asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the restrictions and sufferings of the Jewish population in Roumania; that these were severe and increasing before Roumania joined in the War, in August, 1916; that at the Congress of Berlin the late Lord salisbury stood out for assurances that the lot of Jews in Roumania would be ameliorated, and that these hopes have been disappointed; whether there is any understanding, agreement, or promise by the Allies or any of them that the restricted liberties of Roumanian Jews will be redressed in the manner in which the present Government of Russia has treated this question in Russia; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in this connection?

:I have reason to believe that the question is engaging the attention of the King and Government of Roumania, and it would not therefore be desirable for me to make any further statement on the subject at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the American Government have asked for an explanation of the discrepancy between the professions and the practice of the British Government on the equality of national rights and the restoration and independence of small nations; whether translations of the Government of Ireland Act, suspended under threat of mutilation, have been circulated among the small nations for which the Allies profess to be fighting; and whether any one of the small nations in question has expressed willingness to accept such a measure?

:The answer to all parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether agreements are in contemplation or in course of arrangement whereby the subjects of Japan, Portugal, the United States, Roumania, Serbia, Montenegro, and Russia, respectively, shall become, when in England or Scotland, liable to compulsory military service in the British Army?

:I cannot say at present how many agreements of this nature it may be possible to conclude. His Majesty's Government are considering the question in connection with the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Bill.

:May we take it then that other Governments besides the Russian Government have been approached in this connection?

:No, Sir; you may take it that conversations have taken place with other Governments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a number of men of the Highland Light Infantry, who formed part of a military working party at Morecambe, and who, not being considered fit for heavy labouring work, were registered but not enrolled as Army Reserve munitions workers. have now been returned to Hipswell Camp; to what medical category do these men belong; on what work are they now employed; and if he will consider whether these men could be more usefully employed in the national interest on munitions or other work in the Clyde area?

:I understand that seven men of this regiment returned from Morecambe, as they did not wish to enrol as Army Reserve munition workers. They are classified as C 2. They are at present employed regimentally with their unit on military work, and are no longer available for the purposes suggested by my hon. Friend.

:Is my hon. Friend aware that these men did wish to enrol as Army Reserve munition workers, and they were distinctly refused in writing on the ground that they were not fit for heavy labouring work?

:I cannot add anything to what I have already said.

:Is my hon. Friend aware that they have made application as to why they were rejected, and they have been informed in writing that they were not allowed to enrol as munition workers because they were not fit for heavy labouring work? They were not fit for military service, and are being employed on light fatigue jobs.

:That has not been brought to my notice, but I will have inquiries made.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that skilled workmen have been sent from various towns in the United Kingdom to the Clyde and Clyde district to take the place of men who have been discharged to make room for these men, and that in connection with this matter the Government is paying 17s. 6d. a week subsistence allowance?

:I cannot answer a general case like that, but if my hon. Friend will give me any specific case I will have inquiry made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that after many months of service without leave applicants are being refused on the ground that no leave is to be granted to Home service men; whether this is due to a general order or to any special regiments; or whether leave in the Home service is left to the decision of the officers on the spot.

:No orders to the effect that leave is not to be granted to Home Service men have been issued. Applications for leave under special circumstances would always receive consideration from the Commanding Officer of the unit to which the applicant belonged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that pressure is being put upon objectors to inoculation in the 2nd pontoon park, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, by marching them after duty night after night for miles to the medical officer, parading them for inoculation, and threatening them with transfer to other units, with denial of leave, and in other ways; and whether he will see that Ministerial pledges and the orders of the Army Council are observed by instructing officers to stop this form of persecution and punishment of men against whom no crime can be brought home except trusting to the word of honour of the War Office?

:It is necessary to make inquiries of the Commander-in-Chief in France. This has been done, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now state whether the proper procedure was adopted with regard to certain conscientious objectors arrested in Glasgow of whom the civil authorities at Barlinnie Prison refused to accept custody and who were thereafter sent to Perth Prison; whether they completed their sentence at Perth and returned to Hawick early in April; whether they have yet been tried by court-martial, and, if so, with what result; and whether any opportunity has been or will be given them of engaging in work under the committee on the employment of conscientious objectors?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. They were treated as serving soldiers, as it had not then transpired that they claimed to be conscientious objectors, and were sentenced to twenty-eight days' detention for not complying with orders. They were sent under escort to Barlinnie Detention Barracks and may have been taken in the first instance to the civil prison in error, as there is only one gate. They were subsequently transferred from Barlinnie Detention Barracks to Perth to complete their sentence. After release from detention they again committed themselves. If they are now convicted by court-martial of an offence against discipline, committed on grounds of conscience, they will have an opportunity of appearing before the Central Tribunal, who will decide whether they shall be recommended for work of national importance under the Brace Committee.

:Have they yet been tried by court-martial?

:No; I am informed they have not.

:Is my hon. Friend aware that they were tried by court-martial on 1st May?

:No.

:Will my hon. Friend take steps to have the facts put before the Committee for Conscientious Objectors?

