asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many commissioned officers of the Royal Flying Corps are at present attached to Adastral House or the Hotel Cecil; and how many of these are certified pilots?

The number of commissioned officers of the Royal Flying Corps at present attached to Adastral House and the Hotel Cecil is 207, of whom twenty-nine are certified pilots.

In view of the great pressure at the front to get certified pilots, and in view of the sending out of partially-trained men, will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending out some of these certified men?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many commissioned officers of the Royal Naval Air Service are at present attached to the Hotel Cecil or the Admiralty; and how many of these are certified pilots?

Two hundred and nine commissioned officers connected with the Royal Naval Air Service are at present attached to the Royal Naval Air Department at the Hotel Cecil and the Admiralty, of whom thirty-eight have qualified as pilots, including the Fifth Sea Lord.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of the certificated pilots in the Royal Naval Air Service are on active service?

Approximately 84 per cent. of the trained pilots borne are on active service at home and abroad.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is yet able to give any information as to why the allotment made by William Christie, No. 45,955, 2nd air mechanic, No. A Flight, 47th Squadron, Salonika Forces, Salonika, in November has not yet been paid to his wife, although at least ten or twelve applications have been made to the Pay Office on the subject?

The paymaster reports that he has not received any authority to increase the allotment, and until that is received I am afraid that nothing can be done. The soldier should therefore take up the matter with his commanding officer.

Is there not far too much red-tape about this sort of thing, and is the hon. Gentleman not aware that according to the general report the Pay Office is in an absolutely inefficient condition?

I have no reason to think that is so. If my hon. Friend can give me any information, I will certainly make inquiry, and see whether anything can be done.

Has not the soldier to see his commanding officer?

There is communication with the commanding officer in order to see whether the man's wishes can be ascertained.

Does the hon. Gentleman not see that where there is this very great delay, in the meantime the soldier's wife is suffering very great hardship?

It is the soldier's own fault.

I am very sorry if she has ground of complaint.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a special committee of experts for the purpose of endeavouring to solve without further delay the problem of launching aeroplanes from and returning to warships under active service conditions?

The whole question is receiving the most careful consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question affects the visibility of the Fleet, and that it has received no serious attention at all for two and a half years, and will he see that it does?

I have just said it is receiving the most careful consideration.

Can he say whether it is satisfactory?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of organising a raiding squadron composed of pilots and machines at present unemployed in this country?

All the possibilities, of employing aircraft are fully considered by those responsible. All the machines in this country have a definite purpose in view.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why it is held to be in the interests of the country to withhold information in connection with the air raids which have been carried out in the past against the enemy centres and submarine bases?

Communications respecting such raids have from time to time been issued to the Press.

Are we to understand that all the raids which have taken place from Dunkirk in the last twelve months have been communicated to the Press?

I say that communications have been issued to the Press, and I observe that as regards various raids there have been no fewer than twenty-seven.

Are we to understand that for the last twelve months a matter of many thousands of machines have only inititated twenty-seven raids?

I did not say that.

Then what are we to understand? I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the whole question of the Naval Air Service on the Motion for the Adjournment for Easter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the authorities are satisfied with the results obtained at the trial of the new rigid airship which has been constructed for the Royal Naval Air Service?

It is not considered desirable in the public interest to give any information respecting rigid airships in this country.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will give serious consideration to the advisability of the cessation of the wasting of public money on these experiments, which cannot be productive in this War?

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the aeroplane known as R.E. I has proved spirally unstable; whether it is true that while taking deliveries of these machines at Coventry fifteen machines were smashed; whether civilian testing pilots have refused to fly this type of machine; whether it is true that in spite of the fact that this machine has proved a complete failure in France, a contract has been placed for 1,500 of them; and whether, under these circumstances, he is prepared to cancel this order and to withdraw this machine both from active service and in peace time?

This type of aeroplane has not been proved to be spirally unstable. On the contrary, it has satisfied every test by the Technical Comptroller since the formation of the Air Board and by the technical experts of the Royal Flying Corps before the formation of the Board. General Brancker, moreover, crossed the Channel on the first machine of this type to go to France. He saw it tested there also, and it is to-day the type of machine which is used by General Trenchard and his staff for their own special work. It is being used with success there, and the Expeditionary Force is asking that the supply may be expedited. In these circumstances, it is not proposed to cancel the orders placed. I am informed that it is not an easy machine to fly and that it requires the skill of an experienced pilot. I have no knowledge of the refusal of any civilian pilot to fly it, but I think it right to state that some young officers—six, I think—did object to do so. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

If the hon. Member remains standing when the Deputy-Speaker is standing, I shall have to ask him to leave the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council will issue an order to all commanding officers at home requiring them to allow leave to men who have gardens and allotments at home so that they may return to cultivate and plant such grounds, imposing such conditions as will admit only of leave for bonâ fide work of food production?

