asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Indian Army Regulations lay down that officers who entered the Army before 1st July, 1881, who accepted the 1886 leave rules, and are residing out of India until retirement are sanctioned leave pay until such retirement, and that the Income Tax Commissioners are not conceding to those officers the concession granted under Section 31 (b) of the Finance Act of 1916; that the officers in question are entitled to this concession as leave pay is reckoned as full pay; and will he take steps to safeguard the interests of these officers of the Indian Army, and to obtain a refund of the arrears of Income Tax cut from them in excess?

The officers in question, though they receive pay at leave rates, if they elect to reside out of India, are not on leave, but are unemployed officers so far as the Indian Army is concerned. I cannot, therefore, move the Treasury, with whom the decision rests, to treat these officers as though they were on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the operations on the North-West Frontier of India were concerned with Mohmund and Mahsud local tribesmen and not with any of the countries against whom we are fighting in the great War, he will reconsider the decision to deal with these operations as part of the great War, and sanction the immediate grant to the troops concerned of the Indian Frontier Medal, as is usual in such cases?

The question is being further considered by the War Office and the India Office.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are now the regulations as to Indian citizens obtaining the King's commission in the Indian Army?

The King's Commission will be granted to Indians under four categories:

Does that answer mean that Indian students in this country will be able to get temporary commissions, or will they be debarred unless they go to Sandhurst—under the third head?

Under the third head they will be nominated in India.

Even if they have obtained the qualifications in this country by being at Oxford or Cambridge they will be eligible for commissions?

No commissions will be given without adequate training.

Is there any provision for the military training of these officers, or candidates for that rank, in India as well as in England?

Yes, Sir. No substantive commissions will be granted to anybody without adequate training. It is intended to provide that adequate training under Category 3 in India.

Is it impossible for Indians to get into officers' training schools in this country?

I would rather not go into the details of the Regulations in answer to questions because I have not them before me, but I will lay the Regulations in due course upon the Table of the House.

Then we may-take it that this decision is a victory for those who consider that Indians are not fit to go into officers training schools in this country?

No, I think the answer I have given shows that commissions are going to be given to efficient soldiers, subject to His Majesty's approval.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that each month's delay in granting constitutional reforms to India adds to the difficulties of granting them and diminishes their value when granted, he will allow an early discussion of the Secretary of State's Report?

I cannot add anything on this subject to the answer I gave on the 10th instant to the hon. Baronet the Member for West Denbighshire.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the continued neglect of Indian subjects by this House has a very bad effect in India, and while it is recognised that the Government can give no immediate reply, would not a Debate in this House give valuable ventilation to the whole subject?

I think it is a matter of opinion. In the first place time is very limited and I do not wish to give up time unless it is necessary. Then the subject is really a very complicated one and one must have time to study the documents.

Does that answer cover the case of a Debate on the Indian Budget, and does the right hon. Gentleman wish to convey the impression that he desires to shelve this Report and the urgent questions connected with it?

I hope my answer did not convey that impression. It was certainly not what I intended. Everyone recognises the importance of this subject. I have myself tried to look at this Report, but I could not attempt to deal with it now. I think the same thing is true of all the members of the Government and I fancy it would be true of most Members of the House of Commons.

Is it not absolutely necessary to receive opinions from all parts of India, which must take some time to reach this country?

I really do not think there need be much discussion in question and answer on this subject. I have already said if I found there was a general desire in the House to have it discussed, I would find time. As a matter of fact I think nothing would be gained by discussing it before the Recess.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman already received a formal request for a discussion on the Indian Budget, and has it been granted?

I do not think I have received such a request.

Has the official Opposition asked for a day?

I made a representation to the Noble Lord (Lord E. Talbot) asking for a day.

I have no doubt what the hon. Gentleman says is true. Very likely it came to me, but I have forgotten if it be so. It is a question of time.

Is it not really neglecting India that we cannot spare a single day?

I really think to make that suggestion is itself to do the evil which the hon. Gentleman wishes to avoid. There is no such feeling in any part of the House. It is a question of the general arrangement of the Business of the House.

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

I asked the hon. Gentleman to postpone this question till Thursday.

I understood the hon. Gentleman asked me to postpone it till Lord Newton returned. I understand he has returned.

I wrote a letter to the hon. Gentleman.

I am sorry I have not received it.

I hope to confer with Lord Newton to-morrow morning.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that merchant seamen detained in Germany at the outbreak of War as civilian prisoners are being asked by the Prisoners of War Department to refund the cost of their repatriation to this country; whether he is aware that Chief Engineer Spencer has been asked by that Department to refund 100 florins advanced by His Majesty's Minister at The Hague for his fare from Rotterdam; and whether this is a usual practice?

