asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Baron von Kühlmann, the German Foreign Minister, is able to correspond with a lady of high lineage in England under cover of a neutral dispatch bag; and, if so, whether any steps are taken to prevent such correspondence?

I have no knowledge of the matter, and am reluctant to believe that any neutral Government would lend itself to such an abuse of diplomatic privilege. I should be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with any information on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Foreign Office have any control over neutral dispatch bags?

I would rather discuss this matter privately with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared to propose to the Allied Governments the conclusion of a treaty for the total exclusion of all commerce, shipping, and trade with the Central Powers until such time as they have abandoned all territories occupied by force of arms during this War, made complete reparation for all their crimes against civilised communities on land and sea, and have signified their acceptance of the Allied proposals for the self-determination of nationalities, international arbitration, and limitation of armaments after the War?

My hon. and gallant Friend will not expect me to say more than that his suggestion will receive careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to an article in the "Daily Chronicle" of Friday last, 14th December, from its Paris correspondent, entitled "Caillaux Clouding the Issue"; and whether he will prevent British newspapers from publishing articles taking sides in questions arising in the purely internal affairs of our Allies?

I have no power to dictate what articles British newspapers may or may not publish. But if the hon. Member thinks that the stringency of the Government control over the Press should be increased, perhaps he will furnish me with his ideas on the subject.

May I seriously ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that already the French newspapers are stating that these attacks on M. Caillaux are due to the fact that he has long been an enemy of one of the political parties in this country, and they say that the accusations were begun by Lord Northcliffe, through the intermediary of his Rome correspondent; and can he not at any rate make a statement asking him not to drag this country into this controversy?

I do not think the House will desire and I am sure it would not be advisable for me to indicate to the Press the line they ought to take in these matters. The view I have always taken with regard to foreign affairs is that it is far better to trust the Press to use discretion in these matters, subject, of course, to the possibility of a prosecution under the Defence of the Realm Act in cases where the Press bring themselves within that Act

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether in view of the fact that officers now in command of battalions at home are being replaced by officers from the front and that such released officers have had experience abroad, he will explain why their services cannot be utilised so as to release for active service those of military age still retained in the various camps in this country who have not been on active service during the War?

The officers referred to are senior officers, and therefore cannot take the place of officers of the junior ranks.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that an officer, forty-four years of age, who is thoroughly efficient, is to be asked to resign to make room for an officer coming from the front and yet the War Office say that they want more men?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that No. 2 Military Hospital, Old Park, Canterbury, is in a most wretched condition for the wounded soldiers who are brought there; that the huts of fifty beds have often only one Royal Army Medical Corps orderly in charge; that they are quite insufficiently warmed with only two or three stoves; that in some cases the sanitary and lavatory accommodation is 200 yards away from the hut, and that even pneumonia recovering cases have often to go out in the wintry nights this distance; and will he see that an investigation is made and suitable improvements made?

Orders have been given for this hospital to be closed until alterations which are recommended by the Sanitary Committee can be carried out.

asked whether any reply has yet been received from the Commander-in-Chief in India to a petition sent to him on 2nd June, 1917, by Private Donald Aitchison, 55th Brigade, D Battery, 13th Division, who was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for disobeying an order, although he had been excused by the medical officer from duty on that day; whether the attention of his Department has been called to the fact that this medical officer was not called as a witness at the court-martial; and whether, in view of the fact that Aitchison was five times in action between the day of the disobedience and the sentence, the Department can see their way to send him back to the firing line, which he urgently desires?

I have no information as to this petition, which appears to have been addressed to the Commander-in-Chief in India. I will write to India and inquire.

asked whether men who are fit for military service are employed by the Red Cross; and, if so, what is the number?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The total number of men of military age employed by the British Red Cross Society in France is stated by the society to be approximately 1,900. As a result of representations made by the Recruiting Department to General Headquarters, France, in June in this year, a proportion of these men are being withdrawn for service in the armed forces, on the principle that men fit for general service, and men of category B1, under thirty years of age, shall be released, subject to the right of appeal by the society to the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief in France in very special cases of indispensability.

The British Red Cross Society further states that there are also approximately 200 men of military age similarly employed in other theatres of the War. In this country, excluding tribunal cases, there are approximately 250 men of military age employed by the British Red Cross Society. With two exceptions, none of these men are fit for general service. In addition to the above there are a certain number of men of military age who have been granted exemption by tribunals in the ordinary Course, and who have undertaken work, either whole or part time under the British Red Cross Society.

May we take it that all the Red Cross men who are fit for the front have been combed out?

