asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the extra duties that will fall on medical officers of health in the event of the National Insurance Act being brought into operation, and the desirability that each religious denomination should be fairly represented among such medical officers, he will state the present number of Catholic and Protestant health officers, respectively, serving under the North and South Dublin boards of guardians, and the date of the most recent Protestant and Catholic appointment to the position of medical officer made by both boards in question?

I have no information as to the religions of the various medical officers of health of the North and South Dublin Boards of Guardians. The information might possibly, no doubt, be obtained from these bodies, but I feel that any inquiries on the subject would be resented by them as being too inquisitorial.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether new regulations under the National Insurance Act will be issued to deal with the case of ploughmen and other agriculturists who, having contributed for a period of under five years and who are forty-five years of age, will be obliged to pay more than 7d. a week or lose the benefits they have paid for if they take a small holding and become their own employers; and, if so, whether the benefit of such regulations can be extended to those who have subscribed for over five years and who are now allowed to come into the scheme on the payment of 7d. a week?

The answer to the first question is in the negative, and the second question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the nature of the appointments that have recently been made by the Irish Insurance Commissioners in Cork and district; whether his attention has been called to the allegation that one instructor owes his position solely to the fact that he was the only Protestant who, at a recent Parliamentary election in the borough of Cork, signed a nomination paper on behalf of the candidates who stood as nominees of the United Irish League; and whether he is prepared to give a list of all appointments made under the Insurance Act in Munster to date?

I am not aware of any dissatisfaction caused by the nature of the appointments made by the Irish Insurance Commissioners in Cork and district. I have no knowledge of the fact alleged in the second part of the question, but whether true or not, it had no connection with his appointment. Full list of the names of the lecturers temporarily appointed by the Irish Commissioners will appear in the White Paper.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether Mr. D. Owen Evans was a lecturer appointed by the National Insurance Commission or by the National Insurance Committee, now known as the Liberal Insurance Committee?

The gentleman referred to has not been appointed by any of the Insurance Commissions. As the hon. Member is aware, there is no connection of any kind between these Commissions and the Liberal Insurance Committee, and I have no authority to speak as to any appointments that may have been made by the latter organisation.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, the number of second division clerks and assistant clerks (new class) respectively serving in his Department on 1st February, 1912?

The numbers are: One hundred and forty-two second division clerks, of whom fifty-two are acting assistant accounts officers; and sixty-seven assistant clerks, thirteen of whom belong to the new class.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the numbers of second division clerks and assistant clerks (new class) respectively serving in His Majesty's Customs House on 1st February, 1912?

The numbers are 95 and 271 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the numbers of second division clerks and assistant clerks (new class) respectively serving in his Department on 1st January, 1912?

On the 1st January, 1912, there were 311 second division clerks (including fifty employed on temporary service), and 305 assistant clerks (new class) serving in my Department. The permanent establishment is 275 second division clerks and 308 assistant clerks (new class).

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the importance of insuring uninterrupted coal supplies to the community and commerce, coupled with the apparent inability of mine holders to prevent a general strike by failing to arrange satisfactory terms with their employés, the Government will consider the advisability of taking measures to acquire and nationalise the coalfields, to be owned by and operated for the benefit of the nation?

It would not be expedient for me to give any answer to this question at the present moment.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, with reference to the statement of the promoted Civil Service writers in the Statistical Department of His Majesty's Customs and Excise presented in December last, showing the various reasons why the other half of their un-established service should count for pension purposes, and also in reference to a letter addressed to the same source in: January last asking to be informed as to what steps had been taken by the Treasury in the matter, seeing that the Superannuation Act of 1887 invests them with full power to grant the other half of this unestablished service, as has been done in the case of the Customs boatmen, whether the Treasury are now in a position to make a statement in regard thereto?

I fear I can add nothing to the answer which my predecessor gave to the hon. Member on 21st November last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether it is intended to proceed further with the completion of the original design of the new science and art buildings in Dublin and to erect a facade and entrance from Upper Merrion Street; and, if so, why all work upon the site has been suspended?

