asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the reports that two Arctic vessels were recently sunk by a German U-boat in Spitzbergen waters, and that about forty other vessels which were busy sealing and whaling there were in danger of being sunk if the German submarines were left undisturbed; and whether, considering that Spitzbergen belongs to Great Britain, having been proclaimed British territory under treaty with the Dutch in the seventeenth century, he will take steps to give the necessary protection to these vessels, as well as to the employés of the British companies engaged in working the mines there?

The Admiralty will take such steps as are practicable, in Arctic as in other waters, to meet the activities of enemy submarines.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Marines serving and entitled to their pensions have not yet received them; and will he look into the matter with a view to their being paid at once?

I regret to say that issue of payment has not yet been made. I explained in an answer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Reading, on 5th June, that there were a number of difficult questions which had to be decided between ourselves, the War Office, and the Treasury. We, however, cleared them all up, and invited applications for payment from the men a month ago. We have a number of applications before us at this moment, and shall deal with them forthwith. I ought to add, however, that the wide distribution of the men of this corps makes it inevitable that some time must elapse before all claims are satisfied. I need not add, of course, that no man's claim is in any way prejudiced by this unavoidable delay, which I regret.

Will my right hon. Friend explain why it is necessary that the men should make application? He ought to know their names and pay them at once.

Yes; but some men have said they would rather go on getting pay to qualify for increased pension than have the pension paid to them at the present time. We must give them the option.

Having given them the option, most of them have not exercised it, and why in those cases cannot the men's accounts be credited at once with the amount?

I will consider that, but I have explained that we must give them the option.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received petitions from the men employed in the Bermuda Dockyard asking that, in view of the prolongation of the War, they may be relieved and sent home; and, if so, will he take steps to grant their request?

A petition of the nature referred to in my hon. and learned Friend's question was received some three months ago from a number of dockyard workmen who are serving at Bermuda under agreement from the home dockyards for the duration of the War. The petition was fully considered, and it was decided, having regard to all the circumstances, that there were not sufficient grounds for relieving the men concerned from their agreement. It was, however, arranged for consideration to be given in any cases in which the circumstances were such as to afford special grounds for the premature return of any of these men.

I may add that the workmen in question have been in receipt of extra pay—7s. in the case of married men, and 3s. 6d. in the case of unmarried men—additional to the usual foreign service allowance, which was introduced in February, 1916, on the understanding that the recipients would be agreeable to serve at Bermuda for the duration of the War. They are also paid all home-yard war increases in addition to home-yard rates, foreign service allowance, and house allowance; also the 12 per cent.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are twenty-three leading stokers serving on His Majesty's ship "Chatham" of whom at least twelve are qualified for the rank of stoker petty officer; will he state what is the average length of service of the men so qualified, and whether the prospect of promotion for these men to stoker petty officer is about four a year; if so, will he state whether this congestion is general in the Navy; and what steps he proposes to take to improve these conditions and realise the promises held out by recruiting posters?

I am advised that there is no congestion in the advancements to stoker petty officers, and leading stokers are being advanced after about two years' service in that rating, provided they have passed and been recommended for the higher rating. Our information does not show that there are any leading stokers in His Majesty's ship "Chatham" who come within this category.

Would my right hon. Friend make further inquiries, and ascertain whether it is a fact that it will take two or three years for a man who now stands ninth or tenth on the list to get promotion?

On that point I have said our information does not show. My hon. Friend knows that in the matter of promotion and other matters it is the men's duty to put their case to their commanding officer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this has been brought before the commanding officer, and that no redress has been given?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, since the outbreak of hostilities, a number of coast watchers for the Irish seaboard have been recruited; if so, will he say what pay these men earn; are they whole-time officials; what is their average age; do they have to make any affirmation of allegiance; and is the competent naval authority satisfied that these coast watchers are capable of carrying out the work which the present development of the War has imposed on them?

Yes, Sir; a number of civilian coast watchers have been recruited for the Irish seaboard since the outbreak of war. Their pay varies, according to locality, from 22s. to 25s. 6d. a week. They are whole-time employés, working in watches. Their average age is forty-five. They all, on first engagement, sign an agreement to obey orders given them by members of the Coastguard Force. As regards the last part of the question, I have not had time to make local detailed inquiry which would enable me fully to answer this question, but I propose to do so.

