asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1), for how many years a Post Office depositor will have to contribute before drawing one week's disablement benefit if he has never drawn any sick benefit or maternity benefit before the commencement of the particular illness which has culminated in disablement, or if he has drawn sick benefit for two weeks a year on the average, and has drawn maternity benefit on two occasions; and (2), what is the maximum number of months for which a Post Office contributor can draw disablement benefit before he reaches the age of seventy, assuming that he joins at the age of fourteen and draws on an average two weeks' sick benefit a year and maternity benefit on three occasions?

It is impossible to give a definite answer to these inquiries because the exact period would depend upon the result of the valuation of the Post Office fund and the amount charged by the local health committees for management and medical benefit.

If the sums drawn in regard to any particular benefit are not used are they returned to the individual account?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked if a society, in applying to become an approved society under the proposed National Insurance scheme, will be permitted to include honorary members in the number required to meet the conditions necessary to qualify a society for approval?

Under Clause 18, as amended last Thursday, no limit of numbers is prescribed as a condition of approval of societies.

asked whether the concessions already made by him and those to be embodied in Amendments he has promised will prolong the period of fifteen-and-a-half years stated in the Government actuaries' Report to be the period required to accumulate the reserve values with compound interest?

The reply is in the affirmative, but I am not at present in a position to give an exact estimate of the extent of the prolongation.

Are we to understand that the grant of additional benefits under Clause 8 will be deferred until the liability resulting from these additional concessions have been wiped off?

Certainly it will affect the period at which the additional benefits will be paid.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what scale salaries are to be paid to the Insurance Commissioners and other salaried officials under the scheme; and at what figure he estimates the total cost of salaries as apart from other costs of administration?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave to questions on this subject yesterday.

asked whether, before the Insurance Bill becomes law, the Government will give facilities for discussing any alternative proposals for providing the whole or any substantial part of the sums proposed to be compulsorily contributed by the employers and the employed?

The principles governing the contributions payable under the Insurance Bill have already been decided by the Committee in the Financial Resolution and Clauses 3–7 of the Bill, and the rates can be discussed on the Second Schedule.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have yet received any reply from the Development Commissioners with respect to the Board's application for a Grant-in-Aid for fishery purposes; and, if so, what, is the nature of that reply, and in particular what comment, if any, the Development Commissioners made with respect to that portion of the Board's scheme applying for financial assistance for the policing of the inshore waters?

The Board are still in communication with the Development Commissioners on the subject.

asked when it is proposed to issue the long-promised Report of the Departmental Committee appointed more than a year ago to consider the best means of promoting trade in pedigree British live stock with other countries?

The Report has been received, and will be published without delay.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture have, as requested in a letter from the Central Chamber of Agriculture, dated 16th July, 1910, taken any and, if any, what steps to collect information with regard to anthrax from British Dependencies and from foreign countries?

It has not been thought necessary to supplement the information which the Board already receive as to the existence of Anthrax abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the Most-Favoured-Nation Treaties covered by the resolution proposed by Sir Wilfrid Laurier and adopted by the Imperial Conference of 1911 and affecting any of the King's Dominions outside the United Kingdom.

The Treaties are those with Argentina (1825), Austria-Hungary (1876), Bolivia (1840), Colombia (1866), Denmark (1660 and 1670), France (1826), Italy (1883), Mexico (1888), Morocco (1856), Norway (1826), Russia (1859), Sweden (1654, 1656, 1661, 1766, and 1826), Switzerland (1855), and Venezuela (1825). The Bolivian Treaty of 1840, which is binding on the Dominions, is being replaced by a fresh Treaty, which is at present awaiting ratification. It is possible that one or two other Treaties of minor importance are also covered by the resolution, and these cases are being considered.

