asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that no undertaking is to be allowed to spend more than a limited proportion of its capital in advertising, his attention has been called to the sums disbursed during the last week or two by the "Sunday Pictorial" newspaper in advertising a contribution to its columns by the late First Lord of the Admiralty; whether he is aware that the said newspaper is the property of Lord Rothermere, Director-General of the Army Clothing Department; and whether he will take steps to find out and verify the amount of the excess profits for which the "Sunday Pictorial" newspaper is legally bound to pay duty?

I see no reason to make any special inquiry into this case which will be dealt with in the ordinary course by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in conformity with law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount of British claims against the Deutsche Bank, other than the London branch; if he is aware that a vesting order of the surplus assets of the Deutsche Bank, after satisfying the British creditors of the London branch, was made by the Court in May last, and that, owing to the delay of the controller of the bank in supplying particulars of securities to the Court, the vesting order cannot be proceeded with; and whether he is aware that this delay is occasioning loss to the British creditors concerned who want payment of their debts?

I am afraid I cannot without detailed inquiry answer the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, I presume the hon. Member refers to the vesting order made with respect to the securities of the London Agency of the Deutsche Bank by Mr. Justice Younger. He has been completely misinformed that that vesting order is not being proceeded with. The detailed schedules of the securities are being completed with all despatch, and as explained before, the sorting out and obtaining of information with respect to all the securities involves an immense amount of labour and correspondence. The first schedule is almost complete, and fills a volume of very considerable size.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the York Street Flax Spinning Company, Limited, Belfast, realised so much profit within the present year that it decided rather than pay the tax on the excess over pre-war profits to pay, and did pay, a bonus of from 10 to 20 per cent. on their salaries to its official staff, but not one penny was given or proposed to be given for distribution amongst the women workers in the company's mill whose maximum wage is about 13s. a week; and, if so, whether he will have inquiry made into this matter and communicate the result to the House?

The Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, contains provisions for dealing with operations which artificially reduce the amount to be taken as the profit for purposes of Excess Profits Duty, and the Commissioners of Inland Revenue will make due inquiry into any cases which appear to call for investigation in this respect. I could not, however, undertake to publish the results of such inquiries made in the case of particular taxpayers.

asked whether payment of any additional allowances has yet been made to old age pensioners; and, if not, when the same will be paid?

In cases where additional allowances have already been granted, payments are now being made. As has been previously explained, over half a million pensioners have-already applied for allowances, and some time must necessarily elapse before the pension authorities can decide the whole of them. But this will not affect the date from which the allowances, where granted, will be payable.

asked the First Lord of the-Admiralty whether the oath of allegiance to the King, his heirs, and successors has been abolished in the case of lower-deck ratings on joining the Royal Navy; and, if so, when, and whether he will take steps to restore the form of attestation to its earlier form?

Ratings entering the Royal Navy have never been required to take the oath of allegiance; the second part of the question does net therefore arise. I should like, however, to assure my hon. Friend that there has been no recent change in the form of engagement, nor is any contemplated.

asked if any means have yet been devised to ensure a supply of coal at reasonable prices for the poor of Dublin during the coming winter months?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether he has received a copy of resolutions passed at a meeting of St. Patrick's Division, Dublin residents, and also by the Blackrock Urban District Council, respecting the price and shortage of coal and potatoes; what measures have been taken in the matter; and (2) whether he has received a resolution from the St. Patrick's Division residents respecting the price and shortage of coal and potatoes in Dublin City; and whether he can state what remedial measures are being taken by the Government in cooperation with the local authorities?

I have received the resolutions referred to. As to coal, I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Belfast (West). As to potatoes, I hope that the Director of Food Supplies and the Irish Executive may be able to devise action which will, at any rate, prevent the artificial increase of prices.

asked what steps are being taken to establish in the twenty county boroughs and 130 other towns now without such organsations the juvenile advisory committees which the Departmental Committee states to be now needed?

The Board have issued a circular calling attention to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee and urging the formation of juvenile employment committees under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act. They are also instructing their inspectors to bring the matter to the special attention of authorities in whose areas no such committee exists.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who were rejected after 15th August, 1915, and who were re-examined in response to a pink form stating that if they were again rejected for any form of military service the decision would be final, and who were rejected again on such re-examination, will not be called up for service with the Colours?

These men will not be called up again for service with the Colours unless, in view of national requirements, Parliament makes further provisions affecting such men.

asked the Secretary of State for War in regard to the new Order calling up for medical re-examination all those group and class men who have been placed in categories not being taken for active service, and who have been sent back to their homes, whether such men as, on re-examination, are found fit for any category from which Reservists are being taken for the Colours, will be given fourteen days' notice calling them up unless they possess a certificate giving them a promise of two months' notice; whether he is aware that previous to this guarantee of two months notice being printed on the medical classification cards numbers of men who were thus sent home were informed verbally that they would not be likely to be wanted, but that if they were wanted they would receive at least two months' notice; and whether the verbal promise will be respected in the same way as the written promise?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The official recognition of unauthorised oral promises is, I am afraid, impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the recent Order calling up for medical reexamination attested men who have been rejected by medical boards, it is stated that no man who has been re-examined by a medical board since 25th May is to be called upon for the present to be reexamined under this instruction; whether he is aware that the use of the words "for the present" has destroyed all certainty as to the position of men rejected by medical boards since 25th May; whether these men were given an assurance upon the pink form W 3299, issued between June and September, that, if upon examination they were rejected as unfit for any form of military service, the decision would be final; whether he is aware that many of these men have since, on the strength of that assurance, entered into business commitments and undertaken responsibilities; and whether he can do anything to put an end to the suspense in which they have now been placed?

The pink form W 3299 is not applicable to attested men. It is applicable to men who, having offered themselves for enlistment since the 14th August, 1915, and been rejected, were required by the Army Council to present themselves for medical re-examination. There is no intention at present to call up for medical re-examination any man who, having been previously rejected, has been re-examined by a medical board since the 25th May and again rejected. If the military situation required it, however, in the future, it might be necessary to make some use of such men, but it is not considered that they are in any greater suspense than other members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to withdraw the provisional exemptions granted to workmen in the optical lens trade; and whether, before sanctioning such withdrawal, he will make inquiries of the trade as to the difficulties which, in the present state of the trade, attend the maintenance of the needed supplies of optical lenses to the Navy and Army?

Except for those who have been granted war service badge certificates, the exemption of workmen in the optical lens trade rests with tribunals.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the sluice gate of the upper weir, at Rhayader, on the River Whey, was recently maliciously destroyed by explosives; and that four of the water bailiffs in the service of the Whey Board of Conservators were brutally assaulted by a gang of forty to fifty men, the majority of whom consisted of local inhabitants of military age; and whether he will suggest to the local recruiting officers that some of the superabundant energy thus displayed might be turned into a more profitable channel by the recruitment of the persons concerned for the Army?

I will have a copy of my hon. and gallant Friend's question sent to the local military authorities for their attention and consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Samuel Robert William Ball and Frederick Setterfield, constables of the D Division of the Metropolitan Police, were dismissed on 16th November for attempting to induce members of the police force to join a union and that these men have been called upon to report themselves under the Military Service Act on 5th December; and will he take steps to secure that no action is taken against these men by the military authorities before this House has had an opportunity to consider the question of their reinstatement by an amendment of the regulation which debars the police from exercising rights established in the case of other Civil servants?

The general question of combination among the police was discussed in this House on the 17th June, 1915. In these circumstances I see no reason to interfere with the operation of the Military Service Acts.

asked whether the mother of Private William Holdsworth, No. 9261, A Company, Highland Light Infantry, Maldon, Essex, a soldier of sixteen, whose father is serving in India, and the eldest of seven children, the other six being under working age, is entitled to claim his discharge under the recently issued Army Council instruction relating to soldiers under age?

