asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now state the result of his consideration of the subject of allowing senior officers on the unemployed list of the Indian Army to be placed on the retired list?

I have decided to allow a lieutenant-colonel who has reached the age of fifty-five, or an officer of higher rank who has reached the age of fifty-seven, to retire on pension if there is no prospect of his being further employed in work under Government carrying pay of £400 a year or more. I have sent my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the circular that has been addressed to officers of the Indian Army on the unemployed list.

I presume that these orders are to have retrospective effect?

I should not like to say from memory. I must ask my hon. and gallant Friend to put down a question.

asked the Secretary of State for India what recommendations have been received by the Government of India from the local governments regarding the increase of pay to the Indian police, both British and Indian; and whether a substantial increase of pay will now be granted to all ranks with retrospective effect?

:I have made further inquiry, and find that the recommendations for all the local governments have not yet been received. The Government of India desire, as I do, to expedite the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India what difference the orders contained in Army Instruction, India, dated Simla, 16th July, No. 756, altering the rate of exchange compensation allowance for officers serving in India has made in the pay of lieutenants now serving there; and whether this alteration in the allowance previously given has been made by his direction or by whose?

In the case of lieutenants of Infantry of the Indian Army the effect of the Instruction was to reduce the exchange compensation allowance admissible to them by Rs.8 7a. 6p. a month. The Instruction was issued by the Government of India under the Standing Orders relating to this allowance, which falls as the exchange value of the rupee rises.

Will the right hon. Gentleman compensate these officers by urging an increase being granted when once they are paid? They cannot live on their pay as it is and unless some relief is given there will be no candidates for the Indian Army at all.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government of India has taken to carry into effect the recommendations made in the Rowlatt Report for enabling that Government to deal effectively with conspiracies when special temporary legislation lapses?

I understand that the recommendations of the Committee are engaging the attention of the Government of India.

Can my right hon. Friend explain the delay in the receipt of this Report?

I explained last week in the House that the delay appears to have arisen from the fact that the copies of the Report for dispatch to the Houses of Parliament were given to the proper official, but, through a misunderstanding, he did not catch the ship on which they were supposed to go.

Is it not urgently necessary that the recommendations of the Rowlatt Report should be given effect to immediately by legislation without any delay?

Clearly my hon. and gallant Friend will see that the very important recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee must receive careful consideration. It is for the Government of India to make recommendations to me, and not for me to make recommendations to them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite these recommendations?

In a matter of such urgent importance I am sure the Government of India will not delay.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Report rendered to the Imperial Conference by the Special Committee appointed to consider questions regarding the control of raw material after the War was communicated to the Government of India, as requested therein, in order to ascertain its views thereon; and, if so, whether the Government of India has reported to the Secretary of State?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have not yet received the views of the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action has been, or will be, taken on the motion moved in the Governor-General's Council by the financial member, and carried by the votes of the non-official members, to the effect that the prolongation of the War justifies India taking a larger share than she does at present in respect of the cost of the military forces raised or to be raised in India?

A scheme in accordance with the motion is under consideration. A statement will be made later; and it will no doubt be necessary to submit a Resolution to both Houses of Parliament.

asked the Secretary for India whether local governments have reported to the Government of India their opinions on the proposals contained in paragraphs 212 to 295 of the Report on Indian Constitutional Reforms; if not, when such reports may be expected; and when such reports and the draft Bill which is being prepared will be laid before Parliament in order that they may be considered and discussed?

The Government of India have asked the local governments to communicate their views, if possible, by the 1st November. I am afraid I am not able to assign a date by which copies of these papers will be in the hands of Members, or Parliament asked to undertake the necessary legislation, but not, I think, this Session.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the effect of the rise in the Customs tariff on cotton goods imported into India?

I have no special information on the point, and conditions have been so abnormal since the new duties were imposed that I doubt whether the Government of India could say what effect, if any, they have had on imports. But if the hon. Member wishes I will ask for information.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the part taken by Indian troops in the recent victorious operations in Palestine?

The General Staff inform me that they have as yet received no detailed reports or dispatch from General Allenby regarding the recent operations, and therefore I am not in a position to add materially to the published accounts regarding the gallantry and dash shown by the Indian troops in the operations referred to.

General Allenby's force includes over 100,000 Indian troops. All accounts that I have seen testify to the courage, discipline, and endurance of all ranks. It is particularly gratifying to note that the new Indian units which have replaced European troops sent for service to the Western Front rivalled the conduct of veteran troops and fought in a manner worthy of the high traditions of the Indian Army.

General Allenby himself has telegraphed to me that Indian Cavalry and Infantry have taken a leading and brilliant part in the fighting, and I am proud to say that Indian Cavalry formations figures prominently in the long-distance ride which has led to the fall of Damascus and Homs.

