asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that officers on the retired list, unemployed supernumerary list, and reserve of officers while temporarily employed under the War Office receive an allowance for uniform and are held to be eligible for gratuity in addition to their full home or Indian pay or pension and the War Office allowance, he will now place unemployed officers of the Indian Army on the unemployed supernumerary list on their attaining the required age and put them on the same footing as regards allowances and gratuities as the others, and also put a stop to the deductions from their pay now made by the India Office contrary to regulations?

The officers referred to in the question all belong to a class which is liable to be called up for service by the Government of India if required by India either in India itself or overseas. Some of them have been so called up, and they receive the Indian pay appropriate to their appointments. Others—and these are the ones referred to in the question—were not required by India and were allowed to volunteer for service under the War Office. In such case they receive full British pay for such service plus, in most cases, the larger portion, and in no case less than half, of the pay that they receive as unemployed officers. They consequently receive more than British Army officers on the active list of similar rank doing the same work. I cannot conceive that they have authorised my hon. and gallant Friend to represent this as a grievance, and I see no reason for increasing their aggregate remuneration. Its exact adjustment between the British and Indian Exchequers is a matter of departmental arrangement. If any of these officers is dissatisfied I can ask the War Office to dispense with his services. There will be no difficulty in finding other officers anxious to take the position.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether and, if so, when he proposes to introduce compulsory service in the Army for white British subjects of military age in India and Burma; and, if not, how otherwise does he hope to get officers for Indian regiments?

I would refer to the replies given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Melton Division on the 9th instant, and to my hon. and gallant Friend himself on the 15th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question of officers for the Indian Army is of enormous importance at the present time, and that there is a difficulty in obtaining these officers?

I am quite aware of the enormous importance of the question of officers, and that was kept in mind in the two answers to which I have re-ferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sergeant E. P. Hart, who was recently discharged from the Army as medically unfit for further service after about twenty years with the Colours,' has since been ordered to rejoin, has done so in the D Company, 16th Battalion County of London Regiment, and has been graded since joining to Class C 2; and whether it is proposed to retain this man any longer in the Army, having in view the worsened and worsening condition of his health?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will instruct Lieutenant Walter C. Jones, of the recruiting staff, Blackburn, to stop his illegal efforts to force into the Army ex-Private 937, 2nd Western Company, Non-Combatant Corps, now residing at Whitebirk, Blackburn, seeing that this man holds a discharge certificate, dated 30th September, 1916, issued on the ground of physical unfitness, the man being subject to epileptic fits?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will have an immediate inquiry made into the conduct of Major Beattie, of Paisley Barracks, who recently kidnapped a badged skilled workman, named R. J. Flanagan, having first stolen the man's badge, and sent him under escort to Stirling Castle?

asked whether the men of the Non-Combatant Corps lately serving in Boulogne have been removed from the huts they occupied during the summer to make room for black labourers, and are now living under canvas?

Inquiries are being made in each case, and the result, when received, will be communicated to the hon. Members in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that William Canning, late of the Royal Irish Regiment who served in Gallipoli and was discharged from the Army as medically unfit in July, 1916, applied for and ob tained admission to the Derry Workhouse on the 18th November on the ground that he had no place to sleep in at night; and whether there is any provision made for discharged soldiers sufficient to prevent their being reduced to seek admission to the workhouse?

In view of the terms of the medical report on this man, the Chelsea Commissioners awarded him a provisional pension of 5s. a week. They have now given instructions for him to be examined again with a view to further consideration of his case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that on 9th October the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland stated publicly that 40,000 men were required from Ireland before Christmas in order to bring the Irish Regular and service battalions up to strength; if he will state how many recruits from Ireland have been obtained since that statement was made; if he has seen he Return recently presented to Parliament showing that, after making the most liberal allowances for men who are indispensable to agriculture and trade, there still remain in Ireland available for military service upwards of 161,000 men; and if he will state whether, having regard to the statement of the Chief of the Imperial Staff that there is urgent need for more men for the Army, and to the fact that in Great Britain men are being taken by compulsory methods, he will urge upon the Government the necessity for an immediate decision on the question of applying some form of compulsion to Ireland?

Perhaps the hon. Member will raise this question, which is one of policy, on the Man-Power- Debate next week.

Can the hon. Gentleman say on what day next week?

I am afraid I cannot say definitely, but my impression is Tuesday.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the efforts now being made by the enemy to increase his manpower, he will consider the advisability of mobilising the whole manhood of the nation for war work between the age of eighteen and sixty?

My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that His Majesty's Government will give careful consideration to all practicable suggestions on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, under the recent Army Order issued, No. 27 Gen., No. 5783 (D.R.I.), dated 30th October, 1916, the military authorities are giving notices to attested men who were medically rejected prior to the 25th May, 1916, and to whom no notice was given requiring such examination prior to the 1st September, 1916, to again submit themselves for medical examination; are such notices being given to non-attested men; and, if not, whether he is aware that the unattested man is at a distinct advantage in that respect over the attested man?

