Written Answers Written Answers National Insurance Act Workmen's Compensation Act Mr. BOWERMAN asked the Secretary to the Treasury who is responsible for the payment of the 7d. insurance stamps in order to keep an insured person in benefit under the National Insurance Act when such person meets with an accident and is receiving compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act? Mr. MASTERMAN No contributions are payable under the National Insurance Act, and arrears do not accrue, in respect of an insured person whilst he is disabled from work by an accident and is receiving compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, unless he is in receipt of remuneration from his employer in addition to the compensation. In the latter case contributions are payable by employer and workman in the usual way. Administration (Cost) Mr. JESSE COLLINGS asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total cost, including every item, of administering the National Insurance Act for the year 1912–13, and the total estimated cost of the same for the year 1913–14? Mr. MASTERMAN The figures of actual expenditure for 1912–13 are not yet available. The estimated figures under Part I. of the Act for 1913–14, as I have explained in reply to previous questions, are:— ----------------------------------------------- | | | ----------------------------------------------- |Central Administration |…| ----------------------------------------------- |Approved Societies and Insurance Committees|…| ----------------------------------------------- | | | ----------------------------------------------- The sum of £2,615,200 includes the aggregate of the maximum amounts allowed to be carried by societies to their administration account. Any sums saved within these maximum amounts will ultimately be available after valuation for additional benefits. Sanatorium Benefit Mr. COURTHOPE asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Insurance Commissioners will provide sanatorium benefit for the dependants of insured persons in those counties in which the insurance committees have not yet been able to make such provision? Mr. MASTERMAN Section 17 of the Insurance Act empowers insurance committees to extend sanatorium benefit to the dependants of insured persons, and provides for contributions from the Exchequer and the rates towards the cost of their treatment. In addition, the Government have promised further assistance to local authorities undertaking to treat uninsured persons suffering from tuberculosis, whether they are the dependants of insured persons or not. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular issued to local authorities by the Local Government Board describing in detail the scheme of the financial arrangements proposed. Tuberculosis (Advisory Committee) Mr. O'GRADY asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any intention to establish the Advisory Council recommended by the Departmental Committee on tuberculosis; and, if so, will any provision be made for the inclusion of representatives of approved societies on such council, having regard to the fact that a large contribution is made from the insurance funds for the purpose of research under Section 16 (2) (b) of the National Insurance Act? Mr. ROBERTSON The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Wilton on the 3rd instant. I would, however, point out that the function of the Advisory Council referred to in the question is to advise with regard to the application of moneys devoted to research, and that these moneys are derived entirely from a special State contribution and not from the funds of approved societies as stated in the question. Civil Service (Conditions Of Employment) Mr. POINTER asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of adults serving in a civil capacity in Somerset House; the grades and numbers of persons so employed who receive less than 30s. per week or £78 per annum; and the number whose normal working day exceeds eight hours? Mr. ROBERTSON The number of persons employed in a civil capacity in the Inland Revenue Department, excluding boy clerks, boy stampers, and boy messengers, is 8,223, but this figure includes a number of officers who are not adults. The total number of persons who are at present in receipt of less than 30s. a week or £78 per annum is, as shown below, 3,065, but a large number of these officers will in due course proceed to a maximum salary exceeding 30s. a week or £78 a year. The official working hours do not exceed eight a day, except in the case of twenty-seven porters, whose hours are nine and a half a day. Grades and numbers of persons employed in Inland Revenue Department who are in receipt of less than 30s. per week or £78 per annum:— ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Second Division Clerks |88* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Assistant Clerks |245* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Female Typists |35 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Paper Keepers and Assistant Paper Keepers |18* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Clerks to Surveyors of Taxes |355* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Lady Assistants (Controller of Stamps and Stores Branch)|32* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Women Tellers, etc. (Stamping Department) |73 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Warehousemen |34* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Packers and Porters |8* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Female Sewers |13 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Stampers |52* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Temporary Valuation Assistants |280§ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |" Draughtsmen |41§ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |" Clerks (Valuation Office) |1,579§| ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Messengers |9* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Pensioner Messengers |13 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Porters |40 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Attendants (Police) |34 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Charwomen |111** | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Process Servers |2* | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Door Porters |3 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | |3,065 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. POINTER asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of adults serving in a civil capacity in the National Health Insurance offices, London; the grades and numbers of persons so employed who receive less than 30s. per week or £78 per annum; and the number whose normal working day exceeds eight hours? Mr. ROBERTSON Excluding the outdoor staff (the majority of whom work out of London) and the audit staff (who are servants, not of the Commissioners, but of the Treasury), the following adult persons are employed by the National Health Insurance Commission (England) and the National Health Insurance Joint Committee: I. Persons in receipt of 30s. per week or £78 per annum or more, 394. II. Persons in receipt of less than 30s. per week or £78 per annum (exclusive of any overtime payment), 265, graded as follows:—MEN.—Second division clerks (£70—£300 per annum), 23; assistant clerks (£45—£150 per annum), 54; permanent messengers, second class (£70—£105 per annum), 2; permanent messengers, third class, 3; temporary messengers, 38; porters, 10; hall porters, 3; coal porters, 1; total, 134.WOMEN.—Typists (20s.—31s. per week), 23; temporary women clerks, 18; card tellers, permanent (14s. to 30s. per week), 29; card tellers, temporary, 7; charwomen and superintendents, 54; total, 131.Three of the above have a normal working day of more than eight hours. In addition to the above, 153 temporary clerks are employed who are paid by the hour, all of whom receive an average wage of not less than 30s. per week. Three receive a lower wage than this on the basis of an eight-hour day. Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN asked the President of the Board of Education the average salary per man, the average number of days vacation per man, and the average number of days sick leave per man for each of the following grades engaged under the Board: Senior examiners, junior examiners, staff clerks, second division clerks, and assistant clerks (new class) for the year 1912? Mr. PEASE The following Return shows the average salary, vacation, and sick leave for various grades in the service of the Board of Education during the year 1912:— -------------------------------------- | |s. |d.| | | -------------------------------------- |Senior Examiner |747|3 |8 |46.6|5.3| -------------------------------------- |Junior Examiner |378|4 |3 |37.8|5.7| -------------------------------------- |Staff Clerk |451|15|7 |39.8|11| -------------------------------------- |Minor Staff Clerk† |305|2 |4 |27.6|5| -------------------------------------- |Second Division Clerk|139|11|9 |19 |7.8| -------------------------------------- |Assistant Clerk. |95 |16|10|17 |6.5| -------------------------------------- Fruits Imported Mr. BENTHAM asked the Secretary to the Treasury the amount of duty received from imported dates, cherries, candied peel, ginger, and canned fruits? Mr. ROBERTSON Statement of the net amount of duty received from the undermentioned imported articles in the calendar year 1912, the latest years for which figures are available:— ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Cherries, drained |…|£1,177| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Candied or drained peel |…|656| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Ginger, preserved in sugar or syrup |…|2,878| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Canned and bottled fruits preserved in syrup (other than fruits liable to duty as such)|…|6,410| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I fear it is not possible to give a separate figure for dates, which are only liable to duty when preserved in sugar or syrup. Irish Agricultural Organisation Society Mr. MULDOON asked whether the assurance given by the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society not to take part in controversies involving political partisanship through its agents, spokesmen, or printed publications, referred to in the Treasury letter of the 1st of April, 1913, was given in writing, and, if so, by whom was it signed, or whether it was in the form of a resolution, and, if so, by whom was it passed and who were present at the meeting; whether the Lords of the Treasury will consider the undertaking violated if they find its agents, spokesmen, or printed publications taking part in a campaign to make the working of the National Insurance Act impossible in Ireland and to induce people to refuse to make the contributions required by that Act to be made weekly and to disobey it at every step; what machinery is to be set on foot to prevent the assurance which has been given from being ignored; and whether it is the Lords of the Treasury or the Development Commissioners who will have the duty of taking steps to see that the assurance shall not be violated? Mr. ROBERTSON The assurance to which the hon. Member refers was given in a letter addressed to the Development Commissioners by direction of the Committee of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society and signed by the secretary of the society. The Government Department through whom an advance is made is primarily responsible for the supervision of the expenditure in