Arrangements have been in force for some time whereby ordinary leave and agricultural furlough can be granted under certain conditions, provided men can be spared from their military duties and are not under training for service abroad. As men on leave are not under military supervision, I am afraid that the suggestion in the last part of the question is hardly practicable.

Would it not be possible to get the guarantee, say, of the clergyman of the parish, or of some well-known local authority, that the men were actually employed on such service, and could not a great deal of such work be done by men of the Army?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of the men are now being sent out to the Front without having their usual leave? May I respectively ask the hon. Gentleman to keep that in view?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the firms of Messrs. Denny, Government brokers for the purchase of Army supplies, and Messrs Denny, bacon curers, are composed of the same persons and thus able to give preferential treatment to themselves; if he will state the rate and weekly amount of the commission paid to them as Government agents; whether this commission enabled them, without loss to themselves as bacon curers, to inflict loss on their competitors by agreeing to the reduction of the price of Irish bacon to 140s., while no competitor could, without loss, take less than 145s. per cwt.; and, seeing that the forced reduction in the price of Irish bacon, effected at the expense of bacon curers and pig raisers and by the expenditure of public money, does not reach consumers but is absorbed by Messrs. Denny as buyers and Messrs. Kearley and Tonge as traders; whether the reduction made, in effect, for the benefit of those and similar firms will be withdrawn forthwith and Irish producers be paid for their produce on the scale on which consumers are charged for it?

As regards the first part of the question, Messrs. E. M. Denny and Co., of London, are the agents employed by the War Office for the supply of bacon to the Army. This firm is distinct from the firm of Henry Denny and Sons, Limited, bacon-curers, of Cork, though the partners of the first firm have an interest in the second. It is the rule that the agents shall not buy from Messrs H. Denny and Sons except in so far as the quantities required for the Army are not obtainable from other sources and the amount thus bought does not exceed 2½ per cent. of the total purchases. As regards the second part of the question, the rate of commission is¾ of 1 per cent., with an annual maximum of £25,000, which includes the firm's expenses. In the year 1915–16 this worked out at 2–5 of 1 per cent, on the total value of the purchases made. The arrangement with Messrs. E. M. Denny and Co. has been considered on three occasions by the Advisory Committee on Army Contracts, and it has on each occasion been confirmed as the best practicable method of securing the supplies required. I am not sure that I follow the argument in the third part of the question, but it follows from the above figures that the commission on bacon at 140s. per cwt. would amount only to about 7d. per cwt., and would not compensate for a reduction in price of 5s. per cwt. The fourth part of the question does not therefore appear to arise.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most of the fourth part of the question and the whole of the parts do arise; is he aware that what he calls the first-mentioned firm has a controlling financial interest in the second-mentioned firm; is he aware that £25,000 is a substantial sum to enable one firm to eliminate competitors; whether the War Office agrees with that conduct; and whether he has given attention to the fact that no representative Irish bacon-curers except Mr. Denny consented to]40s. as the maximum, and that the consumers in this country do not get the benefit of the reduction because it is absorbed by the middlemen?

The question of fixing the price at 140s. is not a War Office matter at all.

May I ask whose matter? Is it or is it not the fact that of the representatives of the bacon curers of Ireland only Mr. Denny consented to this, and will the price be maintained under those circumstances?

May I ask whether the result of the inquiries the hon. Gentleman has made has been to show that the employment of this firm, whose principal business is Irish bacon, has not operated to the disadvantage of Wiltshire and other brands of English bacon which certainly has not had a fair share in Army orders?

I do not think it operated to the disadvantage of anyone.

Have Irish bacon curers residing in and killing the meat in Ireland the opportunity of supplying meat direct to the Army, or must they supply it through Mr. Denny, the War Office representative here?

Those questions really ought to be put down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in view of the facts that Messrs. William Whiteley and other large traders quote exactly the same price for Irish-cured as for English-cured bacon, and that such firms as Kearley and Tonge quote smoked Irish bacon at a margin of 19s. per cwt. above the price paid for green Irish sides, thus depriving the consumer of any advantage resulting from the forcible reduction of the price of Irish bacon, and giving all such advantage to such firms and to the members of the Home and Foreign Produce Exchange, will he explain the reason why, in the sole interest of those firms and members and with no advantage to consumers, Irish bacon curers, farmers, and cottagers are compelled to sell their property at a lower price than English property of the same class?

