asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a statement from the Manchester Ship Canal Company (Bridgewater department), the Rochdale Canal Company, and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company pointing out the fact that through pressure of existing circumstances the railways cannot cope with the ordinary goods traffic and that the canal companies have had to undertake a great. deal of such traffic; and whether, in view of the fact that the Government has agreed to cover part of the war bonuses granted to the railway employés, there is any reason why a similar subsidy should not be given to the canal companies, whose employés have tabled a claim for war bonus to meet the increased cost of living?

I have received a statement on the subject, and the Board of Trade have invited representatives of the canal companies to attend a meeting, when the questions raised can be discussed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the position of canal carrying companies in the fact that many such companies are suffering from shortage of labour and that the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company have at present sixty-boats tied up from shortage of labour; and whether, although there are men of military age still in the employ of these companies, he will, having regard to the fact that canal companies are now doing an increased carrying trade to relieve railway congestion, take steps that no more men, even though of military age, shall be taken from this industry for service with the Colours?

The importance of retaining the services of workpeople employed in connection with canals has been fully recognised by the Board of Trade, and effect has been given to this view in the list of certified occupations. I am aware, however, that in spite of this reservation there is a shortage of necessary men on certain canals, and representations have been made to the War Office on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of enemy businesses or companies in this country which have been sold by the Public Trustee or the Board of Trade under the Trading With the Enemy Acts; and in how many of such cases the name of the purchaser, the conditions of sale, and the price have, previous to the sale, been submitted to and approved by any independent Committee advising the Board of Trade?

The number of businesses within the provisions of Section 1 of the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916, in which either the property has been sold by a Controller appointed to wind up the business or the enemy-owned shares have been sold by the Public Trustee is approximately 200. Particulars as to the sale have not been submitted to any Committee before an offer has been accepted, but in a few cases the Advisory Committee appointed under the Trading With the Enemy Amendment Act have made suggestions as to the persons to whom the property might be offered.

How many enemy businesses are there in this country?

We have dealt with rather over 600.

Is it the intention of the Government to close all these businesses during the War?

All enemy businesses are being dealt with. If the hon. Member studies the Act he will see exactly what we are supposed to do and that is what we are doing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any Committee advising the Board of Trade has considered the claims of our Russian, French, and Belgian Allies to 49½ per cent. at least of the shares of the British Petroleum Company, Limited, the Petroleum Steamship Company, Limited, and the Homelight Oil Company, Limited; and whether such Committee has advised that these claimaints should be excluded from participating in the shares of the three companies and denied the remedy which would cut off their association with the Germans and give the Russian, French, and Belgian claimants full protection over the assets of the Germans in the three companies?

This question has not been referred to any Committee, but is being dealt with administratively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the figures given of the nineteen industrial assurance companies for 1913 and 1914 to the effect that they collected more than twice as much from working people, in-eluding soldiers and sailors, as they paid out in claims and surrenders, he can now say what he proposes to do to put an end to this state of affairs by which such a sum of money is extracted, without any benefit, from our soldiers and sailors and other working people?

The Courts Emergency Powers Act contains provisions to prevent the lapsing of small policies which have been in-existence for any substantial time, and I doubt whether any further action with regard to industrial assurances is expedient at present.

What has happened to the £10,000,000 taken from the working classes in 1913 without benefit and the £9,000,000 taken from them in 1914 without benefit, and why is there no supervision over these companies as there is over shopkeepers and others? Cannot my hon. Friend see that the working people are being horribly swindled by these companies?

I do not see that question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in any future adjustment of the option at present given to all men outside of Category A to be enrolled as Army Reserve munition workers, he will consider the desirability of excluding from the option men of under thirty years of age passed for garrison duty overseas, who, in the opinion of the medical board, might be expected after a period of military training to reach the standard required for general service?

This point will no doubt be kept in mind by the War Office.

Does not the Board of Trade decide it?

No; the War Office decides it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will instruct managers of employment bureaus that at the moment all men, other than skilled men, who are called up for service in the Army and who are not fit for general service in Category A are to be given an opportunity of enrolling as Army Reserve munition workers; and whether the manager of an employment bureau has authority to pick such men as he deems suitable for. munition work and to refuse permission to enrol and send back to military service the remainder?

