asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table the text of the Secret Treaty of 1904 between France and Spain on the affairs of Morocco, also the texts of any other agreements between France and Spain referring to Morocco known to His Majesty's Government, together with the communications which passed between the Governments of France and Spain and His Majesty's Government in reference to these treaties?

I have already promised to lay before Parliament the Convention between France and Spain of 1904 with regard to Morocco, and I hope to do so shortly. I will also lay any agreements between France and Spain with regard to Morocco which the Governments of those two countries make public. I am not prepared to lay any further Papers at present.

asked whether the British Government has been asked to support the French Goevrnment in any negotiations with the Government of Spain having for their object to induce Spain to surrender any rights in Morocco guaranteed to her under the Secret Treaty of 1904, or any other treaty with the British Government; and, if so, what has been the reply of the British Government?

I can make no statement about actual or prospective negotiations between Franco and Spain. Whatever part His Majesty's Government may take in them will have due regard to the Agreements of 1904, in which all three countries are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic has issued a circular forbidding all export of provisions across the frontier of Tunis into Tripoli, while a large trade is carried on from Tunis to Tripoli by sea in provisions for the Italian troops; whether any protests against this breach of neutrality or against any other breaches of neutrality have been received from the Government of Turkey; and, if so, whether he will lay them upon the Table of the House?

I have no knowledge of the circular in question, nor have the Ottoman Government made any representation to His Majesty's Government on this subject.

asked whether the published regulations impose any restrictions based on racial considerations on the admission of candidiates for the public service in the French and Dutch Colonies in the East?

In accordance with the promise given to the hon. Member the day before yesterday, I am making inquiries of His Majesty's representatives at Paris and The Hague on the subject. There has not been time for a reply to be received.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with me when the reply is received?

Yes, certainly; I will let the hon. Member know.

asked whether any communication has been received from the Russian Government suggesting a restoration of the ex-Shah of Persia?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether an indemnity will be extorted from Persia by Russia for the cost of the advance of Russian soldiers to Teheran; if so, what the amount of that indemnity will be; and whether any indemnity is being demanded from Persia by Great Britain for the cost of the British military force now in Southern Persia?

The Russian demands were enumerated in the answer returned to the hon. Member for Burnley on the 4th instant. So far as I am aware, no specific sum has been named. The reply to the last point is in the negative.

asked whether the Persian Government, acting upon the advice of His Majesty's Government, agreed to the terms of the first Russian ultimatum on the understanding that fresh Russian troops would not be landed on Persian soil; whether an assurance to this effect was given by His Majesty's Government, and it was only in consequence of shortness of time that this assurance failed; whether the Persian Government were willing to discuss the terms of the second ultimatum if reasonable time were given; and whether His Majesty's Government made any representations to the Russian Government to ask that further time should be given?

The Persian Government were informed that we had every reason to believe that, if the terms of the first Russian ultimatum were complied with, the Russian troops would be withdrawn; and they were advised to act without loss of time; but no assurance was given. This was on the 20th of November. On the 21st of November the Persian. Government decided to comply with the demands. On the 23rd we were informed that the Treasury gendarmes could not be withdrawn for four or five days. The British Minister repeatedly urged that every day's delay lessened the chance of the withdrawal of the Russian troops. The demands were eventually complied with on the 24th. Meanwhile the Russian troops had landed in Persia; Mr. Shuster's attacks upon the Russian Government had been circulated in Persia; and the Russian Minister had been instructed to warn the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, when he proposed to pay the visit of apology, that the Russian Government would have to put forward further demands. The reply to the third question is that the Persian Government replied in this sense: Any statement of communications that have passed between the Russian Government and ourselves can be dealt with only in discussing the question as a whole, for which there will be opportunities here and in another place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to state on what evidence he made the statement that Mr. Shuster or the Persian Government was responsible for the circulation of the pamphlet?

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to give me notice of that.

Can the Russian Government interfere in Irish questions?

asked whether the Russian troops are marching on Teheran, the capital of Persia; and how do His Majesty's Government reconcile the demands which they are to enforce upon the Persian Government—namely, that the Persian Government shall obtain the consent of Russia and Great Britain to the appointments of foreign advisers—with the terms of the Anglo-Russian Convention safeguarding the independence of Persia as a sovereign State?

The Russian troops have left Enzeli, but have not reached Teheran. The demand in question involves no new departure in practice, but is in accordance with that which has been pursued at Teheran ever since the Agreement was signed.

Does His Majesty's Government consider that anything the Russian Government have done during the last few months has been a contravention of the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Agreement?

I must ask the hon. Member to leave general questions of that kind to be dealt with when I make the general statement which has been promised on the question as a whole, a statement which has been promised not only here, but in another place also.

Are we to take it that the British Government agree to the Russian demand for the instant dismissal of Mr. Shuster?

The answer I have just given applies to that. It is impossible to deal with these isolated questions piecemeal on a subject which is one of very serious and very grave importance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman kindly say when that statement, so often promised, will be made, and when the discussion on foreign affairs will be resumed?

I understand that so far as the House of Commons is concerned it will be one day next week. I am not sure that the Prime Minister has announced a day, but there is a day next week when the Debate on Foreign Affairs will be taken, which will afford an ample opportunity.

Can we be assured of a whole day for the Debate, or can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Debate will be curtailed?

