asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether no balances in hand on the coming into operation of the National Insurance Act are to be allowed on the administration account, whilst a deficit is to be made good at once by a levy on the members; whether this will result in many approved societies being short of funds for working expenses; and whether it could be arranged that the transfer of credit balances from administrative to benefit accounts should take place oftener than at the valuation period, namely, every three years?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The amount which may be carried out of contributions to the administration account (i.e., appropriated for administration expenses) is limited by regulation; but there is nothing to prevent any unexpended balance of sums so carried to the administration account from being carried forward and used to meet subsequent expenses—vide paragraph 4 of the National Health Insurance (Administration Expenses) Regulations, dated 20th January, 1913. There would be no advantage in transferring surplus balances on the administration account to the benefit fund during the period before a valuation takes place, since the whole of a society's funds including such balances are in fact available for the payment of benefits, and the only object of such a transfer is to increase any surplus or diminish any deficiency upon the benefit fund which may be disclosed upon valuation. A deficiency on the administration account has to be made good at the end of each year, but deficiencies as at 12th January last are subject to a special regulation which admits of their being carried forward if the Commissioners are satisfied that there is reasonable prospect of their being liquidated by savings on administration in the following year.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will arrange to dispense with a separate coloured card for low-wage workers; and whether the fact that such workers are now required to have a card of a special colour works as a handicap against them?

The method originally adopted for dealing with persons to whom the special scales of contribution set out in the Second Schedule to the National Insurance Act apply proved so unsatisfactory in working that the special cards referred to in the question were devised. I have had no complaints that workers to whom these cards are supplied find that they are handicapped in consequence in the search for employment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take this matter into consideration if I give instances, because I can assure him it is very serious?

I am not altogether satisfied with the system, like the hon. Gentleman, and I shall be very glad to confer with him on the subject.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the fact that 106 of the London panel doctors have each from 2,000 to 7,000 patients on their lists; that, consequently, some of the patients cannot get medical attendance and have to pay outside doctors as well as their insurance money; and what he intends to do to remedy this state of affairs?

I am informed by the London Insurance Committee that no doctor on the London panel has 7,000 insured persons on his list. Some misapprehension has been caused by the fact that in certain cases the doctor who is supposed to have a large number on his list is in fact the senior member of a partnership or firm, the members of which are collectively responsible for the treatment of those persons. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. If any insured person fails to obtain adequate medical attendance and treatment from the doctor whom he has selected, the insurance committee, on having the case brought to their attention by himself or his approved society or otherwise, will arrange for his transfer to another doctor.

Is it not a fact that the doctors have at all events from 3,000 to 5,000 patients on their books; does the right hon. Gentleman consider that satisfactory, and is it possible for the patients to get proper medical attention under those circumstances?

The doctors have on their books the patients who have chosen them; that is what we mean by the free choice of doctor. If they find they cannot get the attendance they want, then they can be transferred to another doctor.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what is the greatest number of patients a doctor has got?

I do not think I can say that. I do not think I have any specific knowledge.

The right hon. Gentleman has said that there are several thousands.

I said that there is no doctor on the London panel with that number.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had his attention called to the following four classes of persons affected by the Insurance Act: members who on account of age do not come under the National Insurance Act, members who become insured persons under the Act between the ages of sixty-five and seventy, members of the society at the time of the passing of the Act who on account of disablement are unable to become insured persons under the Act, and other members of the society who were such at the date of the passing of the Act; and whether he will consider making a Grant to assist such cases?

A special Grant at the rate of 2s. 6d. a head has been voted by Parliament towards meeting the cost of the provision of medical benefit under the National Insurance Act for all insured persons entitled to that benefit, and a similar amount is also available towards meeting the cost of providing medical attendance and treatment for persons insured under the Act who were between sixty-five and seventy years of age at the date of their entry into insurance, and who are not entitled to medical benefit, but for whom their societies are providing medical attendance and treatment, either as one of the benefits under Section 49 of the Act, or out of their private funds under arrangements made prior to the passing of the Act. The Grant out of Parliamentary funds towards the cost of benefits is limited to persons who are insured under the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if associations having an arrangement with the Board of Trade under Section 105 of the National Insurance Act obtain receipts for unemployment benefit paid to members each week on a Form U.I. 75, and that the forms in question are forwarded for checking purposes to the Labour Exchange authorities for ultimate consignment to the headquarters or branch of the respective associations; if in the case of more than one association not a single form has yet been returned by the Labour Exchange central office; and, seeing that in some cases associations have no other receipts for the moneys paid except on the U.I. 75 forms, and that the failure of the central Labour Exchange authorities to return the forms is causing apprehension and inconvenience to associations, he will take action to ensure that the forms which are found to be in order are immediately returned?

