asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he would state what was the amount of the dead weight debt, other capital liabilities, and the aggregate gross liabilities on the 1st of April in the years 1909, 1910, and 1911?

The figures for 1909 and 1910 are given in the National Debt Return, House of Commons Paper 183 of 1910. Those for 1911 will not be available until my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made his annual financial statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under the National Insurance Bill, any person, however wealthy, will be able under Clause 5 to obtain all the health insurance benefits conferred by the Act, provided that he depends partly for his livelihood upon some regular occupation, while paying as premium only seven-ninths of the amount which he would have to pay to an insurance company; if so, upon what principle is the remaining two-ninths payable by the State; and whether he has considered the effect upon insurance companies of such competition in these cases?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, provided the person referred to joins an approved society. A wealthy man who becomes insured would probably contribute in taxation far more than the amount he receives from the State. I do not think the facilities offered to the wealthy are such as to give rise to any competition with insurance companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under Clause 55 of the National Insurance Bill, any existing member of a registered friendly society will, under any circumstances, be compelled to pay in respect of sickness and invalidity insurance to the Government, and in respect of death and funeral insurance to his society a larger aggregate amount than he has now to pay for the same benefits to his society?

I fear it is impossible to say whether this will be so in particular cases. It depends entirely on the amount of the benefits they are insured for. If it occurs it will be clear evidence that the member was inadequately insured against sickness and disablement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in deciding, for the purposes of his national health insurance scheme, upon a uniform rate of 4d. to be paid by all workmen weekly, whatever be the terms of their employment or the conditions under which they work, he has taken into account the freedom from sickness and invalidity enjoyed by agricultural labourers as compared with those employed in factories or living under less healthy conditions in the towns, and the consequent possibility in the result of the low paid agricultural labourers, in conjunction with their employers, contributing not merely towards their own sick benefits, but also towards those enjoyed by more highly paid employees in much more profitable industries?

Any class of persons who enjoy better health than the average can gain the the full advantage of this under the Bill in precisely the same way as they can at present when they insure voluntarily, that is to say, by associating with one another and not with less healthy persons for the purposes of the State Insurance. I have examined the scale of contributions paid by rural friendly societies, and I find that no society offers to pay anything like the benefits under the Bill for the weekly payment exacted by the State Scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in addition to submitting the draft schemes, then in two parts, for the National Insurance Bill to the leaders of the Labour party, he also gave the leaders of other parties in this House an opportunity of seeing them; and whether it was the result of representations on the part of the Labour party that the schemes were consolidated into one Bill?

The draft schemes were submitted to the Leader of the Liberal party in his capacity of Prime Minister and not to the Leader of any other party in the House. The Government decided that the most, satisfactory method of dealing with the question was to combine the whole National Insurance Scheme in one Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether federations of employers and representatives of insurance companies and other interests had an opportunity of seeing the draft scheme of the National Insurance Bill, as well as the representatives of the Labour party and certain friendly societies, before the Bill was submitted to this House?

The draft Bill was not shown to representatives of any of the bodies named, though particular proposals in the Bill were from time to time confidentially communicated to persons with special experience whom it was thought desirable to consult.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in calculating the weekly wages of employes for the purposes of the National Insurance Bill, it is proposed to make any allowances in cases where cottages are provided rent free or at a rent which is less than an economic rent?

The rent of a cottage would, I imagine, be regarded not as "wages" but as "other remuneration" for the purposes of the Second Schedule of the Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the estimates of cost given by him as to the National Insurance Bill were based on advice given by actuarial experts; and, if so, from what sources?

The answer is in the affirmative. Three of the best actuaries have been for a long time employed in giving advice on the Estimates to the Government. I have already promised to lay the information before the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the House an estimate of the expenses of management of the National Insurance Scheme, and under what Government Department it is proposed to administer the Bill?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the amount of the estimated cost of administration of national insurance under the Bill now before the House for each of the first three years of its coming into operation, separating, if possible, the expenses connected with sickness from the expenses in regard to unemployment?

I will answer this and the question in the name of the hon. Member for the Chippenham Division, together. I regret that in consequence of a misprint in the notice of the latter question, which occurred both in the Votes and in the Order Paper, I gave a misleading answer yesterday. It would not be possible to deal satisfactorily with the various financial estimates involved in the Bill in anticipation of the detailed reports which will be laid before the House shortly. The provisions for the administration of the scheme will be found in the Bill which has been circulated to Members, and especially in Clauses 41 and 65.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to criticisms of county councillors upon the composite character of the local health committees proposed to be established under the National Insurance Bill, on the ground that there are already too many overlapping authorities of this kind, and suggesting that the work could be well performed by the existing public health committees; whether he has also had regard to similar views expressed in the Minority Report of the Poor Law Commission; and whether he will give favourable consideration to these arguments?

