Written Answers Written Answers National Insurance Act Administrative Expenses Mr. CASSEL asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the sum of £974,750, being the estimated Grant-in-Aid of administrative expenses of approved societies and insurance committees, represents two-ninths of the estimated expenses of such societies and committees as regards male members and one-fourth as regards female members, or how otherwise the estimate is arrived at; and what is the estimate of the total administrative expenses of such societies and insurance committees on which the Grant-in-Aid is based? Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN The amount is made up as follows:— ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Two-ninths of estimated expenses of approved societies and insurance committees in respect of male members | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |One-fourth of estimated expenses in respect of female members | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Special Grant of 1½d. per insured person to insurance committees in Great Britain in connection with the administration of medical benefit and corresponding proportion of Irish special Grant| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The first of these items includes a sum of £209,800 and the second a sum of £96,250 in respect of expenditure incurred in 1912–13, the Grants on account of which cannot be paid out of the current year's Vote owing to non-completion of the audit. The amount included in the estimate therefore, in respect of expenditure proper to 1913–14 is £668,700. The total estimated expenditure of societies and committees for 1913–14 on which this provision is based is £2,615,200. Stoker Mechanicians Mr. BARNES asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that, in the fourth list of approved societies under the National Insurance Act, stoker mechanicians are said to be eligible for membership of the Steam Enginemakers' Society; if he is aware that the secretary of that society states that the insertion is unauthorised and contrary to fact; and will he say by whose authority the list has included in it the item referred to? Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN I should be glad if my hon. Friend would send me a copy of the list in question. No list of approved societies issued by the National Health Insurance Commissioners contains such a statement as that to which he refers. Government Of Ireland Bill Estimated Expenditure On Irish Services Mr. HAZLETON asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he would give the items that make up the totals set out under the heads of other services in Appendix B of Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 6154, of 1912? Mr. MASTERMAN The following are the principal items, the figures given in Cd. 6154 having in certain instances been revised, as explained on page 4 of Cd. 6486:— ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Chief Secretary's Office |…| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Registrar-General's Office |…| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Treasury |…| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Public Record Office |…| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Home Office |…| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Audit Office |…| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Civil Service Commission, Charitable Donations and Bequests Office, Friendly Societies Registry, etc|…| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Land Law Services |…| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dundrum Criminal Lunatic Asylum |…| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |National Gallery (Ireland) Scientific Investigation, Endowed School Commissioners|| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hospitals and Charities |…| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Development Grant |…| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Miscellaneous expenses, including Temporary Commissions, etc. |…| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ancient Order Of Hibernians Major M'CALMONT asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Crown solicitor, who prosecuted members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for riot at Castledawson, at the recent Ulster winter Assizes, was aware before the trial that certain women and children alleged that they had been injured on the occasion of the riot; whether the depositions of these women and children were taken, and whether any of them were called as witnesses at the trial? Mr. BIRRELL A list was furnished by the Rev. Robert Barron on 26th November, 1912, as already stated. The prisoners had been committed for trial on the 24th day of July, 1912, and it would not have been possible to take further depositions. None of the persons named in the list were called as witnesses, because in the opinion of the Crown counsel, their evidence was not necessary to sustain the indictment, and all the prisoners referred to in the question who were returned for trial were convicted. Arrests In Ireland Major M'CALMONT asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that George M'Kenzie and Thomas Harvey were brought before a magistrate for the first time on 7th March, 1913, for an alleged offence on 17th September, 1912; and, seeing that Detective-sergeant Anderson, in his evidence on the case, stated, in substance, that the evidence for the prosecution had been complete for the previous five months will he say whether the whereabouts of the accused men were known to the police during that time? Mr. BIRRELL The police had no occasion to look for the accused or inquire as to their whereabouts until the warrants were placed in their hands on 6th