I am confident that when full dispatches are received they will be found to endorse the high opinion of the Indian troops that has already found expression in the Press.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now give the assurance that all the shipyards are fully equipped with an adequate amount of skilled and unskilled labour and material for the outturn of a maximum output of merchant ships; and, if not, what number of men and what amount of material is lacking?

With regard to the first part of the question, I can assure my right hon. Friend that all the shipyards are at the moment provided with all the unskilled labour which can be utilised under present conditions, and with all the material required to obtain the best possible output. There is a shortage of skilled labour in certain trades and in certain districts, but this matter has received and is receiving constant attention in order to relieve this shortage as far as possible.

The Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding estimates that fully to man the maximum capacity of the existing yards and the extensions thereto, when complete, we should require to increase the number of men by between 70,000 and 80,000.

What steps are the Government making to give effect to this increase?

They could not be all occupied at once. Months may elapse. With the earlier supply I have said we are taking steps. For the rest, the Controller of Merchant Shipping has direct access to the War Cabinet. My right hon. Friend knows the claims of man-power are very insistent.

How many skilled men have been returned from the Army to the shipyards in the first two months?

I have a statement showing the returns this year to 18th October: Skilled or semi-skilled, 11,800 odd.

What were the medical categories of that 11,000?

I cannot say, but it is interesting to know that in the period, and including the unskilled, whom I have not given, the number of men who have been found unsuitable is only 239.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what housing scheme has been approved at the national shipbuilding yard at Chepstow; and will he state the number of houses that have been provided up till now, the number of persons they house, and at what rents they are let?

The Standard Shipbuilding and Engineering Company had already in hand a scheme for the construction of 130 houses, and I am advised that thirty-five of these have been completed and are in actual occupation. The Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding has prepared a further scheme for the provision of 2,080 houses, and request for Treasury sanction for the expenditure involved was made in August. Meantime 220 of these houses are practically complete. I cannot give the number of persons living in the houses, as the number in each house varies with the size of the family. The rents range from 7s. 6d. per week upwards.

Has the right hon. Gentleman formed an estimate when the 2,000 houses indicated in his answer will be finished?

I cannot without notice.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the pay of naval recruiting officers in 1913 and at present; and when the period of consideration in regard to an increase in pay to these officers will be terminated and a decision arrived at and announced?

The pay of naval recruiting officers, in 1913 and at the present time, is £200 per annum, in addition to their retired pay, which they receive in full. They are also eligible for special awards of £50 each, which are awarded annually to the four officers obtaining the best results for the year. The question of an increase of pay is under discussion with the Treasury.

Are we to understand that these salaries have not been raised since 1913, although the salaries of all other departments have been raised, and also that this matter has been under considertion for many months and no decision arrived at?

I am afraid the former proposition is true. They are as they were in 1913. I cannot say how long they have been under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, at the time that the mail steamer "Leinster" was sunk by enemy submarine, the wireless installation at Kingstown was out of order and did not immediately receive the S.O.S. calls; and whether, although many Government craft, including destroyers, were in Kingstown Harbour at the time the "Leinster" was sunk about twelve miles only from the harbour, a considerable time elapsed before any Government vessel reached the scene of the disaster?

The Admiralty is not aware that the wireless installation at Kingstown was out of order, and as I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for East Mayo, all available vessels were clear of the harbour within ten minutes after the senior naval officer, Kingstown, received the message. My hon. Friend will realise that a certain proportion of the vessels in harbour are undergoing boiler cleaning, and so on, and cannot be kept permanently at sea.

I trust my right hon. Friend will forgive me, in view of the very pressing request made to me by survivors and relatives of those lost, and the owners of the "Leinster," if I ask the following question: Whether he is aware that on Thursday last, 17th inst., he stated that the S.O.S. from the "Leinster" was sent out at 9.25 a.m., and was received by the senior naval officer at Kingstown at 9.50 a.m., and can he explain why twenty-five minutes were required in conveying that Marconi message from its receipt to the naval officer in charge at Kingstown; does the right hon. Gentleman remember that he also stated that the scene of the disaster was only twelve miles from Kingstown, and that the rescuing craft sent out only arrived on the scene of the disaster at 10.40 a.m.—that is one hour and fifteen minutes from the time the S.O.S. was sent out; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the "Leinster" had been escorted by destroyers that very probably a great many more lives than were saved would have been saved, and that not only minutes but seconds are of importance when human beings are drowning?

My hon. Friend has correctly stated the facts that the times were 9.25 and 9.50, when the S.O.S. message was respectively sent out and received.

Why was it so?