I do not think the hon. and gallant Member should quite take that for granted, but it is being very carefully watched and it is being done. Of course, many of these men have been granted exemption by tribunals and neither ourselves nor the War Office have any control over them. Some of them are men who have been in the Red Cross Society from the beginning and they are very valuable.

Has the War Office no control over fit men employed in this way?

Not if the tribunals have exempted them.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will inquire into the case of Harold Thomas, of West Town, near Bristol, a small holder and pig breeder, who has recently been called to the Colours and is now in Wormwood Scrubs Prison; whether he is aware that his holding is now neglected and his food production entirely cut off; whether this case was considered by the Somerset War Agricultural Committee; if not, why this has not been done; and whether this case may be taken as indicating that the Board of Agriculture has given up the policy of refusing to the Army men engaged in producing food for the nation?

The Board are not aware of the circumstances of this case, which has not previously been brought to their notice. They are making inquiries, however, and will report the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a medal or other distinction to the survivors of the British forces which took part in the China Expedition which ended in the capture of Tsingtau-Kiachou in November, 1914?

The service of all those who have taken part in all operations against the enemy during the present War will be considered and will receive suitable recognition in due course.

Is it not a fact that the case of the China Expedition is rather a special one, inasmuch as the operations have been concluded, and successfully concluded?

Yes; the facts are as stated, but the whole question is being considered sympathetically.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can make any announcement with regard to the suggested distinction between decorations granted for gallantry in action and those for other distinguished service?

This matter has been fully considered, and while appreciating the point of view of those who desire to make the distinction suggested, the Army Council have decided not to proceed with the matter, owing to the difficulties of reaching a solution which would be equitable and satisfactory to all.

asked whether, in view of the efforts now being made to obtain medals for the various campaigns of the present War, the decision to officially describe the star to be awarded for service during a certain period of 1914 in France and Belgium as the 1914 star will be reconsidered; and whether it can now be definitely laid down that service on more than one front shall in no other cases entitle a soldier to receive more than one separate war medal?

The official description of this star is the "1914 Star," as published in the Army Order bearing on this subject. With regard to the latter part of this question, the question of the award of medals for the present War is receiving careful consideration.

Will due consideration be given to the necessity of avoiding the multiplication of ribbons in the case of those who happen to have served on more than one front?

Certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will consider the advisibility of including among the recipients of the 1914 star those French and Belgian liaison officers and interpreters attached to British units who rendered most valuable assistance during the period for which the medal is being awarded?

This matter is under consideration.

asked whether, in view of the fact that British officer prisoners of war in Germany are restricted to writing two letters and four postcards per month, any similar restriction is placed on German officer prisoners of war in this country?

German officer prisoners of war are allowed to send two letters a week; postcards count as a letter, if they bear any writing other than name and address of sender. I understand that the regulations for our officer prisoners are as stated. There are, however, other circumstances which tend to equalise the conditions.

asked whether the Reports of the Netherlands Minister at Berlin on the various prisoners' camps in Germany will be published, so that their contents may be communicated to the relatives of our prisoners of war in these camps and other persons interested?

The question of publishing these Reports has often been considered, and it is thought advisable to treat them as confidential.

In the case of people who have got relatives who are prisoners in a particular camp where the conditions are said to be bad, can they get information by applying to my hon. Friend?

Yes; if they will apply to me, I will give them all the information in my power.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he can make any statement as to the result of the negotiations at Berne with the representatives of the Turkish Government on the subject of exchange of prisoners of war; whether he can say whether the officer prisoners of war who were placed in solitary connnement in Constantinople in the early months of this year by way of alleged reprisal have yet been released from this confinement; whether he is aware that letters addressed to prisoners of war in Turkey and by them to relatives in this country have for some months failed to be delivered; and whether any improvement in the postal facilities may be anticipated?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement upon the result of the negotiations at Berne. In regard to the second part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Bristol on 19th July. In regard to the third part of the question, the delay of correspondence with prisoners of war in Turkey has for some time been engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government, and representations have been made on this subject, which is also being taken up by the British delegates at Berne.

asked how many Staff officers at general headquarters, Army corps, and divisional headquarters now serving in France have not had any regimental service during the last two years?

This information can only be acquired from France, and I am not prepared to ask the authorities, who are already overburdened with work, to undertake the labour involved in its compilation.

asked whether it is intended to introduce a system of complete interchange between Staff and regimental officers such as obtains in the French and German Armies; and whether officers of the Territorial Force and New Armies, after four years' experience of war, will receive at home and abroad the same chances of promotion to Staff appointments as are accorded to officers of the Regular Army?

A system of interchange between regimental and Staff officers already exists, but in the higher grades it is not in the interests of the Service and efficiency to make constant changes, as Staff work is technical and requires experience and continuity. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative as regards the Adjutant-General's and Quartermaster-General's Staffs at home and abroad, and as regards the General Staff at home.

