asked the President of the Board of Trade how, in consequence of having control of output of mines, the 700,000,000 ton miles estimated by the Coal Controller are going to be saved; how the figure is arrived at; whether all the railway companies interested in the scheme were consulted; and what does the alleged saving of 700,000,000 ton miles represent in train miles

The saving in haulage to which the hon. Member refers is effected under the operation of the Coal Transport Reorganisation Scheme, the object of which is to secure the consumption of coal as near as possible to the point of production. The figure of 700,000,000 ton miles was based on the tonnages of coal affected in each of the colliery districts, and the reduction in haulage secured by the transfer of these tonnages from one district to another. The railway companies chiefly concerned were consulted as regards the effect of the scheme on the working of their systems. I may add that estimates which have since been prepared by certain of the railway companies of the saving actually effected tend to confirm the original estimated saving for the country as a whole. As regards the last part of the question, a train load is a variable quantity, but the figure of 700,000,000 ton miles may be taken to correspond roughly to 2,000,000 train miles, apart from the haulage of the empty wagons back to the collieries.

Has there been any real advantage to any part of the country arising from this, and in what part has that advantage been given?

As regards the first part of the question, certainly there has been very great advantage, but I should require notice as to the other part of the question.

May I ask if it is not a fact that the railway companies are complaining of the great dislocation in consequence of the manner in which this matter has been handled by the Board of Trade?

No, Sir; no complaints have reached me.

asked (1) the President of the Board of Trade whether he can arrange that the railroads should accept parcels for soldiers at the front which weigh less than 11 lbs., the lowest weight at present accepted by the railroads, but over 7 lbs., the highest weight at present accepted by the Post Office; (2) the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to accept parcels for soldiers at the front which weigh over 7 lbs. but under 11 lbs., the lowest weight accepted by the railways, charging, if necessary, an extra rate on everything over 7 lbs. in order to get the senders to realise the difficulty of transportation but preventing poor people who make up parcels for their soldier boys at the front and have no scales with which to weigh the parcels from having them thrown back on their hands as too heavy for transportation by the Post Office and too light for transportation by the railroads?

The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to answer question No. 2. The maximum weight for parcels sent by post to soldiers at the front was reduced from 11 lbs. to 7 lbs. in order to reduce the heavy strain on the transport services, both in this country, by sea, and at the front, caused by the great development of the use of the postal service. The transport difficulties are no less now than when the restriction was introduced, and I could not agree to any proposal which would have the effect of increasing the bulk of the Army parcel mails. If, as the hon. Member suggests, parcels between 7 and 11 lbs. were accepted by the military forwarding service, such parcels would only be liable to postage at the inland rate or carriage at the railway parcel rate to the port of embarkation; these rates are appreciably less than those charged on parcels addressed directly by post to an Expeditionary Force, and the result would naturally be a substantial increase in the number of heavy parcels, which it is essential to avoid. The restriction has been in force for nearly two years, and the very small number of complaints which have come under my notice seems to indicate that the inconvenience occasioned by the gap between the maximum weight transmissible by post and the minimum transmissible through the military forwarding office is not appreciable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if wood-pulp can be and is used substitute for cotton in the manufacture of explosives; and, if so, if he will explain why, in the interest of this country, large wood-pulping plants hitherto owned by an English company are allowed to be sold to a Norwegian syndicate?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my Noble Friend the Minister of Blockade to the hon. Member for West Ham on the 19th ultimo.

May I ask whether wood-pulp is not used in the manufacture of gun cotton, high explosives, synthetic rubber, and other such things?

I think it is very undesirable to go into what can and what cannot be made out of various raw materials.

But have not these matters been disclosed constantly in scientific books and other documents?

I do not think they should be discussed across the floor of the House of Commons.

The Secretary to the Treasury is not an expert in high explosives.

Did not the late American Ambassador in his book, "My Four Years in Germany," say that the Germans claimed to be using wood-pulp in place of cotton for explosives?

That book can be read by anybody. The Secretary to the Treasury is not responsible for its contents.

asked whether during September, 1915, our total imports of wood-pulp were 125,823 tons; in September, 1916, 70,265 tons, and in September, 1917, 33,433 tons; whether the bulk of the original import came from Scandinavia; whether the cellulose fabrics of Scandinavia have been earning from 50 to 250 per cent, profit; and whether he can state, approximately, where the bulk of the Scandinavian productions have been consumed?

