asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is able to state the nature of the special Courts before which were tried the persons mentioned by Lord Hardinge as returning to India from America to spread sedition; under what Statute or authority such Courts were set up; whether the proceedings were in all cases public; whether the prisoners were allowed the aid of defending counsel; if so, in how many cases were they so defended; what was the total length of all the terms of imprisonment imposed; and whether upon any persons sentences of death was passed?

In each trial the Court consisted of two Sessions—judges and an Indian pleader. The Courts were constituted under Section 4 of the Defence of India Act, 1915. The proceedings were public. The prisoners were in every case defended by counsel. The sentences of imprisonment passed on fourteen convicts aggregated forty-five and a half years, and seventy-seven were sentenced to transportation for life. Thirty-six sentences of death were passed, but in nineteen of these the sentence was commuted into transportation.

Is it intended to reconsider these sentences at the end of the War? Would not an announcement to that effect allay feeling?

My hon. Friend must give notice of that question.

asked whether the Government of India proposes to spend more money on the creation of an Indian capital at Delhi, in view of the need which has been proved to exist for bringing that Government into contact with independent and unofficial opinion?

It is not proposed to abandon the policy of creating an Indian capital at Delhi.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India proposes to issue one and two-rupee notes; if so, will he say when; and if not, whether any, and, if so, what steps are to be taken, and when, to relieve the currency situation in India?

Preparations for issuing two and a half and one-rupee notes are well advanced. As the hon. Member is perhaps aware, Ordinances have recently been promulgated to secure that all gold and silver imported into India will reach the metallic reserves of Government. Other remedial measures are under the consideration of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Should I be in order in asking when the Secretary of State will be able to answer questions?

After his return to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India when he proposes to outline in greater detail his scheme for Indian reforms?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he proposes to introduce legislation or departmental reforms which will effect any or all of the reforms which he has already indicated as desirable?

It will be understood that having only recently taken up his duties the Secretary of State is unable at present to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps he proposes to take in the direction of granting the King's commission to natives of India; and will he see that their training at Sandhurst or Woolwich is no part of the plan suggested?

The matter is under the consideration of the Government at home and in India, and the Secretary of State is not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman bring the attention of the Secretary of State to the fact that if Indians are brought over here to be educated at Sandhurst and Woolwich they will be turned into revolutionists?

I will convey that to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received numerous petitions from India and this country relative to the internment of Mrs. Besant; whether he is aware that Mrs. Besant before her internment, both in meetings and through her paper, advocated the cause of the Allies, supported and urged others to support the War Loan, and raised 600 recruits for the defence force out of 690 in Madras; whether he is aware that the internment is having an unfavourable effect on British prestige in India; and will he cable out for an immediate inquiry into the object and effects of the internment?

The Secretary of State has already telegraphed to India for a full dispatch on the circumstances of the case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the gunboats built by Messrs. Yarrow and Company, Limited, for the Mesopotamia campaign were employed during the recent advance to Bagdad; whether these light-draft gunboats fully supplied all the Admiralty requirements for the navigation of the Tigris and for successful operations against the enemy; whether these gunboats are included in the condemnation of transport contained in the Mesopotamia Report recently issued; if he can state definitely whether these gunboats contributed materially to the successful advance on and capture of Bagdad or otherwise; and whether the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were satisfied that Messrs. Yarrow and Company have fully complied with all the naval and military requirements for this special class of vessel in regard to construction, delivery, and use?

The Report of the Mesopotamia Commission deals with deficiencies in river transport and has no reference to these vessels, which are not transports, but commissioned men-of-war flying the White Ensign.

Is my right hon. Friend in a position to say whether those boats, which were specially built, have given complete satisfaction to the Admiralty?

I have said we are satisfied with them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether they are propelled by oil or coal?

No, I cannot.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take any steps, in accordance with the recommendation of the Mesopotamia Commission, to place the Indian and Egyptian Army under the direction of the War Office till the end of the War so as to secure unity of control?

The administrative questions involved are so many and so far reaching that it would not be practicable for the War Office to take over the Indian and Egyptian Armies during the War. Arrangements have, however, been made whereby unity of control is assured so far as operations are concerned.

Is that the view of the War Office, or of the Cabinet, or merely of the India Office?

It is the view of the Cabinet and it is the view of the General Staff.

Is it the view of the War Office?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will act on the recommendation of the separate Report of the Mesopotamia Commission respecting the objects of the censorship at the front?

