National Insurance Act Female Employed Contributors 72. Mr. C. BATHURST asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many of the 80,000 male and 320,000 female employed contributors insured under Part I. of the National Insurance Act, and receiving less than 2s. per day, are in Ireland, and how many are in England, Wales, and Scotland, respectively? Mr. MASTERMAN The claims for the State contribution on the basis of which the figures as to insured persons in receipt of low wages were given in answer to the hon. Member for Colchester on the 21st April were, for the four countries:— -------------------- | | | | | -------------------- |England |…|… |…| -------------------- |Scotland|…|… |…| -------------------- |Ireland |…|… |…| -------------------- |Wales |…|… |…| -------------------- | | | | | -------------------- | | |Total|…|| -------------------- Sickness Benefit 74 and 75. Mr. GOLDSMITH asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) if his attention has been called to the case of Miss Jeannie G. Grey, of Cavenham, Suffolk, F29/16,136, who, although she has paid her full contributions under the National Insurance Act, has been unable to obtain sick benefit, to which she became entitled on 24th January; and will he explain why it is being withheld; and (2) whether his attention has been called to the case of John Kerry, No. 4 in Registered Society No. 123, who, although he has paid twenty-six weeks' contributions, has not been able to obtain any sick benefit under the National Insurance Act; and whether he can state why it is being withheld? Mr. MASTERMAN No communications have been received by the Insurance Commissioners with reference to these cases. The particulars contained in the questions are not sufficient to enable the insured persons to be identified, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with their addresses and the names of the societies and branches of which they are members, I will cause inquiries to be made. Juvenile Labour 76. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the report of an investigation conducted by the research committee of the Christian Social Union into the trades of fruit preserving, pickle making, confectionery, tea packing, coffee and cocoa packing, and biscuit making in the East End of London, and to the statement made in that report that the practice is becoming increasingly prevalent in those trades of dismissing girls of sixteen and replacing them by girls of fourteen; and that where the check system is in vogue the girls work at pressure; and, in view of this evil, whether the Government will introduce in the National Insurance Act such amendments as will prevent this exploitation of juvenile labour? Mr. MASTERMAN I have read with great interest a copy which the Noble Lord has been good enough to send me of the report referred to in his question. I have no evidence that such replacement of older by younger girls, as is suggested, is taking place to any considerable extent. The question of the further regulation of the employment of girls of fourteen in factories is one which might be met by legislation, but I do not think it could be dealt with by an Amendment of the Insurance Act. Insured Persons In Hospital 77. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS asked whether, in the case of an insured person without dependants having to pay 5s. a week for her maintenance in the Nelson Hospital during a time when she is otherwise qualified for sick benefit, the fact that she is in a hospital prevents her society paying her sick benefit, although the society has made no arrangement for any payment to the hospital? Mr. MASTERMAN Under Section 12 of the National Insurance Act, the sickness benefit is not payable directly to the insured person in the circumstances referred to in the question, but the sum which would ordinarily have been payable may be applied by the society in the provision of surgical appliances or otherwise for the benefit of the insured person. Unestablished Postmen 100. Mr. BARNES asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that un established postmen of twenty-one years' service have been worsened, as regards sick pay, by the passing of the National Insurance Act, namely, from two-thirds pay for six months and half-pay thereafter to two-thirds pay for three months only; and can he rearrange conditions so as to restore the unestablished pay to the position it had occupied? The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel) The question of the modification of the sick pay privileges of existing long service unestablished officers as the result of the National Insurance Act is under consideration. I will communicate with the hon. Member when a decision has been reached. Supply Of Insurance Stamps 101. Mr. GOLDSMITH asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that employers at Hepworth, Diss, have been put to inconvenience owing to the fact that they have been unable to obtain insurance stamps at the post office; and whether he will see that in future a sufficient supply of stamps is kept in stock? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL My attention has not been called to any complaint on this subject, but I will have inquiry made in the matter and will communicate with the hon. Member. Lost Unemployment Book 94. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the unemployment book belonging to William George Woolley, registered at the Colchester Labour Exchange, has yet been found; if he is aware that when Woolley reported the loss of his book and claimed benefit on 10th March last he was charged 1s. in connection with the lost book, but received no benefit, and that he has called every day since but has been refused benefit pending advice from London; and whether steps will be taken to pay the arrears immediately? The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson) The book was lost by the workman, and not by the Labour Exchange, and it was necessary to make inquiries of employers for whom he had worked (three in number) in order to ascertain how many contributions had been paid on his behalf, with a view to calculating the amount of benefit due to him. As a result, benefit was disallowed on the 27th March on the ground that the workman had not satisfied the first statutory condition of proving that he had been employed in each of twenty-six separate weeks in an insured trade. I regret that by an oversight this decision was not communicated to the workman at the time, but it has since been communicated to him, and a new book has been issued to him in place of that lost. Old Age Pensions 73. Mr. GINNELL asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the circular issued in 1908 to old age pension officers for their guidance, embodying a scale of the value of maintenance in urban and rural districts in Great Britain and Ireland, respectively, has been withdrawn; what scale is now operative for the guidance of those officers on this point in Great Britain and in Ireland, respectively; and, in view, of the different treatment of similar cases in the two countries and the denial of Irish officers that they have any such guidance, whether copies of the instruction on which the present practice in Great Britain is based will be sent to all Irish old age pension officers? Mr. MASTERMAN No scale is in force for general application by pension officers in framing their estimates of the value of maintenance under either the instructions issued to pension officers in 1908 on the passing of the Act or any subsequent amending instructions. The general rule laid down for the guidance of officers in this matter is the same for Ireland as it is for Great Britain, namely, that such value must be estimated by reference to all the facts bearing on the standard of living of the person with whom the claimant resides. I see no need for the issue of any further instructions. All pension officers throughout the United Kingdom have full instructions as to their duties under the Old Age Pensions Acts; and I cannot believe that any officer in Ireland or elsewhere would allege that he is without guidance as to the lines he ought to follow n estimating the value of maintenance. Certainly no instance of such a denial has come to my notice. Mr. GINNELL Is it not a fact that in 1908 a circular of instructions was issued embodying a scale of the value of maintenance, that this circular was never circulated among the officers in Ireland, and that consequently the practice is different there? Will this be remedied? Mr. MASTERMAN As far as I know, the practice is exactly the same. Each case is considered on its merits. Pension officers have the same instructions in Ireland as in England. Mr. FLAVIN Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table of the House a copy of the instructions? Mr. MASTERMAN I am not sure that I can promise that. They are confidential instructions between the Treasury and its officers. Mr. FLAVIN That is the whole bone of contention in Ireland. We feel that the officers act unfairly towards the poor people, and we want to know upon what instructions they act? Mr. MASTERMAN Each case must be considered on its merits. If anything unfair has been done by any officer it is on the merits of the particular case, not on the general instructions. Mr. GINNELL Owing to instructions having been issued in England and not in Ireland the system of pensions in Ireland is entirely different from the system in England; will this be remedied? Mr. MASTERMAN If the hon. Gentleman can bring any case to my notice, I will see that any injustice is remedied. Courts (Sittings) 80. Mr. MARTIN asked the Attorney-General how many days the House of Lords, as a judicial body, and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, respectively, sat actually hearing cases during the calendar years 1910, 1911, and 1912, respectively; and how many days in each of the said years the said Courts sat on the same day? Mr. GULLAND (Lord of the Treasury, for the Attorney-General) The House of Lords sat judicially on eighty-seven days in 1910, 100 days in 1911, and eighty-six days in 1912. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat on seventy-six days in 1910, 101 days in 1911, and 101 days in 1912. The figures asked for in the last part of my hon. Friend's question in the order of the years mentioned are thirty-four, fifty, and thirty-nine. Mr. MARTIN Does the hon. Gentleman think that when this Court sits for about one-quarter of the time, two new judges should be appointed? Magistrates (Andover) 81. Captain FABER asked whether a committee has been set up for the appointment of magistrates in the borough of Andover; and, if not, when this will be done? Mr. GULLAND The Advisory Committee for the Borough of Andover will be appointed within a few days. Miners' Relief Society 82. Mr. SUTTON asked the Home Secretary how many injured persons have been deprived of their weekly compensation allowance owing to the insolvency of the Miners' Relief Society connected with the firm of Andrew Knowles and Sons, Limited, Pendleton, Manchester; whether he can state the number of widows and orphans affected by these cases; and whether any action can be taken to secure to these injured workmen and their dependants the compensation due to them? The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna) I have communicated with the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, who tells me that he has no information as to how many persons have ceased to receive compensation allowance through the exhaustion of the funds under the scheme. As regards the last part of the question, I understand the question of the liability of the employer for the payment of compensation, which the County Court Judge has decided in favour of the employer, is likely to be taken to the Court of Appeal. Closing Of Licensed Premises 83. Sir JOHN SPEAR asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of