asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Lismore Board of Guardians have passed a resolution asking the Government to enable the maintenance of old age pensioners in the workhouse to be charged against their pensions; and whether he will favourably consider this suggestion.

I am afraid I am unable to propose the legislation which would be required for this purpose.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Scottish Clerks' Association, which has members to the number of 20,000 in the United Kingdom, has spent £5,000 in establishing their approved society section on the strength of assurances from his Department, and that in February of this year the Scottish Commissioners have threatened to withdraw their approval; and what compensation he proposes to give to the association for having so misled them?

The special medical scheme of the Society has not at any time been approved by the Commissioners and no question arises, therefore, of withdrawing approval. The Commissioners know of nothing to prevent the Scottish Clerks' Association from working a scheme for additional medical benefit on the private side with free choice of their members for ordinary attendance amongst panel doctors or (where the local insurance committee permits it) amongst non-panel doctors also.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he will give a list of all the posts, appointments, and situations in the Civil Service included in Schedule B of the Order in Council of the 10th day of January, 1910?

I would refer the hon. Member to Appendix IV. (a) and (b) to the First Volume of Evidence given before the Royal Commission on the Civil Service (Cd. 6210 of 1912). With regard to the additions to Schedule B made under the proviso to Clause 11 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, and the corresponding proviso in the Order in Council of 4th June, 1870, I am sending the hon. Member a printed list.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount ex- pended in Ireland, or in connection with Ireland, under the head of Mercantile Marine Services for the year 1911–12; whether an account of such expenditure, if any, has been taken in the preparation of Parliamentary Papers Cd. 6154 or Cd. 6486, of 1912; and, if not, can he state the reason?

The net expenditure on Mercantile Marine Services in 1911–12 attributable to Ireland, so far as it can be ascertained, is estimated at about £6,000. It has not been the practice to show this figure in the annual Financial Relations Returns, owing to the difficulty of apportioning all the items of expenditure between England, Scotland, and Ireland. For this reason it was not included in the White Papers referred to, but I may also remind the hon. Member that, even if ascertained with accuracy, the figure would not be included in the expenditure on Irish services shown on page 6 of Cd. 6486 (i.e., would not be taken into account in the calculation of the Transferred Sum), in view of the provisions of Clause 2 (7) of the Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will supply the number of disputed valuations under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, remaining unsettled; the total value of such valuations; and the area of the sites involved?

I regret that I am not in a position to furnish the information asked for by the hon. Member, which could only be obtained by the expenditure of a very considerable amount of time and by seriously interfering with the work of the Department concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury received in July, 1907, any expressions of opinion from bankers and others qualified to advise on financial matters that such a method as that set out in Section 5 of the Irish Land Act of 1909 would be a better and cheaper method of financing land purchase in Ireland than the immediate issue of stock?

I have not been able to find any record of correspondence of the date mentioned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Reports of the local governments on the Factory Act are summarised or reviewed by the Government of India; and whether any such review or summary is available for the use of Members, who have otherwise to be at the pains of perusing a bulky file of reports and statistics?

I shall be happy to place in the Library the Government of India's dispatch giving cover to the provincial reports, and briefly reviewing them. As regards the statistics the hon. Member may not have noticed that they are summarised in a statement that will be found at the end of the set of reports already placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the members of the British West Africa Currency Board, and their experience, and the date when the Board was established in London?

The members are Sir George Fiddes, K.C.M.G., C.B., Assistant Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office; Mr. W. H. Mercer, C.M.G., one of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, who has had many years experience in matters connected with the supply of coin to the British Administrations in West Africa; and Mr. L. Couper, chief manager of the Bank of British West Africa. The appointments were made on the 21st of November last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in connection with the introduction of a distinctive local currency in West Africa, it is intended that the Currency Board under his control shall appoint an officer to make a periodic inspection at each of the appointed centres?

It will be one of the duties of the Board to satisfy themselves that their local representatives, for whose action the Board will be responsible, discharge their duties efficiently. The methods by which the Board will obtain this information will no doubt be considered by them in due course, but I am unable to say whether the appointment of an inspecting officer will be considered necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of imposing a money fine on contractors found guilty by the arbitrator of infringing the Fair-Wages Clause of Army contracts, instead of the usual method of cancelling the contract and removing the offender's name from the War Office list, which, as a rule, only has the effect of throwing working men out of employment through no fault of theirs?