I must ask the hon. Member to put that to the Prime Minister.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that French aeroplane manufacturers are already so fully supplied with orders from their own and other Continental Governments that they cannot supply machines to the British Army in quantities within a reasonable time, he will take immediate steps to purchase machines from such British manufacturers as may prove their ability to turn out satisfactory aeroplanes?

Will the hon. Member kindly refer to the reply to the question put on this subject by the hon. Member for Taunton on the 28th November, to which there is nothing at present to add.

asked whether the French Army regulations provided that officers engaged in the aviation department were to be treated as on full war footing with, in the case of accident, similar allowances and pensions to themselves or their widows as they would receive if wounded or killed on active service; and whether such conditions also applied to the English aviation officers?

The suggestion contained in the question that French officers engaged in the aeronautical service are placed on a war footing, and that in case of injuries they or their wives receive pensions or allowances as if the injuries had been incurred on active service, is inaccurate. Their service is only regarded as active service for purposes of promotion. The conditions for our own aviation officers are not yet settled.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, having regard to both the danger and the necessity of this service, consider very seriously whether he cannot make an extra provision for these officers who are engaged in aviation?

Yes, certainly. Extra remuneration must be given. I have said, and I repeat, that I hope to be able to state the conditions very shortly.

asked how many effective aeroplanes are now owned by the War Department; how many of them are of English and French manufacture; and how many of each sort have been purchased since the 1st January, 1911?

There are twelve effective aeroplanes at present owned by the War Department, and three more are under reconstruction in the factory. Of these nine are of English and six of French manufacture. Seven aeroplanes of English and four of French manufacture have been purchased since 1st January, 1911.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the French Government has over 250 of these aeroplanes at the present moment?

I do not think that is a matter I can deal with by way of question and answer. I have said that I hope to make a further statement before long. I will make a statement.

Shall we have an opportunity of discussing the statement the right hon. Gentleman is going to make next week?

Next Session I should think we can fully discuss the arrangements proposed to be made.

Before the final arrangements are made will the House have an opportunity of discussing what is proposed?

That is a question which should be put to the Prime Minister or the Patronage Secretary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the War Office to make the grant of £75 to every officer who obtains his aviator's certificate, or whether this grant will only be given to those officers subsequently selected for aviation service; and whether it is his intention to attach every officer obtaining such certificate to the Air Battalion or only selected officers; and, if so, upon what basis in either case does he propose to make the selections?

The grant of £75 will be made only to those officers who are selected for aviation work and have a pilot's certificate, or on their obtaining a pilot's certificate. Every officer who has been so selected and has obtained a pilot's certificate will be attached to the Air Battalion for a further course before appointment as Army aviator. The original selection will be made on the recommendations of commanding and medical officers as to the suitability of the officer for aviation work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the recent French military aviation trials have been for machines carrying three persons, the French Government have nevertheless since the trials placed large orders for high-speed single-seated machines; and whether he will, in preparing his test regulations, provide for trials for single-seated and two-seated machines as well as for those of larger and heavier type?

It is considered desirable to confine the competition tests to machines capable of carrying two persons. Single-seated machines will be dealt with later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, when he has ascertained the best type of machine by means of his cash prizes, he proposes to have it copied at the Army aircraft factory; and, if so, if he would state what is the size, number of men employed, and qualifications of such factory to turn out, say, 100 aeroplanes within the next six months?

The aircraft factory is not at present organised for doing more than experimental work and repairs to aeroplanes besides other aircraft work. The question as to how far, if at all, the factory should be used for construction of aeroplanes on the lines suggested is under consideration.

Do I understand that the factory is not to be used for the construction of aeroplanes and that orders have to be given to outside factories?

As I have stated elsewhere, the proposal is that the aircraft factory shall not undertake the manufacture of aeroplanes at present on a large scale. We shall have to obtain our aeroplanes from outside sources as regards the greater number.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the latest production of the aircraft factory, namely, the balloon known as the "Delta," has burst every time it has been inflated before reaching a pressure which is regarded as giving a sufficient factor of safety for practical use; whether on the last, voyage of the airship "Gamma" to Salisbury Plain, the frame containing the crew and engine buckled in the course of the voyage; and, if so, whether he will lay before Parliament a full report on the working of such factory?

The "Delta" is not yet completed, and has not yet been inflated with gas. As is usual during manufacture portions of the dirigible have been tested in various ways, and when completed all portions will have a proper margin of safety. During the voyage of the "Gamma" on 22nd September the pitching of the vessel broke a stay wire in the fore end of the frame, and the two fore bays of the frame buckled, but no further damage resulted, although the continued pitching was severe. There is nothing in these cases to require any further report.

asked what use, in view of the adoption of aeroplanes by the War Office, is being made now or is likely to be made in the future of the non-dirigible balloons owned by the Government?

Non-dirigible balloons are used for observation of fire.

Are we to understand that we shall maintain and keep those that we have?

Yes.

asked if the dirigible balloon "Beta" has been taken out of its shed at Aldershot on any occasion during the past six months, and if the men who are to navigate it have been on the Continent to study the management and handling of dirigibles; and, if not, how is it proposed that they should learn their work?

The "Beta" has been out on several occasions during the last six months, and the men who are to navigate her are learning their work by such practice. They have not been to the Continent to study the management and handling of dirigibles.

Would it not be very advantageous for them to go abroad to study for a bit as they are making almost daily ascents in Germany and France very successfully?

I cannot admit that there is this superiority in knowledge in foreign countries. We have certain advantages of our own which are not possessed by any foreign country.

asked what progress has been made with the structural alterations of the Duke of York's School, Chelsea; and when it is intended to demolish the wall facing the King's Road?

