Commons Sitting of 16 September 1914

Preamble
The House, being met a Quarter before Three of the clock,
The CLERK AT THE TABLE (Sir Courtenay Ilbert) informed the House of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker from this day's sitting.
Whereupon Mr. WHITLEY, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table and, after prayers, took the Chair as Deputy-Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order.

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (RUPTURE OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS) (MISCELLANEOUS, No. 10, 1914).
Copy presented of Despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Vienna, respecting the Rupture of Diplomatic Relations with the Austro-Hungarian Government (in continuation of Miscellaneous, No. 8, 1914) [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Copy presented of Reports from Universities and University Colleges in Great Britain which are in receipt of Grant from the Board of Education, 1912–13. Vols. I. and II. [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
RAILWAY AND CANAL TRAFFIC ACTS, 1888 AND 1894.
Copy presented of Thirteenth Report by the Board of Trade of Proceedings under Section 31 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, including Proceedings upon complaints made under Section 1 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894 [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 474.]

NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT.
Copy presented of Provisional Regulations, dated 11th September, 1914, made by the Welsh Insurance Commissioners as
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to Naval and Army Reserves and the Territorial Force [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 475.]
Copy presented of Regulations, dated 12th September, 1914, made by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners with respect to men belonging to the Naval Reserves, the Army Reserve, and the Territorial Force [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 476.]

CREMATION (ENGLAND AND WALES).
Copy presented of Regulations, dated 16th September, 1914, made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department under Section 7 of the Cremation Act, 1902, amending the Regulations of the 31st March, 1903 [by Act]; to lie upon the Table.

MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.
That they have agreed to,—
Police Constables (Naval and Military Service) Bill,
National Insurance (Navy and Army) Bill,
Prize Courts (Egypt, Zanzibar, and Cyprus) Bill,
Bills of Exchange Bill, without Amendment.
That they have passed a Bill, intituled "An Act to suspend proceedings upon certain controversial legislation during the continuance of War." [Controversial Legislation (Suspension during War) Bill [Lords.]

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

  RUSSIAN AND GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICES (DOCUMENTS).
  Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will issue as a Parliamentary

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  Paper a translation of the official documents of the Russian and German Foreign Offices which correspond to our own White Paper on the European crisis?
  The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland): I do not think the duty of the Government goes beyond making a full statement of the whole case as known to them, and making this as widely available as possible. If there is a demand for a translation of the official documents published by other Governments, I think it might be met through the ordinary channels of supply.

  GENERAL POST OFFICE, EDINBURGH (MILITARY SERVICE).
  Mr. HOGGEasked the Postmaster-General how many men have been called up from the General Post Office, Edinburgh, for the War; how many men have been taken on to fill their places; whether these are married men with families; how many hours do they work; and what pay are they receiving?
  The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Hobhouse): Approximately 400 men have been called up from the Edinburgh postal and telegraph services for the War, and approximately 250 substitutes have been taken on to fill their places. About 140 of the latter are married men. They work eight hours a day, and are in receipt of wages ranging from 22s. to 25s. a week.
  Mr. HOGGE: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the number of these married men who have been taken on, at any rate those with large families, are receiving less than what one might consider a reasonable living wage of from 22s. to 24s. a week?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: I said 22s. to 25s. I imagine that that is the regular ordinary wage in Edinburgh for casual labour of this sort.
  Mr. HOGGE: Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire and see if it is really the case that the payment made is the same?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: Oh, certainly.

  AUXILIARY POSTMEN (AGE LIMIT).
  Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the number of young men who have gone to the War, he will now raise the age limit for special auxiliary postmen to take their place to fifty years?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: Except at Christmas, when an age limit of forty-five is imposed, there is no age limit in the case of temporary postmen. I am quite ready to engage men who are suitable up to the age of fifty.
  Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS: Will the right hon. Gentleman bear the matter in mind at Christmas, when so many young men will be away?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: Certainly.

  ALIEN ENEMIES (POST OFFICE).
  Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Postmaster-General whether he has made any inquiry as to whether there are any alien enemies employed in the Post Office, and more especially in the telegraph departments; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any, and what, steps in regard to them?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: With the exception of a very few officers, who joined the Post Office service from the old telegraph companies many years ago, and about whose nationality I have no information, established officers of the Post Office are British subjects. I am making a general inquiry regarding alien sub-postmasters, and any other cases of unestablished officers which are reported to me by the police are specially investigated.

  MILITARY DEPOTS (DELIVERY OF LETTERS).
  Sir GEORGE TOULMINasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are complaints as to the nondelivery of letters at military depots where large numbers of fresh recruits are being collected; whether he will make inquiries and, in cases where the military staff are seriously overpressed, will make special emergency arrangements and afford skilled assistance from the Post Office staffs?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: I am not aware of any complaints of the kind mentioned, but I shall be glad to make inquiry and consider whether any special arrangements are advisable, if the hon. Member will furnish me with more definite particulars of the cases which he has in mind.

  SAILORS AND SMALL-POX.
  Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether instructions have been given or will be given that, in the event of any sailor contracting small-pox during the War, a record of his vaccinal condition shall be kept, as is done in public hospitals?
  The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara): A record of every man's "vaccinal condition" is already kept, the entries being made on the man's medical history sheet which accompanies him on discharge to hospital.

  GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN VESSELS DETAINED IN BRITISH PORTS.
  Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state whether steps are being taken to publish from time to time complete lists of the German and Austro-Hungarian vessels which have been captured, distinguishing between those which have been dealt with by the Prize Courts and those which have not, and indicating the ports in which the latter are?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: Complete lists of the German and Austro-Hungarian vessels which have been detained in British ports, or captured at sea by His Majesty's armed forces, are published from time to time in the "London Gazette." The last list appeared in the Supplement to the "London Gazette," published on the 12th September. That list shows the ports at which the vessels have been detained.
  Vessels detained in ports in the United Kingdom will be dealt with by the Prize Court in London, which duly advertises the dates when the various cases commence. The others will be dealt with in Prize Courts in the Dominions, Colonies,
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  and India, a list of which is published in the "London Gazette" of 15th September, showing the dates on which the actions in certain of the cases commence.
  Mr. STANIER: Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many ships have been detained?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: If the hon. Member looks at the "Gazette" of the 12th, the process of discovery will be that of an addition sum.