There are various methods of dealing with persistent infringements of the Fair-Wages Clause, according to the attendant circumstances of each case. The course suggested by the hon. Gentleman was very carefully considered by the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee, who came to the conclusion that it would in practice present such difficulties that they could not recommend its adoption.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a quartermaster or riding master who receives an increase of pay for distinguished service in the field or for other distinguished or exceptional services does not in consequence receive the next increase of pay to which he becomes entitled automatically through length of commissioned service, and that when, as has often been the case, several quartermasters and riding masters are so promoted simultaneously for exactly similar services, their pecuniary reward varies from nearly five years' to a few days' increased pay according to whether their next automatic increase happens to be imminent or otherwise; and will he state what steps he proposes to take to improve the pay of these officers?

The facts are as stated, but there would not appear to be any reason on this account for improving the pay of these officers generally. It must be remembered that similar inequalities of benefit arise with brevet promotion generally.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of recent increases given to the Navy based on the increased cost of living, any increase is contemplated in the rate of pay to Coast-guardsmen?

I have nothing to add to the replies already given on this subject on 4th December and 8th and 9th January.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there is any reason for the delay and difficulties which makers of new and improved armour plate experience in having their inventions tested by the Admiralty; and if his Department could see their way to deal with these applications more expeditiously and in a more businesslike manner?

The policy of the Admiralty has been, and is, to encourage any plan for producing improved quality armour which appears to bear signs of promise, and they have experimented at considerable expense with armour plate inventions. Each particular case is dealt with as expeditiously as is practicable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the twenty commissions as acting mates that have been granted from the lower deck are confined solely to unmarried men; if, so, why; and, if not, what is the proportion of married to unmarried men; and whether the twenty new commissions will be awarded to the men most fitted for promotion, whether married or single?

The first twenty commissions were confined to unmarried men, experience in the sister Service having shown that this is a desirable course.

asked the Prime Minister, whether the committee which it is proposed to set up to deal with methods of procedure will consider the expediency of sending the Scottish Estimates to the Scottish Grand Committee, leaving the Report stage only to be dealt with by Committee of the whole House.

I think that this is a matter which will fall within the scope of the reference of the proposed Committee.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the spread of the Isle of Wight bee disease in Scotland, and consequent loss not only to bee-keepers but to the whole agricultural community, he proposes to take any steps in the matter; and, if so, what?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the anxiety felt by bee-keepers in Scotland concerning the prevalence of Isle of Wight bee disease, he proposes to take any steps in the matter either by introducing legislation or otherwise?

The answer to both these questions is in the affirmative. The Bee Disease Bill will apply to Scotland.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that under the terms of the Labourers (Ireland) Acts local authorities are allowed to secure land for the erection of labourers' cottages, either on lease for ninety-nine years or, if necessary, by compulsion, the owner or occupier of such land being compensated out of the annual rental; that local authorities are also authorised to purchase or hire and put into repair any cottages which are in an unsatisfactory condition and to purchase and allot half an acre of land to each cottage; and will he consider the expediency of introducing legislation giving similar powers to local authorities in Scotland?

As my hon. Friend is aware, a Royal Commission on Housing in Scotland has been appointed, which will deal with the question he raises, and will doubtless consider any suggestions based on the Irish legislation to which he refers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the nature of the cottage accommodation provided for agricultural labourers under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, the number of cottages erected under the Acts, the number of labourers thus provided for, the average cost of each cottage, and the average weekly rental?

In the early schemes, after the passing of the original Labourers Act of 1883, the accommodation provided usually comprised a kitchen (or living room) and two bedrooms; but in later years three bedrooms are generally provided. The Act of 1906 enabled cottages already built to be enlarged where necessary, and in several instances advantage has been taken of this provision to add a third bedroom where only two had been previously provided. On the 31st March, 1912, there were 39,241 cottages built and 3,439 others in course of construction. Each cottage is let to a labourer, but the Local Government Board have no information as to the number of the members of his family who may also be classed as labourers. The average cost of each cottage is approximately £170, but this includes not merely the cost of the building, but the cost of the land (not exceeding a statute acre in each case) and the legal, engineering and other incidental expenses in relation to the scheme under which the cottage was built. The average cost of the building alone would probably not exceed £130. The average weekly rental is about 1s. 1d.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Report of the trial of the Portuguese corporal found guilty of the murder of the Rev. Mr. Douglas is yet to hand; and, if so, when will it be laid upon the Table?

