asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total estimated sum that will remain to be spent on the armoured ships "Conqueror," "Monarch," "Thunderer," and "Princess Royal," at the end of the present financial year?

The figures asked for are:—

If more than half a million is to be spent on these ships after 31st March, how is it possible that the statement in the Estimates of 1909–10 can be fulfilled, namely, that they would be completed by 31st March, 1912?

We do not pay the last instalment for the ships until after they are completed. If they are completed on 31st March, 1912, the last instalment will not become due until afterwards, and consequently will fall in the next financial year.

Is it expected that these ships will be completed by then?

As far as I am aware, they will be completed by 1912.

asked whether the estimated first cost of the hull, fittings, and equipment of the battleship "Neptune" is shown in the 1911–12 Nary Estimates to be £835,627; that the actual expenditure to 31st March, 1910, is stated to have been £624,596, and that the probable expenditure in 1910–11 is placed at £162,807, making a total of £787,403; and what is the explanation of this discrepancy?

The difference between the totals quoted for the hull, fittings and equipment of His Majesty's ship "Neptune" represents the provisional anticipated saving on the dockyard estimates for the construction of the vessel. This explanation also applies in the case of the machinery, and a footnote indicating that savings are anticipated on the total estimates for dockyard work for the vessel appears on page 196 of the 1911–12 Navy Estimates.

Then you hope to save about £50,000?

Yes, on the original estimate—and on the estimate revised in the sense in which the word "revised" is used, we hope to save £50,000.

asked what was the number and tonnage of the ships on the Cape of Good Hope station on 1st April, 1904, and on 1st April, 1911; and what proportion of the latter ships were in a condition of instant readiness for sea on 1st April last?

The following are the figures asked for:—

Can the right hon. Gentleman state if any vessel has started for Delagoa Bay?

It does not arise out of this question, but the "Hermies" is, I think, there.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to an accident to John McCafferty at 12.30 on the night of the 17th April, on the new dock works, Rosyth; and whether he could state the kind of conveyance used to carry the injured man to his lodgings, and the time which elapsed from the accident till the man was seen by the medical attendant?

I am aware of the accident in question. The man was conveyed in a locomotive to within about half a mile of his lodgings, and, accompanied by two fellow-workmen, walked without difficulty the remaining distance. His injury being slight, he was attended to by the qualified officer in charge of the ambulance staff on the works, who did not consider it a case for the ambulance or immediate attention of doctor. He was seen next day by the doctor.

Do I understand 13½ hours elapsed from the time of the accident to the time when he was medically attended?

Yes, I understand that would be the case, but, according to the information I have received, I do not think any great hardship was suffered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to an accident which caused the death of a young man named Ringsley at the new dock works, Rosyth, on 19th April; whether this workman had any previous knowledge of this class of work; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action to secure that only competent men are engaged upon these works in the future?

Particulars have been sent me of the fatal accident in question. The work upon which the man was engaged was that of signalman to quarry crane, which requires no special knowledge or skill, and is usually performed by a boy. I am unable to say whether he had any previous knowledge of the work upon which he was engaged, but investigation of the matter is complicated by the fact that there is reason to believe that he had found employment on the works under more than one assumed name.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could give the names of the firms of contractors at Dunfermline who informed him that 5d. per hour was a fair wage for navvies working in the trenches at Rosyth, and the dates on which they gave his Department that information?

The answer I gave to my hon. Friend on the 6th April last was based upon investigations made by the local works officers at Rosyth, who do not give the names of particular contractors.

Is it not a fact that no inquiry was ever made of any firm in the locality relating to this subject, and that the information the right hon. Gentleman gave me in answer to the previous question is only the answer he was instructed to make by the contractor himself who pays these wages?

No, my hon. Friend is quite wrong in that assumption. The information came to us from a gentleman engaged in our service and not from the contractor; and from the report which I have read it appears he derived his information from the reports of builders and persons engaged in work at Dunfermline. There is no evidence at all that the information was given by the contractor.

asked the reason that led to the suspension of establishment in the Royal dockyards; whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to bring the establishment up to the same level as when suspended; and, if so, in what period of time; if not, whether the Government intend to proceed with the cutting-down process in the same ratio as they have done during 1906–11, or in what ratio?

During the suspension of the establishment, His Majesty's Government had under consideration the question whether it was desirable to assimilate the practice in the Royal yards to that of other Departments which employ labour on a large scale, and in which the system of establishment does not obtain. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, the numbers of the establishment have now been fixed definitely at 6,500.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that between 1905, when the establishment was suspended, and the present time, the number of men employed in the Royal Dockyards has increased by nearly 10,000, and that the number on the establishment has decreased by several hundreds?

Yes; I believe the information the hon. Gentleman has just stated to the House was given by me in answer to a question on Monday.

asked whether His Majesty's Government are aware that certain vessels under foreign flags are in a forward state for conversion to commerce destroyers by reason of their constantly having on board guns and certain munitions of war; and, having regard to this fact, whether the Admiralty will take further steps to ensure better co-operation than now exists between the Royal Navy and the principal steamship lines for the protection of our commerce in war time?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty would consider whether it was desirable that certain specially selected steamers should be permanently partially armed, with a view to enabling them at very short notice to protect our commerce against similar hostile vessels in war time; and would he lay upon the Table of the House a copy of a circular on the above subject issued in 1862, in which the Government offered to provide guns for the protection of selected ships if their owners complied with stated regulations?

