asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the number of British subjects of military age now in the Russian Empire; whether the Russian Government has been asked to return such British subjects to this country with a view to their joining the Army; and whether the agreement with the Russian Government provides for these British subjects being sent back by Russia to this country if they do not join the Russian Army?

I have no exact information with regard to the first part of the question, but I am making inquiries. The answer to the second part is in the negative. With regard to the third part, I would remind the hon. Member that as yet no definite agreement exists between His Majesty's Government and the Russian Government.

Can we expect that agreement to be come to, say, in the course of a month, or will it be earlier than that?

I cannot prophesy any date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a conscientious objector named Emanuel Ribers, now of 7b, East Ward, Lord Derby's War Hospital, Win-wick, Warrington, was arrested five weeks ago and handed over to the military; that he went on hunger strike and was seven days without food or drink at Bury barracks; whether he has been forcibly fed at Warrington; and whether, in view of the danger involved in this treatment, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

This man was handed over to the military authorities by the police on 19th January. On the 20th he was seen by a medical officer and found to be in good health. He was reasoned with and offered food, which he declined. On the 21st he was admitted to hospital in order that he might be better under observation. He continued to refuse food, and was forcibly fed on the evening of the 23rd, as he appeared to be getting weaker. He has been fed twice daily by an expert doctor since. On 27th January he was reported as showing no sign of physical disease. It is not proposed to take any action unless it is reported that his health is seriously affected.

Will the Government consider the advisability of using the "Cat-and-Mouse" Bill for cases like this?

asked how many men there are now in the country of military age who are not either in the Army or Navy, and if he can say how many of these men are employed in trades which are not essential during the War; and, in view of the necessity of available men being put into military training at once, why so many young men are still allowed to shirk their first duty to their country?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that I cannot give him the information requested in the first part of the question, as it would be of great interest to the enemy. In regard to the last part of the question, I would remind him that those who hold legal exemptions are not all to be regarded as shirkers, and that orders have recently been issued for a review of certi- ficates of exemption which will go far towards determining how many of the men under thirty-one really are in essential posts.

asked whether it is-proposed to call up any more of the 30,000 agricultural labourers whom the War Office announced its intention of calling up immediately; and whether the Director of National Service has any voice in deciding whether these men shall be called to the Colours?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to my right hon. Friend the-Member for West Islington.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are cases of men who joined the New Army at the beginning of the War who have had no leave since December, 1914, and who have served in France since July, 1915; and and whether he can say within what period of time such men may expect that their turn for leave will come?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the very frequent answers that have been given to questions on this subject. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief is endeavouring to grant leave as equitably as the military exigencies allow.

asked on what grounds Captain Arthur L. Tooze, of the 17th Middlesex, was gazetted out of the Army; whether the medical officer of his regiment had previously reported upon him for service at the front; whether Colonel Fenwick, his late commanding officer, has given him a testimonial expressly recommending him for employment as a lieutenant-instructor of troops; and for what reasons the military authorities are now seeking to compel him to re turn to the Service as a private?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Stockport.

Are proceedings still being taken to force this man into the Army as a private?

I do not know. I can only refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in answer to the hon. Member for Enfield (Major Newman) in the Debate last night.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has now been called to cases in which the military authorities have refused to issue discharge certificates, in accordance with the orders issued on 13th July, 1916, to attested men who on re-examination are found unfit for any form of military service; whether men so rejected from whom, in defiance of the order, discharge certificates have been withheld by the military authorities, will now be entitled to receive such certificates; and whether he propose; to take any action?

Apparently a junior officer in error, believing that the proposed instructions had been approved, replied to an applicant for a discharge certificate that such were not now issued. Steps are being taken to rectify the error. The present position is that an attester man who, on re-examination by a medical board, has been rejected for all forms of military service, will be given a discharge certificate if he applies to the recruiting officer for it, provided that there was an Instruction in force at the date of his rejection under which discharge certificates were to be furnished to such men. As already stated, it is intended to modify the present Instructions, and a new form of medical classification certificate will shortly be issued.

Is the hon. Member aware that this state of things does not apply to one case only, but to the recruiting officers all over the country, where the recruiting officer has stated distinctly that they have instructions not to issue certificates of discharge in these eases?

I am quite aware that it does not apply to this particular case, and I am not aware that any such Instruction as that referred to by the hon. Member has been issued to the recruiting officers. I would remind my hon. Friend that I have dealt with the whole of these questions in the last part of my answer.

Then if a recruiting officer tells a man who, on re-examination, is found to be unfit, that he has instructions not to issue a certificate of discharge, he is in error?

I cannot answer a question like that.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can say why Lance-Corporal J. S. Holmes, No. 4154, signal section, 2/6th Sherwood Foresters, No. 12 hut, Rath Camp, The Curragh, Ireland, who enlisted in the 3/6th Sherwood Foresters on 24th February, 1915, and was paid 3s. 5d. per day according to promise, has now had his pay reduced to 1s. 2d. per day and been told that the difference of 2s. 3d. is arrears which must be and is being deducted from his pay?