The Report will be laid in about a week.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the case of Alice Broughton, who was convicted on 18th February at the Manchester Assizes of throwing vitriol at another woman and sentenced to three years' penal servitude; whether he is aware that Alice Broughton has always borne an excellent character, and has worked hard during thirteen years of married life in order to bring up her children well and keep the home together; and, seeing that she acted under provocation, whether he will consider the case with a view to the remission of a portion of the sentence?

The case is now under my consideration. I will communicate with the hon. Member when I have completed my inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the stringency of the provisions of the Tuberculosis Order of 1913, and their effect on the business of dairy farmers and cowkeepers, he will endeavour to obtain from the Prime Minister an opportunity for the discussion of the Order in Parliament before the 1st May, 1913, the date fixed by the Order for its coming into operation?

Questions relating to the allocation of the time of the House should be addressed to the Prime Minister. I may perhaps be allowed to say, however, that, although I shall be glad to consider any representations which may be made to me in regard to the provisions of the Tuberculosis Order, I think that the desirability of making modifications can be more usefully discussed when the expected effects of the Order have been tested by experience.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when Great Britain will recognise the new Government in China; whether such recognition is in any way dependent on the prior settlement of any controversial questions pending between Great Britain and China; and, if so, whether Tibet and the opium difficulty are included among such questions?

At the time of the establishment of the present administration in China, His Majesty's Government exchanged views with the Governments of the other Powers as to the recognition of the Chinese Republic, and it was agreed that in this matter the Powers should act in concert and that recognition should be conditional on a formal confirmation by the Republic of the rights, privileges and immunities resulting from treaties and established customs and usages enjoyed by British subjects. To these views His Majesty's Government still adhere.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the names of the towns which have now submitted town-planning schemes to his Department?

Schemes made and submitted for approval relate to the following areas, namely, the City of Birmingham (two schemes), the Borough of Rochdale, and the Urban District of Ruislip-Northwood. Authority to prepare schemes has been given in respect of the following areas, namely, the Boroughs of Blackburn, Bournemouth (two), Chesterfield, Halifax (two), Liverpool, Luton, Middleton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Scarborough, Sheffield (three), Southport, Stoke-on-Trent, Sutton Coldfield, and Warrington; the Urban Districts of Cheadle and Gatley, Ellesmere Port, and Whitby, Finchley, Hanwell, Much Woolton, North Bromsgrove, Oldbury, Twickenham, and Walthamstow; and the Rural District of Wirral (two). In addition, applications to prepare eleven schemes are before me, and I have information as to some 120 other cases in which the question of schemes is under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is proposed to erect a large sanatorium for tuberculous patients at Nayland, Suffolk, or in the immediate neighbourhood?

An application has been received for a Grant for the erection of sanatorium accommodation at Nayland, and the proposal is now under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if it has been brought to his notice that dissatisfaction exists with regard to the election of parish councils by open voting as tending to make it difficult to ascertain the real opinions of the electors; and whether he can see his way to introduce a measure for the purpose of substituting vote by ballot for open voting?

As I stated last Monday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Skipton Division, I have caused this point to be noted for consideration when an opportunity occurs for issuing a new Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give figures showing in tabular form the fluctuations in value of the sovereign during the last eighteen years, as measured by its capacity to purchase the principal articles of food, in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany, respectively?

The statement asked for by my hon. Friend cannot be given in strictly comparable form. I may say, however, that such statistics as are available with regard to the movement of prices in foreign countries are now being examined in connection with the forthcoming Report on Cost of Living, and it is hoped to include in that Report a good deal of information on the subject, with all the explanations and qualifications which are so essential when the statistics of different countries are compared.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make representations to the British and Irish railway companies that the effect of their new regulations, which apply only to goods consigned from one part of the United Kingdom to another, is to give an undue preference to foreign produce imported into these countries, to the disadvantage of the home producer; if he will represent to the British and Irish railway companies the justice and necessity of securing that, in the matter of transit regulations, the home producer should be placed on at least terms of equality with his foreign competitor; and, should these representations fail, what steps, if any, he intends taking in the matter?

The regulations appear to apply both to import and to export traffic, except when conveyed direct between truck and ship. I will ask the railway companies for their observations on the point which my hon. Friend raises, but he will understand that the Board of Trade have no jurisdiction to determine a question of alleged undue preference, which is a matter for the Courts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department is in possession of or has means of ascertaining information from the railway companies in respect of the freightage upon goods between various places within the United Kingdom and from foreign countries into Great Britain and Ireland; and, if so, whether he will state the freight charges upon butter and eggs from Ireland and Denmark, respectively, into London and the other principal distributing centres in Great Britain?

