asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the duration of the interval between the con- clusion of the Committee stage and the commencement of the Report stage of the National Insurance Bill; and if he can arrange that a reprint of the Bill, as amended, may be at the disposal of the Members of the House within a day or two of the termination of the proceedings in Committee?

As I have already announced, our intention of taking the Scottish Land Bill on Friday, the two last days in Committee for the National Insurance Bill will be Monday and Tuesday next. I will give due notice of the date upon which the Report stage will be taken, but meantime I would call the hon. Member's attention to the fact that every morning the Clauses, as amended on the previous day, are circulated with the Votes. Arrangements will be made to have the full Bill circulated at the earliest moment on the completion of the Committee stage.

asked if the righ hon. Gentleman can state when he will put down the Amendment promised by the Government to alter the present provisions of the National Insurance Bill under which the contributions paid by insured contributors are forfeited in the event of their salaries being raised above £160 per annum?

The Amendment in question must be made on Report, and will not be tabled until the Committee stage is completed. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that the point will not be lost sight of.

How is it possible to consider this question adequately during the Committee stage unless we know what Amendments are going to be introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Report stage?

The question will be considered on the Report stage.

How will it be possible to move Amendments on the Report stage if the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Amendments are inadequate from our point of view?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would put down any Government Amendments after the Committee stage of the Insurance Bill as soon as possible, so that Members may have some chance of considering the amended Bill before the Report stage comes on in the House?

No avoidable delay will be allowed to occur in this respect, but the hon. Member will recognise that the preparation of the Amendments will be a task of some considerable magnitude and intricacy for which time cannot be found while there are still Amendments to be prepared and considered in the Committee stage.

In view of the fact that the Government have put down new Clauses and Amendments to an enormous extent at very short notice, will the right hon. Gentleman promise to give a full week between the end of the Committee stage and the Report stage for the consideration of what is practically a new Bill?

That is not a matter under my control.

When will the Report stage be taken?

That I am unable to say.

asked what would be the position under the National Insurance Bill of a teacher in a secondary school who, having commenced service at a salary of £120 a year, attains to a salary of £250?

My right hon. Friend has now under consideration the question of the position of secondary teachers in relation to the Insurance Bill.

Am I to understand that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will put down an Amendment dealing with this question?

Yes, if necessary.

asked whether, in view of the fact that there are over 4,000 assistant masters and over 4,500 head and assistant mistresses in secondary schools receiving annual salaries of less than £160, and that many of them have the prospect hereafter of receiving salaries in excess of this amount, he will make provision in the National Insurance Bill against the loss by secondary school teachers in such event of the benefit of their weekly contributions, or, alternatively, exempt them altogether from the operation of the Bill, substituting a State-aided superannuation or pension fund, as in the case of elementary school teachers?

I will refer the hon. Member to the answer that I have just given to the hon. Member for London University.

When is it proposed to translate consideration into action in this matter?

Will they lose their benefits of their weekly contributions if their salary rises above the limit?

Hon. Members had better wait until the Amendments are put down.

Does that apply also to the higher branches of the Civil Service?

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state to what date it is now proposed to defer the commencement of the National Insurance Bill after becoming an Act of Parliament?

I am not in a position at present to give a definite date. There are many considerations that have to be taken into account.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is most necessary in country districts to have time to arrange the grouping of the societies?

Yes, I quite recognise that.

asked the Chancellor whether, in accordance with his reply to the Irish national teachers' deputation in August, 1910, he would, when introducing legislation for the readjustment of salaries and pensions, also make provision for teachers who are being compelled to retire under the present age limit rule, so that they may come under the benefits of his new promised pension scheme?

I cannot make any statement now as to the details of any scheme that may be adopted as a result of the consideration of this matter.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the fact that whereas, under the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909, Sections 14 and 15, the landlord is made liable for repairs to houses of a rental value in London of £40, in boroughs or urban districts with a population of 50,000 and upwards of £26, and elsewhere of £16, he is only entitled to relief from Income Tax under Section 69 of The Finance Act, 1910, in respect of repairs to houses not exceeding the annual value of £8; and whether he is prepared to extend the relief granted by the last-named Section at least in respect of those houses which the landlord can be compelled to maintain and repair under the former Act?

Where the landlord of a house bears the cost of repairs an allowance of one-sixth of the annual value is already made under the Finance Act of 1894 to cover this cost. The special considerations which led to the grant of an increased allowance in the case of houses of an annual value not exceeding £8 do not apply in the case of the class of houses to which the hon. Member refers.

