asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that the losses by marine risk and hostile action of merchant shipping largely exceeds the tonnage built for the first four months of 1918, he can give the assurance that every private shipbuilding yard is supplied with as much labour as can be profitably utilised in the replacing and repair of tonnage?

I cannot yet answer this question definitely in the affirmative, but the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding (Lord Pirrie) is satisfied that all practicable steps are being taken to utilise existing facilities in private shipbuilding yards to the utmost. My right hon. Friend is, of course, aware that considerable extensions of those facilities are now in course of progress, and for the proper utilisation of these further labour will be necessary.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any monthly or other returns are made showing the time and tonnage lost by reason of ships Lying in harbour laden or partly laden, ships making passages only partly laden, ships making one port and having to discharge at another port, and delay in discharging or loading of ships; and, if so, whether he will publish returns from time to time showing the tonnage hours so lost?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The points raised in the question are met in practice by keeping a close watch on the movements of each ship individually. The circumstances are so diverse that this is the only method of dealing with the matter effectively. No return of the kind indicated is, therefore, available. I am glad to be able to add that, apart from necessary delays caused by the exigencies of war, there is exhibited a constantly increasing efficiency in the turn-round and handling of shipping.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether any returns are made locally in Kent?

That is indicated in my reply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Italian concrete ships have been built and have been in regular service in the Mediterranean and in the Adriatic some ten years; and whether he will state the tonnage of the largest British-built concrete sea-going vessel afloat, and how many British-built concrete sea-going vessels of over 400 tons gross register are afloat?

It is, so I am informed, the fact that the first concrete vessels were built in Italy, but they were of very small dimensions and of no commercial value. In fact, some of them were small rowing boats. The largest concrete vessel actually afloat in English waters is a barge of a little under 400 tons, and this is the only one which has so far been launched

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many reinforced concrete ships have been constructed in the United States; if any have reached this country to serve as a model for ship builders in the United Kingdom; and, it not, whether arrangements can be made for one of these vessels to visit England?

As far as I am aware, the first reinforced concrete ship constructed in the United States was launched at San Francisco some six weeks ago. This vessel has a dead-weight carrying capacity of 5,000 tons, but beyond this vessel no other of the same material has been launched. No vessel built of reinforced concrete has so far reached this country from the United States, and it is unlikely that the vessel which I have already referred to will be sent to the United Kingdom. Should it be found possible to send such a vessel across the Atlantic, my hon. Friend may rest assured that every advantage will be taken of such a voyage in order to submit the vessel to a practical test and to obtain such information as will enable construction of vessels of similar types to proceed as rapidly as possible.

Have returns been obtained from America as to the success or otherwise of these particular ships of 5,000 tons?

We have had no experience. It was only six weeks ago that the ship was launched.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received detailed technical information as to the sea-going vessel of 5,000 tons that has been launched in the United States, and of which a number of duplicates are being laid down; whether he will state if any encouragement is being given in this country, either to existing shipbuilders or newly-formed enterprises, to construct similar concrete ships of large tonnage; and why, having regard to the necessity of economising steel, the endeavours of his Department appear limited to the construction of vessels and barges of only 1,000 tons and under?

Yes, Sir; full particulars of the vessel to which my ton. Friend refers have been received in this country, and full advantage is being taken of this information.

Every encouragement is being given by the Admiralty to this new industry, several newly-formed yards having been laid down specially for constructing concrete craft, while existing shipyards have been encouraged to form branch establishments for the same purpose without interference with the building of steel vessels.

Whilst it is true that at present no vessels of more than 1,000 tons are being constructed to the order of the Admiralty, it should not be forgotten that there was a very urgent demand for vessels of small tonnage which could be rapidly constructed. In view of this it was decided to concentrate on the smaller craft until more experience had been obtained as to the construction of such craft and, what is of much more importance, their behaviour when at sea.

My hon. Friend will realise that in a new method of construction such as this there are very many details of which full knowledge can only be acquired by experience. He may rest assured, however, that the building of vessels of reinforced concrete is receiving the closest attention, and that every advantage will be taken of the knowledge that is being obtained.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether chief officers of coastguards, cruisers, and divisional officers, late of cruisers, ranking lieutenant Royal Navy, are still receiving the same rate of pay, namely, 10s. per day, as they were receiving in 1858; and will he consider the possibility of some advance being made in the remuneration given to these officers?

