asked the Secretary of State for India whether some nine months ago a petition was presented to the Viceroy of India by many senior executive officers of the Royal Indian Marine, pointing out the block which has taken place in recent years with regard to promotion to commander; whether he can say when an answer may be expected to that petition; and what is the cause of the delay?

I was not aware that such a petition had been presented, but the question of the promotion in the Royal Indian Marine is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that at a recent investiture an officer of over eleven years' standing as lieutenant in the Royal Indian Marine was placed below captains in the Army, whereas lieutenants after eight years' seniority in the Royal Indian Marine rank with and after majors; and will he cause the necessary instructions to be given so that lieutenants after eight years' seniority in the Royal Indian Marine may be given their correct position at Royal and official functions?

The relative rank of officers of the Royal Indian Marine is laid down in Regulations. Procedure at investitures is a matter for the Lord Chamberlain's office.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that lieutenants in the Royal Indian Marine after eight years' service as lieutenants have still to remain on in that rank, whereas officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve after eight years' service as lieutenants pass automatically to the rank of lieutenant-commander; that in the present circumstances all officers of the Royal Naval Reserve, a junior service to the Royal Indian Marine, hold a higher rank after eight years' service as lieutenant than an officer of the Royal Indian Marine; and can he see his way to give to lieutenants in the Royal Indian Marine after eight years' service the rank of lieutenant-commander?

There is at present no rank of lieutenant-commander in the Royal Indian Marine, but a lieutenant of the Royal Indian Marine of over eight years' seniority ranks above a lieutenant-commander of the Royal Naval Reserve. The question of making some changes in the designations of officers of the Royal Indian Marine is now under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has been able to get any further consideration to the rule that the Admiralty confidential instructions will only be issued to those masters of British merchant ships whose parents were, at the time of their son's birth, British subjects; and whether he has been able to make any modification in that rule?

The matter has been further considered, and it has been decided to set up a Committee, who shall consider cases in which sufficient reasons are advanced for exceptional treatment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state at what date the Admiralty set free from all naval work shipyards in the United Kingdom and undertook to leave these yards to concentrate on merchant shipbuilding alone; how many yards were thus freed for purely mercantile work; when were they actually able to count on being able to devote themselves to this mercantile work without interruption; and can similar information be given with regard to any marine-engine works engaged on naval work during the present War?

In May, 1916, the possibility of releasing firms for merchant shipbuilding was considered by the Admiralty, and as a result thirteen shipbuilding firms and eight marine engineering firms were surrendered at the beginning of June, 1916.

This was not delayed, through the advent of the present Government?

No.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the captains, officers and men of the mercantile marine when they are crews of vessels armed for defence against submarine attack assume a status different from that of crews of undefended merchantmen; whether their treatment by the enemy has in practice been different; and whether the guns now being supplied to British merchantmen are of range sufficient to out-range the guns carried by the German submarine?

The fact that a merchant ship is defensively armed makes no difference to the status of the captains, officers, and crews of such vessels. The only difference of treatment by the enemy that has been noticed is that those members of the crew who have been taken prisoners have been treated as combatant prisoners of war and not as civilians. As to the last part of the question, long-range guns are being supplied as fast as they are obtained.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has reason to believe that the enemy raiders and submarines which have destroyed, and are destroying British, Allied, and neutral shipping have mostly found their way out from enemy ports through neutral territorial waters; and whether he has considered, in conjuction with the Foreign Office, the advisability of informing the neutral nations concerned that if they cannot effectively preserve the strict neutrality of their territorial waters it will be necessary for Great Britain and her Allies to take effective action?

This matter has been under consideration from time to time. The question of the rights of belligerents in neutral waters is not one which can be dealt with in answer to a question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any evidence that those submarines have taken to sea through neutral waters?

There certainly has been suspicion of it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can, in Secret Session or otherwise, give accurate information as to the number of British, Allied, and neutral vessels and their gross register tonnage, in whatever service engaged, which have been destroyed by the enemy up to date, dividing the same into periods, and the number of German submarines which can reasonably be claimed to have been destroyed during those periods?

I will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman provide this either before or at the Secret Session, so that Members may know what steps have been taken in this matter?

I will consider whether I can give it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether full and definite instructions are given by the Admiralty to the masters of all British vessels leaving or approaching our shores as to the track their vessels shall keep; whether large numbers of British vessels strictly adhering to instructions have been destroyed by enemy submarines when actually on these Admiralty tracks, and more especially approaching our coasts; and whether he is aware that, in the opinion of the merchant service, these tracks are not sufficiently patrolled and defended?

Full and definite instructions are given by the Admiralty; and although vessels adhering to instructions have been lost, it must not be assumed that the losses would not have been much heavier if these instructions had not been followed. All the available resources of the Navy are employed on the service referred to in the third part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a merchant ship following instructions of the Admiralty the other day was stopped by a patrol boat, which insisted that it should not be on the coast the Admiralty said it should be on?

