asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a convention has been entered into with Italy as to the conscripting of British nationals in Italy and Italian nationals in this country; and, if so, will he give the date of the convention and the effect of it with reference to compulsory service of non-naturalised Italians in this country?

Yes, Sir; a military service agreement with Italy was signed on 11th December, 1917. It was laid before Parliament on that date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a French polisher who applied to his tribunal for exemption on the ground that he was working on the new military works at Cippenham, Slough, and that this was work of national importance, and during the hearing of which case a member of the tribunal, on learning what his wages were, stated that they were double the trade union rate of pay; whether the men in this work are, engaged by a sub-contractor; and whether he will make some special inquiries into the method of taking on men, in view of the statements made at the tribunal?

My attention had not been previously drawn to the particular case mentioned, but my hon. and gallant Friend has now furnished further details, and I will have inquiry made. Men are engaged through the Labour Exchange and are paid the authorised rates of wages. Only a few men are employed by a contractor.

Are these men considered to be engaged in work of national importance?

I think so.

asked whether the gravel at the Cippenham site, recently taken for a motor-spirit depot, is only suitable after treatment; and whether expensive plant has to be put up in order to treat it?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply yesterday to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Buckinghamshire.

Might I have an answer to the last part of my question—whether a large plant has to be erected?

I believe a certain amount of plant has had to be erected; whether expensive or not I cannot say.

asked, concerning the case of a soldier who enlisted in 1914, served in Flanders for six months in 1915, and was drafted from there direct to Salonika, where he has suffered from three separate attacks of malarial fever, whether, having regard to the fact that the soldier in question has been on active service overseas for over three years without a leave and is now in a weak state of health, he is willing to recommend that an extended leave should be granted providing that the facts are as stated and if the necessary particulars for the purpose of identification are sent to him?

Soldiers serving at Salonika who have suffered from malarial fever are sent to this country, if such a course be considered desirable by the medical authorities. I am afraid that I cannot take any special action in a particular case such as that mentioned by my hon. Friend, but I can assure him that this man's state of health will receive every consideration, having regard to the facts of the case.

asked whether, having regard to the number of men classified B3 who are being employed on merely nominal duties in the different camps throughout the country, and having further regard to the fact that most of these men could find useful employment suitable to their physical condition if they were at home with their families where circumstances could be made more favourable for them, he will arrange for the discharge of all B3 men who have served overseas?

I am afraid that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. These men are employed on duties which result in the release of men in higher categories for service overseas.

asked the Minister of National Service whether a large proportion of the men who have been classified for military service in Grade 3 are so classified only in order that they may be available for re-examination, should a change in the national circumstances render a further review of manpower necessary; whether he is aware that there is much uneasiness among Grade 3 men, and particularly those engaged in one-man businesses, as to their position; and whether he can make any statement as to the prospect of their being called up for service?

Formerly a certain number of men were placed in Grade 3 in order to provide an opportunity for diagnosing the affection from which they were suffering. Under the instructions now current, a man who is temporarily unfit for posting on account of some acute transient affection (e.g., measles or scarlet fever), or whose case requires some special test, is not graded, but is notified that he must again attend for the completion of his examination and grading upon a definite date at an appropriate interval of time. In all other cases men are now placed at once in the grade for which they are considered physically fit. Men who are found to be permanently and totally unfit for any form of military service are given a final discharge.

With regard to the second part of the question put by my right hon. Friend, a limited number of Grade 3 men of the old military age are at present required and are being called up for service in the Army and the Air Force, but only to fulfil certain definite duties and in accordance with certain specific demands submitted by the forces monthly. Grade 3 men of the new military age are not at present being called up for service. If it should be necessary to call them up at a later date they will be entitled to make application to the tribunal for exemption within seven days of the date of their calling-up notices. I would remind my right hon. Friend of the special instructions issued by the Local Government Board to tribunals with regard to Grade 3 men conducting one-man businesses. Under these instructions such men may be granted exemption conditional on their doing work of national importance, provided it appears to the tribunal that their business would be closed down, either at once or in the near future, as the result of their being taken for military service.

asked the Undersecretary for War whether he can state the instructions given as to the training of men over forty-three years of age; and whether he has received any complaints as to the severity of the training to which these men are subjected?