I do not think that all the statements in the question are quite accurate, and I hardly see why apprehension or inconvenience should necessarily be caused to associations by the present practice under which the forms referred to are retained in the Department until the whole of the forms relating to the quarter have been checked and found in order. As my hon. Friend is aware, large payments on account are made to the associations in the meantime. I may, however, say that the Board of Trade have for some time had under consideration a modification in this particular form which I hope will very considerably simplify the work both of the Department and of the secretaries of associations, and will incidentally remove any difficulties of the kind which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many insured persons have employed doctors not on the panel in order to ensure prompt and efficient attention; and whether the cost of medical attention so obtained or any proportionate part thereof is refunded?

As insured persons can obtain prompt and efficient attention from doctors on the panel, there is no need for them to employ other doctors on this account, nor have I any evidence that this course is being taken. In any case of complaint of neglect the insured person should communicate with the insurance committee, whose duty it is to investigate the matter.

If an insured person is on a given doctor's panel and is unable to obtain the services of that doctor, will he, in the event of being compelled to employ another medical attendant, have a part of the expense thereby incurred allowed to him?

I am not sure whether the committee have any power to allow expenses not already authorised.

Then the insured person would be paying twice for medical attendance?

I have no evidence that insured persons cannot obtain prompt and efficient attention from his doctor on the panel.

asked how many small friendly societies, registered and unregistered, existed in Great Britain two years ago; how many of these have become approved under the National Insurance Act; and how many are known to have been wound up during the same period?

The number of registered friendly societies of all sizes in England and Wales on the 31st December, 1910, was 6,130; no information is available as to the number of unregistered societies. Of these, 1,318 registered friendly societies and 700 unregistered have been approved under the National Insurance Act, and 955 registered friendly societies have been dissolved, and the registry of seventy-four has been cancelled since the above date. During the same period 309 new societies have been registered. If the hon. Member desires, I will obtain information as to Scotland. Societies have not been classified in the records as large or small.

asked in how many and which counties or groups of counties associations of small societies have been formed under Section 39 of the National Insurance Act; and in how many more is the formation of such associations contemplated before the end of the current year?

Section 39 relates to associations of small societies for the special purpose of partly pooling any surpluses or deficiencies disclosed by a valuation, and associations formed solely for that purpose would not normally be yet arranged. A number of associations, with functions mainly advisory in character, have been formed to assist small societies in their work under the Act. In England the information in the possession of the Insurance Commissioners shows that such associations have been formed or are in the course of formation in eleven counties or groups of counties. In Wales also eleven associations of small societies have been formed under Section 22 of the Friendly Societies Act. Many of these associations will doubtless be used for the purpose of Section 39 when the time arrives. In Scotland and Ireland (where, of course, the circumstances are very different from those in England and Wales) no associations, so far as the Commissioners are aware, are yet being formed.

asked how many farmers in Great Britain have refused and still refuse, as employers of labour, to carry out the provisions of Part I of the National Insurance Act, and in what county or counties the bulk of these farmers are to be found; and what steps, if any, are being taken to compel their obedience to the law?

Although in some cases difficulty is being experienced in enforcing the payment of arrears all serious organised resistance of the nature suggested by the hon. Member has now collapsed. The ultimate means of compelling obedience to the law is prosecution, and this is being employed both against persons who are still refusing compliance and against those who, though now complying, have refused to pay arrears. In all fifty-four prosecutions have been instituted against farmers in England, of which seven have been in Buckinghamshire, seven in Warwickshire, six in Berkshire, five in Suffolk, four in Essex, and four in Yorkshire (North Riding).

Have they all succeeded?

As far as I know, every case has resulted in a conviction.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the proposed appointment by the Lancashire Insurance Committee of a clerk at a salary of £500 per annum; whether he is aware that the person to be appointed is already clerk to the Lancashire County Council, clerk to the justices of the peace, secretary to the Lancashire Education Committee, and holds other salaried appointments, bringing him in altogether a salary of over £5,000 a year; and whether the Insurance Commissioners will consider the advisability of refusing to confirm the appointment and suggesting the appointment of a man who can devote his time to the duties of the office?

