asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is going to propose some cheaper method of settling questions of damages for small claims arising under the aircraft insurance scheme than by a Petition of Right against the Crown; and if he is aware that many poor persons are kept out of money owing them for damages because they have not the money to face the costs of such expensive procedure as is suggested to them by the solicitor to the Board of Trade?

The statement that many poor people are kept out of their money by fear of expensive, legal proceedings is, I believe, incorrect, but if the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to give me particulars of the cases he refers to, they will be investigated.

Are there not cases in which the Board of Trade have told people that they must present a Bill of Right?

I have no knowledge of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to continue the practice of sending a second assessor to inspect the damages incurred under the Government anti-aircraft insurance scheme where the first assessor of the Government has inspected the premises and agreed to the amount and the Government is not satisfied with its own assessor's valuation; and whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the extra cost thus thrown on the insured?

As has already been explained to the hon. Gentleman, it is only in a small number of cases that it is necessary to appoint a second assessor; but the right to appoint a second assessor must be retained, in order to protect public funds. No extra cost is thrown on the assured in respect of assessors' expenses, as these are paid by the Government.

Must there not necessarily be greater expense thrown upon the insured if the premises are inspected a second time by another man?

I do not think so.

If the first assessor is appointed by the Department, why should not the Department abide by his decision?

I believe it is necessary, sometimes, to have a second opinion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the subject of compensation for damage due to air raids?

A scheme has been prepared for giving owners of property not exceeding £500 in value compensation for damage done by air raids and bombardment without payment of any premium. Owners of property exceeding £500 in value would be compensated up to £500 without payment of premium, provided that all value in excess of £500 is insured under the Government Insurance Scheme. The new scheme will take effect as from 1st September. It will be administered by a Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Elliott, and will be worked in close connection with the Government Insurance Scheme, which is under the superintendence of the Board of Trade. I am circulating a copy of the scheme.

[ The following is the scheme referred to. ]

Are arrangements being made for the prompt settlement of these claims?

Yes; arrangements are being made to settle them promptly.

Will steps be taken to make the scheme known by Royal proclamation or otherwise? May I as a member of the War Guarantees Committee express thanks to the Government?

We shall take care that the scheme is publicly notified.

Is the Government returning all the premiums which have been paid?

Does the reply mean that all existing anti-aircraft policies should be reduced by £500 in order to render the concession effective?

That is the effect of the announcement I have made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government is returning these premiums, but is only returning those of over 15s., and does he not consider it only right and just that premiums under 15s., which are mostly those of poor people, should also be returned?

I will make inquiries.

Will insurance companies which have insured against airraids be compelled to adjust their premiums in accordance with my right hon. Friend's declaration?

I should think so, but the statement I have made is perfectly plain. It only requires to be worked out.

Before the present scheme was arranged did the right hon. Gentleman consult the insurance companies?

It was arranged by means of a Committee. I do not know exactly what steps they took, but I am sure they took whatever steps were necessary to get a workable scheme.

asked the Home Secretary whether air-raid warnings are given in the Borough of Woolwich at night by means of one or more large sirens; whether sirens have been adopted for night warnings in Paris; and what objection there is to loud warnings at night so as to rouse the occupants of upper floors of houses, so that such occupants may take shelter before the gun barrage, with the risk from dud shells, begins?

The Woolwich Arsenal authorities sound a siren to give warning of a threatened air attack to their employés. I understand that in Paris fire-engines go round the streets, blow their hooters, and sound on bugles the "Gare àa vous." The last part of my hon. Friend's question is answered by the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Newington on the 30th October.

Is the right hon. Gentleman and his Department now satisfied with the system of warnings in London itself?

Yes, Sir. I gave the answer last week.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the people of London are not satisfied, and that it is the people of London who are most interested; and, in these circumstances, is he prepared to consider some system or scheme which is acceptable to the citizens of London?

It is not easy to judge what the people of London think. I get communications both ways. I have had special thanks from hospitals for the course which we took.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now state if any decision has been come to as to providing the police with louder whistles in order to give warnings after dark of enemy air raids; and can he state if he has given instructions for posters being placed on all public buildings in the London district giving full notice of what day, night, and all-clear warnings will now be given to the public?

