asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Dr. R. W. Seton-Watson is, or has been, employed at the Foreign Office in the Department under Colonel Buchan; if so, when his employment began; and whether his position is paid or honorary?

Dr. Seton-Watson is employed in Colonel Buchan's Department of Information, but not in a branch located at the Foreign Office. His employment began, on the 7th of May. He draws no salary apart from his Army pay.

In view of the fact that he was sent by the tribunal to military service, is the Foreign Office in this sense overriding the decision of the tribunal?

Is it not well known that Dr. Seton-Watson is the very greatest authority and in the view of any intelligent man would not a gentleman of his attainments be more usefully employed where he is than in any other occupation?

I have great respect for Dr. Seton-Watson's attainments. As to the question of the hon. Member (Mr. King), perhaps he will give notice.

Is it not a fact that many Jingo editors have secured exemption in these sort of ways from military service and that this is not an exceptional case?

Is it not a fact that Dr. Seton-Watson did not appeal against military service and therefore never appeared before any military tribunal, but was taken out of the Royal Army Medical Corps by the direct action of the War Office and the Foreign Office in collaboration, and therefore whatever responsibility may be lies entirely with the officials and not with Dr. Seton-Watson?

I do not know the circumstances of this particular case, but I am quite sure what the hon. Member suggests is accurate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when Colonel Buchan was appointed to his present position at the Foreign Office; if this office is paid, what is the amount receivable by him; whether Colonel Buchan also receives payment from the War Office; and whether the position held is a permanent appointment or made only for the emergency of the War?

Colonel Buchan was appointed Director of Information by the Prime Minister (under whose orders he is) in February last at a salary of £l,000 a year. He receives no payment from the War Office. His appointment was made for the emergency of the War.

As he is directly under the Prime Minister, may we assume that he is not acting under the Foreign Secretary or under the Foreign Office?

Are we to understand that decisions taken by this Department are decisions within the cognisance of the Prime Minister, such as the suppression of the foreign circulation of the "Nation"?

The answer to the hon. Member (Mr. King) is that he is responsible to the Prime Minister and not to the Foreign Minister?

asked whether Colonel Buchan, who is in charge of a Department of the Foreign Office, is on the Army List; when was he appointed to his present rank; what were his previous military experiences and attainments; and whether he receives any pay from the War Office?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His present rank dates from 25th February, 1917. He has special qualifications for his present post, but, apart from being an officer in the Intelligence Corps for the preceding eight months, he has had no military experience. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Would it not have done just as well to have made him a lieutenant? Would he not have done just as well on that pay in that position?

I understand that in the interests of the work he is doing he ought to have his present rank.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the advantage of the use of intoxicating drink in the Army is found to outweigh the value of the human food destroyed for its production, in addition to the 60 per cent, of the offences dealt with by the military authorities attributed to drink; whether most of the venereal disease in the Army is also due to this habit; and, seeing that there have been good soldiers who used no intoxicants, whether the use of intoxicants in the Army will be discontinued?

No intoxicating drink is issued to the Army except on the recommendation of medical officers. If, however, the hon. Gentleman refers to canteens, I consider that they are a safeguard against drunkenness, as they provide good light beer under regulated conditions as an alternative to unregulated drinking outside the canteen. I must not be taken as accepting the hon. Gentleman's suggestion as to the percentage of military offences due to drink. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. O'Connor and Mullins, Irishmen banished from Ireland last February without charge or trial and interned at Wetherby, have been absent from that district any night during that time; whether he is aware that they have been accustomed to go away for a day, returning the same evening, and that, on mentioning last Saturday their intention to visit Leeds and return the same evening they were, again without charge, arrested and imprisoned in the police station by order of the military; and will he specify the Statute under which the military thus assume control over civilians, the charge in this case, when the accused are to be tried, and whether by a civil or by a military Court?

I am not aware whether these two men have been away from Wetherby either for the night or for the day. On 19th May, when they were on their way to the railway station, they were requested by an inspector of police to accompany him to the police station. This action was taken as a precautionary measure under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, in view of the men's statements of their intention and of the fact that several other individuals who were under like restrictions had effected their escapes under similar circumstances. They were detained pending the necessary investigation of their case and were released on this being completed. No charge was, or will be, made against them in respect of the matter referred to in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of enemy aliens who have been exempted from internment have been visited by the police and shown a document from the Home Office saying that they are eligible for military service, and ordering them to present themselves to the recruiting office within forty-eight hours, threatening them with internment in the event of their failing to report themselves; and whether, seeing that it is an offence against international law to attempt to get these men to take up arms against their own country, this method of enlistment will be immediately stopped?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The hon. Member has been misinformed. A certain number of enemy subjects who have been here since childhood and have been exempted from internment have had their attention drawn to the special Army Order permitting the enlistment of such persons in a works battalion, but no threat of internment was made to them. There has been no question of compelling any enemy subject to take up arms against his own country.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that 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 is aware that he was not given the discharge to which he was entitled under the Army Council instruction of 13th July, 1917, 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 2079 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?