I have nothing to add to the replies which have recently been given on this subject.

Do I understand that the attested men will not be put in a worse position than the unattested men by this Order?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the Government's intention to extend the Military Service Acts to Ireland?

No, Sir; I can add nothing to the answers I have already given.

asked the Prime Minister whether, of over 20,000 aliens of Russian nationality registered in London as of military age, less than 400 have hitherto offered themselves for enlistment under the special terms offered them by the War Office; and does he, with the consent of the Russian Government, intend to ask Parliament to include these men under the terms of the Military Service Act?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government are in communication with the Russian Government with reference to the position of Russian subjects of military age resident in the United Kingdom, but I regret that it is not yet possible to make a statement as to the course that will be taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not consider the formation of a British Foreign Legion?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over three months' ago I got the same reply? Could nothing be done by telegram?

My right hon. Friend knows that it is not a question this Government can control by itself. I can assure him we are pressing in this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the stock-in-trade and goodwill in their business of men called up for service is being acquired at rubbish prices by aliens; and whether the Government propose to legislate that the terms of any such transaction shall be invalid unless registered with the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee, the terms to include liberty to the vendor to resume possession of the business, with replacement of stock-in-trade or cash equivalent, on the termination of hostilities?

No, Sir. I have no information which bears out the statement contained in the first part of the question. But if my hon. and gallant Friend will be good enough to send me particulars, I will certainly cause inquiries to be made.

I have got particulars. Shall I send them to the right hon. Gentleman or to the Prime Minister?

I should recommend my hon. Friend to send them to the Prime Minister.

Would not the price be lower if aliens were not allowed to compete, just as in the case of the Nigerian properties?

asked the Home Secretary if he can arrange that when conscientious objectors who have refused the Home Office scheme or who have been refused exemption by the Central Tribunal are committed to prison a second time they may be put at once on C diet if they had earned that in their previous term of imprisonment?

If a person who is, or professes to be, a conscientious objector returns to prison in respect of the same sentence, he receives the diet to which he is entitled, reckoning from his first reception. If he is committed on a fresh sentence, he receives the diet laid down by the dietary rules. This is in accordance with the general practice, from which I do not feel able to depart. But the Prison Commissioners inform me that the health of these prisoners is carefully watched and the medical officers use their discretion in giving a special diet to any particular prisoner who needs it on medical grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any official information showing that German agents have been active in Afghanistan; and whether any German agents have been captured by the Russian or British authorities?

The House will perhaps allow me to answer this question somewhat fully. In the spring of 1915 the German Government decided to send a mission to Afghanistan, and for this purpose they selected from among a number of Indian anarchists in Berlin a young landowner from Oudh, who posed to them as a ruling chief, and as such was received in audience by the Emperor. This person was accompanied by a party of German officers, some Turks, and another Indian anarchist—a Moslem. The principal German officer, Lieutenant von Hentig, was the bearer of a letter from the German Chancellor to the Amir, in which the latter was invited to advise the pretended Raja how best India might be liberated from British tyranny. Von Hentig was also charged to make important revelations to the Amir regarding the relations which the German Government hoped would in future exist between Afghanistan, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey.

The mission broke up in Persia, and succeeded in making it way in small parties into Afghanistan in the late summer. They were arrested on arrival and eventually conveyed to Kabul towards the end of the year. There is reason to believe that the Amir and his people quickly appraised these Germans and the Indian adventurers by whom they were accompanied at their true value. It is true that the intervention of Turkey under German influence created a complication and placed His Majesty in an exceedingly difficult position. But at the outbreak of the War His Majesty gave the Viceroy the most solemn assurances of his intention to preserve the neutrality of his country, and it is with great satisfaction that I acknowledge, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, the loyalty of the Amir to his pledged word—as sacred to the true Moslem as to ourselves. His Majesty has firmly refused the inducements—as seductive as they are unrealisable—held out to him to induce him to forsake his Ally, and has used his influence to prevent disturbances on the frontier.

The Amir dismissed the Mission in May last. It would not be in the public interest to state what has become of the various members, but some of them have been captured by the Russians and the British after leaving Afghanistan.

The estates of the Indian landowner have been sequestrated by the Government of India.

Letters were also addressed by the German Chancellor to a number of ruling chiefs.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if about forty men over military age were discharged from various departments in Portsmouth Dockyard on 11th November; whether these men were quite capable of continuing their work; whether men of military age are being retained; and whether, when future reductions are made, men over military age will be retained, and the younger men released for military service?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question therefore does not arise. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, the Admiralty policy is such that any reductions which may be practicable would be effected by releasing men of military age rather than those over military age.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to put an end to rumours of impending changes, he will state what changes are to be made at the Board of Admiralty and in existing commands?

With the King's approval, Admiral Sir Henry Jackson has been appointed Admiral President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

Admiral Sir John Jellicoe becomes First Sea Lord, and Admiral Sir David Beatty has assumed command of the Grand Fleet.

The decisions involving these appointments were taken some time ago; but, for military reasons which my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, the announcement has been delayed.