Men enrolled as Army Reserve munition workers must be suitable for employment on munitions work, and it would therefore be most undesirable that all men should be enrolled irrespective of their physical and other qualifications. It rests with the military authorities and not with the Employment Exchange manager to decide whether men who are liable for military service and are not enrolled should go into the Army. In the case of any men not enrolled who are not required for the Army, the Exchanges are instructed to register full particulars of their qualifications in order that they may be placed on any work for which they. are suitable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the unequal treatment by tribunals of the calling-up of agriculturists to the Colours, and the consequent unequal distribution of agricultural labour in the various counties he will make representations to the War Office that until this unequal distribution has been remedied no more men bond fide engaged in agriculture in England, Scotland, and Wales shall be called up?

Representations to the general effect indicated by the hon. and gallant Member have been made, and the general position as regards agricultural labour is being reviewed by the Board, the War Office, and other Departments concerned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the census recently taken has yet been sifted?

No. It is being very rapidly pressed forward, but no results of the census are yet available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that farm labourers are now being called for rehearing before the tribunals before that census has been completed?

Yes. It is not unreasonable to hear a case, the result of which would not take place until after the new-year; but it would not be reasonable that persons in the exempted class should be taken into the Army before the 1st January, nor do I think they are being taken.

Are the Board of Agriculture represented on the local tribunals?

The Board of Agriculture have officers on or before; the local tribunals and the Appeal Tribunals to put the agricultural point of view. That has been going on for months.

May I take it that there is no representative on the local tribunal but only on the Appeal Tribunal?

Both the local and the Appeal Tribunal.

asked whether arrangements can be made whereby farmers shall have an opportunity of personally interviewing men proposed as substitutes for farm workers so that they may be able to form some idea of the suitableness of such men before they are definitely sent to the farms?

The point made by my hon. Friend that farmers shall be assured of the suitability of the substitutes provided has been realised as of great importance by the War Office. It is proposed to meet it by arranging that men shall normally be returned if possible to the same farm or, at any rate, to the same parish as they came from, so that the farmer will know what work the man is accustomed to in civil life before he is asked to consent to the substitution. Agricultural representatives will also be nominated for each district to co-operate with the substitution officers in arranging each case of substitution, and this will be an additional safeguard to the farmer. I am informed also that it is not proposed to call up the man for whom the substitute is offered until after the substitute has actually arrived on the farm and begun work.

asked how many men of military age are still employed in Labour Bureaux, also under the National Health Insurance and Unemployed Acts and in land valuation; and whether it is proposed to substitute for men of military age so employed other men who are above military age?

The number of permanent officials of military age in the Inland Revenue Valuation Office who are being retained for their civil duties is 149, and all of them are either over the age of thirty or medically unfit for general service. As regards employés on a temporary engagement, the question of military service is one entirely between them and the military authorities, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue being in no way concerned. It would take about a fortnight to get out the figure for the latter class. As regards the other Departments mentioned, I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Ministers responsible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman speak a little louder when he speaks at Leicester next week?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that two brothers named Lee were arrested at Cahirconlish, county Limerick, last March, on the charge of being absentees under the Military Service Act, and without any trial whatever sent across to Carlisle, where under com- pulsion and without trial they were forced to join the Army; is he aware that these two boys only left their homes on the 24th August, 1915, to take up two temporary posts in an asylum at Carlisle; whether these men ever joined the regiment into which they were supposed to be attached as a protest against the methods of trial they were subjected to; whether one of them was arrested recently and without trial hauled off to Tralee; and, in view of the recent decision of the King's Bench in the case of John Jones, will this man be released from Tralee and given a fair trial?

Inquiries have been made into the facts of this case, and it has been ascertained that the brothers Lee were arrested in Ireland in March and brought to Carlisle under escort. They were not taken before a Civil Court at Carlisle, as they elected to serve if posted to an Irish regiment. They were posted to the Munster Fusiliers on the 30th March and given travelling warrants to Tralee. Prior to arrest, the brothers Lee had been resident in Great Britain from the 24th August, 1915, to the 4th March, 1916, and they did not claim to be ordinarily resident in Ireland. Inquiries are being made from Tralee as to what happened subsequent to the men being posted.

As these men allege that they were forced into the Army, will the hon. Gentleman, in view of the decision of the High Court of King's Bench that no man can be handed over to a military tribunal without. the right of trial in Ireland, allow the man now in Tralee Gaol to be released and tried before an ordinary tribunal?

