asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has official information to the effect that commanders of German submarines have been ordered to take as many merchant seamen prisoners as possible with the object of conveying them to prison as convicts; and, if so, what steps are being taken to protect British merchant seamen?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. No information of the kind referred to has been received. I may, however, assure my hon. Friend that His Majesty's Government will at all times do everything possible to protect the interests of our gallant merchant seamen.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at 4 a.m. on 13th July a police sergeant named Gardner and a constable broke into a house at Cloncannon, Edenderry, King's County, that the house is one in which a poor woman lives alone, that no warning or request for admission was given, and no explanation was furnished; whether it was in pursuance of any Regulation under the Defence of the Realm or any Order under the Crimes Act, 1887, signed or authorised by the Chief Secretary, that this was done; and whether any other result was obtained than possession of the book, "Life of Daniel O'Connell" which the police took away?

I am informed that on the 11th inst. the police entered under lawful authority the house of Margaret Cummins of Cloncannon. Ample warning was given by the police before entering. The book referred to, which contained a Sinn Fein card, was taken by them.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that it was at 4 o'clock in the morning, as stated in this question, and can he explain why such an extraordinary time was taken for such an outrage as this?

The visit was perfectly legal and not an outrage. That was the most desirable time to make it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really believe that an old lady visited at four o'clock in the morning, who lives there by herself, can take such a visit without grave concern, without being upset, and probably her health affected?

She did not happen to live there by herself.

Will the right hon. Gentleman peruse the copy of "Daniel O'Connell's Life" with a view to obtaining an elementary knowledge of Irish history?

Would this lady have been attacked if the only book in the House had been a life of Lloyd George?

That has nothing to do with this question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, for purposes of recruiting, Ireland has been divided into ten areas, to each of which has been assigned the duty of furnishing a quota of recruits by 1st October; and has he been able to ascertain if it is the intention of the Government only to apply the Military Service Act, 1918, to such areas as have not furnished their quota of recruits by that date?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the matter referred to is under consideration.

When shall we know what the areas are?

The areas are already formed. The question is being considered at the present time as to the quota. I do not know what the result is.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the scheme of recruiting in Ireland which is being carried out by a Committee of four gentlemen was arrived at after consultation with and with the approval of the War Office, and is it being conducted under their supervision; and will he say whether the scheme is intended to find 50,000 men to reinforce and bring to strength the Irish divisions of the New Army and Irish units of the Regular Army or to provide carpenters, mechanics, and others for non-combatant units at home?

The War Office were consulted with regard to the scheme of recruiting. The Committee act independently, but keep in touch with the Irish Command, Admiralty, and Air Force. Recruits obtained will be used as recruits in Great Britain are used.

In view of the fact that these men will be voluntary recruits and not conscripts, will they be allowed the same choice of battalions and units as men who are not conscripts?

They will be all for Irish units, and they will have their choice of regiments as far as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the series of questions on Irish history set in an examination for scholarships in Ireland under the auspices of the Christian Brotherhood, recently published under the head of how Irish crime is nurtured; if he will state whether the schools of this Christian Brotherhood are recognised for Grants by the Irish education authorities; and whether these education authorities have power to disapprove of school books or historical courses which tend to inculcate disaffection?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Christian Brothers' Schools receive Grants from the Intermediate Board of Education in connection with the examinations held by the Board. The National Board of Education exercise, so far as National Schools are concerned, the power as to books and instruction referred to in the question; but the Christian Brothers' Schools are not in connection with this Board, nor subject in any respect to the Commissioners' control.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these boys educated in these Christian schools will be acquainted with the history of Geraldus Cambrensis, the biggest liar that ever came to Ireland?

I will consider that.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state whether a large asylum like Mullingar District Lunatic Asylum, which yearly requires 3,000 tons of coal, is threatened to have its coal supply commandeered by the War Office in consequence of having got half its supply into stock slightly in advance of its requirements; and if he will take steps to prevent 1,000 poor lunatics being deprived of necessary heating for the coming winter?

The Mullingar Asylum authorities formerly were supplied with large quantities of coal from the Irish coalfields at Wolfhill. Recently arrangements were made on their behalf to get supplies from South Wales, and a large surplus stock was got in. As other consumers in Dublin and elsewhere, including important works, required coal, it is not desirable that the asylum should have supplies which they do not require. Moreover, with the view of regulating coal supplies in the best possible way, it is laid down that supplies should be drawn from the same source and through the same channel as heretofore. The legitimate requirements of the asylum are having, and will have, every attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the resident medical superintendent has been served with notice as to the commandeering of this coal by the Coal Controller?

