asked the Secretary of State for India when the new rules will be issued regarding the position of officers in the Indian Army who, when invalided from active service, are after three months placed on furlough pay?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the question of improved pay for sick and wounded officers of the Indian Army sent home from field service has now been under consideration since the 22nd November, 1916, and that nothing has yet been done to ameliorate the monetary difficulties from which these officers are suffering, beyond a reference to the War Office, he will now consider the question of giving these officers more generous treatment than the bare three months on Indian pay that they now receive and settle the question at once by undertaking the financial responsibility for increased allowances from Indian revenues without waiting for a final settlement with the War Office?

An agreement on this subject has now been reached with the War Office. Officers of the Indian Army and Indian Medical Service (other than those under staff leave rules) invalided from field service will receive full pay of rank and full staff pay during the first three months and thereafter for the next six months or for the period of their leave, whichever may be the shorter, full pay of rank and half staff pay of their substantive regimental or departmental appointment. The new rule will take effect from 17th February, 1917, and officers then on leave will benefit from it. Under the Resolution of Parliament with regard to expenditure in connection with the employment of the Indian Expeditionary Forces the increased charges on account of these allowances to officers of such Forces will fall on Imperial revenues.

asked the Secretary for India whether he has considered afresh the cases of Mrs. Annie Besant, Mr. Arundale, and Mr. Wadia, now interned for participation in pressing for constitutional reforms in India; and whether he has read Mrs. Besant's article published in New India of 15th June, 1917?

At present I can add nothing to the previous statements in the House on this matter.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that these colleagues of his, in the cause of Indian reform, are languishing in prison while he is luxuriating in office?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this "languishing in prison" is not merely living in a most delightful hill station in the best climate in the world?

I am afraid I do not understand in the least what the hon. Member means.

asked the Secretary for India whether he has had any reply from the Indian Government as regards the future position of Lieutenant-Colonel R. M. Carter, I.M.S.; and can he now state what decision has been come to as regards the recognition of this officer's valuable services to the British and Indian troops in Mesopotamia?

It has been decided that Major (temporary lieutenant-colonel) Carter should receive brevet promotion to lieutenant-colonel. The promotion will be substantially antedated, but the precise date is not yet fixed. As Colonel Carter is now employed in this country, the question of his future employment in India cannot advantageously be considered at present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the brevet promotion means an increase of pay on what he has been receiving up to now?

No. There is no increase of pay, but it means substantial improvement in position in the service to which this gallant officer has rendered such distinguished service.

asked what action is being taken or will now be taken on Lord Islington's Public Services Commission's Report; whether there is any intention of making examinations in a less universal and exclusive degree the test of fitness for appointments in the public service; whether exchange compensation is finally abolished; and whether the leave rules are undergoing the overhauling recommended by Lord Islington's Commission?

The Report is being eaxmined by the Government of India in consultation with Local Governments. Until I receive their recommendations I am not in a position to answer the latter part of the question.

asked whether the Bank of Madras and its branches are providing its planter customers with funds in the same manner as the Bank of Bengal; whether facilities for exporters of planters' produce are being provided by the exchange banks in Southern India; and what action the Madras Government has taken to expedite the export of tea, coffee, and rubber from Tuticorin and ports on the Malabar coast?

On the first point I have no detailed information. As regards the second, the Exchange Banks are financing all exports of war importance and as many others as practicable. I have asked the Government of India whether they have any information about the third point and will communicate the reply to my hon. Friend.

asked whether the sheikhs and other head men of villages in Mesopotamia in British occupation make payment to the British authorities of tribute, rent, and taxes formerly paid to the Turkish officials; and if he can state the titles and powers of the British officials empowered to collect these and other kinds of land revenue and of the higher officials who superintend them?

The Revenue administration of the occupied territory has been carried as far as possible in general conformity with the principles laid down in The Hague Convention, namely, on the basis of the system that existed prior to the British occupation. I understand that Arab tax collectors have been appointed for some districts, while in others the custom of collecting through village headmen has been revived. The Revenue administration is controlled by a Revenue Board, consisting of three British officers, who are assisted by two Assistant Revenue officers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the administration is still being carried on under the Orders of the General commanding the troops in that part?

My hon. Friend is aware that there is a political officer as well. In the present condition of affairs in. Mesopotamia the supreme command must be in the hands of the officer who is in command of His Majesty's forces.

asked the titles and powers of the British officials acting in Mesopotamia as criminal judges and magistrates; and whether any code or any set of rules has been prescribed for their guidance in such jurisdictions?

Under the authority vested in him, the General Officer Commanding the Army of Occupation has promulgated Rules providing for the administration of civil and criminal justice in the territories which are effectively occupied by the Army. Under the Rules the General Officer Commanding exercises powers resembling those of a High Court, a senior judicial officer those of a district and sessions judge, a junior judicial officer those of an assistant judge and district magistrate, and an assistant junior officer those of a subordinate judge of the first class and a magistrate of the first class. There are other subordinate officers invested with civil and criminal powers in varying degrees.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what reason the Admiralty have advised the rejection of the offer made by Sweden and Norway to send over wood to this country in specially constructed rafts so as to save ship tonnage?

From an Admiralty point of view the difficulty is that of providing protection. It is plain that the steamers towing these rafts would require protection, and this could not be provided without withdrawing vessels already fully employed in protecting steamers carrying more valuable cargoes, such as foodstuffs.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Brixham fishermen taken for service with the Royal Navy have been kept in barracks for many months; and will he issue orders to ensure that those fishermen will in future not be called up until they are actually required to serve on His Majesty's ships, so that they may pursue their own calling and add to the food supply of the nation?

