asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether parcels for prisoners of war in Turkey are now-stopped; if so, whether he can state the reason or reasons for this; whether the interned crews of the merchant ships "Assiout" and "City of Khios" are included; and whether he is taking any steps in the matter?

Notice has been received from the Swiss Post Office that the transmission through Austria-Hungary of parcels for prisoners of war in Turkey has been stopped until further notice. His Majesty's Government are not aware of the reasons for this stoppage, which affects the prisoners mentioned by the hon. Member as well as all others, and they have requested that the United States Ambassador at Vienna may enter a strong protest against it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the account of the way German prisoners in certain quarries shirk doing anything like a fair amount of work or refuse to work altogether, and jeer at British workmen who have to do their work; and can he take steps to give the British commandant power to punish these prisoners, especially in view of the way our men are underfed and compelled to work hard in Germany?

I am informed by the military authorities that in November, 1916, a certain number of German prisoners of war refused to work in a quarry unless they received higher pay and larger rations. Disciplinary action was taken under Royal Warrant, with the result that the prisoners returned to work under normal conditions.

Are the German prisoners working satisfactorily now; and, if not, are there any means of compelling them to do so?

That is rather a general question. My information is that the German prisoners are working satisfactorily. II they are combatants—that is to say, military prisoners—there are means of forcing them to work, but if they are civilian prisoners their work is voluntary.

Are compulsory means being taken when the occasion arises?

So far as I know, this and one other are the only cases in which the need has amen, and in those cases the necessary remedy was applied.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what steps are being taken to set up a Committee of Members of this House to inquire into the organisation and methods of the Central Prisoners of War Committee; what will be the organisation of such Committee; and when will it be appointed?

Steps have already been taken to set up an informal Committee of Members of both Houses to inquire into this subject. I have undertaken to bring certain representations in favour of a more formal inquiry to the attention of the Leader of the House, to whom I would suggest that my hon. and gallant Friend should address a question on this matter on Thursday.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how soon he expects to be able to give some further information as to the treatment of the prisoners and what can be done for them?

I am sorry that I do not quite catch the purpose of my hon. Friend's question.

When does the hon. Gentleman expect to be able to give the list of the members?

That entirely depends upon whether those first asked accept the invitation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has official information showing that owing to food shortage there have been deaths by starvation in Greece; and whether he can make any statement about the blockade of Greek ports?

There were reports of a few deaths from want during the month of January, but I have no official confirmation of such reports. Steps have meanwhile been taken to introduce, under strict supervision, a limited quantity of foodstuffs into Greece, but the blockade itself will not be raised until the demands of the Allies formulated in December and January last have been satisfactorily executed.

May we take it that any real danger of starvation to the very poor is practically eliminated?

I do not know that my hon. Friend can draw any conclusions except those I have actually stated.

Might I ask if the Allies are getting any nearer to seeing that the food in Greece is fairly divided between the Court party and the poor?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who enlisted in the Motor Transport, Army Service Corps, and other transport services, in 191–4 upon certain guaranteed conditions have been recently placed in the same position, as regards pay, as those who joined the Service after the 10th November, 1015; and whether, in view of the fact that these men joined the Motor Transport Corps on the distinct understanding that the same rate of pay would be continued to them, he can give an assurance that this condition will be fulfilled?

Inquiries are being made into the cases details of which have been furnished by my hon. Friend, and I will inform him of the result as soon as these inquiries are completed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it has been definitely decided to take no more men for the present from agriculture; whether this applies only to men not passed fit for active service and, if so, what steps have been taken to make known the decision of the Army Council to the local tribunals; whether his attention has been called to the case of H. J. Pepler, farm bailiff, with the sole management of a farm of 241 acres, who was refused exemption at the Pewsey Tribunal on the 14th instant; and whether he will take steps to let the farmers throughout the country know what their decision is, and put an immediate end to the present state of uncertainty and indecision, which is causing hindrance to food production in the country?

Inquiries are being made into the case of Mr. Pepler, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result It has not been decided that no more men are to be recruited from agriculture, but ample measures have been taken to protect the interests of agriculture consistently with military necessities.

Has the hon. Gentleman in recollection the definite statement which he made that "recruiting was stopped at 10,200, and we are leaving the rest of the men for agriculture"?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend must have understood my statement wrongly. I was referring to the 60,000 men then in the employment of agriculture who were available from the tribunals for the Army. The War Cabinet decided not to take those 60,000, but to take 30,000. Ultimately we only took 10.200.

May I ask whether the policy of the War Cabinet that the production of food is more important at the present time than men for the Army has been conveyed to the military tribunals?

As I have pointed out, and as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has pointed out. the War Office is doing everything possible to leave as many men as possible for agriculture.

Is it proposed to rescind the promise not to take any more B 1 and C 1 men from agriculture?

No. I understand it is not. I have already said in this House, and my right hon. Friend has said in another place, that we do not at present propose to take B 1 and C 1 men from agriculture.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the tribunals in Perthshire are daily sending men into the Army?

I have no doubt that they are. Why should they not?