No, Sir; he is not entitled to claim his discharge.

asked whether C2 and C3 men are to undergo another medical examination, while so many Class A men are still retained in the employment of Government Departments and controlled establishments?

The hon. Member may rest assured that Class A men in Government Departments who are not possessed of some natural aptitude or acquired skill which renders their work in civil life indispensable in the national interest are not being overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the scheme whereby men in categories unfit for general service are being released to work at specified trades in substitution for men fit for general service at present employed in these trades, taken in conjunction with the fact that men in categories not required for military service are being called to the Colours for the purpose of substitution, amounts to a scheme of industrial conscription; whether he has considered the injustice of a scheme of industrial conscription limited to the medically unfit; and whether he can make a statement of the policy of the Government in regard to this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 14th November by the Prime Ministor to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield.

asked whether men who after offering themselves and being rejected receive a notice for re-examination are then re-examined and given certificates marked rejected, and therefore exempt from military service, are finally free from all claims under the Military Service Acts; and does the announcement to the effect that men who have been rejected since the 25th May last will not at present be called up in any way affect the position of such men?

Men who have offered themselves for enlistment since 14th August, 1915, and who on being called up for re-examination are rejected as unfit for any form of military service are not liable to be called up again under the Military Service Acts. The announcement referred to by my hon. Friend does not affect the position of such men.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the recruiting officer at Brierley Hill called up Mr. D. Sedge-ley, of 84, Halesowen Road, Old Hill, to join the Colours on 1st November, seeing that the two months' grace to which he was entitled on his certificate of exemption did not expire till 30th November?

Inquiries are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. R. Vaughan Gower, who has recently been appointed military representative of the West Kent Appeal Tribunal, is himself of military age; and, if so, whether, in view of the need of every available man of military age for the Army, he will take steps to appoint someone over military age to discharge these duties?

Inquiries are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Private William Murphy, No. 57905, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was a Reservist living in Ireland at the outbreak of the war and who is now a time-expired soldier, can be compelled to remain in the Army against his wishes under the Military Service Act; and, if not, why was he put in orders in his regiment for retention in the Army?

I am making inquiries into the circumstances of this case, and, when I have received a report, I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a young man named James Michael Kearney, of Clanworth, county Cork, was arrested there on 26th September as an absentee under the Military Service Act; was deported to London without being brought before a magistrate in Ireland; that at Bow Street he was remanded on bail, and subsequently tried; that the magistrate, after hearing the evidence, slated, if any offence was committed, it was committed in Ireland; that he was in doubt as to whether any offence was committed, and that he had no jurisdiction; that Kearney was then discharged, but rearrested by the military when he got outside the Court, taken to Whitehall and confined to cells, and subsequently taken to Chelsea; that he was compelled to wear the uniform of the London Irish Rifles, and then taken to Mornhill Camp and confined there for six weeks; that he was subsequently, by order of the War Office, discharged, and received a pass to his home; will be say by whose authority were these irregularities committed; and what are the intentions of the War Office in respect to Mr. Kearney?

The facts in regard to this man are not altogether as stated by my hon. and learned Friend. Kearney was brought before a magistrate in Ireland and was again brought before a magistrate in London. The magistrate in London, having heard the evidence, held that he had no jurisdiction, but stated that he would have held Kearney to be an absentee if he had had jurisdiction. Kearney was posted, but was relegated to the Reserve, a question having been raised as to the regularity of the legal proceedings. It may become necessary to test Kearney's liability in a Civil Court.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the address to which persons who are ineligible for Army service should apply when volunteering to take posts in Government Departments temporarily for the purpose of enabling Government employés who are eligible for Army service to be released?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. Application should be made to the local Employment Exchange if ordinary clerical work is desired, and to the Professional Classes War Service Register, Queen Anne's Chambers, Broadway, Westminster, if the offer is made by a person of professional standing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that Mr. Robert Addison, a tenant farmer in the parish of Binbrook, Lincolnshire, has been compelled to join up; whether he is aware that Mr. Addison farms 600 acres, 400 of which is arable land, that at the time of joining up he had 850 sheep, ninety beasts, and sixteen horses on his farm, and that Mr. Addison acted as his own foreman and shepherd; and whether, in view of the importance of the production of food for the people, he will press the military authorities to allow this man to return to his work at once?

I understand that the facts of this case as stated in the question are correct. The Board are in communication with the War Office in the matter, and they understand that that Department has asked the Officer Commanding in the recruiting area to render a full report of the case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that taxi-cab owner drivers having cabs on the hire-purchase system are being refused exemption from military service on the ground that no serious hardship will be experienced; whether he is aware that, in the majority of cases, the vendors of cabs refuse to relax their agreements, so that in the event of the men joining the Army the cab will revert to the vendors and the hirer lose all the money he has paid off the cab; and whether any steps can be taken to prevent such hardship?

The interests of a purchaser of a motor-cab on the hire-purchase system who joins His Majesty's Forces are protected by the Courts Emergency Powers Acts. The vendor cannot take possession without the consent of the Court. Assistance may also be granted in respect of instalments for the purchase of motor-cabs and of the cost of storage of cabs under the civil liabilities scheme. Grants for these purposes have already been made in a number of cases and in several instances the maximum grant of £104 per annum has been awarded.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if Private J. Rowan, No. 9987, Irish Guards, and Private W. Rowan, No. 11476, Royal Irish Regiment, have claimed dependant's separation allowances for their mother; if so has their application been granted; whether the mother has been or will be paid arrears from the date of the enlistment of these men; (2) if he is aware that Private Michael Condron, No. 19875 Dublin Fusiliers, who joined the Army on the 7th April, 1915, allotted his mother, Mrs. Margaret Condron, of Newtown Cuttyard, Queen's County, 6d. per day out of his pay, which sum she is receiving weekly; if he is aware that this woman has received no allowance whatever from the War office; whether this woman will be paid the usual allowance at once, together with arrears from the date of enlistment; and (3) if he is aware that Private William Foley, No. 2497, 4th Leinster Regiment, was discharged from the front on the 5th July, 1916, suffering from bronchitis and rheumatism, and has been a patient in Abbeyleix Infirmary since the end of July last, where he is still detained; if he is aware that Foley has served twenty-six years in the Army, seven years in the line, and nineteen years in the Special Reserve, during which latter period he served nearly three years in the Boer War; if he is aware that Foley has had three brothers serving at the front in France, one of whom has also been discharged as an invalid; if he is aware that, although Foley had been paying into the Army and Navy Insurance Department since mobilisation, he has received no benefits from the same; and whether, as this man is now invalided and unable to work, ho will be granted an adequate pension, and, pending the fixing of the same, he will immediately receive all grants, allowances, and benefits, to which he is entitled?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the results in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the result of the inquiries into the case of Joseph Brady, No. 3813, Leinster Regiment?

This case is still under consideration. I will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Andrew Dunne, of Drymaterril, Ballinakill, Queen's County, has yet received any pension in respect of his three sons who were killed in action, namely, Patrick Dunne, No. 3450, Irish Guards, William Dunne, No. 4390, Irish Guards, and John Dunne, No. 11191, Dublin Fusiliers; and whether Andrew Dunne has yet received any dependant's allowance in respect of his son Thomas Dunne, No. 11513, Irish Guards, who on-listed about two months ago?

Authority has been given for the grant of an allowance in respect of Patrick and William at the maximum pension rate of 5s. a week. Nothing is due in respect of John. The claim for allowance in respect of Thomas is being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Elizabeth Price, of Ballylinan, Queen's County, mother of Private James Price, No. 10962, Dublin Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 21st June last, has only received her son's allotment of 3s. 9d. with 1s. 9d. added by the War Office since 29th March last, and that from December, 1914, until 28th March last she only received the son's allotment of 3s. 9d.; if he can state whether the arrears of the War Office allowance from December, 1914, to 28th March last will be paid her at once, as she is in poor circumstances; and whether an adequate pension will be granted to this woman?