  GOVERNMENT TUGS (CREWS).
  Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the hours worked by the crews of Government tugs, and that these hours in some cases exceed 100 a week; and whether, in view of the risk these men run in going out into the Channel, even at night, in pursuance of the extra duties cast upon them by the War, he can see his way to make better arrangements as to leave and afford them some extra remuneration?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: It is the case that at the time of mobilisation, and no doubt on occasion since, the men employed on the yard craft generally have been called upon to work long hours, and I take this opportunity of acknowledging the loyal and zealous way with which they—like all classes of dockyard employés—have responded to the demand made upon them. The Regulations contemplate the grant of extra pay where unusually long hours are worked, and I have no doubt that these Regulations have been and will be kept carefully in mind by those locally responsible for their administration.

  GREENOCK TORPEDO FACTORY.
  Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that at the Greenock Torpedo Factory electrical repair work is almost entirely done by naval pensioners at wages considerably below the standard rate for electrical workers, which is 10½d. an hour; and whether, in the event of any vacancies occurring, electrical workers will be employed at the proper rate?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: I will inquire at once into the matter.

  SHIPWRIGHT INJURED (PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD).
  Mr. FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the case of Alfred J. K. Jones, ex-hired shipwright, Portsmouth Dockyard, who was seriously injured in 1905 and 1909 and finally had a paralytic stroke in 1913, can be brought before an independent medical authority as provided by the compensation scheme now in force in His Majesty's dockyards?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: The matter has already been considered by the Government medical referee, the independent medical authority referred to in the Government scheme of compensation, who advised that the man's condition could not have been due to the injuries sustained by him in 1905 and 1909.
  Mr. FALLE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that civil doctors decided exactly the opposite?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: If the hon. Member will look at the scheme he will see it provides for the receipt of independent testimony, and I think he will find that the scheme has been fully carried out. If he thinks otherwise, I shall be very glad to send him a copy of the scheme.

  ALIEN ENEMIES IN UNITED KINGDOM.
  Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will direct the printing and publication of the names and addresses of all registered alien enemies in order that Englishmen may know with whom they are transacting business?
  The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna): The suggestion of the hon. Member would involve much labour and expense; and, apart from this, the disadvantages of such publication would outweigh anything that would be gained by it. The purpose which the hon. Member has in view can he readily achieved by inquiry of the registration officer of the particular district.
  Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alien enemies, apart from
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  those actually captured in war, are now under arrest; and, of that number, how many have been arrested since the 8th instant?
  Mr. McKENNA: I cannot give the figures for the whole country without an inquiry, which would occupy some time; but, as regards the Metropolitan Police district, the total number in detention is 2,780, of whom 1,001 have been arrested since the 8th of September.

  INSURANCE ARREARS.
  Mr. W. THORNEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether the Insurance Commissioners had considered the question of the excessive amount of unemployment that may be expected owing to the War; and whether any allowances can be made to members of the approved societies in the matter of the arrears owing to such unemployment?
  Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury): Arrears due to unemployment during the War will have no effect on the benefits of employed members of societies until November, 1915. As my hon. Friend is aware, Parliament has made provision this year by a Grant-in-Aid for the assistance of contributors in paying the arrears accrued up to July last. My hon. Friend's suggestion of an increase in that Grant in respect of arrears that accrue during the year ending in July, 1915, obviously could not be considered until sufficient information of the volume of unemployment during the period in question has become available.

  NATURALISATION LAW (GERMAN SUBJECTS).
  Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the reservations, subject to which a German subject renounces his nationality on becoming a naturalised British subject, relate to his duty in time of war to the country of his original allegiance?
  Mr. McKENNA: Section 25 of the German Nationality Law of 1913 provides that

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  a German loses his nationality on acquiring a foreign one, unless he is domiciled or permanently resident in Germany. In neither of such cases would he be granted naturalisation in the United Kingdom. There is further provision in the German law that he may retain his German nationality if he has obtained written permission to do so from his home State before acquiring a foreign nationality. No such case has come to my knowledge.
  Sir J. D. REES: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether or not it is the case that a German subject can renounce his allegiance to Germany subject to reservation regarding his duty to Germany in case of her being in a state of war?
  Mr. McKENNA: I am not quite sure what the hon. Gentleman means by renouncing allegiance—whether he means the personal action of the Germans who applies for citizenship here or the relationship that hereafter exists between the German citizen and Germany. So far as the relationship between the German citizen and Germany goes, I have explained fully what is the law. As regards the personal action of the German who applies for citizenship here, no declaration of intention is taken from him at the time as he is bound to conform to the law, and I very much doubt whether any declaration of intention in the case of a person who intended to be a disloyal citizen would be of very much value.
  Sir J. D. REES: May I ask whether, as a fact, the English law recognises any reservation in the renunciation by a German of his nationality on becoming naturalised?
  Mr. McKENNA: No, Sir, it recognises no reservation in the personal application of the individual, but it has no means of recognising or refusing to recognise the foreign law. For instance, a Russian who applies for naturalisation cannot, by Russian law, divest himself of his Russian nationality. Any German who applies for naturalisation does in almost every case divest himself of German nationality, but not in the case I have named in my answer to the question.
  Sir J. D. REES: But in time of war?
  Mr. McKENNA: No, Sir, there is no special exemption under German law for duties in time of war. I have stated fully to the hon. Gentleman what the German law is on the subject.
  Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, as there is some difficulty about this matter, is not the law clear that the question of the divesting of nationality or otherwise depends upon the Government and the country of which the naturalised alien is originally a subject?
  Mr. McKENNA: Yes, that is what I was endeavouring to make clear to the House both yesterday and to-day.
  Sir J. D. REES: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—
  Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Mr. Whitley): We must not debate the matter.

