asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the question of granting a special medal to the officers and men of the original Expeditionary Force who served abroad in the present War up to and including the battle of the Marne?

The whole question of the issue of a War medal is under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can now state the result of the inquiry promised into the case of Michael Malley, Louisburgh, applicant for an old age pension?

The report of the pension officer has not yet reached the Local Government Board.

asked why the increase of old age pensions of 2s. 6d. per week each awarded by the Lahardane sub-committee, county Mayo, pensions committee, to Patrick Timlin and Bridget Timlin, his wife, were disallowed by the Local Government Board on the appeal of the local pension officer; and whether the claimants have any income or means except their old age pensions of 5s. per week each and the scanty lodgings provided for them at his residene by his son, who has to support his family on a bog holding, the rent of which is £l 12s. per year?

The Local Government Board determined that the joint means of Patrick and Bridget Timlin were over 19s. 6d. a week, including 10s. a week old age pensions and the value of their maintenance and privileges on the farm assigned to their son.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary did not accede to the appeal made to him by the Rev. Father O'Neill, of Loughrea, to institute an inquiry into the conduct of the police there in allowing recipients of separation allowances and other such benefits to attack a popular concert at which patriotic songs were sung, in holding Mr. O'Sheehan's two arms while those people struck him with sticks and stones and burst his eyebrow, and in abusing and striking Mrs. O'Sheehan, all of which the police could have prevented?

The conduct of the police was fully investigated before the judicial bodies which dealt with this case; and both at Petty Sessions and on appeal before the Recorder of Galway was expressly commended.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the widow and family of the late Mr. R. A. Mackenzie, who was shot dead inside his shop in Dublin during the late rebellion in that city, have only been awarded £300 compensation; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of the compensation, he will make further inquiry into this case, with the object of granting a larger amount?

I have made inquiry in this case, and I regret that I cannot hold out any hope of a larger grant. The evidence of profits submitted to the Rebellion (Victims) Committee was insufficient, and as the deceased had made no return of his income to the Inland Revenue authorities it was decided that the matter would properly be settled by payment of a lump sum of £300.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will investigate the conditions obtaining in Malleny Camp, Currie; whether he is aware that F company sit down to their meals in three relays and that the dishes used by the first sitting have to serve all without being washed or even rinsed in water, and that when the men are served with soup or tea two men have to sup or drink out of one bowl; whether these conditions are necessary; and what steps he proposes to take?

This matter is being investigated, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he can explain how an unexploded bomb came to be lying on the Northampton cricket ground on the evening of 17th May; whether he is aware that several boys attempted to pick it up, with the result that an explosion occurred, and that two boys were injured in the face, neck, shoulders, and arms, so that they have been attending hospital ever since; and whether it is proposed to pay compensation to the boys in respect of the injuries received and their compulsory absence from employment?

The facts appear to be that the explosion took place in consequence of the boys trespassing, and breaking into a bombing store. I understand that more than one raid has been made on this store by boys and others. The: injuries received by the boys appear to have been due to their own foolhardiness. Under these circumstances I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope of compensation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he received a letter, dated 26th April, 1917, from the hoc. Member for the North-Western Division of Staffordshire and, enclosed therewith, a communication dated 24th April, 1917; whether he has inquired into the matters mentioned therein respecting the claims of an ex-soldier of Stoke-on-Trent who served in the Boer War, and who has the Queen's and King's medals; whether an application was made for a commission for him in January of this year; whether he has been informed by the military authorities that the application had been approved; and whether the commission has now been or will be granted to him?

I am still awaiting the further particulars which I have asked my hon. Friend to furnish to enable me to make the necessary inquiries.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what troops are stationed in the Regent's Park and how many motor-bicycle orderlies are allowed to them; what these motor-bicycles are used for; and whether the officer in command cannot send his messages by telephone?