:That is what I said in my answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any conscientious objectors have recently been taken over to France, one at least of them in handcuffs; and whether, in accordance with the pledge of the late Prime Minister, these men will be brought back from France and no others sent out?

:I have ascertained that recently five conscientious objectors accompanied their units to France. I have not yet been informed of all the circumstances, but when I receive the additional information necessary for a complete reply, I will inform my hon. Friend.

:Has my hon. Friend done anything to get these men recalled?

:No, I have not. I have asked the Director of Personal Service to be good enough to make the necessary inquiries, and then I hope my hon. Friend will put down his question again.

:In reference to these conscientious objectors is the Government bound by the pledge given by the late Prime Minister?

:I think there is some mistake. These men, as I understand it, were members of non-combatant units, and so far as I know, no pledge was given in regard to them, either by the late or the present Prime Minister.

:Is the present Government under any obligation to keep the pledges given by the late Government?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that all men from the Army who are well reported on as efficient drivers of motor ploughs or of steam ploughing tackle, and who have been engaged on this work this spring, shall be left to continue until the autumn sowing time and not recalled to the Army?

:As far as possible steam ploughmen will be allowed to remain until the autumn sowing season. No definite undertakings can, however, be given, as the permission depends on the military situation, and this is subject to sudden changes.

:Is he aware that since the Prime Minister's statement in the City there has been a diminution of labour on the land of at least 20,000 men, 18,000 Agricultural Furlough men were recalled from agriculture and 2,000 more were called up?

:My information is quite contrary to that which my hon. Friend gives. I understand that 15,000 men have been sent to Scotland alone, and not more than 5,600 were actually utilised.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that throughout the country generally there have been grave complaints as to the shortage and the utter inability to obtain labour; and will he take steps to provide that labour?

:I think the War Office has done everything in its power, and the President of the Board of Agriculture himself said in this House that during the last eight months that was the case. So far as I am personally concerned I have received very few complaints from farmers.

:Is the hon. Member aware that the 3,000,000 acre programme is an absolute mirage unless there is a supply of 100,000 men forthcoming from somewhere?

:That is a question being dealt with by the Director of Food Production.

asked whether notices are being issued under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act to discharged men at addresses from which they have removed, and they are thereby compelled in many cases to take long railway journeys to comply with the terms of the notice; whether in these cases travelling expenses are refused by the recruiting officers; and, if so, whether he will give instructions either that these men should be examined in the areas to which they have removed, or that, if they are compelled to travel, they will be paid the travelling expenses which they incur?

:Railway warrants are sent with notices to men who have to travel more than five miles to the place of examination, as my hon. Friend will see from Appendix II. to Army Council Instruction 640 of 1917, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Instructions have already been issued that men are as far as possible to be examined at the headquarters of the area in which they are working.

:Will my hon. Friend see in case where a man is called up in an area where he is now residing that he will have his railway expenses refunded?

:I can only say that we have given definite instructions to the recruiting officers to see that these men get their railway expenses.

:In cases where that instruction is not observed, will the men have their expenses refunded?

:Yes.

:Is he aware that a considerable number of men who were called up do not really come within the scope of the Act, and will they have their expenses paid, and also their wages for lost time?

:For any man called up under this Act and who does not come under it there is a space on the form where he can say he is not under the Act.

:Will the hon. Gentleman state definitely now that where the recruiting officer does not observe the instruction these men will be refunded their railway fares?

:Yes, I think I can state that definitely. The Financial Secretary and myself will do our best to see that this instruction is carried out.

asked the Prime Minister whether many medically rejected men, including those who received the solemn pledge of the Government in the shape of the pink form, have, on the strength of their final rejection, undertaken financial responsibilities, including borrowing to subscribe to the War Loan; and whether, if such men are recalled under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, any special provision beyond an appeal to the Civil Liabilities Committee is being made to enable them to meet responsibilities incurred in the belief that the Government would keep its pledge?

:No case of borrowing to subscribe to War Loan has been brought to my knowledge, but I should be glad to have particulars of any case which has come to my hon. Friend's notice.

:What I want to know is what attitude the Government take in regard to these cases, of which there are a great many? Will the War Office, for instance, make provision for a man who has borrowed on War Loan and who is now called up for service and cannot pay the instalments?

:As I say, no case of this kind has been brought to my knowledge. I cannot give an answer dealing with a general problem of this kind without some examination

:Will the Civil Liabilities Committee cover a case of this kind?

:I should think so, but I should like to have notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that P. Swain, 66, Chester Road, Macclesfield, was enlisted in the Army on 29th January, 1916, and passed for general service but transferred to the Reserve; that on 28th October, 1916, he was reexamined and found unfit for military service; and that on 19th February, 1917, he was discharged from the Army as medically unfit; whether he is aware that Swain has received notice from the local recruiting officer requiring him to submit himself for medical re-examination on the 21st instant, and that the recruiting officer has been informed by Swain on several occasions that he is not liable for re-examination under the Act, but that the recruiting officer insists that he must be re-examined; and, if so, wheher he will instruct the recruiting officer to withdraw the notice, and issue a general instruction calling the attention of recruiting officers to the terms of the Act and ordering them to carry out its provisions with reference to discharged men?

