asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that a telegram addressed to Private Jones, Capel Gwyn, Festiniog, was not delivered, and in consequence an innocent soldier was punished, the War Office will in future order that no soldier, declaring he has not received notice to return to duty, shall be punished until the communication intended for him and upon which the charge is based shall be proved to have been delivered?

If Private Jones had exercised his right to be tried by court-martial under Section 46 of the Army Act he could not have been convicted. In the circumstances the necessity for issuing an order as suggested does not arise.

asked the Under - Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the objection of the men who have served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at the front to be deprived of the badge of that regiment on being placed in the Labour Battalion, he can see his way to allow them to retain the badge as evidence of their connection with their old regiment?

Soldiers wear the badges of the unit to which they belong, for identification and for administrative purposes. The exigencies of the Service necessitate many transfers, and it is impracticable to provide for an exception in the case of men transferred from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers to other corps.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the British Dental Association has communicated with the Dental Service Committee of the Local Government Board and informed them that in their opinion the action of tribunals in seeking to impose upon registered dentists conditional exemption on joining the Volunteer Training Corps is ultra vires ; and will he state to the tribunals whether that is so or not, so that they may know what to do in this matter?

My right hon. Friend has received representations on the subject from the Dental Service Committee, which he gathers were based upon suggestions from the British Dental Association. The imposition of a condition that an exempted man must join the Volunteer Force is not rendered ultra vires by his being a registered dentist, but such a condition should not be imposed unless it is clear that the man can spare the time and that it is in the national interest. Having regard to the demand for dental service, it would generally be better that, where possible and reasonable, any condition in the case of exempted registered dentists should take the form of requiring such additional dental service as may be recommended by the Dental Service Committee.

asked what steps have been taken to find re-employment for the major-generals who have been displaced from their commands to make room for tired generals sent back from France?

There have been no opportunities up to the present, but they will be considered as opportunities offer.

Has not the same answer been given to me month after month? Can the hon. Gentleman say when opportunity will occur of finding for these efficient generals employment to room for tired generals sent back from deprived so unjustly?

My hon. Friend must know that it is proportionately more difficult to replace a major-general than an ordinary regimental officer.

But it is not fair to send home from the front major-generals on the reserve list to replace efficient generals on the active list in this country.

I do not think that it would be quite right to get rid of a major-general performing efficient work at home in order to give his place to another.

Why did you get rid of General Elliot?

In General Elliot's case I have already explained the reasons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will issue immediate instructions to the military authorities in Dublin to release sufficient hay for Dublin requirements; if he is aware that the county Dublin farmers deny the statement that they are withholding supplies from the market and state that they only hold sufficient for their own requirements and that the quantity in their possession is over-estimated by the military; if he will state the Government's requirements; and, if it is possible to meet them without seriously affecting the Dublin milk supply, if he will allow farmers to bring hay to the Dublin market within a thirty mile radius?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on the 3rd December. It is not considered desirable to disclose the Government's requirements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to an Army Council Instruction, recently issued, forbidding bands to all units except one to each regiment of Cavalry, one to the Special Reserve of each regiment of Infantry, and one to the depot of each regiment; is he aware that the bands of Reserve training battalions and Territorial battalions are now composed of men not fit for active service who only play in the band as an addition to their ordinary work; that these bands cost the country nothing; and that having such a band does much to relieve the monotony of camp life and to keep the men together after their work is over; and will the Army Council reconsider their decision?

Yes, Sir; the matter is now under consideration.

asked whether the 1914 star will be granted to those troops which were engaged in operations in Togoland and East Africa prior to 20th November; and, if not, whether some other recognition can be considered in this connection?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The services of the troops engaged in the operations referred to will be recognised by the award of the same commemorative medal as may be sanctioned for services in any of the other theatres of war.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the mother of Cyclist Reginald M. Williams, No. 52916, 15th Platoon, D Company, 2/1st N.C.B., Butterwick Camp, Boston, received between 10th January, 1917, and 14th August this year neither allotment nor allowance on her son's account; why since 14th August the mother has only received the 3s. 6d. deducted from her son's wages and no Government allowance; whether the mother has written his Department five times and received nothing but empty acknowledgments; whether he is aware that this man's mother is in want; and will he name a date when he can undertake to make a definite statement on this case?