I would point out that information as to the moral or physical condition of troops is of value to the enemy. It would be impossible to amend the Regulations in such a way as to ensure that only those complaints which passed by the Censors which (a) were well founded, (b) were unlikely to fall into the hands of the enemy in transit, and (c) were addressed to persons competent and likely to make good use of the information. I doubt, therefore, if any relaxation of the rule of reticence is desirable.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it was the exercise of the censorship in Mesopotamia that prevented news of the happenings there getting home or even to India? May I ask my hon. Friend if he will read the Report and see whether some arrangements cannot be made to prevent the censorship being used for wrong purposes by general officers commanding?

I have read the Report very carefully and my military advisers at the War Office tell me that they have found no reason of any kind which shows that the censorship was wrongly used by the commanding officers.

Will you look at the evidence of the different officers?

asked the Prime Minister whether Lord Hardinge's request for a trial was refused; whether the military officers involved in the same scandals were granted the privilege of trial without any request on their part; and why there was such a difference in treatment?

I can add nothing to the statements already made on this subject.

Is it not desirable to give a man that for which he asks and not that for which he does not ask?

I am afraid my hon. Friend, in his own experience, will have found that is not always the case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the plans of a Mid-Scotland Canal at present in the possession of his Department were ordered at any time by that Department to be prepared; has payment for them to be made by the Admiralty; and, if not, how is the preparer of the plan to be remunerated for his work?

The plans were not ordered by the Admiralty and have not to be paid for by them. There is no information regarding the last part of the question, and it is not a matter which concerns the Admiralty.

May we take it that these plans were volunteered to the Admiralty, and can others send plans in?

Yes, certainly.

How can the right hon. Gentleman say that the Admiralty is not concerned in this question if Rosyth Dockyard is at one end of this projected canal?

I did not say that. My hon. Friend's point is that a certain firm seat us plans, and cannot anybody else send plans, and I say, yes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his Department raise any objection to the necessary alteration in the Royal Warrant to enable officers and men of the merchant service incapacitated from further employment by enemy acts to wear the silver war badge; and, if not, whether he will see that this is communicated immediately to the Board of Trade, so that it may be given effect to?

The Admiralty raised no objection to the proposal referred to in my hon. Friend's question. Their concurrence was communicated to the Board of Trade in April last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was referred two days ago to the fact that it was the Admiralty and the War Office who had differed from the Board of Trade?

I am afraid that is a misunderstanding, but I will look into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Department raise any objection to the necessary alteration in the Royal Warrant to enable officers and men of the merchant service, incapacitated from further employment by enemy acts, to wear the silver war badge; and, if not, whether he will see that this is communicated immediately to the Board of Trade so that it may be given effect to?

I think my hon. Friend should put this question down to my right hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Board of Trade stated that the War Office and the Admiralty form the obstruction and difficulty of granting the right to wear these silver badges. Therefore I will repeat the question when the hon. Gentleman has had time to consider it.

I made such inquiries as I could this morning, and I was informed that this is a question which should properly be put to my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present scale of daily rations and allowances for the lower deck; and whether any complaints have been received of the insufficiency of such rations and allowances?

As this is a long answer, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of recent happenings on certain of His Majesty's ships, is the right hon. Gentleman at least prepared to give this matter serious consideration, and to consider the increase of pay of the lower ratings?

That is all in the answer. It deals with the scale of daily rations and allowances of the lower deck. If the hon. Gentleman waits to see the answer, he will find that I have dealt with them fully.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an arrest has been made in connection with the explosion on His Majesty's ship "Vanguard"; if so what grounds there were for the arrest; and whether there is supposed to be any connection between the explosion on His Majesty's ship "Vanguard" and the explosions which took place on His Majesty's ship "Princess Irene" and His Majesty's ship "Bulwark"?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore does not arise. With regard to the third part of the question, the cause of the explosion is not yet known, but a full inquiry is being held. I desire to take this opportunity of expressing as the Board has already done to the Commander-in-Chief, our deep sense of the loss we have sustained by the death of the greater part of this gallant company, and to express also the sympathy of the Board with the relatives of the officers and men lost.

Are we to understand that no one has been detained on suspicion by the Admiralty in connection with either of those explosions?