Is it proposed to do away with the anomalies existing between these two Acts in reference to this matter?

The hon. Member must give me notice.

asked what was the amount of Licence Duties collected under each of the different classes of licences in Ireland, including wholesale and brewers' licences, for the financial years ending March, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911, respectively?

The information desired by the hon. Member is given in the 50th (Cd. Paper 3686), the 51st (Cd. Paper 4226), and the 52nd (Cd. Paper 4868) Reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and in the 1st (Cd. Paper 5302) and 2nd (Cd. Paper 5827) Reports of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.

asked (1) if the right hon. Gentleman will state what is the Excise Duty on a gallon of industrial alcohol manufactured in this country, and what is the Customs Duty on a gallon of industrial alcohol imported from abroad; (2) if he will state what is the Excise Duty on a gallon of methylated spirit manufactured in this country, and what is the Customs Duty on a gallon of methylated spirit imported from abroad?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the two kinds of methylated spirit, generally known as "industrial" and "mineralised." No Excise Duty is charged on spirits methylated in this country. No spirit other than that prepared in this country under the prescribed regulations is recognised by the Revenue authorities as methylated spirit. There is no special rate of Customs Duty on methylated spirit, and, if imported, it would pay the full Spirit Duty. Consequently no methylated spirit is imported from abroad.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that in 1906 the 3d. Home Duty was taken off industrial alcohol?

The hon. Member must put down his question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether county councils who have borrowed money to acquire land for small holdings are required to include in the rent payable by the tenant the amount necessary each year for the repayment of the purchase money of the holdings?

Legal opinion is divided on the subject, and in practice some local authorities include in the rent the annual instalment required for the repayment of the purchase money and others do not.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Swine Fever Order, 1911, will impose expense amounting to £1,000 a year on an agricultural county like Shropshire; and if he can state what assistance will be given out of the Exchequer to local authorities on whom this duty is imposed to carry out the recommendation of the Departmental Committee?

I have no means of testing the accuracy of the Estimate referred to in the first part of the question. As the hon. Member is aware, the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, requires that the Orders of the Board shall be executed and enforced by the local authority, and there is therefore no prospect that any contribution towards the expenses will be made by the Treasury.

Do the Government intend to ignore the unanimous recommendations of the Departmental Committee?

I am not aware that the Government have ignored those recommendations, but I am looking into the whole question, and if the hon. Member will put down a question at some future date I will give him a full answer.

Are we to understand that the question is not definitely settled?

There is no prospect that any contribution towards the expenses can be made by the Treasury.

Then what is the object of the inquiry?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can now give the constitution of the Committee to inquire into the causes of the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, and state when it will be appointed and the terms of reference?

also asked when the right hon. Gentleman proposes to constitute the Departmental Committee on foot-and-mouth disease, and to announce to the House the names of its members and the terms of the reference to it?

The Committee will consist of twelve members, who have been requested to inquire into the circumstances of the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and to consider whether any further measures can be adopted to prevent their recurrence. The right hon. Sir Ailwyn Fellowes has consented to act as Chairman of the Committee. The following are the other members who have consented to serve:—The hon. Member for South Wilts, Mr. Richardson Carr, of Tring, Hertfordshire; Major E. Marten Dunne, of Gatley Park, Kingsland, Herefordshire; the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin; the hon. Member for Barkston Ash; the hon. Member for Carmarthenshire West; Mr. E. E. Morrison, of Bonnytown, Stravithie, Fifeshire; Mr. E. P. Nunneley, of Wellingborough; the hon. Member for the Newmarket Division of Cambridgeshire; and the hon. Member for North Bucks. I am endeavouring also to secure the assistance of a member of the Central Chamber of Agriculture. The veterinary and administrative officers of the Board will give the Committee every assistance. I desire, however, to arrange for the prosecution at the same time of an expert scientific inquiry into the more obscure characteristics of the disease, an inquiry which this Committee cannot be expected themselves to undertake. I am informed that the Indian Empire, where the disease is more prevalent than is, happily, the case in this country, affords a wide field for an investigation of this specialised character. I am in communication with the India Office on the subject, and I hope that it may be found possible to arrange with the Indian Government for the constitution of a small Scientific Commission consisting of two experts from this country, with whom may be associated, if the Indian Government approve, an equal number of experts appointed by them, to visit India and to study in that country the characteristics of the disease, its etiology, the means by which it is contracted and spread, and practicable means of prevention. I am aware of the difficulties which may beset the further inquiry which I propose to set on foot; but I believe that the great interests of this country in valuable livestock, and of India also, justify a more thorough scientific investigation than has been made up to the present. I am convinced that by these means we shall most effectively mitigate the loss and inconvenience suffered not only by agriculturists, but also by those whose business transactions are hampered by the restrictions which these outbreaks make it necessary to impose upon the free movement of agricultural produce.