The Admiralty have no reliable information to the effect that foreign merchant vessels have guns and munitions of war on board. If the hon. Member has any definite information on the subject I should be glad to have it and the authority on which it rests. The nature of the co-operation with the steamship lines which the hon. Member proposes is not understood. I have so far been unable to trace a copy of the circular referred to.

Will it be any convenience to the right hon. Gentleman if I give him the main details of the circular in question?

I shall be very glad if the hon. Gentleman will kindly let me have a copy of the circular.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could give any information as to the imprisonment at Warsaw of a British subject who has been resident there as a teacher of music; whether she has been set at liberty; and what were the alleged reasons for her imprisonment?

His Majesty's Consul at Warsaw, who reported the arrest, applied to the Chief of the Gendarmerie for permission to visit Miss Malecka in prison, but this was refused. He has, however, been allowed to write to her in English, saying that her case is being investigated. Miss Malecka is accused of conspiring against the Russian Government; she is stated to be a member of the Polish Socialist party, and has not concealed this fact since her arrest. Shortly after entering Russia, she expressed herself very strongly on political matters, and received a serious warning from the Consul. According to the Consul's information she will be conducted across the frontier after the matter has been investigated, and forbidden to reenter the country. His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg has addressed a note to the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, asking that the authorities may withdraw their refusal to permit the Consul to visit Miss Malecka, and expressing the hope that the trial may be expedited. Miss Malecka is in contemplation of English law a British subject by virtue of her birth in this country, but it is not at present clear that she is not also by origin a Russian subject in contemplation of Russian law. Further inquiries are being made on this latter point.

May I ask whether the Government, in view of the grave anxiety and distress felt by this lady's friends, will endeavour to secure permission for them to visit her, and whether they will also take steps to see the lady herself is treated in a way I befitting her sex and position?

I think His Majesty's Minister may be trusted to do all that is possible in the circumstances.

Will this lady be represented by counsel at her trial?

As far as I know.

Is there any impropriety in a music teacher holding strong political views?

No more impropriety in a music teacher than in any other person.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the latest emigration returns into Canada from the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries, respectively?

I am not able to add anything to my reply to a similar question on 9th March.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information appeared in "The Times" this morning?

Then it is obviously available for Members of the House?

If the information is available to the House how is it the right hon. Gentleman is not in a position to give it?

I cannot say.

asked whether a request been made by the United States to put another warship on the Great Lakes; whether such permission has been granted; and what are the total numbers of warships on the lakes belonging to the United States and Canada, respectively?

The Government of the United States recently informed His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington of their desire to send the "Dubuque" as a training ship for the Naval Reserve of the State of Illinois through the Canadian canals to Lake Michigan, and to withdraw the "Nashville" through the Canadian canals to the Atlantic. The Canadian Government raised no objection, and permission was given to the "Dubuque" to proceed on the understanding that the "Dubuque" was to be substituted for the "Nashville." I cannot say what the total number of ships at the present moment is.

Arising out of that question may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Rush-Bagot treaty is still in existance, and if not, whether he does not think it desirable that this fact should be known, to prevent any misunderstanding."

I must ask for notice of that question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose that the provisions of the Treaty are being infringed in this case?

I can add nothing to the answer which I have read out.

asked whether the assessment officer, secretary, and auditors censured in the report of the Singapore Municipal Inquiry Commission, or the officers who insisted upon getting illegal commissions, or the municipal commissioners who spent 520,000 dollars on the Kalang Tunnel, which should have cost only 150,000 dollars, or any of those persons, had a financial interest in the sale of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company's property to the Government; whether any of them have been proceeded against for the irregularities disclosed in the evidence; and whether any of them are in the employment of the Government at the present time?

I am not aware whether any of the persons referred to had any pecuniary interest in the Tanjong Pajar Dock Company, and I do not understand what connection there is between the acquisition of the docks by the Government and the municipal administration of Singapore. I am not yet aware whether any legal proceedings have been taken in consequence of the report of the Commission. So far as I know, the only person connected with the municipality who is, or was, a Government servant was the president, who has now been transferred to the Federated Malay States.

asked the price per share paid by the Government for the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company's shares; the lowest price previously reached by those shares on the Singapore Bourse; the methods by which their price was inflated at the time of the acquisition; and the total amount expended by the Government in acquiring the shares and other property, continuing the works, settling contractors' claims for work executed but impossible to utilise, and otherwise, respectively, in connection with the harbour works, docks, wharves, and premises; what independent advice, if any, was obtained before this expenditure was incurred; why the works have been suspended; what use it is proposed to make of the docks so constructed that the steamers for which they were intended cannot enter them; and whether the traders for whose accommodation the harbour at Singapore was intended are now by choice frequenting the rival harbour of Pulo Wey, Acheen Point?