I think that is very likely, because, very frequently, after instructions are given, we get information that there are submarines on a particular route, and we then try to divert the traffic.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the body now charged with the technical study of methods of anti-submarine warfare; is this still the Board of Inventions and Research, or has a Committee of the Admiralty been formed for this purpose; and, if so, will he give the names of the Committee?

The Anti-Submarine Division, the establishment of which was announced in the First Lord's statement on the 21st February, is the body charged, under the Board of Admiralty, with the technical study of methods of anti-submarine warfare, as well as with the duty of advising upon actual anti-submarine operations. The functions of the Board of Invention and Research was, and still is, to investigate definite problems or to undertake general research work agreed upon as likely to lead to valuable results in anti-submarine warfare, as well as other naval activities. The Director of the Anti-Submarine Division is a Rear-Admiral who previously held a flag appointment in the Grand Fleet. He is assisted by a staff of younger officers selected from the Service afloat for this particular work.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names?

Rear-Admiral Duff.

And the names of the other officers?

I have not got the names of the others. There are several, and if the hon. Gentleman desires the names I shall furnish them.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if men who have joined the Navy and been anxious to stay with that arm of the Service are liable to be transferred, against their will and without their consent, to the Army; and, if so, whether he will say under what legal provision men are so transferred and on what grounds and at whose suggestion particular individuals are selected for transference from the Navy to the Army?

No man can be transferred from the Navy to the Army against his will. But on the other hand it is open to us, if we come to the conclusion that a physically fit man is not being employed appropriately, to order his discharge, in which case, of course, he would, if of military age, become liable for service under the Military Service Acts. This is what has actually happened in the case of certain auxiliary sick berth ratings —able-bodied men, the character of whose work permitted of its accomplishment by others less physically fit. Of course it would still be open to these men to volunteer for service in the Navy in a rating for which fitness for general service is essential.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that B3 and C3 are not to be placed in a higher category unless on examination their health has improved, he will now state what men in those categories who have now been passed for general service should do if they are still suffering from the very same disabilities as placed them in B3 and C3?

It is not necessarily the existence of a disability, but the degree of disability which determines a man's classification. Thus, varicose veins, if exceptionally severe, might lead to a man being rejected; if less severe, to his being placed in category C3 or C2, and so on. Their mere existence would not debar a man from being placed in category A. They might be quite unimportant. It is not possible to give an explanation of the case or cases to which my hon. Friend refers in the absence of all particulars, but I think it must be clear to him that there can be no general rule in such matters. Each case must be judged by the medical men before whom the case comes on its own merits.

If a man is put in category C3 suffering from double hernia, and is still suffering from double hernia, how can he be put in category A after what my hon. Friend has said in the House?

I promised the hon. Member yesterday that I would place in the Library the instructions given to the medical board. He has referred to a particular case, and if he will give me the facts I will have them inquired into.

May I ask whether a man who has been put in cate- gory B or C on account of some specific disease may be transferred to category A, without examination by a medical board, simply on the examination of a single doctor?

No. I think now that every man will be examined by a board, and I cannot really add anything to that.

May I ask whether a man who has been transferred on the recommendation of a single doctor will be entitled to go before a board to have his decision revised?

Is it not a fact that men are being passed into category A now, although they present certificates from their own doctors and their condition has not improved?

I have no knowledge of that, but if my hon. Friend will give me some instance I will certainly have inquiries made.

Has the hon. Gentleman had an opportunity of investigating a specific case of this kind which I gave him?

No, I have not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Hull recruiting authorities sent calling-up notices for re-examination of rejected and discharged men to a firm in Hull with a blank space for the firm to typo in the name of the man; whether 150 of these were called up for the 24th; what was the object of calling 150 for one night; were they medically examined, and, if so, how much time was spent on each man; why did the men not receive, as promised, a registered letter calling them up; and whether such men as have refused to go will be penalised or get their notice in the approved fashion?

I have called for a report on this matter, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Will my hon. Friend also take care that the doctors are not asked to examine any such number in so limited a time?

asked if a man medically discharged from the Army and called up again under the recent Act has the right of appeal from the decision of the Army medical authorities?

A man called up and examined by a recruiting medical board under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, 1917, has no right of appeal against his medical classification by the board. Each man, however, to whom the notice requiring him to be medically examined is sent under the Act has the right of application to a tribunal, within thirty days from the sending of the notice, for exemption from military service on any grounds set out in the Military Service Act, 1916, Section 2 (1), including the ground of ill-health or infirmity.

Would a certificate from a man's own medical practitioner be accepted?

