asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will cause an immediate inquiry to be opened into the circumstances under which the Bradstreet Company of New York was permitted to seize the assets of the Institute W. Schimmelphfeng, a German commercial inquiry office having branches in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Leeds, Bristol, and Birmingham at the outbreak of war and to retain in their employ Alfred Reinhardt, a registered enemy alien, as general manager?

:The books and documents of the Bradstreet Company have been inspected on behalf of the Board of Trade, in pursuance of the provisions of the Trading With the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1916, and, as a result the Board have made an Order under that Act for the winding-up of the business of the Institute W. Schimmelphfeng. Steps are now being taken by the Controller under the direction of the Court to require the Bradstreet Company to account for the assets belonging to the Institute which were taken over the company. I am informed that Reinhardt's employment by the Bradstreet Company has now ceased. I understand that the assets of the Institute were taken over by the company very early in the War, and the Board of Trade had no power to give or withhold permission. There seems no case for inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that Alfred Reinhardt, a registered enemy alien of German nationality, has been permitted to control and manage the business of the Bradstreet Company, 137, Cheapside, E.C., since the outbreak of war, in which capacity he has been advised by the War Trade Department Clearing House to forbid his managers to communicate information relating to trade with the enemy and the Defence of Realm direct to local officers of the Board of Trade and the police authorities; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

:The position of Mr. Reinhardt was dealt with in the answer to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Ludlow Division of Shropshire, which appeared in the OFFICIAL REPORT for Thursday last. I understand that in 1915 the War Trade Intelligence Department suggested to the London manager of the Bradstreet Company that reports from provincial offices of the company relating to Trading With the Enemy or to the Defence of the Realm Regulations should be submitted through their London office to that Department before being communicated to official inquirers with a view to ensuring that such information should be authoritative and reliable. No action is necessary as Mr. Reinhardt is no longer connected with the Bradstreet Company.

:When did the resignation take place?

:I believe about a fortnight ago.

:Is there no power to examine the records of this Institute so as to see what information it gave periodically to the German government?

:The whole thing has been inquired into and has been under the very close supervision of the War Trade Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that mackerel sent from Ireland are often four or five days on the road; that quite recently hundreds of boxes have been condemned, as the fish was unfit for human consumption owing to delay in transit; whether the delay is in any measure due to the fish being held up at Holyhead, only a limited quantity being allowed on the train at one time; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have this restriction removed; (2) whether he is aware of the difficulty in getting empty fish boxes sent from England to Ireland; that the time occupied between their dispatch and arrival at their destination sometimes occupies as much as a fortnight; and whether he will take the necessary steps to expedite the transit of these boxes, so urgently required, if much valuable food is not to be wasted?

:I am aware that difficulties have arisen in connection with the transit of fish from Ireland to England, and I am sending the hon. Baronet a copy of the reply given to a question asked by the hon. Member for East Cork on the 25th April, together with a copy of a letter which I have since received from the London and North-Western Railway Company on the subject. As regards the transit of empty fish boxes to Ireland, that also is a matter of considerable difficulty in present circumstances, but I have brought it before both the British and Irish Railway Executive Committees.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that continuous complaints have been made regarding the action, or rather inaction, of the railway companies in Ireland, particularly the Great Northern Railway Company and the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, and has any definite action been taken by the Government?

:I am continuously in receipt of complaints. We are doing all we can to remedy them.

:What is the meaning of "we are doing all we can," because no action is taken?

:The hon. Gentleman is not quite correct, because a considerable improvement has already been effected.

:I do not agree with that.

:Have the Board taken steps to advise traders that this fish, which is easily spoiled in transport, should be pickled on the other side?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, inasmuch as not long since he urged poultry keepers to increase the number of their birds, and in view of the fact that it would be a distinct loss to the nation if a large reduction in the number of poultry was found necessary, whether he will utilise the tonnage now employed in bringing eggs from Egypt and from Canada to convey from the former country dhurra and from the latter country feed or damaged wheat?

:I have been asked to reply. It would be a wasteful use of our limited shipping tonnage to employ it for the importation of food of the description mentioned in the question. It is more economical to import human food than the materials for feeding poultry or farm animals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received a number of resolutions from co-operative societies and trade councils protesting against the changes made in the prices of milk for the summer months; and, if so, what action, if any, he is going to take in the matter?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the summer milk supply is now being considered by a specially appointed Advisory Committee. The Food Controller will await their Report before taking any further action.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether there are some 4,000 racehorses at present in training, including yearlings, consuming each 14 lbs. of oats per day; and whether, before curtailing the bread rations of the people, the Food Controller will adopt the course proposed by the hon. Member for Hornsey, now attached to his Department, of cutting down the issue of oats to 100 of the best horses for breeding purposes and prohibiting the feeding of the remainder on oats?

:As announced in to-day's Press, all racing in the United Kingdom will cease at the end of this week. An Order providing for the rationing of thoroughbreds, in so far as it is necessary to maintain the breeding stock, will shortly be issued.

:Does the hon. Gentleman accept the figure 4,000 given in the question?

:Yes; I think that is approximately correct.

:Does this apply to small country meetings in Ireland?

:I am not authorised to say that any exception will be made.

