asked the President of the Board of Trade what extent the canals have now been able to take over the transport of coal and other minerals and so to free the railways for the carriage of other goods?

I cannot give figures showing the additional amount of coal and other minerals which is being carried over the canals, but all canal boats for which crews can be obtained are working at the present time, and it is hoped that the steps which are being taken by the Canal Control Committee, in conjunction with the Controller of Mines, may still further increase the amount of coal carried on the canals.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if he will consult the chairman of the Road Board as to whether he is in favour of a full and careful inquiry into every aspect of the New Transport Company's scheme for handling goods at railway termini and relieving the traffic on the streets; and, if so, whether he will order such an inquiry to be undertaken at once, with a view to obtaining an authoritative decision on this question before the termination of the War?

I can only refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the question which he asked on this subject on the 24th April.

May I ask has the right hon. Gentleman any reasons for wishing to postpone an inquiry into this important matter until after the War, and does he not think it would be better to have an inquiry now into what has been proved to be a grave disadvantage during wartime in the handling of traffic?

We have given very careful consideration to that suggestion.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the principal cold storage depots" for meat and other produce are in the effective control of his Department; and is he in a position to deal with any attempt to raise or manipulating the price of meat by the withholding of it from the wholesale markets with a view to speculation and profiteering?

The Board of Trade do not control directly cold stores in the United Kingdom. The Department whose function it is to deal with the withholdings of meat from the market and with speculation in meat is that of the Food Controller.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a Report from the United States Ambassador as to the action which has been taken by the United States Government to-prevent the use of grain and other food materials for the manufacture of intoxicants?

No information has as yet been received from His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington. A telegram has, however, been addressed to His Excellency asking him to furnish a Report on the subject at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that there are many complaints in various parts of the country in consequence of the damage done to crops and fruit trees by grubs, caterpillars, and other insects; whether such damage has been caused in great part by the wholesale destruction of birds; and, if so, will he now take steps to disccurage the formation of sparrow-clubs and generally to ensure the preservation of insect-eating birds throughout the country?

The investigations that have been conducted into the food of birds do not lead the Board to conclude that sparrows do habitually feed upon the caterpillars and similar insect pests now damaging the foliage of fruit trees, oaks, etc. The Board do not in consequence fear that any destruction of sparrows which can be effected by sparrow clubs will so injuriously affect the fruit crops as to counterbalance the unquestionable advantages accruing to gram crops that will follow a reduction in their numbers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that sparrow clubs have killed other small birds in large numbers?

The President of the Board asks that they should confine their attention to sparrows.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that meatless days have been abolished and that submarine attacks have decreased during the last month, the Government will take immediate steps to prevent the continued increase in the price of meat?

I have been asked to reply. Part I. of the Meat (Sales) Order, which comes into operation to-day, eliminates all unnecessary intermediate transactions between the farmer and the retailer. A scheme for fixing prices is in preparation, and steps have been taken to increase the market supply of beef and mutton under Government control. The present temporary high price of meat is due not to the abandonment of the meatless day but partly to reduced supplies of meat from abroad, and partly to the relatively small quantity of home grown stock coming upon the market owing to the prolonged winter and their resulting poor condition. It must not be assumed that there is a constant ratio between submarine casualties and the loss of food cargoes.

Will the Leader of the House given an opportunity for this House to discuss at an early moment the high price of food, profiteering, and other causes leading to labour unrest in this country?

May I reinforce that, and ask if it is possible to have an opportunity for discussing this very grave question?

It must be obvious that I shall require time to consider that, and I shall do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether haricot beans were taken over at 37s. a cwt. c.i.f., and it was announced that they would be retailed to the public at 6d. a pound; whether these beans are now being offered back, through the Government brokers, to the trade at 59s. a cwt.; if so, who takes the 22s. a cwt. difference; and at what price are the beans to be retailed to the public?

The Food Controller requisitioned all Burmese haricot beans at 37s. per cwt. He subsequently took over similar beans from other countries at considerably higher prices. All the beans thus secured are being offered to the trade at a uniform rate fixed for the present at 58s. per cwt. On some transactions the Government will incur a loss; on others it will derive a profit, but on the whole it is expected that the account will approximately balance. The retail prices for white haricot beans have been fixed, by Order of the Food Controller, at 8d. per lb. up to the end of June, 7d. per lb. in July, and 6d. per lb. on and after 1st August. The present wholesale price of 58s. corresponds to the-retail price of 8d., and will be revised to meet the lower retail prices fixed for subsequent months.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the prospects for the coming crop of potatoes in Ireland; whether considerable stocks of the last crop are still on hand and do not find a ready sale inland; and whether, in view of the danger of such stocks being wasted and destroyed, he will arrange for the purchase of them by the Government or permit their exportation, subject to the safeguarding of the interests of the home population?

As far as the Department of Agriculture can judge, the prospects for the coming crop of potatoes in Ireland are good. Limited stocks of last year's crop are still on hand. The military authorities continue their purchase of potatoes in Ireland for the purposes of the Army and Navy. Potatoes which have been secured by these authorities through Army potato contractors, and which are not required immediately for Army and Navy purposes, are being exported to Great Britain under licence issued by the Department.

