asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the existence of Clause 15 in the secret treaty recently made with Italy accounts for the fact that no reply was sent to the last Peace Note of the Pope; what the object of Clause 15 is or what military, diplomatic, or other practical purpose it is designed to serve; whether the vital part of Clause 15 provides that France, Great Britain, and Russia take it upon themselves to support Italy in her not allowing representatives of the Holy See to take any diplomatic steps for the conclusion of peace or in regard to matters pertaining to the present War; in what, if any, particular or particulars this version of Clause 15 is inaccurate; whether any similar disabling provisions have been entered into by Great Britain with regard to any other neutral Power during or in regard to the present War; and whether, taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration, he will suggest to the Government the advisability, in its own interests and those of its Allies in regard to the successful conduct of the War, of reopening with Italy the question of Clause 15 and the policy it involves with a view to the removal of the disabilities it imposes on the beneficent activities of, and the stigma it attaches to, the Holy See?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of 6th December on this subject, in which I stated that I understood that the object of the provision was to secure that the terms of peace should be settled by the belligerents. Regarding the third and fourth parts, I must repeat emphatically that the Clause does not state that representatives of the Holy See shall not be allowed to take any diplomatic steps in order to bring about the conclusion of peace; it is concerned solely with the settlement of the actual terms of peace. With regard to the last part of the question, I will naturally consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend, but I venture again respectfully to protest against the idea that the Clause was intended to impose a disability on the beneficent activities of, or to attach any stigma to, the Holy See.

I wish to know from the Noble Lord specifically if this disabling Clause applies to the Holy See and its representatives alone, or whether or not it applies to other neutral Powers?

I think it applies only to the Holy See, but I should like notice.

How does the Noble Lord reconcile the information he has given me to-day with the answer he gave me on the last occasion, when I took the point that it was inconsistent to have an accredited representative at the Holy See while retaining this Clause?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can either now or in the course of the Debate this day give some information as to the policy of this country towards Russia?

I do not consider that it would serve any useful purpose at this moment to make a statement in the sense desired.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in taking over buildings for the use of various Departments, he has considered the desirability of taking over the new London County Council asylum at Epsom; if he is aware that a sum of nearly £250,000 has been expended upon it already, and that it could be fitted up as a hospital for wounded soldiers or to accommodate troops at a comparatively small cost?

This building was fully considered, but it was thought that the completion of the building operations and the necessary conversion to a hospital would take too long.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the soldiers working on the new Chepstow and Beachley works are working under less favourable conditions as regards housing, bedding, and food than the German prisoners who are working in the same neighbourhood?

There are no German prisoners employed at Chepstow, but the employment of this class of labour at Beachley necessitated the formation of concentration camps and the erection of hutments in order that close supervision could be exercised over them. The military labour, on the other hand, is billeted in various buildings in the villages of Chepstow and Beachley pending the erection of huts for their accommodation. These huts are now in course of erection. The bedding and food supplied to the soldiers and German prisoners of war am governed by War Office Regulations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable feeling in the neighbourhood that German prisoners are being treated better than our own wounded men?

The right hon. Gentleman is not answerable for the feeling in the neighbourhood. He is only answerable for the Department.

Did the right hon. Gentleman describe Chepstow as a village?

Yes; I did.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty who will be the British naval representatives on the permanent secretariat of the Allied Naval Council; and where this permanent secretariat of all the Allies will be accommodated with offices?

The matter is not yet settled with our Allies, and will be discussed at the first meeting, which will probably be held shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty who is our naval representative who will attend the meetings of the Inter-Allied Military Staff in Versailles and advise upon all naval questions affecting military operations?

Advice upon all large naval questions affecting military operations will be given by the Inter-Allied Naval Council or by the Chief of Staff of the Admiralty concerned, as the circumstances may require. The naval officer, who will be at all times available for daily discussion of minor naval matters at Versailles, will be Commodore Heaton Ellis, R.N., the British Naval Liaison Officer in Paris.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has considered the representations made to him in favour of raising the present bonus of 5s. weekly to foremen of works, under the director of works in the dockyards, to £30 per annum, the bonus which has been awarded to other foremen in the dockyards; and, if so, will he say what decision has been arrived at?

The war bonus to which my right hon. Friend refers is now increased to £50, and the conditions under which it will be administered will be issued immediately. I may also add that the payment of overtime to the foremen of work after fifty-six hours a week instead of sixty hours a week has been approved.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Minister of Food as to the cost of the food of a child per week; whether he will state the amount which is allowed to be paid for boarded-out children for all expenses, and the amount which may be paid to institutions not directly under boards of guardians to which children are sent; and whether the increase since 1914 covers the increased cost of all necessaries?