:Does it cover "flapper" meetings?

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Jockey Club in Ireland have already cut down very substantially the number of races, and are only keeping on such as are necessary to maintain the breed on which you depend for country horses?

:Yes, I am aware of that; but there has been a similar cutting down in England, and the nation has got to be fed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the shortage of oats in Scotland arising from the purchases of oats for horses made by forage officers and to the scarcity of last year's crop; and whether, having regard to the hardship which is thus inflicted upon consumers of porridge, who form a large proportion of the population of Scotland, he proposes to take any steps to safeguard the remaining supply of oats, so that its use may be limited to human consumption?

:I have been asked to reply. The Government are aware that there is a considerable shortage of oats in Scotland, and that this shortage has been aggravated by military requirements. It is in contemplation to restrict the feeding of oats to horses in order to safeguard as far as possible the limited supply available for human food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that 19,000 tons of sugar have been offered to the Sugar Commission by a reputable City firm since 1st January; that the offers were declined; that a licence to deal in sugar was refused to this firm; that the offers were declined on the ground that the firm in question had not previously dealt in sugar, and that the sugar in question has been sold abroad; and whether, in view of the short supply of this necessary article, he will direct that in future sugar shall be purchased from anyone offering it?

:The offers in question were received by the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply from a firm not ordinarily engaged in the sugar trade, and were declined after full consideration. Seeing that the present shortage of sugar supplies arises from the necessity of limiting the number of vessels engaged in the transport of sugar, and not from any difficulty in purchasing sugar abroad, the acceptance of the offers would not have increased the supplies in this country. The Food Controller is accordingly not prepared to invite the Royal Commission to modify their existing policy in regard to the purchase of sugar.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the tonnage had been already arranged for in this case. In view of the great importance of the matter, I beg to give notice that I will call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, having regard to the numerous complaints received from grocers, co-operative societies, and other food-distributing agencies in Lanarkshire and other populous districts in Scotland as to the allocation of the sugar supply, and to the fact that in many such districts the supply works out at only four ounces per. head per week for each member of the household, he will take steps to see that a more equitable form of allocation to the grocers and co-operative societies and distributing agencies in these districts in Scotland is adopted?

:Arrangements have been made to allot additional supplies of sugar to any district in which a shortage has been caused by an increase of population since 1915. This policy will be continued as fresh cases of shortage are disclosed, and any such cases as the hon. Member brings to my notice will be investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will consider the proposal of having one or two breadless days a week and ascertain the result before resorting to the expedient of rations by card which he is now entertaining?

:The proposal to institute breadless days is impracticable. Breadstuffs are an indispensable element in the diet of nearly every person above the age of infancy.

:As the policy of meatless days has, by the statement of the hon. Gentleman, been fairly successful, could the hon. Gentleman not at any rate make an attempt to try one breadless day in the week?

:No, Sir; the policy of meatless days is a matter which may ultimately have to be abandoned, in view of the undue drain on the consumption of our breadstuffs. A breadless day opens up quite different considerations.

:Will the hon. Gentleman consider the substitution of oatcake on special days?

:Yes; it has not only been considered, but largely adopted.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the price of oatmeal has gone up to such an extent as to make it more expensive than bread?

:That raises another subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the number of uncut loaves of bread that are being bought by the sweepings contractors from the large London bakers and sold by them to pig keepers as food for swine; and will he make an inquiry into this practice in order that he may take action for the bread being better utilised?

:Any such practice as that suggested by the hon. Member's question would be clearly illegal by virtue of the Wheat, Rye, and Rice (Restriction) Order. I will make inquiries, and shall be glad if the hon. Member can bring any specific cases to my notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will state the price which has been paid for the Australian butter recently commandeered by the Government?

:The price to be paid for the Australian butter recently commandeered by the Government varies from 180s. to 186s. per cwt., according to grade. The total value of the consignments cannot at present be ascertained, as the unloading of the ships is incomplete.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that the Government has acquired wheat from Australian farmers at 39s. 9d. a quarter with freightage to this country of 15s. a quarter he will take immediate steps to reduce the maximum price at which British farmers may sell wheat from 78s. a quarter to some figure more closely approximating to the cost of Australian wheat landed here?

:I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on Thursday last.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he did not answer this question on Thursday at all. He said the figures were incorrect. Is he aware that the first figure is got from the statement made by the President of the Victorian Farmers' Union dealing with prices given in Australia, and the other figure is given from the Front Bench?

:I am informed by the Wheat Commission that the figure is incorrect, but it is immaterial whether it is correct or incorrect. Questions of this character are greatly to be deprecated, and render the negotiations for the purchase of wheat in other countries somewhat delicate and difficult.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his attention is drawn to the facts in this question for the purpose of showing that we are paying too high a price for British wheat, and has nothing to do with the price we pay abroad, and that we are allowing the British farmer to extort twice as much as we give the Australians?

:May I take the opportunity of saying that there is nothing whatever to show that there is any disparity, considering the altered conditions, between the price paid for this wheat and British wheat. The contract is one which was made several months ago when the conditions in the world generally were wholly different from what they are to-day.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that during the hours between lunch, say 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., and the evening meal, say 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., persons can obtain at the restaurants a large slice of buttered toast and an unlimited quantity of certain other cakes, not necessarily sweet cake; and if he will take the necessary steps to check this waste?