asked whether the States of the Australian Commonwealth, with the exception of South Australia, at their own desire, acceded to the Treaty with Italy of 1883, which His Majesty's Government is now seeking to abrogate on the ground that it contravenes the usual practice in negotiating such treaties; and in what respects it fails to comply with the conditions laid down by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his speech at the Imperial Conference of 1911.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, although the Italian Treaty of 1883 provides for the separate adhesion of the self-governing Dominions, it does not, as is the case in more recent commercial treaties, permit their separate withdrawal apart from the United Kingdom. It is in this respect that it fails to comply with the conditions laid down at the Imperial Conference. The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that His Majesty's Government are now seeking to abrogate the Treaty; they are merely desirous of amending it in such a way as to give the Dominions that power of separate withdrawal which they enjoy in all recent commercial treaties.

asked the Postmaster-General who is responsible for the statement in his circular recently issued to Post Office Savings Bank depositors to the effect that the State is not responsible if there is a fall in the price of Consols; and whether he personally accepts responsibility for it?

I accept full responsibility for the circular on Small Investments in Government Stock through the Post Office Savings Bank and for the statements it contains, including that quoted by the hon. Member.

In that case can the right hon. Gentleman give me any idea who is responsible for the fluctuations in the price of Consols?

That is a matter of argument hardly proper to question and answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of introducing legislation to prohibit gambling transactions in Consols, as was the case with Bank of England stock?

I observe the hon. Member's objection to all forms of gambling, but I am not sure that legislation is possible.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his testimonial. I wish to ask whether he can state the approximate number of dormant accounts in the Post Office Savings Bank and the approximate total of unclaimed balances upon such accounts?

These figures, are given on page 12 of my report to the Treasury for 1910–11, in respect of accounts under £1 for the 31st of December last. They are 3,460,387, and £372,091 respectively. No figures are available for larger accounts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of advertising the names of these people to whom the money is due? Is this not a case of obtaining money by fraud?

The money is there awaiting payment. As the average value of these accounts is only 2s. 2d. each, I am not sure it is worth while advertising the names of 3,460,000 persons.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept my offer to advertise them free of charge in the most widely circulated publication?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of the parcels sent through the parcel post arrive in a broken and disordered condition; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter and take such steps as are necessary to ensure that more care be taken in the future?

I am aware that a certain number of parcels are damaged during transmission by post, but in most cases the damage is due to inadequate packing and not to careless handling. Despite the advice given to the public by the Post Office Guide as to the need for proper protection, many parcels, obviously of a fragile nature, are so insecurely packed that they cannot reasonably be expected to travel without injury. The staff are enjoined to exercise every care in dealing with parcels during their transmission.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a memorial concerning the establishment of temporary clerks on an equal footing with employés of the National Telephone Company; and, if so, is he now able to state the decision he has reached thereon?

I have received memorials on this subject. I hope to allow the temporary clerks referred to the opportunity of competing for established posts; but I am unable to extend to them the special arrangements made in the case of the staff to be transferred from the National Telephone Company.

asked why, in view of the want of suitable and sanitary post office premises at Banagher, King's County, his Department has failed to acquire the suitable central and sanitary premises which were negotiated for, and under what circumstances such negotiations were broken off; and whether he will renew these negotiations, bearing in mind that no other premises will be offered?

I fear that I cannot at present add anything to the letter which I sent to the hon. Member on the 26th May last. I explained to him that the premises he has in mind were not regarded as altogether suitable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to furnish a Return showing approximately what is the extent to which the Post Office scheme of small investments in Government stock through the Post Office is taken advantage of by the public?

Such a Return is published every year in Appendix J to the Annual Report on my Department. The latest figures available will be found on Page 72 of my last Annual Report. They show that the estimated number of stockholders on 31st December, 1910, was 150,600, and the stock to their credit was £23,151,868.

asked the Postaster-General whether, with a view to popularising the Post Office scheme of small investment in Government securities, he will consider the advisability of graduating the commission or brokerage charges on investments of less than £25 in value; and whether, with the same object in view, he will extend the facilities for such investment to persons other than those who are Post Office Savings Bank depositors?

