asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any additional battalions of Soudanese troops have been raised in the Soudan during the War; and, if not, why such action has not yet been taken in view of their suitability for fighting in Mesopotamia?

No, Sir. For local reasons of a convincing nature, it has not been considered desirable to raise additional battalions of these troops during the War.

May I ask whether that opinion will be reconsidered or is it to hold good for all time no matter how the conditions alter?

I should not like to prophesy that any decision of that character must hold good for all time.

When was that opinion come to?

I should require notice of that. It has been considered for some time.

Are the local reasons likely to be changed?

I cannot say.

asked to what extent the Army in Mesopotamia is now being supplied with winter comforts, either by the Government or from private sources?

Warm clothing, mackintosh capes, etc., have been dispatched in large numbers to Mesopotamia. I also understand that the Director-General of Voluntary Organisations is in constant touch with Basra, and has supplied and forwarded from time to time all the comforts which he has been asked to provide.

Are we to understand that large numbers mean necessary numbers?

As far as I know.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether limejuice and fresh vegetables are included, especially in garrisons where scurvy is said to have broken out?

I do not think that the Director-General of Voluntary Organisations would be responsible for the dispatch of vegetables, and they ought to be supplied by the Regular Army Service. As far as I know, as abundant a supply as we can manage is being sent.

And limejuice?

Yes, Sir. Every possible precaution is being taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been directed to a dispatch from M. Venizelos to Principal Ronald Burrows, King's College; and if, in view of the facts there set forth, coupled with the occupation of fresh territory by Bulgarians, dispatching of fresh troops to Berlin, and persecution of Greek patriots, he will consider with the Allied Powers what further steps it is necessary to take for the protection of M. Venizelos and his friends?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government still maintain official relations with King Constantine's Government; if so, in what districts of Greece does His Majesty's Government recognise that King Constantine has jurisdiction; and will he state what amount of official recognition has been accorded by the Allies to the Provisional Government under M. Venizelos at Salonika?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative as regards the Allied Governments, including His Majesty's Government. As regards the second part, the situation changes from day to day, but it may roughly be said that M. Venizelos' authority exists in New Greece and the islands, whereas the Government at Athens retains jurisdiction over Old Greece. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to previous statements which have been made on the subject. The Government of M. Venizelos is treated by the Allies as the de facto authority in the districts where it is established.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what advantage there is in continuing the official recognition of the Government of King Constantine?

That is rather a large question to be answered in reply to a supplementary question.

Has the extent of the recognition accorded to M. Venizelos' Government been notified to him?

As I understand so, certainly.

How many Governments in Greece do the Government propose to recognise?

There is only one Government in Greece.

There are two!

Does the Government here not recognise two Governments?

I do not understand that M. Venizelos regards himself as revolting from the Government of the King.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has official information to the effect that Messrs. Jurgens or any of their allied companies in Holland have been called upon to pay fines by the Netherlands Overseas Trust for supplying goods to Germany; and can he state the total amount of fines that they have been called upon to pay?

On 15th September, 1915, a fine of 300,000 florins was imposed on Messrs. Jurgens by the Netherlands Overseas Trust, because a quantity of cotton seed oil originally imported by them was exported to Germany by other firms into whose hands the oil had come. The Trust state that Messrs. Jurgens themselves had nothing to do with the illicit export. They had taken all possible precautions, but were the victims of a breach of confidence on the part of a broker who negotiated the sale of the oil to unscrupulous firms with a view to export. Messrs. Jurgens were, however, fined as being the original importers.

May I ask whether it is the case that they made £75,000 out of this deal and whether the Government are still anxious that they should be allowed to buy British properties in Nigeria?

I have nothing to do with Nigeria, and as to the other matter I am not aware.

May I ask if it is not the case that the chief factory of Messrs. Jurgens is actually in Germany and not in Holland?

Five of them!

I should like notice of that question. I do not think that is an accurate statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee set up as a result of the passing of the Army Act Amendment Act of this Session; and whether he will inform the House of its conclusions?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Court of Inquiry set up under the Army Act Amendment Act has arrived at any conclusion on the subject which it was directed to investigate; and, if so, will he state what its opinion is and the decision thereon of the Army Council?

The Report has not yet been received.

Can we not at any rate have an Interim Report which deals with the young Irish soldier? I will put down another question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the reason for the delay?

I am afraid I cannot.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long it is since they finished taking evidence and hearing the speeches of counsel?

I should require notice.

It is three months.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dead soldiers' belongings are constantly lost or stolen on the way back to England; and if he will take every possible step to prevent this, and thus save loss to the near relatives of these gallant men?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 2nd November to the hon. Baronet the Member for Bath.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any in formation regarding the general condition of British prisoners of war who have fallen into the hands of the Ottoman Government?

asked the Treasurer of the Household whether he is now in a position to give fuller information with regard to the British prisoners taken at Kut-el-Amara; whether all have been traced; whether the United States Minister has visited their camps and, if so, what reports have been received; and what arrangements now exist to ensure regular and prompt arrival of consignments of any comforts dispatched to them from this country or from India?

