asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state whether the Public Trustee pays full brokerage to members of the Stock Exchange who act for him or does he share the commission with the brokers; and, if the latter, is the estate credited with the rebate?

There is a distinction made between cases of sale and those of purchases made for investment. The Public Trustee is authorised by the Treasury under the statutory fees order to make a charge of ½per cent. for the trouble and responsibility involved in making an investment, and out of this he pays the stockbroker. His office, therefore, gets the benefit of any commission returned. In the case of sales the Public Trustee charges no fee. The broker is paid out of the trust estate, and consequently that estate gets any commission returned. In the case of a sale for the purpose of making a new investment when done in one Stock Exchange account the ½ per cent. investment fee covers the brokerage on both transactions, and consequently any commission returned is retained by the Trustee.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state whether, if land is sold and the proceeds are reinvested in Stock Exchange securities, the Public Trustee would charge both a fee of 2s. 6d. per cent. on the sale, under paragraph 2 of Section 2 of the Schedule of the Public Trustee (Fees) Order, 1907, and also a fee of 10s. per cent. on re-investment, under paragraph 1 of the same section?

The answer to this question is in t he affirmative, except that the Fees Order now in force is the Public Trustee Fees Order of 1909.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what method it is intended to apply Schedule 2 of the National Insurance Bill to piece-workers and home-workers?

The Insurance Commissioners are given power under Clause 49 to draw up regulations dealing with these cases, and these regulations will be drawn up after consultation with the Advisory Committee appointed under Clause 42.

asked whether the tramway employées of the London County Council will be included in and subject to the provisions of Part I. of the National Insurance Bill?

I have made inquiries as to the terms of employment of the tramway employées of the London County Council and, as it appears that they are not entitled to sick pay, except in cases of accident arising from their employment, they would be included in the Health Insurance Scheme.

asked what benefits specially healthy classes of the community who joined together for insurance under the National insurance Bill would get, if they did not need medical attendance or sickness benefit to any considerable proportion of their contributions

If an approved society realises a surplus through the sickness rate of its members being less than the average, it can submit a scheme for additional benefits under Clause 30 of the Bill.

also asked whether, under the National Insurance Bill, anyone employing a gardener every successive Monday, or on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in each week, would have, as employer, to pay the weekly instalments amounting to 13s. per annum under the Act, while anyone employing the same man every successive Tuesday, or on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in each week, pays nothing?

The Commissioners have power under the Bill to draw up regulations to meet such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had under consideration any proposals for facilitating the transfer of Consols and for increasing the number of holders of those securities; and whether he anticipates that he will be able to make any announcement on the subject this Session?

I have had this matter under consideration for some time; and I hope to be able to introduce legislation in the course of this Session to enable certain Government securities (including Consols) to be transferred by deed.

asked why clerks to surveyors of taxes who were placed on the Civil Service establishment in 1908 are not allowed to count their services prior to 1908 for pension?

I beg to refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the Noble Lord the Member for the Hornsey Division of Middlesex, on 27th February last.

asked the Chancellor whether he can now state approximately for the year ending 5th April, 1910, the number of Income Tax payers on incomes below £5,000 a year; the number of Income Tax payers on incomes over £5,000 a year; and the aggregate amount of income disclosed in each category?

The number of persons liable to Super-tax for 1909–10 is approximately 10,300. The aggregate amount of income liable to Super-tax for 1909–10 is, approximately, £130,700,000. No figures as to ordinary Income Tax are available, nor can any trustworthy estimate of the number of Income Tax payers be given.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken to provide land for Martin Murphy, who was evicted from his farm at Aghadoe, Killarney, on the estate of Lord Headley?

The Estates Commissioners have received applications from several members of the family of the late Martin Murphy seeking reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on the estate of Lord Headley. The farm is in the occupation of other tenants, and the Commissioners have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked whether the application of Mr. E. Barry, evicted tenant on the estate of Mrs. Blennerhasset, in the parish of Ballymacelligot, Tralee, county Kerry, has been reported on; and whether seeing that the land is now unoccupied, steps will be taken to have the evicted tenant reinstated in his former holding?

