asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continued expense of the land valuation and collection of Land Value Duties, he will appoint a small Committee, consisting of advocates and opponents of these duties in equal numbers, with an impartial chairman, to consider whether this expense is justified in war-time, and, if not, how it can best be diminished or abolished?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether General Smuts is now a full member of the War Cabinet?

I can add nothing to the answer to the hon. Member's question on the 28th June.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to close down the Ministry of National Service; and, if so, on what date?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, concurrently with the sitting of his nominated group of distinguished gentlemen who propose to sit in Dublin under the title of a Convention, he will summon a meeting of those elected by the democracy of Ireland to frame a Constitution for their country?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state for what proportion of the Irish people the delegates to the Irish Convention will be able to speak?

I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement of the Prime Minister on 11th June. A list of the members of the Irish Convention will be published at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the cause of the delay in setting up the Conference on the House of Lords; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the subject?

The delay has been due to pressure of war work, but I hope shortly to be in a position to make the announcement.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take occasion shortly before the summer adjournment, either in ordinary or secret Session, as may be considered most advisable, to review the military and domestic situation and inform the House as fully as possible of its salient features, in order that Members may be in a position with the full facts before them to decide in what manner they can best assist the Government to guide public opinion and action?

I shall consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether an Order has been issued by which exceptions may be made in the quality of the flour milled under physicians' recommendations; will he consider the undesirability of placing physicians in the difficulty of having to determine whether the demand for pre-war white bread is merely a matter of prejudice; whether he is aware that such Order complicates the definite carrying out of the regulations relating to the milling of flour; (2) whether, in view of the probable danger to public health in permitting so high a percentage of cereal flour other than wheat, namely, between 20 per cent. and 50 per cent., and especially when there are no regulations, except in the case of bean flour, as to the relative quantities allowed within the 50 per cent., he will rescind the order permitting so much admixture as 50 per cent.; is he aware that, owing to the regulations by which there is no compulsory limit of the amount of any of such admitted cereals within the 50 per cent. permitted except in the case of bean flour, the quality of flour delivered to bakers varies so much in quality and character as to render its proper baking a matter of difficulty, resulting sometimes in danger to health; whether, under specified regulations, the milling and sale of flour of over 90 per cent. whole grain without admixture is now permitted, and, if not, will he consider the desirability of issuing an Order to that effect; is he aware that wheaten bread in former times was made from practically whole-grain flour properly screened, and that where such bread was the usual food of the people they, and especially the children, were more healthy and vigorous than has been the case in recent years when white flour has been principally used; and (3) whether he has official information showing that some millers add moisture to flour for the purposes of increased profit; and, if so, is there any regulation limiting compulsorily the amount of moisture in flour as sold?

I have already informed the hon. Member that permission to use special flour in the manufacture of bread is only granted in urgent cases upon the recommendation of a special Board appointed by the Royal Society. The maximum for permitted admixtures was fixed as a general instruction in case of a temporary shortage of supplies of wheat. The actual practice of the trade is to adhere as closely as possible to the prescribed minimum in order to produce an attractive quality of flour. The variation in flour is due not to diversities of prescribed admixture, but, as has already been explained, to the difficulty of ensuring an adequate supply of specified cereals in a particular centre at a given time. Permission has already been given for the milling of wholemeal from wheat to a percentage of not less than 95 without admixture- I am in entire agreement with the hon. Member as to the nutritive properties of wholemeal bread. As regards the addition of moisture to flour, I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member last Thursday.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will increase the pensions of the national school teachers' pensions during the War; if he is aware that a number of these men, who have devoted their lives to the teaching profession, are now existing on from 10s. to 12s. per week?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject on the 20th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any arrangement has yet been made to grant leave to Irish soldiers who have not been home since the outbreak of War?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on the 11th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will issue instructions to commanding officers and recruiting officers that, wherever possible, Irishmen in English or other regiments will be allowed to transfer to an Irish regiment; and if he is aware that commanding officers have refused to consider applications when made?

Instructions have been issued to commanding officers laying down that Irishmen will be allowed to transfer. Recruiting officers are also instructed that recruits who have a preference for their national regiments should be sent there whenever possible. I am not aware of any failure to carry out these instructions.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Stephen John Murphy, of Park House, Alperton, Middlesex, a lad of seventeen, who has been irregularly called to the Colours by the recruiting officer, Harrow; whether Murphy, on first being called on 8th February last, informed the recruiting officer that he was seventeen years of age on the 11th January, 1917, and that a copy of his birth certificate could be obtained from the registrar of births, Cork, Ireland; whether special facilities have been provided whereby recruiting officers may obtain copies of birth certificates for military purposes without the expense involved to private individuals; whether Murphy has now been called again to join the Colours on 12th July; and, if so, having regard to his age and to the fact that he is the only male worker on a small fruit and vegetable farm of a female relation, he will see that this boy is not called to the Colours before he attains the legal age for such call?