There is one company of Army Service Corps stationed in Regent's Park. There are eight motorcycles with the unit. Of these four are used by officers and N.C.O.'s to supervise the work of the lorries, and the other four are used by the orderlies, of whom there are seven on duty during the twenty-four hours. The men of the company are billeted in Park Crescent, but as the postal authorities continually require extra lorries, the men have to be fetched by cyclist orderlies when they are inaccessible by telephone.

asked how much petrol has been allowed monthly to the motor-bicycle orderlies in the Regent's Park?

No allowance of petrol is made, but the spirit is used according to the mileage which the cycles have to run. No cycle goes out without the permission of the officer commanding or of the orderly officer.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of A. H. M. Brierley, who has been several times refused when he desired to join the Army early in the War and who was rejected under the Derby scheme as medically unfit and again under the Military Service Act classed in C 3; whether he has now been called up for re-examination and placed in B 1 although suffering from the same infirmities; and will he have inquiries made into the case?

I am making full inquiries into this case, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Frederick George Tutt, of 65, Lillington Street, Westminster, aged forty, was rejected as medically unfit for the Army in November, 1915, at Westminster, was again rejected as totally unfit on 29th August, 1916, by the Central London Recruiting Depot, Whitehall, was ordered for re-examination on 28th May, 1917, in the City of London, and passed into class B 2, although his condition is the same as in 1915; and will he state how this man, whose sense of hearing is defective, can be utilised in our fighting forces?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of Thomas Horton, 26, Keswick Grove, Seedley, Salford, who was rejected for the Army on 22nd June, 1916, on account of mitral disease, was re-examined on 18th May, 1917, at the Pendleton Town Hall and passed B 1, in spite of the fact that he has been under medical treatment for the last four years?

Inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result in due course.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether it has been brought to his notice that a corporal at present stationed as clerk at the orderly room, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, Fort Purbrook, Cosham, is now working with lady clerks; whether, on enlisting voluntarily, he was passed for home service only, and when later he volunteered for active service he was rejected owing to heart trouble following rheumatic fever and was placed in category C2 and put on clerical work; whether, before joining the Army, he acted as manager of his mother's butcher's business in Tottenham, which business may have to be closed owing to the want of a manager; and whether he can see his way to allow him to return to the business provided that the corporal volunteers to do munition or national service work in Tottenham?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me details of this man's name, etc., I will inquire into the case, but at present I am not able to identify him.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will notify all aliens desirous of leaving this country, in accordance with the terms of the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Bill, that they will not be readmitted under any circumstances to the United Kingdom unless proof is furnished that they have rendered military or naval service to the country for which they notify their departure?

The hon. Member's suggestion is, I fear, impracticable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the hardships entailed on tradesmen who are being called up for service, and to whom the allowances from the Civil Liabilities Grant is insufficient; and whether he will take steps to provide for the increase of the Civil Liabilities Grant from its present limit of £104, so as to enable retail tradesmen to close their shops temporarily and pay rent, taxes, etc., while on military service, and assure them a business to return to after the War and security against their creditors?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The experience of the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee, who have now dealt with nearly 250,000 applications, indicates that the present limit is rarely insufficient to meet cases of serious hardship among tradesmen called up for military service. Having regard to the provisions of Section 2 (1) ( b ) of the Military Service Act, 1916, and to the protection afforded by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts, I do not think it is necessary that the maximum amount of the Grants should be increased.

asked the Home Secretary why G. H. Myers, now serving his second term of imprisonment as a conscientious objector at Winchester, is not allowed the same opportunities for associated labour as other prisoners?

This prisoner is being treated in the same way as other prisoners in the same stage. If there is not sufficient accommodation in the workroom, he is employed with his cell door open.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether be he has received a report as to the employment of soldiers at the Greenside lead mine, Glenrydding-on-Ullswater; and whether he can now give particulars as to the number originally employed, the number who requested to be removed and the reason, and the original and amended rates of pay to the soldiers and to the j ordinary workmen?