Will it be possible for the Departmental Committee to take evidence from the chief veterinary officer of the Board and other officials of his Department?

Oh, yes, certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the liabilities now being contracted in Ireland by the Law Integrity Insurance Company, the National United Insurance Society, Limited, the Irish Provident Assurance Company in gremio, and the Guardian Bank, Limited, as guarantor for Ireland's Life Assurance Society, if he can ascertain and state the amount of capital available and secured to meet the liabilities of each of those bodies?

According to the balance sheet of the Law Integrity Insurance Company, Limited, which has been issued to the shareholders of that company, the assets available to meet its liabilities at the 30th June, 1911, consisted of: Investments, £6,417; furniture and stationery, £907; outstanding premiums and agents' balances, £1,141; loans on policies and amounts due from other companies, £907; and cash at bank and in hand, £996; there were also unpaid calls or uncalled capital amounting to £1,988. The National United Insurance Society, Limited, is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, and according to the statutory return for the year 1910, the assets available to meet the liabilities of the society consisted of: Cash at bank and in hand, £287; office furniture and stationery, £118; amount owing by members for premiums, £356; and capital on shares issued but no paid, £1,712. The Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, is being wound up under an order of the Irish Courts, and the Board of Trade have no information as to the assets of that company. According to the balance sheet of the Guardian Bank, Limited, which has been filed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, the assets of the company available to meet its liabilities at the 30th June, 1911, consisted of: Cash at bank and in hand, £1,746; advances to customers, £4,731; and furniture, home safes, and stationery, £1,488. There were also on that date uncalled capital and unpaid calls amounting to £6,370.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the bogus character of the second and fourth of these bodies, they will be allowed to continue?

I must ask for notice of that.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the managing director of the Guardian Bank has sent a letter to the President of the Board of Trade denying the statement made by the hon. Gentleman that the Guardian Bank is guarantee for any society but the bank itself?

I am not aware of that. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what available assets, if any, exist to meet the liabilities now being contracted throughout Ireland by the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society, and by Ireland's Life Assurance Collecting Society; and, if he is not aware of any capital secured for this purpose, whether the persons collecting money under those names will be allowed to continue?

According to the annual returns of these societies for 1910—the last year for which information is available and the first complete year of existence of these two societies—their assets were as follows:—

United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society	£76	11	7
Ireland's Life Assurance Collecting Society	£481	7	6

The returns did not show any capital secured for the purpose of meeting liabilities. I am advised that the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies has no legal power to prevent the persons collecting contributions for these societies from continuing to do so.

Is there any intention of amending the law in order to give the inspector power to do what is absolutely necessary?

I am not convinced it is necessary to give that power to the Registrar of Friendly Societies.

asked, in view of the facts that policyholders of the Irish Provident Assurance Company are too poor to be professionally represented in the proceedings for winding up that company, with the result that only an ex-parte view of the matter is obtained, whether the Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland will be present or represented in the further winding-up proceedings, endeavour to accelerate them, and will ask the Court, pending the result of those proceedings, to restrain the directors who brought the policy holders into their present condition from carrying on the same business under the same name, amalgamated with that of the London and Provincial Company, employing the same agents and organisation to collect money, and using the same Dublin office with the official liquidator?

I am informed by the Attorney-General that he has no right to appear or to be represented in the matter of the winding up of the Irish Provident Assurance Company now pending in the Court of Chancery. The Attorney-General has, however, kept himself informed of the proceedings in that matter, and has no reason to think that they have been, or will be, unnecessarily delayed. The directors of the company and the official liquidator come under the jurisdiction of the Court, and the Irish Government are not entitled to interfere.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will ascertain and say what amount of the policy holders' money has been set aside or earmarked to cover the cost of winding up the Irish Provident Assurance Company; how much of it goes to the official liquidator; how he is paid; what time limit is imposed; and whether it is usual to allow an official liquidator to work for six months in an office in which other work is being done which the Court has declared to be illegal?

The question of the hon. Member deals with matters over which the Irish Government have no control. The allocation of moneys in the matter of the winding up of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, the remuneration of the liquidator, and the conditions in which he carries on the business of his office, are within the jurisdiction of the Court, and it would be manifestly improper of the Government to make the inquiries suggested by the hon. Member.