Well, I said, in the course of the Debate on this Bill, that due regard would be given to any certificate from a family practitioner.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a rag and bottle dealer named Ashford, who before the War was doing business with a partner in Manor Street, Chelsea, in the door-to-door collection of bottles, which he exported to Austria, has been exempted from military service, and, if so, on what ground; whether his partner, also of military age, has only recently been called up and, if so, on what ground was he previously exempted; whether Ashford has recently acquired additional storage, although he informed the tribunal that he already had a large supply of bottles in storage; and whether this man is exempted from service to enable him to resume export to Austria after the War in favourable circumstances?

Exemptions granted by tribunals are not controlled by the War Office. I understand, however, that Ashford's partner has joined the Colours, and that his business has now been reduced to the level of a "one man" business. The tribunal no doubt had this in view and did not consider it desirable to close the business down in view of the shortage of bottles. I understand that the tribunal did not have before them any suggestion of action past, or intended, with Austria.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what steps, if any, are being taken to require British subjects of military age, ordinary and temporary residents of the United States of America, to report themselves for military duty in this country; and what steps, if any, it is contemplated taking with regard to such British subjects who, having left this country since the outbreak of War, do not so report themselves?

The position of British subjects resident in the United States has not been lost sight of by the Government, and this question is at present engaging the attention of the British Commission at present in the Uited States.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a person named McKenzie, whose services were very much in demand in Orkney and Caithness to enable contractors to fulfil their engagements with the Admiralty, and who had received exemption certificates from both local and appeal tribunals, has now been called up; and whether, in view of the fact that the War Office and Board of Agriculture have made a mistake, the calling up of McKenzie will be cancelled?

McKenzie's case was brought before the Central Tribunal, who decided that he should not be exempt from military service. The case has, therefore, been decided by the final authority in matters of exemption, and, as I informed my hon. Friend recently, I am afraid I cannot accept his suggestion that a mistake has been made by the War Office, who cannot interfere.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the cases of malaria among officers and rank and file, now in England, are being generally treated by medical practitioners without special experience of that disease, which has resulted in a loss of man-power to the Army by the prolongation of the treatment; and whether all malaria cases will now be put through a short but stringent course of treatment for the purpose of eradicating their infections immediately and allowing of their early return to duty?

Centres for the treatment of malaria have been established in each command, and officers with experience of this disease have been placed in charge of them. Malarial cases are now being put through a course of treatment with the hope of eradicating the disease.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention was called on 5th April last to the case of Ernest Parker, of Springwood Cottage, Esholt, near Bradford, a woodman, who also assists in the cultivation of wheat and potatoes, who enlisted in the Regular Army on 18th October, 1904, but was discharged medically unfit on the following day; if he is aware that the said Ernest Parker was arrested by the police as a deserter at 5 p.m. on 29th March last and tried at Otley Police Court the following morning without being allowed time to arrange for legal defence, and, notwithstanding the fact that on that date Parker was an excepted person under Schedule I., paragraph 5, of the Military Service Act, 1916, he was handed over to the military authorities as a deserter; and, if in order to redress the injustice done to this man by these proceedings, he will restore him to civil life and thereafter permit him to be dealt with in accordance with the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act under which he is entitled to appeal for exemption, and under which alone he is liable to military service if he is liable at all?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked whether the military representative on the Middlesex Tribunal is of military age; and what is his health category?

If my hon. Friend refers to the Middlesex Appeal Tribunal, one of the military representatives is away from duty on sick leave; the other military representative is about to be medically examined, in accordance with the instructions issued by the War Office and already communicated to the House?

The hon. Gentleman has not informed me whether either or both of these gentlemen are of military age?

I cannot just give that information at present.

Will my hon. Friend go through this list in detail, so as to prevent me being under the necessity of raising more of these personal questions which have come to my knowledge?

I assume, seeing that these military representatives are being examined, that they are under military age. I assume that.

Why was it not done before?

I shall pursue the matter.

Could it not be arranged, either by the War Office or by some other Department, to see that not only the military representatives, but the members of the tribunals are not persons of military age, in order to secure greater weight to their judgment, and wider acquiescence in their decisions?

Has the hon. Member who asked the question made any inquiry as to whether the military representative of the Middlesex Tribunal is or is not an officer who has been at the front and seen active service?

I know that is the case with one of the gentlemen.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the conditions announced last year that soldiers would only be employed at their trade on civilian work in cases of emergency, and then only for a limited period, are observed or whether carpenters and joiners now being employed at their trade on Army pay only alongside civilians drawing the trade rate are kept so engaged for unlimited periods in other than emergency cases and without special sanction?

The men referred to in the first part of the question were part of the combatant troops. The men referred to in the second part belong to works companies and are doing the work for which these companies were formed.

Is this method of utilising men who are fit for military service not penalising them?