My hon. Friend must read the answer. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether Mr. Dickes, a conscientious objector, though he has left the Admiralty, still draws the £500 a year, or some of it, which he received when at the Admiralty?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the five sons, ranging in age from thirty-two to eighteen, of Mr. G. A. Dunn, head of the firm of Messrs. Dunn and Company, hatters, have obtained exemption from military service on the ground of conscientious objection, and are now engaged in growing fruit on small holdings controlled by their father in the neighbourhood of St. Albans; whether this firm has some ninety or more shops, and that conspicuous in the windows of these stores are military headgear and other Service accoutrements; that some of these young men are receiving an allowance from their father; will he make such representations to the Government as will make it certain that no Government contracts of any kind are given to this firm; and will he explain why men who shirk their duty to the country in the way these young men have done are allowed to continue in such employment while their fellow men are risking their lives at the front?

The position of Mr. Dunn's youngest son is not known to the War Office, but inquiries are being made. The other four sons hold certificates of exemption granted by the Hertfordshire Appeal Tribunal. Any ques- tion affecting the action of tribunals should, I think, be addressed to the Local Government Board. This firm was provisionally noted on the War Office list for caps in December, 1914. They have not, however, held any orders, and were removed from the list in May last, as they were unable to respond to invitations to make Service dress caps.

Will the hon. Gentleman take care that this firm never has another order from the War Office in view of the fact that these five sons are disgracing themselves? Will the hon. Gentleman consider the question of sending these men to Mesopotamia or East Africa?

As my hon. Friend knows perfectly well, I do not hold any brief for any conscientious objector, but these men have got a statutory right, which they have exercised, under the Acts passed by this very House, and I cannot interfere.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that he cannot send them to Mesopotamia or East Africa?

Of course, I cannot. These men have exercised their right under the Military Service Act, and have appealed to the tribunals on the ground of conscientious objection. These tribunals are not within the jurisdiction of the War Office. They can exercise their own right and give their own judgment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of placing all men who are excused military service on the plea of conscientious objection under the control of the Committee of Employment of Conscientious Objectors, seeing that in the present circumstances there is conflict of policy between the views of the Pelham Committee, the tribunals, and the Committee of Employment for Conscientious Objectors as to what constitutes work of national importance?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I have made careful inquiries into the matter, and do not find that there is any such conflict of policy as is mentioned in the question. The Government do not propose to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary how many days Mr. Clifford Allen has spent in the punishment cell since he entered Winchester Prison on 1st June and before his removal to hospital on 4th July; on how many days during that period he was kept on bread and water diet; what exercise he was allowed during the time under punishment; by whom were the sentences imposed; and what intervals elapsed between the sentences?

I am having inquiry made in this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Would it not be reasonable to release Mr. Clifford Allen, who is a man who notoriously has been subjected to cruel treatment?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's description. I am inquiring into the whole matter.

Is not this gentleman's propaganda notoriously dangerous, and is he not better kept in prison?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any conventions with Allied States other than Russia have now been concluded or are expected to be immediately concluded for the mutual conscription for military service of British and Allied subjects?

Negotiations are in progress with the French and Italian Governments on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that two policemen called to arrest the late Gunner John Dickson, Royal Field Artillery, Military Medallist, killed in action 9th August, 1916, after he had been buried for four months; and whether the War Office keep any careful note of casualties and take any steps to prevent the feelings of the relatives of such men being harrowed by such action?

I was not aware of this case, which I can assure my hon. Friend did not result from any disregard for the feelings of the relatives concerned. If I am furnished with the necessary particulars and address, I will see that inquiries are made and that an appropriate communication is addressed to Gunner Dickson's relatives.

These incidents are occasionally un-avoidable, owing to the intervals of time between the outbreak of war, the introduction of the Registration Act and of the Military Service Act, and also owing to the fact that many men had enlisted into the Territorial Force during this interval and proceeded overseas with a Regular unit.

Careful note is taken of casualties in the field, but, as my hon. Friend will understand, it is sometimes necessary to institute inquiries with a view to establishing a man's position with regard to the military register.

I need hardly say that every possible step is taken to avoid occurrences of the nature which my hon. Friend has brought to my notice, but I may remind my hon. Friend that John Dickson is a very common name, that there is for British subjects in this country no system of identity books, and that it is in some cases humanly impossible to establish the identity of a man who becomes a casualty with that of a man who attested in one place and thereafter enlisted somewhere else.

I know of a case in which an individual attested in five different places and enlisted at a sixth. He was afterwards discharged, and then complained about the action of the recruiting authorities in sending him a calling-up notice on each of his attestations.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Local Government Board keep an up-to-date register of all the people in this country, and have told the House that they do so; and has the War Office not access to this register?

