asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to avert an immediate resort to competition in naval armaments after the War, any consideration has been given to the advisability of issuing a declaration by the Allies that would ensure that if Germany or any of the Central Powers should at any time prior to the establishment of a League of Nations, or within a stated number of years, lay down the keel or become possessed of any ship of war, this would be deemed by the Allies a hostile act?

I am afraid I can say no more than that the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion will receive consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the terms of the armistice with Turkey, any conditions were stipulated with regard to Armenia; and whether any special precautions have been taken to guard against a recrudescence of massacre there?

All the terms of the armistice with Turkey have been made public.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the anxiety felt as to Armenia, and the limited purport of Article 24 in the terms of the armistice with Turkey, His Majesty's Government can give an assurance that Armenia, including Lesser Armenia or Cilicia, will not remain under any form of Turkish rule or sovereignty?

I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave to questions put to my hon. Friend yesterday on this subject, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the Turkish troops who have for many months been a menace to our settlement at Aden; and whether our friend and ally, the Sultan of Lahej, is now in peaceful possession of his country?

I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 16 of the armistice terms. Some time must, however, necessarily elapse before this Clause can be fully carried out in the Aden district owing to the conditions prevailing there and the state of communications.

Is the settlement at Aden quite safe from menace, and will the Noble Lord answer that part of the question that relates to the Sultan of Lahej?

That depends on the difficulty I have alluded to—the difficulty of communication. As to the settlement at Aden, I do not think there is the slightest danger.

Has he gone back?

I do not think so.

Have the Turkish troops in the Lahej district laid down their arms or what has happened?

That is really the thing. Some time must elapse before this Clause can be fully carried out in the Aden district owing to conditions prevailing there and the state of the communications.

asked the Prime Minister if the terms of armistice granted to Turkey are those of unconditional surrender; and, if not, what are the conditions and when will they be published?

I would refer the hon. Baronet to the terms of the armistice with Turkey which appeared in the Press on 2nd November.

Is it a fact that there are no conditions especially relating to Armenia other than those which have been published?

There are no conditions beyond those which have been published.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give an assurance that no pledge will be given by the Allies in regard to the future territorial distribution in the Balkans previous to the decisions of the Peace Conference?

In so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, it will certainly be our endeavour not to prejudice by prior commitments the decisions of the Peace Congress in regard to the Balkans.

Can the Noble Lord tell the House that no pledge has been given already?

No; I cannot say as to that.

asked the Prime Minister whether that Clause in the Austrian armistice terms which authorises our troops in Austro-Hungary to keep order is intended to be used to suppress revolution and to protect the lives and property of the old military caste of Austro-Hungary?

This question is so hypothetical that I cannot answer it.

Will my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that before the British Army is used as a counter revolutionary Army this House will be consulted?

I can assure my hon. Friend that nothing in the world is less likely than that the British Army should be used for such a purpose.

Is not the British Army—[Interruption.]

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Austrian armistice, it might be possible to release Austrian civilians from internment, thus saving money to the country and giving a lead to better relations in future?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I do not think any general release of interned Austrians would be desirable at the present moment either in their own interest or in that of this country. Many of them cannot be released until it is possible to arrange for their repatriation.

Does that extend to Hungarians and Czechoslovaks?

Hungarians, certainly. Czecho-Slovaks are treated as friendly aliens.

Is it not better to keep all interned aliens in their present position of security pending peace negotiations?

I think generally that would be right.

Is there any danger in releasing those over sixty?

As a matter of fact, nearly all of that age have been repatriated.

In view of the new situation created by the Germans suing for an armistice, I feel that the House would prefer that I should not ask a question concerning the U-boat prisoners in Switzerland and Holland of which I gave notice to the Home Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government have made any progress in either interning or deporting Germans who have been resident in China; and whether the Chinese Government have taken any steps towards sequestrating the property of Germans in that country with a view to curtailing their hostile propaganda, which the command of ample funds has so far enabled them to pursue?