Recruits over the age of forty years are squadded and accommodated together, and are placed under senior instructors. The ordinary syllabus of training has been modified, and no physical training, as such, is given. Such physical exercises as are required are carefully graduated, and care is taken to ensure that these are within their powers. General Officers Commanding-in-Chief have been requested to give their personal attention to the training of these men and to see that they are sympathetically treated, and that more is not expected or asked of them than can reasonably be performed. The answer to the last part of the question is that I have received complaints from three different camps sent to me by my hon. and learned Friend.

asked whether soldiers who have been released or transferred to Class W Army Reserve to work in shipbuilding yards at Barrow and elsewhere were promised, on being sent direct from the Army to their present work without being allowed an interval of leave, that they would get holiday leave and free railway vouchers as munition workers; whether he will insist on the promise being kept, notwithstanding the present restrictions on the issue of free travelling warrants, and especially in view of the fact that many of the men concerned are skilled or semi-skilled men employed as labourers and have been put to considerable expense for the purchase of working and other necessary civilian clothing on leaving the Army and cannot afford to pay railway fares to enable them to travel long distances to their homes when the works close for the annual holidays, which commence at the end of this month?

I am not aware of any special promise having been made to soldiers who have been released or transferred to Class W Army Reserve to work in shipbuilding yards. The transfer and allocation of such men is in the hands of officials of the Admiralty and the Ministry of Labour. I may, however, say that the restrictions that have recently been imposed on the issue of cheap week-end tickets to munition workers employed at a distance from their homes do not in any way affect the grant of free railway warrants to their homes to Army Reserve munition workers on the occasion of general holidays.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, although many of the temporary postal servants have been in the employ of the Post Office for several years, it is the general policy to state, without exception, that their services can be dispensed with should they be required for military service; and whether, in order to maintain a nucleus of experienced servants, he will consider the advisability of regard being had to the claims of men whose temporary employment has been of so long duration?

I fear it is quite impossible for me to say that any temporary postal servant is indispensable. That being so, I have no power to move in the direction suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that his Department in Scotland is insisting on men joining up for the Army, authough tribunals and appeal tribunals have given exemption; and, in particular, is he aware that his recruiting office at Stirling has done this in several instances with Italians not naturalised in this country?

I have no information about the matters referred to in the first part of my hon. Friend's question, and should be glad if he would give me particulars of any specific cases he has in mind. I would remind the hon. Member that Italian subjects resident in Great Britain are liable to military service under the Italian Military Service Convention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I handed the papers to his Under-Secretary some days ago?

I am aware that the hon. Member furnished particulars in relation to the second part of the question, but I have no information about the first part.

asked the Minister of National Service whether his Department is recognising exemptions granted by British authorities in countries, such as Russia and Italy, with which conventions for conscription exist, when signed by the British Ambassadors there in the cases where the exempted men have now arrived home?

Certificates of exemption granted to British subjects by His Majesty's representatives abroad under Military Service Agreements with Allied States are only effective as a protection from military service while the holder continues to reside in the particular State concerned.

asked the Minister of National Service whether a man above forty-five who volunteers for work on the land in so doing becomes a Government employé; and, in case he contracts disease through exposure, such as pneumonia or consumption, and becomes permanently incapacitated from work, will he be compensated by the State, and if his illness so contracted results in death will his dependants receive a gratuity or pension?

I am glad to have an opportunity of removing a possible misapprehension. A man who volunteers for work as a War Agricultural Volunteer or, I may say, as a War Work Volunteer, does not by so doing become a Government employé. The employer to whom he is allocated pays him his wages, and is in every sense his employer, with all the legal responsibilities which that implies.

asked the Minister of National Service whether apprentices to the engineering trade are being called up for the Army, leaving behind in the same workshops dilutees and Belgians of military age and fitness; if so, whether he has received any complaints in connection therewith; and whether, in view of the Government pledges, every effort will be made to ensure that men who have entered munitions work since August, 1915, and are of military fitness, shall be combed out before skilled men and apprentices in the various trades?