The pay of commissioned warrant officers, warrrant officers and officers promoted there from, with whom the officers referred to in the question rank, is at present under consideration by a Committee recently appointed by the Admiralty, and pending receipt of that Committee's Report I am unable to make any definite statement. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the conditions of service of these officers have been materially improved since the outbreak of war by the grant of separation allowance or family allowance, and the recently introduced allotment concession or family concession.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Peace Treaty between Roumania and the Central Powers has now been formally ratified; if so, whether Roumania has received diplomatic representatives from the Central Powers; and, if so, whether Roumania has now passed from the position of an Allied State in this War to the status of neutrality?

The treaty to which the hon. Gentleman refers has not been formally ratified.

Then the information in this morning's papers has not yet been confirmed by the Foreign Office?

Not as yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what amount, or amounts, have been recommended by the Foreign Office to be advanced by the Treasury to Mr. K. D. Nabokoff, ex-Russian Chargé d'Affaires, since 12th March, 1917?

No definite amounts were recommended to the Treasury.

I should like to know whether they were recommended to the Treasury by the Foreign Office?

No definite amounts were recommended by the Foreign Office to the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any applications from Mr. Konstantine Dmitrivitch Nabokoff, formerly Chargé d'Affaires of the Russian Government in London, for financial aid was made in order that he might regularise or adjust his own private liabilities or solely in order that liabilities of the past Russian régime should be met; if private liabilities of Mr. K. D. Nabokoff have been met through British moneys advanced, whether security for or promise of repayment has been given; and what amount has Mr. K. D. Nabokoff received for this purpose?

No payments have been made to Mr. Nabokoff to meet his private liabilities, nor has any application for such payment been received from any quarter. The only sum that has so far been advanced to the Embassy has been an amount of £300 to meet the necessary expenses of upkeep.

asked the Secretary of State for Foregn Affairs the nature of the report of the British officer, or British mission, who recently returned from Siberia to Volgoda; and whether the telegraphic news of thousands of German prisoners being rearmed and organised to fight against the Allies is confirmed or denied by this officer or mission?

The reports that reach us on this subject are conflicting, and I do not think anything would be gained by selecting for publication one fraction of the evidence.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War why certain of our Army officers, returning from active service at the front, were turned out of a first-class carriage at Folkestone to make room for German prisoners; whether he has seen the German official notice, published in the "North German Gazette" on the 20th April last, which has been set out in some of our newspapers, to the effect that second-class carriages for officer prisoners in Germany can only be permitted if ordinary passengers with second-class tickets are not thereby placed at a disadvantage, in which case officer prisoners must be sent into third-class carriages; and why we do not adopt similar treatment?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that two ladies were recently requested to leave a first-class carriage at Bournemouth in order to make room for German prisoners, and will he give an order that German prisoners are to be treated in exactly the same way as British prisoners are in Germany, putting them in third-class carriages or in an empty luggage van?

As regards-the alleged incident at Folkestone, inquiries have been made, and, so far as can be ascertained, there is no truth in the statement. I am also informed that no prisoners have ever travelled from the Harbour Station by other than special prisoners' trains. The explanation may possibly be that on the 22nd and 23rd April German prisoners were disembarked at the Harbour Station, and the passengers from the mail boat had to pass empty special prisoners' trains to get to the officers' train on another platform. If any officers did get into this train they would have been told that it was a special prisoners' train and have been directed to the London train.

As regards the incident at Southampton, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply on the 29th April last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Christchurch.

As regards the question of accommodation, I am having instructions issued that enemy officer prisoners of war should be provided with second-class accommoda- tion, and if this be not available they should travel third-class in reserved compartments.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that our officers in Germany are not provided with second-class accommodation—are they not now getting third-class or cattle trucks?

I do not know. I must have notice of that question.

Are we to understand that up to the present moment these German officers have been in the habit of travelling first-class?

I think that is the case.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether cadets stationed at Crookham are given little leave; whether some of these cadets who are stationed there have not had any leave for over twelve months; and whether he can take any steps to remedy the matter?

