asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the official report to the American Government which reveals the fact that quantities of materials for the manufacture of munitions are being shipped to Germany from Sweden, and that these shipments were supplemented by the imports from the United States, and that during the last two years Sweden exported to Germany 2,000,000 tons of ore, and, in addition, large quantities of other necessary ores, and 200,000 tons of wood pulp for the manufacture of high explosives; and whether, after nearly three years of war, and in view of the action of America, the Foreign Office will assist the Americans to make the blockade really effective?

It is true that in the last two years Sweden has exported large quantities of iron ore, wood pulp, and other commodities produced in Sweden to enemy countries. These commodities are the product of Sweden, and when exported to Germany across the Baltic they do not pass through our blockade; but the Allied countries welcome the action of the United States Government, taken with a view to prevent such supplies reaching the enemy. I am not aware of any imports into Sweden of these articles during the past eighteen months.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the American statement is that some of these materials do come from America, and therefore do come by sea; and may we understand now from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that the British Government are really going to take the gloves off at last?

I do not know in the least what is the meaning of the insinuation in the hon. Gentleman's last sentence, but I may say that the blockade has been enforced with the utmost power and we have exerted the full belligerent rights of this country ever since I have had anything to do with it.

asked the Under-Secretary whether he has any official information showing that Holland had exported to Germany during the first quarter of this year 5,616 metric tons of potato meal as well as quantities of potatoes, meat, fish, and dairy produce; and whether, seeing that it is the indisputable right of the Allies to prevent any neutral feeding Germany, and in view of the extent to which Holland for nearly three years has been feeding Germany, he can now assure the House that the Navy will now be allowed to stop any foodstuffs or other materials going to Holland which might subsequently be exported to Germany?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards potatoes, however, only fifteen tons were exported to Germany. According to the Dutch official statistics for the first quarter of this year the total exports of butter, cheese, fish and meat to Germany were 20,000 metric tons, whilst 13,600 tons were exported to the United Kingdom. His Majesty's Government are informed that during the same period 10,782 tons of milk were exported to the United Kingdom and 1,650 tons to Germany. As regards the last part of the question, all foodstuffs going into Holland overseas which were destined for Germany, have been stopped for a long time past.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information stated in the question is given in writing by a Dutch editor who was not allowed to publish it?

How could I be aware of that fact?

asked whether, under the terms of the Representation of the People Bill, members of both Irish police forces will be placed on an equality with members of the police forces of Great Britain with regard to the exercise of the franchise?

The Bill does not, as I am advised, repeal the Acts which preclude constables in Ireland from the exercise of the electoral franchise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will give the amount now standing in the books of the National Debt Commissioners to the credit of the Constabulary Force Fund; whether any account has lately been rendered to the subscribers, and, if so, the date on which such account was rendered?

The account of the Constabulary Force Fund to the 31st March, 1917, is being prepared, and will shortly be issued to subscribers.

Could I have an answer to the last part of my question?

If my hon. and gallant Friend attaches importance to it, perhaps he will communicate with me, or ask a further question, and I will see if I can get the information.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the building by-laws of the borought of West Ham forbid the construction of any building unless the whole ground surface under every domestic building is properly asphalted or covered with a layer of good concrete cement; and whether the reconstruction work carried out by his Department at Silvertown was in accordance with these by-laws?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The by-laws, however, are operative only in respect of entirely new or rebuilt houses. The local authorities, who were consulted, informed the Board that they had no power to enforce their by-laws in respect of the work which the Government were undertaking at Silvertown.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will meet the systematic attempts to create ill-feeling between Russia and this country on the grounds of forcible military service, penal legislation, and the denial of independence to Ireland, by placing travelling and other facilities at the disposal of accredited representatives of any Russian school of thought who care to visit Ire land and study at first-hand the results of British government in that country?

The Government are not prepared to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the practice followed in Departments, other than the India Office, of sending information of a vital nature as private telegrams or epistolary correspondence, and that this practice is followed in connection with foreign affairs; whether, in particular, he has noticed the letter sent by Lord Hardinge, Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Office, dated 21st July, 1916, and addressed to Sir George Buchanan at Petrograd; and whether Lord Hardinge will be cautioned against the writing of such letters?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative.