Is the Department still purchasing available potatoes for shipment?

No; I do not think the Department is now purchasing any. The Department only purchased for shipment for the purposes of providing seed.

Will it be possible to issue licences for the export of such potatoes as do not find a market in Ireland?

Certainly there is no desire, if there is no market for the potatoes in Ireland, to prevent the disposition of potatoes for sale, provided, of course, there is no shortage of food.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who issues the licences and on what basis the licences are granted?

I believe that common-sense means are taken in ascertaining whether the potatoes can be consumed either in the immediate neighbourhood where they are or in some near neighbourhood to which they can be removed, or whether, on the other hand, if they were kept unconsumed, they would probably be wasted before the new potatoes arrived in the summer.

That is not the question I asked. I asked who issued the licences and on what basis they are issued. Is it not a fact that licences at the present time are being issued to firms which only started business during the last six months, and that old-established firms are being refused licences?

I do not believe that is so. I heard the same complaint some time earlier in the season. I looked into it then and did not find it was warranted by the facts, but if my hon. Friend gives me a case I will have it investigated.

Seeing that under the new conditions the exportation of potatoes from Ireland to Scotland can probably be resumed now, will the hon. Gentleman be kind enough to communicate with the Secretary for Scotland on the subject?

There is no such quantity of potatoes in Ireland available for ordinary consumption as warrants dealing with them by a relaxation of the present rules such as the hon. Member mentions. In certain parts of Ireland there are parcels of potatoes which are relatively small. In other parts of Ireland there is the necessity of taking very great care that there is not a shortage of food. I can assure the hon. Gentleman and everyone interested in the matter that, subject to the first necessity of seeing that the potatoes which are in Ireland shall be available to prevent any shortage of food in Ireland, there is no disposition to stand in the way of the distribution of any surplus food.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether any steps have been taken to prevent the harvest in Thessaly falling into the possession of King Constantine's Government; whether such an event would make it possible for the King to order the return of his troops from the Peloponnese, thus threatening danger to the Venizelists and to the Allied forces operating from Salonika; whether he can give an assurance that such danger has been effectuality provided against by ordering the occupation of Thessaly by Allied troops or otherwise; (2) whether he has any official information showing that M. Venizelos has stated that it is absurd to think there can be any reconciliation of any kind between the Provisional Government and King Constantine; if so, will he say whether it is still the policy of the Allied Powers to aim at the reconciliation which M. Venizelos declares to be absurd to contemplate; and whether the time has come for the Allies to break decisively with King Constantine in agreement with the policy of M. Venizelos?

asked whether part of the harvest in Thessaly is now ripe; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent it from falling into the hands of enemy sympathisers or to make it available for that portion of the Greek people which is friendly to the Entente Powers?

Steps are being taken to secure control of the Thessalian harvest. I do not think it would be desirable to make any further statements as to Greek affairs at present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when it will be possible to make some disclosure with regard to His Majesty's policy?

I should not like to pledge myself to a day or two, but I hope very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the protectorate declared by the Italian Government over Albania includes the district of Epirus?

I have as yet no more detailed information regarding the extent of the Proclamation than that which has appeared in the Press?

Is it not the fact that this country is inhabited by a civilised population with Hellenistic sympathies who never wished to be handed over to Italy, and before this protectorate is made effective will steps be taken to ascertain their desires?

The population is in many parts rather mixed—some Albanian and some Greek. I do not understand that this Proclamation hands over anything or anybody to Italy. I understand that it is a Proclamation of the independence of Albania under the protection of Italy.

Was the Proclamation made after the Allies had been consulted as to the terms, date, and so forth?

I should like to have notice of that question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that when the Italians moved their troops into this district the Italian Minister at Athens made a public statement that the international status of Epirus would not be altered, and that the movement of troops was of a purely temporary character?

I am afraid I do not know the exact wording of the statement to which the hon. Member refers, but I feel sure whatever the Italian Government has said they will stick to it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that a message was sent from the Leeds Peace Conference to the Russian Committee of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates endorsing Russia's declarations of foreign policy, and announcing that the message was sent from the largest and greatest Convention of labour, Socialists, and democratic bodies held in Great Britain during this generation, he will officially inform the present Russian Government that the Leeds Peace Conference did not represent the opinions of His Majesty's Government or of the great body of trade unionists and workmen in this country, and that it was only representative of a small number of persons in Great Britain?

No, Sir. I have no doubt that the Russian Government are fully informed as to the weight to be attached to the Leeds Conference.

If workmen and soldiers' delegates in Russia are not informed, will they not think that this was a great demonstration of labour?

I think we must leave to the Russian authorities the duty of enlightening their own people.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the delegates from the Leeds Peace Conference have announced that they have received passports for Russia and that they are working for an inconclusive peace with Germany and represent only a small number of persons, he will have their passports cancelled for Sweden and Russia, especially in view of the refusal of the National Seamen's and Firemen's Union to sail on any ship with them, and of the fact that America and France have refused passports to those of their peoples holding similar views?