The structural alterations are proceeding rapidly. Two units are already in occupation of their new quarters, and a third will be able to move in shortly. All structural alterations should be completed in April next year, but some of the new subsidiary buildings will probably take a few months longer. It is intended to demolish the wall facing the King's Road in February next.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether the Congested Districts Board will take into favourable consideration the memorial forwarded by the fishermen requesting the provision of a pier or slip at Ohermory, in the parish of Cahirciveen; and whether, in view of the fact that fifty fishermen use this landing-place, where there are at present no facilities for hauling up their boats, the Board will act promptly in the matter?

This application will be considered by the Congested Districts Board.

asked whether any of the senior inspectors in the counties of Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, or Water-ford, in which the bilingual schools are situated, have a competent oral knowledge of Irish or are qualified to inspect bilingual schools through the medium of Irish as well as English; and whether either of the chief inspectors to whom reference is to be made, in accordance with the terms of the circular recently published in the Press, has a competent oral knowledge of Irish or is qualified to inspect bilingual schools through the medium of Irish as well as English?

The inspection of bilingual schools in the counties named is entrusted to inspectors who know Irish. There is at present only one chief inspector and neither he nor the senior inspectors in the counties named have the requisite knowledge of Irish. The inspector of Irish is also always available for the inspection of bilingual schools.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say why he stated at Skipton that the Belfast Corporation only employed one Roman Catholic and that he was a scavenger; whether he is aware that in fact the Belfast Corporation employ upwards of 900 Roman Catholics; and whether he will withdraw his statement?

I never made any such statement. As to the number of Roman Catholic tramwaymen, labourers, and scavengers, employed by the Belfast Corporation I have no knowledge, or means of knowledge, but I have no doubt there are several hundreds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Belfast Corporation passed a resolution repudiating as wholly untruthful and without foundation the statement he made at Skipton, and the Catholic members of the council did not dissent from the resolution?

I think it is the fact that the Belfast Corporation passed some such resolution, but they never communicated with me beforehand to ask me whether I ever made such a statement, nor have they ever sent me a copy of the resolution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I hold in my hand a newspaper report of his speech, practically verbatim?

What newspaper?

A most respectable and reputable paper called the "Dublin Express."

I can only say I never made any such statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are only nine salaried officials out of 437 employed by the Corporation of Belfast who are Catholics, and that their salaries are only, roughly, £700 out of a total of £68,700?

Do not the statistics prove beyond doubt that over £48,000 per annum is paid to Roman Catholic employés of the Belfast Corporation?

I know nothing, and desire to know nothing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what method the Belfast Corporation has of finding out the religion of its employés?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that on 2nd January last William Gallagher, a Protestant, of Tawney, Kilmacrennan, county Donegal, was followed by a mob of Hibernians from the village of Kilmacrennan and brutally beaten, being left unconscious upon the road, and that he has since been threatened with worse violence; and if he will state why, in these circumstances, the two men who were convicted of assault upon Gallagher have been released from prison before they had served half their sentences?

The police authorities inform me that this man was assaulted as stated in the question, but that he has not since been threatened as alleged. It would be contrary to practice to state the grounds which influenced the Lord Lieutenant in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that a Protestant farmer named William Bryan, of Knocknacurra, Bandon, county Cork, and his family are boycotted because he refuses to give up the farm which has been occupied by Bryan and his father for twenty-two years, and which for the past six years has been vested in Bryan as a tenant purchaser under the Land Act of 1903; is he aware that the farm has been claimed under the Evicted Tenants Act by the son of a man who formerly held it as a herd on a grazing take, and the Estates Commissioners have declined to reinstate this man; is he aware that the Bryan's have to be protected by police controls; has he any information as to Roman Catholics holding evicted farms in the same neighbourhood being molested; and will he stale what action he proposes to take to protect the Bryan's from further annoyance?

The police authorities inform me that this man was for a time partially boycotted, for the reasons stated, but it has now almost entirely died out. I am aware that one Michael Flynn, a son of a former occupant, who held under a temporary letting, applied for reinstatement in the holding, but the Estates Commissioners decided that they could not reinstate him. The police are not aware of any other evicted farms in the neighbourhood. The police have afforded Bryan all the protection necessary, and will continue to do so.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have completed negotiations for the acquirement of the Foot estate at Blossomfort, county Cork, the owners having offered it for voluntary acquirement?

The Estates Commissioners have communicated to the owner an estimate of the amount which they would be prepared to advance for the purchase of the lands in question, but up to the present the owner has not instituted formal proceedings for their sale.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Thomas Larkin, after having passed in all other essential subjects in St. Patrick's Training College for Teachers, Drumcondra, was sent home in 1805, ostensibly for failure, without comment, in a practical teaching exercise of a few seconds' duration from Senior Inspector Stronge; whether he is aware that this senior inspector and the two junior inspectors under him quarrelled with this student's brother for teaching Irish in his school; and whether the secretary of the National Board and the principal of the said training college are entitled to refuse to tell this student any reason for his expulsion except what is to be inferred from the foregoing facts?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that at the end of his first year of training this student failed in spelling, grammar, and practical teaching, and did not obtain the minimum number of marks necessary for a pass, and was therefore ineligible under the rules to return to the college for a second year's course. The Commissioners add that the senior inspector referred to, who died three years ago, was one of the most efficient men in their service.

asked whether the police authorities have made any arrests in connection with the outrage inflicted on the Cork postmaster by striking him with a stone some few days ago; and whether this gentleman has applied for and will receive special police protection in view of the afore-mentioned occurrence?

