asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention that the functions of the delegates from India appointed to assist the Secretary of State at the Imperial Conference should be confined to advising the Secretary of State, or whether they will attend the special meetings of the War Cabinet and take part in its deliberations?

Of the representatives of India only the Secretary of State will be a member of the War Cabinet for the purpose of these special sittings. My colleagues from India will not be members of the Cabinet, but, generally speaking, they will accompany me to its sittings and will take such part in its deliberations as the subjects under discussion may require.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the. Admiralty has cancelled its decision to grant hard-lying money to the officers and men in the river gunboats in Mesopotamia, and further has ordered that all such hard-lying money already paid to the said officers and men is to be refunded by them from their pay by monthly instalments; and, if so, whether, in view of the hardships undergone by the said officers and men, he will take steps to make the grant of the hard-lying money effective?

Hard-lying money in the gunboats was authorised locally without the necessary prior sanction of the Admiralty, and as it appeared that the discomforts experienced in the vessels were mainly due to the climatic conditions and were met by the payment of the usual climate allowance, directions were given for the recovery of the overpayments involved. Upon further representations being made, however, it was decided to allow full rates of hard-lying money (instead of half-rates as paid in the first instance) in the small craft employed in the Mesopotamian Rivers, and the orders that had been given for the recovery of past payments were cancelled.

Thank you.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Mrs. Bridget Cosgrove, of Church Street, Rath-keale, county Limerick, was receiving Navy separation allowance in respect of her son, Michael Cosgrove, who was stoker on H.M. motor lighter "K 10," as the certificate, No, 032,213, dated 22nd April, 1915, from the Accountant-General of the Navy proves; that for a considerable time past she recived no allowance, and has not got any news of her son; whether he will say if she is entitled to a pension; and, if so, why she has not received it?

Cosgrove disappeared on the night of the 1st February, 1916, and as there is no sufficient evidence on which to presume death, he must be regarded as having deserted. No steps have therefore been taken to award a pension. Separation allowance of 2s. 6d. a week (in addition to allotment of 5s. a week) was paid until 13th July last, in clusive.

Was he on board ship when he deserted?

I will find that out. I cannot say off hand.

On what ground is it supposed that he deserted?

I shall be very glad to show my hon. Friend the papers about the matter. There is no other presumption but that he deserted. The separation allowance was paid in full from February down to July, but it should have been stopped long before that time.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there are a considerable number of cases in which seamen's wives and mothers are receiving a smaller separation allow allowance, sometimes as much as 6s. a week less, including the maximum allotment, than the wives and mothers of soldiers in similar circumstances; when did the Admiralty first issue orders advising sailors' dependants under such conditions to apply to the Statutory Committee for a supplementary allowance; and is he aware that the Statutory Committee has all along refused to make supplementary grants in such cases, it being outside its province to supplement an inadequate flat rate?

There are cases such as my hon. Friend mentions in the first part of his question, but they are few in number, and it does not follow that there is hardship involved by the difference in the payment. An Admiralty Order was issued in June, 1915, promulgating the principal Regulations governing the grant of Navy separation allowance, and as it was realised that no series of Regulations, could provide adequately for every individual case, it was then stated that a Statutory Committee was in course of formation and that one of its functions would be to consider the question of making awards in any such exceptional instances. I can quite realise that the-Statutory Committee might take exception to supplementing an inadequate flat rate, but I am not aware that the Committee has refused to supplement Navy—or, in fact, Army—separation allowances when, but for such supplementation, hardship would be entailed?

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that no hardship is involved in paying a sailor's wife 6s. a week less than a soldier's wife? Is he not aware that in these cases in which the Admiralty on policy pays a sailor's wife 6s. a week less than a sailor's wife the Statutory Committee have absolutely refused to supplement it, and say it is a matter for the Admiralty?

I can imagine that the Statutory Committee refuse to supplement the flat rate if they think it adequate, but if hardship can be shown I have yet to learn that they have refused to consider a case of that kind.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "hardship"? Does he mean hardship arising out of other circumstances than those connected with the rate, or hardship arising out of the fact that the Admiralty pays an inadequate amount?

I have said that the rate generally is considered fair. I have already said, in reply to a previous question, that I am in communication with the Statutory Committee with reference to the very cases he was then putting to me.

You have taken six months to learn.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there are any men in the Royal Naval Division now serving as soldiers in France who are prohibited from making a larger allotment than 8s. a week to their wives, and whose wives therefore, if they have a large family, are in a worse position than the wives of the other soldiers alongside whom they are fighting?

A comparison of the figures shows that the pay and separation allowance issued in respect of an A.B. of the Royal Naval Division in France are together in excess of the pay and separation allowance of a private soldier so long as the family consists of one, two or three children, but less if it consists of four or more. As stated in answer to previous questions, the scale of Navy separation allowances has been so fixed that when taken in conjunction with Navy pay it produces in the general case substantially the same result.