I am informed that the appointment of the clerk to the Lancashire County Council as clerk to the Lancashire Insurance Committee was fully discussed at a meeting of that committee and was carried by a large majority. The gentleman appointed has been acting as clerk to the committee during the past nine months, and the Commissioners see no reason to override the decision of the committee. I may add that the appointment is terminable at three months' notice and is subject to revision by the new committee, which is shortly to be constituted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the arrangements for the administration of Part I. of the Insurance Act in Lancashire are in a very backward state, and that in no single district has a meeting yet been held?

My impression was that Lancashire was one of the most forward of all the counties in dealing with Insurance. If there is any dissatisfaction with the work of this gentleman the new committee, which will be appointed in a very few weeks from now, can express their dissatisfaction by appointing someone else.

Can the right. hon. Gentleman say in what part of Lancashire a district meeting has been held?

I cannot answer that without notice.

Are we to assume that this position is a sinecure, seeing that the gentleman who is to have it can do so many other things at the same time?

So far as I am concerned the gentleman who is to have the position appears to regard it as anything but a sinecure, judging from the number of times he has appeared before the Insurance Commissioners.

asked whether, owing to the statement on the medical tickets and accompanying leaflets issued in December, 1912, that these tickets were only valid until 30th April, 1913, many insured persons were led to believe that their selection of a doctor by means of the medical ticket only held good till 30th April, 1913; whether these insured persons will be permitted to choose, if they wish, another doctor from the panel to attend them after 30th April; or whether they will only be permitted to make a change subject to the consent of the first doctor?

Neither the medical tickets nor the accompanying leaflets contained any statement implying that the selection of a doctor at the beginning of the year only held good until the 30th April; but, as I have stated in reply to previous questions, insured persons may change their doctors within the year, either by consent of doctor and patient, or by decision of the insurance committee if the committee considers transference desirable on any question arising between an insured person and the doctor attending him.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now had time to consider the Report of the Royal Commission recommending an additional judge; and whether he can arrange for the appointment to be made so that the new judge could begin work immediately after the Whitsuntide holidays?

A Motion for the appointment of an additional judge will be placed on the Paper to-night by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General, and I trust it may be passed by general consent.

asked whether, for the reason that the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Bill occupied two and three-quarter hours out of the time allotted for the Post Office Vote, so that no opportunity was afforded to many hon. Members who had matters to bring forward on behalf of their constituents, he will give another day for this Vote?

If a general desire of the House to this effect reaches me through the usual channels, I will see what arrangements can be made.

asked who is responsible for the distribution of the money collected for the Scott Antarctic Fund; whether he is aware that Mrs. Evans, widow of the late Petty-officer Evans, is only receiving 13s. 6d. a week from the Admiralty for the support of herself and her three children; and whether he will take steps to see that the money subscribed by the public is now distributed?

The control of this fund is vested in a body of trustees, including amongst others the Lord Mayor, Lord Curzon, and Sir Edgar Speyer. I understand that the fund has not yet been closed, but that this will be done within a few days, and an allocation will then be made as speedily as possible. In the meantime, every care has been taken, and will be taken to provide immediate assistance where required. As regards the specific case referred to the Noble Lord appears to have based his question on very imperfect information. Mrs. Evans has received (besides the balance of accrued pay, £52) sums amounting to £55 from the Expedition Committees and other funds, and I have no reason to think that her case has not been and is not being adequately treated.

Might I ask why the name of Captain Oates was not included in his letter?

For very obvious reasons. Captain Oates had no dependants. It was not from any lack of appreciation of Captain Oates' heroic conduct, because his efforts were just as much appreciated as the efforts of the others.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the proposed sale of the Deepdene estate, of which Box Hill forms part; if he is aware that the reason assigned for this decision by Lord Francis Hope, the life tenant, is the fact that the Undeveloped Land Tax was imposed for the express purpose of compelling landowners to break up such estates as this; if claims for Undeveloped Land Duty have in fact been served on Lord Francis Hope; and, if so, whether, in view of the advantage derived by the public from the existence of such areas as Box Bill, he will introduce legislation to exempt them from the provisions of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

My attention has been called to this matter. No Undeveloped Land Duty has been charged in respect of Box Hill, which is exempt from that duty on account of the public access now allowed thereto. The claims that have been made on Lord Francis Hope have been in respect of other land owned by him.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that National Reservists and other old soldiers of the Brigade of Guards attending the review by His Majesty the King on 28th April, who are employed at the Royal Army Clothing Factory, Pimlico, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and other Government offices, had their day's wage deducted; and whether, in view of the fact that the State should be a model employer, he will use his influence to secure that these old soldiers are not penalised for their loyalty?