The figures are as stated in the question, and the bulk of the import is from Scandinavia. I am unable to say what are the profits of the cellulose factories. Owing to the non-publication of trade statistics of the Scandinavian countries it is impossible to state definitely the destination of their exports of pulp.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the indigo works at Port Ellesmere have been sold or leased by the Government to Messrs. Levinstein; if British Dyes, Limited, a company formed under Government auspices for the purpose of manufacturing indigo and other dyes, was allowed to make a competitive tender for the purchase of these works; and, if not, will he explain why this course was not adopted?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the late President of the Board of Trade to the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs on the 19th October, 1916, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked if the Government has now come to a decision with respect to the introduction of legislation dealing with foreign companies whose shares are in the form of share warrants to bearer?

This question is being considered in conjunction with possible amendments of the law relating to companies incorporated in this country, but no decision has been come to at present.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the decision will be come to?

Not yet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the chairman of the new Tramway Commission which has just been set up is a salaried appointment; if so, what salary will be paid; if the other members of the Commission will also be paid; and, if so, at what rate?

It is not proposed to pay salaries to the chairman or the members of the committee, who will give their services gratuitously.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any statement as to the decision of the Railway Executive Committee as regards the increased price of season tickets recently made by certain railway companies in London and district; and whether, in view of the hardship of this increase at the present time to regular travellers, many of whom are workers employed on fixed salaries, he can issue instructions to the Committee that all further increases shall be stopped and those made in the last months shall be refunded?

Full inquiry has been made into this matter, and I find that the increases referred to are only those which arise from time to time in the ordinary operations of the railways, and average in the case of third class season tickets an increase of only between 1d. and 2d. per week. I am also informed that the company in question issues very cheap weekly tickets, their cost in most instances being less proportionately than that of season tickets.

Can, the hon. Gentleman tell me whether these increases will, be stopped in the future, or whether the companies are going to increase them?

That is a matter of policy which I cannot answer at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a copy of a letter addressed by the general manager of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company to the Beddington and Wallington Urban District Council; whether he can say what are the abuses referred to in the last paragraph of the letter; whether, if any abuse does exist, he will see that the offenders are dealt with and not permit the season-ticket holders as a whole to be penalised; whether this threat to withdraw season tickets has received his sanction; and is he aware that this company advertises extensively the advantages of living on their line and invites the purchase of season tickets?

The council have furnished me with a copy of the letter referred to. I understand that the abuses alluded to in the letter are failure to produce season tickets on demand, and the improper transfer of tickets. It would rest with the company to take action to stop any abuses. I am informed that the company has no desire to withdraw the issue of season tickets.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of abolishing the regulation compelling season ticket holders to show their tickets each journey, as it is very inconvenient and quite unnecessary?

That is a matter of general policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will inquire of the Kellner-Partington Wood-Pulp Company and inform the House as to the total amounts of chemical wood-pulp and cellulose manufactured by this company which were imported into the United Kingdom in the years 1914,1915,1916, and 1917; and whether the Board of Trade or any other Government Department have received any guarantees that the British Government or other purchasers in the United Kingdom will be enabled to purchase the products of this undertaking which are useful for making munitions of war after the assets and property of the company have been transferred to foreign purchasers?

I do not think any useful purpose would be served by making inquiries as suggested in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the proposed transfer of the assets and property of the Kellner-Partington Wood-Pulp Company, Limited, to foreign purchasers has been brought to the attention of the Board of Trade and has been considered by them, having regard especially to the case of the Aramayo Francke mines which was before the Court of Appeal on 22nd and 23rd January last; and whether he has given his approval to such transfer?

I am aware of the proposed sale of shares of the Kellner-Partington Paper Pulp Company, Limited, to foreign purchasers, but the grounds on which the Board of Trade thought it desirable to apply to the Court in the case referred to by my hon. Friend are not present in this case.

Can the hon. Gentleman state what is the origin of all these questions put clown about this company?

I should be very glad to know the origin.

Ask the Member for York.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Aramayo Francke Company was scotched by the Court on the application of the Board of Trade, on the ground that their products might be munitions of war going to the enemy, and does not that principle apply exactly to the present case?

That was not the ground—at least, not the only ground—on which the application was made to the Court.

Was it not the main ground?

No; the main ground was that it was being sold to an entirely Swiss company.

Was it not that these products and the distribution of them would be taken out of the jurisdiction of the British Courts of law and put under a foreign company, as here?