Further inquiries have been made into this case. Mr. Frost was medically rejected on the 1st September, 1916. The matter was gene into by the War Office on a letter from my hon. Friend in March last, and instructions were sent that a discharge certificate was to be issued to Mr. Frost on its being ascertained that he had been medically rejected. It appears, however, that in February Mr. Frost had changed his address, and that he took no steps in the matter until the 13th March, when he called at the recruiting office, Stoke Newington. He had not then notified his change of address to the national registration authorites, and he therefore did not come on to the military register at Stoke Newington. Mr. Frost was then advised to notify his change of address, in order that the discharge certificate could be issued to him on the necessary notification being sent from the Stoke Newington Recruiting Office. His papers were not received at Stoke Newington until after instructions had been issued in consequence of the passing of the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act cancelling the Instruction of the 13th July, 1916, under which Army Form B. 2079 was issued to attested men who were medically rejected. In any case, as my hon. Friend was informed on the 8th May, the date from which the period of six months should count is the date upon which the man appeared before, and was rejected by a medical board, and if Army Form B. 2079 had been issued to Mr. Frost, it should have shown that date. Mr. Frost's position, therefore, is not altered to his detriment. It being now more than six months since he was rejected, he has been rightly sent an order to come up for reexamination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, 1917.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on a previous occasion he gave me a promise that a discharge would be issued to any man who was rejected while an order promising discharge or to the effect that he ought to be discharged was in force?

My hon. Friend's question has no bearing on the answer I gave. Mr. Frost was rejected on 1st September, 1916, and he has been rightly sent an order to present himself for re-examination.

If he was rejected on the 1st September, is it not the case that from the 1st September up to last month he was entitled to receive his discharge, and that that certificate of discharge has been wrongfully withheld from him by the military authorities?

My hon. Friend did not listen to my answer. I explained to him that largely owing to Mr. Frost's change of address the certificate was not sent to him.

Is it not a fact that Mr. Frost kept calling day by day at the recruiting office asking for his discharge?

I cannot believe, if I may say so, that this is true. If Mr. Frost was really anxious to get his discharge he might very well have told the recruiting authorities that he had changed his address.

asked, with regard to certain conscientious objectors arrested in Glasgow of whom the civil authorities at Barlinnie Prison, refused to accept custody and who were thereafter sent to Perth Prison and, after completion of their sentence at Perth, were returned to Hawick early in April, whether they were tried by court-martial at Craigmillar camp, Duddington, on 1st May; if so, with what result; and whether any opportunity has been given them of engaging in work under the Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; these men were dealt with under Army Order X of 25th May, 1916, were found guilty of disobedience to orders and sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour. I am not aware whether they have appeared yet before the Central Tribunal. As I have already informed my hon. Friend, they will have an opportunity of appearing before the Central Tribunal, who will decide whether they shall be recommended for work of national importance under the Brace Committee.

Is it not more than a month since they were sentenced by court-martial, and have no steps whatever been taken to give them an opportunity of engaging in work of public importance under the Committee for Conscientious Objectors?

I do not think the War Office has anything to do with asking these men to appear before the Central Tribunal. They have to send in an application, and whenever there is an opportunity they will be heard.

asked the Under-Secretary for War, with reference to the men of the Highland Light Infantry who formed part of a military working party at Morecambe and who, not being considered fit for heavy labouring work, were registered but not enrolled as Army Reserve munition workers and were returned to Hipswell Camp, whether he is aware that these men desired to be enrolled as Army Reserve munition workers, but were refused permission on the ground "that they were not fit for heavy labouring work, and that they are now employed only on odd fatigue jobs in camp; and if he will consider whether these men could be more usefully employed in the national interest on munitions or other work in the Clyde area?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. My hon. Friend will realise that it is not always possible for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions to place men in the districts where they desire to work, as the paramount consideration is to place them where they are most needed in the national interest.

Is it not the case that these men were desirous of enrolling and were refused permission?

I am informed not.

asked which, if any, of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee appointed to inquire into the supply of nurses have been carried out?

Yes, Sir; the bulk of the recommendations have been carried out. There are one or two financial questions under consideration, and in the case of one or two other recommendations we are in communication with the Joint Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Irish dependants of soldiers in the British Army are given any increased allowance on adverse change of circumstances; if so, what increased allowance is due to Mrs. Bridget Wilson, Streete, Westmeath, a widow these five months, now destitute, mother and dependant of John Wilson, No. 10346, Leinster Regiment, Salonika; and, having regard to her debts incurred in the burial of her husband and her own maintenance, whether the arrears will be paid immediately?