accordance with the conditions of the advance. No new machinery would seem to be necessary in the present case. The second part of the hon. Member's question appears to be hypothetical. Mr. MULDOON asked what are the various interests concerned in the administration of the Grant to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, and which it is hoped to have represented by three persons on the committee of that body, as mentioned in the Treasury letter of 1st April, 1913; whether any persons have already been nominated or requested to act by the Development Commissioners; and whether any pressure, coercion, or intimidation is to be exercised with a view to securing the consent of certain officials to act who have already expressed themselves as uncompromisingly opposed to the proceedings of the Development Commissioners? Mr. ROBERTSON The interests concerned in the administration of the Grant proposed are those of the various branches of Irish agriculture and agricultural business, which the society's operations touch. The answers to the second and third parts of the hon. Member's question are in the negative. Land Purchase (Ireland) Mr. HAVILAND-BURKE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that a prolonged litigation connected with Lord Ashtown's estate has resulted in the termination of the rights of Captain Trench to the large grazing lands at Ballynowlart, Brackna, Kings' County, the Estates Commissioners will now deal promptly with a memorial that they received nearly a year ago from 176 occupiers under the £7 valuation, begging them to deal with this estate purchase agreement as a matter of urgency and to take special precautions against the creation of tenancies on unoccupied lands in the interests of people other than those residing in the district and in bonâ fide need of accommodation; and whether the Estates Commissioners will exercise their statutory powers, if necessary, to deal with this estate or with any part of it as a congested district? Mr. BIRRELL The Estates Commissioners understand that Captain Trench's tenancy in the lands referred to has now terminated and that the owner is willing to negotiate for the sale of the lands to them. They are at present in communication with the agent as to arranging for a preliminary inspection of the lands with the view of estimating the amount which they would be prepared to advance for the purchase of the lands. They have also informed him that as some time must necessarily elapse before the Commissioners could complete the sale he should continue his arrangements for the temporary user of the lands until the Commissioners proposal to purchase is issued, and the statutory requirements as to title and other matters have been complied with. In the allotment of the lands, when acquired, the wants and circumstances of the occupiers of small holdings in the neighbourhood will be considered by the Commissioners. Mr. GINNELL asked the Chief Secretary if he is now in a position to state the number of holdings in respect of which purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in the year 1912–13, the number of estates on which the holdings are situate, the number of holdings and of estates on the Commissioners' register not dealt with at the end of March last, the year in which the purchase agreements in the earliest of them were lodged; and whether the delay has been caused by shortage of money or by inability to cope with the work? Mr. BIRRELL The Estates Commissioners inform me that in sales direct by owners to tenants under the Irish Land Acts some 5,600 agreements for the pur- chase of holdings situate on some 400 estates were lodged with the Commissioners during the year ended 31st ultimo, on which date agreements for the sale of some 100,000 holdings situate on some 4,000 estates direct by vendors to tenants were pending before the Commissioners under these Acts. Estates are dealt with by the Commissioners in accordance with the priority Regulations made under Section 23 (8) of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and Section 4 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, and the advances made under the Land Purchase Acts during the year ended 31st ultimo, exceeded those made in any previous year. Mr. KILBRIDE asked the Chief Secretary when the tenants on the Verschoyle estate, at Cloney, county Kildare, will have their farms vested in them; whether the farm at Cloney Castle, at present in the hands of the landlord or his agent, is for sale; and will the Estates Commissioners take steps to acquire these lands for the purpose of increasing the size of uneconomic holdings and relieving congestion? Mr. BIRRELL This estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash) pending under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and having regard to the claims of other estates it is not expected that it will be reached for several years to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners. The owner has included in the lands some 400 acres of Cloney for sale to the Commissioners and they will consider its acquisition when they are dealing with the estate in order of priority. Mr. KILBRIDE asked if an inspector visited the congested district of Lullymore, Rathangan, county Kildare, and made a report to the Estates Commissioners as to the existing conditions; and whether the Estates Commissioners have taken steps to acquire the untenanted land in the neighbourhood for the purpose of relieving congestion and increasing the size of uneconomic holdings? Mr. BIRRELL The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The inspector's report is awaiting the consideration of the Estates Commissioners. Sale Of Food And Drugs Act (Analysts, Ireland) Mr. LARDNER asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the number of analysts employed by