asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been received at the Foreign Office any communication from the German Government relative to present affairs in Persia?

The answer is in the negative. We have not received any such communication from the German Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the advisory committee of the Board of Trade has now reported as to the new wage arrangements at the Dowlais works; and whether he is now in a position to restore the firm in respect of those works to the list of contractors recognised by his Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received a report from the advisory committee concerning the wages scale for Dowlais; and whether, as the dispute was settled ten weeks ago, the firm of Guest, Keen and Nettlefold is again eligible to tender for contracts for his Department?

As I understand that an arrangement has been arrived at at Dowlais which is satisfactory to all parties, I have given instructions that orders may again be placed with Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefold at their Dowlais works.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of Messrs. Thornycroft, Government contractors, of Southampton, to observe the trade union conditions and wages to their workmen; whether this firm have recently discharged workmen for asking for the trade union rate and substituted men paid at the rate of 22s., being 6s. and 8s per week lower than the recognised rate of the district; and what action he proposes to take to prevent this firm evading the Fair-Wages Resolution of the House of Commons?

As I informed the hon. Member for South-West Ham yesterday, investigation is now being made into this matter.

asked whether Messrs. Scott's Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited, Greenock, are contractors for his Department; if so, is he aware that this firm refuses to pay the recognised rates of wages to the members of the Associated Iron, Steel, and Brass Dressers of Scotland; and whether he will approach the firm with a view of compelling them to observe the Fair-Wages Resolution of the House of Commons?

No official communication had been received prior to this question being placed on the Paper. Inquiry is now being made into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to state in how many of the fifty-seven cases of convictions for torture by the Indian police during the last six years the victims were Europeans; in how many cases, where death ensued, the accused policemen were either charged with or convicted of murder, and how many charges of torture during the same period were dealt with by Departmental or private police inquiries; and can he say in how many of the above cases any compensation was paid to the sufferers and, if so, to what amount?

I have asked the Government of India to supply the information for which my hon. Friend asks, and will communicate with him when I have received it?

Does the Government of India recognise any general obligation to pay compensation to persons who have been so treated?

My hon. Friend will remember that in answer to a previous question of his I have stated the rules with regard to compensation, how the Court can order the payment of compensation, and how the Government can pay, if the local government so advise, compensation in addition to the compensation recommended by the Court itself.

asked if any arrangements have been made for the instruction in India in practical aeroplanism of officers belonging to the Indian Army?

The subject of aviation is now under the consideration of the Government of India whose proposals are awaited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the soldier does not receive free medical attendance, in view of the fact that while he is in hospital 7d. per diem is deducted from his pay, his ration allowance, 6d. per diem, is stopped, and he loses the benefit of messing allowance, 3d. per diem, making a total charge of 1s. 4d. per day against an average charge for subsistence per patient per day estimated to be 11¼d.; and whether, in view of the fact that the soldier receives no benefits under the Insurance Bill while serving, he will consider the desirability of either abolishing hospital stoppages or reducing them to at least one-third of the present rate?

My right hon. and learned Friend undertook in Debate on the Insurance Bill on 7th November to give an opportunity for adequate discussion of the whole question of hospital stoppages on Army Estimates next Session. I cannot now add anything to the statements made during the discussion of this matter in the Insurance Bill Debates.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he will thoroughly consider the whole matter before the Estimates are discussed next year?

During the discussion on the Estimates.

I will give notice that I will raise the question on the Estimates. Will there be opportunity for discussing it?

I hope so—ample opportunity.

asked how many officers belonging to the permanent establishment of the Air Battalion are at present engaged in aeroplane work on Salisbury Plain?

Three officers of the Air Battalion and two officers attached are at present engaged on aeroplane work at Salisbury Plain.

Are the two officers attached included in the permanent establishment to which the question relates?

I think not. I would not like to say offhand.

That is to say there are three officers now engaged in work on Salisbury Plain belonging to the permanent establishment?

So I think.

Is there a proposal to increase that number?

Yes, up to a hundred officers.

Are there a hundred officers in the permanent establishment?

No, I must not be taken as saying that.