The functions and the funds of the local health committees are such that it is important that the persons insured under the National Insurance Bill should be represented upon them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to the burden imposed upon the British cigar manufacturer by the incidence of the tobacco taxes, a factory in Nottingham, specially built seven years ago, at a cost including land, buildings, and equipment of £10,000, has now been closed down and advertised for sale; whether he is aware that one firm of cigar manufacturers in the Nottingham district are now employing 100 fewer hands than before the 1909 Budget, and that three fewer manufacturers' licences than last year have been taken out in Nottingham; whether, taking into consideration the loss of employment resulting from the manner in which the British cigar manufacturers are taxed, he will so alter the method of levying the import duties on raw tobacco so that these manufacturers, who are obliged to import tobacco in a moist condition, shall be entitled to have their imports assessed for duty in a more equitable manner than at present?

From inquiries which I have made, I gather that the factory referred to has been removed to another district. I am not aware to what extent fewer hands are being employed by cigar manufacturers in the Nottingham district. The same number of licences has been issued this year as last. With regard to the last paragraph, I would refer the Noble Lord to an answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury on my behalf on the 4th ultimo.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the decision in the courts that Form VIII. is illegal he proposes to reimburse those persons who have been put to expense in complying with its provisions under the menace of a £50 penalty; and whether he will defray the costs of the action?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is by regulation of his Department that payment of Income Tax is demanded on the 1st January in Scotland; whether the same regulations apply to London; if so, will he say how it is that costs on unpaid Income Tax are incurred in Scotland while taxpayers in London have not been pressed to pay; and will he see that equality of treatment is given in future?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 82 of the Taxes Management Act, 1880, and as regards the third part, I am not aware that any exceptional pressure for payment of Income Tax has been put upon taxpayers either in Scotland or England.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what words, of what Clause, of what statute, the Board of Inland Revenue claim to be entitled to exact Stamp Duty on assignments and reassignments of policies opened and closed in India?

An assignment or re-assignment, even though executed in India, of a policy payable in the United Kingdom is liable to Stamp Duty by reference to Section 14 (4) of the Stamp Act, 1891, as relating to a matter or thing to be done in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chief Secretary if he would state what progress had been made towards the purchase by the Estates Commissioners of the M'Mahon estate, Queen's County; whether he is aware that the owner is anxious to sell, and offered his estate to the Commissioners in January, 1910; whether he is aware that this is in the immediate vicinity of a congested district consisting of ninety-one holdings of cutaway bog and mountain slope, the valuation of which is from 15s. to £7, occupied by about 500 persons; and, seeing that the only means of relieving this congestion is by the purchase of and distribution of the McMahon estate, whether the purchase of the McMahon estate will be expedited?

The Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of the lands referred to and estimated the amount which they would be prepared to advance if the lands were offered for sale to them as untenanted land. The Commissioners' estimate has not been accepted and the matter is at present under their consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary what are the circumstances or conditions that the Estates Commissioners are imposing on John McGiff, a tenant on the estate of Thomas C. Fagan, Rathmore, Ballymahon, county Longford (Ref. No. C. 8,541), holding about four statute acres at a rent of £8 per annum; have they inspected this holding; do they consider it value for annuities calculated at what may be safely considered a rack rent; and will the Commissioners fix a fair rent on this farm, or allow the tenant to enter the Land Court to have a second term rent fixed?

This estate was sold direct by the landlord to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the advances were made and the holdings vested in the purchasing tenants in February last. No agreement for the purchase of the holding held by John McGiff as a judicial tenant on the estate has been lodged with the Estates Commissioners. It is open to McGiff to apply to have a second term fair rent fixed if he is entitled to do so. This is not a matter in which the Commissioners can interfere.

asked the Chief Secretary whether purchasing tenants under the Act of 1903 are liable to pay tithe rent-charge; and whether the Irish Land Commission is bound to have all such charges and liabilities discharged and to see that the holding is free from all claims except annuity before the vesting order is made out?