On China's declaration of war against the Central Powers, the Chinese Government took immediate steps to intern the German and Austro-Hungarian Legation Guards in Peking, and a few months ago informed the Allied Powers that they had decided to intern a certain number of the enemy civilian residents suspected of political intrigues and other dangerous activities. I regret to say, however, that, beyond preparing a suitable place for the reception of these persons, the Chinese Government have not yet proceeded with their actual internment. Similarly, although the Chinese Government have drawn up Regulations against enemy trading and for the sequestration of enemy property and businesses, these measures have, so far, not been rigorously enforced. The Allied Representatives at Peking have recently taken steps to press upon the attention of the Chinese Government this unsatisfactory state of things. They have been assured by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the President has issued a mandate giving instructions that China shall fulfil her duties to her Allies.

Will the Noble Lord say if due regard will be taken of the little assistance the Chinese Government have given us in this matter, especially having regard to the great help we gave them in holding up the Boxer indemnity, and in other ways?

Undoubtedly we shall not forget the events of the case wherever they occur.

Did not the Chinese Government, when Kiao Chau was taken, allow a large number of German officers to escape from China as doctors?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Deutsche-Asiatische Bank in China has not been liquidated in accordance with the undertaking given by the Chinese Government in 1917; whether any action has been taken to press the Chinese Government to fulfil its undertaking; if so, what those steps were; and whether he proposes to take any further action with a view to bringing to an end the present financial power that remains in the hands of German financiers interested in China?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given yesterday to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Andover Division of Hants (Colonel Faber) on the same subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the various territorial offers made to Greece, of Southern Albania in November, 1914, of territories in Asia Minor at various dates in 1915 and 1916, of the Doirana district in 1915, and of Cyprus in October, 1915; whether these offers, or any of them, hold good to-day; and whether, before cessions of territory to Greece are finally decided upon, the wishes of the inhabitants will be obtained, preferably by plebiscite?

The points raised will not be forgotten.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government or the Allies take cognisance of the provisional government of Russia of which Mr. Avksentieff is president and Mr. Maklakoff the ambassador in Paris; where is the present seat of this provisional government; whether Mr. Nabokoff is its representative in this country; and whether this provisional government is recognised or supported with funds, military aid, or otherwise by Great Britain?

His Majesty's Government have not recognised the Government referred to, which is, I believe, now at Omsk, and consequently have not recognised M. Nabokoff as its representative here. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

If there is no recognition, are communications passing between the British Government and the Provisional Government at Omsk?

I do not think that arises out of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to gold treasure said to have been captured by the Czech forces in Russia?

Yes, Sir; we have been informed that a large quantity of treasure, said to amount to 65,000,000 sterling in gold, was captured by the Czechs at Kazan. It was thence sent eastwards, and is, I believe, now at Omsk.

Am I to understand that the statement made on the subject recently in the "Times" as correct?

Yes sir; so far as the official information is concerned, it is correct.

Is this large sum at the disposal of the Czecho-Slovak Government, or the Provisional Government? In whose hands is it?

I think by the Russian authorities at Omsk. I think so; I am not sure.

Are the Russian authorities there Bolsheviks?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the starving condition of the people of Montenegro; whether any scheme for the relief of their distress has been submitted to the Government; and what steps are being taken by the Government to relieve our Montenegrin Allies or to support and assist any voluntary efforts for that purpose?

His Majesty's Government have received reports of the serious position of the people of Montenegro, and schemes for relief are already under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information as to the position of Montenegro in relation to the changes occurring in the Balkans; whether care is being taken that the preservation of Montenegrin nationality under its own monarchy shall not be prejudiced without the consent of the Montenegrin people; and what steps it is proposed to take to ascertain under what conditions the people of Montenegro may be willing to join a Serbo-Croat federation or other form of political union?

The points raised by my hon. Friend will certainly not be lost sight of, but he will understand that it is not possible at present to discuss them by question and answer across the floor of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Bulgarian Government has indicated its readiness to co-operate with the Allies in military action; and, if so, whether he can give the grounds on which such co-operation was not accepted?