The fishermen to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers are apparently members of the Royal Naval Reserve, who are given a short and necessary course of training in the depots before being drafted to sea service. The men are only called up, however, to meet actual requirements, due allowance being made for this course of training.

Is the right lion. Gentleman aware that there are some of these fishermen who have really been in naval barracks since the early days of the War, and that if they were allowed to pursue their own calling it would be a great advantage to the country?

I have stated what the general rule is. I will look into the point whether anybody has been kept there unnecessarily when they might be fishing.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if 220 Members of Parliament signed a petition asking that the tolls and ferries in Plymouth Garrison should be made free to Service men; and, if so, whether he can report as to what progress has been made?

Yes, Sir; we have received a request signed by over 200 Members of Parliament, asking that the tolls and ferries in Plymouth Garrison should be made free to Service men. Before the receipt of this memorial, we were in communication with the locality upon the matter generally, and since its receipt we have made every effort to arrive at an agreement which would secure the prayer of the memorial on terms reasonable to the public purse. I regret to say that neither here nor in the case of Haslar Bridge, at Gosport, have we so far brought our negotiations to a successful issue. We sympathise with the prayer of the memorial, if I may say so with respect, and shall certainly do all that is possible to secure the end in view under conditions which, as I say, shall not impose an undue charge upon the public purse.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who are the parties communicated with who will not meet the public welfare?

There are a number of interests involved, and so far we have not been able to come to terms.

Are they private interests?

Yes; I think so.

Do not they come under the Defence of the Realm Act?

We shall certainly consider the position of even coming to this House for Parliamentary powers to meet the prayer of the memorial.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that certain classes of work performed by skilled labourers in the Royal dockyards receive time-rate payments at a rate lower than is generally observed in the private shipyards; and, if so, whether he proposes to remedy this grievance?

Yes, Sir; the matter has been before us for some time past, and we have decided as from the 2nd September to raise the maximum time rate for skilled labourers from 31s. to 37s. (established men 35s.), exclusive of war bonus. We do not intend to abolish either the present interchangeability of skilled labourers from one class of work to another or the freedom of the dockyard officers to employ any skilled labourers on any class of work as required. But we do intend that men engaged on the more important productive work, involving the skilful use of hand or machine tools, shall have an opportunity of reaching the new maximum, and that in making their recommendations to us upon the matter the yard officials shall have regard to the time rates of wages paid to workmen of similar ability engaged on the same class of work in private yards. I should add that, in order that the matter may be treated with uniformity by the various yards, we have instructed the yard officers to submit their proposals to us for applying the new scale not later than the 18th of this month. We shall thereafter review those proposals, and they will come into operation, as already said, as from the 2nd September.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, after the consideration that has now been given to the position and contracts of naval surgeons who had retired before the War with a gratuity and placed their names on an emergency list, he can state what the decision of the Admiralty is; and whether the deduction will be discontinued and the deductions made refunded?

It has been decided not to make deductions in future from the pay of naval surgeons who had retired before the War with a gratuity and placed their names on the emergency list, and that deductions already made from the pay of such officers shall be refunded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the issue of the Report upon the question of the native reserves of Rhodesia will be accompanied by the whole evidence, including memoranda, submitted by the missionaries?

No, Sir; I do not propose to publish the whole of the evidence which necessarily contains a great deal of repetition, but the Blue Book will contain a summary of evidence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now see his way to place all men of B3 and C3 into the category to which they were allocated when they were first medically examined without waiting for each case to be tested by an invaliding board?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend's suggestion is not practicable, as it would result in placing a large number of men into categories higher than those they are now in. This would not appear to be a desirable result in the interest of the public or of the men themselves.

asked what is the procedure which a soldier who claims to be unfit for further service must follow to have his case examined by a standing invaliding board?

The man should put forward his claim in the same manner as for any other grievance he may have— i.e., through his commanding officer.

, asked what is the composition of the standing invaliding boards for dealing with soldiers considered unfit for further service; and whether their decisions are arrived at jointly or are the decisions in the hands of the senior medical officer?

Invaliding boards are convened by General Officers Com- manding when there are men put forward by the medical officers for invaliding and many of these are in permanent session. Their decisions are arrived at jointly.

What is the composition of these boards?

I think that the main question is whether the decision of these boards was arrived at jointly or severally. I do not know what the composition is.

I will repeat the question.

asked whether standing invaliding boards have been set up in each command area in accordance with the instructions of 30th June, 1917, for dealing with unfit soldiers; and whether the work of these boards will come under review by the Select Committee on Medical Examinations which has been set up by this House?

All Commands report that they have established the invaliding boards in accordance with War Office Instructions of 30th June. I do not think that the reference to the Select Committee includes the work of the invaliding boards.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the competing claims of the various Departments of State upon the man-power of the country and the extra pressure of work involved on the War Cabinet, he will consider the advisability of appointing a Standing Committee vested with executive powers by the War Cabinet to co-ordinate the needs of the various Departments and to adjudicate between their respective claims?

I am not prepared to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if has received a communication referring to the case of O'Connell S. Cormack, of 82, Wells Road, Bath; whether he is aware that this man received three months' exemption from the local tribunal, expiring on 9th October, on the grounds of domestic and business hardship, the man having nine persons dependent upon his exertions; and that the military appealed against this decision and, at the Somerset Appeal Tribunal held in Bath on Friday, 3rd August, the military representative produced no evidence upon the domestic and business grounds but raised the question of his being a conscientious objector though this question was not before the Court, the local tribunal not having heard the conscientious claim but had adjourned it for the concurrent period of three months; and whether, under these circumstances, he will instruct the Somerset Appeal Tribunal to remit the case to the Bath Local Tribunal to hear the conscientious claim for exemption?