I have nothing to add to the statement on this subject made on the 8th instant.

May I ask whether, under present circumstances, the hon. Gentleman the Member for Leicester (Mr. R. Macdonald) is going to Russia?

I understand that a question is going to be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government have granted a passport to Russia to Mrs. Pankhurst; and, if so, what is the nature of her mission and what is the organisation she represents?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As far as the Government is concerned, she has no mission. I have no special information beyond that open to my hon. Friend as to the organisation which she represents.

Is she to go to Russia to express the well-known views of the Foreign Secretary or of the Noble Lord?

No, Sir. I would as soon trust my reputation to the hon. Member himself.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Governments of France and the United States have refused to issue passports to Socialist individuals to go to Stockholm; and whether the Government propose to associate this country with the Republican members of the alliance in this policy?

asked the Prime Minister whether, before passports are granted to the hon. Member for Leicester and the hon. Member for West Bradford to visit Russia, he will give the House the opportunity of expressing an opinion as to the desirability of such action?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which the Minister of Blockade gave to a question on this subject on Friday last.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether the House will be given an opportunity of expressing its approval of the action of the trade union in preventing these gentlemen going away?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he or the Prime Minister received a telegram from the secretary of the British Workers' League asking that these passports should be at least postponed or cancelled in view of the fact that these gentlemen to whom they had been granted do not represent any fraction of opinion of organised labour in this country?

I have not received such a telegram, but I have no doubt that the Prime Minister has, because, apparently, that represents their view.

In view of the unsatisfactory answer of the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that at the conclusion of questions I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what action the Board is taking to prevent the calling up for military service of T. Macklin, of Wyre Street, Colchester: why a representative of the Board of Agriculture did not appear at the hearing of the case on the 16th April after a promise had been given that this would be done; and whether the Board of Agriculture consider the national interests are being served in allowing the military to call up a man who has 34 acres of land under potatoes and is the largest fruit and vegetable dealer in the district?

The case of Mr. T. Macklin is at present before the Central Tribunal. As the question of his exemption from military service is therefore sub judice , it is not desirable for the Board to express a definite opinion upon it. In reply to the second part of the question, no such promise as is I referred to appears to have been given by the Board.

In the meantime will some steps be taken to prevent the calling up being made effective, or to obtain a postponement?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if some action to prevent the calling to the Colours of Martin Wilkinson, of Ickorn-shaw Farm, Cowling, Keighley, who is solely responsible for the work of a farm of over twenty acres and a stock of cattle, poultry, and pigs; and, in view of the approaching hay harvest, will he request the military to withdraw the calling-up notice which matures on 12th June; and, further, will he inquire why the Board's representative at Selby has ignored requests to consider this ease and to protect the interests of agriculture?

The Board are inquiring into this case and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if he is aware that a decision has been given by the Central Appeal Tribunal concerning the proprietors of one-man businesses; can he say if that decision has been published. if not, for what reason it has been delayed; and, in view of the fact that a considerable number of businesses are being closed daily by the tribunals in spite of the Local Government Board's Instructions, will he take action to circulate amongst the tribunals this decision immediately?

I am informed that particulars of the case to which the hon. Member refers will be shortly issued to tribunals. From the statement which appeared in the Press on the 8th instant, he will see that the Central Tribunal state that, in deciding that case, they did not adopt any new principles, but simply applied those which had already been laid down by them.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if he will inquire into the treatment given to J. E. Leaney by the local tribunal at Shoeburyness, who decided at the hearing of the tribunal in favour of the applicant; whether he is aware that this decision was reversed at the request of the military representative after the applicant had left the room; and will he, in the circumstances, give instructions for a rehearing of the case or permission for an appeal to be made to the Appeal Tribunal?

I am having inquiries made respecting the case. I may point out, however, that the applicant could have appealed to the Appeal Tribunal.

asked by what legal authority the military service tribunals impose the condition that men doing work of national importance shall not be permitted to undertake such work within 50 miles of their homes?

The tribunals proceed in these cases under the authority of the Military Service Acts, which enable them to impose such conditions as they may think suited to the case.

asked the Home Secretary if instructions were given to the police engaged in the recent military raids in East London to arrest persons who appeared to be of military age regardless of the production of papers showing them to be exempt or discharged from the Army; and, if so, by what Statute or Order in Council were such steps taken to cause the arrest of such persons?

The answer to the first question is in the negative, and the second does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary how many men and boys were arrested and detained at Commercial Street police depot and other police stations of the district in the last two raids; how many were boys of the age of sixteen and under; and how many men were charged at the Police Court for offences under the Military Service Act?

The number of persons taken to the section-house on 27th April for examination of papers was 216, of whom twenty-five proved to be under sixteen. On 18th May the numbers were 640 and sixty. The numbers of men charged under the Military Service Act were four on the first occasion and nine on the second.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many Boy Scouts were arrested on the occasion?