:All restaurants, except those charging a maximum price of 1s. 3d. for any meal, are rationed as to bread and flour on the basis of 2 ozs. of bread for meal and 1 oz. of flour for each lunch and dinner. The restaurant keeper is not limited in terms to the amount which he may give to any individual customer. but is limited on the 2 ozs. basis as to the total amount supplied in any week. Cakes and confectionery, whether sweetened or not, must be brought into account.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the facts stated in the question of the supply of an unlimited quantity of cake, in addition to 2 ozs. of bread?

:Yes, I think it is just possible that these cakes are made of maize, or some similar substance, or even possibly oatmeal. It should be pointed out that it is desirous in the public interest to encourage for the time being the consumption of those substitutes. If there is over-consumption, another Order will have to be issued

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he can state the arrivals and sailings of British merchant vessels of 1,600 tons gross or over at and from United Kingdom ports for the week ending 3 p.m., 22nd April?

:My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I can only repeat what has already been stated, namely, that the form of the Weekly Return was determined by the Government after very full consideration, and has been accepted and adopted by our Allies.

:Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make the Return correspond with the professions of the Prime Minister on Friday—that we should tell the whole truth?

:Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that until these figures are supplied the seriousness of the position cannot be seen and there is no use asking people to make sacrifices?

:Has the right hon. Gentleman seen Dr. Helferrick's speech in Berlin, in which he taunts the British Government with not being brave enough to face the facts?

Have the Germans access to these figures?

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he will give the names of the Committee of Employment for Conscientious Objectors; and whether he will say when it is proposed to print and circulate to Members of this House the rules, as amended, under which this Committee act?

:My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. As regards the first part, the names were stated in an answer given to the hon. Member for West Bradford on 15th March. The hon. and gallant Member for Gloucester has since been added to the Committee. As regards the second part of the question, the regulations of the Committee have been presented to both Houses, and will be circulated in a day or two. I will see that the amending rule made last week is included.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether in the local chapel at Princetown, before the arrival of the so-called conscientious objectors at Dartmoor the National Anthem was sung, but since these men have frequented the chapel the National Anthem is no longer sung, and the prayer for our soldiers and sailors is omitted; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to see that no religious service is modified to suit the views of these men?

:My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Inquiry has been made by the minister of the local Wesleyan Chapel, who states:

"Prayers for soldiers and sailors and all others in authority are regularly made at the Wesleyan Chapel. … The National Anthem is also sung but not at every service, but its omission has no connection whatever with the presence of the conscientious objectors. When it is sung they give no certain evidence it is disliked."

I have no authority to give any instructions to the minister of the chapel with regard to the services.

:In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this question to-night.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say if C. H. Norman appeared at the meeting held by the Independent Labour Party at Leeds as a representative from Dartmoor; whether Norman's fare was paid; how long he had been working at Princetown, and what was the period of leave given him; whether the taking part in public meetings, more especially pacifists' meetings, is allowed by the rules of the Committee of Employment for Conscientious Objectors; and, if not, will he say what punishment, if any, will be meted out to Norman for breach of discipline?

:The attention of the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors has been drawn to a statement in the Press to the effect that C. H. Norman attended a meeting of the Independent Labour Party at Leeds on the 9th instant. This man was given leave of absence, under the then existing rules of the Committee, from the 5th to the 10th instant. His fare was not paid by the Committee. He had been working at Princetown since the 21st March, but had previously been working under the Committee since the 10th August, 1916. By the rules of the Committee all men under their control are forbidden to take part in public propaganda, and the reports I have been able to obtain do not seem to prove that Norman, though present at the meeting, was guilty of a breach of this rule. The "Leeds Weekly Citizen," which contains a long report of the proceedings, does not mention him, and from the report in the "Morning Post" of the 10th instant he appears to have spoken only of the conditions of employment under the Committee. The Committee have not, therefore, been able to recommend his recall to prison, but if further information establishes a breach of the rule, it is still open to them to do so.

:Is the House to understand, then, that these men, so-called conscientious objectors, are to be allowed to attend pacifist meetings, and to make statements in accordance with their views without any interference from the Government?

:My hon. Friend must understand nothing of the kind—

:That is what they do.

:As a matter of fact he has not been guilty of a breach of the Regulations. It was a private meeting. If he had been guilty of a breach of the Regulations he would have been recalled to prison. As my hon. Friend and the House well know we have now made Regulations suspending all leave to conscientious objectors.

:Is my hon. Friend aware that it was not a private meeting as the Press were present?

:Does the hon. Gentleman see the desirability of recalling these men?

:I cannot hear a word you say.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether Leonard Edsall, of Breamore, near Salisbury, has been called up to the Army; whether this man is the only able-bodied farrier and repairer of agricultural machinery and implements in Breamore and the six parishes adjoining; and whether he will arrange with the Army authorities for the return of this man to his employment, which is of vital importance to the cultivation of the land?