The figures given on the 11th instant as the approximate weekly cost of rationed foods have since been corrected. Any deduction from the original figures would therefore be erroneous. The maximum allowance for the maintenance of boarded-out children has been increased from 5s. to 7s. 6d. a week. This allowance is exclusive of allowances for clothing and the repair and renewal of clothing, medical attendance, medicines and extras ordered by a medical attendant, for which no maximum is fixed. Increases of 2s., and in some cases of 2s. 6d., have been sanctioned in the amount of the weekly payments by boards of guardians to certified schools. It is believed that the increases in the allowances have been sufficient to meet the increase in the cost of living.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that in many parts of Ireland compulsory tillage has resulted in a large number of small stacks being left under inadequate cover from weather and vermin scattered over the country districts; and whether he can state what steps are being taken to ensure that these are not lost to the country?

From the information at the Department's disposal it does not appear that last season's corn crops have been inadequately secured, nor have any complaints in this respect been received by the Department. It may be added that threshings so far made go to show that, notwithstanding unfavourable weather at time of harvesting, the quality of the crops is satisfactory. The Department will continue to give careful attention to the whole question of adequate protection and storage of the crops, with a view to taking any further steps which may appear to be called for.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman evidence of large numbers of small stacks still standing and going to rack and ruin, will the Department take some action in the matter?

The only action I can conceive being taken would be that stocks which are being thrown away in that way should be requisitioned for the public service. If farmers who have harvested their stocks are exposing them to waste, they must bear in mind that there are powers to requisition their stores.

Does the right hon. Gentleman understand that farmers, with the best intentions in the world, have not the power to protect their stocks? They have not the necessary materials or sheds to put them in. They are not accustomed to tillage.

I am not sure about not being accustomed to tillage, but everyone must know there are elementary means of securing the crops.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if his attention has been called to the recent cessation of deliveries of bread from Londonderry to retailers in county Donegal; and whether any steps have been taken in the matter; (2) whether, in view of the difficulties experienced in obtaining the customary supplies of bread from Londonderry, he will sanction the release of additional flour for bakeries in Ardara, county Donegal; and (3) if he is aware that many families in the district of Narin, Glenties, and elsewhere, in county Donegal, have been unable during the first fortnight of this month to obtain any supplies of bread or flour; and whether steps can be taken to bring about an increase of supply of these and other necessaries of life before Christmas?

I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Mayo last Tuesday, except to say that the scarcity of flour in certain districts of Ireland is receiving careful attention, and that I shall be glad at any time during the Recess to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend.

Is it not a fact that there has been a bakers' strike in Derry, and the Ministry are concerned in negotiations in regard to this district?

The situation at that time was in the hands of the Committee in Ireland. I have no knowledge of the strike.

Does the hon. Gentleman know, or does his Department know, how stocks of flour are being distributed in the West of Ireland? Is he aware that the means taken by the Food Controller have entirely broken down, and is it not a fact that in various districts in Ireland there are no supplies at the present moment?

I can only say that as soon as we received information of the few cases which have been reported action was immediately taken by the Committee.

I will send the hon. Gentleman information I have received.

asked the increase, if any, in the percentage of bread consumed in the United Kingdom during the past month?

The quantity of bread made and the quantity of flour sold retail in the United Kingdom were, according to returns received from bakers and retailers, almost exactly the same in the four weeks 11th November to 8th December, 1917, as in the previous four weeks. As compared with the corresponding four weeks last year, there is an increase in the consumption of bread of 1 per cent. and a decrease in the consumption of flour of 7½ per cent.; when bread and flour are taken together, there is a decrease of 1 per cent. The returns are not yet completed, but it is improbable that the figures will be affected by further information.

Is it the case that the consumption of bread has now reached the standard of the month of March last before the Food Economy Campaign began, and is that not due to the Government subsidy in regard to flour?

The subsidy may have affected it to some extent. As to the other part of the question I shall require notice.

asked whether new Regulations have recently been made, or are about to be made, with regard to the feeding of racehorses; whether, under these Regulations, it will be possible to give 15 lbs. of oats a day to every racehorse in training up to the number of 500 horses for a period of four months to the middle of April, so that a quantity of oats amounting to over 900,000 lbs. may be consumed in the feeding of racehorses during this period; and what is the amount of human food units which this represents?

In accordance with the decision of the War Cabinet to allow a limited amount of racing during the winter months, it is proposed to sanction an oat ration of 15 lbs. a day to not more than 500 racehorses in training until the middle of April. In view of the fact that the majority of these horses are already receiving an oats ration it is not thought that the additional consumption of oats will exceed 250 tons, which may be taken to represent 500 million calories or units of energy.

Is it the opinion of the Ministry of Food that racehorses are more important than human beings, or is there really no shortage of food?

The decision was that of the Cabinet. So far as I know, it was based on the ground that it was necessary for the purpose of horse breeding.