No allowance is issuable from Army funds in the circumstances mentioned in the question, but the local war pensions, etc., committee may, subject to conditions, grant a special separation allowance in cases where, owing to the death of the father or other relative who was the chief means of support of the family to which the soldier belongs, the responsibility for the maintenance of the home would have fallen upon the soldier.

Will the hon. Gentleman say to whom application is to be made in these cases?

I think to the secretary of the local war pensions committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any representation from the War Pensions Statutory Committee as to the duties which they have hitherto performed; and whether it is proposed to make any change in their relations with the Ministry of Pensions?

Such a representation as is referred to by the hon. Member has been received, and is under the consideration of the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that "Pearson's Weekly" newspaper is advertising an announcement that the Minister of Pensions has agreed to deal" specially with points raised by readers of that paper: and, if so, whether it is with the sanction of the Cabinet that the Minister of Pensions has placed his services at the disposal of this newspaper to the exclusion of all others?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

How does the right hon. Gentleman account for the statement appearing in this paper that he would deal with all applications from readers of that paper?

I can only say that so far as I understood the question of the hon. Gentleman was whether any special arrangement was made with this paper to the exclusion of other papers. That is not true. Therefore the Prime Minister could not possibly have seen it or heard it.

Is it accurate that the Minister for Pensions had agreed with that particular newspaper to deal with the complaints of the readers of that newspaper?

I have nothing further to add to the answer I have already given.

The Minister is not responsible for what appears in the newspapers.

Oh, yes! [HON MEMBERS: "No, no!"]

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he is aware that a British steamer which loaded in a certain British port was ordered to another British port, then to a French port, where she arrived at 2.30 a.m. on 3rd May, but was prevented from entering that port by the examination boat, which came out and ordered the master to hang off till daylight, when a pilot would be sent to him; whether he is aware that two hours afterwards this steamer was torpedoed by an enemy submarine; whether he can state why permission was not given to the master to enter the port; and whether he will see that representations are made to the French authorities with a view to preventing further disasters of a like nature?

The vessel which is presumed to be referred to was unavoidably kept waiting outside the French port for a period of about two hours, because there was reason to believe that mines bad been laid, and that it would be dangerous for her to enter. At the end of that time she struck a mine in what was supposed to be a safe channel, and more mines were afterwards discovered. It appears that such measures as were possible were taken to prevent mishap, but, unfortunately, without success.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is quite customary for the French authorities to keep British shipping dodging about at night off the ports to suit the convenience of the pilots?

I do not think that arises out of the question. As regards the specific question, I have made careful inquiry, and am satisfied that the precautions taken were proper precautions.

They did not succeed, did they?

asked for information as to the number of steamers, together with their respective gross registered tonnage, which have arrived with coal at West African ports since 1st January, 1917, and the time each of these steamers occupied in discharging their coal; how many of these steamers carried cargoes of coal for account of warships; and whether it is the practice to allocate certain colliers to certain warships, keeping the colliers waiting for the specified warships, or whether various warships replenish their bunkers as required from one collier, enabling that steamer to be discharged promptly, utilising the steamers in turn as they arrive instead of keeping a large number of collier's partially discharged for lengthy periods, thereby wasting tonnage?

I regret that it is not considered desirable in the public interest to give the information asked for in this question. I may say, however, with regard to the last part of it that it is not the practice to allocate certain colliers to certain warships, but that they are normally cleared in the order of their arrival, unless, of course, special considerations arise which prevent this being done.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when this improved method was instituted? It must have been quite recently, because seven ships were lying there a short time ago.

The course taken is clearly expressed in the answer I have given. There is no question of a ship being allocated to a certain warship. It is a question of meeting the need that arises at any particular moment.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that it has been constantly the practice to allocate particular colliers to warships, and that within the last ten days?

That is a question which my hon. Friend should address to the representative of the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether be is aware that a three-deck steamer of large measurement capacity was requisitioned and taken away from her liner employment to carry a cargo of coal to Trinidad although she was unsuitable for this purpose; whether lie is aware that after arrival in Trinidad she lay ten days idle before breaking bulk, and that the cargo was not discharged until twenty-six days after arrival; and whether, in view of the unsuitability of three-deck steamers for carrying coal, means and methods will be adopted to prevent such waste in future?

I am aware that a vessel of the type described was used for the purpose indicated. Unfortunately, it is not infrequently the case that so many vessels are required to carry coal for war purposes that it is impossible to use solely such ships as would be devoted to carrying coal in time of peace. This, I am sure, the hon. Member will readily understand. As regards the particular vessel referred to, her cargo was partly discharged at Trinidad and partly at St. Lucia, a fact of which the hon. Member does not appear to be aware. Her movements, of course, followed upon the necessities of His Majesty's ships.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this steamer occupied at least three weeks longer in discharging than she ought to have done, and that she was bringing a cargo of sugar home to this country, which was badly wanted, and that she was delayed three weeks?