:According to the Board's information of the proceedings before the Appeal Tribunal in this case, there were then two blacksmiths at one place three miles from Breamore, and three at another village the same distance off in another direction. The War Office have considered the case and have declined their consent to a rehearing, so that, unless the facts can be shown to be otherwise than as represented to the War Office, no useful purpose could be served by the Board pressing them as suggested.

:Has the Board of Agriculture made any representations to the War Office with respect to this particular case?

:The Board of Agriculture came to the conclusion that if the facts were as stated by the War Office, there was no reason for making any complaint.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, through the usual channels, he will request the German Government to state what proof it requires that British hospital ships are not carrying munitions of war?

:His Majesty's Government consider that no useful purpose would be served by making such a request.

asked whether the Foreign Office possesses a Report of recent date upon the working of the French system of Permanent Commissions of the Chamber of Deputies?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned to the hon. Member for South-West Manchester on 21st December last. No further information on the subject has reached the Foreign Office since that date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there are in this country at the present moment a considerable number of Italians of military age employed as waiters in hotels and restaurants; and can he say whether any attempt has been made to bring home to these men the necessity of returning to Italy in order to take their part in the War?

:The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I informed the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley on 26th April, the Government contemplate legislation on the question of friendly aliens generally.

:When may we expect that legislation to be brought forward?

:It is not for me to prophesy.

:Is it not within the power of the Ambassadors and Consuls-General in this country to summon such men as are liable, to Allied Powers, for military service, without any interference by our Government?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent invitation to leading statesmen and public men of an Allied nation to offer their solution on a matter of political controversy which this House had agreed should not be proceeded with during the continuance of hostilities was made after consultation with the Foreign Office or other Government Departments?

:Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that, will he say why the hon. Member wants the Government to adopt the policy of funk that he has adopted since the War.

:There was no reason why the Foreign Office should have been consulted, and, in fact, it was not consulted. I am unable to speak for any other Department.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that statesmen and public men of an Allied nation have recently been invited to give through the medium of the Press their opinion on a subject of controversy domestic to the United Kingdom; and will the Govern- ment continue to encourage a reciprocal policy of non-interference, either by ourselves or our Allies, where the questions at issue are of domestic and not international importance?

:I do not think that any action on the part of the Government is called for in this matter.

:Would America tolerate interference on our part in the "colour" question in the United States?

:The Minister cannot say what America would do.

:May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will think it desirable to request the American Government not to interfere in the War at all?

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that many of the men transferred from the Army to do substitution work in industries under his Department have not been paid the subsistence allowance promised; that four men, J. Cameron, R. Watson, A. E. Hodgson, and J. Twentyman, were transferred from the Army to a coal and firebricks works in Cumberland on the 13th February last; and, seeing that up to the present they have not received any subsistence allowance, thus for over two months having had to keep themselves and families on bare Army pay, will he take steps to expedite the payments due?

:I regret that from various causes delay has occasionally occurred in authorising payment of subsistence allowance to men who have enrolled as Army Reserve Munitions Workers, and been placed upon munitions work. A new procedure has, however, recently been adopted which will enable these cases to be dealt with much more expeditiously. Payment of subsistence allowance has now been authorised to Watson, Cameron and Twentyman. The case of Hodgson, who is an unmarried man, is under investigation, and should inquiries show that he is contributing to the support of dependants from whom be is obliged to be separated by reason of his allocation to munitions work, payment of the subsistence will be authorised retrospectively with as little delay as possible. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that these men have only received bare Army pay. They have received civil pay for the work on which they were employed.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Munitions owing to the large numbers of men being left without any pay or any means of subsistence for their wives and families, on their being transferred from the Army to the Ministry of Munitions?

:No; I have no knowledge of anything of the kind, and I shall be much obliged if the hon. Member will give me the cases?

:I will give the right hon. Gentleman a case to-morrow.

:Is it not the duty of the War Office to see to these men, and not the Ministry of Munitions at all?

asked the Minister of Munitions, as representing the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), whether a record is kept by the Board of convictions obtained against licence-holders in Scotland for breach of the Board's Regulations; of the number of licences refused where the licence-holder has been convicted of contravention of the Board's Orders; and of the total decrease in the number of licences granted in Scotland by the licensing Courts held during the present month; and whether he can supply the figures under each of the above heads or any other figures in the possession of the Board applicable to the subject?

:The only figures of the nature desired which I am able to give are those relating to the cases which the Control Board keep specially under observation, namely, those where, after the chief constable has reported the circumstances of a conviction for a contravention of the Board's Order or of the licensing law, the Board have closed the premises for the sale and supply of excisable liquor for the remainder of the licensing year. In the course of the licensing year 1916-17 the Board have thus closed forty-five licensed premises in Scotland. In eighteen of these cases renewal of the certificate for the year 1917-18 was refused at the recent licensing Courts; in eleven the certificates were renewed; in five no application for renewal was made; and in the remaining eleven cases the action taken by the licensing Courts is not yet known to the Board.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether a number of men of the 7th Highland Light Infantry, in medical category C 2, have been employed as a working party under the Ministry of Munitions at Morecambe; how long has it been so employed; whether many of these men, who are skilled workmen have been employed on unskilled labour; whether the men themselves and their former employers have made repeated applications to be released for munitions work in their own trade; whether some of these men have now been transferred to Class W (T) Reserve and have had their pay and their wives' separation allowances stopped; how long were these men left without any payment; and why have they not been allowed on their transfer to Reserve to return to Glasgow to work at munitions in the trades at which they are skilled?