In normal times the price of Irish green bacon was invariably quoted lower than English. Prices of both Irish and English bacon at the beginning of the year were unduly inflated and were both proportionately reduced. The current prices were fixed after careful inquiry from representatives of all the parties concerned. They were not fixed in the interest of particular firms. These prices will come periodically under revision.

Does the hon. Gentleman dispute the fact that large firms quote exactly the same price for English and Irish bacon, and does he dispute the fact that no Irish curer but Mr. Denny, the agent of the Government, consented to the lowering of the Irish price?

I am not aware of the latter allegation. As regards the first, the hon. Member in his question is not comparing like with like; he is comparing green bacon with smoked bacon and wholesale prices with retail prices. The difference that he mentions represents carriage, cost of smoking, etc.

Has the hon. Gentleman given any attention to that part of the question which points out that the consumer in this country does not benefit by the reduction in the price of Irish bacon and that it is a tax on the producer without being any benefit to the consumer?

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman is aware that in the official trade organ in this country. "The Grocer," the leading houses in London quote English and Irish bacon at identically the same price, and if that is so, will he show me any official quotation which places the price of Irish bacon at 10s. a cwt. under that of English?

I am having the prices stated in the newspaper known as "The Grocer" carefully investigated; so far as I am able to ascertain, they do not appear to be official market prices.

Is he aware that at Whiteley's, Harrods', and Self ridge's the prices of English and Irish bacon are quoted at the same price side by side, and ought not that to be sufficient indication of the equality of the prices of English and Irish bacon?

:I do not think the hon. Member can be expected to know the prices in every shop.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that English wheat has been sold at Stockton-on-Tees corn market at 91s. per quarter; whether he knows that the rapidly rising price of bread is making it increasingly difficult of purchase for poor people, especially where there is a young family; and whether the Food Controller is yet in a position to announce any scheme for the more effective control and fairer distribution of food supplies?

I am aware that small quantities of English wheat have recently been sold at the price mentioned. The question of fixing a maximum price for English wheat is now under the consideration of the War Cabinet, and steps are being taken to regulate the price of flour and bread throughout the Kingdom.

In view of the increasing urgency of this question, I give notice that I will raise the whole question of food supplies and food distribution on the Motion for the Easter Adjournment.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there is always a danger of sitting on the safety-valve too long?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the shortage of food already felt in some parts of Ireland, he will state the number of acres in West Clare suitable for tillage but not now being tilled; and whether steps will be taken, by using compulsory powers or otherwise, to have all those lands divided for the tenants who will at once undertake the tillage?

No statistics are available to enable an answer to be given, to the first part of the question. In cases of default in complying with the Compulsory Tillage Regulations, the steps authorised by the Regulations will be taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman once more weigh this fact: that whereas there is a shortage of potatoes in this country and in Ireland, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of waste land in Ireland not being tilled at all? Has he the courage to face that responsibility?

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Kildeemo farm, on the estate of Lord Leconfield, West Clare, is being fully tilled in accordance with the Government scheme; and, if not, whether the portion of that farm still available to the congests will be divided amongst them without delay?

The inquiries in this case are not yet completed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board has administered the Land Act of 1909 in West Clare in such a dilatory and inefficient manner as to cause discontent; whether at the present crisis the Board has practically suspended operations; whether, in view of the gravity of the food problem in Ireland, he will advise the Board to use its powers with thoroughness and expedition; and whether he will take steps to meet any objections on the ground of finance that may be put forward to excuse inaction?

Every suitable estate offered to the Congested Districts Board in West Clare has been purchased and the Board have utilised their available resources and staff for the preparation for resale of the estates purchased as far as practicable. Only a small portion of the estates purchased and vested in the Board remain unsold, but the purchase of estates in the congested districts has been temporarily suspended, and estate improvement works have recently been discontinued in order to release workmen for the cultivation of the land for the production of food crops. In view of the gravity of the food problem in Ireland the Board have done everything which in their opinion would assist in the increase of food production. They have disposed of untenanted land as far as possible and have made available for cultivation by persons desirous of producing food crops all the suitable arable untenanted land in their possession. The Board's operations have not been hindered on the grounds of finance.

Looking at the phrasing "as far as possible," and in view of the fact that for years the Congested Districts Board have been acting as if they were deliberately delaying any working of the machine for which they were called into existence, will the right hon. Gentleman further consider the subject?

The matter is one which I hope to have the opportunity of discussing with the Congested Districts Board.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture how many agricultural commissioners have been appointed; will he give their respective salaries and state their duties; and whether they are to have offices in their different districts and the power to appoint their own staffs?