The Estates Commissioners have not received the application referred to in the question.

asked what steps had been taken to reinstate Mr. John Courtney, evicted tenant, of Ballinvogig, Dingle, county Kerry; and whether, as dissatisfaction prevails in Kerry owing to the delay in reinstating evicted tenants, a special inspector will be sent down to deal with all outstanding cases?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Mr. Courteney took the farm on the eviction of the previous tenant, who has also made application for reinstatement. The farm is at present in the occupation of another tenant, and the Commissioners have decided to take no action in the matter. The Commissioners are proceeding as rapidly as possible with the reinstatement of all evicted tenants whose applications have been approved, and already 332 evicted tenants in county Kerry have been reinstated or provided with other holdings.

asked whether the application of Timothy Buckley, in the parish of Gale, Listowel, for reinstatement in his farm at Coolkera, Listowel, Fosbury estate, has been inquired into; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Buckley sold his interest to the present occupier, who is his brother-in-law. The Commissioners do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from D. M. Gallagher, representative of Jeremiah Gallagher, evicted tenant from a holding on the estate of Colonel F. Townsend, in the townland of Kilcoe, parish of Aghadown, county Cork; if so, has the case been considered and placed on the approved list; and, if the applicant cannot be reinstated in the holding from which his father had been evicted, will he be provided with a farm equivalent in value?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from D. M. Gallagher. Gallagher's former holding is now in the occupation of tenants who have purchased under the Land Purchase Acts, and his name has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners.

asked whether the Land Commissioners have taken any active steps to purchase the estate, in county Leitrim, of Mr. Philip Smith, for distribution among the uneconomic holdings in the neighbourhood, or whether any negotiations had taken place on the subject?

The Estates Commissioners cannot identify this estate as pending before them for sale under the Land Purchase Acts. If the hon. Member refers to the estate of Philip Smith, in county Cavan, I would refer him to my answer to his question on 21st April, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked whether the untenanted lands at Ballynort, near Askeaton, in the county of Limerick, on the O'Grady property, have been purchased by the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners are negotiating for the purchase of these lands.

asked whether any agreement has been arrived at between the Estates Commissioners and the landlord, Mr. Hewson, as to the purchase by them of the untenanted lands at Newtown, in the county of Limerick, adjoining the lands of Ballynort?

The Estates Commissioners cannot identify the lands of Newtown as pending for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. David S. Kelly, clerk of two petty sessions districts, Maghera and Castle-dawson, county Derry, is seventy-five years of age, and that Mr. Kelly has frequently to employ a substitute to do the necessary work of the two districts; whether he is aware that loss and inconvenience is caused to the people, especially those resident in the Maghera district, the largest petty sessions district in the county, by having to travel eight miles to the residence of the clerk at Castledawson whenever they require a summons or to enter a defence; whether the Civil Service rule of retirement at sixty-five applies in this case, if so, will Mr. Kelly be retired on pension?

Mr. Kelly, Clerk of Petty Sessions of Maghera and Magherafelt, was sixty-three years of age in June last. He attends to his duties regularly at both petty sessions, and has not been absent except when on leave, or when he has to attend elsewhere to take depositions, in which case he employs a substitute. Mr. Kelly resides at Castledawson, which is about two and a-half miles from Magherafelt, and no complaints have been made as to any inconvenience caused to the public by the present arrangements.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the female National school at Wolfhill, Queen's County, has been closed for a considerable time, causing loss and inconvenience to both parents and children in the district; whether he is aware that the children have at present to travel from two to six miles to attend school, and that., prior to the closing of Wolfhill school, there was an average attendance of sixty-five pupils on the roll; and, seeing that the same number of pupils are available now if the school was reopened, whether it was intended to reopen the school with qualified teachers; and, if so, when would the school be reopened?

In consequence of a dispute concerning the occupation of a farm by the husband of the teacher of this school the average attendance of pupils gradually declined from thirty-six in 1908 until there were no pupils attending the school. The Commissioners of National Education withdrew the grants from the 30th June, 1910. An application has now been received from the manager for the restoration of the grants to the school under a new teacher, and the matter will be considered by the Commissioners as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state on what day the battleship "Audacious" was laid down at Birkenhead?

The "Audacious" wag laid down on 23rd March, 1911.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of men who have been discharged from the dockyards each week, commencing from 1st April of this year, giving the numbers in the different trades as well as the numbers of skilled and unskilled labourers?

presented the following statement showing the number of men of the different trades, etc. (exclusive of Works Department), who have been discharged from the home dockyards during each week since 1st April, 1911:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state why it is contrary to public interest to state the price of guns, gun-mountings, and ammunition in detail, in precisely the same way as the price of ships, hull, machinery, equipment, etc., is stated in the Navy Estimates; what is the average price of armour per ton paid by the Admiralty during the last ten years, stating the price in each particular year; and what reason is there why prices received by the Admiralty from contractors for their several requirements should not be published regularly in the same way as contract tenders are published by the municipal authorities of the United Kingdom.