It may be that the wireless installation on the "Leinster" was injured, and that the message received at Kingston was not from the "Leinster" but another vessel—I can not say!—I will make inquiries; and the twelve miles distance is also true. The weather was very heavy, but all the vessels available in the harbour put out within ten minutes. There were, when they arrived, two torpedo boat destroyers which had been engaged in patrol operations on the scene. With regard to the question of continuous escort I have done my best to answer that in response to the request of the hon. Member for East Mayo (Mr. Dillon).

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that a Marconi message is about instantaneous in its delivery, and that the message did not come from the "Leinster" at all, but from the "Ulster"; and if it was received at 9.50 why did twenty-five minutes transpire before it was in the hands of the officer who was supposed to be on duty?

As I have said I recognise the time occupied (twenty-five minutes) in the receipt of the message by the naval officer, but I have suggested that possibly it was due to the fact that the message came from some other vessel because of the failure of the Marconi apparatus on the "Leinster." I do not know—that may be the reason; but I have already said I will inquire.

Will my right hon. Friend forgive me if I persist, as this is a most important question. Will he inquire carefully into the reason why the message took twenty-four minutes—because I assume the sending out would take a minute—from 9.25 to its receipt, by the senior naval officer or his substitute?

I have said I will make inquiry?

Is it possible that the senior naval officer at Kingstown in his report of this disaster, did not go into full details as to why the wireless message had not been received directly at Kingstown but handed from another vessel?

So far as I am aware, no; but I shall make inquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any official information showing that enemy submarines find their way from Antwerp to the sea through the neutral waters of the Scheldt; and, if so, whether representations have been made to the Government which controls these waters?

There is no information, official or otherwise, to the effect that German submarines are finding their way from Antwerp to the sea through the neutral waters of the Scheldt. The Admiralty has no doubt but that the Dutch Government will fulfil its obligations to prevent such exit should the necessity arise.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that eighteen months ago the then First Lord of the Admiralty stated in the House that the Government had grave reasons for suspecting that enemy craft had made use of neutral waters—as I suggest—and could my right hon. Friend say whether representations have been made to neutral Governments, seeing that British war vessels are, by international law, prevented from following these enemy craft through these waters?

My recollection is that that related to suspicions of other neutral waters.

No; to these.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the sinking of the steamship "Pentland Range" about 150 miles east of Cape Polonio, Uruguay, was due to the explosion of a bomb placed on board the vessel by enemy agents while loading at Buenos Ayres, whether he is aware that the fire which occurred on the vessel "Fiona," loaded with hessian bags consigned to the British Commissioner of Wheat Supplies, was caused through inflammable substances thrown down the ventilators into the hold; and whether representations have been made in the proper quarter to prevent the recurrence of these outrages?

As regards the "Pentland Range," a British ship, the Report of a naval inquiry held locally does suggest the possibility of loss being due to explosion from bombs placed on board by enemy agents. If my hon. Friend has any information which he thinks would be useful to us, I shall be glad to have it.

As regards the Danish ship "Fiona," though there is no direct evidence, there are grave suspicions of intentional incendiarism; again, if my hon. Friend has any evidence whatever that would help us to follow these matters up, he will, of course, place it at our disposal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Buenos Ayres is, unfortunately, a centre of enemy activity and espionage, and I may ask whether any representations have been made to the Argentine Government regarding this; if so, will the right hon. Gentleman say what reply has been received?

I could not say. I am not aware of it.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that vessels lying in certain West African ports foul very quickly; that in some instances the bottoms become covered in a day or two with large quantities of barnacles; that these barnacles grow rapidly and greatly retard and reduce the speed of the vessel to which they attach themselves; that at times vessels are kept in these ports for a week or ten days awaiting convoy; that in many instances these vessels rapidly foul and after joining convoy are unable to maintain convoy speed, with the result that they fall out of position and sometimes out of convoy, or, alternatively, compel the whole convoy to reduce speed; and, with a view to more economical and better use of merchant ships, will he make representations to the proper quarter that better arrangements should be made for convoy?

As regards the earlier parts of the question, the Admiralty are, of course, fully aware of the effects of marine growths on ships' bottoms. As regards the suggestion that vessels have been unnecessarily kept in these ports for a week or ten days awaiting convoy, my hon. Friend is misinformed. Vessels have no doubt been kept waiting, but for reasons not connected with the convoy system. And it would not be true to suggest that the convoy system has been responsible for any abnormal delay. As regards the last part of the question, the number of vessels that fall out of convoy for any reason is remarkably few; and it has, so far as I know, never happened that a vessel has had to fall out of convoy because of the state of her bottom, the same resulting from detention at these ports. But here, as elsewhere, if my hon. Friend has any suggestions to make regarding arrangements for convoy, we shall be only too glad to consider them.

