asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any representation from the joint conference of the Congress Committee and the Council of the Moslem League; if so, whether any reply has been given thereto, and will he communicate the substance of such reply to the House?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative. The third, therefore, does not arise.

asked what amount the Government of India proposes to spend in the current financial year in creating a modern Indian capital at Delhi?

£266,700.

Does my right hon. Friend think it desirable to go on spending money on this purpose at a time like this? Could not the money be spent on a more immediate war purpose?

My hon. Friend must be aware that when buildings are partly finished a small expenditure must be incurred, but the Estimates have been much reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the House any information regarding the appointment of Mr. Chadwick as Indian Trade Commissioner in London and say where his office will be situated, and when he will commence operations?

Mr. Chadwick has been appointed Indian Trade Commissioner with a view to developing Indian trade in this country. His office will be in the city, and it is hoped that he will be in a position to start work in the autumn.

asked the Secretary or State for India if he can give the House any information regarding the appointment of a commission to inquire into the relations of landlord and tenant in the Champaran district?

The Government of Bihar and Orissa by a Resolution dated the 10th June have appointed a Committee to inquire into the relations between landlords and tenants in the district of Champaran, including all disputes arising out of the manufacture and cultivation of indigo, and to recommend measures for the removal of any abuses or grievances which may be found to exist. The Committee consists of three Government officers, two members of the provincial legislative council, and Mr. M. K. Gandhi, who has actively interested himself in the case of the cultivators.

asked whether the Government of India has had under consideration the question of advancing funds to exchange banks for the purpose of purchasing the estate bills of planters in India who, while they have sufficient credit with London banks, have now no means of obtaining money except by council bills, the amount of which is restricted to that required for financing exports considered by Government to be more essential at present than tea, coffee, and rubber; and when facilities will be afforded for the export of these products from Tuticorin and the Malabar coast?

The question of financial facilities for the tea industry has been considered. The Bank of Bengal has provided its customers with funds, and considerable facilities for exports of tea are provided by the Exchange Banks. The question of coffee is under consideration. Rubber and tea exports from Tuticorin and the Malabar coast have not been before the Government of India.

Would my right hon. Friend look into the matter of these exports from Tuticorin and the Malabar coast?

Certainly.

asked whether excessive sickness prevails among the troops at Aden; and whether any recognition has been made of the gallantry of the men there in fighting against largely predominant Turkish forces?

No report has been received suggesting that there is any excessive sickness among the troops at Aden. The names of a number of officers and men were brought to notice for good service in a dispatch published last year, and a number of rewards were granted. Similar procedure will doubtless be followed when the next dispatch is published.

Will my right hon. Friend send out specially to inquire as to whether excessive sickness does exist there? My information is that it does.

Yes, as soon as my right hon. Friend gave me information of that, I did make inquiries, and I will let him know the result. Meanwhile, if he has any information to give I shall be grateful.

May I ask whether a supply of fresh vegetables has now been secured for the garrison at Aden, and whether the special expeditionary allowance has been made?

I am afraid I do not know.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state, either in figures or percentages, the number of steamers, of twelve knots speed and upwards and their gross register tonnage, which have been sunk by enemy submarines?

Presumably the purpose of my hon. Friend's question is to indicate the varying degrees of immunity from submarine attack possessed by vessels of varying speeds. It would be unwise to give this information in detail, but it is, of course, the case that, the higher the speed of the vessel, the greater the immunity; and this fact is fully appreciated by those responsible for the construction of merchant ships.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Shipping Controller appears to be under the impression that a speed of twelve knots is sufficient to ensure immunity of standard ships from submarine attacks?

Has any consideration been given to the desire for figures to be given of the total gross registered tonnage, and will my right hon. Friend direct the attention of the First Lord to the protest made by officials against the concealment of information on this question?

My hon. and gallant Friend is now dealing with total tonnage. On that I cannot add anything to what has been said by the Leader of the House.

Is it not possible to give percentage figures without disclosing anything?

No. That has been looked into, and it cannot be done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, in a speech earlier in the Session, indicated the speed of these vessels?

I hope we are not going to have a debate upon every question. I would remind the hon. Member for the Toxteth Division of Liverpool that we have 118 questions on the Paper, and it is not fair to occupy all the time with his own.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the congestion in a certain port created by sending numbers of steamers of large tonnage carrying horses and grain to this port, thereby entailing delay and detention to these steamers, some of which have occupied about three weeks in discharging their cargoes; whether he is aware that this detention and loss of use of steamers at a time of great scarcity of tonnage might have been avoided by sending them to other ports where equal facilities for landing horses and greater facilities for the discharge of their grain cargoes could be obtained; and whether these vessels are directed to this port by the Ministry of Shipping or by the Admiralty?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. At most of the principal gram ports to which any large number of steamers can be sent in present circumstances, there is a certain congestion consequent upon heavy arrivals. No additional delay or detention has, however, been caused by the fact that some steamers carry horses as well as grain. At the same time, the Shipping Controller will be glad to consider any suggestion that my hon. Friend may be able to offer. The direction of vessels to particular ports is a matter of arrangement between the Admiralty and the Ministry of Shipping, and is, of course, governed by naval considerations.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that at least half a dozen vessels have been waiting at the port indicated, while the port of Liverpool has been free from congestion?