The Commissioner of Police does not consider it necessary to change the whistles used by the police, which are loud and distinctive. The public were recently notified through the Press as to the form in which the "Take Cover" and "All Clear" notices would be given to them, and public notices are about to be posted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of people, such as cyclists and boy scouts, are using whistles, and will he consider the desirability of issuing notices prohibiting the use of whistles by people other than the police, in order to prevent scares?

I understand there is a certain amount of whistling, and I should like to stop it. I do earnestly hope that people will not use whistles, and if the practice continues we shall have to take special steps.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the most effective way to prevent false alarms is to issue a notice prohibiting the use of whistles or whistles like police whistles?

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that certain motor-cars during the last two or three days have been using very loud whistles and that many people have imagined the whistles were air warnings? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter?

I am afraid I have not come across the whistling motor-cars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of using red lights with the Morse code in connection with the searchlights for giving warning, which will be the quickest and easiest way?

asked the Home Secretary whether policemen called up for special duty in connection with air raids are considered to be on duty and eligible for compensation in case of injury if any such is incurred during their way to and from the place where they are ordered to report and their homes?

So far as the Metropolitan Police are concerned the reply is in the affirmative. In the case of county and borough police the matter rests with the local police authorities; but I have no doubt they will take the same view.

Would it not be possible for the President of the Local Government Board to answer on local government matters concerning the police as well as other matters?

This is entirely a police matter.

asked the Minister of Munitions the number of dud shells which fell within the Metropolitan Police area during the recent air raids carried out between 24th September and 1st October, inclusive; and whether these unexploded shells were due to bad workmanship and inspection or to inexpert gunnery?

It is not desirable in the public interest to give the figures asked for. I may say, however, that over the whole period referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question less than 1 per cent. of the shells fired were blind. This percentage is not satisfactory, but it was considerably reduced during the latter part of the period. Steps have been taken which should result in still further improvement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the prevalence of bronchitis and bronchial pneumonia among children of the poorer class in London is attributed by medical officers to nightly exposure in search of shelter from problematical air raids; and whether, under these circumstances, he will either introduce an efficient system of air-raid warnings which can be heard not only in main streets but in the slums or, alternatively, make the necessary arrangements to afford shelter both from air raids and climatic conditions in the basements of suitable buildings in each district and advertise the fact among the people of those districts?

I have no doubt that injury to children results from their being taken out at night in search of shelter, but I see no reason for believing that a change in the system of warnings would reduce this risk. The safe course is to stay at home whether a raid is expected or not. No efforts are spared to increase the air-raid shelter at the disposal of the public, and it is being added to from day to day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the poorer districts the houses are not such as to afford any good protection against bombs or anti-aircraft shells? If he is aware of those circumstances, and that the poor people seek shelter whether there is a raid or not, will he consider the advisability of issuing a notice that certain places shall give shelter to these people?

We are giving the matter very anxious consideration from day to day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the new Paper Restriction Order has had the effect of withdrawing the licence previously accorded to advertisers of using posters in stock before the first Restriction Order was made, and that this will result in millions of posters being rendered useless, and in the loss of thousands of pounds to the holders of such stock, without any corresponding saving of paper; and whether, under these circumstances, he will give further consideration to the matter?

The general licence to which my hon. Friend refers was issued with a view to giving poster printers an opportunity of disposing of the stocks in their possession. The question of renewing it is now being reconsidered by the Paper Commission. In the meanwhile, I understand that the Commission are ready to consider applications for special licences and to grant them if satisfied that the existing restriction involves individual firms in a substantial loss without any countervailing economy in the use of paper.

If the poster paper in stock has to be put aside, and replaced by other paper of the permissible size, will not that be a huge waste of paper?

If my hon. Friend has any individual instances to which he can refer me I will be glad to look into them.

In view of the importance of this matter, will the hon. Gentleman receive a small deputation from the trade upon the subject?

I shall be glad to receive an application from the trade in this respect.

Are political parties permitted to use any posters they wish for any purpose?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement as to the uneven working of the coal pits in Durham; what steps are being taken to remedy an evil to which his personal attention has been called by deputation, personal appeal by Members of Parliament, and resolutions from public bodies of many kinds; (2) if he will make a full statement of what remedy he proposes to deal with unemployment, either by better provision of orders, transport, or alternative employment, as these difficulties are of long standing, and to which his attention was called months ago?