As the right hon. Gentleman says the statement is right that the sailor's wife is getting less than the soldier's wife where there is a large number of children and where the sailor and the soldier are serving together in the trenches in France, why did he give me a contrary answer last Wednesday?

I do not remember that.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that certain troops now in Egypt were under the impression when embarking that it was not necessary to make allotments providing their wives signed a statement to the effect that no allotments were desired by them in excess of the "Government allowances; whether he is aware that many among these troops from the time of landing in Egypt have, till recent date, received their full military pay, this leading the men to believe that a Regulation existed providing for the arrangement mentioned; whether, in point of fact, there was and is any such Regulation; and, if not, what steps will be taken to meet the circumstances of the debt now standing to the accounts of the men?

No, Sir, I am not aware of any such occurrence, but perhaps my hon. Friend will give me full particulars.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will circulate with the Votes the Memorandum drawn up between the Ministry and the Statutory Committee relative to the powers and duties of both?

The Departmental arrangements between the Pensions Ministry and the Statutory Committee are at this stage largely of an experimental character, and may require revision in the light of experience. I do not, therefore, think that it would be advisable at this stage to give these internal arrangements the publicity indicated in my hon. Friend's question. I will, however, be happy to supply him with details if he will see me personally on the subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions when it is proposed that the new Pay Warrant shall be published; and whether it can be arranged that an advance copy may be placed before the House before the Second Reading of the Pensions Bill?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh on the 12th instant, but I think it will be possible to act on the suggestion contained in the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the carpenters and joiners at the Crystal Palace have been ordered to supply themselves with a list of tools; that it takes three sheets of foolscap to describe the tools that they have to get; that many of the tools will never be used by the men; and that men have been informed that if they do not buy the tools they will be punished; and whether he will arrange to supply these men with tools from the stores for use when they require them?

The practice of supplying carpenters and ratings in the Royal Naval Air Service with tools from store was found to be unsatisfactory because the men did not exercise sufficient care in the custody of them. For this reason and because of the general scarcity of tools, of which it was believed many of these men possessed private sets, it was decided to adopt the system in use with many ratings of the Royal Navy, under which the rating is required to provide himself with suitable tools and is paid an allowance per day for so doing. In the case referred to this allowance is 3d. per day. He may buy such tools as he needs at cheap Government rates. The list of tools was drawn up by the technical officers of the Royal Naval Air Service after consideration of the nature of the work to be performed, but the desirability of reducing it is now receiving consideration.

With regard to that portion of the right hon. Gentleman's reply in which he said that the men are asked to pay for tools, is he aware that quite a number of these men who asked for leave were refused it, and will he see to it that when they ask for leave of this kind it will be granted?

It must depend upon the exigencies of the service and the grounds upon which leave is asked for. I will look into the point.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention had been called to the fact that a young man of he Royal Naval Reserve, through no fault of his own, was unable to get back to Portsmouth before his leave expired, and that, notwithstanding the fact that he had a note from the senior naval officer at Lerwick and from the captain of the mailship that the delay was unavoidable, after the journey of near 800 miles, he was put into a cell without fire or blankets and with little food, and kept there for nearly thirty hours; and if, in view of the fact that the commanding officer at Portsmouth found no fault, he will make inquiry as to the person responsible for this action and see that suitable punishment is awarded him?

It has been ascertained that the boy in question arrived at the Royal Naval Barracks at two a.m. In order not to disturb others, as are the orders for men arriving after midnight, he was allowed to sleep in the police office. Immediately after the ordinary service breakfast his case was investigated by the officer of the day and subsequently by the Commander and dismissed. The loom he slept in was properly warmed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the export of timber from Cyprus is forbidden, and all wood required for the military operations in Egypt has had to be brought from Scandinavia; and whether steps will now be taken to develop the forest resources of Cyprus?

The exportation of timber from Cyprus is prohibited by law, but this prohibition has been relaxed in order to assist the troops in Egypt. What is possible is being done to develop the forest resources of Cyprus consistently with the pressing need for reafforestation in the island.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to state the results of the inquiries promised into the case of Ignatius Woods, 775 Company, Army Service Corps, No. 078,439; is he aware that Woods joined the Mechanical Transport of the Army Service Corps in April, 1915, after an interview with Major Jellicoe at the War Office, London, who told him that if he served the corps satisfactorily as a non-commissioned officer he would recommend him for a commission; that on 8th April, 1915, Ignatius Woods, on the recommendation of Major Jellicoe, above referred to, received the rank of sergeant, but that he did not receive sergeant's pay; that, though Ignatius Woods was sergeant-in-charge of the Mechanical Transport workshops in Belfast up to June, 1916, without complaint, he received a letter from Major Oakley, 373rd Company, Bedford, stating that Colonel Fisher, on 27th April, 1915, promised him sergeant's pay; if he is aware that this man was sent to France on 8th October without receiving a single penny of sergeant's pay, and reduced to the rank of private; what is the result of Woods' application for a commission on the interview accorded him on 18th October, 1916; and if he proposes to take any further action in the matter?

