asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any intention to withdraw the Admiralty transport badges, or any other badges authorised to be used by officers of vessels performing auxiliary services to the Navy; and, if so, whether he will state the reasons for such decision?

There is no intention whatever of withdrawing any of these cap badges.

May I ask if these cap badges do not include the crown? Is there any intention of issuing orders that no officers of the merchant service are to wear any crown on any cap?

That is not what I am advised, but I will make inquiry into it.

asked, in view of the fact that two destroyers, a transport, and a number of drifters were lost on the occasion of the German raid on our Channel route, what was the nature of the inquiries which followed, whether by court-martial or otherwise; and whether a statement can be made as to the terms of reference of the inquiries and the conclusions formed?

In accordance with the King's Regulations, Courts of Inquiry have been held into the loss of His Majesty's ship "Flirt" and the stranding of His Majesty's ship "Nubian." The reports will be fully considered at the Admiralty. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Does the Board of Admiralty recognise that if they withdraw from this House the guidance of reports of Courts-Martial and Courts of Inquiry we are driven to ask questions here?

I do not know there is anything novel in what has been done, but I will look into it.

I beg to give not that if there is a Secret Session I will draw attention to facts which have not been revealed in connection with this raid.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men in Shetland over recruitable age were employed on definite terms; that recently the conditions have been made much less favourable; and whether, in view of the fact that the men referred to might have been earning large sums in either the mercantile marine or at fishing, he will make inquiry if the former conditions can be reverted to?

From a private communication which my hon. Friend was good enough to supply me with in advance, it would appear that his question refers more particularly to the conditions as to clothing of the Shetland Royal Naval Reserve. The local arrangements made were found not to be in accordance with the Clothing Regulations, either for the Shetland Royal Naval Reserve or for Royal Naval Reserve men generally, and had, therefore, to be discontinued; but the whole question of what kit is required under the conditions of service of the Shetland Royal Naval Reserve and how it shall be supplied is now under review.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a naval cordite factory asked for tenders for porcelain enamelled baths in May, 1916; that the contract was given to a firm at Lambeth at prices considerably higher than those tended by Messrs. Kennedy, Limited, of Bournemouth, and that the Bournemouth price included fittings, whereas the Lambeth firm tendered without fittings; and whether he can state why a tender was accepted at approximately double the price that offered by Messrs. Kennedy?

The only purchase of baths for the establishment in question which was made in the month named was for ten baths. Three local firms were invited to tender, and the lowest offer was accepted. No London firm was invited to quote for these baths. The transaction was carried out by the contractors for the factory, who, I presume, considered the matter so comparatively small that local firms could satisfactorily and economically deal with it. I am advised that some baths were included in another contract as to which I have not yet got particulars as to date, etc. In this case, as the contract was of more considerable volume, I understand that no local firms at all were invited to tender, so that if this were the case which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, the facts could hardly be as stated. However, if he wishes to pursue the matter further, perhaps he will put the question down again.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the desirability of inviting ex-adminstrators and other persons with experience of the native races of Africa now in England to confer with him upon the available man-power of Africa and the most desirable means of utilising our resources in Africa during the spring, summer, and autumn of next year?

I am already in communication with the various Governments concerned, but I shall also consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the inquiry conducted by the "Daily Chronicle" as to the available resources in African man-power; and, seeing that, in the opinion of well-known African ex-administrators and others, that, under proper organisation, it would be possible to obtain and equip ready for service in the spring a total labour force for France of not less than 200,000 men, some part of which might be trained for fighting, will he say what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir; the matter has been, and is, engaging the serious attention of His Majesty's Government, and all steps that are possible are being taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these coloured men are prepared to enlist in fighting battalions at considerbly less pay than they would get in the Labour Battalions?

All these considerations are now before the Colonial Office and the War Office, and are being duly weighed.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from the Vatican a Report from the Apostolic delegate at Constantinople upon the state of English graves in Gallipoli; and, if so, how soon he will be able to publish it?

No such Report has been communicated to us; we are informed, however, that photographs of the graves have been taken and that the Vatican will supply us with reproductions. I need hardly say that we very highly appreciate the Pope's solicitude in this matter.

Do I understand from that answer that it is untrue that on 7th November such a report had been sent, not to the Treasurer of the Household or the War Office, but to the Foreign Office, and, if so, when the report does arrive will the hon. Gentleman see that it is circulated, because the parents in Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia are anxiously awaiting information?