March, 1913, and they immediately executed the warrants without any difficulty. British And German Navies Sir SAMUEL SCOTT asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the relative strength of the British and German Navies on 1st January, 1908, and 1st January, 1913, in battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, respectively? Mr. CHURCHILL I must refer the hon. Member to Parliamentary Paper No. 537, dated the 6th March, 1913. British Army Officers' Training Corps Sir FREDERICK LOW asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as an additional inducement for cadets in the Officers' Training Corps to become Territorial officers, he will advise that such cadets shall be allowed to reckon their full period of service in their training corps as service in the Territorial Force, and also to count their training corps' service as qualifying for the Territorial decoration? Colonel SEELY Members of the Territorial Force who are promoted to commissions from the ranks are only permitted to reckon half their service in the ranks as qualifying service for the Territorial decoration. The cadets of the senior division Officers' Training Corps are required to undergo military training practically equivalent to that undergone by non-commissioned officers and men of Territorial units and are allowed similarly to reckon half their service as cadets as service in the Territorial Force. There does not appear to be any strong reason for the differential treatment proposed in the question. Territorial Highland Divisions (Perth) Mr. FREDERICK WHYTE asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to acquire new premises in the City of Perth for the purpose of accommodating in one building the various departments of the Army which are now housed in different parts of the city; and, if so, whether he can state the names of the offices thus affected? Colonel SEELY An offer has been made by the local authorities for the sale of a building in Perth to the War Department. The proposal is being considered with regard to the cost and the advantages that may be gained by its acquisition. The offices affected would appear to be those of the headquarters of the Territorial Highland Division, the No. 1 District and Records, and District Paymaster's, and the Royal Engineers and Army Service Corps. Lieutenants (Pay And Allowances) Major M'CALMONT asked the Secretary of State for War the number of lieutenants of the Regular Army who, on the 28th February, 1913, could reckon less than three years' service for the purpose of pay and allowances, and whose regimental pay was 6s. 6d. per diem; and the number of second lieutenants who on the same date could reckon more than three years' similar service, and whose regimental pay was 5s. 3d. per diem? Colonel SEELY The reply to the first part of the question is 187, and to the second part of the question 58. No officer now serving in the Army will be adversely affected by the adoption of time promotion after three years. Bungalows, Roberts' Heights, Pretoria Mr. KEBTY-FLETCHER asked the Secretary of State for War what are the rents charged to officers for bungalows on Roberts' Heights, Pretoria; and if such rents are based on the cost of construction, which was extremely high owing to the war? Colonel SEELY The rents charged are £100 and £95. There are also bungalows at £145, but none of them are at present let to officers. These rents cover repairs of all kinds, insurance, water supply, and sanitary services. The cost of construction was, of course, taken into account in fixing them, but it was recognised that it was high, and the rents were put at the lowest figure to cover expenditure, with no charge for land and no element of profit whatever. Coal Allowance (Married Privates) Captain CRAIG asked the Secretary of State for War what is the weekly allowance of coal to the married private; and is it sufficient to keep a fire going throughout the week or is he intended to supplement the fuel out of his pay? Colonel SEELY Fuel is issued to the units as a whole, not to the married private in particular. In fixing the amount to be issued, an allowance is made for each married private at the rate of 120 lbs. a week for eight months and 80 lbs. for four months of the year, on a running account. These issues have hitherto been found to be sufficient. It is not intended that the man should supplement the fuel out of his pay. Officers Transferred (Cost Of Uniform) Captain CRAIG asked the Secretary of State for War when officers are transferred or promoted from one regiment to another, on whom does the expense entailed in the consequent provision of a complete new uniform fall? Colonel SEELY In the case of officers who are transferred from one regiment to another, on promotion, or at their own request, no public assistance is given in aid of the cost of the alteration or renewal of their uniform. The only instances in which a grant has been given are when units have been disbanded, and the officers transferred to other corps. South African Garrison Captain CRAIG asked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the recent reduction of the garrison in South Africa and the consequent saving in the Estimates, is any compensation to be made to the regiments brought home before their recognised tour in the country expired? Colonel SEELY I am not aware that the troops in question have suffered any loss in respect of which a claim to compensation arises. Ordnance Department, Woolwich (Storehouses) Mr. TYSON WILSON asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make any statement in reply to the representations made in November last in connection with the wages and conditions of service of the clerical staff in the storehouses of the Ordnance Department at Woolwich? Colonel SEELY I regret the delay that