May I take it that these coast watchers do not, as a fact, take an oath of allegiance, but merely that they will do their duty to the Admiralty?

I presume they enter into the agreement which all coast watchers take, whether they are in Wales, Scotland, England, or Ireland, so far as I know.

What steps are taken to ascertain the character of these coast watchers? It is notorious that certain of them are very doubtful.

That would be a matter for the competent naval authority on the spot. I have said with regard to the last part of the question that I propose to make a more detailed inquiry.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to doubt that these men do their duty?

Great reason!

asked the Prime Minister whether the War Cabinet are satisfied with the joint responsibility for the watching of the Western seaboard of Ireland, which is exercised by the police, the naval Coastguards, and the Military Intelligence Department; what means have been taken to ensure co-ordination and co-operation of method between these three bodies; and is it proposed to proclaim the whole Western seaboard a military area under the Defence of the Realm Regulations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It would not be in the public interest to answer the second part; and as regards the last part, the answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the German destroyers, in escaping on the 27th June, since Ostend and Zeebrugge are closed, violated Dutch neutrality by entering the Scheldt?

Nothing is known of any such incident, nor is it believed that it occurred.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Zeebrugge and Ostend are closed to enemy destroyers?

I cannot add anything to what I said a week ago regarding the bottling up of destroyers, but if my right hon. Friend will see the Chief of the Naval Staff he will give him the reason for the view that nothing of this sort did occur.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty who were the officials responsible for recommending to the War Cabinet the establishment of national shipyards?

The matter is generally dealt with in paragraph 2 of the Fourth Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure. I may, however; add that the whole question of the shipbuilding resources of the country was placed before the War Cabinet in July, 1917, by the then First Lord, who put in the comprehensive survey referred to by the Select Committee, which had been prepared by the then Navy Controller, the present First Lord.

That comprehensive survey led up to a number of proposals, and these were contingent upon a series of objectives to be aimed at as regards output of new merchant tonnage. The realisation of a figure suggested by the Controller of Shipping involved, according to the memorandum of the then Navy Controller, the present First Lord, the establishment of national yards. The War Cabinet approved the report in principle as a matter of extreme importance and urgency. It was, I understand, further discussed in detail by a Sub-committee on behalf of the War Cabinet.

In view of the comments of the Select Committee, we think it desirable that Vote 8, Navy Estimates, should be put down for discussion at the earliest possible date, in order that an opportunity may be given to the House to discuss the Committee's Report, which, as Members know, raises the whole question of the establishment of the national shipyards.

I ought to add that Vote 8, of course, covers Navy ship construction, but I am sure the House will agree that it is understood that it would not be in the public interest to go into that matter.

asked whether a permit has been granted or applied for to enable the Bishop of Oxford to visit America?

The answer is in the negative.

In view of this permit being granted, will instructions be given to the bishop as to the line he should take?

The hon. Member must give notice. I should like to see his question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Richard Starcke, an unnaturalised German in Togoland, has been taken over by the British Government in the Public Works Department; and, if so, whether, in addition, he is permitted to undertake private work as a builder and contractor in any part of the British zone and has full permission to travel there as he may think fit?

I have no recent information regarding this man, but I am asking the Governor for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the occasion of a leis, or popular gathering for the enjoyment of music and other arts, held at Kilbiggan, King's County, on 23rd June, a number of soldiers, armed with rifles, and a big motor lorry came into the town from Tullamore; and that these soldiers broke up a procession, tore down decorations, entered the Hall Club, where pictures were smashed and a lot of refreshments meant for the artists were devoured, and did other damage, and finally fired many shots, apparently to terrify the inhabitants; whether this was done on military orders; and whether instructions will be given to commanding officers in Ireland to avoid any action calculated to cause suspicion and disaffection?

I find that the hall was searched on the occasion referred to, but that the meeting, which was held in an adjoining field, was not interfered with. Later a procession in military formation marched through the town, and this was stopped. There was no firing. One picture, which was lying on a bench, was accidentally knocked off and the glass broken, but the picture was undamaged.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that very circumstantial and repeated accounts of this affair have appeared in the Irish newspapers, causing a great deal of dismay and discontent, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman say something to relieve that anxiety?