Work has been stopped in consequence of the completion of the new Royal College of Science buildings. The completion of the original scheme for the erection of new public offices has been deferred in view of the possibility of changes in the requirements of Government Departments in Ireland.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the work at the new science and art buildings in Dublin has been stopped, and that in consequence numbers of men have been thrown out of employment; whether the work has been stopped by an alteration in the plans and specifications; and who is responsible for such alterations and stoppage of work?

Work has been stopped in consequence of the completion of the new Royal College of Science buildings. The completion of the original scheme for the erection of new public offices has been deferred in view of the possibility of changes in the requirements of Government Departments in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the pension officer has refused to give an old age pension book to Mrs. Ellen Brennan, Derryfadda, Moyne, Templemore, county Tipperary; and whether he can state the grounds for the pension officer's action in refusing her a pension book, as she was in receipt of an old age pension for a considerable time?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will suggest to the Irish Local Government Board that when applicants for old age pensions in Ireland fail to obtain proofs of their age in the local parish registers, or from the Public Record Office, the decisions of the local committees should be taken as decisive, in view of their personal knowledge and local information?

No evidence received by the Local Government Board in the case of appeal is excluded from consideration. However, where an appeal is received against the decision of a local pension committee, the Board obviously could not accept the decision of the committee as decisive without giving due consideration to the representations made by the appellant and to the circumstances of the case generally.

asked why the application for a new labourer's cottage by Hugh Shannon, of Gortfad, Portglenone, county Antrim, has not been sanctioned, although his present dwelling has been condemned as insanitary by the local medical practitioner?

The application of Hugh Shannon for a cottage was before the Ballymena Rural District Council on 9th December last, when on the report of one of the councillors for the Lisnagarron Division it was refused on the grounds that Shannon now occupies a good house, and that, in addition, there was a cottage erected by the council in his division which had been vacant since July, 1910.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, although Scheme Seven for the provision of labourers' cottages in the Macroom rural district was sanctioned in 1908, the first record the Local Government Board have of any cottages being erected under it was October, 1910; can he explain the cause of the delay in the building of cottages under this scheme; how many cottages were sanctioned under it and how many are at present built; were the contractors in every instance bound by the terms of their contract, under strict penalties, to have cottages complete within a certain time; were they released at any time from their obligations by resolutions of the district council; and in how many cases, if any, were the penalties against defaulting contractors enforced?

The Local Government Board are informed by the clerk of the rural district council that the delay was due to the difficulty in obtaining contractors at the price allowed in the council's estimate. Two hundred and thirty-seven cottages were sanctioned under Scheme Seven, of which ninety-three are now completed. The contractors were in every case bound by the terms of the contract under penalties to have the cottages completed within a certain time, but the council, as they are by law empowered to do, decided not to enforce full penalties of £1 a week, but instead to deduct from the contract price the fees payable to their engineer for inspection of the works after the prescribed period of six months at the rate of 7s. 6d. per visit, and subsequently an extra charge of 1s. a week. The penalty of 7s. 6d. per visit was enforced in eighty-eight cases, and the additional penalty of 1s. a week in twenty-one of these eighty-eight cases.

asked when the Congested Districts Board will undertake the inspection of the estate of Mr. D. C. O'Connell, near Mastergeehy, county Kerry, with special reference to the holdings of the two tenants not included in the purchase agreements?

This estate is at present being inspected, and the question of purchasing the two holdings referred to will be considered by the Congested Districts Board when their inspector's report has been received.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the delay in dealing with the Reeves estate, Killimer, West Clare; and whether, in view of the fact that it was the first estate of which the settlement under the Land Act of 1909 was undertaken by the Congested Districts Board, he will give assurance that the vesting orders will be issued without delay?