I believe there are cases where men who are serving are not registered, and probably this may be one of them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the average time taken by Colonel Butt, of the Northern Command, in passing men front one category to another; whether he holds the record; whether he reclassified sixty-three men in twenty-five minutes at Easter Road, Edinburgh, one day last week; and whether, in view of the revelation of the Select Committee, any steps will be taken to provide Colonel Butt with more assistance, so that his work may not be so hurried and he can do justice to himself?

I will inquire into the circumstances, and inform my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked, approximately, how many ministers of religion of different denominations have been called up by the War Office; if any special favouritism has been shown to any particular denomination beyond the Christadelphians; and, if not, why the War Office calls up a minister in Shetland, leaving a large district unprovided with the usual facilities for marriages, christenings, burials, and the consolations of religion?

I am aware of only one case of a man being called up for military service in which there was no doubt that the man was a regular minister of a religious denomination. Particulars of this case were given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthenshire West on the 19th July last. In certain doubtful cases the question has been decided by a civil Court, as provided by the Military Service Acts, 1916. I have no knowledge of the case of a minister being called up in Shetland, and if my hon. Friend will supply particulars I will have immediate inquiries made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the means adopted to get Irish tradesmen to join the Army; if he is aware that advertisements are issued asking for recruits for the Royal Engineers and Mechanical Transport, and that when they have been a few weeks in these regiments these men are transferred to Line regiments, where their abilities as mechanical engineers are not used or required; if he is aware that these transfers mean a loss of pay to themselves and their families; and if he will state why men whose services are required for shipbuilding and other work of immediate national importance are so deceived by recruiting posters?

I am aware that advertisements have been issued both by the Royal Engineers and the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) giving par- ticulars of tradesmen required and rates of pay. I am not aware, however, that skilled mechanical engineers who have enlisted in consequence of these advertisements and passed their trade test have later been transferred to Line regiments. If my hon. Friend can supply me with specific instances where such action has taken place, I will have the matter promptly rectified. Instructions have been issued that seamen, who are urgently required for Inland Water Transport, and skilled mechanics, who are neither attested nor liable for military service under any Military Service Act or Convention made under a Military Service Act, will be allowed to enlist and remain in the unit of their choice. Soldiers compulsorily transferred from one corps to another owing to the exigencies of the Service or on grounds of medical unfitness contracted in and by military service retain the rate of pay and allowances of which they were in receipt of at the time of transfer if more advantageous than those of their new corps.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the contracts entered into for one year with medical men whereby they would serve for that length of time will be carried out by his Department, and the doctors brought home on the completion of the service contracted for?

Every medical officer whose contract is for one year is allowed to return home on expiration, unless he elects to renew in the area of operations where he is serving.

Will pressure be brought to bear upon these medical men to renew their contracts? Will they be actually free men to come home?

Yes, so far as I know.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in spite of the repeated promises of Ministers during and since the passing of the Military Service Acts that men who attested voluntarily should not be less favourably treated than conscripts, an attested man has been declared to be without legal remedy and cannot procure a writ of mandamus from the King's Bench Division to compel a tribunal to hear his application for exemption in the same manner as a conscript can; and will he take steps to remedy this inequality of treatment?

This is a decision of the High Court of Justice, and it could only be reversed by passing legislation. There is no desire whatever on the part of the War Office to differentiate cases to the disadvantage of attested men. I have made inquiries, and I am informed that all cases which have been brought to the notice of the Local Government Board in which legal proceedings have been brought against tribunals by attested men have been investigated by the Local Government Board, and in the only case in which the Board has been advised that an attested man's case had not been properly considered the Board has approached the War Office and the case was reheard. I have no doubt that this procedure will be followed in any similar cases which may arise in the future.

Do I understand that the Government are not prepared to bring in fresh legislation to put the attested men legally in the same position as the conscripted men?

I think my answer shows that without legislation we are placing them in the same position.

As far as that can be done without legislation?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether those men called up for re-examination under the recent Act before 5th of July, when the new Order about the payment of 2s. 9d. of expenses was issued, will be paid this sum in the same way as those examined after that date?

Yes, Sir.

( by Private Notice ) asked whether, in view of the statement made by Lord Derby yesterday to the Committee of Inquiry under the Military Service Acts, instructions will be given to military representatives and tribunals throughout the country to adjourn pending appeals with regard to men classified B3 or C3 until the new policy is announced?

