asked the President of the Board of Trade if Messrs. Merton and Company, a metal firm trading in this country, are financially connected with the German Metall-gesellschaft; if the Australian and African branches have been closed down with a view to excluding German control of the important industry affected; if he will give particulars of the present directorate of the English branch of Messrs. Merton and Company; whether any German or enemy subjects have now any financial interest, direct or indirect, in the company; whether the company is now carrying out any work for the Government; if so, will he state its nature; and whether he will consider the question of dealing with this firm in the same manner as has been done in the case of the African and Australian branches of this parent German undertaking?

The Metallgesell-schaft formerly held a large number of shares in Henry R. Merton and Company, Limited, but does not now hold any shares. The Australian branch of the company has been closed, but I have no information as to the African branch. The present directors of the company are: S. Baer, H. Gardner, W. Gardner, O. Lang, E. R. Merton, and M. Wilson. German subjects have an indirect financial interest in the company through the holding of 11,875 shares by a Swiss company which is believed to be under German control. I understand that the company is not now doing any work for the Government. Under the provisions of the Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Act the company will not be able to trade in non-ferrous metals without a licence, and I may inform the hon. and gallant Member that in this case the Board of Trade have refused to grant a licence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that but for the assistance given to Baron Schröder by the Bank of England, after his naturalisation by the Government in power on the outbreak of hostilities, be would have been involved in financial embarrassment by reason of his close association with German business houses affected by the War; and if he will state precisely who it was advised the Government of the day that the naturalisation of this German would be of assistance to British interests, and for what reason?

I have no information to the effect mentioned in the first part of the question. I am informed that the naturalisation of Baron Schröder was recommended to the Government at the beginning of the War in connection with the exceptional steps which were being taken at that time to preserve the credit of the country. As this naturalisation will shortly come up for examination by a Committee, it is undesirable to discuss it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who advised the Government to grant this naturalisation, and whether it is not the law of the country that on the outbreak of hostilities it is against the law of the country for people of this country to deal with enemies? In these circumstances why was any exception made in this case?

I thought I gave an answer to that. I am afraid my hon. Friend's law must be wrong, or he would not have been naturalised after the War. As regards the general point, I do not know who gave this special advice, but I am told it was given on the simple ground that at that time it was believed that this firm, being representative more or less of city interests, would, if anything happened to it, do great damage to the general credit of the country.

Is it not recognised that it is the law of the country that upon the outbreak of war you are not permitted to deal with enemy subjects?

Can the right hon. Gentleman not say whether the Governor of the Bank recommended it and that he was backed up by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is now Prime Minister?

Is it not a fact that this naturalisation took place at the wish of the Government and not at the wish of Baron Schroeder?

I do not know as to that; but it is a fact, and the House will remember what the circumstances were, that there was a great fear that there would be a general financial panic in the City of London. Representations were made to the Government that if this firm were allowed to go down it would damage our general credit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many sawmills in Scotland have been thrown out of work by the recent calling up of 600 men in the employment of timber merchants; and what is the consequent reduction of output of sawn timber and pitwood in Scotland?

A number of saw mills in Scotland were idle or working below full capacity for want of skilled labour before these men were called up, and I have no definite information at present of the extent to which this number has been increased; it has been estimated that the calling up of these men will reduce the output of sawn timber and pitwood from Scotland by about 20 per cent., but it is too early to say how far this estimate will be realised or exceeded.

asked the Minister of National Service if it is now the practice to take the only sons of widows; and will he give instructions that the only sons of widows shall, if so desired, be exempted from enlistment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board to the hon. and learned Member for the city of York on Friday last, where the position is fully stated.

asked the Minister of National Service if he will state the final arrangements that were made to secure fair and just treatment of the proprietors of one-man businesses; and whether, in cases in which the local tribunals, which necessarily have the best knowledge of all the circumstances, are unanimous in granting exemption, he will instruct the military representative to abstain, as far as possible, from bringing such cases before the Appeal Tribunal?

The final arrangements, so far as the Ministry of National Service is concerned, are contained in Circular R. 167, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. I may also add that since the issue of that Circular the Local Government Board have, through officers specially appointed by them for the purpose, been active in pressing forward schemes of co-operation for maintaining the businesses of one-man business proprietors who have joined the forces. I can add nothing in regard to the latter part of the question to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service to the hon. Member for Elland on the 16th of July last.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of these schemes of co-operation have actually been put into effect; and is it not the case that these men are being called up and that the schemes are no comfort to them after their businesses are ruined?

