asked on what date the new trawler "W. H. Rodd," M L, of 11½ knots, was brought into naval service for the War; if the vessel was frequently employed, and, if so, between what dates, in catching fish in Rye Bay, where fish is scarce, for the Dover Command; and, if so, whether he will be willing to submit the log-books to a reporter for the Committee on Expenditure in order that they may investigate why a vessel taken up to defend ships from disaster and crews from drowning was so employed?

A report on the circumstances alleged in my hon. and gallant Friend's question has been called for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has yet investigated, and with what result, the allegation that there are German spies in all the Bristol Channel ports; whether he is aware that at Liverpool practically no restrictions are imposed on strangers entering the docks; whether the same laxity prevails at all mercantile docks; and whether it is proposed to continue this neglect of precaution, to which the public attribute responsibility for a large proportion of losses by enemy submarines?

From the information in the possession of the various Intelligence Departments responsible, there is no evidence to show that there are German spies in the Bristol Channel ports. The regulation of access to docks, whether at Liverpool or elsewhere, is in the hands of the competent naval and military authorities and the local police. These measures of restriction on aliens and strangers are, and have been, carried out in every possible way.

Is it not a fact that officers who have been found unfit to carry out their duties in the Air Service have been transferred to the Intelligence Department?

I do not think so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter?

I presume there may be officers who are suffering from some physical defect, but the suggestion that they are put into the Intelligence Department because they are incapable of doing the work of the Air Service is not well founded.

If the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiries, he will find that the officers referred to were not transferred on account of any disability, but because they were not able to carry out the duties required of them in the Air Service?

I will inquire.

Have the Admiralty yet approached the Government with a view to requesting them to remove enemy aliens from these districts, and are they now under police surveillance?

The hon. Member had better read the answer which I gave on the 11th of March and that given by the Home Secretary on the 7th of March.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has now completed his inquiries into the statement made by Sir John Ellerman regarding tonnage built during the last thirteen months; and whether ships were launched in November and December of last year before they were in a proper condition to be put into the water?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for raising this question. With regard to the first part of the question, I dealt with the statement made j by Sir John Ellerman in my answer to a question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for the Wirral Division on the 14th instant. The whole question of tonnage output will be dealt with by the First Lord in the statement he proposes to make this afternoon.

asked if the officials responsible for the output of the apparatus for the destruction of submarines, and for merchant tonnage, are still in employment by the Admiralty?

Yes, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the percentage in the reduction of output in the shipbuilding yards in the Clyde for December, 1917, and January, 1918, as compared with the estimates that had been made by the Government?

Undoubtedly the actual output on the Clyde for December, 1917, fell seriously below the official forecast; that for January, 1918, more seriously below the official forecast. I have already endeavoured to state the main reason, in the answer I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on the 18th March. I am afraid I am not in a position to give precise percentages.

Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the actual percentages? Have they not been worked out?

I told my hon. and gallant Friend on the 8th that a very serious defect indeed had occurred in the output because of the strikes to which I refer, but it would be very difficult to say precisely in percentages the effect.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what ton meant by output? Does he mean the tonnage launched, tonnage completed, or the number of tons of material worked into ships in course of construction?

I should say the second—tonnage completed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, in view of the serious state of the shipbuilding industry, that it would be to the general interests, of the country if he were able to give the figures showing exactly what losses we had sustained in consequence of these strikes?

I have categorically answered the question as closely as I could in the answer I have given to my hon. and gallant Friend. If we were to give arithmetical calculations on definite points, and if inadvertently they were untrustworthy, then we should have controversy on that particular reply.

Can he give the same statistics for the Tyne as for the Clyde?

I have already stated in my answer that the strikes had a very serious effect on the output.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, at certain shipbuilding yards, the joiners have been on strike for a considerable period owing to their refusal to do piece-work; if the action of these men is delaying the construction of vessels to be used for bringing men home on leave from the front; if the men on strike are exempted from military service on the ground that they are indispensable; and whether the Government are prepared to take steps to release such men from the shipbuilding yards in order that they may fill up vacancies in the Army?