:Inquiries are being made into the case referred to and I will write to my hon. Friend about it. A general instruction in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend was issued on the 19th April.

:Is the hon. Member aware that this general instruction is not being observed and in the circumstances will he see that it is carried out by the War Office?

:I will do my best to see that the instruction is observed, but I wish my hon. Friend would give me specific cases. It is very difficult to proceed in matters of this kind unless specific cases are given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he has yet obtained a report as to the conduct of the military medical board at Stoke-on-Trent as promised; what steps, disciplinary or otherwise, he proposes to take; (2), whether he will inquire into the conduct of the military medical board at Newcastle-under-Lyme as well as at Stoke-on-Trent, more particularly with reference to the language used by the board to the men under examination; and, for this inquiry, will he see that the evidence of some of the persons examined is taken on oath?

:The Reports asked for have not yet been received, but the authorities have been asked to expedite their reply.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the sort of language used by this medical board to the men under examination; and, if so, does he approve of it?

:I am not in a position to say that such language has been used, but if my hon. and gallant Friend's statement is true, to use such language is highly reprehensible.

:Does my hon. Friend know what was done?

:I must again appeal to my hon. Friend to give me specific cases.

:This question will be raised on the Motion for the Whitsun Adjournment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the committee which was formed to inquire into the anomalies of promotion of officers in the Special Reserve, Reserve of Officers, Territorial Force, and new Army has issued its Report; and, if so, when will it be published?

:The Report is now being considered by the Army Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the amount of eggs, vegetables, fruit, cheese, butter, and milk which German prisoners of war in this country are allowed to purchase per week from Army canteens and the amount of these articles, respectively, which commandants of internment camps permit to be bought in this country and to be sent to such prisoners per week by English or German sympathisers; what are the regulations on the subject, if any, for the guidance of Army canteens and commandants, or whether the matter is left to the discretion of the persons in charge of the canteens and the commandants; and whether, in view of the high prices and scarcity of such articles, the Government will, in the interests of the poorer classes of the population of this country, who are frequently unable to purchase these articles, forbid the purchase in This country of such articles by or for the German prisoners?

:I am afraid I have no statistics as to the amount of eggs, fruit, vegetables, cheese, butter and milk which German prisoners are allowed to purchase. The commandants are responsible for the amounts of supplies purchased and that permission to purchase is strictly regulated by the surplus over local needs of the commodities. The purchase of potatoes is of course prohibited. As my hon. and learned friend has already been informed, supplies sent by sympathisers are controlled by commandants in order to prevent supplies which are scarce or an undue amount of foodstuffs being sent. No articles containing meat, sugar or flour in any shape or form may be delivered. It is difficult, however desirable it may be, to lay down any hard and fast rules in such a matter, as my hon. and learned Friend will realise, but the commandants have been enjoined to keep a close watch over all camp supplies.

:In view of the undoubted scarcity and the very high prices which poor people have to pay for these articles, would it not be better to take the matter out of the discretion of the commandants, and forbid the supply of these scarce articles to German prisoners?

:As I have pointed out, it is extremely difficult, however anxious we might be to effect it, to lay down any hard and fast rules. After all, these men must live, and we have enjoined the commandants to be as strict as possible to limit the supplies to the camps.

:Have the commandants any special means of knowing what articles are scarce, and what articles ought to be preserved for the use of our own people?

:May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman would be prepared to give a list of the sympathisers in this country who send food to German prisoners? Would he publish the names?

:Will the hon. Gentleman explain how it is possible for matters of this kind to be in the discretion of the commandant, who has no special knowledge?

:As the House will find from the list of commodities available for these prisoners, not only are commodities limited, but the amount of the commodities is extremely limited.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the growing feeling of indignation throughout the country as to the generous treatment of these German prisoners as compared with British prisoners?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that there can be no early response to the demand made on owners and occupiers of land to break up grass land until the necessary supply of labour and equipment for carrying on the cultivation of such land when ploughed has been guaranteed to those who need help; whether, in view of the urgency of the question, he can give an official assurance that the labour and equipment for cultivation will be secured in addition to the provision of tractors and ploughs for the breaking up of the 3,000,000 of acres of grass land; and whether the whole of these essential needs will be supplied this year?

:I cannot say more at present than that the Board recognise fully that the programme of breaking up grass land cannot be carried out without the necessary labour and equipment, and that the needs in these directions have been placed before the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received representations as to the necessity of taking steps to guarantee an adequate supply of labour for carrying out the Government scheme for increased production of food from the land, and as to the extension of the period of leave of men drawn from the land who are at present released from the Army; and whether, subject to military necessities, an early decision will be reached as to the supply from the Home forces of a sufficient number of men to complete at the required stages the agricultural programme of the Government for 1917–18, and, in view of the urgency of the question, an early and definite announcement will be made on the subject?