  SEPARATION ALLOWANCES.
  Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the way that the police are acting in connection with the Socialist meetings that are being held outside Forest Gate Station, East; if he is aware that the speakers on Sunday, 31st August, at 9 p.m. were hustled by the police and that the police-sergeant, who was on a bicycle, advised the people to put the speakers in the horse trough close by because they were protesting against the way the recruits were being fed and housed, and the small pay that was being allowed for separation allowance; if he is aware that one of the speakers is now lying in Moor-fields Hospital with severe injuries to his eyes; and if he will take steps to remind the police of their proper duties at public meetings?
  Mr. McKENNA: I am having inquiry made in the matter, but owing to the shortness of the notice given I am not at present in a position to say anything with regard to it.
  Mr. W. THORNE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Members on both sides of the House have been doing what those people have been doing, and whether he will not endeavour to prevent

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  the police breaking up such meetings, because all of us are absolutely dissatisfied with the pay allowed to the wives and children?
  Mr. McKENNA: I can only assure the hon. Gentleman that as soon as I make inquiries and inform myself on the matters I shall be quite willing to give a full answer.
  Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that recruits joining the Army must produce marriage and birth certificates in order to secure the payment of their separation allowances, and that in many case" the payment of the official fees for such certificates causes hardship; and whether he can arrange that these certificates will be provided free?
  The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker): No, Sir. The instructions are that payment of separation allowance is to be made without verification of the particulars furnished by the man. Arrangements exist for the subsequent verification of the particulars without cost.
  Sir IVOR HERBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the scale of separation allowance to the families and dependants of soldiers has been reconsidered; and whether he can state the results of such reconsideration?
  Mr. BAKER: The Prime Minister has promised to make a statement on this subject before the end of the Session.
  Sir IVOR HERBERT: Am I to understand that we shall have that statement before the Adjournment?
  Mr. BAKER: The Prime Minister said so.

  CABLE MESSAGES (CHARGES).
  Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that cable companies are charging the same rates per word en clair as they formerly charged for code words, and at the same time have withdrawn their deferred rates for messages en clair and their week-end rates, and that the cable expenses of British firms and companies
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  are in consequence in many cases doubled and trebled, to the serious hampering of trade at a time when it needs assistance, and has exceptional opportunities of expansion; and whether His Majesty's Government will endeavour to obtain the restoration of withdrawn facilities and the establishment of such rates for plain-word messages which shall not increase the cost for cabling to British trade?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this question. I fear I cannot at present add anything to the replies I have already given to the hon. Member for South-West Manchester and others on the subject.
  Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNER: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the interest of the public, he will exercise some pressure?
  Mr. HOBHOUSE: I have already explained to the House that the responsibility does not rest with me, but with the companies who make the charge upon their own responsibility. I have no authority unless there was special legislation.

  SEIZURE OF GERMAN SHIPS AND CARGOES.
  Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what practice will be followed as regards the proceeds of German ships and cargoes seized by us at and since the declaration of War; and whether he can now make any statement as to the possible application of these proceeds, wholly or in part, to reimburse the owners of British ships and cargoes which have been seized by the Germans?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: Under the Order in Council published on the declaration of War between this country and Germany, and The Hague Convention of 1907, those German vessels which were in port on War being declared are not liable to confiscation, but only to detention during the period of the War. As regards German ships which have been captured by His Majesty's ships, the proceeds of those which are condemned by the Prize Courts will, as announced in the Press on the 29th August—after certain deductions—

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  form a fund out of which a distribution in the shape of prize bounties will be made to the Fleet on a basis to be subsequently determined and announced by Proclamation.
  Colonel YATE: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, is any list being published of British ships captured by the Germans?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: We have published the list of German ships captured by His Majesty's ships up to the 12th of September. I have no knowledge of any other matter.
  Mr. DUNDAS WHITE: Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the German Government are adopting a similar rule as regards British cargoes and ships captured in German ports?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: I am afraid I cannot say that.
  Colonel YATE: Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information as to how many British ships have been arrested?
  Dr. MACNAMARA: No; but I will make inquiries on the point.

  GERMAN SUGAR CROP (EXPORT IN NEUTRAL VESSELS).
  Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the possibility of the Germans attempting to realise the value of their sugar crop by exporting their surplus, estimated as worth about £40,000,000, through Holland; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?
  The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman): I am not aware of any steps which could be taken to prevent the export of sugar from Germany to neutral countries on neutral vessels.

  TRADING WITH THE ENEMY ACT.
  Sir JOHN HARMOOD-BANNERasked the President of the Board of Trade if it is the intention in all cases of appoint-
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  ments of controllers, under Clause 3 of the Trading with the Enemy Bill, to appoint one person only, irrespective of either the desire or advice of any of the parties interested, and also irrespective of whether the property to be dealt with is in Scotland, Ireland, or the North, South, or West of England?
  Mr. RUNCIMAN: No Sir. There is no intention whatever to limit appointments of controllers under Clause 3 of the Trading with the Enemy Bill in the way suggested.

  CONTRACTS WITH ALIEN ENEMIES.
  Sir J. D. REESasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that the most recent legal decision on the point was given upwards of half a century ago, the Government can give the mercantile community any leading, or the opinion of its Law Officers, on the question whether contracts with alien enemies are cancelled, or only suspended, by the outbreak of War?
  Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL: On a point of Order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, to the fact that this question violates three or four rules of order? First, it invites an expression of opinion which is disorderly, and then it invites an expression of opinion as to an abstract legal question, which is disorderly, and then it invites the right hon. Gentleman the Attorney-General to say what he can do in certain circumstances when he might be counsel for the Government; and there is an attempt to influence the Judicial Courts by the opinion of the Executive.
  Sir J. D. REES: On the point of Order. May I submit to you that I sought the opinion of the Attorney-General, and not the opinion of the hon. and learned Gentleman?
  Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: With regard to the question put by the hon. and learned Gentleman, it is accurate. In ordinary circumstances, it is not in order to ask the Law Officers for their opinion.
  The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir John Simon): I think I can give an answer which will not be disorderly. Any difficulty which arises in answering the ques-

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  tion to which the hon. Member refers is not due to any doubt as to the principle to be applied, but to the complexities of each individual case. Consequently, a general statement, even if it were universally accepted as authoritative, would not provide a solution, and individuals will find that the only practicable course is to seek competent private advice on the circumstances of their own case.

