asked the Secretary of State for India whether any steps are being taken to improve the military hospitals in India and to raise the scale of medical equipment for native troops?

The whole question of hospitals in India is being carefully examined, and the Government of India state that there has already been great progress. It has been decided to introduce the station hospital system for Indian troops. The Government of India fully realise the urgent need of improving the medical arrangements.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board will recognise the principle that the present exclusive system of promotion by seniority to the Flag List is detrimental to the interests of the Service, and that. it should be open to the Admiralty, when war services have shown abilities for high command, to promote at least one in four captains by selection?

The present system of promotion to the Flag List cannot properly be described as exclusively by seniority, as captains whom it is decided not to employ further after promotion to Flag rank are retired at the discretion of the Admiralty immediately on promotion to the rank of Rear-Admiral. This system is considered preferable, in the general interests of the Service, to that of selection even to the limited extent proposed by my hon. and gallant Friend. It must be remembered that the Admiralty have the power of conferring the status of Commodore upon captains of special ability and of appointing them to positions which might otherwise require the rank of a Flag officer—a power which has been freely exercised during the War.

Will the right; hon. Gentleman represent to the Board the injury which is inflicted upon the country when an officer of great ability like Commodore Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt cannot be promoted to Flag rank except in his turn by seniority?

I cannot be presumed to accept that proposition, but certainly the representation shall be made.

asked if it is intended to increase the pay of the work- ing engineers (engine-room artificer class), with the object of bringing the pay of this class more equal to the rates which obtain in civil employment by workmen of the same trades as those enlisted in the Royal Navy as engine-room artificers?

The engine-room artificer class are paid from 5s. 6d. a day - on entry as acting engine-room artificer, 4th class, to Vs. 6d. a day as chief engine-room artificer, 1st class. To that has to be added separation allowances, allowances when in charge of machinery, additional pay in respect of good conduct badges, working pay, etc., especially when employed in submarines; rations, messing allowances, disablement or service pensions for life, with pensions to widows and orphans in the event of death in the Service. Certain questions relating to messing allowances and hospital stoppages affecting these and all other ratings are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can extend the operations of the Greenwich Hospital augmentation to chief and engine-room artificers, so that these may receive the addition to their pensions at the age of fifty-five?

Chief and engine-room artificers are already eligible for the award of Greenwich Hospital age pensions under precisely the same conditions as other naval ratings, but I am afraid I cannot guarantee that every eligible man will receive an age pension at the age of fifty-five. Awards are made by the selection of those applicants (including chief and engine-room artificers) who have the strongest claims. I may add, generally, that during the last five years the number of age and increased age pensions in force has been increased by about 1,700; and the age at which applicants who may be considered to be in necessitous circumstances can be awarded age pensions has been reduced from about sixty-one to fifty-six. At the present time there are in force about 5,000 age pensions of 5d. a day and about 5,400 increased age pensions of 9d. a day.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, seeing that the Admiralty is advertising for engineer lieutenants (temporary), he can state why more promotions to this rank cannot be given to chief artificer engineers?

The duties for which temporary engineer sub-lieutenants and engineer lieutenants were asked for in recent advertisements differ from those which would be carried out by engineer lieutenants promoted from chief artificer engineers. The requirements of engineer lieutenants promoted from chief artificer engineers and of mates (E) promoted from artificer engineers and engine-room artificer ratings are constantly in view, and the necessary promotions are made from time to time as such requirements arise. I may say that since the War broke out there have been thirty promotions to engineer lieutenant for long service, forty-eight for specially good service during the War, and one for specific gallantry in action. In addition, there have been 115 promotions to mate (E) and thirty-one of these have been promoted from mate (E) to acting engineer lieutenant.

asked whether it is intended to consider the case of naval pensioners with a view to giving these old servants of the State an increase to their pensions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer (of which I am sending him a copy) given by me to a question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth on this subject on the 7th March last.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty the reasons for withholding the last war bonus given to the dockyard workmen from the civil instructors employed at the Osborne and Dartmouth training colleges for naval cadets?

The war bonus referred to was limited to shipbuilding and engineering establishments, and did not apply to the colleges referred to, which are not within that category. The grant of a further war bonus to workpeople outside shipbuilding and engineering establishments has been under consideration, and an announcement to the men affected will be made this week.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the 10s. 6d. per week paid to Admiralty employés at a certain northern base as hard-lying money is not included by the authorities when calculating the payment for overtime worked; whether he is aware that the Income Tax authorities are including this weekly amount in the assessment of such employés for Income Tax; and, if it is correct to include this amount in the assessment, whether he will issue instructions to the dockyard authorities that any weekly sum so paid shall be included in the computation of overtime rates?

Hard-lying money is granted as compensation for the discomfort of living under unusual and irksome conditions. It is not regarded as part of a man's wages, and therefore it is properly excluded in the calculation of overtime. On the other hand, as a continuous money payment it is subject to Income Tax.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that Messrs. Holloway, the contractors for the erection of houses at Rosyth, are employing a number of Army Reserve munition workers; that they are compelling these men to work ten hours per day; that the district hours are nine per day; that the firm refuse to pay overtime rate for the extra hour worked; and that this is a violation of the conditions under which these men enrolled as Army Reserve munition workers; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Messrs. Holloway, who are erecting houses at Rosyth for dockyard workmen, are employing among their civilian workmen a certain number of Army Reserve munition workers, who recently objected to work more than nine hours per day. The matter was referred to the Ministry of Munitions Local Investigation Officer, as a result of which these men are now working ten hours per day, the hours observed in the Inverkeithing district. The question of the number of hours, however, which should constitute an ordinary working week on this contract has now been brought to the notice of Sir George Askwith by the civilian workmen's representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Serbia,, Roumania, and Greece were individually represented by direct representatives at the recent Paris Conference on Balkan problems?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether the United States accepted the invitation to send a representative to the recent Paris Conference on Balkan problems; and, if not, what reason can be given for the absence of such representative?

