asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the German ship "Deutschland" has yet sailed from an American port; if he has any official information showing that a part of her cargo consists of nickel, the product of Canadian mines, purchased by buyers in the United States of America for shipment thence to a German destination to be used by the armed forces of our enemies; and, if so, and in any case, whether any provision has been made by our Government or by the Canadian Government, or by both those Governments acting in concert, to prevent such shipment of nickel?

The "Deutschland" has sailed. I have no authentic information as to her cargo. With regard to the third part of the question, since the beginning of the War the most careful precautions have been taken to ensure the proper disposal of Canadian nickel.

Can the Noble Lord say whether that has been by concert between the British Government and the Canadian Government?

Yes, Sir.

Has the Noble Lord's attention been drawn to a statement made by Sir Wilfrid Laurier as to Canadian nickel being shipped by the "Deutschland?"

I think I did see some statement to that effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an illustrated weekly journal, entitled "O Espello," published in London in the Portuguese language, is entirely supported by the British Government, which pays the proprietors several hundred pounds for each issue, for the purpose of furthering the interests of the British and Allied cause in South America; whether he is aware that such newspaper has frequently contained both illustrations and letterpress calculated to throw discredit on the cause it is paid to champion; and will he say who is responsible for censoring "O Espello," and who are the persons who profit by the Government subsidy?

The facts are not as stated in the question. It would obviously be contrary to the public interest for the Government to make any statement as regards any steps which they may or may not be taking in connection with newspapers circulated in foreign countries in time of war.

If I supply the Noble Lord with instances where this paper has published statements which are detrimental to the cause of the Allies, will he cease from making the subsidy of £300 a week to a paper which is being circulated abroad and doing us harm?

I shall await any communication the hon. Member chooses to make.

Do not statements from various points of view give an appearance of neutrality and so attract a number of readers who would not otherwise see the paper?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has taken any steps to secure the fulfilment of the wish he expressed in his recent speech that the question of the defensive character of the Russian general mobilisation might be submitted to an independent tribunal; and whether, in this connection, his attention has been drawn to the statement of the German Chancellor that on the outbreak of war in 1914 a general instruction of the Russian Government, issued in 1912 for the contingency of mobilisation, was in force, which contained the following passage: By the All Highest, that it is ordered that the announcement of mobilisation is at the same time an announcement of war against Germany?

No step can be taken in the absence of any ground for thinking that the German Chancellor is willing to subject his statement to impartial and independent examination. The reference to the All Highest in the last part of the question is not understood, and we know nothing about it beyond what has appeared in the Press.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the part he does not understand is a part of the statement quoted verbally from the statement of the German Chancellor—the colon should come before the words "the following passage"—and has the German Government issued any denial of this statement?

It does not make it any more intelligible because it was made by the German Chancellor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Censor has stopped, in transit to America, "The Life of the Mother of Henry the Eighth," by Father Hannon, published by Talbot and Company, London; and will he see that works having no bearing on the War are not held up?

I have no doubt that this book was stopped because the sender had not obtained a permit for the dispatch of printed matter to America. Works having no bearing on the War are commonly selected, in preference to other works, by persons desiring to use printed matter as a means of secret communication.

Surely with the London publisher within arm's length of this House, it is not suggested that this gentleman is sending communications to America?

I do not think we can make an exception to the general rule in favour of a particular individual.

Can we not post a book to America without the leave of the Censor?

Not without getting a permit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Right Reverend Herbert Bury has just left England on a visit to British prisoners at Ruhleben; and, if so, will he state the circumstances under which this gentleman has been permitted to go to Germany and enter into communication with the enemy?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the object of Bishop Bury's visit, which has received the previous sanction of His Majesty's Government, is, as the hon. Member states, to visit the British prisoners of war at Ruhleben and not to enter into communication with the enemy.

Is it not possible on this visit to enter into communication with the enemy, and is not that precisely what Miss Hobhouse has been condemned for?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the price of coal in the cities and towns in Ireland is such a high price this winter that it is impossible for the poor to acquire a sufficient supply of it from week to week; and whether, on be half of the Government, he will take some steps by which they could obtain it at a reasonable price?

I would refer to the reply given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Secretary of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Belfast (West).

Do the Government intend to help the poor at all this winter?

The same difficulty, in a more or less aggravated degree, which arises in the towns and rural districts of Ireland in regard to this matter arises in various parts of the country. Every effort that can be made by the Irish Executive Government to ascertain what means there are for public encouragement or assistance and what can be done to stimulate local effort will be done.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the various schemes of amalgamation of unions put forward by local authorities in county Donegal; whether he is aware that in the case of the Dunfanaghy Union the number of officials of the workhouse equals or exceeds the number of inmates, including the sick; and whether, having regard to the necessity of enforcing economy, the Local Government Board propose to give any effect to the desires expressed by the various boards of guardians?