I have ascertained that the allowance has now been paid. The case of this soldier, when recalled from Army Reserve Class W, was incorrectly dealt with, and there has since been great difficulty in tracing the claim. The delay is very much regretted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received a letter from the pensions sub-committee of Houghton-le-Spring, county Durham, setting forth what appears to the members of the above the hardship and injustice suffered by parents of soldiers who on enlistment were apprentices or in special occupations not giving high wages, and who in consequence receive no allowance in addition to soldiers' allotment; and, if so, what remedy is proposed?

I am aware that the present Regulation, which only gives an allowance in addition to allotment in circumstances set forth by the hon. Member when there is hardship, is unsatisfactory and an alteration will, I hope, shortly be enacted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the new scale of pay o soldiers and their dependants will in any way benefit the parents of soldiers who were apprentices or in occupations which did not provide high wages at enlistment, yet of prospective high income, on account of which either very small dependence allowance or none followed; if the new scale of value benefits, how, and, if not, why, seeing that continued war is causing such extreme hardship and, in a comparative sense, injustice?

The new scale of pay for soldiers recently announced does not directly affect the Army allowances to families or dependants; but as the soldier will have more pay it will be within his power to make or increase voluntary allotments to his relatives.

What is the position of the man who is not an apprentice—will he not have more money than the man who is an apprentice?

The new scale of pay benefits the soldier rather than the family.

May I ask if he thinks that really covers the great difference between parents of apprentices and others who were earning wages at that time, and is he aware this disparity between the families of one class and another is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction?

I quite realise that, and the Government is meeting it, as has just been announced by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions, by means of a special allowance to deal with the case of apprentices.

That is on the pension alone. It does not affect payment of allowances.

It is not a question of pensions; it is a question of separation allowances, or, rather, for dependants.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, if the suggestion of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions is carried out, will the apprentices' voluntary allotment of 3s. 6d. then be carried by the Government?

Yes; that is provided for in the instructions issued with the new Warrant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller on what date the British sailing vessel "Oweenee" loaded her cargo of coal; if she is still lying in harbour; how long she has been lying in harbour; for what country this cargo of coal was intended; and what it is proposed to do with this coal?

When I say that this vessel is owned and controlled by the Russian Government my hon. Friend will, I am sure, understand that I do not feel at liberty to give the particulars for which he asks.

Has not this ship been lying for months in harbour, blocking the harbour?

I really cannot give any further information.

Is not all our Allied shipping pooled?

No; it is not.

asked why neutral and Allied steamers have been permitted to charge rates of freight on coal from the United Kingdom to Italy to the extent of 185s. per ton, while freight by British-requisitioned steamers has not been more than 17s. 6d. per ton and in some cases, as officially admitted, nil freight per ton; and whether freights by these neutral and Allied steamers will be controlled, seeing that they require to obtain their bunker coal in Great Britain?

It is not practicable to exercise any greater measure of control over the freights of neutral steamers than is at present enforced. I am not aware of any Allied steamer in this trade having been fixed at 185s. In so far as this figure applies to neutral ships, it contains a very large element of war risk which is absent from the British rate quoted by the hon. Member.

Will the Government not take a leaf out of the book of the American Government in dealing with these neutral Governments?

We are working with the American Government in this particular matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the American Government has reduced rates all round?

The American Government is acting with us in this particular matter.

Has the action up to the present had any effect?

Yes; a very remarkable effect.

asked (1) what facilities there are for discharging fresh meat at Southampton; and what accommodation there is at that port for cold storage of fresh meat; and (2) what facilities there are for discharging fresh meat at Plymouth; and what accommodation there is at that port for cold storage of fresh meat?

I have been asked to reply. I assume that the hon. Member refers to frozen or chilled meat and not to fresh meat. There are good facilities for discharging meat at Southampton and considerable cold storage accommodation. Steps are being taken to improve the discharging facilities and cold storage accommodation at Plymouth. It is not in the public interest to publish the cubic capacity of the cold storage available at particular ports.

Would it not be more economical to provide cold storage at Plymouth.?

asked what facilities there are for discharging fresh meat at Havre; and what accommodation there is at that port for cold storage of fresh meat?

I fear that I cannot make myself responsible for giving information in regard to matters under the control of an Allied Government. I, of course, know the capacity of the British Army frozen meat store at Havre, but it is obviously not in the national interest to disclose much information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether Ireland is to participate in the distribution of butter imported from the Dominions; if he will state the quantity purchased from Australia, New Zealand, and the Argentine; and, if Ireland is not to participate in these purchases, will the export of Irish butter be prohibited?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Ireland can satisfy her requirements from her own production, and thus economise transport. I have already stated the quantities of butter purchased from Australia and New Zealand; the quantity purchased from the Argentine is 8,370 tons. As regards the last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him last Friday by the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

May I ask whether, in point of fact, there is any prohibition of the export of butter from Ireland?

