asked the Secretary of State for India whether, before the advance towards Bagdad, he ascertained the opinion of Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener, and what that opinion was?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Baronet by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 9th July.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether anything has been done in the creation of a University at Rangoon for the Province of Burma since it received sanction from the Governor-General in Council; and what has become of this proposal?

The Government of India are at present considering detailed proposals from the Local Government. Meanwhile a site is being secured for the new University buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for India if, in view of the Mesopotamia Report, he will restore the pay of officers of the Indian Army taken prisoners at Kut to the Indian rate which they were promised when they left India, and from which they were unfairly reduced to the English rate after being taken prisoners?

I am afraid I do not understand the hon. Member's question. If he intends to refer to officers of the Indian Army the answer is that they have not been reduced to the English rate. If, on the other hand, he refers to British Service officers, the decision to pay them British pay and allowances while prisoners was taken by the War Office, and the question should be addressed to the representative of that office.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the head of the Stores Department of the India Office is a civil servant; when he was appointed; whether his predecessor in office was a civil servant; and what is the composition of the Committee of the India Council which deals with the business of the Stores Department?

The head of the Store Department of the India Office is a civil servant; he was appointed to his; present post in November, 1915. His predecessor in office was a civil servant. The Stores Committee of the India Council consists at the present moment of four members of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in connection with the Order in Council of the Governor of Madras prohibiting Mrs. Besant, the president, and Mr. Armdale and Mr. Wadia, two other members of the Theosophical Society, from taking part in any meetings or publishing any writings, placing their correspondence under censorship, and limiting their residence to certain specified areas, excluding Madras, where the headquarters of the Theosophical Society are situated, he and the Government of India have considered the practicability of discriminating between political agitation and activities which require restriction and writings and teachings on theosophy and religion and of so dealing with the two classes of separate activities as to permit Mrs. Besant and her associates to carry on their work in connection with the Theosophical Society while abstaining from political agitation?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any protest as to the action of the Government of Madras in prohibiting Mrs. Besant from attending any meeting, delivering any lecture or speech, or publishing any writings, and in placing her correspondence under censorship and confining her place of residence to certain districts; and whether he will take steps to secure a revision of the Order of the Governor in Council, by which these restrictions are imposed?

Yes, Sir. The authorities in India are, like myself, anxious to make this discrimination, as to the possibility of which I made special inquiry, and the Madras Government offered to relax their Orders so far as purely religious or theosophical writings or teachings are concerned. I understand that this concession has been refused by the parties to whom it was offered on the ground, inter alia, that it was impossible to distinguish between their theosophical and religious writings on the one hand and their political agitation on the other. Mrs. Besant's communication was, I am informed, violently worded and emphasised the unity of the Theosophical Society with the political aims of other organisations. I see no reason to intervene further in this matter, in which, as I have already explained, the Madras Government is exercising powers vested in it by law.

Are we to understand from the use of the words "political agitation" in the reply, that it is an offence in India if it is conducted by constitutional means?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give this House particulars of the charges against Mrs. Besant and her colleagues, stating wherein they have conducted an agitation in an unconstitutional way?

I have not myself yet received particulars from the Madras Government or from the Government of India. The only communications I have had have been telegraphic communications, the substance of which I have already communicated to the House.

That being so, why has the right hon. Gentleman associated himself in this House with the action of the Government of Madras?

Because the Government of India and the Government of Madras are responsible for the preservation of law and order and the security of persons and property in that country, and I have confidence in the discretion with which they exercise the powers with which they have been invested.

Will my right hon. Friend consider, when the dispatches have been received by mail, whether it will be practicable to lay on the Table of the House any Papers which will give the reasons for the action taken, and describe precisely what the action was?

Yes, Sir; I will certainly consider that. I will make no promise as to laying Papers, but I will certainly consider it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not had example enough in connection with Mesopotamia not to trust too implicitly in the Indian Government? Has he not suffered himself from that very thing?

asked the Secretary of State for India how many of the 3,000 Indians imprisoned, as related by Lord Hardinge, have been brought to trial; how many have been found guilty; and how many are still in prison?

