asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would state whether the London and North-Western Railway Provident Fund, the Midland Railway Friendly Society, and other railway companies' funds of a similar character will be eligible to become approved societies within the meaning of the insurance scheme; will the employés of such railway companies be compelled to pay the pre- miums asked for by the State in addition to their present premiums; will the railway companies be entitled to deduct from the wages of the employés the premiums relative to the unemployment section of the insurance scheme; will the railway trade unions be eligible to become approved societies in the unemployment section, and to collect premiums and administer benefits in accordance with the State scheme; and will such contributions by the men be in excess of that which they now pay to the trade unions?

It is intended that Funds such as those referred to should be enabled to become approved societies. In this as in all other cases the contribution of the existing members of an approved society and of their employers under the National Health Insurance Bill will be in substitution for all or part of their present premiums and not in addition thereto. Railway companies will only be entitled to make deductions from wages for unemployment insurance in respect of such of their workpeople as are engaged in the trades specified in the Sixth Schedule to the Bill. The great mass of railway employés are not included in that Schedule. It will be open to the railway trade unions to apply to the Board of Trade to make arrangements with them under Clauses 79 and 80 if they give unemployment benefit to their members. All compulsory contributions to the unemployment fund will be paid through the employer, and power is given to any union which has made an arrangement under Clause 79 to make a corresponding reduction in the subscription of those members who have to contribute.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the dependence of the population of this country for their regular supply of daily food upon external sources of production and the maintenance unimpaired of a regular railway service as the necessary medium of its distribution, he will in view of the possibly serious effects of the dislocation of railway traffic consequent upon differences arising between privately-owned railway companies and their employés, consider the desirability of the purchase by the State, at a full actuarial valuation, of the railway companies' undertakings, and introduce a Bill with this object during the Autumn Session?

The Government have no intention of introducing such a measure during the present Session.

asked what is the progress of negotiations for dealing with the Kildeerno Farm on Lord Leconfield's estate, parish of Kilfarboy, West Clare; and whether care will be taken that the congests under £7 valuation will be first served?

The farm referred to does not appear to be included in the lands which have been the subject of correspondence between the Congested Districts Board and Lord Leconfield's agent, nor is it included in the estates for the sale of which proceedings are pending before the Estates Commissioners.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War how many rounds of ball cartridge were served out to the soldiers told off to guard the railway stations in the Metropolitan area during the railway strike; what orders were given the General and officers commanding these men; and, if the orders were written, will he circulate copies with the Votes?

The amount of ammunition to be carried by troops detached in aid of the civil power is governed by Paragraph 1722 of the King's Regulations, which lays down that the requisite number of rounds will be carried. Paragraphs 948 and 968 inclusive of King's Regulations lay down in full detail the duties of troops detached in aid of the civil power. Instructions were issued to all general officers commanding-in-chief directing them to ensure that every officer should make a special study of these paragraphs in the Regulations. Orders were also issued with regard to the sounding of a bugle before the reading of the Proclamation under the Riot Act, as I explained in reply to a question put by my hon. Friend the Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool last week.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the military at present stationed in York in connection with the North-Eastern Railway dispute are under the control of the War Office; and if so, considering the good order now prevailing in the city the War Office will see that in the performance of the police duty which they are undertaking every effort is made to prevent them appearing unduly provocative through the unnecessary display of rifles and bayonets.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, although it is understood that the officer commanding is in constant touch with the local civil authorities. As regards the latter part, the reports received indicate that the troops have generally behaved with very great effort and forbearance, and my hon. Friend can rest assured every effort will be made by them to avoid anything in. the nature of unnecessary provocation.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that five women were recently charged at Grays Police Court before two justices with stealing onions from a field at Barking, the total value of the onions being stated at 1s. 6d., and were each sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour; and, seeing that this sentence was passed on the prisoners, although the superintendent of police stated that nothing was known against the women, and in view of the character of the charge, will he inquire into the cases and remit the remainder of the sentences?

I made inquiry in this case. It appears that the thefts in which these women were concerned were systematic and extensive. The magistrate at first imposed a sentence of a month on each of the offenders: but immediately afterwards, in consideration of their previous character and other circumstances, reduced it to fourteen days. In view of these facts, I did not feel that I could advise further reduction of the sentence The women have now been released on expiration of the reduced term.

asked whether the Home Office have granted a certificate to Messrs. Kynoch as to the suitability of their explosives for mining purposes?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the testing of explosives for use in certain classes of coal mines under the Explosives in Coal Mines Orders made in pursuance of Section 6 of the Coal Mines. Act, 1896, the answer to his question is that five explosives manufactured by Messrs. Kynoch have passed the test and been placed on the list of explosives permitted for use in those classes of mines.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will explain why a circular has been sent to parish councils urging the use of forma printed by a certain firm, in view of the policy of permitting local enterprise and competition to govern the parish councils in their selection in all cases where quality, price, and convenience are not seriously prejudiced thereby?

As this question relates to Scotland, I may perhaps be allowed to reply. The Local Government Board for Scotland, finding that inconvenience was caused by the diversity of forms in use, recommended the use of the form which they considered most convenient, in connection with the admission of paupers to Stirling Combination Poorhouse. They have no concern in the question as to the printers from whom the form is obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the rates of wages in the various branches of labour on the following railway systems, the London and North-Western, the Great Northern, the Midland, and Southwestern, and the Great Western, respectively?

I am unable to give the information in the form asked for by my hon. Friend, but I may say that a comprehensive report on the wages and hours of duty of railway servants has been in preparation for some time and will be published in the autumn. I may add that some particulars of settlements as to wages arrived at on the railways named under the Railway Conciliation Scheme-are given in the Blue Book, Cd. 5332, published in 1910.