asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the uncertainty existing on the point, he could state whether those units of the Territorial Force of approximately ten years' standing ranked senior to the units of the New Army raised during the War and serving under temporary commissions and attestations for the period of the War only, though now embodied with and described as the Regular Forces of the Crown?

New Army units are treated as Regulars, but I would point out that seniority in commissioned or non-commissioned rank depends primarily on the date of appointment or promotion.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War, whether, in view of the fact that no recognition has yet been granted to those officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who were serving in the Territorial Force at the out-break of war and who then undertook or had previously undertaken the imperial service obligation, thereby enabling the State to utilise their services outside the United Kingdom, he will reconsider the desirability of their being awarded some special distinction, especially in view of the fact that these officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are entitled to special recognition as, though not called upon, they were ready and willing to join that portion of His Majesty's forces, Regular and Territorial, which served in France and Belgium prior to the 22nd November, 1914, thus becoming eligible for the award of the 1914 star?

It has been decided that members of the Territorial Force who were embodied under Army Order 281 of 1914 and who either before or after the date of embodiment, signed an agreement to serve outside the United Kingdom, shall be allowed to count embodied service two-fold as qualifying service for the Territorial Officers' Decoration and the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. The necessary directions in the case of the Efficiency Medal have already been issued and the necessary amendments to the Royal Warrant governing the Territorial Officers' Decoration are now in preparation.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is aware that three sons of Mr. J. Matthews have been killed in the War, two this year, particulars of which have been given him; that he has declined to request that the two remainings sons now fighting should be transferred to Home service; that he has since declined a request that one of these two sons, aged thirty-seven, who has been in active fighting since July, 1916, and was gassed at Passchaendaele in October, 1917, and who is now training as an Infantry cadet, should be transferred either to the Army Service Corps or to the Railway Transport Section; and will he reconsider this case?

Certain definite limitations governing the transfer of men to Home service have been laid down and, as I have already explained to my hon. Friend, this case does not come within those limits. I very much regret that in the circumstances I can take no special action.

Does my right hon. Friend think that when the father of a family has given three sons who have been killed, in regard to the two others—one a man of 37 years—he ought not to have some small consideration?

Most certainly I am anxious to meet such cases. We have laid down a rule that in the case of an only surviving son, that son is kept for Home service.

asked the Home Secretary if he will say why G. Butler, conscientious objector, No. 3341, has not yet been released for work under the exceptional employment scheme, his twelve months' approved sentence having expired last September, and he having submitted suitable employment for approval more than a month ago?

This man was authorised on the 29th October to take up the employment which he had submitted for the Committee's approval.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Arthur Gregson, a conscientious objector in Liverpool civil prison, has been in hospital since 24th July of this year; and if he will take steps to authorise his release on health grounds?

This man was discharged from hospital on the 30th September, but was again admitted to hospital on the 23rd October. The condition of his health does not afford a sufficient reason for authorising his release at the present time, but I shall ask shortly for another report.

asked the Home Secretary if he will say whether his attention has been called to the case of Arthur Kuhl, a clerk in the Civil Service, British born, the son of naturalised German parents, who was recently fined at the North London Police Court for evading military service and handed over to the military authority; and, if so, whether this gentleman's place is being kept open for him in the Civil Service?

This is not a case in which I have any jurisdiction, but I am informed that Arthur Kuhl was employed in the service of the General Post Office, and I will bring the hon. Member's question to the notice of the Postmaster-General.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the hardship that is caused by the delay which takes place in the payment of bonus and other moneys due to a soldier on discharge; and whether he will arrange that these payments shall be made in future at the time of discharge?

The procedure for dealing with discharged soldiers has been revised recently, and cases of delay in the settlement of soldiers' accounts should now be rare. If the hon. Member will bring any specific cases to my notice I will have them investigated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will say what funds or powers are at the disposal of local war pensions committees to render assistance to ex-Service men who may be in need of help, and who apply to them for temporary assistance?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Local war pensions committees are empowered to make a grant, not exceeding £5, to a disabled man to meet expenses not provided by the Royal Warrant incidental to his taking up employment. Apart from this provision the financial assistance which local committees can give lies in the direction of recoverable advances where for any reason there has been delay or break in payment of pension or where the pension is found to be inadequate to the degree of disablement.

Does that mean that the local war pensions committee cannot temporarily increase pensions in cases of urgent necessity?

No; they have no power to do that. If they think a pension is insufficient, having regard to the degree of disablement, the man can be sent to a medical referee, and if he assesses that the pension should be higher they can advance to the man.

