asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he would recommend the Insurance Commissioners to make the provision for aged members compulsory on all friendly societies and the cost a first charge on the released reserves?

The Commissioners have no power to prescribe the application of any part of any reserve funds of a registered friendly society which might be released by the operation of Section 72 of the National Insurance Act.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the cases of four aged members of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, Central Islington Association and Medical Agency, District No. 183, particulars of which have been supplied to the London insurance committee in accordance with the Act and regulations, and were brought to his notice on 14th February; is he aware that three of these members have been without medical protection since 14th January, and that the benefit under Section 15 (2) (e) was urgently required, and is now eight weeks overdue; and can he say for how long this state of things is likely to continue?

I am informed that the London Insurance Committee have been in correspondence with the society in regard to the case, and on 28th February offered an alternative arrangement whereby the society should either negotiate with the doctor direct or make a payment to the committee, who would then undertake that the treatment should be given. To this communication the committee have received no reply.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that many friendly societies which have become approved societies are receiving applications from aged members for medical benefit under the provisions of Clause 15 (2) (e) of the National Insurance Act, and complain that effective provision has not been made by the insurance committees to meet such cases; and will he explain why insurance committees have not yet adopted a system which secures attendance and treatment to these old members of the societies, and take such measures as may be in his power to prevent further delays?

Every insurance committee has adopted arrangements whereby doctors on the panel are bound to give medical attendance and treatment to the persons referred to in the Hon. Member's question on the same terms as to remuneration as those arranged with respect to insured persons, if their society so desires.

asked whether, in the case of a person insured under the National Insurance Act, who, upon or after attaining the age of sixty-five years, retires from his employment on pension or otherwise and ceases to pay further contributions under the Act, such persons will be entitled to sick or disablement benefits under the Act, and, if so, to what amount?

On permanently ceasing to be employed the person in question would cease to be insured, and would not be entitled to the benefits referred to.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inquire into the circumstances under which Mr. John Herdman, of Clifton, Yetholm, in the county of Roxburgh, employed by Mr. Roberton, farmer, of Kirk Yetholm Mains, to kill rabbits at 6d. per couple has been held disqualified for insurance under the National Insurance Act?

I am informed by the Scottish Commissioners that they have decided under Section 66 of the National Insurance Act that Mr. Herdman is not employed by Mr. Roberton under contract of service within the meaning of the Act. If either party feels aggrieved by the decision he has a right of appeal to the Sheriff Court.

asked by what authority the Insurance Commissioners made Regulations restricting medical benefit to treatment of a kind which can be undertaken by a practitioner of ordinary professional competence and skill?

The Act under Section 15 confers upon an insured person the right to choose from a panel, which any general practitioner may join, the particular practitioner from whom he desires to receive medical attendance and treatment. The Commissioners have framed Regulations to carry this out by providing that every doctor on the panel shall give to the insured person for whose treatment he is responsible such treatment as is of a kind which can, consistently with the best interests of the patient, be properly undertaken by a general practitioner of ordinary professional competence and skill.

Is it not the case that Section 8 of the Act is perfectly general in its terms and entitles the insured person to medical treatment and attendance, whatever his illness may be, even in cases which require special treatment?

I think that is a question rather of legal interpretation. I think there is no doubt that the Act clearly sets out in Section 15 that the insured person shall choose his own practitioner to attend upon him, and that practitioner shall give the best attendance he can give.

Is that not subject to the general provisions in Section 8?

asked whether any, and, if so, what, arrangements have been made for dealing with the influx of insured persons to holiday or health resorts, so far as the medical attendance upon such insured persons is concerned; whether the panels at such resorts are sufficient to cope with this influx; will an insured person who requires medical attention whilst away on holiday be able to obtain such attention promptly; and, if so, what method is he or she to adopt, seeing that the services of a particular doctor have been chosen in the town of his or her permanent residence?