The United States Government were invited to the Conference, but preferred not to accept the invitation. Their reasons for this decision are entirely the concern of the United States Government.

asked whether the recent Paris Conference considered the agreement recently signed by M. Pashitch, Serbian Premier, and Dr. Trumbitch, on behalf of the Yugo-Slavs, by which agreement the establishment is contemplated of a Serbian kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, four times the population of the old Serbian kingdom; whether the approval of the Allies has been given to this agreement; and whether the aggrandisement of Serbia on the lines of this agreement is one of the objects for which this country is at war?

I see no reason for adding anything to the statements already made about the proceedings of the recent Conference at Paris.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is nothing in this question so important as the statement made by M. Pashitch himself; and can he not give us some information as to whether this most important agreement, signed by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of our Ally, has been submitted to our Government?

I do not suggest for a moment that the document to which the hon. Member refers may not be a very important one. All I say is that the information already given to the Press about the proceedings of the Conference in Paris are all that I think it is desirable in the public interest should be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office has any knowledge, officially or unofficially, of any agreement or understanding being reached between France and Russia by which, in case of an Allied victory, Germany is to be deprived of any territory except Alsace-Lorraine, on the west bank of the Rhine?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press.

Assuming that the statement which M. Ribot made yesterday in the French Chamber of Deputies is correct, to which I presume the right hon. Gentleman refers, does it not mean that it is proposed to take territory inhabited for generations by people—

That concerns the French Chamber. I am afraid we have got quite enough to do to look after our own.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state whether there is any understanding or agreement by which, in case of an Allied victory, Italy is to obtain possession of any part of Dalmatia?

I have nothing to add to the reply returned to the hon. Member's question of the 4th of last month.

asked whether American male citizens between the ages of twenty-one and thirty residing in Great Britain are under the alternative obligation of registering themselves at the office of an American Consul for the purposes of the United States Selective Service Act of 18th May last, or offering themselves for enlistment in the British Army or Navy?

No, Sir. United States citizens in this country are under no such legal obligation, but arrangements have been made for any patriotic United States citizens who desire to do so to register at the United States Consulate-General.

asked the Undersecretary 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, the War Cabinet have arrived at any decision with regard to cancelling 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?

I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 25th and my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds (East) on the 26th of last month.

When is the decision of the War Cabinet likely to be given?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a question for Tuesday.

asked the number of conscientious objectors now in civil and military prisons, respectively?

I assume that the hon. Member refers in the question to detention barracks. Returns involving a great deal of labour have been called for from all detention barracks in this country. They are not yet complete, and I think that it would be best to await their completion. I have no information as to civil prisoners, and that part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Prune Minister (1) whether he will cause a list to be kept of all men exempted from military serive on the ground of conscientious objection, giving their ages at the date of exemption and their place of residence, in order that employers who have signified their intention of giving no employment to these shirkers after the War may be assisted in their endeavours; (2) whether he will cause the names of all men exempted from military service on the ground of conscientious objection, their ages at date of exemption, and their places of residence, to be posted in prominent positions in the different localities into which the country is divided, so that employers of labour who have signified their intention of giving no employment to men who have thus shirked their duty to the country may be assisted in their endeavours?

The Government are unable to adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend.

Are we to understand that the Government refuse altogether to assist those patriotic men, the employers?

The particular course suggested does not commend itself to the Government.

What course does suggest itself to his mind?

asked the Home Secretary if an application from John Frederick Clarke, a conscientious objector, now in Newcastle Prison, has been received for permission to be placed under the Home Office scheme of work; and, seeing that this man has been passed by the Central Tribunal, will he say why the application has not yet been granted?

This man declined to accept the conditions of the investigation of his case by the Central Tribunal, and they accordingly made no recommendation. But he has now asked to be allowed to work under the Home Office scheme, and I am making arrangements for a consideration of this and similar cases.

what action has been taken arising out of the case of James Brightmore?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on the 23rd July.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what is the result of the court-martial on James Brightmore; and whether he is satisfied that Brightmore's health is not impaired?

It will be impossible for me to state the result of the court-martial on James Brightmore until it has been promulgated and the proceedings have been received in this Department. My hon. Friend will doubtless see the result of the court-martial in the daily papers long before I shall be in a position to give him the information he desires. I made special inquiry as to the state of James Brightmore's health, and from the reports I have received it does not appear that his health is impaired.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware of the feeling of the soldiers and the civil population at the action of the War Office in relieving Major Grimshaw and other officers of their commands without their having been granted an opportunity to reply to the charges of ill-treatment of a conscientious objector at the Cleethorpes Camp; and will he at once order the reinstatement of these officers pending any inquiries, and so allay the feeling aroused against the War Office authorities?

I understand that these officers have had every opportunity of replying to the charges of ill-treatment of the conscientious objectors under their command. I do not think that any further inquiry is necessary, and the decision arrived at must be adhered to.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain Russian subjects, having previously offered to enlist voluntarily in the British Army, were found medically unfit, but are now under some doubt as to their position under the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Act; and whether those in that position ought to give to the recruiting officer, or to the police, or to their Consuls, or to the Home Office, or to the Local Government Board, or to any other authority the proofs in their possession that they have been rejected as unfit for military service?

Russian subjects who are resident in Great Britain and who do not elect to return to Russia come within the operation of the Military Service Acts, 1916 and 1917, and as such will be dealt with in the same way as British subjects, and those who have offered themselves for enlistment and been rejected will be sent the statutory notice under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act, 1917.

asked the Prime Minister, with reference to the recent agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Provisional Government as to the reciprocal liability of their respective subjects to military service, whether the period given for Russian subjects who desire to return to Russia terminates on 9th August; if so, whether it can be extended, particularly in view of the closing of the Russian frontiers; whether, in the case of those returning to Russia, facilities can be given for their dependants accompanying them; and whether Russian subjects serving satisfactorily with the British forces for the prescribed period will be accorded facilities for naturalisation without payment of fees and without completing the statutory term of five years' residence in this country?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second and third parts in the negative. As to the fourth part of the question, the statutory conditions of naturalisation must be complied with, but no fee will be charged.

