asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to give an assurance that General Gourko has nothing to do with either the Archangel or Vladivostock Expeditions which are being conducted by the Allies against the Soviet Government of Russia, and that General Gourko will not be allowed to join the Vladivostock Expedition?

This question contains implications and attributes motives which are not in accordance with the facts. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that General Gourko has nothing to do with either the Archangel or the Vladivostock Expeditions.

Is the Noble Lord aware that there was no implication, at any rate in my mind, when this question was asked?

It must be perfectly evident to the hon. Member, or to anyone else reading it, that it is very offensive.

Is the Noble Lord aware—

We must get on. We have over 100 questions to-day, and a very short time in which to dispose of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the position and objectives of the Allied forces operating from Vladivostock; whether he is aware that the American statement issued on 5th August spoke of safeguarding the country to the rear of the westward-moving Tchecho-Slovaks and also of protecting them against Austrians and Germans; whether he will elucidate this obscurity and give the actual position and objects of the Tchecho-Slovak movement in Siberia; and whether the House may now expect to hear a statement of Allied policy in Russia and the Far East?

I have nothing to add to the statement of the Prime Minister on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether this country and France will co-operate in the intention of the United States, which is going to send to Russia at the earliest opportunity a commission of merchants, agricultural experts, legal advisors, Red Cross representatives, and agents of the Young Men's Christian Association; and, if so, how soon these persons will be ready to start for Russia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, as far as His Majesty's Government are concerned. I can give the hon. Member no information as regards the second.

This question raises a subject of considerable interest, and may I ask the Noble Lord (Lord R. Cecil) whether it is possible to answer it or whether it has been postponed by desire?

I am sure the hon. and learned Member will realise that I never answer questions unless they are asked.

Has the Noble Lord any objection to stating whether it has been postponed by request?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the military measures being now taken against Russian forces and the Soviet Government by British and other Allied forces, it is intended to retain in the British Army those Russian subjects who were brought into it by the Anglo-Russian Military Convention; whether any more Russians will be conscripted into the Russian Army, seeing that a sort of war exists with Russia; and whether he will promise that no Russians not voluntarily recruited into the British Army will be sent to fight in any Russian campaign?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am afraid it is not possible to answer the second part, nor can I give any pledge of the nature suggested in the last part of my hon. Friend's question.

In view of developments in Russia, will this matter have the Government's consideration, inasmuch as it causes a certain amount of suspicion to conscript Russians when we are sending our Army against the Russian people?

No!

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to increasing coal production, he has approached the War Office with a view to returning to the pits colliers now serving in the Army in this country of Grade B1 as well as B2 and B3?

The answer to this question is in the negative. Every effort is being made to expedite the release of miners of categories B2 and B3 now serving at home, and the Controller is confident that until these categories have been exhausted the Army Council will be unwilling to release men of higher medical category.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the coal production for July is likely to be less than for June, and may I ask whether, in view of that situation, the Coal Controller is prepared to bring pressure to bear on the War Office to return B1 men as well to this country?

I should like notice of that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman approach the War Office with a view to the return of some of the men who are in non-fighting services abroad for this purpose?

That has already been done.

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that Mr. A. F. W. Rumsey, a commercial traveller in the woollen trade, aged forty-three, and graded 2, was decertified under the Order of 9th April last, and held a certificate valid until 11th October next from the Huddersfield Tribunal, on business grounds he appealed at his home to the Cambridge Tribunal and was refused, not satisfied with has grading he appealed to the regional director, East Anglia, and was told he could apply for re-examination by a medical board, on this he applied at the Hotel Windsor for instructions, and was referred by them to the London regional headquarters, by whom, without any question, he was sent to and examined by a medical board at Whitehall, and graded 3; on this he applied to go to the tribunal again on the regrading, and was told he had committed a grave breach of etiquette in going outside the East Anglian region; his solicitor then wrote the director, who first agreed to rehearing and afterwards refused it, and he was ordered to join up forthwith under pain of arrest, and is now in the Army Service Corps Motor Transport Department; and whether he will have this man released at once, as he has double rupture and varicose veins, and he is graded 3 by the medical board at Whitehall?

Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of National Service if he is aware that Private E. D. Timberlake, No. 204533, at Farnborough Hospital, has been on the discharged list since February last, and recommended by his commanding officer to be allowed to return to his old employers; and, seeing that he has been refused the permission of this Department to return, will he say what public advantage is served by retaining this man in hospital?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I will make inquiries, and acquaint my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the number of reported cases in Ireland for the three months ending 31st July for the years 1917 and 1918, respectively?

The following are the figures:

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on the 2nd July two Press telegrams, one addressed to the "Herald," of London, and another to an Irish paper, the "Kerryman," were handed in at Cahirciveen, these telegrams referring to the arrest of Denis Daly; that the Irish newspaper message was never delivered, and that the London newspaper received its telegram; whether this was due to action by the Irish Censor; and whether it is the Censor's policy to let England but not Ireland know the news which is chiefly of interest to Irishmen?

I am informed by the Press Censor that the Press telegrams addressed to the two newspapers referred to were received in his office on 2nd July, at 4.40 p.m., were passed and dispatched to the Central Telegraph Office at 4.45 p.m. The action was not, therefore, due to the Press Censor, nor is such action his policy.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can now state in outline, or by a detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT, the recruiting scheme by districts which has been adopted in Ireland; whether the threat of Conscription is being used as a lever to induce voluntary enlistment; whether the speech of Mr. Sergeant Sullivan at Limerick, in which he stated that Irish recruits could be easily placed in a barbed-wire cage and then taken to France and watched over by some 3,000 invalids, will be censured as a recruiting speech not to be repeated; and whether he can state how many voluntary recruits have come forward?

The details of the scheme and the figures asked for will be ready for publication on Saturday. I am not aware that the threat of Conscription is being used as a lever to induce voluntary enlistment. The statement made by Sergeant Sullivan was not as represented in the question. He did not refer to recruits, but only to people who were likely to disturb the recruiting movement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the great amount of comment and publicity given to this statement of Mr. Sergeant Sullivan, and will he take notice of it and tell the recruiting authorities to be a little more tactful?

I am aware of the publication of the correct statement of Sergeant Sullivan, but not of the incorrect.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the three and a half miles of railway at the Arigna mines now in course of construction only connects these mines with the terminus of the Cavan and Leitrim Railway at that place, leaving a gap between that station and Collooney, situate on the Midland and Great Western and Great Southern Railways, which shuts out the people of the West of Ireland from all communication with the mines in question; and whether, seeing that the Treasury are constructing ten miles of railway for Mr. Parkinson at Wolfhill and ten miles more for Mr. Wandesford at Castlecomer, he will reconsider his decision in regard to the giving of a Grant for the construction of a line from Arigna to Collooney?

I do not see any prospect of the construction of a railway between Arigna and Collooney being considered during the War. The line under construction at present affords the quickest means of making use of the Arigna coal mines, and the Cavan and Leitrim Railway will be quite able to convey their output.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the rifles of the Ulster Volunteers have since the outbreak of war been stored in premises known to the authorities and actually guarded by the police; will the exact number of these rifles seized by the Government since the issue of Lord French's Proclamation be given; whether he is aware that a fortnight ago Sir George Clark, of Workman and Clark, Belfast, who is a member of the Ulster Provisional Government, in an interview by an American Press man, said the Ulster Volunteers had thousands of war weapons of all kinds, as well as ammunition, and would hold them in defiance of any Proclamation so as to be ready to meet any attempt to put Home Rule into operation; and what actual steps, if any, are now being taken to put Lord French's Proclamation into force in Ulster?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to state what action he has taken to disarm the Ulster Volunteers in North-East Ulster; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any definite action before the reassembling of Parliament in October?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is in a position to state, or has asked to ascertain, the number of rifles under the control of the Ulster Provisional Council or where such rifles are stored; whether he is in possession of the information that a Member of the House has intimated that he has not been asked for the surrender of the rifles; whether he is aware that feeling is growing in Ireland and outside of Ireland that the Irish Government cannot ask or could not interfere with the rifles taken from Germany for the use of the Ulster Volunteers; and what steps he purposes taking in the matter?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to previous questions with regard to the matters referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if any steps are being taken to see that, in the allotment of money for the purpose of the housing of workers in towns and cities after the War, the claims of Ireland are included?

