asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether, having regard to the fact that all acting sub-lieutenants are required to pass the same examination in engineering, gunnery, and torpedo, he has considered that those serving in some of the older types of ships have not the same advantages in practical work as those serving in the most recent types; and whether he will see that by appointing acting sub-lieutenants to the newer types of ships during the last six months before their examination equal advantages are secured to all?

It is recognised that there may be inequalities of opportunity among acting sub-lieutenants owing to the difference in types of ships, but the examinations in the subjects mentioned are so framed as to minimise this disadvantage. It is, however, considered that greater disadvantage would arise from transferring an acting sub-lieutenant to a new ship and new instructing officers during the last six months of his service, experience having shown that the best results can only be obtained by moving junior officers as little as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty at what date the increased pay which he has promised for the various ratings in the Navy takes effect; and whether any payments became due on 1st December last, and, if so, for what ratings were they so payable?

The increased rates take effect from 1st December last; the ratings to which they are applicable are shown in the Order in Council of 16th December, 1912.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to a letter recently published, which was writen by Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott, Baronet, on the 13th January, 1908, whilst at the time commanding the First Cruiser Squadron under the higher command of Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, in which letter Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott asked the editor of a periodical to send him 200 copies of the paper and some posters; whether he is aware that the issue of the paper alluded to contained an article attacking the admiral then commanding the Home Fleet, and that copies of this journal and posters were sent to every officer and every ship in the fleet; whether, in view of the fact that a breach of discipline occurred on this occasion, in direct contravention of Article 9, King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, he will call on Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott, Baronet, for an explanation; and whether the retirement of this officer will be delayed until this matter has been investigated?

I have seen some of the articles in the periodical called "John Bull," to which I understand the hon. Member refers. As I stated on the 16th of January last, it would not be in the interests of the naval service to revive the controversies of five years ago, and I have no intention of doing so. I do not propose to institute any inquiry nor to take any action to ascertain the accuracy or merits of the statements in the articles.

Is it not a fact that if this matter had been published at the time, this officer would have been court-martialled for an act of treachery and insubordination? I am prepared to stand by the authenticity of this accusation outside this House as well as inside.

The hon. Gentleman has shown himself willing to use very harsh language against persons who cannot defend themselves, but that fact does not in any way induce me to answer hypothetical questions.

If I am prepared to make the statement outside as well as inside the House, does not that fact defend me against the charge of attacking an officer in his absence?

We can all form our own opinions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he is aware that the number of completed British destroyers not more than 12 years launched is 116, as compared with a corresponding German total of 106, representing a British superiority of 9.4 per cent.; whether the Board of Admiralty adheres to the principle laid down on 18th March last that our superiority over Germany in this class of vessel should be more than 60 per cent.; and, if so, what special measures are proposed to be taken in order to raise our superiority to that ratio which the Admiralty regard as necessary?

The figures are approximately correct; but I do not wish to anticipate the full statement I propose to make when I introduce the Navy Estimates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with this point when introducing the Estimates?

If there is a desire to examine the relative destroyer strength of the two countries, I should be prepared to do so, but I am not very anxious to enter into great detail in the matter. I shall be prepared to give the main features of the relative strength of the destroyer fleets.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the House was informed on 24th July last that the destroyers of the 1912 programme had been laid down at the very beginning of the year; and, seeing that none of these vessels were laid down until June and some not until last December, whether he will state the explanation of the discrepancy?

All the destroyers of the 1912–13 programme were ordered early in the current financial year, sixteen of them in March and the remaining four in May. The date of ordering, which determines the date of completion, is prescribed by the Admiralty. Within these limits the date on which the keel plate may be laid down is left entirely to the discretion of the building firm. I find, on reference to the OFFICIAL REPORT, that in my speech I appear to have loosely used the phrase "laid down" instead of "ordered."

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the reduction of the destroyer programme from twenty to sixteen is fulfilling the statement made in July last?

Obviously it would be better to leave a question of that kind until the Estimates are before the House.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in 1912 we had thirty-one pre-"Dreadnought" battleships not more than fifteen years launched to Germany's nineteen, and that in 1916 the figures will be seventeen and fourteen, respectively; and, if so, to what extent it is proposed to increase our "Dreadnought" superiority above 60 per cent., in order to compensate for the decline in the relative value of our margin in ships of the earlier type?

The figures for 1912 are correct. Those for 1916 depend on the day on which the comparison is made; they are correct for 19th March. I shall hope to enter generally into this subject next week.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when the decline in the fighting value of the pre-"Dreadnoughts" will be recognised in the estimates of the relative strength of the fleets?

That is just one of those questions I am hoping to deal with in any statement the House may permit me to make next week.

asked the difference in the rates of wages of the trades employed in the Royal dockyards and private dockyards, individualising the different trades?

asked whether the rates of pay in the Royal dockyards were based on the payment given to men working at similar trades outside; and if he can state the date when a scale of comparison was drawn up?

The rates for the hired men in the principal trades in His Majesty's dockyards are as follow: Boilermakers, coppersmiths, fitters, founders, and pattern makers have a standard rate of 36s. a week, and a maximum rate of 40s. a week, with "special" rates the maximum of which is 42s. a week in the case of coppersmiths, 45s. in the cases of the boilermakers, founders, and pattern makers, and 48s. a week in the case of the fitters. The standard rate for the shipwrights is 36s., for the joiners and plumbers 34s. 6d., for the bricklayers 34s., for the smiths 36s., with "special" rates the maximum of which is 45s. For painters the average is 32s., with a maximum of 34s., and a "special" rate maximum of 35s. 6d. To these wages should be added the value of certain privileges which dockyard employés enjoy, as compared with the generality of outside employment. Outside rates vary in different parts of the country. The Noble Lord will find them pretty fully set out in Command Paper 6054.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there is unrest among men employed in the Royal dockyards; if so, will he state to the House the cause of the unrest; and cause a Committee of Inquiry to be formed to look into the question?