:All these matters are under consideration by the Government, and it is hoped that an announcement will be made very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the impression produced upon the minds of farmers generally, and particularly in the West Riding of Yorkshire, by the action of the War Office in withdrawing men lent to agriculture for the spring months, with the result that they are convinced that the Government are not serious in their announced policy of increased arable cultivation; whether he can say how many of these men have been recalled to the colours in the West Riding, and what proportion that number bears to the total of agricultural furlough men; and whether he will see that these men or efficient substitutes are returned or supplied at once?

:The Department have no figures which show the number of soldiers employed on agricultural work who have been recalled recently from the West Riding of Yorkshire. The total number of such men in England and Wales a month ago was about 40,000. They had been lent by the War Office on certain definite conditions as to return for military service; 16,000 Class A men were accordingly recalled on 10th May; 16,000 of the remaining 24,000 are not liable to recall before the 25th July, while it is expected that the remainder will be kept much longer. In reply to the last part of the question, I will refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have just given to the hon. Baronet the Member for West Denbighshire.

:Has the hon. Gentleman received no protests and no figures regarding the recall of men on agricultural furlough from the Agricultural War Committee of the West Riding of Yorkshire?

:Yes, I think we have from most, or at any rate, several of the Agricultural War Committee.

:Does the hon. Gentleman say that he does not know at all how many are being recalled?

:No, we do not know the exact number in a particular district. All we know is that 16,000 altogether have been recalled.

:Can the hon. Gentleman say, in addition to those recalled, what number have been taken out of the 30,000 who were to be called up on 1st January?

:I am afraid I must ask my hon. Friend to give me notice of that question.

:Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to replace these 16,000 "A" men by others of a lower category as early as possible?

:I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the President is making strong representations to the Government as to the necessity of finding more men for this purpose.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how he accounts for the fact that, since his assurances that no more potatoes would be allowed to be exported from Ireland, Messrs. Warden and Stewart, of Belfast, have exported a large quantity of prime table potatoes to South Africa, and Messrs. Hunter and Company, of Dundalk, have exported 256 tons of best table potatoes per the steamship "Portadown" to Scotland; will he say who issued permits for these exports and on what grounds, in view of the danger of famine; whether permits have been or will be issued for the further cargoes being collected last week in several parts of Ireland; and will he specify any supplies of foodstuffs existing in Ireland deemed to be sufficient for the sustenance of the people until the new main crop is available?

:The Department of Agriculture are not aware of potatoes having been shipped from Ireland to South Africa. The consignment of potatoes shipped to Scotland was exported by the military authorities and not by Messrs. Hunter and Co., and a permit was not necessary. Permits are being issued only for potatoes of seed size not required in Ireland. Food supplies available in Ireland are not less likely to be sufficient than the like supplies in Great Britain.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that potatoes which are sent from Ireland as prime table potatoes are sold as seed potatoes?

:I think the hon. Member is misled. Whoever represents as seed potatoes prime table potatoes is evidently committing a fraud. Potatoes for which leave to export from Ireland has been given are seed potatoes for which there is no use in Ireland for the purpose of tillage, so that it is pretty obvious where the fraud applies.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the owner of the lands on which the Kilkenny golf links are situated has been obstructed by men of military age in giving effect to the increased tillage order, the leader of the obstructionists being Mr. P. C. Power, county inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary for Kilkenny; whether he is aware that, on failing in his obstruction, Mr. Power severed his connection with the Kilkenny golf club, joined the Bagnalstown golf club, 15 miles from his office, and uses a motor car and petrol at the public expense for travelling to and from this amusement; and will he say what action it is proposed to take under the Defence of the Realm Act?

:I have inquired into these imputations against the county inspector, and am satisfied that they are unfounded in every particular.

asked whether in the course of the military advance in Mesopotamia any men previously reported missing have been recovered; and whether a list of them has been published or their recovery notified to their relatives?

:Two men who had only recently been missing have been reported recaptured from the enemy. This fact was at once notified to the relatives. The other prisoners of war had been removed from Bagdad prior to our entry.

asked whether any precaution, and, if so, what, is taken to prevent petrol got for War Office motor cars being utilised for private cars possessed by officers?

:Yes, Sir; every precaution is taken. Log-books are kept for vehicles in which all issues of petrol and records of the mileage run are entered daily. These log-books are carefully checked both as regards the consumption of petrol as well as the nature of the duty on which the cars are employed.

:Could not my hon. Friend supply these officers with little runabout cars instead of big cars?

asked whether any of the military hospital huts at Cromarty are to be used as a hospital for the treatment of venereal disease; and, if so, will he have the matter fully inquired into and further considered before anything of the sort is allowed?

:This matter is now being considered.

:Is my hon. Friend aware that practically all the local authorities are against the proposal to use hospital huts for the treatment of venereal disease, and has he consulted the Secretary for Scotland on the matter?