Twenty district commissioners have been appointed and nine sub-commissioners. Eight of the district commissioners are members of the permanent staff of the Board and receive their normal salaries, amounting to £6,280 a year. Some of the other district commissioners give their services voluntarily Others receive salaries from £400 to £600 a year, the total annual cost being £4,050. Two of the sub-commissioners give their services; the others are paid salaries not exceeding £200 a year, and the total annual cost of the nine appointed at present is £1,305. The duties of the district and sub-commissioners are to represent the Board in connection with the work of the war agricultural committees throughout the country, and the district commissioners are ex officio members of the county committees in their districts. Each district commissioner is authorised to engage temporary clerical assistance at a cost not exceeding 30s. a week, but no other provision is made out of public funds for local offices or staff.

Does that include the commissioners appointed under the National Service scheme?

Oh, no!

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the large increases in the rents of houses rented at more than £30 a year, in Glasgow, to which the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Act does not apply, is forcing many of the occupants of such houses to take houses at a rent below £30; whether his attention has been called to numerous advertisements in the Glasgow papers offering rewards of £5 for the opportunity of becoming tenants of a small house; whether he is aware that the purpose of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Act is thus being defeated; and whether he will consider the advisability of extending the Act to all dwelling houses?

As regards the first and last parts of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the reply which I gave him on 20th March. As regards the second and third parts, my attention has been directed to advertisements of the nature referred to. My hon. Friend will, however, realise that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to check by legislation a practice of this nature on the part of persons who desire to become tenants of small houses. The extension of the Act to all dwelling-houses would obviously not have that effect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the earliest opportunity of declaring the insertion of these advertisements of this premium illegal?

I think it would be very difficult to do that when the advertisements are inserted by the person who-desires the dwelling-house.

asked the Minister of Munitions how many women and girls have been thrown out of work through no fault of their own by the dispute at Barrow, and if he is aware that a great many of them are living far away from their homes, and have drawn no wages for the whole of last week, and what steps he proposes to take to provide for them?

I am aware that a number of women have been thrown out of work by the action of the men at Barrow in striking, but I am not aware of the exact number. I much regret the distress thus inflicted, but the responsibility must rest entirely with the men. While the Government cannot make itself responsible for relieving the women of the hardship caused them by the strike, I have instructed the local Welfare officer of the Ministry to consult with the local authorities with a view to seeing whether the difficulties of the position of the-women can be mitigated by voluntary effort.

Is the hon. Member aware that many of these women, at the direct invitation of the Ministry, have come from as far as Belfast, and from other parts of Ireland, and that they are no more responsible for what has now happened than if there had been a breakdown of machinery; and are the women going to be stranded, and neither the employers nor the Ministry accept responsibility for them?

I am fully alive to the very serious position which has been created for these women by the action of the strikers, and, as my answer has shown, the Ministry is doing what is in its. power, but if we had the desire we have certainly not the power to relieve these women at the expense of the State.

May I ask whether there is a prospect of the dispute being adjusted?

Why should not the Ministry of Munitions do what private employers constantly do in difficulties of that kind, and that is make an advance to these women against their future wages, say, 10s. a week, or something of that sort? I for one have done it very often. You practically never lose any money whatever. They always repay the money.

In this case the Ministry of Munitions are not the employers. These women are now employed by a private firm controlled by the Ministry.

Why should not the Ministry of Munitions ask the private employers to do it?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Ministry of Munitions was in exactly the same position with regard to the workpeople in the case of the explosion in East London as they are with regard to these women? The Ministry of Munitions immediately stepped in and helped them.

I may say, with regard to the question of the right hon. Baronet, that the question has been discussed informally with the firm concerned, and I understand that the firm do not see their way to relieve these women. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]

What were their excess profits last year?

We should be creating a very serious precedent indeed if the Government, whenever a certain number of workpeople were thrown out of employment as a result of the action of another body of workpeople, were to relieve them of their distress.

I would like to ask whether these are the same women who the hon. Member himself said the other day had saved England during this crisis?

They are amongst the women in the country who have done magnificent service.

And yet you will allow them to starve.

The position at present is this: a mass meeting of the men was held this morning, and that was followed by a ballot, the result of which, it was hoped, would be known by 3 o'clock. The result has not yet reached me.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether it is the case that the munition factories at Springburn, Glasgow, are paying labourers there only 6¾d. per hour, whereas ail other munition factories in Glasgow pay T½d. to 8½d and, if so, will he explain why this differentiation arises?

I have made inquiry, and find that in the factory referred to labourers are paid the rate named by my hon. Friend, that being the factory's customary rate for labourers, These labourers, however, graduate to the position of operators, and as such receive from 7¾d. to 8¾d. per hour. I find that other munition factories in the district pay from 6 5–9d. to 8¼d. per hour to labourers.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has now considered the granting to women workers in controlled establishments of advances in wages equivalent to those awarded to men by the Committee on Production in order to help to meet the increased cost of living; and whether he is in a position to make a full statement on the whole question?