Since the 21st February 133 joiners have been on strike at one shipbuilding yard, that of Messrs. Denny Bros., Dumbarton, on the ground mentioned. The Minister of Labour and the Navy Controller have interviewed the representatives of the Employers' Federation and of the society concerned, and in the meantime the union has given an undertaking to use its influence with the men to return to work. Some of the men have returned to-day.

Are we to understand that the Government have allowed men to remain on strike for two months without intervening?

I said that 133 men had been on strike for the reasons stated since 21st January, that the Navy Controller and the Ministry of Labour had intervened, that we had had discussions, and that pending a decision the men were going back and some had gone back.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

There are nearly 140 questions on the Paper.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any investigation has yet been made into the griev- ances with regard to housing accommodation and rent in the Rosyth district; and what decision has been come to with a view to meeting the complaints contained in the memorial of the Rosyth Ratepayers' Association?

Nearly all the points raised in the memorial referred to were fully considered by the Admiralty in March, 1917, and discussed with a deputation of workers. No reason is at present seen for altering the decision then come to, but further investigations are being made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that no gratuities are payable in respect of the War services of officers of the Royal Naval Reserve or other officers serving temporarily with the naval forces or the Royal Naval Air Service; and whether steps will be taken to place them on the same footing with similar officers serving in the Army, and to give such a decision, if arrived at, retrospective effect?

Yes, Sir; and the question is still under discussion between the Admiralty and the Treasury.

If it is granted, will it be made retrospective?

I cannot say whether it will be made retrospective, but the matter is being discussed with the Treasury.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that if it is granted and it is to be fair and reasonable all round it should be made retrospective?

I hope that we shall not be involved in a discussion of the matter. We are now discussing it with the Treasury.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if naval officers who served in France in November, 1914, on the inland waterways of France and Belgium in connection with the conveyance of wounded are eligible for the Mons Star and Ribbon?

No naval units have been traced as having been employed on such service. I am going into the matter, however, and if it should appear that any individual or individuals were engaged, as suggested in the question, the matter of their claim to the Star and Ribbon will be discussed by the War Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that naval officers were engaged on armoured trains in Belgium in the first two months of the War?

Yes, but it is not that matter to which the question refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present location of His Majesty's Legation to Roumania lately located at Jassy?

As far as is known, His Majesty's Legation is still located at Jassy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any negotiations are in progress with the object of obtaining for British prisoners of war who have been eighteen months in Turkish hands internment in a neutral country?

The question of arranging for the internment in a neutral country of British and Turkish prisoners of war was carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, but was not found to be practicable for lack of accommodation in any available neutral country, as well as on account of the difficulty of transporting the large numbers of Turkish prisoners from Egypt, India, and Burma to any suitable neutral territory. As my hon. Friend is aware, an agreement for the repatriation of British and Turkish prisoners on the ground of health has been signed and only awaits ratification by the Turkish Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a passport applied for by the late Gordon H. Calder, of Tayport, to enable him to proceed to South Africa was refused in October last, although the applicant produced to the passport office medical certificates showing that he was suffering from tubercular consumption which rendered residence in this country dangerous to his life; whether the passport which, after repeated applications to the passport office, was granted at the beginning of March, reached Mr. Calder only two days before his death; whether the applicant was detained in this country because it was considered, notwithstanding medical evidence to the contrary, that he could undertake work of national importance; and whether inquiries will be made into the causes of the delay, extending over a period of five months, in the issuing of a passport to this medically unfit man?

Mr. Calder's original application was refused, at the instance of the Ministry of National Service. In December last he forwarded medical certificates as to his state of health, on the strength of which the Ministry of National Service withdrew their objection. Mr. Calder, however, wished to take his wife and infant child with him, which, under the Admiralty regulations restricting women and children from travelling overseas, could not be permitted. It was only on 21st February that a letter was received from him stating that he would travel alone, and a passport was then issued, and dispatched to him on the same day.