But is it not the opinion of the Government that it is more important to keep these men for food production than to send them into the Army?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he has received a copy of the resolution passed at a recent meeting of the County War Agricultural Committee for Bedfordshire directing his attention to the waste of time entailed by the attendance of farmers and their men before the tribunals, and urging that no more men, even general service men, should be called from the land during the next two months; and if he has been able to take any action in the matter?

It is regretted that the Department have no trace of the receipt of the resolution, but it would not, in any ease, be possible to relieve farmers and their men from the attendances required of them at tribunals, as such; attendances are necessary under the Regulations for the proper hearing of cases.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether his Department is in agreement with the committee in urging that no further men should be withdrawn from the land for the next two-months?

Is it not a fact that not only the Board of Agriculture, but the War Office and the Government generally have agreed that no more men ought to be withdrawn from agriculture, save in exceptional cases, during the next two months?

That is the same question that was asked about ten minutes ago.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that a number of men in Class C I have recently been sent overseas; whether there is any official sanction for such action; and whether he can make a statement as to the position of the men who have been sent to France under these circumstances?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in a Debate in the House on the 21st instant; these men are used for duty with Infantry labour companies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether E. A. Prevost, a conscientious objector, was arrested on the 14th October last, court-martialled on the 25th October, sent to Wormwood Scrubs Prison, trans ferred to Wandsworth, and while there brought before the Central Tribunal; that in response to the question whether he was willing to undertake work of national importance he replied in the affirmative, but has not yet been given work of national importance; on what grounds this has not been granted, or whether the man has been deemed not genuine; and, it so, for what reason?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The case of Mr. Prevost, who is aged twenty-five, has been fully considered, and, in view of the report made upon it by the Central Tribunal, the man was not offered work under the Home Office Committee. The Central Tribunal are not asked to state their reasons in these cases, but I learn that the answers given by the man were unsatisfactory. He had not availed himself of the right of applying to a local tribunal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the case of Joseph MacQuaid, of Barvernachon, Whaup Hill, Wigtownshire, arrested as a conscientious objector on the 24th August, 1916, court-martialled, imprisoned in Carlton Gaol, and now working on the road at Ballachulish; whether Joseph MacQuaid previously worked on his father's dairy farm, where fifty Ayrshire milch cows were kept, but that on this farm of 304 acres the milk production had been abandoned as a result of the son's imprisonment; that Joseph MacQuaid is of excellent character, and that the agent at Ballachulish is ready to recommend him; and whether he will arrange for this man being returned to work which will increase the food production in Scotland?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am aware of the facts of MacQuaid's case. The agent at the Road Board Camp at Ballachulisn, where he is working, reports that his conduct is exemplary. He and his brother are joint tenants of a farm, but the Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors are precluded from sending him home to work on it.

Is this an example of scientific organisation; that a Committee should be prevented from using a man in the best possible way in the interests of the country?

May I ask the hon. Member for North Somerset what connection he has with Scotland or Wigtownshire?

Is it in order for the right hon. Gentleman to ask questions of me? If so, may I inform him that I have taken very good care to establish the facts, and they have all been admitted from the Front Bench?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Cameron, Ferguson, and Robert Ramsay were engaged on a farm of 260 acres at High Drummore, Wigtownshire, where they had about 140 pigs and eighty cows; that these men are conscientious objectors against military service and have been since April, 1916, in barracks doing nothing, in prison doing their time, or under the Home Office scheme doing work for which they are unsuited; whether Cameron and Ferguson Ramsay are now at Burwarton, Salop, and that Robert Ramsay was recently at the Wakefield Work Centre; whether he can state the cost to the taxpayers of these three men since April, 1916; and whether, in view of the reduced food production on their farm due to their enforced absence, he will now save further public expense by returning these men to civil life?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Wilson Ramsay, Ferguson Ramsay, and Robert Ramsay, sons of a farmer of High Drummore, are conscientious objectors employed under the Home Office scheme. No papers can be traced concerning Cameron Ramsay, and I presume that Wilson Ramsay is the man to whom it is intended to refer. He and his brother Ferguson have been employed at the Road Board Camp at Dyce at Warwick Work Centre, and at the Home-Grown Timber Committee's Camp near Newport, Salop. Robert has been employed at Wakefield Work Centre, and also at the Home-grown Timber Committee's Camp at Wigtown, where his conduct did not give satisfaction. I cannot say what these three men have cost the taxpayers since April, 1916. All three have been sentenced by courts-martial for military offences, and the Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors are precluded from returning them to their homes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of his promise that attested men who had not received a call-ing-up notice before 1st September, 1916. should not be liable to arrest until the Courts had decided a test case as to their liability for military service he will now arrange that all such men shall receive a calling-up notice from the recruiting officer before any proceeding is taken to bring them before the Courts as defaulters?