Any proposals which reach the Treasury in this sense will receive sympathetic consideration.

asked whether it is with his sanction and in accordance with the usual practice of the Inland Revenue authorities that the collection of exceptionally interesting Roman remains unearthed at Caerwent, in the county of Monmouth, with the approval and largely at the expense of the late Lord Tredegar, and left by him in a museum on the site of the excavations for the benefit of the local inhabitants and of antiquarian visitors, is now being assessed by the authorities for the purposes of Estate Duty payable upon his death; and whether, if this process is inevitable under the existing law, he will, in the public interest and to prevent the dissipation of such collections, amend the law in the Finance Bill of the current Session so as to exempt such articles from the payment of Death Duties?

I am informed that there is no trace of any Death Duty assessment having been made as yet on the property in question. If the remains are shown to be of national or historic interest they would be entitled to exemption from Death Duties until they were sold, but up to the present no application for such exemption appears to have been made.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that a company formed in Nottingham last year to introduce and work machines made only on the Continent purchased over an acre of land on a highly developed estate, built a factory and fitted it with machines, thereby bringing additional trade to the city, whereupon the company was served with notice of four assessments for Undeveloped Land Duty for 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, and 1912–13, for £2 4s. 4d., in respect of each year, whereas the company was not even in existence in the first of such three years, and as soon as it acquired the land it began to develop; whether the delay in making the valuation was the fault of the Government officials concerned, although the Commissioners have decided that the company is responsible for the payment of the whole outstanding duty prior to the time when building began; and whether, in these circumstances, he will order that the assessment made shall be cancelled?

In the past some delay in the valuation of undeveloped land has been unavoidable. The consequent postponement of assessment is contemplated by Section 19 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, under which the duty referred to by the hon. Member, as restricted to the period prior to the development of the land, is properly charged on the owner for the time being who acquired the land subject to its liabilities. I see no reason to cancel the assessment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the work of the Land Valuation Department is being so conducted that assessments of Undeveloped Land Duty, accompanied by demands for payment, are being made twice over for the same duties on the same properties for the same financial years under different references, by which means landowners, unless carefully checking these demands for payment of duties, would be led to pay the same duties twice over; if not, will he investigate a particular case in the county of Monmouth, the Division of Newport, the parish of Maindee, in which two separate demands or notices to pay Undeveloped Land Duty, amounting to £20 4s. 8d., on the same property for the same years, have been served under two different references, one on 20th January, 1913, under the reference 66—72/5,557, and another on 31st March, 1913, under the reference 113 to 119/9,395; and will he take steps to prevent the multiplication of such incidents by allowing a fair and reasonable time for the work which has to be got through in the offices of the district valuers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Every reasonable precaution is taken to avoid mistakes of the description referred to by the hon. Member, but a few errors are inevitable in every undertaking of great magnitude. The duplicate demand in the case mentioned will be withdrawn.

asked whether, in view of the fact that motor ambulance wagons by their greater speed and comfort greatly mitigate the suffering of those afflicted by sickness or accident who have to be conveyed to hospital, and of the fact that they are mostly maintained by voluntary contribution and free to sufferers, he will encourage the displacement of horse-drawn ambulance wagons by exempting from duty petrol used in accident transport services in Scotland?

I am hoping to deal with this matter in the forthcoming Revenue Bill.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has been informed of the number of schemes for providing cottages for agricultural labourers in Ireland which, though conforming in every respect with the requirements of the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, have been held in suspense during the last two years for want of money on the same terms on which money is being advanced for land purchase; and, having regard to the necessity of labour for agriculture and to the urgency caused by the emigration of labourers for want of suitable homes, whether he will provide a loan for this purpose without further delay?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative; the second does not therefore arise.

Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer propose to make any provision for this important and urgent purpose?

My information does not coincide with that contained in the hon. Member's question.

Is it not a fact that quite a number of these schemes have been suspended for two years, and is not that a very serious matter?

That is the very question I have answered.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that such small amounts as 2d. are now collected in the shape of Income Tax; and if he will consider as to limiting collection to cases in which the amount will show a surplus over the cost of labour, stationery, postage, and other incidental expenses?

It is possible that cases may occur where items of tax as low as 2d. form part of a general demand rendered to a taxpayer, but instances of isolated charges for such a small sum are extremely rare, and are avoided wherever possible.

asked if the estimated revenue from Tea Duty for the present year is based on the assumption of an increased import of fourteen and a-half million pounds of tea; if the average annual increase for the past ten years has been about four and a-half million pounds; and what are the grounds for expecting such an exceptional increase in 1913–14?