Yes, Sir. He has been treated exactly the same as anybody else with a supply of coal, but every provision is made for them to have their full share of what coal there is going.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has always been the practice in this asylum to secure the fuel required for the winter at latest by the 1st July?

It is loot a matter of the date of the accumulation, but the amount of the accumulation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that whereas 3,000 tons are required, up to the present they have only received 1,000?

They are better off than other people.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at Bray, county Dublin, a concert in aid of the anti-Conscription fund being raised in Ireland was only allowed to be held after the programme had been submitted to the police authorities; whether the programmes of concerts promoted by the Unionist and Orange organisations of Ireland have first to be submitted to the police authorities before the performance is allowed; and, if not, will he say why this has not been done?

About a fortnight ago, in consequence of information received that seditious songs were to be sung at the concert in question, the head constable called on the manageress of the picture house at Bray where the concert was to be held and warned her. He did not ask to see the programme. The manageress said she would caution the promoters, and that she would not permit anything seditious, and in the course of the concert she interrupted one of the singers who was singing a song relating to the Rebellion of 1916 which seemed objectionable. It is not the practice of the police to require concert programmes to be submitted to them.

Is the information of the right hon. Gentleman definitely in reference to the Rebellion of 1916 or the threatened Rebellion of 1911?

My information is in reference to the Rebellion of 1916. If the hon. Gentleman wishes, I will make further inquiries.

Will the songs glorifying the rebellion organised by the Ulster provisional Government be suppressed?

If they are seditious they will be.

Are the police to be the judges of what is seditious?

No; not at all.

Will "Croppies lie down!" be included in the programme?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a number of criminal charges arising out of circumstances politically motived have been transferred from counties in the South and West of Ireland to the venue of the city of Belfast; and whether, in view of the decision of one of His Majesty's judges in Ireland overruling the Attorney-General and refusing to transfer a case of this kind to Belfast on the ground that an impartial trial of such cases could not be had there, steps will be taken to end the practice of sending political prisoners from the South and West of Ireland to be tried before their political opponents in the northern province?

It is not the fact that venues have been changed in cases in which the hon. Member describes as politically motived from counties in the South and West of Ireland to Belfast. There have been fifteen cases transferred for trial by special juries to Cork City and five to Belfast. The case referred to in the question was one in which two men were charged with raiding a dwelling-house for arms in the King's County. In the judgment of the Attorney-General no question of religion or politics was involved in this transaction to prevent its being tried with perfect impartiality by a special jury at Belfast. Having regard, however, to certain statements made in the affidavits on a motion to change the venue from Belfast to Cork, Mr. Justice O'Connor thought it better the case should be tried at Cork. There is no foundation whatever for the suggestions contained in the latter portion of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these proceedings are being taken under the Crimes Act of 1887, and that the leaders of the Liberal party to which he belongs gave a pledge in this House that they would never resort to that Act?

I do not know

If these transfers have not taken place because of political reasons, why has the venue been changed at all?

It has been changed in order that a fair and impartial trial may be secured.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that an atmosphere which has been poisoned by the recent proceedings on the 12th of July against all Nationalists in Ireland is an impartial venue for the trial of Catholics from the South of Ireland? Is that in consonance with the right hon. Gentleman's Liberal principles?

Each case must be decided on its merits. In those cases it was the best.

Is this because Carson is ruling Ireland?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) why, in view of the fact that the National Organisation, of the United Irish League has not been officially proclaimed in Ireland, the police authorities are permitted to issue mandatory notifications against the holding of meetings of this constitutional body, coupled with threats of prosecution against those attending; whether any such notification on the part of the authorities was given to the promoters of the Orange demonstration held in Belfast and other centres in Ireland on the 11th and 12th July last; if not, What reason exists for discriminating in favour of the Orange lodges in this regard; (2) whether, in view of the fact that the Gaelic Athletic Association was not within the category of the organisations recently proclaimed as illegal in Ireland, he will say why the police authorities banned the playing of football and hurling matches under the auspices of this body except with the special permission of the authorities; whether it is intended to discriminate in favour of such fixtures as the sham battle of Scarva, cricket, golf, croquet, yachting, boxing, and other recreations as sports within the meaning of the terms of the Proclamation; and whether the promoters of all forms of outdoor and athletic matches in Ireland are required to apply for permission before holding their fixtures?