There is no evidence as far as I know of their being forced into service, but if they had not been willing to join the forces they would have been taken before a Civil Court in Carlisle. I am told that they joined the forces purely voluntarily.

In view of the decision of the King's Bench, will the hon. Gentleman have one of these men discharged to be tried by an ordinary tribunal?

Perhaps the hon Member will give me notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, before calling up additional men to the Colours either by combing out from the ranks of skilled labour, agricultural or technical, or by extending the age limit, he will introduce legislation to enforce in Ireland the same conditions of liability to military service as are in force in the rest of the United Kingdom, and by so doing remove the feeling of injustice which has been raised by this inequality of treatment?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 23rd November to the hon. and gallant Member for East Down.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this feeling is becoming widespread, that Irish labourers are being brought over both for the farms and munitions works, and that English workmen refuse to work with them?

I am aware of the difficulties, and I will look into the matter, but I am not in a position to give any other answer than that I have given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the Government a lead in this matter?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister has not answered my question? I will put it again to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the calling up for the Army of the two sons, who were assistants, of A. Goldthorpe, clogger, of Kirkburton, near Huddersfield, it is impossible for many miners, children, and others to get their boots repaired without great delay, and that, as A. Goldthorpe is the only clogger in this district, injury to health is being caused to many persons in Kirkburton and the surrounding places; and whether, in order that the health of the population in the matter of footwear may be better safeguarded, he will order the release from the Army of one or both of the sons of A. Goldthorpe?

These circumstances would be familiar to the tribunal within whose jurisdiction it lay to decide the case.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that these people are engaged in the vital work of coal-getting, and can he not do something by way of substitution?

I will look into the matter further. I think the responsibility rests with the tribunal.

asked theSecretary of State for War whether he is aware that a large proportion of the time and energy of the War Office is devoted to the recruiting of men for the Army as distinct from the training, equipment, and disposal of them after they are in the Army; and whether he has considered the advisability of transferring the whole work of recruiting to a civilian department in the same way as has been done with the supply of munitions?

The business of the Recruiting Department is so intimately connected with purely military problems that it is not considered that any advantage would be gained by its separation from the War Office.

As this is intimately connected with other problems that arise, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the manner in which recruiting is now being carried on is not only causing much dissatisfaction in the country, but is responsible for many of the difficulties with regard to the supply of men?

asked the Secretary of State for War, in regard to men rejected for military service after the 14th August, 1915, to whom, in accord ance with the Military Service Act, a notice was sent before the 1st September, 1916, calling them up for medical reexamination, and who were thereupon again rejected, whether those men may consider their rejection final or whether they are to remain constantly subject to having the decision reviewed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 23rd November to the hon. Member for Cambridge University.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the form given to these men calling them up states that the examination will be final, and do the War Office respect that decision?

I cannot answer without notice in reference to the statement on the form. In regard to the latter part of the question, my answer to the hon. Member for Cambridge University was that the matter would be final.

Is this matter in the Department of the hon. Gentleman? May I ask for an answer?

Everything with which the War Office is concerned is naturally a concern of mine.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many officers have been employed at the War Office throughout the War; will he consider the advisability of the work of these officers being done by officers wounded or injured in the War; and (2) how many officers of military age now employed at the War Office have not been present at any fighting during the War?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers holding commissions prior to the War now engaged on various Staff positions; and whether any steps are being taken to send these officers to the front, and so relieve others who have been in the fighting line for eighteen months and upwards, and whose experience could be utilised with advantage in positions at home?

All these three questions deal with the same point. My hon. and gallant Friend opposite and my hon. Friend on my right will find, in a reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Enfield Division on 7th March, by the late Under-Secretary of State for War, a statement which answers the latter part of question 46, and of question 52. Arrangements have been made under which officers holding Staff appointments at home and fit for general service are sent to the front in exchange for officers from the Armies in the field, or on replacement by officers who have been invalided and have become fit for Home service.

How many officers who are in Major's uniform in this House have been at the front, and how long have they been there?

asked the Secretary of State for War if the statement made by the chief military representative of the Enfield district at the Enfield Tribunal on the 18th instant to the effect that tribunals are to be asked to instruct applicants for exemption passed for B 2, B 3, C 2, and C 3 to register at the nearest Labour Exchange within fourteen days so that young men can be freed for general service correctly represents the policy now in force; and, if so, whether the same policy is, or is about to be, applied to men so classified who are making no application to the tribunal for exemption?