My information is that the movements of this vessel were determined by the needs of His Majesty's warships, and there is nothing to add to that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether is is aware that a British steamer of about 10,000 tons capacity arrived from a foreign port in Falmouth about the end of March; whether she lay at that port awaiting orders for two days, was then ordered to a French port where she lay two days again awaiting orders, was then ordered to another French port, where she lay about eight days awaiting orders; whether the master was then ordered to another French port, but was unable to enter that port on account of his draught; whether she was eventually sent across the Channel to Southampton, where her cargo was discharged into several other vessels, occupying about a month in doing so; whether one of those vessels was sent across the Channel short of some 2,000 tons of her carrying capacity; and whether greater care will be exercised to prevent this waste of tonnage?

My hon. Friend has been misinformed.

Oh, no.

The first vessel referred to was, it is true, delayed at certain ports, but what is described in my hon. Friend's question as "awaiting orders" was, in fact, proper regard for the safety of the vessel, and the further actual delay was the result of a collision, of which my hon. Friend does not appear to have been informed. In the case of the second ship referred to, there was no waste of carrying capacity. Her cargo, which had to be loaded into her as it was discharged from the former vessel, happened to be of heavy weight, with the result that although she loaded her full deadweight capacity she had empty space. It is not the case that any avoidable waste of tonnage occurred in connection with these ships.

Can the hon. Gentleman say who was responsible for ordering the vessel in question to Boulogne, into which port it was impossible for her to get?

The hon. Gentleman has put down this question in ignorance of the facts of the case.

Oh, no.

He has suggested to the public in his question that this vessel was improperly handled. If he knew that a collision occurred he ought to have stated that in the question.

May I point out that my question is strictly accurate so far as the delays at different ports are concerned?

The hon. Gentleman gave the public to understand that this vessel was delayed through mishandling. As a matter of fact, it was delayed through a collision.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have not been guilty of the motive he imputes to me, namely, to mislead the public, but to bring home to his Department the waste of tonnage, of which this ship is an illustration?

I did not say that he deliberately misled the public.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that a British steamer on a recent trip fom Southampton to a French port carried, amongst other cargo, 350 tons of corrugated iron which had been loaded by night and day work, and that on arrival at the French port the master was told they did not require this corrugated iron and was ordered to carry it back again to Southampton; and whether he will undertake that greater intelligence and co-ordination will be exercised to prevent this wasteful procedure?

The hon. Member has again been misinformed. The quantity of iron on board on the occasion referred to was only thirty-six tons. The ship commenced to load galvanised iron for a French port, but on receipt of an urgent demand for hay from a different port in France the loading of iron was stopped, and the vessel completed with hay. The quantity of hay excluded by the thirty-six tons of iron on board was, as the hon. Member will understand, quite insignificant, and the delay which would have resulted from the discharging of this small bulk cargo would have been a disadvantage. It follows that it is the suggestion of the hon. Member, and not the practical course taken, which would have been wasteful.

Will the hon. Gentleman make further inquiries, and he will find my statement correct?

I have made very careful inquiry, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the amount of iron on board was thirty-six tons.

asked the number of lighters which were captured from the Germans when the British forces occupied the Cameroons; and whether these lighters are still in the possession of the British authorities, or if they have been sold, and, if the latter, when they were sold?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. About forty lighters were captured from the Germans. The majority of them have been on loan to the French Administration of the Cameroons since 1st April, 1916, and some have been retained for the use of the British and Nigerian Governments. From a telegram recently received, it appears that some, which had been wrecked, were sold at the end of last month. I am inquiring further into the matter.

I am quite sure that my right hon. Friend has given me correct information, and therefore I presume that he will now be aware that I have received incorrect information from the hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Shipping Control on the 8th of May.

asked the number of wharves at Duala and Tiko, West Coast of Africa, respectively, and the depth of water alongside these wharves?

According to the information at my disposal, there is only one wharf of any consequence at Duala. It has a depth of water of 23 feet. There are two or three other wharves suitable only for lighters. As to Tiko, there is one wharf 450 feet long at this place, with a depth of 16 feet alongside.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, in view of the possibility of a glut of potatoes in a few months, the Government will consider the best methods of conserving the quantities necessary for food for man and beast during the ensuing twelve months and also the scientific utilisation of any surplus in substitution for other products ordinarily plentiful but now difficult to obtain?

I have been asked to reply. A Committee has been appointed to advise the Ministry of Food on all questions relating to the marketing and distribution of the 1917 potato crop. The points raised by the question will be considered by this Committee in due course. There is at present no reason to suppose, allowing for the usual storage in clamps on the farms, that the crop will exceed the ordinary requirements of human consumption.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that within the last few weeks, in reply to a similar question which I asked, he suggested that it was foolish to anticipate the crop, and that we had no idea what the crop was going to be at all?