I do not believe that any were arrested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if John Rearder, the hall porter of Toynbee Hall, Whitechapel, who had been rejected on three different occasions, was arrested on Friday, 18th May, 1917, by an Australian soldier and taken to the police depot, Commercial Street, E., and detained with some hundreds of other men and boys despite the production of his medical certificate, and was only released, after several hours' detention, on the application of the warden of Toynbee Hall, who stated that serious consequences might arise if he were not released; if the arrest by Colonial soldiers of citizens of this country was authorised by the Army Council or the Secretary of State for War; and, if not, what action does he propose to take to prevent a repetition of such arrests as described above of citizens who are in possession of exemption and other legal papers?

This man of military age was detained for about an hour until his papers were examined and found satisfactory. He was not released on the application of the warden of Toynbee Hall and he was not arrested by an Australian soldier. The military police at the request of the Metropolitan Police rendered assistance on this occasion owing to the somewhat hostile attitude of the crowd. Dominion military police assisted, as there are a number of Dominion deserters and absentees throughout London.

The hall porter in question must be the greatest liar in London or—!

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any conscientious objectors have been and are now employed in a teaching capacity in State-aided schools or institutions in the East End of London; if so, were these men recommended for these positions by the Home Office Committee appointed to find suitable work for objectors; who are the members of this Committee; and does it include the warden or any governors of the institution known as Toynbee Hall?

I am not aware whether any conscientious objectors have been or are employed in a teaching capacity in any State-aided school or institution. Certainly no such person has been recommended by the Home Office Committee for employment in that capacity. As regards the names of the Committee, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 30th April last to the hon. Member for Devonport. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries as to whether any of these men are employed in schools in the East End?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me the name of any State institution I will have inquiries made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether if, out of the five to six hundred cases sent back by the Central Tribunal, Westminster, over 60 per cent, have on re-examination been placed in a lower category and 12 per cent. altogether refused; and, whether, in view of this experience, any estimate has been formed of the waste of time in re-examining men who have, in the first instance, been definitely rejected?

My hon. Friend's question must be based on a misapprehension. No such numbers as he states have been sent back by the Central Tribunal for re-examination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the grounds upon which the military authorities have prevented the issue of a permit to Mr. Bartle Daly, an Irish resident in the Argentine Republic, to return from Liverpool to that country in purusit of his normal business claiming that he is liable for military service here; whether that claim will now be withdrawn, compensation paid to Mr. Daly for the seven months' prevention of his business, and no further obstacle raised to his return; and whether any explanation has been offered to the Argentine Government of this interference with a business man vouched for by one of its Departments?

Inquiry has been made into the case, and it has been ascertained that Daly applied for a passport to proceed to Buenos Ayres and to return within a period of three months. In his application he did not suggest that he was ordinarily resident in Ireland or in the Argentine Republic, or that he was not ordinarily resident in Great Britain. The military authorities raised objection to the issue of the passport on the ground that Daly was liable to military service. In view of the suggestion now made that Daly is not ordinarily resident in Great Britain, inquiry is being made in the area of his present residence. I am not aware that any communication regarding him has been received by the War Office from the Argentine Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether men who have been discharged on account of valvular disease of the heart are entitled to claim to be totally or permanently disabled in accordance with the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, 1917.

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that in the case of men called up for re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act that the examining medical board shall be supplied with the man's medical history of his service in the Army?

Instructions have already been issued reminding recruiting officers of the necessity of obtaining the previous documents of discharged soldiers.

Will my hon. Friend issue instructions that the medical history of the examined men shall be considered because the documents are simply put aside?

I will have that inquired into.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that thirty moulders left the employ of Messrs. G. Hodgson, Limited, of Bradford, on 1st June, owing to the refusal of the firm to pay the standard rate of wage, and that the workmen offered to submit the matter to arbitration; that the firm refused the offer; that the action of the firm is causing serious discontent in the district; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent an extension of the dispute?

No complaint has reached me. The firm is not controlled and appears to hold no contracts from the Ministry of Munitions, but I will cause local inquiry to be made and communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will explain the status of the Army Reserve munition workers; whether they are under military authority; and if, by joining the Army Reserve munition workers, they forfeit any of the rights they had under the Military Service Act in regard to claiming exemption?

An Army Reserve munitions worker upon his allocation to munitions work is employed, not under military authority, but under exactly the same conditions as ordinary civilians, except that he is entitled in special circumstances to receive additional allowances in respect of his rate of payment, subsistence allowance, and children's allowance, and except that if he has been called to the Colours and passed to Army Reserve W. he remains liable to return to military service at any time he ceases to be employed by any firm named by the Ministry of Munitions, or, if he is ordered to report for service with the Colours, by the competent military authority. Any worker who may under the Military Service Acts have any right to claim exemption would not forfeit those rights by reason of his enrolment, nor would they be affected until he had been enlisted to or passed to Army Reserve W.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the subsistence allowance is given in the case of a dependent widowed mother?

If dependent I think it would be so; but I would rather have notice of the question.

I will give it to you.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the War Office consented to the issue of exemption cards to munition workers; and whether such cards do in fact secure exemption?

