asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any arrangement has been completed between the Chinese Government and the five-Power group regarding the proposed loan?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether the trade route between Khanikin and Kermanshah has officially been declared to be unsafe; if so, by what authority; and what steps are being, or will be, taken to forward 6,000 loads of British goods lying at the former station on the route?

His Majesty's Minister at Teheran has reported to me that the Kermanshah road is insecure, and that he has brought the facts to the notice of the Persian Government, warning them that they will be held responsible for losses which may be incurred by British trade interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information, not hitherto given in the Press, regarding the departure of General Huerta and the position of General Carranza which he can place at the disposal of the House?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether all historical buildings will now be the special care of the Ancient Monuments Board, or whether certain historical buildings will be under the supervision of the Ancient Monuments branch of the Scottish Office of Works; and whether he can state which buildings will be controlled by which?

The functions of the various Ancient Monuments Boards are specified in the Act. As a matter of courtesy, however, the First Commissioner is anxious to consult them as to any important proposal affecting historic buildings with which he is concerned. An architect of Scottish nationality responsible for the ancient monuments in Scotland is permanently stationed in Edinburgh.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain the relationship between the Scottish architect who is stationed at Edinburgh and the Scottish Office of Works?

The Scottish architect stationed in Edinburgh answers primarily to the head of the Ancient Monuments branch in London, who himself consults directly through the architects' office with the Scottish Ancient Monuments Board.

Are we to understand that this official in Scotland, whom my hon. Friend seems to know so little about, is not responsible in any way to the Scottish Office of Works, but is responsible to the London Office of Works, which is presided over by two Englishmen?

The hon. Member ought to give notice of questions of that kind.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, from what source the Committee of Inquiry into the architects and surveyors and engineering divisions of His Majesty's Office of Works, London, obtained the evidence upon which they based the derogatory statements concerning the unestablished architectural staff (styled draughtsmen) made in their Report dated 22nd October, 1913; and whether he knows that such statements have been proved, from a careful census which has been taken during the last three weeks, to be inaccurate and misleading, and that in the majority of branches visited by this Committee the draughtsmen were not interrogated as to their work, experience, or qualifications?

The steps taken by the Committee to obtain evidence are summarised in the second paragraph of their Report. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has recently been called to the Kelway sound-locating system, for which it is claimed that safe lanes may in the densest fog in narrow waters, such as the St. Lawrence and the Straits of Dover, be followed by inward and outgoing vessels, respectively, with the consequent avoidance of or reduction in losses by collision, stranding, and delay; and, in view of the recommendation of the "Empress of Ireland" Commission in regard to obviating the necessity of ships crossing one another in fog, whether he purposes taking any and, if so, what steps towards the adoption in the mercantile marine of the Kelway system, which the United States Navy Department at Washington reported to be a valuable aid to navigation?

The attention of the Board of Trade has frequently been called to the invention to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which has already been given, that it rests in the first place with the inventor to convince shipowners and lighthouse authorities as to its utility.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to exempt seamen from penalties for failure to comply with rules made by the Board of Trade, as regards fire drills, under the Merchant Shipping (Convention) Bill?

The question whether, and under what conditions, a specific penalty should be provided for the cases referred to by the hon. Member is being considered, with a view to an Amendment being proposed on the Report stage of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, as regards the recent collision between the steam collier "St. Margaret" and the Manx excursionist steamer "King Orry," he can state whether the master and officers of the "St. Margaret" held Board of Trade certificates and how many officers she carried?

According to the agreement with the crew of the "St. Margaret" for the first half of this year the master, mate and engineer were all certificated. I have not the information showing whether any change has taken place since 30th June, but I will make inquiries, and inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has been come to as regards the taking of legal proceedings against the managing owner, or owners, of the ss. "County of Devon"?

Not yet, Sir.

When may we expect a decision upon this matter? Several weeks have elapsed since the Board of Trade took it up?