Inquiries are being made into the case of Stephen John Murphy, and I will communicate the result of these to my hon. Friend. There are no special arrangements whereby recruiting officers are enabled to obtain birth certificates for military purposes without the expense involved to private individuals.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether general instructions have been issued to call up for military service all ministers and clergymen, including Anglican clergymen and Roman Catholic clergymen, who have been ordained subsequent to the appointed date under the Military Service Acts; and, if not, why exceptions have been made in the case of certain ordained Nonconformist ministers?

No general instructions of this character have been issued, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the written answer given on the 19th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthenshire West.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to put a stop to the tyrannical treatment of men in the 8th East Lancashire Regiment stationed at Knowsley Park, Prescot, who, for such a thing as falling out on a march through physical exhaustion, were punished with an hour's extra parade?

If my hon. Friend will give me the names and numbers of the men to whom he alludes, I will have inquiry made into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will at once inquire into the case of Private T. Ferns, No. 65115, 393rd Home-Service Labour Company, Pembroke Dock, who within the last month has been examined by three medical boards, and has been classed B 2, B 1, and now A 1, while still remaining in precisely the same physical condition; and, as the man is undoubtedly quite unfit for active military service, will he have a special examination made of him?

I am inquiring as to the matters raised, and will communicate with my lion. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the conduct of a major towards one of the men of his Company at York Station on Monday morning, 16th July, in pouring a cup of hot coffee over the soldier's bare head; if he is aware that one of the lady voluntary workers at the soldiers' and sailors' buffet at York Station remonstrated with the officer; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Inquiries are being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether Charles Lee, 8/32018, Rifle Brigade, is confined to the Wandsworth Detention Barracks as a conscientious objector after transfer from Woking; whether he was entitled to a visit after the 9th July; and whether the time served in Woking should be included in the period which must elapse before letters or visits are allowed?

It will be necessary to inquire locally before I can answer this question, but I will let my hon. Friend know as soon as possible.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that the military representative at the Newport Tribunal Stated, on 30th May, 1917, that the Army took men who had only one leg or only one arm; and whether, in view of the official statement that men who were devoid of a limb even in civil life would not be called up for re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, he will say on what authority the military representative made the statement attributed to him; and if any action will be taken in the matter?

I am not aware of the statement by the military representative at the Newport Tribunal, nor was it made by any instructions from the War Office. I can well understand however, that a man who has lost a limb may nevertheless be quite suitable for working in the Army at his trade.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he has now received a report on the case of Mr. Sam Leigh, of Hyde, who, although he duly notified the authorities that he had lost one arm, was twice ordered to be examined at Chester Castle under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act and was so examined, first on 17th May, 1917, and again a few days later; and whether, in view of the official pledge given on this subject, he will state what action has been or will be taken in the matter?

This man having lost a limb, need not have reported, but should have returned his Statutory Order with an endorsement. He did, however, report, and not being in a fit state, he had to be sent away. His name appeared on the books of the officer dealing with medical re-examination, who was unaware of his disability. Owing to his condition on the first occasion, he had not previously gone through this officer's hands. He was therefore recalled on 26th May and was then finally discharged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the announcement made about the rights of Russia under the convention for mutual military service covers and confirms the assurances given when the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Act was passed, especially with regard to the right to appeal to a tribunal; is he aware that the public notice has been taken as amounting to a breach of faith; and whether, to prevent any sense of injustice and bad faith, he will give to all aliens, who may now or hereafter become liable to military service, the right to go before a tribunal here before they decide where they should choose to serve?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative, and to the rest of the question the answer is in the negative. The convention which has been concluded with the Russian Government was laid before Parliament on the 19th July.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information concerning the convention for mutual conscription of subjects made with Russia; whether British subjects wishing to return from Russia to serve here will be granted facilities to bring wives and dependants with them; if not, how will dependants be provided for there; if they are so granted facilities, why cannot similar facilities be granted to Russians desirous of taking wives and dependants to Russia; if Russians leave dependants behind them without means, will separation allowance be made to keep those dependants, or what other means of support other than Poor Law relief will be available?