I am inquiring into the statement alleged to have been made by the military representative at Enfield, but I may point out that it is open to tribunals to instruct applicants for exemption who are in military categories B 2, B 3, C 2, and C 3 to register at the Labour Exchange if they desire to make the proviso to a man being exempted that he undertake work of national importance, and men who, under those directions, register at an Exchange and are placed by the Exchange in munition work as substitutes or as reinforcements of labour receive their certificates of conditional exemption and retain them so long as they remain in such employment. Similarly, any men in B 2, B 3, C 2, and C 3 can register at an Exchange, and if similarly placed as a substitute or reinforcement will receive the same conditional certificate of exemption as if they had registered and obtained employment under the direction of the tribunal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether millers in Great Britain are allowed to extract any percentage of oil from Indian meal; and, if so, how much?

There is no restriction on the extraction of oil from maize, or the meals of maize, but it does not follow that the product after oil has been extracted can be sold as Indian meal or maize meal without disclosure of the fact of the extraction.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that Christmas Day falls on a Monday, and that separation allowances for soldiers' and sailors' wives and families are usually paid on Mondays, he will consider the advisability of permitting payments due on 25th December, 1916, to be made on the previous Friday or Saturday?

asked whether arrangements can be made with the Post Office for the payment of separation allowances which in the ordinary course would be paid on Monday, the 25th December, on the previous Saturday?

This is being considered by the War Office and General Post Office, and I hope it will be possible to make an announcement shortly.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of paying for two weeks at the beginning of that week, and thus saving trouble to the Post Office and that Department?

It is being considered in all its aspects.

asked the Treasurer of the Household 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 the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that Sir Thomas Beecham is of military age, he can say what tribunal exempted him from military service?

Enquiries are being made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the attention of the Income Tax authorities is being directed to the number of persons who are making large profits out of commissions on contracts and otherwise owing to the vast expenditure on the War, and who have no offices and live at hotels and temporary residences and hope by this means to avoid the payment of Income Tax, Super-tax, and War Profits Tax; and will he say how he proposes to collect the tax without taxing the profits at the source from which they are derived?

This important matter is engaging the attention of the Board of Inland Revenue, and I shall be much obliged if my hon. Friend will be good enough to communicate to me any suggestions that he has for strengthening the law in this connection.

May I be allowed to suggest that contracts should contain a clause to the effect that every person receiving a contract from the Government should be an agent for the Government and deduct the Income Tax from any commission which he pays?

I will be glad to consider any suggestion of the kind.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can see his way to introduce a Bill immediately with a view of compelling holders of large grazing tracts of land throughout Ireland to till a certain amount of it next spring as well as to let by conacre a portion of the same to poor people at a reasonable price for the purpose of sowing potatoes?

The question of an increase of tillage, both as an emergency food-supply measure and in the general interests of agricultural development in Ireland, has been receiving the attention of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, but I am advised that the adoption of compulsory legislative methods such as are suggested in the question for one class of owners would raise serious difficulties and would not be likely to advance the object the hon. Member has in view.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is necessary to have a certain amount of tillage even on grazing farms so that the cattle may be kept during the winter and spring months, and that, therefore, it would be to the advantage of that special section to which he refers that there should be more tillage?

Yes, I am aware of that. I am also aware that not only among owners of land on a large scale, but also among owners of land available for dairy and grazing purposes on a small scale there is a strong disposition to make the largest amount from it by using the land for grazing and dairying.

How long more will the Department be considering this question before taking any action?

If the hon. Member will give notice of that question, I will see whether the Department will give an answer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a head constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary at Kinsale was recently victimised through the findings of a Court of Inquiry; whether for some time previous to the holding of the inquiry this head constable and the district inspector were continually at loggerheads; whether one of the chief causes of this inquiry was due to the action of the head constable in charging the district inspector with using a motor vehicle without licence; and, in view of the animus which the inspector was possessed of against this victim, will a further inquiry be held and have the same constituted of impartial men?

