asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States has now ratified the Military Convention with this country, signed at Washington on 19th February, 1918; if not, what is the cause of the delay; and, failing a speedy ratification, whether he will consider withdrawing from the Convention?

As the Senate of the United States desired certain amendments to be introduced into the Convention which was signed in February, an amended Convention was signed at Washington on 3rd June. This will be ratified as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any answer has been given to the request of the Russian People's Commissary for Foreign Affairs to stop the compulsory recruiting of Russians in this country; whether any Allied Governments, especially that of the United States, has been consulted on this matter; and, if an answer has been given, what is its purport?

The nature of the reply to be returned to the Russian Government on this question is still under consideration. As the issue is one exclusively between His Majesty's Government and the Russian Government none of the Allied Governments has been consulted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that there are large numbers of civilians of British and Allied nationality in Egypt and the Sudan of military age; and if steps can be taken, after consultation with the Allies, to impose Conscription upon all such persons with a choice of service in the various Allied or British Armies, subject to the safeguarding of the efficiency of the Egyptian Civil Service and Egyptian industries?

I will certainly see that the suggestion of my Noble Friend is immediately considered by the competent Departments here and in Egypt.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the present small per centum quota of native Egyptians conscripted for the Egyptian Army could be largely increased without prejudice to the essential industries of Egypt; and if native Egyptians, whom the ballot for Conscription selects under the present system, can escape Conscription by legal enactment on payment of £20s Egyptian?

My Noble Friend will no doubt recollect that by the Proclamation of 6th November, 1914, Great Britain took upon herself the whole burden of the War as far as Egypt was concerned, and His Majesty's Government are advised that it would be undesirable to withdraw or amend this Proclamation at present. Recruitment in Egypt is therefore being left upon a voluntary basis, but a thorough recruiting campaign is in operation and has been attended with creditable results. Notwithstanding the Proclamation, the Egyptian Government have made most generous contributions to the cost of the War.

Will the Government take into consideration the fact that since this declaration of November, 1914, was made, the situation has radically altered owing to the fact that the King of the Hedjaz and his Arabs are on our side?

I will certainly take care that that fact is brought to the notice of the Egyptian authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, under the new Regulations affecting field punishment No. 1, a soldier sentenced to this punishment is fastened to a stake for two hours each day, but not for mere than twenty-one days in all; and whether in a hot climate any provision is made that the prisoner shall not be unduly exposed to the sun's heat?

The existing rules for field punishment were made in 1907, and provide that a soldier sentenced to field punishment No. 1

"may be attached for a period or periods not exceeding two hours in any one day to a fixed object, but he must not be so attached during more than three out of any four consecutive days, nor during more than twenty-one days in all."

No new rules have been made, but in January, 1917, instructions were issued standardising, within the powers of the existing rules, the method of carrying out the punishment. Copies of these instructions were placed in the Library in June of last year. The last part of my hon. Friend's question is dealt with in paragraph 4 of the Rules, which reads as follows:

"Every portion of a field punishment shall be inflicted in such a manner as is calculated not to cause injury or to leave any punishment mark on the offender; and a portion of a field punishment must be discontinued upon a report by a responsible medical officer that the continuance of that portion would be prejudicial to the offender's health."

Can my right hon. Friend tell me, in reference to this sixty days' field punishment, of which there is not more than twenty-one days in all, what happens on the other thirty-nine days? Is it simply a sentence not carried out and cannot be carried out, or is it that the man receives other punishment?

I do not think the sentence is one which cannot be carried out. If my hon. Friend reads the answer he will find that it is one which is possible to he carried out.

Have any steps been taken to abolish this degrading form of punishment, for certainly it is degrading to a soldier in the eyes of others?

The hon. Member is making a statement. The hon. Gentleman should limit himself to questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Private Richard Hartley, formerly of Burnley, and now serving in Italy in the Army Service Corps Remounts, was on 22nd April sentenced by a court-martial to sixty days' field punishment No. 1 for having sold cigarettes and tobacco to Italian civilians; whether he is aware that this soldier, who comes of a very respectable family, has hitherto borne an unblemished character; and whether the War Office authorities, since this case was brought to their notice, have done anything to postpone the execution of the sentence pending full inquiries?