In addition to the requests put forward at the annual hearing of petitions, a number of representations have been made by dockyard employés in favour of an increase in wages. These representations call attention to the increased cost of living and rental charges, and point to outside wages, which, as a result of the great prosperity of the shipbuilding industry particularly, are now at high-water level up to date. The Noble Lord is aware that the fullest facility is given year by year for the men to state their case by petition, enforced by personal representation, to representatives of the Board who visit the yards for the purpose of hearing the men's petitions. Since last year this duty has devolved upon me, and I have already heard the petitions at Devonport, Portsmouth, Chatham, Deptford, the West India Docks, and Dover. I have still to hear the petitions at Portland, Pembroke Dock, and Haulbowline. These I hope to complete shortly. The Board will thereafter consider the requests put forward by the men and announce its decisions. Whilst I cannot anticipate those decisions, I can assure the Noble Lord that every effort will be made to secure their early publication.

Is there any danger of a strike in any of the great dockyards?

I sincerely hope not. We have an annual review of the wages paid. The greatest care and patience are taken in the hearing of the petitions, and we give annual decisions. Those for this year will be promulgated as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the men have got it into their heads that a very large number of these petitions always receive the same answer, "not permissible," and that no explanation is given as to why this is so?

It does occur that the phrase "not acceded to" is repeated a good many times. That arises from the men in every yard putting forward the same petition in various classes year after year, and in certain cases they are not within our jurisdiction. As an illustration, I may mention that the men have asked to be superannuated on the higher pay. That is a matter of Statute interpretated by the Treasury, and is not within our jurisdiction. Therefore, we have no alternative but to use the phrase, "not acceded to," and that is multiplied again and again in a number of cases; but we desire to treat those men sympathetically, and we listen with great care to their petitions.

What did the right hon. Gentleman mean by saying that the wages in the shipyards are at high-water mark owing to the prosperity in the shipping trade? Is he not aware of the fact that these rates of wages are the result of contract between the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation and the workmen's federation, and there is no question about high-water mark? It is normal rate of wages, and is considerably higher than in the dockyards.

The hon. Member must be aware that in the shipbuilding industry wages have gone up successively in recent years. In using the phrase "high-water mark," I do not wish to use it offensively, but it is a fact.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean the House to infer that the phrase "not acceded to" is only used in reference to matters that are dependent upon Statute?

Not at all. I gave that as an illustration of the use of the phrase. As a result of last year's petitions we increased wages by £42,000, and since 1906 we have increased our rates charge by £141,000.

asked the rates of pay sanctioned by the Lords of the Admiralty to men working in Royal dockyards, respectively, as fitters, riveters, boiler-makers, pattern-makers, founders, smiths, coppersmiths, shipwrights, and joiners, and the corresponding rates of pay paid for similar class of work in private yards?

I have given the weekly rates of wages paid in His Majesty's dockyards to fitters, boiler-makers, pattern-makers, founders, smiths, coppersmiths, shipwrights, and joiners in a reply to-day to a question by the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth, whom I have referred to Command Paper No. 6054 in regard to the wages paid in private yards. There are no men rated as riveters in the dockyards. Mechanics who have been trained as riveters in the outside trade are entered in the boiler department as boiler-makers. The men engaged on ship riveting work are rated as skilled labourers, and are paid according to their ability and service within the scale for that class, which for hired men is as follows: Minimum, 23s.; maximum, 28s.; with "special" rates, the maximum of which is 31s.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question as to corresponding rates of pay for similar work in private yards?

In private yards riveters are treated as tradesmen, but our classification gives more continuous employment than is possible in private yards.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all those men in private yards have for the last three years been employed from 1st January to 31st December?

Yes, but in 1908 22 per cent. of shipwrights were unemployed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that working overtime in the Royal dockyards has for some time past been carried on at an unusual rate; that dissatisfaction has arisen in the Royal dockyards on this account; and whether he can see his way to effect some modification in this respect which shall include cessation from work on Sundays except under very special circumstances?

It is the fact that recently an abnormal amount of overtime has been asked for in the yards, but I am not aware that this circumstance has led to any general dissatisfaction. A detailed statement of the amount of overtime worked in each yard is submitted to the Board week by week, and the matter is carefully watched. Our general rule is that overtime shall be treated as an exceptional expedient.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer my question with regard to work on Sundays?

That would only occur in cases of extra pressure, and the men would receive special pay for that day.

asked whether it is proposed to enter a certain number of engineer officers in His Majesty's Navy direct from the mercantile marine service or private shipbuilding yards?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the difficulty that exists in obtaining shipwrights for the Royal dockyards; and whether he will reconsider the decision given on behalf of the Admiralty against the suggestion to have two examinations annually for the admission of the apprentices?

The Admiralty are fully aware of the present great activity in the shipbuilding industry, and of the consequent difficulty in obtaining shipwrights already in employment in other districts for service in His Majesty's dockyards. It is not, however, at present considered that there would be any advantage in reintroducing the practice of having two examinations a year for the entry of apprentices.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make a statement to the House as to the revision of the scale of pensions for widows and allowances for children of men who have lost their lives in their country's service in connection with the working of aeroplanes, hydroplanes, and submarines?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend on the 14th October last, the scale of pensions and allowances in these cases is the same as that granted in the case of men killed during warlike operations. In view of the far-reaching effect of any change, it is not considered possible at present to revise the scale.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Admiralty gone back on what he told the House the other day?