As an old racing member, may I ask whether, seeing that such prime articles of necessity as pigs and poultry are actually prohibited from taking even the tail ends of wheat, it is really necessary in the best and truest interests of the country, that not only racehorses but geldings should be allowed to amuse certain classes of the population during the winter months?

The hon. Member must put that question to the Leader of the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to letters from wholesale bacon houses to their customers offering their goods at prices considerably below the fixed Government price because they consider the large profits allowed by Government handicap the small trader as against the large one; if this is the case, whether he will consider the advisability of a revision of the fixed wholesale price; and what action the Ministry propose to take?

Under the Bacon (Provisional Prices) Order there is no fixed wholesale price, nor is there anything to prevent a trader from either selling or offering to sell below the maximum price therein specified. The present maximum prices are merely provisional; accounts and costs are being investigated with a view to effecting any adjustment that may be thought advisable.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the circulars issued by certain wholesale houses implying that prices have been fixed, and that they are already below the Government prices?

In the sense that prices were fixed, they were fixed provisionally on the advice of the representatives of the associations dealing in the articles concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, with a view of making use as far as possible of local advice to meet varying local conditions in connection with the distribution of the essential commodities, he will suggest to the food control committees in the large towns the desirability of their giving careful consideration to the Birmingham scheme, and of inviting them to make suggestions as to any modifications which, in their view, would make the scheme meet the requirements of their respective areas?

The Food Controller is about to make an Order conferring upon food control committees the powers necessary to enable them to carry out local schemes of distribution designed to secure the same ends as the scheme now coming into force in Birmingham. He proposes to issue a model scheme which might be put into force by food control committees under this Order, but to leave room for this model to be fairly adapted to varying local requirements and conditions.

asked whether any supplies of tea, sugar, butter, margarine, and bacon will be provided by the Ministry of Food for the populous industrial centres in the West of Scotland, to relieve the situation which has there arisen owing to the faulty system of distribution of these commodities?

If the hon. Member will specify the places in which he believes an extraordinary shortage to exist, inquiries will at once be instituted; and if, and so far as the result of such inquiries confirms his impression, additional supplies of the commodities referred to will be dispatched.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that no supplies have been dispatched to this particular district?

I believe supplies were not dispatched as supplementary to the usual amount unless we received information that it was necessary.

Is it the case that only when there is threat of a strike additional supplies are sent?

Supplies have been sent in any case where for other reasons it has been found necessary.

Is it the case that extra supplies of butter were sent to Woolwich?

That does not arise out of the question.

The point of my question is that Scotland was deprived of its butter, and the relation between Woolwich and Scotland is the point of my question.

If the hon. Member wants any information about Woolwich, he should give notice of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the fact that potatoes are being sold by retailers at prices exceeding 1¼d. lb., and also being advertised at prices exceeding £6 10s. a ton; and whether he proposes to prosecute in such cases?

If the hon. Member will give me any information to prove that the Potatoes Order is being contravened, the necessary action will be taken.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that potatoes are being openly sold at prices exceeding 1¼d. per lb., and that advertisements have appeared in the London Press advertising potatoes at £10 a ton?

We were not aware of that, and I hope it is not so; but if consumers will make representations to the local food committee steps will be taken to prosecute any such offenders?

May I take it that such cases will be prosecuted?

I think my hon. Friend can depend upon that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a firm of shippers of London and Montevideo have, within the last few days, approached a well-known firm of shipowners for a quotation for freight on 300 tons of potatoes from the United Kingdom to Montevideo, stating that they held the necessary permission from the Government to ship this produce out of the United Kingdom; and whether, in view of the present shortage of food in this country, he will take steps to prevent a shipment of this character from being knowingly made from this country for a South American port?

I have been asked to reply. If my hon. Friend will tell me the name of the shippers referred to in the question, I will make inquiries.

I will do that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the average profit estimated by his Department to accrue to the producers of butter, cheese, and pork, respectively, at the prices fixed by the Food Controller?

I cannot usefully make any general statement as to the average profits obtained throughout the country on the production of particular commodities.

asked whether the Food Controller is aware that Sir Arthur Yapp has given instructions to all the Young Men's Christian Association canteens in London to offer every soldier and sailor a free dinner and a free tea on Christmas Day; whether the military authorities requested any such special arrangements for free meals, and, if not, whether he considers such a large issue of free food to be either necessary or in harmony with the urgent appeals for food economy?

The Food Controller was not aware that such instructions had been given, but he understands that a precedent at least two years old is being followed. It would seem that the meals are given, for the most part, to soldiers passing through London on leave from the front. As the meals are only served in limited amounts within certain hours, as part of an entertainment, and in substitution of food that would be taken elsewhere, I am sure the House will not begrudge this hospitality on the part of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the Young Men's Christian Association confine their hospitality to those who require it, and do not offer food to men who do not even want it?

