I want some assurance that this Bill, which is the third on the subject, will accomplish the object of putting this nobleman right, and making him a British citizen. If I can have some assurance from the Law Officer of the Crown that the Bill will accomplish the purpose I will not oppose it.

I can assure the hon. Member that there is no doubt whatever that this Bill will accomplish its object, and will remove all possibility of doubt.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether any capital ships recently built have been fitted with armour founded on the Simpson principle; and, if so, which are they?

No British ships have been fitted with armour founded on the Simpson principle. Whether any other capital ships have been fitted with such armour is a matter outside my knowledge.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that no Royalty is paid to any foreign country for armour manufactured for British ships?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked whether, in the case of two turrets so placed that the guns in one fire over those in the other, complaint has been made by the crew serving the lower turret of the effects of the discharge above them; and whether this method of disposing the main armament has been found in every way successful?

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

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has been informed that the battle orders of the German fleet are, if the situation of contending forces permits, to close the lines to 5,000 yards and deliver a torpedo attack; and how many torpedo tubes are fitted in the German "Ostfriesland" and British "Neptune" classes, respectively?

We have no official information on this subject, or as to the number of torpedo tubes in the "Ostfriesland." "Nauticus" gives the number as six. As earlier German battleships have a bow and stern tube, in all probability the "Ostfriesland" has two tubes on each broadside. As regards the "Neptune," it is not in the public interest to give the information asked for.

Is it not the fact that the information is already published in the so-called Dilke Return?

If so, then it was unnecessary for the hon. Member to ask me for the information.

asked whether at any period during the last three months the number of completed effective 18-inch torpedoes has been less than the number of tubes for these weapons at present in the Service?

The answer is in the negative.

Is it not the fact that certain Government torpedo factory employés have been working overtime during the last few weeks?

The hon. Member asked whether the number of torpedo tubes exceeded the number of torpedoes. The answer is most emphatically in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any discrimination is shown as between Christians and Mahomedans in making appointments to the Civil Service in Egypt, or whether instructions have been issued to the representative of His Majesty in Egypt to discriminate in the making of such appointments between the members of the two communities named?

I would refer the hon. Member to the late Sir Eldon Gorst's last Annual Report on Egypt, Part 5, where he deals fully with the question of the proportional employment of Mahomedans and Copts in the Egyptian Civil Service. No instructions in the sense suggested in the last part of the question have been or will be sent to His Majesty's representative in Egypt.

asked whether it is proposed to take any steps to remedy the slowness of promotion in the Egyptian Native Army, to guard against the repeated promotion of English officers over the heads of native officers of longer service, and to encourage a more friendly state of relations between native officers and their English superiors?

His Majesty's Government have not received complaints in regard to promotions in the Egyptian Native Army, nor are they in possession of any information to show that the present relations between the native officers and their English superiors are other than, satisfactory.

asked whether the Egyptian Ecole des Beaux Arts is at present under the control of Prince Fuad; whether Prince Fuad recently dismissed a number of the teaching staff; and, if so, whether the Egyptian Government will be advised to take steps to place the Ecole under the control of the Ministry of Public Instruction?

I have no information in regard to the first and second inquiries. The decision of such questions must be left to the Authorities on the spot.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the unsatisfactory position of the new Egyptian University; whether he is aware that it is substantially under the control of Prince Fuad, in whose absence the committee do not meet, and that thus far conducted merely as a night school; whether he will advise the Egyptian Government to consider the expediency of placing the university for the present under the control or supervision of the Ministry of Public Instruction; and whether he will suggest that the same course be taken in regard to the University Mission, under which students are sent to European universities, and which is at present under the unchecked control of Prince Fuad.