From every hostile Government, except the Turkish, we have been able to obtain satisfactory lists of prisoners of war; but notwithstanding all our efforts and those of the American Embassy at Constantinople, we have failed to-obtain any but the most incomplete lists of our officers and men in Turkish hands. Apart from those who were taken prisoners in the Gallipoli operations, some 12,530, including, of course, Indian prisoners, we believe, surrendered at Kut-el-Amara, but by means of information received up to the present from the Turkish Government we have been able to identify only 1,923; and to this must be added another 764, of whom we have heard by means of private letters and other unofficial communications.

In all other hostile countries prisoners of war camps have been visited by members of the American Embassy concerned, but a similar concession has always been strenuously opposed by the Turks. It is, therefore, impossible to give any assured information regarding our subjects in Turkey, but from all we can learn we have reason to fear that the conditions are very far from satisfactory, and that the mortality in certain cases has been heavy. There are also indications that our men have suffered severely on their way from Kut to places of internment. Moreover, we have grounds for fearing that our men are short of clothing, but every endeavour is being made by the American Embassy and Consular officials to meet this want by local purchases. A request to the Turkish Government to allow supplies of clothing to be sent in a neutral ship to some point in Asia Minor has been accepted only on the condition that the distribution shall be made by the Turkish authorities, which, again, is contrary to the practice in other countries and is open to obvious and grave objection. Up to the present we have been compelled to rely on the provision of clothing from local sources, supplemented by the dispatch of parcels from this country to those whose whereabouts is known; but the receipt of any parcels appears to be very uncertain. We have every reason to believe that the American authorities, through whom alone we can act, are doing their best under very difficult circumstances, but it would be idle to deny that the present situation is unsatisfactory in the extreme. We have recently again drawn the attention of the United States Government to the extreme urgency of the case.

Will my hon. Friend take care that from time to time any possible information is given to the country in reference to these prisoners?

Certainly.

asked the Treasurer of the Household what are the number of German military prisoners of war in British hands, and what are the numbers of British prisoners of war in German hands; and will he state whether there are any cases of German wounded prisoners of war who have been detained in British hospitals for a period of two years?

The number of German military prisoners of war in British hands according to the latest Returns is:

Does that include the prisoners taken yesterday and the day before?

No.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has in hand, and hopes soon to lay upon the Table, any further Report of the Allied operations in the Southern Balkans; when does he expect to be able to table such a Report; and to what latest date of the operations may it be expected to refer?

A dispatch from the General Officer Commanding the British Forces at Salonika dealing with the operations in that theatre to 8th October has just reached the War Office. It will be published in due course, but I cannot now state any date.

asked how many men are at present encamped at Grove Park Camp, Lee, and for how many is dry-floored and rainproof shelter provided; and whether the men have any regular drills or other occupation helpful to them in a military sense?

As I have stated already in answer to the hon. Members for Burnley and the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow, the men at Grove Park are not encamped but in houses or billets, which are dry-floored and rainproof. The men are recruits, and are being trained each day in their military duties.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us how long it is since they were taken out of camp?

Speaking from recollection, I think about ten days.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it is that the price of Irish hay has been fixed at a rate of 12s. 6d. per ton lower than that allowed in England and 5s. lower than that allowed in Scotland; is it that the War Office believe Irish hay to be in any way inferior to English or Scottish; and will he take steps to have equality of prices all round?

Irish and Scottish hay in the earlier months after harvesting contains more moisture than English hay. Allowance is made for the "dryage" (evaporation of moisture) at percentages in the months of January, February and March. The "dryage" in the case of Irish and Scottish hay allowed is double that allowed in the case of English hay. This system automatically brings the prices paid in Ireland and Scotland up to those paid in England in the later months of the crop year. The difference of 5s. in price between Irish and Scottish hay has been fixed with the consent of the Irish trade and with the concurrence of the Advisory Forage Committee in Ireland.

asked what quantity of hay was purchased in Ireland last year and the aggregate amount paid for the same; and will he give the quantity and aggregate amount paid, respectively, in England and Scotland?

This information is not available, and as its preparation would involve undue expenditure of time and labour, I hope my hon. Friend will not press for it.

asked if any badge can be issued to dispatch riders and other soldiers who are injured other wise than by wounds whilst in the performance of their duties?

No, Sir; it is not proposed to issue any badge for accidental injuries.

Will the same apply to flying officers injured while flying, possibly in the face of the enemy, but not necessarily wounded?