The commission on the purchase or sale of Government stock up to £25 is only 9d. This fee is already unremunerative; and there is no justification for the adoption of any lower minimum rate. One of the chief advantages of the present system to the small investor is that the dividends on his stock are automatically placed to his credit in his savings bank account, while in the absence of such an account the transmission of minute sums as interest would be expensive and inconvenient. I do not think it would be advisable to abolish the present condition that purchasers of stock through the Post Office Savings Bank must be depositors in the bank. The opening of an account is simple and costs nothing.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many persons in addressing correspondence to Scotland add the letters "N.B."; whether this is the official designation of the country; and whether the use of these letters is desired by the Post Office?

The use of the letters "N.B." as the postal designation of Scotland has no official sanction; and as no one now speaks of Scotland as "North Britain," and as letters addressed with those initials are liable to be sent to Now Brunswick, the Post Office would prefer that they should not be used. A notice to this effect has indeed appeared in the Post Office Guide, and I propose to reinsert it.

asked (1) when the new postage stamps of a higher value than 1d. will be issued; and (2) whether the Postmaster-General is now satisfied that every possible improvement has been attained in the printing, adhesiveness, and other qualities of the new 1d. and ½d. stamps.

The preparation and issue of stamps at present devolves, by Statute, upon the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and perhaps the hon. Member will address his questions to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the strike of coal miners in the Bristol coalfields; whether he is aware that this strike affects some 3,000 workers, and, as a consequence, many more thousands of persons; whether the recent Board of Trade inquiry which resulted in a report that the coalowners could not afford to pay increased wages is the only and final effort of the Board to deal with the present position of affairs; and whether he will approach the royalty owners, whose demands for the full payment of their royalties in the embarrassed state of these coalfields is alleged to be the solo cause of the strike?

In accordance with an agreement arrived at between the parties, an inquiry into this dispute was recently made by an investigator appointed by the Board of Trade. He reported that the present financial condition of the colliery companies' does not permit of the colliery owners conceding the advance in wages asked for by the men. I do not think that it is practicable for me to approach the royalty owners in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend, but his suggestion shall be carefully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that the Metropolitan District Railway Company intend to run the last workmen's cheap train earlier than hitherto; and if he intends taking any action in the matter; and (2) if he is aware that the overcrowding of the trains of the Metropolitan District Railway is more serious than it was a year ago, and that in consequence of the growing population of the East End of London this condition is likely to be intensified; and, if he has no power to deal with the matter, will he seek legislative powers?

I have asked for the observations of the railway company on these questions, and I will communicate further with my hon. Friend.

asked the Attorney-General whether he can state how many of the clerical staff of the Land Registry Office are members of the Bar or qualified solicitors; whether he is aware that, for a long time past there has been discontent and disappointment amongst the clerical staff of that office in relation to their pay and prospects; and whether he will consider the desirability of the appointment of a Departmental Committee to enquire into and report upon the organisation of the Land Registry Office and the pay and prospects of the clerical staff?

Twenty-one of the clerical, staff of the Land Registry are members of the Bar, or qualified solicitors. Such feeling as may exist of the nature referred to is probably due to the unavoidable postponement—pending the Report of the recent Royal Commission appointed in 1908—of any question of reorganisation of staff. The Report of the Commission is now receiving the attention of the Government in conjunction with a scheme for the reorganisation of staff; the present moment would therefore not be an opportune one for the appointment of the Departmental Committee suggested.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is yet able to report the result of the reconsideration by the rule committee of the Supreme Court of the requirement that every holder of part of an issue of registered debentures must produce his debentures in chambers in an action to enforce security; can he say whether, having regard to the provisions of the Companies Consolidation Act, 1908, Section 100, the rule committee will direct that the register of debentures, required by the Act to be kept, is to be accepted as primâ facie evidence of the persons entitled to participate in the benefits of the judgment; or in what other manner, if any, can they see their way to obviate the expense and inconvenience caused to the investing public by the continued application of a rule established in different circumstances?

The evidence of the register cannot be accepted as sufficient for the purpose of a distribution of funds by the court. It is found in practice that the register is often in an imperfect condition, and even in cases of considerable capital and importance the register is not always correct. Debentures are frequently deposited with bankers or other persons to secure advances without transfer or entry on the register. Debentures are frequently sent to the court by registered post and are returned in due course. This practice might be followed more often.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture whether the Department has received a grant of £50,000 for aiding Irish fisheries; if so, whether he can state how it will be allocated; and whether, in allocating it, regard will be had to the representations made to the Department with reference to Kilkeel harbour, county Down, by the Parliamentary representative of the constituency?

