asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that many old Royal Navy pensioners and dependants, granted pensions for long and meritorious services, are now existing with difficulty on their pre-war small pensions; and if he can see his way to increase these pensions in any way?

I am afraid it is the fact that the increased cost of living presses hardly upon all members of the community who are entirely dependent upon small fixed incomes. I would point out, however, that naval long service pensions are awarded at a comparatively early age—generally somewhere about forty—and of course many of the recipients are able to augment their naval pension by earning additional income. The minimum rate of service pension is 5s. 10d. per week; the maximum, that for chief petty officers, 27s. 5d. a week; the average is approximately 16s. a week. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, Greenwich Hospital pensions are already given in many cases in supplement of these life pensions, and so long as the money remains unexpended are given in the order of age and necessity of the applicant. At the present time age pensions of 5d. a day in augmentation of the naval life pensions are being paid to about 4,000 men, and increased age pensions of 9d. a day are being paid to about 5,500 men.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that, notwithstanding the gift of separation allowance to the Royal Navy and to the recent increase of the same, the men lent by the Royal Navy to the Royal Australian and the Royal New Zealand Navies have had no rise of pay or allowance whatsoever, though in many cases their term of service in these Navies has expired; and if such an advance will now be made?

The rates of pay and allowances obtaining in the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy are generally higher than in the Royal Navy. This is so even after taking into account the separation allowance paid to the Royal Naval ratings. In other respects the conditions differ so materially from those of the Royal Navy that a general financial comparison between the emoluments of these services is not practicable. The men to whom reference is made are apparently those retained in the Royal Australian Navy under Article 28 of the Commonwealth Defence Act. Any variation of their emoluments in the circumstances stated would be a matter for the Government at whose charge their wages are paid. Should a naval rating be lent for service in any Dominion ship, he would, of course, be entitled to separation allowance if, and so long as, he remained at Royal Naval rates of pay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can state why the conditional pension granted last December to Private William Foley, No. 2497, Leinster Regiment, has not yet been paid to him?

Authority for the payment of the pension was issued on the 1st December last and on the same date a form of life certificate was sent to William Foley to enable him to draw his pension. This form has not been returned and pension cannot be paid until it is returned. Foley's present address is not known, but if the hon. Member can furnish it I will see that another form is sent to him forthwith.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the field allowance paid to Army chaplains serving at home has ceased since 8th November; and whether chaplains on joining His Majesty's Forces were assured that they would receive field allowance?

Commissioned chaplains, like other officers, are not entitled to field allowance in all circumstances. The conditions laid down in the Regulations must be fulfilled before it is issuable. I am not aware that it has been discontinued in any case where the chaplain was entitled to receive it, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars I will make inquiries.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that some of these reverend gentlemen joined, leaving comfortable places at home, upon consideration of receiving this allowance; and is he compelling them to pass in order that they may pray better?

The Regulations under which this allowance is issued must be observed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the return of the Army allowances pay books for quarterly inspections from the post offices there is often a delay of three weeks and longer before they are returned, and during that time the post offices refuse to pay any applicants whose books are not returned; and will he issue some instructions to prevent these delays in the future and so stop the hardships to the women who receive these Army allowances?

Pay books are not withdrawn for inspection. When a book has run for thirteen weeks a new book is required, and all possible steps have been taken to ensure that the new book is avail- able before the old one is due for return. I have carefully watched the working of the Regulations on this point, and believe that delays are now very exceptional.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is now in a position to say whether, in the case where a soldier makes an allotment to his mother, who is an old age pensioner, the pension authorities are entitled to deduct from the pension any proportion in respect of the allotment?

The case of an old age pensioner who receives an allotment from a sailor or soldier is governed by the administrative concessions made to old age pensioners (Cd. 8320), i.c., no action is taken for the withdrawal or reduction of the existing old age pension unless the allotment is an entirely new item of moans and exceeds 5s. a week.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the separation allowance to soldiers and to the wives of interned alien enemies have both been increased; and whether he can now increase the consolidated allowance to soldier households where the soldier lives at home, as is the ease in regard to men of the Army Pay Department?