I would refer the Noble Lord to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of the Admiralty on 6th April, in the course of the Debate on Navy Vote 12 (Official Report, pages 2,530, and following). The Committee, to which my hon. Friend referred, have not yet finished their inquiry

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to an application made by Mr. Thomas Frahill, of Limerick, for the discharge of his son, Private John Frahill, of the Leinster Regiment, stationed at Devonport, on the ground that he is under age, and that this has been proved; and whether, as this boy's mother is in delicate health and he can get employment at home, the application made by his father for his discharge would be granted?

Inquiry is being made into this case, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Mathew Spillane, late of the Royal Irish Regiment, No. 2608, service 14 years and 350 days, who was wounded in South Africa, at Belfast, on 7th January, 1901, had to have his right leg amputated and had other wounds, and who receives 1s. 6d. per day pension; and whether, taking all the circumstances of this man's case into account, he can see his way to have his pension increased?

This case was fully considered by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital in 1910, who decided that no higher rate could be awarded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the minimum standard of height, weight, and chest measurement for recruits joining the Territorial Force?

If the hon. Member will refer to Appendix V. of the Territorial Force Regulations he will find the information he requires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the average height, weight, and chest measurement of cadets from Woolwich and Sandhurst who obtained commissions in the Regular Forces last year?

The figures for the cadets who passed out in July and December, 1910, are as follows: —

R.M.A	July.	December.
	ft. in.	ft. in.
Height	5 9 6/10	5 9 3/10
	st. lbs.	st. lbs.
Weight	10 10 1/2	10 12
	in.	in.
Chest	33	32¾
Chest	37¾	38
R.M.C	ft. in.	ft. in.
Height	5 9 6/10	5 9 4/10
	st. lbs.	st lbs.
Weight	10 7½	10 12
	in	in.
Chest	33⅝	33⅜
Chest	37 6/8	38⅛

asked the Home Secretary whether any steps had been taken with regard to the appointment of a committee to consider the question of the position and duties of certifying surgeons referred to in the recent Report of the departmental committee on Accidents in Factories and Workshops; if so, whether he can say what is the constitution of the committee and what are its terms of reference; and, if not, when it is proposed that such steps should be taken?

The question has been under my consideration. In view of the great pressure on my Department, I cannot deal with it now; but I hope later to appoint a Committee to investigate this, and possibly other allied questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he would say in what forms milk is im-

MILK CONDENSED.
Countries whence consigned.	1908.		1909.		1910.
	Cwts.	£	Cwts.	£	Cwts.	£
Norway	94,320	178,793	93,007	183,691	88,971	165,203
Denmark (including Faroe Islands)	6	14	217	305	10,980	15,460
Germany	9,847	14,456	8,784	12,593	8,435	12,885
Netherland	519,383	699,257	583,944	794,407	579,518	795,937
Belgium	7,829	12,390	6,646	11,563	12,036	26,679
France	7,167	14,959	9,539	17,427	15,174	27,307
Switzerland	265,203	662,658	275,447	692,779	275,274	684,515
Itlay	12,845	18,367	8,818	11,949	17,518	23,825
Austria-Hungary	1,757	2,533	3,910	5,474	1,514	2,263
Other Countires	1,853	3,082	1,066	1,588	650	952
Total	920,210	1,606,509	991,378	1,731,776	1,009,770	1,755,026

MILK POWDER.
Russia	561	1,294	1,464	3,320	1,486	2,969
Sweden	5,523	7,355	1,263	1,669	3,181	4,641
Norway	6	9	706	895	1,745	2,366
Denmark (including Faroe Islands)	5,749	7,467	516	690	1,644	2,394
Germany	1,162	3,314	891	2,756	225	444
Netherlands	3,579	7,126	4,293	6,970	7,544	10,985
France	4,000	7,524	3,436	8,872	3,109	7,830
United states	1,205	2,687	1,289	2,966	101	1,075
New Zealand	15	21	449	1,236	1,358	4,148
Canada	400	457	…	…	…	…
Other Countries	234	407	35	51	43	98
Total	22,434	37,661	14,342	29,335	20,436	36,950

MILK PRESERVED, OTHER KINDS, NOT SWEETENED (including impoverished, humanised, peptonised and sterilised milk).
Norway	…	…	587	866	825	1,140	618	832
Netherlands	…	…	3,104	3,554	2,484	2,914	2,680	1,892
Belgium	…	…	14	23	256	357	652	813
France	…	…	3,818	900	2,971	700	6,122	1,653
Other Countries	…	…	683	1,103	452	730	340	440
Total	…	…	8,206	6,446	6,988	5,841	10,412	5,630

NESTLÉ'S MILK FOOD.
Switerzland	…	…	1,662	12,913	1,664	13,141	1,707	13,647
Others Countires	…	…	…	1	1	5	3	26
Total	…	…	1,662	12,914	1,665	13,146	1,710	13,673

The following statement shows for each of the last three years the quantity and value of milk in forms other than fresh milk and cream imported into the United Kingdom from the several countries specified:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, have been taken to carry out the recommendation of the Board's inspector with regard to the safety of platelayers working in Penge tunnel [Cd. 5,179, p. 52]; whether refuges have been provided; and, if not, what he intends to do in the matter?