Are the Irish Government aware that the company is carrying on business at the present time in conjunction with another?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

It is a fact.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will ascertain and say why the Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland has taken no action on the decision of the Court that certain policies of the Irish Provident Assurance Company were life policies, contrary to statute and to that company's articles of association, and on that company's practice of instructing their agents to cease calling for premiums, and then treating all the premiums paid as forfeited to them and the policies as lapsed, and on the conduct of the directors in first depreciating their trust property and then transferring it to themselves as directors of another company; and whether he will allow those men to prolong the winding-up proceedings indefinitely while they are victimising poor people by similar tactics?

The decision of the Court that certain policies issued by the Irish Provident Assurance Company were contrary to statute and the company's articles of association does not, in the opinion of the Attorney-General, necessarily involve the directors or agents of the company in criminal liability, but, if the inquiries which are now proceeding result in furnishing materials for a criminal prosecution proceedings will be taken against the parties who may appear to be liable.

Has the Attorney-General for Ireland given any opinion on the transactions stated in the question, the depreciating of their trust property, and then transferring it to themselves under another name?

I do not know that he has. He is watching the inquiries that are taking place in a Court of Justice, and if, in his opinion, those inquiries show a case for criminal prosecution he will not hesitate to institute it.

The particular Clause to which I direct attention has appeared on the Paper three times. Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions on that particular Clause?

No, Sir. I am not at all disposed to interfere with judicial proceedings now pending in the Courts in Ireland.

These are not judicial proceedings at all; they are financial proceedings of a dishonest character.

asked why the Lidgett colliery at Tankersley has been shut down; whether the collieries in the north-eastern area, commonly known as the Furness area, are being worked at a loss; and whether they are likely to shut down?

I have no other information than that published in the newspapers.

asked whether the Clause in the Coal Mines Bill prohibiting women's work at the pit brow is to be deleted; if so, at what date; whether the restriction to prohibit tub-shoving will affect the women more adversely than the original Clause; and whether the evidence of the doctors is that tub-shoving cannot possibly be harmful to the women's health, seeing that they start the tub with a push of one hand?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. It is the intention of the Government to move on the Report stage of the Bill the omission of the provision which was inserted in Committee, prohibiting the employment of women, other than those already employed, on the surface of mines; and to propose that this class of employment shall be subject to certain conditions with the object of safeguarding so far as may be necessary the health of the workers. The question of the conditions necessary is now under consideration, and I am not in a position at present to make any statement. Representations have been made to me in regard to the employment of women in pushing tubs, which will receive attention, but I may say that I am advised that it is not by any means always the case that a tub can be started with a mere push of one hand.

Will the right hon. Gentleman before making these regulations inquire from the local medical officers who attend these women, so that the regulations may be fair to them?

I will bear in mind what the hon. Member says.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the arrange- ments made by the Great Southern and Western Railway to deal with the traffic on the occasion of the November fair at Thurles were so inadequate that it was necessary to hold over 100 wagons of cattle and horses until next day; and whether, seeing that such negligence on the part of the company in failing to provide, facilities is detrimental to the interests of the cattle and horse trade, he will take steps to prevent its recurrence?

I have asked the railway company for their observations on the hon. Member's question, and I will communicate with him on receipt of their reply.

asked whether, in view of the Report of the Departmental Committee (Coroners) published in 1910, and the evidence afforded by coroners' inquests held on infants and children that great dangers arise from the use of inflammable kinds of flannelette, the Government is prepared to take steps to prevent the sale of flannelette which does not conform to a standard test, to be prescribed by Government, as to non-inflammability?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. No steps to prevent or regulate the sale of inflammable flannelette could be taken without legislation for the purpose, and I cannot hold out any immediate hope of the Government undertaking legislation on this subject. The Committee considered the question of establishing a standard test, but regarded the suggestion as impracticable.

asked if the import of motor cars from the United States of America is increasing at a rate that is affecting the sales of the cheaper kind of English-made cars; and whether the American cars are delivered here at cost price or below cost price?

There has been a considerable increase in the importation of motor cars from the United States of America, and no doubt these cars enter into competition with the cheaper descriptions of British-built cars. The average declared value of cars imported from the United States of America during the first nine months of this year was £164, but I have no information showing that this average declared value, which is the wholesale value exclusive of retailers' profits or agents' commission, is less than the American factory cost.