As I have just stated, that is only part of the ground.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (l) whether he is aware that the products of the Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp Company, which are produced in Norway, Sweden, and Austria, are of the utmost value for the manufacture of munitions of war; whether he will state the date on which an undertaking was obtained from the foreign purchasers of the assets and property of this company not to sell the products of this company to enemy purchasers; whether he will state to whom such undertaking was given and the names of the persons by whom it was given; whether he will lay a copy of such undertaking upon the Table of the House; (2) whether he will state by what means it is proposed to enforce the undertaking given by the foreign purchasers of the assets and property of the Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp Company not to sell the products of the company which are made in Norway, Sweden, and Austria to enemy purchasers; how it is proposed to prevent persons who purchase these products from the new owners of the Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp undertaking from reselling these products either directly or through intermediaries to enemy purchasers?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (l) whether he has carefully studied the geographical position of the Kellner-Partington Company's most important works at Borregaard and Hafslund, Norway; whether he is aware that it closely abuts on Swedish territory; that goods can be quickly forwarded into Gothenburg only a few miles away; that, if Germany wishes to acquire this company's output either of pulp or such derivative products as industrial alcohol, all she has to do is to appoint fitting agents with offices in Gothenburg, and then by forwarding the goods to the Malmo-Copenhagen ferry, which conveys rail waggons across the strait, they can be delivered at Warnemunde, in Mecklenburg, in a few hours' time, while by the simple device of appointing further agents in Copenhagen it may be made to appear to the Norwegian vendors that the goods were sold to Danes, and would be entered as such in the Swedish exports to Denmark; in view of these opportunities, if he will say what value is attached to an undertaking given by a foreign syndicate not to sell munition-making goods to the enemy; (2) whether he has any official information with reference to the information recently published in the "Labour Gazette" concerning the shortage of textiles in Germany; whether military uniforms are being diluted with cellulose and paper yarns; whether, in this respect, he is aware that the forests of Sweden are very important to the industry of paper textiles on account of their excellent sources of coniferous wood-pulps for the making of sulphite paper such as is used for textiles; whether he is aware that in 1909 the Kellner-Partington Wood Pulp Company raised an additional £600,000 of capital to acquire a large tract of such forests in Sweden; and whether, as the import of these forest products into Germany will materially assist in neutralising the value of any cotton blockade we and our American Allies may impose, he will now take steps to stop the sale of this company?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether there is now a perfected German invention by which chemical wood-pulp can be made to produce a high explosive of enormous use to Germany instead of cotton; whether the sale of the Kellner-Partington business includes forests which will be able in some way to be used to supply Germany with chemical wood pulp; if he will say whether this Kellner-Partington transfer is being financed partly by a Swedish bank and by Swedish people, and, as the capital is only one and a-half million pounds, why are seven millions to be paid for it, unless. Germany has some interest in getting it through; in view of these circumstances, if he will stop the transfer for six months; (2) whether one Hans Lagerlof, president of the Scandinavian-American Trading Company, and a prominent merchant in the Swedish wood-pulp trade, was recently detained on a journey from America to Stockholm, and a considerable amount of rubber and a quantity of tungsten in his possession condemned as contraband; whether letters in Lagerlof's possession showed his enemy sympathies; whether this person, his firm, or his agents have been in the habit both in Sweden and Norway of purchasing quantities of chemical wood-pulp ostensibly for shipment to the United States, but which, when delivered, has been forwarded by both Swedish steam ferries into Germany; what will be the position of the managers of the Kellner-Partington Company's works in Sweden and Norway if this person or his agents come to make purchases apparently in the name of the Scandinavian-American Trading Company; (3) whether he will state the reason for the prohibition of imports from Sweden; whether it applies to all imports; whether, as a consequence of this prohibition, Norway is raising the price of both mechanical and chemical wood-pulp to buyers in this country; whether, as a result of this prohibition, Sweden will be compelled to rely entirely on Germany as her most important customer for timber, timber products, wood-pulp and its derivative products, and iron ore; and whether, as the Norwegian Government and the Bank of Norway, in purchasing the Kellner-Partington Wood-Pulp Company's works both in Sweden and in Norway, gave an undertaking not to sell the output to the enemy, he will state what policy they will adopt with respect to the output of the Swedish mills, in view of the fact that the goods cannot be imported here?

The Foreign Office is asked in these questions—other Departments are asked in a number of other questions—to make a number of detailed examinations, not only into the property and business of the Kellner-Partington Company and the wood-pulp trade with Scandinavia, but into the antecedents of a number of persons very remotely, if at all connected with the transaction impeached. I have already replied as fully as I can to a number of these questions, and I am quite ready to discuss and defend the principles upon which the Government acted in this matter. I have informed the House that the contract for sale is now completed, that the Norwegian Government have given guarantees as to the purchasers, and we have received full assurances as to the disposal of the output from these properties—assurances that can be enforced by withholding essential supplies, if necessary. There was, as I think, no ground on which the Treasury could be advised to refuse its sanction to the sale, and I venture to submit that no public service is now done by requiring very hard-worked officials to devote a large part of their time to making investigations which have no real bearing on the issue involved.

