asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Bolshevists have adopted the regular policy of taking and murdering hostages, including the wives and children of anti-Bolshevists; and whether he can give the House any information in this connection?

There is good reason to believe that this is the case. His Majesty's Government have information to the effect that wives and children of officers who have been forced to join the Red Army are kept as hostages, and that in case the officers desert their wives and children are arrested or cut off from all food supplies.

Is it not a fact that the same practices are carried out by the anti-Bolshevists?

I have no information to that effect.

asked whether the Bolshevist Government have agreed to the visit to Russia of Messrs. Ramsay Macdonald and C. R. Buxton as the British representatives of the Berne International Labour Conference?

It is understood from a wireless telegram sent by the Russian Bolshevist Government on 20th February, that that Government has agreed to the visit to Russia of representatives of the Berne International Labour Conference. Messrs. Ramsay Macdonald and C. R. Buxton were, however, not mentioned by name in that telegram.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the late Kurt Eisner's statement that the Bolshevists and German Governments are still in close relations; and whether he is aware that the German deputy Kohn has confessed in the Assembly at Weimar that in November he was given one million roubles by the Bolshevists for distribution in Germany?

No definite information has yet been obtained in regard to the statement referred to in the first portion of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. A telegraphic Press report has been received of the confession by Kohn mentioned in the last portion of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is a strong feeling of dissatisfaction among officer cadets who, after passing the test for commissioned rank at the training schools, have been granted temporary commissions and then demobilised without pay, gratuity, or pension; and whether he will permit these cadet officers to continue to serve if they wish to?

I can readily understand and sympathise with the disappointment of these cadets, overtaken by the Armistice before they had become officers. But my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it was not possible to continue creating officers on the full pay list when the need for their services had dis- appeared. Cadets who desired to return to their units in their former status have been allowed to do so. Of course they will receive what is due to them in respect of their previous service.

As vacancies occur in the ranks of officers will priority of appointment be given to these men who have qualified?

There is a vast number of men who have claims in priority to those men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that those non-commissioned officers and men of the Mechanical Transport Section, Royal Army Service Corps, who enlisted before 1916 at the abnormally high rate of 6s. a day, are still refused demobilisation, notwithstanding the fact that their pre-war employers have complied with every requirement of the demobilisation directorate of the War Office and of the Resettlement Department of the Ministry of Labour; and whether he can see his way to reduce the cost of the Army administration by issuing the necessary orders for the immediate demobilisation of these men without exception?

Men of the corps referred to are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit and subject to the liability to be retained if required for the military machinery of demobilisation until they can be relieved or their services dispensed with. Every effort is being made to replace men so retained as early as possible.

Will priority be given to those men who enlisted before 1916?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to release from service without delay Sergeant Jesse Bird, No. 205334, A Company, 23rd Rifle Brigade, recently stationed at Bareilly, North-West Provinces, India, in view of the fact that he is over forty-seven years of age, has a large family, and an old father who requires him in the family business, that Sergeant Bird has been several years in India without leave, and that many men very much younger have been recently permitted to come home from his unit and from other units?

From the information given by my hon. Friend, Sergeant Bird would appear to be eligible for demobilisation on account of his age, and if so will, no doubt, be released in due course. Troops in distant theatres of war and overseas commands, who are eligible for demobilisation, are being brought home as rapidly as transportation facilities permit.

As a great number of young men have been demobilised will the hon. Gentlemen use his influence to get permission for these middle-aged men to return, if possible?

I will make that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of soldiers in India who have been there over two years and the date at which it becomes too hot to bring men home through the Red Sea?

The number of British troops now in India who have been serving continuously in the Far East for over two years is estimated roughly at 50,000. The trooping season in normal times ends in March for journeys to India, and in April for return sailings.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state why Signaller F. E. Foley, No. 134415, Royal Garrison Artillery, 48th Siege Battery, British Expeditionary Force, France, who is a slip man, having received his letter on 7th January duly stamped by the Labour Advisory Board at Ludgate Circus, is still being retained with the Colours, he being a man of thirty-nine years of age with nearly three years' service partly served abroad, and having a wife and five children under twelve years of age; and if he will issue instructions for his immediate demobilisation under the compassionate cases clause?