In the case of an ordinary pensioner, not a disabled man, can they increase a small pension if necessary?

We have nothing to do with cases of Service pensions, but only with disablement pensions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is able to say that the service and campaign pensions of our veteran sailors and soldiers have been increased; is this increase as far as possible now in operation, and does this increase mean that no veteran entitled to such pension, and who has attained the age of seventy years, is in receipt of less than 15s. a week?

Campaign pensioners have received the same advance of 2s. 6d. as old age pensioners. The minimum payment to a campaign pensioner of seventy or over, including old age pension, is now 12s. 9d. As regards increase of Service pensions, I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Blackpool on 22nd October.

asked the Pensions Minister to state what increases he proposes on pensions; and whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing such increases before or after they are determined?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Pensions Minister how many of the functions of the Ministry have been devolved on other Departments; and whether he has taken the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown on the legality of such derogation?

None of the functions of my Department has been devolved on other Departments. The latter part of the question does not therefore arise.

Is it not the case that the Local Government Board have control of tuberculosis cases, and the Ministry of Labour of the employment of discharged men?

No; that is not the case. What happens is that we have utilised the machinery of other Departments, and have made arrangements with them as to the men. It would be very unwise for us to set up new machinery when there is machinery in existence, but we have not devolved any of our powers. We have merely made arrangements for other Departments to deal with the men according to our arrangements.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Ministry of Pensions controls those Departments or are the Ministers of those Departments responsible for the control?

We see that the treatment or training, as the case may be, is properly done, and if it is not we take steps to supplement the machinery or set up complete machinery.

Can the hon. Gentleman say in the two cases mentioned, that of the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Pensions, and the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Pensions, who is responsible to this House for the action that was taken?

We are responsible.

Why was there a delay of six months in taking action for the care of tuberculosis patients, and is that the fault of the Local Government Board or of the Insurance Commissioners?

I am not aware that there was any such delay.

A statement was made the other day to that effect.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he can now state what the war bonus on existing pension scales is to be?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he can state the number of the staff of the Special Grants Committee; how many cases per week are brought before the Committee; how often the Committee meets; and how many cases are pending decisions at date?

The number of the present staff of the Special Grants Committee is 154. Taking the figures for last week, 2,692 cases were brought before the Committee for decision, and at the close of the week 4,908 cases were in action but were not ripe for decision. A further 760 cases had been received too recently for action. Sections of the Committee dealing with individual cases meet daily, and the full Committee once a fortnight.

Do I understand that there are at least 4,000 cases outstanding?

I do not quite know what the hon. Member means by outstanding.

Not decided.

These cases require a great deal of investigation. There are about 4,000 cases, as I have said, in action.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when I stated it last week it was denied?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the fact that special steps were taken to advise the discharged soldiers of their right to apply for an alternative pension, he will adopt similar means to advise the ex-officers and the widows of officers of their right to apply for an alternative pension?

As my Noble Friend is aware, a booklet is in course of preparation for the information of ex-officers and officers' widows, and in that booklet attention will be drawn to the alternative pension. Reference will also be made to it in the Memorandum which is sent to every widow when her flat-rate pension is awarded.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he has taken any steps to bring to the notice of officers who have been accorded a gratuity on the grounds that their disability has neither been caused nor aggravated by war service the fact that they are entitled to apply to an Appeal Tribunal; how many of such appeals have been lodged and what percentage of those lodged have been heard; and what is the percentage of the reversals of the original award?

Statements were made in this House on 15th May and 5th July last, and were published in the Press, and in several cases officers have been incited to refer their cases to the board. Nineteen appeals have been made to the Appeal Board, of which fourteen have been heard. Of the fourteen, seven have been allowed and seven rejected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether quantities of biscuits, oats, blown milk, and other articles of food are being still regularly destroyed at military centres in this country and in France, on the ground that they have become unfit for human consumption; what was the amount so destroyed during the month of September; whether he is satisfied that in all these cases the waste was unavoidable, and why steps are not being taken to utilise these foodstuffs for other purposes?

A report has been received from France that no foodstuffs under the control of the Army Service Corps or which are condemned within units are destroyed when unfit for human consumption unless so ordered by medical authority or where putrefaction is such as to render it useless for fat factories, piggeries, etc. The same policy is followed at home, and the local military authorities report that they are satisfied that no articles of food have been unavoidably destroyed. If the hon. Member would furnish me with any information in his possession I shall be glad to have further inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the approximate cost of the machinery and stores purchased during the War to carry out the land policy of the Government; and does he propose eventually to sell such stores, etc., to the farming industry?