The Estimate of the receipts from the Tea Duty is framed on the expectation that the actual clearances (not imports) will in 1913–14 exceed by fourteen million three hundred and four thousand pounds the clearances in the previous year. This forecast is based (as already explained in this House) on the facts that consumption in 1912–13 suffered from the effects of the coal strike, and that there was a considerable withholding of clearances at the end of the year. It is computed that these withholdings amounted to four million eight hundred thousand pounds, representing £100,000 of duty. The average increase of clearances in the last ten financial years has been about five and a-half million pounds, but there were increases of twenty-three and a-half million pounds in 1903–4, thirteen and a-half million pounds in 1907–8, eleven and a-half million pounds in 1908–9, twelve million pounds in 1910–11, and over eleven million pounds in 1911–12.

Was there not a reduction of the Tea Duty in 1910?

Not in 1910.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House where this tea is likely to come from; where we are likely to get this enormous increase in the revenue; and is it not a fact that there was no unusual holding back last year?

The hon. Member cannot have followed my answer.

I endeavoured to do so.

If he refers to my answer he will see that I am drawing a distinction between imports and clearances. The tea is there, and it is a question of clearances and not of imports.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the delay in the assessing of Estate Duty in the case of the estate of Margaret Thompson, deceased; whether he is aware that the executor of this estate is unable to distribute it to the beneficiaries, many of whom are poor people, owing to the failure of the Valuation Department to report, and that in consequence the funds of this estate have been lying idle since December last; and what is the necessity for the Valuation Department to report when, as in this case, the entire property has been disposed of by public auction and the realised price entered as the value on which Estate Duty is payable?

My attention has been called to the case referred to by the Noble Lord. I am informed that the duty was assessed on the 25th instant. With regard to the last part of the question, I have explained, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Dulwich on the 6th August last, that the price obtained on a sale of real property is not necessarily identical with the market value.

asked what is the amount of money standing to the credit of the Development Commissioners at the present time?

The cash balance at the credit of the Development Fund is £279,104, and in addition there are invested funds to the amount of £2,500,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate what is going to happen to this invested sum of about £2,000,000? Is it only the interest that is going to be given for development purposes?

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that it is not. The idea is that it will be used for schemes prepared by the Department with the approval of the Development Commission for afforestation and matters of that kind; but it is rather capital expenditure, and certainly it is not the interest.

Will this large sum be available if there is depression in trade and an increase of unemployment?

It is part of the proposal of the Bill that the money should be expended with a view to giving additional employment.

May I ask whether any schemes have been prepared to meet that contingency?

I know that afforestation schemes have been considered, but it is very desirable that we should proceed very carefully with regard to afforestation, and I think the hon. Gentleman, on going into the matter, will fully approve of that precaution. I know that they are going into it very carefully and preparing schemes.

Will the annual Grant remain the same, no matter how large the accumulations may be?

The annual Grant is a matter for the Estimates of the year. It is voted in each year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the case of miniature rifle-ranges, scouts' halls, and similar buildings, Income Tax is chargeable on the assessable value so long as they are owned by private persons; whether, if such buildings are vested in trustees for the use of boy scouts, rifle clubs, etc., they would be assessable for Income Tax; and whether he will consider the advisability of exempting all such buildings, which do not bring any profit to the owner from Income Tax in future?

Miniature rifle ranges and scouts' halls are assessable to Income Tax whether vested in trustees or not. I do not see my way to acting on the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, in view of the official announcement that applicants for the new research scholarships in agricultural science must be graduates of a university or holders of a diploma of a university or college of university rank, he will state what existing colleges in Great Britain are deemed by the Board to be for this purpose colleges of university rank; and whether the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester and the South-Eastern Agricultural College at Wye come within this description?

The words quoted by the hon. Member are intended to describe in general terms the nature of the qualifications required in candidates for agricultural research scholarships. It would be undesirable to draw up an exclusive list of the institutions which would be considered to come within the category, as this might in some cases lead to the disqualification of candidates who, on their merits, might be selected for scholarships. I am not prepared to say that students of Wye or Cirencester could not be admitted as eligible for research scholarships.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable number of young gentlemen who have been educated at these various colleges, and are in doubt whether to apply, because they do not know whether they have the necessary qualification?

They need have no compunction about applying. Their cases will all be discussed on their merits.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, seeing that under the Dairy, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order of 1885, compulsory veterinary inspection of cowsheds and notification of bovine tubercular disease is now required by those district sanitary authorities only which have adopted this Order and will continue to be required by them until uniformity of action is secured as the result of the passage into law of the Milk and Dairies Bill, but that under the Tuberculosis Order of 1913, which it is proposed to bring into operation to-morrow, such inspection and notification will be optional throughout the greater part of the country, he will, in order to facilitate local procedure and to secure simultaneous uniformity of tuberculosis administration, as contemplated in 1909, make the commencement of the operation of the Tuberculosis Order contemporaneous with that of the Milk and Dairies Bill?