As the right hon. Gentleman has several times referred in this House to this undertaking which is said to have been given, will he lay a copy of it upon the Table, in accordance with practice?

Of course I will consider that, and communicate with my hon. Friend.

Will the Noble Lord send a copy to the Member of the Government who is president of the organisation which has inspired these questions—the Minister of Pensions?

Will my right hon. Friend tell me whether he will lay the full facts about this company which are in his possession before the Board of Trade, who then will have the power to apply to the Court, if they think fit, to stop this sale?

Of course, I shall give any information that I have for which the Board of Trade asks me in connection with this matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Board of Trade can apply to the Court to stop this sale?

No; that is a legal matter on which I should not venture to express an opinion.

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposed transfer of the assets and property of the Kellner-Partington Wood-Pulp Company, Limited, to foreign purchasers has been considered by the War Cabinet; and whether, in view of the value of chemical wood-pulp and other products of this company for the manufacture of munitions of war, he will prohibit the sale of this undertaking by its present owners, who are British subjects and over whom the British Government and the English Courts have control, to foreign purchasers, over whom neither the British Government nor the English Courts have any control?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, I can add nothing to previous replies on this subject.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the chance of allowing our enemies to buy munitions of war at present made by this company is of sufficient importance to bring the matter before the War Cabinet?

Most certainly, but the reply given by my Noble Friend shows that in his opinion the necessary precautions have been taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a licence to import Valencia raisins has been refused to a Portsmouth firm and that recently several firms in the North of England have been granted licences for the same purpose; and, if so, whether he will state the reason why the South of England should receive different treatment from the North of England?

In conformity with the policy of the Food Controller under the Dried Fruit (Restriction) Order, 1917, dated 8th September, the Department of Import Restrictions ceased as from that date to issue import licences for dried fruit except on the recommendation of the Ministry of Food. Import licences were, however, issued or promised in respect of all dried fruit definitely contracted for by importers before that date. It thus may well be that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question, but the reason for the differential treatment has no reference to the geographical situation of the firms.

Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been called to the marked preference being given in respect of those licences to one locality over another? Will he see that is put right?

There is no preference between one locality and another.

How is the decision taken between different applications for these licences?

The answer I have just given answers that completely. Only orders that were given before were allowed to have licences.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to prevent agricultural workers now engaged m necessary food production from being enticed away for the upkeep of luxury gardens and pleasure pastures?

No steps have been taken to prevent agricultural workers from entering the service of those who occupy land not devoted to the growing of food. But it seems to me that attempts to induce any person employed on producing food for man or beast to leave that essential work for employment on ornamental gardening is an unpatriotic act, which cannot be too strongly condemned.

Have the Government taken any steps to prevent this unpatriotic action being performed?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether there is a sufficiency of motor spirit and skilled labour to ensure the full employment of all the ploughing tractors that the Government have and expect to have during the coming four months?

Contracts were placed several months ago for sufficient motor spirit to cover the estimated requirements of the Department's tractors during the whole period referred to, and it is hoped that deliveries can be relied on. With regard to skilled labour for ploughing tractors, arrangements are being made to train the necessary men in sufficient time to man the tractors so soon as they are delivered.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in order to facilitate the ploughing up of grass and ley lands on farms of which the tenants have given or are under notice to leave next Lady Day, the Government will by order under the Defence of the Realm Act or otherwise lay down that tenant-right valuers in making their valuations as between outgoing and incoming tenants shall take as the measure of their valuation for such lands the actual cost of ploughing as shown by the receipts from the county executive committee where the ploughing has been done by that committee under any of the Board's schemes, from the farmer who has done the ploughing for his neighbour, and, where the outgoing tenant has himself done the ploughing, the tenant-right valuers shall fix not less than a rate equivalent to the rates fixed in the above-mentioned cases?