If my hon. Friend refers to the certificates issued under the Schedule of Protected Occupations (M.M. 130), the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Men engaged on Admiralty, War Office, or munitions work in an occupation scheduled as protected are entitled to receive a scheduled occupation certificate (Army Form W. 3476A), which, subject to certain qualifications, protects them from recruitment in accordance with the Schedule. Army Form W. 3476B, which is issued to men engaged on Admiralty, War Office, or munitions work, who are not entitled to protection under the Schedule, is a temporary certificate which protects the holder from any calling up notice not issued by the munitions area recruiting office for the area in which he is employed.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will investigate the complaints made by the women munition workers engaged on shell examination at a certain inspection bond; whether he is aware that prior to the granting of an increase in wages to these women as from 7th April they were allowed a quarter of an hour for breakfast, but immediately on the increase taking effect, half an hour's wages at the rate of time and a-half was deducted from their pay; that this action on the part of the employers had largely nullified the increase granted to these women to meet the increased cost of living; and, in view of the resentment caused, what steps his Department proposes to take?

No such complaint had reached me; but I have caused inquiry to be made, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the charges made in respect of the activities in the munition areas of a man calling himself Alexander Gordon, whose evidence as a Government agent was used in a public trial; whether he is aware of the allegations that this man has urged strikes among munition workers, and has suggested the stealing of fuses and the setting up of a secret printing press; whether the man Gordon is still in this country or whether he has recently been sent to America; and whether he will cause public investigation to be made into the activities of this man, and will cause him to be produced at such investigation?

My attention has been drawn to the allegations contained in the question and previously stated as matters of fact by the hon. Gentleman himself in the House. There is no foundation whatever for the suggestion made. The man known as Alexander Gordon has not been employed by the Government since January of the present year. His present whereabouts are unknown, and no investigation is necessary or is proposed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these grave charges are vouched for by workmen in Manchester, Leicester, Derby, Coventry, Sheffield, and Liverpool; and is he also aware that they have been discussed at a labour conference in Birmingham and that a number of men are prepared to come forward and give evidence in regard to the men who are advocating strikes, violence, sabotage—

The hon. Member must give notice of the question. It raises a series of allegations.

May I ask if I can have an opportunity in this House of bringing forward evidence in my possession dealing with this matter?

The hon. Member has asked whether I am aware of a great number of things of which it is quite evident I could not be aware. Either my hon. Friend or some of his hon. Friends have purported to supply to one of my right hon. colleagues a statement. That statement may have been complete or incomplete. If it is incomplete and requires to be supplemented I should be glad to consider any supplement put before me. I carefully considered the evidence put before my right hon. Friend a fortnight or three weeks ago and I may tell my hon. Friend that I was wholly unimpressed by it, but if he has any further evidence he will find me prepared to consider it.

To what evidence does the right hon. and learned Gentleman refer? Does he refer to my speech in this House?

No; that is not evidence. I refer to a statement containing allegations purporting to be made by four or five—I forget the precise number— working men with reference to this man Gordon. I investigated the statement, dates and places, I investigated the records of the men who were purported to have made those statements and on that evidence I was unconvinced; but if the hon. Member has fresh evidence he will find me perfectly ready to consider it with candour and openness.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is in existence a Secret Service Department in connection with the Ministry of Munitions and whether that Department has ever been used for any other purpose except that of detecting bonâ fide enemy influence in the different munition areas?

I understand that now there is no such Department and there has not been for a good many months.

asked the Prime Minister whether Nobel's Explosives Company, Limited, Kynoch, Limited, and Curtiss and Harvey, Limited, are controlled establishments under the Munitions of War Acts; whether these companies have yet paid the munitions levy; whether proposals for the amalgamation of these companies have received the approval of the Government; whether his attention has been drawn to the speculation in the shares of these companies on the basis of the reports of the proposed amalgamation; whether the profits accruing from this speculation will be liable to excess profits duty; and whether steps will be taken to prevent the increase of the price of the materials produced by these companies in consequence of this inflation of the price of the shares?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A certain sum has been paid on account of munitions levy by one of the firms. The answer to the third and fourth parts of the question is in the negative, and as I am unaware of the circumstances of the case, I am not in a position to reply to the fifth part. The prices referred to in the last part of the question are governed by existing contracts for a considerable period.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that the prohibition of the use of sulphuric acid and muriatic acid for other than Government work will result in the destruction of the bleaching trade of Ulster; and whether, as most of the linen trade is export and if once lost will not be recovered without great difficulty, and having regard also to the unemployment which will inevitably be produced, he will cause the Order to be reconsidered?

There is no prohibition of the use of sulphuric acid and muriatic acid for other than Government work, nor is such a prohibition contemplated. The purpose of the Order dated 29th May, 1917, is to enable the Ministry of Munitions to control by licence the manufacture, use, and supply of sulphuric acid. The intention is to secure the economical use of sulphuric acid and the employment of nitre cake, or some other substitute, wherever practicable.

Will supplies be available for linen purposes?