Any insured person who moves from the area of one insurance committee to that of another may, by giving notice to the committee of the area in which he moves, obtain medical attendance and treatment from a doctor on the panel in the latter area. The Commissioners recently convened a conference of representative doctors from the areas chiefly affected, and steps are being taken to improve the arrangements at present available to meet this class of case.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that some special arrangements or regulations are necessary in order to meet these cases, which are continually happening in seaside resorts, where people go to recuperate after illness?

I am considering the way in which further regulations may be necessary. I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that we are very carefully considering the question. It is a difficult question, and I shall be glad if he can contribute any suggestion towards its solution.

Have any arrangements been made, even any temporary arrangements, in view of Easter holiays?

The present arrangements are quite clear as they stand under the regulations, but I am not sure that they provide for satisfactory working as a permanent system for the doctors in those resorts, and that is what I am considering.

Could the right hon. Gentleman not arrange to allow them to change from one panel, or doctors' list, to another?

I am not sure that that would be a permanent solution of the problem. I shall be glad to receive any suggestion with regard to the matter.

asked when it is proposed to introduce the Bill for regularising the additional Grants for medical benefit under the National Insurance Act, 1911?

A Bill is being prepared, and it is hoped to introduce it at an early date.

Will the Bill be confined to this matter, and may I express the hope that the right hon. Gentleman will not introduce any contentious matter likely to lead to long controversy in Ireland?

I do not say it will be confined entirely to this matter, but I hope it will not be controversial.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in view of the fact that the existing insurance committee for the city of York is merely provisional, and that it includes persons not resident in York and not able to attend except occasionally, and is in other respects incompletely constituted, he will take steps to ensure that a properly-constituted insurance committee shall be established in York, in accordance with the National Insurance Act, at an early date?

The answer is in the affirmative, and the new committee will be appointed as speedily as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman fix any approximate date for the appointments?

I think the committee has to be appointed before July. I hope it will be appointed at a considerably earlier date.

Will it not be necessary to accelerate the appointments?

That is largely a matter of the registration of insured persons who will have some voice in connection with the choice of the new committee.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether only 10s. on account has been paid by the Treasury to the sub-postmaster of Edinburgh and district for the sale of stamps under the National Insurance Act since it came into force; whether less than one halfpenny is the remuneration allowed for the sale of one pound's worth of these stamps; whether he is aware of the indignation amongst these sub-postmasters at the treatment they have received; and, if so, will he cause an inquiry to be made with the view of remedying their alleged grievances?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now able to announce what remuneration will be given to sub-postmasters in connection with the sale of national insurance stamps?

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether there is dissatisfaction at the scale of remuneration to sub-postmasters and mistresses for work under the National Insurance Act, such as the issuing of insurance cards and leaflets and the sale of stamps; and whether he will take steps to ensure more generous treatment?

I have discussed the whole subject this morning with a deputation from the Sub-Postmasters Federation, and their representations are now under my consideration.

asked whether certain assurance companies and societies approved under the National Insurance Act, are sweating their agents in their desire to show surplus funds at the time of valuation; that of the 3s. 8d. per member allowed for administrative purposes at least 1s. 2d. per member is being kept in reserve for the purpose of extended benefits to members; and whether the Insurance Commissioners can take any action calculated to secure better conditions for the men who are actively engaged in working the Act?

The Commissioners have no power to interfere in the rates of remuneration paid to agents for such work as they do for the National Insurance Act in addition to their normal work, as this is a matter to be settled between themselves and the societies employing them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman urge the Insurance Commissioners to use their influence to induce any insurance company or society to give their agents who are working the Act a fairer remuneration for their services?

I do not think the Act gives me any power to investigate what is paid by the trade unions, friendly societies, or industrial companies to their servants for insurance work. That is not contemplated by the Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman empowered to pay 3s. 8d. for administrative purposes and not to have any command over it?

Whatever sum is settled for administrative purposes must come under the Government audit.

Is it not a fact that approved societies hare transferred to other societies a definite sum to cover all administrative expenses, whether or not that sum is more than required?

