asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has now considered the effect, direct or indirect, of the new Order calling up attested rejected men for medical reexamination whereby they are placed in a worse position than men who refrained from volunteering under the Derby scheme, who have been rejected since 14th August, 1915, and to whom the Army Council has not before 1st September, 1916, sent a notice calling them up for medical re-examination; and whether he proposes to take any action?

This matter has received careful consideration. Attested men who on re-examination are again found unfit for any form of military service, are now, and have been since the middle of July, given a discharge certificate. As regards others, I must remind my hon. Friend that it is necessary to use all available resources of man-power and in this connection to review the medical classifications. An attested man who was relegated to the Reserve because he did not belong to a category which was being taken at the time may now find himself required if he belongs to a category which is being taken. I think my hon. Friend fails to keep in mind that the men referred to in the question are not rejected in the sense of the Military Ser-vice Acts. They attested for the Reserve, and though they may not have been utilised at the time they remain under the liability to be called up.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now able to make any statement with regard to the position of men who have been rejected on re-examination or put in categories as unfit for service, with a view to ending, as far as possible, the uncertainty as to their future position, which is at present preventing many of them from entering into ordinary business obligations?

It is not intended to call up again for military service or for medical re-examination men who have been again found on re-examination as unfit for any form of military service. These men will receive a discharge certificate. Those who on re-examination are pat in the categories for labour or sedentary work abroad or at home receive in effect conditional exemption from military service if they register at an Exchange and are employed on work of national importance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, with a view to putting an end to-the uncertainty under which rejected men now labour, the Army Council will issue an Order that where a man previously rejected is rejected again, or found totally unfit for military service on re-examination by a medical board, he will be given a discharge from the Reserve on medical grounds on the proper Army form?

An Order was. issued on the 13th July last that where a. man on medical examination by a medical board was found unfit for any form of military service, he should, if attested, be furnished with a discharge certificate, and if unattested be furnished with a medical rejection certificate. There is no intention to recall men who have been so dealt with under that Order for further medical examination or for military service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, with regard to the case of Private Jones, No. 39609, late 8th Lancashire Fusiliers, Territorial, who was seventeen on the l0th November, 1916, whether he went with the 8th Lancashire Fusiliers to Egypt in 1914, being then fifteen or under; whether he was claimed out by his mother as being under age; whether he has been sent home but is being retained for training and not released from the Army till he is of proper age to serve; and, if so, why this is?

Inquiries are being made, and I will send my hon. Friend the result when I receive the report which has been asked for.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office in regard to the widow of a soldier who has drawn a gratuity of two years' pension on her remarriage, and whose second husband has afterwards enlisted, whether she is entitled to full separation allowance in respect of her second husband?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the arrangements regarding temporary allowances, pending settlement of pension, made by the War Office, and the promise of May last that no man should suffer, still exist; if so, why are exceptions made with many Irish soldiers, some of whom have been sixteen months discharged without either pension or allowance; if he will say to what Department application for such should be addressed; and if the man Mates, who has been the subject of former inquiries and has suffered severely, has yet received such allowance?

The arrangements still exist. and no exceptions are made as regards Irish soldiers. The claim of Mates to a pension was rejected in May last, but inquiries are again being made in consequence of his appeal and the result will be communicated to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Mrs. Annie Carr, of 34, Law-son Place, Dundee, the wife of a conscientious objector now employed at Wakefield on work of national importance, is now receiving l1s. per week for herself and two children, aged, respectively, four and six; whether he is aware that, while she herself is earning 10s. per week, she has to pay 5s. per week to have these children looked after, and has other heavy expenses for insurance premium, and rent and rates; and whether, in view of the distinct hardship thus created, he is prepared to make an additional allowance?

Mrs. Carr was originally granted separation allowance at the rate of l1s. a week. At that time she refused full information as to her circumstances. This was afterwards furnished, and she has been awarded an allowance of 17s. a week as from the 13th instant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the present pattern field-service cap is most cumbersome and difficult to carry on the pack, especially for those troops who also have steel helmets; whether the old pattern cap now worn by the Royal Flying Corps is cheaper, in addition to being easily carried or packed; and whether the advisability of gradually replacing the present caps of the fighting troops by a cap which they can carry easily while wearing steel helmets will be considered forthwith?

When steel helmets were introduced a soft cap was adopted which can be carried in the pack. These soft caps are now supplied to all who have occasion to use the steel helmet.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is intended that Army Council Instruction No. 1,643, of 22nd August, 1916, which lays down that applications for individual transfers of non-commissioned officers and men will not for the future be entertained unless it is clearly in the interests of the service as a whole or unless the circumstances brought forward are of a most exceptional nature, shall affect King's Regulations, paragraph 333 (iv.), which enables a younger brother to serve with an elder brother, both units being in the same country; and whether he will make it clear that the transfer of a younger brother to serve with an elder brother, provided both are serving in units in the same country and are both passed fit for general service, is permissible?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 7th November to the hon. Member for West Bradford. As far as the exigencies of the Service permit, what the hon. and gallant Member desires is done, but I must remind him that there are many impediments, which may prevent it.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the "Strength of Britain" advertisements are issued under the auspices of Messrs. Randles, whose advertisements of ladies' corsets are well known in the Press; that an American publicity agent is employed in promoting the "Strength of Britain" propaganda; and will he say whether advertisements in the Press are submitted to the Press Censor before publication?