I will have inquiry made, and let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many men of military age are engaged in munition works?

In view of the valuable information which these figures would give the enemy, it is not in the public interest that this information should be furnished.

Could not many of those men be replaced by men over age or by women?

Everything is being done towards that end.

asked the Home Secretary what causes the delay in releasing the young men whom it was irregularly sought to force into the Army: and when the promise to release them will be redeemed?

My right hon. Friend has requested me to answer this. I am afraid I cannot answer this question in the absence of particulars as to the cases to which the hon. Member is referring. If the hon. Member will give me the necessary particulars, I will have inquiry made.

Has not the hon. Gentleman had the particulars for several months?

No; I am afraid I have not. I understand some of the releases have been effected.

asked whether the Russian Government has requested the Allied Governments to send back to Russia all Russians liable to Russian military service?

So far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement by the Imperial German Chancellor, that His Majesty's Government had shown a scornful refusal of Germany's readiness for peace, he will inform the House to which document or occurrence the Chancellor's statement refers?

Before the Noble Lord answers this question may I ask him whether it is in the scope of the duties of the Foreign Office to verify statements of the German Chancellor, whose word no one in this country believes in?

I am much obliged to the hon. Member. I was just going to say that I am in no better position than is the hon. Member (Mr. D. Mason) to express an opinion on the point.

Does the Noble Lord mean that there was no scornful refusal by His Majesty's Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his at tention has been called to the fact that Lord Milner has delivered a number of speeches in Russia during the last three weeks; and whether it is due to any request or interference by the censorship that no full reports of these speeches have appeared in any of the newspapers of this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second, in the negative.

Can the Noble Lord give any explanation of the fact that when other Ministers speak we have full reports of their statements, which are of great public interest, and no report of what Lord Milner says?

I am afraid I cannot give any explanation. I can only say the Government have had no share or part in suppressing any part of the speeches.

Is this Government going to pursue the "hide-the-truth" policy which was so disastrous to their predecessors?

I do not know to what the hon. Member refers.

When the Noble Lord says that this Government has had no part, does he refer to the Foreign Office, or does he include also the War Office in the censorship?

I answer for my own Department, but I believe in this case I can answer for all Departments.

Was there any difficulty? In what language did Lord Milner speak?

Was it not in German?

I was not there.

Was it not Irish?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of the negotiations between this country and Austria with regard to the repatriation of civilians over fifty-one; whether such a proposal was made and accepted some time ago; and what has prevented it from being carried into effect?

There have been various differences on points of detail in these negotiations, and considerable correspondence has, in consequence, been necessary. No proposal has yet been definitely agreed upon, but His Majesty's Government have just addressed to the American Ambassador a communication which may, it is hoped, result in an agreement.

Was such a proposal made?

Yes, Sir; many proposals have been made.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman give me a more definite answer?

If my hon. Friend will ask a definite question, he will get a definite answer.

The question is perfectly definite: Was a proposal made?

Many proposals were made.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman say whether this proposal was made?

Oh, yes; that was made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state if the War Office is urging on medical organisations the need for further assistance from the medical profession; and, if such need exists, whether the Army Medical Department will relax the rule which deprives them of the services of recognised experts such as Mr. Barker and of doctors holding American degrees, subject to such precautions and reservations as may be considered necessary?

The War Office is in constant touch with the representatives of the medical profession. Duly qualified American doctors are being employed.

asked whether the Army Medical Department has made or will make inquiry as to whether five officers of the 7th Oxfords, now at Salonika, were enabled to serve their country only after receiving manipulative treatment, after all other forms of treatment had failed; and whether the Army Medical Department, having regard to the importance to the Army and to the public of such a fact in the controversy on that subject, will call for an immediate Report?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with further particulars, I shall be happy to have inquiry made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a daughter of Captain Wade Thompson, J.P., D.L., Clonskeagh Castle, a voluntary worker in Woolwich Arsenal, has been dismissed because she received treatment from Mr. Barker; whether she had previously been treated for eight years by doctors and surgeons for displaced cartilage of the knee but without success; whether she was cured by Mr. Barker in two days; and whether the doctors at the Arsenal surgery acted with the sanction of the Army Council or the Army Medical Department in dismissing a munition worker for the offence of getting cured by a practitioner whose name is not on the medical register?

I have been asked to answer this question. The answers to the first and last parts of the question are in the negative. As to the second and third parts, the Ministry of Munitions have no official information.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this young lady has made a sworn declaration before a commissioner of oaths that all the facts stated in this question are true; that her father, a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant, has also made a declaration confirming that; and will he now give a sworn inquiry? May I have an answer to that?

I am not aware of the facts my hon. Friend states. If he will communicate with me, I will see what can be done in the matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this young lady was actually dismissed, and, if so, what was the reason for her dismissal?

I believe she was not dismissed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that she was out of work for two weeks, that they refused to allow her to-resume work, that she was receiving no pay during the time she was out, and how can the hon. Gentleman say she was not dismissed?

She was not dismissed, because she left her employment. She subsequently returned to her employment, as I am informed.

