asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the figures in column 5 (Sanatoria) of Table X, page 27, of the Actuaries' Report on the National Insurance Bill include only the 1d. referred to in Clause 15, Subsection (2) (6), of the Bill; and whether two-ninths (men) and one-fourth (women) of the Is. 3d. referred to in Clause 15, Sub-section (2) (a), is included in the figures in the other columns of that table, or whether the whole of the said 1s. 3d. is to be paid out of contributions in respect of insured persons and not as two-ninths (men) and one-fourth (women) out of moneys provided by Parliament?

The figures in the column headed "Sanatoria" of Table X include only the penny referred to in Clause 15 (2) (b). The annual sum of 1s. 3d. per head provided for Sanatorium benefit includes the usual proportion from the Exchequer under Clause 4, and the sums payable on this account are included in the other columns of Table X.

asked what would be the estimated additional cost if the restrictions or benefits contained in Sub-section (7) of Clause 8 of the National Insurance Bill were respectively removed altogether or removed as regards insured persons who were members on 4th May, 1911, of a society qualified to become an approved society; and, if it is not possible to answer the latter part of the question as on the date mentioned, then as on any convenient date?

The hon. Member's suggestion would not have the effect of increasing the cost, but of increasing the deficiency to be extinguished under Clause 8 (8) by the amount of the reserve values to be credited under Clause 40 in respect of all the persons who could become insured in approved societies in consequence of the withdrawal of the restrictions to which he refers. The period of fifteen and a-half years after which the additional benefits could be given would be thereby very materially lengthened and the younger insured persons would have to bear in the form of a postponement of these additional benefits the cost of insuring the persons who are unable to pay any substantial number of contributions.

asked whether the State's contribution to benefits and the cost, of administration thereof under the National Insurance Bill is equivalent to a contribution of 2d. a week; and, if not, whether its equivalent is as follows: for 1912–13 less than ¾d., for 1917–28 about l½d.?

The State contribution to the National Health Insurance including the contribution after the increase of benefits which will become possible under Clause 8 (8) on the extinction of the initial deficit, is in the long run the equivalent of 2d., but as the contribution takes the form of a proportion of the benefits the contribution in the early years will always be less than 2d.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say in answer to the question what the amount of the equivalent contribution will be in 1912–13 and 1917–28?

The hon. Member's calculations in the question, are substantially correct in both cases.

asked what the estimated cost per annum would be of granting to all sailors, marines, and soldiers during their service the following benefits, stating the cost of each separately, and giving the numbers of men in each class for which the estimate is made, namely, sickness benefit equivalent to hospital stoppage, when hospital stoppage is made, and sanatorium and maternity benefits as if they were members of an approved society under the Bill?

A report dealing with the position of soldiers and sailors is in preparation, but it will not cover the precise points to which the hon. Member refers. In regard to them, I will remind him of the invitation which I gave yesterday to hon. Members who desire to obtain further actuarial information to confer with me privately on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not give some report as to the actuarial information asked for in this question?

That is an additional suggestion which the hon. Member is making. It may be found that the reply given by the actuaries actually covers what is asked for.

was understood to ask whether the information could not be obtained from the actuaries.

The actuaries, I know, were very much pressed this morning in dealing with other questions and suggestions, but I think the information will be ready long before this question is reached.

Does not the data already exist, as supplied by the War Office and the Admiralty, and can we not have it now?

The data is ready, but not in the form in which the questions ask for it.

Will the information be printed?

I should have thought it would have been very much better if I could get a number of questions which the House as a whole would like an answer upon. Then I could have published the answers in the form of a supplement to the actuarial report. I really think it would be very much better for the House of Commons itself to get the information in that kind of way rather than get it in a scrappy and sporadic manner like this by question and answer. I can only submit that suggestion. If that were agreed to then I would be able to print a supplementary report.

Why should the Chancellor of the Exchequer be relieved from giving the information asked for?

The Noble Lord is quite mistaken. Certainly I have shown no disposition to be relieved; and I again throw myself upon the House as a whole. I have given every possible information, and not only that, but, as the Noble Lord knows, I have invited questions outside the House as well as inside. I have gone out of my way to meet experts like those connected with friendly societies, who have sat for cross-examination, in regard to these matters for hours.

asked whether it is proposed, under Clause 36 (4) of the National Insurance Bill, that a soldier or sailor whoso health has broken down during service is to receive sick benefit at a lower rate than that given to a man whose health has not suffered?