As regards the first part of the question, no schemes of amalgamation of unions in county Donegal have been submitted to the Local Government Board, but the Donegal Board of Guardians have recently invited representatives from Ballyshannon, Glenties and Stranorlar Unions to meet for the purpose of discussing this question, and apparently arrangements are being made for the holding of a county conference. I understand there are as many union officials as inmates of the workhouse in the union to-which the hon. Member refers. The Board, where possible, are most desirous of giving effect to schemes of amalgamation or schemes for the closing of workhouses and the transfer of the inmates to adjoining workhouses under the powers conferred by the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, as amended by Section 23 (4) and 24 (2) of the Local Government (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1916. The Dunfanaghy guardians recently approached the Glenties guardians with a view to such an arrangement, but the latter preferred not to entertain the question at present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Dunfanaghy Board of Guardians have repeatedly written to the Local Government Board in reference to a scheme of this sort and have not been able to get any reply whatever?

I am not aware of that. If I find it is a fact I shall want to know why it has happened.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the fact that Freemason lodges are inviting all Protestant policemen to take immediate steps to become members of the Freemason Society before the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Bill is placed on the Statute Book as an Act of Parliament; will he inquire if the Limerick Lodge is to hold a special meeting on Friday night next, the 24th instant, to facilitate two-members of the police force, stationed at William Street Police Barracks, Limerick, in becoming members of this society, having regard to recent Parliamentary action in the interest of good order and discipline of the Royal Irish Constabulary; will he take action to prevent them from joining the Freemasons' Society; and, in view of the recent police developments in Dublin, will he give orders that any policeman joining this society in the city of Limerick will be sent to some other station?

I have no information that Freemasons' lodges are taking action as alleged in this question, nor that the Limerick Lodge is to hold a meeting with the object mentioned.

Are we to understand that while it is treason for Irish policemen to join a Catholic benefit society, it is a means of advancement for policemen in Ireland to join the Freemason society, which is a political society?

If my hon. Friend understands anything of the kind he will be very much mistaken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have inquiries made in Limerick from an impartial authority as to the statement made in this question?

If hon. Members will have regard to the action taken by the hon. Member for East Mayo on this difficult subject, less than a week ago, they will see how far it is in the public interest that questions of this kind should be pressed.

The hon. Member for East Mayo did not imply that there should be—

The hon. Member is not entitled to argue.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was consulted by the Local Government Board when it agreed to allow the Kanturk guardians to repeal its resolution not to give posts to women who had not served as nurses at the front?

The Board did not refer this matter to me.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the Local Government Board in Ireland consented to the repeal of the resolution by the Kanturk guardians not to give posts to nurses who had not served at the front, without having advertised the fact?

I understand the Local Government Board has no control over the repeal by local authorities of resolutions as to the management of their internal affairs, except where there is such control given by Statute, and this matter is outside the Statute.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that the majority of mares in Ireland at present are being put to heavy horses, he will consider the advisability of the Veterinary Department rescinding their order against the import of cast Army mares, sound for breeding purposes, which could be put to thoroughbred horses, and so keep up the supply of troopers?

The Irish Department of Agriculture are prepared to consider on its merits any application made to them to import into Ireland from Great Britain mares cast from the British Army, provided they have not come from abroad.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the leading agricultural societies in Iceland, including the Royal Dublin Society, have already made the request?

If they have, and the particulars are forwarded to my office, I will ascertain what has been done; and if nothing has been done, I will ascertain what I think ought to be done.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that complaints are being made by traders that there is a serious wastage of food due to the careless handling in transit of eggs sent from various parts of Ireland to England; and whether he will take steps to see that on the Irish railways and on the boats boxes of eggs will be properly handled?

The Department of Agriculture in Ireland have received several complaints as to the damaged condition of consignments of Irish eggs on arrival at their destination in England. Railway stations and ports in Ireland are visited by the Department's transit inspectors, and action is taken in regard to any cases of carelessness in handling which come under notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the railway companies bringing eggs from the Continent have made special provisions for this traffic by having special carriages, and will he see that the same is done on the Irish side?

If the hon. Member brings the matter to the attention of the Department of Agriculture for Ireland I am sure that it will receive careful attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Department hardly ever answers letters?

I do not know what it does in reference to correspondence. I know that it is very active in regard to agriculture.

Not about broken eggs.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what arrangements have been made for a supply of flax seed to Irish growers for the coming season?