I have no knowledge of that.

asked whether any correspondence has taken place between the Health Insurance Commissioners and the Scottish Clerks' Association, based upon an undertaking given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the National Insurance Act was under discussion in this House, that arrangements could be made by this association to allow their members to adopt their own special medical scheme; and whether he will give instructions that this undertaking shall be given effect to?

I understand that my right hon. Friend is receiving a deputation on this subject.

asked whether the manager of a Labour Exchange is acting within the Insurance Act, or the Regulations issued under the Act, in demanding the age of an insured workman who is a member of a society that has made an arrangement with the Board of Trade under Clause 105 of the Act; and whether, if the man refuses to give his age, the manager of the Labour Exchange can prevent the man obtaining the unemployment benefit provided by the Act?

A workman claiming unemployment benefit, whether directly or through an association, is required, in accordance with No. 10 (1) (a) of the statutory Regulations, to state certain particulars, including his age, upon his form of claim; and he is not entitled to benefit unless this form has been properly completed. I may, however, explain that information as to age is required for identification purposes and is treated as strictly confidential.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in the North of Scotland with the decision of the Insurance Commissioners not to exempt share fishermen; whether, before that decision was taken, inquiries were made, in accordance with Part II. (k) of the First Schedule of the National Insurance Act, as to the custom prevailing at each port; and, if so, whether, in the case of each port, steps were taken, and, if so, what steps, to ascertain the wishes of the fisherment as to exemption or inclusion?

I am informed by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners that they have made full inquiries into the position of share fishermen throughout Scotland, and that where applications have been received for the issue of special Orders under Part II. (k) of the First Schedule to the Act special investigations have been made of the circumstances of the employment in the particular ports referred to in the applications. The Commissioners are not aware that there is dissatisfaction among share fishermen in the North of Scotland, but if any cases are brought to their notice they are prepared to have them investigated.

Would the Treasury ask the Commissioners to reopen the question, and, if necessary, not to press for the arrears?

I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a married woman, who is herself an insured person and who has duly paid all contributions, is entitled to maternity benefit if her husband is not insured, but is deprived of maternity benefit if her husband is insured but has not paid twenty-six contributions; whether he is aware that, in the absence of any definition of an insured person, doubt has arisen as to whether a man who has not paid twenty-six contributions is an assured person for the purposes of Section 18 of the National Insurance Act; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure a decision on this point?

Under Section 18 of the National Insurance Act, the maternity benefit payable in respect of the confinement of an insured married woman whose husband is not insured, is paid from the funds of her own society, and is conditional upon the required number of her own contributions having been duly paid before the birth of the child; if the husband is insured, it is paid out of the funds of his society, and is conditional upon the required number of his contributions having being paid. In the latter case no maternity benefit would be payable if less than twenty-six contributions had been paid by or in respect of the husband. If his contributions had been paid, maternity benefit would be payable however much the wife's contributions might be in arrear. In the case put in the question, maternity benefit would not be payable, but the wife would be entitled to 7s. 6d. a week sickness benefit. I am advised that the provisions of Section 18 of the National Insurance Act on the point are not open to doubt, and that the meaning of the words "insured person" cannot be restricted in the manner suggested in the second part of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there is a serious anomaly here?

There is liberality shown to the wife of a person who is uninsured, I agree.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that a woman who is married to a man who is not insured is entitled to double benefit in every case, whereas the woman married to a man who is insured may be deprived of maternity benefit?

Of her husband's maternity benefit.

I beg to give notice that on the Motion for the Adjournment I shall call attention to the interpretation of the Insurance Act by the Commissioners whereby a married woman who has fully insured herself and who has paid twenty-six contributions, may be deprived of maternity benefit if her husband has not paid his twenty-six contributions.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether goods coming to British ports in course of transit to other countries, and which are not unloaded for sale or use in this country, are subject to such Customs taxation as may exist?

Customs Duties are not levied on goods coming to British ports in course of transit to other countries, provided such goods remain under the control of the Customs and Excise Department until exported.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what are the instructions given to Government valuers valuing land under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, in the case of land sold since the passing of the Act, at a loss to the seller on his previous transaction, but above the actual market value; and will such seller, in addition to the loss which he has made on the sale, be taxed on the increment which the valuation will show on the occasion?