On receiving the award of the Committee on Production my right hon. Friend referred the question of revising the rates prescribed by Statutory Orders for women and girls to the Special Arbitration Tribunal for advice. He has considered their recommendation, and after consulting representatives of employers and employed as well as the other Government Department affected, has decided to make a new series of Orders which will (1) raise the time-rates now prescribed by paragraph 1 (a) (i) of Order 49 for women on men's work by 4s. per week; (2) raise the time-rates now prescribed by Order 48 for girls under eighteen years on men's work, from ½d. per hour told per hour, according to the length of the working week; (3) raise the time-rates prescribed by Orders 9 and 10 for women over eighteen not on men's work by 1d. per hour when employed on time, and by ¾d. per hour when employed on piece or premium bonus; and for girls of seventeen and under eighteen by ½¼d. per hour when on time and ¼d. per hour when on piece or premium bonus; (4) give similar advances on time-rates to women and girls employed on woodwork for aircraft; (5) and to issue an interim Order prescribing rates of wages for women and girls on general woodwork other than that for aircraft comparable to the increased rates which will be payable on woodwork for aircraft. After the issue of the above Orders the wages of well over 90 per cent, of the women and girls employed in controlled establishments will have been regulated; and the case of the remainder is now under consideration.

Do I understand that some of the women will have no more than an advance of a halfpenny per hour?

That will be the case of those who are under eighteen years of age.

When will the advance date from?

From 8th April.

Why not from the 1st April, the same as in the case of the men?

It was impossible to get all the details worked out in time for that.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether orders placed in this country for the importation of agricultural tractors from America in the autumn of last year have not yet been delivered, although the machines have been awaiting shipment in America for several months; and whether he can state what arrangements will be made for the supply of transportation for these machines, so that they may be available for the autumn cultivation of the land?

The circumstances referred to in the question are only to a limited extent within my knowledge. I understand that a certain number of agricultural tractors ordered in America some months ago have not been delivered, and that some have been awaiting shipment for some weeks. Facilities for shipping these machines, in so far as they: cannot be secured through the ordinary channels, could only be afforded by the Ministry if a request were made by the Board of Agriculture, and then only subject to space being available, having regard to other urgent national requirements.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his Department have taken over for disposal all the agricultural tractors imported into this country by the Inernational Harvester company, of Great Britain; whether these tractors include machines ordered by individual, farmers for use for the spring cultivation of their own farms; and whether the Department are prepared to release the machines ordered by individual farmers, or, alternatively, what arrangements they are making to enable them to cultivate their land?

The Ministry of Munitions have not taken over for disposal all the agricultural tractors imported, into this country by the Internaional Harvester Company of Great Britain, Limited, but the Ministry have, on behalf of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, purchased from the company 186 agricultural tractors, which, it is believed, include machines ordered by individual users. The Ministry have no power to release any of these machines, as they have been and are being handed over? to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, on whose behalf the purchases have been made. The Ministry of Munitions have also diverted fifty 16-h.p. international harvester tractors to Ireland by the desire of the Department of Agriculture for? Ireland. The Ministry have made no arrangements for individual farmers to-cultivate their land. My hon. Friend' should recognise that the Ministry is acting in this matter merely as a supply department for the purchase of the machines, the disposal of which is under the control of the Board of Agriculture for England and Wales, the Board of "Agriculture for Scotland, and the Department of Agriculture for Ireland.

Am I to understand from the reply that the hon. Gentleman refers me now in this matter to the Board of Agriculture, and is he aware that the Board of Agriculture referred me to him?

I was not aware that the Board of Agriculture had referred the hon. Member to me. but, as I say, we are a supply department, and the disposal of the machines is not in our power, but in the power of the Board of Agriculture.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the Ministry of Munitions refuse to issue licences for the import of these tractors?

I cannot say that without notice.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the hardship caused to the individual farmer who has ordered a tractor, and perhaps has sold his horses on the strength of getting one, and is now left without one or the other?

I know there may be cases of individual hardship, but, on the whole, the plain is intended for the better distribution of tractors in places where they are most required.

asked the Comptroller to the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that the panel doctors are considering their position in view of the intention to exclude them for all practical purposes from the new Advisory Committee; and whether he proposes to give them adequate representation?

asked whether, as stated by Sir Robert Morant, the new Advisory Committee appointed under Section 58 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, is specifically set up for approved society work; whether he intends to form a separate Advisory Committee for doctors; and whether he is aware that Section 57 only contemplates one Advisory Committee?