The Land Commission inform me that where tithe rent charge is payable by a vendor out of lands which are being sold by him to the tenants under the Land Purchase Acts such tithe rent charge is redeemed out of the purchase money of the lands, being a "superior interest" affecting the vendor's estate for sale. If, however, the purchasing tenant by reason of his interest in the lands which formed his holding was liable to pay a tithe rent charge, that charge is not redeemable out of the purchase money of the holding sold by the vendor, but continues to be payable by the tenant as previously.

asked how many estates have been purchased by the Estates Commissioners for the Congested Districts Board since 1903 in the parishes of Kilconly and Kilbannon, county Galway; how many estates have been offered for sale in these parishes under the Acts of 1903 and 1909; did the Congested Districts Board approach any landlords in these parishes with a view to purchase, if so, what landlords, and with what result; if the estates of Dr. Day and Mr. George Crean Lynch have been offered to the Congested Districts Board or the Estates Commissioners; if so, on what date; whether a petition was received from the tenants of Mr. Thomas F. Lewin by the Congested Districts Board within the past few weeks; and, if so, what steps do the Board intend to take with reference to it?

The records of the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board are not kept by parishes. The estates of Dr. Day and Mr. George Lynch have been offered to the Congested Districts Board, and an inspection of the lands will be made as soon as practicable. A petition in respect of the estate of Mr. Thomas F. Lewin was received and the owner communicated with, but so far no definite answer has been received as to whether he is prepared to sell his estate to the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the length of time and irregularity of late that is allowed to occur in the publication of the monthly Return of Proceeding and Return of Advances under the Irish Land Commission; and whether he will provide for such Returns being issued at more regular and stated intervals of time?

The present delay with regard to the publication of these Returns arose chiefly from the fact that during the time Parliament was dissolved it was not possible to make any presentation of these Returns. The Returns in arrear will be presented to Parliament at an early date, and arrangements have already been made to expedite the publication of these Returns in the future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the workmen in the Government factories at Waltham Abbey and Enfield will be allowed two holidays at the Coronation with pay for each day, if that indulgence is granted in other Government factories?

It has been decided to grant both holidays on full pay to the workmen employed at Waltham Abbey and Enfield, but this privilege will only be granted to the factories in the neighbourhood of London.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that only sixteen commissions have been granted to warrant officers in the Royal Artillery during the years 1906 to 1911, while in the previous five years, 1900 to 1905, no less than seventy-two were granted; and whether, as this is a cause of complaint among the other ranks of non-commissioned officers whose promotion is blocked or delayed in consequence, he would take steps to consider the claims of those warrant officers to promotion, and, in the case of the senior warrant officers who are qualified for promotion, by extending the age limit, for which there is a precedent?

The correct figures for the commissions granted Royal Artillery warrant officers are as follows:—

1900 to 1905 (both inclusive)	…	107
1906 to 1911 (both inclusive)	…	21

I am afraid that the remedy for slowness of promotion which the hon. Member suggests, would, while assisting some of the seniors, injuriously affect those below them who have now a reasonable prospect of promotion, and it is not therefore considered expedient to extend the age limit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the tenders for the supply of goods and foodstuffs to various regiments stationed at Aldershot are limited to three firms only, and therefore the officers and men are deprived of a free and open choice in the purchase of goods they require; and what action he proposes to take with a view of allowing all traders who are also ratepayers a chance of tendering?

Will the hon. Member kindly refer to the reply given to a question on this subject put by the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin on the 19th April, to which I have nothing to add?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if the manual of instruction for the voluntary aid detachments of the British Red Cross Society has yet been approved; and, if not, when this will be done?

This manual is not a War Office manual but is being published under arrangement made by the British Red Cross Society, who would no doubt give the hon. Member the information he desires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what portion of the statement referred to by him in his answer, made by the Secretary of State for War in another place on the 3rd of April, is an answer to the question put on the 4th May as to how many Territorial troops in their present state of efficiency would be required, in the opinion of the General Staff, to successfully resist the landing of 70,000 highly trained Continental troops?

The hon. Member will find in the statement as a whole a full answer on the subject of his question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he would state when the cavalry depot at Seaforth will be definitely formed, and what officer has been appointed to the command?

I am not yet in a position to give any information in reply to this question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the hairdressers of London are practically unanimously in favour of Sunday closing; and whether, under the circumstances, the Government will insert a Clause to this effect in the Shops Bill?

I did not gather that this was so from the deputation of the London and Suburban Master Hairdressers' Association, of which a report appears on pages 89 to 92 of the Parliamentary Paper (Cd. 5632). I am given to understand, however, that negotiations are now proceeding between the different parties, which it is hoped may lead to a general agreement in the trade in favour of Sunday closing.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that motor omnibuses, instead of being driven within the prescribed twelve-mile limit, are frequently driven at twenty miles per hour through the streets of London, and that taxi-cabs and other mechanically-propelled vehicles, instead of being driven within the limit of twenty miles per hour, are sometimes driven at thirty to forty miles per hour in the London area; and whether, with a view to prevent accidents, he will give instructions to the police to rigidly enforce the prescribed speed limits of twelve and twenty miles per hour, respectively, within an area of six miles from Charing Cross.