Separation allowance for soldiers has been increased, but I am unable to say as regards the wives of interned aliens. As regards the latter part of the question, I presume my hon. Friend is referring to family allowance. This was increased with effect from 15th January last.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that instances have occurred where soldiers travelling home on leave have been ordered to leave trains on the ground that the trains had been allocated to naval ratings only; whether he is aware that this has resulted in inconvenience to the soldiers and has reduced the time they could spend at home; and whether he will give instructions that where there is accommodation soldiers will be permitted to travel by any train ordered by the Admiralty for naval purposes?

I know nothing of the instances referred to in the question. If, however, my hon. Friend will give me particulars I will make inquiry.

asked whether any correspondence has passed between the American and British Governments with reference to the execution of Roger Casement in disregard of the points raised in the review of the case addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by the American lawyer who had watched the case, especially in disregard of the fact that the British Government had prevented certain relevant material being brought before the Court, thus preventing the Court having the whole case before it; and whether any such correspondence will be made available to Members of this House?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 26th October of last year.

Seeing that that answer charged me with putting an untruth on the Paper, has the right hon. Gentleman since verified the statements on the Paper, and, if so, will he mention any of them that is untrue? The answer of the right hon. Gentleman is untrue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that negotiations of bills of exchange by English bankers in Ceylon is practically suspended and that the businses is drifting into the hands of native Chettys, much to the disadvantage of English firms and with the risk of establishing a local system which will ultimately affect adversely the whole colony; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

No, Sir, I have no information on the subject, except, of course, that I am aware of the present difficuty of the banks in financing exports from Ceylon to this country—a matter which is receiving my careful and constant consideration. I will bring my hon. Friend's question to the attention of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state the number of persons imprisoned in Ceylon in connection with the Ceylon riots who have been set free?

I have no information as to the precise figures, but I will ask for it.

If the right hon. Gentleman is going to reopen this case will be consider the propriety of reopening the case of Governor Eyre?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Sir John Anderson is satisfied that many persons in Ceylon were committed to prison and suffered severely through evidence now admittedly false; and. if so, whether he will consult Sir John Anderson as to the advisability of taking an early opportunity of declaring a general amnesty for all persons who, without trial, have been committed to prison or deported in connection with the riots?

I am aware that Sir John Anderson has remitted or reduced a number of sentences passed in connection with the riots of 1915; but I do not think that the suggestion in the first part of the question is justified. No persons remain in prison who were committed without trial and none were deported from the colony. The Governor has power to remit any sentence, and I see no reason to interfere with his discretion.

Is it a fact that martial law no longer prevails there, and will, therefore, those who were sentenced by court-martial without the protection of civil trial have their sentences reviewed?

No, Sir, I should think not, but the whole question is under consideration of the Governor, who has dealt admirably with it, and I am not prepared in any way to interfere with his discretion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Sir John Anderson has completed his investigation in cases arising out of the trial.

I could not say.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether certain Irish battalions have already been absorbed owing to lack of recruits; whether the majority of other Irish battalions have already received drafts of men who are neither Irishmen nor of Irish descent nor of Irish regiments; and. if so, what steps he proposes to cake in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Other Irish battalions, probably the majority, have received drafts of the nature stated owing to lack of reinforcements from Ireland.

May I ask whether the 10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who from the time of their inception have expressed their desire to join an Irish unit, namely, an Irish Division, are still kept against their declared wishes in the Royal Naval Division at present in France?

I have no specific information about that, but I will make inquiries.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this House the present Prime Minister stated that he would endeavour to allow these men, who were recruited in Dublin for a Dublin regiment and an Irish Division, to fight for their own country in their own division and under their own flag, and not in the Naval Division?

I have no recollection of any such pledge having been given, but I know that each individual case is submitted to the War Office, and where an Irish soldier wishes to be transferred to an Irish regiment he invariably is so transferred.

May I ask whether it is a fact that this battalion of Dublin Fusiliers have asked the War Office to be sent to an Irish Division, and whether it is also a fact that it is nothing but a crying scandal that Members should come here and say the Irish Divisions cannot be filled up by Irishmen when Irish battalions are with other regiments?