I should not have thought so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in April, 1916, Mr. H. E. Pratten, a member of the National Belgian Relief Fund, of New South Wales, after visiting England and Holland to investigate the transactions of the Relief Commission in Belgium, issued a Report advising the suspension of contributions to the fund from Australia; whether, in consequence of this Report, a sum of about £44,000, subscribed in Australia for Belgian relief, is now held in Australia to be devoted to other purposes; whether the Report of Mr. Pratten has been considered by the Government; and, if so, what action has been taken in regard to it; and whether during the last twelve months any subscriptions to the Belgian Relief Fund have been received from Australia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, a resolution having been passed by the Executive Committee of the National Belgian Relief Fund of New South Wales to the effect that subscriptions should be discontinued at any rate for a time, but that the money already in hand should be held in trust. Thus, the sum of £44,000 mentioned by the hon. Member has not been "devoted to other purposes." Mr. Pratten's Report was duly examined by His Majesty's Government, who considered it ill-founded and misleading in important respects; a statement contained in it regarding certain matters of administration and control, which appeared to deserve consideration was, however, communicated by His Majesty's Government to the British National Committee for Relief in Belgium. Subscriptions to the Belgian Relief Fund during the last twelve months have amounted, from Australia, to £143,529 5s. 11d., and from New Zealand to £183,456 Os. 9d.

May I ask if this question and answer are not likely to give a false impression in New South Wales? The resolution of 15th December, to which the Noble Lord referred, stated that the money collected and to be collected was to be held in trust at interest—

The hon. Member is giving, not seeking, information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as stated in Mr. Pratten's Report on the work of the Belgian Relief Commission, the total operations of the Commission up to the end of February, 1916, dealt with a sum of 25,000,000 sterling, of which nearly 18,000,000 represented trading operations, the profit of which was said to have been spent in further relief; and if he will say whether the accounts of these transactions have been or will be published?

Up to the end of February, 1916, the Commission had received in money and in kind the sum of about £24,765,000, of which £19,607,000 was expended for the purchase and delivery in the occupied territories of supplies; £5,158,000 remained in cash in hand or other available credits. Any excesses received in Belgium as surcharges were allocated to the care of the destitute. Accounts are published at regular intervals, and these, with the Annual Report of the Commission, are at the disposal of the public.

May I ask the Noble Lord if the money collected by New South Wales is not to be held in case of need until after the War, and then devoted to the purposes for which it was collected, and not to other purposes?

I am sure my hon. Friend is perfectly accurate in that statement.

Is it not a fact that Mr. Pratten, representing New South Wales, investigated the matter, and advised that the money should be held over for such future purposes as might be determined?

I do not remember exactly what the effect of Mr. Pratten's Report was. I can only say that I am glad to believe, and to know, that in point Of fact the Relief Commission has received since his Report considerable subscriptions, both from New Zealand and from Australia.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, at present in New York, has informed the Foreign Office in London that President Wilson is of the opinion that the speedy solution of the Irish problem will do more to further the fight for universal democracy throughout the world than any other concession that Great Britain could make; and, if so, will he communicate to the House any communication he has received?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if two brothers named Marklereiter, alien enemies by birth, are employed as senior clerks in the Foreign Office, and that one is on the Contraband Committee, also the War Trade Department; if so, whether it is considered in the national interests to continue the employment of these gentlemen; and if there are not sufficient men of British nationality to fill posts of such responsibility?

The hon. Member has presumably in mind Mr. C. G. Markbreiter, who has been lent by the Home Office to the Foreign Trade Department of the Foreign Office in view of the need for officials with Home Office experience in that Department. Mr. Markbreiter is the representative of the Foreign Trade Department on the Licensing Committee of the War Trade Department, but he is not a member of the Contraband Committee. He is a British subject by birth, and particulars as to him were given to the House by the then Home Secretary in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Walsall on 22nd July, 1915.

Why are two men of German names kept in the War Office?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state who is the expert who has been sent to Washington D.C. to explain our blockade methods; and whether he will ask for an American expert to help the Foreign Office to obtain an effective blockade?

A number of experts from the several Departments of the Ministry of Blockade have accompanied the Secretary of State to Washington, and arrangements for the most effective co-operation of the United States of America with the Allies in the prosecution of the War are proceeding satisfactorily.

May I ask what is the name of the principal expert dealing with the economic aspects of the blockade?

It would be very difficult to say who is the principal expert. I could not repeat the names of all the experts straight off, but I shall be glad to furnish my hon. Friend with the names of all the experts, and he can judge which is the principal one.

asked the Prime Minister whether the information at the disposal of the Government from neutrals, escaped prisoners, prisoners, and deserters points to the probability that the supplies from Scandinavia and Holland are the determining factor as to the ability of our enemies to continue the struggle until the 1917 harvest; and whether he will consider the advantage of forming a council in London with representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and Italy to deal summarily with the movements of all cargoes and shipping on the basis of full compensation but no supplies for the enemy either directly or indirectly?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The suggestion made in the second part, so far as I understand it, would not, I think, work very efficiently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the programme and propaganda of the Empire Resources Development Committee; whether, in view of the fact that this Committee includes five Ministers of the Crown and that part of its programme is that of exploiting the vegetable oil palms of the Dependencies in the interests of the Home Exchequer, he will immediately inform the Governors of the Dependencies that no official action will be taken without the fullest inquiry in each Dependency?

