asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Local Government Board, in making an Order under Section 64 (3) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, for the provision of a sanatorium for a combination of counties, including the burghs therein having a population of less than 20,000, have power to provide for these burghs being represented on the joint board by a representative or representatives appointed by the town councils of these burghs out of their own number?

The question is engaging the attention of the Local Government Board for Scotland in their consideration of a Draft Order at present before them. They are of opinion that they have no power to provide in their Order for direct representation on the joint committee constituted by the Order of burghs under 20,000 in the manner indicated in the question, seeing that these are for the purposes of the Act included in the county and have representation on the county council. It would, however, in the opinion of the Board be competent to provide in the Order that the county council in appointing their representatives on the joint committee should appoint as the representative of each such burgh the member, or one of the members, who represent the burgh on the county council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can allow a rebate of part of the premium paid under the National Insurance Act to members of the Warehousemen and Clerks' Association and similar societies, who are already provided with full medical benefits apart from the Act and who can under no circumstances require the services of the doctor provided by the State?

I have no power to allow such a rebate of premium as is suggested. Whether the members of the association referred to should be allowed to make their own arrangements for medical attendance and receive a contribution towards the cost is a matter for the insurance committees to determine.

asked if the three sorters from the General Post Office who were recently appointed supervising assistant clerks in the Accountant General's Department of the National Health Insurance Commission, Maida Hill, were graded as assistant clerks for one day?

The circumstances in which the three persons referred to were appointed were stated in detail in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on the 6th instant. Apart from their previous service under the Commission in a temporary capacity (during which they retained their rank as sorters) they have been graded and paid as supervising assistant clerks from the date on which they joined the permanent staff of the Department. Of the alternative methods of transfer open to the Commission, that of passing them through the nominal rank of assistant clerk was adopted as being, for technical reasons, the simplest in this case.

asked whether in Scotland, and particularly in Edinburgh, maternity benefit is not being paid to the women themselves, but to male relatives representing themselves as authorised to receive such; whether this is according to the Act, or whether the insurance committees have power to alter this method of payment?

The Scottish Commissioners are not aware that maternity benefit, either in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Scotland, is being paid to persons other than the insured persons entitled to it without proper authority from the latter. Section 18 (1) of the Act provides that where the husband is insured the maternity benefit is payable in respect of his insurance and by his society, and is to be treated as his benefit, though the society have power to administer it in cash or otherwise as they think fit. Insurance committees administer under similar conditions the maternity benefit of deposit contributors, but they have no powers with regard to the maternity benefit of members of approved societies.

Should not this maternity money be paid directly to the doctor or the nurse?

That question, I think, was raised when the Insurance Act was being passed, and a very strong opinion was expressed in the House that the system now adopted was the best system.

Is there any liability specially imposed upon the husband by the Act to provide his wife with what medical attendance is necessary?

The husband is exposed to prosecution and conviction if the wife is neglected during this period.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he intends this Session to give legislative effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee with reference to fiars prices?

I am hopeful that I may be able to introduce legislation this Session in the direction suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked when the Report of the Departmental Committee which is considering, inter alia, the question of State loans to fishermen is likely to be forthcoming?

I am not in a position as yet to indicate a date for the publication of this Report, which, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, will deal with many other questions besides that of State loans.

Will special attention be given to the question of providing motor engines for their boats to fishermen who have already boats of their own?

I cannot anticipate the Report.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in issuing this Report has caused great dissatisfaction and disappointment in fishing centres in Scotland?

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that disappointment and dissatisfaction have been created in the North of Scotland by the delay of the Board of Agriculture in forming small holdings under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act; if he is able to give any explanation of this delay; and if he can hold out any hope that the formation of holdings under the Act will begin at an early date?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, although the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act has been in force for nearly fifteen months and many thousand applications have been lodged for the creation and enlargement of holdings, not a single case has yet been dealt with; whether he is aware that, in consequence, dissatisfaction exists in Scotland; will he say what the reasons for the delay are; and whether he will take steps to expedite the action of the Board?