My hon. Friend only gave notice of this question a few minutes ago, and I have not had time to consult my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for War. In any case it would not be for me to give instructions to the Appeal Tribunals, but I will consult the President of the Local Government Board and see what can be done.

Will the hon. Gentleman go a step further and see that no men are recalled and examined under the Review of Exceptions Act until this new authority is set up?

I will consider that also.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether communications have passed between the Provisional Government of Russia and Britain concerning the financial control of Persia; whether Persia or the Cabinet of Ain-ed-Dowleh has made any representations aimed at an acknowledgment of the independent rights of Persia; and whether it is the joint Russian-British policy as regards Persia to seek a settlement of Persian affairs by recourse to the principle that nationalities have the right to decide their own destiny?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative; as regards the last part, it has always been the policy of His Majesty's Government, and it will no doubt be the policy of the new Russian régime, to respect and further the independence and integrity of Persia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement that Holland in 1916 sent us only 22,932 tons of foodstuffs; and whether he can state what were the quantities of foodstuffs exported by Holland to the United Kingdom in the first six months and the last six months respectively?

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for calling my attention to these figures. The following figures are taken from the Dutch official statistics with the exception of the figures for bacon and condensed milk, which are included in the totals, and which are taken from the British Customs Returns, as the commodities are not shown separately in the Dutch statistics. Vegetables, other than potatoes, are not included:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that Australia has prohibited the import of China and Java teas in view to help Indian and Ceylon growers who are at present, to a large extent, deprived of the Home market, he will consider the advisability of suggesting to the Government of Canada the propriety of taking similar action in view of the fact that quantities of Java leaf are now being imported into that Dominion?

I do not think that representations could usefully be made to the Canadian Government who, if the facts are as stated in the question, will doubtless give the matter due consideration. I may add that during the year ending 31st March last, which is the latest period for which I have statistics, the imports of Java tea into Canada cannot have exceeded 1 per cent. of the total imports of tea.

Is the amount very much on the increase at the present time?

At any rate, up to March last the amount was on the decrease rather than on the increase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is estimated to be the probable weekly cost to the Exchequer of making good the deficiency between the price at which corn is bought by the Government and the price at which it will be sold to the consumer?

I have been asked to reply. It is not possible to give a definite estimate on the point raised, because this depends upon the price at which it will be possible to buy wheat in America and Canada. This is not yet settled.

Will the Leader of the House say whether, having regard to the importance of this question of supplying bread under cost price to all the community, he will give the House an opportunity of discussing it before it is brought into operation?

I understand that it can be discussed to-day or to-morrow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that from January this year until May no inspection of beef for the Army in the Belfast military district was permitted, that the offal only was submitted to the inspectors, and that tuberculous beef was supplied during that time; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have caused further inquiries to be made of the military authorities in Ireland, and am informed as follows: Inspectors are on duty the whole time meat is being slaughtered. They examine all meat and offal and have done so regularly. In addition to this inspection, the Command meat expert has also carried out periodical inspections. It is claimed by the military authorities that under these circumstances it is impossible for tuberculous meat to be issued to the troops.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will cause a sworn inquiry to be made into all the circumstances connected with the supply of mess beef to the Army in the Belfast military district?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin on th 17th instant.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman hold a sworn inquiry into the whole circumstances of the supply of beef in the Belfast district, which extends to seventeen military stations, and is it a fact that this meat is killed in Belfast and no person sees it but those who slaughter it, and it is then sent away by wagons to the different stations?

I cannot go beyond the question on the Paper. I am asked whether I will cause a sworn inquiry to be made into all the circumstances. I do not think that is necessary.

I think some of my correspondents would be willing to give evidence on the subject.

Having regard to the fact that this group of persons in Belfast supplies not only the seventeen districts alluded to by my hon. Friend, but also The Curragh and other military stations, and that dissatisfaction is expressed all round, would it not be worth while to have a sworn inquiry into these allegations?

No. The arrangements for the supply of beef in Ireland are under examination now, and I do not think there is anything to be gained by a sworn inquiry.

Has not the War Office come to the conclusion that they are going to let everyone in Ireland know that the proper way to buy meat for the Army is by measurement by square and compass?

Having regard to the fact that this is the first time the right hon. Gentleman has stated that this matter is under consideration, will he at the earliest possible moment give us, who are interested in the matter for the sake of the people whom we represent, information as to the results of the inquiry that he is making?