As the hon. Member is aware, the schemes are worked by the tribunals of the Local Government Board, and I should require to have notice of that question.

Is it true that the hon. Gentleman's Department is favouring the co-operative societies at the expense of independent tradesmen?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of cases of hardship and injustice which are constantly occurring, he can see his way to at once introduce legislation, if necessary, giving the proprietors of one-man businesses the right of appeal from the County Appeals Tribunal to the Central Tribunal?

I have been asked to answer this question. Much as I sympathise with the proprietors of one-man businesses, it is not practicable to make the change suggested. It is to be remembered that proprietors of one-man businesses are not the only men who have to make sacrifices, in view of the present military requirements; moreover, by schemes of co-operation for the maintenance of businesses, such as have been adopted in a number of localities, traders in many instances have in their own hands the means of mitigating the hardship to men who are required to join the forces.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that on 24th July at the Manchester Appeal Tribunal an applicant for exemption produced a letter from the Department of Overseas Trade saying that the applicant was a partner in this country with a Mr. Scotson, of Shanghai, trading in piece goods, and that in view of the attempts by Japanese and Americans to capture the German trade in the East it was most important that British trade should be protected and the applicant Withington allowed to continue his business in this country, and that the chairman, Mr. W. L. Hockin, said it was surprising that a Government Department should write such a letter, that he was glad there were no reporters present, that he would not care to hear of it being read in Parliament, that he quite agreed with the views in the letter, and he and his two colleagues at once agreed to exemption to 31st January; and whether firms competing with Mr. Scotson's in Shanghai and other firms having trade relations with China will be entitled to apply to the Manchester Appeal Tribunal?

I have received a communication from the chairman of the Appeal Tribunal respecting this case. The case was considered and decided wholly on its merits. I may mention that the man in question is forty-eight years of age and in Grade 2. Firms must apply to the appropriate tribunal as laid down in the Regulations.

I suppose that the chairman of the tribunal admits the allegations of my question, as they are not contradicted?

I do not understand that he admits the allegations.

Are not these facts consistent with one theory only—namely, that people in the Department of Information are given the pull of things by reason of advantages they get given them by Government Departments?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of the numerous complaints as to the way in which soldiers are being regraded and placed in higher categories without proper medical examination, he will issue a special instruction enjoining medical officers to exercise greater care in their examination; and will he make particular inquiry into the action of the Travelling Medical Board which recently transferred a considerable number of men from Grade 2 to A 1, the men in consequence being transferred from the Loyal North Lancashires to the King's Liverpool Regiment?

I am not aware of the complaints to which my hon. Friend refers, and see no ground for taking the action which he suggests. As regards the last part of the question I have called for a Report, and will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the facts stated in the earlier part of the question, and that I have myself conveyed a large number of complaints to the right hon. Gentleman?

I believe I got one or two complaints from my hon. Friend, but they do not justify the general allegation made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an application has been received from two conscientious objectors in Princetown Settlement, named Walton and Alty, to be allowed to take up the exceptional employment scheme; and, seeing that these two men are qualified by length of service and good conduct, whether steps will be taken to allow them to proceed at once to the new scheme?

I am informed by the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors that the cases of these two men will be considered in October next.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that conscientious objectors who have served about two years' imprisonment with hard labour are now being released from prison on the expiration of their sentence and are being re-court-martialled and sentenced to a further period of two years' hard labour; and whether, in view of his own admission that a sentence of two years' hard labour is the hardest known to English law, and in view of the injury to health which has been inflicted on these men, steps can be taken to stop these successive sentences for the same offence, and to liberate these men under suitable safeguards for work of national importance?

If a person who is subject to military law, after serving a sentence of imprisonment, commits a fresh offence, the question of bringing him before a court-martial is one entirely for the military authorities. I have no power to interfere; but, as I have frequently pointed out, genuine conscientious objectors who accept employment under the Brace Committee, are liberated for work of national importance, and are not liable to further imprisonment. In the case of conscientious objectors who prefer to remain in prison, their sentence has been mitigated by the grant of privileges under Rule 243 A.

What happens to those men who are quite willing to undertake work of national importance, but are refused, and, in cases I have recently brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman, have been refused for over two years?

I am sure there never has been any refusal where the tribunal were satisfied that the man was a genuine conscientious objector.

Is not the fact that these men have suffered four or five consecutive terms of six months' imprisonment, sufficient to prove that they are conscientious objectors?

That is a matter in regard to which I have no power.

Is not a period of two years' hard labour a savage and excessive sentence, in respect of what is a continuing conscientious objection?