The hon. Member has managed to ask four supplementary questions, all separate questions, to which he has got full answers.

asked whether any cross-country flights have been undertaken by officers of the Air Battalion during the past six months acting under official instructions; if so, whether their expenses in connection with such flights have been refunded; and, if so, what sum has been expended in such manner?

Several cross-country flights have been undertaken by officers of the Air Battalion during the last six months. Claims for expenses are for the consideration of the local military authorities, and it is understood that certain claims are now being so considered.

asked whether an engineer officer engaged in aviation work receives no additional pay; whether an officer of the Guards on joining the Air Battalion loses his Guards' allowance; and, if so, whether steps will be taken in framing the proposed pay regulations for the Air Battalion to deal with these cases?

In regard to the first and second parts of the question the facts, under present arrangements, are as stated. As regards the last part of the question, these cases will be considered.

asked whether it is proposed to form an aviation corps apart from the Royal Engineers and under separate administration?

I am not in a position to make any further statement on this subject at present.

asked whether officers who obtained an Aero Club certificate before the issue of the new regulations will be entitled to the allowance of £75?

If they are recommended and selected for aviation work they will be entitled to the allowance.

asked whether, if, as is officially stated, 100 officers are to pass through a short aviation course, it is the intention of the Government on mobilisation to withdraw such officers from their regiments for the purpose of forming an aviation corps; and, if so, how the deficiency in regimental officers is to be made good?

asked whether the Army Council has sanctioned the proposed system whereby, on the outbreak of hostilities, officers who are also aeroplanists would, when their services are most needed, be permanently withdrawn from the regiments to which they belong?

The officers in question will be withdrawn from their regiments on mobilisation, and vacancies in the regiments will be dealt with in the usual way when officers are withdrawn for staff duties.

If any of these officers break their necks or get injured otherwise, will any allowance be given?

I hope that there will not be very many fatal accidents. The whole question of compensation for injury is under careful consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the existing system of confidential reports on officers in the Army, sometimes required to be made by commanding officers recently transferred from other units, whose knowledge as to individual officers must therefore be more or less superficial, he would consider the advisability of abating or amending the present custom under which these reports are furnished?

It is the custom for commanding officers when they have not served for a sufficiently long time to enable them to form a due appreciation of the character and qualifications of the officers under their command to refrain from expressing an opinion in the confidential report. In any case an officer is reported on by at least three senior officers, all of whom normally have knowledge of him?

asked the name of the officer who was responsible for under-estimating the danger area of partially filled shells, whereby portions of shell recently fell in the town of Bembridge, Isle of Wight, doing damage to property and placing persons in peril of their lives; and what steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents?

Under the practice instructions 800 yards on either side of the line of fire is considered safe for filled shell, and was therefore deemed to be an ample allowance for shell with blowing charges. As I have already explained, the question of increasing this safety zone is being carefully considered to prevent any possible recurrence of such an incident. It is considered that the officers superintending the practice were not to blame.

Were they Territorials or Regulars?

There are Regular officers, with Regular soldiers firing, so I understand.

asked whether representations have been made, either officially or unofficially, to the Under-Secretary for War that the funds at the disposal of the county associations of the Territorial Force are inadequate; and whether, in that case, he has arrived at any decision on the matter?

Representations have been received from some associations that their funds are inadequate and from others that they are adequate. A return now in course of preparation on the Motion of the hon. Member for West Dorset will show the actual financial position of each association on 31st March last. Any decision as to further grants can be taken only in connection with the Estimates for next financial year.

Will figures also be compiled for the last six months preceding the 31st March, so that we may have the whole thing up to date?

I will see whether that can be done.

Are measures going to be taken in the Budget of the next financial year?

That is a question which ought not to be addressed to me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a concern known as the Bank of Upper India, at Meerut, is in fact a money-lending institution owned by certain Eurasian and native financiers; whether the said bank is permitted to lend money to officers at a high rate of interest; whether the premises are situate within the limits of the cantonment; and what rent, if any, is paid by the financiers who own the bank for the site which their bank occupies?

