asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state what steps it is necessary to take in districts where the land is held by large landowners who are also members of the parish council, and who refuse to accede to the request of workers in the neighbourhood who are anxious to act on the Government advice to raise foodstuffs, but are unable thus to obtain access to suitable land?

Application should be made to the war agricultural executive committee of the county, who have, under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, to enter on any land which is not being so cultivated as to increase, as far as practicable, the food supply of the country, and arrange for its cultivation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what is necessary for a man to do who wishes to get an allotment of land in the district in which he lives when the land is in the hands of large landowners who are on the parish and district councils and refuse to give the land?

I have not heard of any case of that sort arising, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with evidence I will be glad to make inquiries.

Would the local authorities have the power under the Defence of the Realm Regulations to take over Government lands which are in Ireland at the present moment untilled?

As far as I know the same Regulations apply to Government-land as to any other.

Will the right hon. Gentleman advise the Chief Secretary to have the Phoenix Park tilled?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that merchants and retailers are refusing to sell eating potatoes but that they are offering to sell the same as seed potatoes and thereby securing higher prices; and if he will take action to put a stop to this exploitation of the people?

Merchants and retailers are prevented by the Seed Potatoes Order, 1916, from selling potatoes of various varieties and between certain specified limits of size as table potatoes. A higher price can be asked for such potatoes. If, however, any case is brought to the notice of the Food Controller in which the seed potato price is being charged in respect of potatoes which are really table potatoes, proceedings will be taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that people in all parts of the country are under the impression that there is sufficient sugar to supply each family with three-quarters of a pound per head per week; if he is aware that in consequence of so much sugar being used for making various mineral waters and sweetstuffs there is not sufficient sugar to supply each family for domestic purposes with three quarters of a pound per head; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

As the hon. Member is, no doubt, now aware, the Food Controller on Friday last made an Order further restricting the amount of sugar which may be used in manufactures from 50 per cent. to 40 per cent. of the amounts used in 1915. The sugar so saved will be available for domestic purposes. The issue of sugar by the Royal Commission, apart from that directly issued for manufacturing purposes, represents an allowance of ¾lb. per head of the population. There is, however, evidence to show that in many cases this quantity is not actually made available for domestic consumption, and a searching investigation is now being undertaken with a view to a more even distribution of the sugar supply.

May I ask whether, when referring to sugar used for manufacturing, that includes sugar for preserving fruit?

Yes; it applies to sugar used for preserving fruit in factories. I think the hon. Member is anticipating a question he is about to put.

What is the limitation of sugar for the use of fruit growers for the purpose of making jam?

I should require notice of that.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many thousands of tons of sugar are in this country stored up under the direct supervision of the Sugar Commission?

I have not a sufficiently mathematical brain to reply to such a question without notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state what steps are being taken to assure an adequate supply of sugar for preserving the fruit crop of the country?

It has been arranged with the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply to continue as far as possible during the coming season the full allowance of sugar made last year to jam manufacturers; this arrangement, however, does not apply to the preservation of imported fruit. As regards the allocation of sugar to private persons, I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on 1st March.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what is the position of any private householder who husbands sugar for this purpose and who may have it confiscated?

It is wholly impossible at present to say what the national supply of sugar will be at the time when fruit is usually preserved, and the Food Controller is not prepared to commit himself. I may, however, inform the hon. Member that a great deal of fruit is preserved excellently without the use of sugar at all.

Will the Food Controller do his best to allow private persons to have sugar for preserving fruit?

The Food Controller is always doing his best, and certainly an effort will be made, assuming that sugar is available for the purpose, when the time comes, to allow domestic preservers to have a supply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will say when proposals will be made for an equal distribution of sugar in Ireland; if he is aware that in many towns and cities children are being deprived of this necessary food; and if to ensure an equal distribution of three-quarters of a pound per head per week, he will cause-sugar tickets to be issued for every person?

Inspectors of the Ministry of Food, who recently visited Ireland, reported that the distribution of sugar in Ireland was, on the whole, fairly satisfactory. In certain centres the distribution to the public is imperfect, and the Food Controller is steadily endeavouring to improve it. He hopes to discuss the whole question with Members of the House on Wednesday next. I have already pointed out the objections to a ticket system, the adoption of which would not —as German experience shows—necessarily solve this problem.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that certain large stores and shopkeepers in the West End of London are supplying customers with unusual and excessive quantities of sugar and other articles; if shopkeepers are permitted by the Food Controller to supply, as was done by one West End firm last week, one family order to a house in New Cavendish Street with 14lbs. loaf sugar,. 14lbs. Demerara sugar, 14lbs. ranulated sugar, 7 lbs. castor sugar, 14lbs. moist sugar, 28 lbs. tapioca, 28 lbs. rice, 28 lbs. lentils, and 28 lbs. split peas: and if this is not prohibited by Regulations at present in force, will steps be taken immediately to prevent such distribution of supplies?