I should like to have notice of that, but I think the same rule would apply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer passed as fit for military service, and who after a time is invalided out of the Service or is asked to resign on account of ill-health, is eligible for a pension if the ill-health from which he suffers is not due to a wound but to a disease aggravated by his service; and whether the position is the same for officers serving abroad as for officers serving in the Home forces?

If the officer's earning power is appreciably impaired by his war service he is entitled to pension or gratuity, whether the aggravation of his disability was caused at home or abroad.

If it is caused by disease, would it be treated the same as if caused by wound?

Yes; he is entitled to pension or gratuity, under ordinary circumstances, whether his disability is caused by wound or disease. There is, as the hon. Gentleman knows, a special wounds' pension or gratuity.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

I have.

Whether the position is the same for officers serving abroad?

I said it does not matter whether the disability was caused at home or abroad.

Is a pension granted for disability from enthetic disease?

asked the Secretary of State for War as regards the separation allowance of 5s. 1d., Government share, made to Mrs. Martha Wilson, widow, of Kirk Yetholm, in the county of Roxburgh, mother of Sergeant George Wilson, No. 4954, 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers, if he will make inquiry into the adequacy of this amount, and as to whether, before making his estimate of this widow's dependency, the district pension officer made any inquiry of her personally to ascertain what amount her son used to give weekly before mobilisation or enlistment; whether, as a matter of fact, it was about 24s.; and whether, as Mrs. Wilson is a cripple, and has no other means of support, he will increase the present allowance of 8s. a week, made up of 5s. 1d. Government share and 2s. 11d. necessary allotment from soldier's pay, to a more adequate amount?

This claimant has already appealed against the original assessment, and, after reinvestigation by the pension officer, expressed herself to him as satisfied with the new assessment of 8s. a week. If she now desires to bring forward fresh facts, it is open to her to appeal in the regular way to the Appeals Committee.

asked on -what principle deductions from the disability pension of a discharged soldier, in order to refund debts or over-issues incurred before his discharge, are sanctioned in cases where the pension is over 10s. a week, in view of the fact that the man who has been granted a full disability pension of 25s. a week is not supposed to have any more total income than the man who has been awarded a pension of 10s. a week, which is calculated as being sufficient when added to his earning capacity to make 25s. a week; and whether he will consider the advisability of putting an end altogether to these deductions?

The pension is a certainty; the difference between pension and 25s. is not necessarily actual earnings week by week, but assessed earning capacity. I think my hon. Friend will recognise that to ignore this distinction might lead to hardship in individual cases. I fear these recoveries cannot be altogether dispensed with.

In view of the fact that these pensions afford no margin over what is necessary to support life, can the hon. Gentleman say what these wounded soldiers have to do when these deductions are being made?

I have pointed out to my hon. Friend on a previous occasion that the deduction is made in very small weekly sums, and I do not think that any real hardship arises.

Has the question of abolishing these deductions been considered?

Yes, it has; and I find that these recoveries cannot altogether be dispensed with. I wish they could.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the hardship inflicted on numbers of soldiers and their dependants by the want of proper business methods of the paymaster in certain districts; whether he is aware that occasionally demands are made on dependants for the repayment of sums alleged to have been overdrawn amounting to many pounds; and, since many of these mistakes are due not to any fault on the part of the applicant, but to lack of system or incompetence on the part of certain paymasters, will he say what steps it is proposed to take?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on, 26th October to the hon. Member for West Bradford.

asked whether the Royal Aircraft Factory, Farnborough, is a controlled establishment; and, if not, whether the War Office has power to prevent a man from getting his discharge and obtaining work elsewhere?

The War Office has the power mentioned in the second part of the question, under an Order made by the Minister of Munitions under Section 7, Munitions of War Act, dated 14th July, 1915.

asked if the daughter of the clerk to the British Consulate at Salonika was sent home by the military authorities at Salonika; and if she has been allowed to return in defiance of the opinion of our intelligence officers in Greece?

The lady to whom the hon. Member doubtless refers was permitted to return by the General Officer Commanding the British troops at Salonika. I am not aware of the opinion of the intelligence officers in Greece.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to state what action the Government intends to take about increasing the amount of separation allowance?

No decision has yet been reached.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if they have done anything at all about coming to a decision?

They have done something; they have been considering it.

In order to speed it up, I will refer to this on the Adjournment to-night.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in reference to his appointment of a Special Commissioner to investigate whether the War Office would be justified in establishing receiving depots in Ireland in connection with tenders for military supplies, whether he will bear in mind that the vast bulk of such tenders come from Ulster, and that consequently Belfast has a stronger claim to be considered for the establishment of a receiving depot than any other centre?