The sickness benefit under Clause 36 (4) is at a lower rate than for soldiers arid sailors who have good enough health to be able to join societies, or who before discharge were already members of societies. Perhaps I should point out that the Clause will apply to a class of persons for whom disablement benefit is likely to be much, more important than sickness benefit, and that full disablement benefit of 5s. a week is secured to them; moreover, temporary sickness up to the time of discharge is already provided for at the expense of the State.

asked how the respective sums of 4s. 8d. and 4a. 6d. in Clause 38 have been arrived at; whether the only benefits covered by these amounts are medical aid and sanatorium treatment; and how the amounts in question are to be apportioned in order to provide for the benefits named and the cost of administration thereof?

It is estimated that when the contribution under Clause 15 to sanatorium benefit has been paid over, the balance of the contributions under Clause 38 will be sufficient to cover the comparatively trifling expenditure on benefits in respect of contributors under the age of sixteen.

Is it not the case that the cost is 3s. per head in the case of persons under sixteen?

I prefer that the hon. Member should give notice of that question.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the figures as to the 4s. 8d. and the 4s. 6d.?

Yes; they are as follows:—

Would it not be a sensible course to "unstar" these questions?

asked whether any experimental calculations have been made by the Government actuaries to show the possible reductions of benefit in various circumstances under Section 1, Sub-section (b), paragraphs 2, 3, 4, and 5, of Clause 31; and, if so, whether the results of such calculations can be published for the information of the House?

No such calculations have been made, and I fear that the variety of possible circumstances is such that it would not be very profitable to undertake them.

asked who is to be considered the employer, for the purposes of the National Insurance Bill, when workmen engage young persons as helpers, as is common in some trades?

I will refer the j hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield on Monday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division (Mr. Pointer) did not put his question on Monday, and there were many who wanted to hear the answer?

If that is the case I will read it now:—

"In such a case, by paragraph 5 of the Third Schedule, the workman's employer could be treated, under appropriate regulations, as the employer of the helper."— [OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd July, 1911, col. 934.]

asked whether, in the case of an Irish occupying tenant or owner of a holding worth more than £20 per annum and who is aided by the labour of

Except so far as medical attendance and sanatorium benefit are concerned the Bill does not aim at providing immediate benefits for persons under sixteen. To exempt them from contributions would, of course, give a preference to the employment of child-labour, a preference which public sentiment would certainly not approve. It should be remembered that their contributions, so far as not required for immediate benefits, will be accumulated towards the extinction of the initial deficit; and I may point out that the youngest contributors will ultimately profit most by the increased benefits that can be given when the deficit is extinguished. The disposal of the transfer values paid over on the emigration of a contributor is to be prescribed by regulations, and it would be within the power of the Insurance Commissioners to take either of the courses indicated in the latter portion of the question.

Can we see the regulations before the Bill goes through?

That is a matter I am quite willing to consider. Perhaps the hon. Member will raise it at the appropriate moment.

asked how many officers, inspectors, referees, and servants it is estimated will be required under Clause 41 of the National Insurance Bill during the first year that the Act is put in operation, and what sum it is estimated will be required for their salaries?

With regard to the sum required for salaries, I will refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Noble Lord the Member for the Newton Division yesterday. The estimate of £75,000 to £100,000 I then gave is necessarily at the present state very conjectural, and I do not think anything would be gained by making a detailed estimate of numbers.

asked whether, under the provisions of the National Insurance Bill, a woman who, before marriage, was a member of an approved society, will be subject to rejection by the society on the ground of ill-health when, on her husband's death, she again becomes an employed person?

A society would no more reject a woman in that position than any other person who, after being a member for a series of years imposes a liability on the funds of the society for disablement benefit.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether he has considered the pledge given to the House that the St. Mary, Prestwich, Rectory Bill shall be so amended that the advowson of St. Mary, Prestwich, shall remain in the hands of a trust on which the lay element shall have a majority; and whether the Bill will now be withdrawn, seeing that any such amendment is precluded by the title of the Bill, which provides for the transfer of the advowson to the See of Manchester?