I will inquire as to the separation allowance. The pension is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether No. 20123 Private Joseph Clarke, 5th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry, who has been discharged from the Army with his spine injured by a shell and wounded also in the right leg so that he will be a cripple for life, has only been granted a pension of 4s. 8d. per week; and, if so, whether he will take steps to remedy this matter?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my Noble Friend of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the mother of Sapper W. E. Currie, No. 57288, 3rd Field Company, 15th Division, Royal Engineers, killed in France 25th September, 1915, received a full dependant's allowance for six months and then was paid 10s. a week; whether this was a mistake or is a sum similar to that paid to other bereaved dependent mothers; whether he is aware that the allowance to her from her other son, Private G. A. Currie, No. 39141, 1st South Wales Borderers, was allowed to get into arrears to the amount of £5 6s. 6d.; whether the pension in respect of Sapper W. E. Currie was in August reduced to 5s., and the 5s. excess paid since April exacted in one sum by deducting £4 15s. from the arrears in respect of Private G. A. Currie which Mrs. Currie had relied upon as due to her; and whether this course is usual?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Corporal E. Rudd, No. 4465, C Company, 2/14th London Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, was, before he enlisted, employed in the stamping department of the Inland Revenue, Somerset House, but as his Department refused to give him permission to join the Colours he resigned the situation, and is, in consequence, not in receipt of any portion of his pay from that Department; whether his mother, Mrs. Rudd, of 14, Mayland Road, Wood Green, receives from her son's Army pay the sum of 3s. 6d. weekly, whereas when living at home she received from him 12s. 6d. weekly, and that in addition there was a business in existence which kept the father and mother in comfort, the son helping in the evenings after his own office hours; whether the allowance is based on the difference between the estimated cost of his keep and the 12s. 6d. he was actually paying in cash, taking no account of hi services in the business; whether he is aware that the father is now dead and that the business is now closed; and, in view of all these facts, whether he can see his way to increase the allowance since the circumstances which have since occurred have rendered additional assistance necessary?

I am unable to say whether all the facts are as stated, but Mrs. Rudd has been given, on appeal, an Army allowance of 5s. a week. Any further claim arising out of the death of her husband is a matter for the Statutory Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has decided not to pay arrears of separation allowance for any period prior to the formal application of soldiers concerned to the dependants of soldiers who were already serving in the Army, and who had made an allotment out of their pay before the scheme for dependants' separation allowance was introduced in November, 1914, but who failed to make a formal application for the said allowance until months afterwards, solely because they had no means of ascertaining that they were entitled to make an application for a Government allowance in addition to their allotment; and, if so, how much he estimates will be saved for the Treasury by thus taking advantage of the failure on the part of the military authorities to inform soldiers, who were already paying weekly out of their own pay for the maintenance of their dependants, in November, 1914, that from that date they were also entitled to an addition to their allotment from State funds?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the late Financial Secretary to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring, on 19th May, 1915.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, in the case of a soldier whose mother is receiving a dependant's allowance of 7s. 6d. a week, if the soldier is promoted to sergeant the Government allowance is immediately reduced by 2s. a week and the soldier is compelled to make an additional allotment of 1s. 2d. a week from his pay before the Government will add 10d. to make up the-original allowance of 7s. 6d. a week; whether the promoted soldier is thus deprived of the power to give his dependants the full benefit of his increase of pay; and whether he will take steps to remove this anomaly?

Soldiers, in their several ranks, are required to contribute to the support of their dependants in proportion to their ability to do so. I do not see my way to remove the feature to which the question draws attention.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, with reference to the option which a partially disabled man has to be pensioned under the 1914 Warrant if it is more favourable to him than the Warrant of 21st May, 1915, taking into account any children's allowance payable under the latter Warrant, whether the War Office as a matter of course always grants the pension under the Warrant which gives the higher scale, or whether it leaves the soldier to find out for himself and apply if he discovers that he would be better treated under the former Warrant?

The soldier is always given the fullest benefit of the Regulations.

asked whether the case of the dependants of the late Michael Desmond, No. 9352, Leinster Regiment, owing to the poverty of the dependants, was referred to the Statutory Committee for consideration; and whether a further grant was issued under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act has been considered by the Statutory Committee?

This case was referred to the Statutory Committee on the 18th August. The second half of the question should be addressed to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Michael Breen, of Borragh, Errill, Queen's County, who fought through the South African War and served for eight years with the Colours and four years on the Reserve, and rejoined the Army in March, 1915, and that he was attached to the 2nd Leinster Regiment, was sent to the front the following December, and when in action last March he had his right hand blown off from 3 inches above the wrist; that he was discharged from hospital on the 14th July last and granted a pension of 25s. a week, which was reduced on the 14th September to l1s. 6d per week; and, as this amount is entirely insufficient to support him, whether the amount of his pension will be increased?

This man has received an artificial hand and the full rates of permanent pension usually awarded in such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private James Keany, A Company, 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, 10th Division, 31st Infantry Brigade, now stationed at Salonika, who joined the Colours in September, 1914, and has since made the usual allowance to his father, John Keany, of Manorhamilton, county Leitrim, has been informed that no dependant's allowances have been allowed; and whether, having regard to the fact that previous to his enlistment he contributed 30s. per week towards the upkeep of his father's family, his case will be inquired into and all arrears allowed?

No Private Keany can be traced as serving in the Royal Irish Fusiliers. If the hon. Member will let me have further particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Chelsea Commissioners, in fixing the amount of pension to be paid to a disabled soldier, take into consideration the payment of disablement benefit from insured societies to which such disabled soldier may be entitled under the National Health Insurance Act, or is the pension fixed irrespective of such payment; if he is aware that many disabled soldiers have been refused payment of disablement benefit by insured societies on the ground that it was never contemplated that disabled soldiers should be thrown on the funds of those societies; whether the Chelsea Commissioners or the War Office have received any communication from the insured societies on the subject; and, if so, will he state the nature of such communications?

The pension is fixed without any reference to any insurance benefit. Under certain circumstances the Insurance Act provides for a deduction of 5s. a week from the insurance benefit. I am not aware of any refusal to pay insurance benefit in other cases. No communication from approved societies on the general question have been received, but individual societies have referred to Chelsea for information as to particular cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the case of the dependants of the late Michael Desmond, No. 9352, Leinster Regiment, owing to the poverty of the dependants was referred to the Statutory Committee for consideration; and whether a further grant was issued under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act has been considered by the Statutory Committee?

The case of Mrs. Desmond was referred to the Statutory Committee, who caused inquiry to be made with regard to it by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association. The representative of the association reported that Mrs. Desmond alleged her son allowed her something like 5s. 5d. a week. The pension officer of the War Office, however, reported that Mrs. Desmond was only dependent upon her son to the extent of 2s. 6d. a week, and that she appeared to be satisfied with this finding. She is in receipt of a pension of 2s. 6d., and hence she seems to be receiving as pension the same amount as that which she previously received from her son. The case does not therefore appear to be one in which the Statutory Committee could allow her any supplementary pension, unless it could be shown that the son did in fact send Mrs. Desmond more than 2s. 6d. a week.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Thomas Tarleton Bibby, Sapper, No. 1404, in the 1st Cheshire Field Company, Royal Engineers, at present at No. 2 Territorial Base, Rouen, France, who joined the Army nine months ago, and whose wife received the usual soldier's allowance, which was found not enough to keep the house going and support herself and her two children, George and Thomas, aged four years and two and a half respectively; whether he is aware that the usual application in respect of civil liabilities was made with the object of meeting rent, doctor's bills, and hire-purchase agreement of furniture, all of which were submitted to the Commissioners, who recommended the case as one suitable for a grant after looking into all details respecting private affairs, whereupon she received an official paper dated 15th July, 1916, L.A.A. 0309, that the grant would be made at the rate of £18 a year, payable quarterly, the first instalment, namely, £4 10s., having been paid on 30th September, 1916; whether a further official intimation has been received dated 8th November, 1916, signed E. R. Forber, and bearing the No. L.A.A. /039, to the effect that the committee had reconsidered the application and had decided that the grant must be at the rate of £5 10s. per annum; and whether he will explain this alteration in the rate of the grant, having regard to the fact that there has been no change whatever in the grantee's circumstances?