Are inquiries being made at what price these cars are being sold in the United States?

I am not aware that inquiries have been made. I will ask the question.

Has the hon. Gentleman made any allowance for the number of cars brought over for private use and taken back again?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the average life of American and English motor cars?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that two and three-quarter times the rate of wages are paid for making these cars in America than is paid in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the hardships sometimes suffered by farmers by the non-delivery to them by a railway company of the approximate quantity of manure or other goods alleged to have been delivered to the company, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to substitute for the usual consignment note a bill of lading for land, as well as for sea, carriage, which besides being quasi-negotiable would be in the hands of the consignee a document of title and impose upon the carrier the obligation to deliver the goods in accordance with the particulars contained in the bill and to the amount described therein?

The conditions of carriage by rail and carriage by sea are very different, and my right hon. Friend is not sure of the expediency of adopting the system of bills of lading in respect of traffic conveyed by land; more especially does it seem doubtful whether negotiable bills of lading are desirable in case of traffic by rail.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware such bills of lading are in use in many countries on the Continent?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that negotiations between the directors of the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway Company and the directors of the North British Railway Company have come to a deadlock and that traffic on the Invergarry Railway has been suspended; if he is aware of the sum offered by the North British Railway Company for the line; and if, under the circumstances, he will endeavour, by arbitration or otherwise, to get the two companies to arrive at an agreement so that this well-equipped railway may not become derelict?

I am aware that the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway was closed last month, after lengthy negotiations between the parties concerned, in which the Board of Trade assisted so far as they were able. I fear the Board have for the moment exhausted their good offices in the matter, and cannot usefully intervene further.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider whether legislation could be introduced to meet a case of this kind?

I should think it exceedingly unlikely.

Will the Government consider the advisability of buying this railway, and thus beginning the nationalisation of railways?

asked how much of the £650,000 received from Land Value Duties since the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, was collected from the tax on mineral royalties, from land increment value, and from Undeveloped Land Duty respectively?

The figure given by the hon. Member represents the amount of Land Values Duties paid into the Exchequer up to 30th September. The sum of £650,000 is made up approximately as follows:—

Increment Value Duty	…	£1,000
Undeveloped Land Duty	…	£12,000
Reversion Duty	…	£7,000
Mineral Rights Duty	…	£630,000
		£650,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received from the central office at the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolution of the association recommending the adoption of various regulations respecting hygiene in printing works and type foundries; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?

I have received through the British section of the association a communication calling any attention to the resolution referred to in the question. The general powers which are given by the Factory Act are found sufficient at present to deal with the conditions of employment in printing works in this country, and the need for additional regulations has not yet been established. The recommendations, however, of the association have been noted and the British Section has been so informed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the central office of the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolution of the association recommending certain principles for the regulation of work in caissons; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?

I have received through the British section of the association a communication calling my attention to the resolution referred to in the question. There is no power at present to make regulations in regard to caisson work, but the question has been engaging the attention of the Home Office, and proposals to give the Department power to deal with this and some other matters in connection with works of construction were contained in the Buildings and Engineering Works Bill, which has been introduced in some previous Sessions. The recommendations of the association have been noted, and will be considered in the event of the Bill becoming law.

further asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the central office of the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolu- tion of the association recommending that the use of lead paints and colours should be prohibited for interior work, and that all receptacles containing lead should be required to be clearly marked to that effect; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?

I have received through the British section of the association a communication calling my attention to the resolution referred to in the question. The question of the use of lead in paints is now being investigated by two Departmental Committees, and I do not propose to take any action in the matter pending the receipt of their reports. In any case, further legislation would be necessary before effect could be given to the recommendation of the association that the use of lead should be prohibited for interior work. I have informed the British section that the recommendations have been noted.

also asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the central office of the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolution of the association recommending that the use of lead glaze should be prohibited in the manufacture of china and earthenware fired at a high temperature; that in the manufacture of earthenware fired at a low temperature a list of articles should be drawn up for which no lead should be allowed; that occupiers should be assisted by the Government in making experiments into the use of lead glazes; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?