The Bank of Upper India has its headquarters at Meerut, and branches at a number of other places in Northern India. The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that it differs from other important Indian banks either as regards the classes of persons by whom its shares are held or as regards the nature of the business which it transacts. The Secretary of State has no information as to the situation of the bank's premises at Meerut or as to the terms on which the site is held.

Is the bank owned by Eurasian and native financiers?

I have no reason to suppose that it differs from other Indian banks. I have no particular information. It is not a Government dispute.

I will put the question again.

The hon. Member, I think, is imparting in an imperfect manner information which he possesses. If he cares to give me the information I will make inquiry.

Is it illegal for an Eurasian or native of India to operate a bank in India?

I never heard it seriously suggested.

asked whether the sites of cantonments for British troops were recently selected in order that the troops might be removed from crowded centres of native population; and whether, seeing that such cantonments, notably Mian Mir, Rawal Pindi, Umballa, and Meerut, are now occupied as well by a large native population, he will state on what terms British officers are housed in such cantonments by payment of rent to native landlords or on payment to Government of a fixed rate for quarters?

The cantonments of Mian Mir—now known as the Lahore Cantonment—of Rawal Pindi, of Umballa, and of Meerut have all been occupied by troops for well over half a century, and cannot be said to have been "recently selected." In cantonments where Government quarters exist they are occupied by officers at rents which are fixed according to the rank of the officer. Where Government quarters do not exist or are insufficient officers rent houses from their owners. Such rents necessarily vary with the class of accommodation which the house affords.

Do the officers rent the houses in those places from natives or from Englishmen?

I do not know, Sir; from the owners of the property.

asked what special regulations, if any, exist as regards the conduct and control of natives resident in the bazaars of Indian cantonments; and whether any dustin or fee is paid by them to any official, or whether they pay rent to the Government for any dwelling within such compound that they may occupy?

The special regulations regarding the conduct and control of natives resident in the bazaars of Indian cantonments are embodied in the Cantonments Act, 1889 and in the Cantonment Code, 1909, issued by the Governor-General in Council under the powers conveyed by Sections 25, 26, and 27 of that Act. The only fees required of such residents are those sanctioned by that Code. Their dwellings are not necessarily or even usually the properly of Government.

asked whether the attention of the Under-Secretary for India has been drawn to the increase in the price paid for polo ponies in India within recent years and the consequent financial difficulties in which many officers find themselves involved; whether a suggestion has been made to him that to obviate incurring such expenses, polo tournaments at Royal Durbars and other official entertainments should be discouraged, or recommendations conveyed to polo committees that any team should be disqualified where it was ascertained that any pony had been purchased or acquired for more than a figure to be fixed by regulation; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have no information regarding the price of polo ponies in India. The answers to the other parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider the claims of clerks and officers of the County Courts to receive similar rates of pay and pension to those existing in the High Court, in view of the fact that recent legislation has thrown upon these County Court officials a large increase of work and such as necessitates a much wider range of knowledge than was formerly required?

These clerks and bailiffs are, and always have been since the institution of the present system of County Courts in 1847, engaged, paid, and dismissed by the registrars and high bailiffs of County Courts. Their salaries are paid out of the statutory remuneration fees and allowances of their employers, partly derived from moneys voted by Parliament and partly from fees charged to suitors. In this connection it should be remembered that registrars and high bailiffs are clothed with considerable responsibility, and that they give large security to the Crown for the carrying out of their duties which covers, and always has covered, the acts and defaults of their employés. Such a system, which has produced great efficiency in the County Courts, does not admit of consideration being given to a claim on the part of the clerks and bailiffs to receive similar rates of pay and pension to those existing in the High Court, where the circumstances are different.

Is there any possibility of these clerks in the future being put on the establishment?

I cannot make any such promise.

Is it not very desirable, in view of the dissatisfaction which has been prevalent over a long period of years, that there should be some promotion to the establishment staff?