The answer to the first question is in the negative. All the information which I have is contained in the late Sir Eldon Gorst's Annual Report's, and I would refer the hon. Member to that for 1907, which shows the nature of Prince Fuad's connection with the university, and to those for 1908, 1909, and 1910, which give further information respecting the inauguration and progress of the institution. I consider that it must be left to the Egyptian Government to decide on the form of control and supervision to be exercised over the Egyptian University and the University Mission.

asked whether the Government of the Republic of Uruguay is introducing this month into the legis- lative chamber a Bill to establish a State monopoly in insurance and to forbid within the territory of the republic all life, fire, and accident insurance operations otherwise than by the State; and whether it is proposed to take any, and if so, what, steps to protect the interests of the British insurance companies transacting business in the Republic?

Yes, Sir; and I am telegraphing to His Majesty's Minister to make representations to the Uruguayan Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of Form IV. have been served in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively, up to 30th June in this year?

The number of copies of Form IV. (including a certain number of Forms III. issued to statutory companies) issued up to the 1st July inclusive was:—

asked whether any estimate has been made of what the approximate cost would be of refunding out-of-pocket expenses to persons serving on juries; and, if not, whether steps, will be taken to secure that such an approximate estimate should be made?

The number of jurors summoned to serve in England and Wales will be found on pages 22 and 23 of Command Paper 5501. I know of no means of computing the out-of-pocket expenses per head.

Is not this matter quite as pressing as the Payment of Members?

I am not so sure. Special jurors get a guinea per day and I have not been able to understand why a petty juror should not be paid.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to bring in a Resolution to deal with the matter?

Special jurors are paid by the parties to the action.

But will the right hon. Gentleman bring in a Resolution to enable common jurors to be paid their out-of-pocket expenses.

A Resolution would not govern that case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has any official information showing that there is a serious epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in Holland; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to prevent the importation into this country of moss litter and similar products which are likely to carry the disease?

Official returns show that foot-and-mouth disease is at present prevalent in Holland. There is no evidence that this disease has ever been introduced by moss-litter, but further inquiries will, however, be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the case of George Grey, a market gardener, of Frostenden, Suffolk, who has been refused an additional acre of church land in the said village by the county council; and whether he can state the reason for the refusal to a man who has been a market gardener in the place for sixteen years?

Yes, Sir. The Board have been in communication with the county council on this matter, and they propose to ask the Small Holdings Commissioner for the district to make further inquiry respecting it.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the trustees of the Bablake school, Coventry, are proposing to increase fees from £2 to £4 per annum; and, whether, in view of the fact that this school is richly endowed, that such endowments were bestowed for the benefit of children of poor parents, and that the suggested fees are prohibitive to the class for whom the school was really intended, he contemplates taking any action in the matter?

The Governors have resolved that, subject to the Board's approval, the tuition fee at this school after the end of the school year 1910-11 shall be £4. They propose to make an exception in favour of all boys who came into the school at or before the beginning of that year. I am in communication with the local education authority on the subject and am not at present in a position to say what view the Board will take of the proposal. I should add that about 30 per cent. of free places are provided in the school and that a considerable number of the scholars also receive board, lodging, clothing, or other benefits at the cost of the Foundation.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to the spread of infectious disease, resulting in some cases in numerous deaths, consequent upon the delay in closing schools after an outbreak of disease; and whether he will consider the advisability of reverting to the former system, under "which local managers were empowered to close the school upon the advice of a qualified medical practitioner?

No such case has been brought to my notice. I shall be glad to make inquiries about any case to which the hon. Member will refer me. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the surveyor of the Eastern District has instituted a plan for employing women in post offices for a few hours daily in the winter months and eight hours per day during the summer; whether the average earnings of these women are insufficient to keep them in food, lodging, and clothing; whether they are employed in seaside towns where the cost of living is very high; and whether he will state if he is satisfied that the work performed is of a quality sufficiently high for the necessities of the postal and telegraph departments?

It is not infrequently necessary to employ special season assistance at the post offices of towns where summer pressure obtains and the required assistance is provided in many ways, one of which is the extension of the duty of part time assistants. In all cases the wages, which are considered to be adequate, are fixed in accordance with the regulations, and no surveyor possesses any plenary authority with regard to the conditions of employment. I have no reason to think that the arrangements, adopted in the Post Office service to meet the incidence of season pressure are unsatisfactory from the point of view of efficiency.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the decision to increase established staff at salaried sub-offices, he will state how many married women, the wives of established officers in receipt of fixed wages and with the prospect of pension, are being employed as full time assistants; and whether he will take steps to ensure that such employment will not prevent the creation of established positions in the offices concerned?