Only those requiring it, and who particularly wish to enjoy the other features, the entertainment and so on provided, are likely to take advantage of the offer.

Will the meat ration be withheld from the men on that day, and a saving effected in that way?

I hope not.

Is it customary for soldiers who have had one dinner to ask for another?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has been able to estimate the quantity of whisky in bond or otherwise available for human consumption; whether the price at which whisky can be retailed to the public is controlled equally with the amount allowed to be withdrawn from bond to be consumed; has he been able to estimate the value of the stocks of whisky now in bond as compared with the value of a like amount of whisky before the outbreak of war; and what part of this rise in value accrues to the State by way of excess or war profit?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the third and fourth parts do not, therefore, arise. The question of controlling the retail prices of whisky is under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the same facilities for supplying ale and stout were granted to brewers for the quarter ending Christmas as for the quarter ending September; whether Instructions were issued that ale not above a certain gravity should be available to the public at not more than 4d. a pint; whether this Government ale is in some districts only available at 5d. a pint; and then only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and customers have to purchase bitter or bottled beer at enhanced prices on other days; and will he have inquiries made as to the shortage of Government beer of specific gravity?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Beer (Prices and Description) Order provides that where beer is sold by imperial measure in a public bar the maximum price for beer of an original gravity less than 1,036° shall be at the rate of 4d. per imperial pint, and for beer of an original gravity not exceeding 1,042° and not less than 1,036° shall be at the rate of 5d. per imperial pint. The only reference in the Order to Government Ale is a provision that beer of an original gravity less than 1,036° shall not be so described. I cannot promise to have inquiries made as to the shortage of an undefined commodity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Food Controller is reported to have stated on 18th December that the cost of living had gone down by something like 10 per cent. in the last six months, while the figures published in the "Labour Gazette" for December purport to show that in the same period the cost of food had increased by 3 per cent.; and whether he will state which of these is correct?

It is impossible for me to answer the question put by my right hon. Friend, but I am strongly of opinion that if it be possible to obtain a reliable estimate of the increase in the cost of living it is essential that such an estimate should be secured. The Government are, therefore, now considering whether or not an inquiry, such as is recommended by the Committee of which my right hon. Friend is chairman, should be undertaken.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Central Appeal Tribunal issued a decision in the latter part of 1916, holding that unconditional or absolute exemption from the obligations of the Military Service Acts could not be granted on conscientious grounds alone; whether, as a consequence of this decision, military representatives appealed for the revision of certificates of absolute exemption granted to well-known Quakers like Roderick Clark, Robert O. Mennell, and others, with the result that such certificates were withdrawn; and whether it is proposed that the new circular will call for reports on cases of this character?

The Central Tribunal do not appear to have issued any decision that absolute exemption could not be granted on the ground of conscience, and the certificates to which the hon. Member refers were, therefore, not reviewed in consequence of such a decision. As a matter of fact, I understand that the case of R. O. Mennell was decided by the Central Tribunal themselves, and that he was offered exemption on condition that he undertook work of national importance. In Clark's case, exemption from combatant service was granted by the Appeal Tribunal, and Clark, after being court-martialled, refused to have his case considered under the Home Office scheme.

asked the Home Secretary if he is now able to make a statement about the case of Arthur Butler, who recently died in Preston gaol?

Owing to delay in the post, I have not yet received a full report of the inquest, but I understand that the verdict of the jury was to the effect that Butler died from pneumonia, that he received proper care and attention during his illness, that he had been humanely treated and properly nursed, and that no blame whatever attached to anyone. The postmortem examination showed that he died from pneumonia, and that there was no trace of tuberculosis.

asked the Home Secretary if he will have immediate inquiry made into the health of A. Pickles, a conscientious objector, now imprisoned in Shrewsbury Gaol, and whose condition is said to be serious; and will he have this man discharged from prison, seeing that he is physically unfit for military service?

In view of the medical reports made to me, I authorised this prisoner's discharge from custody a week ago.

asked the Home Secretary when the new Regulations enabling men who have worked in Home Office camps or work centres for twelve months to find other employment will be published and come into operation; and whether he will consider making the period of twelve months to count from the date of sentence by court-martial and not from the date of release from prison to serve under the Home Office Committee?

asked the Home Secretary if, before the House rises, he will be able to place upon the Table of the House the new Regulations regarding the work of the men who have been under the control of the Brace Committee for a period of twelve months or more; and what will be the general effect of these new Regulations?