I will do my best.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he received any request from the pensioned teachers to have one of their body nominated on the new Educational Committee; and, if so, will he comply with their request, and thus have the assistance of a body which rendered such services to education in the past and whose rights need safeguarding in any scheme which may be brought forward?

I have received the communication referred to, but I am unable to accede to the request. The Committee is to inquire into and report as to the improvement in pay and pensions of existing and future teachers, and it has no concern with those who have left the service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman appoint some one to this Committee to represent the union teachers—that is, the teachers of the workhouses?

That has not been brought to my attention before. If the hon. Gentleman will send me a representation about it I will, of course, consider it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Great Northern Railway Company ran special or auxiliary trains for the convenience of those who wished to participate in the Orange celebrations of 12th July; if so, will the number of such trains be given and were engines actually borrowed from the Great Southern and Western Railway Company for the above purpose; and whether he will see that similar facilities are afforded to the Ulster Nationalists in case they apply for them on the 15th of August?

I am informed that the Great Northern Railway Company did not run any special or auxiliary trains for the convenience of those who wished to participate in the Orange celebrations in the North on the 12th July, nor were any engines borrowed from the Great Southern and Western Railway Company.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Michael Cranny, of Ballylinan, Queen's County, has been refused an old age pension by the pension officer at Athy, on the ground that he has no claim; whether he is aware that, although Cranny cannot produce a baptismal certificate of age, no record appearing in the parish register, he has submitted a declaration made by Mr. Murphy, of Drimroe, a respectable farmer, stating he has known Cranny since he was a young child and that he is over seventy years of age; whether he is aware that this statement has been supplemented by a Member of this House, who declares in writing that Cranny came into his employment as an agricultural labourer in 1870 and was then over twenty-two years of age; whether he is aware that Cranny now lives with his son, who occupies 9 acres of land, Michael Cranny having no land in his possession; and whether Cranny's claim to an old age pension will be considered?

The claim of Michael Cranny, of Ballylinan, Queen's County, for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board primarily on the ground that the claimant deprived himself of means exceeding £31 10s. per annum in order to obtain pension. His first claim was disallowed by the local committee in October, 1916, and after that the farm was assigned to an unmarried son in December, 1916, and a fresh claim was made soon after which was disallowed by the Board on appeal in October, 1917. A further claim was disallowed by the local committee on the 6th June last and by the Board on appeal on the 30th ultimo.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the Local Government Board, on appeal, refused to sanction an old age pension granted by the local pensions sub-committee to Bridget Clancy, of Teevebunnan, Tullyrossmearn, county Fermanagh; is he aware that, although the name of the claimant cannot be found in the Census Returns of 1851, the pensions officer in his Report to the Local Government Board expressed his belief that she is over seventy years old and that some of her neighbours who are old age pensioners are prepared to swear that she is over seventy; and will he ask the Local Government Board to reconsider the case although, through no fault of hers, no official record of her age or marriage can be found?

It is the case that the pension officer expressed the opinion that the claimant is over seventy years of age, but, on the other hand, the family of claimant's parents was found in the Census Returns and her name did not appear therein. It is, therefore, doubtful whether she was born till after March, 1851. The case was decided on the 9th ultimo, and it is not open to the Local Government Board to reconsider it except on receipt of appeal on a new claim.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Local Government Board to send down an inspector to deal with this matter? It has been done in some cases before.

I am sorry I cannot hear.

It has been done in some cases before.

That is my information.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the Local Government Board, on appeal, refused to sanction an old age pension granted on two occasions by the local pension subcommittee to Michael M'Cusker, Gattymoyle, near Fintona, county Tyrone; and whether a claimant is to be deprived of an old age pension because there was no State registration of births in Ireland until 1864 and no record of his family can be found in the Census records of 1841 or 1851, although his general appearance affords strong evidence that he is over seventy years old?

The onus of proving that he is seventy years of age rests upon the claimant, and until he can show that he is that age no pension is allowable. In this case, moreover, the Local Government Board ascertained from the Registrar-General's records that M'Cusker was married on the 26th November, 1883, when he was twenty-eight years of age. This makes him at present only sixty-two years old.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in view of the fact that 4,150 tons of kelp of the estimated value of £31,125 was exported from Ireland in 1916, what steps have been taken to increase the output during the present season?