I have already informed my hon. Friend that I have not the information he desires. The through rates from places in Ireland to places in Great Britain can be ascertained by reference to the rate books at the sending stations. If through rates by sea and rail from places in Denmark to places in Great Britain are quoted by the railway companies, and my hon. Friend will furnish me with a list of the rates of which he desires particulars, I will endeavour to obtain them for him, but it must be borne in mind that traffic from Denmark for London and some other distributing centres may pass entirely by sea.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the new regulations adopted by the British and Irish railway companies regarding the consignment of butter and eggs will substantially increase the freight charges on these articles and thereby affect the producers and consumers throughout the United Kingdom; whether he will ascertain what other object the railway companies have in view in departing from the custom in vogue for the last forty years except to raise the rates; and what reason they give for not adhering to a system which has worked so well for so many years?

If my hon. Friend can supply me with particulars showing precisely in what way the new regulations will, in his opinion, involve an increase of charges, I shall be glad to consider them. I understand that the chief object of the regulations is to avoid the difficulty of tracing the consignees of unaddressed traffic which goes astray and generally to facilitate the transit and delivery of the goods.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the outward mail on Sunday afternoon from Dartmouth to London and other non-local places has been discontinued; and whether he will state the reason for the discontinuance?

No mail from Dartmouth on Sunday afternoons has been discontinued.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the postal arrangements in certain parts of Sheffield; whether he is aware that in the Darnall rural postal district the facilities are worse than obtained twenty years ago, and that by the first morning delivery residents receive their letters at times varying from 8.45 to 9.45 a.m., and that the last collection is at 8.45 p.m.; whether he can state why Darnall is continued as a rural district when less than a mile away there is a large district office in Attercliffe; whether the fact that the wages paid are 6s. per week less in Darnall than in Attercliffe is the main reason why Darnall is continued as a rural district; and whether he will arrange for a better and more serviceable system of collection and delivery immediately?

The postal facilities in the Darnall district have been considerably increased in the course of the past twenty years, the improvements including an additional delivery and dispatch on week-days and a Sunday delivery. The question of effecting further changes and some acceleration of the morning delivery is now engaging my attention.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of recognising the Post Office Servants' Federation as a duly constituted federation of postal servants?

It is desirable, for the effective working of the system of official recognition of associations of Post Office servants, that the classes represented by any single association should have common interests. I am not satisfied that the Post Office Servants' Federation fulfils this condition.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the revenue derived from telegraphic communication from the following towns during 1911 and 1912: Stoke-on-Trent, Salford, Portsmouth, Leicester, Cardiff, Bolton, Sunderland, Oldham, Dover, and Penzance?

I cannot give precise figures to my hon. Friend except at such cost as the results would not warrant; but, on the assumption that the telegrams from the towns in question are of average length, the gross revenue is approximately as stated below. The revenue from branch offices, town sub-offices, and railway stations has been included with that of the relative head offices. The revenue from Salford cannot be given, as the Salford records cannot be separated from the general Manchester records. Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, and Longton have been included under Stoke-on-Trent and Barry under Cardiff.Statement showing the estimated gross telegraph revenue derived from the undermentioned towns during the years 1911 and 1912, respectively:—

asked the Postmaster-General why the motor mail service between Ballina and Belmullet was discontinued; was there any complaint by the contractors as to the neglect of the local authorities to keep the road in order; and, if the road is put into proper order by steam-rolling and reducing dangerous culverts and corners, would the Post Office be prepared to resume sending the mails by motor, as the mail vehicle is the only way that large numbers of people have to get to and from their railway station at Ballina, nearly forty miles from Belmullet?

The reason for the discontinuance was the expense cast upon the contractor and the Post Office by the neglect of the road authority. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. In answer to the third part, which is hypothetical, I can only say generally that the improvement of the road would certainly reduce the cost of running motor vehicles, and would no doubt be taken into consideration by the Congested Districts Board and the Board of Agriculture if they were asked to renew their subsidies. Should they consent to do so, the Post Office would be glad if, without breach of its present undertakings, and without its incurring an expense for conveyance of passengers with the mails greater than that for conveyance of mails alone, it could arrange for the use of motor instead of horse traction, and for the conveyance of passengers as well as mails.