No. If the hon. Member will refer to the answer given, he will see that the statement of the First Lord was that the question was under consideration. It has been considered, and in view of the far-reaching changes in- volved it is not considered possible now to revise the scale.

asked if any offer of naval assistance has been received from the Union Government of South Africa; and, if so, the nature of such offer?

I learned from a Press report that a resolution has been passed in the Union House of Assembly instructing the Union Government to consult with the Imperial Government as to the making of better provision for South African naval defence. The Union Government will no doubt take steps in accordance with this resolution.

In introducing the Naval Estimates, will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what naval provision is necessary for the protection of the South African Dominions?

I am not sure whether that will be a subject which I can specially select to dwell upon. I think in view of the Resolution which has been passed that we had much better wait to see whether any further steps are taken by South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information regarding an attack upon a British survey party at Teheran; and whether any further disturbances have taken place in the Bunder Abbas district?

Mr. Nunn and his surveying party were in some danger from parties of raiders, but arrived safely at Bunder Abbas on or before the 14th instant. His Majesty's Minister at Teheran reported in a telegram dated the 17th instant that the raiders—previously estimated at 300 strong—attacked Bunder Abbas on the 16th instant and further hostilities were anticipated. British subjects have been invited to take shelter at the Vice-Consulate. The guard at the Vice-Consulate has been reinforced and Maxim guns landed. Two of His Majesty's ships are on the spot and, according to the last report, the situation has improved.

May I ask how long is this state of anarchy to be allowed?

That is a question I could not go into. I do not admit the fact.

Will the hon. Gentleman take an early opportunity to make a statement on the subject?

I had a recent opportunity of dealing with the question about a month ago.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether proceedings have been instituted in the High Court of British East Africa, on behalf of the Masai tribe, with regard to their recent removal from their Laikipia Reserve; and, if so, what is the exact nature of the proceedings; and whether the plaintiffs represent the tribe and have authority to plead on its behalf?

Yes, Sir. The action is rather a complicated one, but, in general terms, the plaintiffs claim that an agreement dated the 26th April, 1911, and made between the then Governor of the East Africa Protectorate and certain chiefs and elders purporting to act on behalf of the Masai tribe, whereby the latter agreed that a part of the tribe should vacate an area called the Northern Masai Reserve and remove to an area south of the Uganda Railway is not binding on the tribe generally and that the tribe are still entitled to the Northern Masai Reserve under the terms of an agreement entered into on the 9th August, 1904, between the Governor and certain then chiefs of the Masai tribe. The plaintiffs claim to act on behalf of the Masai tribe generally, but I am unable to say to what extent they actually represent the tribe, and the whole matter being now sub judice I shall be unable to answer any further questions in relation to it.

asked whether the Secretary for the Colonies has any recent information as to outbreaks of serious disease amongst men and cattle in the New Southern Reserve recently allocated to the Masai; whether there is any evidence that deaths from anthrax have taken place; and, if so, what steps are being taken to deal with the matter?

No, Sir; but I will make inquiry.

asked what action it is proposed to take in respect of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into matters affecting the currency of the British West African Colonies and Protectorates?

The recommendations of the Committee were accepted, and a Currency Board has been constituted and has held several meetings. The design of the new coins has been approved and specimens have been for some time open to the inspection of hon. Members in the Tea Room of this House and I had hoped to have received the hon. Members' congratulations on my design. The Royal Mint is now making the necessary arrangements for the minting of the coin. It has been decided to postpone the note issue, recommended by the Committee, until the new coinage has had time to prove itself successful.

Is the actual coinage not yet begun, and are there not grave and economic objections to the proposal of the Departmental Committee, which do not appear to have been fully considered; and will the right hon. Gentleman abstain from imposing on this Colony the Cæsars of the Colonial Office until there has been time for further consideration.

I gather that there has been some objections, but I do not regard them as either grave or economic, and there is no intention in my mind to give further time for consideration.

asked if the refusal of the Liberian Government to grant certain concessions to Messrs. Lever Brothers was due to the fact that the firm's proposals would have had the effect of excluding any other economic enterprise on the part of natives or foreigners, and would thus have amounted to a monopoly inadmissible under the terms of the commercial agreement between Germany and Liberia; and whether, by the action of the Colonial Office, such a monopoly has now been granted on British territory?

I am not aware of the reasons for which the Liberian Senate rejected Messrs. Lever's application for a concession. The answer to the second part of the question is, I am informed, in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers serving in the Army in South Africa do not receive the same increase of pay as those serving in India, and inasmuch as the cost of living while serving in South Africa is higher than that in India, he can see his way to bring the rate of pay in South Africa on an equality with that enjoyed by officers when serving in India?

The pay for the Home and Colonial establishment of the Army is the same at all stations. Special allowances are made in view of the extra cost of living in South Africa.

Is not the climate of South Africa somewhat better than that of India?

It is a question of the cost of living.

asked where the cables for the electrical installations at Bordon Camp, the Curragh Camp, and at Cairo, were manufactured?

The external (street-mains) and interior (house wiring) cables were manufactured as follows:—Bordon Camp (external), none used; the Aluminium bare conductors were made in England (interior), Pressburg and Eschweiler. Curragh Camp (external), Lausanne (interior), London; Cairo (external and interior), London.

asked whether any of the cable used at Bordon Camp has been tested after twelve months' use, and, if so, with what result; and what is the number and extent of faults which have developed since the installation was erected?