I am communicating with the Appeal Tribunal on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will say for what reason Vivian Smith, a conscientious objector, until recently employed at Princetown, has been returned to the Army; whether the only occasion of offence was that Smith stopped to put on his oilskins during a heavy shower of rain; and whether there had been any other previous complaint as to Smith's working?

This man was recalled to his unit because he failed to observe the conditions on which he was released from prison and excused from military service. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and to the third part in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that early this year the War Office issued notices stating that apprentices of eighteen years of age joining the Army would have the option of joining or being transferred to the Royal Engineers or the Royal Flying Corps; that several apprentices, on the faith of such notice, joined the Army, and have been drafted into Infantry regiments and refused the option of joining or being transferred to the Royal Engineers or Royal Flying Corps; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Apprentices in the engineering trades, if they pass a trade test, are posted to a technical corps, among which are included the Royal Engineers and Royal Flying Corps. I am not aware that there has been any departure from this practice, and I should be grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend if he would supply me with the regimental numbers, names, and units of the men to whom he refers.

asked whether, in cases such as that of Mrs. Morgan, of Shrewsbury, whose husband, though over age, gave up his business to serve his country and has lately been reduced according to regulation, but through no fault of his own, from captain to second lieutenant, the War Office has any power to assist Mrs. Morgan, until she can be helped by the Civil Liabilities Committee, in view of the fact that, until the Civil Liabilities Committee can decide on her case, she and her five children are reduced to starvation, as a second lieutenant's pay is totally inadequate?

This is a matter primarily for the Civil Liabilities Committee, but if the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars of the officer's name and regiment I will see whether anything can be done.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state how many persons have been appointed as civil liability commissioners; how many applications for assistance have been made to them; how many of such applications have been finally dealt with; why the remainder are unsettled; and what is the average time that elapses between an application for assistance and the commissioners' decision upon it?

There are at present 110 commissioners. They have received approximately 319,000 applications, of which 287,500 have been forwarded with recommendations to the Civil Liabilities Department and 272,500 have been finally decided by the Department. Some of the applications received are transferred to the local war pensions committees; the remainder consist partly of cases in which further evidence is required in support of the application, and partly of cases in which the claims have not been followed up by the applicants. The average time which elapses between the receipt of an application and the Commissioner's Report upon it is about three weeks, and the average time between the receipt of the Commissioner's Report and the final decision, a little more than a fortnight.

Can a second application be made when the first application has been refused if there is new evidence?

If he has any new facts to put forward.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now make any announcement regarding the award of badges for service abroad so that men may have something to show for the time they have spent abroad?

No, Sir; I am afraid that I am not yet able to announce a decision, but hope to be in a position to do so before the House rises—if possible, to-morrow.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether soldiers who express regret for actions for which they are sorry will in future have the expression of regret accepted, as in the case of Major Carter, who poured a cup of hot coffee over the head of a private in York station?

It all depends upon the circumstances of each case. The principle extends to soldiers as well as to civilians. In the case referred to, however, a new situation has arisen, and I understand that action has been initiated.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any instance where this principle has been utilised in dealing with a soldier?

I cannot give it offhand. If my hon. Friend has any case I will inquire.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether any restriction is placed upon the wearing of uniform by officers of the Volunteer Training Corps; and are they expected to change their uniform after drill and before going elsewhere?

The Regulations provide that uniform will only be worn by members of Volunteer Corps "when actually performing military duty or when attending parades or ceremonial functions of a military character." If my hon. Friend has some particular case in mind, I shall be happy to consider the matter if he will furnish me with the necessary details.

That means that directly drill is over and an officer or soldier gets home he must at once take off his uniform?

That is practically what it comes to.

asked whether the site of the Royal Flying Corps camp at Coventry was previously condemned as totally unfit for German prisoners, who were therefore settled in a healthy place some way off; whether it has again been condemned; and, seeing that it has a large open drain running through it, how much longer our men are to be kept in this camp?

It will be necessary to make inquiries in this matter. I have called for a report and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture in how many instances notices to quit have been served on tenants of land by the authority of the Board under Defence of the Realm Regulation 2 M ( f ); what circumstances are held to justify this extreme course without the previous serving of any notice under Regulation 2 M ( e ); whether, in the case of an adverse report on a tenant made by an inspection committee, the tenant is furnished with a copy of the report and given an opportunity of replying to any charges, made against him; and whether the action of the Board is based on the principle that a tenant should be given a chance of satisfying the requirements of the Board before he is evicted?

Notices under Regulation 2 M (l) ( f ) have been served in 160 cases. In 129 of these cases the landlords have been authorised to determine the tenancies and in the other thirty-one cases the tenancies have been determined by the Board. Before any notices are served the circumstances of each case are considered by the Board together with the recommendations of the agricultural executive committee. In some cases tenancies have been determined without the previous service of a notice under Regulation 2 M (1) ( e ), where the Board were satisfied that no directions to cultivate in a proper manner would be carried out satisfactorily and where it was urgently necessary in the interests of food production that there should be an immediate change of tenancy. No notice determining a tenancy is served without first giving the tenant ample time and opportunity to carry out the requirements of the Board, though he is not necessarily supplied with a copy of the report made by an inspection committee.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this subject on the Motion for Adjournment to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is intended to cancel all contracts made between hop growers and brewers for sale of annual crops grown for a term of years at a fixed price per hundredweight for the period, with the result that these growers will be compelled to pay a commission to hop factors for marketing, which under existing arrangements is not payable; whether, in view of the fact that the hop acreage has already been restricted by 50 per cent. and the costs of production have enormously increased, it is the intention of the Government to withhold from the grower one-fifth of the value of his crop; and whether any compensation will be payable to the grower in consideration of the compulsory breach of existing contracts with brewers?