The Board have no power to require valuers to allow the actual cost of ploughing, but they have suggested to the Central Association of Tenant Bight Valuers that they should use their influence to get the practice adopted where it is consistent with the terms of the contract of tenancy expressed or implied. The matter is now under consideration by the association.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received a protest from the Islington Food Committee against the new Sugar Order; whether it requires that a different system of distribution is to be enforced from 1st January from that previously arranged; if he can explain the difference between the two plans; and if the 56,000,000 forms printed for the former will be wasted?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, if a person who applied for a sugar card in September last and duly received one from the local committee for one or more persons, and who has lodged the same with a local grocer, who has accepted it by signing and returning the half of the card, will be able to obtain the sugar allowed him under the Order with this card, or has he now to make a fresh application to the grocer for a voucher card for each person on the original ticket; and, if not, will he state in clear language what persons must apply for voucher tickets, and under what conditions?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many persons are puzzled as to the new arrangement in connection with the sugar rations; and if he proposes to issue a detailed statement?

asked if the new arrangement for the rationing of sugar entails upon each householder who had obtained a sugar ticket under the old arrangement making a new declaration and obtaining new individual tickets?

A new system of coupons has been introduced for persons removing from the households in which they have been registered, and for persons who, because frequently moving from place to place or for any other reason, have not been registered in households. The coupon system will apply only to a limited number of persons.

It has, however, been necessary at the same time to require every registered householder to make a fresh declaration regarding his household. Each householder must fill up declarations (upon forms which will be issued to him by his retailer) in respect of each person originally registered by him who is still a member of his household, and return the correct number of declarations in the envelope provided by the retailer. In exchange for those declarations he will then receive from his retailer tickets to the number of his household in lieu of the existing sugar ticket bearing that number.

These declarations are necessary to prevent sugar being supplied to a household for the original gross number of its members when this number has been reduced by removals, and the individual tickets have been introduced with a view to providing for subsequent removals. In making the change regard has also been had to the fact that the sugar distribution scheme may be required to serve as the basis of a subsequent rationing system for essential foods.

Does that mean that everybody, including infants, will have to receive a separate sugar ticket, and, if so, are the sugar tickets transferable?

Infants are considerable consumers of sugar, and their parents will answer for them on the declaration form.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why, if this scheme is necessary, it was not published in the first instance, and whether it is anticipated that the local authorities and the retailers will be able to set on foot this vast new machinery in time for it to come into operation on the day which was contemplated?

The answer to the second part of the question is that we anticipate that those concerned will be able to deal with the requirements of the scheme. In regard to the first part, my reply is that this answer is supplemental to other answers which I have given on other points raised, and is in no way inconsistent with those answers.

Will these coupons be obtainable from the retailer, and will the householder have to apply for them in person or will the retailer send them to the householder?

They will be sent by the retailer to the householder.

Were the facts which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned present in the mind of the Food Controller when he issued the cards for the distribution of sugar, and, if so, why did he not act upon them, instead of wasting all this time and spending large sums of money which might have been prevented by a little foresight?

All I can say is that we act upon experience.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the new card which is supplied by the retailer compel all persons to state their age, and, if so, why women and children are to state their age on the new application form?

It has been thought necessary to require sugar consumers to state their age.

Why?

How does the hon. Gentleman suppose we shall ever get through a system of compulsory rationing if we have this chaos?

I think the experience of the hon. Gentleman will be an answer. We have to go through this experience.

Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider this question about stating the age, and also that it is very detrimental to a number of workers of advanced age to state their age to their employers?

I will represent that to the Food Controller.

Are we to understand that these sugar forms will be available from any retailer or must they necessarily be obtained from the retailer who first issued the forms?

There is no change in this supplemental system. As regards the position of the retailer, it is the same as before.

Is the hon. Gentleman making arrangements to issue these cards to soldiers as they leave the Army, or when they are discharged from the Army will they find themselves without sugar when they become civilians?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Can the hon. Gentleman say by what date the shopkeepers have to send the form of declaration to the consumer or whether they will be sent without application?

Does the hon. Gentleman think that anybody will get any sugar?

I beg to ask the Leader of the House a question, of which I have given Private Notice—whether, in view of the political situation of Lord Lansdowne, he will make a statement to the House—

I have not received notice of any such question.

asked whether War-risk insurance premiums are based on losses of British ships by enemy operations; if the premium recently reduced to 7 per cent, for ninety-one days, equivalent to 28 per cent, per annum, represents an j estimated loss of 28 per cent, of the British shipping employed in overseas trade; and, I as it has been officially stated that the object aimed at by the Government in fixing rates is to make the premiums cover the losses without either loss or profit, will a further reduction be made on the present rate of 7 per cent, for 91 days?

War risk insurance premiums are based on the best estimate that can be formed at the time as to the probable rate of loss, having regard to the fact that the rate is a flat rate, and that no selection can be made in respect of voyages or values. The rate to which the hon. Member refers is a quarterly rate, not an annual one, and applies to requisitioned liners only. It will be reduced if circumstances show this can safely be done.