Will my right hon. Friend explain why he has introduced the word "unnecessary"? I did not say there were "unnecessary" delays in the convoying. Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that we have deep sea harbours for vessels at islands belonging to our Ally Portugal, the use of which would prevent the fouling in West African ports, and that these islands might have been used?

The suggestion, as it seemed to me, was that the use of these ports involved unnecessary delay.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the tradesmen's accounts connected with the Admiralty Hostel, Jordanhill Demonstration School, Glasgow, have not yet been paid, although applications have again and again been made to the architect and measurer, and to the Admiralty Department in the Adelphi Hotel there; and will he say what is the reason that these officials delay so long to take action?

It may very well be that applications for payment have been made locally. My hon. and learned Friend is not correct in saying that repeated applications have been made to the Admiralty. The first information we received that local accounts were outstanding was on the 10th September, and within forty-eight hours the accounts were settled, less 10 per cent., which was held in suspense for purposes of further investigation. There is this much to be said for the local delay, that whilst the building was first requisitioned for Admiralty purposes, it was ultimately considered that it could be more usefully employed as a War Office hospital. I imagine that the architect in charge deferred passing on the accounts pending an adjustment between the two Departments as to the share of the cost to be borne by each.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the point that his Department does not seem to realise the necessity for money for those at work?

Within forty-eight hours of the receipt by us of the accounts from the locality they were settled—less 10 per cent., as I have said.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. Edward Falk for some time District Commissioner at Owerri, in Southern Nigeria, is of German nationality; whether he was recently appointed to a post in Opobo but was withdrawn under protest of the residents there; and whether it is necessary that he should hold a Government appointment under the Crown?

The officer referred to is not of German nationality. His father was a Hanoverian who came to England when Hanover was annexed by Prussia, and was naturalised in 1880. Mr. Falk was interned at Ruhleben, and was one of the first two to escape to England. Nothing is known of the alleged incident at Opobo. The third part of the question does not arise.

asked whether Richard Starcke, an unnaturalised German in Togoland, has been taken over by the British Government in the Public Works Department; and, if so, whether, in addition, he is permitted to undertake private work as a builder and contractor in any part of the British zone and has full permission to travel there as he may think fit?

I have not yet received the Report on this matter which I asked the Governor to furnish in July. It is possible that the Report was lost at sea, but I will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can see his way to answer favourably the petition of the Merchant Service officers of the Uganda Railway Marine, which was presented on the 30th April last, and relates to certain grievances which these officers ask to be removed?

The petition is under the consideration of the local commission which is inquiring into the conditions of the public service in East Africa, and I must await the receipt of the Commissioner's report.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to an Order issued by the enemy to the effect that British aviators who drop leaflets over the enemy lines will, if caught, be sentenced to death; and what steps he proposes to take in regard thereto?

His Majesty's Government have received no official corroboration of this Order, which appeared in an, Austrian newspaper. We are, however, informing the Austrian Government that should such an Order as is described have been issued and be carried into effect, the sternest measures of reprisals will be instantly taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the dental treatment of British prisoners of war in Switzerland during the last two years, and how many of such men have been dentally treated there; also, if this treatment has been at the public expense; and, if not, at whose expense?

Since August, 1916, Mr. Joseph A. Woods, of Liverpool, assisted by his wife, has without remuneration afforded dental treatment to all our prisoners interned in Switzerland who needed his services. In two years Mr. Woods has treated over 1,200 prisoners, not including mere examinations, and has supplied gratuitously over 600 dentures, special appliances, and other requisites. I am glad of this opportunity to express on behalf of the military authorities their cordial appreciation of Mr. Woods' services and those of his wife.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continued brutality to British prisoners, he will immediately inform the German Government that at the close of the War all those responsible for the ill-treatment of our men shall be handed over to justice?

I am sorry I have not received any notice of that question.

Can I have an answer now?

I should not like to answer that question without notice.

I will put it down.

asked the Under-Secretary of Stats for War if his Department will consider the convenience of soldiers' wives and mothers in the Aberdare district, South Wales, by arranging with the post offices to pay out moneys on Friday or Saturday mornings, Saturday being the market day, when these people could spend the money to greater advantage; whether he is aware that at present the soldiers' wives and mothers are paid out upon the Monday and Tuesday, and that they cannot get fresh vegetables, fish, etc., at market prices; and whether his Department will move in the matter at once?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In addition to separation allowances the post office pays Army and Navy pensions, old age pensions, and other allowances, and it is necessary to distribute these payments over the days of the week. It would not be possible to undertake the payment of separation allowances On Friday, on which day old age pensions are payable, or on Saturdays which is always a particularly busy day at post offices. I gave full details in my speech on the Post Office Estimates on 12th June.