The Board do not as at present advised intend to cancel standing contracts between growers and brewers for the disposal of the hop crop of 1917. The Board have under consideration a scheme whereby the grower of hops will receive immediately for his hops a sum which on the average will cover his costs of production and the balance of their value when they become saleable. The third part of the question does not arise.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in present conditions hops are very often held for a very long period, and does his proposal mean that the farmer can be kept for a very long time before he receives the balance of his money?

I think that the Board of Agriculture is framing a scheme of a satisfactory character.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Food Controller has by Order empowered the Board of Agriculture to authorise in England and Wales the taking of sea fish in tidal or territorial waters by any method or appliances the use of which is now unlawful, to use these methods or appliances at times and places and in circumstances otherwise unlawful, and to permit the sale of fish taken; and whether he will make representations to the Food Controller with a view to this Order being extended to Scotland?

I am aware of the Order referred to in the question. I may, however, remind my hon. Friend that the Fishery Board for Scotland already possesses wide statutory powers which do not exist in England to modify Statutes and by-laws in the direction of removing restrictions. These powers have already been exercised in respect of certain Scottish waters, and as at present advised I see no need to make the further representations suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable amount of food which would be available if the regulations in England were adopted in Scotland, and if they had the powers to enable this to be done?

The point is that the Fisheries Board in Scotland already possess the powers which the English Board has now been authorised to exercise.

The point which I want to get from the right hon. Gentleman is, are they going to exercise these powers the same as is being done in England?

My answer was that they have already exercised these powers in certain instances, and if applications are made in other cases they will be dealt with on their merits.

asked (1) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will arrange forthwith for all consumers of imported bacon, dairy produce, such as butter, cheese, and tinned and preserved foods to get the full benefit of the low Blue Book rates of freight, which is all that the shipping get for the carriage of these foodstuffs, and thus prevent anyone, or any Department, securing profits on a scale never demanded or received by shipping companies; if he will take steps to protect the consumer from indirect taxation by way of freight charges imposed by one Government Department, and put to the account of a tax-collecting Department, and at present borne by the British consumer, who is the only person entitled to the requisitioning of British shipping engaged in the carriage of these foodstuffs; (2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state under what Statute the Exchequer claims the profits on the carriage of bacon, cheese, butter, and tinned and preserved foods, which are now collected by the Ministry of Shipping for the Exchequer as a result of the high freights fixed by them; whether these profits made by the Government on the carriage of food ever received the sanction of a Finance Act based on a finance Resolution originating in a committee of ways and means," if not, by what legal or constitutional authority the Exchequer imposed this charge on the subject; and (3) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller under what Statute the Ministry claims to have authority for the seizure of British shipping and the running of the same in such a manner as to mulct the consumers of bacon, butter, cheese, and preserved and tinned foods, etc., in freight charges, namely, 100s. per ton, 150s. per ton, and in some cases over 200s. per ton beyond the freight paid by the Ministry to the owners of these vessels; and whether there is any statutory authority for using property thus seized for purposes of securing profits from the British people for whose safety and defence the vessels are said to have been taken?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these questions. I must apologise to the House for the length of this reply. As has already been explained, the policy of the Ministry of Shipping is to charge the equivalent of Blue Book rates where the benefit of the low freight would accrue to the consumer—that is, where the commodity is one of which the supplies are controlled—and to charge full market rates where the benefit of a lower rate would be likely to go down to the producer, merchant, or middleman with no advantage to the consumer. There is thus no question of mulcting the consumer; on the contrary, the policy at which my right hon. Friend seems disposed to cavil possesses the incidental advantage of diverting to the Exchequer for the benefit of the community at large (after the possibilities of direct relief to the consumer have been exhausted) certain profits which would otherwise go into the pockets of the shipowner.

I may take this opportunity to repeat that as by far the greater part of our imports are now carried for Government account, the sums thus accruing to the Treasury are not likely to be very large. I am sure that the policy I have described is one which commends itself to the House, and that the House will learn with regret that it is being challenged in the Courts by two prominent shipping companies, with which an hon. Member who is a shipowner is closely associated.

On the point of Order. Is it within the right of a Minister to express an opinion upon a legal action pending in the Courts of justice in the course of an answer to a question put in this House?

I do not know what the opinion was.

May I call your attention to this, Sir, that the Minister said the House would learn with regret that the action of the Government was being challenged in the Courts by a Member of this House?

The majority of the House probably would and the minority would not. I do not know that anybody could speak on behalf of the whole House.

Is it not an expression of opinion on the merits of the case pending before His Majesty's judges?

It is the place of the Government to keep up their end of the position.

Is not the Government expected to keep its end up in the Courts?

I cannot say what is expected.

I will complete the reply. I am sure that the policy I have described is one which commends itself to the House, and that the House will learn with regret that it is being challenged in the Courts by two prominent shipping companies, with which an hon. Member, who is a shipowner, is closely associated. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend cannot properly expect me to make any statement on the remaining part of the questions.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask on what authority the Shipping Controller is in effect laying a charge upon the taxpayers of this country without a Finance Resolution of this House?

My hon. Friend has already pointed out that this question is sub judice, and now the hon. Member expects me to give the reasons for the defence. One hon. Member is challenging us in the Courts, while another hon. Member asks me to give to the House the reasons for the defence.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that farmers have to pay anything between £60 and £100 in respect of motor-tractors under the Government freights?

That does not arise out of the question.