Is it not a fact that the young lady was refused permission to resume work, that she was out of work for two weeks, and it was only when this question appeared on the Paper that she was asked to resume work?

It does not accord with my information.

Well, it is absolutely true. I will put another question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in Ireland at the delay in dealing with applications to discharge men from the Army for agricultural work and at the refusal of the authorities to discharge, either permanently or temporarily, men essential for tillage work this spring; and if he will state what steps are being taken to deal with such applications and to secure the discharge of men whose labour is necessary in Ireland for the increased tillage under the food production scheme?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made recently by my Noble Friend in another place on the subject of assistance to agriculture and to the remarks which I made in the Debate yesterday and on Thursday last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Government have at last arranged to purchase the entire output of New Zealand cheese; whether the price they are paying is 9½d. per lb. f.o.b. New Zealand; if he is aware that the National Dairy Association of New Zealand offered the entire cheese to the Government at 8¾d. per lb. at the beginning of the season, but they refused the offer; if he is aware that the difference in price they have now paid represents 7s. per cwt., or a loss of about £350,000 over and above the price that the Government could have got it for last August; if he is aware that in consequence of all the New Zealand cheese being taken off the market the Canadian cheese has gone up to 156s. and the English to 160s., the New Zealand price being about 102s.; if he is aware that the Canadian and English cheese manufacturers are getting over £50 per ton more for their cheese; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

The facts are generally as stated in the question. I understand that the price asked in August, 1916, namely, 8¾d., was so much in excess of the previous year's prices that the War Office did not feel justified in accepting the offer without further negotiation. The purchase of Colonial cheese, both for the Army and for civilian consumption, is now in the hands of the Board of Trade, who are dealing with it in collaboration with the Colonial Governments concerned. The recent high prices for this cheese are mainly due to the small quantities in the market, and the Board hope that their action will bring about a substantial reduction in these prices.

asked if oats purchased by the War Office in Ireland for their Army oat contracts will be required to weigh 320 lbs. per quarter measure in order to command the top price; and, if the oats are delivered in good condition but not of first quality, does the War Office scheme give any guarantee that it will be accepted at a lower price?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No guarantee has been given outside the conditions of contract, but if Army requirements necessitate it the War Department will be prepared to consider oats of a lower quality at a reduced price.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the shortage of the supply of potatoes in Scotland and the probable cause, or causes, of the shortage; and will he say what he proposes as the best means of dealing with the difficulty?

The answer to the first part of my right hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I have made certain proposals to the War Cabinet, and I hope to be able in a day or two to announce the course which it is proposed to adopt.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has proposed that a price shall be fixed which will make consumers in Scotland pay a farthing more a pound than in England?

I would prefer not to refer to the, details of the proposal until a decision has been arrived at.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there will be the strongest opposition to any such proposal?

That is not the information which I received from the deputation on Thursday.

Was it a deputation of consumers or of traders?

May I be allowed to ask whether a stock of potatoes for Scotland from Ireland has been ordered by the Food Ministry on the authority of the War Cabinet?

If I may say so, that is a question which might be more appropriately directed to the Food Minister.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will say how many acres of land in Scotland have been taken from sheep grazing and converted to deer forests during the past twenty-five years; what proportion of these deer forests it is now practicable to reconvert into sheep-grazings; and whether he proposes to take any action?

In answer to the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the various reports and returns of recent years on the subject of deer forests. As regards the last two parts of the question I am unable to give precise figures, but I may assure my hon. Friend that the Board of Agriculture for Scotland is taking steps for securing additional grazings on deer forest areas.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to complaints as to the methods whereby fiars courts calculated the average prices for grain and as to the operation of these fiars' prices; whether he is aware that many burdens upon the land, such as ministers' stipends, and certain Crown and other feu duties and casualties are fixed in accordance with these fiars' prices; whether owing to the rise in the price of grain due to the War these burdens upon the land have been increased and in some cases doubled; whether the action of the Government in guaranteeing a minimum price for wheat for the next five years will operate oppressively in this respect unless some redress is provided, while the persons on whom these burdens fall are prohibited from deriving any benefit from the higher prices of grain; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action?

I am, of course, aware that the increased value of agricultural produce will result in an increase of the fiars:' prices, which are based upon actual market values, and I am also aware that an increase in the fiars' prices must affect all transactions which are based upon these prices. It is, however, in my view premature to assume that a guarantee of minimum prices will necessarily affect the fiars' prices, and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to take any legislative action based on that assumption. I will, however, undertake that the matter will be kept under observation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases where these prices have been increased landlords axe forbidden to raise rents, yet on account of these high prices they have to pay a much larger amount in the way of stipends and other burdens?

That may be so; but they must take the rough with the smooth, as in past times.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in past times when they took the rough with the smooth there was no legislation or Order in Council to prevent them securing a fair market return?

I have just said in the first answer that I do not think any Order in Council would affect this matter.

If these fiars' prices depend upon market prices, does the right hon. Gentleman believe the guarantee will have any effect on market prices?

That is a question in regard to which one can only prophecy. It may be so or it may not be so.