When it is deemed that food produced in Ireland is required for Irish consumption there is.

Does that mean that persons ordinarily resident in Ireland who come to England are unable to obtain supplies from Ireland by post or otherwise?

Irishmen resident temporarily in this country will have to take their share of what is going in this country.

asked what is the procedure adopted for releasing consignments of butter for distribution to retailers; and what action it is necessary for retailers to take who are unable to get any deliveries whatsoever?

Under the Butter Distribution Scheme for releasing supplies of imported butter purchased by the Ministry of Food, applications for butter are made by retailers through their usual wholesalers or importers, and allotments are made in proportion to their requirements in 1916. The first pro rata distribution was made on the 5th instant, and in the course of this week all applicants should have received their respective shares.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he knows that numbers of women and children have contracted bronchitis and other illnesses, and that some have died, as a result of having to stand for hours in food queues under the present weather conditions; whether he is aware that the evil is much aggravated by the fact that numbers of shops remain closed all day and open for a few hours at night, and that certain multiple shopkeepers by these methods are helping to inflate prices whilst inflicting illness and hardship on those who desire to purchase tea, margarine, sugar, and other commodities; and whether steps wall now be taken by improved organisation to render the queues unnecessary; and (2) whether he is aware that in Sheffield numbers of women, among them many wives of soldiers and munition workers, have frequently to spend several hours a day in food queues in the hope of obtaining supplies; that the inequalities of the present arrangements are causing dissatisfaction; and what he proposes to do?

As I have already stated, the Food Controller is fully conscious of the difficulties caused by the present scarcity of certain foodstuffs. Schemes are being put into force as rapidly as possible to secure a better local distribution of butter, bacon, and other commodities, and these measures will, it is hoped, remedy the more serious inequalities at present existing. In view, however, of the restricted imports, it is, of course, impossible to provide the quantities which people have been accustomed to consume in normal times. The stocks of food at Sheffield have been made the subject of inquiry.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of the women working in munitions factories all day find it impossible at night to obtain the supplies of goods they need? In view of that, is it not time that we had a definite system of rationing, and a registration of customers, which would ensure that everyone got his share and no more than his share?

The last part of the question is too large for me to answer in a supplementary reply, but I would welcome the opportunity to deal with it. As to the munition workers' difficulty, that is being taken into account in the schemes which my reply has indicated are now in hand

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any butter to distribute; if so, where it is?

I refer to all that is available.

There is none available!

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House any indication as to when these schemes are likely to be put into operation?

These are being put into operation day by day.

Meantime, can my hon. Friend take steps in regard to these queues to prevent people buying a great deal more food than they require and retailing it at high prices to people in poorer localities?

Our experience indicates that purchasers are not able to spend money on certain articles of food which they require and that shopkeepers are not selling unduly to individual customers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in one case recently one person in one of these queues was found with 7lbs. of tea in her possession?

Yes; that exception may prove the rule that I have just indicated.

Will the hon. Gentleman say when an opportunity is going to be given to this House to discuss the whole question of food control?

That question is one for the Prime Minister to answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will give the names of the Advisory Committee that approved of the new Bacon Order?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the members of the Bacon Advisory Committee. I may state that while the suggestions and criticisms of this Committee have always been carefully considered they must not be taken to have approved all details of the new Order, and the responsibility for the Order rests with the Food Controller.

Will the hon. Gentleman publish the names of this Committee? Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been called to the fact that in the case of bacon and ham, as in most other articles which have been dealt with by these Orders, the immediate result is a scarcity and a threatened famine?

It was simply because it was a lengthy list that I have not read out the names. There is no objection to their publication. I shall be glad to supply any hon. Member with a copy.

Certainly, that is all I ask.

asked whether the new Order respecting bacon is framed on the same lines as the Orders that apply to butter and cheese, both of which ensure equality of price to all consumers; and whether the Bacon Order was submitted to or approved of by any trade association in the United Kingdom?

The bacon, ham, and lard (Provisional Prices) Order, 1917, necessarily differs from the Orders fixing prices for butter and cheese. While dairy produce reaches the consumer in substantially the same state as that in which it leaves the port or factory, bacon is subjected to many different processes, each causing a different wastage, and is sold to the consumer in many different forms. Provision for these variations had to be made in the Order. The Order was framed in consultation with representative committees of the wholesale and retail trade, but they must not be taken to have approved every detail.

