asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can use his influence with the American Government to secure the withdrawal of the embargo on cured mackerel exported from Ireland to the United States, in view of the fact that the industry gives employ-men to fishermen and others on the West Coast of Ireland in the autumn months, that the trade has been in existence for a number of years, and that whilst there is a demand for this article of food in the United States there is practically no demand for it in the United Kingdom?

His Majesty's Government are already in communication with the United States Government, who are considering the question, and I have every hope that a favourable decision will soon be reached.

Can he say whether it will be possible to indicate the nature of that decision in good time before the autumn mackerel season begins, which is very soon now?

I will take care that the suggestion of the hon. Member is properly considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the recent stormy weather has materially increased the difficulty of securing the harvest; and whether, therefore, the Government will reconsider their decision and release for the period of the harvest the skilled agricultural workers called to the Colours in May and June last?

I regret that the decision cannot be reconsidered, but, as I explained in an answer to my right hon. Friend on the 9th instant, soldiers in command depots and hospitals are being granted agricultural furlough to assist in securing the harvest.

Cannot the matter be reconsidered with reference to all these men called up? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability, under the circumstances mentioned in the question, to liberate the men who are actual proprietors of farms, and let them go back during the harvest where there is no male person on the farm?

I cannot say more than I have said. It has been decided by the various Government Departments concerned and also by the War Cabinet.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any considered policy has been decided upon for the provision of feeding-stuffs and fertilisers for 1918–19; what amount of tonnage and finance has been allocated to linseed and cotton seed; and whether any approximate estimate can now be given as to the amount of oil cake available for distribution in the United Kingdom during the next six months?

I have been asked to reply. The provision of an adequate supply of fertilisers and feeding-stuffs depends upon considerations of finance and tonnage, which cannot at present be stated definitely. It is hoped to maintain supplies of sulphate of ammonia and basic slag at last year's level, and to import an increased amount of phosphate rock. It is further hoped that it will be possible to distribute to farmers as much oil cake as was distributed last winter, and it is believed that circumstances will render an increased amount of millers' offals available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me before the House rises as to oil cake?

No time is being lost. There is constant consultation between the Departments concerned, and, in addition, representatives of the Allies, who are also concerned, are consulting at this moment.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture the quantity of hay which it is estimated has been and will be lost in consequence of the shortage of farm labour; and whether the Government propose to allow any part of the corn harvest to be similarly wasted, or what steps they propose to take to meet the difficulty?

I do not think that there is any evidence to prove that an appreciable quantity of hay has been lost, or will be lost, through labour shortage. The broken weather has increased the difficulties of hay-making, but the greater part of the crop was secured in excellent order before the weather broke. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the right hon. Member for the South Molton Division on the 1st of this month.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is satisfied with the progress of pig breeding; what is the increase in the number of pigs during the last twelve months; and what are the difficulties that prevent a large development of this industry?

The Department's figures refer only to pigs on holdings of I acre and over in England and Wales. They show that, although there has been an estimated decrease in the number of pigs on such holdings from 1,919,000 on the 4th June, 1917, to about 1,695,000 on the 4th June last, there has been an estimated increase of 34,000 in the number of sows on such holdings between those dates. A considerable increase has also been effected, partly through the efforts of my hon. Friend the Member for the East Grinstead Division, in the number of pigs kept on allotments and on other holdings of less than 1 acre, by means of pig clubs and similar associations. To what extent further development can be pushed must depend wholly on the supply of feeding stuffs that can be assured to the keepers of pigs during the coming season.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will answer the first part of the question, and at the same time will he say whether it is not the fact that the control of feeding-stuffs is under another Department, and that the country is suffering very much in consequence?

On the subject of the breeding of pigs, I am perfectly satisfied with the progress this industry is making. It is quite true that feeding-stuffs are under the control of another Department.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now note the desirability, in conjunction with the Food Control, of making some statement to allay the apprehensions of a slump in pigs, which have arisen as the result of Mr. Hoover's recent speech?

I should like notice of that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a big diminution in the number of pigs in Ireland owing to the shortage in the offals of wheat, and owing to the fact that the price of Indian meal, a substitute, is 33 per cent. higher than the home-grown feeding-stuffs, which would cost the farmer 2s. as against 4s. for Indian meal, and is it to be expected that the farmer will pay 4s. for a substitute for that which he can grow better at home for half the price?

I regret to say that I am aware that there is a decrease in the number of pigs in Ireland, and that it is in the main attributable to the shortage of feeding-stuffs. I am also aware of the disparity between the price of home-grown feeding-stuffs for pigs, which is obliged to go into bread, and the price of the substitute which the farmers are obliged to buy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the controlled price of wheat, barley, and oats which farmers produce for the open market is only 2s. per 14 lbs., as against 4s. for Indian meal—100 per cent. more than the cost of the farmer's home-grown feeding-stuffs?