I have no knowledge of any such offer, but the hon. Member's question is surely one which should be addressed to the representative of the War Office.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the total amount given to secondary schools in Ireland last year under the Fisher Grant and on what basis it was distributed?

:The total amount distributed to secondary schools in Ireland in the financial year ended 31st March, 1918, from the Parliamentary Grant of £50,000 was £49,952 7s. 9d. This sum was distributed in accordance with Rules made by His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant on 13th March, 1918, and referred to in Parliamentary Paper Cd. 8929 of 1918.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will take steps to secure an increase for the Dublin Metropolitan Police and Royal Irish Constabulary pensioners?

As I have already stated the matter is having consideration, but there are serious difficulties in the way.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state the number of evicted tenants in county Fermanagh who have not yet been reinstated or for whom new holdings have not been provided by the Estates Commissioners; and when such people may expect to receive the benefits intended for them by the Evicted Tenants Act?

Eleven persons seeking reinstatement as tenants, or the representatives of tenants, evicted from holdings in county Fermanagh, have been provisionally noted by the Estates Commissioners for consideration in the distribution of such untenanted land as they may acquire under the Land Purchase Acts, and their cases will be considered when the Commissioners have lands available for distribution.

Has not this been going on for many years, and is there not a lot of land held by men who can well spare a large portion of their property, and who are keeping away from it? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that these unfortunate people who have been out for years can get what they require?

I really cannot add anything, I am afraid, to the answer I have given.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is by his orders that four motor-cycles have been seized from various persons in New Market, county Cork; that the local rate collector is not allowed to use his machine; that on a school teacher living at a distance from his work a like restriction is placed, and also on the Excise and Customs officer, who has a radius of 15 miles to work; whereas he is aware that these restrictions are applied to loyal persons, not Sinn Feiners; and whether the seizure of the Excise officer's machine was made after consulting the Revenue authorities?

Three motor bicycles have been seized from persons in New Market, where permits were refused. The local rate collector has not been interfered with. A permit was refused to a school teacher who lives six miles from his school, and his bicycle seized. A permit was also refused to the local Excise and Customs officer, and his bicycle seized. Restrictions are not applied to loyal persons. The Excise authorities were not consulted before seizure of the Excise officer's bicycle. This action is taken in pursuance of powers granted to the police under the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

Does not that answer imply that the Excise officer collecting money is not a loyal person?

It implies what it says.

Is he collecting it for the Sinn Feiners or for the Irish Government?

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the disciplinary portions of the staff at Mountjoy male prison being very much depleted, and seeing that all special posts are almost daily filled by ordinary unskilled warders when such skilled warders are on leave, also with a view of having an opportunity given to ordinary disciplinary warders to learn the duties of the various posts referred to, and considering that the average number of prisoners at present employed under such skilled warders, or with holders of special posts, is very low, he will consider the advisability of at present ordering that all subordinate officers should share equally in the performance of evening duty, and thereby allay the discontent at present prevailing at this prison?

In view of the prevailing epidemic and the consequent strain on the prisons staffs generally, the General Prisons Board consider the present an inopportune time to interfere with the governor's arrangements at Mountjoy Prison.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, as a result of his interview with a deputation of Irish prison warders on the 28th ultimo, he is satisfied that those officers made out a reasonable case for an immediate increase of 10s. per week, permanent and pensionable pay, improved pensionable scheme, as has been recently conceded to the English warders, and increased boot and other allowances; whether he is aware that the claims of the English warders were conceded in one week; and, if so, can he now say when he intends to announce his decision to the Irish officers?