This soldier was tried by court-martial for disobeying an Area Order, prohibiting the sale of cigarettes and tobacco purchased in a canteen to Italian civilians, and was sentenced as stated in the question. I am afraid that the sentence could not be legally postponed by the War Office authorities pending inquiries, and I have no information which would justify any interference with the finding or sentence of the Court. My hon. Friend will realise that there are very good reasons for forbidding the sale of duty-free tobacco by soldiers to Italian civilians, and I think the Italian Government would have just cause to complain if such a prohibition was not enforced.

May I take it that the hon. Gentleman is going to receive a full report of this case, and, in view of the fact that on the face of it there has been apparently a grave miscarriage of justice —[HON. MEMBEBS: "No!"]—will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider and review the case as regards the man's pay and allowance, if he find that the facts warrant that action?

I do not see what justification my hon. Friend has for saying that there has been a miscarriage of justice. I should have thought it was the other way about, for the reasons I have given, but I have promised, in correspondence to my hon. Friend that I will have this case sent to me and carefully look into it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chaplain interested himself very much in this case, that this man has hitherto borne a perfectly unblemished character, that he comes from a very respectable family, and that there is considerable reason for thinking that he was not aware of the Order in question?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all officers who have escaped from Germany have recovered their original place in the Army List; and, if not, how many are awaiting promotion, and why?

The conditions under which officers shall be promoted on ceasing to be prisoners of war is at present under consideration. There are several cases awaiting disposal, and I hope a decision will shortly be reached.

Will my right hon. Friend see that the cases of officers interned in Switzerland, which are blocking the promotion of other officers in this country, receive consideration?

Most certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Director of Mobilisation to grant the release from military service of Private E. J. Hilton, No. 10960, 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers; and, in view of the fact that his mother is a widow, that at. the outbreak of war she had five sons living at home, of whom one has been killed in France and four are now on active service, including Sergeant J. Hilton, D.C.M., and that, owing to a misunderstanding, Private Hilton, the fifth and last son, had been called up before his claim for exemption came before the Stoke-on-Trent Tribunal, and that the tribunal granted exemption in recognition of the record of the family and requested the military representative to secure his release from the Army, will he take steps to have further consideration given to this case?

Private Hilton is in Category A, and, owing to the urgent need for men, it is regretted that his release on compassionate grounds cannot be sanctioned. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service with regard to the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tribunal had exempted the man, and that simply an oversight as to appeal prevented the decision of the tribunal from being carried out, and he was taken into the Army before he could appeal?

He was a serving soldier, and his release is a matter entirely for the War Office. This is a very hard case, but I can assure my hon. Friend that it is not nearly so hard as hundreds of others I have before me.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the fact that this is a case in which the tribunal had exempted the man, and that it was due to an oversight in regard to an appeal that the man was taken into the Army before he could appeal?

As I have said, I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service on that particular point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities in Ireland have authorised any statement to be issued as to the number of recruits recently raised in the city and county of Dublin; and, if so, will he state what the figures are?

I must ask for the postponement of this question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me some reason for the postponement, in view of the fact that it has already been twice postponed, and that a statement was made on the matter in the Press last week?

To be quite frank with my hon. and gallant Friend, I asked my own authority this morning about this particular matter, and he is looking into the point now, and he was then still in communication with Dublin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on 23rd February last an inquiry was held into the conduct of the conscientious objectors at the Knutsford work centre; that as a result sixteen men were heavily fined; and that the charges brought against five others were dismissed because the agent's and sub-agent's evidence was disproved; whether complaints had been made that the language of the agent was mostly of an abusive and disgusting character, and that he was frequently under the influence of drink, also the sub-agent could never be interviewed without getting into a passion and using improper language; and whether the sixteen men who were last February condemned to punishment will now, in view of these facts, be reinstated?