I will answer these questions together as I assume that the latter refers to unemployment in the Durham coalfield. Differences between the amounts of time lost at different pits in the same district are not peculiar to Durham, but occur in all the exporting coalfields and are due mainly to the fact that with a restricted supply of shipping at their disposal purchasers abroad limit their demands to certain qualities of coal only. I have already stated in a written reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for the Chester-le-Street Division that certain steps are being taken which should afford a substantial measure of relief.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that under the new scheme of districts for the distribution of coal, Durham singularly suffers and that there is a desire for some readjustment? It has been brought to the notice of the hon. Gentleman's Department by many bodies. What is the remedy which the hon. Gentleman proposes?

The readjustment of supplies

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any exemptions under Section 2, proviso, of the Companies, (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917, have been applied for; if so, whether any have been granted; and on what principle is the Act being administered in this regard?

Applications have been made for exemption from the provisions of Sub-section (2) of Section 2 of the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, and have been granted in some cases. Applications for exemption are favourably considered where the name of the company substantially discloses the names of the directors, or, in the case of a large company, the nature of the business, and the directors are British-born subjects who have not changed their names; but each case must depend on the particular circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the stringent enforcement of Section 2 of The Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917, is prejudicing the position and businesses of persons who are natural-born British subjects, of British parents, and in some cases are serving in the British Army; and whether, in such circum stances, the Board of Trade will use its powers of exemption under the proviso to Section 2 of this Act?

In each of the cases to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention there is a director who is a naturalised British subject of German origin or a foreign subject who has changed his name. In each case the company would appear to have been formed for the purpose of avoiding the disclosure required by the Registration of Business Names Act, and in such circumstances the Board of Trade would not, as a rule, be justified in using their power of exemption from the obligations of Sub-section 2 of Section 2 of the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act.

In each case of directors under disability owing to refusal of exemption to which I have drawn attention, is there not a British officer concerned?

I have no information on that point, but in regard to each particular case which the hon. Gentleman has sent to us there is certainly a strong suspicion of German origin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Railway Managing Committee to increase the price of passenger season tickets; whether his attention has been called to the action of one of the South London railway companies which has recently increased the prices of certain suburban season tickets; and will he at once take steps to stop this increase of prices?

As regards the first part of this question I am not aware that there is any present intention of making a general increase in the price of railway season tickets. As regards the second part, I am having inquiries made into the case to which I assume the hon. Gentleman refers, and I will communicate with him when these have been completed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the London, Brighton, and South-Coast Railway Company have raised the season ticket rates from Balham to Victoria by 2s. 6d., and if I send him the information will he cause inquiries to be made?

I am aware of one or two cases where increases have taken place. If my hon. Friend will communicate with me, I will look into the matter.

Has a railway company the right to increase season ticket rates without the permission of the Government?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent British and Irish exports from being charged higher freights to South America and other countries than exports sent from Continental ports?

If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases which he has in mind I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, notwithstanding the abundant crop and comparatively low prices there is a scarcity of potatoes as well as other sorts of perishable food in London; and whether he will use his influence to oblige the railway companies to secure that sufficient supplies are provided weekly, so as to prevent exorbitant charges for crops which are abundant, and to provide the people with necessary food?

I have no reason to think that the railway companies generally are not alive to the importance of the provision of adequate facilities for the conveyance of food. The President of the Board of Trade has already been in communication with the Railway Executive Committee with regard to the difficulty of securing a proper distribution of potatoes, and I should be happy to look into any specific cases of complaint to which the right hon. Gentleman may call my attention.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if the Government have yet decided on the price to be charged for potatoes; if he is aware that in many parts of Ireland the people are unable to pay the price fixed by the Government; and if he will see that the price is reduced or allow a free sale in the open market and compensate the grower if he fails to get the guaranteed price, as is being done in the case of wheat and oats?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make any definite statement regarding the potato prices and supply?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement on the potato question, which is still under consideration by the War Cabinet. Last Wednesday's Debate will have made it apparent to the House that the problem is most complicated and requires very thorough consideration. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that there has been, and will be, no unnecessary delay in dealing with it.

Will this question remain in abeyance during the absence of the Prime Minister in Italy or will the War Cabinet deal with it at once?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question.

When may we expect an answer to this question, which is a very urgent one?

I can only repeat what I have just said, that this is a matter which is awaiting the decision of the War Cabinet.