Attested men rejected subsequently to attestation, who have not been sent a calling-up notice pending the decision of (he High Court on their liability for service, will be sent a calling-up notice in the ordinary way. It is not, however, proposed to send a further calling-up notice to men who have already been sent a calling-up notice, but whose notice was suspended pending the decision of the High Court. These men have already been called up for service, and they will be informed by the recruiting officer, that it is their duty to report for service in accordance with their calling-up notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a series of meetings arranged to be held at the Royal Overseas Officers' Club, Pall Mall, tickets for which are to be obtained from the secretary of the Imperial Mission of the Tariff Reform League; whether this club is under the control in any way of the War Office; and, if so, whether it is allowed to have meetings called by a political association in a club which is entirely used by British overseas officers?

This club is controlled through a committee by the General Officer Commanding London District. The lectures were arranged before the club was taken over, and the General Officer Commanding saw no reason to order their discontinuance as they did not appear to him to be in any way of a political nature. The meetings arranged are those at which the Prime Ministers from overseas are asked to speak on problems of the Empire. On the last occasion the Prime Minister of New Zealand was the principal speaker, and on the 30th the principal speaker is the Right Hon. Sir Edward Morris, Prime Minister of Newfoundland. The reason why the tickets were, obtainable from the secretary of the Imperial Mission of the Tariff Reform League was that it was this body which had arranged for those meetings, but in future the subjects of all meetings will be submitted to the General Officer Commanding London District, and tickets will be obtainable from the committee which under his direction administers the club.

Is this the same league which just before the War was taking parties of British workers to Germany to convert them to Prussianism, and was the commanding officer aware of these pro-German activities of this league?

I cannot add anything to my answer.

Does my hon. Friend really believe that this committee has no political objects?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will be prepared to consider in the light of the experience which he may gain during the first three months operation of the new Royal Warrant the setting up of some-form of appeal machinery in all cases where there may be grounds for difference of opinion as to whether the condition of health of a man who has been discharged from the Army as unfit was aggravated while serving in the Army?

I shall certainly keep my mind open for the adoption of any course which experience may prove to be necessary for a fair interpretation of the Warrant which has now been approved by the House of Commons. I must, however, ask my hon. Friend to wait and see whether any new machinery is necessary. I cannot at present entertain any proposal to set up additional machinery having regard to the inevitable pressure due to the initial operation of the new Royal Warrants and Orders in Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman specially have in view the type of case suggested in my question, in order to provide real machinery to deal with these cases of hardship?

Certainly I will.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give the scale of gratuity for men whose disability is alleged not to be attributable to or aggravated by service?

As any scale which may be adopted will be subject to wide variations at my discretion, so as to ensure justice being done to the special circumstances of individual cases, I think it inadvisable to make such an announcement us the hon. Member suggests.

Then it is not the case, as my right hon. Friend has already announced, that there is a scale?

I never said there was a scale.

Yes, you did.

No, I did not.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether dependants of soldiers refused increased grants by local war pensions committees have any appeal against the decision as in the case of dependants to the paymaster: and, if not, why an appeal is not allowed?

Under No. 3 of Part II. of the Statutory Committee's Regulations a supplementary separation or other allowance or grant may be refused or varied at the discretion of the local committee. No special machinery for appeals from the decisions of the local committee has hitherto been found necessary, but it is always open to applicants to communicate with the Statutory Committee with regard to these cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to get an appeal for these people in the same way as the soldier's dependant has an appeal in the matter of separation allowance?

There is no analogy at all. The appeal is to the paymaster, because there is a dispute between the pensions committee and the pensions officer. There is no dispute in the other case.

Is not the dispute here between people who are asking for money and do not get it?

In that case they can appeal to the superior authority.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can from reports to hand say what is the increased amount of cultivated land for the present season; what amount of land has been acquired by the War Agricultural Committee for cultivation directly by them; what amount of grass land is being ploughed up; and in how-many cases have the War Agricultural Committee served notices on owners and tenants to improve the cultivation, and the area of land comprised in such notices?

The War Agricultural Executive Committees have not yet been asked to make returns of their work, as it would impede their progress at the present time when progress is so necessary, but a return will be asked for when the pressure of sowing operations is relaxed. No detailed figures are, therefore, available in answer to my hon. Friend's question. Satisfactory work is however, being done in most counties and in connection with the first part of the question I may mention that in nine counties of which we have some preliminary figures, an increase of over 87,000 acres in the amount of Cultivated land may be expected. With regard to the second part, the Board are aware of an acreage of about 5.500 acres taken over by Executive Committees; but this is quite incomplete. With regard to the last part of the question the Board know of notices being served in one county on sixteen holdings having a total acreage of about 1,000 acres, in another of notices in respect of 1,500 acres, and in a third of notices in respect of five holdings. But even complete particulars under this head would be no guide as to the result of the Executive Committees' work, since, in many cases which they have taken up, the owners and tenants have voluntarily agreed to their suggestions without it being necessary subsequently to serve any notice.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received a complaint from the Parish Council of Glutton, Somerset, that at Greyfield four gardens have been planted with trees, necessitating their former tenants walking nearly two miles to allotments on which an alternative food supply is to be raised; whether he has powers to prohibit the use of working men's gardens being taken for other purposes than food production; and what action will betaken?

