asked the Secretary of State for India what modification in the position of India in relation to the Empire have been effected as a result of the recent Imperial Conference?

In answering my hon. Friend's question it will be convenient to consider together the results, so far as published, of the Imperial War Cabinet and the Imperial War Conference. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Imperial War Conference recommended to the Governments concerned that steps should be taken to amend the constitution of the Imperial Conference so that India should be represented at future sittings with the same right of speech and vote as is accorded to the representatives of the other Governments. Further, India will be represented at the Annual Session of the Imperial Cabinet by a nominee of the Government of India as well as by the Secretary of State for India, who will sit as one of the British Ministers specially concerned with Imperial affairs. These decisions mark an immense advance in the position of India in the Empire. They admit the Government of India to full partnership in the councils of the Empire with the other Governments represented at them.

The Imperial War Conference also had under consideration the position of Indians in the Empire as distinct from the position of India herself. In dealing with the difficult problems to which this question has given rise they accepted the principle of reciprocity, and commended to the favourable consideration of the Governments represented a memorandum which had been laid before the Conference by the representatives of India. This memorandum will be printed in the Blue Book which I hope will be published in a few days.

I should add that, though the question of indentured emigration was not considered in the Conference, we took advantage of the presence of the representatives of India in London to discuss this question informally with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and his advisers. My hon. Friend is aware that it was agreed some time ago that the system of indentured emigration should be brought to an end within a limited time. Owing to the exigencies of the War, the recruitment of indentured labour has already been stopped and it will not be revived. I am glad to say that the informal Conference already held makes it probable that a satisfactory solution of this difficult question will be reached by the Interdepartmental Conference, over which Lord Islington is going to preside.

The question of the supply of labour to, and the settlement of Indians in, the tropical Colonies which specially require such labour is, of course, wholly distinct from the problems of Indian emigration as affecting the self-governing Dominions of which I have already spoken. In relation to these Dominions the representatives of India recognised the right of each Dominion to settle its own immigration laws, whether as regards emigrants from Asia or from Europe, and we do not claim an unrestricted right of settlement for Indians. What we asked was that, in the first place, such questions should be treated on a footing of reciprocity; in the second place, that British Asiatics should be at least as favourably treated as alien Asiatics; thirdly, that facilities for travel and study, as apart from settlement, should be freely given; and, lastly, that sympathetic attention should be given to the condition of those Indians who had already been permitted to settle in the Dominions.

I presume that the representative of India, whom the right hon. Gentleman mentioned, will not necessarily be a native of India, but a native of Europe, as the case may be, according to the discretion of the Governor-General in Council?

I assume the hon. Gentleman is referring to the representative of the Government of India in future Sessions of the Imperial War Cabinet. That Cabinet laid down no rule as to race or qualifications, but we clearly contemplated that, except under peculiar circumstances, that representative would be an Indian.

Will it be necessary to submit any of these changes to the consideration of this Parliament, or can they be effected otherwise without being submitted?

No, Sir; but if the assent of Parliament were necessary, I am quite certain it would be heartily given, but it is not required to carry any of them into effect.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the aspersions thrown upon the officers of the various Civil Services in India as shirking military training and evading service in the Army; what proportion of these officials have been spared for military duty; whether it is possible to spare a larger number; and whether leave has been practically suspended in India?

I have no knowledge of any such aspersions, but, if made, they can only have come from quarters unfamiliar with the facts. Exact figures are not available, but more than 300 officers on leave in this country since the beginning of the War have sought and have been granted permission to take up war work, about half going on active service. Twenty-one have been killed or have died of wounds.

In India more than 100 members of the Indian Civil Service alone have joined the Indian Army Reserve and upwards of thirty have gone on active service.

Owing to the urgent requirements of the civil administration, the Government of India have been obliged to limit the number of officers permitted to undertake military duties and to curtail leave.

Did the right hon. Gentleman notice in the papers the other day that a retired Indian Civil Service officer had been killed in action at the front as a sub-lieutenant at the age of forty-nine?

Yes, Sir; I think that was so. I think he is probably included in the number I gave.

Is it not a fact that a great number of these gentlemen who are members of the Indian Civil Service have gone over and are fighting at the front, not with the Indian Army alone but even with our own Army, and are sacrificing their position and prospects?

Yes, Sir; I said so. I welcome the indignation shown in all quarters of the House at such aspersions on a great Service. I do not believe there is a man in the British service in India who would not have gone to the front if his duty had not necessitated him remaining elsewhere.

asked whether the text of the paragraph in the Army daily orders issued by headquarters of the Sixth German Army on 21st December, 1916, which affords evidence that human bodies are sent to the corpse utilisation establishments, has been, or will be, translated and widely disseminated throughout the British-Indian Empire?

The text of the paragraph referred to has been published in the Press, and will be available to the public in India through the usual channels.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered or will consider the propriety of prohibiting or obtaining, in concert with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the prohibition of the import into Australia of Java tea in favour of tea from India and Ceylon, of which about 100,000,000 lbs. must now be stored in the country of production, or seek new markets other than those of the United Kingdom?

The matter is one entirely within the discretion of the Commonwealth Government. If that Government should see fit to give an advantage to Indian tea over the teas of foreign countries, I need not say that I should welcome such action.

Will the right hon. Gentleman go a step further, and in consultation with the Colonial Office make any such suggestion possible?