The acting appointment was only given to Woods to enable him to prove his capacity in a position of authority with a view to furthering his application for a commission. Appointments of this description do not carry pay. On going to France Woods automatically reverted to the rank of private in accordance with the usual practice. I understand that he has since been promoted a sergeant. He was not interviewed at the War Office in October last. He was tested for a commission in the Army Service Corps in France, but it was not granted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been called to the offer of Mr. H. A. Barker to treat, without charge, by his system of manipulative surgery officers and men who are disabled by joint injuries; and whether, in view of the evidence of the success of this gentleman's methods, he will take steps to appoint a committee of surgeons to investigate and report upon his methods?

On the general question I have nothing to add to the answers which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for South Down on this subject. It is not proposed to appoint such a committee.

Would it not at least be worth while to have the views of eminent orthodox surgeons on this gentleman's work and the evidence he can bring before them?

I have seen the views of very eminent surgeons, and they are all against it.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the evidence of people in the highest position who will give him exactly the opposite information?

No, I have not.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to see it?

Certainly.

What are the surgical qualifications of this gentleman?

It is rather difficult to say. I can only say he is not a qualified medical practitioner or surgeon. His name is not on the Medical Register, and therefore the War Office is precluded from employing him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the recruiting authorities in Glasgow organised a raid on a meeting of the Shop Assistants' Union, held in the Shop Assistants' Hall in Glasgow, on 9th February; and whether it is the intention of the War Office to permit further raids on trade union meetings throughout the country?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to a raid made by the military and police authorities on a meeting of employés in the wholesale drapery trade called by the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen, and Clerks in the rooms of the union in Argyle Street, Glasgow, on the evening of the 9th instant; and if he can say under what authority and for what purpose this course was taken?

Inquiries are being made into the matters raised in these questions, and my hon. Friends will be informed of the result.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the meeting was gathered together to assist Mr. Neville Chamberlain in his scheme?

No; I am not aware of that, but full inquiries are being made, and when I hear I will tell my hon. Friend.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether, to restore confidence in the impartial ad ministration of the law, he will say if Mrs. Cornwallis West has been tried by court-martial for having tampered with military officers as other persons have been tried and punished for having tampered with private soldiers: and, if not, on whose authority and under what particular law she has been exempted from such a trial?

No, Sir. The Government do not propose to take any such action.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many officers there are in the Army, including the Colonial Forces, whose parents were not British subjects at the time of their birth; and whether there has been any reason for thinking such persons to be unworthy of confidence?

I am afraid that it would be impossible to give this information.

Are we to understand that there are persons who are not considered worthy of confidence but are considered worthy to serve and die in the trenches?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many officers of the Territorial Force who have commanded regiments at the front have been promoted to, or given appointments in, a higher rank than that of lieutenant-colonel?

The number of Territorial officers in command of regiments at the front who have been promoted to higher rank is eighteen; the number at home three.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of men who have been compulsorily drafted from English, Scottish, and Welsh regiments to fill vacancies in Irish regiments and the number of Irish battalions which have been absorbed through lack of recruits; and whether individual Irishmen serving in non-Irish regiments have been given opportunities of transfer to Irish regiments if they so desire?

I fear that the information asked for in the first part of the question could not be obtained without a prohibitive expenditure of labour. It is not desirable in military interests to state the number of Irish battalions absorbed. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is it not a fact that this information could be obtained from not more than two officers altogether, and does not the hon. Gentleman think it would be advisable to give some information on the subject if only to persuade Irishmen that their regiments are rapidly ceasing to be Irish?

I do not quite agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman about the number of men to whom I should have to apply. I was informed this morning that I should have to apply to all the commanding officers.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my supplementary question?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether any recognition has been given to soldiers who are now prisoners in enemy countries or who are interned as prisoners of war in neutral countries; and whether recognition of bravery has been afforded to French soldiers by the French Government under similar circumstances?

No recognition has been given to soldiers who are prisoners of war in enemy countries or interned as prisoners of war in neutral countries except certain rewards for services rendered by Sir C. Townshend's force prior to the Siege of Kut. No prisoner of war can be considered for reward until the circumstances of his capture have been investigated. It is not permissible to confer rewards except on the recommendation of a soldier's superior officer and for some definite act of bravery or for exceptionally good service. I have no information as to the practice of the French Government.

Cannot my hon. Friend reconsider his decision, as many of these prisoners formed part of the first Expeditionary Force, and therefore are very worthy of recognition?

I am quite sure those men are worthy of recognition. I cannot imagine a British soldier being taken prisoner without some very good ground, but there are Regulations, I am told, which insist upon any prisoner being examined to account for his being a prisoner.