Amendments will be proposed when the Bill comes before the Committee by which provision will be made for vesting the advowson of the Rectory of St. Mary, Prestwich, in a body of trustees answering the description given by the hon. Member, and it will be for the authorities of the House to decided whether the Standing Orders have in any way been violated by such an amendment.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who usually presides at the meetings and who is the chairman of the Estates Committee; what are the names of the Commissioners who receive salaries and what is the amount of each; how many of the Commissioners are Bishops; and in what manner are the laymen elected or appointed?

The Archbishop of Canterbury is by statute chairman of every general meeting at which he is present and in fact he usually presides. The First Church Estates Commissioner is by statute chairman of the Estates Committee. Sir Lewis Dibdin is First Church Estates Commissioner, salary £1,200 per annum. Mr. Stuart-Wortley is the other paid Church Estates Commissioner, salary £1,000 per annum: the Episcopal Members of the Board number thirty-six; the laymen consist of five Ministers, four Judges, three Church Estates Commissioners (the first and second appointed by the Crown, the other by the Archbishop of Canterbury) and nine other gentlemen, of whom seven are appointed by the Crown and two by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Are the Ministers referred to Ministers of the Crown, and, if so, do they ever attend these meetings?

They are attended by some of them. They do not always attend.

Do they ever attend?

Yes.

Are they Ministers of the Crown?

Some of them are Ministers of the Crown.

If the hon. Member wishes to put a further question he should give notice.

May I ask whether the Mr. Stuart-Wortley to whom the hon. Member has referred as drawing a large salary is the same Mr. Stuart-Wortley who is a Member of this House?

Yes; that is so.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has formed an estimate of the increased accommodation in elementary schools that will be necessary if the Education (School and Continuation Class Attendance) Bill passes into law; whether it will add to the expenditure of education authorities in any special districts, or in any large degree; and whether he has received any representations from local authorities in connection with these matters?

The effect of the Bill as regards the need for increased accommodation will be governed to a great extent by the action taken under it by the local education authorities, which may take various forms. No reliable estimates can be framed until the intentions of the various authorities have been made known. Whatever action the authorities take the financial effect of the Bill will vary in their respective areas in relation to the prevailing educational and industrial conditions. In some areas increased expenditure would certainly be involved. It is not practicable to discuss the matter in detail within the limits of a reply to a question in this House. Four local education authorities have made representations to the Board on the subject of the Bill.

Would the right hon. Gentleman state whether those local authorities that have made communications are large and representative ones, or only small ones?

If my hon. Friend will give me notice of the question I will give him the names, and he can judge for himself.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Bill is likely to be put down for Second Reading?

I cannot make any statement as to business, as the hon. Member knows.

May I ask whether the Bill is to be pressed forward this Session?

I cannot give any statement as regards business. As he knows, the business of the Session is very much congested.

asked the Lord Advocate on how many occasions a Fishery Board cruiser has visited the coast of Barra between 1st November, 1910, and 1st April, 1911; and whether, in view of the injury to the line fishing industry on this coast through illegal trawling, he will give instructions for the coast to be carefully watched, especially between the months of October and April, during which period illegal trawling is in almost daily operation.

Fishery cruisers have visited the Barra coast on thirteen occasions within the period referred to by the honourable Baronet. The stretch of coast in question receives its full share of supervision, and any complaints of illegal trawling, of which only one has been received by the Fishery Board since the 1st November last will be duly investigated.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the fact that the teachers' superannuation scheme has been postponed because of the interposition of another beneficent scheme, not specially applicable to Scotland and excluding teachers from is scope, he will consider the advisability of inserting such a date in Clause 4 of the draft scheme dealing with the date of commencement as would protect Scottish teachers from the effect, that postponement would otherwise entail and secure to them the full advantage that the Act of 1908 entitled them to expect?

The matter will be duly considered should occasion for such action, arise.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether the new issue of penny and halfpenny stamps was submitted to any artists of repute before the design was approved; if so, who were the artists who approved this design; and whether he will consult the same or other artists in any further issues of new stamps; and (2) whether he has seen and considered the postage stamps now in use in France and Bavaria, which are in design and quality admitted to be superior to those of most other countries, especially to those now being issued in this country; and whether he will, so soon as may be, substitute for the present issue of penny and halfpenny stamps an issue at once more artistic and worthy of the nation?