The Food Controller intends to deal drastically with the hoarding of all articles of food by an Order to be issued shortly. Efficient action in these cases can only be taken if definite and specific information is furnished.

If the hon. Gentleman is furnished with the name of the firm, will he order an inspection of its books to be made for that week, to see if this statement is correct; and, if so, will he take action?

Yes, I will. And in every case where definite information has already been furnished to me the necessary investigation has taken place.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman how he determines, in a case like this, where over 70 lbs. of sugar has been ordered, whether it is ordered for a limited period or for a longer period? Is there a restriction on what can be ordered for any particular week?

As I am not prepared to admit the hon. Gentleman's premises, I am not prepared to admit his conclusions. The accuracy of these facts has yet to be demonstrated.

Is there a restriction on the amount that can be ordered for any particular period?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, in consequence of there being a shortage of potatoes, two weeks ago swedes were being sold at Covent Garden Market at 30s. per ton, and a few days afterwards they jumped up to 50s.; whether he is aware that they have again jumped to £18 per ton, which is over 1,000 per cent. increase; if he is aware that for the week ending 10th March swedes in the East End of London were being retailed at 2½d. per pound, which works out at £l 4s. 4d., per cwt., or at the rate of £24 6s. 8d. per ton; if he is aware that parsnips have also jumped up in price about 300 per cent. if he is aware that all cereals have jumped up during the last few weeks about 200 per cent.; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I am aware that I there has recently been a considerable advance in the price of swedes and parsnips, but I cannot agree with the hon. Member that all cereals have risen by 200 per cent. in the last few weeks. The Food Controller will issue an Order fixing the maximum retail price for swedes at 1½d. per lb., which will protect the consumer against the exploitation in the case of this product. Swedes, from natural causes, will not in any case be available beyond another month. It is not proposed to take similar action as regards parsnips, the stocks of which are already practically exhausted.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that as far as butter beans and haricot beans, and beans of that sort are concerned, the prices have jumped up 300 per cent., in accordance with my statement; and as far as swedes are concerned, surely he must admit that, if the Controller is going to allow the greengrocers to charge 1½d. per lb., when some time ago you could buy 2 lbs. for a penny, or for 1½d., it is an extraordinary price?

Butter beans and similar produce are not included within the terms of this very comprehensive question. As regards swedes, I rather hoped that I had satisfied the hon. Member as the result of this proposed action will be to reduce the price of swedes by, I imagine, something like 200 per cent., if the hon. Member is right in his figures.

Is it true that Mr. Den-niss, the Potato Controller, has said there is in the country only half-a-pound of potatoes per head per week for the next six weeks, and if so, what does the hon. Gentleman propose to do?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

There is a shortage of potatoes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the control of grain and other food materials used for the manufacture of alcohol rests with the Food Controller or with the Ministry of Munitions?

The Ministry of Munitions controls the manufacture of spirit which is mainly required for munition purposes. The production of beer is regulated by the Food Controller.

May I ask whether the Food Controller does not control the supply of food materials which are used for the manufacture of spirits for munition purposes?

Yes, undoubtedly the Food Controller keeps a most vigilant eye upon the supplies and availability of all foods, and as I have already more than once stated in this House, if there is any danger of such foods being lacking for human consumption the Government will take the necessary action.

Can the hon. Gentleman say, in view of the fact that the Controller of Potatoes has stated that there is only half-a-pound of potatoes available per head per week for the whole population for six weeks, whether any potatoes are being used for the manufacture of alcohol?

I have no reason to believe that any potatoes in this country are being used for the manufacture of alcohol, but I cannot answer for the utterances, private or public, of Mr. Denniss, because I am not aware what all those utterances are.

Is he not the Controller of Potatoes?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps it is proposed to take to exclude the operation of the provisions of the Wild Birds' Protection Act relating to the taking of wild birds' eggs, so as to permit of the collection and sale of the eggs of seagulls and other sea birds during the present season; whether any Order has yet been issued on the subject; and to what birds the Order will apply?