I received last week a deputation of Irish prison warders as stated, who made a number of representations to me which are now receiving my attention.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the Prisons Board are desirous that all officers on the staff of every prison should be given an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the working of the different posts in each prison; if so, will he take immediate steps to see that reliefs, consequent on officers appointed to certain posts being off duty through sickness, annual leave, etc., are not supplied by officers holding other posts whereby the duties of two important posts would devolve on the shoulders of one officer; is he aware that, especially in provincial prisons, the clerk warder and store warder are compelled to relieve each other, thereby depriving any other officer from becoming acquainted with those two branches; and will he take immediate steps to rectify this grievance?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the remainder of the question the matter is under consideration.

I must ask the hon. Member to postpone this question. It was only put down on the Paper yesterday, and it has been impossible to get the information from Ireland to enable me to answer it.

I would take this opportunity of asking hon. Members in future to give at least two or three days' notice of questions in regard to which information has to be obtained from Ireland.

By way of personal explanation, may I be allowed to inform the right hon. and learned Gentleman that I put the question down the day before yesterday? Still, I am quite prepared to postpone it till Tuesday.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will make a statement as to the condition of the Irish political prisoners in Belfast Prison; if he will state the diet scale they are now on; and how many are now in hospital, and the steps, if any, the authorities have taken to prevent the influenza epidemic spreading?

The medical member of the General Prisons Board, who visited Belfast Prison on Tuesday and yesterday reports that: The condition of the prisoners who are in Belfast Prison is most satisfactory at the present time. There was seventeen of these prisoners under treatment in outside hospitals, nine of whom were transferred to the Mater Infirmorum and eight to the Belfast Union Infirmary. All these cases are progressing satisfactorily, so far. There are twenty-one cases in the prison hospital, all of whom are doing well; their seizures were of a milder type. There are ninety-six cases in the prison whose attacks were of a mild type and who are in the convalescent stage of the disease. All the prisoners affected are on a diet specially framed by the medical officer. It is full, varied, nutritious and most satisfying. The steps taken to prevent the epidemic spreading are—isolation, disinfection, and instant removal to the prison or outside hospitals. Since the epidemic manifested itself no further prisoners have been transferred to the special prison at Belfast. The medical officer, the assistant doctors, and their staff have been unsparing in their attention to all the patients, for whom everything possible has been done. Notwithstanding the very high mortality prevailing amongst influenza patients elsewhere, happily it may be added that out of the present total of 165 officers and prisoners affected in Belfast Prison with the disease no death has occurred.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the fees allowed to sheriffs as returning officers under the Representation of the People Act in Ireland are inadequate to meet the expense; whether it is a fact that the Sheriff in Limerick City has to send away to absent voters 1,577 ballot papers, identity forms, and three addressed envelopes, and that the amount allowed him for all this is the sum of £3; and whether, seeing that sheriffs and sub-sheriffs will have to pay out of their own pockets sums of money greater than they are allowed by the Act, consideration will be given to any reasonable claim made by them in the carrying out of this Act of Parliament?

I have been asked to answer this question. The hon. Member is misinformed as to the amount of fees to be allowed to returning officers in Ireland under the Treasury scale, which will be published shortly. On the figures given by the hon. Member, the Sheriff of Limerick would receive for the work in connection with absent voters not £3 as stated but £30 for remuneration and expense. I see no reason to consider the scale inadequate.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he is aware that the Catholic Benefit Society of Ossory, in view of the high increase in the cost of living particularly affecting the insured classes, have urged on the Irish Insurance Commissioners the immediate desirability of legislation authorising approved societies to pay out of invested funds sickness benefits of 15s. per week to males, 10s. per week to females, and 50s. maternity benefit; and whether it is intended to introduce legislation on the subject?

I am aware that the society in question has urged that the rates of benefits under the National Insurance Acts should be increased in view of the increased cost of living, but as I stated in my reply of 30th October to the hon. Member for Leith Burghs, any such general increase would involve a corresponding increase in the contributions, either of the employers or of the employed or of both, and I have no reason to believe that there is any general desire for legislation which would have any of those effects.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he proposes to release for the General Election those Irish prisoners, interned without trial, who are Parliamentary candidates or agents; if so whether they will be allowed the same rights as other candidates to prosecute their candidatures; and, if not, whether from their prisons they will be allowed to issue their addresses and conduct their political correspondence without censorship or delay?