Several artists of repute, selected after consultation with high authorities, were asked to submit, in competition, designs for the new issue of postage stamps. None of the designs sent in were, however, considered suitable for the Id. and ½d. stamps. Mr. Bertram Mackennal was then commissioned to produce designs for the frames of the stamps, which, after certain modifications to render them suitable for engraving, were considered satisfactory and were adopted. Dies and plates were produced by the Royal Mint, and were passed by the technical officers of the Board of Inland Revenue. The prints from the plates fell short of the standard anticipated from the proofs of the dies submitted by the Royal Mint. Allowance must be made, as I have suggested in answer to a previous question, for a firm newly taking up work of this kind, especially as they were working at high pressure in order to produce the stamps by Coronation Day. I am in communication with the Board of Inland Revenue, who are by Statute the authority controlling the printing and supply of stamps. Some improvement has already been made in the printing, and I believe that it will be found possible to arrive at a considerable further improvement in the appearance of stamps of the designs already issued, and to avoid similar defects in those yet to be issued, so that the saving of £40,000 a year which has been effected in the cost of printing the stamps shall not be gained at the expense of inferiority in their appearance. I would add that the process of surface printing employed in the production of these stamps is the same as that used in all the great countries of Europe for all postage stamps except in some cases for stamps of high denominations. The alternative process of recess printing, while allowing a better appearance, is not only five or six times as costly, but lends itself to the fraudulent use of cancelled stamps, and was abandoned many years ago in this country for that reason. I do not think any useful analogy can be drawn between the printing of the postage stamps of Bavaria and of those of this country, as the output of Bavarian stamps is, I am informed, comparatively small. Nor can a comparison he usefully made with the French stamps, as they contain no portrait, and I feel sure that the country would strongly dis- approve any proposal to omit from our postage stamps the effigy of the Sovereign.

Is it intended to go on manufacturing stamps at Somerset House in addition to the manufacture by the contractors?

I understand that Somerset House will manufacture sixpenny stamps, which are largely used for revenue purposes.

Is it not a fact that Somerset House have already manufactured penny stamps to the face value of £11,000, and that these have to be withdrawn?

I do not think that that is the fact.

Did the right hon. Gentleman say that the designs of the penny and halfpenny stamps were now being revised?

No.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing work and importance of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, he would consider the advisability of placing the Board upon a level with other Government Departments of the first importance in respect of salaries?

As at present advised I see no sufficient reason for the change proposed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the ratification of the Declaration of London would be delayed until the Naval Prize Bill, without which the convention establishing the international Prize Court could not be carried into effect, had been passed by both Houses of Parliament; and whether it was intended to ratify the Declaration of London even if the Naval Prize Bill did not become law?

If and when the contingency referred to in the concluding sentence of the question arises His Majesty's Government will consider what action it will be in the public interest to take.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question?

I cannot add anything further.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say at all events that the Government will not ratify the Declaration until the Bill had been read a third time in the House of Commons?

That is not the question on the Paper, but undoubtedly that will be the case.

asked the Prime Minister if the Actuarial Committee appointed by the Cabinet to report on the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland had been taking the evidence of witnesses from Ireland; and, if so, by whom and on what principle the witnesses had been selected for examination, and would the names of the witnesses and reports of their evidence be communicated to the House?

I am informed that the evidence of some witnesses from Ireland has already been taken, and it is proposed to take further Irish evidence. So far, the selection of persons to be asked to give evidence has been left to the Committee itself, whose sole object has been the gaining of information from persons most likely to have it in their possession. Anyone who wishes to give evidence can suggest himself to the Secretary. Having regard to the nature of the inquiry, already frequently explained, there seems no reason for publishing the reports of the evidence; but the names of the witnesses, when the list is complete, can be given if asked for.

Is this the Committee which the Chief Secretary declared would have to decide whether Home Rule would be a "tight fit" financially?

He said nothing of the kind.

Then the newspapers have treated him very badly. Is the Prime Minister aware that the hon. and learned Member for Waterford (Mr. J. Redmond) had publicly declared that he will hold himself free to reject the findings of this Committee, and, under the circumstances, is it reasonable that the financial destinies of the country should be entrusted to a Committee which no section of the Irish representatives acknowledge to be responsible and whose proceedings are being conducted entirely in the dark?