Is there any foundation for the statement, which was apparently an official statement, in the Press on Friday, that the Government has settled a scheme, and why were not these things considered before?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to what I have said. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Food Controller will be in his place to-morrow.

Can the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House say when the War Cabinet will give a decision in this matter?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in saying that it is being settled by the War Cabinet. We have had it before the War Cabinet, but we are leaving it to the Food Controller himself to decide. That does not mean that there is unnecessary delay in coming to a decision on his part. No time will be lost in coming to a decision.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the premature publication of the Food Controller's prospective Regulations is mainly responsible for the gambling by profiteers in the commodities affected; and whether, under these circumstances, he will instruct that Department to exercise the utmost reticence as to their proposed action?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that there has been any premature publication of the Food Controller's Regulations. The control of commodities necessarily involves precedent consultation with persons interested in the trades concerned, but my experience is that the persons so consulted maintain a proper reticence as to the intention of the Department. If the hon. Member will adduce any specific case of the leakage to which he refers, I will cause inquiries to be made.

Is not the statement of the Controller that unless more economy is practised these articles will have to be controlled, a straight tip to the profiteer to get busy?

I will bring the hon. Member's remark to the notice of the Controller.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the advisability of offering a reward to any person laying information which shall lead to the conviction of any person or persons for hoarding foodstuffs essential for the poor?

I have been asked to reply. The difficulty as regards alleged breaches of the Food Hoarding Order usually consists in the absence of specific evidence on which to found a charge. The offer of a reward is in itself an undesirable expedient, and would, I am afraid, merely increase the number of groundless complaints. But action will be promptly taken if the hon. Member will inform me of any case in which he thinks it is required, and will adduce sufficient evidence to justify it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an official maximum retail price list for meat came into force in the city of Glasgow on 8th October; how many of the London borough food committees have yet adopted maximum retail meat price lists so as to give the consumers guidance regarding the prices to be paid; whether the Food Controller intends to insist on the issue of such maximum retail meat price lists by the food committees; and, if not, how can consumers determine whether the charges are within the 20 per cent. profit allowed to traders?

The food control committee for Glasgow issued a scale of maximum retail meat prices, as from 8th October, for the month of October. Food control committees in nine London boroughs have already issued scales of maximum retail prices; the other committees in the London area are engaged in preparing such scales, and it is hoped that in a short time maximum retail scales will be in operation in all the London boroughs. The Food Controller recognises importance of issuing at the earliest possible moment maximum retail scales of meat prices in every area for the information of traders and of the public, and has directed committees in this sense.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the wealthier classes have laid in stores of tea, sugar, and other food commodities, thereby decreasing the amount of food essentials available for poorer people; and whether he will now specify the foodstuffs which it is illegal to hoard, and what amount of each variety it shall be permissible to store without fear of prosecution under the new Regulations?

I have no evidence that the hoarding of food has been or is being practised to any appreciable extent. The Food Hoarding Order prohibits the acquisition of any article of food in excess of ordinary requirements; and in any proceedings the burden of showing what quantity of food is so required rests upon the person charged. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will bring to my notice any definite instances of hoarding of which he is aware, together with such evidence as will justify action being taken in respect thereof.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what the ordinary requirements are in view of the fact that wealthy people are hoarding food in large quantities, and in view of the fact that poor people cannot afford to compete with the rich in keeping this food, and will the hon. Member state how much of each particular commodity it will be legal for these people to hoard?

All I can say is that all that the Departments concerned ask for is proof. Would the hon. Gentleman suggest that the Department is going to examine every person's supply?

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to inspect grocers' books, where he will find all the proof that is necessary?

As there is more sugar actually sold this year than last year, does not that prove that there is hoarding on the part of somebody?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether he can give any information as to the practice by which dealers pay bonuses to farmers over and above the control price for pork, and so obtain pigs which would ordinarily go to dealers who adhere to the regulations; whether he is aware that the present scale of fines for such offences is quite inadequate, in view of the profits made; whether it is the intention of the Food Controller to fix a price for fresh and partly-cured bacon, which would render the giving of bonuses unprofitable; and, if not, will he take steps to obtain power under the Defence of the Realm Act to order the closing down of the businesses of persons convicted more than once of such offences?