In view of the fact that Lord Hardinge has special facilities for writing, having his letters free from censorship, will some steps be taken to prevent him committing extra gross indiscretions?

asked the Prime Minister when Lord Faringdon's Committee's Report on the Consular Service will be published?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to questions by the hon. Members for Mid-Armagh and Leith Burghs on Monday last.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that efficient anti-aircraft defence is and will be an element of growing importance in the permanent defences of the country, adequate facilities have been given by the establishment of suitable experimental stations for working out the technical problems connected with anti-aircraft gunnery on lines similar to those by which the Navy was enabled before the War to solve with so high a measure of success the technical problems of long-range gunnery at moving targets at sea?

At the School of Gunnery, Shoeburyness, there are full facilities for working out all the technical problems connected with anti-aircraft gunnery. The subject is also dealt with in the Munitions and Design Departments of the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Home Secretary if the Government has come to any decision as regards giving warnings to London in the case of enemy air raids; if so, can he state what method they propose to adopt; and in what manner will their instructions be issued to the public?

The Government have decided forthwith to set up machinery for obtaining (so far as possible) reliable in-formation as to any enemy aircraft which may be actually approaching London, with a view to giving public warning of their approach. For this purpose, it will be necessary to establish a wide circle of observation posts and to provide rapid telephonic communication with a central office from which the directions for a public warning will be issued; and arrangements for these purposes are now being made. The method by which warning can best be given to the public is under consideration. As soon as the arrangements are completed, a public announcement will be made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when he will be able to give any definite information to the public?

Any definite information of steps in regard to the change?

As to how the warning is to be given.

We are considering that, and will make an announcement very shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when?

In the proposed system does the right hon. Gentleman include warnings to large works other than munition works containing a number of female workers who are anxious to have actual warning of the approach of aircraft?

This refers only to public warnings.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he knows that aircraft were approaching London this morning, and if anybody had any warning?

No, Sir; I did not know that.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of setting all the telephone bells all over London ringing?

That kind of warning would not reach the people in the streets.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether telephonic communication will be at once cut off directly these warnings are given?

Special facilities will be given for telephone messages which, are intended for the purpose of giving information and assistance. Subject to that the ordinary practice will go on.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that hospitals get at least as good warning as Government Departments?

I believe that the General Headquarters, Home Forces, do endeavour to obtain that result.

asked the Parliamentary Representative of the Air Board if he can state whether any British aeroplanes were lost or damaged in the German air raid on this country of the 7th July instant?

I am afraid that it would not be in the national interest to make any information public on this point, but I will inform my hon. Friend privately.

While accepting the answer of the hon. Gentleman, is it a fact that on the 7th of July, when certain of our aeroplanes tried to rise from Hendon aerodrome it was discovered that their engines had been tampered with?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to repeat his statement of yesterday that the War Office are not prepared to make any inquiry as to what took place at Hendon?

I never made any such statement. Whenever any necessity for an inquiry arises there will always be an inquiry.

Is an inquiry being instituted, or will there be?

How many of our machines were brought down by our own guns?

I will raise this point on the Adjournment to-night. Last night there was no Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is still an unsatisfied demand for homegrown timber; if so, is he aware that there are quantities of timber in East Sussex awaiting sale; and will he ascertain whether the ordinary sale of home-grown timber is being hampered by the action of timber rings or other syndicates?

There is a greatly increasing demand for home-grown timber, and the development of home supplies is of the greatest possible national importance. I am aware that supplies are available not merely in East, Sussex but throughout the country, and their purchase and conversion by the Controller of Timber Supplies and by private enterprise are proceeding as rapidly as possible. The information in my possession does not lead me to believe that the ordinary sale of home-grown timber is at present hampered in the way suggested in the question, but if my hon. Friend will give particulars of any case he has in mind prompt inquiries will be made. Cases where standing timber has been purchased with a view to holding for a possible rise in price and not for conversion have been met by the Standing Timber Order. 1917, published in last Friday's "Gazette," and of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. Should any additional powers be necessary to deal with the timber situation I shall not fail to take and exercise them.

I will send the correspondence, if I may, to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce the financial arrangements which have been entered into with the coal owners in connection with the State control of the coal industry?