Cannot the hardship be mitigated by an average of years being taken for the purpose of fixing the stipend, as I understand is the case in England? The hardship largely arises out of the constant variation.

If a case of hardship is made out, that suggestion will be carefully considered.

Are these ministers' stipends an excess profit, and if so, will they be taxed as such?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received any representations as to the effect of the increase of 100 per cent. in the price of sugar supplied to bee-keepers is likely to have upon bee stocks, especially among the poorer owners; whether the Scottish Board of Agriculture has been consulted in the matter; and whether he can arrange for an adequate supply of sugar to be set aside for this purpose at the ordinary retail price, to be distributed under the supervision of the Scottish Board of Agriculture?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Food Controller has been in communication with the Scottish Board of Agriculture in regard to this matter, and he is not satisfied that any special arrangements such as those suggested in the question are necessary.

May I ask whether the representations of the Scottish Board of Agriculture have been refused in this matter?

I cannot add anything to what I have said.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has information as to the amount of pasture land that has been ploughed for tillage crops this year?

No Returns are yet available on this subject.

When will they be available?

We will ask the War Agricultural Committee to give us a Report before long.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps are being taken to make the fullest use of the fish in our lakes and rivers as food supply in view of the national emergency?

The Board have had this question under careful consideration for some time. There are obvious difficulties in the way of the provision of the necessary labour and machinery for catching the fish, the collection of supplies from remote districts, and the packing and rapid transit of them to markets. Freshwater fish are, moreover, for the most part out of condition between the 15th March and the 15th June, and a great deal of it would never be a very palatable and acceptable food. On the whole, the Board doubt very much whether the organisation of a freshwater fish industry would pay its expenses; but, in the present position of the nation's food supply, they are proposing to ask the advice of a small expert Committee on the subject.

As the fishing season is just opening will the Committee be, set up immediately?

Yes.

Will the right hon Gentleman consider the advisability of inviting volunteers for catching fish under the scheme for National Service of Mr. Neville Chamberlain?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many steamers were fitted with refrigerator machines engaged in the frozen-meat trade of the United Kingdom on 31st December, 1916; the cubic capacity of insulated cargo chambers at the same date; and how many such steamers have been sunk since 1st December, 1916?

I do not think it desirable to make this information public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has in employ in virtual control of his Meat Department a person named Cairns; whether Cairns was up to shortly before the outbreak of war a partner in a firm named Warner and Cairns, of Smithfield Market; whether the actual proprietors of Warner and Cairns were either W. Weddel and Company, Limited, or one of their directors, a Mr. Gordon Campbell; whether the management of Warner and Cairns was transferred to two brothers named Bates; whether Cairns was appointed to supervise. Government meat supplies on the recommendation of either W. Weddel and Company or the Mr. Gordon Campbell above referred to; and whether 2 per cent. commission is allowed to agents for the sale of Government meat but 4d. per stone to jobbers who pass it on to the retailing butchers?

The gentleman in question has nothing to do with the Meat Department of the Board of Trade, and I have no information as to his business connections. As regards the last part of the question, a commission of 1 per cent. is paid to our agents for sales of Government meat ex ship, and 2 per cent. on other sales, to cover all expenses as well as profits. The wholesale distributor to whom we sell is precluded from reselling except to a bonâ-fide retailer or to charge more than ½d. per pound above the price he has himself paid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of sheep and lambs sold on Government account by the firm of W. Weddel and Company during the years 1915 and 1916, respectively; what proportion of these sheep and lambs was sold to the firms of Bates and Bates, Hartridge and Bates, Bates Brothers, and Bates and Chappell; and if either W. Weddel and Company, Limited, or one of the directors, a Mr. Gordon Campbell, are the actual proprietors of these firms of Bates?

The Board of Trade do not consider it advisable to publish details of their sales to particular firms.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the approximate aggregate area of the non-residential grazing farms in county Roscommon and the area of the parts of them broken up for tillage this season; whether the police at Elphin are still employed protecting the Palace grass farm, the meadow on which was left uncut last year, against the young men able and willing to till it if made purchasers on the usual terms at prices to be subsequently fixed by competent official valuers; and if he can see his way, under pressure of war and consequent scarcity of food, to have the old class bias-removed from the administration of the Land Laws?

I have no information as to-the approximate area of the non-residential grazing farms in County Roscommon, nor as to the area broken up for tillage this season. The police at Elphin are not employed in protecting the Palace grass farm, and no meadow was left uncut on the lands last year. The Congested Districts Board made an offer for the estate which includes the Palace grass farm, but the offer was refused.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether he has received any complaints respecting the application of the food restriction regulations to orphanages, homes for the aged, and other charitable institutions worked and managed by private enterprise; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

No complaints of the kind indicated in the question have yet been brought to the Food Controller's notice. If the hon. Member will give me further particulars inquiry will be made.

asked when the-Committee on the Supply of Nurses completed its Report; when it was received by the War Office; and when it will be made available to Members of Parliament?