Yes, certainly. I have said before that the whole thing is being examined and looked into.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the name of Mr. Cunningham, of Ocean Buildings, Belfast, appears in meat contracts dated November and December, 1916; and if he will explain on what grounds an adviser to the military authorities is allowed to appear also as contractor?

I am informed that no contract for meat for the troops was made with Mr. Cunningham in November or December, 1916.

Is it possible that this man Cunningham had no contract in his name in November and December, 1916, and that now he is the sole adviser to the Government for this tremendous number of cattle which are now purchased for the Government?

I can only give the information that is given to me, that no contract was made in these two months with Mr. Cunningham for the supply of meat.

Were contracts made at any time with him, and will the inquiry now being entered upon be directed towards ascertaining what is the connection between the actual buyers and Mr. Cunningham, and I hope he will not leave out—

The hon. and learned Gentleman is not asking a question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what provisions are being taken to secure an adequate supply of seed corn, especially wheat, for the harvest of 1918?

Arrangements have been made to ensure a reserve of 1916 seed wheat for early autumn sowing should weather conditions delay threshing. Arrangements have also been made to reserve for seed the produce of suitable but less common varieties of wheat of the 1917 crop. No scarcity of the more common varieties of seed wheat is anticipated, provided that the machinery and labour necessary for threshing are available. The Department have agreed with the Ministry of Food to reserve for seed the available supplies of winter oats and rye, until the seed requirements of growers of these crops has been adequately met.

Will the distribution be made direct by the Board or through merchants, as before?

I think in regard to the 1916 seed wheat it will be through the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the complaint of the East Sussex War Agricultural Executive Committee that they are unable to obtain tractors or horses, and that reflections are being made upon the action of the committee in urging for the breaking up of land and having no adequate means of machinery and horses to carry their plans out; whether he is aware that at present in East Sussex there are only four tractors available, while in a neighbouring county there are forty-eight; whether the committee have formerly protested to the Board of Agriculture that unless they are enabled to give facilities to farmers without delay the work they are endeavouring to discharge is practically futile; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The East Sussex Agricultural Executive Committee wrote to the Department on this subject on 17th of the month, and a reply was sent on the 21st explaining the full position to the committee. I propose sending the hon. Member a copy of the Department's reply, which is too long to quote in full, but which I think he will agree explains the situation.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to the high prices obtainable for beef, the shortage of labour, and the high price of feeding stuffs, a great number of milch cows are being dried on and sold for slaughter; and whether the Government will take steps to stop this state of affairs, in view of the danger to the milk supply of the nation and the breeding of stock?

The information in the possession of the Board does not point to a large decrease in the number of milch cows. The whole question of the milk supply is being gone into at the present time by a Departmental Committee, of which the hon. and gallant Member for Plymouth is chairman. The Board is represented on that Committee, and the hon. and gallant Member may be assured that the position will be closely watched and every action that is possible taken, in consultation with the other Departments concerned, to prevent the dangers referred to.

asked if the 1917 Crop Restriction Order, dated 13th July, covers also standing corn sold by auction; and will the buyer of such corn be unable to sell the straw without a permit?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The disposal of straw is under the control of the Army Council.

Are we to understand that the auctioneer can follow the usual practice of selling crops, while the buyer is subject to restrictions? The auctioneer does not need a permit, I understand.

Those are points not covered in the question. The answer was in reply to the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether large numbers of natives in Rhodesia have volunteered for war service; and whether he can give an assurance that no Order in Council will be issued during their absence which will in any respect invalidate their land rights in the reserves or otherwise?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether native regiments have been raised in Southern Rhodesia for military purposes, of which the first regiment of 500 men have acquitted themselves to the satisfaction in every way of the military authorities now in German East Africa; whether other regiments are either in training or now on their way to that territory; and whether he is prepared to give the reasonable undertaking that no local action will be taken or approved by His Majesty's Government which will affect the land rights of these men during their absence on active service?

It is correct that a number of natives have been recruited for war service. I understand that the conduct of the first battalion has given satisfaction and others are being raised. As will have been gathered from the reply to a question on the 17th, there is no question of the immediate issue of an Order in Council, nor will any Order be issued at any time without making adequate provision for safeguarding native interests.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any sort of guarantee that the land of these natives will not be taken away from them while they are on active service?

I think if he will read my answer he will see that it covers the point.

asked 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 am afraid that I am not able to add anything at present to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend on Monday last. On that occasion I said: "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."