The hon. and gallant Member is anticipating the debate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the protests received from public bodies in Ireland, any change has been made in the system of purchasing horses for the Army; and, if not, what action his Department intend to take in reference to this matter?

No, Sir; no change has been made. A conference took place between the Irish Command Headquarters and the Irish Department of Agriculture on 13th February, which came to the conclusion that the present is not a good time to inaugurate any new procedure. In these circumstances it is not proposed to take further action till peace is restored.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any drafts have been sent from Ulster to the 16th Division, or to regiments territorially associated with the other three provinces of Ireland, or whether any drafts have been sent from Ulster to fill up English or Scottish regiments; and, if so, will he state the figures in each case?

Drafts are sent to-regiments, and not to battalions of regiments. The allocation to battalions is carried out by the military authorities overseas. The figures, therefore, requested by my hon. Friend are not available, but as far as is known no Irish drafts have been sent to English and Scottish regiments.

Arising out of that answer, is the hon. Gentleman aware that although drafts have been sent from Munster and Leinster to the Ulster Division, no-drafts whatever have been sent from Ulster to the Southern Division?

No, I am not aware of that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will cause a record to be published giving the cases which have been brought to his notice where coloured Colonials have, at great personal risk, saved the lives of other coloured soldiers or white officers?

There is no record of the kind referred to; but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that there is no distinction of colour in awards-for gallantry in the field. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, coloured Colonial troops have been granted decorations for gallantry in action in East Africa.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War in how many cases the Victoria Cross has been conferred upon coloured Colonials for showing bravery in the field?

Up to the present, no award of the Victoria Cross to a. coloured Colonial has been made.

What is the proportion of coloured troops to European troops, and can any deduction be fairly drawm from that?

I must have notice of that question.

It is very small.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with regard to the gazetting of Lieutenant and Quartermaster W. A. Martin, 14th Reserve Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish), out of the Army on account of ill-health, if he has now completed his inquiries as to whether this was done without first communicating with his commanding officer; whether any communication was delivered to his commanding officer before the notice appeared in the "Gazette"; and whether the normal course was followed in this respect?

A letter was sent, following the normal procedure, to the General Officer Commanding the command in which Lieutenant Martin was serving on 3rd January, three days before the notice appeared in the "Gazette," and I am afraid that the communication failed to reach his commanding officer within that time, and that the latter was surprised to know the decision and learn of it for the first time on seeing the "Gazette" notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether it is still the practice, where aeroplanes ordered in large quantities have been found unsuitable before delivery is completed, to accept delivery of the balance, and, although insisting upon acceptance test taking place, to remove the engines and burn the aeroplanes immediately after such acceptance; and whether he will consider the advisability, where machines have proved inefficient, of cancelling the order for those still undelivered?

it has never been the practice to burn aeroplanes immediately after acceptance when they have become obsolete, although it would be desirable on other grounds to dispose of them in that manner. It may, however, become necessary owing to shortage of storage accommodation to take this course before long in respect of certain machines, including some known colloquially as the "P.B. Scout." All contracts for machines which may become obsolete or have turned out to be unsuitable for active service or for instructional purposes are cancelled as soon as this can be done without injustice to the manufacturers.

May I ask the hon. Member whether he is aware that at the present minute orders are being placed for machines which are known as obsolete, and that at the present minute, even as we are sitting here, brand new machines are having their engines removed and are being burned, and that more of that type are being made by the same firms to complete their contracts; and will he say whether it is the intention of the Government to cancel these contracts and compensate the contractors who are delivering known obsolete machines, thereby saving labour, if not the money that is being squandered on them?

That is this same question expanded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the United Arts Rifle Volunteer Corps in London have hired the use of the rifles of the Ulster Volunteers; if so, what sum is being paid annually for such use and duration of the contract; whether the First Lord of the Admiralty was a party to the arrangement; whether use is being made of the rifles voluntarily surrendered in other parts of Ireland during last year; and whether payment will be made for their use in the same way as payment to the Ulster Volunteers?

I have no information as to the points raised by my hon. Friend.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he can obtain the information for me?