With reference to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I must refer him to the convention which has been concluded with the Russian Government, which was laid before Parliament on the 19th July. With reference to the travelling facilities which will be or are being made for the return to their respective countries of Russian subjects who are resident in Great Britain and of British subjects who are resident in Russia, it is not in the public interest that particulars as to the arrangements which are being made should be disclosed to the public, and I am unable to add anything to the memorandum which has been issued on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, in view of the provision in the Representation of the People Bill conferring the vote upon soldiers, it is proposed to grant to men in the Service full political rights and to alter the Regulations accordingly?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave in this connection to my hon. Friend the Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Francis James Munns, a conscientious objector, sentenced by court-martial to eighteen months' hard labour on the 19th April last, and now in Winchester Prison; whether he is aware that Munns is being kept in solitary confinement and is suffering very much with his eyes, which are very weak; and whether there is any possibility of this man having special optical treatment in order that his imprisonment shall not seriously affect his eyesight?

This prisoner is employed in the workshop. He is reported to be in good general health, but he suffers from weakness of the eye muscles, which is receiving attention. This condition existed prior to his reception in prison, and does not appear to be affected by his imprisonment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the pay of the men of the Territorial Force has been reduced by 2½d. a day kit allowance as from the 1st July; if so, for what reason; and, in view of the fact that this sum is a material part of a soldier's pay, whether the allowance will be immediately restored?

There has been no reduction in pay. Hitherto men of the Territorial Force had to maintain their own necessaries and received an allowance in cash. They have now been brought into line with the Regular Army, and their necessaries are supplied in kind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the court-martial held at Hounslow on the 19th June on three officers of the Royal Flying Corps has yet promulgated its decision; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay, and have the officers returned to duty?

I understand that these proceedings have now been promulgated, but I cannot make any definite statement until the proceedings have been returned to the War Office after promulgation. One of the trials resulted in an acquittal; the other officers would return to duty in the usual course after the promulgation of the sentences.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the lack of aeroplanes spares affected the number of machines of the latest service type which could have been put in action during the air raid of the 7th July; will the Government take steps to ensure that the contracts for spares are not encroached on to make new machines, and similarly, when an increase in certain types of machines is ordered, that a contract for a liberal percentage of spares is placed at the same time in order to avoid a similar shortage; will he say what action, if any, is taken to ensure that spares contracts are delivered in the specified time; and whether any action is taken against defaulting contractors?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the remainder of the question, the practice is to order together with the machines a liberal percentage of spare parts, and all practicable steps are being taken to secure that machines and spare gear are delivered concurrently.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the recruiting staff at Maryborough Barracks, Ireland, consists of a recruiting officer, with the rank of major, who lives about seven miles from the barracks and attends only for a short time each day, a civilian clerk, a woman clerk assistant, and a private soldier who acts as messenger; what is the total number of recruits during the last three months and whether all the necessary work could be done by the barrack sergeant, as it was done during the South African War?

I have called for a report, and will inform my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Messrs. Robinson and Cleaver, of Belfast, have contracts with his Department; whether he is aware that the employés of this firm are now on strike against low and inadequate wages, and that women and girls with from seven to eight years' experience are paid in some cases as little as 9s. to 9s. 7½d. per week; and whether he will make it a condition of any future contract that a living wage must be paid to those employed?

The firm in question holds a contract with the War Office, but no report has been received by the Department of a strike or of the payment of unfair wages. The Fair-Wages Clause forms one of the contract conditions. Inquiry will be made into the statements contained in the question, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he will explain why, as it is the invariable practice of his Department in cases where an Army meat contractor is detected supplying a bull quarter of beef instead of an ox to strike him permanently off the list of Army contractors, an exception should have been made in the case of J. Lyons and Company, Limited, who were convicted for a much more serious offence; and whether he considered also the number of times this firm have been convicted for supplying short weight in bread.