I am obtaining the information asked for in. the first part of the question, and will communicate it to the hon. Member as soon as possible. The cases are few. Married women would not be appointed as full-time assistants at salaried sub-offices under the existing regulations; but where they may have been acting in that capacity for some time, hardship might be occasioned by compelling them to give up their work. At the same time, they are not eligible for appointment to the establishment. To this extent their employment might tend to prevent the immediate creation of established positions in the offices concerned. I will, however, give the matter my careful consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the combined units of work at the Barnet and New Barnet post offices, and whether the cost of living in that locality was ascertained and laid before the Hobhouse Committee of Inquiry; and, if not, whether he will cause the necessary information to be obtained?

The latest available figures of business for the offices referred to give a total of 146 units. The cost, of living in the locality was not directly ascertained by the Board of Trade, but has been estimated by analogy with neighbouring towns where investigations were made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman willing to ascertain the cost of living in. this particular district?

I think there is no doubt about it.

asked (1) whether, while National Telephone Company operators with five years' company service on being taken over by the Post Office will be entitled to the full period of annual leave in 1912, the ex-corporation (Glasgow) operators, who have already completed five years' Post Office service apart from previous company and corpora- tion service, will not receive the full period of leave until 1913; and (2), what is the reason for giving to the staff of the Glasgow Corporation Telephone Department, on transfer to the Post Office, conditions, worse in many respects than those already promised to the staff of the National Telephone Company?

Although in some respects the staff of the Glasgow Corporation Telephone Department will have been less favourably treated than the staff of the National Telephone Company on transfer to the Post Office, the conditions of transfer, taken as a whole, are more favourable to the former staff than to the latter.

asked the Postmaster-General why the transfer conditions comprised in the Memorandum of 1905, relative to the staff of the National Telephone Company, were not applied to the staff of the Glasgow Corporation telephone department on its transfer to the Post Office, in view of the fact that the memorandum was issued previous to the transfer of the corporation undertaking; and whether he is aware that it produces discontent in the public service that such discrimination should be made on the transfer of different staffs engaged on exactly similar work?

The memorandum to which the hon. Member refers was drafted to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee of this House which sat in 1905 to consider the provisions of the agreement of 2nd February, 1905, between the Postmaster-General and the National Telephone Company. The case of the Glasgow Corporation staff did not come within the purview of the Select Committee's report or of the Memorandum. The Glasgow Corporation staff have benefited by comparison with the National Telephone Company's staff in that, after a comparatively short period of employment under the Corporation; they were taken into the service of the State more than five years' earlier.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the memorandum of 1905 represented the policy of his Department towards the staff of any company or service which could be taken over, and was there any reason for not extending it to the Glasgow Corporation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Memorandum had relation solely to the National Telephone Company's staff, which in many respects is different from the Glasgow Corporation staff. For instance, none of the Glasgow Corporation men were pensionable, while the men of the National Telephone Company's staff to a considerable degree have pension rights. There is a large accumulated pension fund which will be handed over to the Postmaster-General, in return for which certain benefits will be granted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the absence of adequate provision for the prompt delivery of press telegrams delivered during the night; whether he is aware that, on 9th August, telegrams relating to the business of this House left London at times varying from 11.40 p.m. to 12.35 a.m., and were delivered at their destination, five minutes' walk from the Sheffield Post Office, after four o'clock, having taken from three hours and thirty-five minutes to four hours and twenty minutes to reach their destination; and whether he will make inquiry and take the necessary steps to secure a better service?