There has been no such inquiry at Knutsford; but the hon. Member probably refers to an inquiry held, on the date mentioned, at Buxton, concerning the men employed under the Buxton lime firms, and I would refer him to the answer given on the 11th March to a question by the hon. Member for Blackburn. The inquiry was conducted by my colleague, the hon. and gallant Member for Gloucester, who was satisfied that the men referred to in the question were guilty of serious idleness, and I think the reduction in pay recommended by him was fully justified. The allegations referred to by the hon. Member do not affect his decision. I will, however, make inquiry as to the subsequent industry and conduct of the men, and, if I receive a satisfactory report, will direct that they shall now be restored to full pay.

asked the Minister of National Service if he will state why Mr. Trecher, a Post Office lineman employed at Ludlow general post office, of twenty-eight years of age and single, has not been called up for service, in view of the fact that he is not a conscientious objector and only objects to serve because he does not believe in war?

I have no information on this case, but inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in view of the serious inconvenience caused to farmers by calling up men under twenty-three, he can see his way to postpone the date of the calling up until the end of June, to enable them to make other arrangements?

My right hon. Friend regrets that it is not possible to adopt the suggestion made in the question of my hon. Friend. Every effort is being made by the Ministry of National Service and the Board of Agriculture to provide adequate labour for agricultural work. I believe, however, that my hon. Friend and the House generally will agree that this is no moment to postpone the calling up of young men under twenty-four except under the most exceptional circumstances.

In view of the undoubted misunderstanding in certain parts of the country upon this point, can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the decision of the Appeal Tribunals with reference to the calling-up will be respected; and, secondly, whether instructions can be conveyed to military representatives making this point clear?

Is it not the fact that every man of a lower age who is exempted causes a man of a greater age to take his place?

How does the Minister's answer given to-day agree with what was said by the Department yesterday to a deputation that they would allow these men up to the 19th or 20th!

In reply to the last question, I understand one of our officials saw some farmers from my hon. Friend's constituency yesterday, and I think the men they were dealing with were the men under thirty-one who come within the county quota who are to be found by the 30th June. As regards the question asked by my hon. Friend the Leader of the Welsh party, provided the quotas are found which have been arranged for by careful negotiation with the Board of Agriculture and the Food Production Department, our officials will take the greatest care to observe any dates which may be fixed up to 30th June by the Appeal Tribunals for the calling up of men, and I will see that instructions to that effect are issued. As regards the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield, it is obvious that any young man who is not taken at this crisis must necessarily cast the burden upon an older man.

Does not the fact of the Government not putting into force their policy in Ireland mean the calling up of more old men here?

asked the Secretary, of State for Foreign Affairs whether he possesses information concerning the various States or provinces which were in 1914 parts of the Russian empire but are now independent or conquered by, or ceded to, the enemy; whether he will in a White Paper publish such information, adding maps to illustrate the altered or added frontiers and giving the texts of treaties or other documents which refer to these; and whether similar information concerning the altered frontiers of Roumania can also be given?

The only definite information in the possession of His Majesty's Government is that contained in the texts of treaties published in the German and Russian Press. These texts are in process of translation in the Foreign Office, and will be placed shortly in the Library for the information of hon. Members. I cannot, of course, vouch for the authenticity of the texts of treaties of which His Majesty's Government have no official cognisance, and of which they are not prepared to recognise the validity.

Are there not commercial arrangements between the various Powers which are known to neutral States, and might be obtained, say, in Stockholm; and has there not been a Proclamation by the German Kaiser affecting the various border provinces of Russia, which would also throw light on present conditions?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that a new government has made its appearance in the Don country under the dictatorship of General Krasnoff, who led the anti-Soviet forces after the October Revolution, and that he has issued a Proclamation stating that he is fighting in alliance with the Austro-Germans?

I have no information beyond that which has appeared in the news transmitted through the Russian wireless stations. This substantially corresponds to the report mentioned by the hon. Member.

Does not this indicate that the Soviet Government is the only real anti-German force in Russia now?

We can all draw our own inferences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the declaration of sympathy with the nationalistic aspirations of the Czechoslovaks and Jugo-Slavs issued by the Premiers of Great Britain, France, and Italy at Versailles on 3rd June; and whether he can state what steps the British Government proposes to take to secure the liberation of the Czechoslovaks and Jugo-Slavs who, for pursuing nationalistic ambitions, have been imprisoned without trial by the Austrian Government?