Are there any other changes in the Board of Admiralty?

There certainly will be, of course, consequential on these, but I thought that what the House desired to have were these principal changes.

Have any other changes in the higher commands besides these been made?

Yes, there are changes in the higher commands. They will be announced in the ordinary course. I thought that my hon. and gallant Friend was chiefly interested in the more important alterations recently effected.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to appoint an air lord to the Board?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to make a statement giving a full and accurate report of the German destroyer raid on the night of Thursday, 23rd-24th November; whether in the opinion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and their staff the said raid had for its objective the sinking of British, Allied, and neutral ships in the Downs so that this important and necessary passage and shelter should be blocked and rendered useless, or whether the object of the raid was merely a bombardment of one or more of the south-east coast ports and towns between Dover and Ramsgate, inclusive, and, if so, which; whether he made an after-dinner speech at a banquet on 9th November wherein, referring to the Channel raid of 26th-27th October, he said, but it can be repeated, and my confident hope is that if it is we shall be able to show that if destroyers can enter the Channel on a night which they choose, and under circumstances in which visibility beyond a few hundred yards is absolutely impossible, they will not be able to get out again without heavy disaster, or words to that effect; whether he can state what the visibility was on the night of 23rd–24th November, and whether the enemy destroyers were able to get away without heavy disaster; whether his confident hope was fulfilled and, if not, can he explain why it was not fulfilled; and whether he can now state which great Power has complete command of the English Channel and North Sea?

A report received from the Vice-Admiral Commanding at Dover states that about 10.45 p.m., on the night of Thursday, the 23rd of November, six enemy destroyers, apparently attempting to pass south inside the Downs, came in contact with the Ramsgate Drifter Patrol. The night was dark and misty, and the enemy made off at once, before they could be engaged by our vessels protecting the shipping in the Downs.

The last of the six enemy vessels opened fire on two of our armed drifters. About twelve shots were fired, some of which hit the drifter "Acceptable." This vessel, however, sustained no casualties and but little damage. The engagement lasted a few minutes.

As regards the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I must observe that the enemy destroyers did not enter the Channel. I still entertain the hope to which my hon. Friend refers.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the Admiralty will not forget that attack is one of the surest forms of defence, and whether we do not require ruthless fighting men in the Admiralty?

Those broad, general principles are no doubt perfectly sound in the abstract, but if my hon. Friend means that the Board of Admiralty are to use His Majesty's ships to attack batteries on shore without scruple, ruthlessly, that is not a policy that I for one shall ever consent to.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, may I say that my remark was not directed to any towns on shore, but to submarines?

We have not spared submarines wherever we have had a chance to destroy them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state why no effective measures have been taken to destroy Zeebrugge; whether all the monitors or shallow-water craft specially designed and built for this class of work are available for operations against this nest of small craft or whether they are employed elsewhere; and whether he can state what distance in a direct line Zeebrugge is from Dover?

I do not think it desirable that questions of this kind about operations of war should be either put or answered. What my hon. Friend rightly calls a "nest of small craft" is also a naval base, defended by powerful shore batteries. It is 72 nautical miles from Dover.

Is it not the fact that these monitors were designed and built for this work, and that they were directed away from that work to the perfectly futile work of the Dardanelles, as I venture to think?

I cannot discuss the Dardanelles question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can see his way to issue a weekly Return of the British merchant and fishing vessels lost by hostile action, similar to the Returns which were issued up to October, 1915?

I have consulted the President of the Board of Trade, who agrees with me in thinking that it would not be in the public interest to adopt the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. Statements of losses are published in the newspapers as they occur.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a steamer lately wrecked on the Goodwin Sands was until quite recently a German steamer; whether she had been transferred to new owners while lying in a neutral port; whether such transfers in time of war are accepted by all the Allies as final and in accordance with international law; if he will state the nationality of the crew, manning the ship and the country which has granted the protection of its flag; whether any more such transfers of German steamers have been effected; and, if so, is there any limit to the number of ships which can be so transferred?

The vessel in question flew the German flag before the War. She was, however, under charter to a neutral firm, who were in possession of an option to purchase her. On the outbreak of war this firm sought permission to exercise their option, and His Majesty's Government, in consultation with their Allies, consented, subject to certain stipulations which had the object of ensuring that she could not possibly be run in the interest of the enemy. Five other enemy vessels have been transferred to neutral flags under somewhat similar circumstances. It is very improbable that at this period of the War their number will be increased. The shipwrecked vessel flew the American flag. The nationality of the crew is not known to the Admiralty except that, in accordance with the conditions of transfer of flag, there are no enemy subjects among them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) what are the patent rights and other matters which he has learnt are included in the 16 per cent. commission paid by certain American companies to an English barrister for influencing or securing the Admiralty orders for their aeroplanes; and (2) whether any members of his staff acted in any manner as introducer or intermediary between the English barrister acting as agent for an American aeroplane company; and whether he will inquire fully into the ultimate distribution of the sums involved?