The Department received a complaint from the Glutton Parish Council on the 22nd of this month. It will be investigated by the Somerset War Agricultural Committee, who have power to deal with the matter under the Cultivation of Lands Orders, in the interests of food production. Such committees have power to prescribe the use to which garden ground should be put.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to say whether, since the price fixed by the Board of Agriculture for oats grown in 1917 have now become a minimum price and the price contracted with the Director of Tillage for oats grown in freshly-broken up grass lands will also be a minimum: and whether the latter will be entitled to claim the difference between the two prices originally fixed in addition to the Gazette price?

I am afraid I cannot say more at the moment than that the matter is still under consideration.

Seeing that this difference is very high—it is as much as 2s. 9d.—between the price fixed by his Department and that fixed by the Director of Tillage, will not the hon. Gentleman give us some definite answer, because we have been-pressed as to what is going to take place?

I will give my right hon. Friend and the House an answer as soon as I can. My right hon. Friend will remember that to reconsider this question involves the alteration of the terms of contracts. That really cannot be done before the matter has been submitted to and considered by the Treasury.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the encouragement offered for developing the swine industry of the United Kingdom, some alteration in the existing measures dealing with the sale and movement of pigs will be immediately initiated, inasmuch as at present administered these are prejudicial to the efforts of traders and feeders, as the returns of seizures and condemnations made since the beginning of the War prove; and whether, having regard to the difficulties thus indicated, he will give official sanction to local authorities to modify their by-laws?

The only restrictions on the movement and sale of live pigs are those which are prescribed by Orders under the Diseases of Animals Acts, administered by the Board of Agriculture. The general modification of these restrictions is a matter which the Board have under consideration, though they have at present nothing to add to the last part of the answer given to a question on the subject by my hon. Friend on the 19th of this month.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the prices current for all classes of meat, steps will be taken to utilise a considerable proportion of the meat condemned as unsound; whether he is aware that in London alone the weight of meat so condemned averages 2,800,000 lbs. per annum, and also that on the Continent the practice of sterilising such meat has been in operation for many years with the most satisfactory results: and whether, in view of this fact, he will consider the advisability of introducing a similar system in the United Kingdom?

The greater part of the meat which is condemned in this country on account of unsoundness could not be rendered fit for human consumption by means of sterilisation or otherwise. Probably not more than some 5 to 7 per cent. could be so utilised. I am already inquiring into the possibility of taking further measures in regard to this meat.

What is done with condemned meat?

It is destroyed.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Department brought under the notice of the Food Controller before he issued his Order reducing the price of Irish bacon the necessary consequential reduction of the price of Irish pigs; whether this reduction already amounts to (is per hundredweight, or an average of 10s. per pig; and, in view of the effect of this tax upon Irish farmers and cottagers in regard to the increased production of this article of human food, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. It is a fact that the reduction in the price of bacon involved a reduction in the price of Irish pigs to the extent indicated. Prior to the intervention of the Food Controller the prices of pig meat were forced to a high and speculative level. It is considered that the bacon prices now authorised will not involve hardship or the risk of any decrease-in production.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the reduction of 10s in the price of pigs inflicts a hardship on the Irish farmers?

No, Sir. A similar reduction has been made in the price of English pigs, and there was a corresponding rise in the price of both at the beginning of the year, which was not in the public interest.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to compensate those responsible for the sale of articles of food which are non-intoxicating and do not interfere with the efficiency of the nation, such as apples, bananas, milk chocolate, biscuits, etc., in view of the fact that the import or manufacture of these articles is prohibited or restricted?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to this question is in the negative.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the same treatment is to be accorded to the liquor trade as to the food trades in this respect?

I am not in a position to anticipate, but I should like to take this opportunity of saying that we recognise the patriotic readiness of those trades which have been or are likely to be affected by restrictive measures to make the sacrifices which are demanded of them in the public interest.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the food trades are to have this opportunity of showing patriotism, those engaged in the liquor trade are to be paid for their patriotism?

I have no reason to anticipate that distinctions are going to be made.

They are!

At any rate, I am not in a position to say anything more at present. I only know that in the case of foodstuffs, to which the question of the hon. Member is directed, there has been a patriotic self-sacrifice which we are ready to recognise.

Is that a patriotism which stands out distinct from the general patriotism of the tradespeople throughout the country?

No; certainly not!

asked the Prime Minister whether he can say when it is proposed to introduce the legislation necessary to give effect to the Government's new agricultural policy?

The Bill is at present being considered by the Cabinet, and it will be introduced shortly, which will enable hon. Members to see it in print, but it is not now intended to take the Second Reading before Easter.

Will the Bill be introduced?

Yes.

Will the Bill refer to Scotland?

I understand so.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state whether Mr. Walter Joyce refused to sell to the Congested Districts Board his congested estate at Breaghy, Castlebar, county Mayo, on which there is an untenanted grazing farm of 200 acres that would enable the Board to enlarge the uneconomic holdings of the tenants; has Mr. Joyce complied with the Tillage Regulations with respect to this untenanted land; and if not, will he say what steps the Department of Agriculture has taken against Mr. Joyce for non-compliance with these Regulations, and to have a tenth of the farm tilled or let for tillage?