Am I to understand that the quarterly rate of 7 per cent, as the equivalent of 28 per cent, per annum is based on the actual losses of ships?

It is based on an estimate. In some cases there is a slight profit and in others a loss.

asked whether an offer to purchase a parcel of land and factory at the rear of City Road Police Station, E.C., has been made by Stollwerck Brothers, a firm of German confectioners whose business has been wound up; and, if so, whether he is prepared to sanction the purchase?

No offer to purchase land has been made by Stollwerck Brothers, Limited, but leases of certain property to that company have recently been completed, in pursuance of a building agreement entered into before the War. The grant of these leases will enable the Controller appointed to wind up the business to offer the premises for sale.

asked (1) whether the Secretary of State in India was consulted as to the advisability of raiding the office of the Indian Home Rule League as recommended by the Home Office; and, if so, whether he gave his sanction for the raid; (2) whether the Secretary of State in India has yet approved in any way of the raiding of the office of the Indian Home Rule League or of the seizing of "Young India"?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I made to his question on 28th November. The Secretary of State for India was on his voyage when the India Office drew the attention of the Home Office to the book. Thereupon the decision as to what action, if any, should be taken became a Home Office matter. The Secretary of State, being absent, has not had cause to consider the matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Home Office stated that after having their attention drawn to the book they consulted the India Office before making the raid, and will be answer that part of the question as to whether the second consultation with the India Office was made with the knowledge of the Secretary of State, who was then in India?

Not with the knowledge of the Secretary of State. He was not in India at the time.

Has the Secretary of State since approved of this raid, whether by telegram or otherwise?

As I have stated in my answer, the Secretary of State has not had cause to consider the matter.

Has he been informed of the matter?

I am not aware that he has.

asked the Home Secretary how far Regulation 27 c applies to newspapers and periodicals; whether it will be necessary for leading articles and paragraphs commenting on the War to be submitted before publication to the official of the Press Bureau; whether such articles must be signed in future by the writers of same; and whether it will be permissible to distribute newspapers free that do not conform to Regulation 27 c?

The Regulation does not apply to newspapers and periodicals which were in existence when the Regulation was made.

May I ask for some explanation of the differentiation between, wealthy newspapers and publishers of leaflets replying to statements in newspapers which are sometimes very much against the national interest?

There is an obvious difference between leaflets, which are printed and circulated day by day, and newspapers, which are published once for all.

Is it not a fact that newspaper proprietors very often give their newspapers away free?

Are newspapers never published for propaganda?

asked the Home Secretary whether the directors of the Press Bureau have decided that a leaflet criticising Regulation 27 c adversely must be considered to come under the Regulation itself; and, if so, whether they came to that decision after consultation, with him?

I am informed by the directors of the Press Bureau that they have given no such decision.

asked the Home Secretary how, under Regulation, 27 c (Defence of the Realm Act), he proposes to deal with election literature referring to the War and which has to be produced and issued under pressure of time?

asked the Home Secretary when he hopes to be able to make any statement respecting the modification of Regulation 27 c, relating to the censorship of leaflets?

I hope to make a statement on this subject later in the week.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has noticed the consensus of view that Regulation 27 c is unworkable and unfair; and whether he will now announce the withdrawal of this Regulation?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will embody in his promised modification of Regulation 27 c an arrangement by which leaflets may be submitted in Glasgow, or elsewhere in Scotland, to some person on behalf of the Censor?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State on Tuesday last to a question on this point.

Are we to understand that publishers in Glasgow are to send matter up to London?

That is the present arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government or the Allies generally exercise any control over the money either lent or given to Greece since the beginning of the War; and, if so, to what extent and in what direction is that control exercised?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, it is proposed to establish a mixed Commission to assist the Greek Government in the application of the funds provided, but the exact scope of this Commission has not as yet been definitely settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information which would lead him to believe that the Greek Government pays to ex-King Constantine either directly or indirectly any sum of money; if so, whether the governments of the Allied Powers protecting Greece have any right to intervene in this matter; and, if so, whether they have intervened?

I understand that some payment is made, but the matter is essentially the concern of the Greek Legislature, and is not one in which His Majesty's Government have any reason to intervene.

Would it not arise from the answer that, as a matter of course, Greece does pay ex-King Constantine and the Allies, principally England, pay Greece?

