asked the First Lord of the Admiralty by how much the "Lion" and "Orion" are expected to exceed the regulation two years' period of construction; and whether the constant delays in the completion of warships are taken into consideration by the Admiralty in the preparation of their Estimates?

The "Orion" was laid down on the 29th November, 1909, and it is expected that she will be completed by the end of this month, an excess of four weeks over the two years. The "Lion" was laid down on the 29th November, 1909, and, subject to her trials being satisfactory, will complete about the end of March, 1912. There are no constant delays in the completion of warships, but in the preparation of Navy Estimates consideration is given to meeting any outstanding liabilities that may be required to be met at a later date in consequence of delay.

How is it that there has been in the case of the "Lion" four months' delay of the date of completion?

From time to time there is no doubt delay, but on the whole the delays are much less prolonged and much less frequent in the preparation of warships than in any other part of the world.

asked, in view of the admiral's quarters being placed aft in the "King George V." now completing at Portsmouth, if a stern walk has been fitted; and whether a door in the stern of the ship leading to it from the admiral's cabin was omitted?

A stern walk has been fitted in the "King George V." Doors leading from the admiral's cabin to the stern walk were arranged for in the design, are now in hand, and will be fitted shortly. There has been no error or omission.

Is it not a fact that the doors were only arranged after the question was put upon the Paper?

That is not true. I am informed that they were all arranged for in the original design, and we find that the method adopted is the best and cheapest.

asked whether discontent was manifested by the lower deck of the "Medina" immediately prior to her departure from Porstmouth, at the accommodation provided for them; and whether, as a result, fifty-four men were removed from her, and many of these subsequently confined for various terms in the detention barracks?

I have made careful inquiries, and am informed that the rumours which I understand the hon. Member desires to clear up by his question, are devoid of all foundation. Nothing of the sort ever occurred.

asked (1) whether the statement of Admiralty policy with regard to refits, promulgated on 30th November, 1905, still represents the policy of the Board; and, if so, why were two armoured cruisers absent in dockyard hands from each of the Home Fleet cruiser squadrons on 23rd November, one only being permitted under the terms of the Memorandum; (2) whether the statement of Admiralty policy with regard to refits, promulgated on 30th November, 1905, still represents the policy of the Board; and, if so, why were four battleships from the active divisions of the Home Fleet in dockyard hands on 23rd November last, three only being permitted to be absent for this purpose under the terms of the memorandum?

The statement of Admiralty policy issued by the late Government before they left office is obviously not wholly applicable to the present time, when the organisation of the Fleet has been materially altered. There is, however, no intention of reverting to the still earlier practice of placing whole squadrons in dockyard hands for refit at the same time.

May I ask what standard is now recognised at the Admiralty, and whether the change was made from the old Memorandum?

If my hon. Friend would like an answer to that, perhaps he will put a question down.

asked what was the designed speed of the destroyers provided for in the Estimates of 1908–9, 1909–10, and 1910–11; and what was the designed speed of the destroyers provided for in the corresponding German Estimates?

It could not be reconciled with the public interest to give detailed statements as to the speed of British destroyers. Nothing is known officially as regards the speeds of German destroyers nor of the conditions under which their trial speeds are obtained.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman unofficially know that the German destroyers are at least seven knots an hour faster than ours?

I should not like to go into any question of what I know; I only give to the House official information.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that these German destroyers are seven knots an hour faster than ours?

No, Sir. I neither deny nor accept the statement. It should, I think, be assumed that the Admiralty of any country will, in the completion of a ship of any particular type, carry the vessel out on the most approved pattern. We are quite satisfied that the type of destroyers which we have for our purposes is the best, and there has not been any other consideration except what the Admiralty experts considered to be the best taken into account.

asked whether the First Lord of the Admiralty is aware that the amount of wages of the men employed in the Naval Ordnance Department at Chatham kept in hand by the authorities has recently been increased; whether this has been done with the sanction of the Admiralty; and whether he will give orders that the former practice shall be reverted to?

The amount of wages kept, in hand in the Naval Ordnance Department in the Chatham district has recently been increased from two to three days in consequence of the increase in numbers and the difficulty experienced in preparing and checking the necessary cash documents in the limited time available between the day up to which the men are paid and the actual issue of the wages. I am afraid that the amount of time necessary to make up and check each account will not permit us to go back to the practice of keeping only two days' wages in hand.

asked whether, at any time during last September, any of the warships of the Home Fleet were short of the full amount of coal and ammunition required for a naval battle?

A certain amount of practice ammunition is used at battle practice, and coal is burned from day to day by ships at sea. Regular arrangements for replenishing supplies are always made. At no time was the supply of service ammunition less than 98 per cent. of the full outfit, or the coal below two-thirds full supply. The Fleet was, therefore, at all times ready for action. I trust the hon. Member will not be too ready to give credence to excitable rumours.