The hon. Member probably refers to the congestion of telegraph news in the Central Telegraph Office on the night of the 8th instant and the morning of the 9th, when the amount of news telegraphed constitutes a record. The amount was half as much again as the average, and some delay could not be avoided. I am, however, making special inquiry, and if there was remissness proper notice shall be taken.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can say what effect the granting of old age pensions has had on the poor rate of Scotland?

In answer to my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the answers given to the hon. Member for West Carmarthenshire on 14th February, and to the hon. Member for North Salford on 27th February of this year. As stated in the latter of these answers, the annual saving to the poor rates in Scotland due to the removal of the pauper disqualification for old age pensions is estimated to be about £83,000. Data are not as yet available for accurate calculation of the total effect of the grant of old age pensions on the poor rates in Scotland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake, when the data are available, to communicate the reply?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what effect the granting of old age pensions has had on the poor rate of Ireland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the similar question of the hon. Member for East Clare on 14th instant.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can now state when the scheme for the superannuation of teachers in Scotland will, in terms of the Education Act of 1908, be laid upon the Table of the House?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 13th ultimo to a question on this subject addressed to him by the hon. Member for North-East Lanarkshire. I am not at present able to add anything to the information contained in that answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer to which he refers was merely a dilatory answer, and can he not now give us some information as to what steps are to be taken to carry out the provisions of the Act of Parliament in respect of these teachers?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the answer he will find that it was not merely dilatory; it was a very distinct one.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that on the crofting estate of the Marquess of Zetland at Aultbea, Ross-shire, the sole resident justice of the peace is the Marquess's factor; whether he is aware that at a recent sitting of the Crofters' Commission in that district, dealing with disputes between the crofters and the proprietor, it came out in evidence that the said factor, though a justice of the peace, induced a crofter to sign a document by which he, not being capable of understanding its purport, renounced his croft to the factor, though he, as the factor well knew, never intended to renounce his croft; and whether, in view of these facts, the Crofters' Commission will continue the man in his holding?

I am making inquiries with reference to the circumstances of the case to which my hon. Friend has called my attention, and pending receipt of information he will understand that I express no opinion on the allegations made.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will make representations to the Lord Chancellor in the matter?

No, Sir, I will endeavour to ascertain the facts.

asked whether Doctors Dittmar, Dewar, and M'Vail, medical inspectors of the Local Government Board, have now completed their investigations into the extent to which phthisis exists among the industrial communities in the West of Scotland; and, if so, when that Report will be presented to Parliament?

I understand that reports have been received in regard to certain localities, and are now under consideration, but it would be premature to make any announcement as to publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state to what extent members of the Metropolitan Police have been rewarded, either by extra pay or increased leave, for the extra duly performed by them in connection with the Coronation, and if there has been any delay in paying to members of the force extra money granted to them in respect of such extra duty; and if it is intended to grant any extra remuneration to the Metropolitan Police in respect of the additional work being performed by them in consequence of the labour troubles in the Metropolis?

The Metropolitan Police received three days' extra pay and three days' extra leave in recognition of their services in connection with the Coronation. There was no delay in paying this money, the last payment having been made some weeks ago. The last part of the question is premature.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any truth in the report that there has been considerable delay in giving the strike pay in the case of the police who were employed at Tonypandy?

I cannot answer that question offhand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in Bristol shops in the boot and drapery trades have been allowed to be open in contravention of a closing order, and that no action is being taken to secure compliance with the order; and whether he can take any steps to secure such compliance?

I have received a complaint to this effect, and I find, on inquiry, that it appears to refer to the fact that on the day before the Coronation shops were kept open beyond the hours fixed by the closing order. The order, while allowing an exemption for the days preceding the ordinary bank holidays, did not make any provision for the case of special holidays, and in strictness therefore a breach of the order was committed; but the local authority did not consider it necessary, in the circumstances, when the matter was brought to their notice, to take any proceedings. It is a matter within the discretion of the authority whether or not to take proceedings in any particular case, and I have no power to interfere. I may add that I have no reason for supposing that the orders are not in general adequately enforced in Bristol.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he had come to any decision, and, if so, what decision, in connection with the petition in the case of Dr. Lightfoot?