The Umpire, Viscount St. Aldwyn, awarded the company a lump sum of 27,929,177 dollars as compensation for the taking over of their undertaking by the Government. I believe that this works out at about 740 dollars a share. I cannot say what was the lowest recorded price of the shares. The Umpire's award was presumably based on the value of the property, and not on the market price of the shares at the time of acquisition, whether inflated or not. The works referred to have not yet been completed, and it is consequently impossible to say what has' been the total cost to the Government. All the work that has been undertaken has been decided upon on the advice of consulting engineers of high standing. The suspension of the work has been due to engineering difficulties, which have resulted in a difference of opinion with the contractors. I am not aware that there is any foundation for the assertion that steamers will not be able to enter the docks, or for the statement that traders now frequent other ports in preference to Singapore.

asked the total amount of the Excise Duty paid on the purchase of intoxicating liquors by clubs under Section 48 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and how this amount compares with the estimate of the yield of this duty?

I must ask my hon. Friend to wait until my right hon. Friend makes his general statement on the revenue of the financial year just closed.

asked whether it is the general practice in the Civil Service that no alteration of rules governing the service is, in the absence of other cause, allowed to diminish the income or otherwise injuriously affect those in the service prior to the change?

I do not know what rules the hon. Member has in mind. It is the general practice in the Civil Service, when changes are made, to consider the position of existing officers so far as may be consistent with the proper administration of the public service.

Are new rules made to operate injuriously on officials of the service, before they were drawn up apart from any consideration as to how they affect their position?

I really do not know to what rules the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any of the Irish banks have made any alterations in the form or appearance of the bank notes they issued since 24th March, 1909; and, if so, will he give the dates of alterations, nature of same, and name of bank or banks?

I regret that I have no information on this subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiry? It is a matter of very great importance.

I have made inquiry of the only possible Department I can think of—the Inland Revenue—and they have no information.

asked upon what grounds the pension officer for the Castlebar (No. 1), county Mayo, sub-committee's district estimated the income of Edward McGowan, Sallagher, Castlebar, as being over £21 per annum; whether he will direct that the basis of such calculations shall be revealed to the public; whether McGowan has been refused his pension book by the pension officer, although the Local Government Board have decided that the claimant is entitled to 3s. per week; and can he state the rent and valuation of McGowan's holding of land, his only source of income?

The pension officer's estimate of McGowan's means was based upon the stock and crops on the holding which he occupies, with an allowance for rent, rates, labour and hay bought for the stock. The rent of the holding is £3 3s., and the valuation £2 15s. McGowan has not been refused a book of pension orders, but he himself refused to accept a book when tendered to him by the officer.

asked whether railway companies having their headquarters outside London, as in Inverness, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, may have similar privileges with regard to delay in payment of Income Tax as those who have their headquarters in London?

Income Tax is statutorily payable by railway companies in Scotland on or before the 1st of January, whereas in England and Ireland the tax is not payable until on or before 20th March. There is no authority for extending to Scotch railway companies the special provisions prescribed by Section 95 of the Taxes Management Act, 1880. There would be no difficulty in permitting the Scotch companies, if they needed the relief, the same extension of time as was given in the case of the eight English companies, namely, ten days.

If the circumstances are similar at the end of this financial year will equal treatment be meted out to all railway companies throughout the country?

I shall be very glad to consider any application for an extension of the time of ten days to the Scotch Railway Companies.

Does that answer apply to Ireland.

Is it not the fact that the right hon. Gentleman's Department has been partial in the collection of Income Tax as far as Scotland is concerned?

Did the companies who got the relief apply for it, or was it offered to them by the Treasury?

On the contrary, I have pointed out if the Scotch companies need it they can get it.

asked if the Comptroller and Auditor-General has called attention to the undue delay in the collection of the amount of Income Tax which was overdue at the end of the last financial year?

The reply is in the negative. The accounts for the months of March and April dealing with the transactions in question are not yet ready to be submitted for audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

asked what steps are taken to ensure that the fair-wage clause is adhered to in the case of printers doing contract work for Government Departments where the present employés have replaced others who went out on strike; and whether any complaints have been received that, in the case of any such printing establishment, wages less than the current trade union rates are being paid to the present employés?

Immediate inquiry is made by the Stationery Office into any complaint concerning the application of the fair wages clause in connection with any of its contracts. Allegations relating to a few cases have been made against contractors doing printing or binding of work being executed by persons at less than the current rates of wages, and these have been made the subject of investigation by the Stationery Office, followed, where necessary, by action.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer had appointed Mr. Harper to represent the interests of the London ratepayers upon the Committee which he has constituted to deal with the question of the apportionment of public expenditure between the Imperial Exchequer and the local authorities; whether Mr. Harper was, until 21st April, an official of the London County Council; whether the London County Council refused to allow the services of Mr. Harper to be given for this purpose, but offered the services of their principal financial officer; whether Mr. Harper has resigned his position at the London County Council in order to oblige the Government; and whether the Government have offered Mr. Harper, or intend to offer Mr. Harper, a position of equal or greater value to that which he has resigned?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in appointing the Committee to deal with questions of Imperial and local taxation, did not intend any of the persons nominated to be representative of any particular locality or interests. The Committee was appointed to advise the Government upon questions needing immediate solution, and in the opinion of my right hon. Friend the advice tendered by any member of the Committee would cease to be valuable the moment that such a member regarded himself as representative of any particular and outside interests. With regard to the appointment of Mr. Harper, I am informed that his resignation was unconditional, but my right hon. Friend will give no pledge which would prevent either himself or any subsequent Government which should desire to utilise that gentleman's services at any future date, or when any emergency arose, from doing so.

Are we to understand that Mr. Harper may be in a position dependent on the goodwill of the Government, and therefore unable to give an independent report or independent consideration?