A statement of the aims and proposals of the Committee has been brought to my notice. I do not consider it necessary to make any communication to the Governors of the Dependencies in question in the sense suggested by the hon. Member, as it is clear that no action could be taken without full consultation with the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has noticed that a body called the Empire Resources Development Committee is in existence, one of whose objects is the exploitation of our Colonial supply of oil and cocoanut palms in the financial interests of this country, the War debt being specifically mentioned; whether he is aware that the official controller of these products in this country is a member of the Committee; and whether, on grounds of public policy, steps will be taken to prevent the controller from retaining connections which might lead to doubt being cast upon his impartiality by the natives or others interested?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I see no sufficient ground for his apprehensions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if there is any shortage of convalescent homes for officers near London; and whether the Secretary of State for War will consider requisitioning one or more of the hotels at Brighton or other seaside places and use them for the purpose of convalescent homes failing provision of sufficient suitable accommodation by other means?

I can assure my hon. Friend that steps are being taken to meet all necessary needs.

Is there sufficient accommodation?

I understand there is, but I will make further inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the discrepancy in the promotion of the heavy Artillery is now worse than it was last year; whether in the Infantry, Cavalry, Field Artillery, and Engineers officers of fifteen years' service have been automatically advanced to field rank; whether captains of the Indian Army are also to receive this step; and why captains of the Royal Garrison Artillery of sixteen years' service are still debarred from the promotion, in spite of the work done by that branch of the Service in the recent fighting?

Officers in the British Service are only promoted automatically after fifteen years' service, if they belong to the Infantry. In all other arms promotion depends on vacancies. Promotion in the Royal Garrison Artillery has been comparatively slow, and the question whether the position can be ameliorated is under consideration.

Did the hon. Gentleman not promise consideration some four months ago, and cannot he expedite the consideration?

Yes, but as my hon. Friend knows, the question is a very difficult one.

Yes, I know it is.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is now able to state what steps the Army is taking to avoid any waste of petrol in connection with Army cars?

The attention of all concerned is constantly called to the necessity of economising petrol and reducing mileage as far as possible. All cars have log-books, in which issues of petrol are entered daily. While it is not possible to give exact figures, considerable economies have been effected.

Is it not the case that many of the motor drivers employed by the Army are now idle, and would it not be possible to prevent this waste of labour?

I do not quite understand the question. As far as I know, motor transport drivers are not idle.

Will the hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider cases which I can put before him of men and women who have been employed as motor drivers and who are now not employed at all?

Of course, I will consider any case that my hon. Friend puts before me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private T. Mitchell, No. 11900, 3rd Battalion Royal Highlanders, who enlisted on 1st November, 1915, making an allotment of 3s. 6d. per week from his pay for the benefit of his grandmother, who was totally dependent on his earnings prior to enlistment; whether he is aware that Private Mitchell's grandmother received nothing until 21st January, 1916, though 6d. per day was actually deducted from Private Mitchell's pay from the date of his allotment, and that arrears of allotment were only paid up after the grandmother had been put to the expense of employing a solicitor to act for her; whether he is aware that separation allowance was at first refused the grandmother on the ground that Private Mitchell had not made an allotment at enlistment, but that the same was eventually paid her but only from 22nd August, 1916; whether he is aware that Private Mitchell denies the statement that he did not make an allotment, which denial is corroborated by the fact that 6d. per day was actually deducted from his pay; whether he will state on what ground the arrears of separation allowance due to Private Mitchell's grand- mother are withheld; and whether he will take steps to have such arrears paid without further delay?

The Army Form signed by Private Mitchell on enlistment shows that he did not wish to make any allotment from his pay, and made no claim to separation allowance. He claimed, in January, 1916, and the allotment was then paid, and when it was ascertained that the amount had been deducted from his pay, arrears of allotment were issued. But as the claim had not been made within the month of enlistment, separation allowance was not admissible until it was authorised by an Army Order issued on 1st September, 1916, with effect from 22nd August. The matter has already been fully explained to the hon. Member in a letter, dated 9th March last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will increase the opportunity of leave for anti-aircraft service men enlisted under the Derby scheme, for the most part married men, who have sacrificed remunerative positions from patriotic motives and who, under present circumstances, are rarely allowed to revisit their homes more than once in ten months?

Leave is granted to these men whenever possible, but it depends on the availability of spare men. It is easier to grant leave during the summer than the winter without impairing the efficiency of the Service, and I hope that during the coming summer more opportunities may occur.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the precise functions which have been taken over by the new Surveyor-General of Supply?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for South Down on 26th April last and yesterday.