:This place being in my own Constituency, I am painfully aware of it. I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland, but the whole position is now being reconsidered.

asked whether an Army Order or any other Order has been issued by the authorities at home or abroad forbidding officers or men of the Royal Flying Corps or any other portion of the Army to criticise or comment upon the B E 8 biplane; if so, whether this Order refers to the B E 8's in use at home as well as abroad; whether this Order has been issued because the inherent defects of this type of aeroplane make it particularly liable to criticism; whether a Brigade Order has been issued to any brigade of the Royal Flying Corps in France forbidding officers to criticise the aeroplane on which they are mounted; and whether, in such an Order, officers have been warned that their remarks may be distorted by critics of the Royal Flying Corps through ignorance or malice?

:No Order has been given at home or abroad forbidding officers and men of the Royal Flying Corps or any other portion of the Army to criticise or comment upon aeroplanes. Criticism and gossip about new types of aeroplanes of which the critics have no real experience, is discouraged. This policy has been justified in the case of the R E 8, which was criticised on its introduction, but is now in much request by Artillery squadrons.

:With reference to the R.E. 8, is the hon. Gentleman aware of the reply he gave recently that certain pilots in the Royal Flying Corps refused to fly this type of machine, and that the number is increasing; I understand that Captain Ball refused to fly this type of machine; and under these circumstances will he consider the advisability, of having an inquiry into the R E 8?

:No, Sir; there is absolutely no need for an inquiry. The R E 8 machine is being supplied, and directly officers get it they are delighted with it, and we are sending out this machine as fast as we can.

:Is any action taken against those pilots who refuse to fly?

asked whether a civilian aviator, Mr. Roland Ding, recently killed in Yorkshire by the breaking of his machine in the air, was flying a B E biplane or an aeroplane of Government design; if it was a B E biplane or other machine of Government design, whether it was fitted with an engine of a higher power than the machine was originally designed to carry; whether the B E biplane was originally designed for a 100 horse-power engine; whether it was first sent on active service with only a 70 horse-power engine; whether it is still sent on active service with only a 90 horsepower engine; whether it has been found to be safe to fly with an engine of 150 horse-power; whether such power is being fitted to this type in order to attain a reputation for Government official design; and whether, in view of the recent fatality occasioned by this, he will now cause this practice to be discontinued?

:The aviator referred to was in the private employment of a firm of aeroplane constructors, but I understand that he was flying a B E 2 machine with a 90 horse-power R.A.F. engine, which is the type for which it was originally designed. The answer to the fourth, fifth, and sixth parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the seventh part in the negative. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Michael Hurley, now No. 7160, A Company, 3rd Munster Fusiliers, now in training at Aghada, who has been his mother's sole support, enlisted without her consent, and by doing so induced upon her an attack of neuritis, from which she is not recovering; and, the Regulation allowance being wholly insufficient for her in these circumstances, whether the military authorities will save it all by releasing this boy and allowing him to return and support his mother?

:Inquiries are being made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, considering that married warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men stationed in the London area and living with their families receive 6d. a day London allowance in addition to family allowance, he will consider the question of granting a similar London allowance in addition to family allowance to officers serving in the London area who now receive no special allowance to compensate them for the extra expenditure involved?

:I am afraid I can add nothing to the replies I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 15th instant.

:May I ask the hon. Member whether, considering that the Government acknowledge it to be necessary to provide non-commissioned officers and men stationed in London with a London allowance in addition to the family allowance, he does not consider it equally necessary to give similar allowances to officers stationed in London, who equally with the men are unable to find residences near their offices and are compelled to incur much extra expense in consequence?

:My hon. and gallant Friend will surely remember that the Government have set up a special body to deal with cases of hardship. Officers who may be suffering should refer their cases to that authority and such financial assistance as may appear to be necessary will be forthcoming.

asked the Pensions Minister if Mrs. Mary Ward, 20, Clarence Place, Dublin, mother of Private Ward, No. 3784, Leinster Regiment, who was killed in action in France on the 18th July, 1915, was granted a pension of 5s. per week for life; if the pension ceased on 5th October, 1916, and that, in response to her letter to the War Office, she was informed that as she now was in receipt of an old age pension no further issue of pension from Army funds could be made; if the City of Dublin war pensions committee cannot make her a grant beyond a few shillings weekly, and Mrs. Ward is now in the same position as if she had never had a son in the Army who was killed in France; if he will say whether the old age pension is given to her in respect of her age and not as a substitute for a pension which was granted to her on account of the death of her support; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

:The facts as stated in the question are generally correct except that the pension of 5s. a week was not granted for life. As a partially dependent parent, 5s. was the maximum which could have been awarded under the old Warrant, and this ceased when Mrs. Ward applied for an old age pension. Her case has been considered under the new Warrant and she has been granted a pension of 9s. a week, with effect from the 4th April last.

asked the Pensions Minister what is the address of the Appeal Court and what steps anyone appealing to it must take?

:Men desiring to appeal against the decision of the Ministry that their disability was neither attributable to nor aggravated by their service should do so by letter, addressed to the Secretary to the Ministry at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether; in view of the fact that lately our shipping losses have been materially lessened, and also that the advent of the American naval contingent is already exercising a beneficial effect, he will reconsider his decision to commandeer the steamship "Hebridian," taking also into consideration the great loss sustained by the agricultural and commercial community in Orkney by its withdrawal from commercial service?