The Development Commissioners have notified the Department that they are prepared to recommend a grant of £50,000 in aid of Irish fisheries. The allocation of the sum in question is at present the subject of discussion between the Commissioners and the Department. The case of Kilkeel ranks amongst the proposals of the Department, and is not being overlooked.

May we have an assurance that in considering the allocation other harbours in county Down, besides Kilkeel, will not be overlooked?

That depends entirely on the funds at our disposal.

asked the Prime Minister if he will lay upon the Table of the House a translation of the debate in the German Reichstag on the causes of the increase in the cost of living in Germany?

I have seen with interest the full reports in the British Press of the debate in the Reichstag with regard to the increased cost of living in Germany, but I doubt if the advantage to be derived from making a complete translation would be worth the cost involved.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the reports which have appeared in the Press are so widely divergent according to the political views of the newspapers, that it is impossible really to know what the truth is as to the conclusions to which the German Government have come?

I think everybody must form his own conclusions. They are accessible to all.

asked the Prime Minister if he will afford the House an early opportunity of discussing the causes of the increased cost of living and the means by which it can be met?

I would remind the hon. Member that, as I stated yesterday, the Board of Trade are conducting an inquiry into this matter, and, until this is concluded, I think no useful purpose would be served by a discussion in this House.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to remarks made by Sir Thomas Snagge at the Kettering county court during the present week, when His Honour, in dealing with 118 judgment summonses, characterised the same as a monstrous system of our law, and said that the Treasury were running county courts like a shop, so that the more customers that went to the shop the more fees went to the Treasury, and that the work was repulsive and oppressing to county court judges; and whether the Government contemplate introducing any remedial legislation in the matter?

I have seen a newspaper report of the remarks attributed to Judge Snagge. I cannot gather from them in what respect an alteration in existing county court procedure is suggested. Any representations addressed to the Lord Chancellor by a county court judge as to inequalities or hardships under the existing procedure in county courts would, of course, receive most careful consideration.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to amend the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907?

Although it is quite impossible to add to the Government Bills at this stage of the Session, the Lord Chancellor has the matter under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the House of Lords is now unable to prevent any Bill from being passed into law, he can now say when the Government proposes to bring in a Bill for creating a new Second Chamber with the power to refer important Bills to the judgment of the people?

I am not able to name the date on which any proposals of the Government on this subject will be submitted to Parliament.

May I ask whether, in view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman gave the House to understand that the formation of a reformed Second Chamber was urgent, he can say whether the reformed Second Chamber will be brought into existence next Session, or before the Home Rule Bill receives the Royal Assent?

I have just said that I am not able to name a date.

Are we to understand that the whole thing is off?

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the Home Rule Bill to be brought in next Session, two Houses will be given to Ireland, as foreshadowed by the Chief Secretary; whether this means that when the all-round scheme is adopted there will be ten Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom; and whether he will give any promise that Scotland will be next dealt with?

I cannot anticipate by any statement now the provisions which may be embodied in future proposals of legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House when he proposes to proceed with the consideration of the Shops Bill; or, if not, whether, for the convenience of Members, he will undertake to give at least a week's public notice before asking the House to take the Report stage of that measure?

I am not yet in a position to say when the Shops Bill will be taken, but ample notice will be given.

asked if the Prime Minister's attention has been called to the circumstances of the arrest of Miss Jessie Brown, of Glasgow; and whether, as it has since her arrest been established that her arrest was unjustifiable, he will direct that the Treasury investigate the case with the view of ascertaining what reparation can be made to her?

asked whether the Scottish Office has finally refused to grant any compensation to Miss Jessie Brown, wrongfully convicted in a Glasgow police court and declared innocent by the Court of Session in Edinburgh?