The instructions given to the hon. Member for the Loughborough Division of Leicestershire were to inquire into and report on the facilities in Ireland for contractors who desired to tender for War Office contracts, and also to inquire into and report on the resources of the whole of Ireland, with a view to seeing what further supplies to meet War Office requirements could be obtained from that country. My right hon. Friend will bear in mind every representation made to him in considering the question of the establishment of a receiving depot in Ireland.

asked why British newspapers are forbidden to publish pictures of the famous tanks, in view of the fact that photographs of these engines of warfare have already appeared in the "New York Times," the "New York Tribune," the "New York World," and other Canadian and American newspapers?

The question of releasing for publication representations of these engines of warfare is now under the consideration of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Armies in France.

As we are not allowed to see these photographs, can the hon. Gentleman say why the military censor passed these photographs for transmission to America?

I do not know that the military censor has passed them.

Then may I ask, if the military censor did not pass them, why we should not see them, seeing that the Germans must have furnished the photographs to the Americans?

As I told my hon. Friend, it is a matter for the Commander-in-Chief in France to settle. He is now considering it.

If the Germans and the Americans have seen them, why cannot we?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, at a recent gathering in London, a disclosure was made of the total of the British forces in the field and a proportionate estimate given of the Russian forces in the field; and can he say whether this information was supplied by the War Office to Lord Northcliffe?

I have consulted the Army Council, and I am in a position to say that, whatever information was disclosed at the gathering referred to, was not given by the War Office.

Do these disclosures made constitute a breach of the Defence of the Realm Act?

That does not arise out of this question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have provided the Secretary of State for War with the figures disclosed by Lord Northcliffe and provided by a person present, and does the War Office attach no importance to the disclosure of these sensational facts?

I was not aware that the hon. Gentleman did inform the War Office.

asked whether the rations for the troops at the front have been reduced as follows: Tea, five-eighths of an ounce to four-eighths of an ounce per day; bacon, three ounces to two ounces per day; and cheese also; if so, why is the reduction made; and does it apply also to troops in this country?

As far as I know, the scale of rations has not been reduced; the second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries about this, because I have the facts?

If my hon. and gallant Friend would give me something to go upon. I have made inquiries, and, so far as I know, the scale has not been reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, considering that it is not proposed to publish at the present time the whole of the dispatches relating to the operations in East Africa during the years 1914 and 1915, he will, at any rate, consider the question of publishing those portions of the dispatches giving the names of officers mentioned for distinguished service by the commanders concerned?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the "London Gazette" of the following dates:—

asked the Secretary of State for War if the Government have considered a proposal emanating from a number of men serving at the front to the effect that every soldier who has had six months service at the front should receive a stripe of honour on the same principle that the soldiers receive a stripe when they are wounded; if he is aware that the principle is accepted by the French Government and extended to their soldiers; and if he intends taking action in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 20th July to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Brigadier-General Grove, the officer in command of the Warwick and Midland district, has issued a questionnaire to four justices of the peace in Birmingham, who are members of the Society of Friends, demanding among other things information as to their private subscriptions, and requiring them to produce for inspection their cheque books and bank pass books; if he will say under what Regulation of the Defence of the Realm Acts this action has been taken; and whether the demand has been made with his knowledge and sanction?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of citizens in Birmingham are being visited by detective officers and required, among other things, to produce for inspection their cheque and bank pass books; will he say under what Defence of the Realm Regulations or other authority can persons against whom no charge has been preferred have a request of this nature imposed upon them; and whether this inquisition into the private affairs of citizens has been instituted by the Home Office as part of a plan to be extended elsewhere?

Inquiry is still being made, and if it is found that the officer acted on his own responsibility as indicated by the question the desirability of his replacement will certainly arise.

Has any intimation been sent to the four gentlemen to whom this question refers?

I cannot answer.

If it is found to be this officer's fault, will he be promoted?

Would it not be better not to condemn this man until the whole facts are known?

I entirely agree with my right hon. and learned Friend, and that is why I am making inquiries before taking any further action.

But could not the representative of the War Office say now whether any authority has been given by the War Office itself?

I think I can answer that question in the negative.

Then it must be the officer himself.

asked whether, having regard to the mortality on the Western front, he will take the advice of the highest scientific authority and consider the advisability on purely hygienic grounds, of cremation rather than burial of the men who have laid down their lives for their country?

After consideration, it is not proposed to take any action with regard to cremation. I may mention that this question was fully considered by the French authorities, who decided against cremation.

asked whether, in view of the disquieting statement that officers whose duty it is to condemn Government motor cars as unfit for service are buying in, or causing to be bought in at bargain prices, sound and expensive cars for their own private use, he will consider the advisability of having all Government property sold by public auction and will abolish the present system of private tender?

I am not aware of the disquieting statement to which the hon. Member refers. If he will bring any specific instances to my notice, I will have them investigated at once.