I must refer my hon. Friend to previous answers I have given.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the increasing number of men who are undergoing this prolonged labour?

I do not believe that is true.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been, or are being, made to supply Ireland with its proportion of coal supply?

The returns of coal shipped to Ireland for six months ending June show that that country has actually received its proportion of coal. The position from the beginning of July has been, and is still, affected by the influenza epidemic amongst the miners. The matter is under observation, but naturally available supplies have to be more or less regulated in accordance with the importance of consumers as regards the national interest.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give us more information at the deputation to-morrow?

Certainly, the Coal Controller will bear in mind the points arising out of this question, and I shall be glad to call his attention to them and to ask him to fortify himself with the information necessary for to-morrow's meeting.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable scarcity of coal among the working classes in Dublin; that 130 councils and other borough councils in this country are permitted to purchase and re-sell quantities of coal, and thus to supply the small and working-class people in the district; and will he see that similar powers are given to borough councils in Ireland?

I would suggest that the hon. Member should raise these points at the deputation to-morrow. I would remind him that, so far as any shortage of coal is concerned, Ireland is no worse off than any other part of the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Irish Coal Controller has cognisance of the fact that Messrs. A. Guinness and Sons, brewers, Dublin, have stored at the Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin, some 50,000 tons of coal, which has lain there for nearly five years, and on which grass two feet high is growing; whether they have other large supplies at James Street and the North City Quay; and whether, in view of the number of persons in Dublin who are faced with the prospect of a fire-less winter, it is proposed that Messrs. Guinness should be allowed to accumulate and retain such large stocks of coal?

The question of the stocks of coal held by Messrs. A. Guinness and Sons, Dublin, is under notice at the present time, and the Controller's information is that the stocks do not approximate to anything like the quantity named by my hon. Friend; but an intimation has been conveyed to the firm that it may be necessary to divert a portion of their supplies.

Will this include an order to the firm not to take coal already commandeered by the Coal Controller and dumped with them?

I cannot answer that without notice.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman the facts, will he direct an inquiry to the Irish Coal Controller?

Yes.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the practice which prevails in Ireland of sending young calves tied up in sacks instead of crates; and whether he will direct prosecutions for all such offences, and direct that the law shall be strictly followed in future?

The Department are aware that the practice prevails in some parts of Ireland of sending by rail young calves tied up in sacks instead of in crates. It is understood that the charge for conveyance in the former instance is generally the cheaper. Railway companies have been requested to take all necessary steps to secure the better treatment of young animals carried on railways otherwise than in hampers or in crates. If any instances of cruel treatment of calves in such circumstances occur, the provisions of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, would apply.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the six officers who were transferred from Armagh to Belfast Prison and unable to find houses for themselves and their wives and families have not received any separation allowances to cover the extra expenses involved; if he will say whether they have been given a reply to their application of about six weeks ago asking for the allowances; and whether he is aware that officers in English prisons get 6s. per day for separation allowances for the first three weeks and 3s. per day afterwards, whilst the Irish officers get nothing?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 20th June last.

As I understand that no action has been taken since, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into it?

The Prisons Board have forwarded the application, which was made to the proper quarter, and they have not yet had a reply.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Government have, in accordance with his promise, taken any steps to lift the arms and ammunition in Ulster; and why there was any differentiation made between the rebels of Ulster and those of the other three provinces?

asked whether any steps have been taken to disarm the Ulster Volunteers in North-East Ulster?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state when he intends to demand the Ulster Volunteers to give up their rifles in accordance with the Government's expressed intention?

As I have already stated in reply to previous questions on this subject, I cannot make any general statement at present with regard to the matters referred to, beyond saying that steps are in progress to secure the surrender of arms throughout the entire country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of consulting the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Trinity College, with a view to getting his consent to the collection of those arms in Ulster?

His consent has nothing to do with it.

Has any Member of the Ulster Provisional Council yet been called on personally to surrender rifles or to use his influence to have them surrendered in any part of Ulster?

I have already said that I cannot make any statement at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what steps he is taking?

No.

In reference to the statement of the hon. Member for East Down that the Ulster Provisional Government offered their rifles to the Government, will the right hon. Gentleman say is the statement true, and did the Government accept the offer?

I cannot make any statement.

On a point of Order—

The hon. Member must give notice of his question.

As we are now coming to the end of the Session and this is a very important matter, are we not entitled to the information for which I am asking?