For a considerable time past the Department have been constantly in communication with the Foreign Office and with Irish importers with a view to securing sufficient flax seed for Irish requirements next season. A large quantity of seed has been purchased, and it is hoped that this supply will be available before the commencement of the sowing season. It is understood that there are at present in Ireland about 8,000 bags of imported seed remaining from last season, which it is hoped may be suitable for sowing in spring. The whole question will continue to receive the Department's most careful attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a telegram from the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce protesting against the admission of neutral bids for the Nigerian properties offered for sale; and whether he has given any consideration to this communication?

The communication from the Chamber was received and duly considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take it into account in any future sale that is contemplated?

Yes, and every other relative consideration.

asked what steps are being taken in the Colonies and Protectorates of West Africa to ascertain the attitude of local opinion both native and European upon the effects, political and economic, of the proposed tax on edible oil nuts?

Before the proposed duty can be levied, the Ordinances imposing it will have to be discussed in the Legislative Councils of the Colonies, in which local opinion, both European and native, is duly represented. It is also open to anyone to make representations to me through the Governor. The proposal has already been much discussed in the local newspapers.

asked whether any further opportunity for Parliamentary discussion will be provided before the suggested tax on palm kernels is actually imposed?

The matter has already been very fully discussed, and I do not consider that any further opportunity for discussion is required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in May last, in Northern Nigeria, an accident occurred involving the death of one native and the total disablement of another at the Kaduna mines, and that the verdict at the inquest was one of culpable negligence on the part of a European named James Park; and whether he is aware that the Council of the Chamber of Mines intervened and sent a telegram attacking the judicial authorities to the acting lieutenant-governor, at the same time circulating publicly copies of the telegram; and, seeing that the acting lieutenant-governor removed the judicial officer and ordered the issue of a nolle prosequi, what steps, if any, does he propose to take in this case of interference with the course of justice?

I have received no information, but will ask the Governor-General for a report on the case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to put any restrictions on the volume of travel on the railway lines at the present time such as are in force on the railways in the other countries involved in the War; and if steps will be taken to induce people to economise in travel as well as in other directions and save the amount of labour and coal involved?

As stated on Tuesday, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme, passenger services have already been considerably reduced, and further reductions may be necessary later on.

Is not the question whether considerable restrictions could not be made actually on the people travelling themselves, and is there not a number of railway journeys that are totally unnecessary?

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of cutting down the tremendous amount of individual luggage that is carried about at present?

Some restrictions have already been imposed.

Have not the railway companies dealing with the North and the Midlands cut down passenger traffic by a far larger percentage than the companies in the South and South-West?

There may be something in that. I shall call the attention of the Managing Committee to that point.

Are the railway companies still advertising for business?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken any further action in regard to the London Emery Works Company, Limited, owned by a German named Seligmann, which is a branch of a German company: whether a supervisor has been in existence for nearly a year; whether Government work is still being done; what the profits have been; and whether the time has now come to wind up the business under the Trading With the Enemy Act?

The necessary vesting orders are being prepared to enable the Public Trustee to sell the business of the London Emery Works, Limited, and give a good title to a purchaser. The business has been carried on under supervision since February, 1915, and the company is a controlled establishment. No profits were made for the year 1915.

Why was not the order made before?

A controller was put in after the Act was passed.

Why has not the Board of Trade taken before this the step which it has now taken?

I will look into that. There are some hundreds of firms to deal with, and they could not all be dealt with at once.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the condition of semi-starvation to which numbers of the women workers in the linen trade in Belfast have been reduced by low wages and the working of short time in the mills and factories, he will state the facts and figures upon which the employers rely to justify the deduction of their production to two-thirds of what it has been and their refusal to pay their employés a living wage?

I understand that a good deal of short time is being worked in the linen trade in Belfast, due partly to shortage of raw material and partly to lack of orders for linen goods. The question of wages in the linen trade will receive consideration in connection with the general question of extending the operation of the Trade Boards Act.

Are the Department prepared to make representations that more work should be provided in Ireland by the making of munitions there?

May I ask the hon. Gentleman in this matter of the linen industry of Belfast to act very carefully, because if it is not cautiously handled it might necessitate the closing down of the mills altogether, in which event the poor girls would have nothing to do?

It is for that reason we are dealing with it under the Trade Boards Act.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there was a strike in consequence of the low wages paid by the employers, and that the women have been taken back again and given full pay?