Complaints as to the giving of bonuses to farmers in the North of Ireland, in order to secure pigs, have been made to this Department, and prosecutions have been undertaken in Ireland in consequence. The question as to the amount of the fines to be imposed in any particular case is one for the tribunal concerned. I have no reason to doubt that the maximum penalties provided for under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, which include imprisonment as well as fine, are adequate. The Food Controller has fixed prices for green or cured bacon and is about to fix prices for smoked bacon, which should render the giving of bonuses unprofitable; the fourth part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Will the hon. Gentleman advise the Controller to take off the control in respect of freshly-killed pigs, and if he cannot do that will he fix the maximum prices for the wholesaler and the retailer, as some of the retailers are making 70 per cent. on the retail, and some of the wholesalers are making from 60 to 70 per cent. on the wholesale?

I think that the hon. Member had better put down a question. I cannot carry all these details.

Is it intended to fix the price of partly-cured bacon at once?

I thought that I had dealt with that already in the answer to the question.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that a feeling exists in Ireland that the Treasury should deal more generously towards the agricultural industry, in view of the necessity of increasing the food supply; and whether he is aware that many agricultural committees in Ireland have had to drop some of their schemes on account of the Department cutting down instead of increasing their grants; and, in view of these facts, will he take steps to obtain for the agricultural industry in Ireland more generous treatment than they have done so far?

The Department of Agriculture has made very considerable expenditure during this year in connection with the tillage scheme, and I hope will find itself in a position to give such aid as the circumstances of the time require.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the formation of the Indo-British Association in London; whether he is aware of the objects of the Association; and whether any of those composing it, Lord Sydenham, Mr. C. J. Shorrock, Sir David Yule, Sir John Hewett, Sir Francis Younghusband, Mr. Jackson, and Sir Charles Macleod, are in receipt of moneys from Indian funds?

The public Press has stated that an Indo-British Association has been formed, and that its object is to protect the interests in India of British and Indians alike. It is gathered from the same source that among the members of the committee are retired civil and military officers in receipt of pensions or allowances in respect of their former service in India.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained or will obtain through the British Ambassador in Paris information concerning the offer made by Germany to France through M. Briand?

I do not think it would be proper for me to reply to questions based on what was alleged to have been said at a Secret Session of an Allied Parliament.

Does that mean that the Government are blissfully ignorant of all these most important negotiations?

It means what it says.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any reports or information concerning the recent circular sent out in Italy by Signer Lazzari; if so, what information can be given to the House on this affair; and, if not, whether he will ask the British Ambassador in Rome to furnish a Report?

My information is in the main of the same tenor as that which has appeared in the public Press, and I see no need for any further Report.

Is it not desirable in the public interest to have some better source of information than the public Press, which is often misled?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Conference of the Allied Governments is still to be held; whether any change has been made in its purpose or scope; and whether the Russian Government has been informed of or concurred in that change?

I can add nothing to the reply returned to the hon. Member for the Elland Division on 18th October.

asked the Secrel tary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements have been made to hold two Conferences of the Allies in the near future, one on war aims, referred to by himself and the Minister for Blockade, and another on the conduct of the War, referred to by the Leader of the House?

The Conference on the conduct of the War will, I hope, take place in the middle of the month. I cannot at present give any information about the Conference on war aims.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many licences for the export of cement to Holland granted before the issue of the Order in Council are still unexecuted; whether these outstanding licences will be revoked or not; and whether the two ships loaded under licence granted before the issue of the Order in Council have been permitted to sail?

I am glad to take this opportunity to express my regret for and to correct the reply which I made on the 29th October to a supplementary question of the hon. and gallant Member for Christchurch, when I said that I understood that the cement being shipped to Holland was covered by a licence granted before the issue of the Order in Council dealing with Scandinavian and Dutch trade. No licences were in fact required for the export of cement to Holland before the 8th October, when this Order in Council come into operation, and only one licence has since been granted, and though this was applied for before the 8th October, it was not, as a matter of fact, issued until the 9th October. Since then no further licences have been issued. It is not intended to revoke this licence or to stop any ships which may be loaded under it.

Considering the statements in to-day's papers that there is a great shortage of raw material for cement in Germany, is it not absolutely necessary for us to stop any cement going through?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will send me the extract from the paper to which he refers?