The British Government have no means of modifying the actions of the Austrian Government in these matters. But these persons are the enemies of our enemies, and as such are entitled to our warmest sympathy.

What is the difference between the Austrian treatment of men with nationalistic ambitions and the treatment by this Government of Irish aspirations

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the declaration of sympathy for the nationalistic aspirations of the Czecho-Slovaks and Jugo-Slavs issued by the Premiers of Great Britain, France, and Italy on 3rd June at Versailles, he will state whether these peoples aspire to set up independent Republican States and will be supported in such aspirations, or whether the sympathy with their nationalistic ambitions is only a matter of transference of over lordship from Austria to Italy in pursuance of the latter's claim to the Adriatic littoral?

It will be for the liberated Czecho-Slovak and Jugo-Slav peoples themselves to determine their future status. His Majesty's Government fully recognise the many proofs given by these races of intense national feeling, and cordially acknowledge the assistance which the national troops of the Czechoslovaks and Jugo-Slavs are rendering to the Allied cause.

Will the Noble Lord take any steps, through the War Aims Committee or otherwise, to inform the British people of the heroism of these people and their general position in Austria? There is complete ignorance on the subject.

I should have thought everyone knew where Bohemia was and where the territories inhabited by the Jugo-Slavs are situated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War in how many cases soldiers have been tried by court-martial on the complaint of a woman that they had infected her with venereal disease?

I am sorry that I have no information, but if my hon. Friend can direct my attention to any cases where such a complaint has been lodged I will endeavour to find out what punishment, if any, has been inflicted on the soldier. The maximum punishment to which he is liable under Section 11 of the Army Act is two years' hard labour, and not six months, as the case with a woman under Regulation 40 d.

Is it not a fact that while the right hon. Gentleman says there is no evidence of any soldier having been punished, there is already evidence of a large number of women having been punished, and that his statement that this Regulation applies equally to women and men breaks down in practice?

The hon. Gentleman is making a statement in the form of a question.

Is no record of these cases kept?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will say how many resolutions he has received demanding the withdrawal of Regulation 40 d of the Defence of the Realm Acts?

Upwards of 300 resolutions to this effect have been received in the War Office. In many cases, however, more than one copy of the same resolution has been received, and I have no doubt that in nearly all cases the same resolutions have been sent to the Home Office.

Is there any prospect of the War Office dealing with this matter, in view of the large number of resolutions?

The whole question has been most carefully considered, not only by the War Office, but by the War Cabinet.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to reconstitute those Yeomanry regiments which were broken up in order to strengthen Regular Cavalry regiments; and whether, having regard to the conspicuous gallantry that Yeomanry regiments have exhibited on all occasions, and the high state of efficiency they had attained, the Army Council will take steps to ensure the preservation of these historic units?

I am afraid that it is impossible to give any pledge in this matter until we are in a position to come to a decision as to the composition of the Army which it will be necessary to maintain after the War. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the splendid services rendered by the Yeomanry regiments will not be overlooked when the matter is considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that it is the declared intention of the Government to give grants of land to young men in Ireland who may join His Majesty's Forces before 1st October, he will state what recognition it is proposed to give to the men over forty-one in Great Britain who are now being called up under the last Military Service Act?

I am told that when my hon. and gallant Friend hears the statement which is being made on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary, in reply to questions on this subject to-day, he will realise that his question is based on a misunderstanding.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that young men in Ireland between the ages of eighteen and twenty-seven are being offerd land in order to induce them to join His Majesty's Forces, he will now state whether it has been decided to give the war bounty to time-expired men above the age of forty-one years who have been compelled to serve on and to time-expired men between the ages of forty-one and fifty-one who are now being recalled to the Colours under the Military Service (No. 2) Act of 1918, and who are excluded from the benefits conferred by Army Order 209 of 1916?