The hon. Member should put his question on the Paper.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Patrick Mulhern, of Derriniskey, Arigna, county Roscommon, was on several occasions granted an old age pension by the local sub-committee, Boyle, but on appeal by the pension officer it was disallowed on the ground that Mulhern had spent a term in America; and whether, having regard to the fact that he is over seventy-one years of age, and always had his home in Ireland, and only visited the United States periodically for the purpose of earning money, all of which he expended on his home, and being now a poor man, he will be granted the pension and arrears?

The facts are not as stated in the question, as Patrick Mulhern, the man referred to, was in the United States from 1870 until 1912, with the exception of about two years, 1883–5, and there is no evidence that he supported any dependant in Ireland, within the past twenty years. In the circumstances, under the Old Age Pensions Acts, no pension is allowable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can ascertain if any, and, if so, what Govern- ment Department has given any financial guarantee to any body or company in Ireland in respect of flax growing; and whether it is proposed to distribute any such guarantee equitably over all the counties in Ireland?

No financial guarantee has been given to any body or company in Ireland respecting flax growing by any Department of the Irish Government, but I understand that two bodies have received guarantees from other Government Departments.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if any action has been taken by the Irish Government with a view to the establishment of scutch-mills and setting machinery in the South and West of Ireland in order to avoid the present waste of money and wagons in transit?

The Department of Agriculture are prepared to grant loans for the erection of scutch-mills in suitable cases where sufficient scutching facilities are not already available in the district. Such loans have already been granted in both Munster and Connaught. No machinery is required for retting.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the price at which coal from Wolfhill Colliery was sold to Messrs. John Wallace and Company, coal merchants, Dublin; and if he will state the price subsequently charged to Mullingar Asylum for this same coal?

I am informed that no coal from the Wolfhill Collieries was supplied to Messrs. Wallace and Company, of Dublin, and afterwards sold by that firm to the Mullingar District Asylum. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the importance of the bee-keeping industry as a means of employment for soldiers and sailors invalided in the War and also as a source of sugar and in view of the ravages inflicted on the industry by the Isle of Wight disease, he can see his way to take similar measures for stamping out disease among bees as are taken in the case of swine and cattle?

In reply, I fear I can add nothing to the information given to the hon. Member for the Harborough Division of Leicestershire in an answer of the 12th June last.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what has been the result of the negotiations with regard to the allotment holders in Glenusk Road, Eltham; and has he been successful in preventing these men being deprived of their allotments?

The purchaser of the land in question has agreed that the present allotment holders may retain possession of their plots till the 1st October, 1919, and the Board have informed them accordingly.

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that quantities of immature apples are being placed on the market which sell at high prices; and if it is intended to control the price of this fruit so as to stop the marketing of the same, and thereby secure and augment a supply for the future?

This matter is receiving careful consideration, but I am not prepared at present to indicate what measures, if any, will be taken to control the marketing of apples.

asked the Food Controller whether there is a considerable supply of maize in Great Britain at the present time; whether any has been sent to Ireland; and, if not, whether it is intended that any shall be sent?

The stocks of maize in Great Britain are considerably below the normal, and much of this maize has already been allocated to munition services. Small parcels of maize have recently been shipped from British to Irish ports, but it is impossible to guarantee that anything approaching the usual supplies will be available for any part of the United Kingdom.

Do I gather that within the last few weeks a supply of maize has actually been sent to Ireland?

I said in my reply that small parcels of maize have recently been shipped from British to Irish ports.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that meal made from maize is the main food of numbers of people in Ireland, and now that the crop is done farmers will not be able to get maize to fatten pigs, as it will be kept for human food?

asked the Food Controller if he is aware that 1,264 lbs. of Government frozen beef sent to Buckfastleigh last week were condemned and destroyed and that since 21st June 3,000 lbs. have been so dealt with in this town; will he inquire of the executive officer the cause of this loss; is he aware that there is a danger of the Food Committee resigning unless good meat is sent; and will he provide that the meat sent in future shall be fit for consumption?

I may refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on this point last Thursday. I can only add that-all possible care is being taken to ensure sound quality and condition in supplies of frozen beef.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that many retail distributors of sweets who were their own manufacturers before the Sale of Sweetmeats (Restriction) Order. 1918, came into operation are still manufacturing sweetmeats, but, being unable to retail them to their customers, are compelled to sell them to competitors in the trade; whether he is aware that the sweetmeats so manufactured are of a higher quality than those sold by the small shopkeepers, and that the public is inconvenienced without any compensating advantage to the small shopkeeper; and whether he will consider the advisability of so modifying the Order as to allow firms who manufacture sweetmeats to retail those sweetmeats on their own premises, and thus avoid the waste of time, labour, and money of transferring to another place?