My information is that most of the ports are somewhat congested up to now for reasons I have stated, but, with regard to the port referred to, my right hon. Friend the Shipping Controller will be very glad to have any suggestions with regard to it or any other port.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the directions dealing with the accelerated advancement from shipwright third class to shipwright second class have yet been issued; and, if not, will he give a date for their issue?

Since replying to my hon. and learned Friend's previous question on this subject on the 20th June last, further proposals affecting the period of training of boy shipwrights for the rating shipwright, third class, have been under consideration. As these proposals directly affect the decision announced by me on that occasion, the issuing of instructions regarding the acceleration of advancement from shipwright, third class, to shipwright, second class, was temporarily deferred. It is hoped, however, that orders on the subject will be issued during the present month.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that though seven warrant writers have been promoted assistant-paymasters, yet no chief writer has been appointed to warrant writer to fill the vacancies thus created; and, having regard to the fact that the question of adding to the warrant writers has been under consideration since last March, will he at once take steps to fill these vacancies and also add to their number?

Six commissioned writers and warrant writers have been promoted to assistant-paymasters (now styled paymasters), of which five fill the established appointments, and one, having reached the age limit, is borne supernumerary. It was laid down in Order in Council of 14th April, 1917, which will be found in the "Gazette" of the 17th April, 1917, that the five authorised appointments of these paymasters were to be included in the numbers of commissioned writers and warrant writers previously allowed. The vacancy due to the one paymaster reaching the age limit has been filled by the promotion of a chief writer to warrant rank. There are, therefore, no vacancies for warrant writer.

Am I to understand that there will be no promotion in the lower ranks, notwithstanding the grant of warrant commission rank to these men?

It is not that. It is governed by the Order in Council of 14th April, 1917, to which I would direct my hon. and learned Friend's attention.

Will my right hon. Friend really take steps to remove the grievance under which these men suffer?

Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will look into the Order in Council to which I have referred him. I will look into what my hon. and learned Friend has said.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to give any further information regarding the German raider "Wulf" in the Indian Ocean, and the German raiders "Seeadler," "Moewe," "Vineta," "Puyme," and others which some time ago were operating in the Atlantic, and of which nothing has recently been heard?

The Admiralty is not without knowledge as to the movements or fate of these vessels. But it must be obvious that to disclose what is known or what is not known may be of value to the enemy. In the circumstances, therefore, it is not considered in, the public interest to reply to this question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that seamen, Royal Navy, and privates, Royal Marines, who are compelled to serve on after completing time for pension cannot, in consequence of a maximum scale which is laid down by King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, obtain any addition to their pension after completing twenty-two years' and twenty-one years' service, respectively; whether this maximum can in the case of a seaman be reached after twenty-two years' service, and in the case of a marine after twenty-one years' service; whether the Royal Warrant for pay for the Army lays down that an addition of a halfpenny a day for each completed year of qualifying service after twenty-one years up to a maximum of 5d. is granted to privates and gunners in the Army; and, if so, whether he will so amend the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions that seamen, Royal Navy, and privates of Marines should receive a similar increase to the maximum amount of their pensions on account of their extended service?

The ordinary Service pension of 10d. a day is earned after twenty-two years' service by a seaman and of 8d. a day after twenty-one years' service by a marine. Additions can be earned in respect of good conduct badges, good conduct medals, and continuous very good character, which may bring the rates up to 1s. 2d. a day for seamen and 1s. 3d. a day for marines. Seamen and marines who have not earned these full rates at the date of completion of time for pension can earn additions by further service until these rates are reached, but they are the maximum rates which can be earned in respect of service, badges, medal, and character. When they are reached there is at present no addition to pension for further detained service. The whole question of the treatment of these men is under consideration at the present time, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend when a decision has been reached.

When is a decision likely to be reached on this question?

I will expedite it all I can. I will give my hon. and gallant Friend immediate notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty by what authority seamen and marines who have completed their qualifying period for pensions are debarred from receiving the pensions earned; and whether, without detriment to the Service, he will take steps to provide for men, who have completed the time for pension, being discharged to pension and mobilised for service the following day, having in view the fact that a man so discharged on the 30th July, 1914, is now mobilised and receives pension and pay, whereas a man who completed the time for pension on 4th August is receiving pay and a small detained pay only without the pension which under the Regulations he has now earned for nearly three years?

