asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will explain the Government policy with regard to the dismissal of female labour in the Royal dockyards; and will he further say whether any preference will be shown to the widows and orphans of men who have been employed in the dock yards or whose husbands and fathers, after serving in the Royal Navy, have lost their lives in the War?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Monday to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham West, a copy of which I am sending him. As regards the last part of the question, my hon. Friend is, of course, aware of the preference we have always given in the matter of employment to those to whom he refers. He does not need my assurance that the same sympathetic attitude has been, and will be, taken up as regards discharge.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he will be in a position to announce a date for the division of naval prize money?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question on Thursday last, a copy of which I am sending him.

Is it possible for my right hon. Friend to grant a preliminary sum now instead of waiting for a final distribution?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman puts to me a question which has been many times considered. It is very difficult, and I should not like to give a final answer even now. Perhaps he will put a question down.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is the intention of the Admiralty to retain permanent use and occupation of Shoreham Harbour; and if he is aware that the development of the harbour for commercial purposes is urgently required, and that it is difficult to aim at such development until the intention of the Admiralty is known?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the remaining part of the question, the area of the foreshore in occupation by the Admiralty will be surrendered as early as possible, but any delay in doing this should not affect the development of the harbour for commercial purposes.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "as soon as possible"—will, it be a matter of three or four months?

I could not say definitely. I will make inquiries and let the Noble Lord know the result.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, seeing that very severe restrictions have necessarily during the War been placed on the residents of Orkney and Shetland, he will make a very earnest effort to relax them without further detail?

An immediate report has been called for in connection with my hon. Friend's question. I assure him that we will do all we can.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that engineer-commanders, retired just before the War were re-called as engineer-captains, and received the pay of engineer- captains together with a bonus of 25 per cent., while engineer-commanders due to retire just after War broke out were not allowed to retire, and that, in consequence, the pay of the officer who retired and that of the one not allowed to retire are now respectively £912 and £638 per annum, and that, in some cases, the total difference in pay received by such officers since August, 1914, exceeds £1,000; and whether some steps will be taken to mitigate this treatment of those officers who were not allowed to retire?

The statements in the earlier part of the question correctly set forth the facts. Whilst it is true that an engineer-captain could receive, with bonus, £912 a year, and whilst an engineer-commander might not receive more than £638 a year, it is not possible, without analysing individual cases, to say whether the difference of pay since August, 1914, has in any case exceeded my hon. Friend's estimate. In any case, the question of the officers on whose behalf my hon. Friend appeals, is before the Board.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that servants' allowances has been granted to officers serving on shore with the exception of engineer-overseers, and that this allowance has been granted to a few of these officers; and will this allowance now be granted to the rest of these engineer-overseers, seing that they are only serving on shore for the time and are liable at any time to have their appointments terminated?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on this matter which I gave on 13th November last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North, a copy of which I am sending him.

Before the hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask Mr. Speaker whether it is according to the usage of this House that an hon. Member should use the Notice Paper for the purpose of levying a very grave charge against a lady, and especially against the wife of a distinguished public servant such as the one mentioned in this question?

It depends very much upon the facts. Ladies now must expect to have their conduct criticised just as much as the conduct of men. The fact that they are in public positions does not exempt them at all. I do not know in the least what the facts are in this case.

On the point of Order. I submit that if, instead of a lady being concerned, it was a gentleman who was concerned, it would be equally wrong to bring a gross charge like this against an individual.

Why?

Because there is not the slightest foundation for the charge.

We shall see that when we get the answer.

In any case, surely this House is not the tribunal to try cases of this sort. If the charge be true, surely there are other authorities whose duty it would be to bring a charge against the individual.

If this comes under the cognisance of the Foreign Office, it is for the Foreign Office to make a reply.

No committee, official or otherwise, was appointed to receive the ex-Kaiser on his arrival in Holland, and Lady Susan Townley was not, therefore, a member of any such committee.