The Department of Agriculture and the Congested Districts Board have not considered it necessary to take any special steps to increase the output of kelp in Ireland during the present season, the increase in price being a sufficient inducement to kelp burners to produce as much as possible. There is at present a keen demand for kelp by flax growers and manure manufacturers owing to shortage of potash.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. W. P. Hanly, owner in fee of the-lands of Cloneyross and Annesgrove, county Tipperary, has recently offered Annesgrove House and lands for sale by-private treaty, and that the people of the district object to the sale of this farm unless the owners dispose of the evicted lands of Cloneyross to the Estates Commissioners for redistribution; whether he can state the cost of extra police in this district for the last two years; and what amount of the cost will fall upon the ratepayers of the district?

The lands of Cloneyross were purchased under the Land Purchase Acts in 1893 by Patrick Cody, the tenant in occupation, and they were vested in him as owner in fee simple in 1894. He subsequently transferred them to Mr. Hanly, by whom the outstanding instalments of the land purchase annuity were redeemed in March, 1916. The Estates Commissioners received applications from four persons seeking reinstatement as tenants evicted from the lands of Cloneyross, and they provided them with new holdings on untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners under the Irish Land Act, 1903. Mr. W. P. Hanly sold portions of the lands of Cloneyross and Annesgrove some time ago, and, owing to local trouble in connection with these sales, it was necessary to quarter extra police in the locality for the past two years. These extra police cost approximately £1,430, but none of this will fall on the ratepayers of the district.

I have been asked by the right hon. Gentleman to postpone this question. Would he supply me with the information as soon as he gets it—it is very urgent?

Certainly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the military have taken possession of all explosives in Ireland used for the purpose of obtaining metal for the roads; that contractors are obliged to make long and expensive journeys to obtain the necessary explosives, and are allowed only 2 lbs. at each application; and whether he will see that some arrangements are made by which the necessary explosives can be obtained without the long and expensive journeys now rendered necessary?

It is the fact that the military authorities have assumed possession of explosives in Ireland as a necessary precaution against their illegal use, and it is imperative in existing circumstances to release the explosives in small quantities only. It is not a fact, however, as alleged, that contractors are limited to 2 lbs. of explosives. In certain cases the amounts may have been so limited as a necessary precaution, but in other cases up to 50 lbs. of explosives have been used on one day under the supervision of the police. The military authorities are, however, prepared to consider applications from road contractors or other persons to whom explosives are now supplied for any alternative method of supply which would remove or reduce inconvenience without lessening present safeguards.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to state if the Treasury has agreed to meet the claim put forward by the paper-promoted teachers in Ireland?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is one of the few questions in which the representatives from Ireland are entirely agreed, and cannot he give it some further consideration?

Members from Ireland, I think, are generally agreed on matters of this kind, but the matter has not yet been officially brought before the Treasury.

Do I understand the matter has not been officially brought to the notice of the Treasury by the Irish Government or anyone else?

I would like to say it has been brought to my notice, which is more or less official, and is being considered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has made inquiries into the action of a gunner on board a boat sailing down the Liffey, who a few days ago discharged a shell into one of the most thickly populated portions of the city of Dublin, thus endangering many lives; and, if so, what action he intends taking in the matter?

I understand that this man is under arrest, and I am not at present in a position to make any further statement.

Will the man be tried before a civil or a military tribunal?

I am not informed as to that.

asked what progress has been made in the repatriation of undesirable aliens; how many have been repatriated and how many more it is proposed to repatriate; and whether the wives and families of Russian subjects who have been returned to Russia rather than face enlistment in this country, and who are now receiving allowances in this country, will be included in the number?

As I explained in the Debate on the 11th July, the deportation of undesirable aliens is being constantly proceeded with in individual cases, but difficulties of transport have so far prevented deportation on a large scale, and these difficulties apply especially as regards Russians. Every endeavour is being made to overcome the difficulties, and I am in communication with the Shipping Controller on the subject. As soon as transport facilities to Russia again become available, the repatriation of the persons referred to in the last part of the question will be one of the first matters to receive attention.

Is it the intention to give German women whom we might desire to repatriate the option of being interned if they so desire, and thus save transport?

That has not been considered.

Will these undesirable aliens be deported by Archangel?