No, Sir; it is always desired to be on the establishment staff.

asked whether, in view of the fact that it is proposed to accelerate the date of the inquiry into the conditions of employment in the Post Office owing to the recent increase in the cost of living, he will expedite the Treasury concurrence in the Admiralty proposals on the Macnamara staffing committee's Report, to enable a reply to be given to the petition of the Admiralty and Out-ports Clerical Federation, dated January, 1908, observing that the pay of this body of public servants has remained practically stationary for over thirty years?

This question is receiving the careful consideration of the Government, but I cannot undertake to say at this stage when a decision will be reached.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will, in conjunction with the Board of Trade, agree to a Return being made giving the statistics about the bankruptcy and liquidation of farmers of all classes in the last four quinquennial periods?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Information as to the failures of farmers is included in the Annual Bankruptcy Reports presented by the Board of Trade to Parliament. I am having a table giving statistics for the periods referred to printed with the Votes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long has the regulation been in force prohibiting other than persons of pure European descent from competing for the Civil Services of Ceylon; and whether he will give the exact terms of the old regulation and the alterations recently made by his Department?

The Ceylon Civil Service is not confined to persons of pure European descent. Candidates for cadetships must be natural-born British subjects either (a) of pure European or Asiatic descent on both sides, or (b) of mixed European and Asiatic descent. The wording of this regulation was altered last year in order to make it clearer. Previously it had stated only that cadets must be natural-born British subjects of European or Asiatic descent. As regards the police force, the regulations issued when the system of competitive examination was introduced in 1908 slated that probationers must be of European descent. In order to obviate any possible ambiguity the clause was altered this year so as to read, "Every candidate must be a British subject of pure European descent on both sides."

With reference to that part of the reply which deals with the police, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the rank and file are required to be of pure European descent?

No, Sir.

asked whether the Secretary for the Colonies has any official information showing that a Member of the Australian Parliament, declaring himself to be empowered by his Government, is at Washington in order to discuss the primaries of a reciprocity arrangement between Australia and the United States; whether, in view of the fact that the official discussions connected with the recent Canada-United States reciprocity agreement were prefaced by earlier approaches of a somewhat similar character, His Majesty's Ambassador is keeping the Government advised of the progress of affairs and the British and Imperial interests involved; and whether, in the event of no such representations having yet been received, he will undertake to communicate at once with Mr. Bryce?

I have no information to the effect referred to by the hon. Member. His Majesty's Ambassador would, of course, inform His Majesty's Government if he was aware of any such negotiations taking place.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has yet received a Report from the advisory committee concerning the wages scale for Dowlais; and whether, as the dispute was settled ten weeks ago, the firm of Guest, Keen, and Nettlefold is again eligible to tender for contracts for his Department?

As I understand that an arrangement has been arrived at at Dowlais, which is satisfactory to all parties, I gave instructions on the 22nd November, so far as my Department is concerned, that orders may again be placed with Messrs Guest, Keen, and Nettlefold at their Dowlais works.

asked the Lord Advocate why so small a percentage of ex-Service men, namely 20.71, are employed under the Prisons Commissioners, Scotland; and whether, in view of the fact that many ex-Navy and ex-Army men are well qualified for such posts as those of attendants and warders, he will give instructions that the percentage of ex-Service men employed by the Prisons Commissioners should be raised to at least 50 per cent. as soon as possible as vacancies occur?

All applications from ex-Service men are considered, but a very large number of candidates are found to be ineligible, as they do not fulfil the requirements of the War Office Regulations as to the civil employment of discharged soldiers. Appointments are given to all ex-Service candidates considered suitable, but many do not care for the work, and resign before long. The percentages of total appointments given to ex-Service candidates during the last four years ended 30th September, are:—

1908	…	…	…	46 per cent.
1909	…	…	…	40 per cent.
1910	…	…	…	40 per cent.
1911	…	…	…	42 per cent.

It will thus be seen that the average of such appointments in recent years is well over 40 per cent.; and in these circumstances, while all such applications will be carefully considered, I do not think that it would be desirable to give such further instructions as are suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is intended to give telegraphic facilities at the new sub-post office at the Wharncliff Buildings, Boscombe?