I imagine Mr. Harper's eminence as a valuation officer, besides any means which he may have of his own, will very soon enable him to put himself in a position where he would not be dependent on any Government.

If he is to be appointed to some position under the Government, will he not then become a nominee of the Government and not in any way representative of the interests of the London ratepayers who have a case against the Government.

If that position arose I do not suppose he would be any more or less dependent on the Government than, say, the Permanent Secretary for Scotland or any of the other permanent officials on that body.

Has any suggestion of any kind been made to Mr. Harper by the Government, or any Member of the Government, that there might be some post found for him in the future if he did leave the well-paid permanent post he enjoyed and also forfeited the advantages of pension?

The hon. Member could not have listened to the answer I read to the House or he would have known that I said the resignation was unconditional.

Is Mr. Harper to serve the Government independent of any party in the London County Council?

I sincerely hope so; or if he does not do so his advice will not be so valuable as it ought to be.

Is it not the fact that Mr. Harper is the one officer employed by the London County Council who has a complete knowledge of the local circumstances of every borough throughout the Metropolitan area?

Has not the Controller of the County Council much more knowledge than Mr. Harper?

It is clearly quite impossible for me, never having been on the London County Council to speak as to the respective merits of these two gentlemen.

again rose—

Notice should be given of any further question.

asked what were the names of the three Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt who signed the minutes of the last meeting and at which meeting the said Commissioners were not present?

As I have already informed the hon. Member there are no formal meetings of the National Debt Commissioners. The last meeting of the Commissioners took place on 12th October, 1860, when there were present Mr. Gladstone, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England at that date. The last Minute of the Commissioners was dated 11th April, 1911, and was signed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Governor of the Bank of England, and the Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England.

Were not the minutes to which the question referred those relating to 18th April; is not that the last meeting of the Commissioners, and did they not meet and sign the minutes of a meeting purporting to be held last January?

The hon. Member asks me to what minutes his question refers, although there are no dates given in it. I am afraid he must put his dates down in his next question before I can answer.

Is it not the fact that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue attend regularly at the office in Lothbury, and manage the business of the National Debt.

No; the Commissioners of the Inland Revenue have nothing to do with the management of the National Debt. That is done by the Secretary and Comptroller, who is specially freed from any dependence upon any person except the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Lord-Advocate whether he is aware that for the last thirty years the Corporation of Greenock have been in the habit of emptying clean rubbish on the ground at Battery Point, Greenock; that this land so reclaimed from marsh was the site for the torpedo factory purchased from a private landowner by the Admiralty for £27,225; and that this process of reclamation still continues; and, if so, will he say whether any arrangement has been made by the Scottish Office as to land so reclaimed being purchasable by the State at a more reasonable figure, if and when it is wanted by the State for any of its departments?

I am informed that the Corporation of Greenock has not for the last thirty years been in the habit of emptying any rubbish on the ground at Battery Point, that no marsh land has been reclaimed through any operations of the Corporation, and that no process of reclamation has been made, or is being made by the Corporation. I am also informed that while some unobjectionable material is being used to fill up a disused timber pond to the west of Battery Point, that is being done by private arrangement between the owner of the land and the persons (not the Corporation) placing the material upon it, that that land is about a quarter of a mile from the torpedo factory site, and that that site was always firm ground.

Have the Board of Trade given consent to the reclamation of this part of the sea?

I do not know.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Scottish Office is responsible for the five months' delay in forwarding the application from Anstruther, St. Andrew's, and Pittenweem for a grant from the Commissioners of the Development Fund; and if he will do his best to expedite the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a delay of five months has occurred in the forwarding of the applications of Anstruther, St. Andrew's, and Pittenweem to the Commissioners for a grant from the Development Fund for their harbours, which applications were received by the Treasury last November and sent by that Department to the Board of Trade; and whether, seeing that the claims of Findochty and Lossiemouth, and other harbours in Scotland, have been or are being already dealt with by the Commissioners on the spot, he will endeavour to secure for Fife harbours equally fair and expeditious treatment to those of other places?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the delay of five months in forwarding the applications from Anstruther, St. Andrew's, and Pittenweem has been caused by the necessity of communicating with the Scottish Office; whether he can now say when these applications are to be forwarded for consideration; and whether he will do his best to expedite the matter?

In answering the question addressed to me, I may, perhaps, be allowed to answer at the same time the other two questions of the hon. and gallant Member on the same subject, addressed to the Prime Minister and the President of the Board of Trade. I should explain that the procedure under the Development Act necessitates the consultation by the Treasury of the Department interested before applications are disposed of by the Development Commissioners. In the case of applications on behalf of Scottish fishery harbours it was decided, after consultation between the Scottish Office and the Board of Trade, to which the applications had been referred by the Treasury, that, when sufficient time had elapsed to indicate the probable number and scope of early applications, it would be expedient that inquiry should primarily be made through the Scottish Fishery Board, which has large experience in such matters. In pursuance of this arrangement the Fishery Board has recently made local inquiry into the applications from the Moray Firth; and similar inquiry will be made into the applications in which the hon. and gallant Member is interested. There has been no preferential treatment for any locality; but with applications coming from numerous quarters it is obvious that inquiries cannot all take place at once. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that priority of inquiry does not in any sense indicate a preference for grant, and that the applications from Fife have received and will receive the same full consideration which is given to others.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he will say whether the official solicitor for lunacy in Scotland is paid a salary; what is the salary paid to the official solicitor in England; will he consider the advisability of assimilating the practice in respect of remuneration in Ireland and England; and, if necessary, will he make suitable representations in the proper quarter?