No arrests up to the present have been made in this case. The postmaster will receive all necessary police protection.

Is the postmaster an Englishman?

I am afraid I shall have to have notice of that. I have nothing whatever to do with the post office.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that posters were placed in prominent positions in Cork city on the 27th ult., stating that no Papist need apply for higher appointments in the Cork post office and drawing the attention of citizens to the fact that street preachers and freemasons were being placed over the heads of Catholics for superior appointments by anti-Catholic and imported English postmasters; whether the police have instituted any inquiries on the subject; and with what result?

The police authorities inform me that placards were posted as stated. The police have been unable to trace the parties responsible for the posting of them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in the rural district of Clonamakilty, county Cork, a number of agricultural labourers are not provided with sufficient house accommodation, and that, although the rural district council, with a view to remedy such insufficient house accommodation, made an improvement scheme under the Labourers Acts, 1883 to 1911, on 17th February, 1911, and presented a petition to the Local Government Board for Ireland on the 14th July last praying that an inquiry may be held into the improvement scheme, the Local Government Board have not since taken steps to hold such inquiry; and will he state what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The Local Government Board consider that in dealing with new schemes they must have due regard to the extent to which the Labourers Acts have already been put into operation by the councils which are applying for authority to provide additional labourers cottages. Three hundred and eighty-five cottages have already been authorised in this district, while the average per district in Munster is 342. The inquiry will be ordered as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Kanturk Rural District Council have forwarded a petition to the Local Government Board praying that an inquiry may be held into an improvement scheme made by the council under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts; and, as the Local Government Board have not yet granted the inquiry, will he state the cause of the delay?

The scheme in this case was only lodged with the Local Government Board on the 11th November. As I have already stated the Local Government Board consider that in dealing with new schemes they must have due regard to the extent to which the Labourers Acts have already been put into operation by the councils which are applying for authority to provide additional labourers' cottages. Six hundred and forty-one cottages have already been authorised in this district, the average for the several districts in Munster being 342.

asked what is the number of civil Bill processes issued under the county court jurisdiction in Ireland by or on behalf of the Congested Districts Board in each year since 1st January, 1906, for rent, possession of land, interest, trespass, money due, or other cause of action?

This information is not available, and no useful purpose would appear to be served by instituting the extensive inquiries necessary to obtain it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the repeated failures of the Marquess of Sligo to fulfil his promises to lodge the necessary maps and papers preparatory to a sale of his West Mayo estate to the Congested Districts Board, and to the recent seizures for rent of uneconomic holdings and the general unrest amongst the tenants, the Board will take immediate steps to acquire this congested estate?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to the question asked by him on this subject on the 13th November. Having regard to the extent of the estate no unreasonable delay has taken place, and when the necessary documents are lodged the Congested Districts Board will have a valuation made as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state whether a force of Royal Irish Constabulary has been engaged during the past few days in assisting sheriff's bailiffs and bailiffs of the Marquess of Sligo in seizing cattle belonging to the tenants of uneconomic holdings on Lord Sligo's congested estate in West Mayo; and upon whose application and by whose orders were the police engaged in this work?

On the application of the sheriff of the county of Mayo four police were employed on the 5th instant in protecting a bailiff in the execution of county court decrees against two tenants on the estate referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give a statement showing how many of the Grown Colonies are self-supporting; and, in cases where they are not self-supporting, how the deficiencies are met?

My right hon. Friend does not think it necessary to issue such a statement, as the Colonial Services Vote (Class V. of the Estimates), together with the Appropriation Accounts presented by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, indicate clearly the Colonies that are not self-supporting, and the amount of the assistance which they receive by grants from Parliament. The other Colonies and Protectorates are, of course, self-supporting.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the accounts of the Colonial Office do not show the profit this country makes due to the mingled coinage circulating in these Colonies; and, if so, whether he will see that a statement is given indicating the profit?

If the facts are as stated by the hon. Member, I will represent to my right hon. Friend the desirability of having such a statement made.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that his refusal to see a deputation of Post Office employés, following on the reply forwarded through the Postmaster-General to the National Joint Committee of Postal and Telegraph Associations that no Parliamentary inquiry into their grievances could take place till 1913, is resented as calculated to place an unfair strain on the loyalty of public servants; that mass meetings of Post Office employés held in different parts of the United Kingdom have condemned the reply of the Cabinet as a deliberate attempt to evade dealing with admitted grievances, such as casual and auxiliary labour, boy labour, excessive overtime, reduction of status of work, etc., and also at the same mass meetings the leaders of the men have had to combat resolutions favouring unconstitutional methods; and whether, in view of the growing indignation and the possible danger and inconvenience to public business, the Committee of inquiry can be appointed forthwith to sit concurrently with the Board of Trade inquiry into cost of living?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask if his attention has been called to a series of questions which have been addressed to the Postmaster-General on points relating to the inequality in postal rates of wages?