The house wiring at Bordon is not yet twelve months old. The usual tests on completion of actual work were quite satisfactory. No faults have developed in the house wiring since it was done. There were, however, certain failures in the bare overhead outdoor conductors, due to wind contact, which have since been remedied.

asked whether the Secretary for War can state the present shortage of officers and men, respectively, in the Army, Special Reserve, and Territorials?

As regards officers, the latest figures available show deficiencies of 137 in the Regular Army, being of a temporary nature; of 1,224 in the Special Reserve, and of 1,951 in the Territorial Force. As regards other ranks, the figures are as follows:—

asked what are the respective numbers of 11.2 guns per 1,000 bayonets available for the Expeditionary Force, the Special Reserve, and the Territorials; and whether any and, if so, what reduction of horse batteries have been made in the past year, or has been arranged for?

The reference to 11.2 guns is not understood. The proportion of guns to 1,000 rifles, sabres and lances in the field units of fighting formation is as follows:

Is it not the fact that other countries have 11.2 guns; and is it not the fact that one of the officers purchasing vehicles and horses has resigned as a protest against—

That does not arise out of the question.

asked how, for many years from date of manufacture, small-arm ammunition in store remains efficient for service?

The number of years during which small-arm ammunition remains serviceable in store depends upon the climate and also on the purity and heat treatment of the metal employed for the cartridge case. No definite period can be assigned. Owing to the expenditure at practice and the arrangements made to ensure turnover, the amount which becomes unserviceable is small.

What number of years can small ammunition be kept stored in this country?

As I said, that depends upon how careful one is not only in making the powder, but in making the cartridge cases. It varies from time to time.

asked how small-arm ammunition in reserve, which through age has become not efficient for service, is disposed of?

Small-arm ammunition which is found to be unserviceable is broken up, the metal being sold.

asked whether a firm tinder the title of the Central Furnishing Company, of Belfast, has contracts for furnishing for the Holywood barracks, and that the firm in question are not carrying out the terms of the Fair-Wages Clause, inasmuch as they are not observing the conditions of employment (rates of wages and hours of labour) established in the furnishing industry of Belfast; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Central Furnishing Company agreed to observe these conditions and then repudiated the agreement, instructions will be given to suspend the contracts the firm have in hand?

There is no information at the War Office in regard to this matter, nor is the firm known to the War Office, but if the hon. Gentleman can supply me with further particulars inquiry shall be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any expression of opinion has been received from the Government of India on the question whether the Secretary of State's proposal to authorise a separate gold coin of 10 rupees would satisfy the desire for the coinage of gold in India, as an essential feature of the currency policy inaugurated in 1893, and definitely established on the recommendation of the Currency Committee of 1898; and will he circulate any further correspondence on the subject with the Government of India subsequent to the Secretary of State's despatch No. 139, dated 18th October, 1912?

The Government of India have informed the Secretary of State that, as at present advised, they would prefer the issue of a 10 rupee gold piece to the coinage of sovereigns under the conditions stipulated by the Treasury, but inquiries are contemplated to ascertain the views of local authorities and bodies.

Can we be made acquainted with the terms of the communication from the Government of India in order that we may know fully their views on the subject?

Inquiries are to be made.

asked whether the proposal of the Government of India, made in 1899, to open a mint in Bombay for the coinage of sovereigns, agreed to after long delays over administrative details, subsequently abandoned for the time being in 1902 owing to objections of the Treasury and renewed in 1912, is now to be held in further abeyance pending the appointment and report of a Royal Commission or other expert body to inquire into the organisation of the India Office, the use of the balances, the maintenance of the standard of currency, and the employment of surplus revenues?

As will be seen from page 56 of the recent White Paper on Gold Coinage, the statements in the first part of the question are not quite correct. As I mentioned, in reply to the previous question, the consideration of the possible coinage of the sovereign in India is postponed for the present. The Secretary of State cannot state, without further consultation with the Government of India, when a final decision will be reached regarding the coinage of some kind of gold coin in India.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the part of the question which he says is incorrect was taken verbatim et literatim from the communication of the Government of India?

Yes; but the hon. Gentleman omitted a very important statement in the White Paper giving the reason which determined the Government of India.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what was the total amount at the 31st December, 1912, paid in commutation of pensions under the Commutation Acts of 1871 and 1882, distinguishing the sums paid for pensions wholly commuted from those partially commuted; and what were the sums paid for partial commutations upon which the estimated profit of £200,000 has been made?

The total amount at the 31st December, 1912, paid in commutation of pensions under the Commutation Acts of 1871 and 1882 was £6,291,898, namely:—

asked what is the total number of salaried appointments that have been given under the National Insurance Act; what is the total number of insurance companies' agents who have applied for these appointments; and how many insurance companies' agents have been successful in obtaining them?

With regard to the appointments made under Part I. of the National Insurance Act, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Cd. 6095, 6231, 6540, and 6582. The further informaton asked for could not be given without a special examination of some hundreds of thousands of applications.

asked whether the Insurance Committee in Scotland have been informed that the clerical work required to be performed by the doctors will be simplified; whether the conditions will be the same as in England; and when the doctors will receive notification of the changes?

I understand from the Scottish Commissioners that they have informed the insurance committees in Scotland that a modification in the system of keeping records is under consideration, and that a card system may be substituted for the day books if the doctors prefer it. Copies of a specimen page of a modified form of day book and of a specimen card are being distributed to the local medical committees so that their members may indicate their preference. It will be necessary to obtain information as to the wishes of doctors themselves before it can be stated whether the system ultimately adopted will be exactly the same in Scotland as in England. Doctors will be informed of the details of the new system at the earliest possible date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that the arrangements will be not less generous in Scotland than in England?