As I stated, in reply to the hon. Member for Torquay on the 14th March, I am in communication with the Home Secretary on this subject, and I hope shortly to be able to make an announcement thereon.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the immediate urgency of having an Order made, in order that steps may be taken at once during the nesting season?

Yes. The urgency is fully recognised, and the Home Secretary informs me that he is about to take action in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government have the power, and intends to exercise it, to prevent people of neutral nationalities, no matter how desirable under ordinary circumstances, from landing in the United Kingdom, unless they are connected with War contracts or are only landing for the purpose of passing through, until the supply of food becomes greater than the demand for it?

:: My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Before any alien can come to this country at the present time he has to pass the scrutiny of a British Consul abroad, and on arrival here has to satisfy the Aliens Officer at the port that his admission is desirable in present circumstances. The result is that the volume of alien passenger traffic to the United Kingdom is now so small as to have practically no bearing on the question of the food supply.

asked the Prime-Minister, in view of the danger of famine, the passing of the season for breaking up pasture for tillage, and the possibility of an abundant supply of food from Ireland on terms of ownership for the cultivators, whether, if existing powers are inadequate for this latter purpose, he will introduce a short Bill to pass through all its stages this week enabling the immediate distribution of the evicted grass lands of Ireland among small farmers and labourers at prices to be settled on official inspection for the production of food?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange to have collected or displayed in a convenient place in the House copies of the various Orders and Regulations issued by the various Departments, Directors, and Con- trollers in connection with food schemes, tillage schemes, limitations of prices, national service, and kindred matters?

I am directing the Comptroller of His Majesty's Stationery Office to supply the Librarian of the House with the quarterly edition of the Defence of the Realm Manual and the monthly Consolidated Issue of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, together with Statutory Rules and Orders as they are published.

And will the right hon. Gentleman give, in the meantime, a monthly statement of the various changes in the Administration, and the amounts of salaries?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received a petition from the workers at the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Cross, using Theobald's Grove Station on the Great Eastern Railway, asking him to direct the Great Eastern Railway Company to re-open the waiting-rooms at this station, as at present the people waiting for trains are left to stand on an unsheltered platform; and, if so, what action has been taken in the matter?

The station is on a loop line which was closed before the War. The line was re-opened specially for munition workers m March, 1915, and is worked as a tramway line, tickets being issued on the train and no staff being provided at intermediate stations. The platform at Theobald's Grove has an awning extending the length of the train. The company state that to open waiting-rooms would necessitate the provision of a staff which, as they are short-handed, they are unable to supply. But I am making further; inquiries into the matter.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can sec his way to permit clergymen, who have hitherto been using motor cars or cycles, to get the supply of petrol necessary to enable them to attend to the sick and dying and to discharge other religious duties in their respective parishes or districts in which they officiate?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Petrol Control Committee hope to be able to continue to allot a small quantity of petrol to clergymen who require the use of a car or cycle in connection with their professional duties.

Is it not most important that clergymen should have the amount of petrol they require for performing their duties in visiting the sick, and is it not a fact that throughout the greater portion of Ireland, with the majority of the Irish people, the priest is sent for before the doctor, and is the hon. Gentleman also aware that doctors have cheap petrol and plenty of it while clergymen are deprived of it, and will he see that clergymen get the necessary quantity?

In common with the several Members of the House I appreciate the services rendered by clergymen and especially in the instance mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. I can say that consistent with the supply every effort will be made to ensure that their wants are satisfied.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Report of the Committee on Alcohol Supply has been received; and whether it will be made available to hon. Members of this House?

The Committee have not yet reported. Until I have seen the Report I cannot give any undertaking as to publishing it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Committee was appointed and when may we expect the Report?

I do not know.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present number of disabled men whose names are on the lists of the Employment Exchanges throughout the United Kingdom as applying for employment, and for how many men so enrolled work has been found since 1st January?

The number of discharged soldiers and sailors on the registers of the Employment Exchanges on 9th February, 1917, was 2,886, and the number for whom employment has been found through the Exchanges during the period from 8th December to 9th February was 5,160. The total number for whom employment has been found through the Exchanges from April last until 9th February is about 50,000. Separate figures cannot be given for disabled men as such, but it may be assumed that the great majority of the men above referred to were suffering from some form of disablement.

asked the Vice-President, of the Board of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in view of the present crisis, the Department contemplate taking any steps to encourage the growing of beet for the purposes of sugar production in Ireland?