:No, Sir; I do not think that I could usefully act in regard to this particular industry. The Imperial Conference came to certain resolutions on this subject which have already been published, but it was general and was not in reference to a particular industry.

asked whether the majority of the 3,000 officers in the Indian Army Reserve Corps are lieutenants of middle age, with families, who have given up lucrative appointments in India, and that for them the modified time scale of promotion is of little avail because their services are only required for the period of the War, so that even an officer who got his Commission as early as August, 1914, can only get promotion in August, 1918; that under these circumstances promotion for such officers should preferably be given for merit in the field and should be permanent and with the pay of the rank and not of a temporary character; and that officers who have hitherto been promoted temporarily and have lost their rank owing to wounds or sickness should be confirmed in their higher rank with retrospective pay; and whether he will consider the propriety of granting such concessions as are herein indicated?

The Indian Army Reserve of Officers, like the British Army Reserve and the New Army, contains no doubt a considerable proportion of officers whose age is higher, relatively, to their rank than that of Regular officers, but I am unable to regard this as a reason for the general grant of more rapid promotion. The rules provide for accelerated permanent promotion in cases specially recommended; but acting and temporary promotion during tenure of particular appointments must be subject to the same conditions as in the case of Regular officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who have already been rejected on primary military examination are being called up for re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act; and why men whose state of health was so bad that they were placed in this category are being recalled?

Men who were previously rejected on any grounds whatever are being issued with a Statutory Order under the Review of Exceptions Act. There is no intention, however, of utilising the services for the Army of men whose state of health or physical disabilities will not permit of their undertaking military service. I should like to remind my hon. Friend that many men were rejected at the primary military examination in the earlier days of the War on quite inadequate grounds and that the country requires their services now should they be found medically fit.

Is my hon. Friend aware that since the men have, got primary rejections because it is obvious without examining them at all that they are utterly unfit, and are they to be called up?

Yes.

What is the good of taking these men away from their work for many hours for a medical examination when it is quite obvious without consulting a doctor that they are absolutely useless for the Army? I intend to raise this question on the Adjournment for Whitsuntide.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a discharged man recalled for examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act can insist upon the Medical Board producing his medical history?

The answer is in the negative.

Have not the medical boards in their possession the medical history of a man who has already appeared several times before them, and why should they not take that when a man is recalled for examination without examining the man?

That is not the question I was asked. My hon. Friend asked me whether a discharged man could insist upon the medical board producing his medical history, and I replied that he cannot.

Why cannot he do it?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who have been discharged as medically unfit from an officers' training corps will, if called up and passed fit for military service under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, be eligible for cadet corps?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the Artists and Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps. A man discharged from one of these as medically unfit, if called up for military service and found to be in one of the higher medical categories, could be re-enlisted in his former unit on application to the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the authorities intend to persist in calling up Mr. John Lawrence Bouts, who is suffering from defective vision, right and left eyes, from defective hearing, from angina pectoris, and left varicocele, in spite of the medical certificates produced from three different medical men and in spite of the fact that the man will almost certainly die as a result of any severe-training?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the information to enable me to identify the gentleman to whom the question refers, I will cause inquiries to be made, and inform him of the result.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have already given him that information, and that he has had it for several days?

My hon. Friend has given me so much information.

Is it not a fact that my hon. Friend has that specific information, and can he not get somebody to prepare his answers to questions properly?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if he will have immediate inquiry made into the case of Corporal Miller, No. 31830, 6/7th Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was taken under escort from Whalley Hospital on 12th May to Southampton and put into the guardroom and then sent to France on 15th May; and will he ascertain what charge there was against this soldier, and why a soldier who was in an unfit physical condition, suffering from trench feet, was taken practically straight from hospital to France; (2) if he is aware that men in the Army Service Corps, Blackheath Camp, who have been classified B 1, are being ordered to parade for medical inspection; that the inspection consists of what is called doubling for 20 yards, and that every man who does not drop dead under this test is re-classified A 1; and what steps he proposes to take to put a stop to this method of medical re-examination?

A report has been called for as to the matters raised in this and the next question, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Will the hon. Gentleman accelerate matters in the case of Miller?

I will do my best.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether service badge men recalled to the Colours will be permitted to wear their silver badges when they are called up

If my hon. Friend refers to wearing silver badges with uniform, the answer is in the negative.

Is my hon. Friend prepared to say that the War Office position is that men who have already been awarded the silver badge by the King are not to be allowed to wear it when recalled to the Colours; and, if they are not, why?

The silver badge was given to a man who has served in the Army and who is no longer in uniform.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is an Army Order in existence which forbids the discharge of epileptics from the Army; and, if so, what is its number and date of issue?

The instructions issued on 9th December on this point lay down that a soldier suffering from epilepsy will not be discharged on that account alone, unless his incapacity is such as to unfit him for any military employment suitable to C 3 men. He will be reclassified in a category from which men are eligible for transfer to Class P or P (T) of the Reserve.