If the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend, Signaller Foley would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and will no doubt be released in due course. I would point out that the fact of a release slip being received in respect of a soldier does not entitle him to be released forthwith, but his name is registered, and, if eligible, he receives a certain priority of release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that a soldier who has served throughout the War as a commissioned officer, and who, shortly before being demobilised, has been promoted, for example, to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, is entitled to a gratuity for the whole period of his service on the lieutenant-colonel scale, whereas a soldier who has served during the earlier period of the War as a private, and who for his bravery and good conduct has been promoted to commissioned rank, is not entitled to a gratuity for the whole period of his service determined in amount by the rank he held at the time of his demobilisation, he will take steps to remedy this inequality of treatment in the case of two presumably equally meritorious soldiers?

No, Sir. All these points have been very fully considered by the War Cabinet, and I do not propose to reopen the question. A man who has borne the responsibilities of an officer throughout the War is properly given an advantage over one who became an officer Just before its close.

Is it not possible for these men to have their gratuity at any rate for the time they have served as officers?

This has been considered fully in all its bearings by the War Cabinet, and a decision has been arrived at.

Why do not the different Departments of State do the thing in the same way? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that disability pension is paid according to the rank on discharge, and why should not a gratuity be paid in the same way?

This is a decision arrived at by the War Cabinet on a matter within the control of the War Office, and beyond that I cannot go.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will say why Pioneer E. H. Lawrence, No. 182207, No. 1 Light Railway Signal Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, has not been demobilised; whether he is aware that he is forty-two and a-half years old; that he has been told by his commanding officer that all permanent linesmen are being detained, irrespective of age, as part of the demobilising machinery, although there are a sufficient number of younger men in the company to do all the work; and that he has three children and a wife seriously ill; and will he see that this man's discharge is not further delayed?

From the information given by my hon. Friend, Private Lawrence would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and, if so, he will no doubt be released in due course, or, if his services are temporarily required for the military machinery of demobilisation, as soon as he can be relieved or his services dispensed with. Men are liable to be so retained, even though otherwise eligible for demobilisation, but every effort is being made to replace them as soon as possible; this liability to retention applies particularly in the ease of certain special and departmental services which are essentially necessary for demobilisation purposes. Any application on compassionate grounds should be made, in the first instance, to the officer commanding the unit in which Private Lawrence is serving.

What happens in a case where the War Office says a man must be demobilised and the commanding officer says no?

I think probably in that case the War Office desire would be acceded to.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken for the demobilisation of men forming part of the Army outside the European field of operations; whether orders have been issued that the men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Royal Army Service Corps, and Railway Operating Division, Royal Engineers, are not to be demobilised; whether men over fifty years of age are still kept in hot climates, such as Egypt; and whether he is aware of the great and growing dissatisfaction among all the units?

Troops in distant theatres of war in which demobilisation is proceeding have equal chances of de- mobilisation with troops in other theatres, subject to the limitations imposed by shipping and the length of the journey home. Those eligible for demobilisation are being brought home as fast as transportation facilities permit. Men of the corps referred to who are eligible for demobilisation under the Regulations at present in force are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit, and subject to the liability to retention for the military machinery of demobilisation until they can be relieved or their services dispensed with.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider with the Navy as to whether it would be possible to allocate some fast cruisers, in order to bring over these troops, who feel keenly being left out there so many years?

I will convey that suggestion to the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state his decision in the cases of young men in the Army who desire to be released in order that they may finish their apprenticeship, complete their course as students, or prepare for the Army or Civil Service examination?

Students and apprentices are being treated on the same footing as regards demobilisation as other soldiers. Their demobilisation is dependent on their being eligible under existing Regulations.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think it a very great hardship, in cases where premiums have been paid, that they are not allowed to finish the apprenticeship?

It is fully appreciated that there is hardship in some cases, but, when one starts on questions of the kind, one does not know where they would end.

Will young men who wanted to go up for examination at Sandhurst be allowed to do so?

I think the present system is the fairest all round.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that there are still 9,593 doctors and 20,141 nurses in the Army, he will arrange for at least 500 of the former and 2,000 of the latter to be granted immediately indefinite leave pending formal demobilisation, so that their services may be utilised in coping with the serious amount of illness amongst the civil population?