The experiments as to the growing of sugar beet conducted by the Department of Agriculture in 1911, 1912, and 1913 showed that beet of good quality can be grown in Ireland. Three thousand to four thousand acres of beet in one district are required for the economical working of a sugar factory. The expenses of starting the industry on this scale are estimated at £140,000 to £150,000 at normal rates of cost. It is doubtful whether the requisite machinery and plant could be procured at the present time.

Seeing that this is a very vital and important question arising out of the food shortage, could not the right hon. Gentleman see his way to make representations to the Treasury that owing to the heavy burden of taxation on Ireland, the least they might do would be to put up two or three beet factories in Ireland?

Perhaps the hon. Member would make those representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

We have been making representations for ten years and it has been no good.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will hold over his decision as to continuing the compulsory closing of shops until after the forthcoming meeting of the Early Closing Association at the Mansion House, when lord mayor and mayors from various parts of London and England and Wales will be in a position to state the wishes of traders in their respective cities and towns thereto; and whether he will inform the House how many petitions for and against the Order he has received up to the present time?

A decision will not be taken before the end of this month. About 400 representations, including 69 from local authorities and 117 from trade organisations, have been received in favour of a continuance of early closing, and about 30 against.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these petitions are being organised by paid officials, whose business it is to work them up?

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he can give us any information as to the state of things in Russia?

The incidents in connection with what I believe will prove to be one of the landmarks in the history of the world have followed each other with such dramatic suddenness that it has not hitherto been possible, and it is not possible to-day, to give to the House of Commons a detailed account of what has actually occurred.

There has for some time been deep discontent in Russia, of which there have been several manifestations, due to the inefficiency of the Government in the conduct of the War. On Friday, the 9th, some riots, due to the scarcity of food, occurred in the streets of Petrograd. This was, however, the occasion rather than the cause of the Revolution which immediately followed.

The soldiers who were commanded to take action against the rioters refused to obey orders, and gave their support to a committee, of which the President of the Duma was the head, which had been suddenly formed for the purpose of preserving order, and the control of the Government passed largely into the hands of this committee. Subsequently a strong Provisional Government was formed, of which Prince Lwoff is the head, and the Proclamation of this Government, as well as that of the Czar announcing his abdication for himself and his son, and that of the Grand Duke Michael, have appeared in the Press, and also the refusal of the latter, while placing his services at the disposal of the new Government, to accept the Throne unless called to it by the voice of the people, expressed in a constituent assembly. So far as our information goes, the Revolution has been brought about with very little bloodshed, and the new Government is receiving the support both of the country as a whole and of the Army and Navy. Our information, however, does not enable us to say that all danger is over, but it is satisfactory to know that the new Government has been formed for the express purpose of carrying on the War with increased vigour.

I have only to add, on behalf of the Government, that they believe that the Russian people will find that liberty is compatible with order, even in revolutionary times, and that free peoples are the best defenders of their own honour and safety.

Why do you not practise what you preach?

They are confident that these events, marking as they do an epoch in the world and the first great triumph of the principle for which we entered the War, will result, not in any confusion or slackening in the conduct of the War, but in the even closer and more effective co-operation between the Russian people and its Allies in the cause of human freedom. I may say that the Government propose to put a Motion down on the subject.

Has the Russian counterpart of Irish misgovernment fallen to the ground?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he contemplates sending any message to the Russian Duma from this the Mother of Parliaments?

Yes; I propose on Thursday to move a Resolution.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything of the present position or fate of the Emperor, whose patriotic and unselfish conduct has facilitated this Revolution?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a Constituent Assembly will be established for Ireland?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when we are to have a reform of the franchise in this country?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many Russians of military age in this country are married men with children; whether the agreement now being negotiated with the Russian Government for the return of Russian subjects to Russia will include the transport of the wives and children of such men with them; and, if it will not so provide, whether separation allowances will be paid here in respect of wives and children left in this country by Russians sent to Russia to serve in the Russian Army or whether these wives and children will be allowed to become chargeable to the rates?

Points of detail such as these will receive attention. They cannot profitably be dealt with by way of question and answer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the speeches made in the Duma recently concerning the injustices suffered by Russian Jews and the policy concerning them announced in the utterances of Mr. Miliukov, the new Foreign Minister of Russia; and whether, in view of recent changes in the Government of Russia, he will consult Mr. Miliukov before proceeding further with the elaboration of an agreement whereby Russian subjects are to be deported to Russia?