I am asked to answer with this question the question standing in the name of the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland. I am aware of the facts of this case. The conviction obtained against Miss Jessie Brown in the Glasgow police court in December, 1907, was quashed on appeal to the High Court of Justiciary, the ground of the decision being that the magistrate who tried the case did not inform Miss Brown of her right to an adjournment of the proceedings to enable her to prepare her defence. The High Court expressed no opinion on the merits of the case, which were not before them. Miss Brown was awarded the expenses of the legal proceedings before the High Court. The case has since this decision been again carefully and fully investigated by the Glasgow magistrates, who are satisfied that it is not one for compensation; I may add that Miss Brown had an opportunity of pursuing a civil action for damages but failed to do so timeously. In all the circumstances I cannot advise that the Treasury should pay compensation.

asked whether a dangerous explosion occurred at the British Museum on Thursday last; whether it was caused by the use of a lighted torch to search for an escape of gas; who is to blame for so careless an act by which priceless national treasures were imperilled; and what steps, if any, have been taken to prevent its recurrence.

A slight explosion took place on the 25th instant under the roadway to the north of the British Museum owing the the defective plugging of a gas main which was being laid by the contractor for the extension of the Museum. One of the contractor's employés noticed the leak, thought it was due to an escape from a email pipe, and applied a match. Nothing was set on fire by the explosion (the seriousness of which has been much exaggerated) and the collections were in no way endangered. Gas is only used to a small extent in the British Museum, and the present mishap, which was due to the thoughtlessness of a mechanic, arose out of temporary conditions which are not likely to recur.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board have taken any and, if so, what steps to acquire compulsorily the estate of Mr. Myles O'Mahoney, Beaufort, County Kerry?

The Congested Districts Board decided, at their meeting in August last, not to apply compulsory powers at present for the purchase of this estate as the money available for such cases has already been appropriated for this year.

asked what progress has been made with the acquirement by the Estates Commissioners of the untenanted lands of Clonfin, on the Thompson estate, in North Longford; and when the Commissioners propose, having acquired the lands, to prepare a scheme for sub-division in accordance with Section 6 of the Act of 1903?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the papers in reference to this estate have been referred to an inspector, and if the Commissioners acquire the lands the allotment of them will be dealt with as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the name of Pat Donohoe, Killasonnagh, has been recorded as a person suitable for an allotment on the untenanted lands of Killasonnagh in accordance with the promise made to him by Mr. Lough, one of the inspectors of the Commissioners; whether he is aware that this poor man is living on six acres of bog for which until recently an annual rent of £12 was demanded; and whether relief can be promised to him soon in these circumstances?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners hope to be in a position to deal with the distribution of this untenanted land early next year.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received a request to have the town of Castlecomer included in the sale of the Wandesforde estate when the Estates Commissioners are about sanctioning the sale of this property; whether the Commissioners were informed that the town tenants were willing to give Mr. Wandesforde fair and equitable terms for the holdings; and whether the Estates Commissioners will take steps to have the wishes of the tenants of the houses in the town of Castlecomer acceded to?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the owner has not included the houses in Castlecomer in the property which is the subject of proceedings for the sale under the Land Purchase Acts. A request on behalf of the town tenants has been received asking that the premises be included in the sale, and it will be considered by the Commissioners when they are dealing with the estate.

asked when the Estates Commissioners intend sending their inspector to inspect the farms of eighty-three tenants on the Wandesforde property, Castlecomer, who requisitioned the Commissioners at the time of the signing of the purchase agreements to have their farms inspected before the sale would be sanctioned; and whether the Commissioners will notify the tenants of the date of the inspector's visit?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate is being sold direct to the tenants by the owner under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The papers in connection with the estate have been referred to the inspector, who has been directed to visit the estate. The holdings of any tenants whose purchase agreements do not come within the provisions of Section 1 (1) of the Irish Land Act, 1903, will be inspected for the purposes of security, and the tenants will be notified by the inspector of the date of his visit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the interest on the purchase money of Butler's estate, of Ballyauss, county Kildare, for the first half of the year 1911 has been paid; and, if so, if he will lay upon the Table of the House the receipt for such payment, and also all documents relating to the sale and the affidavit used for the purpose of obtaining probate of Butler's will?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the interest in lieu of rent payable by the tenants on the estate for the half-year to the 1st May, 1911, has now been paid, the greater portion having only been received on the 27th instant, and is being paid over to Mr. M. H. Franks, the agent for the owner. The documents relating to the sale, which have been lodged in the offices of the Land Commission, can be inspected by any person interested. The Commissioners have no knowledge of the affidavit used for the purpose of obtaining probate of the vendor's will; it presumably is filed in the offices of the King's Bench Division (Probate) of the High Court of Justice in Ireland.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where these documents can be inspected?