Is it not the fact that an enormous amount of coal was rushed to the north at the time of the crisis?

No, Sir. I have heard about that matter. The arrangement for taking the coal across the country at that particular time was many months before the occasion indicated arose.

asked what were the terms of the reference to the Departmental Committee of 1909 with regard to the national harbour of refuge at Peterhead; whether any Report has been made, and, if so, whether the abandonment of the works required for the completion of the harbour was recommended by the Committee; and whether, in view of the importance attached to this question by those interested in the fishing and shipping industries in Scotland, the Department will cause the Report to be published?

The reference is too long to quote in extenso in reply to a question, but I will hand a copy to my hon. Friend. In reply to the second and third parts of the question the Committee of 1909 were not directed by their reference to consider the question of the abandonment of the north breakwater.

In view of the fact that Parliament is about to rise, and that this is a matter of great importance to large districts of Scotland, may we rely that nothing will be done in any way to abandon those works without the sanction of an Act of Parliament; and in view, further, of the fact that £750,000 has already been spent on the works, can we rely on the works not being abandoned without the sanction of an Act of Parliament, or at least without Parliament having an opportunity to discuss the matter?

I have gone further than my hon. Friend suggests in an answer to a question the other day. I said if the local authorities had any representations to make as to the effect of the abandonment or continuance of these works upon the local harbour, I shall be very pleased to take the matter into consideration before coming to a final decision. At present they have not approached the Treasury in any way.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that this question affects a number of communities all along the East coast—Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, and other places, and will he confer with those interested and give them an opportunity of putting their views before him?

I shall have the greatest pleasure in doing that. I think it would be of great advantage to have the views of other great fishing centres like Aberdeen before a decision is ultimately arrived at.

May I ask that nothing will be done in the meantime in regard to the works until the right hon. Gentleman has heard the views of those interested?

Yes; no final decision has been arrived at.

If these works are abandoned the £750,000 which has been put into them will be lost, but if further work is done upon them they will be of great value.

The facts are not as stated by my hon. Friend.

asked whether the proposed abandonment of the works required for the completion of the national harbour of refuge at Peterhead has been considered and approved by the Board of Trade; and, if so, whether, in view of the opposition which the proposal to abandon the works has aroused in Scotland, he will publish the Minute or Report setting forth the reasons for abandoning an undertaking which has been repeatedly approved by Committees and Royal Commissions and by the Board of Trade and sanctioned by an Act of Parliament, and on which £750,000 has been spent?

The Board of Trade have no information on the subject. The harbour is not under their jurisdiction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the opening of the Civil Service in India to all British subjects, irrespective of race and creed, is regarded by the India Office as having had satisfactory results; and whether he can now state in what respect the peculiar racial conditions in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Federated Malay States, which have induced him to exclude from the Civil and Police services of these Colonies all British subjects who are not of pure European descent on both sides, differ from those of India?

I have explained to my hon. Friend, in answer to a previous question, the reasons for the restriction to which he refers, I am not prepared to admit that the experience of India has any direct bearing on the position in Hong Kong and the Malay Peninsula, since the racial conditions are quite different.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that his colleague the Member for Ilkeston (Colonel Seely), when Under-Secretary of State, in reply to a question on 25th June, 1908, said, "I believe——

The hon. Member must surely give notice of that question. He cannot ask a Minister to remember all the answers given in this House.

May I ask whether the view of the Colonial Office three years ago, as expressed by the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, was that they believed——

The hon. Member is doing the very thing I asked him not to do. It is impossible for the Minister to remember answers which were given by the Under-Secretary for the Colonies three years ago when he himself was not at the Office.

I do not propose to ask whether the Under-Secretary for the Colonies did give this answer or not, but I propose to ask whether the policy of which surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware is still in force—may I ask that question?

I think the hon. Member ought to give notice of such an important question as that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state whether the treaty of 1905, whereby the Malay States were federated, has been published, and where it can be seen?

There was no treaty of 1905. The treaty of 1895, to which my hon. Friend no doubt refers, has not been published officially in this country, but it is printed in the Government Gazette of the Straits Settlements and in several books of reference. I would suggest that my hon. Friend should consult the Hong Kong and China Directory, the Federated Malay States Civil Service List, or Mr. Belfield's Handbook of the Federated Malay States. I will lend him all or any of them.

Is it not desirable that an important treaty of this kind should be published in an official Government publication, and that I should not have to purchase books of that kind or to borrow them?

There has been a good deal of publication of this treaty. I will consider in future treaties the feelings of my hon. Friend.

Perhaps he would publish this treaty for the benefit of his Friend.

I think that perhaps when my hon. Friend has become acquainted with the details of the treaty he will not desire to have it published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in making regulations for entrance to the civil and police services of Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Federated Malay States, he is acting under any and, if so, what statutory powers?