I understand that Lord Hardinge spoke of arrests of returned emigrants and not of imprisonments. One hundred and sixty-five of these persons were placed on trial before special tribunals and 136 convicted. Others were tried before the ordinary Courts, but of these I have no particulars. In the majority of cases action was confined to orders restricting the personal movements of individuals for a longer or shorter period. At the end of April last 1,064 persons still remained under restrictive orders, of whom only fifty-one were actually interned, the others being required to reside within specified areas.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many were sentenced or tried by secret courts-martial?

None of the people to whom I have referred were tried by court-martial.

Were they tried in secret or in public?

The trials were held in public.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, when naval or marine officers are in receipt of retired pay and are too ill to sign the necessary pension papers, the Paymaster-General refuses to pay the pension, even though a medical certificate is forwarded; and whether he will take steps to make pensions in such cases immediately payable when due, as this procedure inflicts hardships on officers' families who may be left entirely destitute?

As the retired pay is payable to the officer himself, certain formalities are unavoidable, if he is unable to sign the usual documents, in order to ensure that the person to whom payment is made is duly entitled to receive it on his behalf. These formalities, which are prescribed by a Treasury Warrant under Section 5 of the Annual Appropriation Act, are dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has during the War made any contract or contracts with the Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company for the supply of condensed milk or other products and what are the terms of such contract or contracts; and if, before making any such contract, the Board of Admiralty, in view of the fact that the above company is a Swiss company whose headquarters are in Switzerland and shares are in the form of share warrants to bearer, made any inquiry as to the holders of the company's shares and, if so, were satisfied that none of the company's shares were held by enemy holders?

Yes, Sir. The Admiralty had contracts with this firm for years before the War, and supplies have also been obtained since the outbreak of hostilities. The placing of these contracts followed the usual procedure. The milk supplied to the Navy by the firm is all produced and prepared in England. The company, it has always been understood, is a genuine Swiss company, and it is understood that the great bulk of its capital is in Swiss hands. The question of ascertaining whether there are any enemy shareholders is being taken up by the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if any decision has been arrived at regarding the payment by parents or guardians of allowances to midshipmen during the War?

I am glad to announce that the private allowance payable by parents on behalf of acting sub-lieutenants, midshipmen, and assistant clerks has been waived, as from the 1st instant, for the remaining period of the War.

asked the Secretary of State For Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a speech delivered by Herr Dernburg, ex-Colonial Minister for Germany, at Neumuenster, in which he demanded the restoration of Germany's colonial empire with the extensions which Germany had nearly agreed upon with England in 1914; whether the British Government in 1914 nearly agreed to grant Germany an ex- tension of territory at the expense of the British Empire; and, if so, what territory?

So far as I am aware, there were no such negotiations in 1914, though certain informal discussions took place at an earlier date on the subject of possible territorial readjustments in Africa.

asked whether there is any understanding or agreement with Belgium by which, in case of an Allied victory, she is to obtain any territory in Europe beyond her original frontiers?

The reply is in the negative.

asked if an arrangement was made for the payment by France and Great Britain in equal moieties of a subsidy to the Government of Montenegro after its expulsion from its own country and its temporary establishment in Paris; if he will say why the payment of the British portion was discontinued in 1916 although the French portion continues to be regularly paid; if he is aware that this circumstance is being used by enemies of Montenegro to show that this member of the Alliance is lightly esteemed by Great Britain; and whether, in order to remove such false impression, he will arrange that this country shall resume sharing with France the payment of whatever subsidy may be deemed necessary for the support of the Montenegrin Government while in exile?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and that to the third part in the negative. The payments in question were temporarily suspended pending an examination of the actual needs of the Montenegrin Government, and steps are now being taken to equalise the payments made by France and Great Britain under the original agreement.

asked whether the Governments of France, Italy, and Russia have official diplomatic representatives accredited to the Court and Government of Montenegro now in Paris, whereas His Majesty's Government have no such representative but depend on the services of a subordinate official at the Embassy in Paris for communication with the Montenegrin Government, whether he is aware that this treatment of an Ally whom the British people hold in honour is regarded in some quarters as an intentional slight on the King and Government of Montenegro; and whether he will take steps to correct this impression by accrediting a diplomatic representative to the Montenegrin Government and by inviting that Government to appoint a diplomatic representative in London?