I thought the point was a small one, but if my hon. Friend would like me to inquire I will.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, with a few exceptions in the Guards and in the Royal Artillery, there has been practically no promotion of Army Reserve officers, amongst whom in consequence dissatisfaction prevails; and whether the promotion of reserve officers will be included in the matters to be inquired into by the Committee recently appointed, under the chairmanship of the right hon. Member for Dundee?

This matter is being considered by the Committee, to which I referred in the Debate on the Army Estimates last Thursday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether orders have been issued in the Eastern Command for interchange of guards belonging to the Royal Defence Corps between Faversham, Chilworth, Reigate, and other places; whether he is aware that many of the men joined the corps on the understandig that they were to be employed locally; that they own in many cases gardens or allotments for which they have procured seed and made other outlay of money with a view to cultivation, which they will be unable to proceed with if moved to a distance; if he will say for what reason it is deemed necessary to cause financial loss and personal inconvenience to these men by moving them from their homes and families; and whether, unless there is urgent reason for the order in the national interest, he will take steps to have it rescinded?

I am not aware of the nature of the orders issued by the Eastern Command, but I would remind my hon. Friend that men of the Royal Defence Corps are enlisted for service in any part of the Kingdom. I am afraid that it is not possible to give effect to my hon. Friend's suggestions.

Is my hon. Friend aware that an Order of this sort, unless there is urgent cause for it, is considerably vexatious and discourages men from joining these corps, and will he ascertain the reason for the Order, and unless it is grounded on good reasons have it rescinded?

My hon. Friend must be aware that service in the Home Forces is unconditional and that any man is liable to be transferred to any part of the Kingdom.

But it does not follow because the terms of service are unconditional, that therefore an unreasonable Order should be issued?

I am not aware that any unreasonable Order has been issued, but I will have inquiries made and put it to the test.

I am much obliged.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as preliminary steps to the formation of a league of nations, the Government of Great Britain and Ireland would be prepared to enter into treaties of completely unconditional arbitration and of unrestricted freedom of commercial intercourse with its present allies, with the United States of America, and with other neutral nations?

I do not think any useful purpose would be served by discussing these questions at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is the intention of the Government to have a series of Imperial War Cabinets; if so, will he state whether the series is to be continuous and when it will begin; and (2) if he can give the approximate date when the Imperial War Conference will assemble and the probable duration of its sittings; whether a fairly full Report of the proceedings will be presented to Parliament, together with the resolutions, if any, that maybe passed at the Conference; and will he also say whether an opportunity will be given to the House to discuss the Report and resolutions?

The Imperial War Cabinet will meet in the near future. Until the delegates have assembled, I cannot answer the other points raised by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the forthcoming Imperial Conference, he will consider suggestions for a system that would promote the production of all essentials of life in this country and encourage the production of luxuries and non- essentials in the countries of our present or potential enemies, thereby ensuring that, in the event of international disturbances, the cessation of imports from those countries would not seriously affect our national industries and resources?

The Government are already taking steps to secure the object referred to in the first part of the question, but are not prepared to encourage the production of anything in the enemy countries.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the suggested restrictions on advertisements are intended at once to reduce the production of, and demand for, luxuries and non-essentials as well as to save paper tonnage, he will so frame the proposed Regulations as to include restricting what are known and paid for as editorial puffs on such goods and chattels appearing in newspapers and periodicals?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. It is not at present proposed to place restrictions on the publication of advertisements in newspapers.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if he will introduce some legislative measures to deny the privilege of voting on Supplies in this House to all Members of Parliament who, either directly or indirectly, are profiting by Government contracts; and (2) if he will call on Members of this House to make a statement as to any shareholdings they or their nominees may have held in enemy commercial or munition undertakings prior to the outbreak of this War, and what arrangements or transfers they have effected since that date?

I do not think that any action of the nature indicated by the hon. Member is necessary.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not state whether a Member of this House having Government contracts is permitted to vote?

I think not, but I would like notice.