Will the hon. Gentleman say if the system of interchange does exist, and in what Regulation it is to be found?

It is a matter of fact and does exist, as my hon. and gallant Friend well knows.

No, I do not know.

asked how many commanders of Armies and corps in France have been placed on the retired list during the last two years?

None have been placed on the retired list.

asked whether, in view of the fact that since the outbreak of the present War the French Government has instituted a rule providing that a non-commissioned officer must serve as one of the judges on all courts-martial where the prisoner is a non-commissioned officer or a private soldier, he will consider the advisability of making a similar change in the procedure of courts-martial in the British Army?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 28th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Hanley.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the highest rank of any officer who has been court-martialled for cowardice in the face of the enemy; and what is the highest rank of any officer upon whom the death penalty has been inflicted?

I cannot give this information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the custom to read out to all the troops on parade a report of all the cases of men who have been shot for cowardice; whether this report includes the name, number, and regiment of the men; and, if so, whether, having regard to the feelings of the relatives of such men in England, the practice will be discontinued?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative; and to the last, in the negative.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider, having once punished a man, that it is exceptionally cruel to punish all his relatives as well?

My hon. Friend will recollect that there has been a War Cabinet decision that the relatives of these soldiers shall be informed that the soldier so punished will be placed in the casualty list as having been killed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to this publicity in France, the news is brought home, and gives rise to rumours infinitely more unfortunate; and is it not better, if you are going to give it publicity in France, also to give it publicity in England?

I can express no opinion as to the decision arrived at.

In the case of soldiers who have suffered from shell-shock, is the fact that they have so suffered brought out?

I have never come across a single case, and I make bold to challenge the hon. Member to produce a single case, where any soldier has been executed without being examined, before trial and before sentence, by a medical officer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any difference exists in the constitution of a court-martial for the trial of an officer or a private?

I am not quite sure what my hon. Friend has in mind, but, generally speaking, an officer can only be tried by general court-martial, which includes on active service, in certain circumstances, a field general court-martial.

Is an officer on these occasions allowed to have counsel or any assistance whatever?

That question does not arise, but I may say, as I have already said several times in answer to questions, that in field general courts-martial it is not obligatory to see that an officer is represented by counsel. It is almost invariably the case that he is represented by a friend.

Is a private allowed the same privilege?

Certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will issue an Army Order that in future no officer or man shall be found guilty and shot, on a charge of cowardice until his medical and mental history has been inquired into?

I have nothing to add to the previous answers which I have given on this subject.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to consider the advisability in all cases of having the soldier medically and mentally examined to see whether his mental condition had anything to do with his action in the face of the enemy?

I have just said that is so, in answer to a previous question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Branislaw Yastzempski, alias Yast, a Russian Pole, of 62, Welbourne Road, Tottenham, N. 17, who has a wife, a natural-born British woman, and three dependent children; whether he is aware that this man, who was in good employment, was called up for military service three months ago but has been repeatedly sent back; that he is therefore unable to get employment and that he and his family are destitute; and whether he will either call him up and give his wife adequate separation allowance or will give him a final discharge from the obligation to serve?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Inquiries are being made into the facts of this case.

Will the inquiry be expedited in view of the fact that this man was earning over £5 a week and that he and his family are now absolutely penniless?

I can only say that inquiries are being made into the facts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, owing to the depression in the slate-quarrying industry in North Wales men, prior to joining the Colours, were employed for three days only per week; and whether, inasmuch as the amount of their separation allowance is based upon the allowance made to their dependants during the six months preceding their enlistment, he will in such cases consider the advisability of adopting a longer basis than six months, or the wages earned per day, so as to secure a fair separation allowance for the dependants?

My hon. Friend is under some misapprehension. There is no limit of six months, and while irregularity of employment cannot be altogether left out of account, the pension authorities have full discretion to base their estimate of dependence on an average taken over such period as may appear to them to be equitable in the circumstances of the particular case.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he has yet completed the local investigations with regard to the case of Mrs. Hanna, whose son, able-seaman Arthur Edward Hanna, No. 232,914 D, lost his life in His Majesty's destroyer "Laforey" on 23rd March, 1917; and whether, as the result of such inquiries, Mrs. Hanna is not to be deprived of her pension in consequence of her patriotism in declining a separation allowance during the life of her son?

A pension of 4s. weekly, representing the amount of dependence on her son prior to the outbreak of war, has been granted to Mrs. Hanna, with effect from the 26th June, 1917. She returned her form of application on the 5th instant, and payment was authorised the following day. Further inquiries have been made into the case; but it has been ascertained that, as Mrs. Hanna has other means of support, the above amount cannot be increased under the Regulations at present in force.

