asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a large steamer was recently torpedoed 11 miles from Milford Haven and no reply was given to her wireless signals and rockets; whether there is any naval patrol force in Milford Haven; if so, why was no assistance rendered to this vessel, especially in view of the fact that the night was calm and clear; whether complaints have been made by merchant captains in regard to lack of assistance from anti-submarine craft at Penzance, the Scilly Islands, and Falmouth; and will he assure himself that our anti-submarine vessels at all points along the coast render prompt assistance to all ships in distress?

With regard to the first part of the question, it is true that a steamer was recently torpedoed in the position stated. No signals were heard or seen from her, probably because her wire-less installation was disabled by the shock of the explosion. There is, of course, a naval patrol force in Milford Haven, and assistance was rendered by a patrol boat as soon as the circumstances became known. Complaints of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend have been received, but they are of very rare occurrence, and I think the Admiralty may fairly claim that the small number of such complaints is proof of the great service that is being daily rendered by our patrol forces. As regards the last part of the question, my hon. Friend may rest assured that to all ships in distress assistance is rendered with the utmost promptitude that is possible in the circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any decision has been arrived at with regard to the granting of separation allowance to parents of soldiers enlisted during apprenticeship; and, if so, to what effect?

The parents of soldiers enlisted during apprenticeship can now be granted a special separation allowance, under the amended Regulations (Part II.) of the Special Grants Committee, in cases where the allowances can be regarded as necessary for the due upkeep of the home. This amended Regulation, which is now in course of issue, is in substitution for the former Regulation (9, b), by which parents were placed under the necessity of pleading "hardship" as a condition of the allowance.

asked the Pensions Minister whether Private Frank Brazier, B. 1151 (S.D.E.395), Dorsetshire Regiment, receives a pension of 4s. 8d. per week; why this soldier, who was at Mons, in France, in August, 1914, and was invalided out of the Service on account of broken health and loss of all his teeth, receives only this small pension; and what steps he should take to have his case reconsidered?

Private Brazier was invalided out of the Service in June, 1915, for epilepsy, the disability being held to be neither attributable to nor aggravated by his military service. In accordance with this finding, a pension of 4s. 8d. a week for thirty months was awarded to him under the Warrants then in force. In December last his case was reconsidered, and it was decided that the disability could properly be regarded as "aggravated" by service. As a result of thin decision Brazier is now being awarded a pension (based on a 30 per cent. disability) of 8s. 3d. a week

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has further considered the proposals contained in the letter of the Mercantile Marine Service Association of the 6th June last, suggesting that the provisions of the war risks compensation scheme for masters, officers, and seamen (Handbill No. 358, May, 1915), in so far as they relate to the pensions and allowances payable in the Admiralty scheme, paragraph 5, namely, the pay upon which the pensions and allowances are to be calculated, will be the rates ruling six months before the outbreak of the War—that is, the rates ruling in February, 1914; and if he will consider whether it would be more equitable to those who suffer from dangers to life afloat in the mercantile marine if compensation were now based upon the rate of pay obtaining in the merchant service at the date of death or disablement, rather than that ruling six months before the War?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on 1st February, an increase has already been made in the minimum pension to widows and allowances to children payable under the Government scheme of compensation. An increase of this kind can be made without altering the basis of the scheme, and it is not proposed to alter the basis of the scheme as suggested in the letter to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee about to be appointed to consider amendments of Company Law will be invited to consider the whole question of Company Law or will be limited in its reference to any particular points; and, if the latter, will he include in the reference the consideration of the wording of auditors' reports, so as to ensure that auditors shall check and certify to the accuracy of the capital issued, and the transfer of debenture stock and share and the certificates issued on account of such transfers?

The reference to the Committee to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers will be in wide terms, and will not be limited to particular points.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he will consider the advisability of the further employment of experienced merchant shipmasters at some of our principal ports to assist the naval authorities in regard to the loading and discharging of ships and for transport purposes generally, in view of the special experience of mercantile marine officers upon these points?

There are already eighty-seven such officers employed for the purpose stated at our home ports, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the matter is under the constant consideration of the Shipping Controller.