I think that would arise from the answer. It is necessary to treat Greece in a way which I am sure the House would wish her to be treated, and, of course, we must give them some discretion an the matter.

asked whether during the recent visit of M. Venizelos to this country, my understanding was reached as to the future of Cyprus or regarding other territorial aspirations of the Greek nation?

No, Sir. These questions were not raised.

asked whether by any agreement or understanding arrived at during the War this country has expressed its intention, or taken power, to establish British influence over that part of Persia declared to be neutral in the agreement with Russia made in 1907?

No definite proposals have been made in the matter, although His Majesty's Government have signified to the Russian Government that a revision of the Anglo-Russian Convention in the sense indicated will be a matter for eventual discussion between the two Governments.

asked whether this country has denounced the commercial treaty with Russia made in 1859; if so, whether the treaty is to terminate on 24th October, 1918; what are the reasons for which this treaty has been denounced; whether the present Government of Russia is agreeable to this course; and whether present circumstances afford ground for an earlier termination of all treaties concluded with Russia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The treaty was denounced by the Russian Government on October 24th last, and will expire on the same date next year. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked (1) whether, as agreed in the Anglo-French-Russian Agreement of 21st February, 1917, France is to receive at the close of the War from the Turkish Dominions in Asia the seaboard of Syria, the Adana vilayet, and part of Lesser Armenia; whether it is still the intention of the Allies, and confirmed by the Allied War Conference, to fight on till this is obtained; (2) whether the Memorandum of Agreement, recently published in the Press, dated 21st February, 1917, between Russia, France, and England concerning the future of Asiatic Turkey is still binding on the Allies; whether by this arrangement Russia is to receive the Erzerum, Trebizond, Bitlis, and Van vilayets, and Kurdistan down to the Persian frontier; and whether the objects in this agreement are the war aims of the Allies?

No agreement of the nature mentioned was come to in the early part of this year. Such understandings with respect to Asia Minor as were come to between the Powers named did not involve annexations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any copy of the secret documents of the Russian Foreign Ministry recently published in Petrograd; and, if not, will he obtain copies as soon as possible through our Ambassador in Petrograd?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, there is no reason to doubt that Sir G. Buchanan will send home copies of these publications in the ordinary course.

asked whether, in view of the fact that secret agreements between the Governments of Russia and France for the acquisition of territory had been entered into without consultation with the British Government and without its support, he proposes to take any steps to remove the impression created by Ministerial denials to Members who in this House have urged that such agreements had been entered into?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the publication in Petrograd of a secret treaty between Italy and France, Russia, and Great Britain, in which the three latter Powers contracted to support Italy in her not allowing representatives of the Holy See to take diplomatic steps for the conclusion of peace or in matters pertaining to the present War; and can he state whether the existence of this treaty was the reason for the British Government not replying to the peace note of the Pope?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the publication in Petrograd of the secret treaty between Great Britain, France, Russia, and Italy, in which the first three Powers agree to Italy annexing Trentino and Southern Tyrol, Istria, Dalmatia, certain Islands in the Grecian Archipælago, and territory in Asia Minor and Africa; and can he say when this treaty was entered into and whether it was still operative at the time when the Government of M. Kerensky was informed that its aims for peace without annexations was in accord with the aims of the British Government?

I feel that the best reply to the hon. Member's question will be to lay before the House the reply returned by His Majesty's Government to the Note addressed to them by the Russian Government on the 3rd of May last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the communication, dated 27th September, 1917, from the Russian Minister in Berne to M. Terestchenko, Russian Foreign Minister, giving various particulars of the conference in Switzerland of English, French, and German financiers; and whether he will now make further inquiries or give full information on this matter?

I have nothing to add to the reply returned on 28th November. As far as I can learn, the whole story is a misapprehension or an invention.

asked whether, and, if so, at what date, the British Foreign Office had knowedge of the scheme of agreement between Germany and Russia by which, under certain conditions, Germany would give Russia diplomatic support to secure a decision of the Straits question favourable to Russia; and, if this was known to the British Government before the War, whether any effort was made by diplomacy to attain a pacific solution of the problem of the Straits?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the publication in Petrograd of a dispatch sent by Terestchenko, then Foreign Minister, to the Ambassadors abroad, dated 9th October, stating that the British, French, and Italian Ambassadors in Petrograd had informed M. Kerensky that the state of Russia would force the public opinion of their countries to demand an exact account for the material assistance given; and can he state whether such action was in fact taken by the British Ambassador and under his instructions?

Yes, Sir. Sir C. Buchanan was instructed to urge upon the Russian Government the restoration of order and the reorganisation of Russian military and economic forces. He was to point out that the supply of munitions was not unlimited and must be made with regard to the method and value of the employment given to them.