The head constable referred to was recently tried by a constabulary Court of Inquiry for a number of offences against discipline. He was found guilty of all the charges except one, and the proceedings of the Court were confirmed by the Inspector-General. Being satisfied that the head constable was quite unfit for his rank, or any post of responsibility, the Inspector-General, in desiring to deal leniently with the case, directed that the head constable should send in an application to be retired on pension. He has done so, and he will be discharged on pension on the 30th instant. I am assured there is no ground for the suggestion that the district inspector in preferring charges against the head constable was actuated by any improper motive. The charges were impartially investigated, and there is no ground for holding any further inquiry.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Petrol Control Committee is the sole authority for the issue of permits for the purchase of petrol; will he state under what Statute or in pursuance of what duty a district inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary has recently served notice in writing on an Irish firm in Kilkenny warning them that the sale of petrol to any person is prohibited unless a permit issued by the police is produced by the purchaser or unless the licence issued by the Petrol Control Committee is countersigned by the police; will he state by whose authority it has been decided that such licences are invalid unless countersigned by the police; and, if this Regulation is not sanctioned by any Statute and is not permitted in England, will he take steps to see that officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary obey the law and do not take upon themselves powers which have not been given to them?

In the procedure adopted by them in this matter, the police were acting in accordance with instructions from the military authorities in Ireland. I am making inquiries as to the matters of law which are involved in the question.

I will repeat the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has now received a reply from the Intermediate Board as to their knowledge of the Scottish system of testing students in experimental science?

Yes, Sir. The Board inform mo that in Scotland the schools frame their own programmes in science, and, therefore, a universal common examination is impossible, but that it cannot be said that written examinations in science are not held in Scotland and that the examination is different at different schools. The Board consider that they are not at liberty to adopt the methods of the Scottish Education Department, for the reason that the statutory powers of that body are entirely different from those of the Board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman acquaint himself exactly with what is done in Scotland by inquiring at Dover house which is within a quarter of a mile from this House?

If I have a free hour some day, I will be delighted to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of the Royal West Kent labour battalion working at Erith have been billeted on the householders of Erith, Slades Green, etc.; is he aware that the payments for the billets have been irregular, in some cases a period of three weeks having elapsed; and, as these are mostly working-class people who occupy the houses, will he see that they receive their money regularly every week?

Inquiries are being made into this case, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers are still attached to the Naval Division; and, if so, what reason there is for not attaching them to an Irish Division?

I recognise, of course, the special interest taken by my hon. and learned Friend and by other Members in the allocation of this battalion, but it is, I fear, impossible to make exceptions to the rule that military information in regard to details of the order of battle must not be made public. The point raised is one for the Commander-in-Chief in France to settle, and I have no doubt that he has done and will do all he can to secure the close association of Irish units, but he must, of course, have regard to paramount military considerations and he must also bear in mind the fact that the principle underlying my hon. and learned Friend's question is capable of very wide extension, and, if so extended, would in effect remove from the Commander-in-Chief a large part of his discretion in regard to the disposition of his troops. The power to use and dispose of troops according to military exigencies and to military exigencies alone is, of course, an essential and indefeasible function of a Commander-in-Chief.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that serious complaints have been made that Irish reserves are not being sent to fill up certain gaps in, the Irish Division, and in view of the fact that the 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised as a reserve battalion in Ireland, is it not reasonable for us to ask that they should be sent to the Irish Division?

I have no doubt that consideration is present to the mind of the Commander-in-Chief. As a matter of fact, my hon. and learned Friend knows that it was brought specially to his notice, but I made it perfectly clear that the allocation of this battalion must be subject to military exigencies in France, and as the Commander-in-Chief has alone to be the judge of what ought to be done under these circumstances it would be a very serious matter for us to interfere from the War Office with his discretion.

Am I to understand that the battalion is not, or will not be, attached to the Irish Division?

No. My hon. and learned Friend simply referred to a single battle—

That is the other question which I postponed at the request of the right hon. Gentleman. This question is simply whether the 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers are still attached to the Naval Division, and, if so, what reason is there for not attaching them to the Irish Division?

My hon. and learned Friend has asked me if I can state whether there is any intention of retaining them in their present position. I clearly could not give an answer to that without consulting the Commander-in-Chief.

What have the 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers to do with the Naval Division?

The same question might be put in reference to any Scotch, Irish, English or Welsh men in the Naval Division?

Why are military regiments put in the Naval Division?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the number of questions answered by the Financial Secretary to the War Office on matters outside his own Department and upon which he has had confessedly neither time nor opportunity to inform himself fully; whether he is aware that this system is unsatisfactory to Members who desire to receive information from a responsible Minister, and that, by distracting the attention of the Minister from his own Department, it is detrimental to the exercise of proper financial control; and whether he proposes to take any action?