May I ask, arising out of that reply, if the hon. Gentleman is aware that the country, or, if not the country, at least 7,000 officers and non-commissioned officers who were interned in Holland are under a deep debt of gratitude to Sir Walter and Lady Townley for the way in which they looked after the interests of prisoners of war in that country?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me whether Lady Susan Townley was one of a party of ladies and others who received the ex-Kaiser? Is he aware that this fact has been very widely published in the Press, and is it a fact that Sir Walter has in consequence tendered his resignation?

It is not a fact that Lady Susan Townley was a member of any committee—

I did not say so. Was she one of a party which received the ex-Kaiser?

The facts of the case are that Lady Susan Townley happened to be motoring in the neighbourhood—

Why did not you say so?

and happened to be one of the spectators who witnessed his arrival. She was not in any sense a member of any reception committee.

Has Sir Walter tendered his resignation?

I do not understand that to be a fact.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any scheme is in preparation for extending more self-government to Ceylon on the lines of the reforms proposed in India?

The question of the constitution of Ceylon is engaging the attention of the Governor, who will submit to the Secretary of State in due course his recommendations in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to expedite the grant- ing of leave to members of the Salonika and Egyptian Expeditionary Forces, in view of the fact, that in many cases members of those forces have had no home leave for as much as three or four years?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given on Monday and Thursday last to questions on this subject. To these replies I would add that since the Armistice over 700 officers and nearly 9,000 other ranks at Salonika have been granted leave to the United Kingdom in addition to those coming home for demobilisation, etc.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the grave dissatisfaction in those areas?

asked whether the War Council will consider if the case of the ¼th King's Shropshire Light Infantry could hive some recognition for the work they did in putting down the two rebellions at Rangoon and Singapore, as this was outside the order of 22nd November, 1918, granting the Mons star which other units received during the same period of the War?

The rebellions at Rangoon and Singapore were local disturbances, and, in these circumstances, I am afraid I cannot adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the general headquarters in India have acknowledged the excellent work done by the battalion, and that no officer on leave has received any recognition?

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the India Office that these men may receive Indian Service Medals?

I will convey that suggestion.

asked what steps are now possible to carry out the promise given by the late Lord Kitchener, through Major-General Donald, on 24th September, 1914, when he was asking the Wessex Division to go to the East, namely, that by going to India they would not be the losers, that they would share all the honours of the War, and might regard it as a guarantee that the Wessex Division would be brought back home before the end of the War so that the men might resume their employment or get fresh employment before the great rush took place from the Colours when the War was over?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, with few exceptions, neither officers nor men of the ¼th Somerset Light Infantry, who were sent to Mesopotamia in February, 1916, have had any home leave since October, 1914, whereas men with shorter service on the Western front have had frequent leaves, and many have now been demobilised; and what steps, consistent with the public interest, he can now take to alleviate the sense of hardship which this inequality of treatment has created among the men and in the Somerset community?

My right hon. Friend proposes to make a full statement on this subject at an early date.

Could we have some indication as to when that will be, as there is a very great deal of dissatisfaction?

I hope next week.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the fact that the 4th Battalion Devonshire Regiment have been abroad since the beginning of the War, and in view of the fact that they have had no home leave, he can state when they are likely to be brought home?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any Somerset troops who have not had military leave from Eastern theatres of war since the commencement of hostilities; and, if so, whether he will arrange for immediate facilities to be afforded such troops for home leave?

It is no doubt the case that circumstances have unavoidably prevented leave to the United Kingdom being granted to some men in the far Eastern theatres of War since the commencement of hostilities. All possible measures will be taken to grant leave on a generous scale to such men as, are to be retained in the armies of occupation. The provision of reliefs and limitations of transport must, however, be taken into account in this connection. As I stated on Monday and Thursday last, all men who enlisted before the 1st January, 1916, are being demobilised as rapidly as possible in accordance with the new scheme (subject only to certain exceptions which are set out in the scheme). Troops in distant theatres of War have equal chances of demobilisation with troops in more proximate theatres or with troops at home, subject to the limitations imposed by shipping and the length of the journey home.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 2/4th Somersets who volunteered and sailed for India in December, 1914, and were mobilised, with first line transport, accompanied by war preparation by land and sea, and garrisoned Port Blair, Andaman Island, under war conditions, are eligible for the 1915 ribbon?