In view of the changed conditions, would the Government consider the advisability of introducing legislation to do away with the five years' residence in the case of those who are serving in the Army?

No, Sir; I do not think it would be desirable to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the case of a farmer who joined the Army, leaving his father to look after the farm and the father has since been accidentally killed and there is no one to look after the farm, the military authorities refuse to release the farmer notwithstanding the request by the Board of Agriculture that he should be released, and that the only ground of their refusal is that the man is fit for general service; and will he say if it is to be understood that only men who are not fit are to be released for farming?

If my hon. Friend refers to the case which he recently brought to my notice, I am having it reconsidered, and will let him know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if wounded Civil servants who qualified in the last second division examination will be appointed and not be dubbed unsuccessful, seeing that 300 or more qualifieds, but so-called unsuccessfuls, have been appointed; and, in view of the fact that precedents exist where all qualifieds have been called, and even top failures, whether it is the intention of the Government to compel these men, who are efficient and now in Government employ, to study again at the risk of a breakdown in health and to pass an examination that they have once qualified for?

The hon. Member's question would appear to be based on a misapprehension. The examination for second division clerkships is competitive and not qualifying. It is the practice to show as successful candidates up to the number of vacancies announced, but when the vacancies are extended at a time of pressure further appointments are offered so far as necessary to the remaining candidates in order. At the last examination appointments were offered down to the 470th candidate in order of merit, and any candidate above the 470th will be regarded as successful and entitled to an appointment, provided he can satisfy the usual inquiries when he is available for Civil duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of natives of Southern Rhodesia occupying, respectively, the 5,000,000 acres of land which it is proposed to add to the reserves; and what is the number of natives occupying the 6,000,000 acres of land by which it is proposed to reduce the native reserves?

The figures are not available here, but I will ask the High Commissioner to furnish the best possible estimate.

asked whether ownership of land in Southern Rhodesia can only be obtained by the native inhabitants by money payment to the British South Africa Company; and, if so, will he state by virtue of what legal instrument or Act the native inhabitants of these territories surrendered or were deprived of their indigenous titles to ownership of land?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I returned to a question about native ownership on the 8th May, to which I can only add that until the decision of the Privy Council is given it is not possible to speak of titles to land in Southern Rhodesia with any certainty.

Will the Chartered Company be allowed to deal with these territories before the decision of the Privy Council is given?

I am not aware of what precisely the hon. Gentleman means by the Chartered Company dealing with these territories, but if he puts down a question stating precisely the information which he requires I will endeavour to answer it.

I refer to the territories regarding which you have just given an answer in reply to Question No. 18.

I should like to have notice as to what precisely the hon. Member means by permitting the Chartered Company to deal with these territories?

asked whether the officers blamed in the Report of the Commission on Mesopotamia will be tried by court-martial; if so, whether the charges have yet been formulated, what those charges are, and whether the trials will take place in this country and be open to the public?

The Army Council have called upon the officers subject to their jurisdiction to furnish written explanations of the statements contained in this Report relating to their conduct of their official duties. On receipt of those explanations, the Council will consider what further action is to be taken in each case.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the men of the 19th Labour Company, Army Service Corps, France, have received leave at the intervals of six months in. accordance with the promise made prior to enlistment; and if he will state whether any of the officers of the company have not received the leave to which they are entitled?

I will make inquiries into the matter brought to notice by my hon. Friend and will communicate with him, as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War why the l/4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry, which arrived in this country at the end of last week, was immediately ordered to embark for France; whether, taking into consideration that this battalion of the Territorial Force had nearly three years' service in the Far East, he will explain why before proceeding to France all ranks were not granted leave in order to visit their homes and families; if he is aware that the officers proceeded to France without the necessary kit for service in that country; and if arrangements will be made that units or drafts coming from the East shall not be sent to France without first being granted reasonable leave?

The services of these men were urgently required in France, and it was merely by accident that they touched at a British port. I am afraid that the adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion would mean considerable delay before the services of units could be utilised on transfer, and would-lead to increased use of shipping.

In view of the dissatisfaction felt owing to what has occurred will my hon. Friend consider the question of making representations that this battalion should have leave?

Is the hon. Member aware that this battalion has been practically all over the world, that it has been in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Ceylon, and South Africa, and that none of these officers or men have received any leave for three years, and will he take that in consideration?

Certainly all these facts, which have quite properly been mentioned, will be taken into consideration in any representations which will be made. I should like to assure the House that the War Office is sympathetic with regiments which have seen consecutive service for such long periods, but the case of men who have been in France, then in Gallipoli, then in Egypt, and then in Mesopotamia is even harder.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that, when battalions or men have been on service for a number of years, and when they arrive in this country, they will have leave before they are sent to France?

I cannot promise that, because if a certain battalion is asked for for urgent purposes in France I could not promise to delay individuals of that battalion.

Did these men go to France with their Colonial kits, or did they receive European kits before going there?

I cannot answer that question because it was not put to me definitely. All I know is that this particular battalion was to have gone straight on to France, but by a mere accident it had to call at a British port. Otherwise it should have gone straight to France.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the hardship inflicted on soldiers on short leave by the non-running of the mail train on Sunday morning from Bangor to Pwllheli, whereby soldiers are stranded at Bangor, often without money and without any means of continuing their journey to their homes twenty or thirty miles away, and can he see his way to arrange to run a motor train for the convenience of the soldiers on leave?