Since his application was first decided Sapper Bibby's pay has been increased. This necessitated a reduction of the grant. The intention was that the grant should be reduced to £10 10s. per annum, but by a clerical error a grant of £5 10s. was notified. The wife is being informed of the correct amount.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department through the Army Spectacle Depot, Clifford's Inn Hall, is furnishing British soldiers with American spectacles, supplemented by only a very small proportion of English spectacles?

The percentage of British-made spectacle frames is 75 and is steadily increasing. Almost the entire output of spectacle lenses of suitable quality made in this country is utilised for Army purposes, but as the number is insufficient to meet the whole demand, it is necessary to utilise imported lenses. These imported lenses are finished in this country and all the fitting in accordance with the prescriptions is also done here.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is considering the importance of taking immediate steps to organise a scheme whereby officers and men sent Home suffering from shell shock and nervous troubles can be given beneficial open-air employment on the land, thus supplementing the existing labour available for agricultural pursuits; and whether he will consider if such a scheme could be made advantageous and economical both for the State and the farmer by each sharing in the remuneration to be given to the men so employed?

This question is being examined.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is fully satisfied that the existing long stretcher is able under all circumstances to negotiate bends in the trenches; and whether steps will be taken to produce a stretcher which would obviate the difficulties experienced in turning corners?

As I have informed my hon. Friend, the Army Council have no information to show that the official trench-stretcher does not meet requirements. Besides the long stretcher, there is also a short stretcher, which has been specially designed for trench work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the increase in food prices, he will consider the propriety of increasing the ration allowance of 1s. 7d. per diem in the case of soldiers now on leave from the front and soldiers at home stations who are not rationed by their units?

I have this under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any and what privileges personal to the holders of the Military Cross; and whether similar privileges, corresponding as far as possible with those so enjoyed, may be attached to the Military Medal?

It is not considered expedient that such privileges as attach to the Military Cross should be extended to the Military Medal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the existing practice to forward the Military Medal to those who have won the distinction by registered post; and whether, in view of the acts of personal bravery which have earned this award, and to enhance its value, he will consider if some more dignified method of presentation can be arranged for, such as at periodical parades of troops at the various military headquarters throughout the country by the senior officer stationed there, and where the depot of the unit of which the recipient is a member is situate?

Instructions were issued some time ago that presentations of decorations for gallantry awarded to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men should be made whenever possible and in as public a manner as possible. Decorations can also be presented at local gatherings by prominent citizens, if desired. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the recent Army Order which deals with this matter.

asked the Home Secretary what are the reasons which lead the Censor to refuse to grant facilities to certain country newspaper publishers to send to their subscribers and customers copies of their papers to friends in neutral countries, while granting permission to papers of no greater, and in some instances of less, public importance as judged by their circulation and by the territory they serve; whether he is aware that this discrimination is prejudicial and causing annoyance to those papers to which permission is refused, and also inconvenience to a considerable number of the public; and whether he will modify the Regulations so that the suspicion of unfairness may be removed and the facilities enjoyed by a few may be extended to all alike?

In order to avoid suspicion of unfairness, the grant or refusal to country newspaper publishers of permits to dispatch their publications to certain neutral and enemy countries is determined solely with reference to the normal circulation of the publications in the countries concerned. Applicants for permits are invariably required to state the approximate number of copies which they would dispatch, and, where a permit is granted, steps are taken to check the accuracy of such statements. It is not possible, as suggested at the end of the question, to grant a permit to every applicant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can give any information or explanation concerning the printed lists of questions recently served on farmers; why no reasons were given for the demand of the immediate filling up of the questionnaire which had in some cases to be given back completed in twelve hours; whether he is aware that many of the questions, especially concerning the history and record of employés, required much time and labour for an adequate answer; and whether all farmers throughout the countries have been required to fill up these question lists or only in certain cases or certain districts?

The census forms referred to in the hon. Member's question were sent out to every person occupying an agricultural holding of 5 acres or upwards in England and Wales. The object for which this census is required is to enable the War Office, in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, to determine as to whether any more men can be taken off the land or not. It was not regarded as necessary to give any explanation on the form, and the difficulties referred to as regards filling in answers to certain questions do not seem to have seriously affected the speed with which the returns were received. The forms were all delivered to farmers on or before the 15th November, and up to date some 95 per cent. have already been delivered to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Northern Command entered into negotiations with the North Riding of Yorkshire Standing Joint Committee for the use of the Court-house and old police station at Northallerton, and forwarded forms of tenancy agreements A.F.W. 3,005, for the tenancy of the premises, with a request that they should be signed and witnessed and returned, and promising that a copy would be returned to the committee when completed, but on the committee returning the agreements duly signed the Northern Command did not fulfil their promises, alleging that there was no binding agreement, although the buildings had been used continuously by the military; whether he is aware that after the War Office valuer had agreed with the county architect as to the cost of making good the damage done to the said buildings and furniture by the troops, the Northern Command declined to pay the sum so agreed by their own valuer, claiming that it must be set off against the sum received for billeting sixteen months previously, which had been properly paid by the military for billeting only; if so, whether it was done with his sanction; and, if not, whether he will order the Northern Command to make payment to the Standing Joint Committee forthwith of the sums agreed upon by their officers?

From the report I have received from the local military authorities, it appears that through some misunderstanding on the part of the local quartering committee the Department was committed to an agreement for the occupation of the premises. The Department will accordingly be prepared to fulfil its obligations under that agreement, and the necessary instructions are being sent to Command Headquarters. I understand that the question of payment for dilapidations is still under negotiation; but I agree that an amount paid in respect of billeting cannot properly be taken into account in assessing the sum payable in respect of dilapidations arising out of a subsequent occupation under agreement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give the names of the members of the Forage Committee and can state which of them have any practical experience of farming; and, if so, how many acres they have farmed, and in what counties these farms are situate?

I am unable to give the details asked for by my Noble Friend in the latter half of his question.The following are the members of the Forage Committee:The Right Hon. F. D. Acland, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Board, of Agriculture and Fisheries.Mr. E. J. Cheney, C.B., Chief Agricultural Adviser, Board of Agriculture: and Fisheries.Colonel H. G. Morgan, C.B., D.S.O., Administrative Member,Sir Robert P. Wright, Chairman, Scottish Board of Agriculture.Mr. Hugh Barrie, M.P. grain merchant.Mr. S. Kidner (farmer). Bickley Farm, Milverton, Somerset.Mr. John Inns (farmer and bay dealer), Stevenage, Herts.Mr. Clement Smith (farmer, and Chairman, Eastern Counties Farmers' Co-operative Society), Walton Hall. Felixstowe.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, when the Army Canteen Committee take over and operate regimental canteens, the same percentage of takings will be paid by them to regimental funds as is now paid by canteen tenants; and whether officers commanding units will retain the present discretionary powers as to expending these funds for the comfort and benefit of the men who have created the funds?

It is not intended to reduce the percentage now paid by way of rebate to regimental funds. The powers of commanding officers in connection with expenditure from these funds are not affected by the change in the canteen system.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to secure separate burial for any Australian soldier who may die in hospital in this country?

Steps have already been taken to effect the desired object.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that Salvation Army officers are working as chaplains with the Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, and South African troops, and of the services they have rendered in that capacity, he will appoint Salvation Army chaplains to some of the British battalions?