:Many detailed inquiries are necessary in order to obtain the information my hon. Friend desires. These inquiries are now being made and as soon as I am in a position to do so I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I brought this question about these men to his notice many months ago, that no action whatever has been taken, that these are skilled men in unskilled trades, and that they have been employed on unskilled labour in the places where they are?

:I am afraid that I first saw the cases this morning, but I will make inquiry into the matter.

:It is months since I wrote about them.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether Voluntary Aid Detachment women working in military and auxiliary hospitals in this country are included among those persons for whom it is intended to provide under the Billeting of Civilians Bill?

:A written answer to the hon. Member's question was circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT for 26th April (see column 2606). The answer was to the following effect:

This matter is at present under consideration, and I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down his question again at a later date.

asked the Pensions Minister whether a man discharged from the Army has recently been refused a pension by the Ministry of Pensions on the ground that his disability was caused by his experiences on the "Lusitania" while on his way to this country to enlist; and whether this man was, in fact, passed for general service and served in France for several months and broke down while on active service abroad?

:I regret that I have been unable to identify from the information supplied the case to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will be so good as to send me the man's name, regiment, and regimental number, I will cause further inquiry to be made.

:Does my right hon. Friend not think it an extraordinary reason to be alleged by the Ministry of Pensions for not giving this man a pension for service, that his disability was owing to exposure during the sinking of the "Lusitania," in which he was a passenger at his own expense, on his way to join the Army in this country?

:It would have been extraordinary if the Ministry of Pensions had given any such decision, but they have not.

:They have!

asked the Secretary of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that local war pensions committees, in administering the Regulation concerning increased allowances to the dependants of apprentices, are informing applicants that the increase is only payable in case of distress; and whether he will issue an instruction informing such committees that it is their duty to administer the Regulations and not to convert themselves into relieving officers?

:The Statutory Committee have no evidence to show that local committees are informing applicants that the increase under Part II., Regulation 9 ( b ), is only payable in case of "distress." The purpose of the Statutory Committee's Regulations is to obviate hardship, and the Regulation in question consequently restricts allowances to cases in which it can be shown that the absence of the expected contribution from the son has resulted in hardship. The Statutory Committee have every reason to believe that the local committees are administering the Regulations sympathetically, and they do not think it advisable to issue such instructions as the hon. Member suggests.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Regulation was passed in order to put the mothers of apprentices who at the beginning of the War joined voluntarily in the same position as the mothers of apprentices who waited to be conscripted, and had bigger wages and, therefore, mothers had bigger allowances, and that, as a matter of fact, the local pensions committees are not administering the Regulations on the correct basis, and consequently there are cases of hardship?

:I was not aware of anything of the kind. I have had something to do with framing the Regulation and I cannot but think that my hon. Friend is in error. The Regulation was framed for the purpose of giving the mother of an apprentice, where there might otherwise be hardship, such an amount as might have been expected the apprentice would give his mother when his time had expired.

:I shall raise this question on the Adjournment to-morrow night.

asked the Pensions Minister whether arrangements have yet been completed for the treatment of Scottish blinded soldiers in Scotland; and if he can state to what extent the facilities afforded at Newington House, Edinburgh, will be made use of for that purpose?

:Arrangements have been completed by which the facilities afforded at Newington House, Edinburgh, are to be utilised to the full extent necessary for the treatment of blinded soldiers and sailors domiciled in Scotland. The Committee of Newington House have also made themselves responsible for the settlement of men trained there and have charged themselves with the after-care of these men. I would add, with reference to an answer I gave to a question in the House on the 8th March last, that a conference between the authorities of Newington House in Edinburgh and St. Dunstan's in London, held at my suggestion, has resulted in complete and cordial agreement for co-ordinating the work of these two establishments.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if any reply has yet been received from the German Government with reference to the proposal for the mutual transfer to a neutral country of combatant prisoners of war who have been in captivity for upwards of two years?

:The answer is in the negative. The dispatch containing the proposal to which my hon. Friend refers was sent by telegraph on the 21st instant, and up to the present no reply has been received from the German Government.

:Will this policy be extended so as to include prisoners who have been in captivity for two years?

:I am not responsible for policy, but I am authorised to state that if this policy received favourable acceptance, we would endeavour to meet the most distressing cases amongst civilian prisoners.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will say why the application of the Aran Isles Co-operative Fishing Society for a motor boat for fishing has had no attention; when it was received, when considered, and with what result; and, in view of the special importance of increasing the food supply this season, in what way and to what extent the Department propose to help this industry in the present season?

:As stated by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary, in reply to the hon. Member on Wednesday last, the question of assisting the fisheries of the Aran Islands is a matter coming within the province of the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Home Secretary whether all controlled factories are on the same footing as Government factories as regards inspection by the Home Office and thus excluded from the jurisdiction of the Home Office under the provisions of the Explosives Act of 1875; and, if so, whether, in view of the risk to life and property involved, His Majesty's Government will consider the necessity of placing all munitions factories, whether Government factories or controlled establishments, under the Home Office explosive expert inspectors or a combined control of Home Office and munitions experts?