On the general practice, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for York on the 16th instant. I am inquiring as to the case of Chief Engineer Spencer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in spite of his reply his Department is actually asking these men, who are obviously destitute, when they come back to this country to refund the money? I have in my possession copy of a letter asking Chief Engineer Spencer to do so.

The hon. Member is making a statement.

I have a letter in my possession——

I have a good many things in my possession.

I asked a question with regard to a man, a prisoner of war, who has been returned to this country by the British Government. The answer to the question to which the right hon. Gentleman refers me says that it is not the practice to ask for the money. This man has been destitute and has been asked for the money. I am asking the right hon. Gen- tleman whether the Treasury will refrain from sending these letters to returned prisoners of war asking them to return the money.

The hon. Member evidently did not hear the last part of my reply. I said I would look into the case.

asked the Prime Minister upon what basis the exchange of prisoners is to be effected under the provisional agreement recently concluded at The Hague; whether its terms will be laid before Parliament before it is ratified by the Government; and whether any, and, if so, what, opportunity will be given to the House of Commons of discussing it before the Recess?

I should prefer to make no statement until the Cabinet has been able to consider the terms of the agreement. As regards the second part of the question, I can make no promise that the agreement will be laid upon the Table before it has been ratified. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think that there would be any advantage in discussing this question in present circumstances.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that the Cabinet will consider this question before the Recess?

Certainly. We shall consider it within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the present military operations on the Murman Coast, Russia can be now deemed to have again joined the Allies against the Central Powers?

There is no change in the position.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture to what extent the agricultural community has availed itself of the arrangements concluded last year between the county agricultural executive committees, the banks, and the Board of Agriculture whereby purchasers of any requirement for food production may obtain advances repayable under Government guarantee?

The number of approved applications up to the 30th June, 1918, was, approximately, 750, and the amount comprised in those applications about £60,000. It is not known how much of this has actually been borrowed, but it is probably not less than nine-tenths.

Can the hon. Gentleman state what is the full extent of the guarantee, and is there any limit to the amount guaranteed?

Do you mean the maximum amount?

Yes.

I am afraid I could not say without notice. I will let the hon. and gallant Member know.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has now considered if under the Defence of the Realm Acts he has power to extend the Solway salmon fishing for a fortnight; and what steps does he propose to take?

I am waiting a report from the Fishery Board as to the extension proposed. The question of powers which do not exist at present would be taken up if and when it is decided that action in the direction suggested by my right hon. Friend should be taken.

Does the right hon. Gentleman hope to have an early reply?

I do.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether any measures have been taken to provide a scale for the swine market in Dublin?

Swine are sold in a section of the Cattle Market, Prussia Street, Dublin. Two weighing machines have been provided at the market. One of the machines is situate near the section of the market at which swine are sold, and is available for the weighing of pigs. Inquiry will be made as to the question whether additional weighing facilities should be made available.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has any report from the Board of Agriculture to the effect that on the farm of Balephetrish, in Tiree, the tenant's shepherd and the local policeman deliberately herded the tenant's sheep on to the crops planted by the cottars; that in this way the grain has been rendered useless for human food; that it is the expressed intention of these men to repeat their action with the growing potatoes; and whether he will inform the Food Controller of this destruction of growing crops or take action himself, in order to prosecute under the Defence of the Realm Regulations for such destruction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Reports which I have received lend no support to the allegation as to the local policeman. As regards the shepherd's action, where crops have been sown on grazing land without fencing, movements of cattle and sheep in the neighbourhood of the crops may, of course, be represented as wilful destruction of crops. The reports which I have received do not, however, indicate any expressed intention to destroy human food. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland is negotiating with the farmer, and I am hopeful that an agreement may be reached.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the representative of the Board of Agriculture who went down to the island?

Yes.

Do sheep cat potato tops?

I must ask for notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many thousands of barrels of cured herrings imported from Iceland and Norway are lying at the ports of this country; and what proportion of these stocks are in danger of becoming unfit for human food?

At the end of last month there were in the hands of the Ministry of Food about 130,000 barrels of cured herring which had been imported from Iceland and Norway by the Ministry of Blockade. While there is no danger of these herrings becoming unfit for food in the immediate future, the question of any ultimate loss depends upon the demand for pickled herrings during the coming winter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can announce his proposals for the distribution of the 1918 potato crop?

The scheme of distribution of the 1918 potato crop has not yet been finally settled, but it is hoped shortly to make an announcement on the subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman nee that the interests of Scotland in this matter receive full consideration, as in the previous scheme those interests were not fully considered?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are strict Regulations against presents of food, drink, or tobacco being given by citizens of this country to Germans interned or imprisoned in this country; if so, whether these Regulations have been in existence since the beginning of the War; and whether any cases of such presents having been conveyed to Germans are known to the Home Office, together with the names of the donors?