The Sale of Sweetmeats (Restriction) Order, 1918, was made for the purpose of enabling those retailers of sweetmeats who wholly or mainly depend for their livelihood on this class of trade to obtain a larger proportion of the available supplies. One effect of the Order is to compel manufacturers who formerly sold sweatments by retail to dispose of their products at wholesale rates to other shopkeepers, and thus to increase the supplies of sweetmeats available for sale by those whom the Order was designed to benefit. The Food Controller can see no valid reason for amending the Order in the direction suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in order to do away with a large measure of the dissatisfaction which now exists, he can see his way to substitute for local butchers on the grading committees butchers who do not buy meat in the locality?

No, Sir. Experience has shown that work of this character is more satisfactorily performed by men who are acquainted with local conditions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Food Controller has distinctly stated that while the consumer is required to register for tea that article has not yet been rationed; whether he is aware that since it was decided to require registration the Civil Service Supply Association and other large tea dealers have rationed their customers in tea by supplying no more than 2 ozs. per head per week; and will he say what measures it is proposed to take to prevent this infringement by retail tea dealers of the powers of the Food Controller?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Retailers are supplied with sufficient tea to enable them to give 2 ozs. per head per week to each of their registered customers. If some registered customers require less than 2 ozs. others may obtain more. In these circumstances the action complained of by the hon. Member merely amounts to a wise precaution.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in connection with the Order of the 19th July, that storemen, assistant-storemen, and labourers in the ordnance factories, Woolwich Arsenal, who were in such employment previous to the 1st August, 1914, shall, upon joining the Colours, receive their civil pay while enlisted, he will consider the possibility of extending this to men who have given three and four years' service in the same capacity, but who were not so employed prior to the date named, in view of the efficient and intelligent service they have rendered?

It would not be in accordance with Government policy to allow the continuance of civil pay to employés who had entered civil Government service after the outbreak of war on their being called up for military service. To do so would be to place at a disadvantage soldiers who had joined the Army direct instead of obtaining civil employment.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he can now state the terms on which the Alliance Aeroplane Works of Messrs. Waring and Gillow have been acquired by the Government?

This matter is still under consideration by both sides. I fear that the final decision will not be arrived at before the House rises, but an announcement of the terms of settlement will be made in the Press as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to a notice issued by William Beardmore and Company, Limited, to their clerical staff inquiring whether members of the staff are or have been members of the National union of Clerks; and, if so, will he give instructions that this notice be withdrawn?

I have been in communication with Messrs. Beardmore respecting the circular referred to by my hon. Friend. The firm state that it was necessary for them to obtain the names of those of their clerks who are members of the National Union of Clerks, in order to ascertain how many of their employés are entitled to an award of the Committee on Production in a difference which had existed between the firm and the union. They endeavoured to obtain this information by application to the Committee on Production and the union, but were unsuccessful. They state that this was their only motive in issuing the circular. No offence against the Munitions Act has been committed by the issue of the circular, and the Department has no power, therefore, to require its withdrawal.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that the employés have regarded the circular issued as of the most intimidatory character, and can he not make recommendations to the firm in question that such circulars should not be issued in future, so that there should be freedom for every man in its employment to join whatever union he pleases?

I agree. The firm have stated that the issue of the circular in no way interferes with the freedom of the men to join any union they please. We cannot interfere until it is shown that the firm have taken action contrary to that principle. We shall continue to watch what is done, and if it appears that there is any action taken by the firm which interferes with the freedom of men to join a union we shall act.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the circular referred to, and does his interpretation of it not agree with the interpretation put upon it?

I have seen the circular. More than that I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he has received a protest signed by the staff of the Fuse Section, M. F. E. Royal Laboratory, Woolwich, protesting against the appointment of a shop manager inexperienced in fuse production; what reply has been sent to this protest; and what action it is intended to take in regard to the appointment?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if negotiations are proceeding in connection with the commandeering of an office building in Manchester belonging to the Provincial Insurance Company; whether he is aware of the fact that this firm has already had one building in Manchester taken over by the Government; and, seeing that the work for which this building is required can be equally well carried out from London, whether the whole matter can be reconsidered?

The requirements of the Ministry of Munitions in Manchester necessitate the commandeering of three rooms now occupied by the Provincial Insurance Company in a building belonging to the company, the remainder of which is already occupied by the Ministry of Munitions. I have no knowledge of any other building in Manchester belonging to this company which has been commandeered by the Government. I am assured that it is quite impossible for the work, for which the accommodation is required, to be done from London.