I have considered the hon. Member's suggestion, but I see no good reason for postponing the operation of the Tuberculosis Order.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the chairmen or the clerks of the Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, and other county councils have already explained the paragraph dealing with salvage sales in the circular relating to the Tuberculosis Order of 1913 as meaning that the moneys produced thereby will be available to the county councils to help them to defray their administrative expenses; and whether, seeing that in fact the difference, if any, between the amount so produced and the assessed value of the diseased animal is, under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, payable to its owner, he will, in order to prevent any injustice to stock-owners resulting from similar interpretation of this ambiguous paragraph, acquaint local authorities without delay as to its true meaning?

I was not aware until I saw this question on the Paper that the Board's circular letter of the 25th March had been interpreted by officers of county councils in a sense plainly contrary to Section 20 (3) of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894. By calling attention to it in this House the hon. Member has given the widest possible publicity to the mistake made by the county council officers, and I do not think it is necessary for me to take any further action.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by an extensive dealer and exporter of cattle from Ireland to this country to the effect that, under the twelve hours' detention rule, through bookings have been discontinued by the railway companies; that cattle bought at Athlone intended for York market had first to be booked to Dublin, thence to Birkenhead, and after the detention period there they were sent by ferry boat to Liverpool, where they had again to be booked to their destination; that the absence of through booking in this case entailed an extra cost of 10s. per head on the cattle, exclusive of lairage charges; and whether he can say when this Order will be modified or revoked?

I am aware that in certain cases the rates charged for the conveyance of cattle from Ireland to markets in Great Britain have been raised. The circumstances contributing to account for the increase appear to be exceedingly complex, and are being investigated. The hon. Gentleman will have observed that efforts have recently been made by rail- way companies in many directions to increase their rates.

I desire to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the number of lambs exported to this country in the first four months of 1912 and 1913, respectively, and also the number last week and the number for the corresponding week in 1912?

The number of lambs exported from Ireland during the period from 1st January last to Saturday last, the 26th inst., inclusive, was 1,426. The number in the corresponding period of 1912 was 2,465. During the week ending Saturday last 778 lambs were shipped, as against 1,223 in the corresponding week of 1912.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether building operations have yet been commenced in connection with the building for the extension of the South Kensington Spirit Museum; and, if so, what progress has been made with the work?

Progress with the building has been seriously delayed. The plans are, however, now ready. Tenders have been received, and are under consideration.

Is it not the case that water is springing up in the middle of the spot on which it is proposed to place the spirit?

Yes, there have been difficulties.

Will not that involve a very large extra expenditure?

No, Sir, I do not think that it will involve additional expenditure. It may mean an alteration in the plans of the building.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ocean-going cargo ships have been fitted up with crews' hospitals since the 30th April, 1912, in response to the Memorandum issued in January, 1912, by his Department; and whether he intends to issue instructions making the provision of ships' hospitals compulsory?

According to reports received by the Board of Trade thirty-seven ocean-going cargo vessels have been fitted with hospitals for seamen since the 30th April, 1912. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, the Board of Trade have no statutory power to require hospitals to be fitted on cargo ships.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the 6.43 a.m. train from Plaistow is overcrowded in consequence of only having four carriages; and whether he will make a representation to the District Railway Company to put two more carriages on the train so as to prevent such overcrowding?

I am asking for the observations of the railway company in this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend upon receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to which juvenile advisory committees of the Labour Exchanges permission has been given to supply resident domestic servants in private houses; and will he state, in each case, on what date such permission was given?

I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the committees in question and of the date referred to in each case. He will understand that the arrangements only apply to young persons below the age of seventeen. Similar arrangements have been made in certain cases with committees appointed under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the recent increase in the offence against the Factory and Workshops Act known as "time-cribbing" in Lancashire cotton mills, and if he will send additional inspectors to that county to more effectively deal with the matter?

I have no information to show that there has been any increase recently in Lancashire as a whole. Seventeen firms only were proceeded against for this offence in 1912, as compared with thirty-nine in 1911, twenty-three in 1910, and twenty-nine in 1909. The need for continual supervision in regard to the matter is fully realised by the Department, and I may add that the question of reorganising and strengthening the staff in Lancashire with a view to increasing the efficiency of the inspection generally is now under consideration.