I think that the speed limits are rarely exceeded by motor omnibuses and taxi-cabs in the streets of London. When the police have evidence that motor vehicles have contravened the law proceedings are taken. There is, however, very great difficulty in timing cars, so as to procure the necessary evidence of a contravention of the speed limit in the congested traffic of inner London.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the danger to cyclists when riding along dark and unlighted roads without the protection of a tail lamp attached to the cycle, which would warn mechanically-propelled and other vehicles overtaking them; and whether, to protect cyclists from being run down and injured he will introduce legislation requiring them to carry a tail lamp as other vehicles are compelled to do?

The danger is well known. The precaution is one which cyclists should take in their own interests, but I cannot promise legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he would state the number of chests of Indian Government opium to be sent this year to China as reduced by the ten years' agreement of 1907; whether, under the new agreement, it is now proposed that she should this year take 21,000 additional chests; and, if so, whether that addition would bring this year's total import by China from India to a higher figure than before the successive reductions of the past four years?

The number of chests to be exported from India to all countries in 1911 is fixed by the Agreement of 1907 at 46,600 chests. Under that Agreement the Government of India were under no obligation to mark off the Chinese portion from the non-Chinese portion of the total export: and the Chinese Government had no power of excluding any of the import. This year, in advance of the new agree- ment, the Government of India agreed to-separate the Chinese from the non-Chinese portion of the export, and estimating the latter at 16,000 chests, they were certifying 30,600 chests for China. When my hon. Friend asks about 21,000 chests he is referring to the rough estimate of the quantity of opium in bond in Treaty ports and in Hong Kong. It was exported from India in previous years before the certificate procedure was introduced, and had a right of entry into China on payment of import duty. But inasmuch as these stocks are not certificated, the Indian Government have agreed that in consideration of their now entering China, the authorised export of certified opium in the next three years will be correspondingly reduced. The average annual import of Indian opium into China before 1908 was about 51,000 chests. This figure may be slightly exceeded in the present year if the whole of this year's certified opium should be passed into China within the year in addition to the uncertificated stocks of former years. But the circumstances are altogether exceptional, and the China import for the year should not be confused with the Indian export to China for the year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether it is intended under the new opium agreement with China that, in addition to the 30,600 chests to be sent under the former arrangement, she should this year take not only 21,000 chests additional, but a certain quantity also of uncertificated opium during the next two months; and is there any limit to the quantity she will be thus obliged to take, and, if so, what limit?

The agreement provides for the entry into China, within two months of date of signature, of uncertificated Indian opium over and above the listed stock of such opium lying in Treaty ports or in Hong Kong. All such opium was sold and purchased with the knowledge that it had a right of entry into China. The quantity is not definitely known, but is believed not to be large. Whatever the quantity may be, a corresponding reduction will be made in the certified exports of Indian opium in 1912–1914.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, if he will state the total quantity of opium due to have been sent to China from India, for the three last years, namely, 1915, 1916, and 1917, of the former ten years' agreement; and whether the 21,000 extra chests now to be sent to China this year alone under the new agreement are more titan the total of the last three years of the old agreement?

Under the 1907 agreement, as modified by the arrangement for marking off the China from the non-China portion of the permissible export, the chests certified for China will be 15,300 in all for the years 1915–1917. I explained in a previous answer the misapprehension underlying the phrase, "Now to be sent to China," in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state what results have been achieved by the expedition to the Persian Gulf; how many rifles had been captured; why it had returned to Bombay after such a brief absence; whether he could give an estimate of the cost of the expedition; and whether the cost will be borne by India or by the Imperial Government?

The object of the recent expedition to the Persian Gulf was to put a stop to the illicit traffic in arms on the Biyaban coast. A number of rifles have been captured, but I am unable to state the precise quantity. Apart from captures, however, the general result of the expedition has been to drive away from the coast of the Gulf the Afghan traders in smuggled arms. The force returned to Bombay after one month's absence because climatic conditions rendered its return necessary. It had achieved the objects of the expedition. The estimated cost is two lakhs of rupees, and, like that of the rest of the operations for the suppression of the arms traffic, is borne by Indian revenues.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the appeal of Kaid Akka, Duimeni, chief of the Beni M'Tir, to the nations of Europe; whether he will direct the English agents in Morocco to inquire fully as to the truth of the statements contained in that appeal; and, if on inquiry they prove to be well founded, whether the British Government will use its utmost influence to prevent European troops being used in support of such a system?