There is no paid official solicitor for lunacy in Scotland. I am not aware of the amount of the salary paid to the official solicitor in England. I have had inquiries made, and I do not think there is any reason for making a change in the practice existing in Ireland.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that porters are employed at the Eastern Central district office on work belonging to the head-porter class and which was formerly performed by senior postmen and lobby officers; whether the maximum weekly wage of the porters now doing this work is 30s. per week, whilst the maximum wage of the senior postmen and lobby officers formerly doing identical work was 52s. per week; and whether he will take steps to promote porters to the head-porter rank so that the work may be performed by the class to which it properly belongs?

Perhaps this matter could be most satisfactorily dealt with if my hon. Friend would arrange for one or two of the officers concerned to call on the Second Secretary of the Post Office, and discuss it with him.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Irish Telephone Directory is printed in England and the advertisement department is managed in England, whereas it could be printed more cheaply in Ireland, and a larger revenue could be obtained from advertisements if the advertisement department were managed by someone who knows something about the country; whether any firms in Ireland were allowed to tender for either the printing or the advertising; and, if not, whether such tenders will be invited on all future occasion?

Under the contracts made by the National Telephone Company the Telephone Directory for the United Kingdom, including the Irish section, is printed in England, and the arrangements for advertisements are in the hands of a London firm who have agents in Ireland. In order to facilitate the conduct of the company's business after its transfer to the Post Office at the end of this year it has been necessary to arrange to continue these contracts for short periods, with some improvement in the terms in favour of the Post Office, When new contracts have to be made the question of obtaining tenders from Irish firms for the whole or part of the Directory will be considered.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to fill a possible vacancy for a telegraph super-intendentship at Bournemouth by the selection of a man from another office; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that a similar method was adopted on the occasion of the last vacancy at the Bournemouth office, he would consider the possibility of selecting a member of the local staff?

I can only say at the present time that when a vacancy arises at Bournemouth the claims and qualifications of the staff there will receive full consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the British Government has purchased from the Great Northern Telegraph Company their interst in the working of the telegraph service between Great Britain and Norway; whether a new cable has been jointly laid by the British and Norwegian Governments; whether it is in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the two countries that the working of these cables should be farmed to the Great Northern Telegraph Company on the British side only; and whether he will state when arrangements will be made to institute direct interchange of telegrams between the two State services and to place the British telegraphists employed in the working of these cables upon the establishment of the postal telegraph service?

It is the case that the telegraph service between the United Kingdom and Norway has been acquired by the British and Norwegian Governments and a new cable has been laid jointly by the two Governments. The relative agreement contemplates that the working of the service in this country shall be entrusted for a term of years to the Great Northern Telegraph Company, in whose hands the working of the remainder of the Scandinavian system still remains.

asked why the royal borough of Salford, with a population of 250,000 persons, has not the advantage of a post office of the first rank but is subordinate to the head office of an adjacent city?

The royal borough of Salford already enjoys all the postal facilities which it would be likely to have if the post office were a head office instead of a branch of the Manchester office. The existing arrangement is convenient from an administrative point of view, and I do not see that any advantage would accrue to the inhabitants of Salford from a change.

When the right hon. Gentleman says "convenient from an administrative point of view," he means convenient to those who administer, not to those administered to?

It makes no difference whatever to the people who are adminstered to, but a considerable difference to the people who administer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at the inquest upon the bodies of three men who were fatally injured by an explosion and fire at the works of Messrs. J. Laing and Son, Holt Town, Manchester, on Tuesday, 21st March, 1911; whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of the coroner; and, if so, will he state whether it is the intention of the Home Office to hold a full inquiry into the cause of the explosion?

I have received a report of this case and of the proceedings at the inquest. I am advised that the circumstances point to the explosion having been one of starch dust, caused by the fire which had burst out in the adjoining premises. Any fine dust of a combustible nature is liable under certain conditions to explode, in the same way as coal dust will explode in a mine or flour dust in a flour mill. There is no record of any similar explosion in a starch factory; but explosions of starch dust have been produced experimentally. The subject will receive the further consideration of the officers of the Factory Department.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a party of convicts, numbering about twelve, were removed from Leicester by a train leaving there at 2.45 p.m. on Thursday, 20th April; and if he can see his way to order that when convicts are removed from one prison to another such removal shall take place at a time when they are less likely to be exposed to the public gaze?

Ten short-term local prisoners were removed from Leicester to Derby by the train mentioned in the question in order to make room for ordinary commitments. The compartment was reserved for them, and they were not exposed to view more than is unavoidable in crossing the platform. Such removals are carried out, if possible, at hours when they are least likely to attract attention, but it is not always possible to avoid making the removal in the middle of the day.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that these men were exposed on Leicester platform for more than a quarter of an hour? I saw them myself.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tender susceptibilities of these men might be met by their not becoming convicts.