The authority asked for in the first part of the question is the Royal Proclamation of the 3rd August, 1914. The point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend in the second part of his question was fully dealt with by me on the 30th July during the Debate on the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill. I then stated that in order to mitigate the feeling of inequality of treatment as compared with men pensioned before the War and drawing their pensions in addition to pay, it had been decided to increase the rate of detained pay by 2d. a day for the second year, and a further 2d. a day for the third year. Since I made that statement it has been decided to add another 2d. a day for the fourth year of detention, making 8d. a day in all. I cannot undertake, in the cases of men giving detained service, to pay pension and pay.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Royal Proclamation to which he refers does not debar men in any way from receiving this pension when entitled to it; and, if it is not detrimental to the Service, why does not the Admiralty see that this undoubted grievance is removed?

I do not think the Royal Proclamation gives the right to men detained in the Service to receive pay and pension. What has been done is that, instead of having the 2d. for every year of service, the rates are as stated in my answer.

Is that not retrospective?

They will not have arrears of pay, and they will not get arrears of 2d. If a man is now in the fourth year of detained service he will at once draw 8d.

Is it not a fact that the Admiralty have to take Parliamentary powers to retain the Royal Marines in the Service whose time has expired for pensions? Have they not thereby earned their pensions?

My hon. and learned Friend is raising quite another question and I will go into that with him. It is really not raised in this question.

I really must ask the hon. and gallant Member not to continue these supplementary questions.

asked whether an Order has been issued stopping the separation allowances of the wives of sailors interned in Holland who have been married since their internment; whether this Order involves the stoppage of a number of allowances at present being paid; whether he will take into consideration that this involves hardship in the case of men who married on the understanding that separation allowance would continue to be paid; and whether he will secure that the Order is not retrospective but shall refer only to the case of men who have married since the date of the Order?

After full consideration, an Order has been issued which is substantially in the terms described by my hon. Friend. It provides, however, for continuance of existing allowances to the end of October, and gives the recipients a three months' notice of withdrawal.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether a lieutenant-colonel who has finished his five years as regimental lieutenant-colonel during the currency of the War and who is retained in that appointment under the emergency provisions of the Royal Warrant instead of being retired receives less than £450 a year, the pay to which he would have been entitled on retirement under ordinary circumstances, whilst a lieutenant-colonel who was on the retired pay of £450 a year at the outbreak of the War and is reappointed during the War as regimental lieutenant-colonel receives the full pay of that rank in addition to his retired pay of £450 a year; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of remedying this grievance?

An officer retained in an appointment receives the pay of the appointment. An officer retired before the War and re-employed during the War receives as a rule the pay of the appointment in addition to his retired pay, but the additional service does not count for additional retired pay. This is in accordance with the Regulations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he intends to issue any dispatch recounting and recognising the services of the Naval forces in Mesopotamia, without which the British troops would never have taken Bagdad?

A dispatch will be published shortly.

Will that dispatch, when published, recognise the splendid services of the men belonging to the naval forces?

My hon. Friend may be quite sure those services will be fully recognised.

When?

I cannot say.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the contents of the Vincent Bingley Report of the Mesopotamia Expedition had been considered by the Army Council before the appointment of Sir William Babtie as Deputy-Director-General of Army Medical Services; and, if so, what reasons can be given for his selection for this post?

Sir William Babtie was appointed Director of Medical Services, and not as stated in the question Deputy-Director-General Medical Service, at the War Office on 18th March, 1916. The Vincent Bingley Report is dated "Simla, 29th June, 1916."

Does he retain his Indian pay, or has he been reduced?

All that I can say is that the War Office have suspended him. On the question of his pay, I must refer the hon. Member to the India Office.

asked if the right hon. Member for Dublin University, on his recent visit to Belfast, was guarded on the cross-Channel journey by two destroyers and some aeroplanes; and if it is the usual thing for all cross-Channel steamers to be protected in this way?

Such steps as were taken were in accord with the normal routine of the area, and had no special connection with the presence of any individual on board the steamer.

asked whether, in view of the number of skilled workmen out of employment in Belfast, he can arrange to give more orders or work to the shipbuilding yards and engineering works in that city?

The matter is engaging the attention of the Board.

asked (1) whether, in regard to the cases where Courts of inquiry in which witnesses are not on oath have been substituted for the court-martial in cases of losses of warships, complete verbatim reports of the evidence and proceedings have been kept which can be produced if Parliament decides to call for them; (2) whether, in the cases where secret courts-martial have been held to inquire into the losses of warships, there have been kept complete verbatim reports of the evidence and proceedings in case Parliament calls for their publication at any time?

Very complete reports are kept of all courts-martial and Courts of Inquiry on the loss of His Majesty's ships.

asked whether a court-martial has taken place or is about to take place in connection with the losses of H.M.S. "Vanguard" and H.M.S. "Ariadne," and, if so, to what extent were the proceedings held or will be held in public?

Both cases are under consideration.

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 understand that the War Cabinet have decided that paragraph 451 of the King's Regulations is to be strictly and impartially enforced, and that soldiers are not to be permitted to join Soldiers' and Workmen's Councils.