That is so. The conditions have so enormously changed owing to the extremely favourable weather during the last three weeks that it would not be inconsistent if any answer varied somewhat.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Tea (Net Weight) Order, 1917, contained no provision as to the local officers to be entrusted with its enforcement; that a further Order has been issued by the Board placing the working of the Tea Order in England and Wales in charge of the district councils, which in practice means the sanitary inspectors, not the inspectors of weights and measures who are provided with the standards; whether he has taken into consideration that this will lead to inefficiency and overlapping owing to two classes of local officers being entrusted with the cognate duties of examining the means of weighing a pound of tea in a shop and of seeing that the pound of tea has been properly weighed and labelled; and whether he proposes to take any further action?

The hon. Member also asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Local Authorities (Food Control) Order (No. 1), 1917, placed the duty of enforcing the Bread Order, 1917, the Manufacture of Flour and Bread Order (No. 2), 1917, Clause 5, as varied by the Manufacture of Flour and Bread Order (No. 3), 1917, and the Cake and Pastry Order, 1917, on the sanitary authorities of municipal boroughs and rural district councils in England and Wales, which involved that sanitary inspectors should enforce these Orders; whether, seeing that previous to the Local Authorities (Food Control) Order (No. 1), 1917, the Food Controller had assigned to inspectors of weights and measures throughout England and Wales the duty of enforcing these Orders, this Order by the Local Government Board was issued after consultation with the Food Controller; whether the Food Controller has decided that sanitary inspectors oil urban and rural districts with their ordinary duties to perform, and with eleven other Orders of the Food Controller to carry out, can more efficiently work these three Orders than those inspectors of county councils who regularly visit shops in connection with the inspection of weights and measures; and, if not, whether he will continue to allow county council inspectors to enforce these necessary Orders in their county areas, unless in any area under borough or urban or rural or district councils which contains a population exceeding 20,000?

The Order of the Local Government Board, which was made by arrangement with the Food Controller, leaves it to the local authority to arrange as they think fit for the enforcement of the Orders of the Food Controller, and I do not anticipate that it will lead to inefficiency and overlapping.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if raw sugars from Demerara, Jamaica, and other Colonies are regularly distributed for grocery and other purposes without passing through any refinery in this country; if so, can he explain to the House what difference there is in general appearance and quality or in analysis between such sugars and the Cuban and Java sugars which the Food Controller insists on being refined before distribution to the public; and can he state if any complaints have ever been made regarding the presence of lice, beetles, and lizards in the raw sugars he has permitted to be used?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The sugars which are not refined in this country are prepared in their country of origin for direct consumption. The Cuban and other raw sugars which are not allowed to be issued in their raw state are prepared much less carefully with a view to subsequent refinement. I have already informed the hon. Member the causes which render such sugars unsuitable for direct consumption. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, but animal ingredients such as those mentioned by the hon. Member have been found in the sugars which he apparently desires to have issued to the public without refinement. It is not long since a lizard arrived here alive in one of the bags of raw sugar from Cuba. I may add that Cuban raw sugars are packed in bags weighing 3 cwt. each and are often bagged hot, with the result that they arrive as a solid mass which can only be broken up with a sledge hammer. This is a further objection to any proposal to issue such sugar direct to the grocery trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any inquiry has yet been held into the conduct of the two European town guards who, at Kalagedihena, Ceylon, on 5th June, 1915, pursued and fired on two Sinhalese, shot one of them, and, according to the deposition of J. A. S. Nona Hamine, shot her husband, an old man who was standing near his cottage; whether he is aware that people were terrified from relieving the wounded fugitive until he died after seven hours' agony under a broiling sun; that the escaped fugitive also swears that he saw Nona Hamine's husband shot dead; whether the town guards allege any offence, or any form of trial, in either case; and whether any compensation has been made to dependants?

The Governor has forwarded a report on this case, from which it appeas that these men were shot while escaping armed from a house used as a meeting place for rioters. Rioting was in progress in the district. I see no ground for suggesting compensation in such a case.

asked whether negotiations are taking place for the sale of 80,000 acres of land north north-west of Umtali and upon the banks of the Odzi River, in Southern Rhodesia; whether this land forms part of the unalienated land the ownership of which is in dispute, and is now the subject of special reference to the judicial committee of the Privy Council; whether other trans actions of a similar nature, are taking place; and hat steps are being taken to protect the interests of the Crown and the people of Rhodesia ending the receipt of the advice of the judicial committee?