local authorities in Ireland under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, 1875 to 1907; the salaries paid to these analysts; whether any of these analysts hold appointments for more than one borough or county; and, if so, will he give the names and numbers of such appointments in each case? Mr. T. W. RUSSELL A list giving the name of the analyst acting under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts for each borough and county in Ireland will be found at page 301 of the Appendices to the Twelfth Annual General Report of the Department. The appointment of the analysts is subject to the approval of the Local Government Board, and particulars as to the remuneration in each case can no doubt be supplied by that Department. Merchandise In Transit (Damage) Mr. LARDNER asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) to state the total number of complaints received respecting delays in conveyance of merchandise and damage thereto during consignment for the period from 1st July, 1911, to 30th June, 1912; the name of the carrying companies against which complaints were made, showing the number of complaints lodged against each company; and in how many cases the companies satisfactorily dealt with the complaint? Mr. BIRRELL The number of complaints received during the period was 193. A summary, giving particulars of the complaints and the result of the Department's inquiries with regard to them, will be found in pages 253 to 279 of the Appendices to the Twelfth Annual General Report of the Department. In each case a reference is made to the carrying company or companies concerned. Housing Schemes (Ireland) Mr. O'DONNELL asked the Chief Secretary whether a scheme of cottages has been put forward by the Killarney District Council for the town of Killorglin; whether this scheme provides for the building of houses without acquiring land; whether under the rules of the Local Government Board such schemes were intended to have a preference; and whether steps will be taken to have this scheme inquired into as soon as possible? Mr. BIRRELL A scheme has been received from the Killarney Rural District Council for the erection of houses in Killorglin, and the proposal is to acquire only sufficient land upon which to build the houses. No garden allotments are contemplated. The rules of the Local Government Board make no special provision for such schemes. The case will be inquired into as soon as possible, having regard to the several other schemes pending at present. Royal Navy Good Service Pensions Lord CHARLES BERESFORD asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why a good service pension for inspector-general (retired) which became vacant on 31st January, 1913, by the death of Inspector-General John Fisher, has not been awarded; and whether he is aware that the vacancy not being filled up is considered to be unfair to officers already retired? Mr. CHURCHILL The matter has been receiving careful consideration and the vacancy will be filled shortly. Rifle Range (Barnstaple) Sir GODFREY BARING asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that the Royal North Devon Hussars, whose headquarters are at Barnstaple, have their miniature rifle range at the Conservative Club in that town; that the Devon Territorial Association pay rent to the Conservative Asoociation for the use of the range; and that in consequence every member of the regiment who desires to shoot has to go to a political club to do so; whether he is aware that the Royal North Devon Hussars have premises in Barnstaple where a range could conveniently be made; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter? Colonel SEELY There is no information concerning these matters at the War Office. The Devon Association, however, have proposed a scheme for new headquarters for Yeomanry and Infantry at Barnstaple and at such headquarters a miniature range would as a matter of course be provided. Middleburg Farm Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE asked the Secretary for War if, as officially stated, the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg was not run as a public undertaking, why was not a rent for the land and water supply charged to the board of management by the Army Council? Mr. HAROLD BAKER As regards water supply, the farm bore its fair share of the cost of the dam constructed for the joint service of the troops and the farm. The circumstances of the case were not such as to call for any rent charge. The public as well as the troops obtained supplies of good quality at low prices, and the farming operations increased the value of the land, to the benefit of the public when it was ultimately sold on the closing of the military station. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE asked the Secretary for War whether balance sheets of the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg were sent to the Army Council, dated 31st March, 1908, and 31st August, 1908, showing credit balances of £4,327 7s. 5d. and £3,541 11s. 8d., respectively; and, if so, will he explain why the credit balance on 31st December, 1908, had fallen to £69? Mr. HAROLD BAKER Accounts were received as stated. The large credit balance attracted attention, and on examination was found to be mainly due to the inclusion in the balance sheet of large sums for permanent improvements and to liberal valuations of crops and stock. In the special circumstances of the case it was decided that credit should be taken only for such prices as could be realised at a sale for the benefit of the farm, and instructions were sent for the preparation of a revised balance sheet on this basis. The credit balance of £69 on 31st December, 1908, was the result of this change in the basis of the account. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE asked why it was stated in an official document that the Army Council wished to close down the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg in order to obviate any loss falling on the public if, as officially stated, this farm was not run as a public undertaking and not administered as a public service? Mr. HAROLD BAKER I am unable to trace the official document referred to, and should be glad if the hon. Member could enable me to identify it. Army Ordnance Depots Mr. HADDOCK asked the Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that the permanent personnel of the Army Ordnance Depôts consists entirely of civilian employés, many of whom would, in the event of mobilisation, probably have to be relied upon to perform duties of a highly important character and possibly to fill superior positions, but who at the present time are absolutely debarred from entering the administrative or executive branches of the department, he will favourably consider the advisability of removing this restriction and introduce regulations authorising the establishment of a proportion of civil officers for each depôt having a status equivalent to that of commissaries of ordnance? Mr. HAROLD BAKER A number of officers, warrant officers, and other ranks of the Army Ordnance Department will remain at Ordnance Depôts on mobilisation, and the contingency suggested in the question will not therefore arise. Pay Of Prison Officials Mr. HENRY TERRELL asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the increase in the cost of living since the pay of prison officials was fixed, he will now take steps to secure to such officials an increase in their scale of pay? Mr. McKENNA I am sorry that I am unable to add anything to the reply I gave in this House to a similar question on the 18th March. The subject will be fully considered in the course of the present financial year. Suffragist Prisoners Mr. WEDGWOOD asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are at present being partly or wholly forcibly fed at this time in His Majesty's prisons in England and Wales? Mr. McKENNA At the present time four prisoners convicted of offences in connection with the suffrage agitation are being forcibly fed. I cannot say whether any other prisoners are being forcibly fed without inquiry of all the prisons. Mr. WEDGWOOD asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether proceedings have been taken against Miss Annie Kenney under Section 1 of the Act of 34 Edward III.; whether this Section is to be read as in the original version in old French or as in the English translation, first printed in 1810 in the Statutes of the Realm; and on what grounds is considered that Miss Kenney was a pillor and robber in the parts beyond the sea? Mr. McKENNA I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to him to-day. Miss Kenney is not charged as a "pillor and robber in the parts beyond the sea." [See Oral Answers this date.] Committee On Irish Finance Sir J. D. REES asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he has any objection to the publication, in whole or part, of the evidence of Sir Steyning Edgerley before the Committee on Irish Finance? Mr. MONTAGU No, Sir, but the matter is one for arrangement between Sir S. Edgerley and my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary. Exports And Imports (India) Mr. MacCAW asked the values of the total exports from India to each of the principal countries of the world, and also the values of the total imports into India from the same places, for each of the years 1890, 1900, 1910, and 1911? Mr. MONTAGU The statistics are not available for the calendar years, but I shall be glad to present a statement showing the required particulars for the corresponding financial years if the hon. Member will move for it in the usual way. Fair-Wages Clause Mr. BARNES asked the Under-Secretary for India if he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Hoffmann, of Chelmsford, advertise themselves as contractors to the India Office and that, upon the same paper that they so advertise their connection with the India Office, they also advise workmen to accept service with them at less than current wages; and will he take steps to prevent such being done and to have the firm in question struck off the list as an unfair firm? Mr. MONTAGU If the intention of the hon. Member is to suggest that the firm are making use of their connection with the Indian Office to induce workmen to accept lower than the current rate of wages, I shall be glad to receive evidence on the point. But on the information at present before him, the Secretary of State sees no reason for inquiry since the firm has no contract with the India Office at the present time and is not, I am informed, on the list of contractors. Indian Regimental Establishment Colonel GREIG asked what was the establishment of all ranks of the British Regular Forces (regimental) on the Indian establishment for each of the years 1900 to 1913, inclusive, and what were in those respective years the number of effectives of all ranks? Mr. MONTAGU The statistics showing the establishment and strength of British Regular Forces (regimental) on the Indian establishment for each of the years 1900 to 1912 are given below. In India establishments are liable to vary during the year, and where such variation has taken place the higher figure is given. The effective strength also fluctuates and is given for 1st May in each year, this being the first Return after the conclusion of the trooping season, and therefore showing the effective strength at its highest:— Establishment: 1900, 73,512; 1901, 73,512; 1902, 74,322; 1903, 74,444; 1904, 74,648; 1905, 75,008; 1906, 75,093; 1907, 75,967; 1908, 76,155; 1909, 76,009; 1910, 75,884; 1911, 75,884; 1912, 75,886.Effectives: 1900,* 63,745; 1901,* 65,167; 1902,* 64,745; 1903, 