The Rules, which were presented yesterday, are to the effect that, by twelve months' good conduct and industry, men may qualify for exceptional employment in work of national importance found by the Committee or found by themselves and approved by the Committee. It is essential that there should be twelve months' continuous good service, and the Committee could not take into account any period before such service began. The Rules come into force at once, but they will not apply to any individual until it is established that he is fully qualified, and that suitable employment is available. Men so employed will receive full wages from the employer, and separation allowance will be discontinued. Certain necessary conditions will be imposed, among them an obligation to refrain from propaganda. Breach of any of the conditions will render men liable to be sent back to prison or the Army or to be recalled to direct employment under the Committee.

Does this propaganda cause the allowances to cease?

I imagine that would be so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of Private John, No. 3476, 6th Eastern Company, Non-Combatant Corps, Perham Down, near Andover, who was given seven days' confinement to barracks for telling a sergeant that he did not mind being reported to the field-marshal so long as he was doing his duty, and was later given seventy-two hours' detention for asking a lance-corporal if it was according to the King's Regulations for officers to swear and use filthy language, and who has more recently been placed under open arrest and described by the officer as a coward and worse than a reptile for having recently in a prayer meeting in the course of a prayer said that England was not in need of a King or of a War Cabinet but of Jesus Christ to save herself, and for this crime was offered by the commanding officer the choice of being court-martialled or given twenty-eight days' detention; and, in view of the fact that it is quite evident that this man is a religious fanatic, whether the method of dealing with him adopted by the officers is approved by the War Office?

It appears that the provisions of Section 46 of the Army Act were properly complied with by the commanding officer, and I have, therefore, nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can announce the result of the conference of insurance agents and the representatives of the insurance companies; and if he will see that the agents shall be paid a war bonus as recommended by the Industrial Unrest Committee and that it will be paid before Christmas?

I interviewed on Tuesday the representatives of the insurance companies and of the agents, and both parties have agreed to a Committee of Inquiry being set up and to the terms of reference. I am accordingly taking steps to appoint this Committee at an early date.

asked what is the position of boys of fifteen who are being placed by Employment Exchanges in the workshops of the Royal Flying Corps; whether these boys are asked to enlist for four years with the Colours and four years with the Reserve, and at what age this term of enlistment begins; and under whose jurisdiction are they from the age of fifteen to eighteen?

The boys are placed as boy artificers in the workshops of the Royal Flying Corps, and are under the control of the Army Council. They are enlisted for either the normal period of service, in which case their term of service begins on their attaining the age of 18 years, or for the duration of the War only. The boys attest voluntarily with the written consent of their parents. After enlistment they are subject to Army discipline. I may add that the welfare of these boys is taken into special consideration, and that we should be happy to show any Member the training camp.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board if the Secretary of State (Air Services) has had his attention drawn to the special suitability of the county of Dublin as the location for a national aircraft factory, suitable sites and an ample supply of labour and raw materials being locally available, and local manufacturers having offered to build the necessary aircraft engines; and whether, under these circumstances, the Ministry will at once issue instructions for the establishment of a national aircraft factory in Dublin?

I have been asked to answer this question. An investigation is now being conducted into the suitability of Dublin as a centre for aircraft construction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Board whether steps are being taken to ensure that vacancies in the Air Service for work which can be performed by partially fit or over military age men will not be filled by the enlistment or transfer from the Navy or Army of men of any rank who are fit for general service, except such as have special technical qualifications?

The formation of the Air Force will be effected with the fullest regard to the considerations referred to in my hon, and gallant Friend's question.

asked whether there was an agreement entered into or an understanding arrived at between the Employers' Engineering Federation and the majority of the important trade unions concerned which provides for the question of engineering and other munition workers' wages being periodically submitted to the Committee on Production; whether this was done in the case of the recent rise of 12½ per cent. to munition workers; and, if not, what was the reason for non-compliance with the arrangement that had been made?

An agreement of the kind indicated is in existence. The advance of 12½ per cent. was granted for a special purpose by an Order of the Ministry of Munitions which would not require to be submitted to the Committee on Production.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, before the advance was made by the Ministry of Munitions, the Minister of Labour was communicated with, and if he agreed that it was necessary that this large increase should be made?

The Minister of Munitions acted under the powers conferred upon him by the Act.

May I press the right hon. Gentleman—did he communicate with the Minister of Labour in respect of this matter?

A Committee was set up and the Minister of Labour was invited to be represented on it.

Was the Minister of Labour communicated with before this was done?

The Minister of Labour was represented on the Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour if any cases have come before him arising out of applications for the extension of the 12½ per cent. time-workers' advance to piece-workers employed on Government engineering and shipbuilding work; and, if so, what action has been taken thereon?

Yes, Sir; certain cases have come before the Ministry of Labour, and they are being dealt with in accordance with the procedure governing applications for an increase in wages described in Schedule 1 of the Munitions of War Act, 1915.

asked whether it is proposed to give any corresponding advantage to piece-workers to the 12½ per cent. recently given to time-workers, with a view to placing the former class of workers on an equality, having regard to the value of their work from the point of view of a satisfactory output of munitions of war?