I have received through the British section of the association a communication calling my attention to the resolution referred to in the question. The question of the use of lead in the manufacture of pottery has recently been the subject of an exhaustive investigation in this country by a Departmental Committee, who did not see their way to recommend restrictions on the use of lead as suggested by the association, but submitted instead proposals for more stringent regulation of the conditions of employment, which the Home Office are taking steps to bring into effect. The conclusions of the Committee must, I think, in the present state of knowledge on this subject, be accepted as final.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the Imperial Chancellor in the German Reichstag, on Thursday last, to the effect that before the "Panther" reached Agadir the British and other Governments were officially informed of the expedition; that they were at the same time informed that Germany's action was not directed to any territorial seizure in Morocco; that after the Mansion House speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 21st July, the German Government informed the British Government that the negotiations pending with France in no way affected British interests, and that if the British Government thought otherwise they were invited to communicate through the usual diplomatic channels; that the British Government made no reply, and expressed no desire to take part in the negotiations; whether, in view of these official statements, the Government will explain whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer's speech was made with the full approval of the Government, and, if so, what was the justification for the speech, and why was no reply made to the German representations on this subject; and whether, in view of the feeling in both countries, he will take an early opportunity of explaining the attitude of His Majesty's Government in the situation that has arisen?

The hon. Member's inquiry covers a number of matters of gravity and delicacy with which it is impossible to deal adequately in answer to a question. The Foreign Secretary will make a full statement in the debate which will shortly take place: I hope in next week.

Is it not a menace to peace that such questions should be asked in this House?

I would rather not express an opinion on that point.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in the Scottish education discussion, arranged for on the adjournment of the House on Tuesday, the 7th instant, a count was moved, and the House adjourned in the middle of the reply of the Lord Advocate to the various points raised; and whether, in these circumstances, a further opportunity will be given to the Lord Advocate to reply to the criticisms of the Scottish Education Department?

I understand that on the occasion in question the Lord Advocate had almost finished his reply, and that previously there had been a very full discussion upon the allocation of the Education Fund. As the Minute is now in operation, I do not think that any good purpose is to be gained by another discussion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member who moved the count was a Coronation baronet?

Would it not have been more equitable to the rights of minorities, which are too small to keep a House and which consequently frequently suffer great hardship from the Government to have kept a House, so as to give them an opportunity of discussing what has long been felt to be a gross injustice?

I think the Government acted very fairly. They gave the time asked for, and if the House was not kept it was not their fault.

But when a small minority of Scotch Members receive no support from any other part of the House would it not have been more equitable and just for the Government to have acted for them and given them fair play?

I think they had nearly two hours.

Was the count moved at the instigation of anyone but the hon. Baronet who moved it?

It is contrary to practice to call attention to the name of the hon. Member who moves a count. It is quite competent for an hon. Member to call attention to the fact there is not a quorum, but it is not usual to mention his name: it is not done in the Press.

asked the Prime Minister why, in view of the fact that the Government do not intend to lay it down as a general rule affecting all workers under the Government's control that no variation in wages will be granted pending the result of the Board of Trade inquiry, it has none the less been decided to withhold any increases in the Post Office wages until this result has become known; and will he give the reasons for this preferential treatment?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. There will be no change of practice respecting alterations of wages in the Post Office on account of the fact that the Board of Trade inquiry is proceeding.

Is it proposed to give preferential treatment in this matter to questions chiefly affecting Post Office employés over other Government employés?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has sanctioned any statement to the effect that it is not intended to accede to the requests contained in the prison warders' petition?

I have not sanctioned this or any other statement on the subject. The Prison Commissioners have been inquiring into the prison warders' petitions, and I have only now received their Report.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was so stated in the Press on the 4th November on the authority of a Home Office official? Has he taken any steps to inquire who that official was?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman I know nothing whatever of the matter. But, if any such statement appeared in the Press, it is not true.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the sentence of three months' imprisonment passed upon H. Boulter, at Bow Street Police Court on Friday last; whether this man was arrested at his place of business on Friday morning, taken to the police court and charged the same day, and sentenced as stated above; and what was the nature of this man's offence, and why it was necessary to proceed against him by way of a warrant and not by a summons?

Owing to the grave disorder caused by the provocative language used by this man on Streatham Common on the 15th instant, it became necessary for the police in the interest of public order to take proceedings to prevent a repetition of it on the following Sunday. A warrant was issued because it was necessary to take action immediately. He was called on to find sureties for his good behaviour or in default to go to prison for three months. I have received no representations on his behalf, and have no reason to doubt the ample justification for the proceedings taken against him.

Is it the law of the country that because he uses certain language a man may be proceeded against on the morning of one day and in the afternoon taken before a magistrate, given no opportunity of consulting a legal adviser or any friend, and be summarily called upon to find a surety for £400 or else go to prison for three months?

On the question of law I am informed there was no defect in the legal proceedings. On the question of merit I am quite satisfied justice was done.

