asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the application of Clause 47 of the National Insurance Bill, the term sea-fishing service includes coast fishermen; and, if so, on what terms they will participate in the benefits of the Seamen's National Insurance Society?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except in the case of vessels propelled by oars; and to the second part, that the terms are those set out in the Section, and in the scheme to be prepared in due course by the committee of management of the society, with the approval of the Board of Trade and the Insurance Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether qualified compounders and dispensers of medicines of the Royal Army Medical Corps, having businesses of their own, will be allowed to submit their names as eligible to dispense prescriptions under the National Insurance Bill?

Compounders and dispensers of medicine who are qualified under the rules of the Pharmaceutical Society and who have left the Royal Army Medical Corps are eligible to be placed on the lists of dispensers under the National Insurance Bill.

asked whether a medical practitioner will be allowed under the National Insurance Bill to have his name included among the list of practitioners in more than one area administered by more than one local health committee?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in a case where an employer himself has provided a fund for pensions and other benefits, and the deed regulating the fund gives the employer power to put an end to it, and in that event provides for the appropriation of the balance of the fund, after providing for liabilities, to local charities, and the employer in consequence of the passing of the National Insurance Bill and of his obligations to contribute thereunder, and of the benefits derived by his workmen, intends now to terminate his own fund, there is any provision in the Bill to ensure that the fund will revert to the employer notwithstanding trust for charities?

The answer is in the negative. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that employers' funds may become approved societies for the purposes of the Bill and that the employer is allowed to set off against his contributions under the Bill any contributions to benefits, similar to those conferred by the Bill, which he has bound himself to make.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a worker insured in a trade union against unemployment, who has hitherto been able to draw unemployment pay when unable to obtain work in his own trade, will retain this right under Part II. of the National Insurance Bill; whether a non-unionist seeking unemployment benefit through a labour exchange will have a corresponding right; and, if so, by whom will that right be determined?

Nothing in the Bill impairs any right of a member of a trade union to draw unemployment pay from his union in accordance with the rules of that union. Under Clause 106 of the Bill the trade union will be able to obtain periodically a refund of a portion of its expenditure on unemployment pay. Broadly speaking, the amount so refunded will be the equivalent of the sum to which the members of the union would have been entitled under the rules of the fund if no arrangement with the union had been made, and any question arising as to the amount of the refund twill be settled by the umpire. The rights of workmen (other than trade unionists drawing their unemployment pay through their union) to unemployment benefit under the scheme are set out in Clauses 84 and 86 to 88 of the Bill. These rights are determined in the first instance by an insurance officer, with an appeal against his refusal to grant benefit to a Court of Referees, and (in certain cases) to the umpire.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that service as assistant clerk is reckoned from after the issue of a Civil Service certificate in that capacity, the position on the seniority list of assistant clerks in any department of any clerk formerly employed on temporary service, but who has since been granted a Civil Service certificate as assistant clerk, is governed by the date of issue of such certificate?

Certain questions as to the relative seniority of assistant clerks are determined by the departments in which they serve, and I am, therefore, unable to give an answer of general application to this question.

asked whether, in cases where applicants for old age pensions in Ireland are allowed by deed of agreement a specified sum of money or board and lodgings as an annuity, he will state why it is that pension officers, in estimating the value of the board and lodgings, always place it at a sum which will disqualify the applicant, in some cases estimating the cost of maintenance at three times the alternative annuity, or does the pension officer take into account the fact that the value of the maintenance of the annuitant is in no case supposed to exceed the amount of the annuity, or is it a fact that the value of maintenance is entirely based on the manner of living of the applicant immediately prior to the transfer of means?

I am not sure that I fully understand the point of the question, but I cannot in any way admit the suggestion as to the action of the pension officers. Where the consideration for the transfer is alternatively an annuity or board and lodging, the officer would not base his estimates on an assumed equivalence between the amount of the annuity and the money value of the board and lodging, if he regarded such an assumption as inconsistent with actual facts.

asked the Chief Secretary what redress, if any, there is for applicants for old age pensions whose applications have been refused because of their names not appearing in the Census Returns of 1841–51, although the genuineness of their claims have been proved by statutory declarations and sworn affidavits; are such persons, whose ages and claims are beyond question, to be permanently shut out from the benefits of the Old Age Pensions Act because of the reasons specified; and, if not, can he say what course the Government propose to take in regard to having this grievance remedied?