Are our soldiers to be deprived of the ordinary rights accorded to the civil population?

I do not think so, but really I cannot usefully add anything to the answer I have given. When a man has enlisted in His Majesty's Service he is subject to certain rights and obligations, and paragraph 451 refers to the obligation.

Does the strict enforcement of paragraph 451 mean that soldiers will not be allowed to attend political meetings in the future?

I do not remember paragraph 451 exactly offhand, but perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice and I will look into it.

Will it be insisted upon in the case of soldiers who are Members of this House?

asked the Undersecretary for War whether his attention has been called to the assumption by a certain pacifist political association of the title, the Workers' and Soldiers' Council; and whether, having regard to the Regula- tions under the Defence of the Realm Act and the King's Regulations, he intends to take any action to restrain the use of such title as tending to prejudice the discipline and administration of His Majesty's forces and also to prejudice His Majesty's relations with Foreign Powers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The use of the title does not appear to fall within the scope of the King's Regulations or of No. 27 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have just given to Question No. 28.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether he is aware that John M'Killop, junior, of 158, Raebury Street, Glasgow, was granted conditional exemption by the Glasgow Appeal Tribunal on 25th May, 1916, owing to the fact that his aged parents were totally incapacitated for work through physical infirmity and his only brother was away on active service in Egypt; and will he say for what reason this exemption has now been withdrawn although his domestic circumstances are unaltered?

This matter is rather for my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland. I have communicated with him, and he is investigating the matter, and he will no doubt inform my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is satisfied with the report from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Scottish Command concerning the death of Gunner Sim, No. 193,261, Royal Field Artillery; whether he proposes to take further action and grant an inquiry into all the circumstances; (2) whether his attention has been called to the memorandum from Captain H. Underwood, commanding 36th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery, stating that a letter was received from Mr. Sim after the funeral of his son, late Gunner Sim, expressing his wish to inform all officers, non-commissioned officers, and men under his command of his gratitude for the kindness all ranks had shown to his son; that this letter was placed on the order board, but cannot now be traced; whether he is aware that no such letter was ever written or sent, and that consequently it could neither be exhibited on the order board nor traced; what he proposes to do in the circumstances; (3) whether he can explain how it was that Gunner Sim was placed in Category A at Piershill Barracks; why it is that the report to Surgeon-General J. C. Culling only begins on 3rd March, and gives no information concerning the vital alteration of Gunner Sim's category from C 1 to A within one week; and whether he proposes to call for a report covering the period immediately prior to 3rd March?

When my hon. Friend raised this case in May I asked for a full report, and that report, covering eight pages, I sent to my hon. Friend. Every consideration was given to Gunner Sim, and his regrettable death was not due to any fault of the medical authorities. With regard to the letter received from the father after the funeral, I can, of course, only rely upon the explicit statement of the officer commanding the battery that such a letter of thanks and appreciation was received by him. As regards the point raised in question 33, I am having inquiries made.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have got a copy of the communication that was sent, and therefore I know what it is; and will he say why it is that the report begins only at 3rd March, and does not cover the period immediately prior to that date of the re-examination in which the man was ordered from C1 to A?

That is a point about which I am having inquiries made. With regard to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, as I have stated quite explicitly, the only information I have got, upon which I must rely, is the definite statement of the commanding officer.

I will raise the whole question on the Adjournment, along with the question of medical boards.

asked whether all the Christadelphians that come within the military age are provided with a certificate of exemption?

So far as is known, all Christadelphians of military age who are still in civil life are either in possession of a certificate of exemption which, if granted on conscientious grounds, is conditional on the holder being engaged in work of national importance approved by the Committee on Work of National Importance except in certain cases in which that Committee have considered the man physically unfit for being placed definitely on such work, or have been found unfit for military service, or are in possession of protection certificates issued under the protected occupations scheme.

Can the hon. Member say what is a Christadelphian?

I am afraid my hon. Friend must consult some theological text-book.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has noted the view of the Commission of Inquiry into Industrial Unrest (Cd. 8669) that the whole system of the operation of the Military Service Acts is an exhibition of bungling incompetence; and whether he proposes to introduce adequate changes in administering these Acts?

The points raised in the paragraph referred to do not concern the Directorate of Recruiting, or, indeed, the War Office. The trade card scheme was withdrawn by the War Cabinet. The list of protected trades was prepared by the Ministry of Munitions. The individuals to whom "red and black cards" are issued are selected by the Ministry of Munitions. The policy of forming units for work purposes— e.g, agriculture—was adopted by the War Cabinet. Finally, it is to be noted that the Commissioners for Scotland do not associate themselves with the opinion expressed in the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can announce whether the Government accept the suggestions in the Report of the Select Committee on the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act; and whether he proposes to give the House any opportunity of discussing the interim Report?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Loughborough yesterday on this subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to give the House an opportunity of discussing this Report before the Adjournment or will the Adjournment Debate be the only opportunity?