Does my right hon. Friend seriously ask the House to believe that because he has to pay old age pensions on Friday to a very limited number of people as compared with the wives of soldiers, he cannot transfer them from the Friday to Monday and allow the wives of soldiers, who are the greater number, to have the more convenient day?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer of the 12th of June he will see that I gave full reasons for it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that my information came from the residents, who happen to know that the local post office authorities could conveniently arrange to pay on Thursday or Friday? This means everything to the poor people to whom these scanty allowances are paid.

I am afraid that the hon. Member is misinformed. It is not possible to pay them on the same day.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter?

I will make inquiries again and see if it is possible. I am only too anxious, as everybody else is, to do whatever is possible in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will take steps to arrange that separation allowance is paid for all the children of officers in the Army; if he is aware that, under the present regulations, separation allowance is paid for four children only; and if he is aware of the effect of this regulation and the hardships which it imposes on young officers with large families having no other income but their Army pay?

This question has been fully considered in all its bearings by the War Cabinet Committee. They have not seen their way to recommend the change suggested.

Why not? Can the right hon. Gentleman say why young officers with large families should be treated in this way?

The arrangement was fully explained at the time it was brought into effect. I think if the hon. Member will refresh his memory he will see the reasonableness of the arrangement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the practice of paymasters only to pay separation allowances to dependants, Class A, from the date of the forms which they acknowledge to have reached them, and that it is not uncommon for forms to go astray, with the result that the dependants are told that no forms have been received by the paymasters, whereupon the respective soldiers have to sign forms a second time, and on receipt of these the paymasters commence payment of separation allowances, with the result that the dependants lose the money due to them from the date of the first papers; and what remedy does he propose for this state of affairs?

If there is satisfactory evidence that a claim was made and the form was lost, the practice is to pay the allowance from the date of the original claim.

asked whether a soldier transferred to Class P from Class W is entitled to his pension, and may continue to find work in civil employment such as his state of physical fitness will permit him to undertake?

A soldier transferred to Class P has the same rights of pension and gratuity as a man discharged from the Army through medical unfitness, and may also obtain civil employment.

asked whether soldiers placed in Class W and working in civil employment under the conditions of that class but who are unable to maintain regular work owing to disability caused when on service, and are therefore placed in a position of want and hardship, may transfer, or be transferred, to Class P; and, if so, what steps the soldier concerned must take to obtain that transfer?

If brought to notice all cases, such as those referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, are carefully considered, and if the man is found to be eligible for transfer to Class P the transfer to that class is carried out. The man should report his case to the officer in charge of records concerned or to the local war pensions committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman have that information circulated to the men concerned, either as an instruction or in some way that will reach the men who are suffering?

Instructions on these two points has already been circulated, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will come to me at the War Office I will see what further steps can be taken.

asked whether, in view of the improved war situation, he is now prepared to give effect to the desire expressed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Service in January last that no man who had been twice wounded should be sent out to France?

I regret very much that the answer to my hon. and gallant Friend's question must be in the negative.

Is it not time that the War Office or the Ministry of National Service took some of the healthy men engaged on munitions, instead of sending these men who have been twice wounded back to France?

My hon. Friend had better put that question to the Minister of National Service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this question has been reconsidered since Lord Derby considered it after receiving deputations when he was Secretary for War?

Are there not men at home who might be sent in substitution?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning Private R. D. Paterson, No. 18348, Highland Light Infantry, who has served in Mesopotamia three years and who for the last 1½ years has been constantly in and out of hospital on account of malarial fever, frequently being carried back to hospital after he had lain for hours where he had fallen out on the march, if, having regard to the fact that Private Paterson is said to be a mere wreck and, when his parents last heard of him, was in hospital again, he will have inquiries made with a view to his discharge, or at all events his return home on sick leave until it has been ascertained whether he can be restored to health and made fit for service in Mesopotamia again?

I am making inquiry into this case, and will acquaint my hon. Friend of the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the case of Private F. Bushfield, No. 67020, D Company, 4th Reserves, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, one of five sons who have gone into the Army, two of whom have been killed and the remaining three being still on active service, with a view to his release on compassionate grounds, having regard to the further calamity which has recently fallen upon the household through the death of the soldier's father?