I think every reasonable effort should be made to avoid the transport of prisoners in public, but it is not possible always to prevent their being seen, and if society metes out punishment to them we should not be too squeamish.

asked whether the Government had taken over the fire insurance policies of Westminster Abbey during the erection and maintenance of the special stagings; and whether any sum had been added to cover the extra property at stake or the greater liability temporarily incurred?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In accordance with the general practice of the Department, no sum has been added to cover the extra property at stake.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the gross sum for which Westminster Abbey is insured?

No.

Has the Department been able to make any estimate as to the value and cost of replacement of the fabric and its contents in case it were destroyed?

No, I think not.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider insurance any protection for the graves of the mighty dead?

asked whether it is the practice to insure against the risk of fire and tempest any public Government buildings; and whether there are any such national buildings constructed in whole or in part by means of loans, the repayment of which has not been completed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part the reply is in the affirmative.

asked whether Messrs. Priddy and Hale, case-makers, of Wood-field Road, made census boxes under contract for the Government; if so, what rate of wages was paid to the male case makers employed in their manufacture; whether any of the cases were made by girl labour; and what is the rate of wages paid to the girls; and how do these rates of wages compare with those paid by good employers to members of the City Case-makers Society?

The census boxes were made for the Local Government Board under contract with the Commissioners of Works by Messrs. Priddy and Hale. The rates of wages paid were from 7d. to 8d. per hour, and, as there was no-skilled labour entailed in the work, which was of the simplest description, the wages were considered not unsatisfactory. So far as the First Commissioner is aware no female labour was employed in the construction of the boxes. The foregoing rates of wages compare favourably with those paid by good employers of this class of labour. It has been ascertained that the minimum rate in the rules of the London Wood and Tin Packing Case Maker's Trade Society for woodmen is 8½d. per hour, and for tinmen 8d. per hour. It is not possible to make any such comparison as that mentioned in the question

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the gardeners employed at the Royal Gardens, Kew, only receive a subsistence allowance, he will give instructions that in future, if any of these men are unable to follow their employment through sickness, they shall be paid the full allowance and not half as at present?

The regulations as to the sick pay to be allowed young gardeners at Kew were settled by the Treasury at the time of the passing of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906. The Board have not since received any representations on the subject from the men concerned. If any such representations are made they would receive careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, looking to the damage done annually by squirrels to Scots fir and other growing timber, and to the loss occasioned thereby to individuals and to the State, he can take steps in the interests of the timber supply of this country to impress upon those concerned the necessity for treating squirrels as vermin where necessary, and for destroying them as such?

I will consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked whether the President of the Board of Agriculture received the resolution passed by the Central Chamber of Agriculture regarding foot-and-mouth disease; whether the Board has made any observations to the Foreign Office to enable them to carry out the terms of the resolution; and whether they will be able in the future to give the information desired to the public?

The Board have received the resolution to which the hon. Member refers, and are in communication with the Foreign Office on the subject.

asked whether, in view of the number of small holdings which have been and are being constituted by landowners who sympathise with the small holdings movement on the occasion of farms falling vacant on their estates and of the misleading character of official statistics, which take no account of holdings so constituted, the Board will take steps, prior to the issue of the next Report of the Small Holdings Commissioners, to obtain information which will render possible the inclusion in them of such holdings?

I am afraid that it would be impracticable to obtain the information suggested. As the hon. Member is aware, the Agricultural Returns show the changes which take place from year to year in the number of holdings of various sizes. As I informed the hon. Member last Monday, the Board have no means of obtaining the information.

Has the hon. Baronet considered the possibility of giving these figures?

If the figures could not be obtained with absolute accuracy it would be no use granting them.

As the figures now given are misleading, would it not be best in future to leave out the returns of small holdings provided by private landlords?

Would it not be possible to grant a return of those single farms which since January, 1911, have now been relet in two or more holdings?

I think it would not be possible to do so.

asked if, in appointing new small holdings commissioners or inspectors, care will be taken to select qualified land agents; and if favourable consideration will be given to the official qualifications of, and work done by, county land agents to county councils?

Section 2 (1) of the Small Holdings Act, 1908, provides that small holdings commissioners shall foe persons possessed of a knowledge of agriculture. Applications by county land agents will receive careful consideration.

asked whether, in view of the announcement that the Secret Committee, consisting of six British members and one Irish, is now investigating Ireland's financial relations for the sole benefit of the Cabinet, if the Irish people, who are gravely concerned in this subject, appoint a Committee to investigate it for their own information, will their Committee be afforded the same facilities for doing so as are afforded to the Secret Committee?

No information will be withheld by the Government from any persons seeking knowledge on the question referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he is aware that the trial of election petitions is exclusively confined to puisne judges of the King's Bench Division, and that, under the provisions of the Election Petitions Act, chief justices, even though not Members of the House of Lords, and puisne judges when Members of the House of Lords, are incapable of taking part in the trial of such petitions; whether, having regard to the fact that the exclusion of chief justices and Members of the House of Lords from the trial of such petitions was due to the desire that gentlemen who, before their elevation to the bench had been actively engaged in party politics, or who, while members of the bench, were likely to be engaged in politics, should not take part in these proceedings; and whether, in any contemplated legislation for the purpose of ensuring public confidence in the decisions of election petition judges, the Government will consider the advisability of limiting the selection of puisne judges for appointment as election petition judges to such members of the bench as have been appointed to that position without reference to official or political claims, and without previous active intervention in party politics?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give this House an early opportunity of discussing the present method of trying election petitions?