As my right hon. Friend explained to the hon. Member a week ago, every endeavour is being made to release as many doctors and nurses as can be spared. It is considered that if the proposal to give leave to doctors and nurses pending demobilisation were concurred in, it would seriously interfere with the steps that have been taken to release all those whose services can be spared. The latest returns available give the total number of trained and untrained nurses demobilised as 7,441 since the Armistice, and steps have been taken to demobilise large numbers of medical officers. This has now become possible owing to the removal of certain restrictions which delayed demobilisation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that approximately 270,000 nurses would be required for the civil population if they had the same proportion of nurses as in the Army, and that the total number of trained nurses is only approximately 40,000 or 50,000 altogether?

I was not aware of those figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether instructions have yet been issued for demobilisation of troops in Egypt, including the signal service of the Royal Engineers; whether he is aware that the Royal Engineers, signallers are still being retained; if so, will he state on whose authority such instructions were given and for what purpose; whether it is a fact that the civilian telegraph system in Egypt is now being maintained over military lines and is being worked by men who enlisted for service to meet the emergencies that occurred during the War; whether these men are still being withheld from demobilisation in order to deal with this work, and whether he will undertake that steps shall be taken without delay to ensure that all men over thirty-seven years of age shall be released from service at once, considering that many of them have done from three to four years' foreign service, in the majority of cases without any leave whatever?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Aberdeen South yesterday. Every effort is being made to replace at the earliest possible moment any officers and men otherwise eligible for demobilisation who may be at present retained owing to the exigencies of the Service. As regards the fourth and fifth parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I regret that I have no information at present. Inquiries are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in in view of the fact that soldiers who are qualified for demobilisation and also men whose release has been sanctioned on compassionate grounds are often unreasonably detained, he will personally intervene to secure their speedy release if their cases are brought to his notice?

If my Noble and gallant Friend can furnish me with particulars of any cases where men entitled to release are unreasonably detained, I will certainly have them investigated. There are undoubtedly a large number of soldiers who are at present qualified for demobilisation, but the rate at which they can be demobilised is, as my Noble and gallant Friend will realise, necessarily governed by transport and other considerations. I am having the case of which he has furnished me with particulars inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state or lay upon the Table of the House instructions at present in force which govern the consideration of claims for the release of soldiers on compassionate grounds who otherwise are eligible for retention in the Armies of Occupation?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state to whom an application for the release of a soldier on extreme compassionate grounds should be made in the case when the soldier himself applies, and in the case when a Member on behalf of the soldier applies; and whether he can state in general terms, so far as possible, the grounds on which such applications can properly be made or give for the guidance of those interested some illustrations of the cases in which release on extreme compassionate grounds will be granted?

asked whether any definition or indication of the nature of compassionate grounds for release from service can be given in order that those interested and their friends may know how to act in making and supporting applications in this behalf?

An application by a soldier should be made in the first instance to the officer commanding his unit Applications by Members of this House should be addressed to the Secretary, War Office (Mobilisation). The extreme compassionate grounds should be those for family reasons, and not business reasons. Family reasons may include dangerous illness of wife, motherless children, loss of more than one son on active service where the parents are dependent on son's earnings. These are some illustrations of the grounds on which compassionate releases are being granted. In order to save time it is necessary in such case that the facts should be verified by a clergyman, doctor, or justice of the peace.

Why should not the fact that a man's business is going to rack and ruin be considered equally with the other reasons?

Because business would cover applications of one kind or another from almost everybody in the Army.

One-man businesses.

Could the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether, when a man writes to the War Office to be released on compassionate grounds, it is necessary that he should accompany his letter by a verification from a justice of the peace, clergyman or doctor?

Yes, Sir.

Is it absolutely necessary that a man should apply to his commanding officer in the first instance? May not the parent of the lad apply to a Member of this House so that he can apply to the War Office in accordance with instructions?

Yes, of course.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that case I brought to his notice on compassionate grounds, which was turned down because the grounds were not considered good enough, seeing that the man's wife was dangerously ill? Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that case in that category?