It is quite true that my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary has often to answer questions not immediately concerned with his own Department, but these have always been approved and considered by the responsible head of the branch before my hon. Friend gives them. It is quite impossible for any Secretary of State, with the multifarious and responsible duties cast upon him, to undertake to answer personally all questions for which my hon. Friend is not responsible. If Members would only realise the enormous amount of trouble given to an already overworked Department by these questions, many of which have already been answered in this House, I am sure they would consider whether there are no other means of eliciting the information they seek. For instance, there are many questions which can be far more speedily answered by direct reference to the Departments of the War Office immediately concerned, and I am circulating to Members in the next few days a leaflet giving information on this subject.

Arising out of this indication that "the weary Titan staggers under the too vast orb of his fate," may I ask the right hon. Gentleman how he reconciles this with his previous answer, that he will not consent to the devolution of the work of supplying soldiers to a Civilian Department.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of sending out regularly to Members of this House such things as Army Orders which convey information, and which would obviate the necessity of a great many of us putting down these questions?

Yes; but I must consider that very carefully before giving an answer. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put a question down.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think there is need of devolution?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is under consideration to alter the Army Order relating to posthumous honours, so that decorations other than the Victoria Cross may be conferred in cases where the officer or man concerned met with death in the performance of acts of conspicuous gallantry in the field; and whether he is aware that there is a feeling that this change should be made?

I am aware that there is a feeling that there should be some alteration in the present practice, and I explained in an answer I gave to my hon. and learned Friend on 25th October the steps I have taken. I fear I can add nothing to-day. The matter is not one which can be settled offhand.

Has this point been under investigation. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was informed by the War Office that the only thing that had been under investigation and settled was that a posthumous honour might be given in the case of a man who died after the honour had been allotted to him but before it was actually given to him, and that if the death occurred in the performance of the deed of heroism it was impossible?

that was undoubtedly the original decision, but the whole question of posthumous honours is under review at the present moment, and I am not in a position to answer, but I hope to be able to do so soon.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the hardships of non-commissioned officers and men who have been in the fighting line practically since the commencement of the War, and the fact that numbers of men have been in training in this country for nearly twelve months, arrangements will be made to give relief to men at the front by those fully trained at home?

I quite agree with the hon. Member that men who have had long continuous service without leave should have every facility given to them for such leave this winter. The Commander-in-Chief in France is most sympathetic to this view, and I think we can safely leave it in his hands.

asked the Secretary of Stats for War whether he is aware that in Salisbury and its neighbourhood, where the cost of living is exceptionally high, the allowance for billeting soldiers and munition workers is only 2s. 6d. a day for the first man and 2s. 3d. per day for each additional man; if so, at what date were these rates fixed, and when, in view of the recent considerable increases in the cost of food, it is proposed to revise them?

The question of billeting rates is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the scale under which allowances for lodging, board, and washing are now made to nurses mobilised for military service is still the same as that prescribed by the standing orders for the Territorial Force Nursing Service as issued for the year 1912, and, if so, whether by reason of the increased cost of living, he will now take steps to increase such allowances?

The question of increasing the board and washing allowance is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that men after being in hospital are being sent to other regiments instead of to their own regiment on their return to duty; and can he arrange that this practice shall be discontinued, as it is causing dissatisfaction to the men?

On discharge from hospital men are sent to join the reserve battalion of their own regiments. Owing to shortage of accommodation some men have been temporarily attached to other units; but, on becoming fit to proceed overseas, they are returned to the reserve battalions of their own regiments before joining a draft.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that they are sent back to their own regiments in France?

Yes, as far as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that the story of the Antwerp Expedition is being told by the late First Lord of the Admiralty in the columns of the "Sunday Pictorial"; and whether, in view of this, he will now consent to the publication of the official Papers relating to this subject?

The Antwerp Expedition was only an incident in an extensive plan of operations, and it would be impossible to submit the whole of the relevant Papers without disclosing matters which, for military reasons, it is undesirable at present to disclose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that the publication of the official Papers might deprive the ex-First Lord of a profitable weekly source of income?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the anxiety felt for the safety of our transport and food services, he will assure the House, by Secret Session or otherwise, that the hostile submarine menace is well in hand?