The Report has been received and is now under the consideration of the Council. There does not appear to be any objection to the document being laid on the Table of the House, but I would prefer not to pledge myself at the moment to the date when this can be-done.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain the cause of the delay in laying it on the Table?

We have only just received it, and it is at present being considered by the Army Council. Until they have considered it I cannot lay it on the Table.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware, that a soldier enlisted in 1914 as Class A, and who had both feet and one hand frostbitten in Gallipoli, was discharged from hospital in 1916, classed C 3, and placed in Reserve Class W, being thereby prevented from obtaining either a pension or the silver badge; and will the War Office consider if this man should be discharged, pensioned, and given the badge?

My hon. Friend has given me particulars of this case and inquiries have been made. This man was transferred to Class W (T) of the Reserve before the formation of Class P (T). He will be brought before a medical board with a view to transfer to Class P (T).

asked (1) why the literary material for the annual report of the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language, seized and taken away by the military from the house of Mr. J. J. O'Kelly, secretary of that organisation, has not yet been returned; when it will be returned; and (2) in view of the reports published by order of the Government that the arrests and deportation of the Irish alleged suspects were to be carried out without needless harshness, if he will say whether the treatment of Mr. J. J. O'Kelly was in accordance with those instructions; whether it was in accordance with instructions that the police, having arrested him outside his house, permitted him to enter only on the condition of accompanying him; with him entered a bedroom in which Mrs. O'Kelly and an infant were lying ill; stayed there more than half-an-hour while Mr. O'Kelly was consulting his wife and making changes of dress; searched all his pockets, taking away all the papers they contained; entered his library and abstracted papers, part of a projected historical work; waited at the door of a closet while Mr. O'Kelly was inside; put him into a cell with Mr. Sean T. Kelly to lie on the floor or occupy one stool between them; given for breakfast stale bread and slops which neither prisoner could taste; left fasting till 4 p.m.; not given a meal sent in by friends until it was stone cold; Mr. O'Kelly's doctor refused admittance to dress his sore foot; the cell bell when rung by the prisoners persistently disregarded; taken away without any evening meal; left long at Holyhead and at Chester to get food for themselves if they had money, and if not to fast; marched through Oxford under escort like criminals; kept standing in a street there under a downpour of rain; and all the ten untried prisoners brought there were turned out on the streets to provide for themselves, though some of them were known to be penniless; and, this being the practice under the alleged order of leniency, whether he will allow this question to be published as extensively as the alleged order has been published?

All papers taken by the military from the house of Mr. J. J. O'Kelly were returned on the 22nd ultimo. I have inquired of the various officers who were entrusted with duties in connection with the deportation of suspected persons from Ireland, and am assured that there is no foundation for the charges of ill-usage made in the question. The Order given by competent military authority to the Provost Marshal at Arbour Hill Barracks was in these terms:

"During their detention in Arbour Hill Barracks, they will he treated with every consideration and will be allowed to purchase what food or drink they may require. Those who have no money will be liberally supplied with food both at Arbour Hill and on the journey to their destinations. They will he given facilities to inform their relatives of their whereabouts and future movements and for the purpose of obtaining any personal requirements, clothing, etc."

The officer in charge at the barracks reports as follows:

"I saw this party two or three threes at times Arbour Hill and again on the boat before leaving, with a view to obviating complaints. On each occasion I was informed that they had no complaints and were satisfied as to their treatment whilst under detention."

The commandant reports that:

"J. J. O'Kelly was treated in precisely the same way as all the other civilians handed over to me for safe custody. There was not a word of complaint from any one of them—in fact several voluntarily expressed their appreciation of the consideration shown them."

The sergeant of the escort who had charge of the party on their removal, states that:

"On the day subsequent to arrival at Oxford all, these men came round to see him and thanked him for the kind and courteous treatment they had received on the journey, and that he particularly remembered J. J. O'Kelly thanking him. They inquired the name of the officer in command of the escort"

May I ask the Under-Secretary for War, to whom the first of my two questions was addressed, and with which the Chief Secretary has nothing to do, whether he has any answer to that question?

I cannot add anything to what my right hon. Friend has said.

The Chief Secretary has answered my question with reference to recent events, but my first question relates to events last May. Can I have an answer on this point from the Under-Secretary for War, and will he say why Mr. J. J. O'Kelly's daughter was refused admission to dress her father's sore foot?

I tried not to emulate the length of this question in my answer. I am informed that Mr. O'Kelly was asked if he would like to see anyone by the doctor in charge of the barracks and he replied that he did not wish to see anybody.

Is the Chief Secretary in a position to deny a single one of the items in these questions?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the widows of soldiers and others who lost their lives in the Boer War are suffering privations owing to the pensions they receive being inadequate to purchase the bare necessaries of life; and whether he will investigate the matter with a view to granting them a war bonus?