It can only be by Archangel or by Scandinavia. There are difficulties in both cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that Archangel will be closed in a few months?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the complaints made by people in the neighbourhood of Grassington on account of the aliens there interned being frequently seen without any guard whatever in the village, and especially in the public-houses; and whether he will take steps to have these aliens confined to their place of internment and only allowed at large with proper guards and subject to discipline?

Yes, Sir; careful inquiry was made into these complaints, and the local chief constable declared himself satisfied with the arrangements made for the employment and supervision of these men, which I mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member on the 8th July. There have been no further complaints for some time past.

Is it possible to provide guards for small parties of two or three?

We cannot always provide guards for small parties.

asked the Home Secretary whether alien enemies when employed are paid as much as from £2 to £5 a week whereas the widows, wives, and dependants of British soldiers have to subsist on much smaller allowances; and whether, assuming that it is desirable to pay trade union rates to employed alien enemies, he will arrange that the total sums so earned, less a few shillings a week, shall be retained and paid over to the voluntary fund of the Minister of Pensions or to the British Red Cross?

Alien enemies who are skilled workers receive when employed the standard rates of pay for the work in which they are engaged. If their pay were reduced to a few shillings a week as proposed, they would probably refuse to do the work which is required in the public interest, and in any case the maintenance of their families would fall on the rates. For these and other reasons, I fear that effect cannot be given to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction occasioned by his neglect to take notice of the representations that have been made to him regarding the case of one Otto Sallmann, residing at 11, Girdler's Road, Brook Green, a lecturer on Shakespeare at Toynbee Hall; whether this man is a naturalised or an unnaturalised German; whether he is aware that Sallmann and his wife have made themselves offensive in their neighbourhood by their ostentatious rejoicing on occasions of enemy successes in the War; why Sallmann has not been interned; and whether, in case of Sallmann having been naturalised, he will consider the propriety of cancelling his certificate as soon as the Aliens Bill becomes law?

I cannot find that any representations have been made to me with regard to this man who, I am informed, is a natural-born British subject. I am making inquiry into the allegations made in the question, and will be glad if the hon. Member will submit to me the evidence on which they are based.

Is it not possible when a personal attack is made upon people who have no opportunity of replying for their names to be submitted privately to the Minister concerned, so that inquiry may be made and all information elicited without injustice being done to the individuals?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member has frequently put down similar questions giving names and addresses of various people, and that, on inquiry being made, the reply of the Minister has been that there was no foundation for the statements made in the question?

I have no recollection of any cases.

If my right hon. Friend is willing to receive the evidence, I am quite ready to submit it to him.

May I ask, can there be no protection for innocent people outside against these attacks in Parliament, where they have no opportunity of defending themselves, and, in view of the fact that there are Select Committees dealing with these things, is it not most unfair to hold them up to public odium and scorn?

I am quite in accord with the views of the hon. Member. I have regretted during the whole Session the way in which a number of perfectly innocent people have been referred to in questions in this House, and I am obliged to the hon. Member for what he has said, but the hon. Member for St. Augustine's is not the only offender.

Is it not a fact that questions were repeatedly asked in this House about Mr. de Laszlo, and during a period of two years we were assured that this man was absolutely harmless, whereas he had been communicating with the enemy all the time?

No question was ever asked me about this man until after he was interned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances he will permit aliens to change their names; and if every change will be announced in the "London Gazette," as in the past?

No general rules as to the circumstances in which changes of name will be allowed under the Regulation have yet been adopted, and I cannot therefore make a statement on the subject at the present moment. I am not aware that it has been the practice to announce all changes of name in the "Gazette," but I am considering the question of giving publicity to cases in which a change of name may be sanctioned under the Regulation.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a British-born son of German parents who, since the outbreak of war, has assumed by deed poll the well-known double surname assumed by royal licence some years ago by a British family and who uses the name for business as well as private purposes; and whether he will, in accordance with recommendation No. 10 of the Committee presided over by the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy, so extend the scope of the recently issued Order under the Defence of the Realm Act as to include the children of enemy aliens who preferred their alien names until after the outbreak of War?

The hon. and gallant Member has furnished me with particulars of the case to which he refers. My attention had not previously been drawn to it. I doubt whether Defence of the Realm Regulation 14II could be extended to natural-born British subjects, but I appreciate the objections to the existing law as to changes of name, and I hope that the whole matter may before long be dealt with by legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the family in question are perfectly prepared to take any individual action to protect themselves, but according to counsel's opinion find themselves unable to take any action under the existing law?