  UNEMPLOYMENT.
  Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked whether the Government are now in a position to say what proposals, if any, they have to make for assisting the textile industry of Lancashire to overcome the difficulties arising out of the War crisis, which have resulted in an increase of unemployment, as stated by the trade union deputation on the 27th of August last?
  Mr. RUNCIMAN: The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I am discussing the subject this afternoon with the representatives of the Lancashire textile unions, and I cannot make any statement to-day.
  Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether the suggestions made by the deputation representing the Trades Union Congress, the General Federation of Trade Unions, and the Labour party, on the 27th August, have been considered; and whether the Government can now say what proposals, if any, are to be adopted for assisting trade unions to deal with unemployment owing to the War crisis?
  Mr. RUNCIMAN: I hope to make a statement on this subject very shortly. The proposals are under discussion between the Board of Trade and the Treasury.
  Mr. HENDERSON: May I ask whether, in view of the very great importance of this matter to trade unions, the Government will endeavour to expedite their decision on this point?
  Mr. RUNCIMAN: I hope to be able to make a statement this week, and certainly at the earliest possible moment.

  LOANS TO OFFICERS (EXORBITANT INTEREST).
  Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Prime Minister if the Government can see their way, either by legislation or proclamation, to relieve officers on active service abroad during the period of such service from any legal liability they may have incurred to pay exorbitant interests on loans they may have contracted before they left this country with moneylenders or others, in view of the fact that they are unable to attend to such matters until the War is over, and in view of the fact that under the Moneylender's Act, 1900, interest up to 120 per cent. has been allowed by the Courts as not being harsh and unconscionable?
  The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant): I sympathise with the object the hon. Member has in view, but, having made inquiries, I am advised it could not be obtained without legislation. At the same time I must guard myself against accepting the suggestion contained in the last part of the question as being a correct statement of the decided cases.

  SMALL-POX.
  Mr. W. THORNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether instructions have been given or will be given that, in the event of any soldier contracting small-pox during the War, a record of his vaccinal condition shall be kept, as is done in public hospitals?
  Mr. TENNANT: The existing Regulations include instructions for the vaccinal condition of every case of small-pox in the Army being duly recorded and reported to the War Office, so that the issue of special instructions is unnecessary.

  PRINCE OF WALES' FUND.
  Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the wives and families of Reservists and Territorials called to the front are treated in any way differently, as regards War Office provision or supplementary allowance derived from the

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  Prince of Wales' Fund, from the wives and families of men of equal military grades who enlisted in the Army before the declaration of war or since that declaration; and, if so, will he state in what respects?
  Mr. BAKER: There is no difference as regards Army allowances, and though I cannot answer for the Prince of Wales' Fund, so far as I am aware there is no difference in that case also.
  Mr. JONATHAN SAMUEL: Is the hon. Member aware that that is a matter left to the visitors whether they pay or not?
  Mr. BAKER: That is a question which I am afraid I cannot answer.
  Mr. CHARLES DUNCANhad given notice of the following question: To ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the supplementary allowances from the Prince of Wales' Fund are being disbursed in the case of enlisted men by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, whereas precisely similar payments in the case of Reservists and Territorials are being disbursed by the local relief committee; whether the Government is aware that, at Newcastle-on-Tyne in particular, such supplementary allowances to the wives of enlisted men are made in cash without conditions as to the articles to be purchased, whereas precisely similar payments to the wives of Reservists and Territorials derived from precisely the same funds are made only in tickets, not generally available for purchases even of food, to say nothing of the payment of rent, but only for the purchase of a limited list of commodities, excluding many articles of prime necessity; whether the Government is aware that fresh milk is absolutely excluded from such list, even in cases of mothers of young children; whether such restriction on expenditure has been approved by the Government or by the executive committee of the Prince of Wales' Fund; if so, whether it is really intended to exclude fresh milk, to name only one omission, from the dietary of infants of Reservists and Territorials; whether there is any reason for subjecting the wives of Reservists and Territorials to any restrictions from which the
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  wives of enlisted men are free; and, if not, whether the Government will take steps to ensure that the wives and families of all men at the front of equal military grade shall, so far as general regulations are concerned, everywhere be dealt with alike, by the same agencies, and with equal restrictions, if any?
  Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: This question seems to contravene Mr. Speaker's ruling with regard to the Prince of Wales' Fund. There is a paragraph at the end which it may be in order to answer, but I do not know whether the representative of the Government is prepared to answer it.
  Mr. BAKER: The hon. Member's question refers to private and not to public funds. I would suggest that he might bring the matter to the notice of the committee of the Prince of Wales' Fund.

  EX-OFFICERS (RETURN TO ARMY).
  Sir COURTENAY WARNERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will see that ex-officers who have had military training shall be encouraged to return to the Army by being given commissions; if he has had any complaints of incivility on the part of the officials who receive gentlemen and ex-officers on behalf of the Military Secretary; and, if so, what steps he has taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents?
  Mr. TENNANT: Ex-officers who have had military training are encouraged to return to the Army. No complaints other than one from my hon. and gallant Friend have, I am informed, been received.
  Mr. HAMILTONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether retired Regular officers, having been called up for duty from the Reserve of Officers and employed as recruiting officers, only receive £20 as outfit allowance, while officers called up in the same way for other duties receive £100; and whether, seeing that Army Regulations, paragraph 675, lays it down that £100 is a flat rate for all officers so called up, and that White Paper No. 4270, issued in the Western Command, clearly states that it is a flat rate applicable to employment with the Regular

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  Forces, including recruiting officers, he will say under what authority this White Paper has been overruled?
  Mr. BAKER: The Allowance Regulations, paragraph 675, give not a flat rate of £ 100, but a sum not exceeding that amount. The Command Order laid down a flat rate of £100. It was subsequently brought to notice that this far exceeded the necessities of the retired officers employed on recruiting duties, and an amending Order was issued. If there is any case in which an officer, before the issue of the amending Order, has incurred liabilities of a larger amount than £20, I will consider it.
  Mr. HAMILTON: In view of the fact that some of these officers have incurred extra expense, or think they have, will he instruct the commanding officer of the district to circulate his reply to all of them?
  Mr. BAKER: I will see that the hon. Member's suggestion is brought to the notice of those officers.