Inquiry into this case is being made, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the growing opinion in this country that British soldiers who are paid at the rate of 1s. 6d., 2s., 3s. 1d., and 4s. 3d. per day for privates, corporals, sergeants, and sergeant-majors, respectively, should be paid at the same rate as Australian soldiers, who are paid at the rate of 6s., 8s., 10s., and 12s. 6d. per day for privates, corporals, sergeants, and sergeant-majors, respectively; and whether he intends to pay the British soldier at the same rate as the Australian soldier?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The emoluments of the British soldier have been considered from time to time by the War Cabinet, and been fixed after very full consideration of the whole subject. The matter is again under consideration by the Cabinet Committee.

asked whether the undertaking that men over forty-three should not be required to go through the severe course of training required from younger men, but should be allowed to go through a modified course of drill and physical training, is being generally adhered to; and, if so, why a number of English recruits over forty-three have been sent to a training camp in county Galway, Ireland, and are required to go through the ordinary course along with young men, though some of these older men are graded B2?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. I am not aware of the conditions suggested at the camp referred to in the last part of the question, but, if fuller particulars are furnished, I shall be happy to cause inquiry to be made, if necessary.

asked the Minister of National Service the result of his inquiries into the cases of Privates Kiernan, Hewson, Walsh, Higgins, and Joyce, Irish workmen, who were illegally conscripted; and if he is aware that the latter three are now in prison at Warrington?

Full inquiries have been made into the case of Kiernan, and no trace can be found that on reporting he either claimed or produced any evidence that he was excepted or otherwise protected from the operation of the Military Service Acts. When, however, it subsequently appeared that he had been sent over by the Employment Exchange, the War Office were requested to release him, and I understand this has been done. With regard to Hewson, I have ascertained that when he came up for medical examination no card was produced to show that he was in possession of any form of protection, and consequently he was graded and called up for service. The man's card has now been produced, and representations have been made to the War Office asking for his discharge. The other three men, Walsh, Joyce, and Higgins, as I recently informed the hon. Member by letter, came to England subsequently to the Press communiqué of the 12th July, and were rightly enlisted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the latter three men who are detained in prison were only three weeks in England in their lives? Surely they are not liable to military service?

The moment they landed in England they became liable to military service.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is now able to make a statement as to the number of soldiers who have been sentenced by court-martial for concealing venereal disease in cases arising out of a complaint by a woman that she had been infected by the soldier?

As I stated in reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend on the 13th June last, I regret that this information is not available.

In view of the facts, does the right hon. Gentleman still maintain his statement that there is equality of treatment between soldiers under the King's Regulations and women under Regulation 40D?

I do.

asked if, in view of the shortage of horses in this country, he would make arrangements for the return to this country of all Army horses, whether cast or not, on the termination of the War, and of all cast horses at the present time?

Arrangements have been made, in consultation with the "Advisory Council for the Disposal of Surplus War Stores," for the repatriation of a very large number of the Army horses in France on the termination of the War, but it is not anticipated that shipping facilities will be available to bring back any large number of animals from other theatres of war. It has been decided, after consultation with the Board of Agriculture, not to return to this country horses now cast in France.

Will the undertaking given by the Government about one and a half years or two years ago that no cast Army horses would be destroyed will still be adhered to, and whether, in view of the great shortage of horses in this country, it would be possible to return to this country horses now cast in France?

I am afraid that it would be extremely difficult to do so because of the enormous demand for transport facilities for men and munitions.

Will it be possible to do this in the Eastern theatres of war?

I have not dealt with that question in my answer, but I will go into it.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the difficulty which discharged soldiers experience in finding employment in Ireland; and whether, in view of this difficulty, he will take steps in remount departments, pay offices, and other departments in Ireland which are directly administered by or come under the supervision of the War Office, to replace male civilians by discharged men except in the case of such Civil servants as are indispensable in these establishments?

It is already the practice to give preference to discharged soldiers for employment in the departments mentioned, but I am afraid I cannot agree with my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion to displace in every case well-tried and trained men.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Captain H. J. Inman, late Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry, after serving in Gibraltar, India, and Gallipoli, resigned his commission at Trimulghery on the 31st March, 1917, as a protest against what he considered unjust treatment by his commanding officer; whether, receiving no notification as to whether his resignation would be accepted or not, this officer obtained leave to England on private affairs in September, 1917, and on arrival offered his services to the War Office in France, the Mediterranean, or Egypt, provided he was granted an exchange from the battalion in which he was serving; whether he was then informed that he would be held to his resignation of the 31st March; and whether any inquiry into the case is to be held, as desired by Captain Inman, seeing that he came forward and offered his services voluntarily in the early days of the War and served for three years and four months.?

My hon. and gallant Friend is misinformed. It was considered that some of the officers of the 1st Garrison Battalion were not up to the required standard of efficiency, and in some cases were too old for their rank. Captain Inman was one of these officers, and, as a result of an interview with the Brigade Commander, he applied to resign his commission. It was decided to accept his resignation, and he was informed, both verbally and in writing, of this decision on his arrival in this country. He was not sent home on leave, but because his services were no longer required. I am afraid it is impossible to re employ Captain Inman, and in view of all the circumstances of the case, I see no reason for any further inquiry.

asked whether Mr. Aylmer Maude has been appointed lecturer in Russian to the forces operating in Russia; whether he is receiving any War Office remuneration or expenses; and whether he has proceeded to Russia?