has occurred in dealing with this question, but it has been necessary to confer with the Admiralty. I hope to reach a definite decision very shortly. Special Reserve Battalions Mr. BOOTH asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that General Plumer, of York, is opposed to extensions of command in Special Reserve battalions, and that he has ordered all depot majors, who are, in practice, Regulars, and therefore senior to the Special Reserve majors, to attend annual training, and to do the work of second in command, with the result that the Special Reserve major is unable to learn his work for promotion in the four years; and whether Regulars will be brought in to command each alternate four years, or, if not, at what intervals? Colonel SEELY I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a similar question on 27th January. I would add that the whole question of the Special Reserve is now being considered by an expert Committee. Elementary School Teachers (Salaries) Mr. GINNELL asked the President of the Board of Education whether increase of salary accompanies promotion of a teacher from one grade to another to which a higher salary is attached; and, if there are any instances of the Treasury refusing to provide the increased salary for teachers officially notified of their promotion, will he say under what statutory authority this is done? Mr. J. A. PEASE There are no grades among teachers in public elementary schools in England and Wales corresponding to those which, I understand, exist in Ireland. Perhaps I may be allowed to refer the hon. Member to the Code of Regulations for public elementary schools in England and Wales for a statement of the different classes of teachers recognised by the Board of Education. Teachers are paid by the local education authorities, and Treasury sanction is not required to increases in the salaries paid to them. Board Of Education (Permanent Staff) Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give particulars of the yearly increase in the permanent staff of the Board for the years 1905–10, inclusive, distinguishing between the patronage-appointed higher staff and the clerical staff? Mr. J. A. PEASE During the period referred to the numbers of the patronage-appointed higher staff in my Department decreased by fifteen, and the numbers of the clerical staff increased by 170. I will circulate with the Votes the detailed figures for each year. School Registers Mr. KING asked the President of the Board of Education the number of scholars of various ages on the school registers for 1911–12, in continuation of Table 3 of the Statistics of Public Education (Cd. 6338, of 1912); and when the new volume of statistics will be published? Mr. PEASE The following is the number of scholars of various ages on the school registers of the public and other elementary schools for the statistical year (ending 31st July) 1911–12:— -------------------------- | | -------------------------- |England |…| -------------------------- |Wales |…| -------------------------- |Total, England and Wales|| -------------------------- The Statistical Volume, Part I., is not usually published before August, but this year an endeavour is being made to get it out in July. Metropolitan Police Captain JESSEL asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the previous good characters of ex-Police Constables Farmer and Haines, of the E Division of the Metropolitan Police, permission will be granted to them to resign from the force? Mr. McKENNA I have consulted the Commissioner of Police in this matter, and I regret that, in view of the gravity of the case, my reply must be in the negative. Workmen's Compensation Acts Mr. CLOUGH asked the Home Secretary what were the total amounts distributed under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts in 1905 and 1912? Mr. McKENNA Information as to total amount paid annually under the Act is not available. Statistics are collected and published annually in respect of a number of the most important industries, but these did not begin before 1908, and the figures for 1912 are not yet ready. Motor Omnibuses And Tramcars (Stopping Points) Mr. GLANVILLE asked the Home Secretary, having regard to the practice of motor omnibus drivers to drive their omnibuses between the kerb and any tramcar which has stopped to take up or unload passengers, such practice being highly dangerous to the travelling public, if he will take steps to prevent any motor omnibus driver driving his omnibus between the kerb on the near side of the road and any stopped or stopping tramcar on the near side; if he will issue an Order preventing any motor omnibus from stopping within ten feet of any fixed tramcar stopping place, and that the motor omnibus must stop behind such fixed stopping place; and will he deal with this question without awaiting any report on the question of London traffic? Mr. McKENNA The points mentioned involve great difficulties, and very various views are held as to what are the safest arrangements; but the whole subject of fixing stopping points for motor omnibuses and tramcars is receiving the close attention of the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, and he hopes, in consultation with those concerned, to determine stopping points which will prove satisfactory from the point of view of public safety and convenience. Indian Mint (Gold Coinage) Mr. BIGLAND asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the terms of the resolution of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, carried unanimously on 28th February, to the effect that the chamber desired to place on record its profound dissatisfaction at the refusal of the Government of India to consult commercial opinion regarding their proposal to establish a gold mint in the country, and expressed the