Is the Government aware that the system of distribution set forth in the Order means that the working class, the poorest, have to pay a great deal more for their bacon—if they can get it!—than the richer people?

No class can reap an advantage over either because of the effects of the Order.

asked how many public river or dockside elevators there are in this country and where are they situated; how many of these are provided with cleaning and drying plant, such as are known in Canada as hospital elevators; and what is the size and capacity of each?

It is not desirable to state the number, capacity, or situation of grain silos in this country. The system of hospital elevators has never been found necessary here. If the hon. and gallant Member desires further information I shall be happy to arrange for him to discuss the mater with the Chairman of the Storage Committee of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies.

asked why Messrs. Hill and Son, Waterford, have cut off the supply of sugar due to Mr. M. J. Stephenson, Adamstown, since the 17th October last, thereby causing distress amongst the poor of Adamstown, who are ten miles away from any town?

I am causing inquiries to be made, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the weekly approximate cost at present rates of the food necessary for a man, woman, and child, respectively, based on the suggested voluntary rations?

I have been asked to reply. Taking the average of the different categories, the weekly approximate cost of the food included in the voluntary ration may be estimated as follows: For a man, 9s. 9½d.; for a woman, 8s. 3½d.; for a child, 7s.

Does that mean that these prices include not only the rations, but also other necessaries and indeed essential foods?

No. My hon. Friend will find that my reply answers precisely the terms of the question which he put tome.

Can the hon. Gentleman name the articles?

Bread, meat, flour, and sugar.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost which he has just given for a woman and child is 15s. 6d., whereas the separation allowance is only 19s. 6d., which leaves only 4s. for rent, clothing, and other things?

That may be true; but if my hon. Friend will look at my reply, he will see that it relates strictly to the question put to me.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he has given figures for a rations allowance which is less than the ordinary allowance, and we are told that the separation allowance is sufficient to allow these people to live?

My reply is an answer to the terms of the question on the Paper.

In order to make the reply more valuable, will the hon. Gentleman supplement it by giving the average cost of living, including the rations, for these three cases?

Certainly, if the hon. Member will put a question down on the Paper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller how many standard vessels have been completed and started on voyage up to 30th November; and will he give their respective gross register tonnage and state how many have been sunk?

The number of standard steamers completed and started on voyage up to 30th November was seven, their respective gross register tonnage being 5,173, 5,167, 5,170, 5,204, 5,174, 5,170, 5,166—total, 47,224 tons gross. One vessel has been sunk, her gross register being 5,175 tons. As I have before explained, however, the answer to such a question necessarily gives partial and therefore misleading information. It may be well to add, therefore, that the new tonnage completed in November was very much greater than the tonnage of standard ships completed and was within measurable distance of the losses by enemy attack.

Are we to understand that it is never the policy of the Government to give partial and misleading information?

Yes. If the answer which I have given is read carefully, it will be found to contain information which is not only complete, but of a satisfactory kind.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any assurance that we are building as fast as ships are being sunk?

What I said here is that the new tonnage completed in November is very much greater than the tonnage of standard ships, and comes within measurable distance of the losses by enemy action.

That is in that particular month?

Yes.

After all this talk about standard ships, the amount is only about 47,000 tons?

No. As the hon. Member must know, a very considerable number of these ships is approaching completion, and if he repeats his question in the course of a month or two he will find that the number completed will be considerably increased.

I shall be pleased to do so.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what he means by "within measurable distance"—so as not to give incomplete or partial information?

It is impossible to give precise figures, for reasons which have been stated in this House. The answer to the question conveyed the truth, which is that in the month just completed the gains by shipbuilding and purchase come within a close distance of the losses by enemy attack.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the steamer "Theseus," 8,500 tons dead-weight and 14 knots speed, had been carrying horses for many months prior to August last; whether in that month all the horse fittings, except kicking boards and fore and afters, were dismantled and the vessel loaded with a cargo of coal from Cardiff to Bizerta, where discharge was completed on 5th October; whether the "Theseus" was sent to Marseilles, where she arrived on 10th October, and where she remained until 2nd December, refitting for the carriage of horses; and, if so, whether he will explain why this was the best use to which this steamer could be put?