Most certainly.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give consideration to the extreme cases of one-man businesses?

The Secretary of State has decided that this is the best method of describing "compassionate grounds."

Is the House to have nothing to say in this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the intimation conveyed in letters from men of the ¼th Somersets, Mesopotamia, that a large number of men of the battalion are now being demobilised and returned home, many of them after long service and no home leave, he will endeavour to arrange that they shall be demobilised in drafts of 50 or 100 men at their headquarters, Bath, where the War hospital has been made the dispersal centre for the counties of Somerset and Gloucester, so as to permit of a public welcome by representatives of the county of Somerset as a whole?

The hospital referred to is not a dispersal centre, but is a dispersal hospital, and deals solely with sick and wounded. It is regretted that it is not possible to make special arrangements for men of individual units.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will say why Private J. W. Gay, No. 92271, 154th Labour Infantry Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, forty-two years of age, is not demobilised; whether he is performing no duties other than taking part in concerts for the entertainment of the troops occasionally; and whether, as his wife is the only person to cultivate the land he occupies, his discharge can be at once given?

From the information given by my hon. Friend, Private Gay would appear to be eligible for demobilisation on account of his age; and, if so, he will no doubt be released in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that application has been made in the proper way by the employers of Private G. H. Hannington, No. 181999, 689th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport, attached to the Serbian Army, Balkans, for his demobilisation; that the soldier has not received his papers, and although his employers sent a cablegram on the 16th January the commanding officer would not act upon it; and whether, in view of the fact that the soldier is of low medical category and his health has become greatly impaired through his service in the Army, he will have inquiries made with a view to the man's early demobilisation?

Private Hannington is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that there is no trace in his Department of this man having been registered on either of these two grounds. It is not clear from the information given by my hon. Friend what was the precise nature of the application made by the employers, but it would not appear to have been such as to warrant his being certified as pivotal or recommended for special release. His demobilisation is dependent on his being eligible under the Regulations at present in force.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men in the Non-Combatant Corps are to be included within the scheme of demobilisation?

The Regulations at present in force qualifying men as eligible for demobilisation now apply to the Non-Combatant Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that complaints are being made of the inadequacy of the breakfast given at Dunkirk to demobilised men on their way home, and that some soldiers have had to embark without food at all as it was not ready for them; and whether, as methods of this nature cause a bad impression, he will arrange for an immediate inquiry and reform?

No such complaints have reached the War Office, but in- quiries are being made, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue special instructions against overcrowding on the boats bringing demobilised men home; and, whether special precautions will be taken to avoid, in future, bringing men from India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia in an unacclimatised condition and bringing them through the extreme cold of the Alps and Southern France and to avoid bringing these men in trucks in railway carriages?

The question of reducing the numbers accommodated on vessels is receiving consideration, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that such a reduction must affect the rapidity of demobilisation, and result in men being exposed to the heat later on in the season. As regards the latter part of the question, with the exception of certain cases where transshipment in, Egypt is necessary for shipping reasons, and of troops from Egypt, arrangements have now been made for all troops now en route to come direct to the United Kingdom by sea.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has received an application for the demobilisation of Private J. W. Westmuckett, No. 93394, Royal Army Medical Corps, 19th General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt; if he is aware that Private Westmuckett left school just before his sixteenth birthday, in September, 1914, to join the Army, giving his age as about eighteen; that he was at Gallipoli and other centres of war; whether he is aware that his parents are now anxious to get him home to learn a trade; and whether, under the special circumstances, he will secure his immediate demobilisation?

From the information given by my hon. Friend, Private Westmuckett would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and, if so, will no doubt be released in due course. There is no trace of any application having been received in respect of this man; neither is he registered as pivotal nor for special release.

Are any steps being taken to get the men back from Alexandria who have permission to come back?

Yes, Sir; Alexandria is being treated as fairly as any other outlying station.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state on what principle grants are paid to the relatives in aid of the cost of the funeral of a soldier who dies whilst at home on leave, and who is buried by his relatives; and whether, in view of the fact that the relatives are frequently unaware that application may be made for a military funeral, or to whom such application should be made, he will issue instructions to command paymasters to sanction the payment of any reasonable expenses incurred with a maximum limit of not less than, say, £10?