Certainly.

Will the hon. Gentleman also inquire about the Scottish case?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to say for what reason William G. H. Miller is at present under detention; was he tried by any Court, and, if so, what Court; what was the charge against him; and what was the result of the investigation?

Private Miller was tried by District Court-martial at Hounslow on the 18th October, 1916, and sentenced to undergo detention for one year for the offence of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, in that he did not undress for medical examination when ordered to do so by Lance-Sergeant Miller, Depot Royal Fusiliers. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge. Private Miller was convicted at Brentford Police Court on the 2nd October, 1916, for being absent when called up for service, fined 40s., and handed over to an escort.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether that refusal was on the ground of conscientious objection or not?

I cannot say whether it was conscientious or not.

Would the hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire, because this is a very frequent way of getting out of the Service?

Yes, Sir, I will certainly inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an inter-denominational board on chaplaincies has been formed; if so, who are the persons constituting it; what are its functions; and how many meetings of the board have been held?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A list of members of the Committee was published on the 20th instant, but I will send my hon. Friend a copy of it. The Committee consists of representatives of each denomination, and is intended to remove the risk of inequalities of treatment owing to the different authorities not being in touch with one another. By means of the Committee each authority will become informed as to the needs of the other denominations in matters of common interest) to all. Meetings are held once a month, and so far four have been held.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities in Ireland, in estimating the number of tons of hay purchased from farmers for the purpose of paying the first instalment of the price for which such hay has been purchased, are in many cases making an estimate very much below what the vendor believes his rick of hay to contain; and, as this method of guessing the weight of hay before it is weighed is causing loss to farmers, will he take steps to have it remedied?

The nearest possible estimate is always made and when the final settlement is made on the actual weight, 5 per cent. per annum interest is allowed on any balance of money due. Under this system it is not understood that any loss is occasioned to the farmers.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what terms as regards salary, pension, and termination of employment by notice on either side have Sir Alexander Prince and Mr. Benson joined the Canteen Management Committee, will the money for financing the new scheme by the Treasury be a debt repayable by the Canteen Committee or a free Grant; will he undertake that no officer who holds or has held a commission in the Army will be appointed to any position of emolument in connection with the new scheme of canteen management; and, having regard to the financial and other interests involved in the scheme, will he provide an opportunity for discussion of the subject in this House before the scheme comes into operation?

As the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kirkcaldy was informed yesterday, we are not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject. I may, however, state that any money advanced by the Treasury will be by way of loan, and not by Grant.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the matter will be open to discussion in this House before the scheme is brought into operation?

:I cannot say whether it will be before a start is made, but, as the Secretary of State for War said yesterday, if there is any general desire to discuss it an opportunity will be given.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to General Routine Order No. 1730 with reference to canteens in France; whether he is aware that owing to divisional canteens having to purchase through the Expeditionary Force Canteens the cost of articles such as biscuits, cigarettes, tinned fruits, etc., is approximately doubled and the increased cost falls on the soldiers in France; that perishable goods such as sponge sandwiches, jam rolls, etc., cannot be purchased fresh unless consigned direct to the coffee-bar canteens; that these divisional canteens have made considerable contracts running into several hundred pounds sterling per week, and that the contracting firms demand notice for termination of these large contracts; and if, under the circumstances, he can cause reconsideration of this Order in view of these facts?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Mid-Antrim. The new system was introduced at the desire of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the British Armies in France, and the points mentioned in the question were no doubt considered.

Why should troops have to pay, not 20 per cent. more than they have had to pay formerly but up to 45 per cent. or 50 per cent?

For reasons which have been partly given and partly hinted at the General Officer came to the conclusion that it was necessary that these purchases should be made by the Expeditionary Force canteens.

Will my hon. Friend inquire into this matter again because it is an absolute fact that in many cases to my knowledge something like 100 per cent. more has been paid by soldiers for the few luxuries which they can get?

I have inquired very closely into it. I shall be very happy to discuss it with my hon. and gallant Friend, and if he is not satisfied he can put down a further question.

When foods are imported into France for consumption in these canteens do they pay the tax or tariff in France?