Has not the right hon. Gentleman seen the "Times" and the "Morning Post" this morning, and the paragraph in the "Times" stating that the more cement sent into Holland the less has Holland to get from Germany?

I saw a notice in this morning's papers concerning concrete, which I would remind the hon. and gallant Member is made also of sand and gravel.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the building of munition factories in this country has ceased as a result of the want of cement which has been exported to Holland?

I am not aware of that fact.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a gratuity of £15 has been awarded to the discharged soldier, Private Richard Evan Howells, in respect of talipes (club foot) which it has been certified the man does not suffer from; and will he say what pension or other allowance will be given to Private Howells in respect of the wounds received by him while on service in Dublin on 28th April, 1916?

Exhaustive inquiries have been made in this case and it has not been found possible to obtain corroboration of Private Howell's statement that he received a bayonet wound in Dublin. As his disability was reported to be neither due to nor aggravated by military service he was awarded a gratuity of £15. If he still claims that his disability was caused by his military service it is, of course, open to him to bring his case before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. He has been examined on two occasions and his disability in each case has been described as talipes equinovarus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the state of public business and the unlikelihood of any progress being made with the Criminal Law Amendment Bill this Session, he will consider whether he can use his powers under the Defence of the Realm Act, or otherwise, to provide safeguards against the worst dangers by which soldiers are beset and the grossest carelessness in communicating disease?

I regret the opposition to the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, the passage of which would, in my opinion, reduce the evil referred to in the question. It is for the Army Council to consider whether anything can be effected by a Regulation under the Defence of the Realm Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether a conscientious objector named Myers is confined to Armley Gaol who has developed signs of mental instability and been placed under observation; and whether any reason can be given for the man's breakdown?

This prisoner was placed under observation on the 4th June last, but since then he has shown no signs of mental derangement, and the special observation ceased some time ago. The medical officer regards him as naturally unstable when subjected to any stress.

When he was under observation, was he in hospital or doing his ordinary work?

I cannot say without reference.

asked the Home Secretary the reason for instituting a policy of persecuting conscientious objectors employed under the Home Office Committee by imposing heavy fines for trivial offences; whether many men have had all their wages taken away from them for periods varying from ten to twenty weeks; whether the motive of this policy is to rob these men of their small wage of 4s. 8d. per week of fifty-four working hours; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Truck Acts, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

No such policy as the hon. Member suggests has ever been instituted by the Committee. In a few instances where a conscientious objector sent out to work under a private employer has been sent back after a short time for idleness his return fare has been deducted from his wages. In all other cases the fines which it is necessary to impose to enforce industry and discipline have been much smaller than the sum suggested. I am advised that the Truck Acts do not apply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the sailors of our submarine E 17 which was wrecked outside Dutch waters some time ago are interned in Holland and forbidden by the Admiralty to try to escape; whether a German submarine previously interned in Holland has been released and the German sailors belonging to her also released; and, if so, why the Foreign Office permitted this discrimination in favour of Germany?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, the German sailors were released because the Dutch Government, after an inquiry before the International Tribunal, decided that the submarine had been wrongly interned. The reasons for the release of the German submarine have not been satisfactorily explained to His Majesty's Government, and the whole matter, together with the, case of the E 17, is being further considered.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in giving employment to munition workers in Dublin, preference is given to the widows, orphans, and sisters of soldiers; and, if not, will he give orders to the local Labour Exchange that such preference is to be given in future?

All recruiting of munition workers for munition factories in Dublin is done through the Employment Exchanges. I am informed by the Ministry of Labour that the instructions to the Irish Exchanges are that in the submission of applicants to employers preference should be given to dependants of soldiers when industrial qualifications are equal.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received a complaint that at the Imperial Bolt Works, Hamilton, the girls employed are not being paid in accordance with the Statutory Orders made by his Department; and, if so, whether the matter is being inquired into, with a view to enforcing compliance with the Orders?

A complaint was recently received that this firm was not paying women according to the Orders regulating the wages of women on munitions work. The firm is not controlled, and the Orders had not been applied to it. An investigation has been ordered with a view to seeing whether the case is one in which the powers of the Department respecting women's wages can now be exercised?

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his Department has sanctioned the expenditure of £17,000 on the erection of an exhibition hall in the west end of Glasgow; if so, whether this expenditure will fall on his Department or on the ratepayers of that city; and is there any guarantee that the expense will be limited to that figure?