Perhaps I may be allowed to refer my hon. Friends to the answers I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for the Westhoughton Division of Lancashire, West Ham, and Poplar.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention was called to a circular issued to the Press on 20th March by the directors of the official Press Bureau, stating that, before publishing any article or statement dealing with the terms of compensation to be awarded to coalowners or the adjustment of miners' wages as a result of Government control, they should submit such articles for consorship; and whether he will state upon what ground such a circular was issued to the Press?

A confidential notice was sent to the Press, at the request of the Controller of Coal Mines, suggesting caution in publishing statements on the matters referred to in the question, as they are subjects of considerable delicacy, and inaccurate or premature statements may lead to friction or other difficulties.

Am I to understand that you consider part of the work of the Press Censorship in this country to regulate statements dealing with miners' wages or on the compensation paid by the Government to the owners?

Yes, if the circumstances are likely to cause friction and stoppages of work.

Then I understand any statement of any kind ought to be first submitted to the Press Censor to deal with any statement before it is published?

I did not say so.

Does the hon. Gentleman believe he will serve any useful purpose by suppressing criticism on matters of domestic policy?

My hon. Friend will not understand anything of the kind. What the Press Censor is asked to do is not to permit statements which are inaccurate, and which might cause serious disturbance if they were allowed.

Has not the hon. Gentleman the imagination to see that all those statements might very possibly be helpful and assist towards a solution of the problem?

Surely my hon. Friend will not have the House to believe that inaccurate statements can ever be helpful?

Does inaccurate mean inconvenient?

I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is with his knowledge that a number of skilled shipwrights, who until recently were engaged on important ship constructive work at Chatham, Devonport, and Portsmouth dockyards, have been detached from that work and appointed to assist in the inspection of such materials as sail-canvas, duck-cloth, fearnought, and bunting, a class of goods with which they are quite unacquainted; why sailmakers, whose knowledge of these materials is obtained by actual experience, were not appointed to do this work as has been the practice previously; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the services of these skilled shipwrights may be used to the best possible advantage on ship constructive work?

Certain assistant draughtsmen and shipwrights were detached from Chatham, Devonport and Portsmouth yards in November last to assist the principal textile overseer on the inspection of certain work which involved the use of canvas and other textile materials. As, however, the use of other materials was also involved, it was not considered that sailmakers were suitable to undertake the work.

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Ser vice, whether he is aware that the Restricted Occupations Order is pressing hardly on numbers of workpeople in respect of employment; whether he knows that if a man has not enrolled for service he cannot obtain employment at his own trade, and that if he has enrolled employers are diffident about employing him owing to the fact that he may be taken from them at any moment; whether he is aware that certain trade unions are actually paying unemployment benefit in respect of members who would be employed but for the new Order; and whether any steps can be taken in this matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Restricted Occupations Order is intended to divert unemployed workpeople into work of primary importance, and endeavours have been made, by various means, to prevent undue hardship falling on individuals. The Director-General, however, is aware of difficulties still existing, and the matter is receiving his careful consideration. Any such cases as those to which the hon. Member refers will be inquired into if particulars are forwarded to the Director-General.

I can do that, but is it not a remarkable thing that a scheme which is intended to promote the more efficient organisation of labour is actually making it more difficult for many workpeople to get a job at all?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Controller recently fixed the price of sulphate of ammonia at £16 a ton, delivered free on rail at any station in the United Kingdom, and that the Kilcoo Cooperative Agricultural Society, county Down, in concert with local merchants, booked their orders for spring delivery so for back as last November at a much higher price than that fixed by the Controller; and whether he can say if the Controller's order has the effect of cancelling the prices in the contracts already entered into?

I am not aware that the Food Controller fixed a price, as suggested in the question. I am informed, however, that an arrangement has been made with the manufacturers whereby sulphate of ammonia will be sold at £16 per ton net cash, delivered at the nearest railway station in any part of the United Kingdom. This applies to 1-ton lots and upwards containing 24½ per cent of ammonia. For lots containing 25 per cent. of ammonia there will be an additional charge of 6s. 6d. per ton. The price to consumers taking delivery at the makers' works is, I believe, fixed at £15 10s. Whether an existing contract such as is referred to in the question is affected by the arrangement is matter of law.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, now that a large scheme is being prepared to foster education in all degrees in this country, he will take steps to secure that Ireland shall receive her proportionate share of any money Grant for educational purposes; and whether he will represent to the Treasury that the position of Irish national teachers, both male and female, is worse than that of the corresponding class in England or Scotland and that, as a preliminary, the whole financial status of these Irish teachers should be raised?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on Monday week to the hon. Member for West Kerry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity of doing something serviceable for Ireland in a perfectly capable and effective way?