I am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend is misinformed. Officer cadets stationed at Crookham receive fourteen days' leave before joining, eight days' leave at half-term, and when they pass out, after six months, a further ten days' leave prior to being gazetted as officers. In six or seven months, therefore, cadets receive three periods of leave, and are generously treated in this respect. All cadets also received leave at Christmas. I am afraid I do not understand the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, as cadets are stationed at Crookham for six months only, being the duration of the course of training.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Canadian Forestry Corps are engaged in felling some 300 acres of Scottish pine trees on Penrith Beacon, Cumberland, and that a portion of the wood near Stag-stones was recently destroyed by fire owing to the corps having burnt the tops and branches of the felled timber; whether, in so doing, the corps was acting on specific instructions; whether pine-weevil has been ascertained to be present in this wood; why this waste of fuel was permitted; and if he will give instructions that no further destruction of tops and branches of trees shall take place on Penrith Beacon'

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. A company of the Canadian Forestry Corps are felling timber at Penrith Beacon. By the purchase agreement they are required to clear up after felling and to burn the brush, as is usual, but wood fit for fuel or other purposes is removed as far as possible before burning. On one occasion the fire spread from the burning brush to part of the standing wood, but was extinguished promptly. No timber was destroyed or damage done. Without further inquiry, I am unable to say to what extent this wood contained pine-weevil.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department, in answer to a question put by me the other day, said that the burning of these tops of branches was entirely due to the necessity of precautions against pine-weevil, while the right hon. Gentleman now says it was necessary in order to clear the ground; is not the real reason for this policy that it has been found that unauthorised persons are apt to come on the ground and take away firewood, and would it not be an advantage that they should do so rather than that this waste should occur?

I am afraid I could not give an answer offhand to that particular question. I know that in this particular instance referred to it was a condition of the agreement that this refuse should be destroyed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that no such agreements are made in future? The right hon. Gentleman now sees that such agreements provide for the waste of a great amount of valuable fuel when it is very scarce and dear.

I agree. I think that is a point that requires consideration, and I will bring it to the attention of the Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can order that the annual payment due to a man who has been awarded the Victoria Cross shall, in the case of his death either before the award or afterwards, be paid to the mother or widow of the man during their lifetime?

The special pension referred to is payable only to the man himself, and I fear I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any complaints have been received as to timber buildings in hutment camps in Scotland having become verminous; whether any, and, if so, how many, had for this or similar reasons to be destroyed by fire as they could not be disinfected; whether he will state what the total value of the huts so destroyed has been to 31st March, 1918; on what date the War Office ceased erecting timber huts in Scotland, having regard to the medical and technical opinion as to the hygienic disadvantages and fire dangers of timber hutments; if any endeavour is being made to erect all necessary hutments in non-proprietary concrete slabs or hollow concrete blocks; and, if so, since what date?

I am informed that no complaints have been received as to timber buildings in hutment camps in Scotland having become verminous. The other parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to allow the usual Bank Holiday on Whitsun Monday this year?

It is not proposed to interfere this year with the usual Bank Holiday on Whit Monday, but special arrangements may, of course, have to be made in regard to particular establishments in which work is being done for the Government.

In addition, the Government have, on earnest representations from the banks, decided that the extra Bank Holiday which was asked for, but which it was not found possible to allow at Easter, should be given on Saturday, the 18th instant. It is not intended that the day should be kept as a general Bank Holiday, and a notice to that effect will be issued to the public accordingly.

Are the clerks to have a real holiday, or are they to do work in the banks on the Saturday?

asked the Prime Minister (l) whether the Government or the War Cabinet has considered the proposals to replace the Russian Government Committee by an Anglo-Russian Commission; if so, whether it is proposed that General Hermonius and the other leading members of the Russian Government Committee, established under the Tzarist régime, will be members of the Committee; whether the present de facto Government of Russia is co-operating, or will be represented on, the proposed Anglo-Russian Commission; what are the objects and functions of the newly-proposed organisation; (2) whether the British Government has at any time since 12th March, 1917, advanced money for the purposes or expenses of the Russian Government Committee, whose offices are at Canada and India Houses, Kingsway; whether several hundreds of Russians were employed; that a large staff is still in daily attendance there; and that the salaries paid have been at a very high rate, a second lieutenant receiving £100 a month; and whether he can state that no part of, nor liability for, the extravagance and waste of the Tzarist Government's agents after 12th March, 1917, will fall on the finances of this country?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of yesterday, certain sums have been advanced to the Russian Government Committee for necessary expenses in connection with the liquidation of the preexisting position. Up to the present the retention of a certain part of the Russian Government Committee staff has been considered necessary for this purpose, but final arrangements as to the future of the Committee are now under consideration.