No special instructions have been issued to the Government valuers valuing land under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, with reference to such cases as those to which the hon. Member refers. Assuming that, if the previous transaction was prior to the Act, the owner took advantage of the provisions of its Section 2 (3), no Increment Value Duty would be payable, unless the excess of the price which the seller receives above the market value is greater than the amount by which the value of the site has depreciated during his ownership.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the seller whom I have in my mind may lose £100, and may still be taxed on an income of something like £300?

I said that did not seem to be the case. It may be a special case, and if the hon. Gentleman will give me the figures I will make inquiry into it.

Is it not the case; not only in this as a special matter, but may it not easily arise in a great many cases?

Not, as I have said; only if the owner has not taken advantage of the provisions of Section 2, Sub-section (3).

asked whether the final notices of demand for taxes are issued on similar dates in Scotland and England; what are those dates; and if the same treatment is meted out to everyone who is in arrears at that date?

The regulations regarding the issuing of the notices referred to are similar in the two countries, but the date of issue does and must necessarily vary locally according to the size of the area for which a collector acts. There is no differential treatment with regard to persons in arrear.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman expedite the dispatch of these notices in England, where they are issued generally three or four weeks after those in Scotland?

I am making inquiry into the matter.

asked whether, and if so, when, a scale of telephone charges fair to the revenue and advantageous to the public will be introduced?

The question of the charges for telephone service is receiving my careful consideration and, as I have stated recently in reply to similar questions, I hope that the revised scale will be announced within the next few months.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when a tenant of premises has entered into an agreement with the Postmaster-General for the use of a telephone in connection with his premises for twelve months, involving a payment of the rent for twelve months in advance, and before the expiration of such twelve months leaves such premises and assigns or sub-lets the same to another tenant, it is possible for the original tenant to transfer his agreement with the Postmaster-General to the new tenant for the unexpired residue of the twelve months; if not, whether it is necessary for the new tenant, if he desires the use of a telephone in connection with the premises, to enter into a new agreement with the Postmaster-General and to pay rent for such telephone from the date of his taking possession of the premises; whether he is aware that the effect is that payment has to be made twice over for the use of the same telephone in connection with the same premises; whether such a practice is sanctioned by any legislative enactment; and whether the Government will take steps to alter what appears to be an unjustifiable practice?

The hon. Member has apparently been misinformed. When a telephone subscriber having paid twelve months' rental in advance leaves his premises before the expiration of that period, he is allowed to terminate his agreement at once and a proportionate rebate is made if the incoming tenant is willing to take over all liability in connection with the line.

asked the Prime Minister whether a Committee of the Cabinet has considered and is drafting a scheme for the reform of the House of Lords; and, if so, whether any statement will be made or any Resolution submitted on the principles of the scheme as adopted by the Cabinet during this Session?

The subject is being considered by a Committee of the Cabinet. As regards the last branch of the question, I can add nothing to what I said yesterday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance, to allay public anxiety, that in this scheme the vested legislative interests of the eldest sons of Peers will be protected?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked whether the Committee of the Cabinet has concluded its investigation into the question of industrial disputes; and whether any Bill will be introduced this Session to give effect to its recommendations?

The answer to the first branch of the question is in the negative. As regards the last branch I must refer the hon. Member to what I said on Monday.

asked how many naval and military aircraft are owned by Great Britain and Germany respectively?

My right. hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Full statements on this matter will be made on the introduction of the Army and Navy Estimates.

asked the Prime Minister whether two ecclesiastical communities in South Wales, which formed part of the Church of England, have joined the Roman Catholic Church and are claiming to take with them the conventual properties given by members of a Protestant Church for the Protestant Established Church; and whether he will institute an inquiry into alienation of recent endowments and donations which have passed, or are in danger of passing, contrary to the wishes of pious donors?