They can be inspected at the offices of the Land Commission.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will grant a Return of the names of evicted tenants in the county of Kilkenny who have made claims, or had claims forwarded for them, to the Estates Commissioners for restoration to their holdings or equivalent holdings, with the names of the estates from which they were evicted, and the number of such claims acceded to by the Estates Commissioners and the number still undealt with by the Commissioners?

I am not prepared to furnish the detailed Return asked for in the first part of the question. The particulars asked for in the concluding part of the question will be found in Table XXXVIII. appended to the Annual Report of the Commissioners for the year ended 31st March last.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Irish Government have a Bill on the question of Irish Poor Law reform prepared for introduction to Parliament; and whether, owing to the material difference in the conditions of Irish life since the operations of the Old Age Pension Act, he can see his way to have the Bill introduced and passed into an Act of Parliament for Ireland, having regard to the demands of all Irish public bodies to have the Poor Laws reformed?

The heads of a Bill have been prepared, but it is not possible to make any statement at present with regard to the prospects of legislation.

asked why national teachers who were promoted to first division of first grade from 1st April, 1910, have not yet received the salaries fixed for that grade, though Rule 105 (a) of the Commissioners of National Education says that teachers promoted from a lower to a higher grade receive on promotion the salary for the grade to which they are promoted?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh on 9th July last.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the tenants of the Fibbs Irwin estate, Turlough, county Mayo, in Chancery, the owner being a lunatic, memorialised the late Lord Chancellor in 1903, with a view to the sale of the property under the Land Purchase Acts, and that they approached the agent with the like object, but were unsuccessful; that, after the passing of the Land Purchase Act, 1909, they memorialised the Congested Districts Board to approach the Lord Chancellor with a view to the sale of the property; did the Board communicate with the Lord Chancellor accordingly, and, if so, what was the nature of his reply; is he aware that, of the fifty-one tenants on the estate, forty-four are living on uneconomic holdings; can he give the names of the members of the committee appointed over the owner, the duties they have to perform, and the remuneration they receive for such duties; will the Board approach the present Lord Chancellor with a view to a voluntary sale; and, should he refuse to take action, will the Board proceed to acquire this congested estate compulsorily?

The Registrar in Lunacy informs me that offers for purchase of their holdings were made by the tenants on this estate in 1903. The offers were considered inadequate and were refused on that ground. The Congested Districts Board have made no communication either to the Lord Chancellor or to the Lunacy Department as regards the sale of the estate. The estate is in charge of a Receiver. The Congested Districts Board have asked the solicitor in the matter to furnish maps and rental, but they have not yet been lodged. It is not apprehended that compulsory proceedings will be necessary.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state the result of the inquiry into the alleged violation of the Fair-Wage Clause by Messrs. A. and J. Inglis, Pointhouse, in the pay of their labourers?

Inquiry was made last December into the question of the rate current in this district for unskilled labour, but after reference to the Board of Trade the Admiralty came to the conclusion on the evidence then available that the firm in question had not been proved to have failed to comply with the requirements of the Fair-Wages Clause. Later the Admiralty asked for further evidence in support of the contention advanced that the rate current in the district was higher than that paid by Messrs. Inglis. So far no further evidence on this point has been obtained, and the Admiralty are therefore not in a position to take any action in the matter.

Have the Admiralty made inquiries with regard to the wages paid for similar labour in other yards?

We have.

Is it the fact that other shipbuilding firms in this district pay higher wages to their labourers?