Certainly not less generous; acting on past precedents, probably more generous.

asked whether the Form 43 (b)/I.C., relating to the procedure to be adopted by members of the nursing staff at hospitals, whereby they are allowed to make their own arrangements for medical benefit, has been forwarded by the Insurance Commissioners or by the Insurance Committee for the county of London directly to any London hospital; and, if so, which?

I am informed by the London Insurance Committee that Forms 43 (b)/I.C. have been sent out by the committee directly in the cases of five hospitals and six similar institutions. As soon as application is received by the authorities of any hospital a copy of the form in question is forwarded immediately. The Committee understand that the Nurses' Insurance Society, with whom they have been in communication, have however, forwarded to the authorities of all hospitals and similar institutions copies of Form 43 (b)/I.C. supplied to them by the London Insurance Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one hospital has applied to the London Insurance Committee for these forms, but has not yet received them?

I will have inquiries made. I understood that any hospital which had applied had received them.

asked under what conditions, if any, a member of the resident or visiting staff of a London hospital can have his name placed on the panel for a limited number of insured persons, namely, for nurses and other hospital employés; and whether any hospital doctor must obtain the consent of the other medical practitioners on the panel in order that the number of insured persons whom he may be required to attend may be limited to members of the hospital staff only?

The Insurance Commissioners have suggested to insurance committees that they should allow doctors to come on the panel for a limited number of insured persons under the following conditions: (1) That provision has already been made for all insured persons; (2) that the other doctors on the panel agree to the proposed arrangement; and (3) that the arrangement will not, at all events without the consent of the other doctors on the panel, result in the doctor who is admitted to the panel on these terms having on his list an undue proportion of selected lives; and I understand that arrangements of the kind suggested are being made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the London Insurance Committee have issued instructions differing essentially from those which he has just described?

I believe that the London Insurance Committee are adopting the suggestion of the Commissioners, and are prepared to admit doctors to the panel for a limited number of patients under those three conditions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Insurance Committee will admit doctors to the panel for a limited number of patients without reference to the consent of the other doctors on the panel?

If they are admitting doctors for a limited number of patients, they have received the consent of the other doctors on the panel.

asked whether the fishermen in certain localities in Cornwall are exempted from the provisions of the National Insurance Act; and, if so, where and under what conditions?

Yes, Sir. The Insurance Commissioners have issued a Special Order under paragraph (k) of Part II. of the First Schedule to the National Insurance Act, excepting from the scope of the compulsory provisions of Part I. of the Act the employment of share fishermen sailing from port within the limits of the ports of Penzance and St. Ives as defined by Order in Council where such fishermen are entitled to the benefit of a certain local custom described in the Special Order. The Special Order is No. 922 in the series of Statutory Rules and Orders, 1912.

Will Scotsmen working under the same conditions receive the same treatment?

I do not know of any reason why they should not if they wish for it.

asked whether share fishermen, where there is no contract of service and where they work on the principle of joint adventurers, sharing the losses as well as the gains, come within the meaning of the Amendments passed by the House of Commons on the 21st November, 1911; and, if so, why are the share fishermen on the Fife coast not exempt?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he has received a petition from the share fishermen residing at Musselburgh, Midlothian, praying that they may be exempted from compulsory insurance under the provisions of Part II. (k) of the First Schedule, National Insurance Act; and whether, in view of the fact that they are under no binding contract of service and only receive a share of profits, if any, he will advise the Scottish Insurance Commissioners to grant the desired exemption?

I propose to take questions 61 and 63 together. I am informed by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners that an application for a Special Order under paragraph (k) of Part II. of the First Schedule to the Act has been received from the share fishermen at Fisherrow, and is at present under investigation. If it is shown that the fishermen at Fife or at Fisherrow are not employed under a contract of service, they are outside the compulsory provisions of the Act, and a Special Order will be unnecessary. The question whether they are so employed depends upon the circumstances of the employment in each case. The Commissioners propose to submit the position of share fishermen and net share fishermen to the Court of Session for a decision in the matter under Section 66 of the Act.

Would it not be possible to give these fishermen the benefit of the Amendment passed on the 21st November, 1911, instead of submitting them to prosecution?

The first thing is to find out whether they come under the Act at all. You cannot issue a Special Order dealing with them if they are not under the Act.

But the right hon. Gentleman is prosecuting these men.

No.

I will give the names.

I should be glad to receive the information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these share fishermen claim with regard to the Workmen's Compensation Act that they are under a contract of service, and with regard to the National Insurance Act that they are not, that they are joint adventurers?

The fishermen about whom I asked, do not come under the Workmen's Compensation Act.

It is purely a matter of legal decision, and the sooner we can obtain that legal decision the better. I agree that no prosecutions ought to be instituted until that decision is obtained.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men are sometimes engaged on ordinary work on shore? That ought to be taken into consideration when the subject is being dealt with.

asked whether an insured person is bound to continue from year to year a patient of the panel doctor whom he originally selected, or whether he can change his doctor; and at what intervals he can make the change?

An insured person can change his doctor at the beginning of each year. If any question arises between him and his doctor the insurance committee may at any time, if they think it desirable after inquiry, arrange for him to be transferred to another practitioner on the panel. The insured person can also change at any time during the year if he and the doctor responsible for his treatment arrange by consent for a transfer to another doctor who is willing to accept him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Arnold Warr Smith, employed in the building trade and insured under Part II, of the National Insurance Act, who gave notice on the 24th January last at the Camberwell Labour Exchange applying for unemployment benefit, has not yet been paid; and whether his attention has been called to the fact that this man applied each day for a month while unemployed and then obtained a few days' employment and again became unemployed, and that he has failed to obtain any part of the money due to him?