The answer to the first part of Question 7 is in the negative. As regards the other matters referred to in the questions I do not think I can profitably deal with them until the Admiralty have full information before them as a result of the inquiries now being carried out in the United States, I have already given my hon. Friend an assurance that the inquiry already initiated will be full and searching, and I hope he will be prepared to leave the matter at that for the time being.

Will the inquiry include a specific investigation into the prices paid?

Yes; I said last week that we would go fully into the whole contract.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of the 95.1 per cent. of the Royal Naval Air Service who are not pilots are serving at home; and what percentage of the officers and men so serving at home are of military age?

Seventy-five per cent. of the Royal Naval Air Service personnel—excluding pilots—are serving at home. My hon. Friend will, of course, be aware that there are many duties which render this necessary. The handling of airships demands a considerable proportion of men per pilot. Then there are mechanics and men engaged on transport and administration work, officers and men engaged on instructional work, and those also employed in connection with experimental gunnery and flying work, and, finally, there is, as my hon. Friend knows, a proportion of the personnel employed on coast and sea patrol work. The exact percentage of the officers and men so serving who are of military age cannot be ascertained without a large amount of clerical labour, but it has been estimated for me that about 90 per cent. come within this category.

Could not many of the men engaged in clerical work, and some of the control men, be replaced by older men, so that the men of military age might be released for active service?

In regard to the clerical staff, it has been recently examined, and as to the other part of the question, I will put the point before the responsible authorities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether No. 3 Wing of the Royal Naval Air Service, numerically the largest wing of the Royal Naval Air Service, was sent by the Admiralty to its present position on the Continent, where it has been quartered since July, without application for either their presence or their services by Sir Douglas Haig or the general commanding the Royal Flying Corps; and whether either of these officers has the right to call on such wing for help if needed? If the right hon. Gentleman feels that to answer this question would not be in the national interest I do not want it answered.

You ought to have thought of that before you put it down.

The force in question was sent in answer to a request from the French military authorities, with whom it is at present serving, and who are, I believe, much satisfied with its performance. It does not operate in the vicinity of the British Line, nor is it under the British General Headquarters. But of course it forms part of the general forces of the Crown which can be used by the Government wherever they are most needed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on whose application, and on what grounds, passports were given to the French ecclesiastics now in Ireland, and for what purpose they were allowed to proceed there at a time when no other civilian is allowed to travel from France to Ireland or from Ireland to France; whether the concession promised by the French Government to the Church is conditional on the success of those ecclesiastics in diminishing the opposition to Conscription in Ireland; and, in either case, whether it will be conceded immediately or not until after the War?

My right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State has asked me to give the answer to the question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned to him on the 1st instant.

As the reply was a refusal, will the hon. Gentleman say whether those travellers held any communication whatever with the Foreign Office; by means of what document do they travel at a time when other civilians are not allowed to travel, and for what purpose do they travel?

I am afraid I have not exact knowledge on any of the points the hon. Member has raised. All I can say is that there is the very strongest improbability in the suggestions conveyed by the question. I have no doubt that the object of the French Mission is to demonstrate the complete solidarity of the Church in France with the French nation in the prosecution of the War.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to inform the House of the extent, if any, to which the French ecclesiastics now in Ireland have succeeded in diminishing opposition to Conscription there; and whether the War Office has given a guarantee that, in the event of their success, Conscription shall not be applied to ecclesiastical students as it is in France?

I have made inquiries, but I have not been able to obtain any information on the subject to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the policy of recognising the government of Venizelos as the de facto authority in the districts where his influence predominates, the port of Piraeus is regarded as being under the jurisdiction of the provisional government at Salonika, having regard to the fact that the inhabitants are Venizelist in sympathy?

M. Venizelos was informed that the Allied Powers would recognise his de facto authority in those districts and islands which accepted his Government and officials. These conditions are not present in the case of the Piraeus, so that the suggestion contained in the last part of the question does not arise.

What is the test of whether or not any particular district is under M. Venizelos' Government?

These matters are far too delicate and important for me to answer supplementary questions on the spur of the moment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will say, in view of the fact that the situation in Greece changes from day to day, whether the authority of M. Venizelos is still regarded as extending over New Greece and the islands, while that of the King is limited to Old Greece; if so, will he state what steps have been taken by the Allies to protect the Venizelists in Kolendro, Libanovo, Ekaterini, Grevena, Elassona, and other districts in New Greece, where they are being subjected to persecution by agents of the unconstitutional Government at Athens?

The definition of the respective zones of authority in Greece has to some extent been modified by the creation of the neutral zone. His Majesty's Government are in consultation with their Allies in regard to the point raised in the second part of the hon. Member's question.

May I ask, as this is a very urgent matter, what is the position of Greek officers and men—from the combatant point of view—who are on the wrong side of the neutral zone, and who join the Venizelos Army? Are they to be treated as francs-tireurs, as the German newspapers say, and to be shot and executed?

I am afraid that I cannot answer this supplementary question.