No, they do not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many official supervisors have been appointed by the controller for the Deutsche Bank, the Dresdner Bank, and the Disconto-Gessellschaft, respectively, and at what salaries, and whether he can state their names; whether any German or Austrian employé has had the sole or joint charge of any of the books or papers of any of said banks since the appointment of the official supervisors; whether the supervisors have kept the keys of the strong rooms containing the said books and papers, or what persons have; whether, in view of the fact that after the outbreak of war 118 enemy German and Austrian aliens were suffered to remain in the employment of the said banks, any special precautions, and, if so, what, were ever taken by the controller or the supervisors to prevent these persons, or any of them, making extracts from the said books or papers; and whether any German or Austrian employé has (been allowed to pass the night on the premises of the said banks since the City Police took possession on the 7th August, 1914?

The answer to the first three pares of the question is as follows: The following official supervisors have been appointed: At the Deutsche Bank, Mr. Ernest Cooper, senior partner in Messrs. Cooper Brothers and Company; at the Dresdner Bank, Mr. Lionel Maltby, partner in Messrs. Deloitte, Plender and Company; at the Disconto-Gesellschaft, Mr. William Cash, senior partner in Messrs. Cash, Stone and Company. The official supervisors are paid out of the funds of the respective banks at the rate of five guineas per day of seven hours for the official supervisors; two guineas for their senior assistants; one guinea per day for other assistants. In answer to the fourth, fifth, and sixth parts of the question, the books and papers of the banks are, of course, in use by the bank's officers during the day, subject to the control and supervision of the official supervisors. The steps taken For their security after working hours vary at the different banks, but in each case the books are placed in strong rooms or fireproof compartments, the keys of which are in the hands of messengers of British birth, or, where access can be gained only by unlocking two separate locks, the key of one is held by the official supervisor and that of the other by the management. The strong rooms of each bank can only be opened by the use of two different keys, one of which is held by the supervisor and one by the management. No one is allowed access to them after working hours. In answer to the last part of the question, no German or Austrian employé has been allowed to pass the night on any of the premises since the outbreak of the War.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he declined to allow his part in the correspondence between himself, Lord Northcliffe, and Sir William Plender in regard to the position of German banks in London to be published?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. I do not understand that any question was ever raised of the publication of a letter from me to Lord Northcliffe.

Was the right hon. Gentleman's permission asked before Sir William Plender published his letter?

No; Sir William Plender's letter was not written to me, but to Lord Northcliffe. I think the hon. Member is really under a misapprehension on the subject, and, if he will allow me, I shall be very happy to show him the whole correspondence.

Did not Lord Northcliffe, in fact, ask the right hon. Gentleman to permit the publication of his letter to Lord Northcliffe?

No; what happened was this: In reply to a letter from me, Lord Northcliffe wrote to me. My letter to him was a personal letter. Lord Northcliffe wrote to me, and in the course of his letter he stated what he proposed to do with regard to Sir William Plender. As I thought that would lead to misapprehension, and it might be supposed that I had complained of Sir William Plender, inasmuch as he was to be removed from his employment by Lord Northcliffe, I said whatever he published with regard to Sir William Plender I should prefer that he would publish it not in the form of a letter to me. I shall be very happy to show my hon. Friend the whole of the correspondence. As it originated in a personal letter, I do not think it is a matter which should be published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of Governments Departments who have been purchasing land during the War; whether these Departments all act independently; and what information he has as to the prices which have been paid?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by the Prime Minister on the 7th November. As regards the last part, the general rule is that no Government Department may purchase land outright without Treasury sanction, though certain Departments have discretionary power to purchase within prescribed limits (in the case of the War Office £1,000). These limits have not been raised since the outbreak of War.

In all these purchases, has regard been had to the price as ascertained by valuation?

I should like to have notice of that question It would involve much inquiry as regards every purchase, but I assume that would be the case.

Is the Treasury far too busy for any proper control over these Government Departments buying land all over the country at any price they like?

So far as we retain our control we exercise it, and this is one of the matters over which we have control.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to the legality under the Defence of the Realm Acts of the proposed conversion of Westenhanger Camp into a venereal hospital by the Canadian military authorities; and whether, in view of the doubtful legality of the scheme and the local opposition to it, he will give an assurance that the scheme now in abeyance shall not be proceeded with until an opportunity has been given of discussing the question in this House?