The answer is in the negative. The regulations are merely a statement of the conditions on which the Secretary of State is prepared to select persons for appointment to the service of these Colonies and Protected States.

asked whether the police force in the Federated Malay States is chiefly composed of Indians and Malays; and whether the peculiar racial conditions which have induced him to exclude from the higher appointments of the police service all candidates who are not of pure European descent on both sides do not apply equally to the rank and file?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative, and the answer to the second part in the negative. I may add that the exclusion is no new act of mine, but has been in force for seven years.

I would like to know whether, owing to the racial conditions of those Colonies the natives object to being tried by persons who are not of pure European descent, but have no objection to being arrested by persons who are not of pure European descent?

The native population have not yet communicated to me their views on those refinements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it his duty to ascertain the views of the natives on these refinements?

I do not know whether my hon. Friend is suggesting any particular native. If so, perhaps he will send me his address.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that on 24th October Captain Alexander Henderson Chalmers, senior boarding officer in the master attendant's office, Singapore, was fined $50 by one of His British Majesty's magistrates at Singapore—namely, Mr. A. de Mella, for assaulting Mr. A, W. Gooneratne, a Ceylon man who is chief clerk at the Siamese Consulate, Singapore; whether this magistrate, Mr. A. de Mella, entered the Civil Service before the present regulation excluding all British subjects who are not of pure European descent on both sides came into force; whether he would be excluded by the present regulations; and whether the Colonial Office has any control over Captain Alexander Henderson Chalmers?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative, and the answer to the second and third parts in the affirmative. Mr. Chalmers is under the control of the Secretary of State to the same extent as any other officer in the Colonial Service.

May I ask whether the Secretary of State has taken any steps with regard to the matter?

No, Sir. As I have informed you in answer to the first part of the question, the matter has not been brought to my notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries with regard to this matter?

Inquire of whom, of the gentlemen who are connected or of the gentleman who convicted him?

Does the right hon. Gentleman ask me to tell him the proper channels to make inquiries in his office?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the evidence that glossina morsitans is a carrier of the trypanosome of sleeping sickness is now sufficiently conclusive to justify him in so relaxing the severity of the game laws of Nyasaland as to permit of the natives hunting game known to harbour the trypanosome in their blood, in order that both the game and the infecting fly which invariably accompanies it may be driven off from the populous centres and the black and the European population and their domestic animals be protected from the spread of this disease?

There is not yet sufficiently conclusive evidence to justify my taking the course suggested. A scientific commission under the direction of Colonel Sir David Bruce is now engaged in investigating in the Protectorate the relations between the fauna of the country, the tsetse fly, and the trypanosome, and, when definite results are reached, I shall not hesitate to adopt such measures as may be required. It must be remembered that domestic animals as well as game are suspected of being carriers of the trypanosome.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that sleeping sickness in man and trypanosomiasis in domestic animals are spreading in Nyasaland, and that these are associated with the presence of game and tsetse around the populous centres?

I have been in close communication with Dr. Kinghorn, and I am considering the matter very carefully. Whilst the Commission is inquiring into it I think I ought to be allowed to wait for their recommendations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the meantime sleeping sickness is spreading very rapidly in Nyasaland and that Professor Koch recommended that the game be driven back from populous centres because of the danger to natives and domestic animals from the proximity of game and infective tsetse, and is it not a fact that Dr. King-horn has experimentally inoculated susceptible animals with trypanosomiasis from the bite of infected glossina morsitons, the tsetse fly of Nyasaland?

The hon. Member can hardly expect the Secretary of State for the Colonies to answer those matters without notice.

I beg to give notice that on the Motion for Adjournment to-night I shall raise the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now inform the House as to the basis upon which contributions will be given to local authorities for the loss of rateable value arising out of the transfer to the Government of the undertaking of the National Telephone Company on 1st January, 1912?

I have nothing as yet to add to my previous answer to the hon. Member for St. Albans on 29th November.

May we expect any indication of the basis arrived at before the Act comes into force?

It is not a question of the Act coming into force, it is a question of the transfer taking place on 1st January. I am not sure that I will be able to promise them, but of course the contributions will be made in the usual way on a fair valuation of the premises.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many owners of land or houses have, during the current financial year made claims for repayment of excess of Income Tax paid in respect of moneys expended upon maintenance, repairs, insurance, and management under Section 69 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and what is the aggregate amount so repaid to such owners; and how do these figures compare with those for the preceding financial year?

During the current financial year claims for repayment of Income Tax under Section 69 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, have been made by 1,165 owners, and the amount repaid is £23,236. These figures refer to England and Wales only, the figures for Ireland and Scotland not being at present available. In the financial year 1910–11 claims were made by 573 owners in the United Kingdom, and the amount repaid was £5,122.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why the returns for Scotland are not available?