All meetings, assemblies, or processions in public places are prohibited by Order of 4th July made under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, unless a permit is obtained. This equally applied and was enforced in the case of the Orange demonstration recently held in Belfast. What is described as the sham battle of Scarva did not take place this year, as a permit to carry arms would not be given. Any gathering which comes within the Regulation requires a permit, which is always granted in the case of bonâ fide sports or entertainments.

Is an hon. Member allowed to address his constituents in Ireland? And why did the Member for West Mayo get notice that he should not address a meeting of his constituents in Park last Sunday?

He did not get any such notice. He may have been told that he could not address them without a permit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to introduce that law into this country—that no Member can address his constituents without a permit? Is that the democratic liberty for which we are called on to fight?

May I address a meeting of the Irish in Newcastle-on-Tyne without a permit?

Yes. There is no necessity in Great Britain to get permits, because there is no necessity.

In reference to the statement that the battle of Scarva was postponed, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reason that the battle of Scarva was adjourned was because there have been a successful sham battle and a complete triumph in Dublin Castle?

My information is contrary to that, but if my hon. Friend wishes I will make further inquiry.

Might I suggest that he will communicate on the next occasion with Major Price, and he will get his information.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us a demonstration of a sham battle in the Library?

On a point of Order. I put down a question to the right hon. Gentleman which on the advance Notice Paper was No. 16, and it has apparently been omitted, without my consent. I should like to know whether I may not ask the question of the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary?

I struck out the question because it was practically the same as two or three similar questions which have been answered during the present week. Word for word it was exactly the same.

In which question asked by my hon. Friend (Mr. King) did he ask what crime had Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington committed that would justify the Government in excluding her from her own country?

I will procure copies of the questions and send them to the hon. Member if he wishes. I have not got them all in my mind at this moment.

That question was not put.

I think so.

On the point involved in your ruling, do I understand that if a question is put on the Paper and is similar to another question that has been asked we are not entitled to have that question on the Paper?

I think that that is a very convenient course, and that it saves a waste of paper and of time.

I do not object so far as these reasons are concerned. I think that they are right, but the point is, Is a Member of the House entitled to put down a question which he wishes to put down, whether it has been put down before or not, as he may, for instance, wish to raise in Debate a point on the answer, which he is entitled to do? I only ask this as a matter of guidance. I am not challenging it, but I wish to know if it has been put down in a particular form is no other Member entitled to put it down in the same way?

Not for the purpose of obtaining exactly the same information. If there is any difference, by all means—yes.

May I call attention to the fact that no question as to what offence this lady had committed was asked, except one supplementary question which was asked by me, to which no answer was given, and in those circumstances would it not be permissible to ask that question again?

I will look through the questions again, and if there is any difference between them and the question of the hon. Member, I will invite the hon. Member to put his question down.

If a Member puts down a question, is he not entitled to some notice before the question is taken off, or is the only notice which he is to get to be the fact that he does not see it on the Paper?

I am sorry that the hon. Member was not given notice. I know that that is the usual practice. I will take care that it is followed in the future. I thought that the hon. Member had been given notice in the ordinary way.

Is it not the duty of the Clerk at the Table, or whoever censors the question, to inform the hon. Member that the question has been struck out, or can a Member of this House have a question stopped without being told that it is being stopped?

In this case it was I who instructed the Clerk at the Table to take the question off, when I was looking through the questions; but I quite recognise that if an hon. Member puts a question down and it is not allowed he should be informed that it is not allowed, and I will take care that in future cases Members are so informed.

It is only now that I have been handed a card from the Clerk at the Table asking me to see him at the Table afterwards. I beg to give notice that in consequence of the way in which this question has been treated by the Ministers having the handling of it I will raise the question on the Adjournment.

The Minister had nothing to do with it. I am the only person responsible for it. I do not suppose that the Minister even knew.

I beg to give notice that on the Adjournment we will raise the whole question in relation to the Government, not in reference to your ruling at all, but on the whole merits of the case.

Are we to understand that if English Members put down a question, concerning Irish matters we are precluded in that case from putting down a question about our own people and about matters that we ourselves are individually concerned in; are we to understand that your ruling means, Sir, that if an intelligent Englishman anticipates a question likely to be put on the Paper by an Irish Member, he can block that Irish Member from putting down the question himself; and are we to understand, Sir, that your ruling now gives an opportunity to certain Members in this House to use your ruling as a precedent to prevent Members on these benches from putting questions in which they are vitally concerned and relating to their own constituencies?