  1ST WESSEX BRIGADE (STORES).
  Mr. GEORGE ROBERTSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the mobilisation of the 1st Hampshire Battery of the 1st Wessex Brigade it was found that there was a shortage of stores and the men were levied 4½d. per week to make up the shortage; whether it is permissible to levy the men for a shortage for which they are not responsible; whether he is also aware that the men have been levied 7d. per week to pay for additions to their rations, which additions have been made and levy raised without the men being consulted; whether it is permissible for the colonel or other officer to do this; and whether it is the intention of the War Office to take steps to have these levies refunded?
  Mr. BAKER: A report on this matter has been called for.

  RECRUITS (NUMBER OBTAINED).
  Mr. STEWARTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state
  942
  the number of recruits obtained in each recruiting area in the United Kingdom since the outbreak of the War?
  Mr. TENNANT: If the hon. Member would call upon the Director of Recruiting, he could see the figures and could also inform himself as to the volume of work involved in tabulating them on the basis suggested.
  Mr. STEWART: I thought the right hon. Gentleman said yesterday that he had got them already tabulated?
  Mr. TENNANT: There has been an enormous addition to the numbers, and if the hon. Gentleman will take the suggestion I have made he will then be able to see what a large amount of labour would be involved.
  Mr. W. THORNE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in consequence of raising the standard he has prevented a large number of recruits coming forward for enlistment? I would like to know whether the Government is prepared to fall back upon the old standard, and whether they will take the names and addresses of all the men who offer themselves, so that in the event of the Government wanting them they can be called upon?
  Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: That question does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

  MEDICAL MEN (VOLUNTEERS FOR SERVICE).
  Mr. STEWARTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what are the prospects as to getting appointments for medical men who have volunteered for service and have been accepted and medically examined by the War Office in August, as there are cases where doctors have, on being accepted, resigned all professional work, and find themselves at the moment without either position or income pending the final acceptance of their services by the War Office?
  Mr. TENNANT: About 70 per cent. of some 900 who applied have been employed. I cannot say if or when the remainder will be called upon, but it was made clear

  943
  to all these gentlemen that their acceptance for service, should they be required, did not place them under any obligation to relinquish their ordinary appointments until actually called upon to serve.

  DRUGS AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES.
  Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the principal medical officers of military hospitals could be empowered to purchase drugs and surgical appliances locally when urgently needed, in consequence of the large concentration of troops in certain districts, without having to requisition for them?
  Mr. BAKER: By existing Regulations this is already authorised in urgent circumstances which do not admit of the usual procedure of requisition.

  RESERVISTS (PAYMENTS TO WIVES).
  Mr. JOWETTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the wives of Reservists who have been called to the Colours have in many cases received no payments from the War Office for four, five, and in some instances six weeks after their husbands have left home in response to the call, during which time they have had little or no income; and whether, if he is unable to arrange for the War Office to pay the money due to soldiers' wives promptly and at weekly intervals, he will circularise the local relief committees requesting them to advance the money temporarily in such cases for the War Office?
  Mr. BAKER: The arrangements which the hon. Member suggests were made at the beginning of the War. If the hon. Member has personal knowledge of any cases and will communicate particulars to me, I will have inquiry made.
  Mr. W. THORNE: Will these payments be made directly or through any other source?
  Mr. BAKER: I have already stated that early in October we shall institute a system of direct payment.
  Mr. BARNES: Will the payments be made through the Post Office?
  Mr. BAKER: Yes

  GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR IN LONDON.
  Sir WILLIAM BYLES: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is a fact that English wives of German citizens of London are not allowed to see their husbands who are technically prisoners of war interned in Olympia, nor are the prisoners allowed to write to their wives, nor are the wives informed of their husbands' whereabouts or of their intended destination; and whether this rupture of family relations is necessary in the interests of the State?
  Mr. TENNANT: Up to the last few days prisoners of war have been allowed to receive visitors at certain fixed hours, and they have been allowed to communicate with their wives. These privileges have, however, been temporarily suspended until such time as the German Government sees fit to grant similar privileges to British prisoners in Germany. I hope the suspension will be of short duration.

  WIRELESS INSTALLATIONS (HORIZONTAL WIRES).
  Mr. THOMAS-STANFORD (on behalf of Mr. Bartley Denniss): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that with sufficiently long horizontal wires placed quite near to the ground wireless communication is quite practicable and a mast can be dispensed with, he will consider the advisability of causing instructions to be given to the comparatively unskilled persons whose duty it is to discover and deal with wireless installations to search for and report upon horizontal wireless installations in this country?
  Mr. McKENNA: The matter is in the hands of skilled persons, who are well aware of the system referred to by the hon. Member.

  DUM-DUM BULLETS.
  Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL: I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, having

  945
  regard to the fact that Great Britain all through the Boer War, although then, for technical reasons, not a signatory to the Declaration of The Hague Conference of 1809 in favour of abstention from the use of dum-dum or expanding bullets, vigorously enforced such abstention by British troops, and in 1907 assented to The Hague Declaration, the Government will consider the advisability of issuing an authoritative statement to the neutral Powers embodying the repudiation by the Under-Secretary of State for War yesterday of the calumny emanating from Germany and extensively circulated that dum-dum bullets are in use, or have been used, by British troops in the present War?
  Mr. ACLAND: This has already been done. On the 5th of September His Majesty's representatives in neutral countries were directed to publish statements to the effect referred to on the authority of His Majesty's Government.
  Sir W. BYLES: I ask leave of the House to make a very brief personal explanation. Yesterday I put a question to the representative of the War Office about the use of dum-dum bullets by our troops. I find that question, or at any rate my motive in putting it, has been misunderstood in more quarters than one. I only desire to say that in the form in which I handed my question in at the Table it was made perfectly clear that my object was only to destroy the calumnious statements on this matter which have been circulated in the United States.