The matter to which the hon. Member refers is being considered by the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that aged persons who are inmates of the Hillside Homes in Perth are, by a recent decision of the pension officer, declared ineligible as old age pensioners, and have therefore lost the pensions they formerly received; whether he can say why this decision has been deferred till the present time, when the increased cost of living has lowered the value of the pension and increased the cost of maintenance in these homes; whether he is aware that institutions of the character of the Hillside Homes will now be unable to undertake the care of many deserving persons who, in default of old age pensions, will become a charge upon the poor rate; and whether he will say how much public money is saved by the decision to withhold old age pensions from persons maintained in such institutions as the Hillside Homes, Perth?

I am aware that on appeal by the local pensions officer the Local Government Board for Scotland have decided that the value of the benefits accruing from residence in the homes referred to is such as to disqualify an inmate for the receipt of a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act. The grant of the pension was, therefore, made in error, and if this had been realised at an earlier stage no pension, would have been granted. The necessary action for correcting the erroneous grant was taken as soon as the mistake was discovered by the pensions officer, who had himself no power to decide the matter. I am not in a position to answer the last two parts of the question; but I would point out to my hon. Friend that the decision of the Board is in strict accord with the terms of the Statute, which the Board have no power to vary or right to disregard.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the case of a man named Beverley, who was convicted at Aberdeen of resetting provisions stolen from a military hospital, and was fined on summary procedure £25; and whether he will consider the advisability in such cases of proceeding by indictment before a higher Court, so that a punishment adequate to such a crime could be inflicted?

I have caused inquiry to be made. This man was tried summarily for resetting some bags of sugar and meal of the value of £14 17s. 11d. He was convicted and fined £25. I am not disposed' to accept the suggestion that the penalty competent on summary conviction was inadequate. The conviction involved very serious consequences to the accused, apart from the penalty imposed. The question whether procedure on indictment, or on summary complaint, is advisable in any particular case is always considered, and was considered in this case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think a £25 fine was an adequate punishment for a man receiving from a thief provisions stolen from a hospital and resetting them?

Having given very careful consideration to all the circumstances of the case as brought out in evidence, my answer is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received a complaint from the employers and workmen in the building trade in Hull regarding the conditions under which the houses and other buildings on the Sunk Island estate, near Hull, are being erected; whether they have asked him to meet a deputation; and, if so, whether he proposes to grant their request?

I received a deputation from the Hull building trade yesterday.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if the suggestions made with regard to a general exchange of civil and military prisoners without counting the exact numbers have been further considered; and if he is now in a position to announce a purpose of initiating negotiations with this object?

I am sure that my hon. Friend does not realise that the effect of this suggestion would be to make a present to the enemy in Germans alone of at least 48,000 men; in other words, of the equivalent in man-power of considerably more than an army corps.

Am I to understand that the plan is set aside?

Until this question was put down I had never heard of any plan for a general exchange of prisoners other than civilian prisoners being suggested.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered plans for an exchange of those soldiers who have been in confinement since 1914?

To ask me whether I am considering a plan would not have much worth, because I have no power in this matter, but such a matter has been considered. The difficulties hitherto have, however, been found insuperable.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will state what is the total yearly sum spent by the British Government upon the British prisoners at Ruhleben?

The total amount from the beginning of the war to 31st March, 1916, was £54,388 6s. 10d. I am sorry that for the current financial year no figures are yet available.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representative of the Petrol Committee, whether the restriction on petrol for private use will be so qualified as to permit those private owners who use their cars for Red Cross hospital work and for locomotion in the country to sittings of the various war committees and local government and magisterial meetings to procure sufficient petrol for these purposes?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Petrol Control Committee hope to be able to continue to give favourable consideration to applications for petrol for Red Cross hospital work and other work of national importance for which the use of a motor-car is necessary, but their ability to do so must necessarily depend upon the amount of petrol available.

Will the hon. Gentleman make an arrangement by which the secretary of the Petrol Committee replies to communications which are addressed to him in some period under six months?

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division), if he will give the total cost involved by the establishment, maintenance, and guarding civilian internment camps in the United Kingdom, the total amount of allowances paid to the wives and children of enemy aliens interned in those camps, and the total number of men employed in guarding interned civilians in the United Kingdom?

With regard to the first part of the question, I am sorry that it is not possible to give separate figures for the civilian as apart from the combatant camps. I hope to give the figures asked for in the second part of the question on Thursday, if my Noble Friend would be good enough to repeat is then. With regard to the last part of the question, the War Office do not think it expedient to publish the number of men engaged in any particular service.

May I ask whether there has lately been an increase in the amount of the allowance?

I should require notice of that.

Are not the men engaged in guarding interned camps in all cases ineligible men for foreign service and men who in any case would be employed at home?

I believe that is so.

asked the Minister of Munitions why no Order regulating women's wages in controlled establishments has been applied to Ireland; and whether the reason is that the wages paid to the women workers in Dublin and Belfast are so high that nothing requires to be done?

Controlled establishments in Ireland are very few in number, and employ few women. The Orders regulating women's wages were made with regard to the conditions prevailing in Great Britain. Careful consideration is now being given to those prevailing in the controlled establshments in Ireland.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether Orders 9 and 10 regulating wages for women in controlled establishments on women's work have imposed in the case of day workers a standard rate of 4½d. an hour and 4½d. an hour, respectively; whether he is aware that the rise in the cost of living is offici- ally estimated at between 60 and 65 per cent., and that 4½d. an hour is worth only 2.8d. per hour in real money judged by pre-war standards; and, since the munition workers cannot strike or leave their employment for the purpose of improving their conditions, will he state what steps they should take in order to obtain for all a fair and living wage?