The Act came into force on 1st April, 1912, when the Commissioners commenced their work. I would remind my hon. Friends that a great deal of time was necessarily occupied in setting up the establishment and in preliminary work. The Board of Agriculture has been very actively engaged in working out a number of schemes and in negotiating with landlords in various parts of the country, and I hope soon to present a Report which will give information about the large amount of work which has been clone by the Board. They have in view land which will accommodate over three hundred small landholders.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that emigration is steadily increasing in the North of Scotland, and that it is highly important that this Act should be brought into force?

I am not aware that emigration is increasing. I would rather not express an opinion upon that without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Commissioners have got hold of any land in Scotland?

Oh, yes; they have got hold of some land, and there is a good deal of land that will have to be brought before the Land Court.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great importance of giving access to these small holdings while the spring time is on, so that work on the land can be proceeded with? If access is not given until after May it will be another year before anything can be done.

I quite appreciate that point, and every effort is being made to get the small holders on to the land for the May term.

asked what position has been reached with regard to the Strathmiglo water question?

The Local Government Board have pressed the local authority to take steps to introduce a proper water supply into the village of Strathmiglo, but the local authority, after taking a plebiscite of the inhabitants of the village, would not agree to adopt the Board's suggestion. While satisfied that the present supply is not altogether satisfactory, the Board, after careful consideration, have come to the conclusion that the case is not strong enough to justify them in taking legal proceedings against the local authority.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the minister of the parish would not go into the manse on account of the badness of the water supply?

I am not aware of that. If the Noble Lord will give me any information of the kind I will communicate with the Local Government Board again.

asked whether any women imprisoned for offences committed in the course of the Women Suffrage agitation have been artificially fed in any Scottish prison?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether there has been any recent case of a male prisoner refusing to take food in the ordinary way in any Scottish prison; and, if so, what action the authorities took to deal with it?

There is a recent case of a Russian prisoner sentenced to penal servitude for life for culpable homicide in 1905. Except for a short period, he has served the sentence in Perth Prison Criminal Lunatic Department, where he is now. He has had to be fed artificially.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when he proposes to reintroduce the Temperance (Scotland) Bill?

I am not yet in a position to name the date.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that cases frequently occur in which aged and infirm persons in receipt of old age pensions are unable to draw any commensurate benefit from their pensions owing to the fact that they are too feeble to look after themselves and have no friends or relatives to tend them, and refuse to enter the poorhouse; and whether he will suggest to the Treasury the advisability of inquiring whether the number of such persons warrants a different form of treatment, and of paying the amount of the pensions in such cases to reputable institutions specially devoted to the care of the aged poor?

A case of the kind described by my hon. Friend has recently been brought to my notice. It is very difficult to ascertain even approximately the number of such persons, as in many instances they are not in receipt of medical relief and do not appear on the Poor Roll. I am, however, asking further inquiry with a view to ascertaining whether the cases are common, and in the meantime will communicate my hon. Friend's suggestions to the Treasury, which is the responsible Department.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of applying the principle which they have in Denmark?

That is a matter not for my Department, but for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Can anything be done apart from legislation, or is it absolutely necessary to have new legislation?

I should like notice of that question. I am not aware of anything that can be done without special legislation.

asked whether there is any Minute of the Education Board reducing the size of classes in elementary schools; and, if so, whether the Minute is being put into effect?

The Minute referred to in the question is that dated 27th March, 1911, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. The operation of the Minute is at present suspended until 1st August, and in view of representations which have been received its suspension will be continued for a further period of one year from that date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for this suspension?

There have been representations as to the financial hardship. That is the line taken by the school board and others interested in education in Scotland. I hope that a good deal of the work will be done without cost to the local authority.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state the acreage of the United Kingdom and of the British Empire, respectively, now under wheat; and what percentage of increase has taken place in the last five years?

The area under wheat in the United Kingdom in 1912 was 1,971,801 acres, an increase of 18 per cent. since 1907. I regret that I cannot give complete figures for the Empire as a whole, but provisional figures for Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand, show a total area under wheat in 1912 of 47,391,000 acres, an increase of 37 per cent. since 1907.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he has any information which he can give to this House showing the number of co-operative credit societies which have been formed among small landholders in the United Kingdom?

The complete figures for last year are not yet available, but I believe that there are at present over forty-five co-operative credit societies among small holders in England and Wales. I shall be glad to give more precise figures later on.

Will the right hon. Gentleman find it convenient to bring up to date the Returns issued to me some three or four years ago as supplementary to the Return now asked for?