In view of that, can my hon. Friend tell me, seeing that in that case he retains epileptics, why, if these men are pensionable, he says that the disease is not attributable to service?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether Victor Hawkins, in receipt of 13s. 9d. a week disability pension, has been called up and classified C 3 under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act; whether this is the case already submitted to the War Office concerning which the Member for East Edinburgh was informed that the man need have no apprehension as to the result of re-examination; what he proposes to do in the circumstances; (2) whether, on the 9th and 10th May, a warder in charge of six patients from an asylum attended Warley medical board for re-examination; and what was the result of the examination?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Mr. G. Frost, of 46, Aden Grove, Stoke Newington, was rejected on re-examination by the Shoreditch medical board, on 1st September, 1916, as unfit for any form of military service; whether he was not given the discharge to which he was entitled under the Army Council Instruction of 13th July, 1916, that in a letter, dated 17th April, 1917, the Under-Secretary for War informed the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow that the recruiting officer would issue Army Form B 2,079 to Mr. Frost as soon as certain documents were received, and that no certificate of discharge has yet been issued to Mr. Frost, but that he has been summoned for re-examination on 26th May; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Frost is entitled not to be re-examined until six months after the date of his discharge, he will cancel the notice for re-examination and cause a discharge to be issued to him?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) why the application of the parents of Private Hill, No. 2534, D Company, 14th Platoon, 92nd Training Reserve Battalion, Chisledon Camp, for his release from the Army has not been granted, seeing that this boy is only fifteen years and seven months old and that he was obviously not more than that age, yet the recruiting officer accepted him; (2) if he will make careful inquiries into the conduct of the military medical board in passing into the Army Private — No. 31476, C Company, 3rd Battalion, Gloucester Regiment, Milstead Camp, whose medical history is that he has been discharged as incurable from Bristol General Hospital suffering from chronic Bright's disease, and that within the last three years he has been continuously out of work owing to illness for a period of eighteen months, that when he attested he was classed C 3 kidney complaint, V. D. H., and was sent as a clerk to the office of the medical staff, and was for weeks a patient in the southern base hospital, and he has now been passed for general service by a medical board without the slightest examination?

I am afraid that in each of these questions it is necessary to secure reports on the points raised. I will communicate with my hon. Friends as to the points raised as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Cannot my hon. Friend give instructions from the War Office that men who are at the present moment in lunatic asylums, discharged from the Army, should not be recalled for re-examination, and that a simple letter from the superintendent of these asylums to the recruiting officer should serve, so that these men should not suffer this further indignity?

I am not quite sure that I can accept my hon. Friend's statement of fact.

It is so.

All these men have to do when they get the form is to fill in the statement on the back.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when these forms are returned so filled in, the recruiting officer refuses to take any notice of them? Will he give instructions that the terms of the law are to be carried out?

How can lunatics fill up forms?

Seeing that my hon. Friend has had several months' notice of question 27, can he now state whether this man will receive the discharge which in his letter to me a month ago he promised me he should receive?

If I ever said that in a letter to my hon. Friend it would be done.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the question on the Paper: as this man has been recalled, will he cancel the call up for re-examination until be gets his discharge and then postpone the examination until six months after the discharge?

I think my hon. Friend's statement must be contradictory. I cannot understand now a man who is not discharged can be called up for re-examination.

We must have regard to the number of questions on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Irish labourers of military age who come over to Scotland for potato digging during this summer and remain there for five or six months are to be exempt from military service?

Irish labourers who come over to Scotland for the purpose of potato digging during the summer are covered by the arrangements entered into between the War Office and the Board of Trade, and, as such, on application to an Employment Exchange will be given cards as evidence that they are ordinarily resident in Ireland and only temporarily resident in Great Britain for the purpose of being employed upon agriculture.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a raid on Friday night last in the East End of London, when gangs of police and Australian soldiers armed with knuckledusters entered a number of billiard clubs and public restaurants, stopped tramcars, and seized every man there and arrested numbers of men in the street; whether several hundreds were arrested and kept in crowded cells for a large part of the night; and how many persons evading their military obligations were discovered by this process?

I cannot at present answer this question. I have called for a report.

Will my hon. Friend also inquire how many of these policemen were men of military age?

When shall I put the question again?

On Friday.

May I have an answer to my question?

I have already called on the next question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will supply the number of soldiers now serving at each of the following ages: eighteen, nineteen, and twenty?

I am afraid that I cannot supply this information.

asked whether there exists any national organisation, either supported or subsidised by the State, for the purpose of finding employment for men who have been discharged from the Services through wounds or illness?

Yes, Sir. The work of finding suitable employment for men who have been discharged from the Services through wounds or illness is carried out by the Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour and the Local War Pensions Committee of the War Pensions Statutory Committee. Arrangements have been made by which the Admiralty and War Office supply the Employment Exchanges and the War Pensions Committee with particulars of men about to be discharged, and I think I may say that the joint efforts of these bodies to find the men suitable employment have been very successful.

Does this organisation give temporary relief before they find employment?

That does not come within my scope.

asked the Home Secretary why a deportation order has been issued or is about to be issued for the return to France of René Keller, a French subject of military age, in view of the fact that Keller has offered to enlist in the British Army and has been given an identity book marked to the effect that he may be accepted for the Army Service Corps; and whether, in view of the fact that Keller has permanently established his home in this country and intends to become naturalised, he will be allowed to join the British Army in accordance with the declaration made by the Government to Parliament.

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given with reference to this case on the 27th April by the Under-Secretary of State for War.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Mid- Scotland Canal Association has collected many data over a long series of years that might be of advantage to the Admiralty authorities entrusted with the examination of the strategic and commercial value and of the cost and route of a canal across Scotland; and whether he will make use of the Association in his inquiries?