hope that no steps would be taken to coin a 10 rupee piece until the Commission on Indian Finance and Currency to be appointed by His Majesty's Government had made its Report; and whether the Budget speech of the Financial Member of the Viceroy's Council, Sir Fleetwood Wilson, in which, referring to the proposed free coinage of gold at an Indian mint, the Financial Member said he would leave it to the people to decide what suits them best, expresses an intention by the Government of India to open mints to the free coinage of both gold and silver in India? Mr. MONTAGU The terms of the resolution were telegraphed to the Secretary of State on the 28th February by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Executions (Crown Colonies) Sir WILLIAM BYLES asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of executions following death sentences in Cyprus was in 1908 two, in 1909 seven, in 1910 ten, and in 1911 six, amounting to an average of over six per annum, being at the annual rate of one in every 45,000 of the population; and whether he will inquire into the cause of this unusual development of capital punishment in Cyprus? Mr. HARCOURT The number of executions in Cyprus is due to the prevalence of homicidal crime in the island, for which death is the penalty provided by law. The cause of this prevalence must be looked for in the general insecurity of life and property which existed in Cyprus for many centuries prior to the British occupation; and the remedy must be sought, partly in the vigorous enforcement of the law, and partly in the improved education of the people. Both these remedies are being pursued, and I am glad to say that in 1912 it was only necessary to exact the extreme penalty on two occasions. Sir W. BYLES asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the average number of executions following death sentences in Fiji during the four years 1908 to 1911, inclusive, amounted to over seven per annum, being at the annual rate of one in 20,000 of the population, and that, during these four years, not a single capital sentence was commuted; and whether he will inquire into the circumstances which have placed Fiji in a unique position among Crown Colonies both in respect of the comparative frequency of executions and especially of the non-commutation of any capital sentence? Mr. HARCOURT The figures given by my hon. Friend are correct, but in 1911 there was one, and in 1912 there were two commutations of death sentences. I am already in correspondence with the Governor on the subject of the frequency of death sentences in Fiji, as I informed the hon. Member for Peterborough on the 17th March. Swine Fever Mr. FIELD asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, if his attention has been drawn to an outbreak of swine fever on Lord Ellesmere's Grange farm at Worsley, near Manchester; and, if so, will he state when the outbreak was reported; the number of pigs slaughtered; and what restrictive orders have been issued in connection therewith? Mr. RUNCIMAN A suspected outbreak of swine fever on the farm named in the question was reported on the 1st March, and was confirmed on the 3rd March. One hundred and sixty-seven pigs have been slaughtered. A notice declaring the premises an infected place was served by the inspector of the local authority on the 1st March. Notices imposing restrictions on movement have also been served in respect of thirteen neighbouring premises. Industrial Bank For China Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the formation of a Franco-Belgian syndicate to establish, in conjunction with the Chinese Government, an industrial bank for China, the Foreign Office will raise any objection to the establishment of a similar bank by British financiers and business men, also working in conjunction with the Chinese Government? Mr. ACLAND I could not express any opinion on she subject until I had before me an application from the parties interested in some definite scheme, with full information concerning it. Election Of Parish Councillors Mr. CLOUGH asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that there is a public demand for the alternative of electing parish councillors at the meetings called for that purpose, if the majority of the meeting so desires, by ballot, in addition to the present expedient of voting by show of hands, so as to remove the temptation to vote for more candidates than the required number of councillors to be elected, to evade intimidation, and the necessity for demanding a poll; whether he can accede to this demand without having to resort to fresh legislation; and, if not, whether he proposes to introduce legislation upon these lines during the present Session? Mr. BURNS I have received some representations on this subject. Legislation would not, I think, be necessary to give effect to what is suggested, and I have caused the matter to be noted for consideration when an opportunity occurs for issuing a new Election Order. Bethnal Green (Urgency Cases For Relief) Mr. WADSWORTH asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will cause the scheme of the Bethnal Green guardians for securing prompt attention to urgent cases to be published, and request the inspector to see that it is properly carried out; will he ask the guardians of other Metropolitan unions to submit to the Local Government Board schemes for the same object; whether he is aware that, as the powers of overseers to give relief in case of sudden necessity have been transferred, in the Metropolis, to the borough councils, the right of the necessitous poor to apply to a justice of the peace for an order for relief in cases of sudden illness, or for an order for temporary relief, is incapable of being used; and whether the Local Government Board will authorise justices of the peace in the