The facts stated as to this man's claims are not quite correct, but it is the case that a regrettable delay has taken place in authorising the payment due to him. I can only explain the delay by the great pressure of work arising from the very large number of claims to benefit at the outset in the London district, which apparently caused the claim to be mislaid. Payment has now been authorised and will be made to-morrow.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that this unfortunate man has had to walk very many miles to obtain that payment, and has been put to more than necessary hardship, and will the Government consider whether some compensation should not be given to him?

I will put the matter before the Department.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps the Board of Agriculture proposes to take to ensure that land acquired for the purposes of allotments by county and urban authorities shall be used for that purpose and no other; and, if the Board of Agriculture has no power to compel local authorities to let land to properly registered co-operative land societies, whether it is intended to introduce legislation with a view to amending the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts so as to make it impossible for a district council or other local authority to act in such a manner as the Cheshunt Urban District Council has lately done?

Land acquired by local authorities for the purposes of allotment cannot be used for any other purpose except, with the consent of the Board of Agriculture, on its being established that land so acquired is not needed for that purpose or that some more suitable land is available. The Board have no power to compel local authorities to let land to co-operative societies, and no circumstances have as yet been brought to my notice which appear to render it necessary to introduce legislation to amend the law in order to give special facilities to such bodies.

Have the Board of Agriculture power to declare a council in default and to refuse to let land to a society which requires land?

No, I do not think we would have the power to declare a county council in default if they refuse to let to a society so long as it lets to somebody.

Would not the fact that the society was an applicant, be the case that of the county council or district council, show that it had not acquired land?

I would prefer to have a specific case brought to my notice before expressing any opinion.

asked whether the Cheshunt Urban District Council during 1912 acquired a piece of land for the purposes of allotments; whether a number of men of the labouring class have applied for this land through the Cheshunt Land Club Co-operative Society, Limited, of which they are members, which society is duly registered and recognised by the Board of Agriculture; and if the urban district council refuses to let the land to the men through the society, although there are no other applicants, and in spite of the fact that recommendations that the land should be so let have been sent to the council by the Board of Agriculture, the Agricultural Organisation Society, His Majesty's allotments and small holdings commissioner for the district, and the Herts County Council.

Except that I am informed that two applications have been received from individuals for small portions of the land acquired for allotments by the Cheshunt Urban District Council, the facts appear to have been, so far, as stated by my hon. Friend; but I understand that the question whether or no the Cheshunt Land Club Co-operative Society will be able to obtain the use of the land referred to is not yet finally disposed of.

asked whether the London and North Western Railway Company have at present a number of agents engaged in purchasing cattle in Ireland with a view of diverting the traffic to suit the company; and whether special facilities are given to such cattle at their lairages, much to the detriment of the ordinary cattle dealers?

I have no means of knowing by whom or on whose behalf cattle are purchased in Ireland. No case of preferential treatment such as is suggested in the latter part of the question has been brought to my notice, but if the hon. Member will communicate to me the information upon which the question is based I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the cost, inconvenience, and trouble arising out of the twelve hours' detention of cattle at the wharves is increased by the officials and men in charge of the lairages and offices not allowing cattle out after their twelve hours' detention, and in many cases thereby missing their markets; whether his attention has been called to a case which occurred at the Merklands Wharf, Glasgow, on Saturday, the 15th February, when a consignment of cattle belonging to a Mr. J. O'Donel arrived there and were detained till 12 o'clock midnight on Sunday, and as a result a special train which had been chartered to convey the cattle to Forfar, and was in waiting, had to be cancelled and the cattle arrived too late for market; and whether he will make inquiries into this case and see that fair treatment is given to the dealing men regardless of the interest of railway companies and their servants?

I have inquired into the case to which the hon. Member refers. The cattle were landed about mid-day on Saturday, 15th February, and could have been removed at midnight, but I am informed that no application for a permit to remove them was made to the manager of the wharf until 11.30 the following morning. The permit was issued at once when application was made, and I can find no evidence of any such unfair treatment as is suggested. No other complaint of the kind has been brought to my notice.

asked if the embargo on British live stock still exists in any country; if so, which, and when it is likely to be removed; and which countries require a permit from the Board?

asked with what importing countries other than Argentina he has succeeded in arranging for a reduction of the period of embargo hitherto imposed upon British live stock for six months after the most recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease or for a reduction of the area in Great Britain from within which live stock are subjected to such embargo?

The countries which still prohibit the importation of British live stock are Argentina and Uruguay, Canada, the Falkland Islands, and France (with exceptions in special cases). Germany, South Africa, and the United States have already withdrawn entirely the prohibition imposed in consequence of the epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease last year, and since 10th February the prohibition of importation into Australia has been restricted to animals which during the preceding twelve months have been within fifteen miles of an infected place. I understand that export to Canada and the Falkland Islands may be resumed very shortly. The only countries which require in normal circumstances animals to be accompanied by a permit from the Board are Argentina, France, and Uruguay.

asked whether, in view of the importance to breeders of pedigree stock in the West of England of the customary sales to foreign and Colonial purchasers of pedigree stock at the annual summer show of the Bath and West of England and Southern Counties Society, he will arrange with the Argentine Government for the withdrawal of the existing embargo upon British live stock prior to the 27th May, upon which day this year's show of the society will open at Truro?

I regret that I can add nothing at present to the answer which I gave to the hon. Gentleman on Monday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Council of the Bath and West of England Society have to-day unanimously passed a resolution urging him to do his best to obtain the opening of Argentine ports before the date of their show, 27th May?