I have no information with regard to the particular transaction referred to but there is no reason to doubt the power of the company to dispose of unalienated land subject to the provisions of Article 81 of the Southern Rhodesia Order in Council, 1898, securing to the natives land sufficient for their occupation. The question which will be decided by the Privy Council is whether the company own the land as their private property or only as an administrative and public asset.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether he is aware that a number of aliens, having volunteered for National Service, have been threatened by persons alleging that they are sent by the War Office or Scotland Yard, who tell them that they must not leave their present positions, but remain ready to join the British Army; and whether proper steps are taken to safeguard the services of aliens desiring to serve the land of their adoption in its hour of need?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have not been able to identify the incidents referred to; but if my hon. Friend will give me further particulars I will inquire.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any facilities are provided in the post office, Glasgow, for female sorters sitting while at work; and, if not, how long daily are they required to stand at work?

Seats are provided at the primary and road sorting frames. The work in the newspaper and parcel sections cannot be performed in a sitting position, and forms are provided at these sections for the use of officers who may want to sit down for a short interval after being on duty for more than two hours at busy periods. At slack periods sitting, however, is general. The arrangement is well understood, and full advantage is, and has always been, taken of it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the arrangement is suitable?

From the information that I have obtained.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), as representing the Treasury, if he will state the amount derived in the past financial year from the additional Income Tax charged on securities which the Treasury is willing to purchase?

The amount of the additional Income Tax assessed up to 5th April, 1917, is, approximately, £70,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps have been taken to ascertain which of the two rival routes is more suitable for strategic aid commercial purposes of a canal across Scotland?

The data available are sufficient to enable an opinion to be formed as to which of the alternative routes is better suited to naval requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is the intention of the Railway Executive Committee to further increase railway passenger fares?

There is no present intention to increase railway fares.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken by the Coal Controller in order to provide in London for next winter sufficient stocks of coal for small consumers; and if he intends to call any conference of London local authorities to consider the questions of storage and distribution?

I am not at present in a position to add to my reply to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for the Dartford Division on the 25th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing the importance, of enabling Members of the House of Commons to answer their constituents' inquiries, he will state what assistance manufacturers in the United Kingdom and British merchants trading abroad are to receive from the British Trade Corporation under the charter which has been granted; have the manufacturers and merchants any rights under this charter; and is the corporation under any obligation to satisfy those rights?

The objects of the British Trade Corporation are expressed in the charter, and may be briefly summarised as the providing of financial facilities for British traders and manufacturers to enable them to develop their business, particularly in relation to overseas markets and undertakings. Naturally, no particular manufacturer or merchant has a specific right to assistance from the corporation. The corporation, however, is bound to give substantial effect to its objects, and failure so to do would expose it to proceedings to annul the charter. I may add that His Majesty's Government have every confidence that the corporation will loyally employ the powers conferred on it for the purposes for which they were granted.

Under what clause in the charter is there any obligation on the company to perform anything?

I think that my hon. Friend will find that a further statement will be made in explanation of the charter in this respect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any agreement has been made between the British Trade Corporation and the British Government through the Board of Trade defining the services to be rendered to British manufacturers and merchants, and is there any penalty for the non-performance on the part of the British Trade Corporation of the obligations imposed by such agreement; and is any independent tribunal provided in the event of complaints from industrials and merchants who are unable to secure the assistance intended to be provided for them?

I would suggest to the hon. Member that he should await the statement which will be made on behalf of the Government in the resumed Debate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the resumed Debate on the British Trade Corporation charter is likely to take place; and will it be possible for the Government to circulate a copy of any proposed amendments of the charter before such Debate?

I hope to be able to arrange a day next week, and before the discussion the modifications proposed by the Government will be circulated as a White Paper.

Will the Debate take place on a Motion for the Adjournment, or in what form?

I have not considered the matter, but I should assume that it will be on the Board of Trade Vote. I will answer the question later.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House any information as to the military position in Mesopotamia?

I have not received the notice given of the question, but, in any case, there is no fresh information that I can give.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the ignorance which appears to exist about the part being taken in the War by our American Allies, he will state the nature and extent of the financial support being given to this country and the other Allies, respectively, by the Government of the United States?

So far, a sum of 400,000,000 dollars has been advanced to this country by the Government of the United States, Announcements, to which I am not in a position to add anything, have been published in Washington from time to time as to the amounts advanced to the other Allies.

asked the Prime Minister whether any arrangements have been made to enable the Irish prisoners at Lewes to consider the proposed plans for the settlement of the Irish question; if they will be released or afforded opportunities to discuss the proposals; and if he is aware that no settlement will be considered satisfactory without the Irish prisoners' consent?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of removing all causes of internal friction, he will advise a general amnesty of all Irish prisoners detained as a result of political disturbances?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the majority of the Irish race at home and abroad considered that the state of their motherland since its occupation by the English always justified resistance to that rule; and whether, as they only differed with their kinsmen at home who fought in Easter week, 1916, as to the opportune moment of attempting to throw it off, he will as a condition precedent to the summoning of a peace conference between the two nations styled a Convention of Irishmen hand over to the charge of their own countrymen or treat as prisoners of war those men and women now in English prisons and forced to herd with moral and Other criminals because of their action in Easter week of last year?