Will the hon. Member give me notice, and I will inquire?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he had received representations from licence holders in Lancashire and other counties indicating that where brewers and distillers had paid the duties established by the Finance Act of 1910 they had more than recouped themselves by raising prices to their tenants; and whether, in view of the effect upon numerous licence holders, he could take any action to cause the duties to be only paid by the parties intended by the Act?

My right hon. Friend has received representations of the nature referred to in the question. The difficulty pointed out seems to be inherent in the tied-house system, and he does not at present see his way to try and deal with it by legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he could state the acreage of the Crown lands which had been turned into small holdings in the years 1906–10; what the total rental and assessment for rates of these lands were before they were used for small holdings; what the present rental and assessment was; and what the total capital expenditure in connection with the transformation had amounted to?

The acreage of the Crown lands under the charge of the President of the Board of Agriculture, as a Commissioner of Woods, which have been let for small holdings and allotments in the five years ended 31st March, 1911, is 6,130 acres. The approximate total rental of these lands amounted, before they were taken for small holdings, to £7,514, and the rental for the same lands for the year 1911 amounted to £9,835. This sum includes interest on capital expended. I have no information as to the assessments for rates of the lands. The rates are not paid by the Crown. I should add that in the majority of cases the small holdings were formerly included in larger holdings, and they have as a rule been established on the best land of the former holding. Further, the residue of the former holding has in several cases been subsequently let at an enhanced rent. These facts, in conjunction with the fact that over £35,000 has been expended on buildings, equipment, etc., for the small holders, must be taken into account in connection with any attempt to make a comparison of the former with the existing total rents.

asked if it was known which were the farms to which the manure from the Deptford slaughter-houses was sent; if it had ever been known to have brought disease on to those farms; and, if so, what?

The Foreign Animals Order of 1903 provides that all dung and manure shall, before being removed from a foreign animals' wharf, be disinfected to the satisfaction of an inspector of the Board. The Board are not aware to what farm, if any, manure from the Deptford Wharf has been taken; but in no case has there been any suggestion, so far as the Board are aware, that any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was due to this source.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be a good thing to make inquiries in this direction, seeing that so much foot-and-mouth disease has broken out in the last few years?

Yes. As the hon. Member probably knows, the fullest inquiry was made into the possible origin of the outbreaks of last year and previous years, but in no single case has there been the least suggestion that foot-and-mouth disease was traceable to this cause.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to indicate that there is any difference between dung and manure?

asked whether the cause of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease near Yeovil had been discovered; whether any connection had been traced between it and the recent outbreak near Bridgwater; and what steps had been, and were being, taken to prevent its spreading?

The most careful inquiries have been, and are being, made with a view to discovering the cause of the outbreaks, but so far without success. There is no evidence of any connection between this outbreak and the recent outbreak near Bridgwater. The same measures have been adopted for preventing the spread of the disease in this case as those which have been adopted with complete success in the case of the other outbreaks which have recently occurred. All the cattle, sheep, and swine on the infected farm have been slaughtered, and restrictions have been placed on the movement of stock into, out of, and within an area of approximately fifteen miles from the place where the disease appeared.

On these farms is the dung or manure, whichever the right hon. Gentleman calls it, burnt?

Yes. Any dung or manure which can by any possibility be infected, is burnt.

asked whether arrangements could be made to place in the Members' Tea Room an indicator recording the business before the House?

In view of the restricted time during which this room is in use during the day the First Commissioner feels that the cost of installing an indicator can hardly be justified.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he was aware that when the Fair-Wages Resolution was before this House in 1909 the President of the Board of Trade declared that in the administration of the Clause regard would be had to the wages and conditions of service of all the employés of a firm of contractors, and that for a contractor to simply observe the Clause so far as his workmen directly engaged on the contract were concerned would not be sufficient; whether he was aware that, in reply to a complaint that the firm of Tozer and Sons, contractors for the cartage of coal, were not observing the Fair-Wage Clause in the payment of the wheelwrights and painters in their employ, the policy adumbrated by the President of the Board of Trade was not endorsed; whether he was aware that a wheelwright employed by the firm in question on the carts used for cartage of coal had been discharged for making a request to be paid the trade union rate; and whether he would have further inquiries made into this case with a view to the Fair-Wages Clause and the Government's declared policy in regard thereto being carried out?

In the Debate on 10th March, 1909, on the Fair-Wages Resolution of this House, the President of the Board of Trade stated that:—"The Fair-Wages Resolution applies as a legal obligation only to workers engaged on the Government contract in question." Firms who are notoriously bad employers in other directions are not employed by the Office of Works. The First Commissioner has inquired into the dismissal of the wheelwright referred to; and he is satisfied that the man was not dismissed for demanding the trade union rate of wages. Having regard to the information at his disposal, the First Commissioner is of opinion that the firm in question are not violating the Fair-Wages Clause of their contract.