The rates to which my hon. Friend refers were fixed after full consideration of the position. At the same time the Ministry is fully alive to the necessity of securing a fair wage for women on munitions work and is considering whether circumstances do not now justify an advance on the rates fixed by the Orders. I would remind my hon. Friend that the various wages Orders have been applied to about 373,000 of the 400,000 women estimated to have been employed in controlled establishments in November last. As a result of this application the lowest average rate for these women has been established at 20s. per week, and a large proportion are receiving remuneration considerably in excess of this sum. I may add that a new Order will shortly be issued bringing a considerable proportion of the remaining 25,000 women within the scope of Orders made under Section 6 of the Munitions of War (Amendment) Act.

May I ask whether, in considering these matters with a view to a decision as to raising the amount of the rate of 4¼d. per hour, he will bear in mind that the working hours of women have recently had to be considerably reduced and overtime has been prevented from health and physical reasons, and that thereby their wages have been correspondingly reduced?

Those considerations and all other relevant considerations will be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether Order 49, safeguarding the wages paid to women who are doing men's work, applies to the metal trades, shipbuilding, and aircraft work, but to no other trades; whether he is aware of the amount of substitution in other trades, such as woodwork, chemicals, oil, and glass; whether he has considered that employers in these other trades can employ women at very low wages in controlled establishments and that in one case which recently went to arbitration it was proved that wages as low as 3d. an hour were being paid; and, in view of the cost of living and the need for safeguarding conditions, whether he will make it a rule in controlled establishments that when women replace men they shall receive equal wages for equal work, with a guaranteed minimum time rate?

The trades to which Order 49 has been applied were stated in reply to a question by the Noble Lord the Member for Nottingham South, on 12th February, 1917. With regard to woodwork, a special Order is in preparation. An order designed to meet the conditions of the engineering and allied trades is not directly appropriate to the chemical, oil and glass trades, where the conditions of employment differ. Investigation into the wages of women in controlled establishments in these trades is about to be made. The principles embodied in the present Orders as to women's wages will be extended, with any appropriate modifications, to trades in which regulation of wages is decided on.

asked the Minister of Munitions, whether he is aware that there are a number of engineering and boiler-maker firms who have a very large number of apprentices working at their establishments, and when they have completed their full number of years of apprenticeship the firms are refusing to pay such apprentices the full trade union rate of wages in accordance with the rules and regulations of the respective organisations; if he is aware that it is a violation of the trade union conditions agreed upon between the Government and the various craft unions; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that failure to pay apprentices who are just out of their time the full trade union rate of wages is a violation of any conditions agreed upon by the Government, unless such failure constitutes a change in the custom of a particular shop. The case of such apprentices is provided for by Section 5 of the Munitions of War Act, 1916, under which a munitions tribunal is bound to consider the question whether an apprentice desiring to leave his employment has recently -completed his term of apprenticeship and desires to obtain the full standard rate of wages applicable to a fully qualified workman in his trade.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the attention of his Department has been called to the supply of iron ore available at Deckomet, Castle-wellan, county Down; and whether, in view of the Prime Minister's statement as to the importance of obtaining iron ore, he will cause immediate inquiry to be made?

My right hon. Friend has already made inquiries with regard to the iron-ore deposits at Deckomet. On present information it appears that several attempts have been made in the past to work this ore, but, owing to its pocketty nature, the attempts were abandoned. Further inquiries, however, are being made; I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

Will my hon. Friend bear in recollection that the failure of previous efforts was due to the difficulties of transit, and not to the quality of the ore?

As I have told my hon. Friend, further inquiries are being made. We have no intention of not pursuing the matter, and I will let him know the result.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his Department has recently placed an embargo on the importation of magnesite; whether such embargo stops the business of many manufacturing firms in this country who are, in some instances, doing work for the shipbuilding yards; and whether he will allow these firms to be supplied with sufficient quantities to prevent the stoppage of their concerns, especially in view of the fact that magnesite comes largely from India?

No embargo has been placed upon the importation of magnesite, but special arrangements have been made to secure the maintenance of a sufficient supply for munitions purposes. These arrangements include the issue of an Order prohibiting the use of magnesite for certain purposes, for which efficient substitutes are available, without a permit from the Ministry of Munitions. Permits are granted in suitable cases. The imports of magnesite from India have been very largely increased at the instance of the Ministry.

Will the trades which are dependent upon the supply of this magnesite have this supply or have to shut up?

They will have to apply for permission and show that no substitutes are available before they get it.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to the agricultural proposals of the Government?

A Bill is in the course of preparation, and it will be introduced as soon as possible, but it is impossible at present to name a definite time.