I expect we shall hear from counsel shortly, but I am unable to give the date

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the length of time that has elapsed since the First Reading of the Irish Land Bill; whether he is aware that the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland gave an undertaking on his behalf that the measure would be energetically proceeded with; and whether the Irish Land Bill will be the first Bill to be taken in the new Session of Parliament which is projected for November of this year?

This Bill was introduced on the 2nd April last. It was stated from the first that the Bill could not be proceeded with unless some general measure of agreement was arrived at previously. The Government are fully aware of its importance, but I cannot give the hon. Member such a pledge as he asks for in the last part of his question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the damage being done to the roads of the country by the increase of motor lorries and heavy traction engines; and if he will consider the desirability of increasing the licences on these vehicles, the proceeds to be paid to the bodies responsible for the repair of the roads?

The whole question of heavy motor traffic is under consideration.

Who is considering it, and when will their Report be issued?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Andover (Captain Faber) yesterday asked a question on the subject of my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, and the reply was that a Technical Committee on the law and the regulations relating to heavy motor cars and traction engines was about to be appointed.

Will their names be put on the Paper?

It is a Departmental Committee.

Will the terms of reference be published?

I do not think so, but perhaps my hon. Friend will address a question on that point to the President of the Local Government Board.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise how little confidence there is in technical experts, and will some practical men be appointed? [HON. MEMBERS: "King!"]

asked what was the amount of money collected from carriage and motor car licences by the county councils of England and Wales during the last complete year; and how much of such sum was retained by these bodies towards the cost of the upkeep of the roads?

The total collection in England and Wales during 1913–14 was £1,103,593 19s. 11d. Of this £536,954 8s. was retained by the councils of counties and county boroughs under the provisions of Section 88 (2) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, as amended by Section 18 of the Revenue Act, 1911, and the balance less cost of collection was paid to the Road Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the names of the present directors of the Collooney, Ballina, and Belmullet Railway and Piers Company; whether Sir Thomas H. C. Troubridge is still the chairman of this company; whether it has complied with the Companies (Consolidation) Act by filing an annual balance-sheet; and whether particulars have been included in these statutory returns of the manner in which the paid-up capital of £100,300 has been employed?

The Board of Trade have no official information as to the present directorate of this company, but I believe Sir Thomas H. C. Troubridge is still the chairman. The company, being a statutory one, is not required to comply with the provisions of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, and I am not in possession of any particulars respecting the disposal of its paid-up capital.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to state when he will be able to lay before the House of Commons the Minute required by Section 1 (6) of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1912; and when he intends to make a full statement of his proposals as regards the revised scale of pay for the Metropolitan Police?

I cannot add anything at present to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Dulwich last Monday.

Are the police to receive any consideration during this Session of Parliament, or are they not?

I do not understand the point raised by the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has taken the necessary steps to lay the Minute on the Table, and when the matter may be discussed in the House of Commons?

I have already informed the hon. Member that I propose to lay the Minute on the Table of the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take immediate steps—

The hon. Member is repeating a question which the right hon. Gentleman has already answered.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to lay the Papers on the Table?

As I stated on Monday last, I hope to be able to do so very shortly.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he proposes to issue before the end of this Session a general Order which will secure for district medical officers of health and sanitary inspectors greater security in the tenure of their offics; and, if so, when such Order will be issued?

This matter is still under consideration. I hope to be able to come to a conclusion on it at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the event of a new public elementary school being erected in any locality during the remainder of the current year on the demand of a county education authority or of the Board, the whole cost of its erection will be spread over the county or whether, as heretofore, three-fourths of the cost will fall upon the ratepayers in the immediate neighbourhood?