There is a great deal of argumentative matter in the question. The hon. Member has completely misconceived the object of the Committee. It is a body formed to procure information for the guidance of the Government, and it has no power to decide-any question at all.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been directed to reflections cast by Mr. Justice Grantham in a speech at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 28th ultimo on Ministers of the Crown; and whether the Government proposed to take any, and, if so, what, action in this matter?

My attention has not been called, otherwise than by this question, to the speech referred to. I do not propose to take any notice of it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it not worth notice?

asked when the Government intended to proceed with the Committee stage of the Trade Unions (No. 2) Bill?

I am not at present in a position to fix a date for the Committee stage of this Bill.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increasing importance and growing population of Bexhill and the volume of postal work now passing through the post office of that town, he would consider the advisability of promoting the Bexhill office to the status of a head office?

I have recently reviewed the question of the status of the Bexhill post office in the light of arguments advanced by a deputation on the subject. In view, however, of the facts that Bexhill possesses exactly the same postal facilities as it would possess if the office were a head office, and that there are serious administrative objections to making it a head office, I have found myself unable to sanction any alteration in the present arrangements.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention had been drawn to the delivery, on 28th March, to a wrong address of a registered letter addressed Messrs. C. Clarke and Company, High Street, Chasetown; whether he was aware that this letter contained a formal notice abandoning a county court action brought against them, and that owing to their not receiving the same Messrs. Clarke attended at the court, and on the non-appearance of plaintiffs, who had sent the letter, were awarded costs amounting to £2 11s. l0d.; and, seeing that the non-receipt of such registered letter was entirely owing to the carelessness of his own officials, whether he would provide for the parties who had been mulcted in damages as a consequence being reimbursed from the public funds?

This letter was duly taken to the right address, but no one's attention could be gained there. It was then handed to a tradesman next door, understood to be a brother of the addressees. It ought to have been taken back to the Chasetown Office, and sent out again at the next delivery, if not called for meanwhile. I am sorry the rule was not adhered to, though it was broken in order to meet what was thought to be the convenience of both senders and addressees. I am unable to accept liability for the costs which were awarded against the senders.

What advantage does an individual get for registering a letter which does not contain money or valuables?

Security in transmission.

But in this case he the not get security in transmission.

The letter was delivered to the correct address, but no one was there to receive it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there were any, and, if so, how many original members of the pension fund of the National Telephone Company who would not be placed on transfer upon pensionable classes, and what would be their position?

There are in the service of the National Telephone Company officers on the pension fund who, if employed in the Civil Service on similar duties, would, under the ordinary regulations, rank as un established officers, and consequently would not be entitled to pensions. I am unable to say exactly what the number is, but it is not large. Members of the pension fund of the company who are not placed upon a pensionable class will receive an addition to their salary of not less than the total annual contribution at the time of the transfer paid by themselves and by the company into the pension fund.

asked the Postmaster-General when he hoped to complete the classification of the National Telephone Company's staff on transfer for the purpose of determining how many of the company's servants would be placed in pensionable classes in the Post Office?

The inquiries which are being made into the question of the classification of the staff of the National Telephone Company on transfer to the Post Office are being pursued with the least possible delay. The problems to be solved, however, are numerous, and I am unable to make a definite statement as regards the date on which the inquiries will be completed.

Will the inquiries be completed before the Committee stage of the Bill?

I am pressing them on as rapidly as possible; I hope the greater part of them will be completed before then.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree not to put the Bill down until the inquiries are completed, so that any necessary Amendments may be made?

I do not know that the matter really affects Amendments to the Bill, or that any legislation will be required, whatever is decided in regard to these particular clerks.

asked the Postmaster-General how many servants of the National Telephone Company were in receipt of salaries of upwards of £700 per annum, and what was their average length of service; and whether he had approached any of them with regard to their taking service with the Post Office?

There are twelve officers employed by the National Telephone Company who are in receipt of salaries of more than £700 a year. I have no information as to the length of their service with the company. As I informed the hon. Member for the Pudsey Division of the West Riding of Yorkshire on 30th June in answer to a question in this House, I shall carefully consider any proposals the officers in question may make to me to enter the Post Office at salaries bearing proper relation to those drawn by senior officers already serving in the Department.