I cannot at present add anything to what has previously been said on this subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make an announcement to the House about these Irish prisoners, and is he aware that they are being starved at the present moment?

I am not at all aware that they are being starved, and I can add nothing to the answer I have already given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the prisoners was sent to a criminal lunatic asylum for hunger strike, and will he make inquiry?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he can give the House the terms of reference of the Convention to be summoned to make recommendations to the Imperial Parliament on the problems of Irish government; (2) whether he can give the House any information as to the numbers and composition of the Convention summoned to discuss the government of Ireland; has the status and voting power of members of the Convention who are nominated by the Government and not elected or nominated by any of the five Irish political parties represented in this House been laid down; (3) whether any conditions laid down by any of the five political parties in Ireland before agreeing to be represented at the forthcoming Irish Convention have been, or will be, communicated to the leaders of the four other parties before the first meeting of the Convention; (4) whether, in the event of an invitation being extended to local authorities to send representatives to the forthcoming Irish Convention, the Government have intimated or will intimate the desirability of the representation of minorities from these bodies by means of election by the method of proportional representation?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information to the House in regard to the progress that has been made in connection with the summoning of the proposed Irish Convention?

I cannot say more in answer to these questions than that the Government completed last week their proposals as to the composition of the Convention, and we are now awaiting the decision of some of the parties interested, who, I understand, are holding committees to consider it in the next fey days.

In answer to Question No. 50, can the right hon. Gentleman say anything as to the possibility of adopting a system of proportional representation?

I do not think it is desirable that I should say anything more on the subject than I have already stated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to inform the House whether the Irish political prisoners at Lewes, who have been invited to attend this Convention, have accepted the invitation?

I cannot add anything to my answer to the question, and I was not aware of their having been invited to attend.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to give any information to the House as to the results of the British mission to America?

I do not think it is useful at present to say more than that His Majesty's Government are more than satisfied with the results of this mission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total revenue collected from Ireland under each head in the financial year ending 31st March, 1917, and the amount to which the aggregate is reduced by Treasury adjustment; and will he explain how it happens that, whether in peace or in war, the result of Treasury adjustment is always to reduce, never to increase, the amount of revenue for which credit is given to Ireland?

The annual Return giving the particulars asked for by the hon. Member is in course of preparation, and will be circulated as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether persons in receipt of the old age pension are entitled to draw Army pensions for loss of sons or other relatives who were supporting them before the War; if he will say whether Army authorities are entitled to deduct old age pension from Army allowances or pensions which parents are entitled to for the death of their sons in the War; and if he will say whether persons drawing Army funds will be allowed to draw old age pensions?

The first and second parts of this question should be addressed to the Ministry of Pensions. The answer to the third part is that a person in receipt of Army pension can draw an old age pension, provided that his means, including the Army pension, do not exceed the statutory limit and he is otherwise entitled.

( by Private Notice. ) asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council has applied for the services of a limited number of women to perform military telegraph and telephone work in France; whether these women will wear uniform and be under military control; whether they will be liable to punishment for offences against rules, and, if so, what form of punishment?

As is well known, the substitution of women for soldiers is a system which is rapidly growing, and it is hoped will be productive of most satisfactory results, but in all schemes of substitution it is essential that the security of service on the part of the woman substitute may be assured. The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps is being recruited on a military basis, and the women of this organisation are normally subject to the Army Act under the provisions of Section 176 (10) as being "persons not otherwise subject to military law who accompany His Majesty's troops when employed on active service." It is clear that it would be undesirable to attempt to maintain discipline in such organisations by enforcing the penalties which the Army Act provides, and in consequence a code has been introduced under the Defence of the Realm Regulation 42c, which is intended to secure the discipline of women's organisations without having recourse to the necessity of the appearance of women offenders before courts-martial. The Regulation provides for the appearance of an offender before a Court of Summary Jurisdiction for any of the offences which are embodied in the Regulation, thus eliminating the necessity otherwise of disposing of offenders by courts-martial which would only be competent to award a sentence of imprisonment as a minimum, whereas a Court of Summary Jurisdiction can at their discretion impose a fine. It should be noted that the Regulation only applies to persons who are enrolled for employment by the Army Council, and at the present moment the only persons so enrolled are the members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.