I fear I am not in a position to make a definite statement at present. A scheme has been drawn up and has been very fully discussed with representatives of the Mining Association, but it has not yet been given its final form.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain how such a very long delay has taken place in settling this scheme, and will he undertake to publish it in the form of a White Paper when it is completed?

I do not think I can give a full explanation in the form of an answer across the floor of the House. The negotiations have been more protracted than I contemplated when making previous replies. The latter question I will consider.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the Irish Railway Executive Committee have yet made any arrangements to deal with the transit of Irish agricultural produce in the coming harvest?

No doubt the Irish Railway Executive Committee are alive to the importance of this matter, but I will bring the hon. Gentleman's question to their notice.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Petrol Committee have stopped issuing petrol for pleasure cars, he will state what steps are taken by the Petrol Committee to investigate the particulars given by applicants for petrol?

As I informed my hon. Friend on 9th July, applicants for petrol licences are required to fill in a form giving particulars of the motor vehicle used, the purposes for which it is used, the amount of petrol in stock, and the quantity required per month. While it would not be practicable for the Petrol Control Department to investigate systematically the accuracy of the statements made by applicants for motor spirit licences, persons proved to have made false statements are liable to a penalty and to forfeiture of their licences.

Would it not be possible to limit the use of private cars to 12-horse-power cars?

That is not within my province.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increased cost of living, the Government will take steps to increase the amounts payable under the Workmen's Compensation Acts to workmen and dependants?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The Government have had this question under consideration and have consulted representatives of the employers and workmen on the subject. Considerable progress has now been made in the negotiations, and I hope to be in a position shortly to make a definite announcement.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that about two-thirds of the teachers in elementary schools are women, and that only four out of the sixteen members appointed on the Departmental Committee are women, he can see his way to increasing the number of women on this Committee?

I am satisfied that this Committee, as now constituted, is fully competent to consider the subject of their reference in all its aspects, and that it will do full justice to any evidence or representations which are placed before them. They are not asked to deal with rates of salary, but only with the principles on which salary scales should be constructed.

Why, under the circumstances, were so few women put on this Committee?

Because I consider it is very well constituted as it is.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, having regard to the fact that he has refused to the people of Ireland the right to elect delegates to frame a constitution for their own country, and that the chairmen of county councils nominated by him only represent a constituency of about one twenty-eighth of their respective counties, he will take steps, and, if so, of what nature, to elicit the opinion of the remaining twenty-seven twenty-eighths of the people of each county in Ireland before asking them to submit to the finding of such a small minority; and (2) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the minds of large numbers of people in Ireland on the ground that the proposed assembly to try and frame a constitution for the Irish people is unrepresentative; and whether he will even now, in order to restore respect and confidence in its deliberations, create it a convention to be elected by the Irish people?

The answer to these questions is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether the refusal by the Cabinet in August, 1913, to Viscount Midleton and the late Earl Roberts to surrender decorations and titles conferred on them by the Sovereigns of States at war with this country still obtains in the case of the holders of such decorations and titles; whether Lord Hardinge of Penshurst is still the holder of the Order of Leopold of Austria, conferred on him by a Sovereign of an enemy country; and, if so, whether it is intended to allow him to hold this Order in view of his retention of the office of Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?

There are many persons in this country who before the War were possessed of Orders and decorations conferred upon them by enemy Sovereigns. The Government has no means of knowing whether or not their names still remain upon the records of those Orders, and there is no machinery by which these Orders could be returned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let us have a list of all these various honours and distinctions conferred by foreign Governments?

I do not in the least know how such a list can be obtained, and I do not see the least use in obtaining it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both Lord Midleton and the late Lord Roberts asked to be allowed to surrender these foreign decorations and were not allowed by the Cabinet of the day, and does the present Cabinet still maintain that salutary rule?

The hon. Gentleman is asking me a question of fact with regard to which I am ignorant. I do not know.

asked the Prime Minister when the Motion for the Second Reading of the Titles Deprivation Bill, which has come down from the House of Lords, will be moved; and whether, having regard to the public interest in this measure and the fact that this House was precluded from instituting legislation on this subject, it will be placed first in the list of the Orders of the Day?