The facts are as stated in my answer.

asked the Undersecretary whether he is aware that Harry Ledsom, No. 22792, 4th Reserve Dragoons, of Heswall, Cheshire, aged between eighteen and nineteen years, was passed as fit by an Army medical board contrary to the certificate of his family doctor, which he produced to the board, and that he joined up on 6th March and was sent to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, on 2nd April, and was eventually sent home in charge of an escort on 3rd June, where he died on 24th June; whether the illness from which he suffered was in any way caused or aggravated by his military duties or was due to his original condition before joining the Army; whether he is aware that his mother now only receives 3s. 9d. per week as dependant's allowance for her other son, who is serving East of Suez; and will the War Office say what they are now prepared to do for the mother of these two boys?

I am making inquiry and will write to my hon. Friend later.

asked whether, in those cases where soldiers are working for farmers and living in their own homes, it is proposed to withdraw separation and family allowances as from the 5th July; what rate of wages will such men be paid; and if he will consider the desirability under such circumstances of discharging the men and employing them as civilians?

The allowances in question cease as from the 5th, 7th, or 8th, of July, according to the nature of the allowances. The soldier living at home will in future receive from the farmer an allowance to cover his beard and lodging and the full civilian local rate of wage on a living-in basis; also, from Army funds, his Army pay for Sundays. If the living-in rate and the Army pay do not amount together to as much as his ordinary Army pay the difference will be made up from Army funds.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, respecting the case of a man, crippled by paralysis, whose four sons are in the Army, and who has a wife and daughter to maintain on a total income of 30s. a week, out of which 7s. has to be paid for rent and 4s. 6d. for insurance, whether the man has any claim under the Regulations governing payments of supplementary allowances by the local war pensions committee and the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee for assistance out of public funds through either or both of these committees; and if he will state shortly and in simple language what procedure the man should adopt in order to bring his case before each of these bodies and get an early decision on it?

It is not possible, on the information given by the hon. Member, to state whether the man to whom his question refers is entitled to any supplementary allowance. If he will place the full particulars of his case before the local war pensions committee, it will be inquired into at once.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the adequacy of separation allowances paid to soldiers' families; and, if not now, when he proposes to make a statement on the subject?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to answer this question, but the War Cabinet Committee, to which this question has been referred, hopes to be able to render its Report within the next fortnight.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will give some information as to the composition of the Appeal Tribunal which deals with the cases of officers who claim that their disability is owing to or was aggravated by military service but who have been unsuccessful in obtaining pensions; whether it includes legal as well as medical members; when and where it sits; and whether he will state the steps necessary for an officer to take who desires to bring his case before such a tribunal?

The Appeals Board is constituted as follows: Chairman, Sir Ernest Pollock, K.C., M.P.; Sir Frederick Taylor, Bart., F.R.C.P.; Sir Alfred Pearce Gould, F.R.C.S.; Captain Albert Smith, M.P. The board meets at intervals, as the cases' to be dealt with require, at Bridgewater House, St. James's. An officer whose appeal to the Ministry of Pensions has been considered and rejected, may ask the Ministry for it to be referred to the Appeals Board. This is then arranged and the officer informed of the date and place.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the reason for the delay in reimbursing the Kelvedon Parish Council for the compulsory use, on the 29th March, 1917, of their fire engine; whether he is aware that orders were received from Lieutenant Glover, acting for the Commanding Officer of the 26th King's Liverpool Regiment, that the fire brigade should proceed to Tiptree, and that the expenditure, amounting to £4 17s., was consequently incurred by the parish council in making an unnecessary attendance in obedience to superior military orders; and whether the expenditure will now be refunded by the War Office?

My inquiries into this case are not yet complete, but I hope to be able to write to my hon. Friend shortly.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many of the five small-pox deaths in the county of Suffolk reported in the quarterly Return of the Registrar-General for the first three months of 1918 were civil, military, and naval, respectively; and what was the vaccinal condition in each case?

I am informed by the Registrar-General that the cases referred to were wrongly entered as small-pox. They should have been entered as whooping cough.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the temporary woman clerk who has been nominated to a permanent post in his Department had declined to continue to carry out her duties in a temporary capacity; and, if not, will he say why, her services being already at the disposal of the Department, the appointment was made permanent?