I assume that the hon. Gentleman refers to the British troops in France. The matter is one of practical difficulty. Chaplains are appointed as required to meet the needs of the troops. These are ascertained on a rough-and-ready basis by the declarations of the men as to the denominations to which they belong, and the difficulty in meeting the needs of the Salvationists lies in the fact that they are spread in small numbers over the whole of the Armies. Steps have been taken to allow a prominent member of the Salvation Army, who was employed with the Australian and New Zealand troops in Egypt and Gallipoli, to visit France shortly. The visit will take place as soon as he is in a position to suggest a date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the French system of utilising the services of German prisoners of war on the land, by which a representative Committee in every Department distributes gangs of prisoners between the various parishes in such a way that the local bodies representing the parishes can distribute the labour fairly among the farmers, the local bodies receiving the current rate of wages from the farmer for the labour, while undertaking the housing and feeding arrangements and the supply of guards; and will he take steps to pro-ride for the organisation by the Board of Agriculture of a similar scheme?

The attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been directed to the French system described in the question. A scheme on similar lines, to meet the conditions in this country, certainly seems to have advantages, and will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the objections to the employment of prisoners of war on the land; and whether he will take immediate steps to overcome whatever objections there may be and, in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture, take steps to see that, so far as our available supply of prisoners of war admits, all fallow and suitable waste land is prepared during this winter for spring sowing- and planting of potatoes as a first crop?

As stated by my hon. Friend the Treasurer of the Household, in reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Newton, on the 21st November, a scheme is now arranged whereby small parties may be employed on the land. It is hoped to publish the details of this scheme shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has come to a decision whether or not the Army authorities will assume responsibility for the complete restoration to health of the disabled soldier; and is he aware that the state of indecision as to which authority in future is responsible, which has now lasted for several months, is having a paralysing effect on the development of schemes for the after care of the disabled soldier?

asked whether the War Office is considering any scheme whereby soldiers discharged from the Army as being unfit for further military service will be trained in suitable civil employment and retained with the Colours at their regular rates of pay during such period of training; and, if not, whether his Department is prepared to consider any such scheme?

A scheme has been prepared and has now been submitted to the different authorities concerned for their remarks. When these remarks have been received, I hope to be in a position to make a further statement.

asked whether Chinese are being employed in France by the British military authorities; and can he state whether it is proposed to employ them in this country?

I am not prepared to give any information on this subject.

asked whether, in regard to the question of the publication of the Reports of the Court constituted under the Army Act Amendment Act, 1916, he is in a position to give an assurance that the findings of the Court, together with the evidence, in connection with the removal of Brigadier-General Owen Thomas from his command at Kimnel camp will be published?

If it be decided in due course to publish these documents, the section of the Report, etc., dealing with the case of Brigadier-General Owen Thomas will not be withheld.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 2,000 discharged soldiers are in London, the majority without means of subsistence; and what action, if any, he proposes to take?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Debate on the Board of Pensions Bill last Tuesday.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the lists of honours and awards for gallantry in the field only contain a small proportion of the names submitted by officers commanding battalions; whether he is aware that, apart from immediate awards, battalions after six or eight months' service in the trenches are limited sometimes to three or four names for mention in dispatches or honours; and whether he will consider a more liberal allowance of honours to regimental officers and men?

It is, of course, the case that not all those recommended for honours by officers commanding battalions or other units are, in fact, awarded honours or awards, but my hon. and gallant Friend is possibly not aware that the number of "immediate awards" is very large. I will give the numbers of such awards gazetted for the period from 1st July:—

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of soldiers sent to certain hospitals, half-pay is deducted; and whether, in view of the fact that soldiers are usually now insured persons under the National Insurance Act, such deductions should be made good out of insurance funds?

As regards the fact of stoppage from pay, I must refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the Hon. Member for South-West Ham on the 21st instant. The soldier is not entitled to any hospital treatment from national insurance funds during his service with the Colours, and does not pay any contribution in respect of such benefit.

asked the Treasurer of the Household whether he is aware that no parcels sent and addressed to British officers and men imprisoned at Yuzgad, in Asia Minor, have yet reached them; and, if so, whether he will ask the American Ambassador at Constantinople to use his friendly offices with the Sublime Porte with a view to procuring or accelerating the delivery of such parcels?

Very few parcels appear to have reached our prisoners at Yozgad; we have already requested the United States Ambassador at Constantinople to do all he can to expedite the delivery of parcels at this camp.

asked whether any steps have been taken, or will be taken, to exchange British and German prisoners interned in Switzerland, so that such as are incapacitated for military service may be enabled to return to their homes and to civil employment?

We have made a proposal, which has, we understand, been accepted by the German Government, that British and German prisoners of war who have been transferred to Switzerland shall be repatriated if found totally unfit for military service.

asked what is the cost of feeding the German prisoners of war per head; and what is the actual daily money allowance they receive?

Officers are paid 4s. a day if below the rank of captain and 4s. 6d. a day in other cases, and they pay for their own food. As regards men the cost of feeding is 10½d. a day, and they draw no pay, except working pay when employed.

asked whether, seeing that the number of German prisoners in this country is increasing so largely and that supplies are getting scarcer, the Government will consider the wisdom of putting the German prisoners here on the same rations as our prisoners in Germany?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that the number of German prisoners in this country is increasing largely. With the exception of officers, wounded, and a few others, all prisoners of war captured in France are retained there.

asked what is the allowance made to the Dutch Government per head to feed our men interned in Holland; and what is the daily money allowance they receive?

No allowance has been made to the Dutch Government, but the expenses caused by the internment are repayable to them at the end of the War, under Article 12 of The Hague Convention of the 18th October, 1907. The men receive pay from the Dutch Government at the following rates—5d. a day sergeants and higher non-commissioned ranks; 2d a day corporals and lower ranks.

asked who is responsible for the ordering and dispatching of the marine transports necessary for operations in Asia Minor: and whether the necessary steps have been taken to ensure the arrival of those boats at the base of operations before the monsoon season sets in?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to Mesopotamia. Arrangements are being made to dispatch troops so as to arrive there before the monsoon.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many officers and men at present in France have received no leave whatsoever since July, 1915, while other officers and men have been home for two or three stretches on leave during this period; and will he say what is the principle, if any, which governs the allotment of leave to officers and men in the field?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of "State in reply to the hon. Member for the Houghton-le-Spring Division on the 2nd. November.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the ordinary rate of ration allowance at Home stations has been reduced to 1s. 7d. per day; whether there are privates and non-commissioned officers on duty at the War Office who have suffered a reduction in such allowance while at the same time civilians similarly employed have received a war bonus, varying from 2s. to 4s. per week, to meet the additional cost of living; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action to equalise the conditions of the two sets of persons to whom increased prices equally apply?

While I cannot admit that increased prices generally apply equally to the soldier and the civilian, I may say that the rate of ration allowance is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private G. T. Hawthorne, who was No. 7111 in the 1st Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was in the Army at the time war broke out, and spent one year 182 days on active service, and retired as time-expired and not medically discharged, and afterwards, on the 26th September, 1916, was recalled to the Colours under the Military Service Act, and on presenting himself before a medical board was rejected, owing to running ears and rheumatism, diagnosed by the medical officers as being due to the effects of shell shock; whether Hawthorne, having made an application for the silver badge, has been refused, by an intimation from Preston on the 6th November instant to that effect, on the ground that he was not discharged under Paragraph 392 XVI. K. R.; and whether, under the circumstances, the War Office will let this man have the silver badge?

Inquiries are being made, and Hawthorne will be given the badge if eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private William Murphy, No. 57905, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was entitled to £20 bounty and 6d. per day proficiency pay, was informed by the Record Office authorities at Shrewsbury that he was in debt £7 17s. instead of having any payment coming to him; and if a proper statement of account will be furnished to Murphy, who maintains there is a considerable sum due to him?