The approximate cost of machinery and stores purchased up to 30th September, 1918, may be taken at £3,000,000. Sales to the amount of £500,000 had been effected up to the date mentioned, leaving a net cost as at that date of approximately £2,500,000. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for East Grinstead; whether he has received a petition signed by over 150 Members of the House of Commons calling attention to the serious shortage of feeding-stuffs and discontent caused to farmers by the action of grading and live-stock officers; and whether he can allot a day for the discussion of these matters?—["That, in the opinion of this House, the regulation of imports and exports and the system of administration of the feeding, grading, and sale of cattle, sheep, and pigs are vitally affecting the flocks and herds of the country and require immediate attention."]

I am afraid that it will not be possible to give a day for this subject, but I hope that it can be discussed on the Vote of Credit.

asked whether all the Lincolnshire markets are to be closed against the sale of cattle and sheep, and whether this action is contrary to the advice of the local Live Stock Commissioners?

I have not received notice of this question.

asked he Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction still exists with regard to the treatment of officer patients at the Prince of Wales' Hospital, Great Central Hotel, Marylebone; whether he will state how many patients there are at present in the hospital; what is the size of the staff of Army sisters and orderlies; how often an official inspection is made; whether any inspections are made without previous notice being given; whether the meals of the patients are inspected; whether electric bells have been installed in all the patients' rooms; and, if not, what is the reason for this delay?

I am not aware that any dissatisfaction exists, and from a report which I have obtained it is clear that the officers are very well looked after. The number of patients is 780, and the number of nurses is forty-three, nursing orderlies thirty, and in addition there are twenty Voluntary Aid Detachment orderlies. The officer in charge makes frequent inspections without notice, and official inspections are made from time to time by the Deputy-Director of Medical Services and other officers of the London district. The meals are regularly inspected by the officer in charge and the matron. The electric bells, which were installed in April last, have recently got out of order but are now being put right.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that for all that number of 780 patients the staff he has just mentioned is adequate? Is he aware that complaints were brought to his notice early in the year—in the spring—and that complaints have been brought by other persons connected with the place?

I have had no complaints since the spring, and I have just informed my hon. and gallant Friend that my report is a very recent report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries into a case where an officer, whose heart had been recently very seriously injured owing to his wounds having been allowed to remain in a small room with another officer patient suffering from influenza, and no attempt made to remove the officer—

The hon. Member must give notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the question of wages and overtime conditions has been brought to a position of agreement between the messengers and the authorities at the Horse Guards and that the whole matter has been in a state of suspense since December, 1917; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter and thus allay the present condition of affairs?

A number of messengers other than those at the Horse Guards are concerned. The investigation of the matter has necessarily taken some time, but I hope a decision will soon be arrived at.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all officers who are permitted voluntarily to resign their commissions are entitled to retain the rank held on retirement, or whether the Army Council is allowed to exercise discretion in the matter; whether regimental officers who hold temporary acting rank for the command of troops, but who subsequently revert through no fault of their own on the arrival of a senior officer, will be granted the higher rank on retirement; and whether such instructions will be issued as will prevent gentlemen, who for various reasons are granted higher ranks than those for which their military service and experience fit them, from being granted on retirement the same privileges as are conferred on those who have earned their rank by military merit and service?

All officers on ceasing to hold their commissions will be granted permission to retain their rank provided they have held such rank for six months and that their services have been satisfactory throughout the time they were in the Army. It is not proposed to make any distinction such as suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend in the last part of his question. Acting rank will count if it has been held for six months.

Is the Army Council deliberately going to benefit the non-fighting officer against the fighting officer owing to the fact that the fighting, officer loses his rank very often through wounds?

I do not think my hon. and gallant Friend can think that because we only give appointments to non-fighting officers who are thoroughly efficient at their work.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the fighting officer very often loses rank through fighting, and the non-fighting officer does not?—It is so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that at some of the depots in Mesopotamia the married soldiers have not yet been paid their compulsory allotment of 6d. per day, nor have any men received their service money if entitled to it; and will he take any steps to have this remedied?

This question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India, who, I understand, will be in a position to reply tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is by his orders that Henry Gogol, of 21a, St. James Road, Higher Broughton, Manchester, has been arrested; whether any reason can be given for the arrest; and whether any charge will be made against him?