Cannot the Regulations be altered?

I will consider that.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of parcels received from Germany in this country for German prisoners of war in the years 1914, 1915, and 1916?

The number of parcels received in this country from Germany and Austria-Hungary for prisoners of war in-eluding interned civilians in this country and in the British Dominions and Colonies was 30,136 in 1914, 497,749 in 1915, and 579,107 in 1916. There is no separate record of the number of parcels received from Germany for German prisoners of war.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will state how many incapacitated by wounds or illness and civilian prisoners of war, respectively, over forty-five years of age have been returned to and have arrived from Germany since the 1st January, 1917; and whether the new German blockade threats interfere with the carrying out of the recent agreement for exchange?

No incapacitated British and German combatant prisoners of war have been repatriated since the 1st January. We have sent back to Germany 376 civilians over forty-five and twenty-five British civilians over forty-five have arrived here since that date. We understand that some forty-four British civilians over forty-five have arrived in Holland. It has not so far been considered practicable to proceed further with repatriation since the recent German declaration.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will say how many prisoners of war, specifying British, Colonial, and Indian, are in Turkish hands; and whether any improvement in their condition can be reported?

The present number of British prisoners of war in Turkish hands is as follows:

Can the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

I should hesitate to go into a long report which has come in, and I do not wish to generalise as to its conclusions.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he is aware that an agreement has recently been arrived at between France and; Germany whereby prisoners of war who are fathers of families and have also been interned for a certain length of time may be transferred to Switzerland; whether similar negotiations have taken place in favour of the same class of British prisoners of war; and, if so, with what result?

It is understood that an agreement has been reached between France and Germany for the transfer to-Switzerland of the limited number of 100 prisoners of war from Germany and France who have been eighteen months in captivity and have three children; owing to the many difficulties now experienced in effecting the transfer of incapacitated prisoners of war to Switzerland, it is considered to be inadvisable to enter at present into negotiations which would merely emphasise these difficulties and be of very limited application.

Is not the Foreign Office extraordinarily slow in getting advantages the French Foreign Office get for-their prisoners?

That is a matter of opinion.

Is it not the fact that the French and German exchange in Switzerland took place in January, 1916, and, owing to the difficulties of the War Office and Foreign Office of this country, British prisoners did not arrive in Switzerland until June, and what was the cause of that?

The Foreign Office.

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what medical notes have been, and are, sent with wounded men from Flanders; and whether arrangements will be made to permit a wounded man being accompanied by medical notes on his own case and the details of treatment carried out, so as to avoid delay and unnecessary manipulation on his arrival in England?

Each man has attached to his coat a card giving particulars of the case. Improvements of this card are now being carried out, and a fuller history of the case will be given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office is still calling up by compulsion attested men who have been rejected since August, 1915, and to whom a notice calling them up for re-examination has not been sent before 1st September, 1916; and, if so, why it is taking no steps to call up compulsorily Mr. Gager, to whom this description applies, but who was declared by the South-Western magistrate to be excepted, the War Office having stated that it did not recognise the validity of this decision?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave to him on this subject on the 20th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Daniel Griffiths, aged thirty-six, school teacher, Llanelly, who has been ordered to do work of national importance; whether he is aware that Griffiths on being medically examined and passed C3 and is already engaged in work of national importance by reason of the fact that Circular 952, Board of Education, and Army Council Instruction 1398 make teaching a certified occupation to all medically classed below A; and whether, having regard to these facts, instructions will be given for Griffiths to remain in civil occupation at his present work as a teacher?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 19th February to the question put to me by the hon. Member for Blackburn with regard to Mr. Daniel Griffiths.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the military authorities are constantly issuing calling-up notices allowing not more than twenty-four hours' time; and if he will give instructions that the provisions of the Reserve Forces Act, under which Reservists, while called to the Colours, are entitled to at least fourteen days' notice, should be observed in all eases?

The Reserve Forces Act, 1882, provides no specified period of notice which must be issued to a Reservist calling him up from the Reserve for service with the Colours. Where possible, it has been usual to give fourteen days' notice to Reservists who are called up under the Military Service Act or who have passed into the Army Reserve on attestation, but in some cases it has not been found practicable to give so long a notice as fourteen days. Occasionally men who have had more than two months' notice that their exemption was cancelled have been instructed by recruiting officers to join at twenty-four hours' notice. Instructions were issued from the War Office some days ago that a minimum of seven days' notice should normally be given to such men. This will be the general practice, except in cases in which there is reason to believe that the man affected may attempt to conceal himself in the hope of evading service for a time, or in which there are other special reasons of a military or civil nature.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have an investigation made into the case of Private J. Plumb, No. 27,334, C Company, 3rd Cameron Highlanders, Invergordon, who is turned forty-one years of age, and who was passed by the medical board for C2 class and who registered for munition work, but instead of being provided with such work was sent to Invergordon; will lie note for inquiry that on the 18th January the Director of Recruiting stated that this man had been enrolled with a view to using him as a substitute in a munitions firm, but immediately after this Private Plumb was summoned before a medical board and put into A1 class, though no examination was made of him, and if, after inquiry, these facts are substantiated, will he have this man used as a substitute for munition work, for which he is specially qualified?