I do not think it will be desirable to give a special opportunity. I think the House will be satisfied with the opportunity referred to.

If those Members who are interested in other things restrict their remarks, and so give time to the Government, will this subject be given preference?

I am sure that the hon. Member has the intention of setting a very good example.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War the procedure which should be followed by men of military age who are dissatisfied with their medical classification, especially the cases of men who were medically rejected prior to the Act, but who have since been classified and are now subject to military service?

I am afraid that I cannot undertake to give a general answer to this question. I understand my hon. Friend has in mind the case of a man named Taylor. This man has been before the Special Medical Board in London, who have classified him in category A, and I am afraid that the decision of that board must be accepted.

Has a man any opportunity of appealing and putting before a Court of Appeal evidence to show that the Special Medical Board is wrong?

The Special Medical Board is the highest Court of Appeal.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that W. A. C. Brookes, of 2, Parade, Sutton Coldfield, was compelled to resign active service in the Volunteer Training Corps on account of an extension of varicocele and hernia, followed by several attacks of appendicitis, and that the Sutton Coldfield Tribunal exempted him from military service on 4th April, 1916, and on 30th January, 1917, on account of the serious state of his health, certified by Dr. Chavasse, of Sutton Coldfield; that on 4th April, 1917, he was classed fit A by the Leeds Medical Board; that Dr. G. Heaton, a lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps and a notable specialist in Birmingham, certified on 16th April, 1917, that this man was suffering from varicocele on both his sides, a right inguinal hernia which cannot be operated on, general weakness in his abdominal muscles, and a bulging in the left inguinal region; that he was again exempted from active service by the Sutton Coldfield Tribunal; that, on the appeal by the military representative to the County Appeal Tribunal, the appeal was dismissed; and that the appeal to the Central Tribunal in London by the military representative was granted without the case being heard, with no knowledge of the man's medical condition, and without giving the man the opportunity of stating his case or being represented; and, if so, whether he will suspend this man's calling-up notice for 10th August and meanwhile ascertain if he is fit for active service?

Arrangements have been made for Brookes to appear before the Special Medical Board at Leeds.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that a young Staff officer was sent down from the War Office to make inquiries into the alleged ill-treatment of a conscientious objector at Cleethorpes Camp; that he returned to London the same day after a brief interview with Brightmore, and without holding any proper inquiry; if he has received any further report from the Commanding Officer, Northern Command; and will he order a public inquiry into the case, so that the brigadier-general and the major of the regiment may state their case publicly?

As complaints were being received as to the treatment of conscientious objectors of 3rd Manchester Regiment at Cleethorpes Camp, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, was directed to send a Staff officer over to investigate and personally interview every conscientious objector of the unit and hear complaints. The Staff officer submitted his report in writing to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and in view of the report received full and proper inquiries were subsequently made. No further report has been received from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received a letter from Mr. J. Speak, The Triangle, near Halifax, pointing out that he has been awaiting arrest under the Military Service Act for twelve weeks; that he is a skilled worker in the textile industry holding double honours certificates in cotton-spinning; that there is a large percentage of machinery standing idle in the textile trade at present for lack of men of his qualifications; that he is willing to undertake work for which he is specially qualified or any other work of national importance; that he will not accept any form of military service but is ready to go to prison if he is not permitted to do some useful work; and what action he has taken in the case?

I have received a letter from Mr. Speak. As the hon. Member is well aware, if an application is made on the grounds of conscience, the tribunal has to decide the application on this ground, according to what appears to them the merits of the case. It was open to Mr. Speak to appeal, but I assume he did not do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether his concession that in future consideration shall be given to the case of a man who, having refused work under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors, afterwards changes his mind and applies for leave to work under that Committee, will be made retrospective; and whether it will apply to those men who have been returned to prison for infringing the Regulations of the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the ques- tion, it has been the practice of the Committee to consider the petition of any man who, after having been sent back to prison for infringing the Committee's rules, desires to be given a second chance of working under the Committee, and several such men have been released for this purpose, but these cases must be left to the discretion of the Committee.

Will the same opportunity be given in the case of men who are undergoing their second or third period of imprisonment, sometimes two years' imprisonment for disobeying orders, to take up military duty, if they indicate their willingness to take up national work?

Yes, I think so.

Would it not save a great deal of trouble to the Government and in every way if a rule were established that if any persons who have refused to avail themselves of the Home Office scheme indicate their willingness to accept it they shall have the opportunity?

I have already said so in this House, subject, of course, to special circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that a number of soldiers in the Royal Army Medical Corps at Blackpool, who previous to enlistment were asylum attendants, have been sent to various asylums in different parts of the country to act as asylum attendants at Army rates of pay; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter with a view to these men receiving civilian rates of pay, in view of the fact that they were sent as substitutes to institutions in no way connected with the War Office, there being no soldier inmates?