Did the Government find this new Surveyor-General of Supply in Scotland or Wales? You might give an Englishman an odd job occasionally.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the repeated complaints, by the people of the Isle of Man as to the system of government in that island, the absence of direct taxation with consequent taxation of the poor, the failure to take steps to deal with the present distress on the island, the absence of old age pensions, and many other grievances; and whether he will at once set up a Commission to investigate all the matters complained of?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9th November last to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for North-West Lanark. I am not aware of any general complaints by the people of the Isle of Man. As stated in that answer, provision has been made by the Insular Government to meet the distress brought by the War on one section of the community, and, apart from this, the island has not been adversely affected by the War. On the contrary, the presence of the internment camps has been a very substantial advantage. So far as regards taxation, all classes are more lightly taxed than in the United Kingdom. The question of making provision with a view to the establishment of a system of old age pensions after the War has been under the consideration of the Island Legislature. A very thorough inquiry was made into the conditions in the island by the Committee of 1911, and the Government sees no reason for the appointment of another Commission.

Have the recommendations of the Committee of 1911 been carried into effect?

I do not think so, but if my hon. Friend gives notice of a question I will look into it.

What is the good of quoting the report of a Committee if you do not carry out its recommendations?

I have an answer to a further question which, I think, the hon. Member will probably consider a partial reply to that.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Isle of Man is in enjoyment of Home Rule?

Yes.

Is that the reason the taxation is so light?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that by public meetings and by petitions to Parliament the inhabitants of the Isle of Man have repeatedly demanded the recall of Lord Raglan as Governor-General; whether, if the Government has any doubt as to the unpopularity of the Governor-General, they will cause a plebescite of the inhabitants to be taken; and, if the Government has no such doubt, whether they will, in the interests of good government and with a view to securing that the system of government will be one that will commend itself to the people, arrange for Lord Raglan's recall?

The Secretary of State has received one or two resolutions to this effect purporting to have been passed by public meetings, but there is no reason to suppose that they express the views of the general body of inhabitants of the Isle of Man. It is not proposed to take any action in the matter.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a petition has been presented to this House, signed by over 100,000 inhabitants of the Isle of Man; is he also aware that the people who get up these meetings of protest are immediately thrown into prison by Lord Raglan?

My hon. Friend, who is a Home Ruler, will know that there is a local Parliament in the island which may be the medium for communicating these matters.

Is it not the fact that Lord Raglan, as Governor-General, controls the Isle of Man, and that he is acting the part of a despot all the time?

Not to my knowledge.

Better get your knowledge up-to-date!

Have resolutions on the subject of this question not been received from the trade and labour councils of the Isle of Man?

As I have stated, one or two resolutions have been received. If my hon. Friend desires a reference to any particular resolution and he puts a question down, I shall endeavour to answer it.

My hon. Friend has not answered that part of the question as to whether it is proposed to appoint a Commission to inquire into this matter?

No, it is not.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to economising time, labour, and material and also the saving of cost, sugar at present sent to refineries will in future be offered for sale to the public in its raw state under control of the Sugar Commission; and, if not, will he state what are the objections to this course being adopted?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller has already considered this proposal most carefully, but having regard to the physical condition in which the bulk of raw sugar is received in this country and the high percentage of impurities which it contains, he is not prepared as at present advised to adopt it. The impurities consist of sand and clay, and specimens of the sugar louse.

Was that answer suggested by the representatives of the refineries who are on the Commission, and is it not the case that the real opposition comes from them? Are there not many experts who have examined this sugar for years who are prepared to declare that it is quite fit for human consumption?

No, Sir. The matter has been most impartially investigated by the Ministry of Food, including, amongst others, by myself; and I might perhaps add that this plan of a reduction in sugar is preferable to putting an impure product upon the market which might seriously affect health.

Could the hon. Gentleman not establish a Sugar-louse Controller?

asked whether any communications passed in the autumn of 1916 between the late Government, through the Colonial Office, and the Government of Canada with the object of securing for the British Government the exportable wheat crop of Canada; whether an arrangement of this kind was made last autumn with the Commonwealth Government of Australia; and whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the communications, if any, which passed between the British Government and the Canadian Government?

As regards Canada, I will communicate to the OFFICIAL REPORT the correspondence to which I presume the hon. Member refers. With regard to the second part of the question, an arrangement has been made with the Commonwealth Government for a large purchase of wheat and flour.

Does the correspondence referred to not show that an arrangement similar to that made with the Commonwealth of Australia could have been made with Canada had the Canadian Government accepted it?

I think the hon. Member had, first of all, better read the correspondence, and then, if necessary, put down a further question.

In this correspondence shall we have full particulars of the whole policy in the earlier part of the War in regard to food supplies in the Dominions and the Commonwealth?

I would suggest that the hon. Member should read the correspondence which has passed about the matter, and then, if necessary, put down any further questions.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether Regulations can be made to prohibit the slaughter of cows and heifers, in view of the certainty of a scarcity in the supply of milk?