Either sulphuric acid, or a substitute—if of use.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) on whose advice the decision of the Controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office was taken to suspend the printing and publication of the "Kew Bulletin"; whether his attention was called to the importance of that publication for the "spread of valuable information throughout the Empire relating to plant culture and the supply of fibre, timber, and plant products; if he can give the names of any experts concerned in the scientific and commercial development of Colonial industries connected with plant culture who were consulted in the matter; whether the editor was consulted; and whether any estimate was made of the consumption of paper involved in the continuance of the "Kew Bulletin" as compared with the consumption of paper for dramatic, sporting, pictorial, and other fashionable papers which have no practical value for the development of the resources of the Empire either during or after the War?

In reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question, it is understood that, the Secretary to the Board of Agriculture and the Chairman of the Select Committee on Publications were consulted by the Controller of the Stationery Office prior to the suspension of the "Kew Bulletin," and that the Controller's decision was acquiesced in by the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The editor of the paper was, I am informed, consulted by the Controller before any action was taken. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and that to the third part in the negative. The consumption of paper for dramatic, sporting, pictorial, and other fashionable papers is not within the jurisdiction of the Controller of the Stationery Office.

Will the hem. Member say whether in this case acquiescence implies approval?

I do not think I am qualified to answer that question.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the manner in which the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, have been evaded in certain cases where the tenants were not sufficiently wealthy to enforce their civil rights under that Act, he will consider the desirability of providing that any landlord or mortgagee acting in breach of the provisions of that Act shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the Defence of the Realm Act and to be punishable accordingly?

The Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, makes irrecoverable increases of rent or mortgage interest in respect of small dwellings, above the standard rent or rate of interest fixed by the Act, and no proceedings by tenants or mortgagors are necessary to enforce their rights.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been cases in which a great deal of difficulty has been caused by demands for rent in contravention of the terms of the Act?

That is quite possible. A Bill to meet this, introduced by the Solicitor-General, has already passed this House, and is now before the House of Lords.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that under his Department labourers in many parts of Ireland are receiving wages not exceeding 16s. per week; when these men will be paid a living wage; and is he aware that messenger girls in England receive better wages than Government labourers in Ireland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 21st May.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Department continues to employ labourers at 16s. per week, and if I give a number of cases where the Department is sweating the labourers will he see that they get a living wage?

I will examine any cases which may be sent to me. So far as I am aware, the Department of Agriculture is one of the best, most generous, and most popular employers in Ireland.

Is 16s. a week a generous wage for a Government Department to pay married men?

Is not the Department mostly generous to its highly paid officials?

I do not think so. If the hon. Member were acquainted with the pay-sheets, I think he would find that that was not a deserved reflection.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland (1) whether his attention has been called to a recent case at Mallow Petty Sessions in which the Court fined Messrs. Jeremiah Cronin and Timothy Cronin 10s. each for an offence which it was proved by all witnesses, except the police, that they had not committed, and which two independent witnesses voluntarily admitted that they themselves had committed; what reparation is to be made to the young men punished for what they did not do; what action he proposes to take with regard to the magistrates, especially the resident magistrate brought from elsewhere to Mallow specially for this case; (2) the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what report he has read, other than that of the police, of the attack made by specially armed policemen on unarmed and unwarned civilians at Mallow on the 22nd May; seeing that the police report differs in every particular from that of every other available witness, whether an independent inquiry upon oath will be held in Mallow for the convenience of those witnesses; (3) whether he has got a police report of the attack made by armed policemen on unarmed civilians at Mallow on the 22nd May; what explanation it gives of the violence inflicted upon Mr. Timothy Riordan whose wounds had to be dressed by Dr. Vaughan; what explanation of Constable Kennedy's conduct, in the presence of available witnesses, in stepping off the footpath to insult this wounded man when being carried away; as the police did not assume that attitude without instructions, whether those instructions will be produced at an independent inquiry; and (4) whether to attack, without preliminary order to disperse, and baton, as they did, unarmed and unoffending men who had just been acquitted of a police charge was the only purpose for which the police at Mallow were armed on the 22nd May, and the only purpose for which the head-constable and Detective Fallon also, for the first time since their arrival at Mallow, carried iron-mounted sticks; what is the official explanation of the special attack made by Fallon, Sergeant M'Gill, and Constables Dwyer and Robinson, junior, on Mr. Daniel Hegarty, ex-prisoner of war, whom they knocked down, deprived of the flag he was carrying, rendered unconscious by kicking on the back and head, and would have killed but for the intervention of two ladies; what is Mr. Hegarty's present condition; what reparation is to be made to him; what apology have the police been required to offer to the girls they struck on the same occasion and to the Reverend Father Sheehan, whom they threatened to strike for attempting to prevent murder by them; whether the policemen named have recently been themselves defendants in a charge of which of them was convicted and fined £2; whether it is in accordance with the regulations for policemen of this type to canvass magistrates in advance with reference to matters about to some before them, and induce publicans, under veiled threats, to act as intermediaries for a like purpose; if a pogrom was not the object of the Government on that occasion, whether, in view of the character of the police, a public inquiry on oath will be held; and whether the movements of Detective Fallon will be restricted pending the result of such inquiry?