The questions respecting piece-workers which have arisen out of the 12½ per cent. bonus are under consideration by the War Cabinet Labour Committee.

Will the House be communicated with before any further advance is made, considering the vast amount of money which it has cost this country for these increases?

That is a matter to be dealt with by the War Cabinet.

Will it be brought to the notice of the House before this further advance is made?

asked whether any cases have arisen since the issue of the Order granting an advance of 12½ per cent. to time-workers of piece-workers transferring to time-work conditions?

A certain number of such cases have arisen. The matter is under consideration by the War Cabinet Labour Committee.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether there have been any appointments made in Dublin munition factory; whom it is proposed to place in the position of Mr. Farley, who was up to the 15th instant works manager; if the candidate to fill the position will be selected from the staff of Irish engineers employed in the Dublin factory for the past three years; and if he will see that the Irishmen receive fair play so far as promotion is concerned?

The manager of another national shell factory has been transferred to Dublin as manager of the factory there. No one among the engineers already employed in the Dublin factory had had sufficient experience to be entrusted with the management. In reply to the last part of the question, I may say that every consideration is given to the claims of Irishmen to promotion in Irish national factories.

asked the Minister of Munitions what proportion of the total expenditure on munitions and aeroplanes and all the subsidiary works is disbursed at present in Ireland; and whether he contemplates any change in the system?

The records of the Ministry are not kept in such a form as makes it possible to give this information without an amount of labour out of all proportion to its utility.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has any information with regard to a strike of 3,000 workers in Messrs. Beardmore's works in Paisley; whether the stoppage is due to Messrs. Beardmore's action in introducing a new scheme of payment by results, the object of which is to override the ruling of a Government Arbitrator in favour of unskilled men given three months ago; and whether any steps have been taken to bring about a settlement of the dispute?

1,800 employés at Messrs. Beardmore's Paisley works came out on strike on the 13th instant. I am informed that a change has recently been made in the class of munitions being produced there. Piece-work prices were satisfactorily arranged, but a dispute arose over an output bonus based on the production of the shop. The Ministry's representative for Scotland is already negotiating with the parties, and I am not without hope that an early settlement will be reached.

asked the Prime Minister how many generals have been permanently retired from the Service in connection with the recent operations in France?

I cannot give the information asked for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the result of the inquiry that was announced will be made known?

That does not seem to me to arise out of the question, but I can make no statement about that matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now consider the advisability of the office of the Secretary of State for War being held by a Member of the House of Commons?

The Government do not consider that any change such as suggested is desirable.

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to save ships; if it is proposed to use the available sites for harbours in Ireland; what steps the Government propose to take to shorten sea voyages, and if he is aware that sea voyages can be shortened by using Irish ports?

It is impossible to describe by way of answer in this House how the many successful steps which have been taken by the Government to save ships. As to the length of sea voyages, the policy has been to concentrate upon the shortest, and the result has been largely to compensate the nation for the loss of tonnage. The fullest possible use is made of all ports and harbours in Ireland, and this being so it is not possible to shorten sea voyages by means of such ports any more than is already done. If by the reference to "available sites for harbours" my hon. Friend intends to allude to schemes that have been advocated in certain quarters for extensive constructional work at various natural harbours on the West Coast of Ireland, the answer is that the difficulties in the way of undertaking any such schemes in wartime are prohibitive, and that the conditions of railway and cross-Channel transport are such that no present benefit could accrue from the opening up of such ports even if these difficulties were not insuperable.

asked whether Viscount Northcliffe will return to America to resume his mission there?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 11th December, to Which I can add nothing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state to the House under what account are the expenses of this mission paid?

The hon. Member must give notice of that.

asked whether it is expected that Lord Bertie may shortly retire from the Embassy at Paris; and, if so, who his successor will be?

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

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the reasons for the withdrawal of General Foch from the General Staff of the Inter-Allied War Council; and whether General Bliss, the Chief of the American Staff, is still a member of that body?

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

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that tuberculosis is increasing and that its development is likely to be favoured by the conditions supervening on the War, and considering also that this disease is capable not only of having its ravages reduced but of being eventually eliminated, he will set up a small Committee of qualified and capable men acting under definite instructions to furnish, with as little delay as possible, a Report on the diverse means of combating tuberculosis, general and social, hygienic, and clinical, with a clear indication of all the successive practical steps necessary to accomplish the work; and whether, if the Report advises the establishment of a Ministry of Health, of which the carrying out of this project should be one of the functions, or the foundation of a special institute based on that of the Pasteur Institute, but with greatly enlarged powers, he will give immediate effect to the recommendations?