Representations on this point have been made to the Board of Trade, but, as the hon. Gentleman will be aware, it has been necessary to discontinue Sunday services on many branch lines throughout the country. I am, however, in communication with the War Office on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is-aware that Private Ernest Richard Bowyer, a lad who enlisted at sixteen, overstayed his leave for forty-eight hours, and was confined to barracks without pay for one month and given No. 1 field punishment, has now been back at his unit some seven weeks; and, seeing that Bowyer has not yet received a penny of his pay and has even been denied soap with which to wash his clothes, will he say what action he proposes to take?

Under recent instructions, which have just been issued, Bowyer will be discharged on account of his age With regard to the award of field punishment No. 1, contrary to the provisions of Army Order 340 of 1914, steps have been taken by the General Officer commanding to ensure compliance with the Order in future and to inquire into the circumstances under which the punishment was improperly awarded. My hon. Friend in his question suggests that Bowyer's only fault was to have overstayed his leave for forty-eight hours. I must point out that it was by no means the only offence of this nature which he committed. In the preceding month he had been absent without leave for five days, and had also broken out of barracks when a defaulter, for which he had been suitably punished.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, in view of the hardships to which the troops were subjected in Mesopotamia and Salonika and the recent action of the Government on the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission, the Government will order the reconsideration, with a view to mitigation, of the numerous severe sentences passed on soldiers for breaches of discipline in Mesopotamia or Salonika?

I am not aware that there have been numerous severe sentences passed on soldiers for breaches of discipline in Mesopotamia or Salonika, and I am not prepared to question the discretion of General Officers Commanding who may have confirmed severe sentences. I might add for the information of the hon. Member that forty-four soldiers have recently arrived in this country from Salonika undergoing sentences of penal servitude and imprisonment. These men were sent to this country by the General Officer commanding in the interests of discipline, but at the same time he forwarded a request that they should be released on suspension of sentence after having undergone a few months of their sentence. This procedure will be carried out in due course.

I am very glad to hear it. I would ask the hon. Member has his attention been called to the case of a boy of nineteen in Mesopotamia who is undergoing a sentence of ten years' penal servitude for falling asleep at his post?

The case has been already mentioned in the House. I hope that it will be one of those cases that will come under the suspension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether upwards of a quarter of a million Army horses and mules have died during the War; (2) whether 33,000 horses and mules purchased in America have died while awaiting shipment; if any inquiry has been held into the causes of death under those conditions; if so, what conclusion was arrived at; (3) whether some horses or mules purchased in America for Army purposes have been found to be over thirty years of age, and some have died on the gangway at the port of shipment under the exertion of walking on board; (4) what was the average monthly percentage of mortality among horses and mules of the British Expeditionary Force last winter; what steps have been taken to decrease it; (5) whether many horses of the British Expeditionary Force last winter were clipped at the base before being sent to the front and picketed out; and whether a large number died in consequence?

I am glad to have this opportunity of making a public statement with reference to an article which appeared recently in a weekly paper, and which has been quoted by other papers and from which my hon. and gallant Friend has evidently taken the figures upon which he desires information.

I will take his five questions together and reply to them. It is true that upwards of 250,000 horses and mules have died or been destroyed or cast and sold in the various theatres of war in the last three years. This is roundly 25 per cent. of the total numbers acquired by the Army, and the wastage works out at less than 1½ per cent. per month on the monthly strength since the outbreak of the War, or 16 per cent. per annum. Commercial firms estimate annual replacements at 20 per cent., and I am informed that the wastage of two of the largest railway companies' stables last year were 19i per cent, and 17½ per cent. respectively. The figures of wastage in our Army in the three years of this War are, therefore, extraordinarily small, and have never been approached in any campaign in history.

The loss of horses purchased in America before shipment has been 5 per cent. and the loss on sea 1 per cent. Every animal bought in America has passed through the stockyards and been exposed to infection of influenza, or what in that country is known as "shipping fever." Immediately after purchase they are removed to large, well-equipped depots, where they live under the healthiest possible conditions. A large percentage, however, develop influenza or pneumonia in a more or less severe form, and, in spite of veterinary care, the percentage stated have died. When we consider the epidemic to be combatted among freshly bought horses in America, e.g., gangrenous dermatitis, pastular stomatitis, influenza, pneumonia, and strangles— when we add to these risks the distance travelled, the changes of climate and altitude, railway accidents, and attempted poisoning by enemy agents, and when we remember the numbers handled, we can only marvel that the loss has been so small.

It is chiefly due to the system of keeping our purchases till "salted" or clear of infection that we have attained the remarkably small figure of 1 per cent. loss on board ship, which is ¼ of the voyage loss during the South African campaign. These figures are believed to compare more than favourably with the losses that have occurred both on land and sea among animals bought by our Allies in the same market. No animals bought in America or elsewhere have been found to be over thirty years of age, nor have any died of exhaustion on the gangway at the port of shipment. Such could only have been the case were our representatives in America incompetent or negligent, and they are neither. The average monthly percentage of wastage in France during the six months, October to March inclusive, was:

Can the hon. Gentleman answer question No. 35 about horses clipped at the base last winter?

I am afraid I left that point out.

Shall I put the question down again?

Please.

May I ask whether it has not been ascertained that the percentage of deaths appears to be much smaller than was apprehended, whether this percentage is not due to the fact that in many instances horses, unsuited to their particular job in the Army, were largely used, such as extremely heavy horses that could not stand the shortage of food and exposure; and whether experience has not proved that the best horses for the Army or the artillery are Irish horses?

Is my hon. Friend aware that mares in foal have been purchased and that they have foaled on the voyage; and can he say what useful purpose is served by mares in foal or foals at foot being shipped?

I have no knowledge of that. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give notice of a question, and I will make inquiries.

I shall be very pleased to do so.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether there was any person who lost his life in the defence of London in the air raid on 13th June; and, if so, can he state his name and rank?