No claim has been disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground of age where any evidence of a satisfactory character was produced that the claimant, notwithstanding the absence of his name from the Census Returns, had reached the statutory age. A statutory declaration or affidavit by itself has no value unless it discloses means of knowledge sufficient to justify belief in the fact deposed to. The onus of proof of age rests upon the claimant, and no pension can properly be allowed in the absence of satisfactory evidence on this point. It is not true to say that any person has been shut out whose age is beyond question. Many persons have been admitted to pensions without any direct evidence other than their appearance.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the grounds upon which the Local Government Board disallowed the pension granted by the Athlone, county Roscommon, pension committee to Mr. Richard Begley, in the face of the fact that this man is in possession of no income further than interest to the amount of about £1 a year, drawn from a small sum of money lodged in bank, on which he has to draw for his maintenance, and that he lives with his married son who is in possession of a house and small farm; and if the Local Government Board will reconsider its decision in this matter?

Richard Begley's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. The farm referred to belonged to him, and was only assigned by him to his son in February last, shortly before the claim was made for a pension. It it not open to the Board to reconsider their decisions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds did the National Board only allow £109 annual income in 1901 to the principal teacher of Moylough boys' national school, county Sligo, Roll No. 13831, instead of £132 12s. which he would be entitled to under the rules in force prior to 1900, seeing that the National Board in 1900 made special provision by which highly classed teachers under the rules hitherto in force were to be specially dealt with on their appointments to principalships, that the Resident Commissioner of National Education publicly promised that none of the existing teachers under the rules in force prior to 1900 would suffer by the introduction of the new rules in 1900, and that this school was at that time a first-grade school, and will he consider the advisability of making representations to the National Board to inquire into the merits of the case of this teacher, seeing that he was a highly classed teacher under the rules in force prior to 1900, that he is now deprived of £13 annual income by the operation of the standard numbers rule, and that the school since his appointment to it as principal has become a first-of-first grade school both in attendance and reports?

The Commisioners of National Education cannot admit that Mr. Cahill would have been entitled to £132 12s. under the rules in operation prior to 1900, or that he has suffered pecuniarily under the new rules. Mr. Cahill was not appointed principal teacher until 27th June, 1901, and he had been previously only assistant teacher with a salary of £65 per annum. As principal of Moy-lough school he was granted an increase of £29 per annum, making his salary £94 per annum exclusive of capitation grant. His present salary is £107 per annum exclusive of capitation and augmentation grant. The increases of salary are in accordance with the regulations referred to in the question, and have been granted after due consideration of the teacher's educational attainments and the character of the school. Mr. Cahill was promoted on 1st April last to the second division of first grade, but he has not yet received the salary of that grade as there is no vacancy.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a memorial has been received by the Estates Commissioners from a number of tenants on the Kirk estate, Castletown, Queen's County, complaining of the distribution of the bog, and pointing out that under the terms of purchase agreed to the existing turbary rights were to be secured to the tenants for the term of sixty-eight and a-half years; and, in view of the fact that an attempt is being made to upset this agreement, will the Commissioners see, before sanctioning the sale, that their turbary rights are secured to the tenants?

The memorial referred to has been received and is at present under the consideration of the Estates Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Patrick Stapleton, Dromard, Templemore, who was evicted from a farm on Major Lidwell's estate at Dromard, Templemore, was promised a farm on Sir John Carden's estate at Ballyheen, Templemore; whether Patrick Stapleton signed an agreement to pay an annuity of £35 per annum; and whether he can state the reason of the delay in giving possession of the holding at Ballyheen to Stapleton?

The Estates Commissioners are not aware that Stapleton was promised a farm or signed any undertaking to purchase same. He lodged an application for reinstatement as an evicted tenant, and his name was provisionally noted for consideration. On further inquiry it was ascertained that his former holding was not one to which the Land Law Acts apply, and as he did not therefore come within the class of evicted tenants for whom the Commissioners have power to provide holdings, they decided to take no action in his case. The lands of Ballyheen have been already divided amongst evicted tenants coming within the Evicted Tenants Act.

asked if any steps have been taken recently to acquire the untenanted land on the estate of Thomas Gubbins, at Bottomstown, county Limerick?

Proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of 350 acres of the lands of Bottomstown on the estate of J. H. Gubbins, county Limerick, under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, were instituted by the Estates Commissioners. The owner filed objections under the Act to their compulsory acquisition which were allowed, and the Commissioners have taken no further action in the matter.

asked if any communications have taken place between the Estates Commissioners and Mrs. Shiels, of Cahirconlish, county Limerick, with a view to the purchase of any untenanted lands on her estate?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary if a landlord can become tenant in demesne lands without giving any guarantee that he will reside in the place; has the sale to Colonel Lowe, at Sunville, Ard-patrick, county Limerick, been finally arranged; and, if not, will the Commissioners see that this gentleman will not be allowed to let the land on the eleven months' system or sell it in small farms?

