asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is now able to state how many insured persons there are in Orkney and Shetland, respectively; and if, in view of the fact that any levy that could be raised to meet expenses of members of insurance committees would be quite inadequate payment, such expenses could be made from the special Grant for the Highlands and Islands?

A Return obtained by the Scottish Insurance Commission shows about 3,144 and 4,570 insured persons in Orkney and Shetland, but the Return is not yet complete and these figures are subject to some increase. I am afraid that the money voted for mileage and other special charges in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in the Supplementary Estimates of 1912–13 could not be used to defray the expenses of members of insurance committees.