Would it not be better to let the public know that it is the Government and not the shipowners who are charging these high freights?

I think that the public are well seised of the fact that the profit which before went to the shipowner either now directly benefit the consumer in lower prices, or go, in the minority of cases, to the Treasury, by which the consumer indirectly benefits.

Are the goods any cheaper?

Certainly. In the case of the majority of commodities in this country, if the former freights paid had obtained up to the present time, the public would be paying more.

Is the hon. Member aware that the public are being so misled that it is incumbent upon the Government to make the matter absolutely clear?

I have endeavoured on several occasions to make it clear, and I think the public are well aware that the majority of the consumers are directly benefited; and in so far as the minority are concerned, the consumers benefit indirectly; the Government, for example, is aided to sell the loaf at 9d.

Are farmers an appropriate body to tax with these heavy freights?

:I have already said that does not arise out of the question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what the rights of Departments are under the Defence of the Realm Act to deal with a matter of money?

I have endeavoured to explain before that the question of the Treasury making profits is purely an incidental matter. In the majority of cases the consumers benefit directly, but, in the minority of cases, where the money goes to the Exchequer, they benefit indirectly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Lord Rhondda recently stated that feeding stuffs had risen in price 60 per cent. since the War; whether barley and maize have increased in price by about 200 per cent.; whether barley meal in April, 1914, was £6 15s. per ton and is now £22 per ton and maize was then 27s. per quarter and is now £5 per quarter, and the price of both these articles is still rising; and is there any reason for thinking that he will soon effect a reduction in these prices?

I am not aware that Lord Rhondda made the statement referred to by the hon. Member. The increase in the price of barley and maize has, no doubt, been considerable, but there is no evidence that the price of maize is still rising, and it is intended to reserve barley for human consumption. The Food Controller hopes to effect a sensible reduction in the price of millers' offals and feeding cakes.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the connection formerly existing between Lord Rhondda, the Food Controller, and a firm called Mitchelson and Company; whether he is aware that this firm issued circulars, on which Lord Rhondda's name appeared as a member of the firm, recommending certain investments which were recommended as being very profitable, and that some of the profit that had been realised accrued in consequence of the economic conditions produced by the War; whether he is aware that Mitchelson and Company recommended these investments in consideration of some profit to themselves, and that Lord Rhondda, as a partner in the firm, participated in that profit; whether a firm called Messrs. Hooker, manufacturers of aeroplane engines, have made application for permission to borrow fresh capital for their business; whether this fresh capital is needed in order to manufacture aeroplane engines for the Government; whether Mitchelson and Company undertook to put the shares created to obtain this fresh capital on the market; whether Lord Rhondda was still a partner in Mitchelson and Company when this arrangement was made; whether Mitchelson and Company were to make any profit out of the transaction; and whether, in view of Lord Rhondda's connection with Mitchelson and Company, he will call on him to resign?

The answer to the last part of the question is in the nega- tive. For the rest I can add nothing to replies that I gave on the 11th and 18th July to the hon. Member for North-West Lanarkshire.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been specially directed to the transaction of Messrs. Hooker, and can he add anything on that point?

In my previous reply the question is fully answered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether before any extension is made of the policy, adopted in the case of wheat and flour, of purchasing foodstuffs at a price higher than that which will be charged to the consumer, the difference being made good out of money borrowed by the State, be will give an opportunity to the House of Commons to discuss the matter?

The Government have no present intention of extending the policy referred to, but it is not possible to give the general undertaking asked for in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to protect the purchasers of light beer against profiteering, he will consider the desirability of rendering at compulsory upon the part of brewers to state the gravity of the beer they supply?

I have been asked to reply. I will consider the suggestion, but I am not clear that it is practicable, or that, if practicable, it would afford the protection which my hon. Friend desires.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware of the difficulty experienced by the working classes in Ireland in their endeavour to get their allowance of sugar; and if, to prevent unfair purchases and distribution, he will issue sugar tickets?

I am aware that from various causes certain districts have from time to time been unable to obtain adequate supplies of sugar, but I do not think that the difficulties referred to are more acute in Ireland than in other parts of the United Kingdom. It is hoped that the new scheme of distribution will remove the inequalities which exist under the present system.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a large consignment of wheat from Australia consigned to the base commandant at the port of unloading is lying at Southampton; and whether, in order to avoid further deterioration by weather and vermin, he will take steps to see that it is immediately taken over by the military authority or his Department and utilised?

My hon. Friend is, I think, mistaken. So far as I am aware, the only wheat from Australia now lying at Southampton consists of several small parcels belonging to the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies. These are properly stored, and form part of the Government reserve stock.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the Food Controller was appealed to by representative bodies of fruit growers and others not to fix the price of fruit, that Lord Devonport did refuse to do this, but that his successor decided to accept the advice of others, involving the dislocation of the trade generally; and if he will be prepared to cancel the controlled prices and leave the trade alone?

Under the conditions existing in April it was not thought advisable to fix maximum prices for fruit. As the season advanced the price of fruits rose owing to the competition of jam manufacturers, and it was thereupon decided to fix maximum prices. I know of no ground for the suggestion that this had led to dislocation of trade, and it is not proposed to withdraw the Orders in question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if agents have been instructed by the Government to purchase fruit for the purpose of the manufacture of jam for the troops at prices fixed by the Food Controller which are more than double the market value; and whether it is his intention to stop this waste of public money by stopping the forward purchase of fruit by these agents?