I am afraid I cannot speak from personal knowledge.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the demand of the spinners in the York Street Flax Spinning Company's mill, Belfast, for an advance in wages amounting to 3s. a week has been refused on the ground that the present state of trade does not warrant the concession of it; that a number of the spinners have ceased work and that a general strike is threatened; whether the average wages of these women in normal times is only 13s. 6d. a week, equivalent to 5s. 4d. at present values, and that even this is depleted owing to the decision of the mills to limit the output to two-thirds of the normal; whether he is aware of the distress at present prevailing amongst the mill workers in Belfast and that a strike would lead to the most serious consequences; and whether he will send Sir George Askwith, or some competent representative of the Board of Trade, to investigate and report on the dispute and to endeavour to bring about a satisfactory settlement of it?

I am aware that, following on the refusal by the employers of an application of the spinners in the Belfast district for an advance of wages, a stoppage of work occurred in the spinning department of the York Street Flax Spinning Company, Limited. The chief Industrial Commissioner is making inquiry in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the York Street Flax Spinning Company, Limited, Belfast, have refused to accede to the demand of their mill workers for a small increase in wages, and consequently hundreds of these workers have been out on strike; whether he is aware that this company have been making large profits since the outbreak of the War and paying big dividends, and that out of these profits, within the past year, a bonus of from £10 to £20 per cent. of their salaries was paid to the officials and staff of this company, whilst not 1d. was given, or proposed to be given, to the mill workers, most of whom are women and girls earning from 9s. to 13s. a week; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking action under the Trade Boards Act in the matter?

I am aware that there has been a strike for an increase in wages among the workers employed by the York Street Flax Spinning Company. The chief Industrial Commissioner has been in communication with the firm, and it is understood that work has now been resumed. I have no knowledge of the other matters referred to in the question. As my hon. Friend was informed in reply to his question on Tuesday, the question of applying the Trade Boards Act to the linen trade will be considered in connection with the general position of extending the operation of the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a central board upon which there shall be representatives of trade unions, employers, and the Government to consider and advise regarding the whole question of demobilisation and re-employment after the War?

The question of demobilisation and re-employment after the War is one which is under consideration by the Reconstruction Committee appointed by the Prime Minister. The main Committee and its Sub-Committees include representatives of trade unions, employers, and the Government Departments concerned.

How many times has the Committee met, and when did it meet last?

I do not know. I am not a member of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions have taken place under the Coal Prices Restriction Act?

I have not heard of any prosecution under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. Questions that have arisen have so far been settled without legal proceedings usually by the Board of Trade or the District Coal and Coke Supplies Committees.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the block which now exists owing to the number of starred questions which are put to the Ministers by certain Members who put down from six to eight questions each day; that on Thursday, 16th November, these questions numbered 202, of which only 116 could be answered in the extended time now available; and if, to save the work this throws on the Government Departments and to ensure the answering of important questions orally, be will consider the suggestion of limiting the number of questions of each Member to three as a maximum each day during the War?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on my behalf by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary on the 14th November, to which, I fear, I can at the moment add nothing.

Is not the matter pressing, as there are again about 200 questions on the Paper to-day?

Yes, and it is receiving consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that information likely to be of value to the enemy may be made available to them by questions put to Ministers in this House, he will consider the setting up of a censorship of questions by giving Mr. Speaker power, with the assistance of a Committee representing all parties in the House, if necessary, to refuse to allow any questions likely to afford such information to appear on the Order Paper or to be put in the House during the period of the War?

I will consider this suggestion and consult Mr. Speaker about it.

asked the Prime Minister whether any special Department has been established for the study on the historical, geographical, racial, as well as political and diplomatic side, of all the problems that must arise at the conclusion of the War; whether careful preparation is being made in good time to ascertain by expert knowledge, and in consultation with our Allies, the complex considerations involved in frontier delimitations and possible transfers of territory and whether carefully selected officials are being properly trained in a close and particular knowledge of the problems in question, as well as being made conversant with the best general policy, not merely formulated with a view to secure temporary national advantages, but devised to establish more permanent international good will through a wisely constructed treaty of peace?

The hon. Member may be assured that the various points which he raises have in fact all received the attention of His Majesty's Government, but I am not prepared to give detailed information as to the steps which they have considered it advisable to take.

May I ask the Noble Lord whether, seeing in the past that military victories have been so often thrown away by the ignorance of diplomatists in council, it is not worth while to make a special effort in order to make full preparations for the congress, or whatever it may be, which will take place after peace has been declared?

I am sure it will be desirable to make all special efforts. I do not know whether the hon. Member has any personal suggestion to make.

Is the Noble Lord aware that throughout the country there is not complete and absolute confidence in the diplomatic skill of His Majesty's Government?

I am quite aware of that. I believe there is not complete and absolute confidence in the hon. Member.

Does the Noble Lord think that two wrongs make a right?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to state whether the Government adopts the ton-for-ton policy after consultation with the Allies?

We are now in consultation with our Allies on this subject.