Will the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider other cases of men suffering from tuberculosis who wish to leave this country for one of the Dominions, and whose lives may be prolonged by the change?

I do not quite see how that arises out of the question, but the present case indicates that those responsible for the issuing of passports to consider the condition of health of those who apply for passports. I do not know whether that supplies the answer to the question that the hon. and gallant Member has just asked.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether previous service in the Volunteers is permitted to count as qualifying service for the Territorial officers' decoration; and, if so, whether there is any reason why previous service in the Militia should not equally be allowed to count?

Previous service in the Volunteers counts as qualifying service for the Territorial Decoration for the following reason: When the old Volunteer Force was reconstituted under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907, the Volunteer officers' decoration Became obsolete, and a similar decoration designated "The Territorial Decoration" was substituted, with the proviso that previous Volunteer service should count towards earning it, thus preserving the continuity between the Volunteer and the Territorial Forces. No such analogy exists between the Territorial Force and the Militia, and there is, therefore, no reason why Militia service should count.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what has become of the Army Forms No. 3529, signed by the men to whom they were sent; and approximately how many of such forms were signed?

The forms are filed with the men's documents. As regards the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, as I informed him in answer to a question on the 11th March, the information is not available. I shall be very glad to have the whole matter explained personally to my hon. Friend if he wishes, but as the form is now obsolete, I deprecate further questions on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if the Army Council contemplates making provision that lads over eighteen years of age serving in the senior division Officers' Training Corps shall get a scale of rations equivalent to that issued to young soldiers' battalions?

All men below the age of nineteen and entitled to draw rations in kind from Army stocks are permitted to draw the higher scale applicable to young soldiers' battalions. This proviso applies also to senior division Officers' Training Corps who are entitled to Army rations in kind.

asked (1) the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a woman enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps wears an Army uniform, draws Army pay, and is subjected to Army orders, discipline, and billeting regulations; if so, why one interpretation is placed by the War Office upon the meaning of the Clause in last year's Finance Act establishing a special military rate of income Tax in a question with a male Income Tax payer and another in a question with a woman to the disadvantage of the latter; (2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the military rates of Income Tax prescribed in last year's. Finance Act are confined to men serving overseas with either the Navy or the Army; and whether women enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps liable to be sent abroad at any time, but still serving in this country, are denied the benefit of the military rate?

Some members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps wear a uniform approved by the War Office: they do not draw Army pay. The question of the application to them of the Finance Act is a legal question, and the War Office has recently been advised that under certain conditions the reduced military rates of tax will apply.

asked the Under secretary of State for War how many more weeks he expects it will take him to obtain the information asked for with regard to the squandering of public money in connection with the Westenhanger Camp?

No, Sir. But I may say that, from what I have been able to ascertain up to date, I am not prepared to admit that the charge of squandering public money is justified.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused in Dover by the want of a wet canteen for the Army Pay Corps, numbering some 500 men, who to a large extent monopolise the supplies of liquid refreshment available at inns like the "Diamond," with the result that sailors from coal boats and mine-sweepers and others of the general public are unable to obtain what they require; and whether he will take steps to establish a wet canteen at Dover for the Army Pay Corps?

The establishment of a wet canteen for any unit is a matter within the discretion of the commanding officer. In this instance the men are billeted in various parts of the town instead of living in barracks or hutments, and it was considered inexpedient to open a wet canteen. The attention of the commanding officer has been called to the fact that beer which should be available for civilian requirements is being consumed by the military, and steps have already been taken for the establishment of a wet canteen.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if the pay of Army chaplains is lower than that of the equivalent ranks of chaplains in the Navy; whether an Army chaplain of the third-class ranks as a major but receives under the new scale 3s. a day less than a major; whether chaplains, while holding temporary rank higher than their substantive rank, do not receive like other officers the pay of that higher rank; and whether this differentiation indicates that the services of chaplains are not considered worthy of adequate remuneration?