The Ministry of Munitions have issued a licence to the corporation of Glasgow for the erection of an exhibition hall at a cost not exceed in £17,000. The hall will be available for use from time to time by the Ministry of Munitions for storage purposes, but no part of the cost of erection will be borne by the Ministry. In reply to the third part of the question, the licence is for an expenditure not exceeding £17,000. This estimate is regarded as adequate; it was arrived at after considering all possible economies in labour and material.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that several public bodies have protested against this expense in wartime?

The information we have is that the licence was issued at the request of the Board of Trade on the initiative of the Glasgow Corporation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the shortage of houses in Hereford and other parts of the country; whether he is aware that, in order to secure the ejectment of a tenant, the practice of purchasing the house is becoming common; and whether consideration will be given to some amendment of the law to prevent the ejectment of people, especially in overcrowded munition areas, who are unable to find other housing accommodation?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The Minister's attention has been drawn to the facts set out in the first two parts of this question. With regard to the third part, my right hon. Friend already has powers under the Defence of the Realm Regulations to schedule an area as a special area when he is of opinion that the ejectment from their dwellings of munition workers is calculated to interfere with their work. In such an area no proceedings can be taken to eject a munition worker without the Minister's previous consent. This Regulation has already been applied to Barrow, and my right hon. Friend is considering whether it is desirable to apply it to other places.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction felt both by officers and men with the Regulation which prohibits all personal intercourse or communication between officers and soldiers except through the medium of a non-commissioned officer; whether he considers such a Regulation compatible with the spirit of democracy or with the entirely new conditions which have arisen in the War; whether, it is in practice ignored at the front and found unnecessary in the French Army without any loss in discipline; and whether the Regulation will now be abrogated?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 30th October to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Lanark.

Does that mean that there will be no change in the present Regulations?

Not at all; but Articles 439 and 453 of the King's Regulations will continue to exist.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that this is compatible with the spirit of democracy?

I cannot discuss so large a question by way of question and answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government wish to encourage or to discourage the employment of coal gas for the propulsion of motor cars?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The Government see no objection to the use of coal gas for the propulsion of motor cars so long as a scarcity of gas for other purposes is not caused thereby.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to make a statement that facilities will be given to people to employ coal gas so long as there is no scarcity, in view of the fact that they are allowing it to escape at certain munition factories because they do not know what to do with it. There is no scarcity at the moment?

So far as I am aware hose facilities are already given.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to state whether a man shall be allowed to carry coal gas under compression on his motor car?

If he makes application in the ordinary way I do not think he will have any difficulty in getting facilities for getting coal gas

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to move for a Select Committee to consider the issue of premium bonds?

I hope that the Committee will be set up during this week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider enlarging the scope of the terms of reference, so as to bring in the setting up of a totalisator at all these race meetings?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that want of time has been given as the reason for the indefinite postponement of the Education Bill and the delay in resuming the consideration of the Petroleum Bill, he will explain the unusually early hour at which the House adjourned last Monday and Tuesday; and whether he will in future refrain from adjourning the House before eleven when work of urgent importance demands attention?

The hon. Member is misinformed. I do not adjourn the House.

In such an event will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to take other business? Surely he is aware that it is the best time to get business through?

Business is put down to be got through by a given date. As it is, I am very well pleased.

As a matter of fact, did not the Government move the Adjournment on Monday and Tuesday?

I do not think so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will at the earliest opportunity move an alteration in the Standing Orders of the House empowering Mr. Speaker, during the continuance of the War, to prevent any Question being printed or asked which, in his opinion, is calculated to injure the country or its Allies, or give information, encouragement, or assistance to the enemy?

As at present advised, I do not think it is necessary to take the course suggested; but the whole question is being carefully considered by the Government.

How many questions by the hon. Member (Mr. Peto) would have fallen under this category?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to bring before the War Cabinet a proposal that no person having close German affinities, either by reason of German birth or marriage to a German woman, shall be considered eligible for the exercise of highly important functions in the government of the country during the War?

The answer is in the negative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered that the spy system in Germany has been brought to such a stage that it may now be considered a third arm in military operations, and in view of that will he reconsider his reply?