It is no part of the business of the Prime Minister, and would be, in my opinion, a bad precedent to receive deputations of the employés of a particular Government Department in regard to their conditions of service. The proper course is to apply to the Department concerned. I am aware that the associations of Post Office employés desire that an inquiry into their conditions of employment by a Select Committee of this House should be held at once. As the hon. Member is aware, an exhaustive inquiry by Select Committee was held so recently as the years 1906 and 1907, and the recommendations then made took effect on the 1st January, 1908. It is only the recent increase in the cost of living which could justify a further inquiry being held. However, in view of all the circumstances, the Government will give further and not unsympathetic consideration to the question whether the date of the inquiry cannot be somewhat accelerated.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before the Colonial Office authorised changes in the regulations excluding specifically from the Civil and Police services in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Federated Malay States all candidates who are not of pure European descent on both sides, the matter was specifically brought before the Cabinet and its consent obtained to a change which robs over three-quarters of the subjects of the Empire of rights previously enjoyed by them?

No, Sir. The qualifications required for officers of the Police and Cadet services in the places mentioned are a matter for the Secretary of State to decide.

I observe in his place the Prime Minister, to whom the question was addressed. I desire to ask him whether that reply means that the Cabinet accept no responsibility for this action of the Colonial Secretary?

The Cabinet accept responsibility for all the decisions of all the Ministers.

In view of that reply, may I ask whether it was not desirable before making new regulations which diminish the civil status of 350,000,000 of British subjects that the matter should be brought before the Cabinet in some form or other?

It seems tome to be a matter for the head of the Colonial Office for the time being.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the head of the Colonial Office has power by regulations to decree, say, that no Scotsman shall obtain admission to the Civil Service in these Colonies for which he is responsible, or to say that no one who is a member of the Church of England shall obtain admission?

There is no service in which Scotsmen are more largely represented than the Colonial service.

asked the Prime Minister with reference to the proposed issue by the Local Government Board of a new order governing outdoor relief, whether, in view of the far-reaching changes which such order is calculated to bring about, he will arrange for the House to have an opportunity of discussing it before it is issued?

It is not anticipated that the order will bring about any far-reaching changes. Its main object is to consolidate and simplify the regulations at present governing out-relief and incidentally to facilitate its administration. As I stated on Monday, I cannot provide facilities for a discussion this Session.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire how far the principle of co-partnership is applicable to any or all of the chief industries in this country?

I see no necessity for recommending a Royal Commission on the subject to which the Noble Lord refers.

asked the Secretary of State to the Colonies if he will say how many visits of selected officers of the Civil Services of the Imperial Government and of the Overseas Dominions, for the purpose of acquiring better knowledge for both services with regard to questions affecting their respective Governments, have taken place or have been arranged since the Imperiail Conference of 1911?

One member of the staff of the Colonial Office has only recently returned from a service of a year on the staff of the Governor-General of Canada, and another is just returning from a service of over a year on the staff of the Governor-General of South Africa, while a third officer is now serving on the staff of the Governor-General of Australia. In the circumstances it has not been considered necessary to arrange for further special visits to the self-governing Dominions. I may add that Dr. C. A. Hoogetts, Medical Adviser to the Public Health Committee of the Commission of Conservation in Canada, and Dr. W. Perrin Norris, Director of Quarantine and Public Health for the Commonwealth of Australia, have visited this country and have been given all possible facilities in connection with their researches by the Departments of His Majesty's Government concerned.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is intended to extend this system of visits, and also whether the Union of South Africa proposes to send one or more officials to this country for training similar to that referred to by the right hon. Gentleman.

I cannot answer in detail as to the last part of the question whether the Union of South Africa is sending officials to this country, but there is no change of policy., and we will welcome the exchange of visits. We have three Colonial officials in the service who have recently served in the Dominions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the event of the Dominion Government of South Africa establishing or contributing towards a line of steamships directly competitive with those now in existence, the British Government is under any contracts with the latter which will prevent its taking into consideraiton the claims of the former for equal treatment?

The existing mail contract expires in September, 1912. The Secretary of State is not aware of any other contract.

May I ask whether the Government will consider this matter when they take in hand the renewal of the contract?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to what I have said.

asked whether any conclusion has been come to as a result of the promised consideration by the Lords of the Admiralty of the position of assistant naval store officers?

The matter is still under consideration, but, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, more than one Department is concerned, and the decision is not entirely in our hands.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that exactly the same answer was given to me a year and a-half ago, and whether this long period of deep thought is likely to be fruitful?

The hon. Gentleman's recollection is at fault. My recollection is that a reply was given last April; that the matter was under consideration. It has been advanced a stage, but it is not entirely in our hands, as I think the hon. Gentleman will recognise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in connection with the alleged breach of the Fair-Wage Clause by Messrs. A. and J. Inglis, Point House, in the pay of their labourers, he is aware that the pay for labourers employed at Messrs. Denny's, Dumbarton, is 21s. 10d. a week; at Messrs. Brown's, Clydebank, from 19s. 1½d. to 20s. 3d.; at Messrs. Beardmore's, Dalmuir, 21s. 9d.; at Yarrows, Scotstoun, 20s. 3d.; at the London and Glasgow Yard, Govan, 19s. 1½d.; at the Fairfield Yard, Govan, 19s. to 20s. 3d.; and at Messrs. Scott's, Greenock, 20s. 3d.; and that Messrs. Inglis only pay labourers 16s. 10d. for a week of fifty-four hours; and whether he will have further inquiry made into this matter, and prevent any infraction of the Clause in question?

In view of the evidence which my hon. Friend now produces, I will have further inquiry made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by Mr. Arnold Hills, managing director of the Thames Ironworks Company, that the Government dockyards pay lower wages than any private yard; and, seeing that this statement is supported by the Board of Trade standard time rates of wages, whether he will consider the advisability of levelling up the rates of wages paid in the dockyards to those paid by private yards?