This man was arrested for the purpose of deportation, in pursuance of an Order which I made on advice that he was a Russian concerned with Bolshevist propaganda whom it was desirable, in the interests of this country, to deport. He left en route for Russia on the 27th October.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now investigated the reason for the inaccurate statement made on 17th October concerning Mr. D. Chrysin; whether the official responsible has been cautioned; who that official was; and whether Mr. Chrysin, who is honourably known in connection with the cooperative movement, will be informed that regret is felt for the mistake?

I regret that I have nothing more to say on this case at present. The officer specially concerned with it is at present off duty, somewhat seriously ill with influenza.

Will the Home Secretary promise that this matter will not be dropped, even if a General Election comes and he is very busy?

No, Sir; it will not be dropped.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case in which a party of German prisoners were found stealing potatoes from fields at night; whether these prisoners were supposed to be under military guard, and what steps have been taken to deal with those responsible and to prevent the recurrence of such an incident?

The Chief Constable reports that two of the men concerned have been summoned and will be dealt with by the Civil Court. A third man could not be identified. All three men were combatant prisoners of war, and the question of their safe custody and supervision while at work is a matter for the War Office.

Are we not to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is responsible for all arrangements in connection with these prisoners?

No; not in connection with prisoners of war camps—they are still under the War Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether a farmer's son was recently fined for giving a shot-gun to German prisoners; what form of supervision was being exercised over these prisoners at the time; and what action has been taken in the matter?

I have not heard of any such case. If the question relates to combatant prisoners of war it should be addressed to the War Office, which has the sole charge of these prisoners.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has no control at all of this matter?

It is not within the jurisdiction of the Committee over which I preside, but of course we could make representations on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement with regard to the non-employment of German prisoners in coal mines; and whether, in view of the shortage of coal and labour, the possibility of temporarily taking over certain pits for work entirely by prisoner labour under the supervision of soldier ex-miners who are unfit for work has been considered?

The Coal Controller is in communication with the War Office on this subject, but a decision has not yet been taken.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue in the form of a White Paper the evidence of returned prisoners of war of the cruelty, tortures, and murders inflicted on British prisoners of war, without omissions of any of the facts disclosed?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Christchurch on the 17th October.

asked the Home Secretary (1) Whether, as in Germany camp commandants are directly and only subject to the army corps commanders of the areas in which they are situated, such army corps commanders are not responsible for the condition of camps in their area; if so, whether the names of all such army corps commanders are included in the list of persons whose trial and punishment will be demanded by the Allied Governments where cruelty has been practised on British prisoners of war within their area; (2) whether, as in the case of one party of 900 British prisoners of war employed behind the German lines this year, 134 died in the month of July after reaching camp besides those who were killed or died before they reached camp, and as this employment, contrary to international law, continued under the direct personal responsibility of General Ludendorff after he had given undertakings that it would be discontinued, it is to be understood that the name of Ludendorff is included in the list of the persons whose trial and punishment will be demanded by the Allies.

The names of all army corps commanders or other persons who are known to have been guilty of or to have encouraged cruelty to our prisoners of war, or to have acquiesced in acts of cruelty by persons under their authority, will be included in the list referred to. It is considered at present inadvisable for reasons already given to state the names of any persons appearing on this list.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state if the Bulgarians accused of cruelty to British prisoners of war have been tried, and by what tribunal; and whether any and, if so, what punishment has been awarded?

The French Government have been requested to cause all possible steps to be taken to bring to account the late commandant of the internment camp at Philippopolis, who was distinguished for his ill-treatment of British prisoners of war. It is not yet known what steps it has been possible to take in this direction.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the dissatisfaction witih Lord Newton and General Belfield expressed from all quarters of the House during the British prisoners Debate and the reiterated demand that the future of our gallant prisoners should be entrusted to negotiators of proved ability, whether he will immediately relieve these two gentlemen of all further duties relating to prisoners of war, and replace them by men fully qualified to handle questions of such supreme importance?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer is in the negative.

I take this opportunity of informing the House that the German Government have now agreed to ratify the agreement as to the exchange and treatment of prisoners concluded by Lord Newton and General Belfield at the Hague, and have abandoned the condition which they sought to impose as to the internment or deportation of Germans in China.

Is the Home Secretary not aware that there are many people who have the greatest satisfaction in the work of General Belfield, and Lord Newton, and that this question does not represent the general feeling of the country?

I believe that to be so, and I should be extremely sorry to lose the benefit of their services.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the suggestion that our prisoners can be in no better hands than a peer who treated the tortures of our prisoners with levity, and of a general who only left his watertight compartment in Whitehall, in order to proceed on a matter of supreme importance, for which he has no qualifications?