The Admiralty have, I think, already had before them such data as are necessary to form an opinion on the naval aspects of the proposed canal. Its economic aspects are, I need hardly point out, not a matter for the Admiralty.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any decision has been come to with regard to the canal?

No, I think not.

May we take it that the Admiralty now admit that this canal would have been of great strategical importance during this War, and will they, therefore, take it into consideration in the future?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down the question.

May I ask whether due regard will be given to the commercial value of the canal in order that the two rival routes may have consideration given them both from the naval as well as the commercial aspect?

We are concerned only with the naval aspect of the matter. I have no doubt that those responsible will give proper consideration to the commercial interests involved.

Has any decision been arrived at as to the cutting of this canal?

No, I think not.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of their great experience of war staff work, whether the advice of the imperial general staff was sought when the naval war staff was formed in 1912 or on the occasion of its recent reconstruction?

The general staff were consulted informally on both occasions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that a married ordinary seaman who has allotted 5s. a week to his wife has only 3s. 9d. a week and his messing allowance of 5d. a day remaining, and that owing to increased prices the messing allowance has become insufficient, with the result that ordinary seamen can scarcely avoid additional messing bills amounting to 5s. a month or more, he will make representations in the proper quarter in favour of the messing allowance being increased at an early date to meet the increase in prices that has taken place since the allowance of 5d. a day for messing allowance was fixed?

The staple articles of a seaman's diet are provided by the standard daily ration, which consists mainly of bread, meat, vegetables, sugar, tea, chocolate, condensed milk, and jam. Over and above that comes the messing allowance, the two together being a survival, in modified form, of the old complete fixed daily ration and "savings" system. Before the War, this messing allowance was at the rate of 4d. a day. It was increased by ½d. early in the War, and another ld. has since been added to compensate for reduction in the amount of bread and sugar provided in the standard daily ration. It, therefore, now stands at 5½. a day. Although the prices of goods sold in the canteens on board ship have increased, the prices charged for Government provisions, which the men can purchase out of their messing allowance, are the same now as before the War. These consist, for example, of fresh and tinned meats, tinned salmon, bread and flour, sugar, tea, coffee, jam, condensed milk, dried beans and peas, etc. No representation has been received from the Fleet that the present rate of messing allowance is inadequate, and, having regard to the concession mentioned above, I doubt whether there is justification at present for undertaking the expense involved in my hon. Friend's suggestion. But, without giving any undertaking, the matter shall be further investigated

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if boys in the Navy who are under eighteen, when they are allowed home on leave, have frequently to pay the same fares on the railways as if they were men; and if he will arrange to allow them to travel on the railways at reduced fares as compared with the fares for men belonging to the Navy?

Boys under training are entitled when proceeding on leave to travel at the special cheap rate of half single fare for the double journey. After completion of training, they are entitled to the same privilege fare as other ratings, namely, single fare for the double journey. In each case the fare is calculated at the rate in operation prior to 1st January last, i.e., it is not subject to the 50 per cent. increase charged to the general public. The boys participate in all the free travelling facilities which are granted to other ratings. The question of extending to all boy ratings the special cheap fare which is now in operation for boys under training is receiving consideration. But I can give no undertaking in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements the Admiralty have made for pensioning naval ratings whose first time for pensions, twenty-two years, terminated prior to hostilities breaking out, and who subsequently re-engaged for a further period of five years, this five years having expired, such expiry synchronising with the age of 50 being reached?

There is a misprint in the question; but it presumably relates to men who completed time for pension before 2nd August, 1914, and re-engaged for a further five years, which period has since expired. In normal cases such men would be only about forty-five years of age on the completion of the further engagement referred to, and not fifty years of age, as suggested. As already stated in previous replies to various hon. Members, the services of such men are retained under the Royal Proclamation of 3rd August, 1914, made in pursuance of the Naval Enlistment Act of 1853. I may add that the position of these men, and of men who have completed time for pension since the outbreak of war, is now under consideration at the Admiralty.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) if he is aware that, in the case of a Post Office employé who joined the Army and whose wife and three children were allowed 8s. 3d. per week in order to bring the man's Army pay and allowances up to his pre-war pay, on the 15th January when the Army separation allowance was increased by 5s. per week the Post Office allowance was reduced by 5s. per week, thus depriving his wife and children of any benefit of the increased separation allowance; if this was done with the sanction of the War Office; (2) if he is aware that, in the case of a Post Office employé who joined the Army and whose wife and three children were allowed 8s. 3d. weekly in order to bring the man's Army pay and allowances up to his pre-war pay, on the 15th January, when the Army separation allowance was increased by 5s. per week, the Post Office allowance was reduced by 5s. per week; can he give any explanation; and (3), if he is aware that in the case of a wife of a Post Office employé to whom 8s. 8d. had been allowed, the Post Office suddenly sent a notice to say that this payment ought to have been reduced to 3s. 8d. per week as from the 15th January, and demanding that the extra Army allowance of 5s. per week for four weeks should be forwarded to the Post Office and, further, that when this woman stated that she could not afford to repay the whole sum at once but offered to pay it back by weekly instalments, that her request was refused and she was informed that she would receive no pay until the Post Office instructions had been complied with; and will he say what action he will take in this case?