The law relating to this matter will not be altered by any legislation which it is proposed to pass this Session.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Middleton, county Cork, old age pension committee granted a pension to Jeremiah Leahy, of Wood, Cloyne, and that this claimant was shown to be seventy-nine years of age, and without land, means, or resources; whether, in face of these facts, the Local Government Board declared that the claimant was not entitled to any pension and overruled the local committee who had knowledge of the circumstances; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The facts are as stated in the question in so far as the grant of the pension and the age of the claimant are concerned, but the hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as regards Jeremiah Leahy's means and resources. Leahy resides on a farm of 43 acres which he assigned to a nephew in February last, reserving maintenance for himself. Nearly half the farm is under cultivation, and carries a good stock of cattle, pigs and fowl, and in the opinion of the Local Government Board the value of the benefits and privileges enjoyed by the claimant is worth more than £31 10s. a year. As the claim has been decided the Board have no power to reopen the case.

asked whether the murderers of the free labourer, Thomas Harten, during the syndicalist strike in Dublin on 17th January, have been brought to justice; and, if not, what has been the result of the police investigations?

Three persons were charged in connection with this murder. One of the prisoners was tried on 6th and 7th April last, and was found "Not guilty." A nolle prosequi was then entered in these cases of the other two prisoners.

Has this matter been dropped, and is this poor man's murder to be overlooked and passed over?

The jury returned a verdict of "Not guilty."

Are the police or the Government urging further investigation into this serious charge?

No doubt the police have done everything they possibly could to bring these men to justice.

Do I understand that the Government have dropped the matter, and are no longer pressing it?

had on the Paper the following question: To ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the girls' and infants' school of Christ Church, Albany Street, St. Pancras, is built on Crown land granted in 1837, with an express provision of reverter if the premises are used for any other purpose than a school for the education of poor children in the principles of the Church of England, or in the event of the discontinuance or the abuse of the trusts or breach of covenant; whether he has seen a Report of the Board of Education that the general defects of the premises do not admit of remedy and that expenditure on them would not be justified; that the rooms are dark and disturbed by traffic in the street; that the small entrance lobby and access to it are impeded by the offices and coal store, and provide insufficient cloak-room accommodation; that the girls' school is approached by a single wooden stairway with numerous turns, contrary to all rules for safety against fire and panic; and that there is no playground; and whether he will use his power under the reverter clause in the lease to prevent the abuse of the trusts involved in compelling the public to use and maintain such premises as suitable for educational purposes in defiance of the requirements of Section 7 (1) (d) of the Education Act, 1902?

(who entered the House later): I am informed that the site of the girls' school—which no doubt included the infants' school—was the subject of a Grant, dated 17th June, 183V, by the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury to the Rt. Hon. T. Erskine and others in trust for the purpose of erecting thereon a national school. The Grant embodies various covenants by the grantees as to repairs, user, etc., and contains a proviso "that if at any time hereafter the school buildings and premises or any part thereof shall be applied to or used for any other purpose whatsoever than as a school for the education and instruction of poor children in the principles of the United Church of England and Ireland," or if the grantees do not observe the covenants, etc., then the King or the Commissioners of Woods may re-enter. I do not understand how the public can be compelled to maintain the premises, if not suitable, for a school, but so long as they are used for the purposes for which they were granted the Commissioners of Woods have no power to intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has information showing that the boys' school of Christ Church, Albany Street, St. Pancras, is built on Crown land granted in 1858 with an express provision for reverter if any act be done which shall be a nuisance, annoyance, or disturbance to adjoining owners; whether he has seen a Report of the Board of Education on this school that there is no playground and that the boys spend their recreation interval in the street; that the shortage of playground is one of the less prominent defects of the premises, and that these defects do not admit of remedy; and whether he will use his power under the reverter clause in the lease to relieve the housing requirements of London?

I am informed that the site of the boys' school was the subject of a Grant, dated the 26th October, 1858, by the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury to the perpetual curate and churchwardens of the district of Christ Church, St. Pancras, who were the holders of a lease of the site with the buildings then standing thereon. The Grant contains a declaration that if a schoolhouse should not be erected as therein specified, "or if at any time hereafter the premises hereby conveyed or the buildings to be erected thereon shall be used or appropriated for any other purpose than a school for the education of the poor children in the said district of Christ Church and the residence of the master or mistress or teacher or teachers of the said school, or if any act or thing shall at any time be done or permitted upon the said premises which shall be or may become a nuisance, annoyance, or disturbance to the owners, lessees, or occupiers of any of the adjoining or contiguous premises, the Grant hereby made shall from and immediately after such user or appropriation, or the commission of any such act or thing as aforesaid, cease and be void." I am not aware that any circumstances have arisen which would justify the Commissioners of Woods in terminating the Grant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether these schools have not been actually condemned as irremediably bad; and will he not use the land for housing purposes in London?