The necessary inquiries are not yet complete, but I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the maximum wage for postmen in the districts of Leigh, Tyldesley, and Atherton is 23s. per week, being a reduction of 1s. per week on the maximum paid prior to 1st January, 1908; and whether, in view of the cost of living in these urban areas, he will consider the advisability of transferring this district from Class 4 to Class 3, so that the earnings of the postmen affected may approximate more nearly to a living wage?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. The cost of living index number for Leigh, furnished by the Board of Trade, is 92, which is considerably below the average, and on a strict reading of the Parliamentary Committee's recommendations Leigh would have fallen into Class V., and the maximum pay of future entrants to the postmen's class would have been reduced by 3s. a week. Atherton and Tyldesley were classed by analogy with Leigh, and there would be no justification in either case for improving the classification at present. The scales of pay of postmen were fixed on the basis of the report of the Parliamentary Committee, and in addition they enjoy certain privileges, uniform, boot allowance, sick pay, pension, etc., the actuarial value of which is estimated at about 7s. a week, besides being eligible for good conduct stripe allowances up to a maximum of 6s. a week. The total remuneration of a postman in a Class 4 office is therefore much larger than the wage payment quoted by the hon. Member, and rises to a maximum of about 36s. a week. I am unable to agree that the postmen do not receive a living wage.

Does that 7s. also apply to postmen in suburban districts?

Yes, Sir, generally. I am not sure that it is not rather higher. It varies with the wages and the actuarial value of the pensions which is based on a wage payment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the threatened strike of Post Office officials; and whether he can make any statement to allay the uneasiness felt by the public in consequence?

I do not think that there has been any probability of a strike of Post Office officials. No appreciable number of established civil servants would be likely to terminate their employment by adopting such a course. Even the suggestions of a strike which appeared a few days ago in some of the newspapers have now ceased, and any uneasiness which may have existed is already allayed.

In view of the acceleration of the inquiry asked for sometime ago by the postal service, may I ask whether he is aware that a frequent cause of serious trouble and grievance amongst the postal service is the prolonged delay in dealing with grievances presented to headquarters, and whether he can take any action to accelerate their settlement?

Yes, Sir; I have already taken action.

asked if the sum of £1,064,000 which was provided for the salaries, wages, and allowances of sub-postmasters in the Estimates, Revenue Department, for the year ending 31st March, 1911, was sufficient for the purpose; whether more or less than that amount was expended; and by how much the amount actually expended differed from the amount estimated?

The estimate of £1,064,000 for wages, salaries, and allowances of sub-postmasters for the year 1910–11 was part only of a total of upwards of eight and a quarter millions voted under three sub-heads, C 1, 2, and 3, for the salaries, etc., of provincial establishments generally. The total of these three sub-heads cannot readily be analysed, and I am unable to state precisely by how much the amount actually expended on the purposes mentioned by the hon. Member differed from the estimate. I may say, however, that on this total there was a balance of 2.6 per cent., and probably there was a similar margin in the part appropriate to sub-postmasters.

asked if sub-postmasters generally have been instructed to obliterate stamps on parcels; whether this is an additional duty introduced since the Hobhouse Report was adopted; and, if so, to what extent it is intended to improve the remuneration of sub-postmasters in consequence?

The duty of obliterating stamps on parcels posted, which was introduced experimentally at some sub-offices as far back as 1906, has recently been entrusted to all sub-postmasters. For many years sub-postmasters had been required to date-stamp the labels on parcels, or if they had no date-stamp to write the name of the office and the date. The additional work involved is inconsiderable, and it is not proposed to make any additional payment on that account to sub-postmasters.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can give any particulars of the nature of the economies in the Savings Bank which he has lately foreshadowed?