All recruiting from the engineering trade is governed by the Schedule of Protected Occupations. I am not aware of the Government pledges to which the hon. Member refers, but it is the general rule that, other things being equal, men fit for general service, who-have entered the occupation since August, 1915, are released before those of longer experience.

A complaint has been received as to the retention of Belgians in one munitions establishment, and inquiries are being made into the circumstances. The total number of Belgians fit for service born later than 1879 employed in coded firms is only 250. Of these, two were born in 1898–99; fifty in 1895–96 and 1897; the remainder between 1894 and 1879. This small number of men is being retained in civil life for the time being on account of the importance of the work upon which they are engaged.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give more definite instructions to his representatives in munition areas with regard to the combing out of men who have been sheltered in the shipyards and munition works before calling out the regular workmen?

There are most definite instructions, and the whole procedure is most elaborate.

They do not regard them.

Possibly the hon. Member refers to the clean cut, which cuts right across the others.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what facilities have been granted to Consuls and Vice-Consuls in Finland for the sending home to this country of their wives and children; and whether he can say what actual numbers of these families have been successfully got out of the country, and what numbers still remain?

There is only one Consular Officer of the Salaried Service in Finland at the present time, and his wife and family have been in England for some time past. I am not aware that any special facilities have been granted to the wives and families of the unsalaried officers. It is not possible to state the number of such families now remaining.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, being in possession of the views of the Army Council, he is conferring with the Dominion Prime Ministers on the subject of issuing a medal or ribbon to the troops who took part in the Gallipoli operations; and whether he can make a statement thereon?

The matter is being considered at the Imperial War Conference. I am not, however, in a position to make any statement at present.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very widespread interest taken in this question by the people of this country, who are concerned as to the issue of it?

I am aware of the interest taken in the question, but the matter is being considered by the Imperial War Conference.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Railwaymen's Convalescent Home at Leasowe Castle, Cheshire, was commandeered for the purpose of training British soldiers; whether the use of it has been discontinued and it is now occupied by German prisoners; whether, when making this change, any regard was paid to the wishes of the railwaymen and their own needs for a convalescent home; and whether, if the latter desire it and the home cannot be used for training, it may be restored to its original use?

It is necessary to make inquiries of the local military authorities to enable me to answer this question. This is being done, and I will communicate with my right hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion the warship construction for the first six months of 1918 bears to that for the first six months of 1917?

It is manifestly not in the public interest to give the information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider in what form he can publish a comparative statement of the total work done in the shipbuilding yards, so that we may know what they are doing?

My hon. Friend knows that year by year we have published not detailed information—we cannot do that—but a summary in the Appropriation Account. Further, the whole of the details in question are in the hands of the Comptroller and Auditor-General for publication at the right time.

My right hon. Friend misapprehends. Is there not published monthly a comparative statement of merchant shipbuilding construction in the yards? He does not publish a comparative statement of warship construction at the same time, so that one may know how things are going on.

That is perfectly true. I am afraid it is inevitable. We only give new merchant output. It would not be in the public interest to say how much naval construction and repair work is going on at the same time. I see no way out of that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the solid objections is to national shipyards?

Owing to waste!

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now state that the pensions to dependants of officers of the mercantile marine who have lost their lives by enemy action at any time during the War while in the service and pay of the Admiralty and the disablement grants and allowances of such officers who have been wounded or injured will be placed upon the Service scale?

As stated in the answers given to my hon. Friend on the 24th and 29th April last, it has been decided that the Service scales of pension are to be applied to officers and men (and their dependants) of the mercantile marine who have signed on, or may sign on, in the service and pay of the Admiralty for the period of the War in vessels to which the provisions of Section 90 of the Naval Discipline Act have been applied.

It had been hoped that the duties of the Admiralty in this matter would have been, transferred to the Ministry of Pensions by now, but it is understood that difficulties have arisen as regards the powers to be obtained by the Ministry in order to legalise the new procedure. In the meantime, awards of pensions and disability allowances are being made by the Admiralty under the old scale. These awards will be revised as soon as possible with effect from the date already arranged.

Will the date already arranged in every case be a date not later than the date when the injury was received or the death occurred?