The Board have this subject under careful consideration, and, as soon as the full particulars of the present situation in regard to the slaughter of cows and heifers have been collected, they will be in a position to decide whether and what further State action is necessary.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to issue any Regulations on this important matter?

Perhaps in three weeks' time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, in view of the minimum price fixed for oats and the continual increase in the price of cattle food, in the course of the next three weeks a very large number of cows and heifers may be slaughtered?

If the hon. Member will suggest any way in which we can regulate the slaughter, which can be quite easily evaded by the farmers, I shall be very glad to receive the suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman clear that in all the circumstances of the case slaughter ought to take place in these cases?

I have already said that when we have sufficient material we shall decide whether and what further action is necessary.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman has already indicated that such slaughter ought to take place?

No; I beg the hon. Member's pardon. We have indicated that as regards other cattle, namely, milch cows, it might be necessary, but there is that broad distinction.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is still of opinion that cruelty is not demoralising to children when committed under the supervision of school teachers; and whether, in view of the public indignation at the formation amongst children of clubs to kill sparrows for pay, he will withdraw the recommendation of the Department and leave the defence of crops against sparrows to adult agriculturists?

Teachers are called in not to supervise cruelty, but to prevent it. The assumption in the first part of the question is, therefore, unfounded. The second part of the question is incorrect. No recommendation has been issued that children should be formed into sparrow clubs. Adult agriculturists can be better employed at the present time than in bird's-nesting. I think the matter can be safely left to the local authorities, who have been authorised to organise the destruction of sparrows, which is necessary in the national interests.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if his Department have yet come to a decision re the removal of the restriction of fishing by trawlers of these waters, within the three-mile limit of our shores and the Firth of Forth, where an abundant supply of valuable food may be secured?

There is no general restriction of trawling within the three-mile limit off the coasts of England and Wales. Fishing within English and Welsh territorial waters is regulated by local by-laws made by the local sea fisheries committees, subject to confirmation by the Board. The Board have been in communication with these committees with a view to the relaxation of their by-laws restricting fishing operations of local craft. With regard to Scottish waters, I must refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary for Scotland. If there are any specific points on which my hon. Friend requires information, I will do my best to supply him with it.

asked (1) what was the average cost of production for a quarter of wheat in the years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916; (2) what was the average cost of production for a quarter of oats in the years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916?

No average cost of production for either wheat or oats for particular years are ever prepared officially. The hon. Gentleman will, I am sure, understand that the actual cost of production of any given crop is not easily calculated, because the effects of the cultivation and manuring for other crops in the rotation have to be brought into the account. As the cost of production will also vary with the soil, the season, the skill of the cultivator, and the size of the holding, only a very general estimate of the amount can be made, and even that would be the subject of considerable controversy.

asked the Minister of Munitions what action has been taken, in view of the depletion of dairy herds, to reduce the price of cakes and other foods for milch cows; and whether he is aware that a milk famine in the coming months is a practical certainty?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to say what effect the Order issued yesterday fixing the prices of certain oils will have on the price of feeding cake, but I hope that it or subsequent Orders will cause a reduction in price.

Where can we see the Order?

It appeared in last night's "Gazette."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that under an Order of the Committee of the House in force since the 1st of April last no potatoes have been served or consumed in the House of Commons' restaurant since that date; whether he is aware that a like Order has been made and enforced in the Carlton Club, the Reform Club, and generally in all the leading London clubs; and whether, in view of the dearness and scarcity of potatoes, and the necessity of preserving the depleted stocks for feeding our fighting forces and for seed, an Order will now be made prohibiting consumption of potatoes in all clubs, hotels, and restaurants, and otherwise restricting their consumption elsewhere until the new crop is assured?

I am aware of the facts stated by my hon. Friend, and I agree with him that the example set by the leading clubs might with advantage be generally initiated. The restrictions, however, already imposed upon the use of potatoes in public eating places are so considerable that in view of the lateness of the season, and the extreme scarcity of the remaining supplies, it would not be worth while to make them more severe. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, potatoes can only be served in such places on two days out of seven.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether the scheme for compulsory rationing is now ready; and whether, having regard to the recent reconstruction of the scheme for National Service and to the announced intention of the Food Controller to defer the institution of a system of compulsory rationing to the last possible moment, when any breakdown of the system or machinery of rationing might give rise to a situation of grave national peril, he will immediately communicate to the House full details of the scheme, in order that there may be ample time for imperfections, if any, to be pointed out and remedied in advance of its coming into force?

The Compulsory Rationing Scheme is now before the War Cabinet: If and when approved, the scheme will be published and instructions will be issued to the local authorities for setting up the necessary machinery. The interval which will elapse before it comes into operation will admit of its discussion in the House, if deemed desirable, and will in any case give ample time for any imperfections to be pointed out.

Will the hon. Gentleman say if it is proposed to set up machinery for the scheme before this House has had an opportunity of seeing the scheme itself?