:The Ministry of Shipping fully recognise the importance to the Orcadian community of the service on which the vessel named is engaged, and I am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that she will not be withdrawn unless circumstances render that course quite unavoidable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller (1) whether the Ministry wrote to an East Coast shipowner, on or about the 9th of May, to say that, in view of the necessity for building Government standard ships, it was not possible to make arrangements for a supply of material to enable a cargo vessel then under construction to be completed at the present time; whether the Controller will give immediate instructions that no vessel under construction shall be delayed or her completion postponed by reason of material suitable for this vessel being taken for standard vessels in preference to one so near completion; (2) whether a firm of shipowners in Hull had under construction for their account at a Wear shipyard a cargo vessel of normal type with keel laid in January, 1917, and instalments paid in February, and early in March, when over half the material for this vessel had been delivered at the yard and cylinders were cast and forgings delivered ready for machining, the Ministry stopped this work in order to commandeer a berth for what is called a standard ship; whether the builders asserted in April that the vessel, the construction of which was thus suspended could be completed before any standard ship could be laid on the same-berth; whether two members of the Advisory Sub-Committee investigated the facts on the spot and decided that if the builders were allowed to proceed with the half-finished cargo vessel she could be-ready for use two months before the yard's first standard ship; whether this half-finished vessel remains half-finished; and whether the Ministry will remove the obstacles to her completion without further delay?

:It is assumed that the right hon. Member's questions refer to the same vessel. It is a fact that supplies of steel for a ship ordered at a Wear shipyard by a firm of shipowners in Hull has had to be postponed, although +he keel was laid, in order that a ship for a special purpose, designed in agreement with the Admiralty, could be proceeded with as quickly as possible. This action was necessary in the national interest. Arrangements are already in operation for the supply of steel to complete suitable cargo vessels under construction which can be completed in approximately the same time as standard ships.

:Was this vessel delayed or not in order to provide space for a standard vessel?

:Yes, she was deliberately delayed in the national interest; and I can assure my hon. Friend that the question would not have been put on the Paper if it had been understood that the vessel being proceeded with was one to be used in the anti-submarine campaign.

:Then it is not a standard vessel?

:I must ask my hon. Friend not to press me further. If he will be good enough to confer with me privately, I will give him full information.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether two petitions, dated 25th April and 17th May of this year, which were sent by the legal profession in Scotland to the Lord President of the Court of Session and the other members of the Court, praying that senators of the College of Justice in Edinburgh should be pressed to resign directorships in trading concerns, such as banks, insurance, and mercantile companies, have been forwarded to him for his consideration and opinion; if so, will he say what line of action he proposes to take?

:I have received two anonymous communications on this subject. If any petitions from the legal profession are addressed to the Lords of Session, I have no doubt they will receive due consideration from the Court. In regard to the last part of the question, my hon. and learned Friend is, of course, aware of the constitutional method of obtaining the opinion of the House in such a matter, and it would in my view be irregular for me to anticipate by answer to a question any views which it might be my duty to express in the course of debate.

:Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has not been consulted in this matter by the Lord President; and, if not, will he take an opportunity of expressing his own opinions to the Lord President?

:I do not think that I can usefully add anything to the answer that I have given.

:Is my right hon. Friend in favour of the judges of the Court of Sessions retaining these directorships?

:My answer covered that. I do not think it would be proper for me to express my view on the subject.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to secure a discussion on the subject?

:That is a question which ought to be addressed to the Leader of the House.

:Will you use your influence?

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the humblest member in the Civil Service is prohibited from holding any directorship.

:I am aware of that.

:May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not express an opinion as to cases among Civil servants in Scotland in which the regulation appears to have been infringed?

:That is outside the limits of this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of firms included in the Federation of British Industries, their aggregate capital, and the number of employés?

:I am informed by the Federation of British Industries that it comprises in its membership 355 firms and fifty-eight associations, and there are also some 2,500 associate members. I regret that I cannot furnish any accurate statement of the aggregate capital and number of employés of the firms comprised in the association, but it may safely be stated that the figures in both cases would be very large.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Federation of British Industries, as being the largest representative body of employers, has been consulted in regard to recent legislation or actions affecting industry, with a view to solving difficulties between capital and labour and furthering the common interests of employers and employed; and, if this has not been done hitherto, will he consider the advisability of such consultation in the future?

:I have been asked to answer this question. In all matters affecting a particular industry it is the practice of the Department to consult the representative bodies both of employers and workmen connected with that industry. In the event of it becoming necessary to consult representative employers in regard to matters affecting the industry as a whole, the Federation of British Industries will not be overlooked, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is well aware of its importance.

:Would it not be greatly to the advantage of industry in this country if such consultations with a responsible and representative body were carried on in the same way as the Minister of Labour is able to conduct negotiations with labour organisations, and would the Board of Trade not put themselves in a position as regards the Federation of Industries similar to that of the Minister of Labour towards labour organisations?