I have not seen the statement. If made, it is, to the best of my judgment, not in accordance with fact. In any case, the pay and conditions of service of the dockyard employés is annually the subject of consideration at the hearing of petitions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say is the rate of wages to dockyard employés on the same basis as the rate of wages in private dockyards?

The question put to me was whether the wages were lower than in private yards. To the best of my knowledge that is not the fact, because in addition to pay there are other things taken into consideration. The hon. Gentleman knows that there are the forty-eight hours week, the fact that the establishment men are pensionable, and also other advantages.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say is it a fact that the wages paid in the dockyard are lower than the wages paid in a private yard? Is it a fact or is it not?

The question is whether it is true that the dockyard pay lower wages than the private yard, and I have said that to the best of my judgment that is not the fact.

Is it not a fact that taking into consideration wages, hours, and everything, the dockyard men are still paid lower?

I do not think so. In any case, as I have said, the question of payments is the subject annually of consideration.

What are the privileges valued at per week?

They are estimated at something like 6d. a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a woman named Louisa Briggs recently contracted anthrax at the works of Messrs. Campbell and Harrison, one of the branches of Woolcombers, Limited, and has since died of the disease; if the dangerous wools which Mrs. Briggs had been combing prior to her illness had undergone the same precautions for the removal of dust and blood stains as would have been obligatory if the material had been dealt with in a sorting room by wool-sorters; and, if not, will he explain why not?

I have received a report on this case. It appears that all the dangerous wools in the combing of which the woman had been employed had in the processes of opening or sorting been treated over an exhaust for removal of dust and examined for blood stains. The wools had also subsequently been washed. The precaution of examining wool for blood stains is not obligatory under the regulations at present in any process, and in this and other respects the precautions taken went beyond what the regulations require.

asked the Home Secretary whether the action of the police at Brockley in suppressing public whist drives has his sanction; and whether he intends to instruct the police to suppress these entertainments throughout the Metropolis?

I am informed that the police at Brockley have not taken any action of the nature indicated. What happened was that the police received an anonymous letter reporting that an illegal whist drive was about to take place at the parish hall, and they thought it right to show the letter to the vicar, who had let the hall for the day in question. The vicar put the matter before the churchwardens, who informed the parties concerned that the drive must not take place. There is no present intention to issue instructions for the general suppression of whist drives in the Metropolis.

Are whist drives illegal?

A legal question of that kind should be addressed to the Attorney-General.

The right hon. Gentleman, being a lawyer all his life, might know the law?

I am a very bad lawyer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the recent refusal of a licence by the Lord Chamberlain's office of two short plays by Mr. Lawrence Cowen; whether he is aware that Mr. Cowen, before submitting the plays finally on 17th November, deleted certain lines to which the licenser of plays had taken exception; whether, notwithstanding this, a licence is still withheld; and whether the Government still adhere to their intention to take no action with regard to the existing arrangements respecting the dramatic censorship?

I am informed that the plays in question were submitted to the Lord Chamberlain, after certain alterations had been made in passages to which the Examiner of Plays had called special attention. On receiving the plays the Lord Chamberlain immediately forwarded them to the Advisory Board which unanimously advised that they should not be licensed. Licences were refused accordingly. I do not think that this incident shows any cause for action on the part of the Government.

Is it not the case that one of the plays to which a licence has been refused in this instance was simply one act out of a play which had already been licensed?

I am not aware whether the play has been licensed before, but, having had the misfortune to read the play, I should regret extremely if it had ever been licensed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury which is the more accurate method of calculating the excessive taxes taken from Ireland since the Act of Union, that adopted by the majority of the Financial Relations Commissioners, which gives a total of about £330,000,000, or that of deducting the whole Irish expenditure from the whole Irish revenue, which shows the excessive taxes since 1820 to amount to £329,521,970; according to what method does the Treasury keep account of the restitution to which Ireland is entitled; and to what sum does this amount, according to the Treasury account?

The hon. Member's question bristles with argumentative points, which I am afraid I cannot go into in the form of an answer to a question.

Does the Government repudiate the findings of the Royal Commission?

No. I cannot argue the question. The Government do not repudiate the findings of the Royal Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the National United Assurance Society, Limited, and the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society are registered under the Assurance Act, 1909; if so, what steps, if any, were taken by the Board of Trade when requiring the former company to discontinue issuing policies to safeguard the rights of policy-holders transferred without their consent to the second of those companies; whether the shareholders illegally obtained were similarly transferred; whether he is aware that these small investors are now unable to recover their money from either company; and whether the Board of Trade continues passive while the same group of persons start several companies, evade the law by transferring their victims from one company to another under the same management, and then refuse to pay?

No companies or societies can be registered under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909. The National United Assurance Society, Limited, is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, and the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society is registered under the Friendly Societies Acts. Shareholders of the National United Assurance Society, Limited, could not be transferred to the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society, which is a society registered under the Friendly Societies Acts, and the policy-holders could not be transferred from one society to the other without their consent or an order of the Court. The Board of Trade have no control over contracts made by individual policyholders, nor have they any jurisdiction to compel a company to repay money which it has received.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the statement in this question is contained in a joint prospectus of these two companies, and whether those prospectuses are submitted to the Board of Trade?

I am not aware of that, but it would not alter the accuracy of the statement given in the answer.

Has not the Board of Trade always power to direct the attention of the Public Prosecutor to these matters?