Inquiry is being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result.

asked on what principle and under what Statute or Regulation conscientious objectors, so found by the revision section of the Central Tribunal, who have been released to work under the Home Office scheme, and do not comply with Regulations of the Home Office, are handed over to the military authorities?

The principle should be well known to the hon. Member if he has followed the various questions and debates which have been raised in this House on the subject. The Regulations are those which govern the transfer of soldiers to Section W of the Army Reserve and their recall therefrom to military service.

Will the hon. Gentleman say by what legal authority men who have been certified by a tribunal as being exempt from military service on the ground of conscientious objection are sent to the Army?

These men are not certified.

They are!

asked the Secretary of the Local Government Board whether the Government contemplate making any general withdrawal of exemptions from service in the Army granted by local or Appeal Tribunals without reference to those bodies; and, if so, under what Statute will this action be taken?

The whole subject; of exemptions is receiving consideration; but I may say that exemptions granted subject to the provisions of the Military Service Acts cannot be withdrawn otherwise than in accordance with those Acts.

asked the Secretary to I the Admiralty how many masters of British merchant ships who, though British subjects, were not at the time of their birth the children of British subjects have been compelled by the Admiralty to abandon their commands; how many of these persons have shown themselves unworthy of confidence and by what actions: and how many have been proceeded against criminally for misconduct?

It would, I am afraid, take some considerable time to search through the records to ascertain the names of all persons who, though British subjects, were not at the time of their birth the children of British subjects, and who were in consequence refused Admiralty confidential instructions.

How is it possible to carry out the Regulations if the right hon. Gentleman has not the information asked for in this question?

My hon. Friend asked for the total number. I say it takes a considerable time to ascertain all that, but we can ascertain the facts in a particular case.

How does the Admiralty ascertain the facts in a particular case unless they have a list of persons to whom the Regulation applies?

We have not, so far as I know, a list of persons to whom the Regulation applies.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether publication can be given of losses to the mercantile marine, requisitioned by the Government or engaged in ordinary commerce, sunk: by enemy submarine or other enemy action, in continuation of the Board of Trade Return of January, 1916?

My right hon. Friend proposes to deal fully with this matter in his speech this afternoon.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, on the eve of departure for France recently of the 2/6th King's Liverpool Territorial Regiment, the men's pay books were given out and with very few exceptions the men were marked down as owing various sums to the battalion; that some of the amounts reached £10 and over; that on the quartermaster-sergeant of one company being spoken to on the matter he admitted it was a mistake, but said these sums had to be put in the books and the men had to put their names to the amounts, but the matter was being inquired into; that the pay books state that these amounts will be debited to future pay; that many of the men so debited owe nothing; and will he have this matter fully inquired into and the men released from these deductions?

I am having inquiry made, and my hon. Friend will in due course be informed of the result.

asked the Prime Minister why the evidence taken before the Commission of Inquiry into the Porto bello barrack murders has not yet been published; and when it will be presented.

This was an open inquiry and was very fully reported in the Press at the time. The republication of the evidence as a Blue Book is not, therefore, regarded as a matter of urgent importance at the present time.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the fact that shortly before Christmas the then Prime Minister gave me an unqualified pledge that the evidence would be now published? In view of the fact that most of the present Ministers were members of that Government, are they going to repudiate that pledge?

If the hon. Gentleman refers to the question and answer I think he will find there is no word "now" in the answer. Whether there should be the expenditure of the labour and money required for producing a Blue Book, which, so far as I can see, is not of urgent necessity, especially at the present time, is a matter for consideration. In the judgment of the Government at this time there is no necessity for spending money and labour in this way.

There is very great necessity. I shall call attention to the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment the first opportunity I get.

As the Prime Minister never comes to the House, may I ask the Leader of the House how far he has power to engage the responsibility of the Prime Minister by a pledge given in this House?

That hardly arises out of this question.

asked what date Lord Milner arrived at Petrograd; whether he is still there; and whether, consistently with the Allied interests, he can give any information concerning the Petrograd Conference?

As has already been announced, Lord Milner is in Petrograd. I am not in a position to make any statement with regard to the Conference.

asked the Prime Minister if he will define the new Ministerial positions to which Lord Milner and Lord Curzon have been appointed, with the salaries attached thereto, and say when this House will be afforded an opportunity of discussing those appointments and salaries?

Lord Curzon is a member of the Cabinet and holds the office of Lord President of the Council, to which is attached the salary of £2,000 per annum, and Lord Milner is a member of the Cabinet without portfolio, and receives a salary of £5,000, the Vote for which was agreed to on 13th February.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform us whether that is correct? Is he in receipt of £5,000 a year, or in receipt of a salary out of the pool?