Does that reply cancel the letter which the right hon. Gentleman caused to be sent about a week ago?

No; they are not inconsistent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he would state the financial terms under which the Great Northern Telegraph Company were allowed to work the State cable between this country and Norway, and when the formal agreement was likely to be completed and laid before the House?

The payment to the Great Northern Telegraph Company for working the Anglo-Norwegian Telegraph service is at the rate of 1¾ centimes a word for every word transmitted, together with a sum of l½d. per telegram in the case of those telegrams which are collected and delivered by the company. The formal agreement on the subject will cover the general relations between the Post Office and the company which are still under consideration, and I am not at present in a position to say when it will be completed.

Is it intended to lay the information before the House when the matter is completed?

I was asked a question on that subject before, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I then gave.

asked the Postmaster-General if he was aware that a corporal of the Connaught Rangers was at present employed on manipulative duties in the Dublin Telegraph Office; was he further aware that, as a result of a protest by the Dublin staff some months ago, the soldiers then employed on telegraph duties were withdrawn and that Sir Matthew Nathan, London secretary, assured a deputation in October last at Dublin that they would not again be employed on manipulative duties; and, further, could he say by whose authority Sir Matthew Nathan's instructions had been overruled?

In October last certain boys belonging to the Royal Engineers were receiving part of their training in telegraphy on public wires in the Dublin post office, and the Secretary to the Post Office gave instructions for other arrangements to be made for the completion of the training of these boys. The case to which reference is made in the question stands on a different footing. It is that of a soldier skilled in telegraphy, who has been recommended by the War Office for employment as a season substitute, under an arrangement which I explained in this House in answer to a question on 23rd November of last year. I would ask the hon. Member to be good enough to refer to that answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether he would direct that the conventions referred to in the Preamble to the Second Peace Conference (Conventions) Bill be set out in the Schedule to the said Bill?

May I reply on behalf of the Foreign Secretary? All the Conventions with which the Second Peace Conference (Conventions) Bill deals were laid before the House in a convenient form in Cd. 1175 (Blue Book No. 6 Miscellaneous of 1908), and there does not seem to be any adequate reason for reprinting them in a Schedule to the Bill.

Will the hon. Member ask the Foreign Secretary whether he will not follow the precedent of the Naval Prize Bill? In that case the convention in reference to the establishment of an International Court was set out in the Bill. It would be much more convenient for hon. Members to discuss the matter if that were done.

I will convey the hon. Member's suggestion to the Foreign Secretary.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state when he will lay upon the Table the Return of New Posts created since 1906 moved for by the hon. Member for Taunton?

The Return is in the press, and will be issued as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was three months ago when this return was first asked for? Are the number of new posts referred to so large as to make it impossible to collect the information in the time?

No, Sir; nothing of the sort.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury have received from the Board of Agriculture a Report upon an application made by the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee for a grant under the Development Act; whether they have yet forwarded that report to the Development Commissioners; and when its terms will be made known?

Under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, an application when referred by the Treasury to the Government Department concerned is forwarded direct by the Department with their report thereon to the Development Commissioners. I understand that the Development Commissioners have not yet received the report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me what is the procedure of the Development Commissioners when they receive a report? Will they hear further evidence upon the application, or will they act directly upon the report?

They will, I suppose, follow their usual practice, and I take it, receive any further information that they think desirable. I should not like to lay down their procedure; they will follow the general practice.

asked the President of the Local Government Board when the Milk and Dairies Bill will be introduced?

I hope to introduce the Bill in the course of next week.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made arrangements, as before, for the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to promulgate simultaneously the Order relating to tuberculosis?

We have considered that matter, but we have not definitely decided.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that it is the practice of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to cart house refuse to a refuse-tip in the district of High Brooms, which is a nuisance to the people of the locality, the majority of whom have signed a petition against its continuance; whether he is aware that the Kent medical officer of health and the Southborough medical officer of health have reported unfavourably upon the practice of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council; and whether he proposes to take any action to secure that the nuisance be abated by the construction, of a refuse destructor?