I have arranged to introduce on 1st January next a new method of dealing with small accounts in the Post Office Savings Bank, which will, I anticipate, effect substantial economy in the working of the Bank without any withdrawal of public facilities or lessening of security. Under the existing system a record is made in ledgers at the chief office of the Bank of every transaction in every account; and the cost of dealing with small accounts, especially if small sums are deposited and withdrawn at frequent intervals, is excessive. About 800,000 accounts a year are opened with amounts of less than £1, and about half of these are closed without ever reaching £1. Under the new system any person opening an account with a deposit of less than £1 will be given a deposit book of new design. In this book the counter officer will affix adhesive labels, called coupon receipts, each of which, after being date-stamped and initialed, will denote a deposit of 1s. If, for example, the sum of 5s. is deposited five coupons will be affixed. When the depositor wishes to withdraw he will sign a withdrawal form, and the counter officer, before handing him the money, will detach from the perforated pages of the book a number of coupon receipts corresponding to the number of shillings withdrawn. Whenever the amount deposited reaches £1, at which stage under the Savings Bank Regulations it begins to bear interest, the depositor will be given an ordinary deposit book in place of his coupon book, and all further transactions will be dealt with under the existing system. For transactions dealt with under the coupon system no ledger record will be necessary, but dockets in respect of deposits and coupon receipts in respect of withdrawals will be sent to the chief office and stored in such a way that, in the event of a depositor losing his book, the Bank will, as at present, be able to ascertain the amount standing to his credit. The precautions against fraud will be as complete under the new system as under the old. It is estimated that no less than 4,000,000 transactions a year will be dealt with under the new system, and it is anticipated that the working expenses of the Bank will eventually be reduced by upwards of £17,000 a year. But, as I do not propose to dispense with the services of any of the existing staff, the full amount of this saving will probably not be realised until the system has been in operation for two or three years, and the surplus staff has been absorbed.

asked how many parcels were posted in the United Kingdom during the year ending 31st March, 1911, and what proportion of these were posted at sub-offices?

The number of parcels posted in the United Kingdom during the year ending 31st March, 1911, was 120,032,000; but I cannot say what proportion of this number was posted at sub-offices.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with a Bill for the reform of the House of Lords next Session before the introduction of the Home Rule Bill?

The answer is in the negative.

May I ask whereas a distinct mandate was given for the reform of the House of Lords and the question brooked no delay, how it is consistent with his pledge of honour——

That is in the nature of a speech.

May I ask whether he has considered that the House of Lords has been reformed?

May I ask whether he thinks the country will accept his suggestions for reform?

Those are all hypothetical questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Thomas William Stewart, who was sentenced at Leeds on 5th December to three months' imprisonment for using profane language, and also to the case of John William Gott, who, at the same time and place, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for having published a pamphlet entitled, "Rib-ticklers or Questions for Parsons"; and whether in view of these and of other similar cases, he will take steps to reform the laws respecting blasphemy?

One of these prisoners has applied for leave to appeal against his conviction and sentence, and so long as the case is before the Court of Criminal Appeal I cannot say anything about it.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman does not consider that apart from these cases the blasphemy laws stand in need of amendment, and whether he is aware that under a Stature of William III., which has never yet been repealed, many of the most harmless and orderly Members of this House could probably be held liable to imprisonment for three years?

I believe there is a great deal of substance in the question. It is a question of very old standing, and perhaps the hon. Member would postpone any further inquiry on the subject until these particular cases have been dealt with.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Mr. Justice Stephen, in his "Digest of the Criminal Law," sets out in parallel columns two versions of the blasphemy law, for each of which he says there is high authority?

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to shorten the sentences passed upon these people? In any case, might not the man who has not appealed be dealt with?

No. I must wait until the appeal in the first case has been heard. I must also wait until application is made to me by the parties that the sentences should be revised.

Apart altogether from the criminal appeal in this case, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government will consider or is considering a reform of the law respecting blasphemy?

I do not think one week's delay will make much difference, if my hon. Friend will postpone his further inquiry until this subject has been disposed of.

asked the Prime Minister whether he could so use his influence with regard to the length of time that speakers from the Front Benches would occupy in the Debate on Foreign Affairs on Thursday next that reasonable time might be allowed for discussing the Amendment dealing with the Brussels Sugar Convention without unduly curtailing the facilities desired by Members to raise other questions; and, if not, whether he would give another opportunity for raising this specific question in such a manner that the House might express its opinion upon it?

I gather that there are many Members wishing to take part in the general Debate, and, of course, I cannot interfere with their freedom in any way. So far as this bench is concerned, the speeches will be few and short, and I hope that my right hon. Friend may get the opportunity he seeks.