My right hon. Friend may rest assured that this subject engages the unremitting attention of the responsible authorities, and that all possible steps are being taken to deal with it.

asked whether, before the House is asked to undertake legislation to bring the Government of Ireland Act into immediate operation, or other legislation of a party character that might involve the break-up of the Government, the Special Register Bill, or some similar measure to enable soldiers and sailors to exercise the franchise, will be placed on the Statute Book?

No such legislation is at present in contemplation, and I see no reason to give a contingent undertaking in regard to it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it right or just that the old register should be used for the forthcoming election?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint a Parliamentary Secretary to the office of the Board of Pensions proposed to be set up by a Bill now under the consideration of this House; and, if so, will he explain why such an appointment should be made so long as the head of the Board is a Member of this House?

The answer is in the affirmative, and for the reason given by my right hon. Friend in speaking on the Financial Resolution on Thursday last.

(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is a fact that coal is selling at Garston for 25s. and 26s. per ton; whether the cross-Channel freight is 10s. 6d.; whether it is true that the current prices in Dublin are 42s. to 43s.; whether he is aware that the want of fuel at a moderate price is causing much distress and dissatisfaction in Dublin city and suburbs; whether he can state what the Government is doing, or proposes to do, at once as the need is urgent?

I believe the hon. Member's figures to be substantially correct, but I have no official means of ascertaining coal prices in England, and I am not aware of difference in principle in the conditions of trade in Dublin as compared with other business centres which would warrant special legislation for the case of Dublin. Section 13 of the Local Government Act of 1898 provides means by which the local authorities are able to afford some assistance, and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Dublin are again instituting a special fund which will, I trust, receive generous public support.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Government will cooperate with the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress in endeavouring to meet the wants of the people of the City of Dublin?

I can assure my hon. Friend if he or any of the other hon. Members for Dublin will point out any effort which the Executive can make without legislative action I shall be delighted that it should be made, particularly as matters at present stand, as I am advised that it is confirmed in the way I have mentioned and which would have the effect my hon. Friend desires and which I would desire also.

May I have an opportunity of talking it over with the right hon. Gentleman to see if we can arrive at a solution?

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there was any other reason than a desire for accuracy in delaying the Admiralty Communiqués on the enemy destroyers' raid off Ramsgate on Thursday night until after the publication of the German official statement?

There was no other reason.

Are we to understand that it is necessary to wait for the German official communiqué before the Admiralty can make up its mind as to the results of a raid?

No, Sir; No, Sir! The German destroyers attempted to approach the north end of the Downs during the night of the 23rd and 24th November. Our communiqué was issued on the evening of the 25th November, and had no reference to the issue of the German communiqué.

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he had any information of the part played by the German air fleet during or immediately preceding the raid by the enemy's destroyers off Ramsgate on Thursday night, and what part, if any, our Naval Air Service took in the action?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the second part is, none.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the fact that, although we have many naval air squadrons, up till recently they have been absolutely and definitely forbidden to drop bombs on Zeebrugge; and that it is only by the repeated representations of the Wing commanders that they have been allowed to do this?

That does not arise out of the question.

Mr. Speaker, may I put to you a question affecting the powers of Members of this House to ask questions relating to Royal Commissions'! I believe it was decided, owing to an abuse of the privilege, that Members should not be allowed to ask questions affecting Royal Commissions. This House has latterly appointed two Royal Commissions. May I ask you of whom we may ask questions affecting the progress those Royal Commissions are making, or are they sitting altogether in camera?

I do not know whether or not these Commisions are sitting in camera. Royal Commissions are appointed by His Majesty for the purpose of making certain inquiries, and it is the duty of the Commissioners not to give information except to His Majesty. That information will be in any report that is presented.

Is there anything to reconcile us to the former practice of which this House was possessed of being able to question Royal Commissioners?

No such power ever existed so far as I am aware.

Was it not the original practice that proper questions as to the proceedings of these Commissions might be asked from the Home Secretary?

I have known questions asked of the Home Secretary as to when a Commission was likely to report, and I think the Home Secretary would probably inquire from the Chairman for the information; but I do not think there can be any question asked of the Commissioners themselves as to what they are doing.

Does your ruling, Mr. Speaker, apply to Statutory Commissions as distinct from Royal Commissions—that is to say, Statutory Commissions set up by Act of Parliament, and which, by Statute, have to report to both Houses of Parliament?