I am aware of the facts stated in the question, and I have been in communication with the town council. They have now made fresh arrangements with regard to the tip, which it is hoped will do away with any nuisance arising from it, and I do not think it necessary at present to press the provision of a destructor.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the increasing number of exemptions made under the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907, and the consequent loss of fees to vaccination officers, the Board will consider the revision of payment of these officers so as to give some remuneration in respect of declarations of exemption?

The matter has been considered, but it has not been thought desirable to adopt the course suggested.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that mainly in consequence of a practice that many people think desirable, many of these officers are being reduced to poverty?

These officers are officers of the boards of guardians. I have done my best to persuade the guardians in certain cases to act reasonably, in some to be generous, to these officers. At present I cannot go further than that.

In view of the number of exemption orders now granted, has not the time arrived when compulsory vaccination should be abolished?

I do not think that question arises here.

Is it not the fact that at the present time great numbers of boards of guardians have appointed their relieving officers to do this work, and that they find no difficulty whatever in doing it?

It is true, as the hon. Member implies, that the large majority of these officers have other duties and appointments beside that of vaccination officer?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the volume on the agriculture and soils of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, recently published by the Board; and whether steps are being taken to publish similar information for the assistance of agriculturists in other parts of the country?

May I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Monday last to a similar question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture (1) whether, seeing that provision is made by the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act of 1888 for the adequate policing of the inshore sea fisheries, and that in many districts sufficient protection already exists, he will explain why the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries are applying to the Development Commissioners for a loan of £50,000 and an annual grant of £8,000 for the provision of vessels for patrolling those districts which have not taken advantage of the regulations of the Act of 1888, and particularly the first section of the same, which provides for combination of districts for this purpose? (2) Whether detailed information can be afforded as to the reasons which have led the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to apply to the Development Commissioners for a loan of £50,000 and an annual grant of £8,000 for the purpose of putting on vessels to patrol the inshore fisheries; and whether he is aware that the greater part of the inshore fisheries of England and Wales are already adequately patrolled by vessels provided for that purpose by the district fishery committees? and (3) why, in view of the fact that it has already been officially stated that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries were about to report on fishery claims as a whole to the Development Commissioners, the Board have applied to the Commissioners for a large grant to be administered by the Board for purposes for which adequate statutory provision already exists; and why they have delayed reporting on claims sent in to them by the local authorities appointed for the protection of the inshore fisheries, and, in particular, why there has been such a long delay in reporting on the claim sent in by the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Committee to the Development Commisisoners in May, 1910, over thirteen months ago?

The Sea Fisheries Committee have for many years past complained of the arrangement embodied in the Act of 1888, by which the whole cost of policing the fisheries is thrown upon the maritime counties, and they have asked that grants should be made from the Exchequer to assist them in defraying the expenditure required for the purpose. It was to meet this demand, and at the same time to promote the development of the fisheries, that the Board made the application to which the hon. Member refers. The money, if granted, will be applied to all districts equally in proportion to the amounts locally contributed, including, of course, the Lancashire and Western Committee, whose efficiency and energy in the discharge of their statutory duties the Board fully appreciate. Two or more Committees would be grouped for the purpose, where necessary, and it is proposed that an additional grant should be made where the steamers are available for scientific research. The delay in reporting upon the individual applications made to the Treasury has arisen from the neces- sity of preparing a general scheme which would provide for equality of treatment as between the various districts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is prepared to state what are the grievances of inshore fishermen which have led the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to apply to the Development Commissioners for funds to appoint a special commission to inquire into such grievances; and whether the need for such a commission is due to the fact that nothing has been done to carry out the recommendations of the Committee on Ichthyological Research of 1902 and the Committee on Fishery Investigations of 1908?

It is not proposed to appoint a special commission of inquiry, but only to increase the staff of the Fishery Department by one or two temporary officers to assist in the preparation of proposals for the promotion of co-operation and other measures for the benefit of inshore fishermen.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in the opinion of the Board's veterinary advisers, the parasitic disease of the stomach and intestines of sheep and lambs which is causing great loss among sheep breeders in Huntingdonshire is identical with that which is becoming increasingly prevalent in Kent and other counties; whether this is caused fey the haemonchus contortus or by any other, and, if so, what, internal worm; to what extent research is being conducted into the origin, means of transmission, and cure of the disease; and whether any remedy is yet known to the Board?