No Sir. The "1914–1915"Star is not awarded to anyone other than those who served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war as defined in Appendix A of Army Order 20 of 1919. The Andaman Islands are not a "theatre of war."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Territorial battalions who went to India in 1914 and have many of them been in bad stations, and been away from England ever since, although not in an actual theatre of war, will receive any special recognition for these overseas services?

A comprehensive statement embodying the conditions of award of all medals to be sanctioned in recognition of services during the present War will shortly be published. The services of the units referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend have not been overlooked.

asked what disciplinary action has been taken in connection with the occurrences at Victoria Station on Friday and Saturday last?

Inquiry shows that certain men have been remanded for trial by court-martial, and under some circumstances I feel sure that the hon. and gallant Member will agree that the case must be regarded as sub judice. I shall, of course, be happy to inform the hon. and gallant Member of the sentence of the Court after they have been promulgated.

What action has been taken in regard to the officers who made the muddle at Victoria Station?

I shall require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that the present Regulation by which warrant officers and non-commissioned officers may extend their service for twelve months if they are willing to revert to their substantive from their acting rank is having the effect of causing many of the best of these men to leave the Army for civil employment; and whether he will consider allowing such men, if recommended by their commanding officer, to extend their service without forfeiting the acting rank held by them for at least twelve months previously?

Instructions have already been issued giving effect to the proposal contained in the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

asked the Secretary for War if he is aware that ex-Private George Harland, No. 3313, 7th Dragoon Guards, resident in Worthing, who joined the Army in November, 1886, and served in South Africa, contracting there chronic asthma, from which he is now suffering, is receiving a pension of 1s. per day; and, if so, what steps will be taken to pay him a pension commensurate with the sacrifice of health that he has made?

Private George Harland was discharged to the Reserve on 17th November, 1902, on termination of his engagement, and not as an invalid. Six years later he applied for a pension on the ground that he was unable to work through ill-health, and was found by a Medical Board to be suffering from bronchitis, to which, in the opinion of the Board, exposure on active service might have contributed. He was awarded a pension of 1s. a day, the full amount allowed in the circumstances under the Royal Pay Warrant. The increase of pension provided by the recent Warrants for the soldiers of former wars can only be granted for disability due "directly or wholly to service," and in the opinion of the Medical Branch of the Ministry this condition cannot, in the case of Private Harland, be regarded as fulfilled. As, however, there may be some doubt in this case my right hon. Friend has directed that the claimant shall be offered the opportunity of appealing before a Medical Board for re-examination.

Will the result of the Board be communicated by the hon. and gallant Gentleman?

The Noble Lord will understand that if the appeal has been tried the man will be able to tell the Noble Lord what has happened.

Can the hon. Gentleman not extend the same courtesy to me?

Certainly, but the hon. Gentleman will understand that there are many cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that C. J. Churcher, formerly No. 290175, 5th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, who rejoined the Army in September, 1914, alter distinguished active service in India in 1884–8, was an acting-sergeant from 5th September, 1914, to October, 1917, but received no pay and allowances from 15th February, 1915, onwards, though compelled by his rank to use the sergeants' mess; if anything can be done in his and similar cases; and if the views of hon. Members of this House who have, during the War, had practical experience of the hardships imposed by the system of acting ranks may be communicated to him privately?

I am making inquiry, and will communicate with my Noble and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the amount of money now entrusted to the Army Trustees from central, command, regimental, or charitable funds; whether it is proposed to use those funds for the purposes of establishing a Service League; whether the men from whom such funds have been, and are being, accumulated have been consulted in any way as to the use to which such money is to be put; and whether the Government approve of the Army Council controlling the use of such money without any reference to the House of Commons?