The re-purchase by a vendor of his demesne and other lands in his occupation in pursuance of Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, is subject to the provisions of that Section. As the hon. Member has already been informed, the Estates Commissioners have arranged for the re-sale under that Section to Colonel Lowe of the lands of Sunville Lower in connection with the sale of his estate, and the lands will be vested in him in accordance with the provisions of that Section.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made an offer for the purchase of the Domville estate, county Mayo, or what stage the negotiations for purchase have reached?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of this estate. The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection have recently been lodged with the Board, and the estate will be inspected and a decision arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable, having regard to the present engagements of the Board's staff.

asked whether any steps have been taken with a view to the reinstatement of Mrs. Johanna O'Brien, who was evicted two years ago from her holding at Gransha, Castlemaine, county Kerry; and, if not, whether an inspector will be sent at once to inquire into her case?

No application for reinstatement has been received by the Estates Commissioners from the person referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a cottage scheme, formulated by the Wexford District Council, was lodged with the Local Government Board on the 13th August last; that the Board now propose hanging up this scheme with the object of allowing other district councils who refused or neglected to work the Labourers Acts when loan terms were onerous to avail themselves of the cheap money granted under the Act of 1911; whether he is aware that this proposal puts a premium on the inaction of the councils who fail to put the law in motion and penalises those councils who were active in the administration of the Acts; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Wexford scheme proposes the erection of a number of cottages in lieu of old hovels condemned by the medical officer of health as unfit for human habitation, he will recommend the Local Government Board to carry out the provisions of Article 23 (1) of the Labourers Order, 1906, and appoint an inspector to hold an inquiry into the scheme at an early date so that the cottages might be built next summer?

The facts are practically as stated. The principle on which the Local Government Board are acting in regard to the holding of inquiries has already been stated on several occasions in reply to questions in this House; but, apart from that consideration, schemes from twenty-five other rural districts were lodged before that from Wexford, and are at present awaiting inquiry. Article 23 (1) of the Labourers Order, 1906, is being complied with as far as practicable. Wexford Rural District has received £28,310 out of the four and a quarter millions provided by the Labourers Act of 1906, and 911 cottages have already been authorised to be provided in the district. Moreover, the last proposal of the council, which was made in March, 1910, was one providing for the taking of additional allotments for 141 cottages already built, so that the council themselves would appear to have considered that no urgent necessity exists for building more cottages.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Department will consider the advisability, in sanctioning schemes of technical scholarships, of following and adopting the principles and policy laid down for county councils in the 10th Section of the Irish Universities Act of 1908, namely, to grant scholarships only to those candidates who have need of such assistance?

The Department's scheme of technical scholarships provides for competition amongst boys who during the preceding year have been in regular attendance at a primary school, an elementary evening school under the Commissioners of National Education, or the preparatory course in an evening technical school. The limitation of the field from which candidates are drawn, in the opinion of the Department, secures that only those who are in need of technical assistatnce become candidates for scholarships.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), how many people have been prosecuted in Ireland for the fraudulent sale of Irish butter during the years 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911, and the penalties imposed?

The figures taken from the records in the possession of the Department of Agriculture as to prosecutions and penalties in cases in Ireland under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts and the Merchandise Marks Act in the years 1908, 1909, and 1910, in respect of butter, are as follows:—

asked the Chief Secretary why the maps included in the Criminal Statistics of Ireland [Cd. 5866] have been prepared and printed at the Ordnance Survey Office in Southampton, although the whole of the Blue Book itself has been printed in Ireland; will he state whether the Ordnance Survey Department has any map printing establishment in Ireland, or, if not, when it was discontinued; and will he further state whether the Irish Ordnance Survey is printed in Ireland or in Southampton?

I have been requested by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The Ordnance Survey has a map printing establishment at Dublin, but it sometimes happens that a particular piece of work can be more economically carried out at Southampton, and this was the case in the particular instance to which the hon. Member refers. The great bulk of the printing work of the Irish Survey is, of course, done at Dublin.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is offering to grant new leases in Canton on the basis of not only the value of the land but also of the property erected thereon; and, if so, whether the interests of present lot holders will be protected, and particularly of those who, having purchased Crown leases for a long term at a stipulated rental, have erected valuable buildings on the land thus leased?

So far, His Majesty's Government are making no offer to grant new leases, either at Canton or in other British Concessions in China. An official from the Foreign Office has been dispatched to China especially to gather information and report on the question of leases in the British Concessions, after discussion with His Majesty's Minister and Consular officers on the subject. No decision shall be come to in the matter until his report has been received and considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been given to the refusal of many education authorities to employ married female teachers; and, having regard to the desirability of attracting women to the teaching profession and of placing no bar against their subsequent marriage, whether he will instruct local authorities that this practice cannot be allowed to continue?