I cannot add anything to the previous replies which I have made on this subject.

Considering that there was nothing in the reply, will the right hon. Gentleman take notice of the very great importance of this matter to the future of the nation?

I certainly do take note of the importance of it, but I do not agree that there was nothing in the reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that there are four ex-Lord Chancellors drawing £5,000 a year and a Lord Chancellor drawing £10,000 a year, he will take steps to have this and other legal anomalies of a similar kind rectified, as, for instance, by reducing these salaries by 80 per cent., and with the money thus economised save from want the dependants of a certain number of soldiers who have lost their lives in performing deeds of exceptional gallantry?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider a Motion of want of confidence on the part of a private Member; and if he will give a day if a sufficient number of signatories be obtained, the said Motion being based on the sense of the peril of this country on account of the incapacity of the Government in every vital field and on account of the disastrous influence on the conduct of the War of the deference shown to the dynastic principle, particularly in Greece, and finally on account of the urgent necessity of bringing to the fore new men untrammelled by bad traditions and capable of exhibiting the qualities of courage, decision, scientific thought, and energy of execution?

If at any time the House of Commons loses confidence in the Government of the day no difficulty is ever found in giving expression to its view.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman what means he can indicate to me, so that I can bring it home to him that the Government has lost the confidence of the House?

The first step which, the hon. Member has to take is to get a majority to agree with him.

How is a majority to be secured, except by a Division, and how can you have a Division except after a discussion?

Is not the only means of having a Motion of want of confidence discussed at the instance of the official Leader of the Opposition, and as that right hon. Gentleman, for obvious reasons, does not want to embarrass the Government, will the right hon. Gentleman allow somebody else to bring forward a Motion?

The hon. Member will have no difficulty whatever in getting a proper opportunity once he has secured a majority.

rose ——

Hon. Members should not be wasting time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the determination not to proceed at present with the Education Bill, he will take the opportunity of withdrawing this Bill, in order to bring in another, cast on far bolder lines, suggested by what has been revealed of late in regard to those educational needs of the country which must be provided for if this nation is to keep pace in the competition of highly-organised States, namely, the means of securing that the most promising minds of the coming generation may be fostered, and enabled to secure eventually the best training possible, the establishment of a great national university, whose degrees would be the passport to State employment of the higher grades, and the definite association of intellectual cultivation with the industrial development of the country, so that each may stimulate the other by reaction and be mutually advantageous; and whether he will proceed to inaugurate such a system at once?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave on the 13th December to questions on this subject.

Why is it that whenever a big idea is thrown at the Government they seem to suffer from shell shock?

asked the Prime Minister whether, whilst recognising the hitherto universal satisfaction with the amalgamation of the offices of Leader of the House and Chancellorship of the Ex- chequer, he will now consider the termination of this arrangement, in view of the second Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure with particular reference to Treasury control, and also having regard to the fact that such control as is indicated cannot be effectively exercised unless the holder of the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer can give his undivided attention thereto?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister does not consider that there would be any advantage to the public service in making the change suggested.

After the House resumes, will an early date be arranged for a discussion of this Report, with a particular reference to Treasury control?

I shall certainly take the earliest possible opportunity of having it discussed here.

Is it not a fact that even in normal times it was found impossible to get the posts of Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House to be held by one and the same person?

No; it has been done often.

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange for regular communiqués to be published regarding the operations in which the British troops now in Italy may take part?

Whenever a report of operations in which British troops are engaged is received from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the British forces in Italy, a communiqué will be issued.

asked the Prime Minister how many journalists are employed in Government Departments as advisers or writers; what scale of salary is paid to them; and how many of them are of military age?

The answer is in the negative. I would not feel justified in authorising the expenditure of the time and labour which would be required to collect this information.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the need for petroleum is not less urgent than it was last summer; and whether he can satisfy the desire that progress should be made with an amended Petroleum (Production) Bill?

I expect to be in a position to state the intentions of the Government on this subject immediately after the Recess.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present position of the War, he is now prepared to apply the Military Service Acts equally to all parts of the United Kingdom, and to introduce legislation accordingly?

I cannot now make any statement on this subject.

As the right hon. Gentleman has emphasised the word "now," will he ask the Prime Minister to make a statement on this subject at an early date?

I think a proper opportunity for discussion will arise, immediately after our reassembling, on the Man-Power Bill.

Can we afford to waste so long a time in arriving at a conclusion on a subject of such tremendous importance?

I am afraid I cannot add anything.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the strict control exercised by the Government over the liquor traffic has resulted in an outburst of speculation in the value of brewery shares and in their appreciation during the last few months; and whether any means can be or will be devised to secure for the Exchequer any of the money thus taken from the community?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, any profits such as the hon. Member has in mind are dealt with according to the general Revenue laws of the country.