In view of the large number of questions I have asked, would the hon. Gentleman try and expedite the returns of these courts-martial?

Certainly, I will do what I can.

asked whether officers in command of air and fighting squadrons must obtain permission from the War Office before attacking threatening enemy raiders?

The answer is in the negative. The War Office takes no executive action in the operations against hostile aircraft.

Would the hon. Gentleman say exactly who is responsible for giving these orders, because there seems to exist not only in the mind of the public but among the—

I have made such inquiries as I could, and I understand that it is left to the discretion of the squadron commander to use his own powers. I understand that no executive action is taken by the War Office itself or by the Home Forces headquarters

In the absence of the squadron commander, which is frequently the case, can it be put into the Army Orders that the second in command shall have power to order the machines to attack?

I should think, from my own knowledge, that that automatically follows.

asked the Prime Minister how many air raids, both by Zeppelin and heavier-than-air machines, have taken place in this country since the outbreak of war; and how many have been officially reported?

Since the out-break of war forty-seven airship raids and thirty "heavier-than-air" raids have taken place in this country, making seventy-seven air raids in all. No official communiqué was published in the Press with regard to the first six airship raids, up till the middle of May, 1915. Press reports of the fullest character were, however, published. After the middle of May Press reports were forbidden. With regard to the seven following raids, up till the middle of August, Admiralty communiqués were published. The next seven raids till the end of 1915 were published through Press Bureau reports. The remaining raids from the beginning of 1916 till the present time have all been published by means of official military reports issued by the War Office or the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, Home Forces, with the exception of one in which an airship is doubtfully reported as having appeared only for a few minutes over the coast and dropped no bombs.

Of the "heavier-than-air" raids the first two in 1914 were published by means of official communiqués. During the first half of 1915 no official communiqué was published in the Press with regard to the two raids that occurred, but full Press reports were allowed to be published. The only other raid that occurred in 1915 was published in an Admiralty communiqué. The remaining raids in 1916 and 1917 have all been published in military communiqués so far as they concern the sphere of action of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, Home Forces, and wherever the enemy's activity has actually extended over land.

Has any air raid by heavier-than-air machines taken place over this country during the last six weeks which has not been reported?

:I cannot answer that question. I do not know.

asked the Prime Minister what was the total number of casualties, killed and wounded, among naval, military, and civil in the air raid on Sunday, 22nd July; whether any of our own airmen were brought down by the enemy or otherwise crashed in this country, and, if so, what number; whether any of the enemy aircraft were either shot down or brought down in this country, and, if so, what number; and whether the reconstruction of the air defence of this country had been completed prior to this raid?

I am informed that the total casualties among soldiers, sailors and civilians caused by the raid of Sunday, 22nd July, were as follows:

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he made a statement in this House that the air defences of this country were being reconstructed? The question I ask is whether that reconstruction was completed before this air raid took place, when the result, as far as the enemy were concerned, was the same as it was before?

I answered that part of the question in the last part of my answer.

asked what form of warning for enemy air raids in London has now been decided on by the Government; and in what manner it is proposed to make the scheme public?

Warning will be given by signal rockets to be fired from certain fire brigade stations and police stations, as already announced. As a result of the experience gained last Sunday, it is proposed to reduce the number of signals to be fired at each station from three to two, and also to give a signal by whistle or otherwise when all is clear. A police notice will be issued forthwith.

asked whether promotion to the rank of major of captains of fifteen years' service in the Indian Army are given from 1st September, 1915, and carry pay from 1st September, 1916, and the promotion of captains of fifteen years' service in the Royal Engineers are given from 2nd November, 1916, and to carry pay only from that date; and, if so, whether the Royal Engineers' promotions can be put on the same footing as those of the Indian Army?

I am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion cannot be adopted. It was thought right to give the Indian Infantry officers the same seniority as British Infantry officers, but the analogy between the Royal Engineers and the Infantry is not the same as between the British and Indian Infantry, and although the rate of promotion in the Royal Engineers is based upon the rate in Infantry, there is not the same reason for giving them precisely similar seniority.

Is there no reason for giving precisely the same seniority?

It is a very difficult military matter, and I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the answer I have given.

asked the Under-Secretary whether he is aware that there are many complaints made by soldiers' dependants as to the delay in allotment of the allowances they are entitled to, which arises largely from shortage of staff at the local inquiry offices; and whether he will take some immediate steps to speed up inquiries so that dependants may receive their payments much sooner?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Paddington (South) on the 6th instant.