I find no reason to doubt that the conviction, which was upheld by the Court of Criminal Appeal, was right. As regards the sentence, the prisoner did not appeal against it, and, as he has served only six months out of five years, it is too soon to consider the question, of advising an. exercise of the clemency of the Crown.

asked whether Messrs. Eyre and Spottiswoode have published a Prayer-book commemorative of the Coronation in which it is stated in the table of affinity that marriage with a deceased wife's sister is forbidden; and, if so, who is responsible for this statement of the law by the Established Church of England?

Is the matter referred to in the first portion of this question a matter with which this House has anything to do?

I have not seen the Prayer-book referred to, but I do not suppose it differs from other Prayer-books. I understand that no authority has been issued for the alteration of the table, but that the matter is under consideration.

What has this House got to do with Messrs. Eyre and Spottis-woode's Prayer-book?

I am not quite sure what are the relations of the Home Office to the matter. I should not like to answer a question on this very difficult matter without consulting legal and, if necessary, ecclesiastical authority.

Is it not a fact that the officials of the Church of England are public officers, and are therefore not permitted to do anything contrary to law?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish, through the Registrar of Friendly Societies, a Return of the information available under the Friendly Societies Act of 1896, which provides that every society or branch must submit its full title and address to the Registrar before it can enjoy the rights and privileges conferred by registration, showing the number of branches of friendly societies having quarters on licensed premises?

I am informed that the tendency of all friendly societies at the present time is to avoid having the registered office at a public house, but that in many districts in the country no other place for meeting can be found. The only source from which the number of societies with quarters on licensed premises can be calculated is Appendix N. to the Chief Registrar's Report for 1906; and I would point out that the information is not up-to-date and that the nature of a society's quarters cannot always be accurately inferred from its address. If, however, the hon. Member thinks that the facts which are available would be of service to him, I would ask him to communicate direct with the Chief Registrar, who will be happy to give directions for taking out the figures, though the labour involved would be considerable.

asked the Attorney General whether his attention has been, called to an infringement of the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act, 1883, during the Middleton by-election, when favours were distributed from the door of the Liberal committee room to the crowd in the street; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The only evidence in my possession is that of a reproduction of a photograph which appeared in the "Manchester Guardian," to which my attention was called by the hon. Member. It is said to be a bad picture, and does not afford sufficient evidence of an offence under the Corrupt Practices Act. I know nothing further of it, but I am making inquiries into the matter to see if there is any other evidence.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the photograph to which his attention has been called can be otherwise than accurate?

The photograph which I saw, depicted a small crowd of children holding up their hands, and a man at the door of the committee room holding up his hands. That is not, in my opinion, sufficient evidence.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that his promise of facilities for a Women's Suffrage Bill next Session is being claimed exclusively on behalf of the Bill introduced this Session by the hon. Member for North-West Manchester; and whether he will now state if the promised facilities will equally be granted to any other Women's Suffrage Bill which secures a Second Reading and is capable of Amendment?

The promise referred to was given in regard to the Bill introduced by the hon. Member for North-West Manchester, and read a second time on 5th May, which appeared to the Government to satisfy the tests which they had laid down as the conditions for granting such facilities. One of those tests was that the Bill should be so framed as to be capable of free discussion and amendment. The Government clearly cannot undertake to give facilities for more than one Bill on the same subject, but any Bill which, satisfying those tests, secured a Second Reading would be treated by them as falling within their engagement.

Is it a fact that any other Bill connected with women's suffrage can possibly have been before the House at the time that that answer was given?

I have said so, that the promise referred to the Bill before the House at the time. That does not say that there will not be any other Bill before the House next Session on the same subject.

Is not it a fact that the first promise of facilities in connection with a Women's Suffrage Bill was made to a deputation of Liberal Members, and that it was merely owing to the accident that the Bill introduced by the hon. Member for North-West Manchester secured a favourable place in the ballot that the facilities were offered by the Prime Minister to that Bill?