The bounty will be given to men retained or recalled under the Act under conditions similar to those for previous Acts. The precise conditions will be published in the course of a few days.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Proclamation of Lord French, dated 3rd June, appealing for voluntary Irish recruits, was made after consultation with the Irish Department of Agriculture, and is to be taken as assuming that no more men can be released from Irish agriculture; whether the offers of land made are in addition to other and previous plans of the Government for settling soldiers on the land after the War; whether land to be offered to Irish volunteers is to be land in Ireland, in the Colonies, or elsewhere; and whether the legislation under consideration refers to the Emigration Bill and the Small Holding Colonies Bill or to other legislation not yet introduced?

asked the Prime Minister whether the offer of land made to Irish Volunteers in the Proclamation issued by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is confined to Irishmen, or whether the legislation to give effect to the offer is to include the conscripted soldiers of England, Scotland, and Wales?

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the Government's proposals for the grant of land to Irish soldiers, the claims of those who enlisted in the early stages of the War will be dealt with first?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Proclamation just issued in Ireland is intended to convey the idea that men who volunteer in Ireland in 1918, and who only serve for the concluding period of the War, will obtain a preference over men who volunteered in England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales in 1914, 1915, 1916, or 1917, and who have therefore already served for long periods, and have in many cases, been wounded and discharged; if that is not the idea intended to be conveyed by the Proclamation, will he state precisely what is meant by the implied promises in regard to land contained therein! how far the promises also apply to soldiers who have volunteered in the United Kingdom since the outbreak of war; and whether in any case effect can be given to such promises until Parliament has passed the necessary legislation

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of the Government that soldiers enlisted from England, Scotland, and Wales shall receive land on the same terms as those enlisted from Ireland; whether the promises now being made to prospective recruits in Ireland will apply to those who have already served or are serving with the Colours; and if he will state the terms on which it is proposed that land should be given?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these questions.

The proposed legislation takes the form of an Amendment of the Irish Land Purchase Acts. The general effect of the proposed Amendments will be to secure to men who have served in the present War, but who are not tenants or proprietors of land, the same privileges with regard to the purchase of untenanted land as are already enjoyed by tenants or proprietors of holdings, and to extend the provisions as to the purchase and settlement of land for the relief of congestion to the case of any untenanted land which may be required in order to provide holdings for such men.

As elaborate machinery already exists in Ireland for the acquisition and distribution of untenanted land, the problem of acquisition in Ireland does not present the same difficulties as in Great Britain.

It is intended that the proposals should extend to all Irish soldiers who enlisted at any time during the War. Priority of enlistment and length of service will certainly be factors to be considered when applications for land from soldiers are being dealt with.

As regards the first paragraph of the question of the hon. Member for North Somerset (Mr. King), I may state that a Report was obtained from the Department of Agriculture in Ireland before the Proclamation was issued, but the hon. Member must not assume more than is set out in the Proclamation, which states that it is not expected that many of the rural population will be available at present for military purposes.

As to the question of the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division (Mr. Anderson), the policy of settling ex-Service men upon the land was initiated by the Small Holdings Colonies Act, 1916. That Act applies to Great Britain only, and the proposed Irish legislation will extend the principle to Ireland, regard being had to the difference in Irish land legislation and tenure. I may add that the introduction of such legislation has been under consideration for a considerable period, and statements to that effect were made in reply to questions addressed to the previous Chief Secretary arid the Minister of Labour by members of different Irish parties.

Are we to understand from this that the offers made to voluntary recruits, whom it is now wished to bring in, will be offers which will be dealt with subsequently to all the demands for land from Irish soldiers who have already served?

The hon. Gentleman will understand from the reply which I read that "Priority of enlistment and length of service will certainly be factors to be considered when applications for land from soldiers are being dealt with."

Does that not mean that the offer now made to induce men to come in voluntarily is a very vague and nebulous offer?

The hon. Member must draw his own conclusions.

Does that mean that the men who are to be conscripted under the Government policy shortly to be put into effect will be included or excluded? May I have an answer? It is a very important point.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend, or the Leader of the House, whether we shall have an opportunity of discussing this very vague Proclamation? Is he not aware that it has given rise to a great deal of anxiety and commotion in Ireland as to what it really means, and what men are to get it if they enlist?

Of course, if there be any general desire for a discussion, I shall be glad to try to arrange it. The Chief Secretary has not been able to come from Ireland this week. Perhaps my right hon. and learned Friend will put this question again next week?