:I cannot answer for the Board of Trade, but as far as the Ministry of Labour is concerned I am quite sure my right hon. Friend will consider very carefully the views of the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the importance of the speech made in the Royal Gallery on Tuesday, 15th May, 1917, by the Right Hon. Lieutenant-General J. Smuts, he will see that it is duly reprinted, published, and distributed among the Allied nations and also in neutral countries?

:General Smuts' speech was sent out by cable verbatim throughout the Empire, and the main portion of it to Allies and neutrals. It has been reprinted in English as a pamphlet for the British Empire and America, and translations of it are being prepared for Allies and neutrals.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of consulting the Minister of Education, so that the speech might be circulated in our schools, as I think it would have a very good effect upon the young life of the nation?

:That question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education.

:As this implies a charge on the Exchequer, might I ask if an opportunity will be given in this House to debate that speech, so that the ridiculous arguments in support of Royalty may be refuted?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any regulation as to the types of ships to which midshipmen are appointed; and whether he can state the types of ships in which they serve, having regard to the fact that no information is now afforded by the Navy Lists?

:Midshipmen are appointed to capital ships in accordance with quarter bill requirements, and there has been no alteration in this respect since hostilities broke out.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board of Admiralty have taken into consideration the value of the war experience obtained by our destroyer flotillas in which junior officers of the Royal Naval Reserve, Midshipman Gyles and Midshipman Maud, have been mentioned in dispatches; and whether he can state why the midshipmen of the Royal Navy, who will in time be the commanding officers of our ships, are denied the most valuable of all forms of war training?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The suggestion in the second part of the question is not borne out by the experience of those competent to judge. It should be mentioned that part of the training of midshipmen was carried out in destroyers six or seven years ago, but was given up owing to strong representations from sea that service in destroyers seriously interfered with the professional training of the midshipmen.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman put before the Admiralty the fact that destroyer training seven years ago was not war training, and that now the most useful part of war training is in the destroyers?

:I will certainly put that forward before the Board. I understand that the Service view is this: These lads only get two years as midshipmen. They reach the rank of sub-lieutenant at eighteen. If this early and important part of their training is in small craft they fail to get that all round professional training so important to their future careers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board will consider a wide distribution of sub-lieutenants and midshipmen to the different classes of small craft employed in hunting submarines?

:The appointments of all officers are regulated by the requirements of the Service, and the employment of sub-lieutenants and midshipmen must be decided with regard to such requirements. The point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend has not escaped notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many times during the past two years religious service, Church of England or Catholic, was read or given by Commander Hicks on the patrol cruiser "Safeguard," which operates on the South-west Coast of Ireland; whether the commander receives in addition to his naval pay any allowance or emolument for giving religious services on board; if so, how much; whether the men serving on board the "Safeguard" are allowed when in harbour the right to attend those religious services on land; and, if not, will he state the reason?

:I am having inquiries made as regards the first and last parts of the question, and will communicate with my hon. Friend. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangement, if any, is made at Queenstown and other south-western stations in Ireland for the reception of, and giving food and necessary clothing to, Naval Reserve men who have been landed from merchant and other ships sunk either by mines or torpedoes; whether he will inquire whether recently any Naval Reserve men who were rescued from such ships were unable to get either a bed or even a blanket to sleep in on board the ship where they were kept for some days; and whether the necessary provision will be made in the future for the reasonable comfort of these men?

:I am having inquiries made into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend; but I cannot imagine that these men are not given every consideration that their condition demands.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that shipowners at Queenstown and the local agents supply seamen of every nationality with food and clothing; and why are the men in the Naval Reserve, who risk their lives, not entitled to get food and clothing?

:I recognise the importance of the matter so seriously that, of course, local inquiry will be made, but in the absence of it, I repeat that I cannot believe that these men do not get every consideration that their condition demands.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his, attention has been called to the number of motor cars connected with his Department that are used for entirely personal errands; is he aware of the number of Admiralty motor cars that leave London every Sunday morning, generally with ladies on board, and return in the evening; and, if not, will he make inquiry into this misuse of petrol in view of the fact that traders are being reduced in their quantity of petrol to the detriment of the trade of the country?

:The regulation in force stipulates that Service motor vehicles are to be used solely for His Majesty's Service, and that no persons who are not concerned in the immediate duty on which such vehicles are being used are to be conveyed in them. A log-book is kept for each vehicle, and in it are shown full particulars of each journey, the number and description a passengers carried, and the amount of petrol consumed. Apart from my hon. Friend's statement, there is no reason to suppose that the regulation is not strictly complied with. But if he will furnish definite details of the occasions referred to in his question which will enable the cars to be traced inquiries will at once be instituted.

:Does anybody check these log-books?

:Certainly; I have seen them myself.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman come for a walk with me next Sunday, and I will show him some of these cars?

:Are these ladies engaged on official or unofficial business?

:Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prohibit the use of powerful six-cylinder cars, which consume petrol at the rate of one gallon per ten miles, and substitute less powerful cars in the public service?