If the Debate on the general question is extended, will the right hon. Gentleman find another opportunity for this very important subject to be discussed?

Perhaps my right hon. Friend would wait until next Session.

I would like it as soon as possible.

There will be a very full opportunity in the Debate on the Address.

What view would the right hon. Gentleman take about the Division in the Debate on the Address? The Division is the important part.

I am afraid I cannot deal with that question until the occasion arises.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any guarantee that the speeches from the Back Benches will be equally short?

No, I am sorry I have not.

asked whether a meeting of the Brussels Sugar Convention was held as arranged last Friday; if so, whether permission was given to Russia to export an additional 500,000 tons of sugar westwards; whether any conditions were attached to the concession; whether the export of this sugar can take place immediately, or if it will be necessary for the decision to be ratified by the Governments of the respective countries who are parties to the Convention; and, if so, what delay such ratification may involve?

With regard to the first part of the question, a meeting of the International Sugar Commission was held on Friday last. I cannot yet give any answer to the remainder of the question, as the meetings are still in progress, and no decision has yet been arrived at.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the notice which appeared in "The Times" yesterday was an accurate account of what is going on, and what his attitude would be towards the proposal to make the price of sugar 15s. per cwt.?

I have not heard of the proposal. If my hon. Friend would give me notice, I will make inquiry.

asked whether it was the intention of the Government to send to Grand Committee the proposed Bill to disestablish and disendow the Welsh Church; and, if so, whether, having regard to the controversial nature of such a Bill, the Government would reconsider their decision?

The Government have not yet considered the method of procedure to be adopted in regard to this Bill.

Is it within the recollection of the right hon. Gentleman that the late Mr. Gladstone and the late Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman frequently deprecated sending highly controversial Bills to Grand Committees; and will the Government bear that in mind?

All these considerations are borne in mind.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been drawn to a statement made at the annual meeting of the General Council of Irish County Councils on the 5th instant by a member who had recently been examined by the Special Committe on Irish finance now sitting in camera that the claims put forward by the Standing Committee on national finance and involving large extra subventions from the Imperial Exchequer to relieve the Irish ratepayers in respect of national education, Poor Law relief, and district lunatic asylums, would be recommended for adoption by the secret committee alluded to; and whether, should any such proposals be actually carried into effect, it was the Government's intention to introduce legislation conferring corresponding relief to British ratepayers in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation?

I have not seen the statement referred to. If made, it was made without any authority, and, as I have said more than once, I cannot at this stage anticipate the proposals that will be brought forward by the Government.

Is it not a fact that the education rate does not fall on the Irish ratepayers at all?

I do not think that that arises out of the answer. Perhaps the hon. Member will address that question to the Chief Secretary.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent statements of prominent Members of the Cabinet, it was the policy of the Government to shorten the period during which the suspensory veto of the Second Chamber operated under the Parliament Act, and to enable the will of the House of Commons to override the views of the Second Chamber within a less period than two years?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement was made by his colleague, the Foreign Secretary? Does he allow his colleagues to make important statements of this description without his sanction?

I do not know to what statement the hon. Gentleman refers.

Has not the Prime Minister read the report of his right hon. Friend's speech at Plymouth on a revised Second Chamber? Does he not read these speeches?

I read them to the best of my ability. There is nothing in my right hon. Friend's speech which in the least degree bears out the suggestion in the question.

May I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the latter part of the speech? May I send it to the right hon. Gentleman?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he would give the House the assurance that the Order concerning out-door relief proposed to be issued by the Local Government Board should not be so issued until the House had had an opportunity of examining and, if necessary, criticising the provisions?

My right hon. Friend proposes to introduce certain Amendments to the Order in question, which he has explained in a Paper which is being circulated to-day. When these Amendments have been considered it is hoped that they will be found to meet all such criticisms as have been made upon the Order, which can, of course, at any time be amended.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in connection with the taking over of the telephones from the National Telephone Company, a revision was contemplated of the existing rates paid by the Department to scale payment sub-postmasters for providing for the accommodation of and the working of telephones; and, if so, to what extent the rates were to be improved for such postmasters?