I am quite sure that when a large change is being made in the arrangements for British education the condition of education in Ireland will be considered carefully and dealt with.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the desirability of giving the utmost encouragement to the popular Government now established in Russia, he will send to Petrograd a special mission, not confined to Members of the Government or to Members of Parliament, but comprising leaders of thought and champions of progressive movements, whose mission it shall be to foster fraternal relations between this country and Russia?

His Majesty's Government desire to do anything in their power to promote freedom, good order and efficiency in the great Russian community. But whether a mission composed of "leaders of thought" would conduce to this object is a matter for consideration.

In view of the fact that on the occasion of the Coronation of the Czar a special deputation was sent, will the right hon. Gentleman not now send a deputation to this new Government, having in mind the fact that one representative Republican is worth all the monarchs in Christendom?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

Hon. Members are not entitled to debate every question that is placed on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps immediately to neutralise by every means in his power the impression, said to be prevalent in Russian as a consequence of the visit there of Lord Milner, that the Government of this country was desirous of upholding the old regime and of discouraging and checking the movement for the establishment of popular rights?

I do not believe that any such impression exists. as it would be entirely contrary to fact.

Is it not evident, after the speech of the hon. Member for East Mayo the other night, that such an impression does exist both in this country and in Russia?

I have not seen any statement as to such an impression as that. I have seen statements emanating from our enemies that it was owing to Lord Milner that the Czar was overthrown.

Is the Leader of the House aware that the Foreign Office have issued an instruction to the Press that they are to deal kindly with the late Czar, and not to criticise him severely?

Obviously that is a question that ought to be put on the Paper.

Arising out of that answer, will the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it might be advisable for Lord Milner to modify the interview which he gave on his return from Russia?

That point does not rise.

asked the Prime Minister on whose initiative the Employment Exchanges were brought into cooperation with National Service; whether a scheme was given to Mr. Neville Chamberlain which he was expected to carry into effect; if so, at whose instance; and whether, in view of the failure of the scheme, a free hand will now be given to Mr. Chamberlain in order that the future arrangements may be conducted on business and common-sense lines and that the voluntary scheme may be given a fair chance?

The necessity for securing the co-operation of the Employment Exchanges was recognised at the outset by the Director-General of National Service and was sought and obtained by him on his own initiative. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part of the question, the Government are fully impressed with the necessity for giving a fair chance to the scheme of National Service on a voluntary basis. I cannot agree that the present scheme is a failure, and I may mention that the Government are giving the most anxious consideration to the best methods of removing the difficulties that must inevitably be encountered in a matter of such complexity and importance.

Is it not the fact that more than one-half of the volunteer offers received come from men already engaged in Government work or essential trades; that of the 60,000, only 3,000 names were sent to the Labour Exchanges, and can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether oven one man has yet obtained an appointment in connection with National Service?

Yes, two!

It is obvious that I cannot answer without notice for the details of trades.

Has anything been done to improve the existing scheme, so as to get some better results out of National Service?

The answer I have just read shows that steps are being taken to make the best possible use of the material.

May I inquire whether in fact the super-Cabinet has appointed a Sub-Committee to look into this question; and seeing that an announcement has been made in the newspapers about it, may not we in the House of Commons now have some announcement on the subject?

I was not aware that any announcement had been made in the newspapers.

There was!

It may be so—I did not see it. But that does not affect my answer that this question is being looked into by the Cabinet, and that a small Committee has been asked to do it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a Defence of the Realm Regulation against publication?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as the workpeople are concerned, this present scheme is really a complete failure; that the workpeople are not going to enrol under the scheme, and that a much better scheme will have to be forthcoming—although they are perfectly willing to help in the work of the nation?

I am not aware of it. I hope that if changes are necessary to secure their co-operation they will be made.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is satisfied with the results of last week's mass meetings, advertising campaign, and patriotic appeal to the people of this country to enrol for National Service; and will he state the number of volunteers to date, excluding those already employed on Government work or other work of national importance?

The Prime Minister has. asked me to reply. The results of the enrolment campaign during the past week were greatly improved and a larger number of volunteers enrolled during the week than in any previous week. The largest number of volunteers enrolled in any one day was obtained yesterday—11,034—and this is regarded as a satisfactory indication of the success of last week's campaign. The total number of volunteers up to date is 219,706, exclusive of ministers of religion, medical practitioners, foreigners, and women. About 50 per cent, of the above figure represents those engaged on work of national importance.

How much longer do the Government propose to continue this great waste of public money on experiments which, I think, and which I think the House thinks—

That is a matter of opinion.