The practice is not as stated. Every case is considered on its merits. I have no information on the matter referred to in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that the women crane-drivers employed at Chapel-town Ironworks, near Sheffield, are only receiving from 20s. to 22s. per week, whereas the proper rate with war bonus is £2 2s. per week; if he is aware that women working as bricklayers' labourers for the same firm are only receiving 5½d. per hour, whereas the town rate is 7½d. per hour; that women doing labouring at the Clay Cross Ironworks are only receiving 22s. per week; that the women labouring at the Sheffield gasworks are only receiving 25s. 6d. per week; if he is aware that in munition works at Sheffield many women doing crane-driving, engine-tenting, and labouring are paid at least 10s. below the standard; and that the firms in question are either controlled or doing Government contract work; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

Instructions have been given for an immediate general investigation into the wages paid to women employed on munitions work in Sheffield, and the result shall be communicated to my hon. Friend.

asked the Pensions Minister whether Mr. Cyril Jackson, who was vice-chairman of the Statutory Committee, has ceased to hold office under the Ministry of Pensions; and, if not, what office and emoluments are now enjoyed by him?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has or ever had any reason to suppose that the letters of introduction given by the Board to the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark in September last would or might be used for any purpose other than his educational inquiries in America; and whether there is any evidence whatever that such of the letters as were used were not properly used?

I am not aware that there is, or was, any ground, other than the misleading report of a Californian newspaper, for supposing that the hon. Member would or might use the letters given to him for any purpose other than that for which they were given. The Board have no reason whatever to think that the letters were not properly used; and, indeed, they have received evidence that the recipients valued the opportunity given them of discussing educational matters with the hon. Member. The Board have no criticism whatever to make on the hon. Member's action.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the number of men now engaged in frontier warfare in India; what are the casualties for the last twelve months, and what is the number of sick; and whether he can assure the House that the arrangements for the latter are satisfactory?

No frontier warfare is now in progress. The force recently employed in connection with the operations against the Mahsuds amounted to four brigades and some attached units. The late Secretary of State made particular in- quiry as to the medical and sanitary arrangements for the force and was assured that all possible steps had been taken. During the operations Dr. Lankester a distinguished doctor of the Church Missionary Society on the North-West frontier was deputed to make an independent inspection, and the Government of India telegraphed that his report showed that conditions and accommodation were satisfactory. The number of killed, wounded, and missing, of all ranks in all frontier operations during the last twelve months is 501. The Secretary of State has not yet received returns of sickness.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the present weekly pay of sergeants and constables in the Metropolitan Police, and the bonus in each case, respectively?

The pay of station sergeants is 54s., rising by annual increments to 57s.; of section sergeants 43s., rising to 47s.; and of constables 30s., rising to 40s. All these ranks receive a bonus of 8s., with an additional bonus of 1s. 6d. for each child under fifteen living at home and not in paid employment. All officers who had completed twenty-six year's approved service on 19th May, 1915, or who have since that date completed twenty-six years' approved service, will receive on retiring with the Commissioner's permission a bonus of £26 a year for all service after that date and after the completion of twenty-six years' service.

asked the Home Secretary whether, owing to the increased cost of living, the Government is prepared to increase the amount of compensation due to injured employés under the Compensation Act of 1906; if so, to what extent; and would that apply to those already in receipt of compensation?

The consideration of this matter is being pressed forward, but I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a copy of the representation made by the County Chief Constables' Association with reference to return railway tickets being granted to constables at single fares when proceeding on their annual leave; and, if so, will he reconsider his previous decision, having regard to the fact that constables have offered to give assistance to farmers in gathering the harvest during their leave?

I have not seen the representation referred to, but as has already been indicated in previous replies on the subject, it would not be practicable to arrange that police constables should be granted specially reduced fares when proceeding on their annual leave.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether a candidate who qualified for the Consular service in an examination held before the War, but did not obtain an appointment in the competition, and on the outbreak of war enlisted, will after the War have to take his chance with others who appear for the first time in subsequent competitions or whether he will obtain some and, if so, what preference in consideration of the fact that while he was fighting others were studying, and so were enabled to beat him in the post war competition for which he appears?

The whole question of the reorganisation of the Consular service, including the conditions of entry, is now under consideration, and it is therefore not possible for the moment to give a definite reply to the question. My hon. Friend may, however, be assured that the claims of those candidates who have served His Majesty in either the naval or military forces will receive every consideration. The points raised by my hon. Friend shall not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a return of the total number of disabled men who have been discharged from the Army and Navy whose names have been entered at the Employment Exchanges as wanting employment, and give the numbers separately for Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Leicester, Bristol, Nottingham, Aberdeen, Belfast, and Derby.