My right hon. Friend has been misinformed. Prior to August last the "Theseus" had carried horses only on the upper deck. Only such of the fittings as interfered with the loading of cargo were removed, and these were replaceable without difficulty or delay. Her complete fitting out as a horse ship at Marseilles, while it took longer than would have been necessary in this country, involved no loss of time in view of the use to which the vessel was to be put, and saved the ship from an element of war risk.

Was this vessel fully employed from August to September last?

Yes; she was fully employed.

Have not the circumstances set forth in this question frequently occurred in other cases?

The hon. Member is misinformed. The circumstances in this case did not occur in other cases.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether his attention has been called to the fact that no food parcels addressed to non-commissioned officer prisoners at Hameln, Germany, have been delivered since 10th October; that they have not been allowed to post letters for three weeks because of the refusal of the noncommissioned officers to work outside the camp; and whether he will have an inquiry made into the matter?

We have had information to show that the German authorities at Hameln Camp endeavoured to compel British noncommissioned officers attached to that camp to perform work which they should not be required to do, but I am not aware that parcels and letters are now being withheld as stated in the question. I my hon. Friend will forward to the Prisoners of War Department the information he possesses on the subject, I am sure immediate inquiry will be made.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether his attention has been called to the fact that the adopted son, sixteen years of age, of Captain A. P. Smith, of the steamer "Otaki," which on 10th March, 1917, attacked the German rover ship "Moewe," set her on fire, and drove her into her own port, thus saving many lives and much shipping, was on that occasion taken prisoner by the Germans; and whether any effort has been made, or will be made, to exchange this boy?

Negotiations are proceeding with the German Government for the exchange of an equal number of British and German ships' boys. We have asked for Alfred Broomfield Clulee, who is assumed to be the boy referred to to be included in the exchange.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the severity with which the inmates of some of the London workhouse infirmaries are being rationed, and that many of them for months have been in a constant state of hunger; whether he knows that in certain infirmaries they get tea at four in the afternoon, the food consisting of two comparatively thin rounds of bread and margarine, and have nothing to eat until seven next morning, when again there is only a couple of rounds of bread and margarine, and that some of the inmates feel so faint in the morning that they can scarcely stand; and whether he will cause full investigation to be made with a view to fixing uniform and humane conditions?

The medical officers of the institutions are responsible for the feeding of the sick and infirm inmates, and these persons are not subject to the Food Controller's scales imposed on the able-bodied inmates by the Local Government Board's directions. I have not heard of any instance of insufficient dietaries, but I will have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the proposed Ministry of Health; whether he proposes to introduce legislation and, if so, when; whether an agreed scheme has yet been reached; and what steps are being taken to this end?

I am sorry I cannot give any further reply than those which have already been given on this subject.

Is there any prospect of an agreed scheme being arrived at unless and until a further consultation of the various interests and Departments concerned has taken place?

That is a matter of policy on which I am unable to speak.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce that, having consulted Mr. Speaker, he intends to move a new Standing Order regulating the admission of Peers to Secret Sessions of this House; and, in that event, whether he will ask for reciprocal facilities when Secret Sessions are held in another place?

I have consulted Mr. Speaker, and think that the proposal is one which should be agreed to, and I will put down a Motion on some convenient day, in the hope it may pass without much discussion.

In reference to the last part of my question about reciprocal facilities for Secret Sessions in either place, will that be brought into the Resolution?

Certainly. My recollection is that the other House has already passed a Motion in favour of some such course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is quite customary with the French Parliament?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of giving the hon. Member for North Somerset all the privileges of the House of Lords?

I should not be inclined to recommend that method of depriving this House of the hon. Member's services.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the number of officers who have lost their private incomes during the War, the Government will reconsider the question of an increase in all officers' pensions?

Loss of private income owing to the War is not confined to officers, and though they, in common with all those who are risking their lives in the national cause, have a special claim upon our sympathy, I cannot adopt the course suggested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of relieving officers from the heavy Income Tax?

That subject has been already discussed, and it is obvious that one cannot give the reasons for and against in reply to questions.

Will my right hon. Friend consider this subject before the next Budget?

I have already considered it, and I do not think that it is practicable.

Does the reply not indicate the necessity of separation allowance being given in the case of junior officers?

I think I indicated that it does not, in the answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the various police authorities of the country submit particulars of cases of alleged sedition under the Defence of the Realm Acts to either of the following different Government Departments with a view to securing sanction to prosecution, namely, the Foreign Office, the Home Secretary, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the competent military authority, the competent naval authority, and the secret service department of the Ministry of Munitions; whether particulars of cases, with original documents, sent from the constabulary of Glamorgan during the past two years have been mislaid; whether there is no single Department made responsible for the filing and preservation of particulars and documents in connection with such cases; and whether he will consider the advisability of either making a single Department responsible or of co-ordinating the work of the Departments for the purpose of sanctioning prosecutions for alleged seditious conduct under the Defence of the Realm Act?