Metropolis to send orders to the relieving officers instead of to the borough councils, or, if the Board has not power to do so, whether they will appoint the police officers in charge of the police stations assistant relieving officers, with power to give orders for medical relief, or provisional orders for the workhouse infirmary, in case of sudden illness, and a provisional order for the workhouse in cases of sudden necessity, or will the Board take steps to secure for persons in urgent need medical or workhouse relief, and for every application to relieving officers for relief being recorded in his application and report book? Mr. BURNS I have been in communication with the Bethnal Green guardians on the subject of the hon. Member's previous question of the 12th March, and I am about to communicate with other London boards of guardians with a view to ensuring that due facilities are provided for prompt attention being given in urgent cases. The points to which he draws attention in the question will not be overlooked. Coal Miners (Wages) Mr. CLOUGH asked the President of the Board of Trade the minimum rates of wages for workmen employed underground that have been settled by the Joint District Boards for each of the districts named in the Schedule to the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, 1912? Mr. BUXTON The various minimum rates—of which there are a large number—settled by the Joint District Boards under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, 1912, for the twenty-two districts concerned have been published from time to time in the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette," and they will all appear as an Appendix to the Report on Proceedings under the Conciliation Act, which will be issued in the course of a few days. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of this Report as soon as it is published. Tin Box Trade Mr. GLANVILLE asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will cause a Departmental inquiry to be made into the wages and conditions that obtain in the tin box and vessel manufacture in London and the provinces, and give opportunities to have witnesses called direct from the workshops and their respective trade unions? Mr. BUXTON The question of the conditions prevailing in the manufacture of vessels from sheet iron and steel, whether tinned, galvanised, or enamelled, is receiving consideration in connection with the proposed extension of the Trade Boards Act, and I shall be glad to receive any information bearing upon the subject which can be furnished by persons interested in these trades, whether as workmen or employers, or by the association to which they belong. Census Of Production (Imported And Native Materials) Mr. BIGLAND asked the President of the Board of Trade, in reference to the Census of Production published last December, what proportion of the material used, which aggregate £1,028,000,000, is produced in these Islands? Mr. BUXTON The Census of Production Act only gives power to require, from persons liable to make returns, the aggregate value of the materials purchased for use in their productive work. Native materials cannot, therefore, be distinguished in the returns from imported materials. It is, however, estimated in the Report on the first Census of Production (Cd. 6320, page 26) that the imports of 1907 included goods for use as materials in the industries covered by that Report (i.e., excluding agriculture and fisheries), valued at £377,500,000 at the port of landing, or nearly 37 per cent. of the total referred to in the hon. Member's question. The remainder, £650.8 millions, is made up of: (1) Native raw materials, valued in the table on page 26 of Cd. 6320 at £99.7 millions; (2) the value added to the works value, or import value, of materials by transport and mercantile operations; (3) party manufactured goods serving as materials for further manufacturing opera- tions. So far as regards the last category, in which is doubtless included a large part of the sum in question, it is impossible to say in what proportions imported and native materials contributed to the value of the partly manufactured goods making up the aggregate, I may, perhaps, add that the value of imported materials is in part the result of the work of the British mercantile marine, since the declared value includes the cost of carriage to our ports. Post Office (Foreign Parcel Section) Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that several 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. attendances for sorters employed in the foreign parcel section have been altered to a rotary attendance of 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 9.45 p.m.; and whether, in view of the Department's expressed desire not to worsen attendances, the former hours of attendance can be retained and the pressure of work in the early morning and at night be met by increasing the staff, which would also absorb some of the overtime worked in the section? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL I am aware that the requirements of the work in the foreign parcel section necessitated the alteration of four of the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. duties in the manner stated by the hon. Member, but at the same time four other 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. duties were created in another part of the section, and in connection with these alterations each of the four sorters affected had the opportunity of obtaining other 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. duties. I regret that it would not be possible to revert to the former hours of attendance on the four duties in question without incurring further overtime or considerable additional expense for established force, neither of which is warranted.