The Congested Districts Board communicated with Mr. Joyce's solicitor in reference to a sale to the Board of the estate at Breaghy referred to, and were informed that the owner was unwilling to negotiate except on a cash basis. The voluntary purchase of estates under the Irish Land Act, 1909, can only be accomplished by a payment of Land Stock, and the Board took no further action in the matter, as they were not then in a position to acquire the estate compulsorily. I am informed that there are over 200 acres of untenanted land on the property, and that Mr. Joyce is arranging to comply with the compulsory Tillage Regulations. He has estates in the counties of Clare, Galway, and Mayo, and he is at liberty to carry out the total cultivation for which he is liable on any one or two of these estates.

Are not these poor people to get the benefit of an Act which was passed for their relief eight years ago?

The conditions in the Act must be complied with before it is applied. The statement in my answer shows that in the present case it has not been possible to comply with them.

What is to prevent the Congested Districts Board acquiring this land compulsorily, and distributing these 200 acres among these poor people who want them so badly?

As I have pointed out, compulsory acquisition requires payment in cash. The Act provides for the voluntary acquisition of estates by Land Stock,' and as the present stock is depreciated owners are naturally not disposed to exchange their land for stock.

In cases like this, where there is unused land in Ireland, is it not possible to proceed under the Defence of the Realm Act?

My hon. friend makes a mistake in supposing that this land is unused because it is untenanted. Untenanted is a term of law which applies to land in Ireland, and merely implies that. there are not attaching to the land the legal rights which arise from a tenancy in Ireland.

I have not made the mistake which the right hon. Gentleman supposes. What I want to know is—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the medical officer who is in charge of the military hospital supplied by the Southwark Board of Guardians has had his remuneration reduced from £663 7s. 6d. per annum, paid since 1915, to the amount of £584 for the present year; whether the duties of the officer are exactly the same as formerly and, if so, why the War Office should draw any distinction between military hospitals supplied by Poor Law authorities and those supplied to the War Office; and whether the medical officer's responsibilities and duties are the same in both cases?

I am having inquiry made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether arrangements can be made for officers stationed at home to obtain on payment articles of clothing and equipment from the Ordnance Department in the same way that officers overseas are allowed to draw them?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 2nd November to the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what that answer was?

Yes, it was that as regards the necessary articles of equipment officers are enabled to buy from the Ordnance Stores. I am afraid there are no present facilities for enabling them to buy uniforms.

Will the hon. Gentleman try to give those facilities, which would be of great advantage to officers?

I have discussed the matter with the Director of Ordnance Stores, and I am afraid it would mean a very heavy expenditure of money in providing the necessary depots.

If they can do it abroad why cannot they do it at home?

The conditions at home and abroad are quite different. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the opportunities given to officers to purchase uniforms abroad are limited to cases where there is emergency.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many steamers were owned or managed by Messrs. Maclay and M'Intyre, of Glasgow, in July. 1914; how many were owned or managed by this firm on 1st March, 1917; and how many steamers managed by this firm were under requisition at Blue Book rates on 31st December, 1916?

The number of steamers owned or managed by this firm in July, 1914, was forty-eight, and on 1st March, 1917, twenty-four. The number on requisition at Blue Book rates on 31st December, 1916, was nineteen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that there is a Mrs. Wright, a German woman who was divorced from her husband, an Englishman, and who now keeps a boarding-house at Eastbourne; that a daughter of hers, Clara Elise Wright, is now employed in the Censor's Department of the Shipping Controller; that she has relations fighting against us in the German army at the present time; and whether he will have this woman's appointment cancelled?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. My hon. and gallant Friend has been misinformed. No person of this name is employed at the Ministry of Shipping.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether, in the specification for what is called the new standardised cargo vessel, bronze propellers are being prescribed, although bronze and its constituent metals are scarce and expensive, and the cost of a bronze propeller is nearly £2,000 more than a steel or cast-iron propeller; whether the advantage in speed from the use of bronze is a mere fraction of a knot; whether, in case of accident, these bronze propellers can be easily replaced; and whether the Shipping Controller was advised by specialists in tramp shipbuilding to prescribe for these bronze propellers or by specialists in liner building?

Bronze propellers were not prescribed in the original specification for the first type of standard vessels, but, after the vessels had been commenced, conditions occurred in connection with the submarine menace which made it necessary to adopt bronze propellers as part of an arrangement to make sure of a certain speed. Cast-iron propellers are specified for the spare propellers for these ships and also for the propellers of the later types of standard ships. In these matters the Shipping Controller was advised by specialists in tramp shipbuilding.

Will my hon. Friend give me the names of the specialists?

If my right hon. Friend will look at the names of the Advisory Committee, he will see the names of Mr. Marr, Mr. Henderson, and other experts.

Were any ordinary cargo boat owners consulted in the matter?

Yes, my right hon. Friend will find they were consulted.

Do these bronze propellers increase the speed, and, if so, to what extent?