I will have inquiry made and let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether boxes and packing cases containing munitions and warlike material delivered in the United Kingdom and France are again utilised for similar work or are sold at low prices to be broken up; and, if the latter is the case, can steps be taken to ensure that boxes and cases should be so constructed that goods can be taken out for inspection without destroying the boxes and cases?

A number of boxes and packing cases containing munitions and warlike material delivered in the United Kingdom and France are again utilised for a similar purpose, some after repair and some after slight modification. Many of those which contain overseas supplies of empty components are not suitable for packing finished munitions afterwards, but they are sold to the best advantage. In all probability these are the boxes to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of William Price, Rhiw-rhwch-isaf, Tiloh, Llandovery, who has been employed for years by Mr. Jenkins, of Cwmgorse, in felling timber for pit props; whether he is aware that Mr. Jenkins, on 4th May last sent in an application to the Ministry of Munitions for War badges for men in his employ, including William Price; that on 26th June the said badges, including one to Price, were granted; that Price was called to the Colours on 30th May, and was sent home by the medical board for a month on account of ill-health; that on 8th November Price was arrested as an absentee and brought before the justices at Llandovery, and that the case was adjourned till the 15th, and again till the 22nd; and whether, in view of recent declarations by Ministers, he will stop this attempt on the part of the military authorities to force a badged and certificated person employed in an essential industry to the Colours?

A war service badge was issued to William Price on 26th June, 1916. It has since been reported that Price had been called up on 30th April, a fact which had not been communicated to the Department at the time when the badge was issued.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has seen the correspondence between his Department and an urban district council, including a copy of the letter written by the latter to the Home Office on the 30th October ultimo; whether he is aware that inconvenience and injury to health are still being experienced in a thickly populated area owing to the noxious fumes emitted in large quantities from a certain works operated by his Department, notwithstanding repeated promises of amendment over a period exceeding twelve months; whether his attention has been called to the danger from fire and explosives owing to some of the structures in the works being made of inflammable material and in continuity; whether he is aware that all these dangers have been suitably provided against at a similar works in another place, and that the above-mentioned district council cannot understand why their district should not be similarly protected and similar precautions taken; and whether he will give instructions to have these matters attended to without further delay?

The works referred to were taken over by the Ministry of Munitions from their owners some time ago, and are now in course of reconstruction in accordance with the best modern practice. A certain amount of fume is inherent in the process of manufacture carried on at this factory, but the fumes there are no worse than at other similar factories. The commodity manufactured at this factory does not come within the provisions of the Explosives Act, and every possible precaution against accident is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now make any further statement as to the situation on the Mohmand frontier?

I can add nothing to the communiqué which appeared in the Press on the 18th instant.

asked the Home Secretary for what reason three of the Irish prisoners were removed from Dartmoor to Maidstone Prison; whether they are receiving the same treatment at Maidstone as at Dartmoor; are they allowed to have any intercourse with each other; are they kept apart from ordinary prisoners; whether they can receive visits from their friends; and have they permission to write and receive letters?

These prisoners were removed for disciplinary reasons. They are treated at Maidstone under the same rules as at Dartmoor. Maidstone is a prison for first offenders, called "Star Class." The prisoners referred to are not classed by themselves, but when at labour in the printing shop they associate with other "Star Class" prisoners. So long as they remain under the ordinary conditions of penal servitude, they are subject to the ordinary rules as to letters and visits, but I propose that these men should be transferred to a special prison with the rest of the Irish prisoners in accordance with the arrangement which I have already announced.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that from time to time several men interned as prisoners of hostile associations at Frongoch Camp have been arrested in the camp as absentees under the Military Service Acts; that these men were actually engaged in the Easter rising and surrendered with their comrades in the general surrender; that 300 prisoners were punished by the commandant for declining to co-operate with the authorities to identify certain of these men by being placed in an unfit camp; that, as a result, they declared a hunger strike; that they were told that if they took their food they would be returned to the North Camp and that the matter would end there, and that the prisoners acted upon this pledge, but that, after this, an armed detachment, in addition to the usual military guard, arrived, and the prisoners were ordered into their huts under an armed guard; is he aware that the commandant then addressed the hut leaders, acknowledging their general good discipline, but pointing out their recent grave misdemeanour, and that, following the commandant's threat to allow them to die of starvation if they refused their rations, 342 of the prisoners refused to answer their names and numbers, and that the whole of the 342 were again confined to the South Camp; whether he is aware that the prisoners believed that the commandant at Frongoch is endeavouring to goad them into revolt, so as to have an excuse for shooting them down; and, seeing that the commandant's conduct has been the cause of the disorder, will he take steps to have him transferred to some other post?

With regard to the first three parts of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the statements I made to him and to the hon. Member for East Mayo in this House on 16th November. The South Camp is not in any sense an "unfit" camp. The prisoners transferred to it were punished for refusing to answer to their names at the roll call and not on the grounds alleged by the hon. Member. With regard to a hunger strike, I am informed that 198 men so transferred fasted for thirty-eight hours and were then moved back to the North Camp on the advice of the medical officer; but no sort of bargain was made with them by the commandant. The hut leaders were warned by the commandant that they would place themselves in a very serious position if they and their men refused to answer their names, but the statement that he threatened them in the manner suggested in the question is untrue. The answer to the last two parts of the question is in the negative.

asked why, since 1,300 Irish prisoners were released unconditionally, the remainder are asked to sign a guarantee; and whether the remainder will be released on the same terms?

The Irish prisoners who were released unconditionally were liberated on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee that their internment was no longer necessary in the interests of the public safety. The Committee advised that the rest should remain interned, and with regard to their release I would refer to the answer I gave in this House on 10th October to the hon. Member for North Galway.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that according to the evidence before the Royal Com- mission the raid by Captain Colthurst on Mrs. Skeffington's house, which was condemned by the Commission, was accompanied by a full colonel in the Army who was not quartered at Portobello Barracks; and will he say who ordered this colonel to accompany the raid?

Inquiries are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the official position of Major Price, who stated in his evidence before the Royal Commission of Inquiry, in reference to the facts connected with the Sinn Fein insurrection, that he acted as an intermediary between the military authorities in Ireland, the Under-Secretary, Dublin Castle, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the Dublin Metropolitan Police; is this person an officer in the Army; if so, in what corps has he served, what is his military experience, and where and for what previous services was he given the commission of a major; whether it was at the instance of the military authorities and as their intermediary that Major Price forced himself into the cell of a prisoner on the eve of his trial by a military tribunal on a capital charge in connection with the insurrection and continued to interrogate him, with a view to obtaining information in relation to the rebellion by inducements, threats, or promise to the prisoner of gaining some advantage or avoiding some evil in reference to the proceedings against him; will he say what is the official salary of Major Price and from what source is that salary derived; whether his visit to a political prisoner under such circumstances was in the ordinary course of his duty or a special service outside the sphere of his ordinary employment; and if so, what was the extra remuneration thus earned, and by whom was he authorised to visit, unsolicited by him, a prisoner awaiting trial; and what was the reason of the adoption of such a course; and (2) if he will say who furnished, to Sir John Maxwell on the 5th May the report of the murders in Portobello Barracks on the 25th April, on receipt of which Captain Bowen-Colthurst was placed under arrest; whether, having regard to the fact that the commanding officer of Portobello Barracks reported these murders to the Irish military headquarters on the 27th April, how was Sir John Maxwell in ignorance of the murders till the 5th May; when did the report of the commanding officer at Portobello Barracks on the 27th April in reference to the murders reach the intelligence officer at the Irish military headquarters, and did the intelligence officer, on receipt of the report, instantly communicate with Sir John Maxwell; if not, what explanation, if any, can be offered for the fact that Sir John Maxwell was kept in ignorance of the perpetration of these murders and gave to the murderer on the 1st May the defence of Portobello Barracks; and who was the intelligence officer at the Irish military headquarters on the 27th April, when the report of the Portobello murders was sent to town headquarters?