The matter is under consideration.

Will an early announcement be made, as a great number of these prisoners, perhaps all, may wish to become candidates?

Many Members of this House wish to become candidates.

Can we have a definite date when a decision will be taken, or will it only be taken after the General Election has been held?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered and decided what withdrawals of Defence of the Realm Regulations or what modifications in them should be made in view of the coming General Election, especially whether Regulation 27C, which restricts the printing of leaflets, will be withdrawn; whether police Regulations authorising the prohibition of meetings are to be continued; and whether, in any case, he will assure the House that free speech, right of public meeting, and liberty of printing will be allowed?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am not at present aware of any modifications in the Defence of the Realm Regulations which a General Election is likely to make desirable. Leaflets issued by candidates for Parliament are already exempted from the operation of Regulation 27C, and there will certainly be no desire to restrict the right of free speech.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a published statement in a paper very widely circulated and read by hon. Members that a certain number of candidates intend to disregard that regulation?

I have not seen it.

If they disregard it do they render themselves liable?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to withdraw the regulations which prevent soldiers and sailors in uniform from taking an active part in Parliamentary elections; and, if so, whether soldiers and sailors will be able to speak and canvass and join like other citizens in the work of the approaching General Election?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the constitutional position resulting from submitting to the House Estimates for the expenses of General and By-elections; and if he proposes to introduce any legislation on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that legislation is required, but it will not be possible to introduce a Bill during this Session, nor is it necessary to do so.

If the right hon. Gentleman does not introduce a Bill during this Session, what will be the position at the very beginning of next Session when Writs will be issued for by-elections?

This is a legal question, and I am advised that it is not necessary that the Bill should be passed now.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the feeling among the people of this country and the Dominions that only people whose father and mother were both British subjects should be allowed to sit in the House of Commons, he will bring in and pass a short Bill to this effect before the next General Election?

I cannot add anything to the previous answers on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong feeling throughout the length and breadth of the country on this question, and could he not consider it as the last good act of this Government?

This very point, when it was raised as an Amendment, was rejected, and I see no reason to suppose that the opinion of the House has changed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board a question of which I have given him private notice: If he can now inform the House whether free copies of the electoral register can be given to candidates at the ensuing election, and whether the high charges fixed for the copies of the register can be reduced?

I wish to express my regret that, being accidentally detained yesterday, I was unable to answer similar questions which the right hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for West Cork had then placed upon the Paper. I am pleased to be able to say that, as a result of representations made to the Treasury by my right hon. Friend the late President of the Local Government Board, and by myself, the Treasury have agreed to reduce the charge to 1d. for each hundred names, and, in addition, that one free copy of the register shall be allowed to each duly nominated candidate.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether that decision will be retrospective?

Yes. In every case where a candidate has paid for the register that money will be returned—

And the candidates' agents?

I ought to say that that question is one for the Treasury, but I am aware that such an arrangement is being made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Irish prisoners without trial in English or Irish prisons are now allowed one visit in three months from a friend; whether this visit has been accorded in any case; if so, in how many; and is he aware that a majority of prisoners have declined this concession on account of the conditions connected with it?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. He informs me that there are no untried prisoners in Irish prisons, if by "untried" the hon. Member means interned under Regulation 14B. The Irish prisoners interned in England are allowed a visit from not more than two near relations once in three months, and a few such visits have been paid. I am aware that some of the prisoners have declined to receive visits on account of the conditions attached thereto.

Is it not the fact that this offer was made many weeks ago, and that only two have availed themselves of it; does not that mean they reject it altogether because of the conditions, that were intentionally, according to their view, onerous?