We propose to initiate the setting up of machinery for the scheme. It will take some time before it can be put into operation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether any sausage factory in Great Britain and Ireland is engaged in the manufacture of blood sausages; and, if not, whether he will give instructions that this shall be done in order that the present waste of ox blood in slaughter houses may be diverted to the useful national purpose of providing a nutritive article of diet for German prisoners and other persons who may have learned to like blutwurst in the Fatherland?

Blood sausages are in fact already made by several factories, and the possibility of extending their manufacture is being investigated. I should, however, point cut that it involves the use of considerable quantities of flour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control, with a view to economising the staple food of the poor and in order to remove any cause of suspicion that the interests of the poor may be sacrificed to those of the more fortunate, whether he will issue an order that no food containing wheaten products shall be consumed in any house, hotel, restaurant, or club of which the rateable value exceeds a specified limit of, say, £50 a year, until the present food stringency has been relieved?

Paramount consideration is given, and will continue to be given, to the special needs of the poor in the matter of staple foods. It is not, however, deemed desirable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member, as individuals of all classes require varying amounts of breadstuffs for the maintenance of their physical efficiency, and the latter is of national importance.

Does not my hon. Friend appreciate the fact that the paramount consideration has little effect upon anyone?

All I can say is that the more it is borne in mind the better.

Is it not the fact that the amount of food required for each individual depends to a large extent upon his physical dimensions?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control if, in view of the fact that restaurants and tea shops, hotels, etc., can supply their customers with unlimited quantities of cakes and sweets and, in view of the fact that poor people are suffering from lack of bread, he will restrict the sale of bread between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and thereby avoid the necessity for bread tickets or compulsory rationing?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answers already given to him on this subject. The suggestion made by him cannot, I fear, be regarded as in any way an adequate alternative to the introduction of compulsory rationing.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Mrs. Peel and Mrs. Pember Reeves, directors of the Women's Advisory Committee to the Ministry of Food Control have passed a vigorous protest against the consumption of bread at afternoon teas by well-to-do persons?

Yes; I am fully aware of that. I consider their advice quite excellent, and I hope that it will be adopted by as many persons as find it possible to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food Control whether it is permissible for bakers to sell loaves of bread otherwise than in pounds and multiples of pounds; whether he is aware that in Bradford additional ounces are being charged to the customer, as for instance loaves weighing 2lbs. 1½ozs. are being sold at 7½d. each, although 41b. loaves may be purchased at 10d., and in Woolwich at 9½d. each; and if, having regard to the hardships at present inflicted on poor people by the increase in the cost of the bare necessaries of life, he will take steps to limit the price at which bread may be retailed to consumers all over the country?

The Bread Order prescribes that loaves shall weigh 1 lb. or an even number of pounds. The practice described in the second part of the question of selling loaves with a charge for additional ounces is, accordingly, illegal. I have already informed the House that steps are being taken to regulate the price of bread through the price of flour; and the control of the flour mills is the latest of these steps.

asked the Prime Minister whether application was recently made by the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament for a number of publications for their consideration under the terms of the Nobel Trust; if so, whether the War Office Censor has refused leave for the transmission of a number of those asked for; and whether, out of courtesy to a neutral Parliament, the Government will reconsider their decision and permit the whole of the documents asked for to be sent?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. The National Peace Council applied for permission to transmit certain publications for the purpose mentioned, and were informed that the export of some of them was prohibited, and that the remainder should be submitted for examination before a permit could be issued. I think it is possible that the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament may prefer to revert to what was, I understand, their original intention, and leave the publications in this country till the end of the War, rather than to give a guarantee that specified works will not be accessible to those who would use them against the interests of this country.

Who are the officials whose duty it is to prevent the propagation of ideas, standing like intellectual eunuchs at the gate of a seraglio?

asked the Prime Minister whether the declaration of war aims made by the delegates sent by the Government to Petrograd that, after consultation with the Workmen's Council, they had decided to accept the formula of peace without annexations or indemnities, and that we want only the restitution of the territory occupied by Germany and the countries ruined by her rehabilitated, and that such must be the object of the War, has the sanction of the British Government?

I have seen no such statement as that attributed by the hon. Member to the delegates in question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the "Daily Chronicle" for last Friday, where he will see the statement?

I cannot undertake that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Provisional Government of Russia has declared for peace without annexation and that the delegates sent by the British Government to Russia made a declaration to Petrograd journalists on 24th April for the purpose of announcing that, after consultation with the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, they had decided to accept the formula of peace without annexation, he will take steps to bring the War aims of all the Allies into conformity with the declaration made by the Provisional Government of Russia and accepted by the delegates of the British Government?

I have no information to bear out the statements of the hon. Member on the subject, and I do not think anything is to be gained by a public discussion of the questions alluded to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a verbatim report of this statement, or what purports to be, has appeared in the Press of this country, telegraphed from Petrograd, and, in those circumstances, will he do nothing to support the action of his delegates?