Strict regulations as regards the introduction of intoxicating liquor into internment camps under Home Office control have always been in force, and from time to time, as articles of food and tobacco have come to be rationed for the general population, regulations have been made fixing the allowances for the camps and forbidding their being introduced from this country in excess of the allowances. I have no knowledge of any cases of the kind indicated in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction what steps are being taken to help apprentices, whose training has been interrupted by the War, to continue their training after the War, so that they may become skilled workmen?

The Ministry of Reconstruction and the Ministry of Labour have had the question of apprentices whose training has been interrupted by the War under investigation for some time, and their proposals are now under the consideration of the Departments concerned.

What is meant by consideration? Is anything ever going to be done?

We are considering definite proposals.

When will they be issued?

That I cannot say at the moment.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any arrangement has been made by which the Committee of Inquiry to be set up under Clause 1, Sub-section (3), of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill will continue the arrangement for Scotland whereby a Special Committee for that country, under a president of high judicial Scottish experience, will act as was the case in dealing formerly with aliens?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Naturalisation being an Imperial matter, it is thought better that questions of denaturalisation should be dealt with by one Committee for the whole of the United Kingdom. The claims of Scotland to be represented on that Committee will not be forgotten.

Is there any reason why the old system that formerly obtained should be done away with, and did not the two Committee system give satisfaction?

That is a different matter altogether.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether there are any unnaturalised enemy aliens in charge of controlled establishments and, if so, how many; and what are their names and locations?

Five unnaturalised enemy aliens, one of whom is a Czech, are acting as managers or supervisers in controlled establishments; three in Sheffield, one in Cardiff, and one in London. One of these men is a specialist in the manufacture of optical glass; one is engaged by a firm of wire rope manufacturers, and three by firms producing steel. Their names are Bielstein, Kayser, Poffart, Emmrich, and Lamm.

May I ask whether Adolf Sgonina was not recently, if he is not at present, the manager of the Flottman Engineering Company, Limited, of Cardiff; and whether the Ministry of Munitions will take immediate steps to dispense with the services of at any rate several of the alien enemies whom the hon. Gentleman has indicated?

I do not recognise the name of the first gentleman whom my hon. Friend mentioned as being on my list. If he will give me particulars, I will have inquiries made.

I shall be pleased to give all the information.

Will the position of these gentlemen be regularised by their being naturalised, as they seem to be essential to the Ministry of Munitions?

As to that, I will have inquiries made. I should like to say, in reference to the general question put by my hon. Friend (Sir J. Walton), that each of these men had his case examined by the Advisory Committee of the Home Office, and it was held by the Committee that they were doing work of such importance that their skill was necessary to the nation.

Will their certificates be re-examined under the Bill we have just passed?

That is a question for the Home Office.

As these people are making munitions for use against Germany, is it not likely that they will not be welcomed in Germany after the War?

That is very likely to be the fact.

Will they be welcome in Sheffield?

We are advised that they are doing work in Sheffield that they are competant to do and which it is very difficult to get other men to do.

Cannot you get Englishmen to do it?

asked the Minister of Munitions how many aliens of enemy birth, naturalised or not, are at present employed at the British Thomson-Houston works; and are any of these aliens in positions of authority?

I am advised that no unnaturalised aliens of enemy birth are employed at the British Thomson-Houston works. A naturalised British subject of German origin has been employed by the firm for twenty-two years. He now holds a position in connection with the factory cost accounting. I am informed that he was denaturalised by the Bavarian Government in 1897, and became a naturalised British subject in 1909. He has lived in this country for twenty-seven years, and is married to a French woman.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement as to the circumstances in which Krahn was appointed to a confidential post under the War Office, and the date of his appointment?

This man was engaged on the 16th April, 1917, for employment as a clerk in a subordinate capacity in a record office. It is the invariable practice to obtain two references, and there is no reason to doubt that these were obtained in this case. At the time, however, it was the practice to destroy references after the clerk had served a satisfactory period of probation.

What was considered a satisfactory period of probation after which the references were not required?

The references were not required after a period of six months.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government are prepared to require an oath of allegiance from every person who enters the Civil Service of the Crown?

The answer is in the affirmative, and it will apply to established Civil servants in all Government offices.

What form will it take?

I think there is a system in force already. No doubt it will be the same.

Will existing Civil servants be called upon to take the oath?

This question only applies to those who come in in future.

No oath is to be applied to those who are in it now?

That is quite a different question, which I have not considered.

asked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to state the increases in separation allowances for wives, dependants, and the dependants of apprentices?

I expect that this announcement will be made on Thursday next.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will say why, according to Army Form W3268, separation allowance to the wife or other dependant of a soldier reported missing ceases after thirty weekly payments have been made from the date the payee is notified of the fact; and whether a pension or gratuity then is automatically paid or has a claim to pension to be approved before payment is made?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Regulations in question, and a note showing the procedure in issuing pension or gratuity.