The usual custom is to mention the names of casualties, if any occur, in the casualty lists, but not to say anything of the service on which they occurred, and I am afraid that no exception can be made in this case.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the migration of the male alien population of East London owing to supposed danger from enemy aircraft and the approach of compulsory military service or deportation; and have the police authorities in those districts to which these aliens are fleeing instructions to take steps to pre-vent a possible evasion of service, and have instructions also been issued to the authorities at all ports of embarkation for Ireland?

I am aware that a number of aliens resident in East London are removing to other localities. This migration will not relieve these persons from any liability to military service to which they may be subject. The police will keep in touch with them under the provisions of the Aliens' Restriction Order, and precautions have been taken against their embarking for Ireland.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether volunteer munition workers who have come from the Colonies to this country are liable to be called up under the Military Service Acts?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester (East), on the 14th May last. Instructions dealing with the subject of men who have been brought to this country from the Overseas Dominions, for the purpose of working on munitions, will shortly be issued.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that volunteer munition workers who have come to this country from South Africa do not receive subsistence allowance; that they have to pay Income Tax; and whether he will exempt from the Income Tax an amount equal to the subsistence allowance paid to home volunteer workers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question asked by him on the 2nd April last. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what were the financial results of the Government's action in the provision and sale of potatoes for seeding purposes?

I am not at present able to give the hon. Member the information he desires. The number of transactions was very large, and affected numerous local authorities and individuals. Consequently the accounts are taking much time to settle, but when final figures are available I will see that they are sent to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the National Farmers' Union that the members consider it their duty in the public interest to point out that the reported restricted price of 60s. per cwt. for beef for the month of January is much less than the cost of production, and, unless the Food Controller restricts the prices of feeding stuffs pro rata —feeding cakes are now 300 per cent. above pre-war prices—no farmer will or can produce beef during next winter at the price mentioned, and also desire to point out that the prices fixed for the last two months of 1917 are also below what such cattle cost to produce; and can he give any information as to whether feeding cakes are likely to be reduced in price; and if so, when?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statements made by the Food Controller that the maximum prices fixed for meat from September to January next will enable the farmer to realise his cattle without serious loss, and that steps are being taken to determine the margin between the price of cattle and the price of beef which will yield a fair but not unreasonable profit to the dealer or butcher; and, if so, whether the difference of the treatment accorded to the farmer and to the dealer or butcher has the sanction of the Government?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. I regret that I can add nothing to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury.

Has the hon. Gentleman called the attention of the Minister of Munitions to the high cost of feeding stuffs, and will he take him into consultation with regard to the matter?

I am not aware whether that has been done. I think the hon. Gentleman will find in the reply a full answer.

Seeing that the Food Controller has determined to fix the price of beef, may I ask what steps he has taken to ensure a supply by reducing the price of the material that is necessary to feed cattle?

The only answer I can give at the moment is that the Food Controller is in almost daily consultation with the representatives from Ireland.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that linseed cake, cotton cake, meal bran, and pollard, used for feeding cattle, have increased from 250 to 300 per cent. over pre-war prices?

asked if it is necessary to get any permit to buy or sell, by a dealer, the crop of damsons now growing?

No permit is necessary for dealings in damsons. The price, however, is regulated by the Stone Fruit (Jam Manufacturers) Prices Order, 1917.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if he can take steps in the special circumstances of the case to authorise Mr. Owen Egan, of Moylough, Ballinasloe, county Galway, to obtain supplies of sugar and beer for sale on his business premises which he purchased from the Irish Bankruptcy Court for over £800 in the month of December, 1915, the premises having been closed and the business suspended during the preceding eleven months of that year; (2) if he is aware that up to 30th June, 1917, the guardians of Ballinasloe Poor Law Union were able to procure only 2 cwts. 3 qrs. of sugar for the use of officers and inmates of Ballinasloe workhouse, and of patients in the union hospital, although the average annual supplies hitherto have been 40 cwts., and that the medical officer complains that sugar is urgently required, especially in the hospital; will he have steps taken to enable the guardians to procure the necessary supplies forthwith; (3) if he can take steps to enable Mr. J. Cogavin, of Lawrencetown, Ballinasloe, licensed publican and provision merchant, to obtain supplies of sugar and beer, the business premises which were purchased by Mr. Cogavin in January last for £620, having been closed during the greater portion of the year 1915, and having regard to the fact that Mr. Cogavin's business and means of livelihood will be absolutely ruined if he is not permitted to procure reasonable supplies?

The distribution of sugar has hitherto been based on supplies received by traders, or their predecessors, during the year 1915. A new system of distribution is under consideration and will be introduced shortly. The points raised by the hon. Member will be borne in mind. The distribution of beer, in accordance with the provisions of the Output of Beer (Restrictions) Act, as applied by the Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order, is similarly based in general upon the supplies received in 1915. It is not thought practicable to vary this basis in individual cases.

Is there any good reason why a poor man is to be ruined by Regulations about which he knew nothing when he was purchasing this property?

I can only say that these Regulations are amongst the incidental hardships of war.

Should there not be exceptions to these Regulations in cases of hardship like this?

The answer says that exceptions cannot be made to individual cases.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the estimated cost per loaf to the Exchequer by the sale of bread at 9d. per loaf; and at what price should wheat be bought in order to sell at 9d. per leaf with a fair profit to all concerned in the manufacture and sale?