The appointment was in the first instance made temporary with a view to the question of its permanency being considered at the end of twelve months' experience. As a result of that experience it was found desirable to make it permanent. The lady in question is engaged upon work with which women are specially concerned and her previous experience has peculiarly fitted her for the post.

Is it intended to make any more permanent appointments of this kind of person outside the regular staff?

I cannot make any promise.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether a labourer, receiving 10s. a week dependant's allowance and over seventy years of age, is debarred from receiving the old age pension if he should earn a few shillings a week by working occasionally on the land and thus exceeding the income of £32 10s. per annum?

If the hon. Member refers to a claimant to an old age pension, a pension cannot be granted unless the claimant's means from all sources, including earnings, do not exceed the statutory limit of £31 10s. a year.. If the hon. Member refers to an existing old age pensioner, he will find particulars of the concession made to pensioners whose means are increased by temporary earnings during the War set out in the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Woolwich on the 17th April last.

Would it not be advisable under these circumstances, during the War, to relax this Regulation and get all the available men possible for getting in the harvest?

It is not a question of the relaxation of Regulations, but a question of legislation.

Can my hon. Friend say why the Treasury refuse to people who become seventy years of age the same privileges as are granted to those who are seventy years of age and who are covered by the Treasury concessions?

I have already explained, in answer to previous questions, that the concessions that are made to existing pensioners are made by stretching the law. If we were to apply the same principle to applicants we should not be stretching the law but breaking it.

Does my hon. Friend really wish the House to understand that the Treasury are unwilling to do for people who attain the age of seventy what they are doing for existing old age pensioners?

We are not prepared to introduce legislation to alter the basis of the old age pensions.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether under the scale recently framed by the Treasury the cost of the new lists of voters for the ten divisions of Manchester has been increased from 2s. 6d. to over £25: and whether he will take the necessary steps to have this charge reduced?

As I indicated in my reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dumfries Burghs on the 20th ultimo, I am in communication with my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether a further inquiry has been made into the matter of the recent appointment by the Cheadle Board of Guardians and District Council, of a whole-time medical officer as promised; and, if such further inquiry has not yet been made, whether it will be held at an early date and opportunity given for a representative of the local practitioners concerned to be heard?

I have had some inquiries made into the matter by one of my inspectors, the results of which I have communicated to the hon. and gallant Member. I am not contemplating any formal inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister what is the total number of Members elected in the present Parliament who have received titles, orders, offices of profit under the Crown, or legal preferment since the present Parliament was elected?

The number in the period mentioned, which dates from December, 1910, is 288.

asked the Prime Minister how many male recipients of the Order of the British Empire are under military age; and whether he will give an undertaking that in future this Order is not extended to those who are unwilling or unable to serve their country in the field?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. There is, I believe, no foundation for the suggestion that the honour has been conferred on any person unwilling to serve his country in the field. It has, of course, been conferred on many who by reason of age or sex are unable to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that the number of persons now employed by the Government Departments cannot be considered excessive, which appears in the introductory note to the Return on Civil Staff employed by Government Departments presented by the Ministry of National Service on 19th June; whether this statement is based on any conclusions reached by the Treasury Committee on Staffs; if not, whether it is the result of any examination made by the Ministry of National Service or by any other authority; and whether it represents the considered opinion of the Government on the matter?

My attention has been called to the statement referred to by my right hon. Friend, which represents the opinion of the Ministry of National Service as the result of inquiries instituted by that Department independently of those which are being conducted by the Treasury Committee on Staffs.

Has there been any special inquiry by this Department, and, if so, is it not inconvenient that two Departments should inquire at the same time?

I have not looked closely into this matter, but I think this inquiry was from the point of view of the man-power of the country.

asked the Prime Minister when the appointments will be made to the canonry of Worcester and the living of St. Mary, Woolnoth?

I am informed that both these appointments are under offer, and that an announcement will be made in each case in due course.

asked the Prime Minister if all the recommendations of the Advisory Committee of the Home Office as to internment of alien enemies have been acted upon, and if among those interned any have been subsequently released without the recommendation of the Committee?