His Majesty's Government are fully aware of abuses in Morocco, and they have always used their influence in endeavouring to remedy them. There is no question of any European intervention except to prevent abuses, and any action that His Majesty's Government may take will be in accord with and in fulfilment of the obligations into which they entered by the Anglo-French Agreement of 1904.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the maximum speeds authorised by his department for tramcars in Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, respectively?

The maximum speeds authorised for tramcars in Manchester vary from four miles to sixteen miles, in Liverpool from two miles to sixteen miles, and in Birmingham from four miles to fourteen miles an hour.

asked the Postmaster-Gneral if he will state what contracts are now in force for carrying mails from the United Kingdom to Canada and from Canada to the United Kingdom; when do those contracts expire; and what is the annual sum paid in respect of each of those contracts for the past year?

The direct mails between the United Kingdom and Canada are conveyed under three contracts:—

(1) Between the British Post Office and. the Canadian-Pacific Railway Company.

(2) Between the Canadian Government and the Allan Line Steamship Company, Limited.

(3) Between the Canadian Government and the Canadian Northern Steamships, Limited (Royal Line).

Negotiations for a contract between the-British Post Office and the Canadian Northern Steamships, Limited, are approaching completion. Contract No. 1 will expire on 6th April, 1913, and No. 2 on 1st May, 1912. Contract No. 3 is not for a specified term. No specific payment is made under Contract No. 1 for the conveyance of mails between the United Kingdom and Canada. The contract provides for a fixed subsidy of £45,000 a year for a service between Liverpool and Hong-Kong, and mails from the United Kingdom for Canada are carried without any further payment. I am not in a position to inform the hon. Member what amounts Lave been paid by the Canadian Government to its contractors in respect of the mail services in question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will issue orders to have the telephone boxes in the House regularly supplied with lists of telephone subscribers, and place the duty on some Post Office official to see that these orders are carried out?

Arrangements of the nature suggested by the hon. Member already exist as regards the Post Office boxes, but I understand that the directories are frequently taken away from the cabinets on the staircase leading to the Members' Lobby. I have now given instructions for the directories to be fastened to the desks inside the cabinets.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will be willing to reconsider his recent decision with regard to the establishment of telegraph facilities at Ashley Road post office, Southport, in view of the growing demand for the same, the inconvenience at present experienced, and that it has been recommended by the Southport Corporation improvement committee?

I will inquire further into the matter and communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the telephone staff at Hull are, in addition to the usual punishments for faults or errors, penalised by the infliction of additional split duties; and, if so, whether the infliction of such duties as a punishment has his sanction?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that the ordinary cost of a telephone call for Dublin from Belfast is 1s for three minutes' conversation, and that this amount is charged from the moment application for the call is made, without regard to whether the wire is engaged or not; whether he is aware that if two or more parties are on the wire the cost is only 3d.; whether he is aware that this system is the cause of dissatisfaction both in Dublin and in Belfast; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to providing that where no call is obtained no charge should be made, and that the time charged for should only commence from the time the caller has the use of the wire?

The charge for a telephone call between Dublin and Belfast is one shilling, but the call is not timed from the moment of application. It is charged for from the moment when conversation begins after the exchange lines of the caller in Dublin and his correspondent in Belfast have been connected by a trunk line. If the calling subscriber asks that a call may be cancelled because it is found that his correspondent is engaged on another call when the trunk line is ready for use a reduced charge of three-pence is mad for the useless work and occupation of the trunk line. This arrangement seems reasonable, and I am not aware that it is a cause of dissatisfaction in Dublin and Belfast.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the manufacturers and importers of fertilisers and feeding stuffs lent their co-operation to the Department of Agriculture in the enactment of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act of 1893 and 1906, on the specific understanding that no prosecution under the Act, which is criminal in its application, should be instituted without the previous consent of the Board of Agriculture; and, if so, what action the Board of Agriculture or the Government propose to adopt with reference to any legislative proposal for the abolition of the power of the Board of Agriculture to veto prosecutions?

The Board are aware that the manufacturers and importers of fertilisers and feeding stuffs regard as important the provision that certain prosecutions under the Act shall not be instituted without the Board's consent. The Board are considering what action they shall take with regard to the two Bills which have been introduced containing clauses repealing their provision.