The subject is the same as that about which I answered a question to the hon. and learned Member for North-East Cork last week. I am informed that the men named were convicted after a full magisterial inquiry, and I have no reason to doubt the justice of the sentence. As to the hon. Member's imputations on the police, I am informed that the police were stoned by a mob and used their batons in self-defence, that there is no ground for the allegations of unprovoked attacks on individuals, and that the suggested incident of the Rev. Father Sheehan did not occur. The proper mode of investigation is that by magisterial inquiry, which has been followed.

The Chief Secretary has not informed the House how it was that this sentence on these two men was enforced, notwithstanding that two witnesses volunteered to give evidence that they themselves and nobody else committed the offence?

I suppose the magistrates-did not believe these two witnesses.

Will the Chief Secretary say whether he has received any reports but that of the police, and whether he will give the public sworn inquiry desired by the people of Mallow?

I have pointed out that there is a remedy open to any person aggrieved by an alleged assault, and that is to take proceedings which produce a sworn inquiry. There are quite enough sworn inquiries in Ireland without me voluntarily setting up another.

Really, is not an action against the police in Ireland like bringing an action against Satan in hell?

I think I must ask the hon. Member to apply his own intelligence to that matter.

asked the Home Secretary if the Government has fully considered the contrast between the lot of His Majesty's subjects who are compelled to give up their businesses and employments in order to fight alien enemies abroad, and the lot of alien enemies living in this country who are allowed to slip into the shoes of our business men whilst they are away on military service; and if he will explain the justification for such a state of things?

As I have explained, in answer to previous questions on this subject and in the statement I made in the Debate on 14th February, every case of an alien enemy exempted from internment or repatriation is being reviewed with the object of securing that he shall be employed on some work which is necessary or useful to the country during the War, and I have already made orders for the internment of several exempted aliens who have failed to find such employment. If my right hon. Friend knows of any cases in which alien enemies have supplanted British subjects called up for military service, I shall be glad to have particulars of them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is yet in a position to state the date and any other particulars of the impending release of the Irish political prisoners now at Lewes and Aylesbury under sentences of secret court-martial; and whether there will be any exception to the general delivery?

I have no statement to make on this subject.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a number of Irish prisoners have been removed from Lewes Prison, handcuffed and chained in batches of five; if he will state where they have been sent, what are their conditions, and if they are in solitary confinement; if he will state the quality and quantity of food supplied; if his attention has been drawn to a breaking-up of a protest meeting in Dublin yesterday; if he will say who was responsible; and if, to avert further trouble in Ireland, he will order the immediate release of the prisoners?

I have a question on the same subject, and perhaps I had better ask it now and let the Home Secretary reply to both questions.

If that relates to the long question which the hon. Member has handed in, I have not had time to consider it.

That does not do away with its urgency.

The hon. Member should have gone through the ordinary form of letting me see it before the House met.

There is no other way—

I was going to call upon the hon. Member to ask the other question he has handed in.

I want to ask this one.

The hon. Member had better hear the reply first.

It is vitally urgent. Will you allow me to read the question?

The rule of the House is that if any hon. Member has an urgent question which he wishes to ask, he should give it to me, so that I may see it.

I have followed that rule.

The hon. Member placed his question upon my Chair. It is a very long question, and I have not yet had time to read it, because I have been occupied with the other questions.

On a point of Order—

I will read it, and if I consider that it is urgent, I will allow the hon. Member to ask it to-morrow.

The Home Secretary has had the question since Saturday. I know of no other means—

That is all the more reason why the hon. Member should have sent a copy of it to me.

I have only had the shortest possible notice of the question put by the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour Division (Mr. Byrne). As to the last part of it, I can only say that I have no information. The answer to the earlier part of it, which would probably be an answer also to the question of the hon. Member for North-West Meath (Mr. Ginnell), is as follows:

The Irish prisoners were collected at Lewes and granted special privileges on the clear and definite condition of good conduct and obedience to rules. On the 28th May, on the professed ground that they wished to be treated as if they were prisoners of war, they were guilty of concerted refusal to work and disobedience to rules, and it became necessary to confine them to their cells. All the prisoners admitted the offences, which were committed openly. They were to be allowed to attend chapel on Sunday, 3rd June, but it was discovered that they proposed immediately after Mass and Holy Communion to refuse to enter their cells, and, if forced to return, to wreck prison property. The service, therefore, was not held. When this attempt failed they refused to leave their cells for exercise unless all were taken out together. In these circumstances, no course was open to me but to direct that they should go back to the convict prisons (Maidstone, Parkhurst, and Portland), and be subject to the ordinary prison rules. Some of them have already been removed, with such precautions only as were necessary to prevent any violence or attempt to escape. I need hardly say that the suggestion that they were starved is absolutely without foundation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the early days of the rebellion in Dublin these men were described in official papers as prisoners of war? Why have the Government changed their views now and subjected them to such blackguardly treatment?