Do I understand they will have only three rooms in addition to what they have already?

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if his attention has been called to the criticism passed by the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their last Report as to the action taken by the Department responsible for financing the Cellonite Company, of Basle, and the refusal to arrange with British companies for the supply of cellulose acetate; what action is proposed to be taken in view of the terms of such Report; and if he can state what amount of German capital is invested in the Basle company which has had such preference over British companies in this matter?

The original contract referred to by my hon. Friend was made by the War Office and was inherited by the Ministry of Munitions when it became responsible for aircraft production in 1917. The Ministry of Munitions' dealings have been with the British Cellulose Company, and no financial assistance has been given to the Cellonite Company, of Basle. I have no information as to the amount of German capital invested in that company. I desire to add that, in view of the Select Committee's Report, I am appointing a Committee to consider and report to me on the criticisms and recommendations made therein. Until I receive the Report I cannot make any statement as to future action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government has made to the Provisional Government of Siberia a categorical declaration that they have no intention of infringing the territorial integrity of Russia?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Fifth National Congress of Russian Soviets held in Moscow on or about the 8th July adopted a new constitution for Russia, and that in the regions of Russia which are thereby federated in the Russian Republic the constitution is firmly established; and whether he will obtain a copy of this constitution in Moscow through Mr. Lockhart?

I believe that the fifth Congress of the Russian Soviets approved a new constitution, but I have no precise information on the subject. Communication with Moscow is precarious, but I will try to get a copy of the constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the declaration of the British Government, made in the Press on 31st July, that the action of the Allies in Russia is of a temporary character, no menace to Russian sovereignty is intended, and these objects once obtained, not a single Allied soldier would remain on Russian soil, was made on behalf and with the consent of France, Japan, and the United States?

We have made no declaration on behalf of our Allies. What we said on our own behalf was

"The aim of His Majesty's Government is to secure the political and economic restoration of Russia, without internal interference of any kind, and to bring about the expulsion of enemy forces from Russian soil. His Majesty's Government categorically declare that they have no intention whatever of infringing in the slightest degree the territorial integrity of Russia."

Is it not just as well to enforce that admirable statement of our aims with the definite and express consent of our Allies?

Our Allies may or may not think it wise to have a joint declaration, but it is sufficient that the various Governments should make their own declarations. It might be a good addition to that, but I am not responsible for that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what he means by the use of the words "restoration of the political position of Russia" in his answer?

Turn all the Germans out!

The words were

"to secure the political and economic restoration of Russia."

Are we to understand that it is the view of the Government and the Allies that the best way to promote the political restoration of Russia is to accentuate civil war there?

No, Sir. I made it perfectly clear in what I said. If I did not make it clear I will read the words again. We do not propose to interfere in the internal arrangements of Russia. Russia must manage her own affairs. But there is nothing inconsistent with the general statement in anything I have said.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make a statement that they do not intend to assist any of those factions in Russia who are attempting to overthrow the Soviet Government?

"Without internal interference of any kind."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the native or Russian population of the district of Russia now under the regional Murman Council?

I understand that the population of the district referred to is approximately 130,000, but that it fluctuates considerably, as large numbers enter the district at regular intervals for the fishing industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that General Gourko has publicly declared for a restoration of the monarchy; and whether he can assure the House that General Gourko is not in command of the Murman Expedition?

I have not seen the declaration to which the hon. Member refers. General Gourko has nothing whatever to do with the Murman Expedition.

asked whether the Government have approved the principle of charging British civilian prisoners who are sent home from internment in Germany the cost of their voyage from Holland to England; what is the amount of this charge to the individual and the basis upon which it is made; and whether, in view of the fact that the Rotterdam Steamship Company make no charge for the hire of their vessels beyond actual running expenses and having consideration to the long-continued hardships already undergone by the returning prisoners, the Government will remit the charge now made, which is one which many released prisoners can ill afford?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I have given on this subject on the 16th and 22nd July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to announce the new proposals promised for co-ordinating the duties connected with prisoners of war?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce the decision of the Government in this matter.

May I repeat the question on Wednesday?

I am afraid it would be useless. A proposal has been drafted. It will come up for the consideration of the Cabinet, and I do not think it will be settled by Wednesday.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty is responsible for the increased stringency of the conditions under which passports are issued for women and children passing overseas; and whether he is prepared to make a statement as to the present position of this matter?

I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.