Not intentionally; in fact I believe more than two visits have been paid.

asked the Home Secretary whether officers and non-commissioned officers interned in Holland are allowed in special circumstances to return to this country on parole on short leave; whether, in the case of Quartermaster-Sergeant Wheeler, of the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment, now interned at Scheveningen, who has been a prisoner of war for four years in Germany, permission has been refused, although, according to the doctor's certificate, his mother is not expected to live more than two months; whether this is due to the refusal of the Government to grant similar concessions to German prisoners of war interned in neutral countries; and, if so, whether it is proposed to change this policy?

Prisoners who have been interned in Holland by order of the Dutch Government (such as those interned after the Antwerp retreat in 1914) are permitted to return to this country on parole for short leave, but those who have been transferred to Holland under the Hague Agreement of 1917 are not allowed to leave Holland unless their physical condition is such as to bring them within the medical categories entitling them to repatriation. The same rule, of course, applies to German prisoners transferred to Holland.

In the event of any arrangement being come to early which will involve complete repatriation of these prisoners of war, will the right hon. Gentleman take into favourable consideration such cases as the one quoted in the question where the matter of a few days makes all the difference between seeing a parent alive or not?

I will pay special attention to this case and any others of which I may be informed.

asked the Home Secretary how soon the British prisoners in Turkey will be assembled in Constantinople; who is to make the necessary arrangements in Turkey, and who is detailed for the necessary duty of seeing that the arrangements are carried out; and whether all English prisoners in Turkey can be brought to this country on the ship due to arrive there this month, and originally intended to bring the 1,000 agreed to be exchanged under the Berne Agreement?

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what provision has been made for the immediate supply of necessities and comforts to Kut prisoners of war released by Turkey?

The prisoners of war in Turkey will not necessarily assemble at Constantinople, but will return by the quickest route that can be arranged. The arrangements for their return are in the hands of the British Admiral in the Eastern Mediterranean who has been put into communication with the British military commanders for this purpose, and has at his disposal the stores of food and clothing already provided for the prisoners.

Have any active steps already been taken to get these prisoners to a place from which they can sail for England?

Certainly; I believe a number are already assembled at or near Smyrna.

asked the Home Secretary the date on which he took over the duties of Chairman of the Inter-departmental Committee on Prisoners of War and the date on which he dispatched telegrams to General Milne and, through Paris, to General Franchet d'Esperey to include the release of our prisoners as one of the conditions of an armistice with Bulgaria?

I took over the duties of Chairman on the 30th September, and on the following day I asked that these telegrams should be dispatched. I understand that telegrams were dispatched to General Milne on the 1st October and to General Franchet d'Esperey on the 2nd October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that captive officers of the Merchant Service interned in Germany and Austria were prior to the 1st September, 1917, threatened by their captors that, failing their paying two marks per diem for their keep, these prisoners would be transferred from officers' camps to men's camps and made to work in the mines; whether on condition of these prisoners being retained in officers' camps the Government decided that as from 1st September, 1917, this subsistence allowance should be borne out of public funds; and, if so, whether, having regard to the services of the officers of the Mercantile Marine during the War, he will now consider the justice of refunding the subsistence allowances which have been paid prior to the 1st September, 1917, by these officers in order that they might remain in officers' internment camps?

I am aware that Merchant Service officers who were prisoners in Germany were threatened last year with removal to men's camps if allowances to cover officer treatment were not paid. In order to ensure the retention in, or transfer to, officer camps of Mercantile Marine officers, His Majesty's Government guaranteed from the 1st September, 1917, the payment of 100 or sixty marks per month, according to rank, for this privilege of "officer" treatment. Where officers have themselves paid this allowance since that date the amount will be refunded by the Board of Trade upon application, and if the hon. Member will inform me of any cases of payment by the officers themselves prior to that date, which have not been recovered from other sources, I will see whether a refund cannot be made in these cases also.

asked the hon. Member for Central Sheffield if he will state the total numbers of British and Indian combatant prisoners of war who have been repatriated or transferred to Switzerland or Holland?