The hon. Member should not understand anything of the kind. I have said nothing to lead to that understanding.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether small licensed traders in Ireland who did not in the datum year get their supplies direct from the breweries have since last March got very limited supplies of beer and at an increased price; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that small traders get a fixed minimum supply per week?

I have been asked to reply. As I informed the hon. Member on 7th May, the distribution of beer in Ireland is governed by the Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Orders, which follow the lines laid down by Parliament in the Output of Beer (Restriction) Act, 1916. Down to the 31st March there was a certain amount of beer in, Ireland on which no licensed trader had any statutory claim, and this was utilised by the Irish brewers to satisfy the needs of small traders. Owing to the necessity for increased restrictions this free beer is no longer available, and the difficulties of the small trader have revived. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland as to what measures, if any, can be adopted in order to overcome these difficulties.

Has it come to the right hon. Gentleman's knowledge that a large number of small traders, who get their supplies locally, have since the 1st April practically got nothing at all, and that some of those who have got a supply have had to pay a considerably increased price for it; and, if these facts have come to his knowledge, will the right hon Gentleman take immediate steps to deal with the matter?

Facts of that kind have been placed before me, and it is for that reason I have said in my reply that the difficulties of the small traders have revived, and that I am now in consultation with my right hon. Friend as to the best means of meeting those difficulties.

How soon may we expect to have some decision, as I have myself been personally concerned in this matter, and I am sorry to say that nothing has been done up to the present?

There will be no delay in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several small licensed traders, although the Government compel them to pay the Licence Duty, since the 1st April have not had a bottle of beer or stout on their premises?

That side of the question will be taken into account in seeking a remedy.

While these small traders have no beer or stout on the premises to sell is it fair to charge them the Licence Duty?

I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no delay in dealing with the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to compel the wholesale bottlers to give to the small retail traders their fair share of the supplies?

That aspect of the question will be taken into account.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether the Government have taken any steps to compel the surrender of the arms and ammunition held by the Ulster Volunteers; and (2) whether the Ulster Volunteers have been asked by the Government to surrender the arms and ammunition they exported from Germany for the purpose of resisting by force the application of an Act of the Imperial Parliament to Ireland; whether they have surrendered such arms and ammunition; and, if not, what action the Government propose to take in reference thereto?

The Regulation in regard to possessing arms applies to Ulster Volunteers in the same way as to anyone else in Ireland. It will be enforced in Ulster in the same way as in the rest of Ireland, unless the arms are brought in and surrendered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state, as a matter of fact, whether any houses have been searched in Ulster, or any arms taken up; and has he any information at his disposal showing that these arms were specially manufactured at Krupp's for the Ulster leaders, and sold at half the cost price?

I know nothing about the price or place of manufacture. I think there have been some houses entered in Ulster, but I require notice of that question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question? Have the Ulster Volunteers been asked to surrender their arms, and is he aware that the purposes for which those arms were imported into Ulster was to remit the application to Ireland of an Act passed by this Parliament?

I have heard that alleged.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question as to whether Ulster Volunteers have been asked to give up their rifles?

I have answered that. Yes.

No. Does the right hon. Gentleman state that they have been asked?

Yes.

Then may I ask what answer the right hon. Gentleman has received?

Has a single rifle been given up?

May I ask what answer the government of Lord French, which is impartially administering the affairs of Ireland, has received from the Ulster Volunteers?

Answer!

He dare not answer.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the War Office were glad to borrow some of these arms, and also whether it is not better to provide against a similar contingency arising in future?

Xo, Sir; I do not think that.

In view of the declaration that these rifles, instruments of great military utility, these weapons, have been lent to the Government, or offered to the Government, for the purposes of the War Office, will the right hon. Gentleman now ask for all of them?

I do not know that they have been lent to the Government. I have already said once that we intend to get them.

Will you ask the Attorney-General for England where those arms are? Sir Edward Carson will tell you?

I would remind hon. Members that there are a good many questions on the Paper to be asked.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.

I have been asked to postpone this question, and, in view of the anxiety existing on this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to reply on Monday?

I cannot definitely promise. I am in close consultation with the Treasury, and I hope to have it settled to-day or to-morrow.