It has been decided not to use Westenhanger Camp as a venereal hospital The points mentioned in the question do not, therefore, arise. I must not, however, be taken as accepting my hon. Friend's view that there would have been any want of legality in using the camp for the purpose indicated.

Am I to understand that the scheme now has been finally abandoned, and is not merely in abeyance?

It is finally abandoned, so far as Westenhanger is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make an effort to secure leave for all men who have not yet had any during Christmas or New Year's week?

If my hon. Friend refers to troops abroad, I must remind him that the grant of leave is a question for the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. As regards troops at home, the matter is under consideration.

Is there any estimate of the number of men who have not yet had any leave of any kind?

I am afraid I have not any estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men who voluntarily enlisted for the period of the War and six months after in 1914 and 1915 as Army pay clerks, and who were medically certified in Class C 2 and were to receive rates of pay of 4s. and 3s, 6d. per day, are now being called upon, under Army Order No. 1915 of this year, to accept payment of 1s. 8d. per day or to leave the Army and join Army Reserve W.; will he explain why a contract for payment of the above wages entered into with these men is not kept for the period for which they joined the Army; and will he state, if these men join Army Reserve W, whether they will be liable to be called up at any time to do the same class of work at the lower rate of pay of 1s. 8d. per day?

The men referred to (who were enlisted at special rates of pay) were enlisted as fit for clerical duties overseas. The present arrangement applies only to those men who are found to be permanently unfit for service overseas. Such men, if transferred to Class P, or W., P. (T.), or W. (T.), of the Reserve by substitution, will not be recalled to the Colours so long as they remain in their employment—not necessarily with the same employer. If transferred to any of the above Reserves without substitution being effected, such men will be liable to recall to the Colours at any time should the exigencies of the Service so demand.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that whereas a major commanding a battalion in France receives the temporary rank and pay of a lieutenant-colonel, a captain in command of a battalion receives neither the temporary rank or pay in spite of the fact that he has precisely similar duties and greater responsibilities in the exercise of his command; and whether he will cause this state of affairs to be remedied?

This alteration has already been made. An officer appointed to command a battalion gets the acting rank of lieutenant-colonel, with pay as such, whatever his permanent rank may be.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a brigade commander appointed in 1914 becomes junior to a brigade commander appointed in 1916; if the latter is senior to-him in permanent rank; and whether this can now be rectified so that the temporary rank of brigadier-general may have the-same seniority as other temporary ranks?

Yes, Sir; seniority is decided by their substantive rank. It is not considered desirable to make any change.

Has my hon. Friend considered the fact that a brigade commander may have been promoted as far back as 1914, apparently for efficiency in the field, and another brigade commander may be only considered fit for promotion to-day, and yet the latter's substantive rank is greater than that of the other officer and he becomes his senior at once?

The matter was very fully considered by the military authorities at the outbreak of the War and has been quite recently reconsidered. They have come to the conclusion that it is best not to interfere.

Is it not time, after two and a half years of war, to unify the Army and have the same promotion for Kitchener's Army and the Territorials?

I am not quite sure that that question arises out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Private E. Robson, late No. 29829, No. 6 Company, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was discharged from the Army on 30th July after serving for one year and 126 days and is now a physical wreck, disabled by rheumatoid arthritis from following his employment; whether he is aware that up to the time of joining the Army he was free from rheumatism, and that the books of the company which employed him show that he was in regular work; and will he say upon what grounds the Chelsea Commissioners refuse this man any pension?

Inquiries are being made into this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the steadily increasing cost of living and the hardships which soldiers' wives and dependants are enduring, whether he can state definitely when the Government proposes to increase the allowances and to what extent?

This matter is being reconsidered.

If we bring to the notice of my right hon. Friend that many soldiers' wives are actually pawning the goods out of their houses in order to get food, can he not give an undertaking that the Cabinet will come to a decision within the next week?

asked whether there is any intention to reduce the billeting allowance for sleeping accommodation to soldiers; and, if so, what is the reason for such an action?

There is no such intention.

asked the Home Secretary why there is no representative from Ireland on the Committee to inquire into the use of cocaine for dentalpurposes; whether there is a representative of every party in this House on this Committee except the Irish party; and whether he will appoint a representative from Ireland, in view of the importance of this subject to a large section of the people in Ireland?

