations for appointment to these commissions are made by the county Volunteer authorities, who will doubtless be glad to consider the applications of Territorial Force Reserve officers for employment when suitable vacancies exist.

Is my hon. Friend aware that some of these officers are already serving in the ranks; and will they be allowed to apply for commissions in the Volunteer Force?

I think there is nothing to prevent them from applying.

asked the Secretary for War whether the Army Council have cancelled a number of officers' commissions in the Territorial Force Reserve who are willing and ready to discharge military duties and have not been reported upon as unfit for service; whether the Army Council are at the same time encouraging the enlisting of a new Volunteer Force and issuing commissions in that force; and whether the Home-defence duties of the Volunteer Force are similar to those assigned to the Territorial Force?

Schemes for the better utilisation of the services of the Volunteers are at present under consideration, and it is not possible, therefore, to institute a comparison. During the formation of supernumerary companies of the Territorial Force for the guarding of vulnerable points the names of a few officers were put forward who were not called on for military duty owing to the lack of opportunity for utilising their services.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of recalling those miners now in the Army who have families and who will better serve their country by returning to the mines, thus releasing younger men more fitted for Army service, which, whilst making for greater efficiency, would also be a saving in the cost of the War?

While sympathising with the hon. Member's suggestion, I must point out that there are other considerations involved. Miners serving at the front are trained soldiers, and could only be released in proportion as miners who are at present untrained became sufficiently trained for the front.

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

No, Sir, I am afraid I cannot yet make any statement.

I will repeat the question next week.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to submit the question of the repeal of the Military Service Acts to a Referendum of the people of the United Kingdom?

The answer is in the negative.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the people of this country should have the same opportunity as was given to the people of Australia? Will he, at any rate, take a Referendum in Ireland on the question of Conscription?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the statement of Mr. Thomas Atkins, J.P., chairman of the Ongar Tribunal, concerning the declared intention of the War Office to take more men from agricultural work; whether he is aware that this chairman has declared that the work of his colleagues and himself in trying to act fairly between the farmers and the military authorities was to be undone, and that he intended to throw the job up and make room for others; and whether he can state the latest arrangements that have been reached between his Department and the War Office regarding men of military age employed as agricultural labourers?

My attention had not previously been called to the statements alleged to have been made by the gentleman named.. The latest arrangement made as to agricultural labour was briefly described in an answer to a question by the hon. Member for Tavistock on the 12th of last month, and I am sending my hon. Friend a circular which sets it out in greater detail.. This arrangement does not supersede the work of tribunals, and I feel sure that when he realises this Mr. Thomas Atkins will continue the work he has undertaken for the country with the same gallantry and devotion as distinguishes his namesakes.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether Mr. H. Stanley Smith, a junior clerk in the office of the surveyor of taxes in Dundalk, on attaining military age has been refused permission to join His Majesty's Forces; what were the reasons for this refusal; whether, having been accepted subsequently as a recruit for the Royal Field Artillery, Mr. Smith has been obliged to resign his office in order to take up his military duties; and whether he will now be granted the terms offered to Civil servants in the Treasury circular of 20th August 1914, or at least have a promise of reinstatement in his office at the close of -the War?

As I have already explained to my right hon. Friend, the gentleman referred to belonged to a branch of the Inland Revenue Department which is responsible for the collection of some hundreds of millions of war revenue, and is already severely handicapped in the performance of this essentially national work by shortage of appropriate staff. This case does not come within the terms of the circular referred to by my right hon. Friend, and I cannot make any definite promise in such cases, in fairness to those who have observed the rules of the service.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he could not find anybody in Ireland to undertake the duties of this junior clerk?

These duties are very technical, and a very considerable number of men from the service have been allowed to go.

But has the right hon. Gentleman sought in Ireland for anybody who can perform the duties of a junior clerk, and let this man of military age go?