I have already stated that the cost of the loaf depends so closely upon the price of imported wheat that I cannot give any estimate of the expenditure likely to be incurred. It is estimated that in order to secure the production of a 9d. loaf without loss to the Exchequer wheat ought to be bought at or about 61s. per quarter. This estimate, however, is subject to revision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether cheese retailers now have often to pay for short weight when supplied with control cheese by the Food Controller, also loss of weight of bondage, shrinkage of cheese cut up on their counters, breaks on scale, paper, delivery, working expenses, loss owing to increase of the sale of small quantities owing to enhanced prices, and consequent increase of breaks; whether 2d. per lb. gross profit under these circumstances leaves any net profit to the retailer; what remedy does he propose; (2) whether he is aware that grocers in all parts of the country are complaining that control cheese is sent out averaging 3½ per cent. short weight, after allowing for the 3½ per cent. quoted by the Controller for shrinkage; whether he is aware that this is equivalent to a loss to the grocer of about one halfpenny the pound; whether, seeing that the Controller does not allow any deduction in payment for this shortage, he will explain why he insists on being paid for goods he does not supply; whether the police will be instructed to prosecute him for selling short weight where proper evidence is offered; and, if not, whether grocers will be allowed to pass on the short weight they receive to their customers?

My hon. Friend has requested me to reply to these questions. The shrinkage allowance on Australian and New Zealand cheese at first proposed —namely, 3½ per cent.—was based on the experience of the trade, but in view of the special circumstances attending the present issue of such cheese it has been found necessary to increase the allowance to 6 per cent. With this concession the Board of Trade believe that the margin allowed to the retailer is sufficient.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements the Food Controller proposes to make to provide a satisfactory system of distribution of sugar throughout the United Kingdom; and what local machinery he intends to set up for this purpose?

At the request of the Food Controller, the President of the Local Government Board and the Secretary for Scotland are forwarding this week to the local authorities in Great Britain a summary of the new scheme of sugar distribution which will be brought into force as soon as possible. I am arranging to send the hon. Member a copy of the relevant papers.

Is anything of this nature going to be done in regard to Ireland?

Certainly. The provisions regarding sugar distribution apply to Ireland as well as elsewhere.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been directed to the number of cases in which fruit growers who have made application in the prescribed form for sugar for preserving their fruit have received no sugar; and whether he will take steps to see that all. applications which have been so far overlooked will be dealt with without further delay?

As I have already informed the House, all sugar imported for the specific purpose of the domestic preservation of fruit has been allocated. It is impossible to reconsider particular applications.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has inquired into the alleged waste of food that has occurred during the past few months from lack of adequate transport and storage facilities; whether, in addition to the quantities of bacon that have already been announced as having been condemned in London, quantities of fish, potatoes, and margarine have been similarly lost; and will he say what measures to prevent any further losses of food and waste of tonnage will be adopted?

Every effort is being; made to secure delivery of bacon and other perishable foodstuffs on such terms as will avoid a repetition of recent losses by accelerating dispatch by sea and rail. Delay in some cases, however, is unavoidable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the medical officer of health for Stepney in which he states that he has condemned 100 tons of fish, 365 tons of bacon, and 701 tons of potatoes as unfit for human food; whether these goods were imported on steamers from Holland; whether a quantity of margarine was also spoilt on the same steamers; whether any of this food was bought and shipped by the British Government; what is the cause of it arriving in this country in such a condition; and what steps his Department propose to take to prevent a repetition of such goods being bought or shipped by Government Departments?

Owing to the inevitable delays occurring to steamers engaged in carrying perishable foodstuffs from Holland and other countries, considerable quantities of these foodstuffs have arrived in this country unfit for human consumption and have had to be destroyed. Every care is taken to ensure a speedy delivery, but the safety of the vessel and her crew must be considered first.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the distress which prevails among the civilian population in Serbia, and, seeing that in the matter of revictualling Serbia occupies a position exactly analogous to that of Belgium, will he say why her claims in this respect have hitherto been entirely disregarded by the Allied Governments; whether the Serbian Relief Fund has laid before His Majesty's Government a concrete scheme for the importation and distribution of foodstuffs in Serbia through the agency and under the control of a Swiss committee of the highest standing and of Swiss Federal officials, and, if so, will he say what reasons His Majesty's Government have for opposing such a scheme; whether he accepts in principle the sending of relief to the Serbian population through Switzerland; and, in that case, whether he will take prompt measures to remove the existing veto upon the importation of food into Serbia and to facilitate a proper scheme of relief subject to due guarantees of control?

The distress in Serbia and various suggestions for relief have repeatedly engaged the anxious consideration of the Allies. The position of Serbia is by no means analogous to that of Belgium. Prior to the War there were net exports of foodstuffs from Serbia valued at about two millions sterling, while in Belgium there were net imports of about twenty-three millions.

As regards Belgium, the Germans gave comprehensive guarantees, covering not only foodstuffs imported by the Relief Commission, but also the reservation of native foodstuffs for the Belgians

As regards Serbia, it has been impossible to secure similar guarantees, and the Austro-Hungarians and Bulgarians have requisitioned practically all native foodstuffs.

His Majesty's Government have several times declared their readiness to consider sympathetically any practical scheme for Serbian relief embodying essential precautions. No such scheme has yet been presented, and, so long as the hardships of the Serbians are chiefly due to the requisitions of the enemy, His Majesty's Government are unable to accept suggestions which appear only calculated to replace by imported supplies the rations now allowed by the enemy, who would therefore benefit directly to the extent of any such imports, without the position of the Serbian population being materially improved.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the fact that an excess error of 1,000,000 tons in the estimate of British, Allied, and neutral shipping sunk during each month by submarines and mines was accepted in the United States and was stated to have produced a scare; and whether he will now consent to issue, month by month, an exact statement of tonnage statistics and amend the weekly statistics with the view of giving better comparative information?

The form of the weekly statement was decided upon by the War Cabinet after very careful consideration, and it has been approved and adopted by the Allied Governments. As at present advised, it is not proposed to alter the form of the statement.

What is the objection to giving the tonnage statistics? The First Lord of the Admiralty gave us the statistics for February, and why cannot we have the tonnage statistics for every month, seeing that the German Government gives what purport to be accurate statistics, which are not accurate?

The subject has been very carefully considered by the Government, and has been the subject of discussion in this House. The figures given by the Germans are known to be inaccurate, but that does not alter our decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that yesterday one of the London papers—only one paper—published the average tonnage sinkings for several months past, and why should not the Government issue the figures officially, so that we may be sure they are accurate?