May I ask for an answer to Question 50, which has practically not been touched by the right hon. and learned Member?

I have nothing to add. I think it is quite covered

May I put the question down another day?

Does the reply mean that Irishmen who fight to save Ireland from German aggression will have to buy land from an Irish landlord who has done nothing?

The hon. Member should study the Irish Land Acts.

Can the right hon. and learned Member state whether it is proposed to pass this legislation before the House rises?

Is this Bill going to be introduced before or after the Home Rule Bill?

Some of these questions might be put on the Paper.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, before the wool prices for 1918 were fixed, any of the leading agricultural organisations in Scotland were consulted or given an opportunity to express their views; and will he now allow the Highland and Agricultural Society, the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture, and the National Farmers' Union of Scotland to put their views, by a deputation, before him?

Before fixing the price for the 1918 British Wool Clip, the War Office consulted the Boards of Agriculture for England, Scotland, and Ireland, who are in close touch with the agricultural organisations in the country. These organisations were not consulted by the War Office direct. Since the price was fixed my Noble Friend, the Secretary of State was asked to receive a deputation representing British wool growers, but came to the conclusion that it was not necessary to put them to the trouble and expense of coming to see him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation on this subject?

In view of the fact that the purchase has been proceeding for several weeks, I think it is too late to reopen the question of prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any changes have been made recently in the personnel of the Advisory Committee which hears interned persons who appeal against internment orders; whether in any cases heard during the past six weeks are vocation or modification of the internment has been recommended; and whether the hon. Member for Newry is still a member of the Advisory Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the last part in the affirmative. During the last six weeks the Committee have re-examined the cases of two interned persons, and their Reports thereon are now under the consideration of the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the suffering of prisoners in Winchester Civil Prison caused through insufficiency of food; whether he is aware that men are glad to eat the skins of potatoes, and even diseased, uncooked roots, which they have picked up in the grounds; that soldiers returned from the front to undergo sentences to periods of imprisonment for misdeeds have implored the governor to send them back to the trenches, so that they need not endure the suffering entailed upon them in prison; and whether he can announce a more humane treatment of prisoners?

I have made inquiry, and find that the food at this prison is sufficient in quantity and good in quality. Nothing has ever been heard of any prisoner eating potato skins or uncooked roots. No soldier from the front has complained of the prison food. I much regret that the hon. Member should attempt to give currency to such baseless allegations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of certain private facts that I have brought to his notice in this connection, and to which he has not yet given me an answer?

I am not aware of that.

Is it not a well-known rule of this House that an hon. Member should make himself personally responsible for statements made by him, and should take the greatest care before he brings them forward in this House?

On that point, may I state that I brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman certain serious allegations more than a week ago, and that I understand he is inquiring into them? I gave him fair warning that I should putdown this question unless I got some answer.

I understand that he has inquired into the allegations, and finds there is no foundation for them.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the effect of discharging soldiers as surplus to military requirements is to debar these men from obtaining either temporary allowances, or gratuities, or pensions from the Pensions Ministry, even although they would have been entitled to them if they had been discharged under some other heading?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me to the similar question which he put to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office yesterday. I may further assure him that no man who has incurred disability or suffered impairment through service can be deprived of his pension rights by the manner of his discharge. Even if he has suffered a disability which does not disclose itself for several months after his discharge he can apply under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant, and if the disablement is found to be due to or aggravated by military service he will be granted the same pension or gratuity as if he had been discharged as medically unfit.

May I ask to what authority the man in question can apply?

He will apply to his local committee, who will thereupon represent the case to the Ministry.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will say what allowances are payable to men discharged from the Army as surplus to military requirements or for the purpose of taking up employment in civil life; for how long these allowances are payable, and what arrangements are made for their payment; and whether direct from the regimental paymaster or through the local war pensions committee?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. As regards men discharged from the Army as surplus to military requirements who are not eligible for pension, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of the 30th May last. The final payments are made by the regimental paymaster, but the first advance on leaving the unit by the officer commanding. As regards men so discharged who are eligible for consideration for pension, they are treated in the same manner as all other soldiers so situated—that is, their pay is continued till discharge, from which date they receive either pension or the temporary allowance provided by the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the war executive committees will continue to undertake ploughing and other work for farmers in the coming autumn, or whether farmers will be encouraged to cultivate their own increased arable area by being enabled to buy by auction or otherwise a portion of the committees' tractors and other implements?