As I stated a clay or two ago there are features in the present procedure for the trial of election petitions which seem to the Government to call for serious reconsideration. The matter will not be lost sight of, but I cannot at present give any more specific assurance.

asked whether the letter written by the Chief Patronage Secretary to Sir Thomas Borthwick implies any change of view on the part of the Government in their intention to reintroduce and pass into law the Scottish Small Landholders Bill, as passed previously by this House; and, if so, whether a compromise on the Bill is being arranged with the Scottish landlords?

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the full answer which I gave to similar questions on 3rd April. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is it not a fact that those who have experience of the working of the English Small Holdings Act would deprecate the introduction of the purchase system into Scotland?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Small Landholders Bill will be re-introduced?

No; I cannot say at this moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether ho proposes to furnish an opportunity for the discussion of the Public Libraries (Ireland) Bill?

I am very anxious to see this Bill (which is entirely non-contentious) passed as early as possible, and I hope that an opportunity may soon be secured for the Second Reading.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will undertake to proceed with the Bill to reform the Second Chamber in accordance with the Preamble of the Parliament Bill before introducing his proposed Home Rule Bill for Ireland?

I cannot give any undertaking on this subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact when he is considering the subject in future that the futility of introducing a Home Rule Bill is so apparent to everyone that he had better proceed with the Preamble first?

asked when the House will have an opportunity of discussing the work and policy of the Road Board?

The matter can be discussed to-morrow on moving the Speaker out of the Chair.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the 22nd and 23rd June will be holidays within the meaning of the Factories Acts?

It is not compulsory under the Factory Act to give these two days as holidays, but it is permissible for an occupier either to give them as additional holidays outside the Act or to substitute them for two of the holidays or four of the half-holidays allowed in his works in pursuance of the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the date of the covering letter forwarded by Mr. Grigg with his official Report on conditions in Canada?

In November, 1910, Mr. Grigg forwarded a report on conditions in Canada, covering the period ending March, 1909. The covering letter to this report was dated 30th October, 1910. Mr. Grigg was asked to extend his report so as to cover the year ending March, 1910, and ho did so. The completed report reached the Board of Trade on 8th March, 1911, and was published on 31st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that when loans are raised in France for foreign enterprises, involving the purchase of manufactures, the law of that country provides that such manufactures shall be purchased in France; if he can state in what other countries such conditions are in force; and if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to protect British interests, where necessary, in a like manner.

The information at present in my possession as to the law and practice of the principal commercial countries in the matter referred to in the question is incomplete, but I am taking steps to supplement it, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to prohibit the importation of goods manufactured abroad under unrestricted conditions of labour in the case of those goods which, when manufactured in this country, are subjected to Government restrictions?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in some cases where persons have been awarded large compensation under the Employers' Liability Act the money so awarded is frittered away, with the result that recipients of compensation frequently become a burden on the rates; and whether he would be willing to introduce legislation to provide that all sums payable under the Employers' Liability Acts should be vested in the Public Trustee, or some other responsible body, and paid to recipients, without deduction, according to their requirements?

A copy of a resolution to this effect, which has been adopted by a number of Boards of Guardians, has been forwarded to me. In the case of compensation awarded to dependents of a deceased workman, or to an injured workman under legal disability, under the Workmen's Compensation Act, provision is already made for its administration by the court, and the difficulty can only arise in cases where lump sums are paid to adult workmen in commutation for weekly-payments, or in the comparatively few cases in which damages are awarded under the Employer's Liability Act of 1880. It would be too soon to consider the question of the amendment of the Compensation Act, which was only passed in 1908, but the point will be borne in mind when the time comes for reviewing the operation of the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what proportion of the population of England and Wales for the five years last past have attained the age of seventy years; and if he will give the figures for Ireland, and show how they compare with the figures for France and Germany?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The results of the recent Census being as yet unknown, the latest information respecting the number of persons living at different ages in England and Wales is that furnished by the Census of 1901. Assuming the proportional number of persons living over seventy-years of age to have remained unchanged since that date, 2.73 per cent. of the total population in England and Wales is aged seventy years or upwards; in Ireland the proportion is 4.20 per cent.; in the German Empire, 2.75 per cent.; and in France about 4.88 per cent.

asked if it is contemplated to grant subsidies to shipowners for training boys to become seamen in the mercantile marine; and, if so, will Parliament be afforded an opportunity of discussing such a policy before any action is taken in the direction of granting public money to private shipping: concerns?

The question of training of boys to become seamen in the mercantile marine is at present under consideration. My hon. Friend may rest assured that no action will be taken in the direction indicated by him without an opportunity being afforded for Parliamentary consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give an assurance that there shall be no provisions in the Pistols Bill likely to discourage miniature rifle clubs or throw increased expenditure upon their members?

Yes; the Bill will relate only to pistols.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that an inspector from the Office of Works stated that the firm of Messrs. Hampton and Sons, in reference to a complaint that the horsehair in the seating in the Gallery of the House had not been properly treated and purified, stated that he was satisfied with the explanation of the firm, notwithstanding the fact that the complaint was still under investigation at the time; what steps have been taken in the matter; and whether any answer will be given to those who lodged the complaint.