That is so.

Is the meaning of the word "again," in the passage "next Session when the Bill has been again read a second time," that it applies to any Bill?

If the right hon. Gentleman refers to the words before "again" he will see that it refers to the Bill under discussion.

It must have reference to a Bill which has secured a Second Reading and complied with the tests laid down by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government. Any Bill that secures a Second Reading and conforms to those tests will be a Bill which will come within the undertaking given by the Government.

Is not it a fact that the promise was given, not only for a Bill which was read a second time, but which was agreed on by the Conciliation Committee, and did not the Prime Minister give this promise?

That is not the only undertaking he gave. The Prime Minister did not give an undertaking that he would favour one Bill more than another. What he promised to do was on behalf of the Government to give facilities to any Bill which would conform to the test which he laid down: that is that it must be a Bill which is capable of Amendment.

Was not the last undertaking on this subject given by the Prime Minister in a letter to Lord Ripon on the 16th of June, in which he made specific reference to the Bill then before the House and no other?

That is exactly the question put by the hon. Member for Blackburn, which I have answered.

May I ask whether the reply of the Government would not apply only to the Bill which obtained the consent of the Conciliation Committee?

It will apply to any Bill which will satisfy the tests I have mentioned.

asked how many days have been given this Session to discussing Irish Supply; how many Votes have been discussed; and how many have been passed without any Debate?

The Irish Estimates were under consideration on five days during the present Session, when six Votes were discussed, the last occasion being the 23rd May, when a whole day was devoted to Irish Supply. The remaining twenty Irish Votes have been passed without discussion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a notice issued by Vickers, Limited, of Erith, detailing the offences for which fines will be inflicted upon their workmen; and whether his Department can decide that such conditions put the firm outside the category of good employers, and therefore should not receive Government contracts?

Careful inquiry shall be made into this matter.

asked whether a decision has yet been arrived at with respect to the grant of the Coronation medal to members of the Territorial force who were on duty on 22nd June and 23rd June?

Yes, Sir. A circular letter has been sent to each unit specifying the conditions of the award and calling for the names of the individuals qualified to receive the medals.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will supply the names, stating the units to which they belong, of commanding officers at Minehead who asked that frozen foreign meat might be supplied to their units in place of fresh British; whether such request was due to the fact that the fresh meat supplied was of inferior quality or not fit for consumption; and, if such was not the case, what was the reason for such an unusual demand?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to a similar question the day before yesterday. With regard to the remainder of the question, inquiry shall be made.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, with regard to the second point, whether he has not had time in three days to obtain the names? As regards the first portion, will he not give the names of the commanding officers who did not ask for frozen meat, in common justice to them?

As to the second part of the question, the Noble Lord did not give me sufficient notice to enable me to obtain the information. With regard to the first part of the question, the names of the units in camp were, of course, known.

asked whether the Under-Secretary for War can now announce the result of the inquiry into the terms of employment of labourers in the Army Ordnance Department at Colchester; and whether any increase of wages has been or will be sanctioned?

Yes, Sir. The minimum wage for labourers employed in the Army Ordnance Department at Colchester has been raised from 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. a week, with effect from 1st April last, and the officer in charge has been authorised to give a further increase up to 1s. to men at present on the minimum when performing work which involves special responsibility or skill.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that this increase might date back for the fourteen months during which the Department has been inquiring into the matter?

I do not think we can do that. We have arranged already for the payment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the increase of wages can be extended to other places where similar labour is done.

I must have notice of that question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's Department think that these wages (19s. a week) are adequate for a man, with a family, who, as he says, does skilled work?

That is not the question which has been put to me. I am asked about a particular increase of wages—not about the general adequacy of wages—but I understand that these wages compare favourably with wages paid to persons not in Government employ engaged on the same work in the same district.

If 17s. a week was paid by this Government up to now at Colchester, what was the amount paid when the Opposition was in power?