Is this 4s. per week the same amount as would have been granted had this woman accepted a dependence allowance?

Yes; it is exactly the same, based on the prewar dependence.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can explain the circumstances under which the allowances granted to the illegitimate children of a corporal posted as killed in May, 1915, were stopped for the greater part of 1916, and for practically the whole of 1917, until last week, without full inquiries as to the children's future welfare being made by the Ministry; whether his attention has been frequently called to the fact that these children were only being kept out of the workhouse by local charity, including letters from the county Antrim pensions committee; and whether proper pensions and arrears are now being paid to those who have taken charge of these children?

I cannot answer the question on the Paper unless my hon. and gallant Friend can give me the name of the corporal in question and other particulars, but if he is referring to the case of Corporal Quinn, Inniskilling Fusiliers, about which he wrote to me a short time ago, I can say that it is being investigated, and I hope to be able to give him a definite answer in a few days' time.

asked what steps have recently been taken to give leave to our troops serving in France; and how many men have recently been granted leave?

I dealt with the general question of leave in Debate on 31st October I think the House will hear with interest that while in August, September, and October of last year the number of men who received leave was 85,379, in August, September and October of this year the number was 488,865, and the latest return available shows that 249,163 leave men have been transported from France during the six weeks ending on 15th December last.

asked whether officers who are in convalescent homes under the Eastern Command are being refused Christmas leave; if so, is the order general or does it only apply to the Eastern Command; will he consider the hardship of such a regulation on those who have made sacrifices for their country, many of whom have not been to their homes for a long period; and will he see that the order is withdrawn?

I have made inquiries, and I am informed that no command orders in the Eastern Command have been issued in the sense suggested. If my hon. Friend will give me more particulars, I will inquire further into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many days' leave in each year a soldier is entitled to providing circumstances permit the granting of that leave; and whether he will state that soldiers who have not received this amount of leave owing to the exigencies of the War shall receive an equivalent compensation by monetary payment, which, in the event of their death, will be handed to their next-of-kin who have shared the deprivation?

Leave is not granted as a right, but as a privilege. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

In view of the fact that this is a civilian Army, and that we have been at war for over three years, would the Government consider the advisability of making leave a question of right and not of privilege?

Of course, the House will realise that this is not a civilian Army, and that it is quite impossible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to announce that General Elliot will be immediately reinstated in his command as Brigadier-General?

There has as yet been no opportunity of employing him.

Will my hon. Friend bear the case in mind, and see that no delay occurs in reinstating him?

Certainly.

Is this officer being reinstated for some reasons apart from the offence alleged against him?

I think my hon. Friend is wrong in making any such suggestion. As far as the Army Council is concerned, I think they show their bona fides by reinstating at least one.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of a recent public statement by Sir R. Armstrong-Jones, a lunacy expert now in the service of the War Office, to the effect that he hoped to see speedily introduced into Parliament a measure purporting to bring all early cases of loss of mental balance, whether occurring in the Army or in civilian life, under lunacy control on the sole authority of one doctor; and what steps he intends to take with a view to protecting soldiers from loss of liberty?

No, Sir; I have not seen the statement referred to, which I presume was made by Sir R. Armstrong-Jones in his private capacity.

asked whether, with a view to retaining under the stringency of military control soldiers invalided through uncertifiable nerve strain until such soldiers are cured, it is proposed to build for them institutional barracks where they will be placed under care of a committee consisting largely of lunacy experts; and how many soldiers is it intended to collect within the walls of each institution?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to discharged soldiers; if so, the matter would appeal to be for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions to answer, and I would suggest that my hon. Friend put his question down to him.

asked under what section of the Army Act Mahomedan soldiers are compelled to attend church parade to the Church of England?

There is no section of the Army Act dealing with this matter, but if my hon. Friend will refer to paragraph 1333 of the King's Regulations he will find the information he desires. No soldier is obliged to attend the service of any other religious body than his own.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is the habit to march these men to church, number them off, and fall them out, and then march them back again; and does he not think that this is quite unnecessary and likely to give rise to considerable friction?

Is it not a fact that care is always taken in the British Army that the men of the various religions shall attend only the services of those churches to which they belong?

That is so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been, called to the dissatisfaction which prevails as to the methods of selection for commissions at the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) School at Grove Park; whether he is aware that several soldiers recommended for commissions by their commanding officers after service in France have been refused commissions, although the examinations proved that they had attained a high degree of technical proficiency; and, if so, whether an inquiry will be held as to the methods of selection?

No, Sir; I am not aware of the general dissatisfaction suggested by my hon. Friend. If he will give the details on which his question is based I shall be in a better position to furnish him with an answer.