I have already answered that question in the Debate on this very point.

asked what causes the delay in carrying out the promise of his predecessor in office to publish full Reports of the proceedings in the secret courts-martial held in Ireland last May; and when those Reports will be available?

My hon. Friend the Member for East Mayo put a similar question to me some days ago, and he then promised to put a question down. If he puts it down for Thursday of next week I hope to be in a position to give him an answer.

Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, to discriminate between two Members sitting on the same bench? If the information is now available, why cannot the House have it? It is for the House I asked this information, and not for myself.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he sanctioned the circular issued to its creditors by an American mortgage company in London in which a reference is made to the opinions of the Treasury?

The Treasury were consulted by the company on the subject of the proposal in question before the circular was sent out. The Treasury expressed the opinion that it was very desirable in the national interest that arrangements of the character proposed should be carried out, but expressly stated that they could not allow a statement to appear in the circular to the effect that the proposal met with the approval of the Treasury, or that shareholders who declined the offer would be required to sell their holdings to the Government. The question whether the terms offered are such as ought to commend themselves to the shareholders is a matter for the shareholders themselves to consider, and the Treasury has expressed no opinion on that question.

asked whether the Government are considering the measures to be taken at the end of the War, or otherwise, for protecting the interests of firms in this country to whom debts are due from enemy countries?

A Committee was appointed by the Treasury on the 13th November, 1916, under the chairmanship of Sir Henry Babington Smith, K.C.B., to report on the arrangements to be adopted for the liquidation of the commercial, banking, and other financial transactions between British and enemy persons, the completion of which was prevented by the outbreak of War, and for this purpose to consider the returns made to the custodians of enemy property and to the Public Trustee and the Foreign Claims Office and any information on matters relating thereto.

• Sir Henry Babington Smith, K.C.B., Chairman.
• The Right Hon. Donald Maclean, M.P.
• The Hon. M. Macnaghten.
• Sir Algernon Firth, Bart.
• Sir William Plender.
• Mr. C. J. B. Hurst, of the Foreign Office.
• Mr. Brien Cokayne, Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England.
• Mr. Walter Leaf.
• Mr. Stewart, Public Trustee.
• Mr. J. J. Wills, of the Board of Trade.

asked whether it is proposed to still offer for sale the 15s. 6d. War Loan Certificates at post offices; and whether, with a view to encouraging thrift, ho can see his way to allow a larger amount than £500 to be held by one person?

The £l for 15s. 6d. War Savings Certificates are still on sale at post offices, banks, etc., as before, and I sincerely trust that the stimulus given to the sale of these certificates during the War Loan campaign will result in the continuance of the excellent results then obtained. In view of the fact that neither Income Tax nor Super-tax is payable in respect of the interest earned on War Savings Certificates, I am not prepared to raise above 500 the limit for the number of certificates which may be held by or for the benefit of any one individual.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say from memory what will be the cost of bringing in this money?

I have not a memory equal to that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the promise he has now given will be carried out in the case of anyone succeeding him in his present office?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a substantial amount was subscribed to the War Loan through the medium of sweepstakes that were organised; whether he will recognise the attraction to a certain portion of the population of an investment where prizes are one of the features; and whether he will take into consideration, in order that the section of the population referred to may be attracted to take a financial interest in the country, the issue of a further loan in the shape of premium bonds?

I do not wish to say more at present than that I have an open mind on the subject of the raising of money for the War by the issue of premium bonds. The hon. Baronet is, of course, aware that legislation would be required before such an issue could be made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult his hon. colleague the Member for the Bewdley Division (Mr. Baldwin)?

Certainly.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of the principle of the Lottery Act which prohibits gambling of all kinds?

I have only said I have an open mind. It will be time enough to discuss its merits later.

asked the number of men who have joined the Navy and Army from the county of Devon since the commencement of the War who were previously engaged in agriculture?

As a large body of men, formerly engaged on agriculture, will have probably gone into the Navy and others into munition work, I am afraid that there is no reliable figure which I can give to my hon. Friend.

asked the nature and terms of the arrangement made by the War Office with farmers for breaking up grass lands for the growing of oats; whether it applies to the whole of the United Kingdom; and, if not, to what part of it?

I will send a copy of the form of contract to my hon. Friend if he so desires. The organisation was intended to deal with the whole of the United Kingdom. In view of all the circumstances it has been decided that we should no longer be justified in maintaining a separate organisation to stimulate the product of oats required for Army needs.

Is this appointment which was made being discontinued?

