asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the number of assistants employed at head offices and

The number of assistants at head and salaried sub-offices varies slightly from time to time, but the average number employed last year was about 1,100–230 males and 870 females. As regards the recommendation in paragraph 376 of the Parliamentary Committee's Report, that, as my hon. friend is aware, has been adopted by me, and in all cases where the assistants were eligible under that recommendation they have been, or in a very few cases, are about to be, placed on the Establishment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any members of the sorters class working in excess of 16 hours in 48 hours have received a weekly half-holiday as compensation for loss of the time allowance which was granted under the Tweedmouth regulations?

The duties of those sorters who work more than 16 hours in 48 on certain days are in some cases arranged so as to give them a complete day's holiday once a fortnight. In other cases they have short hours of work on other days of the week.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to paragraph 107 of the Report of the Parliamentary Committee on Post Office Servants; whether the recommendation therein contained has been accepted in the case of telegraphists in the engineer-in-chief's office and withheld in the case of overseers and sorters of the London postal service similarly affected; and whether he will now reconsider this matter in view of his repeated assurances to this House that he would accept the findings of the Committee whatever those findings might be?

The position of the telegraphists referred to and that of the sorters of the London postal service were not alike. As regards the last paragraph of the question I have stated more than once that while I have accepted to the full the findings of the Committee whenever their findings were specific in regard to the question of wages, I leave myself at liberty, for all-sufficient reason, not necessarily to accept their recommendations in regard to questions of administration.

asked the Tinder-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state when the Bill for the union of South Africa is to be introduced into the House?

From the statement which I made in the House in the Debate on the Adjournment for the Whitsuntide Recess, my hon. Friend is now aware that at present it is proposed to bring in the Bill in another place. In that event if the delegation from South Africa should arrive in the middle of July it cannot be anticipated that the Bill will be introduced into the House of Commons before the end of July or the beginning of August at the earliest.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state on what date the Conference as to Australian naval affairs is to be held; and who are the Australian delegates coming to represent the Commonwealth here?

It is expected that the Conference will take place about the end of July, but the exact date is not yet fixed. Owing to the recent change in the Ministry of the Commonwealth I am unable to say at present what delegates will attend from Australia.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the non-commissioned officers and men now under experimental treatment as enteric germ carriers have each given personal sanction to such experiments before inoculation, and whether, in case the treatment permanently impairs their health, they will be granted pensions?

The proposed treatment was fully explained to the patients who, far from offering any objection, are greatly interested in what is being done. Apart from their liability to infect others, they are in exceedingly good health and the possibility of permanent injury to their health from the treatment need not be contemplated. Papers on the subject will very shortly be laid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in any further steps to secure re- form of Congo abuses, he will endeavour to obtain full working co-operation with the United States of America in pressing for these reforms and in friendly suggestion of commercial and other measures whereby the economic situation may be relieved in Congo finance?

I have already stated that the Government of the United States have been, and will continue to be, kept informed of the views of His Majesty's Government, and that we welcome agreement with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in connection with further steps to secure the reforms in Congo administration he has repeatedly demanded on behalf of this country, he will consider the advisability of suggesting to the Belgian Government such commercial and administrative measures in the Congo as are likely to create an adequate revenue without forced labour, and will offer the aid of Great Britain in promoting such measures?

I can make no statement about the Congo till the reply to the Belgian Government, which is now under the consideration of His Majesty's Government, has been despatched and laid before Parliament.