A revision of the existing rates of remuneration of scale payment sub-postmasters for telephone work is contemplated, but I am not yet in a position to give any information as to the effect of the revision. I would add that persons who are sub-postmasters and who also have charge of Exchanges of the National Telephone Company receive remuneration on a lower scale than is paid by the Post Office for similar work.

asked the Postmaster-General if he was aware that the postmaster at Angmering, Sussex, was also the station-master at the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway station at that place; and, if so, whether he had given his sanction to a person occupying dual positions of this kind?

The station-master at Angmering railway station was appointed sub-postmaster in 1901, when no other candidate applied for the position. The sub-postmaster of an office of this class is not required to devote his whole time to the duties, and I see no reason for disturbing the appointment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he was aware that letters addressed to a resident in Seaside Road, East Preston, were not delivered at that address, but were left at a house some hundreds of yards away; and that when the postmaster of the district was approached upon the matter he said that his men had not time to deliver the letters at the address given; and whether he would give instructions to this postmaster that all letters in his district must be delivered at the address given on the letter?

Letters for residents in Seaside Road, East Preston, are delivered as addressed; and even in the case of a portable bungalow, situated about 200 yards beyond that road, and almost on the foreshore, the postmaster of Worthing arranged for a delivery. On one occasion only since September last, when the bungalow was closed, a letter was left at the house of the caretaker.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the whole of the Atlantic cable system has now passed under the control of a foreign corporation and the risk of interruption of communications resulting therefrom in time of war, it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the scheme of a State-owned Atlantic cable?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, under the existing arrangement, the whole cable system between the United Kingdom and the Dominion of Canada was under the control of the United States; and what steps he proposed to take to establish an all-British cable to avoid this strategic disadvantage?

There are thirteen cables from the United Kingdom to North America, and all of them land on Canadian or Newfoundland territory. This fact should be borne in mind in connection with the strategic consideration raised by the hon. Member's question. The land lines both in Canada and in the United States are in the hands, not of the Governments, but of private companies, and there is no guarantee under existing conditions that a State-owned cable, if laid, would be able to establish connections with the land lines in those countries. On this side the British Post Office would not be able to supply the cable with much traffic, as the Anglo-American Cable Company is entitled, under an old agreement, to receive all transatlantic cablegrams which are not ordered by the sender to be transmitted by a specified route. The business of the Pacific Cable Board is at present far from sufficient to justify laying an additional cable across the Atlantic in order to carry its traffic alone. The hon. Member's question is inaccurate in that it suggests that all the transatlantic cable system is now under the control of one corporation. The Commercial Cable Company, with five cables, is not a party to the combination recently formed. I have established, as a condition of the renewal or transfer of landing licences, Government control of the rates charged by some of the cable companies, and shall extend this control as the licences of others fall to be renewed. Where the control applies rates cannot be raised without the consent of the Government, and may be reduced on the demand of the Government. The companies have a right of appeal to the Railway and Canal Commissioners if the equity of any proposed reduction is disputed. In view of all these circumstances, and of the substantial reductions now being made in many of the transatlantic rates, His Majesty's Government has no present intention of embarking on the large capital expenditure and annual commitments which would be involved in laying a State-owned cable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one transcontinental line in Canada, as regards telegraphic facilities, is not under the control of the American Telegraph and Telephone Company? Now is the opportunity, if I might respectfully suggest it, for us to make our arrangements with them as regards through traffic for the Pacific cable.

The Pacific Cable Board has already leased a wire of its own from Montreal to Vancouver.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has reasonable expectation that in time of war he will be able to get complete control?

We have no anxiety about the position in time of war.

asked if any estimate had been prepared of the cost of a State-owned Atlantic cable between Ireland and Newfoundland?

No recent estimate has been prepared, but I may state, for the hon. Member's information, that the cost of one of the cables laid last year between this country and Newfoundland was about £450,000.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman state at the Imperial Conference that the annual cost would be about £50,000, and did not New Zealand offer to pay about £12,000 per annum?