If I produce details of cases, shall I not be accused of asking favours at the War Office?

Oh, not necessarily.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state the reasons which have induced the Army Council to fix a maximum price for officers' uniforms; whether he is aware that the prices announced are in excess of those hitherto charged by many of the best West End firms for their best material and workmanship; upon whose advice the prices were arrived at; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that officers charged the full prices obtain material and workmanship up to the highest standard?

Maximum price was fixed so as to secure that m spite of all difficulties which may be experienced in the future there shall be a supply of officers' uniforms of sound material, at reasonable prices. I am informed that these prices are substantially below those now charged by any of the best West End tailors. The maximum prices were fixed after examination by chartered accountants of the costings both of manufacture and making up. The standard Government cloths to which these prices relate are manufactured with a distinguishing mark in the selvage to prevent substitution and competition, and the firms reputation will no doubt ensure good work in making up.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that many young officers who purchase uniforms of firms do not know whether they are good or not, and for their protection does he not consider that some arrangement should be made to ensure that they get proper value for their money; and will he also call for the prices of firms whose prices are below the fixed maximum?

I do not in the least object to the prices being below the maximum. I hope that in many cases they will be. We have been anxious to secure that there shall be brought within the pecuniary reach of all officers a thoroughly sound article.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the uniforms of officers who joined up in 1914 and who had their £40 or £50 grant are now worn out, and is it proposed to give them a further grant?

That is a totally different question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that many officers will have to pay more for their uniforms than they paid before the time the maximum prices were brought in?

That does not follow at all. We have fixed a maximum. There is nothing to prevent a firm making a lower charge. The officer is at full liberty to go where he likes. All we do is to secure to him an opportunity of getting a thoroughly sound uniform at a reasonable price.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office from what date the increased grants-in-aid of auxiliary hospitals, Classes A and B, of 3s. 3d. and 2s. 6d., respectively, have been payable; when the increased grants recently announced will be made payable in the case of voluntary hospitals established before the War and which are now receiving wounded soldiers as in-patients; and what the maximum grants to such hospitals in respect of such service will be?

The new rates, which are maxima, take effect from the 1st August, 1917. If the hospitals referred to in the second part of the question are established civil hospitals they are in receipt of grants on a different scale, and the question of increasing those grants is under consideration.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to announce the additional grant to those voluntary hospitals established before the War which are now receiving only 4s. per head per day for military cases?

I understand that my hon. Friend refers to the large hospitals, such as the London Hospital and others. I hope that there will be no undue delay. The question of increasing the grant is now under consideration.

Has it been referred to a Committee?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether Mrs. D. Fraser, a widow of nearly seventy with a son serving as a sergeant in the Canadian Artillery, was evicted recently at Invergordon during a snowstorm; whether her furniture was turned out in the snow; what were the circumstances which caused the eviction; and whether anything can be done to prevent similar acts of barbarity during the War?

As far as my information goes, the facts of the case are as stated in the question. I understand that the order for the ejection was made on the ground permitted by the Rent Restriction Act. But its legality is no excuse for the manner in which the ejection seems to have been carried out. I fear that this is one of those cases in which we must rely rather on the expression of public opinion than on any legislative action. I regret I have no power to interfere in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Ministry of Food have issued an order restricting the quantity of meat which may be purchased during the Christmas season, while the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) have at the same time relaxed the restrictions upon the dispatch of liquor from licensed premises during the period from 17th to 24th December so as to enable consumers to lay in supplies of liquor for Christmas; and whether it is now the policy of the Government, while reducing the consumption of food, to encourage the increased consumption of alcohol?

I have been asked to reply. The objects of the Meat (Restriction of Retail Sales) Order is to prevent the consumption in the four weeks ending January 13th, 1918, from exceeding the quantity consumed in the four weeks ending January 13th, 1918, The Central Control Board's Order is designed to meet the public convenience during days when experience shows that the street traffic is more than ordinarily congested, and it removes none of the existing restrictions either upon the output of liquor or upon the hours within which it may be sold. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is not the effect of the Order to remove certain restrictions upon the delivery of liquor, and in that respect is it not entirely inconsistent with the policy adopted by the Department?

Only in the sense of meeting public convenience. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the limitations on the consumption of meat are slight in comparison with those on liquor. In the case of liquor the restrictions extend to at least one-half as regards quantity, and certainly to a very great degree as regards strength.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an exception to the Order limiting the supply of meat by butchers to the amount supplied in the month of October can be made in the case of meat required for the provision of Christmas dinners for old people, where it has been supplied for many years past?