The amount at present in the hands of the Army Trustee is approximately £6,500 held on various conditions of trust and other funds are in process of being transferred. With the full approval of the Army generally as represented by the Central Funds Representative Committee, which consists of all ranks, and on the advice of a special conference constituted of serving and ex-service officers, men and women of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force, a League is in process of formation for the purpose of controlling and co-ordinating the use and distribution of Service funds for the benefit of those for whom they are held and their dependants. The Army Council have in the past always controlled such funds, without reference to this House.

Will the hon. Gentleman say the amount of money that is about to be transferred? Is it a fact that it is several millions, and that it is proposed to devote it to this purpose without reference to the House?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will obtain an answer.

In view of the question which I have put down, may I ask the amount that is to be transferred?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will ascertain what are the other funds which are in process of being transferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions for the evacuation by the military of Dunfermline schools in view of the fact that there is now sufficient hut accommodation for soldiers in the neighbourhood?

I am making inquiry, and will communicate with my hon. Friend at an early date.

asked whether the cost of producing cordite at the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, compares favourably with its manufacture at other factories; and whether it is proposed to continue its production at Waltham Abbey or to close the factory?

The cost of producing cordite at the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, is considerably higher than the cost of producing a similar article at the more modern Government factories. The question of the future of this factory is receiving careful consideration.

Can we get figures showing the cost of production at the different factories?

I will make inquiries on the point, and communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Govern- ment will consider instituting a systematic distribution of propaganda to inform the country as to the present state of national finance and economic condition of industry and commerce?

This question is receiving the consideration of the Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that funds are not wasted on this propaganda?

We will try to see that there is no waste. Expense is not always wasted.

Have the speakers who are going about the country a vested interest in being employed?

Certainly not. They must be judged by their capacity.

Are we to understand that a blank cheque is given to a Committee of this description, and will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that it is not given?

There is no question of a blank cheque. Certainly what ever expenditure is incurred will be carefully examined.

asked what steps have been or are being taken to give effect to the recommendations contained in the Reports of the Select Committee on Transport which sat during the last Session of Parliament?

The recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee referred to were taken into consideration by the Government when drafting the Bill for the establishment of a Ministry of Ways and Communications.

asked the Prime Minister whether, he is aware of the services that the citizens of Belfast have rendered in supplying men, ships, and munitions of War; and whether he will state the reasons which have induced the Government to exclude Belfast from the benefits of the Ministry of Health?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend understands that my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland is proposing to confer to-morrow with the hon. Members interested in regard to the application of this Bill to Ireland.

What information has been given to the Members who are concerned?

That question should be addressed to the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

If this is for tomorrow, we should have got notice of it.

asked the Prime Minister whether a letter written by the hon. Member for Stoke-upon-Trent from Russia, and recently published in the "Daily Express," has been brought to his notice; and whether he will consider the advisability of reprinting the letter in pamphlet form and distributing it broadcast in industrial districts, particularly in those districts where unrest is prevalent?

I have seen the letter referred to, which I am glad to say is being widely circulated.

Is it intended to institute propaganda, and, if so, would it not be well to give publicity to this letter?

I have already answered a question which is exactly the same as that of my hon. Friend.

Will you provide insurance premium for Members who are engaging in that propaganda?

asked the Prime Minister whether all the guns, aeroplanes, tanks, and other paraphernalia of war, which, by the Armistice terms, were to be surrendered to the Allied Armies within a definite number of days, have been handed over to Marshal Foch?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on Monday last to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Chertsey, in which a full statement is made.

asked the Prime Minister who is controlling the activities of the Road Board at the present time?

The business of the Road Board is still being conducted under the chairmanship of Sir George Gibb.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of in creased shipping facilities, the control of paper and paper-making materials can be removed so that what at present amounts to the artificial protection of the papermaking industry as against the consumer may be brought to an end?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The matter is under consideration, and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement at an early date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman confer with the President of the Board of Trade and inquire why paper can be purchased in Canada at from 2½d. to 3d. per lb., while paper merchants here charge newspapers 5d. per lb.?