How long has this junior clerk been in the service, and what is his age?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this indispensable clerk has attained the age of eighteen years, and has been about six months in the service of the Inland Revenue, and that his work could be done as efficiently by a girl clerk?

What about the men of forty-one?

Take some more men off the farms.

Shirking by authority.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed to the case in which a London tribunal imposed as a condition of exemption and as an alternative to joining the Volunteer Training Corps that the applicant, a skilled clerk, should do unpaid clerical work for the tribunal; whether any such condition was contemplated at the time of the passing of the Acts; and whether there is any limit to the conditions that may be imposed upon applicants by the tribunals?

A tribunal may impose any condition which is reasonable. Without expressing any opinion on its reasonableness, I doubt whether such a condition as is described is expedient, and I am communicating with the tribunal in question on the subject.

asked the result of his inquiries into the allegation that the crew of the transport " Themistocles" were threatened with military service in order to get the men to accept a reduction in wages?

A report has been received from the official at the Victoria Docks before whom the crew of the vessel was engaged. When asked to sign on at the "port rate" the victualling department refused. They were subsequntly informed that if they did not feel inclined to sign on they could leave the ship and other men would be engaged in their places. They eventually accepted the "port rate." No threat of military service was used by the Victoria Docks official or by any officer of the ship.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the proposed exchange of civilian prisoners at Ruhleben, officers of the mercantile marine over forty-five years of age can be included?

The reply to the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the advisability of publishing Viscount Grey's recent speech and of causing a translation of the same to be forwarded wholesale to Spain and Sweden?

The speech is being published to-day by Mr. Fisher Unwin. Translations of it into various languages, including Spanish and Swedish, are being prepared, and all appropriate steps will be taken to ensure its circulation abroad.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the English version will be available at the various bookstalls and other places here?

I will ask about that. I cannot answer now, though I imagine so.

asked whether Miss Hobhouse had a passport from the Foreign Office; and, if so, whether she stated for what purpose she was going abroad?

A passport was issued to Miss Hobhouse in March, 1915, to travel to Italy. She stated that she desired to visit that country for reasons of health.

In view of the fact that her statement was not correct, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether she is going to be prosecuted like any ordinary woman, or is she going to be protected by high personages—

The hon. and gallant Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Empress of Germany has received in Berlin six Russian nurses and six Danish gentlemen who are to pay a visit of inspection to camps in which Russians are imprisoned; and can he state whether he will endeavour to secure a similar inspection of camps in which British are imprisoned in Germany?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the nega- tive; with regard to the second part of the question, we are satisfied to leave the care of our prisoners of war in Germany in the hands of the United States Ambassador at Berlin.

Has the hon. Gentleman any reason to doubt the accuracy of the "Times" report; and, if that is so, is not all this fuss about Miss Hobhouse absurd?

asked whether the views expressed by the Secretary of State for War to an American journalist have been supported by any official statement made on behalf of the Russian Government?

I am not aware that any Allied Government has given an official expression of opinion on this interview or other similar statements made by other Ministers here or in other Allied countries, but I have no reason whatever to suppose that the statement of the Secretary of State for War is not regarded with consent and approval by the Allies. The hon. Member's question appears to be designed to suggest some difference of view or policy between the Allies, but on this as on other occasions he will be disappointed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Russian Ambassador in London has expressed the view, on behalf of the Russian Government, that he is fully in accord with the statement of the right hon. Gentleman?

I should like notice of that question.

Is there not reason to believe that the Russian Government are not in favour of the prize ring settlement of the combat?

There is no reason to believe that the Russian Government disapprove of anything which my right hon. Friend has said.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any Report from the British Ambassador at Petrograd relating to the apology tendered to him by a political leader for having attacked the Prime Minister of Great Britain, alleging that his statement regarding the exaction of retribution for German misdeeds showed that Great Britain would oppose the conclusion of an advantageous peace between Russia and Germany; and if he has received such a Report will he lay it upon the Table of the House?