The pay of Army and Navy chaplains was recently considered by the War Cabinet, with the result shown in the new scale. The pay of chaplains is determined by their Departmental grading, not by their relative rank. Acting promotion of a chaplain to a higher class carries pay with it.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether Army chaplains are the only officers omitted from the scheme by which the pay of officers was recently increased; and for what reason they were so omitted?

The chaplains received the benefit of the over-riding minimum for officers of all arms, as well as children's allowances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of a qualified dental surgeon, medically classed B 3, who has been serving as a private in a labour battalion since December, 1917, and as such has been doing general fatigue work, including emptying spittoons, emptying coal trucks, washing floors, carrying furniture, and carrying sacks of potatoes; and, if so, whether the services of a qualified dental surgeon cannot be used to greater advantage in attending to our soldiers' teeth, thereby increasing their efficiency and reducing preventable sickness, suffering, and loss of man-power?

Nothing is known at the War Office of the case to which my hon. Friend refers. Perhaps he would furnish me with definite particulars of the unit and regimental number to enable me to inquire.

If these definite particulars are furnished to the hon. Gentleman, may the House be assured that no detriment will result to the men concerned?

I think that I can give that assurance.

Might I ask if the hon. Gentleman has not received the definite particulars which I sent him, giving the name of the man, his regiment and number, and all the details?

Very likely I have, but, as the House will realise, I receive quantities of letters, and I cannot remember.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all the graves in France of British soldiers have been photographed; if so, whether copies are available for the relatives of the soldiers; and is he aware of the delays which have taken place in that Department, sometimes amounting to ten months after a request was lodged, in letting the relatives have such photograph or informing them that such was definitely unprocurable?

Photographs of soldiers' graves in France are only taken on request, and when taken are sent by the War Office direct to the relatives who applied for them. Up to the end of 1917 over 60,000 such requests had been complied with. The length of time taken in supplying a photograph depends upon the accessibility or otherwise for the purpose of photography of the cemetery or grave concerned. It has been found necessary from time to time to suspend temporarily all photography in certain cemeteries, or even certain districts. In cases where such suspension has affected considerable numbers of requests, and it has been possible for military reasons to do so, the fact has been notified to relatives. My hon. Friend will, of course, realise that this photography is a pure "labour of love" on the part of the Army authorities.

Having regard to the fact that many men were killed by shells, and it was impossible to bury them, will a cross be erected in the cemetery in connection with those cases?

The Army authorities pay the greatest care and attention to the matter, but I am afraid that the proposition the hon. Gentleman puts forward is quite impossible.

asked the Under secretary of State for War if, with a view to discharge from the Army or transfer to Home service, he is willing to consider the case of a soldier who has already served in France and been wounded there and has been under hospital treatment for seven months for dysentery, having regard to the circumstances that the soldier's mother has been for many years an invalid, that the soldier's two brothers were both killed in action in one and the same week, and that the soldier's father has suffered a complete breakdown and will probably never be able to work again as a result of the shock caused by the death of two of his three sons in one week?

Yes, Sir; such a case would receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been come to regarding the issue of a medal ribbon for the operations in Gallipoli?

There is no intention to issue a special Imperial medal or riband for the operations in question.

Are we to understand from the use of the word "Imperial" that there is an intention to issue a Colonial decoration?

I do not know what the Australian authorities themselves have done, but the view of the military authorities at home is as I have stated.

If a medal or ribbon is given to Colonial soldiers, will not the same be issued to Imperial soldiers?

I think that the Imperial soldier will not be lost sight of at the end of the War, but whether or no the Dominion itself has taken or will take such steps is a matter beyond my purview.

Are the War Office prepared to consider favourably the granting of a star to the original Australian Expeditionary Force?