The negotiations referred to in the question are in the hands of the Foreign Office.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think now, in the face of the political amnesty in Russia, that all Russian and Polish Jews should either go back or enlist in the Army in this country?

That is the view already announced by His Majesty's Government.

Have any steps been taken in this country to get into touch with free Russia?

That is hardly a question I can answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a question on this subject was addressed to the Foreign Office, and they asked me to address it to the Home Office; and when I addressed it to the Home Office, they asked me to address it to the Foreign Office?

asked the Home Secretary whether the Advisory Committee, consisting of two of His Majesty's judges and four Members of this House, advised in the early part of the War that Gloecker, the German dentist in London, should be interned; whether, in consequence of a letter written by a lady patient, the decision of the Committee was overruled without their assent and the internment suspended; and whether he will take disciplinary measures in regard to the case?

The Advisory Committee recommended this man's internment in the summer of 1915, but on further evidence he was exempted subject to his finding two sureties in substantial amounts. The exemption was granted on a general review of the case, and had nothing to do with any lady patient. My predecessor undertook last November to reopen the case and when it came before me in January I decided that the man referred to should be interned.

Was the suspension by order of the Committee, on which, as he knows, four Members of this House sit, or was it by order of some official in the Home Office?

No, Sir. When the Committee has advised it has discharged its functions; the matter is then for the decision of the Home Secretary.

asked the Home Secretary what are the restrictions placed upon British subjects confined in internment camps in this country in regard to the sending and receiving of letters and the receiving of visits; what are the punishments for alleged breaches of Regulations; and if the friends of such prisoners are permitted to send money or articles of food and clothing?

The Regulations with regard to these matters differ according to the conditions in the different places of internment. If the hon. Member has any particular place in mind and will communicate with me, I will endeavour to give him the information he desires. Breaches of the Regulations are usually punished by withdrawal of the privileges which have been abused.

asked the Home Secretary whether alien enemies who have been allowed to remain uninterned are being served with notices by the police peremptorily requiring them to fill up forms offering themselves under the National Service scheme; whether it is to be understood that such persons are under compulsion to enrol; and whether such compulsion would be in conformity with the principles of the scheme?

In accordance with the statement which I made in the House on the 14th February alien enemies who have been exempted from internment are being called upon to justify their continued exemption by offering themselves for useful work in a civil capacity. Alien enemies who are able but refuse to do useful work will not be entitled to continued exemption. This proceeding forms no part of the scheme of voluntary National Service, but when British subjects are being urgently pressed to make sacrifices by enrolling themselves for National Service it would, I think, be impossible to leave uninterned alien enemies in a position of advantage.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a request from the Ruhleben Prisoners' Relief Committee to receive a deputation in regard to an exchange of all prisoners; if so, whether he can find time to see such deputation; and, if not, whether he will arrange for an immediate consideration of the subject in this House?

The Prime Minister has considered the subject in consultation with General Neville and the French Ministers, and he has come to the conclusion that no useful purpose would be served by receiving the proposed deputation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter is going to be discussed in another place tomorrow, and will he make arrangements for it to be discussed in the people's House as well?

There can, of course, be no objection to discussing anything if the House wishes it, but obviously it is a question which concerns military necessities as well as civilian necessities.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to announce the decision of the War Cabinet in the matter of trade card exemptions?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the fullest consideration must be given to a matter of this importance, and that it will be necessary to consult the trade unions concerned. I am afraid that I am not at present in a position to make any further statement, but I hope to be able to do so at an early date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman advise the War Office not to call up any men who have signed form MM 81 until this question is settled?

I am afraid I cannot answer a comprehensive question like that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman promise that a statement shall be made in the course of this week?

No, I am afraid it will not be possible to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the grievance underlying this question has existed since the middle of December, and that representations have been made repeatedly to the War Office, to the Munitions Ministry, and to other State Departments, and may I ask him whether, if the matter is not to be settled at an early date, he will undertake to receive further representations from the various trade unions who are aggrieved?

I am well aware of the matters referred to by my hon. Friend. The card system, however, was introduced some time in January, so the grievances could not arise before that time. We are endeavouring to deal with this matter as expeditiously as possible, and we are proposing to call a meeting of the unions concerned as soon as a convenient date can be fixed and these proposals are ready to put before them. We cannot discuss it until we have met the unions.