  DUM-DUM BULLETS.

    Trade Commissioner for Australia.
    Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. G. T. Milne, who is styled His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in Australia, with an office in Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria, holds that appointment under the Colonial Office; whether he has been making applications to the Inter-State Commission for increased tariffs on certain imported goods; and, if so, whether he will lay Papers?
    Mr. RUNCIMAN: My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Mr. Milne, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Australia, holds that
    946
    post under the Board of Trade. No applications have been made to the Inter-State Commission by Mr. Milne, whose action has been confined, in accordance with his instructions, to assisting, by information and advice, British importers desirous of applying to the Commission for modifications of the present Australian tariff.
    Mr. DUNDAS WHITE: May I ask if in that answer "modification" means "reduction"?
    Mr. RUNCIMAN: Yes, so I understand. It is not likely to benefit importers unless it is so.
    Mr. OUTHWAITE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Commissioner has been asking for an increase of duties on foreign imports for the benefit of British manufacturers, including a duty upon an article of food?
    Mr. RUNCIMAN: Mr. Milne is under the Board of Trade. The Commission was, I believe, appointed by the Commonwealth Government. Any question with regard to that had better be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary.

    Housing Acts.
    Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the fact that, while Section 1 of the Housing (No. 2) Act, 1914, empowers both the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Local Government Board to build houses themselves in default of action by the local authority or a public utility society, the Local Government Board circular of 21st August only speaks of such power as being possessed by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries; and if he will take the necessary steps to amend this circular in accordance with the wording of the Act?
    The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Samuel): For the reasons which I stated to the House on 10th August, on the Second Reading of the Housing (No. 2) Bill, I do not contemplate that the Local Government Board should themselves build houses.

    Dispute in Wiltshire (Labourers and Employers).
    Mr. RICHARD LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the dispute now pending between agricultural labourers and their employers in Wiltshire; and whether he will use the influence of the Board to bring this dispute to an end?
    Mr. RUNCIMAN: The Chief Industrial Commissioner's Department has recently inquired into this dispute with a view to obtaining a settlement, but the information at the disposal of the Department does not indicate that further negotiations would at present have any useful result.
    Mr. R. LAMBERT: May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the men offered to go back on their own terms, and that in spite of this the local landlord, who is a Member of this House, insisted in pressing forward ejectment orders against them?
    Mr. RUNCIMAN: I am afraid the facts as stated by my hon. Friend have been confirmed by the Industrial Commissioners.

    B. and C. Aeronaut Company (Fair-Wages Clause).
    Mr. W. THORNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the excessive amount of overtime being worked by the B. and C. Aeronaut Company, Filton, who are Government contractors, whilst, at the same time, there are many competent and willing men out of employment; if he is aware that the firm are not paying the standard rate of wages of the district, which is 36s. per week for fifty hours for wood workers and 34s. for trimmers, neither are they paying the overtime rates, which are time and a quarter for the first two hours, and time and a half for the second two hours, and double time after, for Saturday time and a half and double time, and double time for Sundays; whether he will consider if this firm are violating the Fair-Wage Clause; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
    Mr. BAKER: The attention of this company has been called to the necessity
    948
    of limiting overtime. They state that they have taken on as many men as possible and will continue to do so. A complaint was recently received as to certain rates of wages and is now being investigated.

ORDERS OF THE DAY.
  INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

    EXPENSES CHARGED UPON REVENUES OF INDIA.
    The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith): I beg to move, "That His Majesty having directed a military force, consisting of British and Indian troops, charged upon the revenues of India, to be despatched to Europe for service in the War in which this country is engaged, this House consents that the ordinary pay and other ordinary charges of any troops so despatched, as well as the ordinary charges of any vessels belonging to the Government of India that may be employed in this expedition which would have been charged upon the resources of India if such troops or vessels had remained in that country or seas adjacent, shall continue to be so chargeable, provided that, if it shall be necessary to replace the troops or vessels so withdrawn by other vessels or forces, then the expense of raising, maintaining, and providing such vessels and forces shall be repaid out of any moneys which may be provided by Parliament for the purposes of the said expedition."
    The Motion which stands in my name, and which I propose now to move, is one which I am quite certain will be received with complete assent and gratitude in every quarter of the House. I do not think that in all the moving exhibitions of national and Imperial patriotism which the War has evoked there is any which has more touched, and rightly touched, the feelings of this House and the country than the message sent by the Viceroy of India announcing the magnificent response which the princes and people of that country have made to our need. In consequence of the provisions of Section 55 of the Government of India Act, 1858, it is not constitutionally right or proper to charge upon the revenues of India, except in the case of actual invasion or of sudden and unforeseen emergency, the cost of troops that may be sent outside that country. The assent of both Houses of Parliament is needed before any such charge can be imposed upon the revenues
    956
    of India. The assistance of the Indian Army under Imperial exigencies has been more than once—indeed, several times since the passing of that Act—offered by India and accepted by ourselves. I will not go into the precedents; it is not necessary to do so.
    In most of those cases the whole cost of the charge has been met, as I am sure we would willingly meet it in this case, out of the revenues of the United Kingdom. But when this matter came up, as it did two or three weeks ago, before the Legislative Council of the Viceroy in India, one of the unofficial native members moved a resolution to the effect that India would desire, in the present emergency, that she should be allowed not only to send her troops, but to contribute the cost of their maintenance and pay, and the Viceroy, on behalf of the Government of India—and I am sure with the assent and sympathy not only of this House and the people of this country, but of the whole people of the British Empire—accepted that offer. The result is that, through this patriotic initiative, not in any sense dictated or inspired by the Government, but proceeding from an unofficial member of the Council of India, these splendid British and Indian troops which are now already upon their way, and which we believe will afford to us and to the Empire at large most effective assistance in the righteous struggle in which we are engaged, will be sent, as far as their ordinary charges are concerned, at the expense of the Government and people of India. The Motion I have to make is of a purely formal character. It is necessary in order to comply with the requirements of the Act of Parliament. I am sure we should not be giving expression to what everyone of us feels if we did not couple with its acceptance an acknowledgment, sincere and heartfelt, of the spontaneous and splendid assistance which our great Dependency of India is giving us.
    Mr. BONAR LAW: I am glad to have the privilege of seconding the Resolution which has been moved. Since the War broke out nothing, as the Prime Minister has said—not even, I think, the heroic conduct of our own soldiers on the field of battle—has moved the people of this country more deeply than the spontaneous and enthusiastic outburst of loyalty to their