Question No. 47.

I must answer the question on the Paper. It rests with the competent naval or military authorities to decide whether proceedings should be taken under Regulation 27, except in the case of offences by newspapers, when the Director of Public Prosecutions is the authority. Police authorities generally are well aware of this procedure, and I see no reason for making any change. I am not aware that any documents sent by the Chief Constable of Glamorgan have been mislaid.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now made further inquiries, as promised, into the forty odd cases recommended for prosecution by the Glamorgan constabulary under the Defence of the Realm Act in which sanction has been withheld; and, if so, why sanction has been withheld in these cases?

I find on inquiry that all the cases referred to were carefully considered by the Departments concerned, and authority to prosecute was only withheld where it appeared that there was no likelihood of proceedings being successful.

Is it the fact that in a great number of cases authority was withheld till a later date because documents had been mislaid either by the Home Office or by the competent authority in London?

That is not my information.

Are we to understand that in not one of these forty odd cases did prosecution take place?

Would the hon. Member give notice?

asked the Home Secretary whether, under Regulation 27 c, a leaflet containing President Wilson's address to Congress would have to be submitted to the Censor before being issued?

Yes, Sir; such a leaflet has been submitted and has been passed.

This is a great Government!

asked whether the honorary secretary of the International Free Trade League, Mr. B. Zusman, produced to Detective Jayne, of Scotland Yard, a certified copy of his birth certificate, proving that that gentleman was born at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, on 5th June, 1860; whether the detective made a copy of this certificate; and, if so, why a doubt on the subject of Mr. Zusman's nationality was suggested?

I am informed that this birth certificate was produced, and particulars noted in the ordinary course, and that no doubt on the subject of Mr. Zusman's nationality was suggested.

If these documents were produced, why did the Home Secretary make the suggestion?

asked whether at the offices of the International Free Trade League, of 28, Victoria Street, S.W., or at the residence of the honorary secretary thereof, Mr. B. Zusman, any documents or matter were found which reflected discredit on that gentleman; and, if so, what was the nature of these documents or matter?

I understand that the documents found related to the encouragement of trade with Germany after the War, and did not reflect any discredit on Mr. Zusman's personal character.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has now had an opportunity to investigate the allegations made by the hon. Member for East Glamorgan that certain individuals in South Wales, whose names he was in a position to supply to the Law Officers of the Crown, were freely scattering from £15 to £40 a week, the money coming from tainted sources, for purposes of seditious propaganda; whether such information has been supplied to him, together with the names of the individuals concerned, either directly by the hon. Member for East Glamorgan or indirectly by the military authorities; and, seeing that the statements made reflected on the efficiency of his Department as well as the honour of certain British subjects, whether he intends to press the hon. Member to supply the facts on which he based the charges?

My hon. and learned Friend informed me in conversation that it was his intention to put certain questions to me with the object of elucidating some of the matters referred to in the question. He has not yet done so, and I am in the meantime without any information which will enable me to answer the points raised by the hon. Gentleman, which, however, do not, as suggested in the question, reflect upon the efficiency of my Department. The Attorney-General has no staff which enables him to institute local inquiries. His duty is to decide judicially and impartially upon materials placed before him whether a prosecution is required in the public interest.

Is it not a fact that the right authority before whom information should be placed as to any seditious offences under the Defence of the Realm Acts is the competent military authority of the War Office; and is it not a fact that a very large mass of information dealing with this very point, and certain other points associated with it, has been laid before that authority?

It must be obvious that I am not in a position to give my hon. and learned Friend any information as to what has been laid before the competent military authority. There are many matters which have to be laid before the competent military authority, but my hon. and learned Friend must permit me to remind him very plainly that the statement he made in this House was that the Law officers of the Crown had not done their duty.

May I ask whether the matters which have gone before the competent military authorities and the Home Office from the constabulary of Glamorganshire have not, in fact, been laid before the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is controlled by the right hon. Gentleman, and has he not excused himself in certain cases on the ground that documents have been mislaid?