I have been continuously in communication with the Argentine Government on the subject for about three months past, and I regret that up to the present I have not been able to obtain a more favourable date than 10th June for the re-opening of their ports.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture why such long delay has occurred in the completion of the Government factory in the Forest of Dean for the production of calcium acetate with a view to its subsequent conversion into acetone for the manufacture of cordite; and when it is expected that such factory will be so far completed as to render it possible to commence therein the destructive distillation of birch and other coppice wood?

The delay in the completion of the factory in the Forest of Dean is due mainly to the failure of the builder who had the contract for the erection of the buildings. The work is now being done by the Crown through its own architect, and it is hoped that it will be possible to commence wood distillation in July next.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, under paragraph 3 of Article 8 of the Tuberculosis Order of 1913, the compensation payable for cattle slaughtered as tuberculous will amount to one-fourth only of the value of the animal valued as in an advanced stage of tuberculosis, although the existence of the disease, as where tuberculous lesions are present only in the muscular system, may be wholly unknown to the owner; and, if so, seeing that stock owners will in effect receive no appreciable compensation in the case of most of the animals likely to be reported or notified under the Order, he will consider the advisability of amending the above article so as to provide that the valuation shall take place prior to slaughter and post-mortem examination?

The hon. Member's interpretation of Article 8 (3) of the Order is approximately correct, but I am advised that signs of disease would be apparent before slaughter in animals for which compensation would be payable on the lower scale allowed by that article. I would also point out that under Article 6 the valuation will be made before slaughter, and will be twofold, namely, on the basis that the animal is suffering from tuberculosis and on the basis that it is not suffering from tuberculosis.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the symptoms of the disease which are mentioned in this article cannot be ascertained until after post-mortem examination, and are certainly not obvious to the owner of the cattle?

Yes, and I have framed my answer very carefully; and, as the hon. Member will observe, I use the word "signs" instead of "symptoms."

asked the Prime Minister whether he will reconsider his decision not to publish the evidence given before the Secret Committee on Irish finance?

I must refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on 7th November last. What I said then still holds good.

Is it not the fact that during the last few weeks the Under-Secretary for Ireland said that there was no objection whatever to this evidence being published?

I am not aware of that. Perhaps the hon. Member will send me the statement and I will look at it.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, with a view to the consideration by the Development Commissioners of the applications by the Devon and Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committees for a Grant, he will endeavour to expedite publication of the Report of the last Committee appointed to inquire locally into sea fishery conditions in the West of England?

The Report is in the press, and will be published as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he is aware that in October, 1912, the council of Bristol University conferred 63 honorary degrees on a single occasion; that of these degrees about one-third were conferred on persons of no previous academic standing whatsoever; and that the council of thirty-three members has already conferred honorary degrees on fifteen of its own members, and five on members of the chairman's family; and whether, in view of the Government's Grant to Bristol University, he will take steps, by advising a revision of the charter or by other means, to prevent the recurrence of these abuses; and (2) whether he is aware that the council of Bristol University, a non-academic body, has conferred honorary degrees under ordinance at the recommendation of a sub-committee of its own without reference to the academic senate; whether, although the Statute states specifically that it is one of the powers of the senate to nominate to the council names for honorary degrees, he has received any report from the Advisory Committee as to whether this practice is detrimental to the academic prestige of the university honorary degrees and reacts unfavourably on the degrees earned by examination and research; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have no information with regard to some of the matters referred to by the hon. Member but I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of his figures. The Board are concerned only with the work done at universities, and it is not within their province to interfere with the discretion of the university authorities in the distribution of honorary degrees. I have received no report from my Advisory Committee on the practice, and I am not proposing to take any action in the matter.

asked the right hon. Gentleman (1) whether he is aware that the Chair of Physics in the University of Bristol has been vacant since the summer of 1910; that the vacancy was then advertised and applications from candidates duly received, but that no appointment was made; and that the reason given for no appointment being made was that no physicist of standing had applied for the post; whether he is aware that, about the time that this vacancy occurred, three professors had been threatened with dismissal and one of them dismissed, and that the Chair of Physics was subsequently offered to physicists of repute and declined by them on the ground of the insecurity of professorial tenure in the university; and, if so, what action he proposes to take; (2) whether the members of the Board of Education's Advisory Committee have made any Report to him on the fact that after the dismissal of Professor Cowl from the Chair of English Literature by the council of the University of Bristol in 1910 he was apointed at a reduced salary on a two years' tenure to a Research Chair, to which neither the status of a university professor nor any duties whatsoever were attached; whether, if Professor Cowl was rightly dismissed, the council of the university was entitled to or had received the sanction of the Board of Education to use public funds in this manner; and whether, in view of such an appointment, he will institute an inquiry as to whether Professor Cowl was justly treated or not; and (3) whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Grant from the Board of Education to the University of Bristol is £2,000 per annum; and what safeguards he proposes to require in order to ensure to the professors and other teachers a proper security of tenure and freedom of opinion and discussion?

I have no knowledge of the matters referred to in connection with the Chair of Physics in the University of Bristol. It is not within the province of the Board of Education to inquire into the particular appointments made to the teaching staff by the authorities of a university to whom they allot a share of the Exchequer Grants. The amount of the annual Grant to the University of Bristol is £9,450 in all, and I am satisfied that my Advisory Committee were justified by the standard of the work done by the University of Bristol as a whole in recommending it. Before making their next recommendations in 1916 my Advisory Committee will, in determining the allocation of the Grant, in the case of all universities, take into account the status and security of tenure of professors, and I do not think I need do more than call their attention to the statements which have been made.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will have inquiry made into the points raised before he makes any further Grants to the university?