I will put it down to-morrow.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the delimitation of the neutral zone between the Venizelists and the Court party in Greece was arranged on the advice of M. Venizelos or after consultation with him; whether the effect of this arrangement is to obstruct the exercise of his influence by M. Venizelos in Thessaly, where the population is preponderatingly in his favour; whether it secures to the Court party districts of South Macedonia and the whole of Epirus, where M. Venizelos polled large majorities in the elections of 1915; and whether, in concert with the Allies and after consultation with M. Venizelos, he will take immediate steps so to rearrange the neutral zone as not to favour the interests of the enemies of the Allies in Greece?

I have nothing to add to the account which my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs gave of this question on Monday.

Is there any means by which M. Venizelos can increase the region over which he has de facto authority, or is the interpretation of the speech of the Noble Lord, the other evening, an invitation to the King to hold fast, and that he would be protected by the Allies?

The hon. Gentleman must ask my Noble Friend for his own interpretation of his speech.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Boulogne Conference decided to introduce any new principle into the procedure governing the action of the Allied Powers in Greece; and, if so, whether the privileged status of the protecting Powers, England, France, and Russia, is thereby affected?

It is not possible for me to make statements in this House regarding what passed between the Allied Powers at the Conference of Boulogne without consulting those Powers, except that there was complete agreement as to the steps then to be taken with regard to Greece, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the status of the guaranteeing Powers was in no way affected by any decisions come to at that Conference.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. D. Thomas Curtin has had his passport cancelled by the American Government; and, if so, whether, and on what terms, he will be free to leave this country if he so desires?

With regard to the first part of the question I have no official information. The second part should be addressed to the Home Office.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a statement to the effect that the passport has been taken away by the American Government appeared in the "New York World," and will he make inquiry?

No, Sir; I do not think it is a case for making any inquiry.

Is it not rather important that a gentleman whose passport has been taken away by the American Government should not be allowed to enter prohibited areas where no alien is allowed to enter?

The Home Office is quite alive to the situation on the assumption that the passport has been withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is responsible for the suppression in the annual Report on Ceylon for 1915, just presented to both Houses of Parliament, where what is described as an estimate of injury to persons and property in the riots of that year is limited to alleged injury to the persons and property of Moors; why the injury to the persons and property of Sinhalese by Moors, and subsequently by the military and police, are not included; whether he will state the number of Sinhalese live? taken; and when an impartial statement of the entire results of the riots will be presented to both Houses of Parliament?

I answered this question on 1st November, and I have nothing to add to what I said then.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that an inquiry is now going on in Ceylon with reference to some losses of person and property suffered by the Sinhalese, and why the Report to Parliament does not include those sufferings and those losses?

An inquiry is going on because I thought it was desirable that such an inquiry should be held, and when I get the Report I shall consider what use to make of it.

May I ask for what reason the right hon. Gentleman refused an English Commission of inquiry which was petitioned for by the Sinhalese?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn, in connection with the available African man-power, to the insistence of every authority who has written upon the subject that, in view of the peculiar dangers and difficulties of the experiment, it would be advisable to utilise the services of ex-administrators and others with mature experience of the African in some advisory capacity upon recruitment, transport, and management; and whether he will consider the advisability of placing the whole of such work in the hands of such a body of men who could act in a capacity similar to Lord Derby's recruiting committee.

As at present advised I am not in favour of the specific proposal suggested by my hon. Friend. I am anxious to have the benefit of the advice of the gentlemen referred to in the question, and I shall try to arrange an interview with them at which I hope the Secretary of State for War will be able to attend.

May I ask whether the arrangement made with the Colonial Office stands?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has had communications with the Governments of the self-governing Dominions, especially Canada and Australia, on the subject of employing in those Colonies coloured labour for railway, dock, and other unskilled labour; if so, whether he can state that these Colonies have in any case agreed to initiate this policy; under what conditions, if any; and whether the Governments of India, of South Africa, or of any Foreign Power has been approached with a view to the provision of coloured labour in our self-governing Colonies?

I have had no communication with the Governments of the Dominions on this subject.

Is it not a well-known fact that it is contrary to public policy of the Commonwealth of Australia and of the Dominion of Canada to employ coloured labonr as imported from outside?

I think it is a well-known fact, and, in any case, it is a matter for those Governments themselves.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong feeling of resentment growing amongst the working classes in this country at the suggestion of the employment of coloured labour here?

"No, no!"

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing uneasiness of the natives in West Africa at the possibility of the imposition of a Palm-kernel and Palm-oil Tax; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

If the hon. Member is referring to the proposed Export Duty on palm kernels, I have received no representations from the natives of West Africa against the adoption of that proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has consented to the remission of any export duties in the West African Colonies on merchants' stocks; and, if so, whether this remission will exempt the merchants while the producers remain subject to the full duties and the consequent reduction in the value of their produce?

In the Gold Coast, when the export duty of ¼d. per pound was imposed on cocoa the Legislative Council exempted stocks warehoused at the port of shipment on the 30th September. As the cocoa in question was purchased by the merchants before they knew of the coming tax, and therefore at prices which did not take it into account, I see no ground for thinking that any hardship will fall on the producers.