Agents are invariably instructed to buy at the lowest possible price. In some cases, owing to the considerable demand, they have had to pay the maximum prices authorised by the Fruit Orders. As contracts in excess of these prices had already been made before the Orders came into force, it is reasonably clear that, but for the Orders, the prices would have been higher still.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that Messrs. Arrol, of Alloa, have failed, in spite of repeated applications, to furnish beer-supply certificates to the following licensed traders; Messrs. John Sweeney and Sons, Patrick Mulhern (successor to Hugh Roarty), and Patrick Brennan, all of Dungloe; and whether any action is being taken to ensure the issue of certificates to those entitled to receive them?

Inquiries were recently made by the Board of Customs and Excise with regard to the non-issue by the brewers in question of certificates to certain Irish licence holders in Dungloe, and they were informed that the certificates had then been issued. Further inquiry will be made into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is now in a position to state the price which has been fixed by the Food Controller for mutton?

No, Sir; the announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to renewed complaints regarding the conditions of employment of Irish migratory labourers in Ayrshire; and whether any inquiries have been made and any steps taken to remedy such evils as have been found to exist?

I received a representation regarding this matter a few days ago. The Local Government Board for Scotland are making inquiries of the public health authority concerned, and I propose to communicate with my hon. Friend when their report is received.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Second Reading of the Solicitors (Examination) Bill [ Lords ] was agreed to on the understanding that the Government would consider the possibility of affording an opportunity for the consideration of the Bill for admitting women to the solicitors' profession which has passed through all its stages in the House of Lords; and whether he will consent to take up the latter Bill as a Government measure in the coming autumn Session?

I am not aware that there was any such understanding as that which is suggested. But with regard to the Bill referred to, I cannot make any promise that it will be taken up as a Government measure during the autumn sittings.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant the Return asked for in the Motion on the Paper by the hon. Member for North Herefordshire. [Return of all Hereditary Honours granted since the 4th day of August, 1914 ( a ) to Members of the House of Commons; ( b ) to members of the Civil Service; and ( c ) to officers of His Majesty's Naval and Military Forces who have been on active service during the War.]

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will explain the reasons why the right hon. Member for Cambridge does not receive the salary of the First Lord of the Admiralty; whether the First Lord occupies the official residence and has the other privileges of his office; what salary or monetary remuneration he receives from public funds; to what amount and, if under the Estimates, under what head or class of the Votes; whether he receives a salary from or in respect of his position under the Railway Executive; and whether a Treasury Minute has been issued regulating this and similar cases?

My right hon. Friend receives no remuneration from public funds as First Lord of the Admiralty, nor did he do so in respect of any of the other posts that he has occupied under Government since the War. Following the usual practice in such cases, my right hon. Friend has continued his contractual relationship with the North-Eastern Railway. No Treasury Minute is necessary. The First Lord does not occupy Admiralty House, which is now used as offices by the Naval War Staff. A house has been provided for my right hon. Friend, and the result of this arrangement is a saving to the Exchequer.

Does the right hon. Gentleman receive the emoluments arising from his office of vice-admiral and as a major-general?

He is neither vice-admiral nor major-general.

Is it not rather peculiar that in the case of a high officer of a most important Department his salary cannot be challenged in this House, and how does the Leader of the House propose to give us an opportunity of criticising his policy in the usual way?

I shall consider that, and no doubt an opportunity can be found.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the definite opinion which has been given that Ministers should be made to take their salaries?

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposed creation of a Ministry of Health is to be proceeded with or whether it is proposed to extend the powers of the Local Government Board so as to include under its supervision and control all matters relating to the health of the nation?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 9th August.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that some shipping companies have had to pass their ordinary dividends for the first half of 1917 for the first time for a long period of years owing to the fact that their property has been taken at rates which involve a steady running loss, an experience unknown to unrequisitioned vessels; and whether he will consult with the Ministry of Shipping as to an equitable basis on, which privately-owned property is taken and paid for so that normal profits on peace-time basis, which are at present entirely wiped out, may become available as a subject for taxation legally and constitutionally authorised by this House?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part of the question, under a provision of the Finance Act of this year a return based on a 6 per cent. standard will be made by the Treasury out of excess profits if previously paid.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, of persons dying in any year in the United Kingdom leaving property of the total value of between £500 and £1,000, what proportion of such property consists of house property and land?

The proportion is approximately two-fifths.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the inconvenience and hardship caused to the mothers and dependants of soldiers on account of the delay on the part of the pension officers; and will he at once take steps to make certain that Government allowances are in future paid without any unreasonable delay?

Arrangements have been made which will, it is anticipated, expedite the examination of claims. They have, indeed, already had the effect of reducing the number of claims outstanding in London.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will give the names of those serving on the newly-constituted Special Grants Committee; in what capacity is Mr. Cyril Jackson now employed under the Pensions Ministry; and what functions are now delegated to the Statutory Committee?