:The fact that a factory is a controlled establishment within the meaning of the Munitions of War Act does not exempt it from the provisions of the Explosives Act. The only factories which are so exempted are those which are the property of the Government or those in which the explosives dealt with are the property of the Government and held for the service of the Crown. As regards the latter part of the question, I would point out that under existing law the provisions of the Explosives Act cannot be applied to Government factories or explosives, but the Explosives Department of the Home Office is in close touch with the Ministry of Munitions and the advice of His Majesty's inspectors is freely asked and given.

:In view of the great danger of these factories, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to make the Act applicable to these controlled establishments?

:I will convey the hon. Gentleman's request to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state how many mines in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively, were left unvisited by a special inspector of horses under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, during the year 1916; and can he say when the Report of those inspectors for that year will be published?

:The number in England and Wales was 91; in Scotland, 202. The reason for so large a number in Scotland having been unvisited is that The reason for so large a number in war work during a considerable portion of the year. This will not recur, and arrangements have also been made to give extra assistance in Scotland. I cannot give any date at present for the publication of the Reports, but I hope it may be possible to issue them in July or August.

:I do not think the hon. Gentleman has answered my question with regard to Wales and Ireland?

:In Ireland there is only one mine. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of John Hume, a pony driver, who was convicted at South Shields for having cruelly ill-treated a pit-pony at the St. Hilda mine on 27th January last by pulling out its tongue; whether he is aware that the only penalty imposed by the Court for this cruelty, which was described by the prosecution as being of a particularly revolting nature, Was a fine of £10 and costs; whether this mine was visited by a special inspector of horses, under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, during the year 1916, and, if so, how often?

:I have called for a report on this case, which has not yet been received.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Leonard Hextall, a pony driver, who was convicted at the Ilkeston Police Court on 14th December last for having cruelly ill-treated a pony at the West Hallam Colliery by pulling out its tongue; whether he is aware that the only penalty imposed by the Court for this cruelty was a fine of £10 with costs; and whether this mine was visited by a special inspector of horses under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, during the year 1916, and, if so, how often?

:This was a prosecution taken under the Protection of Animals Act by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, whose attention was called by the company's official to the case. The case appears to have been an isolated one at this mine, as the agent for the mine informs the inspector that it was the only case of cruelty that came to their knowledge during last year, and the horse inspector, who paid two visits to the collieries last year, found the horses properly treated and the arrangements satisfactory.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether his attention has been called to the Report of His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Coal Mines as regards pit ponies for the year 1915; whether he is aware that this Report shows that out of a total of 65,673 horses and ponies employed in the coal mines of the United Kingdom in that year 2,244 died from injury or disease and 2,055 had to be destroyed in consequence of injury or disease, and 9,016 sustained non-fatal injuries; whether he is aware that the percentage of animals killed, injured, and ill-treated in 1915 shows an improvement on the figures for 1914 and a still more marked improvement on the figures for 1913; whether such improvement is due, to some extent at any rate, to more careful inspection; whether the condition of affairs is still very bad in Division 3 (Yorkshire and North Midland), where the percentage of deaths per 1,000 is 90 and of non-fatal injuries is 177, and in Division 5 (South Wales), where the percentage of deaths per 1,000 is 77 and of non-fatal injuries is 166, as compared with Division 2 (Durham and Northumberland), where the percentage of deaths per 1,000 is 49 and of non-fatal injuries is 105; whether, in view of these figures, he will insist on a more thorough and complete inspection; (2) whether his attention has been called to the fact that the special horse inspectors appointed under Section 109 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, inspected 1,204 mines and 52,590 horses and ponies in England and Wales in 1915, and left 383 mines and 7,297 horses and ponies unvisited; and whether, in view of the numbers of animals which die or have to be destroyed by reason of injury or disease and which suffer non-fatal injuries, he will appoint such further number of special inspectors, in addition to the existing seven, as will ensure that all the mines and animals shall be inspected at least once a year?

:I am advised that, having regard to the difference in the conditions, no comparison of any value can be drawn between the figures for the Yorkshire and South Wales Divisions and those for the Northern Division. In the former coalfields, owing to the depth, inclination and character of the strata, the roads are subject to greater pressure and are consequently much more difficult to maintain, and the gradients are more severe. The arrangements for the inspection of horses by the horse inspectors have been very carefully reviewed by the Department and certain administrative changes have been made which will, it is anticipated, enable these inspectors in the course of the year to visit every mine employing horses and make a thorough inspection.

:Is the improvement that has taken place due, at any rate, to improved inspection?

:I think that is so.

:May I inquire whether, in view of the small extra expense incurred by appointing some additional inspectors, over military age, and the great advantage that would result, the hon. Gentleman would employ some additional inspectors?

:While the War is on I do not think it would be fair to make any appointments, because it would preclude a number of men who are now serving from being applicants for such posts. But I will bring the matter before my right hon. Friend and see if anything of a temporary character can be done. I am certain, how- ever, that it would not be a proper policy to make any permanent appointments now.

:Is it possible with the number of inspectors, only seven, to inspect anything like all the horses and mines there are?