The increase in speed is about a quarter of a knot, and, although that does not seem much, we are faced with circumstances where we think it necessary to get every possible increase of speed. If on trial of these vessels the bronze propeller is found to be an unnecessary luxury it will be dispensed with.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether any of the shipbuilders are undertaking to complete a new standardised vessel in four months from the laying of the keel-plates, a rate maintained for years past in tramp-shipbuilding yards on the Wear and Tyne?

No, Sir. Shipbuilders are not undertaking, under present conditions as regards labour and materials, to build the new standard ships in four months from the laying of the keel. If such an undertaking were ever given for such a steamer as the largest type of standard vessel, the conditions prevailing must have been very different from those which obtain at the present time.

How many keel plates are now laid down?

I am sure my right hon. Friend will agree with me on reflection that it is not desirable to enter on minute details of this kind. I should like to add this: My right hon. Friend the Shipping Controller will be very glad to have the advice of my right hon. Friend in this matter if he will be good enough to give it privately.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether what is called the new standardised cargo vessel is to be fitted with Howden's forced draught and correspondingly smaller boilers instead of rather larger boilers and natural draught; and whether this was adopted on the-advice of builders of liners or on the-advice of builders of tramps?

Yes, Sir; the standard cargo vessels are being fitted with forced draught to meet the present needs. This is in accordance with the advice of builders of tramp steamers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the advisory committee of shipbuilders advising the Shipping Controller on standardised cargovessels consists, with one exception, of builders of the liner type rather than what is called the cargo tramp- type; and whether Mr. Marr, the only member of the committee with experience of tramp building, has through illness been unable to attend all the committee meetings and the standardised type has therefore been arrived at by gentlemen with experience of the more expensive liner rather than the more economical cargo vessel?

The Shipbuilding Advisory Committee to the Shipping Controller is representative of shipbuilding and marine engineering. Mr. Marr is not the only member of the Committee with experience of tramp shipbuilding, and during his enforced absence from meetings of the Committee through illness, he was represented by his co-director in the same business. It is not the fact that the types of standard ships have been arrived at by gentlemen with experience of the liner rather than the tramp steamer. Besides the members of the Committee, specialists in designing and building the types adopted were consulted as well as various shipowners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many steamers belonging to or under Government control have been placed under the management or direction of Messrs. Furness, Withy and Company from August. 1914, to 15th March, 1917 and will he state what are the terras, it any, of their remuneration for management and what commissions if any, they have received during this period for chartering?

Durin the period August, 1914, to 15th March 1917, many neutral vessels have been time chartered by Messrs. Furness, Withy and Company, Limited, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, and of these a number have been placed under the management or direction of Messrs. Furness, Withy without remuneration to them. No commissions have been paid by the Government to Messrs. Furness, Withy for chartering or other services, and the commissions received by the company from the foreign owners have been credited by them to His Majesty's Government. I am glad that this question has been asked, as it enables me to tender thanks to Messrs Furness, Withy and Company, Limited, for their ungrudging and invaluable services.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many steamers have been purchased by or through Messrs. Furness, Withy, and Company for or on behalf of the Government from foreign owners since 4th August, 1914, to 15th March, 1917; and will he state the total amount of brokerages or commissions received by Messrs Furness, Withy, and Company during this period, either from the owners of these steamers or from the Government?

Certain steamships have been purchased by Messrs. Furness, Withy, and Company, Limited, on behalf of His Majesty's Government from foreigners, during the period 4th August, 1914, to 14th March, 1917. No commission has been paid by the Government to Messrs. Furness, Withy for their services, and where the company have received a commission from the foreign owners or builders it has been repaid by them to the Government in reduction of the purchase price of the Vessels. It is not considered advisable at the present time to state the exact number of ships which have been purchased through Messrs. Furness. With and Company on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if Messrs. Furness, Withy, and Company have been given a licence to purchase vessels—a licence given to no other person?

No; the hon. Member is entirely misinformed. When Messrs. Furness, Withy, and Company purchase vessels they do so under the direct instructions of the Shipping Controller. Another firm, I may add, have done more purchasing for us than Messrs. Furness, Withy have been employed to do.

asked the Secretary of the Local Government Board whether if any municipality, county council, urban district council, or parish council is willing to undertake the distribution of certain necessaries of life such as food and coal, he will permit and facilitate such action?

Local authorities have at present no statutory functions of the kind referred to in the quesion, but if the Government decided that the intervention of the local authorities was desirable my Noble Friend would be happy to afford any assistance in his power.

In any case where local authorities desire to take action at present they would not be allowed to do so, as it would be outside the law?

They must take the consequences of their action.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken to put into effect the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Railway and Canal Traffic with a view to providing increased inland water transport facilities; and whether his Department have considered the importance of preparing for works of national importance, such as the improvement of canals, in order to provide useful employment to men as discharged from the Army pending their absorption in the trades and industries of the country?