May we take it then, that the statement in the "Times" that this system has been put an end to is totally unauthorised and untrue?

Nothing has been decided.

Will the right hon. Gentleman when he calls his conference not only call the trade unions together who are aggrieved, but also delegates representing the general labourers' unions as well?

It is obvious, I think, that all the unions concerned will be consulted finally. I think, however, it is desirable in the first place to discuss the proposed modifications with the unions that were parties to the existing agreement.

Is it not rather more important to discuss the matters with the unions that are aggrieved?

We shall be delighted to discuss it with those unions as well. I think, however, it is more businesslike to proceed in the way I have indicated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it desirable to have a frank discussion in this House?

I think I have in this matter given the frankest possible reply.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), if the four-column advertisement of the names of absentees from military service appearing in the "East Kent Gazette" is authorised by the War Office; what sum is being charged to the War Office for this advertisement; if he is aware that the substitution officer attached to the head-quarter's recruiting office, Canterbury, is the proprietor or editor of this journal, and that, while a commissioned officer in the Army, he is still actively associated with this newspaper and devoting a considerable part of his time to it; if it is competent for an officer to engage in work outside his Army duties; and what action it is proposed to take in this case?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board by what authority the statutory provision of the second Military Service Act giving to men who have been engaged in an occupation certified by a Government Department to be work of national importance and who were engaged in such work before the 15th day of August, 1915, and men whose conditions of employment have been subject to the provisions of Section 7 of the Munitions of War Act, 1915, two months in which to seek fresh employment, has been rescinded by the Regulations dated the 23rd February, 1917; and will he, in view of the ultra vires of this new Regulation, have it immediately withdrawn?

The Regulation to which the hon. Member refers does not contravene the provisions of the Military Service Acts. The Acts provide that a man in one of the special classes mentioned shall be deemed to have been enlisted as from the expiration of two months after the date on which his exemption ceases to be in force unless in the meantime he has obtained a renewal of his certificate. The new Regulation merely requires that an application for a renewal of a certificate shall be made within two weeks after the expiration of the exemption.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the lighting order rendering it necessary for cyclists to carry two lighted lamps from half-an-hour after sunset to half-an-hour before sunrise, at a time when the bicycle is being used to a larger extent than heretofore on account of restricted facilities for travelling and increasing fares, is resulting in a substantially increased consumption of oil; and, having regard to the necessity for the strictest economy in the consumption of all articles and particularly those affecting merchant shipping tonnage, will he consider the advisability of reverting to the old order requiring cyclists to show lighted lamps from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise?

Experience has proved the value of the present requirements as to the lights to be carried on bicycles and as to lighting-up time. I do not think it would be advisable to relax them.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether Pershore fruit-growers have applied for the services of forty prisoners of war for whom they guaranteed permanent work; and whether any steps have been taken in response to that application?

Since the reconstruction of the Prisoners of War Employment Committee at the end of last year no application from Pershore for the services of prisoners has been brought before them. All the prisoners who could be spared for agriculture were allotted by the Committee to the Board of Agriculture, who undertook the task of distributing them through the country in conjunction with the War Office. I understand that eighty of such prisoners were assigned to the War Agricultural Committee for Worcestershire.

Is the Committee open now to receive requests from these prisoners?

No; application for agricultural employment must be addressed to the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the recent threats of German cruelty and barbarity to the English prisoners of War; and what steps do the Government propose to take?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to a recent declaration by General von Stein. In this connection I am to say that His Majesty's Government have always been most reluctant to adopt retaliatory measures of a kind they would not themselves initiate. If, however, the enemy should really carry out his threat of employing British prisoners immediately behind his firing -line, the Government will at once decide on appropriate action.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if, under present Regulations, the friends of British prisoners of war in Germany are prohibited from sending parcels direct to them; if parcels can only be sent through the Prisoners of War Committee; if individual soldiers receive through that committee parcels to the value of the remittances sent to the committee by their friends, and, if not, what is the system; and if he is aware of the existence of dissatisfaction at the way in which the Prisoners of War Committee is carrying out its work?