I have no further information as regards the matters referred to by my hon. Friend than what has appeared in the public Press. The question of the disposition of the property appears to be a legal matter, and I am not aware of any grounds for action by the Government. I do not know of any further ground for the inquiry suggested in the last part of the question.

asked if it is intended to reappoint the Marconi Committee; and, if so, when?

The order for the reappointment of this and other Select Committees will be placed upon the Paper to-night.

asked whether it is proposed to deal with the subject of half-time instruction in elementary schools as part of the intended Government scheme of national education or in the Bill about to be introduced by the Government for the further restriction of the industrial employment of children?

I am afraid I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the Government's proposals.

Is it true that the President of the Board of Education is to make a statement on this subject on Saturday?

I do not know.

In considering this subject will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that Robson's Act and other Education Acts deal with the subject, and that it would be more convenient if those Acts were repealed by the Education Bill?

All those things will be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, during an attempt to feed the suffragist prisoner, Miss Lenton, the tube used was introduced into the trachea, thereby causing some of the liquid food to pass into the lung; whether Miss Lenton was thereupon released from prison, it being the opinion of the medical officer in charge that her life was in danger; and whether the doctor who examined her on her release found that pleurisy was present together with lung mischief?

There is no foundation for the statement which has been made that the tube entered the trachea, or that any food passed into the lung, and I am obliged to the hon. Member for affording me an opportunity of giving the statement an emphatic contradiction. Miss Lenton's collapse occurred some hours after she was fed, and was due to the bad state of her health aggravated by her refusal of food. She resisted medical examination while in prison, but since her release, her own medical attendant has formed the opinion that she was suffering from pleurisy.

In the event of this or any other lady suffering permanent injury from treatment she receives in prison will the right hon. Gentleman or the doctor who administers the treament be responsible?

I must wait until a case arises in which any person has suffered any injury from her treatment in prison.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware of recent pathological experiments, made on patients incapable of taking food, which tend to establish the fact that dugong oil, if persistently rubbed into the pores of the skin daily, will keep the patient alive for several weeks; and whether he will use this method of treatment as an alternative for the forcible feeding of prisoners?

I am informed that cod-liver oil has been frequently applied by inunction to infants to combat malnutrition, but with very doubtful success. In any case the prolongation of life by this means would be very limited.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since I put this question on the Paper I have received letters from gentlemen attributing the saving of their lives to this process?

I can quite understand that to be the case, but it would only be possible to adopt this practice where the feeding was required as a temporary process. In the prison cases it would hardly be sufficient.

Has dugong anything to do with cod?

I have replied with regard to cod-liver oil. The process would be the same.

Does not dugong oil differ from cod-liver oil in this respect, that it is very much more pungent in smell?

asked the Secretary for Scotland w hat number of applications have been made for small holdings in the county of Roxburgh, and what number have been agreed to; and whether any land has yet been procured for this purpose?

Forty-two applications for new holdings and five for enlargements have been received up to date from the county of Roxburgh. The Board, by arrangement with the landlord, are making application to the Land Court for a farm in the county, which will provide at next term for ten new holdings and one enlargement.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether it is his intention to reintroduce this Session the Temperance (Scotland) Bill in order that it may, if necessary, be passed under the provisions of the Parliament Act?

Yes, Sir, that is my intention.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he has received resolutions from various school boards in Scotland with regard to the recent decision of the Court declaring payment for medical treatment of school children to be illegal; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Resolutions of the nature referred to have reached me, and the matter is at present receiving my consideration.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether the Scotch Board of Education intends to revive the suspended regulation with regard to the reduction in the size of classes; and, if so, will he, before he sanctions such a change, take into consideration the fact that if this regulation had been enforced it would have imposed a cost of between £3,000 and £4,000 for additional accommodation and between £300 and £350 per annum for additional teachers on the Kilsyth burgh school board, in whose district 1d. in the £ on the school rate only yields between £75 and £80; and, if he finds this typical of country districts generally, will he abandon the proposal?