I am aware of that, and I regret it very much.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he is aware that in the allocation of shipping space from American ports to this country preference has on more than one occasion of late been given to the naturalised Austrian firm of Weiss, Biheller, and Brooks, Limited; whether any reason exists for such preference; whether British firms engaged in the same business have been unable to obtain tonnage; and, if so, whether steps will be taken in future to ensure that priority is given to British importers rather than to alien enemy firms?

I have made inquiry, and am informed that space has been allotted to the firm in question on exactly the same basis as to all other shippers of the same commodity. No preference has been given to this particular firm and others have received a proper share of the space. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has made inquiry to ascertain to what extent payments have been made to the funds of political parties in this country by wealthy aliens of enemy origin; and, if such payments have been made, what action he proposes to take?

The answer is in the negative.

Is it not the intention of the Government, while exterminating German influence from businesses, equally to do so from politics?

I think the hon. Member is acquainted with the particulars in regard to only one of the parties. I have no knowledge of any such contribution, so far as I am concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order completely to frustrate for the future the methods of pentration practised by Germany's state-directed finance, His Majesty's Government will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to ensure that henceforward no British bank or financial group be allowed to negotiate or raise any public loan for any foreign country in partnership, or agreement with any German bank or financial group; that any or all such partnerships and agreements, existing or suspended, be definitely terminated; and that no British bank or financial group concerned with the raising of public loans be permitted to include amongst its directors or staff any persons of German nationality or birth?

The suggestions made in the question will be carefully considered by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in respect of the large sums deposited by foreigners in British banks and bearing interest for purposes of taxation, bankers are required to give particulars to the authorities of interest paid; and, if not, how the information is obtained for purposes of taxation?

All persons are required to account to the Revenue for the Income Tax deductible from annual interest payable by them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether naturalised British subjects of German origin now serving in His Majesty's Army will be affected by the inquiry now proceeding as to alien enemies, or whether, in the case of men against whom no charge or suspicion of disloyalty exists, they will be permitted to continue their services in His Majesty's Army?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Brentford on the 1st instant. Combatant officers, unless employed in a Government office, will not be affected by the inquiry.

Then do the British Army consider that people serving in it, although they may be of German origin, make good soldiers?

was understood to reply in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has now been advised as to the legality of a woman being elected to and sitting in Parliament; and, if such action is not legal, whether he will introduce legislation to make it so?

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has yet been arrived at on the question whether women are legally qualified to sit in Parliament?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now-state the result of the inquiry into the question as to the legality of women being elected to Parliament?

In the unanimous opinion of the Law Officers of England, Scotland, and Ireland a woman is not entitled to be a candidate for Parliament. As regards the last part of the question of the right hon. Member for West Padding-ton, the subject has not been considered by the Government.

Does the Government intend, after the Recess, carefully to consider whether or not this matter should not be brought into conformity with the privileges which this House has given to women in according them the vote?

I have said that the subject has not yet been considered, but that does not mean that it will not be considered.

Will it be considered?

Oh, yes; certainly it will be considered.

Is it not the fact that where the franchise has been granted to women their presence in Parliament has followed, if not immediately, eventually; and when the Bill was passed in this House was it not constantly said that there could be no question as to the admission of women to this House?

I think the hon. Member is right. I remember that on the occasion this subject was discussed, it was repeatedly said that when we gave the franchise to women we could not refuse their admission to this House.

May I ask whether the reasons of the decision can be communicated to the House?

I cannot give the reasons for the decision until a decision has been arrived at.

I mean the reasons of the Law Officers' decision.

I have seen their decision, and, as usual, they were wise enough not to give their reasons.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Sir Charles Fielding, the new Director of Food Production, is director of the Rio Tin to Company, which is interested in chemical manures and declared a dividend for 1917 of 95 per cent. on ordinary shares after allocating large sums as reserves; whether Sir Charles Fielding held any office at the Ministry of Munitions or other Government Department during 1917; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, it is proposed to continue his appointment as Director of Food Production?