His Majesty's Government are represented at the Court of Montenegro by the Counsellor of His Majesty's Embassy in Paris, who is duly accredited to the King of Montenegro as "Chargé des Affaires." There is no reason whatever for regarding this convenient and perfectly natural arrangement as a slight upon our Ally.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in point of fact it is so regarded, and there is a great contrast between the representation of this country and the other Powers, and whether he could not see his way to enter into an arrangement which would be more satisfactory?

My information does not quite tally with my hon. Friend's statement. I do not think that any slight is really felt by the Montenegrin Government.

Is it not a fact that there is another Government now in Montenegro with a large support which has disowned the recent Government which we supported?

That does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has official information respecting the shooting of Belgians on Monday, 2nd July, at Brussels, and on the same day at Liége; and will he give the House information about the matter?

I regret that I have received no official information on the subject, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has official information to the effect that the German authorities are sending 3,000 young Belgian girls from Antwerp to Roumania; and, if so, is there any channel whereby a communication can be sent to the German authorities protesting against such action?

No protest by this country to the German Government is, I fear, likely to deter them from committing these atrocities, which they know to be reprobated by the conscience of the whole civilised world.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any official information as to the accuracy of the statement in the question?

No, I have not.

Is there any reason to doubt its accuracy?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state the amount of money that has been levied by the German authorities upon the various invaded towns and cities in Belgium and the northern part of France; and whether such money levied will be part of the indemnities that will be discussed in any peace proposals?

I fear that my information on the subject is not sufficiently complete to permit of my stating any figures, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the Allies will take into consideration in any discussion of peace terms the exactions of the enemy in money and goods in the occupied parts of France and Belgium.

asked whether the War Office has during the War made any contract or contracts with the Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company for the supply of condensed milk or other products, and what are the terms of such contract or contracts; and if, before making any such contract, the War Office, in view of the fact that the above company is a Swiss company whose headquarters are in Switzerland and shares are in the form of share warrants to bearer, made any inquiry as to the holders of the company's shares, and, if so, were satisfied that none of the company's shares were held by enemy holders?

Contracts have been made with the company in question, but it is contrary to the practice of the Department to disclose the terms. I understand that, as stated in the question, the company's share capital is in the form of share warrants to bearer, and there appears therefore to be no means of ascertaining whether any of its shares are at present held by enemy holders.

As it is known that this company has made very large profits would the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the terms of the contract can be given to the House?

No, Sir. I think my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it is impossible to disclose the terms of individual contracts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the large number of high-powered motor cars still being used by military officers and others engaged with the various Departments of the War Office; and whether, in view of the alleged shortage of petrol in this country, definite instructions will be issued by the War Office prohibiting the use of these high-powered cars?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. I am informed that, with very few exceptions, the cars used by military officers and others engaged with the various departments of the War Office are not high-power cars. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Will my hon. Friend take the precaution of seeing for himself, and then he will see that many of these cars are obviously being used for pleasure purposes?

If they are not the high-powered cars, what cars are they?

My information is that none of those cars have been used for pleasure purposes. If my hon. Friend can produce a case where that has been done I will certainly have them inquired into.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, at the recent by-election at Liverpool, he noticed that very high-powered cars were used, and they had no difficulty in obtaining petrol; and does he consider that that is work of national importance?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I did not see any military cars used at the by-election. So far as I am personally concerned, I used the 'bus.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board is constantly driving around London with a Service driver in a high-powered car?

If he is on Air Board business I do not see why he should not do that.

Why cannot he use a lower-powered car?

I have yet to be assured that he does use a high-powered car; but if he is, and is using it on public business, he is quite justified in doing so.