Under the standing Regulations, married Post Office servants, like other Civil servants, are allowed the balance of their civil pay after deduction of 7s. a week in respect of Army pay and of the actual amount of the separation allowances. Any increase in the separation allowances necessarily, therefore, results in a corresponding de- crease of the balance of civil pay. The first instalments of the increased allowances were paid by the War Office four weeks in arrears; and to prevent hardship in the case of married Post Office servants I arranged for the corresponding deductions from the balance of civil pay also to be deferred for four weeks on the understanding that the over-payments would be refunded when the War Office paid the arrears of the separation allowances. The recipients should have had no difficulty in complying with the instructions given to them in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why Chief Engine-room Artificer Hogge was promoted, seeing that he only joined the Royal Naval Reserve on the outbreak of war, he having only served twelve months in the "Laforey," torpedo-boat destroyer, and after that serving in His Majesty's ship "Blenheim," a repair ship, working solely at his trade of coppersmith during this time, and that he was then, in November, 1916, promoted to chief engine-room artificer, Royal Naval Reserve, and placed in authority over two engine-room artificers both of whom were coppersmiths, one of whom had sixteen years' service and the other twelve years' service, this chief engine-room artificer being promoted direct from a home depot and not having passed the examination for chief engine-room artificer?

The question apparently refers to Thomas A. Hogge. His conduct and ability having been considered in every way most satisfactory, he was, as stated, promoted to the rank of chief engine-room artificer, the examination in the circumstances being waived.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that French and Belgian prisoners of war with only one arm, one leg, or one eye have been exchanged by Germany with their men similarly afflicted; and if he will endeavour to secure the same privileges for English prisoners under similar conditions?

On 13th January last a proposal was made to the German Government to the effect that British and German combatant prisoners of war should be entitled to repatriation on the same grounds as were already mutually accepted in the case of French and German prisoners. The new proposal is embodied in a schedule rather less severe than that at present in force, and should therefore bring about the release of a somewhat larger number of prisoners if agreed to. It is, however, limited to those who are judged to be totally incapable of further service. I should add that under the existing schedule the loss of a limb is held to be sufficient ground for release, as is also the loss of an eye if the other eye is affected. No reply has been received from the German Government to the new proposal, and they have been urged to send one. It may be added that the present schedule is the result of an agreement made with the German Government in December, 1914.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the declaration issued by the new Provisional Government of Russia, that it adopts openly as its aim the re-establishment of a general peace which shall not tend towards either domination over other nations or the seizure of their national possessions or the violent usurpation of their territories, a peace without annexations or indemnities; and, in view of this more definite statement of Russia's aims, can he state whether the other Allies will continue to refuse to consider terms of peace based on these principles?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to the general statement which I made to the House on the 16th instant.

May I ask the Noble Lord if it follows that the Allies are determined to continue the War on a policy of annexation in defiance of the wishes of the Russian Government?

No, Sir. The hon. Member knows perfectly well that is not the intention of this country and its Allies, and he only puts the question in order to add to the difficulties.

Has the Noble Lord's attention been called to the reception in Petrograd of his speech, and does he know that his speech has created these difficulties? His statement with regard to myself is a lie.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received official information of the discouraging effect in Russia of the failure of the British Government, in the Debate of 16th May, to accept the policy of the Russian democracy as expressed by the Russian Government and the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, and whether any steps are being taken by the Government to remove this unfortunate impression?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. No intimation, official or otherwise, to the effect stated in the first part of the question has reached His Majesty's Government. I have, however, seen a telegram from Petrograd in the Press which makes certain criticisms on the declarations made by the British Government in the Debate of the 16th. The criticisms proceed on an entire misconception of what was then stated, and it is difficult to believe that they can be founded on any decently accurate report of them.

The whole foundation of the telegram is that I criticised the programme of the Council of Delegates. The House will recollect that I expressly disclaimed any such intention; that, on the contrary, accepting, as I did, the interpretation placed on Russian statements by the hon. Member for Leicester, I made it clear that British aims in the War were in complete harmony with those of our Russian Allies; and I laid special stress on the fact that our aims and aspirations were dictated solely by our determination to secure a peace founded on national liberty and international amity, and that all Imperialistic aims based on force or conquest were completely absent from our programme. I would emphasise the fact that the most recent declaration of the reconstituted Government of Russia is in complete harmony with this policy.

Will my Noble Friend take steps to see that his very conciliatory speech on that occasion is circulated in neutral countries, and also in Russia?

It is scarcely for me to do that. I have no doubt that Colonel Buchan will deal with that matter.

In order to dissipate all this misunderstanding, would it not be well to send a special Embassy to Russia composed of men inspired with the great idea of republicanism?

There is only one such Member in this House.

Will my Noble Friend see that an adequate report of his speech is sent not only to neutral countries, but to our Allies, since there is more than a suspicion that the methods previously taken by our own Government and the French Government have been hopelessly inadequate?

The difficulty of conveying to other countries properly the true atmosphere and spirit of what is said in this House is very familiar to me. Every step that can be taken will be taken to dissipate misunderstanding on this matter, which, I quite agree, is of vital importance.

Can the Noble Lord say what are the means taken for disseminating false information?

We all have our suspicions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has seen a copy of the letter issued by Mr. C. L. Tranchell, superintendent of police, from his office at Kandy, Ceylon, on 10th June, 1915, to an employer of labour who applied for permission to send labourers to an outlying farm, refusing the permission, and adding that if this order was disregarded the coolies were liable to be shot on sight and the writer charged by court-martial; will he say on what law this superintendent based his threat to shoot the labourer on sight; does that law expose an applicant for permission to trial by court-martial; and what official position he now occupies?