In connection with the inquiries, was the trade union in question approached?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any works to be done by his Department had been suspended or delayed during the continuance of the present low rate of unemployment with a view to furnishing more employment when that rate rose; and, if so, in what instances this had been done?

Although some attempt has been made by the Office of Works to arrange its work so as to meet seasonal depressions in trade, it has not been found possible to deal with cyclical trade depressions in the manner suggested in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he was aware that the salary of £500 per annum, rising to £700 per annum, for the senior Labour Adviser to the Home Office was personal to Mr. Shackleton; and whether, in any new appointment he might make, he would revert to the lower scale?

I am aware that the scale of salary on which Mr. Shackleton was placed was personal to himself. In the ordinary course, future holders of the appointment would receive the normal scale of salary assigned to the appointment, but I am not prepared to say that in special cases the normal scale might not be departed from.

Having regard to the undertaking given to the House by his predecessor, will the right hon. Gentleman say that no appointment at other than the normal salary shall be made without the sanction of the House?

I have not before me the terms of the undertaking, but any undertaking that may have been given will, of course, be observed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he was aware that, with the exception of some vacancies which had been filled, there had been no additional appointments to the staff of His Majesty's women factory inspectors since 1908; and, whether, in view of the demand there was for their services, he could see his way to promising some further appointments?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my predecessor to a similar question by the hon. Member for Durham on the 17th May last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in regard to the Select Committee to consider medical matters he would consider the advisability of making the terms of reference fairly extensive, so that not merely questions of patent medicines might be dealt, with, but also the practice of medicine by unqualified men?

I do not think it would be wise to extend the scope of the inquiry beyond patent medicines.

asked the Home Secretary whether he was in a position to state whether the Select Committee promised for next Session to inquire into the subject of patent medicines and allied matters would be a Departmental Committee or in the nature of a Royal Commission; and whether the medical profession would be represented both in regard to science and to professional practice?

I am unable at present to make a definite announcement, but it is proposed that the inquiry should be by a Select Committee of this House or possibly a Joint Select Committee.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the expression of opinion from Scotland, and to the character of the Scottish mines, he would consider as to exempting Scottish mines from the provisions of paragraph 1 (b) of Clause 32 of the Coal Mines Bill in regard to the use of safety lamps, under the exemption proviso contained in that paragraph?

The paragraph of the Clause referred to does not apply to any mine where naked lights are used until an explosion has occurred which has caused injury to a workman. It is only after such an explosion that the question of the exercise of the power of exemption given to the Secretary of State would arise, and each case will be considered on its merits. I am informed that it will be possible very greatly to reduce the number of such explosions by improving the ventilation of the mines, and a period of six months is being allowed to enable mine owners to make such improvements.

Many of the explosions in Scottish mines are of a minor nature—they sometimes simply singe the brow, and do nothing else. Would they be deemed explosions under the Act?

No; they must cause injury. I understand my hon. Friend to imply explosions which have not caused injury.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the sentences recently passed at the Leeds Assizes upon J. W. Gott and Dr. Nikola; whether the accused were simply convicted of uttering provocatively opinions now widely current and widely published with impunity; and whether, in view of the length of these sentences, he would take immediate steps to have the prisoners released?

As I explained to the House yesterday, 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.

As the House will be rising in a few days, will the right hon. Gentleman give a pledge that he will act promptly as soon as the result of the appeal is known? If these men are in prison under a bad and obsolete law, surely——

The hon. Member is now entering upon an argument.

asked if the cost of the extra police employed in the Hull riots had been paid by the local authority?

The account for this service was paid by the local authority in August last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he was aware that the Lord Chamberlain was considering certain applications for stage play licences by places of entertainment within the area of his jurisdiction already holding the music hall licence, and had proposed to attach to the licence the condition that stage plays in such theatres should not exceed thirty minutes in length; and whether it could be stated what was the statutory authority under which the Lord Chamberlain could grant such licences or impose such a condition as to the length of plays?

The Law Officers are being consulted on this subject. I do not understand that the Lord Chamberlain has made the proposal suggested.

Would it be possible, in keeping with the Rules of the House, to communicate the opinion of the Law Officers?