It will be on the Order Paper to-morrow, and I hope that it may be possible to take it at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Commissions on Mesopotamia and Gallipoli have disclosed avoidable sacrifice of life through incompetent generalship, steps will be taken to secure a similar inquiry into the operations on the Western front since the 1st July last in view of the casualties they have entailed?

May I ask your ruling, Sir, whether a question of this sort is in the public interest?

It is not for me to say whether a question is in the public interest. I should have to rule a good many out.

The answer is in the negative.

Is it not more important to inquire into the cause of casualties of hundreds of thousands than into the casualties of tens of thousands?

It may be more important, but as far as we can judge there will be no advantage from any point of view in the course suggested.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the action of the French Chamber of Deputies in calling upon Ministers to account for the casualties suffered in the offensive of April last and to the assurance secured that the lives of French soldiers will be safeguarded; and will he take steps to enable the House of Commons to exercise a similar control over the high command in the matter of what is officially termed wastage?

I do not consider that such action as is proposed in the question is either necessary or desirable.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that similar action to that taken by the Chamber of Deputies would be likely to create the impression that French lives are more precious than British lives?

I do not know what action was taken in the French Parliament as it was in secret session, but I believe this House, as well as the country, considers that the Higher Command is as anxious to save the lives of our soldiers as anyone else.

Will the right hon. Gentleman read the Report made public by the Minister for War in the French Chamber of Deputies in which he constantly referred to the question of preventing the sacrifice of soldiers' lives?

Why should he not? My view is—and I think the House will share it—that the moment the House considers a Commander-in-Chief does not put that as one of his first duties he ought to be removed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to reduce the amount chargeable for licences to shoot game in view of the prohibition of the use of gun cartridges for purposes of sport?

I have looked into the matter, and I do not think it right to take the course suggested in the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his Department was aware of the manner in which the work of reconstruction was carried, out at Silvertown by the Office of Works; and whether it was considered that this work was performed in a manner consistent with the spirit of the Public Health Acts?

The Local Government Board were aware that the reinstatement of the damaged property was to be undertaken by the Office of Works. Any question as to the manner in which the work was carried out should be addressed to that Department.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether the Boundary Commissioners for the Redistribution of Seats have any powers which enable them to make alterations in boundaries or names of constituencies except within the terms of the Instructions submitted to and approved by the House of Commons; (2) whether he is aware that the Boundary Commissioners have in the case of the ancient Parliamentary Borough of Hythe, which retains separate representation under the scheme of redistribution, altered the name to the Parliamentary Borough of Folkestone without the authority of Parliament; and whether, in view of the Instructions to the Commissioners that ancient Parliamentary boroughs which lose their separate representation are to have the right to give their names to the county divisions into which they are merged, there is any authority under the Instructions to the Commissioners to refuse the same treatment to an ancient Parliamentary borough which retains its representation?

Any alterations either in boundaries or names made by the Boundary Commissioners will be made by them solely for the purpose of the Representation of the People Bill now before the House, and will, of course, be subject to review by Parliament. As regards the particular case referred to by my right hon. Friend, I have no doubt the Commissioners will give full and sympathetic consideration to any representations which may be made to them on the subject.

asked whether, during the period that the Great Central Hotel, Marylebone, has been used as a convalescent home for British officers, Mr. Frick has been the manager of the hotel or been employed there in any, and what, capacity; what is his nationality; and whether he is still there now that the hotel is used as a hospital?

Yes, Sir; he has been employed as manager for some time past and is still there. He is of Swiss nationality, and has a son in the British Army.

asked the Home Secretary the number of enemy aliens interned and not interned now residing on the East and South-East coast of England and if even interned aliens get leave to go out into the country; and if he will consider the advisability of moving all these people to another locality where they would have less chance of assisting the enemy?

Alien enemies are not interned on the East or South-East coasts. As regards the conditions under which certain persons of enemy nationality are residing in the coastal areas, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Brentford Division on the 3rd May.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that people of British nationality, whether naturalised or unnaturalised, are not allowed to be at liberty in Germany, he can say why so many thousands of unnaturalised enemy aliens and naturalised aliens of enemy origin are still allowed to be at liberty in this country; and if he will consider the advisability of altering this condition of affairs with a view to avoiding anti-alien riots in this country?