I do not think that question has come up for consideration yet, but I will consider it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to give a special star to those men of the Army and Navy who took part in the occupation of Gallipoli in 1915, especially when such troops as the 42nd Division, Territorial Force, departed from their contract to serve at home only and who mobilised on 4th August, 1914, and sailed for Egypt in September of that year, landing in Gallipoli on the 5th May, 1915, and are now serving on other fronts?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Welsh theological students who volunteered for the Royal Army Medical Corps, and have been at the front for a long period, are now being compelled to join combatant forces; whether these students are to be given the opportunity of appealing, if they desire, for exemption on conscientious grounds; and whether some arrangement will be made to utilise the services of the men without breaking the pledges given them?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn on this subject on 5th February last. I will send him a copy.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War with reference to Recommendation 20 in the Report of the Bridge man Committee what assurance there is that the recommendations of the Matron-in-Chief are carried out; has any adverse report ever been received; if so, what action has been taken on it; and does the inspection apply to infirmaries and asylums used as war hospitals as well as to military and Red Cross hospitals?

Nursing inspections are carried out by the Matron-in-Chief, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, at infirmaries and asylums used as war hospitals as well as military hospitals. Such action is taken as may be considered necessary to remedy the defects brought to notice. The Matron-in-Chief of the Joint War Com- mittee's Nurses is responsible for the inspections of the Red Cross hospitals, which are carried out systematically. Her recommendations are referred to the Local County Director by the Chief County Director, who satisfies himself in each case that his directions are carried out.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for War what is the effect of the red efficiency stripe recently granted to Voluntary Aid Detachment members who have completed thirteen months' service and obtained the requisite standard of efficiency, does it entitle them to the position and duties of assistant nurse in all cases, or is it still within the power of a matron in charge of the hospital, whatever may be their efficiency, to employ them entirely on housework or similar work?

Nursing members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments in possession of the red efficiency stripe are as far as possible given the duties of junior nurses, but must be prepared at any time to continue the ordinary duties of probationers in military hospitals. Before being eligible for the grade of assistant nurse, a nursing member of a Voluntary Aid Detachment must be in possession of the red efficiency stripe, and must have completed two years' continuous service in a military, Territorial, or war hospital.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War what are the respective responsibilities of the British Red Cross Society Headquarters, the Voluntary Aid Detachment Headquarters at Devonshire House, and the War Office with regard to the policy and organisation of the Voluntary Aid Detachment; and why the Voluntary Aid Detachment does not form an integral part of the new State Services, such as the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, the Women's Royal Naval Service, and the Women's Air Service?

The Headquarters of the British Red Cross Society are responsible for those Voluntary Aid Detachments, the organisation of which has been delegated to the society by the Territorial Force County Association. The Voluntary Aid Detachment Headquarters at Devonshire House consist of a sub-committee of the Joint Voluntary Aid Detachment Committee. This sub- committee is responsible for the provision of Voluntary Aid Detachments required for service in military hospitals, at home and abroad. Voluntary Aid Detachments on joining military hospitals, etc., for military duty come under the control of the War Office, who then assume responsibility. The scheme for the organisation of voluntary aid has been in operation for many years, and the State Services referred to are recent creations, and were formed for a different purpose.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War when he expects that the recommendation of the Bridgeman Committee that the Voluntary Aid Detachment members should receive free uniforms will be carried out; and whether, in view of the reasonableness of this request, he will take measures to expedite the consideration of the Central Joint Voluntary Aid Detachment Committee which has been considering this matter for several months?