Under the Meat (Restriction of Retail Sales) Order, where exceptional circumstances exist, a food control committee may authorise a butcher to sell a further quantity of meat provided that total amount sold in the area of the committee in the four weeks ending January 13th, 1918, does not exceed the quantity sold in the four weeks ending October 27th, 1917. The purpose to which my hon. Friend refers will properly be regarded as an exceptional circumstance, and I hope his desires will be met with regard to the old people referred to

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that in the case of these old people, seeing that it is not a very large amount, it might be in excess of the amount supplied? If the total amount is limited there may be a difficulty in getting it.

If that occurs I hope that the local food committee would not be prosecuted for allowing an excess supply.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any arrangement has been made by the Board of Agriculture in Scotland to get for farmers there the same advantage as is given them in England, in the way of loans from banks at 5 per cent, interest, to enable them to purchase manures, implements, etc., to increase the output of food?

This question is at present under discussion between the Scottish Board of Agriculture and the Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is intended to guarantee in 1918 to farmers a minimum price for potatoes; if so, is he aware that the high prices still ruling for manures and labour will prevent many farmers contemplating potatoes as a crop unless there is such guarantee; and is he aware of the necessity of acting speedily?

The Food Controller is fully alive to the importance of the question raised by the hon. Member. An announcement may be expected on the subject very shortly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of the shortage of food-stuffs in the West of Ireland; that sufficient flour cannot be procured in Castlebar to supply even the urban area; that the rural district is without flour, sugar, or bread; that Mr. John Murphy, Turlough, who caters for an extensive area, has been unable to procure flour, although he applied for it to the following firms: Messrs. R. and H. Hall, Limited, Westport; Joseph Rank, Limited, Liverpool; William Marshall and Company, Belfast; and W. and G. P. Pollexfen and Company, Limited, Ballisodare, Sligo; and will he take steps to have traders in the West of Ireland supplied with a reasonable quantity of food-stuffs, and especially flour?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that there is any general shortage of food-stuffs in the West of Ireland. I am informed that there is an abundance of potatoes and oatmeal, and that the amount of flour produced weekly in Ireland, taken in conjunction with the quantity sent there from British ports, reaches a total in excess of the normal requirements of Irish consumers. The scarcity of flour in certain districts is partly attributable to difficulties of shipment, partly to the practice, in spite of prosecutions, of feeding flour to calves and pigs, in direct contravention of the Food Controller's Orders.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he can state the general result of the convoying of food ships into British ports to protect them from enemy attack; is every effort made to have them unloaded at the first available port; and can he give any satisfactory assurance on these points?

The general result of the convoy system has been greatly to diminish losses. As I have already informed the House, of all cargoes homeward bound to the United Kingdom (whether in British or foreign vessels) in the months of September and October, 3 per cent, was lost, of which 1 per cent. was represented by food. I am now able to give the results for November. In that month only 2 per cent, of the homeward-bound cargoes was lost, of which 0.5 per cent, was represented by food. Of the wheat homeward bound in November none whatever was lost. With regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, in determining the use of ports the safety of vessels and their cargoes is the first consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the sailing vessel "Oweenee," 2,432 tons gross register, is registered as a British ship, owned by the Hudson Bay Company; whether this vessel loaded a cargo of coal at Cardiff in the early days of October for Russia, and has been lying at an Irish port for about two months; and whether, as this is a wasteful use of tonnage, and coal is badly wanted in Ireland, instructions will be given to discharge the 3,500 tons of coal, or thereabouts, at this Irish port, and release the vessel for more useful purposes than employment as a coal hulk?

As I have already informed the hon. Gentleman, this vessel is owned and controlled by the Russian Government. It is not thought desirable to publish the arrangements that have been made, but I will convey them in confidence to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he can make a statement regarding the loss of or damage to British shipping during the recent disaster at Halifax?

Five British steamers and one tug were seriously damaged in the recent disaster at Halifax. I regret to have to add that the loss of life on these ships was also very serious, about two-thirds of the crews, so far as can be at present ascertained, having been lost. A few other British vessels were damaged, but only slightly.

Will these vessels be reported separately from the list of vessels sunk by the enemy?

Of course they are not included in any list of losses due to enemy attack.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining sailors and firemen for steamers under requisition; that recently in the case of a steamer at Southampton, as men could not be obtained either in Southampton or London, they had to be obtained in Liverpool and sent from there to Southampton; whether he is aware that the crews of many steamers employed by the Admiralty and the Ministry of Shipping consist largely of other nationalities than British; and, if so, what steps he will take to meet the difficulty?