:I have just answered my hon. and learned Friend. The Government say "Yes."

:Would it be possible to transfer some of the inspectors of the National Service Department to this more useful work?

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to make it known as widely as possible in Egypt, India, and the East generally, that the Germans use the dead bodies of their own soldiers and of their enemies when they obtain possession of them, as food for swine?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the reports widely circulated in this country that the German Government have set up factories for extracting fat from the bodies of soldiers killed in battle; whether these reports have been endorsed by many prominent men in this country, including Lord Curzon of Kedleston; whether the Government have any solid grounds for believing that these statements are well founded; and, if so, whether he will communicate the information at the disposal of the Government to the House?

:With respect to this question and that standing in the name of the hon. Member for East Mayo, the Government have no information at present beyond that contained in extracts from the German Press which have been published in the Press here. In view of other actions by German military authorities there is nothing incredible in the present charge against them. His Majesty's Government have allowed the circulation of the facts as they have appeared through the usual channels.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman answer whether the Govern- ment will take any steps to give wide publicity in the East to this story emanating from German sources?

:I think at present it is not desirable to take any other steps than those that have been taken.

:May I ask whether we are to conclude from that answer that the Government have no solid evidence whatever in proof of the truth of this charge, and they have taken no steps to investigate it; and has their attention been turned to the fact that it is not only a gross scandal, but a very great evil to this country to allow the circulation of such statements, authorised by Ministers of the Crown, if they are, as I believe them to be, absolutely false?

:The hon. Member has, perhaps, information that we have not. I can only speak from the statements that have been published in the Press. I have already told the House that we have no other information whatever. The information is the statement that has been published, and that I have before me:

"We are passing the great Corpse Utilisation Establishment of this Army Group. The fat that is now here is turned into lubricating oils and everything else is ground down in the bones mill into a powder which is used for mixing with pigs' food and as manure. Nothing can be permitted to go to waste."

This statement has been published in the Press, and that is the whole of the information that I have.

:Has the Noble Lord's attention been drawn to the fact that there has been published in the "Frankfurter Zeitung" and other leading German newspapers descriptions of this whole process, in which the word "kadaver" is used, and from which it is perfectly manifest, and stated, that these factories are for the purpose of boiling down the dead bodies of horses and other animals which are lying on the battlefield—[An HON. MEMBER: "Human animals!"]—and I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government propose to take any steps to obtain authentic information whether this story that has been circulated is true or absolutely false? For the credit of human nature he ought to.

:It is not any part of the duties of the Government, nor is it possible for the Government to institute inquiries as to what goes on in Germany. The hon. Member is surely very unreason- able in making the suggestion, and as for his quotations from the "Frankfurter Zeitung," I have not seen them, but I have seen statements made by the German Government after the publication of this, and I confess that I am not able to attach very great importance to any statements made by the German Government.

:I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, before a Minister of the Crown, a member of the War Cabinet, gives authorisation to these rumours, he ought not to have obtained accurate information as to whether they are true or not?

:I think any Minister of the Crown is entitled to comment on and refer to something which has been published in one of the leading papers in this country. He only purported to do that, and did not make himself responsible for the statement. [An HON. MEMBER: "He did!"] I am informed that he did not. He said: "As has been stated in the papers."

:May I ask if the Noble Lord is aware that the circulation of these reports—[Interruption]—has caused anxiety and misery to British people who have lost their sons on the battlefield, and who think that their bodies may be put to this purpose, and does not that give a reason why he should try to find out the truth of what is happening in Germany?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the feeling expressed in the United States at the prohibition of export to the United States of the "Nation" newspaper; and, seeing that it is suggested that this action of the Government here is an attack on the freedom of the Press and in view of the importance of carrying the American people with us in the moral aspects of our conduct of the War, whether he will have the Order in question annulled?

:I would refer my hon. Friend to the very full statement which I made on this subject on the 26th instant, at Question Time and on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the facts that according to the Racing Calendar for 1917 there are thirteen race meetings fixed for the season at Newmarket, covering a period of forty-six days' racing and including 190 separate events; whether permission has been granted for the holding of all these meetings in the present condition of national affairs; and whether, having regard to the effect produced upon public opinion both in this country and among our Allies by continuing to hold race meetings during the War, he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Government on this question?

:The War Cabinet having decided on Friday that there should be no more racing after the meeting at Newmarket which takes place this week, the decision was at once conveyed to the Stewards of the Jockey Club, and the hon. Member will see by a notice in the papers this morning that they have taken prompt action to carry out the instructions of the War Cabinet. I should like to say that in this and all previous questions connected with racing the Stewards of the Jockey Club, while always supporting to the utmost of their ability the claims of racing as part of the great industry of horse breeding, have invariably fallen in with, and carried out, any suggestions that were made to them by His Majesty's Government.

:Will my right hon. Friend say whether this restriction will also apply to all flat race meetings and other races which are not carried on under the auspices of the Jockey Club?