Yes; if the person concerned has signed on for the period of the War the date is the date back to which the actual payment will be made by the proper authorities.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Private Davis John, No. 410168, Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force, who was admitted to hospital in April suffering from chronic rheumatism, has received no pay since that date; that his wife and three children are in need and that an insurance premium which has been kept up for fifteen years is in danger of lapsing; and if he will say whether he proposes to take any action in this case?

The approximate balance of pay due to the soldier at the end of June was remitted to his wife on the 11th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that Mr. W. H. Slack, a Woolwich examiner, who sustained compound comminuted fracture of both bones of the right leg at Chilwell factory in August, 1917, and has been under treatment till 20th June, 1918, when he was discharged from hospital on the ground that nothing more could be done for him, has not received full compensation due by the payments made up to 9th May, since which he has received nothing from Woolwich; and will he hasten a settlement, as Mr. Slack, who is a married man with a family, has been unable to undertake any work since the occurrence of the accident?

From the date of the accident Mr. Slack received compensation at the rate of £2 1s. 1½d. per week under a scheme by which he is entitled to half his average earnings for a period of six months. This period expired on the 15th February, from which date he has now been paid compensation at the rate of £1 5s. per week. On the 9th May Mr. Slack had not received the full amount due up to that date, but this has since been rectified.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet decided on their scheme for increased allowances to soldiers' wives and children?

(answering both questions): I hope the decision of the Government will be announced next week. Hon. Members will have an opportunity of discussion on the Vote of Credit to be moved before the Recess.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will arrange for a copy of the revised pamphlet, "Soldiers' Pensions," to be distributed with each ring-paper for the information of dependants?

I am anxious that the revised pamphlet on "Soldiers' Pensions" should have as wide a circulation as possible among dependants, and I am inquiring whether this can best be obtained by the method of distribution suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions, when endeavouring to meet by supplementary allowances the case of wives of serving soldiers who enlisted early in the War on the ground that wages then are not comparable with those now paid, whether he will also deal with the cases of dependants of unmarried soldiers on similar lines?

The question of allowances to the parents of unmarried soldiers is under consideration.

asked the Pensions Minister if his attention has been called to the case of John Franklin, who was discharged from the Mercantile Marine Reserve in March last as medically unfit; is he aware that this man has not been able yet to obtain any relief or pension pending settlement as to the particular Government Department that shall deal with similar cases; is he further aware that this man is unable to work and that, after having pawned all available articles to provide food for his wife and three children, he is now destitute; and will he give some immediate attention in order that this man may be able to provide necessities for his family until such time as the authorities have settled what Department is to undertake his and similar cases?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, certain classes of the Mercantile Marine Reserve are about to be given, in place of the compensation to which they are at present entitled, the same privileges in respect of gratuities, pensions, and allowances as men of the Royal Navy. The actual transfer of these classes of men to the books of my Department involves questions of considerable complexity, but it is not the fact, as my hon. friend appears to suggest, that in the meantime the men are being deprived of compensation from either Department. Arrangements have been made whereby the Admiralty continue to compensate on the existing basis subject to revision when the transfer is complete. In the case of John Franklin, the disability for which the man was discharged was found to be neither attributable to nor aggravated by service, and on the existing basis there is no claim for compensation. I am taking advice as to whether, pending my Department taking over these classes of the Mercantile Marine Reserve, cases like that of John Franklin, in which the disability is not connected with service to the State, can be considered for the award of a gratuity or temporary allowance.

What are these men with starving families to do in the meantime?

I think the hon. Member is quite as capable as I am of answering that question.

No, I am not.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether before the War Great Britain had 1,000 Consuls of whom 900 were Germans; whether there are now fifty-seven Consuls who are Germans; and, if not, whether he will state the correct figures?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for calling my attention to these figures, which are entirely erroneous. In 1913 there were 1,120 British Consular officers. Of these, 311 were in the salaried service and were, therefore, British subjects. Of the remaining 809 unsalaried officers, 454 were British subjects and 355 of foreign nationality. Of the 355 officers of foreign nationality, 37 were Germans and 13 Austro-Hungarians. On the outbreak of war the appointments of those Consular officers who were of enemy nationality ceased automatically, and there are at present no Consular officers of enemy nationality in the service.

How many of these British subjects were naturalised Germans?