I have no information regarding the particular case referred to in the question, but it not infrequently happens that temporary deficiencies in the supply of seamen in one port are met by supplies from another port. As the engagement of crews for all vessels other than commissioned ships is done by the owners, such cases may not be reported to the Ministry of Shipping. The whole question of the supply of British seamen has for some time past engaged the serious consideration of the Ministry, and as the result of negotiation with shipowners and seamen's representatives an agreement has been reached which is now being worked out hi detail and which it is hoped will facilitate the transfer of men where the supply at any port is insufficient. I am aware that the crews of many British steamers at the present time, as in the past, consist largely of aliens. In the case of vessels on Admiralty service aliens are only allowed when British seamen are unavailable. It is hoped that under the arrangements referred to the employment of aliens in the British mercantile marine will be regulated and restricted to an extent justified by the numbers of British seamen available at any time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that the ss. "H," of about 9,000 tons deadweight, was loaded at Montreal under the direction of the Admiralty overseas transport officer or other Government official, and that, having recently arrived at an English Channel port and discharged the cargo intended for that port, the steamer was so much out of trim that some 470 tons of wheat had to be provided and loaded in the after end to enable the steamer to proceed to a French Channel port, for which port she had on board some 4,890 tons of wheat and 142 tons of flour shipped at Montreal for France;, whether cargo other than wheat for this trimming purpose was not available; and whether, in view of the necessity for wheat in this country, he will see that better arrangements are made in Canadian and American ports for loading vessels which have to discharge at two or more ports?

This vessel was loaded not for France but for the United Kingdom. The breadstuffs were diverted to France in circumstances of war emergency, and it was accordingly arranged to send the vessel on to Havre, after discharge of the other cargo—oil, etc.—at Southampton. The wheat used for trimming was a parcel of seed wheat, the property of the French Government. Thus at one and the same time the vessel was trimmed and the use of a small vessel saved.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the import- ance of diplomatic action in the achievement of our war aims, he will now consider the advisability of including the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as a member of the War Cabinet?

This is not considered necessary. Whenever it is deemed desirable my right hon. Friend attends the Cabinet.

Does it follow that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has a right to be present at the War Cabinet?

It follows as a matter of fact that he is always there whenever questions dealing with foreign affairs are discussed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government is prepared to propose to the Allied Governments the immediate establishment of an Allied Convention to determine the method and procedure for the creation during the War of a permanent league of free nations; whether this is one of our war aims; and what steps he proposes to take to give permanent and tangible expression to the declared war aims of the Allies, including the principle of self-determination of nationalities, international arbitration, and limitation of armaments after the War?

I can add nothing in reply to this question to statements which have already been made.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government Committee on Labour recently set up will have any executive powers, or if they will report to the several Government Departments concerned; what are the terms of reference to the Committee, and by whom they were determined; and if the Committee will deal with the question of the difficulty arising from the recent advances of 12½ per cent, to time-workers and the various extensions of that advance to other classes which have since had to be made to prevent disturbance?

The War Cabinet Labour Committee was appointed by the War Cabinet for the purpose of harmonising the work of Government Departments in the adjustment and settlement of labour questions. Administration will remain with the several Departments as hitherto, the function of the Committee being to guide the Departments as to the principles and the policy that should be followed. The Committee are dealing with the difficulty referred to in the last part of the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how long it will be before the Orders are issued?

No; I cannot give any time, but it is being considered constantly at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will call on the Admiralty, the War Office, the Air Board, and any other Departments interested, for a Report on the number of landing-places-and sites for aerodromes which have been taken over by these various Departments and subsequently discarded; whether he is aware that it has been the practice for a single official with no knowledge of agriculture or afforestation or the requirements of the Food Production Department to commandeer vast tracts of land for this purpose; and whether he will instruct the Departments concerned that in future they will employ, for the purpose of commandeering these sites, a properly constituted committee, who shall inspect the sites before the same are commandeered, and which shall include representatives from the Food Production Department, the Board of Agriculture, the Air Board, and at least one pilot who is experienced in night flying?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. With regard to the last part of the question, proposals are being drawn up for the creation of a Department under the new Air Ministry which will undertake the whole of the work hitherto done in connection with the selection of landing-places and aerodromes by the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. I may add that as regards the Admiralty, the practice has been that before a decision is taken to commandeer a site representatives of the Departments referred to by the hon. Member are asked for an expression of their views. As regards the War Office, suitably constituted committees have inspected the sites before deciding to requisition them, and the requirements of food production and agriculture have invariably been considered before land is taken up.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a waste of some hundreds of acres of corn, and that some £100,000 has been squandered by this more or less reckless commandeering; will he see that the commandeering is not done by individuals, but by a committee on the spot; and is he aware that the present method is for an individual to report and a committee to give a decision without the least knowledge, as they base their decision entirely on a report?

As regards the hon. Member's statement of facts, perhaps he will give me particulars. The present method is to appoint a committee which will have the whole responsibility.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that the committee shall visit the sites, and not merely receive reports upon them?