Does the hon. Gentleman know that a skilled air mechanic was driving him last Saturday, and would that mechanic not have been better employed turning out aeroplanes to repel German air raids?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the information which reaches the War Office shows that the condition of English prisoners in Turkey is deplorable and the men hungry; whether parcels sent to them do not arrive but money orders do; and whether he will consider the propriety of causing the pay of soldiers confined in Turkey to be at once sent to them so that they may obtain the necessities of life?

I am afraid that the suggestion in the first part of the question is only too true, except as regards the officers, and I believe the suggestion in the second part of the question is, generally speaking, accurate. A British Relief Fund, administered by the Netherland Minister at Constantinople, has been provided to meet the needs of British prisoners of war in Turkey. Amounts up to £T3 a month have been distributed to individual soldier prisoners, and, so far as I am aware, there have been no representations that the amounts have been inadequate or the total fund insufficient. The amounts so granted do not form a charge against the pay of the soldiers, which remains at their disposal in this country. I am informed that the War Office cannot see their way to giving any such instruction regarding the disposal of the soldiers' pay as my hon. and learned Friend suggests.

Could not rather more than £3 per month be sent to these poor men, seeing that they have to depend upon it?

The question will certainly be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an inquiry has been held into the incidents which occurred at the Hendon aerodrome of the Royal Flying Corps preceding and during the enemy air raid over London on Saturday last; and, if so, what is the result of that inquiry?

No inquiry has been held at the Hendon aerodrome on any incident which occurred at the times mentioned.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to have an inquiry regarding the incidents that happened at the Hendon aerodrome on Saturday last?

I should like to ask also whether it is the case that the few machines that went up were machines that were waiting there to be tested and were in such condition that some had immediately to come down?

I think my right hon. Friend might give me notice of a question like that.

Has not my hon. Friend informed himself in such a case-as this? It is the talk of London at this moment.

My right hon. Friend had the opportunity of raising that specific point in the Debate.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the failure to protect London from a small force of German aeroplanes appearing in daylight and in view also of the possibility of the repe- tition on various scales of such raids as we have seen, he will proceed without delay to effect necessary changes in the higher direction of London's air defences?

The answer is in the negative.

Does the Government think it is running a war or a hugger-mugger political machine?

asked the Prime Minister whether the official reports of casualties sustained in air raids include those sustained by naval and military men and Civil servants?

The answer to this question is in the affirmative.

Why should not the deaths of civilians and non-combatants be reported?

My information is that they are reported.

Are we to understand that naval and military deaths are also-reported?

I have said so.

Can my hon. Friend explain, then, why it is that the public have been informed only this morning, for the first time, through the medium of a coroner's inquest, that one of our airmen was shot down by the Germans on Saturday?

That surely does not arise out of this question.

Are we to understand that every naval and military death that has occurred in an air raid has been duly included in Lord French's report?

Yes.

Can my hon. friend say how many casualties there were among the airmen?

I cannot say off-hand. I think notice has been given in the public Press.

Were any Canadian soldiers included in the report on the Folkestone raid?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the diametrically opposed results of our antiaircraft fire from those anticipated whereby the German airmen were unscathed and our civilian population suffered, steps will be taken to provide more efficient anti-aircraft batteries both as regards guns and gun crews, or protect the people of this country by removing the guns altogether?

The results of our anti-aircraft fire were not different from those anticipated.

The shooting of the London guns was observed from the ground to be good, and this is confirmed by our pilots in the air in the vicinity.

The action of anti-aircraft guns is necessarily restricted when our airmen are actually engaging the enemy, as they were on several occasions during their flight over London. The guns provided for the anti-aircraft defence of London are of the latest type, and the training of the gunners is efficiently conducted.

Casualties from our anti-aircraft shells are inevitable, if the public do not at once take cover when they hear our guns, but the casualties would certainly be much greater if the enemy were unhampered by the fire of our guns.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us how the public can take cover if they are not warned?

Is it not a fact that it cannot be hoped, with the present antiaircraft guns, either in England or in France, to bring down many enemy machines, and that the best we can hope is with luck, to keep the enemy machines high?

Will the hon. Gentleman say if the Government would undertake to lend the hon. Member for East Herts (Mr. Billing) a machine, so that he can observe the gunfire from the air?