I understand that the purposes of the Grant have not been avoided.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will place in the Tea Room of this House plans of such rural cottages as the Government approves, stating the probable cost of such cottages?

I hope shortly to be able to lay on the Table the first Report, including plans, of the Advisory Committee which I appointed to consider this question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will name the districts, if any, in which land has been offered to the Government free for the purpose of erecting labourers' cottages thereon?

I have received free offers of land for the purposes mentioned in Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, as representing the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, whether he is aware that at Beningholme Hall, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, which is the property of the Crown, the houses provided for the labourers are in a bad condition, namely, in the principal cottage in respect of ventilation and dampness of walls, and as to the sleeping accommodation in the loft, and also as to the want of proper closet accommodation; whether he will consider the advisability of sending a Government inspector to report on the sanitary conditions of all the cottages on Crown property in the East Riding of Yorkshire; and if he will consider the advisability of placing the cottages on Crown property under the same conditions as apply to a private landowner, inasmuch as it is in reality property managed by the Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The late tenant, who held on a repairing lease, died in the autumn of 1911 in financial difficulties—the executors determined the tenancy by notice last spring and a claim for dilapidation was made against the estate. The farm has now been relet. I gave instructions some time ago for the necessary repairs and improvements to the buildings, and I understand that the work has been actually commenced. The Crown Receivers, in whom I have every confidence, are reporting estate by estate, on the sanitary condition of cottages on the Crown property in Yorkshire and elsewhere, and there is no need for the intervention of any ether Government inspector. In answer to the latter part of the question I may say that it is already the practice of the Commissioners of Woods to act just as if the Crown were bound by all the provisions of those Acts which apply to cottages.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only way of dealing with a cottage that is in such an extremely bad condition as this one is to pull it down and rebuild it, and would he consider the advisability of placing all the cottages on Crown property under the control of the local authority in the same way as the cottages of private landlords are under their control?

These cottages are under the charge of the Commissioners of Woods, and it would be impossible to put them under the charge of anyone else without statutory sanction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are many cottages on Crown property such as this one which are in an extremely insanitary condition, and will he not at once take steps to have the matter inquired into?

I have already answered the question very fully, and I have told the hon. Member that long before he put this question these subjects were being inquired into.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply with regard to the investigations on Crown property in Yorkshire being very thorough, does that apply to the Crown property which is technically under the Duchy of Lancaster, as well as that which is under his own Department?

I am afraid I can only answer for those over whom I have control—the Commissioners of Woods.

Would it not be possible to make some arrangements by which the same control could be exercised over these cottages as over others?

If that were done it would mean an amendment of the Crown Lands Act, and I should certainly have to consider that matter.

Would it not be possible to place a Clause to this effect in the Housing Bill?

No, Sir; it would be out of order.

Are we to understand that cottages on Crown property are not subject to the ordinary hygienic laws?

Yes, the Noble Lord can understand that they are subject to the same laws and customs, and that the same care is being taken over these cottages as is taken over his cottages by any benevolent landlord?

The right hon. Gentleman is entirely wrong.

At the end of Questions, the hon. Member said: I desire to give notice that in consequence of the unsatisfactory answers of the President of the Board of Agriculture to the questions I put to him with regard to the condition of certain cottages on Crown property, I shall call attention to' the matter on the adjournment of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce the reopening of the English ports for Irish cattle drawn from counties which have continued free from any suspicion of cattle disease?