Is it the fact that the holders of brewery securities have now obtained small dividends after many years, and that that is practically the only return for their money?

I really do not know.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he still thinks it necessary to present £1,000,000 to the brewing industry?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will have an opportunity of discussing that at a later stage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that soldiers and sailors are now assessed for Income Tax on what they receive by way of pension for wounds or disablement; and is it intended that pensions so received shall continue to be brought in for assessment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 12th instant to a question by the hon. and learned Member for York.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the London branches of the Deutsche Bank, the Dresdner Bank, and the Disconto Gesellschaft will be finally wound up and their licences revoked and their businesses in this country brought to an end; and whether any German or Austrian enemy aliens are still employed in any of those banks?

I am about to present to the House a Report from the Controller, just received, which will show the position which has been reached with regard to these banks. At the present time five enemy subjects are employed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman recall to his recollection that he told me in this House on the 3rd July, that he hoped at the end of this year to have arrived at a final result? Has he any reason to doubt that taking place?

I do not recollect that specific reply, and I do not think I made that specific reply, because I believe there will be assets which cannot be realised until after the War. But perhaps my hon. Friend will wait for the Report, and he will see.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that, on the entry of the Irish prisoners into Frongoch camp in 1916, an agreement was made between the prisoners' leaders and Adjutant-Lieutenant Burns, and afterwards confirmed by Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel Heygate Lambert, with regard to purchases made by the prisoners at the camp canteen; that this agreement stipulated for a percentage rebate to be credited to the prisoners together with other credits; that, after agitation by the prisoners, a statement of account was posted in the camp at the end of each month signed by Adjutant-Lieutenant Burns and countersigned by Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel Heygate Lambert; that the originals of these statements are now in the possession of the prisoners or their friends; that no statement for the month of December, 1916, on the 23rd or 24th day of which month the prisoners were suddenly released, has ever been supplied to the prisoners, although application was made for it on several occasions; that, according to the last submitted monthly statement, there was a balance of over £90 due to the prisoners; that no part of this sum was handed to them on their release; that applications from the prisoners themselves and subsequently from their solicitors to the camp commandant were not replied to; that letters from the prisoners' solicitors to his Department were ignored in the same way but that, finally, on 24th March, 1917, his Department wrote to prisoners' solicitors stating that the accounts of the camp had been closed, and leaving it to be inferred that the matter of handing back their own property to the prisoners could not, therefore, be attended to; that in the meantime, after the departure of the prisoners from Frongoch, the camp accounts had been handed to his Department, that they had dealt with them, and had actually handed over the balance of the canteen account to the War Office; that his Department subsequently received several other letters from the honorary secretary of the Irish National Relief Fund in London on this matter, which were ignored, but that eventually, on 15th August, 1917, wrote disclaiming all responsibility, and saying that the matter concerned the War Office, and that a further letter from his Department to the honorary secretary of the Irish National Relief Fund, dated 24th September, 1917, definitely refused to enter further into the matter; if it is the intention of his Department to deprive the Irish prisoners of this money; and, if this is the intention, whether this procedure has the sanction of the Cabinet and has been adopted on its instructions?

I fear that I cannot undertake to deal with the mass of detail in the hon. Member's question, beyond saying that it is not the case that letters about this matter were ignored by the Home Office. The canteen at Frongoch was carried on under the ordinary military Regulations, and consequently after it was closed it became necessary to transfer the balance, together with questions relating to its disposal, to the War Office, by whom I understand it is now being dealt with.

asked whether any interned enemy aliens have during the last three months been released from internment; and, if so, how many and for what reasons?

Apart from those men, chiefly Austrians, who were sent out on licence to agricultural employment or other work of national utility, twenty-four enemy subjects have been released during the last three months. Of these, eleven were released to join the British or Allied forces, and the remaining thirteen were either of friendly race or in a dangerous state of health, or were men of guaranteed good character with sons in the British Army, or some equally favourable recommendation for release.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of any organisation in this country which subsidises enemy aliens engaged in pro-German propaganda in neutral countries; and, if not, whether, if full particulars be supplied, he will take action?

I am not aware of any such organisation, but I am ready to consider any facts that the hon. Member may be able to bring to my notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether Regulation 27C (Defence of the Realm Act) is still in force as originally issued, or whether interested persons may act as though the promised Amendment was now the rule; whether he can say when the amended Regulation is to be issued; and whether he proposes to alter Regulation 51 at the same time?

Regulation 27c is still in force in its original form, but the Amendments I have indicated will be made without delay. An Amendment will also be made in Regulation 51.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a speech delivered at a conference of the British Council of the World Alliance for Promoting International Friendship through the churches on the 14th December instant by Dr. Inge, Dean of St. Paul's, has been brought to his notice; and whether he has taken or proposes to take any steps in the matter?