No such statement as is suggested in the question has been made by any officer of the Commissioners of Works. I hope that the hon. Member will allow me to answer the last part of his question in connection with the other two questions on the Paper on the same subject.

asked whether complaints had been made against the firm of Messrs. Hampton and Sons, in reference to the upholstery seating in the Gallery of the House of Commons; whether, in the renovation of such seating, it was found that the horsehair had not been properly treated or purified; whether the firm is still on the list of contractors to the Department; and what steps, if any, have been taken in the matter?

Messrs. Hampton's have admitted defective work as regards the horsehair. At present no further orders are being entrusted to them. As regards the last part of the answer, a final decision can only be made after the conclusion of the legal proceedings which are now pending.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that the seats in the gallery were examined by an inspector of the Office of Works, who declared that the horsehair had not been purified and cleaned, as it ought to have been, and consequently is he not prepared to say that there was ground for complaints? Am I to understand that no complaint has been made by the officer?

I have already stated that no complaint was made as suggested in the first part of the question of the hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. Bower-man).

asked whether the upholsterers employed by the firm of Hampton and Sons in the work of renovating the seating in the Gallery of the House of Commons were not able to average more than 7d. per hour; and whether, having regard to the fact that the average minimum rate per hour in London for upholsterers is 10d., any action has been taken by the Department to secure compliance with the fair-wage clause in this instance?

The First Commissioner has instituted inquiries which show that over 10d. an hour was paid to the workmen at Messrs. Hampton's. It is not possible to discover from the books of the firm whether this rate was paid for the work in question. The First Commissioner stipulated for that rate in the contract.

asked if the First Commissioner of Works has received representations from the Yorkshire Builders' Federation alleging unreasonable requests made by clerks of works; whether such allegations have been investigated; and whether the result was to uphold the vigilance of the clerks of works against whom the complaints were advanced?

Representations have been made by the Yorkshire Builders' Federation as indicated, and the allegations are being investigated, but owing to the extent of the inquiries it has not been found possible at present to furnish a reply to the Federation. In the meantime, however, an arrangement has been made with the Federation whereby any new com- plaint is to be reported direct to the Commissioners, who will deal with it apart from the original complaints.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention had been called to a resolution carried at a general meeting of the Incorporated National Association of British and Irish Millers, held in London on the 21st instant, to the effect that in the opinion of the association wheaten flour sold as such without any qualifying designation should be the unbleached and untreated produce of properly cleaned and conditioned wheat only; whether he approved the terms of such resolution; and, if so, whether he would introduce legislation modifying the law relating to food adulteration accordingly?

My attention has been called to the resolution referred to, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement in regard to fresh legislation dealing with food adulteration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in all future schemes for the government of secondary schools aided by a local authority, he will cause a clause to be inserted giving to an assistant master or mistress the right of being heard by or of making representations to the local education committee before any notice of dismissal by the governing body is made effective; and whether, in the case of the Bede Collegiate School, Sunderland, he will consent to add to the end of Clause 16 (b), paragraph 4, of the present Articles of Government words to the effect that the notice of dismissal therein referred to shall only be confirmed by the committee after hearing such representations as the assistant master or mistress may desire to make?

In the case of schools aided but not provided by local education authorities, to insert such a clause as is suggested by the hon. Member would be incompatible with the freedom and responsibility of the governing body. In the case of schools provided by local education authorities (of which the Bede Collegiate School, Sunderland, is one) the Articles of Government are primarily a matter for the providing authority, and the Board are only concerned to see that the Articles are such as they can approve for the purpose of the payment of grant, and that the Articles state the constitution of the governing body and define its functions, both as regards responsibility for general control and as regards immediate responsibility for the conduct of the school. If the authority wished to include such a provision as is suggested by the hon. Member in Articles of Government, the Board would not refuse to approve the Articles on that ground alone. The governing body of the Bede Collegiate School is appointed by the Sunderland Education Committee, and notices of dismissal of assistant masters require confirmation by the Higher Education Sub-Committee and by the Education Committee.

May I ask whether the Board of Education can see any objection to giving the same facilities for appeal to assistant masters as are at present given to headmasters?

I think the hon. Member should give notice of a separate question on that matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the West Riding County Council are compelling the education authority of the borough of Todmorden to charge a fee of £6 6s. per year to scholars attending the secondary school, which had previously been free; and whether he will take steps to prevent such a course from being put into operation, which is calculated to be a hardship on the poorer parents and exclude a great many children from receiving the benefits of a higher education?

I understand that the West Riding County Council have made it a condition of their giving financial assistance to the school that fees shall be charged. The Board of Education have no power to interfere with the discretion of the county council as to the conditions subject to which they will aid schools out of their own funds. If and when the school becomes in fact a fee-charging school it will be required by the Board to offer the full 25 per cent. of free places under Article 20 of the Regulations for Secondary Schools.

Does not the Board of Education think that six guineas a year is too large a sum to charge?

That would be considered in dealing with the question.

Has the Board of Education made representations to the county council in this matter?

I do not know. If my hon. Friend will put a question on the Paper, I will ascertain.

May I ask whether this state of things is not due to the increasing expenditure, and to the diminished proportion of Government assistance?

I do not know what are the motives of the West Riding County Council.

May I ask whether, before the payment of the six guineas becomes compulsory it will have to be sanctioned by the Board of Education if grants are given to the school?

In giving grants, all questions of that kind have to be considered by the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can yet give the House any information as to the proposed new science museum at South Kensington?