The Board proposes to issue an Order to come into operation on Friday, modifying the present restrictions so as to allow animals from certain parts of Ireland to be shipped to certain ports in Great Britain, there to be slaughtered within ninety-six hours. I hope to be able to announce full details to-morrow.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it was with his authority that I was informed by the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) that the relief now promised on Friday would be given to-day?

I do not know what passed between the Vice-President and the hon. Gentleman, but the Order opening the port on Friday will be issued today. Perhaps that is what the hon. Member is referring to.

Did the right hon. Gentleman allow the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) to inform me, personally, with his approval and consent that the port was to be opened to-day?

What I did say, and what I have said in this House as well as privately, was that the Order would be issued to-day. If it is issued to-day, it obviously cannot be put into operation to-day, and I do not know that any relief will be given if the port is not opened until Friday.

Was it not the custom, when these Orders were necessary some months ago, to send word by telegram before noon, in order to give the relief necessary, and why should it now take two days to get the port open?

Can Members generally be put into possession of the terms of the Order some time this afternoon as soon as possible, having regard to the grave interests affected in Ireland?

It is not an easy matter, in answer to a question, to define exactly the boundaries within which the restrictions have to be maintained without having to go into long geographical particulars. These can best be given in the form of an Order. I have promised to give as full details as possible at Question Time to-morrow. Meanwhile, the trade is being fully informed, and in some districts it will be resumed on Friday.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that the universal enforcement of his Order means the ruin of a trade worth £18,000,000 to Ireland, and does it not amount to separation between the two countries?

No, Sir, it would be absurd to put the case in those terms. It is in the utmost interest of both the Irish and English trade that the greatest precaution should be taken to prevent the spread of the infection.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if time will be given to discuss his decision?

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will state each of the years under which a levy has been made under Sub-section (5) of Section 71 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894; the amount of the levy and its produce for each year; and whether he will state the amount of the contribution received, respectively, to these years from the Treasury for the purposes of the same fund?

If the hon. Member will move for a Return, I will endeavour to give the information desired.

asked whether the maximum amount payable by the Treasury to Ireland for the working of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, has been paid in each year, and, if not, will he state the total arrears; and whether in each year in which a local levy was made the Treasury contribution was first exhausted?

The reply to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. A levy is made whenever the balance to credit of the General Cattle Diseases Fund from all sources (Treasury Grant and local authority contributions included) is approaching depletion. The point of exhaustion is never actually reached before a new levy is raised.

asked if, when a levy is made under Sub-section (5) of Section 71 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, it is made on the whole of Ireland; if not, how is the area charged selected; and what is the produce of a halfpenny rate on the annual valuation of Ireland liable to be charged?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The present produce of a halfpenny rate levied as mentioned would be £33,037.

I beg, in accordance with private notice, to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture what arrangement has been made respecting the opening of British ports for Irish live stock; whether it is a fact that only two animals were affected in Tipperary, and that those two cases were immediately dealt with; whether there is any symptom of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland, and whether, under these circumstances, he will allow the live-stock import trade to resume its normal condition?

With regard to the first part of the question, I can add nothing at present to the answer which I have already given to the question addressed to me by the hon. Member for North Londonderry. According to my information, although only two animals were found to be affected with foot-and-mouth disease in the recent outbreak, there had been considerable movements of stock a few days previously from the immediate vicinity of the affected farm, particularly to Dublin Market, and it would not be safe to assume yet that the infection has not been carried to some other parts of Ireland. In the interests of all concerned it is necessary that strict precautions should be taken until the normal period of incubation is passed. I hope to be in a position to make a reassuring statement on the subject early next week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement tomorrow, because it is an exceedingly important matter to all connected with the trade?

I have promised to make public to-morrow the terms of the Order, which will allow for the passage of animals over to certain ports in England and Scotland for slaughter this week, but with regard to the resumption of the normal trade it would be well to postpone any statement till next week.

Will the Irish Members be given an opportunity of discussing in the House this extraordinary action on the part of the Department?

That rests with the Leader of the House.