Can the hon. Gentleman say, so far as he is able, how many of the casualties ought to be attributed to enemy activity and how many to our own guns?

It is quite impossible for me to answer that accurately.

Is it the case that the shells are five years old?

Is it the case that a new system of firing from our anti-aircraft guns has been brought into use within the last week or ten days?

I am afraid I cannot answer that without notice. If my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question, I will see if I can answer it.

Will the hon. Member give the request of the hon. Member for Morley serious consideration and grant it if possible?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the various districts throughout the Metropolis and the Eastern counties visited or attacked on Saturday last by enemy airmen; and the numbers of killed and injured in each district?

It is not possible to give this information, as it would be of use to the enemy. As regards the last part of the question, the totals have already been published.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared to consider the advisability of introducing a system of warning London and other large cities of approaching air raids by employing coloured captive balloons with electric sirens attached; and, if so, whether he is prepared to consider a complete and detailed system worked out on these lines, and, if the same meets with his approval, that it shall be adopted?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The method by which warning of an actually impending air raid can best be given to the public is under consideration.

I wish, Sir, to move the Adjournment of the House on a matter of urgent public importance arising out of a question and answer to-day in the House. On Monday we had an official communiqué from the Government in regard to the air raid on Saturday. The answer to the question from the Front Bench stated that all the casualties were included in that communiqué; but in the newspapers there is the result of an inquest on one of our own airmen, who attacked the Germans and who was killed and brought down. I therefore ask your permission, Sir, to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public import- ance, namely, "the revelations to-day by the coroner's inquest of facts concerning the recent raid, and, therefore, the obvious concealment of information in the official communiqué of the truth about that raid."

I do not think that can really be taken as a matter for discussion in this House, as if it were a definite matter of urgent public importance.

May I respectfully submit to you, Sir, that surely it is a matter of urgent public importance that we should have from the War Office, through the Press Bureau, an accurate account of what took place, and if to-day, in the House of Commons, the Minister of the Crown says deliberately, in answer to a question, that all the casualties were included, and I point out, from the information which comes to us as the result of the coroner's inquest, that one of the British airmen was brought down by the Germans on Saturday, I respectfully submit to you that we, who are responsible for this Government, are entitled to know the truth?

I do not know where the discrepancy is. Does the hon. Gentleman say that the casualty was not included in the general list? The answer says it was.

But it is not true. On that point of Order I submit, Sir, that we all know the form of these communiqués, and that where a raid occurs they state how many alien airmen were brought down and how many of ours were brought down. The casualties given in the communiqué from the Press Bureau consist of men, women, and children in the Metropolitan area, and in the Isle of Thanet; it did not include that British airman. I submit I am entitled on that ground—

I do not think that is a matter capable of being held to be a definite matter of urgent public importance.

May I ask, Sir, whether you do not consider, on a question like this of communiqués to the public, that the point raised by my hon. Friend is only one point on which this House could be easily satisfied as to its accuracy, and that the whole country is asking and seeking for an opportunity for this House to debate that communiqué and the raid, so that the public confidence in the War Office may be re-established?

I do not take that view.

As I cannot raise the question in the way I propose I beg to give notice that, to-night, on the Adjournment, I will raise the distinct question as to whether a coroner's inquest can be held on a fighting man brought down in a raid, and whether the casualty to the British airman was included in the Press Bureau's statement.

In column 1706 of the OFFICIAL REPORT (Daily Part) we get a very strange omission, and I am sure the House is most anxious that extreme accuracy should be ensured in all these reports. At two minutes to eleven on the evening of the night before last, you called on me, Sir, in the Secret Session, and I had the opportunity of addressing the House for the last two minutes, at which time you rose and proposed the Adjournment of the House. I see no mention of that Adjournment, which was moved automatically, at eleven o' clock under the Rule. I see no mention, furthermore, of what is much more important even than that. I rose on the Motion for the Adjournment, and continued my remarks on this matter of urgent public importance. [Interruption.] We are now listening to the laughter of fools—

The hon. Member is not entitled to address the House in that way.