I understand that instructions on this subject were issued a month ago to their county directors by the Joint Committee.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will consider the advisability of immediate State provision of medicine, drugs, appliances, and skilled treatment to meet the necessity of soldiers' and sailors' dependants, widows and orphans due to war service?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to take this question. In reply, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Montgomeryshire.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why an Order has been issued of 28th February to non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Defence Corps stating that the increase of pay set forth in Army Order 1 of 1918 is not applicable to them, and instructions have been issued that when the additional 3d. has been paid steps are to be taken to curtail cash payments in adjustment of such over-payments; whether he is aware that this Order has called forth the greatest resentment of the men in this corps, all of whom are old soldiers, and many of them wounded men returned from the front, and transferred into the Royal Defence Corps through no fault of their own; and can he have this Order cancelled at once, and this branch of the Army given the increase of pay the same as other branches?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on the 11th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for North Islington. It is hoped that further instructions will be issued within a few days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the temporary civilian employés of the Royal Engineers staff under the Eastern Command have only received one bonus of 4s. per week or less, and that the bonus awarded to Civil servants on 17th December last has not been applied to these men; and whether he will favourably consider their claim, in view of the increased cost of living and their present rate of pay?

If particulars can be given by my right hon. Friend to enable me to identify the staff in question, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the large towns of Scotland 70 per cent. of the cases in which children are supplied with boots or clothing, or both, by the school boards they are children of men serving with the Colours; and whether there is in contemplation the raising of the allowances in view of the enhanced cost of living?

I have seen a statement to that effect relating to Glasgow, and it is receiving consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amount of milk allowed by the Food Controller exceeds the amount of the separation allowance?

I will have that looked into.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Treasury has turned down the proposed increases in pensions suggested by the Minister of Pensions; whether all of these have been refused and, if so, which; and whether he proposes to make any statement on the Adjournment Debate as to the intentions of the Government, particularly with reference to the present very inadequate pensions to widows and dependants of men who have saved the country?

I have adopted precisely the same course in regard to the proposed new Warrant which I took last year. It was first examined by the Treasury, and has now, as was done last year, been submitted to a Committee of Ministers appointed by the Cabinet. They will deal with the subject as quickly as possible, but, as a very large sum of money is involved, it is obvious that it must be carefully examined.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make any statement on this subject on the Adjournment Debate, as I suggest?

No. I can make no statement except that the subject is being most carefully examined. I may say this also, that if there is any idea that because any particular person is Chancellor of the Exchequer he has less sympathy than other hon. Members, it is quite untrue as far as I am concerned.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Motion for Adjournment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman follow the precedent of Last year and introduce the Royal Warrant in this House in such a manner that it can be discussed before being formally presented in a form which cannot be altered?

I will consider that, but it cannot possibly be ready before the Recess, so that there is plenty of time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has made inquiries and, if so, with what result, as to whether any reduction has been effected in the use of efficient merchant steamers as stationary hospital ships by the Royal Navy since attention was directed to the matter in Parliament?

I have been asked to answer this question. My hon. and gallant Friend will be glad to know that since he raised this matter there has been a reduction of one in the number of naval hospital ships to which he refers, and under arrangements which are now in hand the services of another such vessel will be dispensed with at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will ascertain what Department was responsible for the fine large enemy steamers, "Brauenfels" and "Frantz Ferdinand," in the Far East, being used as stationary hulks for thirty months of war while their hulls and machinery were in perfect condition; whether these vessels were used during this long period to house inland water transport officers and for similar sedentary purposes; and whether he will warn Government officials that errors of omission to report or commission by reckless waste of a similar character will be followed by summary punishment?

Information is not available in this country regarding the facts alleged. Inquiries will be made from the Government of India, as possibly the vessels in question may have been under the control of the Director, Royal Indian Marine.

asked the Prime Minister whether at an early date after Easter he will give this House an opportunity to decide by vote without debate for or against the continuance of the sale of intoxicating liquors in the precincts of this House during the period of the War?

I have no reason to believe that the action proposed in the question would be in accordance with the wishes of the House.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered whether an example set by this House would not largely allay the dissatisfaction in the country?

Of course, if there were a general desire on the part of the House that it should be discussed, I should be glad to make arrangements for such a discussion; but, personally, I do not think there is such a desire.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government is hampered in any way in its prosecution of the War by the power or influence of international finance?

I do not understand what my hon. Friend means by this question, and am therefore unable to answer it.

Has the War Cabinet at any time, in any course that it has desired to take, in any way been hampered by the power or influence of international finance?