I am making inquiries in this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if it is accepted as a reasonable condition of exemption from military service to impose upon a general farm hand who is in category C 2 the condition that he must join the Volunteer Training Corps, where the nearest Volunteer Training Corps is six and a half miles from the man's home, and that to attend drills would involve a walk of thirteen miles after a hard day's work; and will he make representations to the Merioneth Appeal Tribunal that it is unreasonable to impose such a condition?

If a condition attached to a certificate of exemption is considered to be unreasonable the proper course is to put the facts before the tribunal concerned, and to ask for a variation of the certificate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that many men in the 17th Gloucestershire Regiment stationed in England are B1 men and therefore passed for service abroad; whether, in these circumstances, they are entitled to a free warrant for travelling every six months when on leave; (2) whether he is aware of the fact that the men of the 17th Gloucestershire Regiment stationed in England have had very little leave for the purposes of visiting their homes in the West of England during the last twelve months; whether there are any reasons for the withholding of leave; and, if not, whether consideration will be given to any requests that the men may make for leave?

I think my hon. Friend has probably some particular case in his mind. If he will give me details I will have inquiries made.

asked the Undersecretary for War if he will make inquiries into the allegations of ill-treatment of the men serving in the Welsh Guards stationed at Caterham, Surrey, it being alleged that for the least trifling offence or mistake made at drills the men are committed to a punishment called pack-drill, and, particularly, whether a few days ago one of the men, being in a weak state, was unable to follow the drills and was put on pack-drill, and, whilst doing this, died; and whether, on Saturday, 28th July, another soldier collapsed under the same treatment and was carried unconscious to the hospital?

My hon. Friend will be glad to hear that there is no ground for the allegations, which have been suggested to him. No recruit at the Guards' depot is punished unless it is shown that he is wilfully and continually not trying to learn the drill. No soldier has died at the Guards' depot within the last two and a-half months. On the 28th of July a man of the Welsh Guards complained of illness on punishment parade. He was immediately taken to hospital where he slept well during the night, and felt quite well the next morning.

asked whether records have been kept stating the origin of the typhoid vaccine now used for the inoculation of the troops; and, if so, from what source were the typhoid bacilli obtained which were used to form the original culture from which the present cultures have been developed?

Yes, Sir; records have been kept. The typhoid bacilli were obtained from the blood of a patient many years ago and have been kept growing ever since.

asked the Undersecretary for War if he is aware that at the Army pay office at Blackheath there are two temporary captains whose commissions date long since August, 1914, both A 1 category and only on the border line of thirty, doing duty which an incapacitated expeditionary officer could perform or an over-age, and, although noted by the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command, are there still; if he is aware that side by side with these two captains in question are about thirty or forty men with Army experience doing clerical work which could be done by unfit men; and if he will take action in the matter?

My hon. Friend is misinformed. There is one Category A acting paymaster holding a temporary commission at Blackheath, whose age is thirty-five. He is doing expert and technical work, and it would not be in the public interests to remove him. The latter part of the question refers presumably to the permanent Army Pay Department officers and permanent Army Pay Corps clerks. In view of their long departmental training and long severance from combatant service it is not advisable to remove them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what Committee reported before the War on the reorganisation of the administrative services of the War Office; and whether, as. a result of this Report, the Director-General of Army Medical Services was. removed from the Army Council and placed under the control of the Adjutant-General?

The Director-General Army Medical Service never has-been a member of the Army Council. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Report of the Esher Committee, Section 1 of Part III., paragraphs 9 to 14.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Censor refused his consent to any reference to this desire for an inquiry, on the part of the medical profession, being published in the Press; that in fact reference to it was made in only one paper, and that this reference was deleted in the second edition; and why all criticism in the Press of the administration of the Army Medical Service made with the object of increasing its efficiency, is suppressed?

I can find no trace of any action having been taken in this matter by the Censor, but I will make further inquiries if my hon. and gallant Friend will supply me with further particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Secretary of State for War is aware of the fact that at the representative meeting of the British Medical Association (representing 18,000 doctors) on 26th July a resolution was passed urging the council of the association to press for an inquiry into the administration of the Army Medical Service: and will he say if it is proposed to adopt this suggestion?

I understand that evidence was given by this association as well as others before the Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Munitions. It would not be conducive to the efficiency of the Service or the successful prosecution of the War to initiate such an inquiry as is suggested while the War is in progress. The Secretary of State, some little time ago, arranged for certain eminent medical men to visit France for the purpose of satisfying himself that the medical services were on a sound and efficient basis. The visit of this Committee will take place when the operations now in progress admit of their carrying out useful inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what salary is paid to members of the Medical Advisory Board of the Army Medical Service; how many civilian doctors have a seat on it; and how many times this Board has sat since August, 1914?