Can nothing be done by the War Office to speed up these local inquiries?

We are putting all the pressure we can upon the Department responsible.

Is it not a fact that the Paymaster-in-Chief has made a new arrangement by which these decisions can foe arrived at in a different way? Has that been put into operation?

I must ask for notice.

asked what will be the nature of the machinery adopted to enable soldiers serving with the Expeditionary Force to record their votes at the next General Election; and, in cases in which constituencies are altered owing to the operation of the Representation of the People Bill, what steps will be taken to inform soldiers of the constituency for which they are entitled to vote?

I am afraid that it is not possible to make any statement at present on this subject.

Is it to be perfectly understood that at all events soldiers serving at the Front will have an opportunity of recording their votes?

I understand that is the purpose of the Bill at present before Parliament, but in the present state of that measure I am sure my hon. and gallant Friend will not expect me to make any definite announcement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Department is aware that the members of the 52nd Lowland Division, which is at present in Egypt, have not had leave of any kind for two years, many of these men having been in Gallipoli, after which they were promised a rest with the opportunity in turn of coming home; and, if so, will he take any action to remind the commanding officer of these facts, in view of the circumstances that if leave is not given before the end of September it will be impossible after that to grant it?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to what I have often said in answer to questions about leave. My hon. Friend will understand that everyone concerned is anxious to give as sympathetic consideration as possible to requests for leave, particularly in cases such as those mentioned by him. But leave is with the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief and depends upon military necessity, and also on questions of transport, and this is especially the case in distant theatres of war.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of soldiers at the front have not had leave for over one year and eight months, and could steps be taken to facilitate leave being granted to these men?

Yes, I am aware of the point the hon. and gallant Gentleman puts to me, and I am aware that it applies not only to men who have been serving one year, but also to men who have been serving over two years. It is a very regrettable fact, but I can assure my hon. Friend and the House that very sympathetic consideration is now being given to their case, not only at home but at General Headquarters.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the one grievance of the men at the front is that they cannot get leave, though it is held out to them as a prospect?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the soldiers serving at the front have no grievance whatever in the matter, appreciating as they do the difficulties that have arisen, but they would like steps taken, if possible, to facilitate leave?

Is not this an exceptional case where a promise was given?

I know of no definite promise having been made. I made representations to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the early stages of the War, but, as I have already told the House, it is an extremely difficult problem, particularly where the theatre of war is distant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the complete alteration in the composition of the British Army and of the fact that it is proposed to grant votes to soldiers as soldiers, His Majesty's Gov- ernment will cancel No. 451 of the King's Regulations, which deprives soldiers of the right of political association among themselves and also of the right of attending political meetings in uniform, this latter part of the Regulation being already disregarded with the connivance of the military authorities?

My Noble Friend the Secretary of State is referring this matter to the War Cabinet.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to maintain the separate existence of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force?

As indicated in my previous reply to a similar question, there is no separate existence, except in so far as certain units retain their original titles. In these units the personnel may be serving on Territorial Force or other attestations.

asked the Prime Minister whether in order to urge on the Convention the public necessity for prompt action on their part and, to prevent the unnecessary prolongation of their deliberations and inquiries, he will inform them that, unless they have come to definite and adequate conclusions respecting the constitution and the future government of Ireland on or before the 1st September next, the Convention will be dissolved on that date?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister if the Convention in Dublin will be open to the Press; if not, why the Government propose to hold the Convention in secret and only allow what suits the Government to be published; if he will withdraw the censorship and allow the Press a free hand; what the Government hope to gain by this action, seeing that the Irish public demand the full proceedings, and that it is only through the Press that they can know the conduct of those selected to attend the Convention; if he is aware that the Irish people look with suspicion on the censoring of the proceedings, and that they demand the right of knowing the names of those who support or advocate partition proposals; if he is aware of the indignation expressed in America, France, and Russia owing to the false news which reaches them about Irish affairs; and if he will see that the censorship of the Government will be dropped so far as it applies to the Irish Convention?

I cannot accept as accurate any of the assertions made in this question, and, in the opinion of the Government, the success of the Convention would be endangered if its deliberations were not conducted in private.

What do the Government hope to gain by keeping the true facts as to the proceedings of the Convention from the public?

I have already said that in our view the chance of the success of the Convention depends upon their deliberations being upon the merits and upon their not being interrupted by the views of the Press.

Would it not be better to prevent any report being given to the people instead of a faked report?