    957
    Emperor and patriotism of the Empire of which we had an account in the message of the Viceroy given the other day. The circumstances under which this Resolution is necessary are another proof of the reality and of the value of that assistance. Previously when Indian troops, as the Prime Minister has pointed out, have been used out of India the Government of India has looked with a jealous eye in order to see that no part, of the financial burden would fall on the people of India. Now the Indian Government, representing and inspired by the Indian people, are not only sending their sons to risk their lives at the side of our own soldiers, by whom they will be proudly welcomed as comrades, but are insisting on bearing a share of the burden of the expense which is involved.
    I ventured to say the other day at the Guildhall that the moral forces which our enemies not only despise but affront would prove in the long run stronger than the material forces on which alone they rely. It is on moral forces that we rely to-day. The generous aid which is coming to us from the self-governing Dominions in every part of the Empire is coming of their own free will. It could not be demanded by us, and it could not be enforced by us. This assistance from India also is coming not from force, but from good will, and I believe that it is coming because, on the whole, everyone who leaves this country to take part in the government of India, from the Viceroy to the humblest official, is inspired by the tradition that it is his duty not to exploit India for the benefit of this country, but to rule it for the good of the people of India. We have made mistakes, but on the whole we have succeeded, and it is because, in the main, the people of India recognise that that is the spirit in which the Government is carried on, that we have received so generously their assistance in our hour of need.
    Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT: I think that this occasion, when both parties in this House are giving expression to the debt of gratitude we feel to the people of India for their recent demonstration of loyalty and devotion to the Empire, is one which ought not to be allowed to pass without a protest from some Members of
    958
    this House against the most unfortunate and most ungracious attack to which prominence was given in the columns of the "Times" on Monday, over the signature of Sir Frank Swettenham, on the people of India. He has thought that this demonstration of loyalty and devotion to the Empire on the part of the people of India was a fitting occasion to be used as a means for attacking a very large section of the Indian people, those especially who are represented in the Indian National Congress. He has stated that this demonstration of loyalty and devotion to the Empire, instead of being a proof of the solidarity of the people and of their devotion to the Empire as a whole, is only a proof
    "that the voice we are accustomed to hear is that of a comparatively small section of professional talkers, whose occupation has disappeared in the face of the mighty issues which are moving the real heart of the people."
    I should have thought it was possible to learn a different lesson from the events happening in India. The lesson I should have thought it was possible to take would have been that those who, like Sir Frank Swettenham and his friends, have attempted to guide opinion in this country in the past, who have denounced these patriotic Indian politicians as mere professional talkers and dangerous agitators, have been mistaken in the past, and that in these demonstrations in India we have demonstrations of the real feelings of the people and of the Indian National Congress. I think we should better realise how deeply the wound of such language would be felt in India if we attempted to put the words which he has used into the mouth of some Liberal or some Unionist, and applied them to the Nationalists or the Unionists of Ireland. The demonstrations which we have received from both sections in Ireland could be referred to in these words:—
    "The voice we are accustomed to hear is that of a comparatively small section of professional talkers, whose occupation has disappeared in the face of mighty issues which are moving the real heart of the people."
    If any of us, either Liberals or Unionists, were to use these words and to apply them to those to whom we have been previously opposed in Ireland—in either section—they would rightly be regarded as false and ungracious, and they would be no more false and no more ungracious

    959
    than they are when applied to those who have voiced the political views of India in the past.
    Sir JOHN JARDINE: I am not going to assail the dignity of this Resolution by touching on any controversial subjects at all. I hope that the words of the Prime Minister will be telegraphed immediately to our fellow subjects in the Indian Empire. I entirely agree with what the right hon. Gentleman who leads the Opposition said just now, that this wonderful, this astounding exhibition of loyalty, not merely from the rulers, but from all sections of the people of India, is largely due to the conviction that whatever our mistakes may have been in the past, our intentions have been honourable, good, and kindly. In fact, they realise now that the Government of the people has been good and, as has always been the policy of the Indian Government, largely in accordance with the traditions and customs of the country, which have been studied by those who have served the Government out there with a great deal of care. These offers have come, not merely from heads of the different States in India, but from innumerable local bodies, town councils, heads of communities, assemblies of students, men of education, some of whom have been under the discipline of the Courts for sedition in former days; indeed, all have joined in the general volume of loyalty, and I may say, without desiring to provoke the slightest feeling of opposition, that the fact that the proposal to charge the expenses of the Expeditionary Force to the people of India came from an unofficial member of the Viceroy's Council, a native gentleman, may partly be due to the reform of the Government of India that was undertaken a few years ago, giving greater powers to the natives, both in the Executive Cabinets of the Viceroys and the Governors, and also in the numerous Legislative Councils which have been established. When we passed that Act there was an indication that it met with general concurrence, and I remember remarking at the time that it was passed, as it ought to be, with the concurrence of the great parties of this country. And now that the chiefs, great and small—including some 178 chiefs and princes in the
    960
    Presidency of Bombay—as well as the great chiefs in all parts of the Empire, have so warmly offered their armies, their resources, their swords, and even their sons to help in this great conflict in which we are engaged, let me say I think that is largely due to the change of policy which has resulted from the lessons of the mutiny.
    We have ceased to be always on the hunt to increase our territory; we have shown the princes, great and small, that their princely estates are to be preserved, and they now know, from experience, that they are protected by the great paramount Power against all enemies who may dare invade India. An instance may be cited as having arisen at a time when the ruler of Mysore had no heir. I remember the great controversy which arose as to whether that kingdom should be annexed. It was decided by the Secretary of State in Council that it should not, and now we find the present Maharajah of Mysore coming forward with a gift of £550,000 and offering all his arms and all his resources. The same thing occurred when a Conservative Government was in power, when the question was whether the State of Baroda should be annexed on account of misgovernment of that State. Lord Salisbury decided that it should not. That action has given great satisfaction to these princes, who in many respects hold the same positions as those held by princes and grand-dukes of Germany in relation to the Kaiser. There have been times when British rule has disappeared from great areas of the country, yet law and order has been preserved, in their interests as well as our own, by the native princes. Some of them are coming forward; others are sending their sons. That is quite in accordance with their tradition of warriors, resembling very much the old chiefs on the borderland of Scotland, part of which I represent in this House. After such an incredible response of loyalty, the nation should take the utmost care, in every way and at every time, to show its full appreciation thereof, and, particularly, when the rainy months begin and the cold and the snows come on, should the War last that time, the country should subscribe liberally to funds to provide comforts for the Indian troops. I should say that the Hindus and the