The answer to the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative, and I have no information as to the last part.

asked whether the expedition to Baku was ordered by the Imperial General Staff; and whether it had the full and considered approval of the Versailles Allied Council?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The Supreme War Council is only concerned with matters of general policy. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if his Department proposes to take over the two largest hotels at Aldeburgh, Suffolk; if so, if he is satisfied that the provision of additional accommodation by this method can be justified in the present circumstances on grounds of military necessity; and if he will take into consideration the loss and inconvenience which the closing of these hotels will cause to the town and neighbourhood?

Owing to military necessity, the acquisition of certain hotels at Aldeburgh is under consideration. The representations contained in the last part of my hon. Friend's question are being fully considered.

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether during the winter months in this summer seaside resort it will be possible to provide accommodation cheaper than this very expensive method of commandeering hotels?

I am having the whole question looked into.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has made any inquiry into the taking on of men at the military works at Cippenham, Slough; whether he is satisfied that none but indispensable men are being employed on the work; and will he what supervision is being exercised to enforce some economy in the number of men employed and in the arrangement of working hours, etc.?

All civilian labour at Cippenham is engaged in the prescribed manner—namely, through the Labour Exchanges. I am not quite clear as to what my hon. and gallant Friend refers to in the second part of his question, but I would inform him that there is a very great shortage of labour, especially carpenters, for the work required to be done. As regards the last part of the question, the officer in charge and the resident engineer watch very closely the question of economical employment, and the working hours have been so arranged as to secure the maximum progress possible.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the case of a French polisher who was stated to have been taken on at these works, and to have obtained exemption from service in the Army last July because he was engaged on military work, and can he say whether work at this place is considered to be essential and indispensable, and whether men, therefore, are to obtain exemption from service in the Army?

I think the work is of very great national importance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what were the average quantities of beer and of spirits, respectively, issued weekly per 100 officers' beds and per 100 soldiers' (non-commissioned officers and men) beds in the London general hospitals and in the Orthopædic Hospital, Hammersmith, during 1915, 1916, 1917, and to June, 1918?

I regret that this information is not available, and to obtain it would throw an enormous amount of labour upon the staff of the hospitals, which I do not think would be justified in present circumstances.

Is it not a fact that these statistics are published yearly?

No; they are not.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that thousands of alien men and women have been deported or interned on the recommendation of the Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Sankey on the ground of their hostile origins or associations; and whether, in view of the fact that persons so interned or deported are not likely to be well disposed towards this country, he will at once introduce legislation to set up an authority with power to deport from or refuse admittance to the realm all those aliens now interned or deported and all other undesirables of all countries, especially having regard to the fact that as the law now stands there is nothing to prevent alien enemies from resuming their former occupations, and thus detrimentally affecting the interests of men and women serving with the Colours and unable to return to civil life until demobilisation?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey on Monday last.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the difficulty which, despite the existence of Employment Exchanges, discharged soldiers experience in finding employment in Ireland, either from public Departments or private employers, he will cause a special Government bureau to be instituted which shall keep a register of all discharged officers and other ranks seeking employment in Ireland and endeavour to find suitable positions for these applicants?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Government are anxious to do all they can to assist discharged soldiers in finding employment and the suggestion made in the question will receive careful consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether his statement made on 5th July last, that if the Kaiser and his advisers accept to-morrow the conditions of President Wilson he can have peace not only with America but also with Great Britain and France, holds good as regards the negotiations for an armistice which President Wilson is at present engaged upon?

It is inadvisable to make any statement on this subject whilst negotiations are pending between President Wilson and the German Government.

Does that imply that the Prime Minister says things one month, repeats them the next, and then runs away from them?

It implies exactly what it says, that it is very ill-advisable to discuss such matters at present, and I should have thought that every Member of the House would have recognised that fact.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to make a statement of the peace terms of the British Government in response to the appeal made by President Wilson in his speech of 27th September?

I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject.

I submit that no previous reply has been given to any question on these lines. When does the Prime Minister think he can make a statement on the matter?

I have already myself given many replies that in the view of the Government this is not the time to discuss a question of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government are agreed and determined that the four principles of peace laid down by President Wilson in his Address to Congress on the 11th of last February shall be applied to Ireland?

There is nothing in the four principles referred to which do not already form part of the policy of His Majesty's Government towards Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister whether the United States have now some 565 shipbuilding yards within their own territory actively engaged in building ships with modern methods and appliances and with the strenuous zeal of their workmen; and how many efficient shipbuilding yards there are in the United Kingdom?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am not in a position either to confirm or contradict the figures given in the earlier part of the question. As regards the United Kingdom, there are 198 efficient shipbuilding yards, and while it is obviously not desirable to specify the class of work on which the yards are engaged, I may say that at the moment appreciably less than half are engaged exclusively on merchant work.