As I am not aware of the fact I cannot give any explanation. It does not follow that the figures given in the paper are more accurate than the German figures.

As we have never had an opportunity of debating this question, except in the Secret Session, when the First Lord of the Admiralty made his statement at the end of that sitting, I beg to give notice that I will call attention to the matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the present method of buying silver for Government purposes; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction formerly expressed when the purchases for India were confined to a selected firm, he can see his way to so arrange that all Government purchases, either for home, Colonial, Indian, or other requirements, be made either through the Bank of England or by a committee of bankers to be appointed for the purpose?

In view of the high price of silver and in order to co-ordinate Government requirements, the present practice is for representatives of the Departments which require to purchase silver for their own use or for the use of Allied Governments, to meet once a week and settle, in consultation with the brokers, the total amount to be bought during the following week on Government account. This procedure has worked well, and I see no reason to alter it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now take steps either to deport or intern all enemy subjects, or British subjects of enemy origin, who are still carrying on trade either directly or indirectly in this country; and if, as numbers of our enemies are still permitted not only to carry on their different businesses in numerous cases under various disguises but to increase such businesses at the expense and to the loss of British traders who have sacrificed their positions in order to fight for their country, he will take some immediate action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As regards enemy subjects, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the Debate of the 14th February last, and to my replies to subsequent questions on the same subject. As regards British subjects of enemy origin, there is no power to deport British subjects and the only power of interning them is that conferred by Regulation 14 ( b ) of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, which has been exercised in proper cases.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the sufferings of the French and Belgian civilian populations, which have been and are still being dragged from their homes and deported into Germany, he will consult with General Smuts as to the desirability of assisting the French and Belgian Governments to bring such effective pressure upon our enemies as will induce them to put an end to their present practice of deportation and slavery; and, failing repatriation and discontinuance of this particular practice, if he will sanction the immediate handing over to the Belgian Government of all enemy subjects now imprisoned, interned, or residing in any of the former German colonies in Africa and elsewhere so that they may be interned and made to work for the benefit of the Belgian people in the Belgian Congo under conditions similar to those imposed upon those French and Belgian subjects who have been deported into Germany?

The Government have given anxious consideration to the question of what can be done to minimise the atrocious sufferings to which the population of Belgium and the occupied districts of Northern France have been submitted by the enemy, and they would readily give to the Belgian and French Governments any support which they may desire, and which seems likely to be useful in securing better treatment for their countrymen in these territories.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the consternation which has been caused among the agricultural community by the provisions of the 1917 Crop Restrictions Order, prohibiting any dealings in the 1917 crop without a permit from the Food Controller; and, seeing that resolutions are being passed by some of the agricultural executive committees stating that in their opinion this Order will tend entirely to destroy the confidence of the agricultural community in the Government, and will place insuperable difficulties in the way of the committee getting an increase of the acreage of arable land in the country, will he state whether steps will be taken to withdraw this Order?

It is hoped that the scheme for dealing with the 1917 crop will be issued this week, and it is thought that the fears of the agricultural community will prove unfounded.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the agricultural community were in any way consulted before this Order was made?

I cannot at the moment reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will set up a Commission charged with the duty of consolidating all existing laws affecting questions of public health, in anticipation of the establishment of a Ministry of Health?

The Government do not consider that any advantage would be derived from setting up such a Commission.

May I ask whether His Majesty's Government have decided to establish a Ministry of Health?

No, Sir; and for that reason we thought it would be desirable that the first step should be taken before the second.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a trustee under a trust deed in Scotland is considered by his Department liable under Section 56 of the Finance Act, 1916, to Excess Profits Tax, although only debenture holders and creditors share in the profits?

This question turns upon the circumstances of the case concerned. If the hon. Member will inform me of the case which he has in mind, I will have inquiry made in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state approximately the daily cost of the Salonika, Mesopotamia, Gaza, and East African Expeditions?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. I am afraid that the form of Army accounting does not enable the cost of any one expedition to be shown separately. It is not practicable, therefore, to give the estimate for which my right hon. Friend asks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the House the approximate expenditure daily of Germany on the War?

asked what are the latest figures in his possession showing the daily war expenditure of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, respectively, as officially stated by their Governments?

The latest official statement of expenditure by the German Government is for the period February to May of this year. According to a speech by the Financial Secretary on 5th July, expenditure during this period from the war credits was at the rate of £150,000,000 per month, or £5,000,000 per day (converted at the rate of 20 m. to £l), as against £100,000,000 per month, or £3,500,000 a day in the first half of 1916. This excludes normal Budget expenditure, i.e., debt charge, etc., and also, as far as can be judged, advances to allies and many other items which are included in the English figures of Vote of Credit expenditure, such as the greater part of the cost of separation allowances, etc.

Credits for all purposes voted by the French Chamber for the quarter April to June, 1917, show an average expenditure of £137,040,000 per month, or £4,469,000 per day (converted at rate of 25 fr. to £l). This figure does not include advances to Allies.

During the first 112 days of the financial year 1917—that is to say, from 1st April to 21st July—the average daily expenditure of His Majesty's Government from the Vote of Credit amounted to £6,795,000.

Does the Government think there will be any substantial reduction in the expenditure since America, the richest country in the world, has joined the Allies?

If my hon. Friend will read the Debates on the Vote of Credit he will see.

Do the French figures include civil expenditure?

I think my answer is that they do. It states "Credits for all purposes."

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any Whiting-Bull tractors are available for sale in this country; and how many have been already sold?