licensed premises closed with compensation under the Licensing Act during the period from 1905 to 1911? Mr. McKENNA As the hon. Member was informed in February last, in the seven years, 1905 to 1911, 7,318 licensed premises in England and Wales were closed with compensation. If the figures for 1912 are added, namely, 849, the total is 8,167. Public Meetings (Prohibition) 84. Sir WILLIAM BYLES asked the Home Secretary whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Home Office Order prohibiting meetings in Hyde Park and elsewhere; and will he say how long it is since any similar interference with the right of public meeting has been found necessary on this side of the Irish Channel? Mr. McKENNA There is no such Order. The meetings were stopped because, without this being done, the police could not carry out their duty of preserving the peace. The letter which the Commissioner of Police wrote to those concerned, warning them of the action which would have to be taken for this purpose, was published in the newspapers on the 18th, and was read by me the same day in this House. Action has been taken by the police on previous occasions when the same necessity existed—for instance, at Liverpool in 1901, and two years ago at Streatham Common. Sir W. BYLES Has not experience shown that the proclaiming of meetings has exactly the opposite effect to that desired, that it never prevents the meetings being held, and that the more repression there is, the more that which is repressed manifests itself? Mr. McKENNA I dare say that the general argument of my hon. Friend may be true, but, in the circumstances of this particular case, I have no doubt that the measures taken will be effective. Mr. W. THORNE Has the right hon. Gentleman received any resolutions of protest from various organisations against this action? Mr. McKENNA I remember one, but I dare say I have had a great many more. Nayland Sanatorium 85. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the result of the consideration given to the application of the proprietors of the Nayland Sanatorium for a Grant for a building for 100 additional beds; whether the application was for the whole cost of such building; and whether any exceptions are to be made to the rule limiting the Grants to three-fifths of the cost? The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns) I may refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to his previous questions on this subject, and inform him that the proposals are still under consideration, and that no decision has been arrived at. Viscount CASTLEREAGH Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he is likely to arrive at a decision? Mr. BURNS No. The matter is one between the Treasury and the Local Government Board. County Councillors' Declarations 86. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the frequent difficulty experienced by county councillors, if travelling abroad after their election, in making within twenty-eight days the required declaration of their acceptance of office before an English magistrate or other stipulated official, and the consequent risk which they run of being obliged to apply to the High Court, at the cost of £50, to regularise their administrative actions, he will consent to extend the time for making such declarations from twenty-eight days to three months? Mr. BURNS Under Section 5 of the County Councils (Elections) Act, 1891, a county councillor is already allowed three months within which he may make his declaration of acceptance of office, but perhaps the hon. Member refers to the declaration as to election expenses, which must be made within twenty-eight days. This time could not be extended without legislation. Vaccination Act, 1907 87. Mr. BARNES asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mrs. Wallis, of Plymouth, on 28th January, 1913, before a Plymouth magistrate, made a declaration of conscientious objection under the Vaccination Act, 1907, as her husband was serving on one of His Majesty's ships, in respect to a child born on 5th October, 1912; that, as the vaccination officer refused to acknowledge this, the father of the infant also made a declaration on 1st February aboard his ship before the chaplain, who said he was eligible to sign such declaration, but that this form was rejected by the vaccination officer; and, seeing that where the father of a child is not in a position to make the prescribed declaration the mother is the responsible person so to do, will he notify the vaccination officer to that effect? Mr. BURNS My attention has been drawn to this case, and I am in communication with the vaccination officer with regard to it. West Ham Guardians (Outdoor Relief) 88. Mr. W. THORNE asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that, at the meeting of the East Ham Relief Committee of the West Ham Board of Guardians, held on Tuesday, 8th April, the chairman entered a written protest in the minute book against the action of the auditor's dictum in connection with giving out outdoor relief; that he refused to admit the auditor's right to interfere in any individual cases in granting relief; that he has refused to serve any longer on the East Ham Relief Committee until such time as the auditor proves his legal right; and if he can give any answers to the reason set out for the guidance of the members of the board of guardians as to how they are to decide on relief cases? Mr. BURNS I understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the question. It is the duty of a district auditor to disallow such payments in the guardians' accounts as are contrary to or not authorised by law. I have already drawn the hon. Member's attention to the Local Government Board's circular of March, 1910. I see no reason at present for issuing any further general instructions as to the administration of outdoor relief. Mr. W. THORNE Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, when these relief committees