    961
    Mahomedans of India are joining most heartily in this movement, and in that way are giving the lie direct to much that we have seen in recent German literature, where the notion has been put forth—an unholy notion for any Christian kingdom—that the Imperial Government of Germany should get into alliance with Turkey in order to use the Sultan, as the head of all Islam, to raise rebellion in those countries governed by European Powers where there are many Mahomedans. I submit that at the present time to set up a Moslem war against us is a decidedly unholy thing. One of the best things in all this spontaneous movement is that it has shown that Moslem loyalty is as sound as the loyalty of those other defenders whom we hope soon to have fighting side by side with English, Irish, and Scottish troops on the battlefield, and then returning to this city to be seen by us.
    Sir J. D. REES: My Leader has so completely expressed my feelings that I should not trouble the House except to put a question to the Financial Secretary to the War Office. I hope the great generosity of India, with which the House has been struck, will be imitated by those who have to deal with the financing of this question, and that British officers who proceed from India with their regiments to the front will not, as there seems to be some reason to fear they will be, put upon English pay.
    The PRIME MINISTER: No, Sir, they will not.
    Sir J. D. REES: I am very glad to have elicited that statement, because it would have been a very unfortunate circumstance, and would have led to some feeling. I am sure the Indian troops will cover themselves with glory in friendly rivalry with the British troops.
    Question put, and agreed to.
    Resolved, "That, His Majesty having directed a military force consisting of British and Indian troops, charged upon the revenues of India, to be dispatched to Europe for service in the War in which this country is engaged, this House consents that the ordinary pay and other ordinary charges of any troops so dispatched, as well as the ordinary charges of any vessels belonging to the
    962
    Government of India that may be employed in this expedition which would have been charged upon the resources of India if such troops or vessels had remained in that country or seas adjacent. shall continue to be so chargeable, provided that, if it shall be necessary to replace the troops or vessels so withdrawn by other vessels or forces, then the expense of raising, maintaining, and providing such vessels and forces shall be repaid out of any moneys which may be provided by Parliament for the purposes of the said expedition."
    The remaining Government Orders of the Day were read and postponed.
    Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The House awaits a message from the other House. Therefore, before proposing the Adjournment of the House, I intend to leave the Chair until six o'clock, or such other time as the message may be received. I will cause the bells in the House to be rung when the House resumes.
    Sitting suspended at thirteen minutes before four o'clock.
    Sitting resumed at twenty-five minutes before Seven o'clock.

  MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.
  That they have agreed to,—
  Army Pensions Bill,
  Irish Police Constables (Naval and Military Service) Bill,
  Superannuation Bill,
  Rates (Proceedings for Recovery) Bill, without Amendment.

  WAR IN EUROPE.

    TRADING WITH THE ENEMY BILL.
    Message from the Lords,
    That the Lords agree to the Trading with the Enemy Bill, with an Amendment, in which they desire the concurrence of the Commons.
    Question, "That the Lords Amendment be now considered," put, and agreed to.—[Sir J. Simon.]

    TRADING WITH THE ENEMY BILL.

      CLAUSE 3.—(Power of Board of Trade to Apply for Receiver in Certain Cases.)
      Where it appears to the Board of Trade in reference to any firm or company—

      (a) that an offence under this Act has been or is likely to be committed in connection with the trade or business thereof; or

      (b) that the control or management thereof has been or is likely to be so affected by the state of war as to prejudice the effective continuance of its trade or business and that it is in the public interest that the trade or business should continue to be carried on;

      the Board of Trade may apply to the High Court for the appointment of a controller of the firm or company, and the High Court shall have power to appoint such a controller, for such time and subject to such conditions and with such powers as the Court thinks fit, and the powers so conferred shall be either those of a receiver and manager or those powers subject to such modifications, restrictions, or extensions as the Court thinks fit (including, if the Court considers it necessary or expedient for enabling the controller to borrow money, power, after a special application to the Court for that purpose, to create charges on the property of the firm or company in priority to existing charges).
      Lords Amendment: At end of Clause 3 add the words,
      "The Court shall have power to direct how and by whom the costs of any proceedings under this Section and the remuneration charges and expenses of the controller shall be borne, and shall have power, if it thinks fit, to charge such costs, charges and expenses on the property of the firm or company in such order of priority in relation to any existing charges thereto as it thinks fit."
      Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.—[Sir J. Simon.]

  GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT AND WELSH CHURCH ACT.

    SUSPENSORY BILL.
    Message from The Lords,
    That they have agreed to,—
    Suspensory Bill, with Amendments.
    Suspensory Bill,
    Lords Amendments to be considered To-morrow, and to be printed. [Bill 407.]
    Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of 17th July, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."
    Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-three minutes before Seven o'clock, till to-morrow (Thursday), at a Quarter before Three o'clock.