Sit down!

asked the Prime Minister how many Royal and other Commissions, Special Committees, and Departmental Committees have been appointed by Parliament since the commencement of the War; how many of these Commissions and Committees are now sitting; is there any limit to the tonnage of paper which they are allowed to use in connection with the businesses and the Reports they issue; and, in view of the wastage of paper by the Government and the threatened paper shortage, will the Government assist the Press of the country by doing all they can to prevent any more paper being used on Government work than is absolutely necessary?

As regards the first and second parts of this question, perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will await the Return which has already been promised by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer; but I may say at once that every effort is made by the Treasury to limit the expenditure on paper in connection with Committees. A circular issued to public Departments on the 15th October, 1915, drew special attention to the necessity of economising in printing, and asked that every effort should be made to reduce both the number and bulk of publications; while the Controller of the Stationery Office was asked to require special authority from the Treasury for any publication in which, in his opinion, economies could be effected. Further, all secretaries of Commissions and temporary Committees are instructed to reproduce documents wherever possible by some other process than by printing, and special sanction is now required for the printing of verbatim reports of evidence.

Can my hon. Friend say when he proposes to issue to Members a notebook containing a list of the Committees and Commissions of these Departments as promised by the Leader of the House some months ago?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question.

Would not that be a very great waste of paper too?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can assure this House and the country that we still maintain superiority in the air on the Western Front?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on 13th March and to the statement made recently by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board.

Are we to understand definitely that at the present time we hold superiority on the Western Front?

You are not to understand any such thing. I purposely did not give any express answer to this question. The House knows very well that the question of the mastery of the air is very uncertain at any given moment, and it is quite impossible to answer questions of that kind either by an affirmative or a negative. They can only be answered by a very lengthy Debate.

Will the Leader of the House give us the opportunity of having this Debate?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the apprehensions felt by our French Allies at the shortage of fuel in Paris and elsewhere during the coming winter; and whether, in the event of shortage of labour and tonnage preventing this country placing an adequate amount at their disposal, the Government will themselves take over certain coal mines, place the same at the disposal of the French Government, the coal to be worked by French labour, and transported in French bottoms to its destination?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Government have already taken possession of the coal mines. The question of the maintenance of supplies of coal to the Allies is one of shipping, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the Shipping Controller is taking every step possible to secure a supply of coal to our Ally.

Is the right hon. Gentleman fully aware of the anxiety felt in Paris on this question? It is very important.

I appreciate that there has been a shortage of coal. I hope we shall take steps to secure some mitigation of the difficulty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether fanners, in addition to their existing partial immunity from Super-tax and their complete immunity from Excess Profits Duty in respect of gains arising from the business of farming, are to all practical intents and purposes allowed to conduct jobbing or dealing operations in various open markets in competition therein with people who are not farmers; and, if so, can he say whether the immunity above referred to extends to such dealings, or whether any attempt; is made to collect Income Tax and Super-tax upon profits of the latter class?

A farmer who, in addition to farming, carries on some other business, for example, that of a cattle dealer, is separately assessed to Income Tax in respect of the profits of that other business, which are also subject to the ordinary liability to Super-tax and to Excess Profits Duty.

asked the Prime Minister the conditions under which racing tests for thoroughbreds are being at present carried out in France; whether the public are admitted to the racecourses; and whether any betting is allowed?

The Government have no information on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have now departed from their policy that it was necessary in the national interests to prohibit the holding of all race meetings in the United Kingdom after the week ending 5th May; whether any conditions have been attached to the resumption of racing; and whether the Government propose to prohibit all betting at race meetings and the publication of betting news, having regard to the need for national economy during the War?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The course indicated in the last part of the question has been considered, but, in the opinion of the Government, it is not practicable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what conditions have been attached to the resumption of racing, and does he consider it to be in the national interest to allow betting to be continued at this time?

Personally, I cannot say that I consider betting to be in the national interest. It is a question of how much you are going to interfere, not with my views, but with those of other people, unless they are necessitated by the War.

What are the restrictions that are to be applied?

I think the information was communicated in a letter to the Jockey Club which has appeared in the Press.