are sitting, and have all the information of the relieving officers as to the giving of outdoor relief, this surcharging makes it very difficult for them to carry out their duties? Mr. BURNS The difficulty, I think, has been exaggerated by the hon. Member. The relief committees are doing their work, and the relief has been uninterruptedly administered during the last three or four weeks. Assurance Companies Act (Returns) 89. Colonel YATE asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Returns under the Assurance Companies Act (Part A), containing copies of the deposited accounts of life assurance companies for the year ending 31st December, 1911, are not yet available to the public; and whether, seeing that these Returns can now be of no value to the public, he will have them published punctually in future? The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton) I regret that some unavoidable delay has occurred in the publication of the Return under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, Part A. The Return will be published next week, and I hope to make arrangements that will secure the earlier publication of this Return in future. Great Southern And Western Railway Company (Ireland) 90. Mr. O'SHEE asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the resolution passed by the Waterford County Council protesting against the action of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company in closing the railway gates at level crossings on the Fishguard and Rosslare line, and thereby causing inconvenience to road traffic; whether he is aware that the gates at several level crossings on this line are constantly closed and locked, not only when trains are due to pass, but during the entire night and for a considerable period during the day; and whether the Board of Trade will send a representative to investigate the matter locally? Mr. BUXTON I have received the resolution, but I should explain that the ordinary law requires that the gates at level crossings of public roads shall be normally closed across the road, but the railway company is bound to provide a suitable person to attend to the opening of the gates. Steamship "Titanic" Fund 91. Colonel YATE asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the scheme for the permanent administration of the "Titanic" fund which has been approved by the Mansion House Committee, and embodied in a deed of trust, makes provision in that deed of trust for the formation, from any unexpended balance that may accrue, of a permanent fund for the relief of sufferers from future disasters at sea; and, if not, whether such provision will now be made? Mr. BUXTON The Board of Trade have no part in or control over the administration of the "Titanic" fund. I understand, however, that the disposal of the fund for the purpose of relieving the sufferers from the "Titanic" disaster has been worked out on an actuarial basis, with the object that no unexpended balance shall, if possible, ultimately remain. In the event of such a balance unexpectedly remaining, I understand that the question of its application is now under consideration by the Mansion House Committee. Colonel YATE Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend the formation of a permanent fund. Mr. BUXTON I said I had no standing or control over the fund, and therefore clearly it is inexpedient that I should interfere in the matter. Level Crossing Fatality, Yorkshire 92. Mr. WILLIAM THORNE asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the inquest which was held on Friday last upon two children who were killed at the level crossing, Overton, Yorks; if he is aware that the jury added a rider to the verdict to the effect that the railway company should provide a footbridge or subway, and that the Board of Trade should hold an inquiry as to the conditions of the crossing; and if he intends taking any action in the matter? Mr. BUXTON I am not yet in possession of full particulars of this accident, but I will look into the matter and communicate with my hon. Friend. Trade Boards Act 93. Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCK asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the low wages prevalent in the trade of tea packing, coffee and cocoa packing, and biscuit making, and also to the variations in the wages paid for similar work; and whether he will include these trades in the operation of the Trades Boards Act? Mr. BUXTON I fully recognise that the trades which I have indicated my intention of including in the Provisional Order about to be made extending the application of the Trade Boards Act are not the only ones which it may be ultimately desirable to bring under the Act. I am giving the matter careful consideration, but I doubt whether it is expedient in the present Order to add to the trades which have already been selected. Mr. JOHN WARD Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of placing the navvies employed by Government Departments under the Trades Boards Act? Mr. BUXTON I am afraid I cannot reply to that question. Scottish Prison Commissioners (Inquiry) 95. Major HOPE asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will inquire whether the Scottish Prison Commissioners came to any finding or made any record of opinion which has not been officially laid before the Secretary for Scotland at the inquiry held on the speech of the medical officer of Duke Street Prison, Glasgow, delivered at Edinburgh on 29th January; and if he will then state what was the finding or record, if any? The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood) No, Sir. I considered the matter carefully at the time. Major HOPE Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are very considerable rumours in Scotland imputing motives to his action on this subject, and can he not give a full statement of the opinions of the Commissioners? Mr. McKINNON WOOD No, I am not aware of what the hon. and gallant Gentleman states; nor am I aware that I am bound to give the same opinion as the officials of my various Departments. Petersport, Benbecula 96. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will endeavour to visit the harbour of Petersport, Benbecula, in the coming autumn with a view of considering on the spot the suitability of this port for improved facilities of communication by sea? Mr. McKINNON WOOD I will give the hon. and gallant Member's request my best consideration. West Highland Mail Service 97. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY asked the Postmaster-General, having regard to the facts that Glasgow is the terminus of the West Highland Railway and the most important centre of commerce doing business with the Western Highlands and Islands, whether he will invite the postmaster of that city to submit his observations for the improvement of the mail service in those localities? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL The mail services to the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland are kept constantly under observation with a view to improvement being effected where practicable, and the views of the Postmaster of Glasgow would be obtained in any case in which it might be desirable. If the hon. Member has in mind any particular locality and will communicate with me on the subject I will have inquiry made. 98. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider what steps can be taken to improve the postal service to and from the Island of Benbecula, having in view the conditions of the present service across the ford from North Uist? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL Further consideration is being given to the matter and I will communicate with the hon. Member on the subject. 99. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to give a reply to the scheme forwarded to him by the Uist and Barra Association of Glasgow embodying an improved mail service for those islands; and whether the Secretary to the Post Office for Scotland has been invited to submit any scheme for the improvement of that service? Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL The scheme suggested by the Uist and Barra Associa- tion of a daily service by steamer from Mallaig received careful consideration, and the Secretary to the Post Office for Scotland has instructions to consider and report on any project for the improvement of this and similar services. But I do not see my way to adopt a scheme which involves an increase of expenditure in view of the very heavy cost of the existing service. Export Of Lambs (Ireland) 107. Mr. PATRICK WHITE asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will state the total number of lambs exported from Ireland to Great Britain this year; the Irish ports and numbers, respectively, from which they were sent; whether they got solid or liquid food, or both, before embarkation; how much of each, and at what cost per head; and whether he will give a similar Return for the corresponding period last year? Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture, Ireland) This year, up to 19th April, the shipments of lambs from Irish ports to Great Britain were as follows: Belfast, 3; Cork, 179; Drogheda, 56; Dublin, 299; Dundalk, 10; Londonderry, 6; Waterford, 57; total, 610. For the corresponding period last year the figures were: Belfast, 31; Cork, 371; Dublin, 634; Greenore, 33; Londonderry, 27; Waterford, 93; Wexford, 54; total, 1,243. Particulars as to feeding before shipment can at present be given only in respect of Dublin port. The lambs shipped from thence, which have all been weaned lambs, have, while in the inspection yards, been provided with best hay, at at a cost, where the shipping company supply the hay, of ½d. per head. Where owners or their agents arrange as to feeding, cabbage has sometimes been provided as well as hay. The animals get as much as they wish lo eat. Water is also provided. Labourers Acts (Ireland) 108. Mr. O'SHEE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland for how many of the 7,328 extra half-acres authorised under the Labourers Acts on 31st March, 1912, have advances been made or sanctioned under the Act of 1906, as amended by the Act of 1911; what is the total of such advances and for how many of such extra half-acres; what is the amount of advances applied for but refused, but which the Local Government Board authorised the rural councils to borrow from banks or private lenders; and how much of that amount have such councils made arrangements to borrow from banks, and at what rates for repayment of principal and interest? The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell) Wtih the exception of twenty-five extra half-acres, the extra half-acres referred to by the hon. Member have been provided out of loans advanced either by the Board of Works or by the Land Commission. The Local Government Board have no information as regards the total amount of the loans granted in respect of these half-acres, as the loans sanctioned under the Labourers Acts include the cost of the cottages authorised by the schemes, no separate allocations being made in respect of the cost of the extra half-acres. Loans amounting to £576 have been applied for in respect of the twenty-five extra half-acres above referred to, which the Board did not authorise to be issued on land purchase terms, but expressed their willingness to approve of the amount being borrowed in the open market. A loan of £350 has been sanctioned from a bank in respect of fifteen of these half-acres repayable in ten years at 4 per cent. per annum, but no application for a loan in the open market has yet been received in relation to the other ten. Mr. SHEEHAN Can the right hon. Gentleman state why the Local Government Board direct that the district councils shall apply in the open market for loans for the extra half-acre? Mr. BIRRELL I should like to have notice of that question. I think I can give a reason why the thing is done.