Under the terms of purchase the Congested Districts Board will not obtain possession of the untenanted lands on this estate until the 5th March next. A scheme of striping has been prepared, and arrangements have been made to have the lands distributed and work commenced immediately possession is obtained. There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with the property.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether, in regard to the estate of the Marquess of Conyngham in and adjoining Kilkee, West Clare, he is aware that the majority of the tenants are congests of the most pronounced type, miserably housed on small patches of bog land; whether this estate will be compulsorily acquired under the Land Act of 1909 by the Congested Districts Board without further delay; (2) whether, in regard to the estate of the Marquess of Conyngham, West Clare, he is aware that in October, 1911, the landlord offered to sell the townlands of Kilfearagh, Druagh, and Kilkee Lower, but afterwards withdrew his offer in respect to Druagh and Kilkee Lower; whether the Congested Districts Board will take care that the whole estate is settled together; and whether, in view of there being thirty acres of untenanted land and one hundred acres of bog land on the estate, and that this land is required for the needs of the tenants, the Congested Districts Board will at once deal with this estate?

The Congested Districts board have no information regarding the estate referred to except that supplied by the solicitors for the tenants, or with reference to the proposed sale of the town-lands mentioned. The estate has not been offered for sale to the Board, and they do not propose to take steps to acquire it compulsorily pending the result of proceedings already instituted for the compulsory acquisition of some other estates in county Clare.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will give a return of the untenanted land on the Castlecomer, Wandesforde estate, which is now on the verge of sale; and whether he will recommend the Estates Commissioners to see that this untenanted land is divided amongst the uneconomic holders of land in that district?

The untenanted land which the owner has not included in the sale consists almost entirely of woods and bog, and the Estates Commissioners do not propose to call upon the owner to include it in the lands which are the subject of direct sale proceedings before them under the Irish Land Act, 1903.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the people of Castlecomer forwarded a petition requesting the Estates Commissioners to include the town of Castlecomer in the sale of the Wandes-forde estate, and have signified their willingness, on behalf of the town tenants, to have the prices paid to Mr. Wandesforde such as will be fair and equitable to him and to the Estates Commissioners; and whether the Commissioners have taken any steps to accede to the wishes of the town tenants of Castlecomer?

The Estates Commissioners received the petition referred to, and, after full consideration, have decided that they will not call upon the owner to include the town holdings in Castlecomer in the estate which is the subject of direct sale proceedings by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903.

asked what steps, if any, the Congested Districts Board have taken to acquire the congested estate of Mrs. Wright, situate at Clooneenmore and Knocknageera, Westport, county Mayo?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with the owner's solicitor regarding this property. A further communication will now be addressed to him.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet taken steps to acquire the estate of Mr. Francis C. Garvey, of Murrisk Abbey, Westport; has the landlord intimated his willingness to sell the estate to the Board; and whether, having regard to the poverty and congestion of the tenants, the Board will endeavour to purchase the property without further delay?

The Congested Districts Board communicated twice with Mr. F. C. Garvey's agent regarding a sale, but no reply has been received. The Board do not at present propose to take steps to acquire the estate compulsorily.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the case of the Mahon-Hogan estate, Lissy Casey, West Clare, of which the agent is Walter B. Butler, of Infield, Lancashire, he can state the reason for not providing bog for all the tenants who have applied for it, seeing that there are over 200 acres of turbary on the estate and some fifteen tenants who require bog; and whether, in view of the fact that the estate was lodged with the Estates Commissioners in 1906, he will take steps to ensure expedition?