:Yes; it is intended to apply to all race meetings.

asked the Prime Minister whether any embargo is placed on any Russian newspapers to prevent them entering into this country; whether he is aware that the present Russian Government has abolished the political censorship and allows free speech and free publication to the fullest possible extent, and that such democratic and socialist papers as "Souremeny Mir," "Pravda," "Narodnoye Djelo," "Zemlya y Wolya," "Social Democrat," and the "Bulletin" of the Workmen and Soldiers' Council, with a joint circulation of about 15,000,000 copies daily, are not to be seen anywhere in England; and whether, in order to make strong the bonds between the Russian and British democracies, he will promise that no action of the Government shall prevent the circulation in this country of Russian newspapers?

:No embargo is being placed on the import of Russian newspapers.

:Is there any prohibition of the receipt of telegrams sent from Russia to persons in this country?

:I cannot say that offhand; I should like notice.

:May I ask whether any other authority besides the War Office, as, for instance, the Board of Trade or the War Trade Department, have any powers which will enable them to prevent newspapers in large lots coming into this country?

:As I understand it, there is no demand for those papers, and my hon. Friend seeks to blame the censorship of the War Office.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a circular which has been sent to Members of the House from the Anti-Women's Suffrage Association in which Members are requested to oppose the consideration of women's suffrage till after the War; whether he is aware that Lord Curzon of Kedleston's name appears on the circular as president of this association; and whether he has sanctioned a Member of the War Cabinet allowing his name to be used on a circular asking Members to resist the announced policy of the Government?

:As already announced, the Government has left the question of women's suffrage to the judgment of Parliament. In these circumstances it seems to be open to any association for or against women's suffrage, whether a member of the Government be one of its members or not, to advocate its views.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular referred to in my question protests against any attempt to discuss women's suffrage in this House during the War, and my point is this: Did the Prime Minister approve of a member of the War Cabinet putting his name to a circular protesting against the declared policy of his own Government?

:I have already pointed out that the policy of the Government in this matter is to leave that particular part of the subject to the judgment of the House.

:Does not leaving it to the judgment of the House involve discussion in this House?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will put down the Vote for the Board of Admiralty for an early date?

:A more suitable opportunity for discussion of this subject will, I think, be afforded by the Private Session next week.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman mean during the Secret Session?

:Yes.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Prime Minister said it was advisable to tell the public the whole truth; and why should this be discussed in a Private Session?

:Are we to understand that any subject may be raised in the Secret Session?

:The subjects that may be raised must depend upon the hon. Members called upon by the Speaker.

:Whether we discuss this in Private Session or not, we cannot discuss it as an Estimate on an allotted day, and my right hon. Friend, apart from the Secret Session, must give a day for the Admiralty Vote.

:I think my hon. Friend has forgotten that this particular Vote has never been discussed since the War, and I do not think it would be desirable to depart from that precedent.

:Has the right hon. Gentleman not already promised a day for this Vote?

asked the Home Secretary if German prisoners at the internment camp in the Isle of Man are being trained in the manufacture of brushes at the public expense; and, if so, whether he will reverse this policy of spending public money on training foreigners to compete with Home industries and substitute for it the policy of employing prisoners of war the development of agriculture, or in employments in which they are already trained and are expert, so that they may add to the resources of the country whilst they are here rather than increase its economic difficulties?

:I beg to refer to the replies which have been given by my right hon. Friend to a number of questions on this matter during the last two months. As many interned prisoners as possible are being released for agricultural work, but the employment of interned prisoners of a class who cannot be so released on brush-making is in the interests of this country as it supplies a want created by the War; and it tends to reduce and not to increase the economic difficulties.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Russian Embassy has made the request that a Russian subject, named Kreikemann, should be allowed to return to Russia to perform his military duties there; why the British Government has declined this request; and whether it is the policy of the Government to prevent Russians from proceeding to Russia to fight for the liberation of their fatherland?

:No such request has been made by the Russian Embassy. The man referred to is of Russian origin, but is naturalised in France, and it is his duty to fulfil his military obligations to his adopted country. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this man is both a Russian citizen and a French citizen—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"]—it is well known that such has often occurred, and that this man offered long ago to go to Russia, having a preference to go and fight for the land in which he was born rather than in France?

:I think the fact is as stated by the hon. Gentleman that this man is both a Russian and a French citizen. As Russia, however, does not require his services, and he is a French citizen, he ought to go there.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether he is aware that the names and addresses of six men stated to be capable ploughmen were sent to a farmer in Wiltshire; that the farmer called at their addresses and found that one man was dead, that one had an ulcerated leg and could not walk, that one was a gravedigger, that two were employed by the Swindon Corporation, and that the sixth could not be found; and whether he will take steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents?

:Inquiries have been made of the local officers of the National Service Department, but the case described by the right hon. Baronet is not recognised. The Department have not, in fact, offered any ploughmen directly to any farmer in Wiltshire, although some names of men offered to the Department as ploughmen were sent to the war agricultural committee for that county for their consideration. Inquiries have also been made from the Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour, and it has been ascertained that none of the Exchanges in Wiltshire have any knowledge of the matter.

:Is my hon. Friend aware that the names were sent by the National Service branch at Cirencester, and will he allow me to give him evidence showing that my statements are correct?

:I shall be very glad to receive such evidence as my hon. Friend cares to put before me.

asked whether any guarantee will be given to men who leave their work under the new scheme to take up substitution work that their wages will not be less than the wages they have been receiving in their former position?