:I took note of that suggestion earlier on, when it was made in connection with the War Office. I had already noted the fact myself.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the extra cost and danger of travelling at present and the wish of the Government to reduce travelling to a minimum, whether he will arrange that each visitor to the Irish political prisoners detained at Lewes under sentences of secret courts-martial shall be allowed the entire visiting time of the day in the prison, part with the particular friend whom the visitor comes to see and the remainder with some or all of the other prisoners together?

:If a person is visiting any particular prisoner, there is no objection to his visiting on the same day any other prisoner who wishes to see him and who is entitled to receive a visit. Visitors cannot see more than one prisoner at a time.

asked the Home Secretary whether the institution known as Dr. Barnardo's Homes has established a system of large workshops in Manchester and Salford whereby the employés are persuaded to consent to a stoppage of 1d. per month from their wages in aid of the institution; that a notice is exhibited in the works informing the employés that the stoppage will be made in every case unless objectors expressly declare that they object; that the stoppages has been made from the wages of some who have expressly stated their objection; and whether, having regard to the provisions of the Truck Acts, to the inadvisability of workers who cannot take advantage of a Protestant institution being placed in this position, of religious distinctions being drawn upon the pay- sheets of the firm, and seeing that the Salford Diocesan Catholic Federation has made representations upon the subject to Dr. Barnardo's Homes without success, he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

:The Superintending Inspector of Factories at Manchester reports that he has no knowledge of the existence of the practice referred to. If the hon. Member will furnish the names of the works where it is alleged that stoppages are made against the wishes of some of the workers, inquiries will be made and the results communicated to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in formulating the provisions of the British Trade Corporation, he was aware that an association with similar objects in view applied to the Treasury in August last for sanction to issue shares and raise capital; that this application was made prior to the application of the British Trade Corporation; and whether the granting of a charter to this corporation will, ipso facto, preclude the granting of Treasury consent to the other association.

:I cannot trace any application answering the description in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Every application will be treated on its merits.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries into this matter, or will he accept from me proof that this association did apply to the Treasury for their consent to an issue of further capital?

:I think the easier course would be for the hon. Gentleman to supply me with the proof.

:Is it intended that the decision of the Government in regard to the British Trade Corporation will be postponed till after the holidays?

:Yes. The whole question is being looked into, and will be raised again after the Recess.

asked the Postmaster-General how many officers of the following grades, apart from the members of the K Company, Royal Engineers, employed in the Post Office engineering department in Ireland, are on active service, namely, engineering officers, clerks, inspectors, and workmen?

:Up to the 1st May the figures were as follows:-Engineering officers, one; clerks, ten; inspectors, two; workmen, 195.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the amount of monthly expenditure under the following heads since August, 1914, of the Post Office engineering branch in Ireland, namely, cost of materials for maintenance and construction of all lines of every class in Ireland, salaries of civilian engineering officers, salaries and wages of clerical staff (exclusive of wages of men on military service and of war bonus), and salaries of civilian inspectors and wages of civilian workmen (exclusive of wages of men on military service and war bonus)?

:The information cannot be given in the form asked for without disproportionate cost, but I will send my hon. Friend certain Returns which perhaps will serve his purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps, if any, have been taken with regard to the rebuilding of the General Post Office in Dublin?

:No definite steps have been taken at present in the way of actual rebuilding. I contemplate rearrangement, if possible, of some of the Post Office Departments in Dublin, which are now housed in various parts of the City, and the question, which is somewhat complicated, requires much consideration. I may say that before the fire the Post Office accommodation in Dublin and the possibility of improving it was before my predecessors more than once, but the difficulties in the way of a satisfactory settlement were then insuperable.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have decided to take any steps to fulfil the pledge contained in the preamble to the Parliament Act of 1911 in reference to the constitution and powers of the Second Chamber; and, if so, when they will announce their decision to the House?

:I am not able to make a statement on this subject to-day, but I hope to be in a position to do so shortly.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman begin by expelling the traitor princes from the House of Lords?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to a case decided by the tribunal at Warrington on 7th May, in which a decision was given against five workmen who had been dismissed for alleged violation of workshop rules; whether the workmen's representative on the tribunal dissented from the decision; whether the chairman of the tribunal is a solicitor for the firm involved in the case; whether the rules in question were framed in 1908; whether such rules are in accordance with the provisions of the Munitions Acts; whether workmen can be dismissed with respect to rules other than those framed under these Acts; and whether, in the circumstances of such a case, the men have any other remedy which can now be stated?

:The tribunal refused compensation in the case of two men on the ground that the order was a lawful order and that, consequently, the employer had reasonable ground for dismissing the workmen without a week's notice owing to their misconduct. The law permits private rules to be displayed by a controlled establishment, but they have no statutory authority unless specifically approved by the Minister. The rule referred to in this question had not been so approved, and my right hon. Friend is, therefore, making further inquiries into this and the other points raised in the question and he will communicate with my hon. Friend on the subject as soon as possible.

:Will the hon. Baronet consult his colleague with the object of preventing men who are interested from acting as chairmen of these committees?

:I think the hon. Member must be content with the answer that inquiries are going to be made at once and he will be informed of the result.