The Committee referred to was appointed as an Advisory Committee, and the final responsibility for internment or exemption has always rested with the Secretary of State. I understand that in the years 1915 and 1916 a small number of persons recommended by the Committee for internment were on further inquiry exempted from internment, but a considerably larger number who were recommended for exemption were on full inquiry ordered to be interned. No such case has occurred since the year 1916, the Committee having in the course of that year concluded their inquiries into the applications for exemption. Since that date a few interned persons have been released for special reasons, but in these cases the Secretary of State has acted upon information furnished to him, and not on the advice of any Committee.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, in the cases where the recommendations of the Advisory Committee were made, the official who failed to carry out their decisions had in his mind the fact that two judges of the High Court used to the weighing of evidence and throe or four influential Members of this House had unanimously recommended that these persons should be interned?

All these things happened before my time, but I am quite sure that the Secretary of State took that fact into account.

Can you give us the number?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain persons have been releasd from internment in view of the fact that they had sons who had died in the service of the country or who were soldiers in our Army?

It may be so. I do not remember the facts of any special case, but I am quite sure that no release was sanctioned without inquiry.

Will my right hon. Friend say who are the two who have been released?

I cannot give any names. There are more than two.

Are there 200?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received any applications from London boards of guardians for payment and allowances to their relieving officers for services rendered in making inquiries about and payments to the British wives and children of enemy aliens; whether he is aware that extra work has been done by these officers; and, as it is national work caused by the War, can he see his way to consider favourably such applications, so as to prevent any charge for such work being put upon the local rates of a district?

One such application has been received, but the Treasury were unable to entertain it, though they realise the value of the work performed by relieving officers. It must, however, be borne in mind that the cost of the relief to the wives and children is borne by the Exchequer, local authorities being thereby freed from substantial charges which might otherwise have fallen upon them in respect of the support of destitute persons resident within their areas. It does not therefore appear unreasonable that comparatively small administrative expenses in this connection should remain as a charge on the rates.

asked the Home Secretary whether Theodolinda Paster, who was denounced as a spy when returning to Greece on 26th June, 1915, and handed over to a British warship, is now interned in Holloway Gaol; whether any evidence of her being a spy was obtained; and whether, after three years' internment, she can now be brought to trial or deported?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This woman, who is a German subject, and was in touch with German agents, was interned under No. 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. I think internment was the proper course, and that this is not a case for prosecution or deportation.

Is it not pretty safe to release her seeing that she has been in prison for the last three years?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Rudolf Rocker, a journalist, who threw off his German citizenship seventeen years ago, was for many months interned in Alexandra Palace, was recently sent to Holland, where the authorities sought to drive him into Germany, and that the German authorities refused him admittance, as he was suspected of being an agent of Lord Northcliffe, Director of Propaganda In Enemy Countries; and whether, as R. Rocker is now residing in Holland, he will permit his wife and family to rejoin him there?

Rocker, the man referred to in this question, has claimed to have lost his German nationality by absence from Germany; but by English law he is a German subject, and as such was first interned at the Alexandra Palace and afterwards, at his own request, repatriated through Holland to Germany. I understand that the German authorities sent him back to Holland, but I am unable to say on what ground they did so. He was certainly not an agent of the Director of Propaganda. I am not aware that he has a wife or family in this country.

If I can produce the wife and family, will the Home Secretary look into the matter?

I will watch the efforts of the hon. Gentleman in that direction.

asked the Prime Minister whether any private firms engaged on similar business to the firm of Messrs. Harris and Dixon applied for and were refused the preferential cabling facilities granted to Messrs. Harris and Dixon at the request of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for East Worcestershire?

No record has been kept of the names of firms who may have applied for, and been refused, special cable facilities, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will supply the name of any firm he may have in mind investigation will be made.

Is it not a fact that any such application would be filed with the correspondence?

I have given my hon. and gallant Friend all the information which has been given to me this morning.

Is it not the case that an official answer was given by the Government some little time ago that there was no preferential list at all in respect of these cabling facilities?

I believe that was so.

Is that answer in accordance with the facts?

Yes; it is.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how that answer could have been given in view of the fact that there are no records in the Department?