I do not know.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been directed to a telegram sent by the President of the United States of America to the editor of the "New York American," thanking him and the seven Hearst papers for the success of the Evangel on the question of reciprocity; whether he is aware that the principal item in the Evangel alluded to has been Annexation viâ Reciprocity; and whether, in view of the fact that this policy has now received the approval of the President of the United States, an explanation may be demanded by His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington of this endorsement of a policy designed and intended to disintegrate the British Empire?

I am not aware of the facts, and the inference drawn by the hon. and gallant Member is in direct contradiction to the public utterances of President Taft.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that throughout the length and breadth of the United States this agreement is treated as a long step towards commercial union of the country.

No. Sir; I am not.

The right hon. Gentleman is not responsible for what is said or thought in the United States.

asked whether, during the recent strike in London, the postal authorities applied to the strike leaders for permits to pass postal vans and stores; and whether the same were obtained?

On the 10th instant I was approached by some of the firms who contract with the Post Office for the conveyance of mails by road within the London postal district, who declared that they could not carry out the services unless they were able to obtain further supplies of forage and petrol. On the same day an officer of my Department communicated on my behalf with the Central Disputes Committee, who agreed that the work of the Post Office contractors in handling fodder and petrol for the use of the service should be facilitated. I may add that I have taken similar action at Liverpool, and have been able to maintain throughout the disputes the continuity of the mail cart services.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this is a very humiliating position?

No; in the circumstances of the moment it seems to me a most sensible arrangement.

Were the communications of which the right hon. Gentleman speaks in writing?

No; an officer of my Department consulted the leaders of the strikers. There may have been correspondence; I am not sure.

May we have it?

I will consider that.

Was the right hon. Gentleman unable to obtain adequate police protection without obtaining these permits?

They are not my carts or employés. They are the carts and employés of the contractors.

Does this form a precedent?

Did the right hon. Gentleman get a written permit to use the streets of London from the strikers?

No use was made by me of any permit. It was made use of by the employés of the contractors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to secure that, in the event of strikes, those men who desire to serve their employers shall be permitted to do so without molestation within the London area?

So far as it is in the power of the police, workmen who desire to continue in their employment will be protected in the exercise of their right.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable non-union men, in cases where fair wages are given, to continue their employment without molestation from trade unionists?

Non-union men are now by law entitled to continue their employment without molestation; and, so far as it is in the power of the police, they will be protected in the exercise of this right.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is unaware that several non-union men have been prevented from earning their livelihood by strikers? [HON. MEMBERS: "Where?"]

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of Messrs. Bolton's men who had the eightpenny wage were stopped from going on, although they were perfectly satisfied? They were terrorised.

It is very difficult to deal with specific cases by question and answer across the floor of the House, especially when no previous notice of the questions has been given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to introduce stronger legislation?

I would ask the Noble Lord to wait until the King's Speech next, year.

If the police are unable to maintain order, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take any other steps?

Where it has been necessary, other steps have already been taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to introduce legislation to prevent non-union workmen from sharing in the advantages which have been obtained by the union men?

asked whether the Metropolitan Police who were sent to Salford during the recent strike were taken off pay in the Metropolis during the whole period that they were on duty in Salford; and is the result that the Salford Borough Council is in consequence liable for paying them during the whole of that period?

In accordance with the regulations of the service, the Metropolitan Police sent to Salford were taken off pay as stated. The Salford borough is liable for the whole of the expenses of the Metropolitan Police employed there while they were away from the Metropolis.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what was the arrangement made in regard to the Metropolitan police sent to Hull?

The Hull authorities are bearing the whole of the cost of the police. The police were kept beyond the first three days, so that there is no difficulty at all as between the liability of Hull and Salford in the matter.

Is it not the case that at Hull out of the five days the Metropolitan police were engaged there they were taken off pay for four days, the Hull authorities being only responsible for one day?

It is quite true that the sending of the police to Hull was done on very short notice indeed, and that a slightly better arrangement was made in regard to Salford than in regard to Hull, but, owing to the fact that the police were kept at Hull beyond the first four or five days, the Hull authorities did become liable for the whole of the amount.