I do not think so, but the question might be addressed to the Attorney-General.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Director of Public Prosecutions had power, apart from an action, to investigate the practices and documents of insurance companies and societies to which his attention was directed; whether a company or society would be brought within his jurisdiction by the practice of getting agents to cease calling for premiums in order that the insurances might lapse and the money paid become forfeited to the company or society, or by the practice of getting newly insured persons in a concern about to fail to join another company under the same management, and affording no such option to insured persons whose claims approached maturity, but leaving them to lose all in the failure; and, the persons so treated being all poor, what action he proposed to take with reference to the directors of the London and Provincial Assurance Company who, as directors of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, treated persons insured with them in this manner?

also asked the Attorney-General if the Director of Public Prosecutions had a staff competent and entitled to prevent bogus banks and insurance companies trading on the credulity of the poor; would he explain why so many of those institutions were allowed such a measure of success; why, for example, was one group of persons allowed to collect from poor people and appropriate to themselves £17,000, as reported by the Board of Trade; and whether the Director of Public Prosecutions was entitled to test the condition of suspected institutions, without detriment to any found solvent, by checking their real as distinguished from their paper assets and liabilities?

The powers of investigation of the Director of Public Prosecutions are confined to cases disclosing the commission of a criminal offence. Unless the evidence available were sufficient to support the prosecution for a criminal offence he would be powerless to take any action. The Director of Public Prosecutions does in fact both consider and investigate every statement laid before him which alleges the commission of a criminal offence. If the hon. Member will lay a statement in writing before the Director of Public Prosecutions which alleges or discloses primâ facie evidence of the commission by any named person or persons of any crimina1 offence in England or in Wales, I will undertake that it shall receive both the consideration of and investigation by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

If a bank makes an advance to one of its own officials to run an insurance society, there being no other money but the premiums received, the advance therefore being speculative and without security, would that act entitle the Director of Public Prosecutions to intervene?

The facts stated by the hon. Member would not be sufficient in themselves to warrant the intervention of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention had been directed to the case of Rosie v. Mackay, 1910, reported in Session Cases, 714; and whether he would bring in a Bill to amend the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, providing that it should be competent to award a nominal sum of compensation when the judge who tried the case was of opinion that, owing to the injuries which the workman had sustained the workman might reasonably be expected at some later date to be totally or partially incapacitated for work in consequence of the injuries, although for the time being he might be able to earn the same rate of wages as he did before the accident?

I am aware of the decision referred to in the question. The point is one on which the English and Scottish Courts have taken different views; the English Court of Appeal having held that the judge has jurisdiction to make a suspensory award for the purpose of keeping alive the workman's claim for compensation in cases where incapacity is likely to recur, while the Scottish Court in the case mentioned has held that this cannot be done. The point can only be determined finally by a decision of the House of Lords. I am afraid I cannot give any promise to bring in legislation for the purpose of clearing up the point, but I will see that it is noted for consideration in connection with the next amending Bill.

asked the Attorney-General whether he was aware that lump sums awarded under the Workmen's Compensation Act and invested by order of the County Court were by the rules only allowed to be invested in the Post Office Savings Bank; and whether he could do anything to have such rules altered so that such sums could be invested in trustee securities or other stocks returning a fair rate of interest?

I will bring this matter to the attention of the Rule Committee of the County Court Judges.

asked the Lord Advocate if he is aware that, for the years 1906–10, out of the eleven Scottish Votes the numbers passed by Closure in this House and not previously discussed were, yearly, ten, eight, ten, nine, and seven respectively, or for the period an average of nearly ten Scottish Votes undiscussed per annum out of eleven, and also that for the years 1907–9 a total amount of £4,138,000 was likewise voted for Scotland without opportunity for discussion; and whether the Government will be prepared to propose a wider latitude for the examination of Scottish Estimates next year so as to secure more facility for the discussion of Scottish affairs?

In reply to the first part of the question, I have no doubt that the figures given by my hon. Friend are correct. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government has no power to give wider latitude in debate. By the practice of the House, discussion must be limited to the particular Vote which is read out from the Chair, and the Debate on that Vote cannot be made the opportunity for discussing a topic which arises on another Vote. The Government has no desire to limit discussion: but the practice of the House is quite well recognised.

In view of the facts stated in the right hon. Gentleman's answer, is he still of the opinion that the Government of Scotland is one of the best known to the world?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Scottish Office did not furnish the information to the hon. Member for Aberdeen instead of sending him to another Department?

Because that was the proper Department to send him to.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can offer to feuars in Scotland any hope of relief from Ecclesiastical Assessment Taxes which are still being levied for the erection and repair of churches in which they have no interest nor concern?

The attitude of the Government towards this measure was stated by Lord Shaw of Dunfermline, when Lord Advocate, in the Debate on the Ecclesiastical Assessments (Scotland) Bill in the House of Commons on 26th February, 1907 (Parliamentary Debates, 4th Series, vol. 169, pp. 1547–1552), and I do not think that I can add to what was said then.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain what was the cause of the delay in carrying out that policy?

There was no definite promise given that legislation would be introduced, but Lord Shaw expressed entire approval of the resolution.

Can no hope be given of redress of the grievances under which these people are suffering from this tax?