I beg to give notice that on the Motion for adjournment I shall call attention to this matter.

asked if the decrease in the number of persons in receipt of poor relief has been accompanied by any marked decrease in the expenditure or in the rates levied for that purpose?

Materials are not yet available for a detailed reply to this question, but the returns of expenditure on the relief of the poor for the last half-year which are now being received indicate that there has been a considerable decrease in the cost of out-relief.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that old age pensioners are being admitted to union hospitals and maintained and treated therein at the cost of local rates, and are at the same time considered eligible to receive the old age pension, which is either allowed to accumulate to be drawn on discharge from the institution or is paid to some person by authority of the pensioners, such person being allowed, with the pensioner's consent, to appropriate the pension to his own use and benefit; and whether he will introduce legislation to provide that persons shall not be eligible to receive the pension during any period in which they are being wholly maintained at the cost of local rates in a Poor Law institution, or that the guardians shall be empowered to appropriate the pension in part payment of maintenance?

Under the Statutory Regulations issued under the Old Age Pension Acts, an agent, who must be definitely appointed by the pensioner, and may be an officer of the guardians, can only draw the pension on a written undertaking to pay the amount to the pensioner forthwith, and, under Section 16 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1849, guardians have considerable powers of recovering the cost of relief of the kind referred to from moneys coming into the possession of the recipient while in the infirmary. The class of cases to which the hon. Member refers is in any case not a numerous one, and in the circumstances explained does not appear to me to present much difficulty except in cases where the pension is allowed to accumulate pending discharge, and this difficulty has been met to some extent by the provisions of Section 5 (b) of the Old Age Pensions Act of this year, making it impossible so to accumulate a pension for a period of more than three months. The question was considered in connection with the preparation of the Old Age Pensions Bill introduced by my predecessor earlier in this Session, when it was decided to take no action, and I regret that I am not now prepared to introduce legislation on the lines suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Lord Advocate, with reference to the Scottish deputation at Dover House on the 2nd instant, and seeing that a Return is in existence giving the expenses in other details of similar deputations in the past, if he can explain why it is impossible in the present instance for him to give an estimate of the expenses falling on the ratepayers of Scotland for the deputation in question; and could he also state the approximate number present from Scotland on that occasion, excluding Members from this House; may I also ask, as the Scottish Office seem to be unaware of the Return in question, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the expenses of the deputations from Scotland for five years was £37,500, or an annual average of £7,500, and whether he does not think that the annual average will be much increased this year if the practice of receiving deputations goes on?

The hon. Member had better hear the answer.

By applying to the local authorities concerned after their accounts have been made up, it would no doubt be possible to obtain a statement of the actual expenses occasioned by the deputation referred to. My hon. Friend asks me for an estimate. That, however, I should not be justified in making; and I see no sufficient reason for calling for another Return, considering that the general Return for Scotland referred to was issued in 1909. The approximate number of the deputation on the occasion referred to, excluding Members of this House, was about eighty.

Am I to understand that the expenses of each individual are about £10, so that the expense of this deputation was about £800. Is it worth while to encourage such expenditure for the result obtained? Will the right hon. Gentleman grant a continuation of the Return if I put a Motion on the Paper?

I will see, if my hon. Friend will be so good as to give me notice.

I will.

asked the number and the nature of the deputations from Scotland which were received at Dover House during the week beginning Monday 30th October and the respective dates on which they were received?

During the week mentioned the following deputations from Scotland were received by the Secretary for Scotland and myself at Dover House:—On Monday, 30th October, a deputation of about thirty persons, and on Tuesday, 31st October, a deputation of about thirty-five persons, representative in each case of the Corporation of Glasgow and a number of parish councils and others with reference to the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Bill; on Wednesday, 1st November, a deputation of about twenty-four persons representing the County Councils Association and the Convention of Royal Burghs with reference to the National Insurance Bill; on Thursday, 2nd November, a deputation of about eighty persons representing the various educational authorities in Scotland with reference to the Allocation of the Education (Scotland) Fund. The numbers I have just given relate to the deputations and do not include the Members of Parliament who accompanied them.

May we take it that this sort of thing has been going on every week during the Autumn Session?

No, Sir. The hon. Member may not take that as a fact.

I beg to give notice that I will put a question to prove that I am nearly correct.

Was it at the request of the Scottish Office that these large deputations came from Scotland, and can the right hon. Gentleman say if it would not be better if they went to Edinburgh?