I am informed by the military authorities that the numbers of British prisoners of war who have been repatriated or transferred to Switzerland or Holland, according to reports received to 22nd October, 1918, are:

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a leaflet, entitled "Our Workers' Outlook," in which statements are made as to the prospects of soldiers on their return; is he aware that this leaflet was distributed freely at Tower Hill and other places, and sent to many people through the post; and, seeing that under the Defence of the Realm Act power is given to stop such leaflets in the post or otherwise, if he can say who is responsible for preventing the Censor from stopping this leaflet in the post?

I am having inquiry made as to this leaflet.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the waste of electric light that is caused by the shading of the street lamps, the risks that it inflicts on foot passengers and vehicular traffic, and if he can say when this obstruction will be removed?

The shading of the street lamps is necessary to secure the uniformity of effect which is desired by the military authorities charged with the defence of London against air raids. I hope the time is near when the restrictions may be relaxed.

asked whether, in view of the necessity of encouraging discharged men to settle down in civil life, he will grant additional facilities to those who may wish to set up a tobacco and matches business to obtain adequate supplies, even though they may not have been in the trade previous to the War or as late as the year 1916?

arrangements have been been made for discharged soldiers who were in the tobacco trade before joining His Majesty's Forces to obtain their proportion of the supplies of the tobacco available. Owing, however, to the increasing demands of His Majesty's Forces, and the restricted imports of tobacco into the country, it is not possible even for existing retailers to obtain the same quantity of supplies as in 1916, and I regret that it is accordingly impossible to grant supplies to all discharged soldiers who desire to open new tobacco businesses. The quantity of matches available for distribution is even less in proportion than tobacco, and although every effort has been made to come to the assistance of individual cases, the same difficulties arise as in the case of tobacco.

I did not hear the reply distinctly. Will the hon. Gentleman give consideration to every case that comes up?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the dealings of insurance companies in War Loan policies; if his attention has been called to the treatment of the purchaser of War Loan policy, No. 343154b; if he is aware that this purchaser being unable to continue the quarterly payments to an insurance company for this policy was offered £6 13s. 9d. which she refused to accept, having paid five quarterly premiums, being £10 18s. 9d. in all; and will he state what steps the Government propose to take to protect the public from future dealings of this sort?

My attention has been called to the case referred to by my hon. Friend, in which the policy holder had taken out an instalment purchase policy for £100 5 per Cent. War Loan. The amount deducted from the premiums in respect of expenses on the cancellation of contract by the policy holder was within the limit provided for by the contract.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to provide for the surrender value being paid for these policies?

I will consider that question, but I am afraid that it involves legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if and when he will take steps to have the present railway charges reduced?

I am afraid that I can hold out no prospect of any reduction in railway charges at present.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the fact that the Irish people are unable to pay these heavy charges, while the people in this country are earning plenty of money?

I would remind the hon. Member that there has been a very large increase of wages in Ireland.

asked whether the preferential rates given to imports by the railway companies under private management are still in force under unified Government control as a State aid to foreign producers and manufacturers?

The rates charged for the conveyance of goods by rail have not been altered in any important respect since the Government took possession of the railways. My hon. Friend will be aware that railway companies are prohibited by Statute from making any difference in the rates and charges for home and foreign merchandise in respect of the same or similar services, and I have no reason to suppose that this law is being disregarded.

Is it not a fact that at the present time the continuation of the policy of subsidising imports is practised under Government control?

I think not.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries and find out the facts?

Will the hon. Gentleman give me the facts?

I think it is your business to find out.

asked if any feeding-stuffs have been exported from this country during the first nine months of this year; and, if so, will he state the total quantity and value which was exported?

The exports (including re-exports) of feeding-stuffs from the United Kingdom during the first nine months of 1918 amounted to 96,141 cwts. of a total value of £65,011. Some corn and corn offals included in this total may have been used for purposes other than the feeding of animals.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what these feeding-stuffs were?

It is rather a long list.

Will you publish it?

If my hon. Friend wishes it.