Have the inspectors instructions to act without giving actual notice?

That is part of their orders.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the penalties imposed by benches of magistrates in Lancashire on firms convicted of breaches of the Factory Acts; and if he will issue a circular with a view to more severe penalties being imposed?

My hon. Friend has been good enough to send me particulars of a recent case in which proceedings against a firm on a charge of time-cribbing resulted only in an order being made for payment of costs. I observe, however, that the justices came to the conclusion that in that particular case the offence had been a technical one only; and the records of the Department do not show that the average penalty in Lancashire is lower than in the rest of the country. The amount of the penalty in each case is a matter for the discretion of the justices after hearing the evidence, and I do not think it would be advisable to issue a circular as suggested.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the recent police prosecution of Mr. Burnett, a working mechanic, for organising a series of whist drives, at the Central Criminal Court, the prisoner put the same plea of defence to the police authorities as he did at the trial; if he was found not guilty; and as the case was a test one, as to the legality of such whist drives, will he, as an act of grace, help this quite poor man to meet the cost of defence, which was nearly £80, as was done in the case of Bowles v. The Bank of England?

I have had this case under my notice, but regret I have not been able to recommend any Grant towards the cost of the defence.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say if this is not a case for consideration. This man is threatened with bankruptcy and it is pretty hard on him.

I have no fund out of which I can make a Grant.

In what was the case of Mr. Bowles different from that of this poor mechanic? Is there one law for the rich and another for the poor?

There is a distinction to be drawn between the two cases.

Of course, one has money and the other has none.

asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Sydney Harris was arrested by Police-constables 430 E and 431 E on Saturday afternoon last, in Bow Street, at about 5 p.m., because the man Harris was taking down the numbers of constables who were pushing people about outside the Police Court; if Mr. Harris swore on oath at the Bow Street Police Court on Monday last that Police-constable 430 E threatened him in various ways whilst in the police cell; if he will state the nature of the charge entered in the charge sheet at the Bow Street Police Station; if Mr. Harris was fined 20s. and costs on Monday, 28th April; and if he will cause inquiries to be made into the matter?

I have made inquiry into this case, which was heard at great length, and find that the prisoner was charged with using insulting words and behaviour, whereby a breach of the peace might have been occasioned. The magistrate who heard the evidence was satisfied that it fully sustained the charge; that the prisoner was not arrested because he took the numbers of constables as alleged, and that the statement that he was threatened by Police Constable 430E was untrue. The prisoner was fined 20s., but there were no costs. I find no reason for further action on my part.

asked whether the Police Order prohibiting meetings in Hyde Park has had the result expected from it of preventing disturbance of the peace; and, if not, will the said Order be now withdrawn and the ancient freedom of public speech be restored?

The result of police action in Hyde Park has been that no serious disturbance of the peace has taken place. It is not proposed to modify the instructions given to the police, which, as I have already pointed out, apply only to meetings promoted by members of organisations which are endeavouring to further their cause by criminal acts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Sunday last a meeting of a Men's Political Union was broken up for lack of proper police protection?

Police protection was given, but it was quite impossible—the crowd being of such a size last Sunday in the park—for the police to ensure the meeting being held.

Were not the crowds last Sunday greater than ever? Is it not the fact that when meetings are prohibited the disturbance becomes greater, as used to be the case in Ireland? Would it not be better to restore the fashion of freedom of tongue as well as of pen.

My hon. Friend is, I think, confusing two sets of circumstances. A meeting was held in Hyde Park and caused great disturbance, but other meetings were not allowed, and I believe there was less disturbance in consequence of their not being allowed.

asked what fees, in addition to salary, have been paid to each of the Law Officers in connection with the prosecution of suffragists; the dates upon which the Law Officers appeared in Court in that matter; and, if none, the occasions and nature of the work for which the payments have been made?

The only fee paid to a Law Officer was £351 16s. 6d. to the Attorney-General in respect of the trial of Mrs. Pankhurst and others at the Central Criminal Court. The Attorney-General appeared in Court on six days.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to take the Second Reading of the Employment of Children Bill before Whitsuntide; and, if so, on which day?

I do not think it will be possible to find time for the Second Reading before Whitsuntide.

asked whether the Metropolitan police stations are all now connected with the general telephone system?