It was not at the request of the Scottish Office. They themselves requested that they should be received in London, and that the meeting should take place after the assembling of Parliament.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the fact that postmen at Oxford post-office were employed last July on the duties of sorting clerks when no overtime was being performed by sorting clerks and telegraphists; and, if so, is this a contravention of the declared policy of the Government?

As I informed the Noble Lord the Member for Oxford on the 2nd instant, there has been some misapprehension at Oxford on the subject of the employment of postmen as substitutes for sorting clerks and telegraphists, and steps have now been taken to put matters on a proper footing.

asked if factory inspectors have been, or are about to be, appointed under the new Indian Factory Act; and, if so, how many Indians have been appointed to such positions?

The new Factory Act will not come into force until 1st July, 1912. The question of strengthening the inspection staff in the different provinces is engaging the attention of the Government of India, but no proposals have as yet been received by the Secretary of State.

Will the suggestion made in the latter part of the question—the appointment of Indians to the position of factory inspectors—be taken into consideration?

It is not yet quite certain that any new inspectors will be necessary. The attention of the Government will be first directed to getting satisfactory inspection of factories. No differentiation will be made between the races.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware of the hardships arising from the exercise by the managers of non-provided schools of the power given them by Sub-section (7), Clause 3, of the Education Act of 1902, to dismiss teachers on religious grounds without any right of appeal to the education authority; and whether his Department has under consideration such an alteration of the law as will secure for public school teachers a right of appeal to a public authority?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 2nd November to a similar question put by my hon. Friend the Member for the Colne Valley Division, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have approached Colonel Wood Martin, of Cleveragh, Sligo, with the view to the purchase of his estate, situate in the townlands of Killery, Bally-somaghaun, and Ballinakill, county Sligo; and, if not, will they do so, in view of the congestion on this estate?

The Congested Districts Board communicated with the agent of this estate, and were informed that the owner did not see his way to negotiate for a sale through them, but that he was willing to sell direct to his tenants on reasonable terms?

asked whether Colonel M'Clintock, of Dunmore, Carrigans, Londonderry, over twelve months ago offered his estate for sale to the Congested Districts Board, the estate situate in Coolock, Riverstown, county Sligo; and, if so, whether negotiations are now taking place in regard to the purchase of this property?

The estate referred to has not yet been offered for sale through the Congested Districts Board. The Board will now communicate with the owner.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the tenantry on the M'Loughry estate, situate in Clog-hogue, Tamplevanny, East Division, and union of Boyle (No. 2), the owner of which is Palmer M'Loughry, Esq., Riverstown, Ballymote, county Sligo, have appealed to the landlord for the purchase of their holdings under the Act of 1909; whether the landlord has refused to negotiate with the tenants; and, if not, whether action will be taken by the Congested Districts Board so that a sale may be brought about?

The Congested Districts Board have no knowledge of the negotiations between owner and tenants for sale of this estate under the Act of 1909. The Board communicated with the owner asking whether he proposed to negotiate for a sale of his estate through them, but so far no definite reply has been received.

In view of the state of discontent in the poor county of Sligo by reason of the fact that most of the estates are sold while others will not be offered for sale at all, will the Congested Districts Board take action?

Yes, they have asked the owner whether he will sell, and have received no reply. They are pressing for a reply.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an arrangement between the tenants on the Buchanan estate, Ballinaglera, county Leitrim, and the landlord was made for the sale of the estate in July, 1909, but, owing to the death of the landlord, it has fallen through and the tenants are now being sued for all arrears of rent; and whether, having regard to these facts, the Congested Districts Board will intervene with a view of bringing about the sale of this estate and others yet unsold in the district?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that if the estate referred to is that of Mrs. Catherine J. Buchanan and others, townland of Annagh Lower, the Board in April, 1910, gave their consent to the completion of its purchase by the Estates Commissioners. The estate comprises some 167 acres of tenanted and nine acres of untenanted lands. The owner instituted formal proceedings for its sale to the Estates Commissioners in August, 1909, and the estate will be dealt with in order of priority. In the meantime the Commissioners cannot interfere with any steps which the owner may have taken to recover any rents due.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Patrick Feehily, of Coonalaghta, county Leitrim, was granted an old age pension by the Manonhamilton sub-committee, but on appeal it was disallowed by the Local Government Board; and whether, having regard to the fact that Feehily produced affidavits from old age pensioners that he was over seventy years, that he was the fourth child of the family, and not the fifth, as stated in the Census of 1851, the Local Government Board will reconsider this application?