I will convey that to my right hon. Friend, but I think that fact is already known.

asked the Prime Minister if he can inform the House as to the arraignment of the Kaiser; and what steps are being taken to bring to justice the commandants of those camps where British prisoners of war were brutally treated and the known murderers of Edith Cavell and Captain Fryatt?

I cannot add anything to previous statements, in which this subject has been very fully dealt with.

Has the Government a list of the chief criminals?

A list has been laid before the Government and is now in out possession.

Knowing the very keen interest taken in this particular matter, can the right hon. Gentleman not give us some fuller information at an early date?

I really cannot promise that. My hon. Friend will remember that the Prime Minister dealt very fully with this subject in his speech, and of course our action must be taken in conjunction with our Allies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman provide a list of Members who were personal friends of the Kaiser in 1914?

These personal allusions are very offensive, and I hope hon. Members will not indulge in them—retorts are so easy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now take steps to remove all restrictions on clubs?

I can add nothing to the answers which I have already given to questions on this subject.

May I ask when we may expect a decision?

I gave an answer two days ago that the subject is being gone into by a Cabinet Committee.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a resolution from associations of clubs or fro many individual clubs, and if he cannot remove those restrictions referred to in the question can he see his way immediately to remove a number of them?

I have received a great many communications, and what my hon. Friend suggests is exactly what is being done now by the Cabinet Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation representing clubs?

I should be glad to do so if I thought any useful purpose would be served by doing so, but I think I understand their point of view.

Do I understand a decision will be given before a Bill for the prolongation of exceptional legislation is brought in?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to set up an inquiry into the question of the future of the railways of this country; whether, in view of the labour denial of the accuracy of his statement of existing losses in running the railways, he will publish such evidence as there is in support of his statement whether his attention has been called to the demands for the return to pre-war fares, and, on the other hand, to the suggested drastic revision of goods rates in an upward tendency; and whether he can make any statement on these matters, and, in addition, indicate the length of time during which Government control of the railways is to continue?

My hon. Friend raises points which cannot conveniently be dealt with in a reply to a question, but can be dealt with in connection with the Bill setting up the Ministry of Ways and Communications. As regards the cost of running the railways, the Government are now considering in what form the relevant figures can best be made public.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be desirable in view of the possibility of railway trouble, to set up now, instead of waiting for a moment of strife, a Committee of Inquiry as to the future of the railways?

There will be no delay in dealing with that, but I do not think it is possible to come to a decision in time to affect the situation in the immediate future.

May I ask whether, when the Secretary of State for War makes a statement as to the intention of the Government to nationalise the railways, he does so with the authority of the Government?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of legislation at an early date for the purpose of amending the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1911, so as to raise the yearly means of applicants from £21, the limit above which the full pension is not payable, to £42, and £31 10s., the limit beyond which no pension is payable, to £52?

These will be matters for the consideration of the Committee which I propose to appoint, as I stated on the 17th instant.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to say if that Committee will be a Select Committee of the House of Commons?

Is it fair that the ownership of cottages should be used against people applying for old age pensions?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will give facilities for the passing of the Solicitors (Admission of Women) Bill?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will repeat this question in two or three weeks it will be possible to see more clearly what time will be available in the House, and I shall hope to be able to give him an answer.

May I also indulge in hope during those two or three weeks?

The hon. Member must indulge in those hopes in the Lobby.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused among officers of the Regular Army at the war gratuity to which they are entitled being fixed on a scale considerably below that granted to officers holding temporary commissions; and whether he can see his way to recommend any action on the matter?

No, Sir; this scale was fully considered by the War Cabinet, and I do not propose to reopen the question.

Is it not the fact that the new gratuities have been largely founded on the South African War gratuities, given when the cost of livings was much lower?

All that I think was taken into account.