There is as yet no legislative sanction to the setting up of the Special Grants Committee proposed to be constituted by the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc. (Transfer of Powers), Bill, and until that Bill receives the Royal Assent, and an Order in Council is passed appointing a day for the transfer of the powers of the Statutory Committee, that body continues in the exercise of all those functions imposed on it by the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc., Acts, 1915 to 1917, and the staff of the Committee carry out their duties as heretofore.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received representations on behalf of the rural district councils in England and Wales complaining that the Road Stone Control Committee has been constituted without a representative of the rural district councils in England and Wales; whether he is a wars that the committee consists of four county surveyors, namely, the county surveyors of Berks, Hants, East Suffolk, and Herts, two municipal engineers, and representatives of various Government Departments; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some counties, including the West Riding of Yorkshire, the advisory committees nominated by the chairmen of the county councils at the request of the Road Stone Control Committee to ascertain the requirements in regard to road stone of the various highway authorities do not include any representatives of the rural district councils; whether he is aware that the rural district councils are responsible for the maintenance and repair of, approximately, 100,000 miles of road, including nearly 5,000 miles of main road maintained on behalf of county councils, and that the cost of road repairs executed by rural district councils for the year ending 31st March. 1914, was approximately £3,000,000; whether, in view of the extent of the duties and responsibilities of the rural district councils in regard to road maintenance, he will accede to the representations made to him to add a representative of the rural district councils to the Road Stone Control Committee; and whether he will take steps to secure that rural district councils are adequately represented on all county advisory committees as they are on the Lancashire County Committee?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full reply which I gave yesterday on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Torquay. I will send him a copy.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn by the Derbyshire County Council to the pollution of the River Rother and its tributaries and to the Council's suggestion that an alternative scheme be provided for the supply of water to those lands grazed by cattle through which these streams pass; and whether he will take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the Local Government Board have been in correspondence with the county council who are empowered to take action under the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act, 1876. I am informed, however, by the county medical officer of health that the increase in the pollution of this river since the War is largely due to the increase in the number of coke ovens and tar distillation plants in connection with them, to the shortage of labour, and to the difficulty in obtaining spare parts for purification plants. The question whether it would be practicable to lay on water to the grazing lands abutting on the river seems to be one for the consideration of the owners and occupiers of these lands?

asked the President of the Local Government Board if, in connection with the provision of houses for the working-classes at the conclusion of the War and in view of the fact that private enterprise has hitherto supplied 95 per cent. of the existing houses, he will make special inquiry of town councils, councils of metropolitan boroughs, and district councils, as to the cause of the failure of private enterprise during the four years preceding the War to meet requirements and invite their opinion as to the steps which can be taken to again encourage private enterprise?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will examine the form of questions which I addressed to local authorities in England and Wales on the 28th July he will find that their opinion has been asked as to the extent to which private enterprise may reasonably be expected to provide houses for the working classes and that they have further been asked to give any other information which in their opinion bears on the question of the adequacy of accommodation for persons of the working classes. It is obviously open to local authorities to express opinions as to the cause of the failure of private enterprise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department has taken in order to end the public inconvenience of taxi-cab drivers not entering the cab ranks in London railway termini; and can he see his way to recommend that the charge of a penny made by the railway companies for entry to the stations under the Act of 1907 should be suspended during the period of the War?

As at present advised, the Board of Trade do not see their way to recommend that the charge referred to should not be made. I may add that several of the railway companies have made arrangements for the delivery of passengers' luggage which should be of assistance to the public.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is provided by the King's Regulations 406–408 that a man who has been discharged from the Army to a lunatic asylum can be claimed by his friends on their giving the undertaking respecting pauper patients required by Section 79 of the Lunacy Act; is he aware that in point of fact obstacles to release are frequently interposed by medical superintendents, without any proof being supplied that the patient is dangerous and unfit to be at large; and, since the unnecessary detention of such men in overcrowded asylums, due to arbitrary prohibition of this nature, is becoming increasingly prejudicial to the future prospects of ex-soldiers, who possess a civilian's right to be protected against restraint for insufficient reason, will he take steps, by Order in Council or otherwise, to make it obligatory that in every case proof must be forthcoming that continued detention is imperative for the welfare of the man himself or of the community.

The King's Regulations have not the effect suggested in the question, but I am informed by the Board of Control that no unnecessary obstacles are placed in the way of the discharge of a soldier from an asylum. I may add that where the insanity of a soldier is due to or aggravated by war service during the present War he is put on the same footing as a private patient, and Sections 72 and 74 of the Lunacy Act apply to him.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that application, according to Section 49 of the Lunacy Act, for re-examination by two independent doctors of an alleged lunatic of the pauper class is an expensive procedure and beyond the means of the friends of many patients of that class; and whether, with a view to removing any unfair disability falling in this respect on members of the working classes, he will take steps, by order in council or otherwise, to secure, where such application is made, free re-examination of the patient by two independent doctors, one of the two being, where possible, a medical man acquainted with the patient's previous history?

I do not think there is any need for the suggested alteration in the law. Power to discharge poor patients is vested in the visiting committee of the asylum, who may be trusted not to retain any patient who can properly be discharged.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is much easier to get a private patient out of an asylum than a poor patient, and can he assure us that in cases where soldiers are concerned it will be made as easy for them as for private patients?

I am sure that is so. There is not the least desire to detain the soldier.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he can state the numbers of prospective electors for each university separately in the event of the Representation of the People Bill becoming law this year; and (2) whether he can state the number of electors separately for each university now represented in this House?

According to the latest Home Office Return of Parliamentary Constituencies (No. 120 of 1915) the number of electors for each of the universities now represented in Parliament was at that date as follows:

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there will be a considerable increase in the electorate in the Scottish Universities owing to the coming of women graduates on to the electoral roll?

There will be an increase, but I do not think it will be a very large one.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will appoint a Committee to consider the applications for reinstatement of Government employés who were dismissed without trial after the events of Easter week in Ireland, 1916; if he will state the number of men dismissed from the Land Commission without trial; and if he will give these men and Mr. Thornton, national school teacher, Furbough, Galway, who was also victimised, a judicial trial or order their reinstatement?

A Committee has already inquired into this matter. It is not proposed to appoint another. Eleven members of the staff of the Land Commission were dismissed in connection with the Rebellion. As to the remainder of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 19th July.

Would it not be possible to revise the question of the teacher, which has not been found to be at all similar?