I entirely dissent from the charges made by the hon. Member against these two gentleman, and I may add that the interests of the prisoners are in the charge of the whole of the Committee, over which I have the honour to preside.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the public anxiety as to the destitute condition of the British and Indian prisoners of War in Turkey, he can give assurances that the promptest possible measures will be taken to afford them relief and obtain their release?

The Government is in constant communication with the British naval and military authorities on the spot and immediate steps are being taken to secure the return of British and Indian prisoners as early as possible. Supplies of food and clothing which had already been arranged for are being placed at the disposal of the British Admiral in the Eastern Mediterranean for use in such manner as he thinks best.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he can give the number of men trained to date by the Ministry; whether he can state how many have been trained by other Government Departments; and whether he can state how many have been trained at St. Dunstan's, Newington House, Lord Roberts' Memorial Homes, and other voluntary agencies?

The total number of men who have been, or are being, trained under arrangements recognised by the Ministry of Pensions is 18,271. Of this number 5,260 have been specially trained in the production of munitions of war in the training centres set up by the Ministry of Munitions, 1,191 have been trained at St. Dunstan's or Newington House, 1,560 in the Lord Roberts' Memorial Workshops, and the remainder—10,260—in technical institutes and workshops throughout the country.

Are those 10,000 directly under the control of the Ministry of Pensions?

The Ministry of Pensions is responsible for all of them.

I quite understand, but what I want to know is can he say how many of the remaining 10,000 he has mentioned are directly supervised by the Ministry?

Certainly, they are all under our control. We pay the training fees, we pay the allowances, and if the training is not properly done we are responsible.

Can the hon. Gentleman say which Department appoints the inspectors who report as to the adequacy of the technical training?

That is a question of which the hon. Member should give notice.

asked the Pensions Minister how many discharged officers have been placed in training for employment?

Fifty disabled officers have been trained, and about twelve more will join courses in the next fortnight.

How many discharged officers are there?

I must ask for notice of that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he is now aware that the convoy which included the Liverpool liners A and B, loaded with general cargoes for Liverpool, did not proceed in its entirety to that port, the steamer B being diverted to an outport although there was included in her cargo a quantity of 1,660 tons of salted hides; and can he now state why Liverpool liners, loaded for Liverpool, are diverted to outports instead of sending tramp steamers to these outports?

If I am correct in my assumption as to the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers, the vessel in question, in addition to 1,660 tons of hides, carried 2,894 tons of wheat and other cargo. There was no question of breaking up a convoy The vessel sailed in a mixed convoy—that is to say, in a convoy containing steamers for various destinations, and while on passage was directed to the port of Avonmouth. Such diversions have been frequently necessary in the interests of safety, economy, and efficiency, and the action taken in this instance, after full consideration of all the relevant facts as to safety, port congestion, class of cargo, etc., involved no departure from the normal course of procedure.

Then may I ask the hon. Member if he can explain why he wrote me an absurdly inaccurate statement about one convoy going north to Liverpool and the other convoy going up south when, as a matter of fact, those ships were in the same convoy; and can he explain why he is invariably inaccurate when he answers my questions?

My hon. Friend, I think, has arrived at his own conclusion on that matter, and I need not make any comment on it.

Naturally!

With regard to the letter I wrote to the hon. Member, it was quite in conformity with the answer I have given him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether it is the intention of his Department to offer for sale publicly-owned ships to private shipowners; and if he will state the reasons which have led to this decision and the terms on which the ships will be sold?

It has been deided to offer a limited number of Government-owned merchant vessels to shipowners who have lost vessels through enemy action in replacement of those losses which, as my hon. Friend knows, are very serious. The main ground for this decision is the fact that since about the end of 1916 shipowners have, in the national interest, been precluded from building tonnage for themselves, all the slips having been reserved for the Government shipbuilding programme. The vessels will be sold on the basis of current market value. The decision will not in any way affect the use of the vessls, which, during the war emergency, will be employed as the national interests may require, on the same terms as other privately-owned tonnage.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he can get any shipowners to buy these ships?

One shipowner has already made a purchase, and there are several other cases under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he is aware that Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, of Port Sunlight, promoted or formed the Bromport Steamship Company, Limited, which, since the beginning of the War, has bought a number of steamers; whether this company still has three steamers running in the West Coast of Africa trade, carrying its own goods and produce; and whether the steamers belonging to Messrs. John Holt and Company, Limited, of Liverpool, African merchants, which were engaged in this trade, have been entirely withdrawn from the trade?