The point of Question 46 is whether a new organisation or new committee is contemplated on new lines. We have had no answer to that.

This is an answer: the whole basis of the Committee is being reorganised.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware the hon. and gallant Member for Waterford was present at the meeting of the Irish Parliamentary party held in Dublin on the 19th April, at which resolutions were passed unanimously advocating resistance to the imposition of the Military Service Act in Ireland, as set out in the official report of the meeting handed to the Press; and whether the hon. and gallant Member has, since the publication of that official report of the party of which he is a prominent member, taken up duties on the Staff of the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, Home Forces, in connection with intelligence duties?

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

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what action is proposed by the Government?

My hon. and gallant Friend may ask me, but I can give him no answer that any action is being taken.

asked the Prime Minister what is the decision of the War Cabinet on the subject of the continuance of horse-racing in the United Kingdom?

No decision has yet been arrived at in regard to this question.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether exercise for British officers detained in the prisoners of war camp at Saarbrücken is confined to a space about 100 yards by 20 yards; whether officers in this country are treated in a similar manner; and, if not, will he take steps to secure that a communication should reach the German Government intimating that unless these prisoners of war are granted greater freedom, instead of being confined to an exercise yard like criminals, German officer prisoners of war in this country will be treated in a similar manner?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply on 1st May to a similar question by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the British Government is satisfied with the feeding of the British prisoners at Groningen Camp; whether they are only allowed 2 ozs. of meat weekly; and, if so, what steps he proposes taking to alleviate their condition?

Owing to delay in receipt of mails, His Majesty's Government have only just received reports on this matter from His Majesty's Legation at The Hague, who have already taken it up with the Netherland authorities. His Majesty's Minister is now being instructed by telegram to renew his representations and to press strongly for immediate improvement of conditions under which the British subjects affected are interned. His Majesty's Government had not received information regarding the meat allowance, but inquiry is being made on this point in the telegram.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that parcels sent by post to the troops in Franc must not exceed in weight 7 lbs., and the parcels sent via the London and South-Western Railway to Southampton, care of the Military Forwarding Officer, will not be accepted unless weighing over 11 lbs., the result being that any parcel between these weights cannot be forwarded unless it is filled with packing to make up the deficiency; and whether, in view of public economy both as regards packing material and shipping space, he will consider the advisability of making some change in these arrangements?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 3rd December last to the hon. Member for Plymouth. There has recently been a noticeable drop in the number of parcels, and I am considering whether the maximum weight limit could now be increased without creating transport difficulties.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member now addressing him is the hon. Member for Devonport, and not for Plymouth?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has recently taken over two blocks of offices in Finsbury Pavement, E. C.; if so, will he state for what Departments they are intended; is he aware that, within a few hundred yards, there stands an empty hotel building in Aldersgate Street and a new block of offices in Finsbury Circus; and will he state why these were not used in preference to buildings in which the usual occupiers are turned out and their established offices and business arrangements all upset?

A portion only of the offices in Finsbury Pavement has been taken for the casualties branch of the War Office; the hotel referred to is not empty; the pew block of offices in Finsbury Circus is incomplete, but the completed portions were all in occupation when the Finsbury Pavement premises were taken.

Are the officials who carry out the negotiations and inquiries in connection with the commandeering of these buildings thoroughly acquainted with London building conditions?

That hardly arises out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether Lord French, in accepting the position of Lord Lieutenant for Ireland, relinquishes the command of the Home Forces in Great Britain?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can assure this House that the proposed Home Rule Bill for Ireland will not be carried beyond Second Reading until compulsory military ser vice has been applied to Ireland, according to the law, equally with the rest of the United Kingdom?