I am making inquiries in connection with these questions.

asked what period of exemption from the operation of the Shops (Earlier Closing) Order it is proposed to grant in connection with the Christmas and New Year holidays?

I am not in a position yet to add anything to the statement which I made on this subject in the House last week. The decision will be announced in good time.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he intends to take to prevent small shopkeepers from being ruined whose trade in the past has been supplying men and women workers of our country whose shopping has been done after their day's work was finished; and whether he will consider the advisability of making exceptions to the Early Closing Orders in towns when asked to do so by the local authorities?

This question was discussed during the Debate on the Order in the House of Commons, and in consequence of the suggestions then made I extended the closing hour to eight o'clock. I have no reason to think that arrangements cannot be made for all necessary shopping to be done before that time or that serious inconvenience is being caused, but I am watching, and shall continue to watch carefully, the working of the Order. It would not be practicable to make exceptions to the Order as suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the promoters of the pacifist conference recently broken up at Cardiff propose attempting to hold a similar meeting in South Wales, namely, at Merthyr, on 9th December; and whether, having regard to the probability of renewed disorder, he will cause the prohibition of the meeting if advised by the local police authorities that the public peace will be in danger?

Any decision in such a matter must depend on the nature of the application made to me and the information given in support of it. I have not received any such application in regard to the meeting in question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many of the pits in Northumberland are working short time; whether such short time is due to the bad weather conditions prevailing at sea or to the action of the Licensing Board; and whether, having regard to the necessity that exists for maintaining the full output of coal, he can do anything to secure more regularity of employment in this district?

I am advised that the short time referred to by the right hon. Member is not in any way due to the action of the Coal Exports Committee, but has been caused largely by the bad weather conditions. The question of taking steps to secure more regular working is receiving the careful consideration of the Coal Mining Organisation Committee.

asked why the three men who escaped from the internment camp at Islington were not confined in a prison, seeing that they were persons of British nationality under suspicion of disloyalty to the realm; why the police authorities were not able to issue a photograph of one of the men; and why the precaution has not been adopted of photographing and indexing all interned persons?

The three men in question had not been sentenced for any offence, but were interned under Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations in the interest of the public safety. That Regulation requires that the interned persons shall be treated in the same manner as prisoners of war, and prisoners of war are not kept under prison conditions except in case of misconduct. All interned persons are indexed and their descriptions are available, and for some time past persons interned under Regulation 14B have been photographed by the police before being taken to the camp. Two of the escaped prisoners, including the man specially mentioned in the question, have been recaptured.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many gallons of petrol were allotted to motor-cabs in London for the months of August, September, October, and November, 1916; and how many gallons of petrol will be allotted to motor cabs in London for the month of December, 1916?

The number of gallons allotted to motor-cabs in London for the months of August, September, October, and November, 1916, was 60 gallons per month per cab. For the month of December, 1916, the allotment will be 90 gallons per cab.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German-owned business of the Armounduct Manufacturing Company has yet been wound up; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay and what remains to be done to effect the winding up; whether any attempt has been made to sell the assets of the firm, and with what result; if sold, has the Board of Trade obtained from the purchaser a similar guarantee as was required from the purchaser of the business or shares in the business of Messrs. Bechstein; or, if unsold, will such guarantee be insisted upon; has any negotiation for sale taken place with Wilhelm Schmahl, now passing as William Small, the former manager of the business and a recently naturalised German, and with what result; and whether it is proposed to sell the enemy interest in the firm to any best British-born subjects by any other means than public auction?

The business of the Armounduct Manufacturing Company Limited, has not been wound up, because the Advisory Committee recommended that, having regard to the character of the work which is being carried on by the company, that course was inexpedient. Efforts are being made to negotiate a sale by private treaty to some British purchaser who will continue the work satisfactorily, and, pending the result of the steps which are now being taken to find a purchaser of the business, I am not prepared to say what conditions of sale will be imposed. An offer has been made by Mr. Small, but it has not been accepted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will direct that in future the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette," in so far as the linen trade is concerned, shall contain separate reports for Scotland and Ireland, instead of, as at present, for both countries; and that, in the case of Ireland in addition to the total amount of workers' earnings per week, details shall be given of the proportion earned by weavers, spinners, and preparers, including the numbers of each of these grades employed?

Separate reports are already given in the "Labour Gazette" for Scotland and Ireland, so far as is practicable. It has not, however, been found possible to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member as regards the earnings of preparers, spinners, and weavers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the name of the correspondent from whom the Reports on the linen trade are obtained which are published in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette," the amount of his salary, and the sources from which he obtains his information?

There are four paid local correspondents reporting inter alia upon the linen trade, one at Belfast, two in Scotland and one in England. They are paid by fee, three at the rate of £25 per annum and one at £20. These correspondents obtain their information from trade union officials, but most of the information received concerning this industry is obtained from monthly returns received direct from the principal employers in the trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the grievances of the employés of the Irish Lights Commissioners at Kingstown, county Dublin; if he is aware that this establishment is not carrying out the trade union regulations, which is causing dissatisfaction amongst the employés; and if, having regard to the work of national importance being performed and to save a stoppage of the work, he will take the necessary steps to see that the trade union regulations shall be carried out by the Irish Lights Commissioners?

The Irish Lights Commissioners recently informed the Board of Trade that they had decided to make certain increases in the wages and allowances of their employés at the Lighthouse Stores at Kingstown, and the Board understand that these concessions will meet the more important of the grievances submitted by the men. The Board have offered no objection to these proposals, the effect of which has now been conveyed t6 the men concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin traders are, and have been for twelve to eighteen months, greatly hampered in business, and in some instances put to considerable storage charges, through their inability to obtain facilities for the return of empties to England and Scotland; and, if so, whether he can assure them that steps are being taken to relieve this congestion?

I am afraid that in existing circumstances delays in the transport of returned empties can hardly be avoided. I have, however, brought the particular cases which my hon. Friend has, I believe, in mind to the notice of the London and North-Western Railway Company, and I understand that the company are making arrangements to see the complainants with the view of taking such action as may be practicable in the direction desired.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the amounts of the hay crop for the years 1912–16, inclusive?

The total production of hay in England and Wales is estimated to have been as follows during the last five years: 1912, 8,125,484 tons; 1913, 9,052,322 tons; 1914, 7,265,378 tons; 1915, 6,586,737 tons; and 1916, 8,837,079 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the price of wheat per quarter in this country a week before the outbreak of war in 1914, and what was the average price of wheat for the twelve months immediately following the 31st July, 1914, and for the twelve months immediately following the 31st July, 1915, and for the period following the 31st July, 1916?

The different grades of wheat are sold at varying prices, and I am sending my hon. Friend a table giving the figures he asks for the different grades usually sold in British markets. I may, however, say that the "Gazette" price of British wheat was:

asked what is the official estimate of land under wheat cultivation, or likely to be under wheat cultivation, during the coming year?

It is too early at present to give an estimate, but I will state how the area sown compares with that sown last year as soon as the reports are available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the fact that a good deal of wheat is now being ground up for feeding pigs, owing to the short supply of barley in this country; and whether some steps will be taken to prevent this being done?

The feeding of any millable wheat to pigs, or the using of it for any purpose other than human food, is strongly to be deprecated, and steps may have to be taken to adopt such measures as are possible to prevent it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he has considered the probability of a serious shortage of seed potatoes in the spring, and the advisability of prohibiting the sale of potatoes for consumption on a smaller riddle than If⅝inch until 14th April, 1917?

asked what steps, if any, are being taken to prevent a serious shortage of seed potatoes next spring by the use by potato merchants of a 1¼inch instead of the usual 1⅝-inch riddle?