The greater number of the tractors purchased by the Food Production Department will continue to be operated under the control of the agricultural executive committees, but it is proposed also to release a certain number of tractors and implements for sale to farmers who otherwise would be unable to obtain delivery of new tractors and implements in time for the autumn cultivation.

Can the hon. Member state when those tractors will be available, and by what means the farmers will be selected who are to have them?

The tractors are now ready—now, at once.

Would it not be far better that these tractors should be put under the control of the farmers, so that they might be used under the farmers' own supervision, than that they should be directed from Victoria Street?

These are for sale, and are in the open market for farmers.

Would it not be better for the whole of these matters, as far as possible, to be put under the direct supervision of the farmers rather than operating them from London?

Can the hon. Member state whether it is proposed to make any statement as to the 1918–19 programme?

The hon. Member must give notice of that.

Will the hon. Member at the same time consider the desirability of making some of the supplies of horses which now belong to the Food Production Department available for purchase by farmers, a great many of whom would much prefer to buy horses for their work, owing to the present shortage of horses?

I will consider that.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that excellent results have been obtained by ploughing grass directly the hay is off it and immediately sowing with rye; and whether, in order that this method should be widely followed, he will take immediate steps to schedule the grass land to be ploughed for 1919 and issue a leaflet on the subject to farmers?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that very favourable reports are now being received on the condition of grain crops sown on grass land which was ploughed up late last summer. Where the soil is suitable for wheat that cereal should be sown, but for many soils the sowing of rye is strongly recommended. A leaflet on the cultivation of rye has already been issued by the Board, and it is proposed also to issue a notice calling attention to the special value of this crop for sowing on newly ploughed grass land.

Will my hon. Friend answer the last part of the question, as to the programme for the coming season; and is he aware that a considerable part of the dissatisfaction last season arose simply because farmers were ordered to plough up land at a period too late in the season, and if the Order could be given in the next month or two, it would enable farmers to adopt the system of sowing rye in the summer?

I must ask for notice of that

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether, in view of his reply to the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow on the 14th March, 1917, to the effect that the Joint Committee for National Health Insurance was considering a scheme whereby approved societies would receive the benefit of the higher rates of interest now yielded on invested funds, he can say whether anything has been or will be done; whether the Commissioners are still investing about three-sevenths of the societies' funds available for investment; whether they are investing them in National War Bonds or other War Stock; and what method is being employed to credit approved societies with the difference between the prescribed rate of 3¼ per cent. and the 5 per cent. interest yielded on National War Securities?

In reply to the first part of the question, I have been in communication with the Treasury on the subject, and I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the prescribed rate of interest will be increased from 3¼ to 4 per cent. as from 1st January of the present year. This increased rate of interest will apply to all moneys in the investment account, including those invested before the general rise in the rate of interest.

With regard to the second and third parts, moneys standing to the credit of approved societies in the investment account are still invested, as required by the provisions of the National Insurance Act, 1911, through the National Debt Commissioners, and they are being invested by those Commissioners in national securities issued for the purpose of the present war.

With regard to the last part of the question, as I have already stated, the prescribed rate will be increased to 4 per cent., as from 1st January last. Any balance of interest earned and not distributed will be applied to make good the depreciation to which, in common with all investments, the securities held on this account have been subject.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if his attention has been drawn to the report of the Presbyterian Health Insurance Society of Belfast, which stated that the burden of permanent disablement was growing, especially amongst the female members; and whether a similar increase of claims has been experienced by approved societies generally?

I have not yet been able to obtain a copy of the report mentioned in the question, but I have no reason to think that either in this society or in societies generally there has been any growth of permanent disablement which has not been provided for in the actuarial basis of the National Insurance Acts.

Is it not a fact that this burden is steadily growing week by week in all the large societies?