I will refresh my memory as to the Return, and if it can be brought up to date I shall be glad to do it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Hon. G. A. Wyatt is leaving British Guiana, thus creating a vacancy on the Executive Council; and whether he will try the experiment of appointing to the vacancy a representative of labour?

I have no information as to Mr. Wyatt's intentions in this matter, but if a vacancy should occur I propose to await the recommendation of the Governor on the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the hardship inflicted on officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary in consequence of the action of the Treasury in charging Income Tax on the allowance of £45 per annum for a groom; and whether, in view of the fact that the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland stated in this House that the Government had carefully considered the question and had decided not to tax the allowance, that from 1873 to 1909 it was paid free of Income Tax, and it comes under the description of a necessary expense—namely, the maintaining of a servant otherwise supplied by Government—he will cause the Treasury to revert to the former established practice of paying the amount free of tax?

I am not prepared to give instructions for a reversion to the practice of exempting the allowance in question from Income Tax, the exemption, which is not supported by statutory authority, having been discontinued in deference to an opinion expressed by the Public Accounts Committee in 1909.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the permission of the Chief Secretary, in view of his statement in this House that this allowance would not be taxed?

The Public Accounts Committee represent the wishes of the House of Commons in this matter, and we must, as far as possible, defer to their considered opinion.

asked the amount of money lent by the Public Works Loan Commissioners under the Housing Acts in the last two years, distinguishing the amounts lent to local authorities, public utility societies, and private individuals, respectively; and whether the total amount which may be lent for all purposes by the Public Works Loan Commissioners in any one year is limited; and, if so, what is the limit?

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the figures in answer to the first part of this question. The amount of money which may be lent by the Public Works Loan Commissioners in any one year for all purposes (including Housing) is fixed by the annual Public Works Loan Act. In 1912 the amount so fixed was £6,000,000. [See Written Answers this date.]

Is the amount fixed annually according to the needs of each year, or is there a permanent statutory limit?

It is fixed annually by an Act brought forward each year, which we have to submit to the House of Commons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the extension of the Trade Boards Act to the industry of manufacture of sugar confectionery, it is intended to include chocolate confectionery containing sugar and confectionery manufactured from gums, such as pastilles and jujubes, which contain sugar, or to confine it to the cheap sugar sweets boiling trade; and whether he can indicate precisely what forms of sugar confectionery it is proposed to include and exclude?

The question of the precise definition of the trades to be included in the Provisional Order Bill extending the application of the Trade Boards Act is at present under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state either exactly or approximately, the number of wage-earners of either sex who have come under the operation of the Trade Boards Act since its commencement?

It is estimated that, roughly speaking, there are 200,000 persons employed in the trades at present under the Trade Boards Act, and that about 70 per cent. of these are women and girls.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a wagon repairer, named F. Birchenall, was killed in May last at Buxton shunting sidings, London and North-Western Railway, and that it was shown, both at the inquest and the subsequent Board of Trade inquiry, that there is no siding, usually known as the cripple siding, for wagons under repairs at this station, and which renders it very dangerous to the men employed there; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The officer who inquired into this accident reported that it was due to the man's failure to take the necessary steps for his protection in accordance with his instructions. Although the siding in which repairs to wagons are usually carried out is not used exclusively for this purpose, I am advised that the instructions referred to should afford adequate protection if duly carried out. I will, however, cause inquiries to be made whether or not it would be practicable to provide a cripple siding at this station.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the dislocation of the tramway service of the London County Council in the south of London through the withdrawal of 119 cars per day owing to a breakdown at the Greenwich generating station; and whether, as he has authorised the county council to suspend their by-laws as regards the number of passengers to be carried in each car, he will cause an official inquiry to be held with a view to prevent the recurrence of such dislocation of the service?

As the causes of the breakdown are known, I do not think that an inquiry into the matter would serve any useful purpose. I should, perhaps, explain that the conveyance of an additional number of passengers on the tramcars has been sanctioned only as a temporary expedient.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the House of Representatives' Money Trust Committee has declared on 28th February, 1913, that a money trust does exist and that its powers should be curbed by stringent federal regulations applying to national banks, clearing houses, and stock exchanges; and whether, considering the power wielded by this financial organisation over all other bourses and banking, he will cause official inquiries to be made at Washington, and lay full particulars of the finding by this committee upon the Table for the benefit of the House?