I have not the slightest reason to suppose there is the slightest foundation whatever for the suggestion. My hon. and learned Friend spoke to me of these matters and made this suggestion in conversation some days ago. I pointed out to him it was the duty, under the Statute, for the Director of Public Prosecutions to act under my instructions, and I invited him to place before me materials which are the foundations of that suggestion. That was some four or five days ago, and he has made no communication to me in the interval to enable me to test his statement.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he desires that the information which, in fact, has been placed before the competent military authority at the War Office, should be placed in duplicate before him, or whether it will not, in the ordinary course, travel from the competent military authority to his Department?

I merely desired my hon. and learned Friend, inasmuch as, without previous communication to me, he reflected upon the discharge of my official duties, to place before me the materials on which he based his censures? He promised me he would do so, but he has not done so.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman came to me in the Outer Lobby and asked whether I had certain information, and did I not tell him that in fact it had been placed before the competent military authority, and I assumed that, in the ordinary course, it would come before his Department; and, further, does the right hon. Gentleman require any information of this character, which, in fact, has gone before any other authority exercising power under the Defence of the Realm Acts, to come before him in duplicate so as to enable him to answer questions in this House?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have myself addressed quite recently to the War Office a question as to whether information had been given to the competent military authority, and the reply was that no information which would allow money paid to individuals to be traced had been placed before the competent military authority?

I could not be aware of any of those points, nor am I conversant with any information placed before the competent military authority in this House or elsewhere. I asked my hon. and learned Friend whether he would inform me of the grounds on which he had made complaints against the Law Officers, and he said he would address questions to me in this House which would establish my responsibility, and he has failed to do so.

Has the right hon. Gentleman, in fact, communicated with the War Office in this matter, or has the War Office, in fact, communicated with the right hon. Gentleman?

The War Office has not communicated with me. I have communicated, as it was my duty, with the Director of Public Prosecutions in this matter, and he has no knowledge of the matters before us.

I do not know whether it is competent for me, but, in view of the unsatisfactory character of those answers, and the answer returned to me by the Home Secretary in reply to Question 48 as to the conflict of these authorities, I shall at an appropriate moment move the Adjournment of the House to discuss the whole matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether overtures for peace have been received from the Central Powers or either of them; and, if so, whether he can make a statement as to the nature of these overtures and as to the answer, if any, which has been returned?

As the People's Commissioners have thought fit to publish a confidential dispatch from the Russian Chargé d'Affaires in London, there can be no objection to my saying that a communication was received by His Majesty's Government from Germany in September last, through the medium of a neutral channel, to the effect that the German Government would be glad to make communications to His Majesty's Government relative to peace.

His Majesty's Government replied that they were prepared to receive any communications which the German Government might desire to make and to discuss them with their Allies.

His Majesty's Government informed the Governments of France, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States of the German Government's suggestion and of their reply.

No answer has been returned, and no other official communication has been received.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is yet decided that Viscount Northcliffe is to return on a mission to the United States; whether the President of the Board of Trade will also go to the United States; and, if so, what arrangements will be made during his absence?

I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 19th November last.

I have eight questions on the paper, and I have also a question of which I have given Private Notice. I propose not now to ask No. 51 and No. 52.

I would advise the hon. Member to ask his questions. I do not think that the question of which he has given notice is an urgent question.

On the point of Order. The question of which I have given Private Notice is with reference to an officer whom the Government is endeavouring to get out of the country on account of an inquiry pending into charges of corruption in one of the Government Departments, which he has made, and it is of the very utmost urgency that the question should be asked, so that I may get a definite reply.

In my opinion the question is not an urgent one.

I give notice that I will raise this question on the Motion for Adjournment. [ The hon. Member then asked question No. 51. ]

This Committee has held six meetings in the last six months. The only change in personnel has been the addition of one member who represents the Surveyor-General of Supply. Its members receive no remuneration for their services as such, and the annual cost is therefore nominal. The Committee has done valuable work, and I hope it will continue to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Milk Production and Distribution Committee; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Committee during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether this Committee is to be continued?

I have been asked to reply. This Committee issued a first Interim Report in June last, and a further Report is now before the Cabinet. The work of the Committee consists in surveying matters connected with the production and distribution of milk during the coming year, and this work will continue. Thirty meetings of the Committee and its Sub-Committees have been told during the last six months, and the following members have been added: Sir George Newman, Mr. J. O'Grady, M.P., and Mr. W. Buckley; while Mr. J. T. Blackshaw has taken the place of Professor T. B. Wood. The members of the Committee give their services voluntarily, and the cost of, and incidental to the work of, the Committee is included in the expenses of the Food Production Department of the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply; how many sittings this Commission has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in the personnel of this Commission during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Commission, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether this Commission is to be continued?