I quite recognise the effectiveness of the German spy system, but I do not think it is affected by this question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his reply, if I except from the reference Lord Milner and German relatives of the Royal Family?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Laszlo, with a view to obtaining naturalisation, represented to the Home Secretary that he was loyal to this country and desired and intended to become a loyal subject of the Crown, and that subsequent events have proved that representation to be untrue, he will under the powers conferred on him by the Naturalisation Act of 1914 revoke Mr. Laszlo's certificate of naturalisation?

As appears from my answer to my hon. and learned Friend on 1st November, Mr. Laszlo did not make these representations before obtaining his certificate of naturalisation, and I have at present no power to revoke his certificate. I hope that wider powers may be given by the Bill which has been prepared and is now under consideration with the self-governing Dominions. In the meantime I have sufficient powers under the Defence of the Realm Régulations to deal with Mr. Laszlo in his capacity of a British subject.

Did not Mr. Laszlo take the oath of allegiance before obtaining his certificate of naturalisation, and is that not a representation as to his loyalty to this country?

The oath is always taken after the certificate is granted.

Has he, in fact, been proved to be disloyal, or is it merely a case of suspicion?

I think I have given a full statement.

Were not representations given amongst other representations by Mr. Laszlo that he was a loyal subject and attached to this country and desired to remain a loyal subject, in order to obtain naturalisation?

No, Sir; I can only revoke a certificate of naturalisation on the grounds of false statements made before the certificate is granted. The statements to which the hon. Member refers were made after the certificate was granted.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has completed his inquiries into the cases of Joseph Tabbush, an unnaturalised Turk, and Martin Hirschberg, a German naturalised in 1913, both trading as marine insurance brokers in Manchester, both doing business with the Government, and obtaining information as to sailings and arrivals of steamers; and whether he would consider the desirability of preventing alien enemies or associates from continuing business of this character, having regard to the action of the Germans on the high seas?

I consulted with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, on this matter. Tabbush, who was born in Aleppo, has been in this country since the age of thirteen, is married to a British wife, and has a brother serving in the British Army, and there are no grounds for suspecting him as in any way likely to assist the enemy. The case of Hirschberg has, I understand, been fully investigated by the Admiralty, who are satisfied that he may be allowed to continue in his present employment. It does not appear that either of these men does business with the Government or obtains any information as to the sailings or arrivals of vessels which is not open to the general public.

As they are the marine insurance brokers and have special means of finding out this information, does the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable that they should be allowed to remain in business?

I understand that careful inquiries have been made. I am sure that if the Admiralty held the views of my hon. Friend they would not allow them to remain in business.

asked the Home Secretary whether a German named Dunricher has been twice interned but is now living close to Aldershot Camp; if so, why he was released; and whether he will consider the desirability of not allowing alien enemies to reside in the neighbourhood of Aldershot?

Mr. Andre von Dumreicher (or Dumreicher Bey), who was for many years before the War in the service of the Egyptian Government, and rendered good service there, was released from internment in October, 1915, because he was considered by all the authorities who knew him to be thoroughly trustworthy. He has for a number of years had a house at Farnham, and spent his leave there, and when the permits of alien enemies to reside in prohibited areas were revised in 1916 by the Commissioners appointed by my predecessor he was allowed to stay there. As to the last part of the question, I will communicate with the military authorities, with whom this matter rests.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that at this period of the War it is undesirable that Germans, however loyal they are, or however loyal you may think them to be, should be allowed to live near a camp?

That may be, but the matter is one for the Army authorities, and not for me. I will bring the matter to their attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that a pure German, only naturalised in April, 1914, is allowed to be the managing director of a munition factory in this country, he can say why a lady born in this country, whose father was English and who has two sons now fighting in the British Army, was refused employment in translating the letters of German prisoners because her mother, who died forty years ago, was German?

I cannot possibly answer this question without knowing the circumstances under which this lady's application was refused.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the speech made within the last week by M. Terestchenko, the Russian Foreign Minister, to the Provisional Parliament of Russia, in which he discussed at length the war aims proposed to be put forward by Russia at the coming Conference in Paris; and whether he is taking steps to remove the misapprehension of the Russian Government that the Conference is called to discuss war aims?

I have seen an account in the Press of the speech made by M. Terestchenk on October 29th. I do not know whether it is correctly reported. I am confident that the Russian Government is under no misapprehension as to the scope of the forthcoming Conference at Paris.