The Regulation in question will be further suspended for the ensuing school year. The Kilsyth burgh school board appear to be under a serious misapprehension as to the effect of the minute. It appears from the figures available that, instead of being obliged to incur the additional expenditure referred to in the question, the board would receive an increased Grant subject to a slight rearrangement of one or two classes which apparently would not involve the appointment of a single extra teacher. It is undoubtedly the case that the operation of the minute would result in an increase of Grant in the case of the majority of boards, particularly in the rural districts.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, having regard to the representations received from all parts of Scotland in favour of a separate Bill dealing with the care and control of the feeble-minded in Scotland, and to the fact that the poor and lunacy laws of Scotland are essentially different from those of England, he proposes to introduce a separate Scottish Bill dealing with the subject of mental deficiency?

Yes, Sir, I propose to introduce a separate Bill for Scotland.

asked whether it is proposed to introduce and take all stages of the Bill to deal with the decision in Bowles v. Bank of England before 5th April?

No, Sir; the necessary legislation will be proposed in a forthcoming Revenue Bill.

Will it not be the case that after 5th April, according to the express decision of the Courts it will be illegal for banks and trustees and others to make these deductions, and will that not lead to a considerable degree of embarrassment?

The hon. and learned Gentleman can estimate that for himself. No legislation is possible before 5th April.

How is it proposed to deal with deductions of the tax from dividends in the interval before the passing of the Finance Bill of the year?

I really do not know. All I say is that legislation is impossible before 5th April.

Will banks be expected to deduct the Income Tax from the dividends in a manner which is declared to be illegal before the passing of the Finance Act?

The hon. and learned Gentleman must give notice of further questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the proposed increases in the military forces of countries in Europe, he will afford an opportunity for the discussion of the sufficiency of our naval, military, and aerial forces for the defence of the country and Empire?

The hon. Member will shortly have the opportunity he desires when the Navy and Army Estimates are presented to the House.

If the Government will not give time for discussing this on the debate, could the right hon. Gentleman say when an opportunity will be given for a general debate on the defences of our country which shall include our naval, military, and aerial forces, so that they can be debated altogether?

I have said the subject will be permissible on the Army and Navy Estimates. If necessary, and if it is desired by the responsible leaders of the Opposition, we can put down the Imperial Defence Vote and have a discussion on that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a discussion on all the forces?

Yes.

May we understand that the whole question of defences will be discussed on the Navy or the Army Estimates?

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that a number of telegrams purporting to be in support of the Progressive party at the recent London County Council election were handed in at different telegraph offices some days before the election day, with instructions that they were not to be dispatched until the eve of the poll; and if this was done with his authority or sanction; and (2) if the Post Office officials are authorised to receive telegrams which are not to be sent off at once, but which are to be kept back and only sent off at a later hour arranged by the sender; and, if so, whether there are any instructions or regulations published on the subject for the use of the officials and the public?

It is the fact that a large number of telegrams purporting to be in support of the Progressive party were delivered in London on the eve of the recent poll for the London County Council. It would not have been possible, without serious delay to all other London telegrams, to have prepared the messages, which numbered 86,000, for delivery on the day on which they were handed in. As notice of the intended despatch had been given beforehand, it was arranged, as a matter of convenience, that the addresses first and then the texts should be handed in in time to admit of the messages being prepared for delivery at the time required. The addresses and texts were all handed in at the chief telegraph office. A similar course was taken with respect to an equally large number of telegrams despatched for advertising purposes in the year 1903, with the approval of the then Postmaster-General; but such cases are so exceptional that no regulations have been made to deal with them, nor does it seem necessary to issue any. Precisely the same steps would, of course, have been taken had the telegrams been sent in support of the Municipal Reform party.

Was it with the sanction of the Postmaster-General that this political manœuvre was assisted by the Post Office?

The Postmaster-General had no choice in the matter. His duty is to deliver all telegrams which are handed in at the Post Office.

If I hand in a telegram, will the right hon. Gentleman assure me that it will be sent off two days later or at any date I may fix upon?

If the hon. Gentleman will hand in 86,000 telegrams. I should be exceedingly obliged if he would allow me to postpone their delivery until arrangements could be made.