As the hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware, the Board of Trade have taken possession for the time being of a large number of the more important canals in England. The control of these canals has been entrusted by the Board of Trade to the Canal Control Committee, who are considering the question how the canals can be used to the best advantage possible in the national interests. The question of the improvement of canals on demobilisation will not be lost sight of.

asked the Home Secretary if the Government propose to extend the present Early Closing Order at its expiration; and whether he proposes to vary the closing hours or to make them exactly as at present?

A decision on this question has not yet been arrived at.

asked the Home Secretary what the rule is governing permission to American citizens who are convicts in this country for alleged political offences to communicate with the American Ambassador here; whether Dermod (Jeremiah) Lynch, in this position at Dartmoor last October, was refused this permission; if so, what the reason was for the refusal; and whether American citizens now political convicts at Lewes will be allowed to communicate with the American Ambassador here and with the American Government in the event of the Ambassador neglecting them?

The rule is that alien prisoners while awaiting trial may communicate freely with the Ambassador or Minister of the country to which they belong, but after conviction they are not allowed to write to any Foreign Minister or other public authority, but must address their representations to the Secretary of State. Lynch after his conviction applied to write to the American Ambassador, and was refused in accordance with the rule. The reply to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

Will the written statement of this man be transmitted to the Ambassador if handed to the prison authorities?

This man, like all other prisoners, will be bound by prison regulations.

Do the Regulations allow Lib statement to be transmitted to the American Ambassador when handed to the prison authorities?

Will the hon. Member please put down another question?

asked the Home Secretary what the intention of the Government is regarding the places in which and the conditions under which the men deported from Ireland without charge or trial are to be compelled to reside and the arrangements for their maintenance and the maintenance of their dependent families in Ireland deprived of their breadwinners?

As to the first part of the question. I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 21st instant by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War. As to the latter part, the maintenance of these men's dependants is a matter for the consideration of the Irish Government.

Why are newspapers addressed to these men not allowed to-reach them?

I could not say.

asked whether the arrest and deportation of Mr. J. J. O'Kelly, without charge or trial, was-because he is a member of the supreme council and of the executive of the Irish Nation League, which was founded to prevent the partition of Ireland, which reserves to itself power to withdraw Irish representation from Westminster, and which insists upon Ireland's right to representation as a distinct nation in the forthcoming international peace conference; and are all these objects held to be illegal?

I can add nothing to the answers I have made to the numerous questions asked by the hon. Member on this subject.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question. What I want to know is whether the matter on the Paper is the cause of the arrest and deportation of this man without trial?

The answer which I have given repeatedly is that it was not. The hon. Member might as well ask me whether the colour of his hair was the cause.

As nothing I have put on the Paper is the cause will the right hon. Gentleman say what was the cause of his arrest and deportation without trial?

The matter has been debated, and I have nothing to add to what I then said.

Is this man not to get any trial?

asked the Minister of Munitions if instructions will be issued to timber fellers and merchants that oak bark should this season be stripped, thus utilising the home-grown article and minimising the use of foreign imported material for tanning purposes?

The importance of collecting oak bark is fully realised, and collection will be made as far as conditions permit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the necessity of impressing on the country the necessity for economy in the use of oversea supplies, he will reconsider his decision and publish the total amount of mercantile tonnage week by week destroyed by hostile submarine or mine?

My right hon. Friend, of course, entirely endorses the view that it is imperative that everybody should recognise the vital necessity for economy in the use of oversea supplies. He gave close personal attention, in association with his naval advisers, to my right hon. Friend's present suggestion when it was first made. He is afraid that he cannot add anything to the answer which he then gave to my right hon. Friend.

Is it not a fact that the tonnage losses from submarines have been greater in the last month than ever before, and can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is brought out in the Admiralty Returns?

The right hon. Gentleman is familiar with the Returns. He gets week by week the number of ships of 1,600 tons and over lost by submarines, and the number below that, also fishing vessels. Last Saturday we added the losses caused by the German commerce raider "Moewe."

Does not the Return convey a misleading impression by comparing, in the first place, the sailings and arrivals of all British, foreign and Allied shipping, whereas it only gives the losses of British shipping?

That is so; but the right hon. Gentleman will remember the terms of the answer he received on the 21st March. The form is published after consultation and agreement with the Allies, and it is adopted by the Allies. My right hon. Friend went on to say that he was satisfied there were cogent naval reasons against publishing the tonnage figures and thereby giving the enemy correct information of considerable military value. For that reason it is not given.

Is it not a fact that the present Board of Admiralty is giving less information than the "Hide-the-truth" Government?

The present Board of Admiralty, as the First Lord said, is giving all the losses.