The Bromport Steamship Company, which is connected with Messrs. Lever Brothers, have three steamers running under liner requisition in the West African trade. One of their steamers has been requisitioned for special Government service, and the remainder of their fleet (four vessels) has been lost. Messrs. John Holt and Company have also lost two steamers, and of the three remaining vessels belonging or chartered to them, as I explained to the hon. Member on the 2nd October, one was withdrawn from the West African trade on the ground that she could not maintain the sea speed necessary for convoy requirements, while the other two were requisitioned for employment in trades in which they could be more advantageously employed. It is not the case that the steamers of the Bromport Steamship Company necessarily carry their own goods and produce. The steamers in the West African trade are pooled under the direction of the West African Steamship Conference, which consists of Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Company, the Bromport Steamship Company, and Messrs. John Holt and Company. The Ministry of Shipping, while giving general instructions to the conference as to the materials to be carried, leaves to the discretion of the conference the arrangements for the allocation of the shipments as between the various merchants, Messrs. John Holt and Company being one of those.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Bromport Company have been only about two years or a little longer in existence, and that John Holt and Company have been in existence fifty years; and does he really contend that Lever Brothers have not had more favourable treatment than Holt and Company?

In each case the use of the vessels was dictated by only one consideration, and that consideration the national interest.

But is the hon. Member not aware that his statements are inaccurate here?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping, if he will state in definite terms the promise made by the Shipping Controller to Mr. Robert Holt, of Messrs. John Holt and Company, Limited, of Liverpool, at the interview on 22nd October?

The promise made by the Shipping Controller was that as soon as the exigencies of the War permitted the tonnage in question would be released.

That means after the War, I suppose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he is aware that it was found impossible to obtain a white British crew for a steamer which recently sailed from Cardiff; and if, in view of the effect of this upon British merchant shipping, he proposes to taken any action in the matter?

It is, I regret to say, not infrequently necessary to utilise men other than white British seamen to complete the crews of British ships. The fact that white British crews are not always available for British ships is largely due to the extensive employment by British shipowners of foreign seamen prior to the War. The question of the adequacy of the supply of British seamen has been receiving the close attention of the Ministry. A test scheme was recently initiated in London of training youths with a view solely to their suitability for immediate employment in merchant shipping. This shows signs of complete success, and when it is clearly established, no time will be lost in extending it to other ports. This training takes about two months. Steps are also being taken to obtain the services of seamen employed ashore who are prepared to go to sea again. The registration of seamen now in progress has already resulted in a number of such men coming forward for employment. An employment organisation is also being set up which will facilitate the transfer of available men to the ports at which they are required.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the questions which have been raised concerning the building of merchant ships in Shanghai, he will forthwith appoint a competent tribunal, consisting of at least one judge of His Majesty's High Court of Justice and several independent members, to investigate this matter and the action of the representative in China of Messrs. Vickers, Limited, in connection with the Kiangnan yard and the building of vessels for American interests?

The Government is not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the alleged scandal which underlies this question in connection with the loss of British shipping to this country, and that it requires not a departmental inquiry but an independent inquiry?

I am aware from the hon. Member's question that he suggests there has been some slackness on the part of the Shipping Controller. That is the point of the question. I do not share the hon. Member's view, nor does the Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman read some correspondence which I should be pleased to submit to him?

I have looked into the matter.

Not through me.

I have looked into the matter sufficiently to satisfy myself, and I believe the Government, that there is absolutely no occasion for such an inquiry.

But will the right hon. Gentleman promise to read the correspondence which I will put before him, and also promise to see a gentleman who is coming from Shanghai this month?

I will promise to look at the correspondence if it is not long. I will undertake nothing more.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will consider the desirability of circularising colleges, charities, and similar public bodies with a view to ascertaining whether they are willing to lease suitable land to the Board for the purposes of land settlement under the Small Holdings Colonies Acts; whether, in view of the difficulties in the way of obtaining land for small holdings under the Small Holdings Acts, he will consider the desirability of asking these institutions whether they have suitable land available; and whether, on the occasion of any change of tenancy, they will communicate with the Board, with a view to the land being offered to the county councils on lease under the Small Holdings Acts?

The action which my hon. and gallant Friend suggests has already been taken, and I will send him a copy of the Board's circular letter of the 13th September last on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider changing the style of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Secretary for the British Overseas Dominions, in view of the great part played by the latter in the European War?

I do not think the proposed change would be desired by the Dominions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the War Cabinet have issued instructions to the Arbitration and Conciliation Board for Government employés forbidding them to award the same wages to women as to men in cases where equal work is performed?