That question should be addressed to the Ministry of Food.

You ought to have it in your own Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement has been made by this country or the Allies with the Regional Government of Vladivostock, Eastern Siberia, or any locality in the Far East of the former Russian Empire; and, if so, whether its terms or text can be made public?

The answer is in the negative.

Is there any truth in the telegrams from Russia that His Majesty's Government have given a categorical assurance that the Allies have no intention of infringing the territorial integrity of Russia?

I do not think that arises out of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the agreement entered into with the Regional Council of the Murman Coast implies the recognition of that council as a de facto and/or de jure Government with which the Allies or their country expects to maintain regular relations, or is made only for temporary or military purposes; and whether any other regional councils in Russia have been or will be treated with or recognised on similar lines?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given yesterday. I am not in a position to make any further statement in regard to the agreement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War for what reason the military European German subjects taken prisoners of war during the operations in German East Africa have not been removed to India for internment in the same manner as the German residents in British East Africa were removed; how many of these Germans are there now in German East Africa, and what is going to be done with them; and how many German civilians are there now in German East Africa and what is being done with them?

German combatant prisoners of war are transferred to Egypt for internment as opportunity offers. According to the latest information on the subject received in the War Office there were fifty-two German combatant prisoners of war in German East Africa, and presumably these were awaiting transfer to Egypt. The last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an interned prisoner of war in Germany can draw any portion of his pay; and, if so, can he allot any of it to his dependants?

The reply to both parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative. A prisoner of war wishing to do either should communicate direct with his regimental paymaster.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether steps have yet been taken to authorise the wearing of chevrons by officers and men who were taken prisoner by the enemy after being wounded?

Chevrons will be given to wounded prisoners of war.

Will the same privilege be extended to those who have escaped?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether this country is putting men in the trenches at an earlier age than France or Italy?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the age of the youngest soldiers sent to the fighting zone by the French, Italian, and British military authorities respectively?

In the case of France, the youngest class available for service in the trenches is the 1919 class. The average age of these men is just over nineteen years. In the case of Italy, lads of eighteen years of age were put in the trenches last year, and at present the 1900 class—lads of eighteen years of age—are under training. In the case of this country, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained on the 9th April last, it was found necessary, owing to the emergency, that lads of eighteen and a half years of age who are sufficiently trained should be sent to France.

Am I to understand from that that as it was owing to an emergency now that the emergency has passed the Army Council and the Government are reconsidering their decision?

I cannot, of course, admit that the emergency is pasted, but I may assure the House and my hon. Friend that this matter receives the gravest consideration.

Is the Army Council considering the opportunity, if it arises, of withdrawing these young lads of eighteen and a-half years from the fighting line?

Certainly.

Is not the fact that the French, who have many years' experience on this subject, do not send their young men until nineteen, a precedent to be followed, considering that the pressure is just as great on France as on England?

I cannot add to the answer I have given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Kilkenny Corporation, at their weekly meeting on the 16th instant, refused to allow a letter from the Irish Recruiting Committee to be read; have other instances of this circular letter explaining the provisions of the recruiting scheme being not allowed to be read by local authorities occurred; and can he say what was contained in the circular letter to cause the action described?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not aware of similar action by other local authorities. The circular letter expressed a desire to confer with the corporation as to the best methods of raising recruits by the voluntary system in Kilkenny.

Has this Irish committee got any official status or is it an amateur body?

I do not know what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means by an amateur body.

Has it got any official status? May I have an answer?

I do not know what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means.

Has this body been appointed by the Irish Government, by the War Office, or by any Government Department?[HON. MEMBERS: "No!" and "What body?"]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what Regulations have been made in Army training camps as regards the men over forty-four years of age and graded 1 and 2 and called up under the last Act before the new Regulation of the National Service Department was issued that all such men should be graded B1 and B2, in brackets; whether he is aware that such men are being trained with younger Grade 1 men and think they may be sent to the front on emergency; and will he issue instructions forthwith that all such men over forty-four years of age who are now training as Grade 1 men shall have exactly the same treatment and training as all men who are now called up and are graded B1 and B2, in brackets?

Men called up who are over forty years of age, and are allotted to Infantry, are posted to battalions specially organised for their reception and kept together as far as practicable. They are trained on a special modified syllabus of training suitable for older men, and, as far as possible, trained by older non-commissioned officers. Instructions have already been issued that men enlisted subsequent to 18th April, 1918, who on the date of their enlistment had attained the age of forty years and were graded Grade I, will now be categorised as B1.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received complaints as to brutality to military prisoners in Wandsworth Military Detention Barracks; and whether he will have inquiries made at once by an impartial person?