I do not know what my hon. Friend means by international finance. As far as I am aware, no case of the kind suggested has come to the notice of the Cabinet.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fluctuations of Marconi shares occasioned by the trial?

I think the hon. Member said all that was necessary on that subject last night. The Cabinet, so far as I know, has not been hampered by any dealings in Marconi shares.

asked the Prime Minister for what period the right hon. Gentleman the senior Member for Dublin University acted as Director of Propaganda, and whether during that time he was working under the direction of the Foreign Office; whether, alter the resignation of the right hon. Gentleman, a clerk from the Foreign Office was selected to carry out the duties of conducting British propaganda; if so, whether this clerk acted under the direction and control of the Foreign Office; whether the clerk has been superseded by Lord Northcliffe; and, if so, whether Lord Northcliffe; will act under the direction of the Foreign Office in regard to propaganda

The right hon. Gentleman the senior Member for Dublin University did not act as Director of Propaganda. From September, 1917, to the date of his resignation, he exercised a general supervision over the propaganda organisations on behalf of the War Cabinet. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part does not, therefore, arise. Lord Northcliffe will act under the direction of the Minister of Information, who is working in close co-operation with the Foreign Office.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the other part of the question as to whether in between the-resignation of the right hon. Gentleman (Sir E. Carson) and the appointment of Lord Northcliffe the present work was done by a clerk in the Foreign Office?

The question speaks of Lord Northcliffe's work, and not work done before Lord Northcliffe accepted the post. If that is what the hon. Member means, he had better put down a question.

asked the Prime Minister what is the nature of the work undertaken by the Ministry of Reconstruction; whether it is confined to the investigation of commercial and industrial problems or whether it includes the preparation of specific recommendations; whether any recommendations of a definite kind have been made by the Ministry of Reconstruction to the War Cabinet; and whether the work of the Ministry is based upon the continuance of Free Trade as the fiscal policy of the country after the War, or whether it is based upon the Report of the Committee presided over by Lord Balfour of Burleigh on the commercial and industrial policy to be adopted after the War, or on the recommendations of the Paris Conference?

I have been asked to answer this question. In reply to the first part, I would refer the hon. Member to the Report of the War Cabinet. The reply to the second and third parts of the question is that specific recommendations are made from time to time to the War Cabinet. In answer to the last part of the question, I am endeavouring, in consultation with persons of wide experience and of different views, to frame schemes for tiding the country over the transition period, and for restarting and developing industry on a peace footing; and I trust that these schemes will be found to be such as will secure the co-operation of all parties when His Majesty's Government arc in a position to announce them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a specific answer to the last part of the question, which he entirely evaded in his reply?

I have given the hon. Member a specific answer and a correct answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has no representation on most of the Departmental Committees and Commissions dealing with reconstruction after the War; whether he is aware that no public inquiries have taken place in Ireland on this question of national reconstruction; and, seeing that in industrial, social, and economic matters the case of Ireland is totally different from that of Great Britain, whether he will consider the advisability of it being dealt with separately and independently, and of setting up for this purpose an Irish Reconstruction Council, invested with specially defined powers and appropriate terms of reference?

I have been asked to answer this question. I must refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answers given by me in reply to questions asked by him on the 5th instant, and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour on the 18th instant. I fully appreciate the point of view which the hon. and gallant Member presents, and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland. I regret, however, that I am not in a position to make any further statement at the moment.

I have made very earnest representations on this subject, and I want a definite answer as to whether, having regard to the special conditions in Ireland, a special Irish Reconstruction Council could not be appointed immediately? There is strong feeling upon it.

I am consulting my right hon. Friend upon it.

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Committee presided over by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, which was presented to the War Cabinet on the 20th December last, will be communicated to the House?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to publish the Report of Lord Balfour of Burleigh's Committee; and, if so, when?

I am informed that replies have now been received from all the self-governing Dominions except one. As soon as this is received I shall be able to answer these questions.