76,656; 1904,77,647; 1905, 76,894; 1906, 75,783; 1907, 75,180; 1908, 74,218; 1909, 76,310; 1910, 76,842; 1911, 76,339; 1912, 75,495. Figures for 1913 are not yet available. * Troops absent in South Africa. Small Holdings (Buildings) Captain CLIVE asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can arrange to supply a certain number of copies, say ten, of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Small Holdings Buildings to county small holdings committees for the use of their members? Mr. RUNCIMAN The price of the Report is 11s. 3d., and the cost of carrying out the hon. and gallant Gentleman's suggestion would amount to about £350. I have reason to hope, however, that the Report will shortly be reissued at a much lower price, which will bring it within the reach of all. Live Stock Statistics Mr. JESSE COLLINGS asked the President of the Board of Agriculture the number of live stock in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, in the years 1890 and 1910, under the headings of cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs, respectively? Mr. RUNCIMAN The following table gives, as nearly as is possible, the information desired by the right hon. Gentleman:— ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |United Kingdom, 1890|…|…|*1,964,896|10,789,421|31,666,785|4,362,127 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |" " 1910 |…|…|*2,094,587|11,765,453|31,164,587|3,561,481 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |France, 1890 |…|…|†2,862,273|13,562,685|21,658,416|6,017,238 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |" 1910 |…|…|†3,125,230|14,532,030|17,110,760|6,900,230 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |Germany, 1892‡ |…|…|║3,836,273|17,555,834|13,589,662|12,174,442| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |" 1912‡ |…|…|║4,516,297|20,158,738|5,787,848 |21,885,073| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cleansing And Disinfecting Schools (Scotland) Mr. EUGENE WASON asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is intended to make the Memorandum issued by the Scotch Education Department in 1907 as regards the cleansing and disinfecting of schools made applicable to secondary schools? Mr. McKINNON WOOD The Memorandum is not restricted to any type of school, and the principles embodied in it would apply equally to secondary and primary schools. Distress In Macedonia Mr. AUBREY HERBERT asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the destitute condition of the population of Macedonia, Albania, and Thrace, His Majesty's Government is prepared to take action similar to that which was adopted on the occasion of the Messina earthquake, with a view to minimising the prevailing distress? Mr. ACLAND His Majesty's Government have done all in their power to facilitate the transmission of the relief and the distribution of the funds which have been raised during several months past by private effort in this country for the alleviation of destitution in Macedonia and Thrace. His Majesty's Consular representatives have been authorised to assist in the supervision and distribution of these funds, and they have done and are still doing much good work in this connection. His Majesty's Government hope that public opinion in this country will appreciate the continued necessity for relief, and they on their part will continue to assist in every possible way in the administration of funds raised for relief purposes. In regard to the reference made by the hon. Member to the action of His Majesty's ships in transporting supplies to Messina, His Majesty's Government have no evidence that in the present case the cause of destitution is lack of sea transport; but if in any case it were shown that ordinary means of transport could not be made available, His Majesty's Government would consider in what way they could be of assistance. North Devon Roads Sir GODFREY BARING asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the complaints which have been made to the Devonshire County Council respecting the condition of the North Devon roads, more particularly the roads, Exeter, Crediton to Barnstaple; Exeter, Winkleigh, Torrington to Bideford; South Molton, Bideford to Hartland; and Barnstaple to Ilfracombe and Lynton; whether he is aware that no effective action has been taken in the matter; and whether he will communicate with the county council on the subject, with a view of immediate steps being taken to place those roads in a safe and proper condition? Mr. BURNS I have been in communication with the county council on the subject, and they have informed me that they propose to undertake extensive works on the main roads throughout the county at an estimated cost of £48,614. The Road Board are making a contribution of £14,000 towards the cost, and have also offered to lend the county council £28,000 free of interest for three years. Labour Exchange Officials Mr. HAROLD SMITH asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to place on the establishment all Labour Exchange officials who have served the necessary probationary period; and, if not, on what principle is a selection made; and what reason is there for the delay in establishing the whole service? Mr. ROBERTSON I am in communication with the Treasury, and I hope shortly to be able to make a statement with regard to the establishment of Labour Exchange officers of various grades. Sight Tests Mr. PETO asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state how many members of the Committee on sight-tests for the mercantile marine have done any work on colour blindness, excluding those who are responsible for the old tests; and whether, in view of the fact that the Report has been so severely condemned in scientific and medical circles, he proposes to obtain the opinion of a committee of