I will look further into the question of the teacher; the circumstances are not quite the same as in the other case. I cannot, however, promise that if the conditions that apply to the others are found to apply to this case that any distinction will be made with regard to him.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) if he will see that firms in Ireland that have suffered as a result of Government restrictions where they are capable of carrying out contracts on equal terms with British firms shall receive a portion of the contracts arising out of the War; (2) if he is aware of the effect of the brewing restrictions on the Irish bottle manufacturing industry in Ringsend, Dublin; if he is aware that a number of English bottle works have received contracts from Government Departments for glass materials used in connection with the War; and if he will see that the Irish bottle company shall receive their share of the War expenditure and, to prevent further unemployment, contracts will be placed immediately with the Irish firms who have offered to undertake the contracts on the same terms as English firms?

I have brought these questions to the attention of the Departments which issue contracts for supplies required in the public service. I shall be glad to bring to the notice of these Departments any particular case in which it is suggested that the conditions exist which are set forth in the questions.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will recommend the extension of the salmon fishing season in Dublin; if he is aware that the only industries in Ringsend, Dublin, are salmon fishing and bottle manufacturing; if he is aware that, owing to Government restrictions, bottle manufacturing is now almost wiped out and that nothing remains but the fishing industry; and if he will see that the season is extended and that the restriction on Saturday fishing is removed?

I am advised that the extension of the fishing season and the removal of the weekly restriction would be prejudicial to the interests of the fishermen and of the public.

asked the Chief Secretary what the Government's proposals are for feeding the deserving children in Dublin for the coming winter; and if he will state the arrangements for the supply of coal to the poor?

The arrangements for feeding of necessitous school children in Dublin are in the hands of the School Meals Committee appointed by the Corporation of Dublin. who are the authority to carry out the provisions of the Education (Provision of Meals) (Ireland) Act, 1914. I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's previous question on the 9th August as regards coal supply.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the right of Civil servants of all grades to receive financial allowances in addition to their Naval or Army pay while serving with His Majesty's Forces, and of the fact that assessors and collectors of taxes are in effect Civil servants, the Treasury will reconsider the decision that no financial allowances can be granted to those assessors and collectors of taxes released for active service, and sanction such payments as will remove hardship, especially in the cases of those men who have given their whole time to the duties of their office, and who are at present in a worse position than the employés of local authorities and most large mercantile concerns who are similarly serving their country?

No, Sir; I cannot modify the decision which I announced on the 24th ultimo. The Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee will be in a position to meet cases of hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Brigadier-General Colomb, commanding the 4th Training Reserve Brigade, was on the 28th June last ordered to attend a medical board at the India Office for medical examination as to his fitness to return to military duty in India; that he attended a board composed of Sir Havelock Charles and another Indian medical officer; that, after asking him a few questions and without making any medical examination whatever, Sir H. Charles reported that they had carefully examined General Colomb and that he was fit for service in India: that General Colomb, having been advised by his medical adviser that service in India might entail serious consequences, caused himself to be examined by a military medical board, a travelling medical board, and by Sir Ronald Ross, who all reported that he was fit only for service at home and not fit for service in India; that General Colomb sent these reports to the India Office and requested that he might be examined by a medical board differently constituted to the board who had reported before; that he was thereupon ordered to attend again before Sir Havelock Charles and the same medical officer who had before reported on him; and that they again reported that he was fit for service in India; that General Colomb on the 24th July sent a formal complaint to the Military Secretary, India Office, of the offensive manner in which at such examination he had been treated by Sir Have- lock Charles; and that General Colomb was again examined by the same board with the President of the College of Physicians; whether, before such examination Sir Havelock Charles was for about twenty minutes closeted with the President of the College of Physicians; whether he is aware that the board reported that they did not find any condition of General Colomb's organs which should prevent his serving in India; whether the India Office is aware that when serving in India General Colomb was for a considerable time laid up with dysentery and malarial fever, and has for some time past been unable to mount a horse; and whether the India Office will order a wholly independent examination of General Colomb to be made before he is sent out to India?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, and I apologise for the length of the reply. The facts are generally as stated by the hon. Member, with the following qualifications:

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there was another examination of General Colomb by Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane, which confirmed the opinion, not of the India Office, but of the other medical boards in question?

I much regret that I never heard of General Colomb until five minutes ago, but I will pass on the observations of my hon. Friend to the Secretary of State for India.

Having regard to the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall deal with this matter on the Adjournment to-night.

asked whether the special field allowances have now been granted to the Aden Field Force similar to those granted to other Expeditionary Forces?

With effect from 1st January special field allowances have been sanctioned for the Aden Field Force on the same scale as those granted to Indian Forces in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and East Africa. I take this opportunity of informing the House that the control of military operations and the command of the troops in the Aden sphere has been transferred to the War Office.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he intends to allow any local authority to impose fees on scholars up to the age of eighteen in the proposed part-time con- tinuation schools; whether the rules for secondary school or for elementary school buildings will be applicable in the new continuation schools or class-rooms; (2) whether he intends in establishing a new block Grant for elementary schools to continue the conditions of the fee Grant; and, if so, whether he will make it a condition of the new block Grant that all schools in respect of which it is paid shall be free from all fees imposed on scholars?

With regard to these two questions, I would ask the hon. Member to examine the provisions of the Bill. The conditions as regards buildings, whether temporary or permanent, will be specially considered in relation to the different types of continuation schools.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he is aware that the Joint Committee, in its Report, dated 20th June, stated that, during the time, about six weeks, that elapsed between the issue of the prohibition of the sending of medicines and the proper organisation of the Invalid Comforts Fund, there were no means of sending medicines to prisoners of war and some of them suffered real hardship in consequence; will he say on what evidence this statement is founded; and whether any evidence from the Invalid Comforts Fund was taken before it was made?