Again, owing to the fact that the members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps are neither commissioned nor enlisted, the power of requiring obedience to command within their own organisation does not under the Army Act exist, and it is, therefore, necessary to secure obedience by a code of another description. The regulation is designed to secure obedience within the organisation to legitimate orders which it may be necessary from time to time to issue. It should be recollected, of course, that the powers taken under the Defence of the Realm Regulations do not run outside the United Kingdom, but the contract of service provides for infractions of the regulations of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the form of enrolment.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is prepared to make a statement for the reassurance of the public as to the prevention of daylight raids by enemy aeroplanes by the adoption of a policy of reprisals on the principle of two bombs for one on enemy towns of equal military significance to those recently raided by the enemy in this country; also, ii he will consider the standardisation throughout the United Kingdom of a system of warning both for day and night raids; whether he will reconsider the Government's decision to refuse compensation to the people of this country who have become victims of our inadequate air defences; whether he will appoint a Commander-in-Chief to be in sole and absolute control of the air defences of this country, or, alternatively, whether he will request the Admiralty to' instruct the Vice-Admiral Commanding Dover Patrol to prevent the concentration in Flanders of enemy aeroplane raiding squadrons by employing the facilities at his disposal in the squadrons of the R.N.A.S. in Flanders under his command; and whether, failing the adoption of some or all of these expedients, he will instruct the competent military authorities to make arrangements for the immediate evacuation of the entire civil population of all the towns on the east and south-east coasts within striking distance of the known enemy aeroplane concentration bases in Flanders?

Many places in the occupation of the enemy of at least equal military importance to the towns recently raided are constantly bombed by our air forces. Zeebrugge alone was raided on twenty-four separate occasions in April and May, when over 1,000 bombs, containing thirty tons of explosives, were dropped; the system of warning for day and night raids is being improved; the reply to the third part of the question is in the negative. As regards the fourth part, the Commander-in-Chief Home Forces is in control of the air defences of the country; in these circumstances the Government is not prepared to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

May I ask is it the intention to use the principle of reprisal raids when the enemy raids towns of no military importance and kills people in this country?

It is the intention to use our air forces in the way in which it is considered they may inflict the greatest amount of damage on the enemy.

Are you prepared to consider the question of compensation for poor people who have been injured and whose property has been destroyed owing to inadequate air service?

That question has been discussed many times.

Is the Government prepared to consider it?

This question of the air defences being insufficient, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that it is the fact that the German aeroplanes coming in the daylight come at something like 12,000 feet in height, and that they come singly and concentrate when they arrive here, and that it is extraordinarily difficult to prevent them?

I am sure the House fully realises the point raised by my hon. Friend. The Government and the War Office and the Air Board have been in constant communication as to the best method of dealing with the matter.

What Minister is at present in charge of the air defences?

I have said that all the air defences at home are entirely under the control of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Forces. As regards the general Air Service there is, as the House knows, an Air Board, and there is also the Army and Navy in control.

I asked about a Minister of Air.

I have said there is no Minister in command of the air forces.

Member for the East Herts Division of Hertford, rose in his place, and asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the recent enemy aeroplane raids and the lack of an adequate offensive to prevent the same," but the pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr.. SPEAKER called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and, less than forty Members having accordingly risen, the House proceeded to the Business of the Day.

In pursuance of the notice I gave in the House on the 25th of May that I would, at the first meeting of the House, call your attention to the conduct of Mr. Deputy-Speaker on that occasion, I desire to do so now.

That is not the proper method of raising the question. I have no control over the action of the Deputy-Speaker. The proper course is to put a Motion down.

My statement was being made on a matter of privilege, and I ask your permission and that of the House to, if I am not allowed to deal with this particular mattter, at least to continue that statement which was then improperly interrupted. I ask it on these grounds: As you will remember, on the 17th of May, you promised, on behalf of the House, that the privilege case which I was then raising would be in no worse position and would not be ruled out of time by reason of its not having been dealt with on the 17th of May. Therefore, if you do not allow me to refer to the conduct of Mr. Deputy-Speaker on the 25th of May, I claim the fulfilment of the promise you gave me on the 17th of May, that the case I was then raising would be in no worse position and that you would not rule it out of time by reason of its not having been then dealt with.

That case was brought up again by the hon. Gentleman. I did not rule it out on the ground that it was out of time, but I ruled it out on the ground that no primâ facie case had been made out.

After you had given the ruling you said: I think it would be desirable to take a little more time. The hon. Gentleman will be in no worse position. I will not rule that he is out of time because the Motion is not taken to-day. I will take a little more time for consideration. I shall still have to consider whether there is a primâ facie , case made out."—[OFFICIAL REPORT 17th May 1917, col. 1784, Vol. XCIII.]

I did take more time. Some days later the matter was again raised, and on that occasion I came to the conclusion that there was no prima facie case made out.

On the subsequent occasion on which the matter was raised you ruled me out on some ground or other, which is not stated in the record, and which was not stated in the House. I claim the fulfilment of your pledge made on behalf of the House.

I fulfilled my pledge. I have not ruled the hon. Member out on the ground that he was not in time. I did take time to consider the case which he raised, and after fully considering it and comparing it with the case of the other hon. Member which he raised on a former occasion, I came to the conclusion that there was no primâ facie case made out for the suggestion that there had been any breach of privilege.

You had not the whole case before you.

The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day.