Are we to understand that there has been no export of feeding stuffs suitable for the feeding of cattle sent to Holland during the first nine months of this year?

I believe nothing has been sent to Holland.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the abortive prosecution of the Easingwold Roller Flour Mill Company, who were charged with the alleged offence of grinding wheat at a mill in respect of which the particulars had not been furnished, when a Government inspector stated on oath that the grain in question was wheat it was proved beyond doubt to be rye; and whether he will in future take precautions that unnecessary prosecutions are not launched on the testimony of experts who are unable to differentiate between wheat and rye?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The witness in question was not a grain officer, nor was he put forward by the prosecution as an expert witness. He was merely called to prove the taking and identity of the sample of grain used, and he expressly stated that he knew nothing about cereals. The percentage of convictions shows that unnecessary prosecutions are not made.

asked the Minister of Food the proportion of flour imported into this country in comparison with the import of grain?

The proportion of flour imported in September in comparison with the import of grain was as 1 is to 5, and in the five weeks ended 2nd November as 1 is to 20.

asked the Minister of Food the prices at which the Ministry and the War Office, respectively, are purchasing and importing frozen and preserved meats from the various markets?

The answer is in the negative. I may, however, repeat the written statement made in answer to the hon. Member for East Grinstead on Monday last that the f.o.b. prices paid in the United States of America for meat purchased on behalf of the Ministry have ranged up to 26 cents per pound.

I do not quite understand the answer. I am simply asking is there any difference between the price paid by the War Office and that paid by the Food Controller, and, if so, what is the difference?

I am not able to answer for the War Office, nor am I authorised to do so. I am only able to give the price paid for food purchased by the Ministry of Food.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to say that there is no difference, and whether the civilian population is suffering owing to the competition in buying between the two Departments?

I am able to say that the civilian population is not suffering. I have not the information from the War Office to answer the other part of the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries, and if competitive buying results in the Food Controller paying more than the War Office, will arrangements be made for pooling?

I know, without making further inquiries, that no evil result of that kind is duo to any competitive buying.

Has there been no consultation between these two Departments on so important a matter?

Yes, there is, in fact, co-operative buying.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman state whether the War Office or his Department buys cheapest?

I have not the information from the War Office, and am not authorised to make any statement on their behalf.

Is it or is it not the fact that it has been the War Office who have purchased without consultation with the Food Controller?

I am sorry I did not catch the terms of the question.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman had better give notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Food whether it is the fact that Mr. S. J. Chilcott, butcher, of Tiverton, recently informed him that he had been supplied with cancerous meat which he had refused to accept; if so, what action he took in the matter; whether he was subsequently informed that the local food committee had closed Mr. Chilcott's shop on their own authority; if he can state under what Statute or Regulation this action was taken; and whether he has investigated the action of the local food committee in the matter?

I understand that legal proceedings have been instituted by Mr. Chilcott in respect of the matters referred to in the question. I can, therefore, add nothing to the answer given to the Noble Lord on 30th October.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has taken no action in the matter at all?

It will be impossible for me to take action in view of the legal proceedings taken by the gentleman in question.

Are we to understand that the Ministry of Food is not going to support butchers who refuse to take meat which is not fit for human consumption, and is prepared to allow the local food committee to close a butcher's shop on that ground, without sending down anyone to investigate the matter?

That conclusion must not be drawn. But legal proceedings having been taken by the man in question, I cannot make any further statement.

Why should the cost of the legal proceedings be thrown on the butchers; why cannot the Ministry of Food see to the matter?

Even the Ministry of Food is not above the Courts of law.

Is not the Ministry of Food in this matter in the position of the wholesale supplier, and should they not take at once the risk incurred in selling the article which they have supplied?

It ought not to be assumed that the Ministry of Food is not in sympathy with the man in question, but the legal proceedings having been taken, I cannot at present make any further statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that legal proceedings were taken only because Mr. Chilcott has been informed that he cannot get redress in any other way?

I do not know the considerations which have prompted his action.