It is within the discretion of local education authorities to decide whom they will employ in their schools, and I do not think it would be desirable, even if I had the power, for me to issue instructions to them in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will give the figures for each month during the past year of recruiting for the Special Service Reserve, and also the estimated establishment of that branch of the Service?

The figures for the non-commissioned officers and men, exclusive of Regular establishment, are as follow:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a petition from a meeting of depositors and current account holders in the Birkbeck Bank, requesting him to receive a depu- tation from an association which has been formed of those persons; and, if so, what reply he has sent?

I have been asked to receive a deputation of depositors and current account holders in the Birkbeck Permanent Benefit Building Society, who feel aggrieved by a recent decision of the Court as to the method of distribution of the assets of the society. I have pointed out that as notice of appeal from that decision has been given, and the matter is, therefore, still sub judice, I do not think that it would be right for me to receive such a deputation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a packet can be sent by parcel post to New Zealand or to Canada at the rate of 1s. per 3 lbs., whereas a 3 lbs. parcel sent to the Cape of Good Hope costs 2s. 3d.; what is the reason for this; and whether steps will be taken to equalise these payments?

The rates of postage on parcels as stated by the hon. Member are correct. The postage on parcels charged to the public is made up on the basis of the different amounts payable for the separate sea and land services to the Administrations concerned. The South African Administration has not yet seen its way to accept as it share of the total charge a sum less than 3d. a lb. for the land service and an equal amount for the sea service. The Administrations of Canada and New Zealand accept 6d., 1s., and 1s. 6d., and 4d., 8d., and 1s. respectively for parcels up to and including 3 lbs., 7 lbs., and 11 lbs. The question of reduction has been before the South African Administration so recently that I fear I could not with advantage take up the question of a reduction of the rate at the present moment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the discontent among the Cork postal and telegraphic staff by the threat to dismiss Mr. E. Corcoran, secretary of the local branch of the Association of Irish Post Office Clerks; whether Mr. Corcoran is a capable official of high character who has recently been afflicted with a severe illness; whether his predecessor, as secretary of the association, was compelled by official pressure to retire; and whether he will personally inquire into the best means of appeasing the discontent of the Cork staff on the subject?

I am making inquiry into this case.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if it is intended to bring forward any legislation or to take any action with regard to restricting the spread of the Isle of Wight bee disease; and is he aware that three cases have been discovered of this disease in Cumberland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I have already given on this subject yesterday and on the 22nd November last. I have received information, forwarded to me by the hon. Member for Carlisle, from which it would appear that the disease has appeared near Keswick and Cockermouth.

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?

The following is the table referred to in my spoken reply to the hon. Member's question:—FAILURES OF FARMERS (ENGLAND AND WALES)Number of Failures of Farmers, in Bankruptcy of under Deeds of Arrangement, and Amount of Assets and Liabilities, as estimated by Debtors, in the last four quinquennial periods.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he can say what would be the cost of installing indicators showing the names of speakers in the galleries of the House; and whether, the funds at his disposal being inadequate to enable him to afford this convenience to the public, he will approach the Treasury in order to obtain the amount required?

The cost of supplying and fixing an indicator is about £80; and there will be a charge of £25 yearly for its maintenance—to be borne by the Vote of the Serjeant-at-Arms. The First Commissioner does not think the case merits a special appeal to the Treasury.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if in addition to leasing the 3,400 acres of steam coal, at Chislet, in Kent, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are now entertaining a proposal from the Anglo-Westphalian Kent Coal Syndicate to lease to them a large area of land at Lydden, about four miles from Dover Harbour, said to contain valuable seams of smokeless navigation steam coal; and if it is proposed that this area also shall be exploited by the German company known as the Allgemeine Tiefbohr and Schachtbau Aktien-Gesellschaft; and if there is any special reason for putting their steam coal lands in the hands of this German syndicate for development?

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have received no proposal from the Anglo-Westphalian Kent Coal Syndicate to take any area but that in the neighbourhood of Chislet, and I am unable to say whether there is any steam coal under that area. As to their land at Lydden, the Commissioners are not in negotiation for a coal letting to any person or company. The special reason for entertaining the proposal of the Anglo-Westphalian Kent Coal Syndicate to explore the Chislet area and work the coal, if found, was that they were the only applicants for that area, and the Commissioners were satisfied of their ability to provide the necessary capital. The Commissioners have not put any area in the hands of any German company. As previously explained, and as is suggested by the name, German capital as well as English is invested in the Anglo-Westphalian Kent Coal Syndicate, the English company with which the Chislet letting has been arranged. The syndicate contract with foreign engineers or contractors for carrying out their operations precisely as any other colliery company may do.