I have seen what purports to be a copy of this letter. Regulations had been issued under martial-law ordering all persons to remain in their vilages, and it was open to any police officer to issue a warning against disregarding the Regulations. Mr. Tranchell holds the appointment of superintendent of police.

Would the Regulations enable a police officer to shoot people at sight?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether voters in constituencies which under the instructions issued to the Boundary Commissioners will cease to have separate representation will be granted an opportunity to lay before the Commission their views as to the future boundaries of their constituencies; and what opportunities the House will be given to discuss the recommendations of the Commission?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The recommendations of the Commission can be discussed on the consideration of Clause 27 of the Bill and of the Fourth Schedule.

Will instructions be given that in each case where new boundaries are to be made there may be a public inquiry at which representative bodies may put forward their views?

That was the course followed in 1884 and 1885, and I think it most probable that the Commission will follow that course on this occasion.

Will it be open to the Commission themselves to decide this question, or will instructions be given by the Home Office or the Government that wherever representations are made a public inquiry shall be allowed?

I do not think that any instructions will be necessary. I happen to know that the matter is under the consideration of the Commission.

asked the Home Secretary whether each of the universities and combinations of universities to which reference is made in Clause 27, Sub-section (3), of the Representation of the People Bill will be inserted in the Third Part of the Fourth Schedule of the Bill before the Bill comes to be considered in Committee; and, if not, whether he will indicate how an opportunity will be afforded to Members of the House to amend or discuss the provisions for the future representation in Parliament of the University of London and of other universities as proposed in the Report of the Speaker's Conference?

These particulars will be put upon the Amendment Paper before Clause 27 of the Bill is considered in Committee, and there will be an opportunity of discussing the matter upon that Clause and on consideration of the Fourth Schedule.

asked the Home Secretary under what statutory or other power his warrant of appointment dated the 14th May, 1917, is signed appointing certain gentlemen to act as Commissioners to determine the number of members to be assigned to the several counties and boroughs in England and Wales and the boundaries of such counties and boroughs and divisions thereof; and whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing the instructions contained in such warrant?

The Boundary Commissioners are not appointed under any statutory power, but for the purpose of advising as to the boundaries of constituencies and the number of members to be assigned to each constituency. These particulars, when determined by the Boundary Commissioners, will be placed upon the Amendment Paper with a view to their insertion in the Bill, and will then be open to discussion in Committee. In the appointment of the Commissioners the procedure adopted in 1884-5 has been followed.

asked the Home Secretary whether, before the proportional representation provisions of the Representation of the People Bill are reached, he will circulate a White Paper showing what method is proposed for the reallocation of the surplus voting papers or surplus votes of an elected candidate who has more votes than the necessary quota; and what is the proposed arrangement for by-elections in multi-member constituencies?

The method of allocating surplus votes will be prescribed by Order in Council under Section 15, Sub-section (4), of the Bill, and I hope before that Clause is reached in Committee to circulate a White Paper containing draft regulations for the purpose. In answer to the last part of the question, the provisions for proportional representation apply only to General Elections. At by-elections the usual procedure would be followed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the treatment of employés in remount depots in Dublin; if he will cause inquiries to be made into the treatment of James Marsh, up to lately employed as groom at Island Bridge; if this man met with an accident at Arbour Hill in June last and received half-pay for only six months, and is now a cripple for life; what compensation the Government propose to give this man to enable him to provide for his wife and seven children; and if there are a number of similar cases where men after accident were thrown out without compensation?

As a medical board which examined this man on 4th December, 1916, reported that he was fit to work, no further compensation was payable to him. But if his condition has become bad again as the result of the injury, his case will be reconsidered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army rations have been reduced in scale, either for men on active service or for those on duty in this country; and, if so, what was the former scale and what is the present scale?

Some modifications in the scale of rations have been made, the principal of which are as follows:

For troops at home, as from 1st March, the bread ration has been reduced from 16 ozs. to 14 ozs.

For troops in France no change has been made in the previous scale of 1 1b. of meat and 1 lb. of bread for troops in the firing line.

For line of communication units, however, the scale has been reduced, as from 17th April, from 16 ozs. to 12 ozs. of meat, from 16 ozs. to 14 ozs. of bread, from 3 ozs. to 2 ozs. of sugar, from 4 ozs. to 3 ozs. of bacon.

Are we to understand that there is no other reduction than in bread for the home troops?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement as to the results of the recent fighting, and as to the present position of the British Forces, in Palestine?

asked the Prime Minister if he can make any statement as to the operations in Palestine?

As already announced, the operations in Southern Palestine which took place between the 17th and 19th April resulted, after heavy fighting, in the capture of the Turkish advanced positions in the vicinity of Gaza, and we are now in close touch with the enemy's main positions defending the town between the sea and Sheikh Abbas, a front of 14,000 yards. This position has been extended by a series of redoubts and trenches to Abu Hareira, 11 miles southeast of Gaza. The Turkish forces, which have been reinforced, have made good use of natural obstacles, and their main position in front of Gaza is one of great strength, while the left flank is protected by broken and waterless country. In view of these conditions, our progress has necessarily been slow and there has been no serious fighting since 19th April, but we have continued to gain ground and have organised and consolidated the positions captured in April.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the War Office is satisfied with the medical arrangements that are made there, and is it true or not that thousands have died there through want of attention?