I am afraid not this Session.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that grievances of this kind have led to passive resistance in England and may do so even in Scotland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman offer any hope that next Session some relief will be given?

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is now in a position to make any definite statement in regard to the readjustment of the Sheriff Court districts in Fifeshire?

The readjustment of The Sheriff Court districts in Fifeshire has now been made, and the appropriate order giving effect to the new arrangement will be issued in a few days.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is to be any alteration of the district close to Fife?

Not at the same lime; there will be subsequently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the receipt of a letter by the London County Council from the south-eastern divisional officer of the Labour Exchanges of the Board of Trade, stating that, with the approval of the general manager, a scheme for the instruction of the officials in Labour Exchanges has been prepared, and asking the council to give such assistance as will enable this scheme to be put into operation; whether it is the practice of the Board to appoint unqualified and uneducated persons to posts on Labour Exchanges; and whether he will undertake in future to appoint persons who have undergone at least an elementary training in the duties which they are to discharge before their appointment and thus protect the ratepayers from unnecessary expenditure on education?

No official letter has been addressed by the Board of Trade to the London County Council on this subject, but I understand that various verbal and written communications have passed between individual officers of the county council and of the Labour Exchanges branch. As I understand from the newspapers that the London County Council, in their discretion, have refrained from sanctioning the scheme of classes jointly prepared for their consideration by these officers, the scheme, of course, falls to the ground. There is, of course, no justification -whatever for the insinuation contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question directed against the capable and devoted staff of the London Labour Exchanges.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the last part of the question whether he will undertake in future to appoint persons who have undergone at least an elementary training in the duties which they are to discharge before their appointment?

I have answered that part by saying there is no justification whatever for the insinuation contained in the last part of the question, namely, that they are not fit for their work. These classes are a matter that ought to be encouraged, I should think, rather than be discouraged.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these classes, of which I have seen the syllabus, deal with the most elementary matters about the writing of business letters and so on, and may I not insinuate that it is essential that those gentlemen ought to be instructed in such matters before taking salaries from the Government, and not be given this education at the expense of the ratepayers?

These officers were appointed because they were thought to be the most suitable for the work, and I think it may be an advantage from the point of view of the public that they should have an opportunity of improving their education.

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate a copy of the syllabus?

If the right hon. Gentleman wishes. I have not seen it.

I will send the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade a copy.

asked when the Labour Exchange in Sligo will be opened?

It is hoped that this Exchange will be opened about the middle of next month.

asked whether any and, if so, which, of the recommendations of Colonel von Donop, consequent upon his recent inspection of the Kilkenny railway station of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company have been carried out; and, if not, will he take steps to see that, for the safety and convenience of the public, they are carried out without further delay?

The railway company have not yet informed me of the result of their consideration of Colonel von Donop's recommendations, but as soon as they do so I will communicate with my hon. Friend. Their attention has been recently called to the matter. I should, perhaps, explain that the Board of Trade have no compulsory powers in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the dispute between the United Turkey Red Company, Vale of Leven, and their workers; and what action his Department proposed to take in the matter?

The Chief Industrial Commissioner is at present in communication with the parties to this dispute.

asked the number of inspectors proposed to be appointed under the Trade Boards Act; the amount of salary to be paid to each inspector; and the methods of appointment?

The estimates for this year provide for eight officers in connection with the Trade Boards Act, with salaries ranging from £150 to £200 in the third-class, to £300 to £400 in the first class. At present four have been appointed, and the question whether further appointments should be made is now being considered. The appointments are made by the Board of Trade.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether any Return of the position of the various Post Office Savings Banks in the United Kingdom has been issued since 1895; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of issuing a Return periodically?

No complete Return of this nature has been prepared since 1895, as the cost of compiling that Return, which was considerable, was not justified by its value. I do not consider it advisable to issue such a Return periodically.

asked what, if any, inquiry has been made into the feasibility and value of introducing into this country the automatic telephone system which has been tested in certain cities in America?

As I stated in reply to a question on 30th November, three experimental automatic telephone exchanges are about to be installed at Epsom, Caterham, and the General Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can see his way to retain the postal telegraph facilities for Templeboy and Skreen, county Sligo, at the expense of his Department, in view of the want of railway and other communication in those districts and in view of the rates which have already to be paid for the various county and local purposes by the ratepayers?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked why the trunk telephone facilities extended to Sligo only enable calls to be made by subscribers as far as Enniskillen; and whether he will provide such additional facilities as will enable traders and other subscribers in Sligo to use the trunk lines all over the postal telephone area?

The hon. Member's question appears to be based on a misapprehension. Subscribers at Sligo can obtain communication with the general telephone system through Enniskillen, although, owing to the electrical limitations imposed by the cross-channel submarine cable, it may not be possible to speak from Sligo to the more distant parts of England and Scotland.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agricuture (Ireland) whether he could give the data as to where the cultivation of sugar beet in England has not been successful in 1911?