Broadly speaking, parcels can only be sent through the Central Prisoners of War Committee, or an association working under its orders. The Central Committee undertake that every prisoner of war shall receive adequate supplies of food, standard parcels being sent out three times a fortnight, in addition to bread from Switzerland or Denmark. Friends of prisoners who desire to send supplies of a more expensive character than the standard parcels can give special orders for the same. The present system has introduced certain restrictions, which some of the prisoners' friends, who were used to the former procedure, have doubtless found irksome. I think, however, it will be found that the advantages of the new system far outweigh its defects. In connection with the recent criticisms on the Central Prisoners of War Committee, I know that the chairman and managing director of that organisation would welcome an inquiry into their methods by a small, impartial Committee of Members of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the Chinese politician Sun Yat Sen any telegram dealing with China's position in the War; whether he is aware that this telegram has been published in the Far East and that the British in the Far East strongly suspect the sender of being under enemy influence, which has most probably inspired the message; and whether, under these circumstances, he intends to attach any importance whatever to it?

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The telegram in question has been published in the Far East. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Would it be convenient for the right hon. Gentleman to communicate the contents of that telegram to the Members of this House?

I will inquire about that.

By some inadvertence 500 has been changed into 6,500 in my question.

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question, and what the hon. Gentleman has just said modifies my reply accordingly. I have not seen the statement to which my hon Friend refers, and cannot verify the figure given, but I should hesitate to accept it as accurate. In the interests of the horse-breeding industry objection has not been raised by the Government to a very limited number of race meetings being held at Lingfield and a few other courses under National Hunt Committee Rules.

Will any of our horses run?

You do not train and gallop bullocks for the purpose of getting the best out of them, and why horses?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the political crisis from which this House has recently emerged; whether, under these circumstances, he can see his way clear to take immediate steps for the compilation of a new register in preparation for the next General Election which a political crisis may precipitate; (2) whether the Government propose to take steps to bring into force the recent recommendations of the Committee on Franchise Reform presided over by Mr. Speaker; and, if so, when such action is proposed to be initiated?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Nottinghamshire on 6th March.

Are we to understand that no steps whatever are to be taken now to give us an opportunity of appealing to the country, if it should be necessary, on fair and just grounds?

No, Sir. I think it is the general view of the House, as it is the view of the Government, that before taking steps in that direction it would be well to have a discussion on the recommendations of the Speaker's Conference.

In view of the threat of the right hon. Gentleman on Friday, is this not a much more urgent matter now?

I made no threat, and I do not think hon. Members opposite regarded it as a threat.

When is an opportunity to be given for this discussion, because the Speaker's Conference reported quite a long time ago?

As I have already stated, we are ready to give an opportunity as soon as a Resolution is put down.

May I ask if the statement of Friday last was not a threat, what was it?

It was not intended to be a threat. It was intended to represent what I regarded as a possibility.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if any action by this House with regard to registration is to be dependent upon the chance of a Resolution being put down in regard to the Speaker's Conference?

I hope it is not a chance. I feel sure such a Resolution will be put down shortly, and I think it will be better to discuss it then.

Is it not the case that the Government cannot make up its mind on the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the French Government to hold a Secret Session for the purpose of enabling a free and full discussion on the reformation of their Air Service; and whether, in view of the present condition of our Air Services, he will see his way to grant a Secret Session of this House to be devoted entirely to such a discussion on our own Air Services?

I do not think that there is any advantage in adopting the suggestion of the hon. Member, or that it would commend itself to the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of taking some steps to review the present condition of both our Air Services with a view to the forthcoming offensive?

That has been done, and is being done constantly by the Department concerned, and the House had an opportunity, of which the hon. Member availed himself the other day, of expressing its view on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will see that the arrangements made by the Controller of Mines for the State control and management of the coal mines are first communicated to the House of Commons before being intimated to the Press; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the subject?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. If the hon. Member has in mind an announcement made in the Press on the 6th March, I should explain that it had been intended to give the information contained therein in reply to a question of which the hon. Member for Cardiff had given notice for Thursday, 1st March. He was asked to be good enough to postpone his question until Monday, 5th March, and did so, but did not then put it. I am not at present in a position to make a further statement as to the arrangements for the State control of coal mines?

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman intends to indicate that in future any important announcements relating to the work of this Department will be made to the House of Commons in the first place?

Certainly. The hon. Member is aware of what I said in my reply. A private notice question was given, and I had a reply, but the hon. Member who gave the notice did not happen to be in the House, and therefore did not put his question. I asked him to put it again on the succeeding day, but he did not put it then. I thought it of some public importance and published the reply.

The question I asked was whether in future announcements would be made in this House relating to developments with regard to this new Department?

Certainly; I prefer that.