No, Sir, I do not consider that this incident, which has been concluded in a most satisfactory manner and the facts regarding which have been correctly reported in the Press, is of sufficient importance or interest to justify the laying of Papers on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from Mr. Hoover, of the American Committee of Relief for Belgium, an estimate of the material damage done in Belgium by the German invasion and of the number of houses destroyed; if so, will he state what the estimate is; and if he has not received such a report will he take steps to obtain it?

The answer to all parts of this question is in the negative.

Has the Noble Lord received no information at all from this Committee? Is he not aware that the chairman of this Committee estimated that the restoration of Belgium would only cost the expenditure of a few days by this country on the War?

I have no doubt that the Committee rightly consider it outside the scope of their work and incompatible with carrying it on satisfactorily to report on such a subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information showing that King Mango Bell, paramount chief of Duala region of the Cameroons, was executed by the German authorities upon the approach of the British troops; and, if so, can he state under what circumstances and for what reason this execution took place?

In his dispatch of 24th August, 1915, which will be found on pages 40 to 44 of Cd. 7974, the General Officer Commanding the Cameroons Expeditionary Force reported that " Rudolph Bell" (otherwise Mango Bell), the Chief of the Dualas, was "executed" by the Germans a few days before the fall of Duala, and a large number of Dualas were put to death by them, for no other reason that can be discovered than the usual " frightfulness." I might also refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 14 and 15 of that dispatch, and to paragraphs 3 and 4 of Major-General Sir C. Dobell's dispatch of 28th January, 1916, which has been published as No. 6 of Cd. 8306.

Arising out of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, of which I did not hear much, were King Mango Bell and other natives executed because they were supposed to be pro-British?

I have no reason to doubt that that would have some bearing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether be can make a statement to the House as to the present phase of the military operations in German East Africa; and can he state what arrangements, if any, are being made with regard to the government and administration of affairs in this territory?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements which appeared in the Press on the 20th and 28th October. The military situation, as described therein, has not altered materially. An experienced officer selected from the Colonial service will shortly leave this country to estabish a provisional civil administration in those parts of the conquered territory which are no longer the scene of military operations.

Will he report direct to the Colonial Office or to the Cape?

To the Colonial Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a Report upon the circumstances in which W. P. Singho met his death after the Ceylon riots had ceased; whether the death was certified as homicide; whether he is satisfied that before being shot Singho was properly tried and condemned by a regularly constituted Court; and, if not, whether he will request the Governor of Ceylon to cause a full inquiry to. be made into this case and lay the Report upon the Table of the House?

This case is under investigation by the Governor of Ceylon, and when I receive his Report I shall communicate with the hon. Member.

asked whether the final result of the referendum on Conscription in Australia is yet to hand and, if so, what are the figures; and, if not, when the result is likely to be declared?

I do not know when the final result of the referendum on Conscription in Australia is likely to be declared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the latest return of voting in the referendum on Conscription in Australia?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a vote in reference to the question of Conscription in Australia was begun but not terminated among Australian troops now stationed in England; and, if so, whether he can give an explanation of these events?

I understand that the voting was begun three weeks ago and was wholly completed by Saturday, 28th October. The hon. Member will realise that it had to be conducted with reference to the naval and military situation.

May I ask if it is the fact that after certain Australian soldiers had recorded their votes those votes were torn up and a fresh vote instituted?

I am not aware of that at all. I do not know that the War Office is concerned with it.

Will any inquiry be made?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the arrangements were conducted on behalf of the War Office or on behalf of the Australian Government by officials?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that General Birdwood, the Imperial officer commanding the Australian Forces in France, issued a personal appeal by letter to Australian soldiers in France and Great Britain urging them to vote for Conscription for Australia in connection with the referendum; and can he state whether this action was taken by direction of the War Office or of the Commonwealth authorities?