I know nothing of the statement to which the hon. Member refers. My only duty is to see that order is kept in the prison.

asked the Home Secretary whether the period of training provided for prison warders includes a period of cellular confinement and of associated labour in prisons; and whether any of the present higher prison staff or any of the Prison Commissioners have had experimental personal experience of prison discipline and in particular of cellular confinement?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the most valuable prison reforms in America have resulted from personal experience voluntarily undertaken by prison officials?

If that be so, I do not propose to ask my prison officials to undertake the experience.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that more than forty hon. Members of the House have given notice of Amendments to the Motion standing in his name, Representation of the People Bill (Boundary Commissioners), and that these Amendments raise not less than twelve important points of principle touching the redistribution of seats; whether under such circumstances a single day's discussion on a Motion approving in general terms the Instruction to the Boundary Commissioners will afford opportunity for such control as the House is entitled to exercise over the details as well as the principles of the proposed scheme of redistribution; and whether, in order to provide such opportunity he will now amend his Motion by embodying in it the text of the Instructions, and move that the House do resolve itself into Committee to consider the same?

The Amendments on the Paper appear to me to raise very few questions of principle, and I am hopeful that the discussion upon these questions will not be unduly prolonged. The course suggested by my hon. Freind would go beyond the purpose for which the Motion was placed upon the Paper and would not, I think, be for the general convenience of the House.

As my right hon. Friend is not willing to give the House an opportunity for discussing details, can he give an assurance that when the Schedules come to be discussed no Amendment will be opposed by the Government on the ground that the work of the Commissioners is completed?

My hon. Friend will know the value of an argument of that kind.

asked the Secretary for Scotland which of the present districts of burghs in Scotland will cease to have separate representation and which will continue to have separate representation if effect is given to paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, of the Instructions to the Boundary Commissioners for Scotland?

asked for particulars of any forecast made by the Boundary Commissioners for Scotland regarding any changes suggested in Parliamentary constituencies?

I am not in a position to anticipate the scheme of redistribution which is being prepared by the Boundary Commissioners for Scotland. My hon. and learned Friend the Member for the Tradeston Division of Glasgow will bear in mind that there are other paragraphs, in the Instructions which give the Commissioners a wide discretion in settling burghal representation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that the Report of the Boundary Commissioners will be published, as in England, county by county, or for Scotland as a whole?

As the subject is of considerable importance, will my right hon. Friend be prepared to meet the Scottish Members so as to discuss the whole question?

I think a very full opportunity for discussing the subject will arise this afternoon. If after that discussion my hon. Friend makes his request, I shall be happy to consider it.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that under the Representation of the People Bill, if the redistribution of constituencies is based on population only, many of the rural districts will be so large that it will be impossible for a Member to keep sufficiently in touch with the views of his constituents to be able efficiently to present them to Parliament, and the rights of the rural classes be thereby menaced; and will he instruct the Boundary Commissioners to have regard to area as well as population in fixing the boundaries so as to lessen the danger?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. An opportunity for debating this matter will no doubt arise to-day.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is now in a position to give to the House the names of the Committee who are to hear appeals in pension cases?

The appeal Court will consist of the following:

His Honour Judge Parry.

Lieutenant-General Sir A. E. Codrington (representing the War Office).

Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes (representing the Admiralty).

Mr. Bilton Pollard (Royal College of Surgeons).

Dr. Norman Moore (Royal College of Physicians).

Mr. A. Bellamy (Railwaymen Union).

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will advise the local authorities of all committees under the Naval and Military War Pensions Act of 1915 that it is within their powers to appoint to the committees representatives of discharged soldiers' and sailors' associations, old comrades' associations, and similar institutions, where such are in existence, so as to secure direct representation of the interests concerned?

The Minister looks upon it as of importance that local pensions committees should be acquainted with the views of disabled discharged men in matters affecting their interests, especially as regards treatment, training and employment, and he is proposing that a circular should be issued to local committees drawing their attention, to the desirability of including such men in the disablement sub-committees.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, owing to the firm refusing to pay the standard rate of wage, thirty moulders employed by Messrs. G. Hodgson, Limited, of Bradford, left their employment on 1st June; that the men offered to refer the question to arbitration; that the firm refused this offer; that this action on the part of the firm is likely to cause further trouble; and whether he is taking any steps to settle the matter in dispute?

The Chief Industrial Commissioner has been in communication with the Friendly Society of Ironfounders and the firm referred to by my hon. Friend respecting the differences existing between them as to wages, and it appeared the firm were not disposed to accept arbitration. As they are not engaged on work in connection with the War there is no power to require them to submit to arbi- tration under the Munitions of War Act. The Chief Industrial Commissioner will make further inquiry in the matter.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether negotiations have been successfully concluded for an extended system of exchange of prisoners of war by which not only prisoners with specific illness or wounds will be exchanged, but also such as have been in captivity for more than eighteen months?

A proposal was made to the German Government on the 21st April for the transfer to neutral countries of British and German prisoners of war who have been over two years in captivity. An unsatisfactory and only semi-official reply has just been received to our proposal. We are pressing for an official reply of a more satisfactory character.