Sir Charles Fielding is a director of the Rio Tinto Company. The company supplies the English Government and the Allies with pyrites at pre-war prices, and to some slight extent pyrites enter into the manufacture of chemical manures, and otherwise the company is in no way interested in such manures. The company did declare a dividend of 95 per cent. for 1917, but this rate was less than in pre-war periods. The company made its profits almost entirely from copper mining. Sir Charles Fielding was chairman of the Economy of Metals and Materials Committee of the Ministry of Munitions in 1917, besides serving on other Government Committees. He left the Ministry of Munitions, at the request of the Minister of Reconstruction, to become one of the chiefs of staff of that Ministry. Sir Charles Fielding's powers of organisation, business experience, and financial ability will, it is hoped, be of great service to the Board, and I propose to continue his appointment as the unpaid Director-General of the Food Production Department.

asked the Food Controller (1) whether he is aware that, under the scheme formulated by the Tea Controller, one class of wholesale dealers in tea is preferred to another, whereby the latter are being deprived of their business, in some cases established for many years; whether he is aware that in the administration of this scheme traders are compulsorily obliged to disclose the names of their customers and the method and details of their business, and that such information is used to the detriment of those who are so dealt with; and whether any appeal lies, and to whom, against the decision of the Controller; and (2) whether, when disputes arise under the Tea Controller's scheme with reference to the different classes of traders and the category in which the Controller has placed them and the rebates to which they are entitled, he will provide an independent tribunal of arbitration to whom such disputes may be referred for decision, and not compel traders to submit to his arbitrary decision except under terms of accepting arbitration and an umpire nominated by the Controller?

There has been no undue preference in the case of wholesale dealers in tea, nor has any class of these dealers been deprived of its business. Brokers claiming allotments of tea have been required to disclose the names of their principals to enable their claims to be verified. Secondary wholesalers claim rebates through the primary wholesalers from whom they buy, and to this extent there is a disclosure of names, but not of the method and details of their business. Such information as is disclosed is certainly not used in the manner suggested in the question. The determination of the class to which particular traders belong under the tea distribution scheme must rest with the Ministry of Food.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he maintains that the Food Controller's Department shall arbitrate in their own cause and stop a man carrying on his business by a decision which cannot be challenged?

The Ministry always consult experts. In the case which I believe my hon. Friend has in mind, the names of the experts whom the Ministry proposed to consult were given to the firm in question. They, however, declined their advice as experts.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether they were perfectly independent persons or merely delegates of the Food Controller?

The persons were the chairman of the Tea Buyers' Association, the chairman of the Tea Brokers' Association, and the ex-chairman of the Tea Brokers' Association.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that public money in the form of rebates is given by the Tea Controller under his scheme of distribution which vary in amount to the different classes of dealers in tea, and that the various classes are differentiated against to the exclusion of some who for years have carried on their business and can only carry on by inducing customers to voluntarily pay an additional price; whether he is aware that by the offer of a higher rate of rebate out of public moneys, customers are being induced to transfer their business to other and favoured classes of dealers; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Under the tea distribution scheme, tea is sold by wholesale dealers at the cost price to them, and those dealers receive rebates to cover their expenses and profit. These rebates are part of the cost of distribution, and are provided for in calculating the selling price of the tea. They vary in amount for different classes of dealers in tea, and have been arranged so as to retain business in existing channels as far as possible. If, however, a dealer employs the services of a buying broker, he must pay for those services out of the remuneration allowed to him under the scheme. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative; the third part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Food Controller whether he will take steps to increase the food supply this autumn by extending the period of salmon fishing round the coasts of this country?

As regards England and Wales, the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries do not propose to make any general Order extending the open season for salmon. As a rule, extensions at the end of the season are undesirable, because the salmon are not then in the best condition for human consumption. The conditions vary, however, in different rivers, and the Board are prepared to consider proposals for an extension in any particular river on their merits. Limited extensions have already been granted in certain cases where it appeared that the stock of salmon in the river would not be injured.

May I have a reply from the Food Controller about Scotland?

I will communicate the tenour of this answer to the Secretary for Scotland, and I hope he will find similar circumstances in Scotland.

I want an answer from the Food Controller. I had an answer from the Secretary for Scotland, but this is a matter affecting our food supply. I put the question, therefore, to the Food Controller, and I should like an answer from him.