I am informed by Messrs. Whiting that all the Whiting-Bull tractors now in this country have already been sold, and that the total number is considerably over a hundred. The twelve tractors referred to in my reply to the right hon. the Member for the Kirkcaldy Burghs on 24th July were those available for sale at that date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, whether the actual cost of the carriage of wheat and flour from America to this country means the precise Blue Book rates of about 8s. to 9s. per deadweight ton for the round voyage which the shipping companies receive or some amount in excess of these rates; and, if the latter, what is the exact cost of carriage charged to the Wheat Commission for wheat and flour brought from America to England?

As I have previously stated, the charge to the Wheat Commission is the actual cost of carriage based on the appropriate Blue Book rates of hire.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the freights charged for the carriage of bacon, cheese, butter, tinned meats, tinned fish, condensed milk, and other similar articles of food carried in requisitioned vessels are the freights which are paid to the shipowners at Blue Book rates, namely, about 6s. per ton deadweight per month on time basis, or are they the competitive rates which are entered in the bills of lading on the instructions of the Ministry according to the voyage; for what reason the English consumer of these articles of food is deprived of the advantage of the Blue Book rates and is charged these higher freights; and whether the Ministry of Shipping will cooperate in the efforts now being made by the Food Controller to reduce the cost of food by giving the consumer full advantage of the low cost of carriage rendered available by the shipping companies?

The general principle on which the Ministry of Shipping proceeds is to charge Blue Book rates in the case of commodities of which supplies are controlled and market rates where the supplies are uncontrolled. The reasons for this policy were fully explained by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Food in the Debate on the Vote of Credit on Wednesday last. When the article is controlled the advantage of Blue Book rate goes to the consumer by reason of that control. When the article is uncontrolled the charging of Blue Book rate would probably merely give additional profit to the merchant with no advantage to the consumer. There is, I am glad to think, complete agreement between the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Food in this important matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman admit now that it is the Government and not the shipowners who are making profits out of the freights?

That statement is hardly justified. The profit which is made by the shipowner now either goes direct to the consumer, in cases where it can be given to the consumer, and in other cases it goes into the Treasury to help to defray the cost of the War.

How much profit has been made by the Treasury out of this arrangement up to the present moment?

It is impossible to say how much profit has been made for the people of this country.

I asked by the Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that a circular was issued at the beginning of the War by the Director of Transports to the masters of transports fixing a tariff on pilotage to be paid to those masters of transports who pilot their own vessels in and out of the ports of Dover and Folkestone at the rate of 6s. in or out of Dover and 5s. in or out of Folkestone; that this pilotage is paid to the masters of the Belgian mail steamers running as troop and ambulance transports as well as to the masters of the "Princess Victoria" and the "Golden Eagle" of the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company, but is withheld from the masters of the mail boats of the same company carrying drafts or leave men; and whether he will consider the desirability of extending this tariff to the last-named vessels?

The rule is that pilotage fees at the rates laid down, which are not fixed, but vary with the draft of the vessel, are paid to those masters who hold the necessary qualification. The case of masters of the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company stands on a special footing, as the duty of pilotage was taken into account in fixing their salaries. The master of the "Princess Victoria" is in the service of the railway company, and, like the other masters of railway steamers, does not draw pilotage fees. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension with regard to the "Golden Eagle," which does not belong to the railway company, but to the General Steam Navigation Company. Her master is, therefore, entitled to fees under the general rule. There is thus no unfair discrimination, as the question might suggest.

Does not my hon. Friend know that pilotage is already paid to one of the masters of the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company's steamers, who is receiving £100 per year more salary than are other masters?

No; I was not aware of that fact, and if my hon. and gallant Friend can give me particulars I shall be glad.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the selling price of coal at well-known collieries in the Midlands supplying coal to London has been fixed at about 3s. per ton lower than the coal merchants have had to pay at these collieries; if he can state whether the reduction is to take effect as from 30th April; whether the London coal merchants will receive the full benefit of the 3s. per ton reduction; and if he can state whether in consequence of the price of coal being fixed at 3s. per ton lower than it was whether the selling price to the consumers is to be reduced in consequence?

It is the fact that prices at one or two collieries have been reduced by as much as 3s. per ton as from 1st May, but it would not be correct to assume that the excess charges have been borne by the public, in view of the existing arrangement for the limitation of coal prices in London, which is based on the payment of colliery prices in accordance with the provisions of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. Proposals for securing a closer control of retail coal prices throughout the country are now being considered by the Controller of Coal Mines, and the position in London is being reviewed in that connection.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade what provision has been made for the supply of coal for domestic use during the coming winter; and why those who are following the advice of the Controller of Mines to fill their cellars in the summer time cannot get their orders fulfilled?

An Order by the Board of Trade dealing with supplies of household coal to all classes of consumers within the Metropolitan Police area has been fully considered, and will be issued by the Board of Trade, it is expected, in the course of a few days. It has naturally been impossible, in the limited period since the Controller of Coal Mines gave the advice referred to, to provide all consumers within the Metropolitan area with the full amount of their coal requirements for the coming winter, but supplies have been coming into London in large quantities, and the demands of householders have been and are being met gradually by their coal merchants as far as possible in rotation. There are reasonable grounds for believing that the greater part of the orders which have been given will be executed by the time the new Order will affect purchasers of coal, and it may be added that complaints which have reached the Controller of Coal Mines have been attended to promptly by the London Coal Committee and generally with perfectly satisfactory results.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if this matter is not put into the hands of the local authorities that there will be the same trouble this winter as last?

Is it legitimate for private consumers to order coal from their merchants to be put aside for the coming winter?

Certainly. The Coal Controller is working in co-operation with the local authorities, and, I think, very cordially too.

Can my hon. Friend deal with this point, which is material to most of us, for most of us are ordering coal, but none of the merchants of whom we have ordered it can deliver it: Has the hon. Gentleman looked into the question of transport inside London?

Obviously the question of transport is one of the great difficulties that the Coal Controller has to face. Orders are being dealt with in rotation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the lighting and railway companies have no difficulty in having, at this moment, more weeks' supply in front of them than they had before the War? Why, then, cannot private—