If the hon. and gallant Member means that in Germany all British subjects and persons of British origin naturalised as Germans have been interned, my information is that such is not the case. As regards the rest of his question, I would refer to the many previous answers on this subject and to my statement in the Debate on 14th February.

Is it a fact that almost every single British subject in Germany is interned, or, at any rate, not at liberty?

I can only speak from information given to me, and from that information I believe that that is not the fact.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the deleterious effect of war bread upon the health of many aged persons and invalids; and whether in bonả fide cases of necessity certified by a doctor he will consider the possibility of permitting the use of ordinary flour?

Applications for the use of special flour in the manufacture of bread, when supported by a doctor's certificate, are considered by the Ministry of Food, and licences are granted upon the recommendation of a special board appointed by the Royal Society.

Can the hon. Gentleman not got rid of all the German bakers in London?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the old understanding that preference with regard to the employment of women in the Royal yards was to be given, to widows and orphans of men who have given their lives for their country in the naval service or have been employed for many years previous to their death in the Royal dockyards still holds good; and, if so, will he cause this intimation to be posted up in the local Employment Exchanges and given as much publicity as possible?

The Order to which my hon. Friend refers is still in force to-day. So far as the employing authorities are concerned, namely, the yard officials, they, are fully alive to its existence. If my hon. Friend desires that persons interested and de siring to secure employment should have their attention called to it, I see no objection to that, and will pass on to the Ministry of Labour the suggestion that the notice should be posted at the Employment Exchanges.

asked the number of women employed in the Royal dockyards respectively and the number of female applicants awaiting employment in the yards respectively?

The total number of women now employed in the Royal yards is upwards of 4,200. I may say that, before the War, the figure was 450. As regards the waiting list, I should have to make inquiry about that from each yard. I really do not think there is any necessity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is still the practice of the heads of departments in the Royal dockyards to keep lists of eligible women awaiting employment; and, in view of the number of women applying and the few vacancies that occur, he will consider the advisability of pooling the lists and centralising the work under the direction of local departmental committees?

I have already stated that these lists are kept, and I have explained the practice in regard to them. Certainly the list of applicants in any given dockyard district should be treated as a whole by the yard authorities, and I am making inquiries as to whether that is not now the case. But, of course, it must still rest with the responsible local head of each employing branch to decide as to the fitness of the applicants for the work required to be done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the dockyard towns there is a very large number of deserving women—orphans and widows —who cannot get employment in the yards,? If there are lists in the yards for these women who want employment, why do they not get it?

I share my hon. Friend's anxiety to find employment for these women, but the amount of employment given depends upon whether there are vacancies or not.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is his intention to acquire the site of the ruined area lying between Henry Street and Princes Street in Dublin; whether he is aware that in the opinion of traders in Henry Street the extension of the post office buildings in that direction would ruin the trade and character of that street; whether, before any definite proceedings are taken, the local residents will be asked to express their views on the matter; and whether it was with the sanction of his office that a local agent got quotations for sites under threat of their being compulsorily acquired?

The reconstruction of the General Post Office in Dublin is engaging my active consideration, but I am not yet able to say more than that I shall endeavour to give due weight to the wishes both of the citizens as a whole and of the residents in the district, about which I am well informed. I have not authorised any intimation that compulsory powers will be obtained, and I trust it will be possible to secure any additional ground required without resorting to compulsory purchase.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether English prisoners of war in Germany have recently been subjected to more cruel treatment than heretofore; and, if so, what attempts are being made to remedy such a state of things?

As my hon. and learned Friend is aware, a conference of British and German delegates has recently been held at The Hague to consider questions relating to the welfare of prisoners of war. There were undoubted indications that the treatment of British prisoners of war had grown worse during recent months, but there is now every reason to hope that an improvement in the treatment of our prisoners will result from the discussions which took place. All the unsatisfactory information which is received by the Prisoners of War Department is carefully considered, and frequent representations are made to the German Government through the Netherlands Legation at Berlin.

Has the hon. Member any information as to when the agreement is likely to be adopted by the German Government?

I am afraid that I am not in their confidence.

Will our Government adopt the recommendations?