Are we to understand that the producer must pay and the merchants do not?

No, Sir. The same kind of difficulties often arise in the imposition of new taxes, and I think they have been fairly met by the Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what export duties are now in operation in the West African Colonies, and when they were brought into operation; and what further export duties are to be imposed?

The export duties at present in force in the various West African Colonies are: in the Gambia 6s. 8d. per ton on ground nuts. This duty was first levied in 1887. In the Gold Coast ¼d per pound on cocoa from the 1st of October, 1916. In Nigeria £1 2s. 6d. per ton on palm kernels; £2 per ton on palm oil and £2 6s. 8d. per ton (¼d. per pound) on cocoa. These Nigerian export duties were imposed on 7th October last. They are, however, being reduced by one half in the case of produce exported before 1st April, 1917. There is also in Nigeria an export duty on tin ore not smelted within the British Empire, equal to 3¾ per cent. on the value. This came into force in April last. The ordinary royalties on tin ore in Nigeria are also collected in the form of an export duty. The only further export duty in contemplation, so far as I am aware, is that of £2 a ton on all palm kernels crushed outside the British Empire which has been recommended by the Edible Nuts Committee, whose report was recently presented to Parliament.

Is that in addition to the existing duty?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will say what arrangements he has made for organising throughout the Dominions and the Colonies the fullest output of additional tonnage for use in the mercantile marine?

As mentioned in a written reply given yesterday, efforts are being made to utilise to the best advantage the shipbuilding resources of the Empire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider the advisability of making arrangements with the Australian Government and with the Treasury by which any silver Australian coins tendered in England can be exchanged at face value for similar English coins?

I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to questions by the hon. Member for the Tavistock Division on 2nd and 10th August last, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the text of the written message borne by Miss O'Farrell from the late Patrick H. Pearse and delivered by her to the commander of the British forces in Dublin on the 29th April last and the text of the written reply?

As I have already indicated, the original message sent by P. H. Pearce was verbal and not written, but I find that some written communication did pass subsequently. I will send the hon. Member, if he desires, copies of these communications.

I shall be obliged to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is by his direction that the policy is being carried out of attempting to seize Irish prisoners interned in Great Britain for complicity in the recent insurrection in Ireland and compel them, under the Military Service Act, to join the British Army; and whether he has directed the trial by court-martial of Irish prisoners in the camp at Frongoch, on the charge of refusing to aid the military authorities to identify their comrades whom it was proposed to seize under the Military Service Act?

The first part of this question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs; in regard to the second part of the question, the answer is in the negative.

Am I to understand that the Secretary of State for Home Affairs is responsible for the policy of carrying out the Military Service Act? I may say that I put the question to that Department some days ago, and I was referred to the War Office.

I think I am right in saying that the matters involved in the first part of the question are within the control of my right hon. Friend.

I think certainly not! I have had several cases of the kind. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] It is a question of Order. I have, Mr. Speaker, been referred by the Home Office in all such cases to the War Office?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have not the slightest intention or wish to evade any responsibility that properly attaches to the War Office. I will have the question looked into again. If I find it is a matter for us, I will give my hon. Friend an answer.

Perhaps I may be allowed to explain. So far as the question is concerned of releasing men now interned in order to engage in military service, it is a matter for the Home Office. So far as the question is concerned of recruiting certain classes of men for military service it is a matter for the War Office to decide who shall be called up. When they decide that, we decide whether the men shall be released.

The question has nothing to do with the releasing of men; it has simply to do with the policy of calling up certain classes of men. Therefore it is a War Office question—I was told so.

asked how long the existing state of affairs at Frongoch Camp is to continue; if he is aware that the commandant is continuously making trouble for the Irish prisoners; if he is aware that Captain Colthurst was known to be unfit to control men when he was let loose on unarmed people in Dublin; and if he will now cause the commandant at Frongoch to be mentally examined and report on his suitability to be in charge of 570 unarmed men?

I have nothing to add to the answers I have given in this House on several occasions to the hon. Member's questions on this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question—whether the commandant there is insane, and will he have him examined? Has the right hon. Gentleman no answer to that, and are our countrymen always to-be treated like slaves?

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply—

He gave no reply.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not appoint a more humane officer over these men until they are released instead of this commandant?

I have no reason to think that this commandant is not humane.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remove the Prussian Guard from these prisoners? Our countrymen are being tortured to death.

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

Six hundred men are being tortured.

asked the Home Secretary under what provision of the law Irish political prisoners interned in Great Britain are being tried by court-martial for alleged offences against prison discipline?

They are tried, not by a court-martial, but by a disciplinary military Court, such as may be held under the Royal Warrant dealing with disciplinary matters in any internment camp. The authority for the punishments is furnished by the Royal Warrant for the maintenance of discipline, which is applied to these prisoners in pursuance of the powers conferred by the Defence of the Realm Regulation 14B.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman—this is a very serious matter—whether he is responsible for the proceedings which led up to this court martial, or this disciplinary Court, because the War Office declare that they have no responsibility?