Inquiries have been made, and I find that forty-five men in all have been released for work at this mine, of whom ten are now employed there. The majority of those not now employed have been transferred to other work or returned to their units as being unsuitable or inefficient. One man is stated to have asked to be released because he was not contented with his earnings. It is a condition of employment that the employers pay the rates of pay current in the district. The soldier receives this, less a deduction to cover the Army emoluments he also receives. If particulars are furnished of any apparent violation of this rule, I will inquire further.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is part of the policy of the Allied protecting powers to continue the present dynasty in Greece; whether he is aware that the Congress of Hellenic Colonies, held in Paris in April, declared for a Greek Republic, and whether any steps will be taken to prevent the Greek people from establishing the form of government most desired by them?

I have nothing to add to the answers already given on this subject.

asked whether M. Venizelos has returned or will soon return to Athens; and whether the northern part of Greece with the part recently under the deposed King Constantine will be or already has been united in one rule under the new Greek Government?

M. Venizelos has not yet returned to Athens. One of the principal objects of Allied policy in Greece has been to restore unity of Government in that country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the percentage of Danish exports of eggs to the United Kingdom and Germany which went to each country in 1913 and in 1916 respectively; and whether he can give similar percentages in the case of butter, bacon, meat, lard, and fish?

The hon. Member has already been informed privately that it is undesirable in the public interest to answer this question, as the statistics in question were communicated confidentially to His Majesty's Government. He has also been informed that they will be shown in confidence to him, as they will be to any other Member of the House who is interested in the matter.

asked how many horses have been sent to Germany from Denmark since the beginning of the War up to the latest date for which statistics are available?

According to our information, Denmark exported annually to Germany before the War an average of about 28,000 horses. In 1914 95,338 were exported, of which about 80,000 were exported after the outbreak of war, but before an export prohibition was imposed. In 1915 no horses were exported to Germany, in 1916 16,000 horses, in 1917, up to 17th June about 7,000 horses.

asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether he can now give the date upon which Treasury authority will be given to the various Government Departments to pay the increased war bonus; and whether he can explain the reason for the prolonged delay which has taken place in giving practical effect to the arbitrator's award?

As I informed the hon. Member for Woolwich on the 8th instant, Departments were notified of the awards of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board on the 1st instant. I am not aware of any avoidable delay in giving effect to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a request was recently made to the Prison Commissioners by Miss D. James to be allowed to present Darwin's "Voyage of the Beagle," Russell Wallace's "Malay Archipelago," Olive Schreiner's "Dreams," and Alfred Noyes's "Collected Poems," first volume, to the Dor- chester Prison Library, and that one of the prisoners might be allowed to read them; whether the request was declined on the ground that it would be contrary to prison rules for the Prison Commissioners to avail themselves of this offer; and, if so, what are the rules referred to, and whether they will be revised so as to allow the addition of standard works to the prison libraries in the interest not merely of individuals but of prisoners generally?

Offers of standard books for the prison libraries are freely accepted by the Prison Commissioners, and a large number of gifts of this sort have recently been received. The difficulty in the case referred to arose from the request that the books should be supplied in the first instance to a particular prisoner. If sent without this condition they would be accepted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, on 2nd January last a telegram was sent by Mr. D. K. Burns from Westport Quay at 12.15 p.m., reaching Cong at one o'clock; why this telegram was not delivered to the addressee, Mr. Daniel M'Carthy, until 2.45 p.m., although he lived only twenty-five yards from Cong post office; and why the Department now refuse to pay Mr. Burns 5s. car fare caused by the delay, or to enforce payment of it by the officials through whose negligence the delay, inconvenience, and loss occurred?

I am advised that the telegram in question did not reach Cong until two o'clock, and the delivering messenger is recorded as having returned to the post office at 2.10 p.m.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether John Maclean is still in prison at Perth; whether his health is showing serious signs of deterioration; and whether any requests and, if so, how many have been received urging his release?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative. The most recent reports which I have received point to an improvement in Maclean's general health. I have received a number of resolutions in favour of his release.