No, I do not think I have got any province to inquire into the points to which the hon. Gentleman refers in his questions.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if it is the intention of the Government to claim Undeveloped Land Duty from the date fixed by the Finance Act in cases where it is not known if the land will be assessed for this duty, where no valuation has yet been made, and where there may ultimately prove to be a claim for four or five years' duty, amounting to a sum which cannot be estimated or provided for and the payment of which may entail hardship?

The cases to which the hon. Member refers are dealt with in the Statute, and I would refer him to the provisions of Section 19 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910.

Will these sums be claimed from those persons to that date?

If the hon. Member refers to Section 19 he will see exactly what the limitations are under which the sums can be claimed.

asked whether the examination announced for 8th April is the last boy clerks' examination to be held under the existing regulations; and, if so, what regulations will govern the future entry of boys into the Civil Service?

I am not aware of any proposal to change the regulations for competitions for boy clerkships. The Civil Service Commissioners propose to hold competitions as usual in the summer and autumn of this year.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that a considerable increment must accrue to the Treasury by the administration of the recent orders governing overtime in the Customs and Excise service, he will advise the Treasury to devote a portion of this increment, not exceeding £1,350 for the first year or more than £3,000 for any future year, to the cost which will be incurred if the watchers of the Customs and Excise service are granted a weekly wage of 30s. after twenty years of approved service?

The answer is in the negative. I am not prepared to admit the accuracy of the assumption on which the hon. Member bases his question.

asked if the examination of preventive men of Customs for promotion to the grade of preventive officer of Customs, held in London only on 19th February, 1913, and following days, was competitive or only qualifying; if competitive, then for how many posts; if only qualifying, then has the standard of qualification been raised since previous examinations for preventive officerships; in what proportion will the total marks be divided between the written and the oral examinations; whether two of the Customs officials at present acting as examiners of the written portion of the examination failed to pass the examination which they attended for examining officerships some years ago, and have not passed since; whether all the preventive men called up for examination last month are in their twentieth year or more of service, and about 100 of them have not had a previous chance of qualifying for promotion; and what steps are to be taken in cases of failure?

The answer to the first part of the question is that the examination is a qualifying one, for which the standard of qualification has been raised in accordance with the recommendations of the recent Committee on the Customs Waterguard Service; to the second, that the proportion is 10.4; to the third, that ever since the Waterguard was constituted a separate branch of the Customs service, over twenty years ago, none of its members, including the two in question, have been eligible for an examining officership, a post belonging to a quite different branch of the service and with quite different duties; to the fourth, in the affirmative; and to the fight, that candidates unsuccessful at their first attempt are allowed a second trial.

asked whether any special procedure is adopted in the case of disputed land valuations affecting charitable trusts, to avoid the necessity for such trusts being involved in unnecessary expenses?

No special procedure is adopted in the case of valuations affecting charitable trusts, but every effort is being made to prevent such trusts being involved in unnecessary expenses.

Can special attention be given to the matter so as to obviate a repetition of a recent case in which one of these charitable trusts was involved in a large amount of costs?

I do not know of any particular case of difficulty. If the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars, I will have them looked into.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has jurisdiction over, the regulations which provide for the management and equipment of lighters and barges on the Thames; and, if so, can he have them amended so as to provide that each lighter must have on board at least one lifebuoy available in case either of the lightermen fall overboard, having regard to the frequency of this accident and to the fact that the men can rarely swim?

The jurisdiction of the Board of Trade in this matter is limited to a power of confirming by-laws which may be made by the Port of London Authority under the Thames Watermen's and Lightermen's Act, 1893, as amended by the Port of London Act, 1908. I am informed by the Port Authority that when revising the by-laws relating to the registration and licensing of lighters and lightermen they will not lose sight of their powers to make by-laws dealing with the matters referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many workers approximately have benefited from increased wages as the result of the Trade Boards Act; and how many does he anticipate will benefit in the trades which he proposes to include with the Provisional Order about to be introduced?

It is estimated that there are about 200,000 workpeople employed in the branches of trade at present included under the Trade Boards Act, but it is not possible to say how many of these have received an increase of wages as a result of the fixing of minimum rates by the Trade Boards. The trades proposed to be included within the Provisional Order are not yet precisely defined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will include in the Provisional Order to extend the operation of the Trade Boards Act to the railway workers, or especially those now paid less than 21s. per week?

I may remind my hon. Friend that machinery for the settlement of the rates of wages of railway workers already exists under the Railway Conciliation Scheme. It is, therefore, unnecessary to consider the question raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to an award of G. Stuart Robertson, pursuant to Section 80 of the Friendly Societies Act, in the matter of the dissolution of the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland, made 23rd September, 1912, according to which certain funds were to be paid out to the general body of the members of the society on conditions therein stated; if he can state what is the cause of the delay in paying out these sums; and when the terms of the award will be carried out?

After the award in question the funds of the Midland Great Western Railway Benefit. Society, to which it is presumed the question refers, had to be realised, and by virtue of the terms of the award actuarial calculations had to be made in order to ascertain the amounts due (a) to members in receipt of permanent sick pay, (b) to the other members individually, and 2,200 accounts had to be prepared. This has all now been completed and the cheques have been drawn for signature by the trustees. It is hoped that these will reach the members within the next few days. I understand that there has been no unnecessary delay.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the hardship inflicted upon poor people by the operation of the hire purchase system of furniture, as disclosed repeatedly in the cases tried in the police courts, he will now state whether a Select Committee of this House will be appointed to investigate with a view of recommending legislation on this matter?

I will consider the possibility of moving for the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that business firms have to use this system in regard to railway wagons?

Yes, I am aware of that; but the hon. Member will see that the question is a very complicated one.