Less than the "Hide-the-truth" Government.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the inquest held as to the cause of death of Private John Farrell Mitchell, twenty, a young Canadian, who was in training in a camp near Godalming, whose death was due to alcoholic poisoning; whether he is aware that hundreds of young men coming from dry areas in the Dominions and subjected to the temptation of drink in the canteens and surrounding public-houses have succumbed to it and their services been lost to the Army; is he aware of the feeling in the Dominions, against the practice of allowing these temptations to exist; and whether he will consider the advisability of the prohibition of the sale of intoxicants inside or outside near such camps?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Inquiries are being made in this particular case, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result. As regards the latter part of the question, I understand that wet canteens were first introduced in the Canadian camps in this country at the request of the Canadian military authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether the present Government regard the provision of better housing for the working classes, both in town and country, as the most pressing of post-war problems; and what steps the Government are taking to work out the problem, so that employment and homes may be provided for men as they are discharged from the Army?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. My Noble Friend holds strongly the view that the provision of better housing accommodation is the most pressing problem that this Department will have to deal with after the War. The matter is now engaging his serious attention

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take the opportunity presented by the emptiness of most of the prisons to institute a reform of the prison system; and whether he will appoint either a Royal Commission or Departmental Committee to deal with the question?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I do not think that the present time would be suitable for the discussion of a reform of the prison system.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that motor-car owners will be deprived of their petrol supply in the near future, any provision will be made to secure a refund of a part of the insurance premiums paid by owners of motor cars on their cars from the insurance companies covering the period from the cutting off the petrol to the date on which the policies become renewable?

The matter will be one to be settled between the motor-car owner and the insurance company.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any decision has been reached on the recommendations in the Bankers' Report on the liquidation of the German banks; and, if so, will he state what that decision is?

The Government have most carefully considered the report of Mr. Vassar Smith and Mr. Walter Leaf with regard to the progress made towards bringing the operations of these banks to a conclusion, and have noted the opinion expressed by these gentlemen that it would not be in the public interest for Sir William Plender to relinquish his office as controller. The Government fully concur in this view, and would much regret any change in present arrangements which would deprive them of his knowledge and experience.

asked what action it is intended to take, and when, with reference to the increase of wages rendered necessary in Ireland by the increased cost of living; and, if any tribunal is to be set up for fixing the wages of workers, whether it will comprise a direct representative of workers?

As I stated in answer to the hon. Member for the Ossory Division of Queen's County last week, a Central Wages Board is being formed, and local wages boards or committees for the various agricultural districts will be established. There will be direct representation of the workers. The arrangements are in a forward state, and I expect them to be completed in time to admit of the fixing of minimum wages for agricultural labourers as soon as the necessary legislative sanction has been given.

Will this take into account other classes of workers, such as those who work on the railways which have been taken over by the Government? Would the right hon. Gentleman also say when the Regulations will be put in force?

The railwaymen are not comprised in a scheme which relates to the compulsory steps which are being taken with regard to tillage and the minimum wage which is to be paid to those engaged in that work. The Regulations are to be put into force immediately the necessary legislative sanction has been obtained.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say when, by whom, and with what Irish educational approval the new rule has been made depriving of the war bonus teachers who while undergoing a course of training, are paying, substitutes; whether he is aware that, owing to increased cost of outfit and living, enforcement of this rule would force some of the best teachers to leave the training colleges and abandon the teaching profession; what is the estimate of the amount required to give a separate war bonus to the substitutes without withdrawing theirs from the teachers; and whether, in all the circumstances, of economy on education in Ireland, he will obtain this from the Treasury?

This question was answered last Tuesday. In case it has escaped the attention of the hon. Member I will send him a copy of it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether considerable and often large drafts of men en route for France, coming, in many cases, from long distances, are compelled, for reasons known to the military authorities, to break their journey at Blairgowrie; whether he is aware that hitherto no adequate provision has been made for feeding the men during their stay at the place mentioned; whether their pay is stopped for the time being, and consequently they have no money to buy food; whether the military authorities allege that men going long distances should be provided with rations, but whether, in fact, this is not done; and will he take steps to fix the responsibility for the neglect, and to ensure that it is not repeated?

I am having inquiries made at once.

asked the Minister of Blockade (1) whether he can give the gross total tonnage of all fodder and animal feeding stuffs, including maize, from all sources imported into Holland and Denmark respectively, for the years 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916, and the exports to Great Britain from these countries of meat, pig products of all sorts, poultry, eggs, cheese and butter for the same years; and (2) whether he can give the import of butter, eggs and bacon from Denmark into Great Britain for the three months ending February, 1917, 1916, 1915 and 1914, and whether he has any figures or has been able to form any estimate of the imports for the same period of these articles into Germany from Denmark?

I will answer these two questions together. The figures for the gross imports of corn and fodder of all kinds, including maize, into Holland during 1913 to 1916 are as follows:—

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) on what grounds the Department withholds its recommendation for a permit for fishing from Mr. Maurice O'Connell, Renard Road, Cahirciveen, and thus deprive him of his means of living by lawful industry with his boat "St. Fiacra"; and whether the necessary document will be issued for the season now opening?

I answered this question to the hon. Member on the 19th instant. I can add nothing to the answer I then gave.

asked why the prescribed proportion of the contributions paid under the National Health Insurance Act in Ireland in respect of teachers who have ceased to be insured owing to becoming members of the Teachers' Pension Fund has not yet been transferred to that fund in accordance with law and promise; and whether it will now be transferred with rights as from the date the transfer became due?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. It is intended to make the transfer in the near future, and meantime no interests are adversely affected.