Yes, I am generally responsible for the conduct of the camp. The commandant was appointed by the War Office.

What is the exact difference between a court-martial and this disciplinary military Court?

That question does not arise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any man of the Captain Colthurst type on the court-martial?

That question does not arise.

Why were we permitted to have a published report of the first day's proceedings and no report afterwards?

That question does not arise.

Is it not the fact that on Saturday and Monday a court-martial was held on certain prisoners in Frongoch Camp, and are those Courts held under the ordinary military law?

The hon. Member can give notice of that question. It does not arise out of the one on the Paper.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland why the soldiers who shot Messrs. Sheehy-Skeffington, Dickson, and McIntyre, three unarmed civilians, in Dublin last April, and the officers who ordered the shooting have not been put on trial and thus afforded an opportunity of making their defence, whatever it may be, and having a decision of a Civil Court on their character, instead of being left, as they now are, with no answer to the charge of murder?

The officer who gave the orders for the shooting of the persons referred to has already been put on trial and found guilty. It is not intended to bring to trial the soldiers who obeyed the orders of their officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the untried Irish prisoners now detained in this country have been, directly or indirectly, offered release on condition that they joined the British Army; how many of them have been successfully seduced; what special punishment, in addition to continued imprisonment, follows refusal; under what law is this offer made, if the men were guilty and deserved imprisonment; and how is the offer distinguishable from the offence of seduction from allegiance for which Roger Casement has been hanged?

The answer to the first part of the question is, none. The remainder does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that there are between 300 and 400 men confined, as punishment, in the South Camp, which is unfit for human habitation; if he is aware that the wife of one of these men in the South Camp, Thomas Daly, No. 1199, recently died; that the news was not conveyed to the man himself, but was posted in the camp; that he was not allowed to send a telegram to his brother; and that no promise would be given that he would be allowed parole to attend the funeral; if he is aware that several of the men thus confined for punishment in the South Camp are in serious want of medical attention, but that this will not be allowed them unless they answer their name and number; if he is aware that one man, Tierney, got into such a low state of health, due to bad treatment and want of medical attention, that he is now out of his mind and was only got to. hospital with difficulty, and that no news was sent to this man's, Tierney's, friends or relations that his health was in such a critical condition although his failing health had been apparent for some days; if he is aware that, for the petty offence of wandering on the landings of the dormitories after lights out, four prisoners have been sentenced to fourteen days' bread and water; that a number of men who are badly in need of new boots and new clothes are refused either one or the other; and that generally the relations between the prisoners and their guards is such as to give serious apprehension of some grave occurrence unless the existing treatment is immediately ameliorated; and if he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The South Camp, as I have repeatedly informed the hon: Member, was reported upon most favourably by the American Embassy, when it was occupied by German prisoners of War. I have called for a report upon the statements in the remainder of the question. When it reaches me I will communicate further with the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man Tierney, the second man, has almost been driven mad by this Prussian guard, and can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government intend to treat them as Christians?

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the condition of the convalescent camp at Ballyvarra, county Cork; is he aware that during the late stormy weather it has been constantly flooded, and that the patients have had their beds crowded together owing to the leaky roofs of many of the huts; and will he state the number of deaths in the camp during the last two months, and if any of the deaths are reported to have been caused by damp and cold?

I assume my hon Friend refers to the camp at Ballyvonare. During the recent abnormal rains I understand that the huts at the Command Depot did leak. Steps were taken at once to have repairs carried out. One death has occurred during the last two months, but it was not attributable to damp or cold.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he has any official Reports showing that there has been an increase of accidents in the streets of London on account of the darkening of the streets because of Zeppelin raids; and, if so, whether he can make any statement on the subject?

Although there has been an increase in the aggregate number of accidents occurring in the streets of London, this increase has certainly not been wholly due to the lighting restrictions. My hon Friend will be aware that a large proportion of the skilled drivers who used to be employed in London have gone to the Army, and that their places have been taken by less skilful persons. I have noticed a statement in the Press that in 1915, 867 people in London alone met their deaths as a direct result of the darkness of the streets. I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the actual number of fatal accidents which occurred in 1915 during the dark hours was only 358. From this number those which normally occurred during the dark hours in ordinary times must be deducted and a further deduction must be made on account of the employment of less skilled drivers. My hon. Friend will thus see that the number of accidents during the dark hours which can be assigned directly to the darkness of the streets has been very much exaggerated.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that a large number of these accidents are due to the absence of any eyesight test for the driver?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether the military hospital at Dundee is part of the asylum there; whether there are still mental patients in the establishment; whether both classes of patients intermix in the grounds and elsewhere; and (2) whether the nurses in the military hospital, Dundee, are paid 1s. 1d. per day as wages; whether their sleeping accommodation is at the Royal Hotel, at the other end of the town; whether the tram-car fares of these nurses for this distance is 6d. per day, which they have to pay out of their wages; whether there has been in the last two months a considerable number of nurses' resignations, causing marked shortage of the nursing staff; whether heavy train-loads of wounded men are frequently arriving who cannot be properly attended to on account of this shortage; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I will cause inquiries to be made into the points raised in these questions.