I am sorry to trouble the Prime Minister—I know he is very busily engaged—but I must ask him, in view of the total stoppage by the Department of Agriculture of this Irish trade, involving many millions of money, whether he can give an opportunity to the House of Commons to discuss the action of the Department?

I will consider that. I do not know if it can be done on any Vote in Supply.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Agricultural Education Conference will take into consideration matters affecting education in rural elementary schools; whether any request has been received by him that the Conference shall include some teacher or teachers in rural elementary schools; whether that request has been acceded to; and, if not, why this has not been done?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative; the remaining parts of the question therefore do not arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is this Conference referred to? Is it an official body?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether there exists a body known as the Rural Education Conference which from time to time issues reports upon educational questions; if so, by whom the members of that conference are appointed; whether, having regard to the nature of the subjects considered and of the reports published, he has appointed any practical teachers as members of the conference; and, if not, why this has not been done?

The Rural Education Conference has been dissolved and reconstituted under the name of the Agricultural Education Conference. I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of a Minute, in which the constitution and functions of the Conference are explained, together with a list of the members, thirteen of whom are teachers.

asked a question which was not audible in the Press Gallery.

It is a Conference of representatives of a large number of educational bodies who give advice to the Department concerning rural education.

Are we to understand it is an Advisory Committee similar to that of the Board of Education?

Yes, it is exactly the same body, only larger.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether in future he can arrange that in a suspected case of anthrax, when a farmer has been served with Form A, the Board shall send to him a Report as to whether the case is proved to be one of anthrax or not, to secure the payment of insurance money on the animal; and whether at present the confirmation required by an insurance company can only be obtained by payment of a 10s. 6d. fee to a veterinary surgeon?

Whenever after the service of Form A the owner of an animal wishes to have a copy of the veterinary surgeon's certificate, he has only to ask and the Board will send him a copy at once. But the Board have no knowledge of any case in which an insurance company has acted in the manner mentioned in the last part of the question and I shall be obliged if the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars of any such case which has come to his notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the large and continual growth in the number of fatal accidents occurring in factories and workshops in recent years, he will grant a Return of all such accidents for the past year showing the name, age, and occupation of each person killed, with date of accident, cause of accident, and description and name of owner of factory or workshop in which the accident occurred, similar to the list of fatal accidents con- tained in the Reports of inspectors of mines and quarries; and will he require the insertion of such particulars in future Reports of the chief inspector?

The subject of a Return by the Departmental Committee on Factory Accidents, who did not suggest any such Return as proposed by my hon. Friend, but took the view—with which I agree—that what is important is the preparation of careful analyses of the accidents in particular trades or districts. Tables giving detailed information for specific trades have been published in the Annual Reports of recent years, as, for example, for cotton spinning in 1909, shipbuilding in 1910, locomotives and motors in 1911, and iron and steel foundries in 1912, and other trades will be dealt with in the same way. Statistics in this form should, in my opinion, be much more valuable for purposes of prevention of accidents than unclassified particulars of individual accidents spread over the whole body of miscellaneous industries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last four years the annual number of fatalities in factories has increased by over 40 per cent.? Does he not think that some steps are desirable in regard to this increase?

I cannot commit myself to the precise percentage, but I regret to say that my hon. Friend's statement is substantially right.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there has been a distinct increase in the number of fatal accidents since legislation was undertaken by this House in regard to Employer's Liability and Workmen's Compensation?

If my hon. Friend means to suggest there is any relation of cause and effect between the two, I cannot agree with him.

I merely asked whether it is not the fact that there has been a large increase in the number of accidents since this legislation was passed?

I have already said there has been an increase in the number.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any legislative action to diminish the number of fatal accidents, or does he intend to take no steps whatever?

Yes, Sir, we are constantly taking steps.

Legislative steps?

Yes.

In late years?

Yes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of giving details of all the accidents, similar to those given in regard to accidents in mines? Will he do that for one year?

We think the giving of details as in the case of mines would be of no value. It would not assist us in deciding what is necessary to be done.

It would assist in discovering where accidents occur?