The action suggested has been fully considered, but the Board have come to the conclusion that until after the census of potatoe stocks now being taken has been completed any regulation would be premature. The proportion of tubers passing through the riddle of 1⅝-inch mesh is larger this year than usual on account of the unfavourable season, and many of these small tubers which are now being sold for food would be quite unsuited for seed purposes. It is the general practice of growers in England and Wales to retain for their own use such of their small potatoes as may be suitable for seed, and few growers are likely to risk the disposal of their whole crop of seed potatoes unless they have already arranged for an adequate supply from elsewhere. I think my hon. Friends really know that the question is far too complicated and difficult to be settled simply by prescribing the use of riddles with a certain size of mesh, but they can be assured that the position is being very carefully studied and watched.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a copy of a resolution, unanimously passed by the executive council of the West of Scotland Retail Drapers' Association, representing that the hour of eight o'clock fixed by the Shop Closing Order was already, by almost universal practice, the closing hour in all the large centres throughout Scotland, and urging that, in view of the increasing shortage of assistants and the stringency of the lighting regulations, it is desirable in the interests of employers and employés alike that seven o'clock should be fixed as the closing hour in Scotland throughout the week and nine o'clock on Saturdays; whether he is aware that many shopkeepers are now closing voluntarily at seven o'clock; and whether he will take steps to ascertain the views of retail traders in Scotland, with a view to considering whether any variations ought to be made in the Closing Order in Scotland as-compared with England?

I have received the resolution referred to, and also other communications expressing a contrary view. I am making inquiries as to how far the association mentioned may be taken as representing the opinion of the retail drapers within its area.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of the Secretary of State has been directed to the arrest, on a charge of high treason, in Athens of M. Tambruhis., the acting chief editor of the "Patris," a journal which is in favour of the policy of M. Venizelos; whether the alleged high treason consists in publishing documents regarding the handing over of Fort Rupel to the Bulgarians in obedience to official documents signed by M. Skouloudis himself and the War Minister in his Cabinet by which the commander of Fort Rupel was authorised to allow the fort to be occupied by Germans and Bulgarians but not by the Allies; whether the publication of the "Patris" of these official documents signed by M. Skouloudis, the Greek Prime Minister of the day, showed that when he, as Prime Minister, declared in the Greek Chamber that he knew nothing of, and had given no order for, the surrender of this fort, he was guilty of a deliberate public falsehood, having regard to the fact that he had given the order for its surrender two months previously; and whether His Majesty's Government will take adequate measures to prevent the infliction of that penalty of high treason or any other penalty on M. Tambruhis for the exposure of an act of treachery or looseness on the part of M. Skouloudis to the Allies towards whom his Government was assuming the guise of neutrality while endeavouring to counteract their policy in German and Bulgarian interests?

His Majesty's Minister at Athens has been asked to furnish a report on the incident. As I have already pointed out, it is for the Allies, and not for His Majesty's Government alone, to take measures in connection with this and other like occurrences.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether residents in the Channel Islands who have joined the Army for the duration of the War, and from whose pay deductions are made in respect of insurance contributions, are entitled to any benefit from the Navy and Army insurance fund in return for their contributions?

The persons referred to are entitled to maternity benefit during their service and to sanatorium benefit if discharged suffering from tuberculosis. In addition they may receive the ordinary benefit while temporarily resident in this country after discharge.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that the London Insurance Committee declines to pay the balance due to practitioners under their agreements in respect of the year 1915 unless a special form of receipt is signed relinquishing their legal rights under the Regulations and otherwise; and whether he will take action to remedy this state of affairs, which is causing irritation and dissatisfaction to the doctors?

primâ facie it does not appear unreasonable that if payment is being made to practitioners of the balance of the remuneration due to them in respect of any particular year, they should be expected to give a receipt in full dis- charge of such balance. I am, however, making inquiry into the precise form of receipt and discharge adopted by the committee.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that considerable hardship is being experienced by insured persons in consequence of the delay on the part of some approved societies in making payment of sickness benefit; and, if this is the case, whether he will take action to cause approved societies found to be in default to carry out their obligations to their members more expeditiously?

An approved society, before paying sickness benefit, must be satisfied that benefit is properly payable. I have no reason to think that there is any serious delay on the part of societies in dealing with current benefit work in cases where the claims are supported by the necessary evidence, but if my hon. Friend has the case of any particular society in mind and will let me have particulars I will make inquiries and take such steps as may be necessary. It should be borne in mind that societies are at present working at a serious disadvantage by reason of the withdrawal for military service of the greater part, and in some cases the whole, of their experienced staff, and that the necessary inquiries into a member's claim for benefit may, therefore, be less expeditiously completed than is the case under normal conditions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has yet completed his inquiries into the refusal of the Local Government Board to allow a pension to be paid to James Fox, of Rathbracken, Granard, although now clearly of the age of seventy years, unless he repays a sum paid him in error some three years ago; whether the Local Government Board have power to deprive a man entitled to a pension in this way; and will he direct that the matter be now rectified and the pension paid?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on the 17th October, when the facts of the case were fully stated. The matter is not one in which the Irish Local Government Board have any power to interfere.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the old-age pension claim of Mrs. Bridget MacAndrew, Belderrigmore, Ballycastle pension sub-district, Mayo, has been disallowed by the Local Government Board, although the applicant is well known locally to be almost eighty years of age and without means?

The Local Government Board inform me that a claim from this woman is at present under investigation, but no decision has yet been arrived at. Several previous claims have, however, been disallowed on the ground that the claimant failed to show that she was seventy years of age. In connection with one of these an inspector of the Board reported that claimant did not appear to be seventy years of age.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how the estimate of the means of Michael and Catherine Walsh, Errew, Crossmolina, county Mayo, has been arrived at on which their claims to old age pensions have been disallowed by the Local Government Board; and is he aware that these old people are wholly dependent on their married son for a living and that their claims are considered deserving by the local pensions committee?

The Local Government Board inform me that their estimate of means was based on the stock and crops on the farm on which the claimants reside. The farm has been assigned to a son, but the assignment on the face of it shows that the claimants had the old pension in view when making it, and therefore under Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, they are regarded as being still in possession of the income from the farm. Even assuming that there were other genuine grounds for making the assignment, the value of the claimants' lodging and maintenance would exceed the statutory limit of means.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, owing to the increase of prices and other causes, a number of the pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary find their existing pensions insufficient to support them in decency; whether he is prepared to recommend the grant of a war bonus to these men; and whether any steps can be taken for winding up and distributing the pension funds of the force?

I must refer the hon. Member to my replies on these matters of the 14th and 21st November to the hon. Members for Dublin (Harbour Division) and Kerry (South).

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the action of the Long ford Royal Irish Constabulary in interfering with a meeting of the United Irish League in that town on Sunday last and threatening to prosecute those taking part in it; whether such action is being taken by his advice or with his sanction, notwithstanding repeated promises that public meetings of this kind held indoors would not be interfered with: and whether he will now instruct the police to avoid such action in future?

I am in communication with the Inspector-General, and hope that it will be possible to avoid any interference in future with meetings convened for lawful purposes and not likely to cause disorder.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether it can be ascertained from the minutes of the Board of Technical Instruction how much of the Agricultural Board's subsidy for manual instruction and instruction in domestic economy in rural places was set aside in respect of each county for the year 1914 15?

The Agricultural Board's subsidy for manual instruction and instruction in domestic economy in rural districts in Ireland forms a joint fund with the annual grant of £55,000 provided by Section 16 (1) (c) of the Agricultural and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act of 1899, from which contributions are made to county and other schemes of technical instruction. As the hon. Member was informed in the reply to his question of the 3rd August last, no portion of the Department's contributions to these schemes is specifically charged against this subsidy.