The War Cabinet decided in March last that the question whether women should be paid the same remuneration as men engaged on similar duties is one of policy which is not within the competence of the Board for decision by way of conciliation or arbitration. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, this question has since been referred to a. Committee specially set up for the purpose under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Atkin.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the countless acts of brutality perpetrated by the German people during the War, the Government will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to require the re-naming of all streets in this country at present bearing German names?

This matter can, I think, be left with the local authorities, which have the power to deal with it.

Will the Government consider the advisability of changing the names of Coburg and Brunswick to Cavell, Fryatt, or Cornwell?

I should not like to make any promise about that. We are engaged, I think, in matters more important.

Will Peers like Lord Denbigh, who have German names, be compelled to change them?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the amount of land now being offered for sale; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation, other than under the Defence of the Realm Act, to prevent such land passing into the hands of undesirable interests, whether alien or cosmopolitan?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. This question has been considered, but I am not in a position to make any statement as to legislation at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether a comprehensive policy for the settlement on the land, whether in the United Kingdom or in the Overseas Dominions, of officers and men on demobilisation has been evolved by the War Cabinet and the Imperial War Conference; and will he make an early statement on the subject?

This question, so far as it relates to the settlement of ex-Service men on the land in this country, was referred to a Special Committee who have now reported to the War Cabinet, and I hope that a statement will shortly be made. As far as the Dominions are concerned, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Report of the Proceedings of the Imperial War Cabinet (Cd. 9177).

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of approaching our Allies with a view to an immediate conference to settle international law on the subject of aviation, so that when the War is over there may be no obstacle to free civilian transport between the Allied countries?

This matter is engaging attention, and the Foreign Secretary hopes shortly to be in a position to lay proposals before our Allies.

asked whether, as a result of the end of the War against Turkey, he can hold out the prospect of the return of the troops at an early date from the Eastern Fronts; and whether orders have been given that officers and men at home on leave need not return to those fronts?

I understood the War Office were going to answer this question. What happens will depend upon the use that is to be made of these men.

Will every effort be made to bring back as soon as possible many men who have been there two, three, or four years? Will their cases especially be considered, and may we say that it is now being considered with a view to their early return?

I can assure the hon. Member that he is not more sympathetic in this matter than the Government. Obviously no answer can be given until we know whether the War will be prolonged, and whether these troops are to be used in any other theatre of the War. The fact that many of them have been away so long is regarded by the War Office as a reason for giving them leave as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the recent speeches by the Minister of Labour on demobilisation; and will he publish, for the information of men and women serving in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and their families, such particulars as have already been decided by His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, I can add nothing to the previous replies I have given on the subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman wish to convey by this reply that he does not read the speeches of the Minister of Labour?

That is a charge which I think the hon. Member should not make against me without complete knowledge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the large sums of public money involved in the disposal on demobilisation of Government stores; whether a uniform policy in regard to such stores has been adopted by the various Government Departments; and can he state what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?

I cannot add anything to the answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Chippenham.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in drafting their regulations in regard to the demobilisation of sailors, the Admiralty will grant sailors of long service priority in discharge?

When the time comes we shall certainly do our best to release first those officers and men who, having joined for hostilities, have served longest. We shall also do our best to give early release to time-expired active service ratings and other men with longest war service. My hon. and gallant Friend will, of course, understand that these undertakings are subject to the exigencies of the Service.

Will the Admiralty at the earliest possible moment release fishermen who have been withdrawn from their own means of livelihood for the purpose of serving the Navy?

Certainly, as soon as we can; on the same ground as the others—length of service.

asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether, in view of the present communications with the enemy and the plight of Germany's allies tending towards peace, his Department have sufficient powers to co-ordinate and enforce the demobilisation plans drawn up in conjunction with other Departments?

The proposals of my Department in connection with demobilisation and resettlement questions, in so far as they require co-ordination and War Cabinet approval, are now being dealt with by a Committee of the War Cabinet which is sitting from day to day. As parts of the work are entrusted to different executive Departments, the Ministers concerned become responsible for carrying it out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the House will be afforded an opportunity to discuss the proposals suggested by the Committee appointed last January on currency problems after the War; and whether it is intended to adopt a gold-standard money trust system upon an insufficient supply of gold or whether it will be expedient to continue the issue of paper money guaranteed by the different nations?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by such a discussion at present.

Is the House to understand that the whole question of currency will be left in the hands of gentlemen who have an immediate interest in the money and in gold?