I have been asked to reply. If the hon. Member will refer to the First (Interim) Report of the Commission (Ed. 8728) he will obtain full information as to the proceedings of the Commission up to the end of November, 1916. Since that date it has continued its work of purchasing supplies of sugar for the United Kingdom as well as for our European Allies; but the business of regulating the retail distribution has been undertaken by the Ministry of Food, and is being carried out by that Department in accordance with the recently published scheme. The Commission has held thirty-two full meetings during the past six months, apart from the ordinary daily business of the Department. During the same period the hon. Member for the Wilton Division has replaced Lord Devonport as chairman. Further changes in the personnel of the Commission, are in contemplation. The expenses of the Commission are charged to the Vote for Royal Commissions, but will eventually be recovered out of the balance of the Commission's receipts over expenditure. There is no intention of discontinuing the valuable and necessary work of the Commission.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the International Commission for the Purchase of Supplies for the Allied Governments; how many sittings this Commission has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in its personnel during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Commission, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting and stationery; and whether this Commission is to be continued?

The Commission is an international body composed representatives of the British and Allied Governments, and as such does not report collectively to any one Government. The Commission is in permanent session. Its operations are, however, not generally carried out in plenary sittings but by consultation and correspondence between the individual representatives of the Governments mentioned and those of His Majesty's Government. The latter are ex-officio representatives of the various Departments interested in questions of supply, and any changes which take place automatically follow changes in the personnel of such Departments. The expenses of the Commission are borne by the Governments concerned in proportion to the extent of their representation, and fluctuate according to the volume and character of the work falling upon the Commission from time to time. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the affirmative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any Report has been received from this Commission?

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a Report as to the progress and recommendations, if any, of the Committee on Cases of Hardship; how many sittings this Committee has held within the last six months; whether any changes have been made in its personnel during this period; what is the annual cost to the State of this Committee, including salaries, rent, rates, taxes, printing, posting, and stationery; and whether this Committee is to be continued?

The Committee on Cases of Hardship is a small executive committee set up to deal with cases of hardship to officers and men of the mercantile marine through loss of effects caused by hostile operations. The Committee meets as often as is required, and does not make formal Reports. No changes in the personnel have taken place. No special staff has been engaged or offices taken for the work of the Committee, and the total expenditure does not exceed £100. The Committee will probably remain in existence as long as there are cases to be dealt with.

I have been asked to postpone this question (No. 52), and, therefore, in its place, I will ask my Private Notice question.

The hon. Member must ask the question on the Paper.

I have received information on the point—

I have already told the hon. Member that his question is not, in my opinion, an urgent question, and I now call on him to ask No. 53.

( later ): On a point of Order, with regard to your recent decision, Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask whether you would allow me to ask the Prime Minister for an assurance that until I have had an opportunity of putting down in the ordinary course the question of which I have given Private Notice, he will give this House an undertaking that the officer involved who has signed this affidavit of graft, blackmail and corruption against the Ministry of Munitions in the issue of permits shall not be driven out of this country back to France, but that he shall be allowed to stay here so that the case may be fully inquired into. It is not only a matter of urgent public importance but it is one of great national importance. It is a question of the purity of the conduct of our public affairs which is grossly and deeply involved.

The hon. Member sent me a copy of his question, and it is one which involves research. The Prime Minister is obviously not in a position to answer it without making inquiry, and the only answer which the hon. Member could have obviously is that inquiries were being made. It appears to me that if he will put a question down, he will get his reply as soon as the inquiries have been completed.

Since I came here the Prime Minister has sent a messenger tome, and he has ascertained all the details. I have given him the name, rank, and regiment of the officer involved. I have told him that all the papers are in the possession of the Public Prosecutor, and that he has advised the immediate return of this officer, and all the Departments concerned are trying to hush this matter up; and in view of the fact that this officer has made a deposition on oath, and the charge is a complete one of graft, blackmail and corruption, charging £5 commission on every agricultural tractor which comes into this country, and not allowing any of them to come in that does not pay that commission, and he also alleges that the shipment of these—

The hon. Member is now making a speech.

May I ask for an assurance that this officer shall not be allowed to go to France until the matter has been inquired into, otherwise all the evidence will be suppressed?

I have already told the hon. Member that it is absolutely necessary for the Department, especially the Department of the Prime Minister, to make inquiries as to those statements, and it is perfectly impossible to give an answer on the spur of the moment.