I think I gave most of that information in the House a short while ago, but if my hon. Friend wishes to know, and puts down a question, I shall be glad to give it.

May I ask whether the undertaking given by the Home Secretary in the Debate on enemy alien policy covers all those who are employed in the Consular Service, and the right hon. Gentleman's Department, too?

Perhaps on that my hon. Friend will put a question down to the Foreign Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any, and what, restrictions have been imposed, and why, upon the sending of money to British prisoners of war interned in Holland?

This matter is complicated by questions of exchange and of food supply, and I prefer to make no statement on the subject until I have been able to discuss it with the delegates to The Hague Conference.

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he is aware that British and Indian prisoners in Turkey are suffering from the lack of proper dental treatment; and whether he will arrange for the Ottoman Government to be asked to allow dentists with European diplomas to visit the prisoners' camps?

The Netherlands Minister at Constantinople was asked last month to propose to the Turkish Government to enter into the same reciprocal arrangement with us for dental treatment of prisoners of war as is already in operation between the German Government and ourselves.

Are there any dentists with European diplomas in Asia Minor?

If there are not, I do not quite know how they are to be got.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is prepared to state the total number of American troops transported to France during April, May, and June, and the proportion of that number carried in British ships?

The number of American troops transported from the United States to Europe in the months named were as follows:

• In the month of April, 117,212, of which 50,084 were carried in British ships.
• In the month of May, 224,345, of which 135,662 were carried in British ships.
• In the month of June, 276,372, of which 145,210 were carried in British ships.

The aggregate for the three months is thus 637,929, of which 330,956 were carried in British ships. I may add that arrangements have been make by which we hope to carry even larger numbers in the near future.

Can my hon. Friend say how many troops were lost in the carrying during the three months?

I have not the precise figure in regard to the 637,000 carried in the three months, but I can tell the hon. Member that from the beginning we have carried over 1,000,000 troops, and out of that number only 291 have been lost at sea.

asked whether the revised rates of pay to chemists and dispensers in military hospitals promised in last March have been paid; what is the percentage of increase which was granted; and can he say how it compares with the increases given to civilian employés in the same hospitals?

The increase has been paid and amounts approximately to 15 per cent. On the whole it compares favourably with the bonus given to civilian employés.

Is that the increase promised in March to date back to January?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what was the method of appointing district wages committees in the various counties to deal with the question of agricultural wages under the Corn Production Act; who appointed the representatives of the labourers and who the representatives of the employers, and from what associations or bodies, if any, were they chosen; and is he aware that dissatisfaction exists because localities had not any opportunities of nominating any members?

The representative members of district wages committees were appointed by the Agricutural Wages Board. Prior to the establishment of the committees, a notice was widely circulated through the Press and to all farmers' and labourers' organisations throughout the country inviting suggestions of suitable persons to serve on the district committees. Numerous suggestions were received, and a Selection Committee was appointed by the Wages Board to consider them. The employers' and workers' representatives on the Board submitted their respective nominations for each district committee to the Selection Committee, who recommended to the Wages Board the names of those whom they considered to be most suitable and representative.

Are we to understand that the members of the district wages committees were nominated by the Wages Board, which in its turn were nominated by the right hon. Gentleman?

That is not quite the case. Out of thirty-nine members of the Wages Board thirty-two were representatives, partly elected and partly nominated. The district wages committees are selected out of the names submitted to them by the Selection Committee of the Wages Board.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is thoroughly satisfied from experience as to the fastness of the new colour of the uniform recently authorised; and whether he is aware that it is not as useful a colour as khaki for hard wear, and that it will much sooner present a shabby and worn appearance owing to its lesser resistance to dirt and stains?

Tests applied to the cloth for the new uniform for the Royal Air Force show that the dye stands exposure well, and that the cloth is capable of being easily cleaned. The colour was selected after full consideration as the best distinctive colour available.

asked the Undersecretary whether he is aware that an Order has been issued by the Air Minister that members of the Royal Air Force are not to wear chevrons, although qualified the same as the men in the other Services; and, if so, if he will state the reason for this Order?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on Monday to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Ipswich.