I have received no complaints beyond a letter sent to me by my hon. and gallant Friend. In view of the fact that an impartial person visits the Detention Barracks once a week, as laid down in the Rules for Military Detention Barracks and Military Prisons, I do not think it is necessary for me to make any special inquiries.

Would it be possible to get permission to visit the prison?

I shall be glad—in fact, I have written to my hon. and gallant Friend—to arrange to take him over the place at any time fixed.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to call up British citizens up to the age of fifty-one for military service or work of national importance, and to leave aliens and enemy aliens free to seize the industry and trade of this country; and, if not, will he say how he proposes to deal with this problem?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Baronet to the full statement which I made on behalf of the Government on Thursday, the 11th July.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a petition signed by about 300 persons, chiefly women, offering themselves as substitutes, person for person, to take the place of men who are now suffering in prison for conscience sake; and, if so, whether he will consider the possibility of accepting the offer?

I have received from the hon. Member the petition to which he refers. It is obviously impossible to comply with the request.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that Private Percy Read, No. 47442, 3rd Wilts Regiment, a married man with one child, farming 169 acres of land at Ashton Keynes, Cricklade, Wilts, has been called to the Colours; whether he is aware that this farmer has no responsible person except his wife to take charge of the farm; that he has 60 acres of haymaking and 20 acres of harvest to be done; that he has twenty-eight cows in milk, besides a variety of other cattle; and, in the interests of food production, will he say what steps he proposes to take to secure this man's release from military service until after the harvest?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The man was called up for military service under the recent scheme requiring a certain quota from each county. In order to meet the demand other county executive committees were compelled to release for service men in a similar position. It is understood that none of the men thus called up can be released.

Does that mean that there is no alternative but for this man to realise his stock and close his farm down?

I believe that every assistance will be rendered to him by the Agricultural Executive Committee of the county, who are aware of this case.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that nothing is being done?

I should like notice of that. It is not according to my information.

asked the Minister of National Service whether a special tribunal for final appeal can be established for men engaged in one-man businesses of the same nature as the special tribunal for co-operative managers and officials?

I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave on the 24th instant to the hon. Members for Merthyr Tydvil and Tower Hamlets, and on the 29th instant to the hon. Members for Devizes and Great Grimsby.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that, contrary to his instructions, men of the new military ages engaged in certified occupations in the woollen industry and complying with the conditions of List R 136 have been called-up for medical examination and consequently have had to apply to a local tribunal for exemption; whether, when temporary exemption has been granted, the obligation to join a Volunteer Training Corps has been imposed; and whether he will direct that men inadvertently called-up in this way should not be subject to military service or service with a Volunteer Training Corps so long as the current instructions remain in force?

I am aware that a certain number of men of the new military age, within the limits of the Certified Occupations List, have been called up for medical examination. This is due to the fact that many men failed correctly to register their occupation under the National Registration Acts. As a result it was not known that they were in fact within the list. I have no power to relieve a man of the obligation to volunteer service, which was imposed by Parliament. It is, however, open to men upon whom the obligation rests to apply to the tribunal for a variation of their certificate. With regard to cases of the type referred to by my hon. Friend, I shall be pleased to give general instructions to National Service representatives not to oppose the application for variation.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is willing that all instructions to National Service officers should be made public so that the rights of men liable to military service may be safeguarded against mistakes on the part of officials?

The rights of men liable to military service do not depend upon Departmental instructions, but are governed by Statutes, by Orders in Council, and by Regulations, by Proclamations, and by Orders made under the Statutes, to all of which the utmost publicity is given. Officials at the local offices of the Ministry are always ready to answer any questions or to give advice to men who are in doubt as to their military position.

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman is quite agreeable to have all the Regulations addressed to the tribunals published?

That question does not lie with me, but, I believe, with the President of the Local Government Board. As a matter of fact, all the instructions are issued to the tribunals.

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to send a copy of these instructions he issues to his own staff to the chairmen of tribunals, so that they can work in conformity with the Department, whereas now tribunals find themselves sometimes in opposition to the Ministry of National Service, a circumstance which could be avoided if the suggestion were adopted of sending all Instructions to the chairmen?

As a matter of fact, a great many of the instructions issued by the Ministry of National Service are made available for the chairmen of tribunals.

I have never seen one myself.

At all events, the instructions issued to the representatives of the National Service Department go to the chairmen of tribunals, but a very large number of our instructions have no interest or bearing upon the work of the tribunals.

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in general, a man of forty-six years of age or over should not primâ facie be exempted from the Volunteer Training Corps condition?

I have been asked to answer this question. There appears to be no reason why men of forty-six years of age should as a matter of course be relieved of the Volunteer obligation; each case must be considered on its merits.