So far as these representations concern the internal affairs of Russia, was not this action detrimental to M. Kerensky?

I do not think so. The Government have to consider the interests of the Allies as a whole in these matters.

Is it a fact that the American Government refused to participate in this pressure upon Russia?

Obviously that is a question of which I ought to have notice.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the acreage presented to date to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under the provisions of the Act authorising the Board to accept gifts of land for the settlement of sailors and soldiers; and the districts in which the various gifts of land are situated?

Under the provisions of the Sailors and Soldiers (Gifts for Land Settlement) Act, 300 acres have been given in Herefordshire and 225 acres at Ampthill, in Bedfordshire.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether an effort has recently been made by one Government Department to attract to the service of that Department by the offer of a higher salary an official employed by a war agricultural executive committee in carrying out the work of the Board of Agriculture in the production of food; and if he will either allow such committees to pay their officials salaries equal to those paid by other Departments for work of not greater importance or take such steps to discourage such action by these Departments as may be open to him?

The Board recognise the desirability of avoiding competition between Government Departments for the services of public officials. If further particulars of the case referred to are supplied, the Board will take up the matter with the Government Department concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent for the future the sale of honours and the continuance of the system of secret party funds?

I cannot add anything to the previous answers on this subject.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether a prominent shipowner of German origin has bought a peerage for £100,000?

If my hon. Friend refers to anything at the present time or recently, I can say at once that there is no truth in any such statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any undertaking with regard to the latter part of the question as to the publication of the party funds?

The answer to which I have referred dealt with that subject. I can add nothing to them. It is a matter which requires more consideration than we are at present able to give or than the question would suggest.

What is the difficulty in the matter?

The previous answer, to which I have referred my hon. Friend, was that in my opinion the utility of publication was very doubtful, and I still think so. The matter requires a great deal more examination.

Are we to understand that this buying is to go on as usual?

My hon, and gallant Friend evidently speaks with knowledge on this subject. I have none.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that whereas men who perform deeds of bravery in the field may be rewarded with the Victoria Cross, no woman serving in the battle zone has yet received an honour higher than the Military Medal; whether it would be contrary to the King's Regulations to recommend a woman for the Victoria Cross; and, if so, whether he will advise such alterations in those Regulations as will permit of the recommending of the Victoria Cross for women?

When a case arises in which a woman performs an action in the circumstances contemplated by the Victoria Cross Warrant, consideration will be given to an extension of the conditions. At present this warrant would not, I think, admit of a grant.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant opportunities in Secret Session to discuss the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Newcastle and others with reference to the expenditure of manpower in the field? ["That, in the opinion of this House, it is the duty of His Majesty's Government to exercise the greatest care that the expenditure of our man-power in the field be not out of proportion to the results obtained thereby; and that if in any case they may be in doubt as to whether such care has been exercised by those in authority under them an inquiry should be ordered, on which civilian opinion may be represented."]

I am afraid that I cannot promise time for the discussion of this Motion.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, if the Government agree with the terms of the Motion, or any part of it, whether they will communicate it at once to the Generals in the field?

I do not quite follow what my hon. and gallant Friend means. The Government certainly do agree that there should be no waste of man-power, and the Generals in the field know that is their view.

Is the House to have an opportunity soon of discussing the whole question of man-power?

I hope that an opportunity may be found before the end of the Session; but I can say no more.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in order that we may understand what is happening, announce the number of British casualties from the beginning of the War?

No; I can give no such promise. It has not been done by any of the belligerents, and I doubt the wisdom of our doing it.

Can we not have an opportunity of discussing this matter in Secret Session, so as to avoid publishing the figures to the world?

I certainly do not think such a discussion now would be to the public advantage.

asked the Prime Minister whether Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Wilson will make his Reports to the War Cabinet or to the Army Council?

General Wilson's duty will be to make Reports jointly with the other members of the Allied General Staff, and these Reports will go to the Allied War Council.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will give the House an opportunity of discussing at an early date in Secret Session Lord Lansdowne's letter to the "Daily Telegraph" newspaper?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to commandeer the plant of the "Daily Telegraph" for circulating a pacifist speech?

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us if the letter of Lord Lansdowne was placed before the Censor either by the Marquess or by the publisher of the newspaper?

That question does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether the publication in leaflet form of Lord Lansdowne's letter upon war aims will require the sanction of the Censor under Regulation 27 c of the Defence of the Realm Act?

Yes, Sir.