I would ask the hon. Member to give notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ascertain and state the date of amalgamation of the Irish Provident Assurance Company and the London and Provincial Assurance Company; the dates and text of circulars previously issued by them representing that the amalgamation was already an accomplished fact; whether such representation was allowed by the Board of Trade; what security there is for the long-term house purchase bonds of the latter company which those circulars induced subscribers of the former company to take; what the present value of those bonds is; and whether he will have the transaction of those amalgamated companies investigated forthwith?

I have no official information as to the details of any arrangements which were entered into between the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, and the London and Provincial Assurance Company, Limited, nor have I any means of ascertaining the dates on which individual policy holders transferred their contracts from one company to the other. The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction to allow or disallaw representations contained in circulars issued by a company. The returns which are required from the London and Provincial Assurance Company, Limited, in accordance with the provisions of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, are at present under the consideration of the Board of Trade, and when those returns have been filed, they will be open to inspection and a copy must be sent by the company to any policy holder on his application. I do not think it would be proper for me to express an opinion as to the security for any class of bonds issued by the company or as to the value of those bonds. As the hon. Member has already been informed, the only power of the Board of Trade to investigate the affairs of the company is that contained in Section 109 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, which enables the Board of Trade to appoint one or more inspectors to investigate the affairs of the company on the application of members holding not less than one-tenth of the shares issued.

Has any Department of the Government power to prevent or to examine misleading circulars issued by companies?

I must ask for notice of that question, if it is not already answered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Board of Trade Returns of Imports into India discriminate between country of origin and country of shipment; and whether Continental goods shipped to India in British bottoms are described as imports from the United Kingdom?

The Trade and Navigation Returns of British India have hitherto shown imports according to the country of direct shipment to India. From 1907–8 a supplementary volume has been issued classifying them according to the country of consignment. It has now been decided that, with effect from 1911–12, the ordinary returns shall be prepared according to the latter system, and the supplementary volume discontinued. Under neither system is the nationality of the ship taken account of. The country of consignment is virtually the country of origin in all cases in which there has been no interruption of transit, though there may have been transhipment or transfer from one means of conveyance to another.

asked whether it is with the knowledge and sanction of the President of the Board of Trade that officials of the Board of Trade examine companies' documents deposited in pursuance of Statue solely for technical correctness for purposes of filing, and without regard to the safety of the public which Parliament intended the filing to subserve; if he will ascertain and state whether the growing practice of the same set of persons running several kinds of insurance companies concurrently is in the public interest or ought to be checked by the Board or by Parliament, if necessary; whether the National Protector Insurance Company and the Law Integrity Insurance Company are run by members of the group who victimised people in Ireland through the Irish Provident Assurance Company; seeing that they have not published either their balance sheets or their revenue and expenditure accounts corresponding to their last annual report, whether he will state, from the copies of those documents lodged with the Board of Trade, the real as distinguished from the paper liabilities, and the real as distinguished from the paper assets, of those two concerns together or separately; and whether the Board has, and will exercise, power to require such companies to publish documents revealing their true financial condition?

If the hon. Member refers to the documents deposited with the Board of Trade in accordance with the requirements of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, I may inform him that these documents are carefully examined by the officials of the Board of Trade with a view to insuring that they are accurate and complete. I am not aware that the practice of several insurance companies being controlled by one group of persons is increasing, and I do not consider it necessary to introduce legislation dealing with the subject. The directors of the National Protector Insurance Company, Limited, and the Law Integrity Insurance Company, Limited, are not the same as the late directors of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, although the managing director of the first two mentioned companies was chairman and managing director of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, about seven years ago. Returns under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, have been lodged with the Board of Trade disclosing the financial position of the National Protector Insurance Company, Limited, and the Law Integrity Insurance Company, Limited, and when these returns have been examined and accepted by the Board they will be open to inspection; but I am not prepared to distinguish in an answer between what are referred to as real and paper assets and liabilities. I shall, however, be glad to send the hon. Member copies of the returns which have been lodged by the two companies as soon as they have been accepted by the Board of Trade, if he would like to have them.

I would like to have the documents. Will the hon. Gentleman, if he finds out that these documents are irregular, call the attention of the Public Prosecutor to them?

That question will arise after the hon. Member has seen the copies.

asked whether bases of agreement have been attained with any of the Dominions for co-operation between the Labour Exchanges of the various countries?

As a result of the discussion at the recent Imperial Conference the Board of Trade are taking steps, in consultation with the Colonial Office, to ascertain the wishes of the Dominion Governments concerned in this matter, but no definite arrangements have yet been made.

Have replies been received in answer to the statements that have been sent to the Colonies?

The answer states that no definite arrangements have been made, and I presume, therefore, that replies have been received.

asked if the President of the Board of Trade is aware that on 24th April, the superintendent of the West Midland Labour Exchange Divisional Office informed the Social Service League in Oswestry that he would take an early opportunity of meeting the local secretaries, but has not seen them yet, and that the same official stated on 24th May that an Exchange would be opened in three months, which is not open yet; and if, in view of the inconvenience caused to the Social Service League in making their arrangements for the winter, he will take steps to carry out immediately the undertakings which have been given?

I understand that the Divisional Officer, in accordance with his promise of the 24th April, interviewed a representative of the Social Service League. I am, however, instructing him to arrange a further interview with them to explain the unexpected difficulties which have delayed the establishment of a Labour Exchange in Oswestry. I regret any inconvenience that may have been caused to the league by the delay.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what those difficulties are?