The Committee is a small one, consisting of only five Members. As the question is a general one, which does not appear to affect the different parts of the United Kingdom differently, it was not thought necessary to provide for the specific representation of Ireland or of Scotland or Wales. No doubt the Committee would consider any application to hear evidence from Ireland.

asked whether steps will be taken to ensure that the 2,400 German civilians now about to be repatriated shall not return to this country after the War?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 17th October, in which he said that the matter of alien immigration from enemy countries after the War was being closely considered. The question of the return of Germans repatriated during the War is included in the examination of the subject which is now proceeding.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not furnish us with the numbers of Germans and Austrians who are naturalised subjects?

No, Sir, for the reason I have given. There is no record of the number who die or leave the country.

No approximate number?

No.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent conviction, with a fine of £3 at Lambeth Police Court, of Carl Hackemer, a German subject aged twenty-seven, a clerk employed in the City, for travelling more than five miles from his residence, 28, Lorrimore Street, Walworth Road; can he state why this man, who is of military age, is not interned; can he say if he is employed by a German firm; and, in view of the local feeling of the English residents in the district whose husbands and sons have been called to the Colours, will he have this alien enemy of twenty-seven interned at once?

This man, who has been in this country since he was four years old, was exempted from internment on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. He has been convicted as stated, and I am making further inquiry into the case, the result of which I will communicate to my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the totals of naturalised British subjects of German origin and Austrian origin, respectively; for what reasons twenty-seven persons of German origin and two persons of Austrian origin are interned under the Defence of the Realm Regulations; and whether any, and, if so, how many of the said naturalised Germans and Austrians have made formal renunciation of their German and Austrian citizenship which was accepted by their respective Governments?

There are no figures available of the nature asked for in the first part of the question, as there is no record of the number of naturalised persons who have died or have left the country. Nor are there any figures which would enable an answer to be given to the third part of the question. The persons referred to in the second part were interned because it appeared to the Home Secre- tary in the terms of Regulation 14 B that this was expedient "for securing the public safety or the defence of the realm."

asked the Home Secretary whether ho is aware that Morris Arbeid, of 60, Holloway-road, N., a Dutch subject resident in England for over three years, was arrested at Holborn Town Hall on 11th November, discharged at Bow Street two days later on the ground that there was no charge against him, rearrested on 16th November, and is now at Cannon Row Police, Station under threat of deportation; and whether any charge is to be preferred against him or, failing this, whether steps will be taken to secure his release?

This man is an alien who has been employed as an hotel porter in Inverness and in London, and who refuses to conform to the requirements imposed under the Aliens' Restriction Act. In April last he was imprisoned for giving false particulars for the register. Recently he has been prosecuted for changing his lodgings without saying where he was going; and though he escaped conviction on a technical ground, the fact was not denied. When received in prison in April he admitted a previous conviction for indecency. In view of all the circumstances, it appears to be a case where his return to his own country should be enforced.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what steps have been taken to ensure that all old age pensioners in Ireland who are entitled to receive the additional 2s. 6d. per week in their pension allowance may be able to avail themselves of this increase immediately?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have yet devised or are considering any scheme, by way of Grant or otherwise, that would enable the Irish railway companies to pay a war bonus to their employés similar to that paid to English railway employés?

I am not aware that Any such scheme is being considered by the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make public a list of all firms and companies which have been declared enemies in any of His Majesty's self-governing Dominions; and if he will say whether all such firms and companies are officially considered as enemies in the United Kingdom?

The question whether or not a particular firm or company is permitted to trade in this country can only be determined by United Kingdom law and not by reference to any action taken under local law in another part of the Empire. I see no necessity to publish a list such as is suggested.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention to treat enemy firms in this country in the same way that they are treated in the Dominions; and whether a firm which is treated as an enemy in the Dominions will be treated as an enemy here?

We can only act here under the law of the United Kingdom.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that it is an anomaly to treat a firm as an enemy in one part of the Kingdom and not in another part of the Kingdom; and, if that be so, is it not necessary to alter the law, if we have not the power?

The circumstances of each case have to be considered. I will look into the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman take the opinion of the Law Officers on this question?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, after two years and a quarter of war, no steps have yet been taken to sell the premises of the German banks or of the Hamburg-Amerika Shipping Company in London, such course being the only effectual means of preventing their continuing to trade here after the War; and whether he will make a declaration on the part of the Government as to the Cabinet's intentions in this and similar cases?