The Board of Trade have been informed by the railway company that the construction of refuges in Penge tunnel will be proceeded with. I have asked the company what progress has been made with the work, and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of their reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India intend to do anything in the way of compensating the thirty-three men who were confined in gaol for close on six months, and then acquitted in the Howrah gang case, the trial showing that these men were arrested upon insufficient evidence?

The Secretary of State is not aware what are the intentions of the Government of India in this connection. He has not yet received a copy of the judgment, and cannot therefore offer an opinion in the matter; but perhaps I may remind my hon. Friend of the general proposition that evidence insufficient to justify conviction is not necessarily insufficient to justify arrest.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the newspaper "Jagadvritta" is subsidised by the Bombay Government, if so, what is the extent of the subsidy per annum; whether he is aware that in the first issue it attacked the Brahmin community of the Deccan, demanding a general boycott of the members of the caste; and, if so, whether steps will be taken so that in future the newspaper in question shall cease from publishing the editor's views condemning wholesale any section of the community who are law-abiding?

The Government of Bombay have arranged to subscribe for 10,000 copies of the newspaper in question for a period of five years at an annual cost of £1,000. As regards the latter part of the question, the Secretary of State has no information. He is content to leave to the Government of Bombay the management of the experiment that they have undertaken. I may add that apart from the experiments which have been undertaken in Bombay, the Bengals, and the United Provinces, no further subsidies are contemplated at present.

asked whether the Prime Minister could state the total electorate of the Commonwealth of Australia; the number of votes cast at the last general election in that State; the number of votes given on the questions recently submitted to the electorate by referendum on the proposed extension of the powers of the Federal Parliament in matters of commerce and industry; and the total cost of that submission by referendum?

The particulars desired with regard to the General Election of April, 1910, are as follows:—

	Number of voters on the roll.	Number of ballot papers issued.	Percentage of electors voting.
For the Senate	2,258,482	1,403,976	62·16
For the House of Representatives (contested divisions)	2,148,969	1,349,626	62·80
On the Referendum (Constitution Alteration, States Debts)	2,258,482	1,403,976	62·16

The official report on the voting and the cost of the two Referenda last month has not yet reached me, and I cannot supply the information desired.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Reports had yet been published of the two Commissions appointed to consider the cultivation of cotton in Egypt; and, if not, when they may be expected?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley on February 28th and March 7th last. A copy of the Report of the Commission has since been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister, whether the proposals for the payment of Members are to be embodied in a Bill?

It is not proposed to deal with the matter by Bill this year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether lie can state the age and length of service of the official medical officer to the Post Office department at Dublin; and whether the Civil Service rule of retirement applies to his office?

The medical officer to the post office in Dublin is sixty-nine years of age, and has had thirty-one years' service. He will retire on 31st December next. The post is not one which comes within the scope of the Superannuation Acts, as its holder is not required to give his whole time to the public service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that for a period of forty-six years letters addressed to R. Gibson, Limerick, have been delivered to Robert Gibson, butter merchant; has any com- plaint been made by this gentleman that, for some reason or other, within the past year many of those letters have been unduly delayed owing it is said to insufficient address and to the fact that there is a Richard Gibson also in Limerick; has this latter gentleman resided in the city for many years; and whether this matter will be inquired into in order to prevent damage being done to an important trade?

The hon. Member has himself brought the matter under notice, and I have already informed him that, for the reasons which were stated, I cannot admit any claim of Mr. Robert Gibson, butter merchant, to have all letters addressed: "R. Gibson, Limerick," tendered to him in the first instance.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that there exists in the Central Telegraph Office and in the provincial post offices a class of supervising officers; whether this class exists in the London postal districts also; and, if not, will he say by whom are the equivalent duties performed?

There are several classes of supervising officers in the Central Telegraph Office, the London Postal Service, and the provincial post offices. The terms of the hon. Member's question do not enable me to give any specific reply to the latter part of it.