I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on Monday last to a question by the right hon. Member for Islington West.

Is it intended to press the Home Rule Bill into law, even though compulsory military service in Ireland meanwhile remains ineffective?

The intention of the Government in that matter was clearly stated by the Prime Minister, and it has undergone no change.

Was not the calling up of men up to fifty made contingent on applying Conscription to Ireland?

Seeing that Conscription obtains in Scotland, will the Government give us a Home Rule Bill at once?

I have no reason to believe that Scotland desires it.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the statement of the hon. Member for Galway that the passage of Home Rule will be a permanent guarantee against Conscription in Ireland?

Yes, my attention was called to it, but it does not affect in any way the intentions of the Government.

asked the Prime Minister how many Americans there were at the beginning of this month actively engaged on the Western Front; and what reinforcements per month we may reasonably expect from the United States in the future?

This also is a question which it would clearly not be right to answer.

Is it not a fact that the Germans know to a nicety the number of Americans?

To the best of my belief it is not it the least likely. I am sure we would give a good deal to know the number of Germans.

Is it not a fact that statements are made daily by American politicians, and are all these statements to be discredited?

I know of no statements conveying the kind of information in question.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that less than one-half its elected Members are able or willing to give this House the benefit of their attendance, and that Members of one political party has decided to withdraw from its sitting altogether; and whether, as Members are now paid a salary to defray the expenses consequent on their attendance, he proposes to recommend that the drawing of salary shall be contingent on the carrying out the duties for which it was voted; (2) whether he is aware of the resentment that is felt by the taxpayers of the country on being called on to pay yearly salaries to Members of this House who, for political reasons, business engagements, or mere lack of interest, decline to attend the sittings of the House for long periods together; and, with a view to the money of the taxpayer being saved, will he consider the advisability of the payment of Members being made not by the year but by the sitting?

I cannot add anything to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth on 1st May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, by legislation or otherwise, make it clear that the 4 per Cent. War Bonds issued at 30s. per cent. premium are eligible for the investment of trust funds?

I am advised that 4 per Cent. National War Bonds do not cease to be a trustee investment when issued at a premium.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Co-operative Wholesale Society have purchased in the past two years approximately 30,000 acres of agricultural land for the purpose of co-operative farming; if so, whether the sanction of the Treasury has been obtained for the issue of capital to finance the transaction; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that exemption from income and Excess Profits Taxes is claimed by co-operative societies for the reason that they do not make profits, he has made any inquiry as to the source from which the funds are derived for purchasing, working, and stocking this land?

I have no information with regard to the first part of the question. The answer to the second and last parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, Clause 24, a registered society that does not sell to persons not members thereof is exempt from payment of Income Tax under Schedule D, and as all persons who pay Is. can become members of any co-operative society, whether the Co-operative Wholesale Society will be able to farm the whole of the 30,000 acres recently purchased and pay no Income Tax if they elect to be assessed under Schedule D; and whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy the hardship to farmers of this provision and to prevent the exemption from war taxation of the co-operative societies from being used to-extinguish and destroy all individual agricultural and other industry?

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue are advised that in the event of election by a co-operative society for assessment in respect of the occupation of lands for the purpose of husbandry under Schedule D instead of Schedule B, it would not be competent to such a society to claim relief from the Schedule D charge made in pursuance of that election by reference to the provisions of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893.

May we take it that co-operative societies bear the same proportion of taxation as any other order of persons?

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the date in each year up to which it will be open for a farmer to elect to be assessed for Income Tax under Schedule D rather than under Schedule B?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the provisions of Section 18 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1887, from which it will be seen that the election for assessment under Schedule D is required to be notified within two calendar months after the commencement of the year of assessment. My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that the farmer who does not elect for assessment under Schedule D, but remains under Schedule B, if he finds that his actual profits for the you are less than the amount of the assessment, can claim a corresponding reduction of the charge.

Can a farmer who elects to be assessed under Schedule D be assessed for each year separately or on the basis of the three years average?

He will be assessed, if he makes the election, in the same way as other people, on the three years, average.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Textile Exports Shipping Committee has been completed; and, if so, will he say who are the members thereof?

The committee has been completed. I will have the names of the members printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.