If a soldier dies while on leave at a place where a military funeral would be available, and is buried by his relatives, the cost of the military funeral is allowed. If no military funeral would be available, the General Officer Commanding has power to pay the reasonable expenses of a private funeral, without any hard and fast limit. If my hon. and gallant Friend has under his notice any case in which these rules have produced hardship, I shall be happy to consider it if he will give me particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the rule under which only a sum based on what the cost of the funeral of a deceased soldier would have been if carried out by the military authorities at the station where death took place may be allowed to relatives who request that the body may be sent home for burial causes hardship in many cases and operates unevenly, inasmuch as in some cases the contract rate for a military funeral is as low as £1 4s. whilst in other cases the cost approximates to £10; and whether, in the circumstances, he will consider the advisability of making a fixed grant of up to, say, £5 in any case in which under the present system of calculation a smaller amount only would be admissible as a charge against the public?

Under the present rule the public bears the cost of conveyance of the body by rail, in addition to what a military funeral at the place of death would have cost, the choice between a military funeral and a private funeral on these terms lying entirely with the relatives. These arrangements do not seem to me to involve hardship and it is not proposed to alter them.

Does not the hon. Gentleman see that one of the factors in calculating the amount to be paid is the contract cost of the funeral at the station where the soldier died, and if the contract cost at one station is £1 4s. and at another station is £40 there is a difference of nearly £9 which the family bears?

The difference is noted of course, but the general rule governing the whole case has been very carefully considered by the War Office, and they do not think it advisable to reopen it.

In a case of this sort which affects so many familities can we not have a reconsideration of a system which results in such inequality, so that a rule may be introduced which would bring about a state of equality for each family?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there are widows of men who lost their lives in the Naval Service before the War, and who are only in receipt of very small pensions, in many cases not more than 9s. a week; and whether, in view of the higher pensions now being granted to widows whose husbands have lost their lives in the War and the great increase in the cost of living, he can see his way to place both classes of widows on the same scale?

The pensions of the widows of the men who lost their lives in the performance of military or naval duties in former wars have been raised to the level of widows' pensions for private's rank in the present War.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my question does not refer to men who have lost their lives in this War, but to men who lost their lives before the War—not necessarily in war time?

I thought it referred to loss of life during war. If my hon. Friend means the loss of life in peace time, I am afraid I cannot promise any action in the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the delay in paying to officers holding temporary commissions in the Army the gratuities or emergency pay under Article 497 of the Pay Warrant; whether he is aware of the inconvenience in consequence of this; and, in view of the fact that this money is usually required to purchase civilian clothes and tide over the change from military to civil life, he will endeavour to prevent any delay in his Department?

I am not aware of any delay, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars of any specific cases I will have them investigated.

asked the Pensions Minister whether a mine-sweeper who had suffered exposure from his ship being torpedoed and was suffering from tuberculosis has recently been refused treatment in advanced accommodation at the cost of the Ministry of Pensions on the ground that he is not a regular naval rating; and whether he proposes to take any action in this and similar cases?

Without particulars I am unable to identify the case to which my hon. Friend refers. The position generally is that a member of the Mercantile Marine can be given treatment at the expense of the Ministry on the same conditions as a naval rating if he signed on for the period of the War and was under naval discipline.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the representation of disabled soldiers on local war pensions committees and on local war pensions sub-committees?

The inclusion of at least two disabled men on every committee and sub-committee is already provided for by Statute, and by Section 15 of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1918, the Minister of Pensions may order the number to be increased for the purpose of securing adequate representation on a particular committee. If the hon. and gallant Member knows of committees whose circumstances appear to him to render the existing representation inadequate, my right hon. Friend will gladly give the matter consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to consider in connection with their housing scheme the situation created by the Lumsden decision, with the object of reviving building operations by private enterprise throughout the country?

The position in this matter is still as stated by the Prime Minister in reply to a question on the 21st March, 1916. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will give assistance in the alteration or reconstruction of existing property to make it suitable for working class occupation in districts where it can be shown that a demand exists and that it would be more economical than erecting new houses?

I am afraid I must ask my hon. Friend to await the introduction of the Housing Bill.