I do not think the House will expect me to answer that offhand.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Director of Timber Supplies has appointed an Advisory Committee for England and Scotland to administer rules in connection with restriction in the use of packing cases; and, if so, why has Ireland not been given a representative, where the industry is practically at a standstill?

It has already been suggested to the linen exporters of Belfast that they should establish an Advisory Committee on the lines that have been followed at Manchester, Glasgow, and elsewhere.

Why are not the same facilities in regard to packing cases given to Belfast merchants that are so freely given to merchants in Manchester and Glasgow?

I do not think there is any difference at all.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in one case in my Constituency, owing to the fact that they cannot get packing cases, one firm is about to close down, unless they are able to get the facilities which are given in England and Scotland?

The hon. Member asked me if the Director of Timber Supplies will appoint an Advisory Committee, such as it is suggested he has appointed in the case of Great Britain. The Director of Timber Supplies has not appointed an Advisory Committee in respect of Great Britain. He has been in correspondence with chambers of commerce and other authoritative bodies of that kind, and he has made the same suggestion in the case of Ireland as he has made in the case of Great Britain.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are quantities of food useful for human beings and for the Army, such as pressed sausages and pork, which are being held up in Ireland owing to the lack of packing cases?

Has the hon. Gentleman communicated with any authorities in Ireland in connection with this matter?

Yes. The Director of Timber Supplies has communicated, I understand, with representatives of the linen industry and others in Belfast.

Would the hon. Gentleman nominate somebody in the city of Dublin to deal with these purely Irish matters, because of the time it takes to get communications from the industrial centres in Ireland?

It is not a question of appointing anyone. We are trying to get the traders to organise themselves.

If the Chamber of Commerce of Belfast accept this committee and nominate a member of the committee in the same position as Bradford and Glasgow, will the Department accept the decision, because it is a very important matter?

It is not a question of nominating a member to a committee; it is a question of nominating the committee itself. That is all we have asked the trade in the various parts of the United Kingdom to do.

Why not a Director of Timber Supplies for Ireland? [HON. MEMBERS: "Home Rule!"]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether, notwithstanding that a field ambulance of the Territorial Forces is a definite unit even in peace time and its establishment is laid down as consisting of a lieutenant-colonel, two majors, and others, promotions to these posts are being withheld for long periods although suitable men are recommended for them; if so, whether this state of affairs will be remedied; (2) whether vacancies on the medical staffs of field ambulances of the Territorial Forces are frequently filled by promoting officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps (Regular Forces), to the exclusion of Territorial officers of longer service, notwithstanding that such officers have been recommended for promotion by their commanding officers; and whether, in fairness to medical men who gave their services to the Territorial Force before the War, promotions will be regulated by considerations of merit and of work performed; (3) whether all applications for promotion made on behalf of medical officers of the Territorial Forces who joined prior to the outbreak of War are now refused on the plea that promotions in the Royal Army Medical Corps are in abeyance; and whether steps will be taken to facilitate promotions which have been earned by long and faithful service?

It is not the fact that all promotions in the Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force) are refused on the grounds stated. When suitable officers with the requisite qualifications, service, and experience are available, promotions are made. Only when such officers are not available for command are regular or temporary officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps brought in. Promotion in the Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force) is now under consideration by the Committee of which my right hon. Friend the Member for Dundee is chairman.

Will the hon. Gentleman have this question examined properly, as there is a widespread feeling amongst medical men of the Territorial Force that they have been at a disadvantage in having entered that force before the beginning of the War?

I will draw my right hon. Friend's attention to it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the reason why wheelers who have joined the Army Service Corps and were paid at the rate of 5s. per day have had their pay, since they went to France, reduced to 1s. 8d. per day; and whether, in view of the fact that these men were promised 5s. per day when they enlisted, he will restore the old rate of pay?

If the hon. Member will give me further particulars I will have inquiry made.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that Civil servants called to the Colours have their pay made up to them less the amount of their Army pay, he will consider making up the loss in the case of all other men serving who do not have this privilege and who are contributing out of their smaller pay taxes to pay for these advantages to men fighting alongside of them?

The hon. Member omits to take account of the fact that the State is the employer of the Civil servant.

Why, when we put a question to the Prime Minister on a matter of principle, do we get a reply from some other Minister on an administrative point? My question is one of policy to the Leader of the House. I will raise this on the Adjournment to-night.

asked the Prime Minister whether any further extension of the control of breweries during the War by the Liquor Control Board or any other Board appointed by the Government, either with or without the view of their ultimate purchase by the State, will be deferred until this House has had full opportunity of discussing the matter?

No big scheme such as is suggested by my hon. Friend will be adopted without the knowledge of the House of Commons.

Is this prior to the adoption, or will it be discussed after it has been adopted?

I said it would not be adopted until it came before the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the reasons for the reluctance shown by the authorities to initiate air raids as a reprisal for the sinking of hospital ships and other enemy outrages?

I have no statement to make on the subject

Have we not put ourselves in a humiliating position by adopting a great principle and then on a question of expediency—

That seems to be a matter for argument.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that it has been stated on behalf of the Government that the publication of casualty lists in newspapers was rendered impossible by shortage of paper, and in view of the obligation to reduce as far as possible the period of suspense between the cessation of private correspondence and the receipt of information, and, seeing that the daily newspapers are prepared to negotiate the sale of at least half their columns for giving the required publicity, will he consider the advisability of taking advantage of this medium to ensure the publication of the casualty lists, and thereby relieve the condition of anxiety existing?