I have no knowledge of the matters mentioned in the first two parts of the question. AS regards the third, advertisements in any way connected with the War may be submitted to the Press Bureau in the same way as any other matter for publication, but advertisers are not bound to take that course.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a meeting in support of peace negotiations was arranged to be held in South Street schoolroom, Ilkeston, on 30th, November, and that Mr. Charles Walker, Superintendent of Police, on the 27th November, wrote to the secretary of the committee organising the meeting giving notice that, under Regulation 9a of the Defence of the Realm Act, he prohibited the holding of the meeting, and said that if any attempt was made to hold it in contravention of this prohibition he would take such steps as might be necessary to disperse it; whether the superintendent was acting under the authority of the Home Office; and, if so, what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

I understand that the Superintendent of Police at Ilkeston, believing that the meeting would cause a grave disturbance of the peace, informed the promoters of it that it could not be held. He had no authority from the Home Office for giving this notice, but I have no doubt that he acted in good faith and in the belief that his action was necessary for preserving order. The superintendent has been warned that he has no authority to prohibit meetings, but I do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, before any new regulations are made adversely affecting commercial travellers as regards railway passenger fares, week-end privileges, and amount of luggage permitted, he will consult the recognised commercial travellers' associations of the United Kingdom and receive a deputation from them on the subject?

If the associations referred to will be good enough, in the first place, to communicate their views at once to the Board of Trade in writing, their representations will receive consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Wexford public bodies have passed resolutions respecting the frequent interruption of traffic on the Dublin South-Eastern line of railway owing to the encroachment of the sea; and, seeing the inconvenience caused to traders and farmers and also to the Government; as this line is one of two by which troops and war material can be carried between Dublin and the South of Ireland, he can see his way to do anything to prevent these stoppages of traffic?

I am aware of resolutions by public bodies on this subject, and I am making inquiries into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that British employers are frequently taking away Irish labourers to their works in Great Britain whilst leaving their wives and children a burden on the Irish public; and will he see, by legislation or otherwise, that these employers set aside a sufficient weekly sum and have it sent to the labourers' wives and children?

I am not aware that such cases are of frequent occurrence, but I am making inquiries through the Irish Office. I shall be glad to receive and consider any particulars which the hon. Member can give me of the cases lie has in mind.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a German named Karl Burgdorff, once interned and since released, is now conducting a commercial college in Glasgow and providing, or purporting to provide, typists for the Admiralty; and, if so, will he have this man's case inquired into?

This man is not now conducting the business referred to, as I recently issued instructions for his internment. I am not aware whether or not he has provided typists for the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether prison warders in Scotland have been given an increase in pay since the commencement of the War; and whether this increase has been accompanied by the stoppage and forfeiture of any special allowances enjoyed by the warders?

In common with other Civil servants whose remuneration does not exceed 60s. a week, the Scottish prison warders have received since the 1st July, 1916, a temporary increase of wages by way of war bonus, to continue for the period of the War only. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Temporary allowances are given to a few warders in each prison for instructing prisoners in trades or for performing special duties, and instruction in building trades at certain prisons having ceased or been greatly reduced owing to the suspension of building operations on account of the War, four allowances have been withdrawn and ten reduced in amount. The granting of a war bonus in no way affected the changes that have been made in certain of the temporary special allowances.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the admission of the Judge-Advocate at a recent court-martial on untried Irish prisoners at Frongoch, in the case of Thomas Synnott, that the Royal Warrant under which the defendant was charged would have been illegal in time of peace but is legal in time of war though the war is not in this country; and, if that ruling was correct, can he give a reference to any statutory authority for it?

I am informed that no such admission was made as is suggested in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland upon what grounds the Local Government Board has refused to sanction a reduction in the rents of labourers' cottages during the period of the War; is he aware that in many cases the wages of the agricultural labourer during the winter months do not exceed 10s. a week and board, which is insufficient for the maintenance of a family and rent of houses; will he say what reason there is for refusing to allow the local authority in counties where they are willing to accept responsibility to help the poor over the winter by granting this concession; is he aware that the late Chief Secretary was agreeable to this proposal; and why it is now refused?

There is legal objection to a reduction of rents of labourers' cottages owing to the provisions of Section 29 of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, which enacts that the rents shall produce a reasonable return for expenditure. As the rents in the South of Ireland for cottages and acre allotments are mostly 1s. a week, any further reduction would not seem to be in accordance with the directions contained in that Act. I well know the inadequacy of Irish labourers' wages, but the proposed reduction would only affect labourers who arc in possession of cottages and allotments, and would seem to encourage the view that labourers' wages cannot be raised. My predecessor in one case sanctioned an abatement of 3d. per week.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the question of the rates of wages at present being paid to learners in the Post Office who for some time have been doing the work of adults will be submitted to the arbitrator proposed for other eases of dispute in connection with the salaries of Civil servants?

It has been decided to grant improved pay to learners under eighteen years of age when regularly employed on full duties, and I am taking steps to make the change as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if the railway company withdrew the train by which the early mail up to 1st December was conveyed to Ban try because the Post Office refused to pay the company a fair and reasonable price; whether the company is still prepared to run the train as formerly for a reasonable figure; and whether the Post Office authorities will now approach the company with a view of adjusting differences and restoring the former train and mail service to Bantry, seeing that the present arrangement is causing much dissatisfaction and inconvenience to the public generally.

The Cork, Bandon, and South Coast Railway Company desired to reduce the services rendered to the Post Office without equvai lent reduction of remuneration. This could not be agreed to, and the company then determined the mail contract and revised the train service to suit their own convenience. Such trains as the company provide are being used for mails, except that, as the hon. Member was informed on 30th November, the mails for Bantry are being conveyed by road from Drimo-league.