There are eleven members, seven military and four civilian. The civilian members are paid £200 a year each for their services on the board. Two military members receive extra pay of £150 a year; five receive nothing for this duty. The number of meetings of the board was in 1913 ten, in 1914 seven. No formal meetings have been held since August, 1914, but all the paid members have been constantly consulted and have given very valuable advice throughout the War.

Is it not advisable to have the opinions of these men in concert as a council, as they were intended to be?

I am informed that most of these members are serving in various theatres of war.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, although the number of civilian doctors now in the Army Medical Service outnumbers members of the regular Royal Army Medical Corps by more than ten to one, the civilian doctors hold none of the higher administrative posts which would give them power to introduce reforms or otherwise increase the efficiency of the Army Medical Service; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking action in this direction?

At the present moment there are a large number of consultant medical men of the highest attainments employed both at home and abroad with the Army, and these distinguished men are in constant touch with the Army medical authorities, with a view to introducing reforms and increasing the efficiency of the Army Medical Service in such ways as experience may prove beneficial.

Territorial and Reserve medical officers and civilians who have been granted commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the War hold a fair share of the administrative posts in the Army. Throughout the War the line that has invariably been taken is that the best man should be employed where his abilities have the most scope, but it must be remembered that however eminent a civilian medical man's medical attainments may be, he would be out of place in certain high administrative posts in the Army through his want of knowledge of the administration and organisation of the Army as a whole. Where this experience has been gained through service during the present War, these officers are equally available with Regular medical officers for selection to posts of responsibility.

The whole subject has lately been under investigation by the Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend. The Report of this Committee may be shortly expected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that owing to the uneconomical use of medical men by the Army Medical Service a number of hospitals in this country are understaffed; that the supply of medical men to the civilian population is such that they could not hope to cope with a serious epidemic; that owing to this shortage a number of resident posts in hospitals have been filled by unqualified medical students, Chinese, Indian, and other coloured doctors; and that in many instances His Majesty's soldiers and their relations, including women during childbirth, depend largely on these for medical assistance; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to answers which I have already given on this subject. There is a Committee in existence to safeguard the needs of the civilian population so far as doctors are concerned. I may add that my Noble Friend the Secretary of State is contemplating the appointment of a small Committee to consider the use which is being made of medical men in France.

asked the Prime Minister whether all letters and telegrams going abroad are liable to be censored; whether, if they contain items liable to cause disaffection and unrest, they are returned to the sender; if such is the case, why was the telegram of the late First Lord of the Admiralty with reference to his anxiety to kill Home Rule allowed to be transmitted to Australia just at the moment when all parties in Ireland were striving to carry out the wishes of the Government, or is the fomenter of revolution to be a free lance in all matters without any regard for the peace and good will of those who form the British Empire?

My right hon. Friend the Member for Dublin University has no knowledge of any telegram such as is referred to in the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether certain Cabinet Ministers have expressed themselves in favour of the nationalisation of British shipping after the War; whether it is the intention of the Government to then nationalise British shipping; and, if so, on what lines?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not in a position to indicate the intentions of the Government which may be in power immediately after peace is declared.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Minister of Munitions (Mr. Churchill) has expressed himself publicly in favour of it, and that certain members of the Cabinet have done so privately, and can he say whether the Committee or Committees now sitting—

How can the right hon. Gentleman answer all those questions without notice?

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to act upon the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Industrial Unrest; and particularly whether he will make, in accordance with Section 33 of Cd. 8668, a declaration of the Government's intention to repeal immediately on the termination of the War the Military Service Acts, the Munitions of War Acts, and the Defence of the Realm Act, together with all Regulations made thereunder, with a view to the complete restoration of the liberty of the subject?

I cannot at present add anything to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Attercliffe on Monday last.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral are now complete; and whether he can state what changes have been made or are about to be made from the names announced in the "London Gazette"on 5th June, 1917?

I have nothing to add to the information which appeared in the Press yesterday. My right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty proposes to make a statement on this matter in the House as soon as he is in a position to do so.

Could the right hon. Gentleman indicate when that statement will be made?

I am afraid that I cannot give any definite indication. I believe my right hon. Friend hopes that it may be made before the Adjournment, but I cannot say definitely.

Will the statement embody the revision of the duties of the different Sea Lords?

I know no more about it than the hon. Member himself.

Will the House have an opportunity of discussing the statement?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now announce the decisions of the Government in regard to the Conference on the House of Lords?

I regret the delay in the constitution of this Conference, but I hope to be able to announce it early next week.

asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements have yet been completed for the taking over of recruiting work from the War Office; and what other Department will have charge of this work in future?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Loughborough, in which I stated that the details have not yet been determined.

May we expect a statement before the Adjournment?

The subject is now being considered. I hope that it may be before the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether there will be any alteration in the policy of the Government as to the malting of barley before the House meets again after the approaching vacation?

I have been asked to reply. The policy to be adopted in respect of the further malting of barley has not yet been determined. I am not in a position to state when a decision will be reached.

May we have an assurance that no change of policy with regard to the malting of barley will take place except when the House is sitting and has an opportunity of discussing it?