Could we have the name of the sender of the telegrams?

It was made public. The telegrams were all signed. They were sent by the editors of certain London newspapers.

Were these telegrams handed in two days before the actual polling day, with the request that they should be sent out on the morning of the polling day?

That is precisely the question which was asked. It is a very convenient arrangement for the Post Office. We made a very large profit out of the transaction, with no inconvenience.

At every election may not both sides make analogous arrangements with the Post Office?

I am glad to say the public in times of pressure are ready to consider the convenience of the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state what progress has been made in his promised investigation into the question of establishing more efficient telegraphic communication with the North of Scotland, as outlined by him last Session?

Steps are being taken in several directions to deal with the question, but I would prefer to postpone making a statement until I am in a position to give more definite information than is yet possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Treasury to the fact that the unanimously adopted resolution of the Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom has not been carried out?

Certain communications are passing between the Post-Office and the Treasury, but to avoid misunderstanding I had better say they are not in connection with the expenditure of £130,000 on underground cables, but in respect of other proposals dealing with the matter.

Is this system as efficient as the underground system?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will allow me to make my statement a little later. I cannot give a full reply now because these communications are passing now with the Treasury.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a letter was received by his Department, dated 25th September, from the medical officer of the borough of Devizes, calling attention to three cases of pulmonary tuberculosis that had occurred in the staff of the Devizes Post Office in two years, the last being that of Postman Keefe, and calling attention to the necessity for limewashing and disinfecting the premises and for the provision of better ventilation; and what action his Department took at the time or since, or propose to take, for the protection of the staff and the public?

Such a letter was received by the postmaster of Devizes. There had been two previous cases, but not within the last two years. One officer was superannuated in October, 1906, the other in May, 1907. Mr. Keefe, who is a sorting clerk and telegraphist, has been absent from the office since 4th September last. The premises ought to have been disinfected or limewashed, and I much regret that this was not done. With regard to the possibility of improving the ventilation, further and special inquiry is being made by the Post Office surveyor personally.

Are the arrangements as good as private employers of labour are obliged to have?

Yes, I think as a rule our standard is at least as high or higher.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether artificial silk imported into this country is registered as such or as silk in official statistics; and, if not, whether he will provide for this product being clearly distinguished in the Returns from silk?

Imports of artificial silk are not registered as silk in the official statistics, but are included in "Goods, manufactured, not enumerated or described in the Import List." The total value of the imports of artificial silk in 1911 was only £11,500. The official statistics of the imports of silk manufactures do not include imports of goods which are declared as manufactures of artificial silk.

In the public Returns could the right hon. Gentleman give the artificial silk separately?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of a man who, having been charged at Guildford Assizes with entering a house, was discharged by Mr. Justice Ridley, who said that where a window was left open so as to allow a person to enter a house without trouble there could be no housebreaking; and whether, if this be the law, he proposes to take any steps to alter it, in order that the campaign against consumption may not in any way be impeded?

My attention has not been previously called to the case. I understand that the learned judge decided that the facts would not justify a conviction for the particular offence of housebreaking. I see no reason for any amendment of the law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the learned judge, in discharging the prisoner, said that people who leave windows open must take the consequences, and if that is the law, does it not require alteration?

I cannot say the judge's dictum constitutes the law of the land.

In order to allay public anxiety, especially on the part of those people who leave their windows open, can this case be taken to the Court of Criminal Appeal, or can the Law Officers of the Crown be asked for a definite opinion on this very interesting point?

No, the hon. Gentleman will see that the case turns upon the particular offence of housebreaking. A man who enters anyone else's house may be guilty of a crime, although not technically guilty of housebreaking. It only turns on the question of whether this was housebreaking or not.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the frequent instances of the misuse of nurses' uniform, he will give facilities for a Nurses' Registration Bill?