Is not the object of releasing these men of forty-seven, forty-eight, and forty-nine that they shall be employed on work of national importance, and are not these men so heavily engaged during the day that to ask them, after their day's work, to go and drill is merely a farce?

Each case is considered on its merits.

Would not the recommendation of the President of the Local Government Board probably have some weight in preventing local tribunals imposing the duty of drilling upon men who have very little practical hope of ever being called up?

I have nothing to add to the last sentence.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Civil Liabilities Commissioners will take into consideraton, in view of the increased cost of living, the raising of the maximum allowance to all men who have to close down their business from £104 per annum to some higher figure, such as £180?

The Grants made by the Civil Liabilities Committee are made in respect of certain contractual obligations such as rent, interest, and instalments on purchases, insurance premiums, etc. and not in respect of maintenance. It does not seem to my right hon. Friend to be necessary to increase the Grants in view of the increased cost of living.

When the obligations exceed £104 per annum is the Civil Liabilities Commission authorised to increase the amount beyond £104?

It is perfectly true that the present maximum is £104 per annum, but I think it is within the competence of the Commission to increase that should the circumstances so warrant, although on that particular point I cannot give a definite answer.

They never increase it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that a number of persons holding pro-German views, well known locally as pacifists, who are openly opposed to winning the War, are sitting upon local tribunals in South Wales; if he is aware that loyal citizens are disgusted with this condition of things; and if he will at once make an order that only members who are prepared to swear their loyalty to King and country shall sit upon such tribunals?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on the 24th inst. My right hon. Friend does not think that an order such as is suggested is required; but the hon. Member can rest satisfied that he will consider any case where good evidence is brought to his notice that a member of a tribunal is not being guided by full regard for the national interests at the present time.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think it is disgraceful that people of this character should be allowed on these tribunals? We can already prove the cases. Apart from that, even if they were fair, we know their views outside.

I can only say it seems to me that the answer I have given is quite comprehensive: that if it is brought to my right hon. Friend's notice that a member of a tribunal is not being guided by full regard to the national interest at the present time, further action will be taken.

The hon. Gentleman has not replied to my question, which was whether such people should be allowed to sit on this tribunal unless they take the oath of allegiance to their king and country? I will put the question down again.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has considered the means by which the businesses of men who are called up for military service could be protected or maintained during their absence; and if he has taken any steps to encourage local authorities to set up committees of carefully selected residents to which these men might refer their difficulties, with the object of securing co-operation on the part of other men in the same businesses who are not serving their country?

The establishment of schemes for maintaining the businesses of men who join the forces has received much attention from the Local Government Board, and excellent schemes have been adopted at a number of places. The best schemes are likely to be those which are managed by traders themselves, for they know exactly the difficulties to be overcome. I may also refer to the Circular issued in December last by the Board on the subject, of which I will forward the hon. Baronet a copy. My right hon. Friend is anxious to do all that he can to push schemes of this kind, and only yesterday held a conference with representatives of the London tribunals on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether an un-naturalised enemy alien, Helwig Batburg, is still employed as matron at the cottage hospital at Devizes, to the exclusion of capable British women; and, if so, when is it proposed to intern this person?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to him on the 19th June by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary, to which I would only add that women are not interned in this country as prisoners of war, and that this woman's exemption from repatriation will come within the general review of exemptions which I announced on the 11th instant.

Is it not the fact that the secretary to Major Edwardes, who was an Austrian lady, is now interned in this country as an enemy alien, and that she was arrested at Limerick Junction?

If so, Sir, there must have been a special reference in her case: she was interned under Regulation 14B.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that people like this ought to be allowed to hold various positions which might be important?

That is a matter for the committee of the hospital.

asked the Prime Minister if he is taking any steps to determine upon a national policy under which foreigners may receive the advantages of British citizenship after the War.

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply given yesterday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for the St. Augustine's Division, which shows that we are taking steps in this direction.

asked if the German named Saure is still permitted to visit the neighbourhood of our reservoir and waterworks at Hirwain and Penydaren, Glamorganshire; if he is still permitted to travel to and from London; if he will explain why any German is allowed to get near the people's water supplies; if he will see that this German is interned at once; and if he will make inquiries who the German is who lives at or near the Cardiff Waterworks, and lock him up for the safety of the people of Cardiff?

If the hon. Member refers to the case of Francis Sauer, I understand that he severed his connection with the firm on whose business he used to visit Glamorganshire in September, 1916, and I have no information that he has travelled to Wales since, but I am making inquiries. If the hon. Member will give me further particulars about the case referred to in the last part of his question, I will have inquiries made about it also. All exemptions of alien enemies from internment are at once to be reviewed.