The total number of discharged soldiers (including disabled) who registered their names for employment at, the Exchanges from April, 1915, to 13th July, 1917, was 127,700. Of these 65,45a subsequently cancelled their registration owing to having found employment, or for other reasons, and 59,400 were placed in employment by the Exchanges. The balance remaining on the books of the Exchanges was 2,850, and these, no doubt, were those who had registered their names towards the end of the period in question. The number of discharged sailors and soldiers registered at the Employment Exchanges from April, 1915, to 13th July, 1917, at the towns specified by the hon. Member were as follows:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with reference to the denial of the police that they provoked the recent riot in Mallow, if his attention has been called to the judgment of the stipendiary magistrates who investigated the police charges; whether he is aware that Mr. Hardy, R.M., said that the Court could not congratulate the police on their action: if the people had been allowed to go home, as they intended to, the regrettable scenes at Annabella Terrace would not have occurred, but as the matter might form the subject of further proceedings, and as the police were not on trial before them, they thought it undesirable to com- ment further on their action; whether, after these comments, Mr. Hardy will be forced to resign, as Mr. McInerney, the Dublin stipendiary, was for similar criticism; what are the further proceedings to which his judgment points; is he aware that the conduct of the district inspector and sergeants, Royal Irish Constabulary, has inflamed the peaceful population of Mallow against the authorities; has Mallow hitherto been a perfectly peaceful district, and will any effort be made by the Executive to convince law-abiding people that they cannot be batoned and assaulted with impunity by those paid to preserve the peace; has the police prosecution, though ending in a nominal conviction with imprisonment till the rising of the Court, resulted in the case of two defendants who refused to give bail in a sentence of two months' imprisonment in default of bail; and, as the peace of a great county is involved, will the discharge of the prisoners be ordered?

I have a seen a report of the proceedings in this case. The resident magistrate made remarks of the nature indicated, but the prisoners before the Court were convicted and sentenced to be imprisoned until the rising of the Court and to be then bound to the peace. They have all given bail for their good behaviour and have been discharged. The further proceedings referred to were probably civil poceedings which defendant's solicitor said might be taken against the police. The peace has generally been kept in Mallow. The processionists whose conduct gave rise to the proceedings in question did not, with one exception, belong to Mallow. It is not anticipated that the proceedings will inflame the people of Mallow against the police. Mr. McInerney retired because he had reached the age limit laid down in his warrant of appointment.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps, if any, are being taken by the Royal Irish Constabulary authorities to abolish the present age limit of forty-eight years, over which a head constable cannot be promoted to the rank of district inspector; why an age limit is necessary in the case of head constables entitled to promotion to higher rank when age is not a bar to promotion in any other rank in the service; whether senior head constables who have been passed over for promotion are performing the duties of district inspector with satisfaction when required to do so during the absence of the district inspector; if he is aware that, since the War started, a number of head constables are replacing officers who have volunteered for active service and gone to the front and performing their duties as substitutes with satisfaction; if he will state the number of head constables in the force; how many of these are eligible for promotion under competitive rules, forty-five years' age limit, and how many under seniority rules, forty-eight years' age limit; whether he is aware that this grievance as regards the age limit, forty-eight years, has been repeatedly brought under the notice of the Inspector-General without any redress, causing dissatisfaction amongst the senior head constables and likely to cause discontent in the future if the matter is not now remedied; and whether he will state if the vast majority of those prejudicially affected by these rules are Roman Catholics, and that it is generally regarded as a slight on their religion?

No steps are being taken by the Royal Irish Constabulary authorities to abolish the present age limit of forty-eight years for promotion of head constables to the rank of district inspector. It has always been held that only young and active men should be promoted to the position of district inspector, and that forty-eight years of age was the outside limit for such promotions. The present Inspector-General fully concurs in this view. Senior head constables passed over for promotion perform some of the duties of district inspectors for limited periods during their absence on duty or on leave, but no head constable has replaced an officer who has gone on active service. In such a case the district of the officer is broken up temporarily and attached to other officers. There are 232 head constables in the force, of whom five are eligible for promotion under competitive rules (age limit forty-five), and nine under seniority rules (age limit forty-eight). There are also several head constables under forty-eight years of age, with less than three years' service in the rank, who are not eligible for promotion at present. The question of the age limit has been frequently brought under the notice of the Inspector-General, and a memorial from a number of head constables has recently been submitted, but I see no reason to differ from the opinions of successive Inspectors-General in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the powers and duties and who are the members of the Medical Board of the India Office?

The duties of the India Office Medical Board are to report on the medical fitness or unfitness of such members of the Indian services or candidates for appointments to Indian services, as the Secretary of State requires to come before the board for examination. The board is at present composed of Surgeon-General Sir Havelock Charles, G. C. V. O., I. M. S., retired (President), and Lieut.-Colonel J. Anderson, C. I. E., I. M. S., retired.