Yes. As we are no longer justified in maintaining the organisation we are no longer justified in maintaining the gentleman who is in charge of it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the' War Office demands an expenditure of 25s. an acre on artificial manures for oats on broken-up grass land? Is he aware that we in Scotland are suffering from too much fertility, and that the expenditure of 25s. is totally unnecessary?

asked whether it is intended to plough up the King's Park at Stirling; and whether there is no other undeveloped land in the neighbourhood which is available and might be utilized for food crops instead of this communal land, which is the only pleasure-ground of the people of Stirling?

No such proposal has reached my Department.

asked what sum was granted by the Treasury for the purchase of machinery in connection with the production of extra food for England and Scotland, respectively?

An outlay up to £370,000 has been sanctioned for the purchase of machinery in connection with the production of food in England and Wales. For information as regards Scotland the hon. Member has, I think, already been referred to the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if, in view of the increasing scarcity of sugar, he will consider the advisability of restricting the amount employed in the manufacture of lemonade, ginger beer, gingerade, and other similar compounds known as teetotal drinks?

The Food Controller has already considered the advisability of restricting the amount of sugar employed in the manufacture of lemonade, ginger-beer, gingerade, and other similar beverages. Conferences have been held with representatives of the several trades concerned, and it is proposed shortly to-issue a General Order dealing with this matter.

Does this-include alcoholic liquors?

The Food Controller considers that it is no part of his duty to make a discrimination.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether, having regard to the fact that our present food rations are largely due to enemy submarine, warfare and to the fact that our own prisoners in Germany have still smaller rations, he will at once, without waiting for the decision of any committee, at least put the German prisoners in this country on an equality with ourselves in the matter of food?

asked the quantity of bread, meat, and sugar allowed per day to each interned German and to each German prisoner?

As I stated yesterday, a new scale of rations for German prisoners, combatant and civilian, will be issued immediately as an Army Council Instruction. I have no power myself to fix rations for any description of prisoner.

Will the hon. Gentleman relieve the feeling of the country by stating when the new scale is to be put in force?

Immediately. I understand that it will be published this week and applied next week.

Before it is put in force, will it be submitted to the House of Commons to see that the rations are not in excess of what the Germans allow British prisoners?

I understand that it is to be put in force at the earliest possible date, and I take it that the hon. Member does not want any delay.

Will the German officers who are prisoners be in a position to buy out of their private resources food over and above the rations allowed?

As I answered yesterday, the case of the officers is quite distinct. Hitherto they have bought their own food, but now they will not be allowed to buy more bread, meat, and sugar than the rations Lord Devonport recommends. Other food they will still be able to buy.

Will they be able to buy other food without limit?

Does that mean that they will be allowed to buy more than the ordinary rations and that other people will have to run short?

That will not be allowed.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, having regard to a possible shortage of sound potato seed, he will explain how it is practicable to force early potatoes this spring, dig them out before fully matured in the month of June, and replant for next winter's food?

Inquiries made by the Department of Agriculture do not indicate that there is a scarcity of sound potato seed of main crop varieties. There is, however, only a limited quantity of seed of the early varieties of potato available, and the Department are satisfied that this will be planted and the crops lifted early in the season for food without any special advice being issued. It is already customary to plant land, from which early potatoes have been taken, with a second crop.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any arrangement is being made for sending soldiers to farms in Scotland for work there during the next three months; if so, will he say how many are to be made available and how they are to be allocated; and will they all have had previous experience of farming?

The reply to the first part of my lion, and learned Friend's question is in the affirmative. I am not in a position to give definite figures, but I am informed that there will be available to-day in Scotland for distribution a substantial number of skilled agricultural workers. In addition there will shortly be available a larger body of men without special agricultural training or experience. The allocation of the men will be arranged by the National Service Department in co-opera- tion with the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and the District Agricultural Executive Committees on Food. Production.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that tea exported from this country into France or any French colony is liable to a surtax of 2½d. per lb. as compared with tea imported into France direct from the East; and whether, having regard to the relations now existing between the two countries and the difficulty of transport, he will approach the French Government with a view to the abolition of this surtax, at least for the duration of the War?

His Majesty's Government have already approached the French Government on the subject of this surtax, but the latter have not been able to agree to its abolition. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by further representations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inform the House what has become of the corn purchased last year by the British Government in Roumania, of the money paid for it, and the amount of this money?

I do not propose to say anything on the subject at the present time.

asked the number of cases of swine fever reported for the years 1915 and 1916, and the number of cases of anthrax and sheep scab reported in bullocks and sheep respectively during those years?

The number of outbreaks of swine fever in Great Britain was 3,994 in 1915 and 4,331 in 1916; the number of cattle attacked by anthrax was 607 in 1915 and 644 in 1916; the number of outbreaks of sheep scab was 257 in. 1915 and 424 in 1916.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he proposes to take any steps to secure the safety of the Victoria and Albert Museum, for which he is responsible, against the admittedly additional risk of fire caused by the placing of inflammable material in the building for the purposes of a fair without his consent?