I will put the question down for Monday next.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the farmers, shopkeepers, and the public generally of that portion of the county Wicklow catered for by the Dublin, Blessington, and Poulaphouca Tramways owing to the fact that only two trams per day are run each way, the last tram returning from the city of Dublin so early at 4.30 p.m., thereby inconveniencing a number of business people; and whether he will take steps to have a better service installed to meet the wishes of the people affected, especially as similar tramway undertakings are permitted to run trams at more regular and frequent intervals?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am making inquiries into the matter, and will let the hon. Gentleman know the result.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in view of the denudation of Irish forests, he will take steps to give immediate legislative effect to the recommendations of the Committee on Irish Afforestation so as to secure, inter alia, Government aid for the planting and replanting of suitable trees at the proper season of the year; and if he will consider, in connection with the scheme for reafforestation, the advisability of acquiring compulsory powers to compel replanting in those forests and timber areas recently cleared owing to war exigencies?

The whole question of afforestation in Great Britain and Ireland has recently been the subject of a Report (Cd.8881) issued by a Subcommittee of the Reconstruction Committee. The Report recommends the adoption of a wide and comprehensive scheme of reafforestation for the whole of the United Kingdom, and is at present under consideration by the Government. The steps to be taken to replant woodlands which have been denuded of timber to meet war requirements are dealt with in the Report.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any steps will be taken to prevent the enormous felling of trees in Ireland at the present time?

The only power which the Department has in that matter is that on estates which have been purchased under the Land Purchase Acts the cutting down of timber can be stopped by the Department, and we do that in most cases. Where we allow it to be done, we insist upon two trees being planted for every one that is cut down.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that com- plaints have been made respecting the destruction of fish in Irish rivers; and whether he can state what measures are being adopted by the Fishery Board to protect the spawning places of inland fisheries?

No complaints of the nature referred to have been received either by the Department or the Board of Conservators for the Suir district. The spawning places for inland fisheries are protected during the appropriate seasons by bailiffs appointed toy the Boards of Conservators and by private persons interested in the fisheries. Valuable assistance in this direction is also rendered by the Royal Irish Constabulary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the National Debt Commissioners have examined the appeal of the pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary for the State purchase of the Constabulary Force Fund (benefit branch), set out in a circular letter to Members of the House of Commons recently; if his attention has been called to charges of maladministration and to the extracts from Treasury Minutes, 20th February, 1891, admitting faultiness of administration; and if the Government will at once advance the amount necessary to purchase the subscribers, which will probably be repaid to the Treasury in about twenty-five years hence by retention of annual interest on War Loans, etc., and subsequent realisation of capital?

The answer to all parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the grounds on which Rudolph Nieman, Roman Catholic organist at Longford, was recently arrested and interned; whether he is aware that this man's wife and three children are left wholly unprovided for and in a destitute state; whether the local district inspector reported this to Dublin Castle; and what steps are to be taken to enable this woman and her children to live during the internment of her husband?

This man, a German alien of military age, was arrested and interned, as it was considered undesirable to have him at large. The district inspector reported that this man's wife and family are believed to be without means of subsistence, and she has been told to apply to the Longford Board of Guardians, who are empowered to afford assistance to the wives and children of interned enemy aliens.

Why should the ratepayers of the Longford Union be compelled to support this woman whose husband has been taken away practically without any notice to her or any means of providing for her in his absence?

Because it is rather undesirable that they should starve.

Is it a fact that in the case of other aliens arrangements have been made to provide for their wives and families when their breadwinner has been taken away in this manner?

Arrangements have been made in this case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend her to Lord Milner?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether George yon Chauvin is a member of Siemens, electrical engineers, Woolwich, and when he was naturalised; and whether this firm have accurate cable-laying charts of the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 1st July by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy. Mr. Chauvin's certificate of naturalisation was granted on 29th October, 1914, and will, of course, come under review if the Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill becomes law. As regards the last part of the question I have no information.

Has the right hon. Gentleman got any information about the latter part of the question?

I think the question should be put to one of the War Departments.

asked the Home Secretary whether the search for men of German origin in the public service can in any way be extended to the Press of the country, seeing that the Press fulfils ever more powerfully a public position in the government of the country by the creation of public opinion.

I regret that I have no power to extend this inquiry in the manner suggested.

asked the Home Secretary if he can now give the names of the Committee appointed to consider the cases of persons not the children of British-born subjects employed in Government Departments and the Terms of Reference to the Committee.

As this Committee will be concerned with all the Government Departments, the appointment will be made by the Prime Minister. As soon as the Committee has been appointed, a public announcement will be made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication whether this will be made before the Recess?

I have no doubt it will.