I will put a question down for next week.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that thousands of soldiers have been in France during the past two years without having leave of any kind; and will he ask the commanders in the field to arrange, if possible, for early leave for such men?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 27th November to the hon. Member for Derby.

asked whether any arrangements are contemplated for providing temporary accommodation in London for men on leave from the trenches who have to wait for their trains?

In an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Orkneys on 20th October, 1915, my hon. and gallant Friend will find a statement of the buildings which had then been made available for this purpose. Further arrangements have since been made for the purpose of accommodating men on leave from the trenches, and, as is known, His Majesty has graciously placed at the disposal of soldiers arriving in London from the front the Buckingham Palace Riding School. More accommodation will be provided if found necessary.

Is my hon. Friend aware that at Victoria Station, for instance, there are only three forms in the whole station; will he see that a few more are provided?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that direct competition takes place between military and naval supply branches in provision of foodstuffs, potatoes in particular; and will he ensure that in uture the closest co-operation will be established between purchasing channels for Expeditionary Forces, Home Forces, and Naval Forces, in order that the Food Controller may only have to deal with one channel for the provision of these supplies to all the forces of the Crown?

Steps have already been taken to co-ordinate the supply of potatoes for the naval and military services generally, and the question is now under consideration with a view to effecting further improvements in the arrangements.

The question says provision of foodstuffs, and potatoes in particular?

Yes; I think that is so. I think they are enquiring into foodstuffs as well, but I will enquire further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men discharged from the Army are not all entitled to the silver badge; that those who are not have no recognition of any kind; and whether, if the badge cannot or should not be given all round, he can see his way to provide some recognition of men who have served, so that they may have some form of protection?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 1st November to the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow.

Can my hon. Friend take into consideration that if these men cannot have a silver badge they should be given a bronze badge which would indicate the fact that they had seen service in the Army, though not entitled to the silver badge?

I do not think we can give a badge to everyone now serving in the Army. I think the silver badge carries us as far as we can go at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Cabinet has sanctioned the present policy of successive courts-martial on young Irishmen for no offence but passive disregard of orders of British military officers whom they never undertook to obey and refuse to recognise; and if he will say to what number of men of this disposition, and to what number of successive courts-martial on each, has the Cabinet consented?

No, Sir; His Majesty's Government have not sanctioned any policy which in any way answers to the description which the hon. Member gives, and consequently no such policy is being followed.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware of John Nunam being at present subjected to that particular force?

The hon. Member is asking me whether the Government have sanctioned that particular policy?

Yes.

I say they have not.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements that those wounded and sick soldiers who are sufficiently convalescent in our hospitals should be granted leave at Christmas and provided with travelling facilities in order to spend Christmas with their families and friends?

If these men are still in a condition to need hospital treatment, I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

May I be allowed to point out—[HON. MEMBERS: "NO," and "Order."]—May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he has given attention to the word "sufficiently" in the question; it only relates to those who are sufficiently well?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will communicate with the Commander-in-Chief with a view to securing an armistice at Christmas for the purpose of burying the dead lying between the opposing lines on the Western front.

No, Sir.

Can any steps be taken to achieve this object, for sanitary reasons? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]

That is a matter which lies entirely in the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief, who will exercise his own judgment as to what action he thinks, necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why less money per pound is being paid for wool to Mr. John Jones, of Penycae, Breconshire, than in 1914, instead of the promised 35 per cent. advance on the price of that year, in spite of the fact that this farmer's clip has been taken for twelve years by the same buyer?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate the result as soon as I can.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Bridget Duggan, of Cahir, Louisburgh, county Mayo, on presenting her ring paper at Louisburgh Post Office on the 31st October ultimo, was informed that her separation allowance was stopped because her son, Private Patrick Duggan, No. 5893, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, was killed in action on the 25th September; and, if so, whether such stoppage of the allowance so soon after the death of her son was in accordance with the War Office Regulation?

Mrs. Duggan was not able to establish a claim to dependant's separation allowance, and issue of the allotment from the soldier's pay correctly ceased on notification of his death.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to state the intentions of the Government with regard to increased separation allowances?

The War Office and Admiralty, in communication, are framing a scheme for consideration by the Treasury and no time is being lost.

Shall we have that scheme presented to the House before we break up for the Session?

I certainly hope so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is proposed to make any allowance to officers of the Volunteer Training Corps towards provision of their uniforms; and whether his Department will reimburse adjutants of this corps for sundry expenses connected with the management, clerking, and postages of the body?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; in regard to the second part of the question, I think the hon. Member will find that the financial provision under the scheme, which will shortly be brought before the House, is sufficient for the purposes indicated.

asked what weekly increase per head has been given, respectively, in England, Scotland, and Wales to teachers as war bonus?

No war bonus has been paid to school teachers in England or Scotland out of public funds, and I have no information as to any bonus that may have been paid by the local authorities.