As the House is aware, the next-of-kin are always informed of casualties at the earliest possible moment. As to the wider notification of casualties I am in communication with the leading newspaper authorities and hope with their co-operation to find means of continuing some form of publication notwithstanding the shortage of paper supplies.

Is it a fact that these papers are not prepared to do it unless they are paid for it, and will the Government pay for it?

I am in communication with the authorities now.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed that the new Committee for considering the development of our air policy after the War shall have its first sitting; and whether its proceedings will be in secret or if it is proposed to lay any of its recommendations upon the Table?

The proceedings of the Civil Aerial Transport Committee which will meet immediately after Whitsuntide, will be, in any case for the present, entirely confidential. Until the nature of the Committee's recommendation is known it is not possible to answer the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the figures recently issued by the Board of Trade showing that many food essentials have increased in price in some cases by 172 per cent.; whether his attention has been directed to the current market prices in London showing that the increase in retail prices in some cases reaches 400 per cent.; whether he has any information as to the persons or firms who are profiting by this increase: whether any proportion of the sums involved have been returned to the State as excess profits; and what means are being taken to ensure such return?

I have been asked to reply. The Board of Trade returns show increases in retail prices ranging from 56 per cent. for margarine to 172 per cent. for granulated sugar, and averaging 98 per cent. for all the principal articles of food, since the beginning of the War. The prices of some subsidiary articles of food have risen even more, but in London no article shows an increase approaching 400 per cent., with the exception of haricot beans. The liability for excess profits duty of the persons or firms who have profited by this increase will be ascertained in the usual manner. It is not a matter for the Ministry of Food.

Will they be selected for special treatment under the Excess Profits Duty?

Are any steps going to be taken to protect the poor people who have to pay these prices, whether they go in excess profits or not?

Yes; steps are perpetually being taken with that object, but they are by no means so easy as some hon. Members seem to imagine. There is a danger, of course, of taking such steps as would involve the disappearance of a number of these commodities from the market altogether.

If the hon. Gentleman finds it necessary in the public interest, will he still go on taking steps?

Is my hon. Friend aware that as a result of the Food Controller's instructions in relation to beans many City merchants have cancelled orders for beans, oatmeal, and other cereals, amounting to hundreds of thousands of bags, which food we shall not get in this country on account of the Food Controller taking over these things coming from abroad?

I cannot answer that precisely. It is clearly directed to Burmah beans. The Food Controller having since taken control of all beans at the source of supply, such an eventuality is not likely to occur in future.

I shall raise this on the Adjournment on Friday.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he has had his attention called to a resolution passed by the Lincolnshire Farmers' Union last Friday, to the effect that in the best interest of the nation it was inadvisable to plough up such a large proportion of permanent pasture until all possible means have been taken to increase the production of foodstuff on the existing arable land, and pointing out that thousands of acres of could be made to produce twice the amount per acre that is now obtained if sufficient artificial manure and labour were available, and that a very grave injury will be done to the great national industry of agriculture, with very doubtful results, by ploughing up such a large proportion of the grass land on which the flocks and herds of this country are reared; whether, in view of such an expression coming from the representative of the farmers in the premier agricultural county of England, he will cause immediate and searching inquiry to be made into the allegations; and, if he finds that they are borne out by fact, whether he will take such steps as will obviate the disaster feared by the Lincolnshire Farmers' Union?

The resolution in question has not yet reached the Board. The Board is convinced that increased production of food is urgently necessary as a measure of national security, and cannot be accomplished under present conditions without a considerable addition to the area of arable land.

Will it be left to the local agricultural committees in the various counties to decide what lands are to be broken up or what shall be left under grass?

Each war agricultural committee has been told the quota of land in their area which ought to be ploughed up for the 1918 crop.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any representative members of the oatmeal trade in Scotland were consulted before the prices were fixed; and whether he intends to take any action in response to complaints which are reaching him that the prices fixed by him interfere with the food economy campaign?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction caused in Scotland owing to the price of oatmeal having been fixed by the Food Controller at 5½d. a pound, which represents a considerable advance on the previous high prices charged, and bears no fair relation to the price fixed for oats; and whether he will take steps to have the price reconsidered and fixed at a lower figure?

In view of the increase of the wholesale price of oatmeal in some cases to 52s. per cwt. ex mill, the Food Controller fixed a maximum price after consultation with persons familiar with the Scottish oatmeal trade. Now that the fixing of the price of oats has had time to affect the wholesale price of oatmeal, and holders of stocks bought at a higher rate have disposed of such stocks, it is proposed to reduce the maximum retail price of oatmeal to 4½d. in Scotland and 5d. in England and Ireland.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the case that several mills in Scotland are shut down owing to the impossibility of obtaining oats?

I am not in a position to reply definitely to that, but it is common knowledge that there is a scarcity of oats throughout the United Kingdom.

Will the hon. Gentleman point out to the Petrol Committee how very largely their action is responsible for increasing the consumption of oats by horses?

It hardly comes within my sphere, but I take it that petrol and oats are equally scarce.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now inform the House whom he has appointed as Liquor Controller?

No such appointment has been made.