So far as it falls within my province, effect has been given to all the recommendations of the London Fire Brigade for securing the safety of the building. In the event of any future proposal to put the Victoria and Albert Museum building to such use, I should, if First Commissioner at the time, certainly refuse consent.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to complaints from the Bedlingtonshire Urban District Council relating to a charge of 3d. which has lately been imposed on callers for letters on Sundays at the Bedlington Post Office, even if there are no letters for them; whether he is aware that large numbers of men are at the front from that district and that the relatives are naturally anxious to have the latest information from them; whether the demand for payment on Sunday letters is general or does it apply only to a few places and those of a less population than Bedlingtonshire; whether there are many smaller towns in the locality where the inhabitants still have the privilege of a free delivery of their letters on Sundays; and whether something will be done to remove the grievance, either by delivering letters or by ceasing to enforce payment from callers on Sunday?

The right hon. Member has twice drawn attention to this matter, and for the reasons which have been fully explained to him in correspondence I regret that I am unable to modify the decision arrived at.

asked the Attorney-General whether, as the Defence of the Realm Act gives His Majesty in Council power by Regulation to alter or repeal for the duration of the War all or any portion of the Statute Law, he will say why Bills are presented to Parliament when the objects of such Bills can be obtained by the Government by Orders in Council?

The assumption made in the first part of this question has no foundation in fact. The validity of the Regulations in question depends upon their indispensability for the public safety and the defence of the realm.

asked when legislation may be expected to be introduced dealing with the position of contractors under conditions brought about by the Defence of the Realm Act in respect of the suspension of pre-war contracts and other analogous matters?

To-day.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that there are persons in Scotland convicted of political offences who are being treated like ordinary criminals and are compelled to do routine work usually allocated to prisoners of the most degraded type; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to secure that persons convicted in Scotland of political offences may be punished in a manner commensurate with the offence and not be placed in the same category as ordinary criminals, and thus bring Scottish law into conformity with that prevailing in England?

I am not aware how precisely my hon. Friend would define a political offence, but it is the case that no special treatment has in Scotland been accorded to offenders against the Defence of the Realm Regulations. In England a Court may, in the exercise of their discretion, allocate offenders to the first or second division. This system has not been applied to Scotland, and I am not prepared, under existing conditions, to introduce legislation for the special benefit of this class of offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce a Bill for carrying out the principles of the Business Names Registration Act in regard to limited companies?

The matter referred to is at present under consideration, but I am not able to name a date for the introduction of a Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the pressing necessity of bringing limited companies into line with firms in regard to business names?

On behalf of my right hon. Friend, he is quite aware of the special nature of the matter and is giving it his serious consideration. He hopes to introduce a Bill at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of a brothel keeper who was recently convicted at Bow Street and sentenced to pay a fine of £20 and eight guineas costs, although it was stated in evidence that the takings of one week were at the rate of £6,200 a year and that large sums were paid to cabmen for introducing visitors; and whether he proposes to take any action in relation to such cases?

My attention has been called to this case, which is one of the cases to which I referred in moving the Second Reading of the Criminal Law Amendment Bill now before the House. The fine imposed was the maximum allowed under the existing law, but it is proposed by the Bill to raise the maximum fine.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that men who belong to the ordinary working classes go to any such houses?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment if he can give information as to the future use of Dartmoor prison?

It has been arranged that Dartmoor Prison shall cease to be used as a prison, and shall be handed over for the duration of the War to the Home Office Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors. The men who will be sent there by the Committee will be employed on the large farm attached to the prison, and on the reclamation for agricultural purposes of neighbouring portions of Dartmoor. The men will live and work under conditions similar to those in force at the Committee's establishments at Wakefield and Warwick. It is hoped that the buildings may be ready for the reception of conscientious objectors in about a fortnight's time.

Is it intended that the building should revert to the purposes of a prison after the war?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mrs. Ellen Gilkes was fined 5s. recently at the Neithrop Police Court, Banbury, for the offence of tethering a goat by the roadside; and, if so, whether, in view of existing conditions, he will inquire into the circumstances of the case with a view to a remission of the fine?

I am having inquiry made into this case and will give the hon. Member an answer as soon as I am in possession of the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what increase of pay, by way of war bonus or otherwise, has been given per man to the members of the City police and also to the members of the Metropolitan police since the outbreak of war; and whether he can say what percentage of their pre-war pay the war bonus or other allowances represent which have been given since War began?

I would refer the hon. Member, as regards the Metropolitan police, to the full reply given by my predecessor on 29th November last. The City police received the same bonus as the Metropolitan police in March, 1915, and again in October, 1916. As the pre-war pay differed according to the rank of the police officers and some of the allowances given since the War are dependent on the circumstances of the recipients, it would be difficult to state the result in the form of a percentage.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the increases were in pay or allowance, or am I right in saying that the war bonus only amounts to 3s. per week?

The whole of the increases are contained in the answer to which I refer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Metropolitan police received their war bonus prices have increased by 50 per cent?