Does my right hon. Friend include in the number of British yards the Government's Chepstow yards which have been dismantled of their machinery, and would he like to have the names of the 565 American yards, because I shall be very pleased to give them to him?

I shall be very pleased to receive any information which the hon. Gentleman cares to give me. I should think the Chepstow yard is included, but I am not aware that it has been dismantled.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Pirrie has removed the machinery from the Chepstow yard to other yards?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the danger of Great Britain losing the maritime supremacy she has hitherto possessed by reason of the losses of British merchant ships and the failure to replace these losses with new ships; whether it has been brought to his notice that Mr. Hurley has definitely stated that America's post-war intention is to own 25,000,000 to 30,000,000 tons of shipping; whether he is aware that the total tonnage of British shipping before the War was under 20,000,000 tons and is now considerably less; and what steps are being taken to maintain or regain our maritime supremacy in view of the competition with which we are faced?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Government are fully alive to the necessity of maintaining our maritime position, but the winning of the War must be the first consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that we have to consider the condition that this country will be in after the War?

I think my answer shows that we do consider it; but, as I say, we must consider, first, the winning of the War, and, secondly, what we will do after the War.

Questions Nos. 52 and 53 also stood in the name of Mr. HOUSTON.

These are the ninth and tenth questions standing in the name of the hon. Member.

On a point of Order. I was not responsible for questions 12 and 13 being placed upon the Paper, and, therefore, I have only eight.

These are the ninth and tenth questions on the Paper, and the hon. Gentleman has already asked fourteen questions.

asked the Prime Minister if he has been made aware of the discontent that prevails among working people on account of the fact that, whilst the amount of coal allowed for houses containing not more than four rooms under the Household Fuel and Lighting Order is totally insufficient to provide heat for washing and drying of clothes, cooking, baking, and all other domestic requirements, provision is made in the Order for heating houses containing as many as twenty-one rooms for the use of one family; and whether he will take steps to reduce the number of rooms that may be heated for rich people in order to increase the coal ration in the homes of working people?

:I have been asked by the Prime Minister to reply to this question. I am not aware of any general discontent as to the allowance of fuel for houses of not more than four rooms, and I do not think that the scale laid down in the Household Fuel and Lighting Order discriminates unfairly between large and small houses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the large number of resolutions passed by public bodies, trade union branches, and so on, protesting against this Regulation on the grounds mentioned in the question?

No; I am not aware of them.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us if it is a fact that 3 tons of coal per annum are allowed all small houses in England and only 1 ton per annum for houses large or small in Ireland?

I will inquire.

asked the Prime Minister whether the recent interview accorded by Lord Milner to the "Evening Standard" purports to represent the views of His Majesty's Government; whether the report of this interview was telegraphed to Holland on Thursday afternoon; and, if so, whether this was done with or without the knowledge of the Foreign Office?

In answer to the first part of the question, the statements of my Noble Friend were, of course, made on his own responsibility. The interview was dealt with in the usual way by the Press, and no special action was taken by the Foreign Office.

Are we to understand that for the future, when a member of the Government; makes statements—

War Cabinet!

No, he is not a member of the War Cabinet now; he is the Minister for War. Are we to understand, when a member of the Government makes statements, that they have no more relation to the policy of the Goverinment than if they were made by an ordinary Member of the House?

Certainly not; but the hon. Member, who has had as much experience as anyone in the House, knows that it is not the business of the Cabinet to censor beforehand the speeches of members of the Government.

This is a very serious matter, and I think we are entitled to know whether, if it is not the business of the Government to censor beforehand the speeches of Ministers, it is not the business of the Government to let the world know whether a member of the Government speaks for the Government or not?

The hon. Member knows perfectly well what the custom has always been, and it has not been in the least changed in that respect. Cabinet Ministers make speeches without consulting their colleagues, and the hon. Member has no right to conclude that all his colleagues do not agree with the statements that the Minister makes.

Do they agree? It is a very fair question, because the whole of the American Press are now asking that question. Do they agree?

The hon. Member had better give notice of that question. It is not on the Paper.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment to-night.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government so to amend the Constitution as to necessitate the sanction of Parliament for all treaties which may be concluded in the future and to vest in Parliament the power of declaring war?

It is obviously impossible to deal with a subject of this kind by question and answer.

Will the Government see, as other European nations are adopting a more democratic system, that we do not lag behind?

No; I think the Government are glad to find that other European nations are falling into line with us.

Is not this the very demand that we are making upon Germany now?