Was the precedent in regard to Hull brought to the attention of the Salford authorities?

I am quite sure that both of these local authorities will make no difficulty about paying the money for the aid received at a time when they needed it very much.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the complaints made against the police for their conduct on Thursday of last, week at Poplar?

No inquiry can be made until normal conditions are restored.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to tell us what abnormal conditions prevailed in the Poplar district?

The police are fully occupied at the present time, and I am not able to give any information as to the actual position in any particular district in London without notice.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether little children are playing on the pavements in Poplar this morning as on any other day?

I am glad to hear it. If little children had a monopoly of the pavements, better conditions would very soon exist.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men, women, and children were assaulted on this occasion and that they have absolutely no redress unless he takes some action in the matter, and further, is he aware that by asking us to wait, he is asking us to wait probably until the House will not meet for weeks, so that we shall have no opportunity at all of raising this matter until it is altogether too late?

The Commissioner of police and the officers are working at very high pressure, and I am certainly not going to put any further pressure upon, them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large numbers of people who were simply using the streets, and were entitled to use them had not merely their heads and shoulders cracked, but were dragged brutally along the streets merely because they could not get out of the road of the patrols quickly enough?

The hon. Gentleman is asking as to a number of specific allegations of which notice should be given. It would be better if he would raise the matter on the Appropriation Bill.

I did raise this question days ago—I think almost a week ago—[Interruption]—I do not know whether you want people's blood—[Interruption].

Would the hon. Member kindly address himself to me.

I wish to address myself to you. I have given the right hon. Gentleman five days' notice. Does he consider it reasonable that the people who were assaulted on this occasion should be compelled to wait before inquiries are made?

Yes, I think that, at any rate, the consideration of matters that are past must necessarily be deferred until matters which press for attention in the present have been satisfactorily arranged; and I am not prepared to ask the officers and the heads of the Metropolitan police force to embark upon what must necessarily be a long and detailed inquiry at a time when I can assure the House, from personal knowledge, that they are fully occupied from morning to night; and I hope that hon. Members will not accept the highly coloured accounts which the hon. Gentleman gives of the treatment which the Metropolitan police are alleged to have meted out to peaceful people. Such allegations are contrary to the experience of most of those who know London.

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if he cannot put pressure upon the police in this matter, he will, at least, issue a very strong caution? I would like an answer to that question.

asked if, in view of the inconvenience caused to every section of the community by industrial disputes in those industries which affect general public utilities, and in view of the special nature of those industries, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of introducing, at the earliest opportunity, legislation to provide for the establishment of the compulsory investigation of all disputes in such industries, and to make illegal the declaration of a strike or lock-out in such industries before such investigation has been carried out and reported on by a competent commission, who shall also endeavour by conciliation to settle the disputes in question; and if he is aware that the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act, 1907, which is now in force in Canada and is designed to effect the above-mentioned objects, has met with success in the Dominion, and that legislation modelled on it has been passed recently in the Transvaal Parliament?

I am fully aware of the Canadian Act referred to. At the present moment I cannot usefully add to the answers already given by the Prime Minister and the President of the Board of Trade on this subject. The whole question of the improvement of the means available to prevent and shorten industrial warfare is now engaging the earnest attention of the Government in consultation with representatives of important associations of employers and workmen.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, owing to the great importance of the subject, whether he will arrange for Papers to be laid on the Table of the House giving information as to the results obtained under the working of the Trade Disputes Act, and Acts of a similar character in other countries?

Yes; the Prime Minister is prepared to lay Papers on the Table giving the information as far as available.

In view of the gravity of the proposal suggested in the question, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will be no attempt to rush legislation through the House in. any way limiting the right of working men to strike?

If such a Bill is introduced by a private Member, will it receive the support of the Government?

I cannot express any opinion upon that; I think it would be premature to give any answer at all in respect to the character of legislation. We are now only in the state of inquiry and consultation with the various leaders of employers and men.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me an assurance on the point which I put to him?