So far as I am aware they had reference to the obtaining of a site.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the local authority had found a site?

I am not aware.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to a request from the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce asking for an extension of the time for receiving and delivering telegrams at the head office, Bridgwater, from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.; and whether he can see his way to grant this request, so as to put Bridgwater on the same footing in this respect as some other river-port towns, and also Taunton?

I cannot agree to keep the Bridgwater Office open till 10 p.m., but I am willing to arrange for the acceptance and delivery of telegrams up to 9.0 p.m., the present hour of closing.

asked whether the British Government has now given its consent to the construction of the proposed new cable by the Pacific Cable Board between New Zealand and Australia?

A Bill authorising the Pacific Cable Board to proceed with the laying of this cable has passed both Houses of Parliament and is now awaiting Royal Assent.

asked what is the duration of the present contracts, if any, for the transport of letters and papers to South Africa?

The contract between the Government of the Union of South Africa and the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company for the performance of the Anglo South African Mail Service expires on 30th September next.

asked the cause of the delay in publishing the proposed full classification of the telephone staff of the Post Office on transfer of the National Telephone Company's employés on 1st January next; and when the right hon. Gentleman expects to be in a position to make the classification known to the staff affected?

The cause of the delay is the magnitude and complexity of the task. The organisation of the company's staff is very different from that of the Post Office, and in order to carry out my undertaking that "the transferred officers will, as far as possible, be placed in the same classes as Post Office servants doing similar work," it is necessary to ascertain, as far as I can, the exact position and duties of the several classes of the company's servants, and in some cases even of individuals. I communicated the broad lines upon which the classification was proceeding to the Joint Board of Telephone Employés on the 30th ultimo. The detailed proposals are almost all now with the Treasury. They will be communicated to the Joint Board at the earliest possible date.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember making a promise to discuss this matter with the representatives of the Joint Board before the end of the year; and, if so, is he making arrangements for that discussion?

In my communications with the Joint Board I am not sure whether the promise given was precisely in relation to the matter raised in this question in all its bearings, or some part of it. I should like to refresh my memory by reference to my exact words before giving a definite reply.

Is there any chance of its being completed before the House rises?

I hope so, certainly. It is now before the Treasury, and it is practically concluded as far as the Post Office is concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the Treasury?

That is a difficult task.

asked when the additional cable ship will be ready for work, and how long it will be before the breaks to the cables at Tiree and elsewhere can be attended to?

I am about to invite tenders for the building of a new cable ship, but it will be some time before the ship can be ready. The Jura cable has been repaired, and, weather permitting, the repair of the Islay and Tiree cables will at once be taken in hand.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly bear in mind the extreme inconvenience to all kinds of business in those remote parts of the country caused by interruptions of communications, and will he increase the facilities for dealing with repairs?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the judgment of Sheriff MacLeod in a prosecution by the Linlithgow parish school board for failure to attend a continuation class conducted by the board; and whether he is prepared to amend the law so as to enable school boards to carry out the intention of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, and to enforce conformity to the school board by-laws in respect of continuation classes?

My attention has been called to the case in question. The Education (Scotland) Bill when it went before the Scottish Grand Committee contained a provision for inflicting a penalty upon the young person who contravened the by-laws, but after discussion that provision was struck out without a division, the Committee being apparently of opinion that the end desired could be obtained by the alternative procedure against the parents or the employers of the young person, which does not appear to have been resorted to in the present case. In view of all the circumstances, the Secretary for Scotland does not see his way to propose amending legislation at the present time.

What was the original intention of the Education Act, may I ask?

To improve the education of Scotland.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any explanation of the reason for this and many other similar cases which necessitated application to the Law Courts in order to clear up these slipshod methods of legislation.

The Committee came to the conclusion that the methods prescribed by the Bill were adequate.

That is not an answer to my question. It is dodging again.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the information which he has given to the House to the effect that in Russia 450,000 animals were attacked with foot-and-mouth disease in June last, that in Germany the disease existed on 33,707 premises at the end of October, that in Holland 4,391 outbreaks occurred in October, that in Belgium the disease existed on 1,069 sets of premises at the beginning of October, and that in France the disease was reported from 20,729 sets of premises in September, can be reduced to some common denominator of either outbreaks, cases, or premises, and preferably referable to about the same date, so as more accurately to compare like with like?

The statistics in question are those given in the official returns issued by the Governments of the various countries concerned. I do not see what steps I could take to secure their preparation on a uniform basis so as to enable a precise and accurate comparison of the figures to be made. The essential fact what I have to keep in view is that foot-and-mouth disease prevails extensively in all the countries named.

I beg to ask a question of which I have given private notice, namely, as to whether it is true that an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred at Yeovil, in Somersetshire, and whether the right hon. Gentleman can give any information?

We have just been informed that there are two or three cases of disease in Somerset which are suspected to be foot-and-mouth disease. The diagnosis is not completed, but the chief veterinary officer of the Board has been dispatched by the first train, and I hope to have his report very shortly, and I will communicate the information to the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has given further consideration to the fact that clergymen of the Church of Ireland living in parish, glebe, or rectory, and Presbyterian ministers who live in manses in Ireland, are debarred from obtaining the relief granted to clergymen of the Church of England and ministers of the Established Church of Scotland by Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1907, because they have not the right to sublet their residences; and whether he will propose an Amendment to the Finance Bill to place unestablished clergymen in Ireland on an equality in this respect with the established clergy in Great Britain?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the 2nd ultimo.