I know nothing of such an appeal, and the War Office was not consulted on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether letters written by Australian soldiers in England to their homes in Australia frequently Tail to reach their destinations, and letters written from Australia to Australian soldiers here are frequently intercepted and withheld without any explanation; and, if so, what explanation can be given of such proceedings?

I am not aware that letters posted by Australian soldiers in this country frequently fail to reach the addresses in Australia, or that letters for Australian soldiers here are intercepted and detained. If the hon. Member can give me particulars of any concrete cases, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the figures showing the number of deaths from pneumonia during last year among Australian soldiers at Perham Downs; and whether, in view of the difference between the climate of this country and that of Australia, extra precautions will be taken this year to ensure that the health of the Australian troops here shall be maintained at as high a level as possible?

I have not the figures available, but I can assure the hon. Member that the medical officers, who are themselves Australians, are fully alive to the point, and all precautions are being taken.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether complaints have reached him that Australian soldiers to whom considerable arrears are due have been unable to obtain payment at the pay offices in London, and that this has caused them inconvenience; and whether some suitable arrangements will be made?

No, Sir; this is a matter for the Australian authorities, and I will forward to them a copy of my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on which day he will lay upon the Table the conditions of sale of enemy properties in Nigeria; and whether this House will be given an opportunity of discussing the whole matter before the sale takes place?

The conditions of sale were laid on the Table yesterday. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the discussion suggested by my hon. Friend, but if there is any general desire for it I am sure that my right hon. Friend would give facilities for it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many details in the Bill and the conditions of sale, such as the discretion of the Governor, which are causing a great deal of disquiet in this country, and does he not think that it would be better to have them considered in this House?

I am not aware of any disquiet that has been caused. As I have already said, if there is any general desire for a discussion, I am aure that the Prime Minister will be willing to arrange it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the conditions of sale neutrals are allowed to purchase these enemy properties m Nigeria, thereby establishing further alien control?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it important that the House should once for all settle whether these properties, which are derived from winding-up German businesses, ought not to be handed over to British rather than neutral countries, with a view to developing these Colonies for ourselves?

As there seems to be some general desire to discuss the matter, if my right hon. Friend will put a question to the Prime Minister to-morrow I shall discuss it with him in the meantime.

Will the conditions of sale be at the disposal of the House so that we can see what are the proposals of the Government in Nigeria?

Hon. Members have the opportunity of examining them. They would be a voluminous thing to circulate.

Can the Bill be circulated?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will be prepared to reconsider his decision that; the enemy properties in Nigeria are not to> be sold to an all-British company, with official representation on its board of directors, if such company were willing to submit to a fair-price clause or other effective arrangements to ensure the payment of fair prices to the natives for their produce?

I do not know to what decision my hon. Friend is referring. Any British company which is not acting: on behalf of enemy interests will be able to bid for the properties at the auction.

How can you tell whether he is bidding for an enemy or not?

The provisions in the conditions of sale make every effort to secure—I believe successfully; we are-quite ready to discuss it—that the property shall not be transferred to enemies, at any time.

Will the right hon.. Gentleman consider the offer of a British-company to take over these properties at a fair valuation made by the Government?

I have seen no such definite offer on behalf of any British company. All the information which I have about it is a letter from a very influential gentleman, the chairman of the West African Committee, sending me-copies of the questions which were going; to be put by my hon. Friend, and saying that if the suggestion were agreed to they should be prepared to form a company.

My right hon. Friend has not answered what I asked. Will he consider, if the offer is made to the Government, whether they would sell at a fair valuation?

If the matter is to be discussed, it can be dealt with very much better in Debate than by question and answer.

As there is already a very close combination, should we do anything to make that combination still more complete?

Of course, that kind of consideration has had weight with the Colonial Office in the decision which they have taken.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that one great advantage of an all-British company would be greater Government control for the purpose of insuring to natives a fair price for their products?