180 out of 194 Metropolitan police stations are on the public telephone system. The remaining fourteen stations are of minor importance.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if any public expense has been incurred in connection with the retention of his seat in this House by Sir Stuart Samuel; and will he say at whose instance, how much, and to whom paid?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. About £150 was expended on shorthand writing and printing for the Select Committee. In connection with the proceedings before the Privy Council, expenditure of £740 was incurred on the authority of the Treasury. This sum includes fees to counsel (Mr. J. R. Atkin, K.C., and Mr. A. Neilson), and the cost of the shorthand writing, printing, etc. The right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Edinburgh and St. Andrews Universities, who argued the case before the Privy Council at my request, has refused to accept any fees on the ground that he appeared in a sense for the House of Commons, and was performing a public duty. The Prime Minister has already expressed his appreciation of the services rendered by the right hon. and learned Gentleman, and I have also thanked him. I am glad of this opportunity of informing the House of Commons of the action taken by the right hon. and learned Gentleman in this matter.

Was it on the advice and with the concurrence of the Law Officers that Sir Stuart Samuel followed the course he did?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the number of second division clerks promoted in each of the last five years and the number required to pass a test in scholastic subjects as a condition of promotion?

The number of Civil Service certificates issued on each of the last five years to second-division clerks on promotion was as follows:—

asked on what grounds, other than the age of the candidate or the fact that he had already passed in the required subjects at examinations held by the Civil Service Commissioners which he had attended on previous occasions, assistant clerks recommended for promotion to the second division have been exempted from further examination?

In a very few cases the Civil Service Commissioners have exempted assistant clerks from examination on promotion to the second division in response to urgent representations from the authorities of the Departments making the promotion. In these cases the Departments proved that there were exceptional circumstances, and the candidates had been selected for promotion on account of special and expert knowledge.

asked the right hon. Gentleman the annual cost of the monthly supply of pocket journals which have to be kept by officers in the Customs branch of the Customs and Excise service; and whether, in view of the frequently expressed opinion of the service generally that these journals serve no good or useful purpose, he will cause them to be abolished?

The Board of Customs and Excise are considering whether the pocket journal system requires any modification. The annual cost of the journals is too small to affect the question.

asked what were the respective amounts of overtime paid by merchants in Customs ports and Excise collections to the Board of Customs and Excise; and what were the amounts of overtime paid by the Board of Customs and Excise to the officers in the Customs branch and to the officers in the Excise branch, respectively, of the amalgamated service during the twelve weeks ended 22nd February, 1913?

The figures for which the hon. Member asks are not readily available and would in any case not be properly comparable, as the payments are on a different basis.

Is it not a fact that the amount of money received in payment for overtime is considerably more than that paid to the men who are working it?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the right hon. Gentleman the compulsory age of retirement for officers of all grades in the Customs and Excise service, and when was the last examination held for the supervising grade; and whether, in order to ensure a healthy flow of promotion, he will take steps to treat officers of all grades alike in regard to the compulsory age of retirement?

The general age for retirement is sixty-one in the officer and surveyor grades and sixty-two in the controlling grade. No examination for promotion to the surveyor (the supervising) grade in the amalgamated service has yet been held, but it is expected that the first one will take place about the end of the present year. It is not at present proposed to reduce the retiring age in the controlling grade, and I may add that to do so would have very little effect on the flow of promotion.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the fact that certain officers of Customs and Excise were induced in November, 1910, by the Board to volunteer for the position of assistant and second officer, with an assured allowance of £10 per annum; that had they not volunteered they would have, in the ordinary course, been promoted to the grade of examining officer, second class, between December, 1910, and April, 1911; that in the readjustment of salaries in December, 1911, the £10 per annum allowance was deducted from the amount of their back pay; that until the beginning of 1912 they received only the rates of overtime and subsistence, and were granted only the leave pertaining to the assistant grade; and, seeing that these officers have, as a result of volunteering, been penalised, will he state what compensation will be granted them?

I must refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question of 20th May last on this subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the Willesden Urban District Council have applied for a charter of incorporation; if the request has been refused, and, if so, will he state the grounds for such refusal; what is the present population and the rateable value of Willesden; and what is the population and rateable value of the smallest area which has been incorporated with the sanction of the Local Government Board since 1906?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I understand from the Privy Council Office that a petition of certain inhabitant householders of the parish and urban district of Willesden for the grant of a municipal charter of incorporation was presented to the King in Council in March, 1909, and was refused on the ground that the evidence before the Committee of Council, to whom the matter was referred, did not show that a majority of the whole of the inhabitant householders of the parish and urban district was in favour of the grant. The present population of Willesden is 158,863, and the rateable value £893,725. The smallest area incorporated since 1906 is Wallasey, which had a population of 67,000 and a rateable value of £466,120 at the time of incorporation.