How many of the number stated to have enrolled are Civil servants in Government Departments?

How many of these men have got positions as Government servants?

Both of those questions require notice.

I put this question a week ago; the problem cannot be solved.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in the "New Europe," a weekly journal, information relative to the decision of the Allies at the recent Rome Conference of their policy has been given, though that information has been denied to this House and the public Press, and that the editor of this journal is a man of military age whose calling-up notice was, in November last, cancelled by the War Office; and whether the "New Europe" is furnished with official information or receives other Government favours not accorded to other journals?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the negative; as regards the second part, I am informed that this man has been called up for military service and is serving as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

asked the Prime Minister whether among the speakers who addressed him on behalf of a deputation to advocate women suffrage on Thursday last was one of the principal lady officials of the Home Office; if so, whether it is in accordance with the principles which have hitherto regulated the Civil Service that a chief officer of a Government Department should take a prominent part in any political movement; and whether this case is to be regarded as a precedent for the future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; with regard to the second part of the question, in view of the fact that the circumstances on this occasion were exceptional, the Prime Minister thought it right to give special permission to women officials in the Civil Service to attend the deputation, and it was in pursuance of this general permission that the lady referred to in the question attended and spoke. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

In what sense was this deputation exceptional?

It was exceptional in the sense that an effort has been made, with a certain amount of success, to treat this as a non-controversial question.

Does my right hon. Friend expect to succeed in that view?

Will the apology take the form of a palinode?

Now that a precedent has been set up, will Civil servants generally have the opportunity of taking part in public matters? [HON- MEMBERS: "No !"]

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will make a declaration as to the treatment to be awarded to manufacturers whose works may have to be closed down owing to the Government commandeering for national purposes supplies of raw material necessary for their continuance in business?

One of the objects of the purchase or control of raw material is to secure a proper distribution of available stocks, and thus, so far as the national interest permits, to prevent disturbance of industry. As far as I have been able to ascertain, the action of Government Departments in this direction has not yet had the effect which my hon. Friend apprehends.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of excess of War Profits Tax that was budgeted for in the financial year 1916–17; and the amount that the Excess Profits Tax has realised?

The Budget Estimate of the yield of Excess Profits Duty (including Munitions Levy) in the year 1916–17 was £86,000,000, and the actual receipt amounted to £139,920,000. It will be remembered that the provision of the Finance Act, 1916, allowing interest on payments of duty made in advance of the due date was inserted after the Budget Estimate had been framed, and a sum of from £30,000,000 to £40,000,000 of the excess may be attributed to this provision.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman, when he is framing his new Budget, will make serious propositions to dip further into these excess profits?

That is one of the points I am not likely to forget.

In view of the fact that the Government fix prices, why are prices fixed which permit these enormous profits?

asked whether the Deutsche Bank in London has now been finally wound up and its licence cancelled and the premises sold; and, if not, when that vital enemy stronghold is likely to fall?

The work of handing over the securities to the Public Trustee has not yet been completed, and is proving to be work of great detail and complexity, which, owing to a further depletion of staff, is taking longer than was expected. The sale of the premises by auction had been advertised for the 19 th June and will take place on that day.

Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman said a short time ago in this House that he hoped the Deutsche Bank would be finally wound up by the end of March or the beginning of this month, will he take such steps as are possible to expedite the matter?

Really all possible steps are being taken which do not involve a waste of money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Mr. Paul Schluckwerder, a clerk in the Dresdner Bank in London, who has lately had his exemption from military service extended to 30th May next on the application of Sir W. Plender, is a British-born subject or naturalised, and, if so, when; what is his age; and, in view of the above-mentioned date, whether he can say when the said bank is likely to be finally wound up?

I am informed that Mr. Paul Schluckwerder, who has recently been exempted from military service by the City of London Tribunal until the 30th May, 1917, on the application of the Dresdner Bank, supported by the controller, was born in Germany and became a British subject by naturalisation on the 18th June, 1910. He is thirty-one years of age and classed as B 3. For similar reasons to those I have just given in connection with the Deutsche Bank, I cannot name an exact date when the affairs of the Dresdner Bank in London are likely to be finally wound up, but the premises will be offered for sale on the 19th of June next.

Seeing that this gentlemen was only naturalised in 1910, would it not in all the circumstances have been advisable to avoid the employment of a man with these antecedents?

He was born in the same village as Lord Milner.

This is really a question of the value of a man's services. He would certainly have no friends in Germany.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it will be possible to sell the premises of this Dresdner Bank?

The answer is the same as I gave with regard to the Deutsche Bank, that it will be put up for sale on the 19th June.