That question should be addressed to the Leader of the House.

May I put it to the Leader of the House?

I have not considered it. If my hon. Friend will put down a question to me, I will give him an answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the use of malt for human food is still prohibited by the Regulations issued by his Department or by Order in Council; and for what purposes the use of malt is allowed?

Except under licence the use of malt for human food is still prohibited. Under licence malt is being used for distilling for munitions, brewing, infant and invalid foods, vinegar, yeast, gas helmets and aeroplane work.

asked what are the present stocks of malt in the country; whether any barley is now being malted; if so, how much and for what purposes; how long it is expected that the present stocks of barley will last at the present rate of consumption; and whether it is intended to allow further malting when the present stocks of malt are exhausted?

The stock of brewers' malt on 30th June was 1,300,000 quarters. A small quantity of barley continues to be malted for coloured beer and for the purposes specified in the answer to the preceding question. It is estimated that the present stock of malt will last till the end of November. The question of the resumption of malting is under consideration.

How is it that the total of malt is greater now than it was three months ago?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been called by the North-Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee to the waste of fish landed at North-Eastern ports owing to. the inadequacy of the arrangements at such ports for the distribution of such fish by rail, and to the resulting loss to the community of a large quantity of valuable food; and what steps he will take to prevent such loss in future?

In reply I will refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to similar questions on the subject on the 4th instant. I will also send him a copy of the statement which I then sent to the hon. Member for the Houghton-le-Spring Division of Durham.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, since the publication of the Order fixing the price of meat from next January onwards, the prices of offals and cakes have increased; and, if so, whether he intends to take any steps to control the price of feeding stuffs?

There has been little change in the price of either offals or cakes since the 21st of last month, except that linseed cake has advanced by 5s. to 10s. a ton. The last part of the question is a matter which comes within the province of the Food Controller.

Is it because cake has advanced from 5s. to 10s. per ton that the price of cattle is reduced?

We hope to bring down the prices of feeding stuffs before then.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Messrs. Wray, Sanderson and Company declared their last dividend at 25 per cent., that their £l share is now quoted at 48s. 9d.; is he aware that this has been made out of oilcake and feeding stuffs; whether these profits of merchants has been taken into account when fixing the beef price; and if feeding stuffs can be made cheaper?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The books of this company are now being investigated, with a view to ascertaining the cost of seed crushing and of oil refining. The House is aware that the Food Controller hopes to effect a reduction in the price of feeding stuffs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what quantities of Danish, Irish, and Colonial butter were imported into England from the 1st March to the 1st August, giving each month and the supply for the same separately?

I have obtained a Return of the quantity of Danish, Irish, and Colonial butter imported into England and Wales during the period mentioned in the question, and I am sending to the hon. Member the figures, which will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the Return mentioned:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will give the names of those who were consulted as to the price to be paid for cattle in the back-end of the year; whether he is aware of the expense that the fattening of cattle at that period entails and that, at the price fixed, a big loss would be involved to the farming community; whether the Food Controller desires to give a set-back to the production of beef by his Regulations; and, if not, will immediate steps be taken to have the prices revised and thus afford an opportunity to those who are engaged in this vital industry of carrying on a business which, if knocked on the head, will cause alarm and discontent to the entire community?

As Lord Rhondda has already stated in another place, the Board of Agriculture and the Scottish and Irish Departments of Agriculture were all consulted before the maximum prices for meat were fixed. He is unable to admit that a substantial loss would accrue to the farming community by the prices as fixed. He hopes to be able to effect a considerable reduction in the present high prices of meat without either injuring production or doing injustice to any section of the community.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that, in Scotland, the autumn store sales of sheep are now beginning, and in some cases have commenced, he can announce now the fixed price for mutton?

Lord Rhondda hopes to announce the maximum prices for mutton at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has been able to ascertain particulars of the trucks of potatoes sent to Cranbrook Station; and is any action being taken?

The potatoes to which my hon. Friend referred in his question of the 31st July were consigned to Cranbrook on the 13th July. They consisted of 44 tons 6 cwt. of Dutch potatoes of the 1916 crop which had been condemned by the port sanitary authorities as unfit for human food. Inquiries are being made with reference to a further consignment of 640 bags sent to Cranbrook Station on 28th July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has now got the information who was responsible for the large amount of wasted food which was sent to Swanley Siding; and, if so, what action the Ministry of Food intends to take in connection with it?

I have caused inquiries to be made into this matter, and it appears that the bulk of the wasted food consisted of Dutch supplies which were unfit for human consumption when they reached this country. It is proposed to appoint an officer to deal specially with inland transport delays; but loss caused by delay at sea is, in the circumstances, unavoidable.

Will the steps the hon. Gentleman proposes to take prevent such waste of public food, considering that we are spending £8,000,000 a day?

The steps we propose to take will certainly prevent waste so far as inland transit is concerned.