Registration of nurses would not prevent people from dressing as such unless this were made an offence. If a Nurses' Registration Bill is introduced it is a matter for consideration whether registration should carry with it the right to wear some distinctive badge. I cannot make any statement as to facilities being given for such a Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that where Nurses' Registration is in operation, a badge is supplied which is worn as part of the uniform? Can he say whether there could be any motive for wearing nurse's uniform except the motive of deception?

I should like to have notice of the last part of the question. With regard to the first part I agree that is a matter which should be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the Report of the last annual meeting of the Merchant Shipping Guild and the criticism therein contained on the loading of ships under the Merchant Shipping Act as affected by the load-line tables of 1906; whether he is aware that last year over 3,000 seamen lost their lives on British ships, this being equal to a death rate of 1 in 76 as compared with 1 in 106 and 1 in 112 for the two immediately preceding years, respectively; and, if so, what is he going to do in the matter?

The question of the assignment of load-lines to ships has been under my consideration for some time, and as I have already announced, I propose to appoint a Committee to advise as to the instructions to be given to the British delegates at the forthcoming International Conference on Load-Line, and for that purpose to inquire whether any changes are desirable in the freeboard tables as revised in 1906. The number of deaths of seamen from all causes, including disease, was as stated by my hon. Friend.

asked whether a vessel has been chartered to cruise in the North Atlantic to look out for floating ice and warn shipping of dangerous floes and icebergs; whether this vessel is fitted with wireless telegraphy; and what part of the direction and expenses of this vessel is being borne by the Board of Trade and the shipping firms, respectively?

The "Scotia," a whaler formerly employed on the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, has been chartered to cruise in the North Atlantic off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador to watch the break up of the ice, and to report its movement, so as to give warning as to the probable quantity of ice which will be in the vicinity of the track of the Atlantic steamships at a given time, and to give any information which will assist the lines to form a judgment as to the advisability of giving instructions for the greater safety of their vessels. The "Scotia" is fitted with long range wireless telegraphy, so that she will be able to keep in touch with the wireless stations in Newfoundland and Labrador. The "Scotia" has been sent out as a result of a recommendation made by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee in their Report on Life Saving at sea. The cost of the expedition is being shared equally by the Board of Trade and the principal North Atlantic Steamship Lines. The vessel carries a staff of three scientific observers, namely, a hydrographer, meteorologist, and biologist, who will be able, as the vessel would be from time to time stationary, to make observations as to currents, etc., which will be of general scientific interest, as well as of direct value to the work in hand. The master's sailing directions have been given to him by the Board of Trade, which also controls the scientific staff. The actual equipment of the vessel has been undertaken by the steamship lines. The wireless apparatus is provided free of charge by the Marconi Company, and Dr. Assmann, Director of the Royal Prussian Aeronautical Observatory at Lindenburg, has made a valuable contribution to the scientific equipment of the "Scotia" by providing a number of kites for meteorological work, with instruments to be attached to these kites for recording air pressure, temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity. The "Scotia" sailed from Dundee on 8th March, and will be absent three or four months.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that pressure is being used in certain ships to get shipwrights to accept the new scheme; and will he say if this is done with his authority?

I am not aware of the exercise of any pressure. We wish the choice of the men to be quite unlettered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to say whether the Admiralty have considered the question of the time limit?

I promised the Noble Lord in the last Session of Parliament that the question would be considered. I am doing that at the present time.

asked if the armoured ships "Valiant," "Barham," and "Malayan" have yet been laid down; if so, on what dates; when it is anticipated that they will, respectively, be launched; and what are the contract dates for completion?

"Valiant" was laid down on the 31st January, 1913; it is expected she will be launched about December next and completed by the end of January, 1915. "Barham" was laid down on 24th February, 1913; it is expected she will be launched about February, 1914, and completed by the end of January, 1915. As regards "Malayan," which has not yet been laid down, it is not yet possible to name estimated dates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many hydro-aeroplanes have been ordered for the service of the aerial branch of the Royal Navy; and whether they are to be paid for out of the Estimates of the present financial year or whether they have been ordered in anticipation of the forthcoming Estimates?

I propose to defer any statement on this subject until I present the Estimates.