The object of appointing a committee is to make sure that the harm to which the hon. Member refers is not done. I am sure that the Committee will take whatever steps are necessary to secure that end.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the export of boots to Switzerland, and whether in recent months this has increased; whether any recent consignments have gone to villages on the German frontier such as Kreuzlingen; and whether he is satisfied that none of these exports reach the enemy?

Nine thousand six hundred and seventy-nine pairs of boots and shoes, value £2,975, have been licensed for export to Switzerland during 1917. This amount is well within the amount authorised by the Allied International Commission in Paris. The goods in every case are consigned to the Société Suisse de Surveillance under guarantees against re-export to enemy countries, and for the most part consist of ladies' and children's shoes, the average value being only 6s. 2d. No consignments to Kreuzlingen have been licensed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board what uniform allowance, if any, is to be made to officers of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, respectively, for the new Air Service uniform; and whether any day has been proposed for the formal introduction of this new uniform?

As regards the first part of the question, I am not in a position to add anything to the answer which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 3rd instant. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he has never stated yet whether it is the intention to make an allowance for this uniform to the officers in question? In view of the fact that some have already had to change their uniforms once at the will of the authorities and received no payment for it, is it proposed to ask them to change it again and make no allowance?

I did not say it was not proposed to make any allowance. I said the position is not yet settled. There are a great many things more urgent than the question of uniform.

There may be more urgent questions, but these orders have been given, and the officers want to know where they stand, and that is essentially an urgent matter.

No orders have been given of any sort or kind.

It is time they were.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the demonstrations held at Sheffield, Glasgow, Bowhill, Paisley, and elsewhere against the continued intern- ment of George Tchitcherine, and that many trades councils and trades unions have protested to the same effect; and whether he can now announce that some new departure will be made in the treatment of the Russian subjects now interned?

I have nothing to add to the statements already made in the House on this subject.

Will the Home Secretary consider making some definite statement upon the lot of these men before the Adjournment?

If the hon. Member attaches any importance to the question he had better hand it in in the usual way.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any representations were made to him regarding the unrest arising from the position of skilled time-workers which made it desirable to grant concessions to them, over and above the advances made through the awards of the Committee on Production; and, if so, will he give particulars of such representations?

The Ministry of Labour have been aware of unrest arising from the position of skilled time-workers, and the Ministry of Munitions have been endeavouring to deal with the subject. No special representations have been made to the Ministry of Labour.

Is there not an agreement in existence between the Engineering Federation and the Employers' Federation, and the bulk of the trade unions, by which questions regarding increases of wages should be submitted to the Committee of Production; and was that done in this specific case?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the clerical staff in the national munition works or in controlled establishments have participated in any of the increases of wages granted to workmen in these establishments or are they receiving any war bonus; and, if not, will he inquire into the position of these people with the object of increasing their wages and so enable them to meet the increased cost of living?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Attercliffe, Sheffield, on the 13th December.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the attention of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) has been called to the notices appearing in the windows of licensed premises in Glasgow that customers holding ration tickets and soldiers and sailors in His Majesty's uniform will be served with spirits and that others will be supplied with beer and wine only; whether the Control Board have sanctioned the practice of issuing liquor spirit ration tickets; if so, to what class of customers such a preference is given; and whether the Board approve the use of the King's uniform as a passport for whisky in this country while it is a punishable offence in America to sell spirits to soldiers and sailors?

The notices to which my hon. Friend refers are private notices. Sanction to display them has not been given nor is it required.

Is it intended to take any action in regard to these notices? Does the Liquor Board approve them?

I have stated that their approval is not required.

Has the Liquor Board no duty in the matter to see that no preference is given to a particular class of customers? The Government has already indicated that it does not desire that any preference should be given to any one class.

I am not aware that that duty has been laid on the Central Control Board.

Has the Control Board no control over the matter mentioned in the latter part of the question?

The last part of the question refers to the use of the King's uniform. That is not under the control of the Control Board.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of licensed premises in the area surrounding the dockyards in Glasgow which have been placed under special control during the past year; the conditions laid down for the sale and supply of intoxicants in this area; and the results obtained from the new control policy?

One hundred and seventy-four licensed premises in the area in question have been placed under supervision by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic). A supervisor acting under the general direction of the Board advises the licensees of these premises as the special circumstances of the area may from time to time require. Information as to the general character of the control would exceed the limit of a Parliamentary answer, but I shall be glad to send my hon. Friend particulars. Reports from the naval and military authorities and the police show that the results are satisfactory.

Is it intended to extend that control to other areas, having regard to the satisfactory results obtained?

There is no such proposal at present.