It was anticipated at the passing of the National Health Insurance Act that this particular liability would grow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representative association of newsagents he interviewed before deciding to issue his Order prohibiting the practice of returning unsold newspapers; and whether, as a result of that interview, these representatives agreed with his intention; (2) whether he has considered the representation of the newsagents that his new Order will seriously affect their living and can only be equitably enforced by a readjustment of the terms upon which publishers supply newspapers to the newsagents; whether he is aware that the newsagents have attempted to procure a conference between themselves, the publishers, and the wholesale agents with a view to agreeing to a new arrangement, but that the publishers have refused to attend; and whether, as his action has created the difficulty, he will call such a conference and appoint someone of influence to preside over it and secure an adequate discussion of the points at issue?

The associations interviewed were the London and Provincial Retail Newsagents' Association and the United Kingdom Federation of Retail Newsagents. Their views were discussed at length and the reasons for the proposed Order were explained to them, but I do not think that they favoured the issue of the Order. Representations of the newsagents as to the probable effect of the Order have been and will continue to be carefully considered, but I doubt if sufficient time has elapsed to enable any definite conclusion to be reached as to how far their apprehensions are well founded. I am aware that there has been difficulty in arranging for a conference with the publishers, but the Paper Controller does not consider that the action suggested in the last part of the question would have any useful result. He will, however, consider any cases of actual hardship brought to his notice.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the allowance made to workmen who are members of the Court of Referees is in many instances less than the amount of wage lost by the men while attending these Courts; and whether, in view of this, he will increase the amount of the allowance?

The allowances payable to members of Courts of Referees are determined in accordance with a scale laid down by the Treasury. The Minister has recently been in communication with the Treasury in this connection, and sanction has now been given to an improved scale in the case of workmen following their trades who have lost wages by reason of their service on the Courts. I am sending my hon. Friend particulars of the new scale.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has now received any representations from persons interned last month under his Order; whether he appointed an advisory committee in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 14 b; if so, who is the chairman and who are the members of such committee; and whether it has as yet held any meeting?

Some representations have been received. As regards the Advisory Committee, there is nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary last Thursday.

Does that mean that, though those representations were made three or four weeks ago, no committee is yet set up which is to hear them?

I have no information that representations were made three or four weeks ago.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that they had to be made within a week of internment—that is part of the Order?

I am aware of that.

Is it not on the Order that they had to be so made?

Yes. but I do not know that any representations were made.

Will he read the Order under which this is all going on?

I have read the Order frequently.

asked the Prime Minister whether interned German bakers are allowed to be taken out of internment, or have been taken out of internment, and put into the places and employment of men called up for military service; and, if so, whether these German bakers are to be allowed to keep their employment and stay in this country after the War?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. A small number of bakers of German nationality were released on licence in the early part of last year. There has been no such release since July last. The men were sent for employment under British master bakers to carry on an essential national industry. In every ease the release was subject to the condition that the employment should be discontinued at the end of the War, or as soon after as British labour was available. Great care was taken to release no one who was open to the slightest suspicion.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Government of the Australian Commonwealth to pay separation allowances to the wives resident in this country of Australian soldiers; whether he is aware that many of these women are the wives of men who shortly before the War emigrated to Australia and were induced by the Australian emigration authorities to leave their families to follow later; and, in view of the fact that these men have returned to fight for the Mother Country, will he take steps to ensure that their wives do not have to seek charity, as is now in many instances the case?

No such instances of hardship have been brought to my notice, but if the hon. Member will communicate specific details of cases, they will be referred to the Government of the Commonwealth.

Can the British Government take no action itself, seeing that the Commonwealth Government has refused to recognise the claims of these men?

I should like the hon. Member to give me his specific cases if he docs not mind.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by parish councils as regards the housing of their inspectors under existing circumstances owing to their lack of statutory power to provide such housing for their inspectors; and whether he is prepared to take steps to remedy such lack of statutory power?

I am informed by the Local Government Board for Scotland that only one case has been brought to their notice in which an Inspector of Poor has had difficulty in obtaining a house. I cannot, therefore, say that there is a strong case for legislation on the ground suggested. I am. willing, however, to consider any facts that my hon. and learned Friend may wish to lay before me.