I have seen Press summaries of the Report to which my hon. Friend refers. When the full Report is received I will consider whether any useful purpose would be served by adopting the course suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to Schedule I. of the Navigation Bill, 1912, of the Commonwealth of Australia, now awaiting the Royal Assent, which specifies that steamships over 1,000 tons shall carry not less than three certificated officers; whether he is aware of the fact that what is styled the Three Watch Bill is now the law of the United States, making it compulsory that every vessel of 1,000 tons and over shall carry not less than three certificated officers, and that a system of three watches shall be followed in the case of these officers unless the vessel is engaged in a run of less than 400 miles from the port of departure to the port of final destination; and whether he can give any definite assurance that the Board of Trade intend to take similar steps for the purpose of eradicating the two-watch system now carried on in the great majority of British merchant ships, whereby the duties of officers are not less than fifteen hours per diem on every day in the week and where the mental and physical strain thus imposed upon them constitutes danger to life and property at sea?

I am aware of the legislation referred to. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member on 27th January last, the Board of Trade are now considering, in conjunction with the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, the question of the Amendments which are desirable in the law relating to the number of certificated officers required to be carried upon British merchant ships. The matter is still before the Advisory Committee, and pending the receipt of their Report I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that he does not intend to refer the question of a light load line to the Committee which he is setting up to advise him as to the instructions to be given to the British delegates to the international Load Line Conference, the British delegates at that conference will be free to consider or to bind this country in respect of any proposal that is brought forward for a light load line?

The object of the International Conference is to endeavour to arrive at an international agreement on the very difficult and technical subject of the rules and regulations for determining freeboard. I doubt if such a question as the institution of a light load line would properly come within the scope of the conference, and in any case the British delegates will not be empowered by their instructions to bind His Majesty's Government on such a subject.

Will the delegates be allowed to discuss the matter?

I am not sure that we can limit the subjects discussed. The delegates have no binding powers.

asked the percentage of unemployment in the woollen trade in the years 1905 and 1912; what percentage of increase in wages has taken place in this trade in 1912 as compared with 1905; and what percentage of increase in the price of food has taken place in the same period?

I am unable to give a brief reply to my hon. Friend's question, but I will circulate with the Votes a statement giving such information as is available with all the necessary qualifications.

Will the hon. Gentleman in collecting the information take great care to include the recent large percentages of increase of wages?

The Return asked for has already been compiled, but if the hon. Gentleman desires anything further I shall be glad to do what I can.

A rise in wages has, I believe, taken place in quite recent days, and I think that ought to be included in facts brought up-to-date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any and, if so, how many prosecutions there have been for infringement of Sections 39, 40, and 41 of the Children Act, 1908; and whether any steps have been taken to prevent the sale of cigarettes from automatic machines to youths under sixteen years of age?

During 1911, the only year for which my right hon. Friend has figures for the whole of England and Wales, there were eighty-three prosecutions under Section 39, and no prosecution under Section 41. In the Metropolitan Police district alone there have been twenty-seven prosecutions under Section 39 from the commencement of the Act up to 31st December last, and no prosecutions under Section 41. Section 40 is not a provision under which a prosecution could be instituted.

Can the hon. Gentleman see his way to put a stop to the sale of cigarettes from automatic machines, seeing that in any case they are poisonous?

Any information supplied will be considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the result of the consideration proposed three months ago by the Government to the question of the distinction drawn by Parliament in recent Acts between urban districts and boroughs with an equal population; and if the Government are now prepared to introduce legislation to enact that urban district councils with a like population shall have similar powers conferred upon them to those which have recently been conferred upon boroughs?

The Government cannot undertake to introduce any general legislation on this subject, but the point will be considered in connection with all proposals conferring powers on local authorities in districts of an urban character.

Is there any information in the possession of the Local Government Board as a result of the inquiries by them which can be laid on the Table of the House?

I cannot say without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the matter immediate consideration?

Oh, yes, I have said it will be considered this Session in connection with all proposals conferring powers on local authorities.

asked on what date the Established Church (Wales) Bill will be reintroduced?

I can make no statement on the subject at present.