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:—