May I ask whether the fact is that because dangerous flying is done by men at home as distinguished from men abroad some distinctive mark is not to be given to those who undertake dangerous work at home?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down another question.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the terms on which the Alliance Aeroplane Works of Messrs. Waring and Gillow have been taken over by the Government; if he can state the statutory or other authority under which such works were taken over; and whether it is his intention to take over any other establishments in the same manner and on, the same conditions?

The terms on which these works were taken possession of are still under consideration. Possession was taken under Regulation 8 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The question of taking similar action in other instances must depend on the facts of each case as it arises.

Do the Government contemplate purchasing this on behalf of the Government?

I would rather make no statement while the question is under negotiation.

Is the same management to be retained?

That also is a point with regard to which a definite answer cannot be given at the moment.

If nothing has been settled, why was it announced that they had been taken over by the Government?

Is it not a fact that this was a controlled establishment before, and has any difference been made by the announcement made by the Minister of Munitions?

A substantial difference has been made. One result is that the men are now at work.

Is there any difference in the management or control of this establishment, or was the announcement simply made for the purpose of getting the men back to work without making any alteration at all?

The details are under consideration, and there will certainly be a difference made in the conditions.

When will the hon. Member be able to make a statement as to the change?

If my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will endeavour to get the information.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, while young men are being brought from Ireland to work in the building of aerodromes, older men with the necessary skill and capacity for the work are being taken into the Army; and whether, in view of the feeling aroused by this policy, some better co-ordinated efforts between the Departments concerned can be evolved for securing, on the one hand, the necessary men for the Army and, on the other, the requisite labour for war work?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I am not aware that young men are being brought from Ireland to work on the building of aerodromes. On the contrary, instructions were issued on 6th April, whereby no Irishman of military age is allowed to be engaged in Ireland for work in Great Britain unless he is engaged through an Employment Exchange for work in agriculture or is a discharged sailor or soldier not liable for further military service. Further instructions were issued last week to the effect that the liability to military service of Irishmen between eighteen and fifty-one years of age who come to work in Great Britain except under these conditions is to be enforced.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the last part of his answer refers only to men who are being brought over from Ireland in the future or whether it has any retrospective effect?

It has no retrospective effect in the case of men who have been brought over through Government agency for work of national importance. Irishmen who have come over on their own initiative without any arrangement being made have always been liable to be called up for military service under the Military Service Acts.

Will not Irishmen be subject to the comb-out and the clean cut under the same conditions as Englishmen, Scotsmen, and Welshmen?

I am afraid that there must be some misunderstanding with regard to the present practice, if I have understood my hon. and learned Friend's question correctly. Irishmen, as such, in this country are not entitled to special protection. They are British subjects. Irishmen brought over on an undertaking given by the Government receive the benefit of that undertaking. If it is impossible for them to continue in this country in fairness to other men of the same age, they are sent back to Ireland, where they resume their normal status.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to observe an undertaking in respect of Irishmen while he destroys similar pledges and undertakings given to Englishmen, Scotsmen, and Welshmen?

I know of no undertaking given to Englishmen, Scotsmen, and Welshmen which has been destroyed in connection with this matter of recruiting, but if my hon. and learned Friend has any case in point perhaps he will give me information about it.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has accepted a resolution in another place approving of the principle of a League of Nations; and whether he will give a day for this House to discuss a Motion to the same effect standing in the name of the right hon. Member for North St. Pancras and the hon. Member for the North-Western Division of Durham: ["That this House approves the principle of a League of Nations and commends to His Majesty's Government a study of the conditions required for its realisation."]

It would not be possible to give a day for this discussion before the Recess.

Did not His Majesty's Government, in their reply to President Wilson, state that they associated themselves whole-heartedly with the plan to create a League of Nations; and, if so, would it not be advisable for the Government to obtain the support of the House of Commons to that policy?

Yes, Sir, but it is a question of giving a day before the Adjournment—that is the question on the Paper—and I do not see how it is possible to do that.

Is there anybody who opposes a League of Nations?

I have not met anybody who opposes it.

Is there anybody in this country who really knows what the Government means by a "League of Nations"?

I think that everyone in this country knows as clearly what the Government means as what anyone else means.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a very strong feeling in the country that the Government have not made their position clear on this matter, and that it is of extreme national importance that they should do so?

I do not think that there is any justification for that feeling.