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to a small shop strike among marble masons in Manchester for the purpose of bringing one particular employer up to the level of the other employers in respect of standard wages; whether he is aware that two men involved in the dispute have received from their employer a letter, typewritten on his business paper, informing them that he has obtained a communication from the military representative, dated 18th October, that the men must report for service with the Colours at once; whether it is the intention of the War Office that the Military Service Acts should thus be used to help employers who refuse to pay fair wages; and, if not, what action he proposes to take to stop such glaring instances of industrial conscription?

I am not aware of the circumstances in this case, but am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is always stated by his Department in requisitioning hotels or clubs for military purposes that no rent whatever will be paid in the way of remuneration for the use of these buildings; and, if not, whether, in point of fact, rent has never yet been paid in any case for the use of an hotel or club for his Department?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that no arrangement is made, and that I have instances?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the frequency of aircraft attacks and the primary necessity for rapidity in transmitting information as to their movements and anticipated direction, every effort is being made by the War Office to ensure at home simplicity in telephonic transmission of this information; if codes are necessary, are they of such a nature as to be easily and quickly understood by telephonists who may not as yet have had long experience or whose education may in some cases not be of the best; and are steps taken to prevent such codes leading to errors?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hon. Member will, I am sure, agree with me that no information can be given as to whether codes are or are not in use.

asked whether insurance against injuries or loss of life due to Zeppelin raids can be effected under the Government scheme?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for putting this question, which enables me to correct a misstatement which, owing to a misunderstanding, I made in an answer I gave him on 18th October. I then implied that it was possible to insure against injuries or loss of life under the Government scheme. This, of course, is not the case. In the opinion of the Government ample facilities already exist in the open market.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of appointing a small committee to inquire and report as to the desirability of making this a national liability and not a personal loss?

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to remove the Reserve units of he Royal Naval Division from the camp built for that division at Blandford by the Admiralty and to convert it into a German prisoners' camp; whether he is aware of the inconvenience and loss both to administration and to the pensioner instructors who have made their homes at Blandford that such a change would cause; and whether he will consider the possibility of sending the German prisoners to work in France?

It is not intended to remove the Reserve units of the Royal Naval Division from Blandford, nor is it intended to convert the camp into a prisoners of war camp.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any medical arrangements for the County of London Volunteers; whether he is aware that accidents occur during training on Sundays and that the provision of medical assistance is haphazard; whether he is aware that many doctors would be willing to give their services regularly if they were recognised on the old regimental system whereby they could be allocated to the Volunteers in their own district; and whether he will devise a system which would utilise such men for a very desirable purpose?

A scheme for the formation of a medical service as part of the Volunteer organisation has been prepared, but certain details remain to be settled. It is hoped, however, that the necessary instructions will be issued shortly. The considerations referred to in the question have been borne in mind in framing the scheme mentioned above.

When is it likely to be published?

I hope very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a Circular has been issued authorising officers of regiments to invite Irishmen serving under them to transfer to Irish regiments?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an Army Order was issued some months ago directing that any man called up from Class B Army Reserve who is of Irish nationality and, wishes to join an Irish regiment will be sent to the depot of the regiment he wishes to join, and will be there appointed to that regiment; whether he is aware of the fact that there are numerous complaints of Irishmen who, notwithstanding the Order, are, against their will, sent to English, Scottish, and Welsh regiments; and whether there is any objection to the Army Order in question being published in the public Press?

As the instructions to which the hon. and learned Member refers are of general interest, I will quote them textually:— In consequence of the low state of recruiting in Ireland, any man called up from Class B, Army Reserve, who is of Irish nationality and classified in Category A, should be asked whether he wishes to join an Irish regiment, and will, if he so desires, be sent to the depot of the Irish regiment he wishes to join, and will there be appointed to that regiment. The War Office is not aware of the prevalence of complaints that Irishmen are sent to English, Scottish, or Welsh regiments.