Oh, no! If the hon. Member refers to the members of that Committee he will find they have no powers; they were only appointed to give advice.

Will that advice be considered by the House?

Undoubtedly. I think it is a question the House will have to consider at some time, but I do not think this is the proper time.

asked the President of the Hoard of Trade whether he will take immediate steps to close the business of Messrs. Ludwig Krumm, of Offenbach O/M, who are trading at 8, Fell Street, City?

At the outbreak of War both partners in the business referred to by the hon. and gallant Member were naturalised British subjects, and while this status is maintained the Board have no power under the Trading with the Enemy Acts to order the business to be wound-up or discontinued. The Board of Trade are, however in correspondence with the Home Office as to whether the case of the senior partner falls within the recent British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, and in the event of his certificate being revoked, the question of winding-up the business will be further considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether candidates at the forthcoming election who have already had a monthly allowance of petrol allotted to them will be allowed to draw the whole or some considerable portion of it in addition to the special election allowance if the latter proves to be insufficient for their reasonable requirements?

It will be permissible for candidates who hold special permits for use during a Parliamentary election, to use petrol which they have obtained under ordinary full-duty motor spirit licences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inquire into the action of the local fuel controller in refusing to issue certificates for the whole of the members of the Carlton and Netherfield Independent Labour Party Coal Club; and if he will give instructions that this club is allotted its proportionate amount of coal for each of its registered members?

The question raised shall be the subject of inquiry, and the hon. Member shall be informed of the result.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many local authorities have since the 18th March, 1918, undertaken to build houses for the working classes immediately after the War, distinguishing between urban and rural and classifying the urban authorities under the various types, county, borough, etc.; what is the total number of houses covered by the above undertakings under the different heads above mentioned; and within what periods such local authorities have undertaken to build such houses?

The following local authorities have undertaken to build approximately the number of houses specified, namely—

In view of the comparatively small number of houses suggested, can the hon. Gentleman say that the problem of housing is likely to come under the review of the President of the Local Government Board?

That is a matter of policy on which I am not entitled to speak.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, if he is aware that the civilian trade instructors (pensioned chief E. R. As.) employed on H.M.S. "Fisgard," and at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, have not been paid the 12½ per cent. bonus as from the 14th October, 1917, to the 24th March, 1918; whereas the civilan trade instructors employed on H.M.S. "Indus" have been paid this bonus as between the dates referred to; and will he state why differentiation has taken place on the establishments mentioned.

The 12½ per cent. was payable to the mechanic instructors in question as from 24th March, 1918, in accordance with the award of the Committee on Production dated 25th April, 1918. The trade instructors of the "Indus" were incorrectly paid the 12½ per cent. bonus as from the 14th October, 1917, but the Admiralty decided in their discretion to waive recovery of the overpayments.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the naval authorities admit the right of the Post Office to control the telegraphic arrangements at the Admiralty; whether he is aware that the Post Office have superseded the officer in charge of the Admiralty telegraph department, although he has given every satisfaction to the Admiralty and has performed his duties with great credit; and whether, seeing that the successor has no experience of the special duties at the Admiralty and is not even acquainted with the special signals required, he will cause the fullest inquiry to be made in order that the efficiency of the Services may be safeguarded and injustice may be avoided?

The Postmaster-General is administratively responsible for the efficiency of the telegraph office at the Admiralty, and as regards any questions relating to its personnel I must refer my hon. Friend to him. As regards the second and third parts of the question, my hon. Friend should see the answer given by the Postmaster-General to the hon. Member for North Somerset on 24th October.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it was with his authority that the assistant superintendent in charge of the telegraphs at the Admiralty has been superseded by a man who has no experience of the special naval work; whether the man superseded has given every satisfaction to the Admiralty for many years and has been replaced on the recommendation of an official from the Post Office who is specially interested in the substitution of men from the Central Telegraph Office for controlling officers in the Metropolitan districts?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Devonport on the 24th ultimo.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make further inquiry into the case of Mr. J. S. Simpson, of Edinburgh, who was detained on Post Office premises to assist in tracing a letter which had been mislaid; whether he will state the authority for the Post Office practice of calling for extra attendance without pay; whether it was possible for Mr. Simpson to leave the building to obtain food without being charged with insubordination; and whether, seeing that the subsequent general rearrangement of the registered letter office was planned several years ago in view of the admittedly inadequate accommodation, he will explain why the accommodation was alleged to be adequate on the date in question?

I cannot add anything to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 3rd June last.