If he has "Limited" after his name, is he allowed to do it?

asked the Prime Minister whether, before any Bill for the State registration of trained nurses is introduced, an opportunity will be given to the organised societies of nurses in England, Scotland, and Ireland to make representations to the Government?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Full consideration will be given to any representations made by organised societies of nurses before the Government introduce any Bill for the State registration of nurses.

Will they be given an opportunity of presenting their views personally by deputation?

I will consider that.

May I ask whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill of this kind?

That is a matter that is still undergoing consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether ho can now make any announcement regarding the Easter Bank Holidays; and can he state when the Proclamation respecting the same will be issued?

The Government, after full consideration, do not propose to interfere with the ordinary Easter Holidays, or in Scotland with the Spring Holiday. The Government, however, rely upon all workpeople realising the importance of returning to work promptly after the holidays.

asked the Prime Minister if the Shipping Controller has requisitioned Canadian-owned vessels which are on the Canadian register; and if this is in accordance with the wishes of the Canadian Government?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The matter of the requisitioning of vessels registered in the Dominions is under discussion with the representatives of the Dominions who are now in this country. In the meantime, an arrangement has been made with the Canadian Government under which no vessels registered in Canada are being requisitioned otherwise than by or through that Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the urgent character of many of the claims of British creditors of the Deutsche and other German banks with branches in London; and, if it is for the Courts to decide whether the surplus assets of the London agencies of the banks are avail able for the satisfaction of British creditors of the head offices, will be endeavour to expedite the hearing of these cases which are now before the Courts so that if a favourable decision is given the assets can be distributed?

This matter is in the hands of the Court, and the Court no doubt realises the importance of coming to an early decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department allows the rebate on Income Tax, on having a child under sixteen years of age, in the case of a child adopted from birth; and, if not, will he say what is the difference from the nation's point of view between this case and the case which his Department allows?

The allowance granted by the Income Tax Acts in respect of children does not extend to the case of adopted children. The question raised by the hon. Member is one which I have under careful consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the War Office recognise the child in these circumstances?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will entertain the idea of making an issue of bearer bonds of £l each, with coupons payable annually of Is. each, which might be on sale for small investors and meet a want which the 15s. 6d. certificates do not supply, as they give no income payable on the money invested?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Chertsey Division on 14th February, 1917, in regard to bearer bonds. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government accept the accuracy of the statement in the German wireless that eighteen of our aeroplanes were brought down in one day on the Western front?

The Government does not accept the accuracy of this or any statement in the German wireless communiqués, nor as a matter of general policy are corrections made of misstatements in these communiqués, since obviously this would encourage the enemy to make false statements in order to elicit the truth. In the case in question the German wireless stated that the enemy lost eighteen aeroplanes on 4th March, referring apparently to the whole of the Western front, and not merely to the British front.

Can my hon. Friend assure us that we still maintain the mastery of the air on the Western front?

I think I can make that assurance.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the probable further reduction in the number of teachers employed in elementary schools, the Board is prepared to modify the provisions of Article 11 (c) of the code in order that, when recommended by the managers and the local education authority, the persons now excluded by that article may render national service as teachers during the War?

I have received several communications on this subject, which is receiving my careful consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the French Government has requested that any French subjects who are in clerical orders or are members of monastic bodies should be returned to France to serve there in the French army; and, if so, in how many cases has this request been made?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the unanimous judgment given by the Lord Chief Justice and two other judges of the High Court in the case of the Due de Chateau-Thierry that the deportation order issued by the Home Office in that case was illegal, how many similar orders have been enforced against persons having no money to test their legality; whether all deportation orders since issued are in conformity with the judgment of the Court; whether he will specify the alteration; and whether amends will be made to all illegally deported or the illegality legalised in any way?

This case has been taken to the Court of Appeal and the judgment of the Court has not yet been delivered. In the meantime I can only say that the decision of the Divisional Court has been carefully followed in all action since taken by the Home Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has informed the American Embassy of the fact that William Pedlar, an American citizen, has been, without charge or trial, deported from Ireland and is now interned at Oxford, his only known offence being his opinion that Ireland is entitled to representation as a distinct nation at the forthcoming International Peace Conference; and whether the American Government requires a charge to be formulated and tried in a civil Court in this case?