With regard to the German banks, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday to the hon. and learned Member for the City, of York. The premises of the Hamburg-Amerika Line were until recently commandeered by the War Office, and are now, I understand, partly occupied by the Admiralty. But I am making further inquiries into the exact position and will communicate again with my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Société Suisse pour Valeurs de Metaux, Basle, which is identical with the Schweizerische Gesellschaft fur Mctall-werke, Basle, was a company promoted by the Metallgesellschaft, of Frankfurt; and whether, on account of this Swiss company holding a large number of the shares of Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, he can say if the Metallgesell schaft continues to be interested in Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited?

I am informed that the Swiss company referred to was promoted by the Metallgesellschaft, which, through the shareholding of the Swiss company, has an indirect interest in 11,875 shares out of the issued capital of 95,000 shares in Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited. That company recently applied to the Board of Trade for permission to initiate negotiations for the acquisition of the shares belongng to the Swiss company by British subjects.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the existing opinion that this process of juggling with shares will not have the desired effect?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the American Metal Company of New York is a concern which is mainly directed by German-born subjects; whether the Metallgesell-schaft and Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, are largely interested in this company; and whether he was consulted as regards giving permission for Mr. Frank Baer, of Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, a German-born subject who had been refused exemption from military service, to go to America and have the opportunity of uncensored intercourse with the American Metal Company?

I have no official information as to the nationality of the directors of the American Metal Company of New York, but I am informed that they are all American subjects of whom half are German-born and half are American-horn. Both the Metallgesellschaft and Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, are largely interested in the company. I have no record of having been consulted with regard to Mr. Frank Baer being given permission to go to America, but the object of his visit was to conduct negotiations which had been approved by the Board of Trade.

When the hon. Gentleman says he has no records, how does he know what the object was of Mr. Baer's going to America?

Certain negotiations that had been referred to them were sanctioned or approved by the Board of Trade, but, so far as I can trace it, we had no knowledge, and we were not consulted, as to who was to carry out those negotiations.

Can the hon. Gentleman say who was consulted?

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the American Metal Company is held to be an enemy company in the Colonies?

In Australia; but I must have notice of the question. The answer is Yes, as to the Commonwealth of Australia, where the company is treated as an enemy company. As I answered the other day, I understand that they have applied to be removed.

If in Australia, why not here?

Did not the hon. Gentleman say in answer to a question of mine a few days ago that he was entirely unaware of the object of Mr. Baer's visit to America, and am I to understand that now he knows he went there to do something for the Board of Trade? Is this the same man?

He was not sent to do anything for the Board of Trade. The Department was consulted as to negotiation taking place between the Merton-Company and this American company, and the Beard of Trade, at any rate, approved of the negotiations being undertaken. We had no knowledge that Mr. Baer was to conduct those negotiations.

Are we to understand that this Mr. Baer can come to this country and go from this country as he pleases, and at his own option, and he an enemy?

I think Mr. Baer is a British subject.

Is he not liable for military service?

I do not know.

What were those negotiations?

The hon. Gentleman has already given his answer.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Government are still purchasing goods from Messrs. H. and R. Merton and Company or whether they are acting for the Government in any capacity; and, if so, is he unable to find a British firm without alien or enemy connections to carry out this work?

Messrs. Mertons do not act for the Government. They are given the opportunity from time to time of tendering with other important firms for the supply of certain metals. So far as the Ministry are aware, enemy connections have no influence or share in the present conduct of business by the firm. I may add that the whole question of metal economy and purchase is being most carefully reviewed at the present time.

Will the hon. Gentleman take the trouble to find out whether there are any enemy connections or not?

I will inquire.

Is it not the fact that the question of the dealing with this Merton Company has been under consideration for two and a half years, and when will the consideration come to an end?

I will inquire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he can state the percentage of the amount of damage by air or sea raid of premises which have been insured compared with the premises damaged but not insured; and if a report on the working of the aircraft insurance scheme of the Government will be presented shortly; and (2) if the Government has a considerable sum of money in hand on account of the Government aircraft insurance scheme; and if it is proposed to reduce the rates for insurance in consequence in the near future?

It is not possible to estimate what percentage of the property damaged by hostile aircraft or bombardment was insured and what percentage was not insured, and I do not think the time has yet come for publishing the accounts of the Government aircraft insurance scheme. The question whether any alteration should be made in the rate of premium charged is under consideration.