The hon. Member is trying to initiate a Debate.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has asked for or received the resignation of the Secretary to the Ministry of Blockade?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shares held by the right hon. Gentlemen were not sold until March of this year?

The hon. Member had better give notice of that question.

I beg to give notice that I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on this urgent matter of public importance.

I can tell the hon. Member at once that he need not worry about it, because I could not treat it as an urgent matter.

On a point of Order. Is it not a matter of urgent public importance that a Member of this House, who is now a Minister, has been proved to have secured for his private firm great trade advantages?

The matter was discussed the other day, and therefore it cannot be discussed again to-day as a matter of urgency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the inquiry into the conduct and actions of the General Officer Commanding the Fifth Army in March last has yet taken place; and, if so, what was the result of such inquiry and by whom was it carried out?

In present circumstances it is not possible to collect all the information bearing on this case so as to enable the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to submit a definite opinion, but the Army Council are urging that efforts shall be made to complete the investigation.

Has the Commander-in-Chief sent in any report on the conduct of this officer?

I understand not.

Is this officer still in receipt of full pay?

I must have notice of that question.

Is the House to understand that this General Officer was recalled without any report from the Commander-in-Chief, in order to forestall criticism, of the Government?

I cannot add anything to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 9th April.

asked the Minister of National Service (1) whether Sergeant R. A. Thurtell, late Royal Field Artillery, after serving three years in France, applied for a licence to open a hairdressing business at Ipswich; that this was refused on the ground that it would compete unfairly with other shops owned by men now serving; whether, in view of the fact that this man was fighting for his country during the years that other tradesmen now being called up were carrying on their business, and the fact that by the decision referred to this man is virtually debarred from earning his livelihood, he will reconsider the case; (2) if a preference is given to ex-Service men of good character when licences are applied for to start a business; and, if not, will a preference be given in future?

The primary object of the Shops Licensing Order is to protect the businesses of serving soldiers. If an ex-Service man proposes to start a new business which would injure the existing business of another soldier serving with the Colours the object of the Order is being defeated just as much as if the applicant had never served in the Army. Apart from this general consideration, the Ministry is very desirous of assisting discharged soldiers, and any application made by Sergeant Thurtell to start a business which is not open to the objection referred to will be favourably considered.

If a man has served three years in France and comes home, if he applies for permission to open a hairdresser's shop, what possible objection can there be?

The objection is that he is seriously damaging the business of another soldier who is a hairdresser in the near neighbourhood.

We cannot argue this case. The hon. and gallant Member has had a very clear answer.

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in the event of failure to obtain a sufficient number of offers for two or three months' special service from the Volunteer Corps, it is his intention to proceed by Order in Council to call up Volunteers over thirty-five years of age who are in Grade 2; and, if so, whether he will accept Volunteers of this age and grade who hold scheduled occupation certificates with the red card M.M. 130 from the provisions of such Order in Council?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Special Service Volunteer Companies have been formed on a voluntary basis, and there is at present no intention of departing from this principle. Men in certain occupations have been excluded from the scheme, even though they might be willing to offer for special whole-time Volunteer service.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that, owing to inadvertence, the question of the raiding of the offices of the National Party could not be raised as a matter of privilege, he will give a day for the discussion of a Motion on the subject?

I am not prepared to give the facilities asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Does not this question affect the future of this House, and would it not be wise to have the matter positively settled at the present time?

I think it relates to the present quite as much as to the future. I imagine that the hon. Member can raise it in the ordinary way on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether it was with the consent of the Ministry of Information that a special film called "Hearts of the World" has been produced; what is the cost of the production and how many films have been produced; if these films are lent out free to the various picture theatres or, if not, what charge is made for the loan of them; and in what way the War is helped in this country by the exhibition of films of this description?

I am informed the film entitled "Hearts of the World," which has been exhibited at the instance of the Ministry of Information, was not paid for out of public funds, but by the War Office Cinematograph Committee. It has been exhibited in accordance with arrangements made by that Committee, and has not been lent out free to picture theatres.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it has been decided to introduce legislation for the further prolongation of the life of this Parliament?

I notice that there is a Bill on the Notice Paper to-day, but I ask the question in case the right hon. Gentleman has anything to say upon it.

A Bill with this object will be introduced to-day.