independent experts on the Report? Mr. ROBERTSON I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the question, but I am satisfied that the Committee was thoroughly representative and competent for the inquiry with which it was entrusted. There is, so far as I am aware, no foundation for the suggestion that the Report has been condemned by the best scientific or medical opinion, and I see no reason for any further inquiry. Post Office Stores (Ireland) Mr. FIELD asked the Postmaster-General the value of the stores supplied to Irish postmasters and engineers from Great Britain without the intervention of the Dublin stores branch during each of the ten years ended 31st March, 1913; and what were the charges made by the English Post Office for the work of purchasing, examining, repairing, distributing, and controlling the supply of stores for the Irish Post Office during each of the years in question? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL It is the exception for stores supplied to Irish postmasters and engineers to be sent by direct despatch from Great Britain and not through the Dublin stores depôt, and the value of the stores thus sent is insignificant. Possibly, however, the hon. Member has in mind the value of all stores sup- plied from Great Britain, as distinguished from stores supplied by firms in Ireland, whether they pass through the Dublin depôt or not. In either case, the compilation of a return for ten years would entail very serious expense. No charge is made by the English Post Office against Ireland for the work of purchasing, examining, repairing, distributing, and controlling the supply of stores. Repair Shop (Dublin) Mr. FIELD asked what is delaying the establishment of the repair shop in Dublin recommended by the Factories Committee; and, when it is established, how many civilians will be employed in the repair establishments in Great Britain and Ireland respectively? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL The question of the arrangements for telegraph and telephone repairs in Ireland has proved a difficult one to settle, and for the present the existing arrangements are being maintained, pending further consideration of the whole matter. I am not able to say how many civilians will be employed in Great Britain and Ireland respectively when the repair shop recommended by the Factories Committee has been established. Sorting Clerks (Lynton And Seaton) Sir GODFREY BARING asked the Postmaster-General the number of established sorting clerks and telegraphists, and the number of unestablished assistants now employed at the sub-offices of Lynton and Seaton, respectively; and whether the circular letter to surveyors of 1911 regarding the extension of the employment of established labour at sub-offices has been applied to those offices? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member. Electrical Staff Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS asked the Postmaster-General whether he has been able to give further consideration to the case of the electrical staff transferred from the National Telephone Company? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL I find that, owing to the arrested development of the telephone system during the latter part of the company's existence, the average length of service of the electrical staff was very high. Under the arrangements sanctioned by the Treasury, it was only possible to place a certain proportion of this staff on the establishment, and a number of men with somewhat long service upon skilled electrical duties had consequently to be assigned to an unestablished class, and complaints were made to me on their behalf. I am glad to say that I have now secured the assent of the Treasury to the creation of a considerable number of additional established posts for the benefit of this staff, as a temporary measure; and also to the grant to those members of the electrical staff (other than faultsmen) who do not secure establishment, of a special allowance of 1s. a week, to cease on establishment, by way of compensation for certain privileges which were granted by the company on a higher scale than that which prevails in the Post Office. Mr. HENRY TERRELL asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Walter Clapp, of 5, Withycombe Terrace, Gloucester, was engaged in the postal service for twelve years as a telegraph wireman and ten years as a construction foreman; that he was then induced to serve for fourteen years as a lineman at a wage which was 11s. per week less than the wage he received as a construction foreman, on the understanding that he would be put on the established list; and that after thirty-six years' postal service he had on the 31st March, 1912, to retire without having ever been put on the established list; whether, in consequence, he is not now entitled to a pension under the Superannuation Acts; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to secure that Clapp should be paid the 11s. per week he lost on taking over the duty of a lineman under the circumstances above stated? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL I am informed that, after ten years' service as labourer and wireman, and six years' service as foreman, Clapp was reduced to the rank of lineman in 1895 because he was unable to keep abreast of the requirements of a growing service. There is no record of any understanding that he would be placed on the establishment. In 1908 he was again tried as a foreman, but had to be reduced a second time in 1910 as he was unable to do the work that was required. He retired in March, 1912. As he was not an established officer, he could not be awarded a pension; but he received a gratuity of £50 5s. 4d. under the Superannuation Act, 1887, and an allowance of 3s. 8d. a week under the Workmen's Compensation Act.