May I ask whether the Government proposals contain any scheme for breaking up the untenanted grass lands of Ireland?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if in the Yorkshire West Riding and Sunderland forces a war bonus of 5s a week has been given to married men of ail ranks, with a bonus of 2s. for the first and 1s. for each additional child; and whether it is proposed to increase the war bonus to the Metropolitan Police to this amount?

The bonuses given to members of the county and borough police forces are at the discretion of the local police authorities, and necessarily vary with local conditions. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, I believe the conditions of the Metropolitan Police Force compare favourably with those of other forces in the country. The Metropolitan Police, in addition to an increase of pay at the beginning of the War, received an all-round war bonus of 3s. a week, and only a few months ago all sergeants and constables received a further bonus of 1s. a week for each child. The question of making an additional grant to married officers was brought before me by the Commissioner of Police a short time ago, and I am glad to say that, after considering all the circumstances, I have been able to sanction a further extension of the war bonus enjoyed by married sergeants and constables. Each married man whose wife is living and dependent upon him will receive 1s. a week, and the children's bonus will be increased by 6d. a week, making the bonus for each child 1s. 6d. This will, I hope, afford material relief to those on whom the pressure of high prices falls most heavily.

Where the war bonus of the dependent's allowance is being given, why has it not been placed on the same level as in Sunderland, or do I understand that the rent of rooms and the cost of living are less in London than in Sunderland?

No, Sir. A great deal depends upon the level from which you start.

When the right hon. Gentleman says there is a graduated scale of payment for the police, was not that graduated scale calculated on the pre-war prices and gazetted as early as July, 1914, therefore the increased cost of living and conditions were not considered?

Three successive increases have been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the three successive increases are?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the speech made by the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle at Sunderland on 26th February in which he stated that he would be prepared to support industrial compulsion if voluntary National Service failed, but that those who questioned him did not fully understand that the corollary of compulsion in industrial life is the compulsion of wealth, but that if a Bill were introduced to compel both the War might be over before the Bill got through; and whether this statement represents the views of the War Cabinet as to the probable result of an attempt to exact equality of sacrifice-from wealth and labour?

I am informed that my right hon. Friend was dealing with the Parliamentary difficulty of securing the passage of a measure compelling labour to work for the private gain of an employer. This difficulty the War Cabinet recognises, though in their opinion, should the need arise, both wealth and labour would make any sacrifice which Parliament might consider necessary in the national interest.

Am I to understand from the reply that the right hon. Gentleman desires making this statement, or is it that he is the only member of the Cabinet to realise that there is a reasonable demand for wealth being conscripted as well as labour?

I am sorry to say I have not had the benefit of reading a full report of ray right hon. Friend's speech, but I have no reason to suppose that it expressed any views in conflict with the policy of the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is reported as having made that statement, and was he stating the views of the War Council?

The hon. Member is now arguing the question.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, whether he has taken steps to divert able-bodied vagrants to useful labour, under due safeguards against hardships being suffered by infirm persons?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. This matter has been the subject of communications between the Director-General of National Service and the Local Government Board, and it is hoped that it may be possible to take action on the lines suggested.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Bill for the purpose of depriving traitorous persons in the line of succession to the Throne in arms against the Sovereign and peoples of these countries of peerages, titles, ranks, and dignities held by them, which was to have been introduced in another place in the week beginning the 25th February, has not been so introduced; and whether, in view of the repeated Ministerial promises in relation to this matter, he will say if there is any and, if so, what explanation of the delay in the introduction of this legislation?

Before this question is answered, may I ask you, Mr. Speaker, what this House has to do with these family matters?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave him yesterday to this-question.

I am sorry I did not hear a word the right hon. Gentleman said.

asked the Prime Minister whether resolutions are being passed by public and political bodies to the effect that it is not expedient that proposals contained in Mr. Speaker's letter on electoral reform should be dealt with at the present time by a Parliament that is practically moribund and whose chief, if not only, duty is recognised to be the prosecution of the War to a successful conclusion; and whether he will take into account such opinion and postpone the consideration of electoral reform or confine it to ensuring that all our fighting men shall, as such, be enfranchised?

I think it would be better that the consideration of this subject should be postponed until it has been, discussed in this House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state, approximately, what proportion of the Five per Cent. War Loan has been taken, in the registered form?

This information is not yet available, and will not be for some weeks to come.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation to render the profits of Stock Exchange and other speculations or operations liable to assessment for Income Tax, Super-tax, and Excess Profits Duty during the War?

The law already provides for the assessment to Income Tax, Super-tax, and Excess Profits Duty of profits and gains arising in the manner indicated in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the monthly statement issued by the Stationery Office does not give particulars or even names of a tithe of the Committees set up in connection with the War; whether this monthly statement, in addition to being quite inadequate, is of a size which does not admit of handy reference; and whether the Treasury will issue a handbook for the convenience of Members of Parliament, Government Departments, and others, giving the names of all the Ministers, sub-Ministers, the Departments and Committees set up, their functions, the names of their members, the official address, and the names of the secretaries?

I will inquire whether it is possible to meet the hon. Member's wishes, and I will inform him of the result of my inquiries.