The statement of my right hon. Friend the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, made on the 23rd November, was based upon official and other information in regard to the beet growing experiments in Norfolk not having proved so successful as had been hoped for. It was intended to cover the whole course of the experiments, and not merely those of last year.

Will the Chief Secretary call his right hon. Friend's attention to the fact that the results of the experiments were very nearly double as good as on the Continent?

Of course I will call attention to that. I suppose most of us have seen the reports of the growing in Norfolk and formed our own opinion upon it. I shall call my right hon. Friend's attention to the matter.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he will state upon what basis the estimated true revenue of Ireland, as given in the White Paper, No. 221, ordered to be printed 12th July, 1911, is calculated; if he will state in what year it was first adopted; whether he will state if any, and what, record has been kept of dutiable articles entering or leaving Ireland, in what year, and for how many months such record was kept; and what authority kept the record; (2) whether there is in existence at present any machinery for estimating the true revenue of Ireland; and, if not, whether he will state if, in order to calculate accurately the produce of Customs and Excise duties derivable from the respective articles under those headings consumed in Ireland, it would be necessary to establish an authority in Ireland with power to compel the recording of any dutiable articles entering or leaving that country?

The basis on which the Return is prepared will be found explained in House of Commons Paper 313 of 1894, which also contains a history of the Return. Reference should also be made to House of Commons Papers 329 of 1891, 314 of 1894, and 225 and 269 of 1904. Very thorough inquiries extending over the whole financial year were made by the Customs Department in the year 1903–4 as to the import and export to and from Ireland of dutiable articles. Further investigations as regards special articles have been made by the Customs and Excise Department during the course of the present year. As regards the concluding question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a question by the Member for Dublin University on the 27th ultimo.

asked whether he will state the present designation of the employés in the Board of Education and Probate Registry whose conditions of service are so similar to those of dockyard writers and certain persons employed in the War Office and Army Ordnance Department that any suggestions for a change in the conditions of service of the dockyard writers would have also to be considered in relation to them?

I cannot add anything to my answer of 28th ultimo to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the treatment of the Caves of Elephanta, and will he say by whose authority this action has been taken; and whether he will see that other monuments in India are preserved from similar treatment?

I am aware that certain works which have been recently carried out for the purpose of securing the safety and otherwise conserving the rock temples at Elephanta have been unfavourably criticised an the public Press, but I have no official information. The Bombay Government is the responsible authority, and will no doubt consider these criticisms, and will take such action as may be necessary in consultation with the Department of Archæology.

When is the hon. Gentleman likely to have the information, and is he aware that this question of preventing vandalism is one of the greatest importance in India?

It was in order to avoid vandalism that the Department of Archæology was instituted.

Would the hon. Gentleman, since he has seen what appeared in the Press, call for an inquiry as to what has been done and see whether it calls for interference?

Of course, the letters that appeared in the public Press, and the hon. Member's question itself, will be taken into consideration by the Bombay Government, but if the hon. Member wishes I shall direct special attention to it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ribbon to which the commemoration medals for the Durbar are attached, as well as the machine for cutting the ribbon, was made in Germany; and whether it is not possible to obtain these articles within the four corners of the British Empire?

The contract for the supply of ribbon for the Durbar medal was placed with the same British firm that supplied the ribbon for the Coronation medal, which is of the same pattern. The firm, Messrs. Redmayne and Co., of New Bond Street, stated on their tender that the ribbon would be made at Coventry and elsewhere, and I have no reason to suppose that the conditions of the tender were not observed. I have no information as to the make of the machine used to cut the ribbon.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will explain why the Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland has not availed himself of public information pointing to cases of systematic fraud; why the practice has been allowed to grow-up of the same group of persons starting several companies to help each other in evading the law, doing business contrary to statute and by improper means transferring their victims from one company to another; and, if he has not already done so, whether he will make himself acquainted with the origin and character of the relations between the National United Assurance Society, Limited, and the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society, between the Irish Provident Assurance Company and the London and Provincial Assurance Company, and between Ireland's Life Assurance Collecting Society and the Guardian Bank, and make the result of his investigation known for the guidance of the public?

The Attorney-General has no information of cases of fraud practised by any of the companies referred to. He is causing inquiries to be made into the constitution and operations of these companies, and he can form no opinion on the matter involved until he becomes acquainted with the facts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland to investigate the advance of money by the Guardian Bank to one of its own officials to run an insurance society?

If anyone calls the attention of the Public Prosecutor to the matter and makes allegations to the effect which, as the Attorney-General has already said, that disclose a primâ facie case of evidence for a criminal prosecution, such prosecution will take place.

Will a question in this House cause the Public Prosecutor in Ireland to institute in Ireland?