This property was not sold to the Estates Commissioners, but was purchased by the tenants direct from the owner under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the holdings have been vested in accordance with the purchase agreements signed by the parties. The turbary on the property is situate on certain holdings, the tenants of which allowed those who had no turbary to cut turf on payment. Before the sale was completed, the Commissioners endeavoured to arrange for the allotment of the turbary, but the parties would not agree to terms, and it is understood that the arrangements which obtained before the sale are being continued.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will grant the Return in the name of the hon. Member for North Armagh? [Mr. Moore,—Public Services (Appointments, including Appointments under the Irish Universities Acts and Grants under the Irish Land Acts and Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Acts),—Return setting forth the name, age, date of Appointment or of Grant or salary, address at time of Appointment or of Grant for five years preceding the Appointment of each person appointed without competitive examination to any position in the Irish Public Service, including positions under the Irish Universities Act, and of each person securing a farm under the Irish Land Acts or Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act, where any of such persons were (a) Members of this House sitting at any time for Irish constituencies; (b) relatives or connections of such Members; or (c) members of the staff of the "Freeman's Journal" newspaper since the 1st day of January, 1906.]

It would be quite impracticable to give this Return in the shape in which it is asked for, as the Departmental Records do not contain the information, which could only be procured by direct personal inquiry in each case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will give the numbers of cases and of persons boycotted, wholly, partially, and in a minor degree, throughout Ireland on 31st January, 1907 and 1912, respectively, arranged according to provinces?

The following Return gives the required information:—

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the authorised and effective strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary on 31st January, 1907 and 1912, respectively?

The actual strength of sergeants and constables on 31st January, 1907 was 9,468, and on 31st January, 1912, 10,182.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the circumstances necessitating the employment of extra police in the town of Wexford; what is the population of the town and what is the total number of police at present employed there, distinguishing between men on the ordinary and extra establishments; how long has the extra force been now employed; is it proposed to recover the cost of this force from the town or from a larger area; and what is the annual charge to local rates represented by the extra force at present employed?

The extra force of police was employed in Wexford during the recent trade disputes there. The population of the town is 11,168 and the total number of police at present employed there is four district inspectors, three head constables, and 157 sergeants and constables. Of these two district inspectors, two head constables, and ninety-nine sergeants and constables belong to the reserve. The force in the town of Wexford was reduced to its present strength on 22nd instant, previous to which it consisted of five district inspectors, five head constables, and 257 sergeants and constables. Of these the county will be charged with the expenses of three district inspectors, four head constables, and 199 sergeants and constables. Portion of the extra force has been in the town since 26th August last, but detachments from the reserve or from other counties other than Wexford were not sent until 7th September. The charge for the extra force will be on the county at large, and will be calculated at the following rates:—District inspectors £92 3s. 6d., head constables £43 6s., and sergeants and constables £34 9s. 3d. per man per annum.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the event of police being transferred from one county in Ireland to-another, the rates of the county from which the transference takes place are decreased to an extent equivalent to the extra tax imposed on the county to which the police are transferred; and, if not, whether he will take steps to put an end to a process by which any county may be mulcted in damages at the discretion of the police authorities?

Each county is allocated a quota of police, the entire cost of which is borne by the Parliamentary Vote. When a detachment of the free quota of a county is sent to another county the latter is charged with a moiety of the pay and allowances of the men, but the county from which they are taken is not affected. The ratepayers suffer no loss, and are not consequently entitled to any recoupment. The moiety received for a detachment does not as a rule cover the cost of transit and the subsistence allowances to which men on detachment duty are entitled.

asked the Chief Secretary if the Government is aware that the ratepayers of county Wexford object to the cost of the extra police employed in Wexford in connection with the recent strikes there being made a county-at-large charge; if the Wexford County Council has expressed a desire to confer with the representatives of the Government in Ireland before the matter is finally decided; and if he will suspend the decision of the matter until the county council have been given the opportunity of submitting their views on the question to the representatives of the Government in Dublin?

I am aware that the Wexford County Council and the Ennis-corthy Rural District Council objected to the cost of the extra police employed in Wexford during the recent strike being made a charge on the county at large The Wexford County Council expressed a desire to confer with the representatives of the Government in Ireland, but it had been already decided, after full and careful consideration, that the area of charge for half the cost of the extra police employed must be the county at large, and the county council have been informed to that effect.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of persons receiving constant police protection and protection by special patrols in Ireland on 31st January, 1907 and 1912, respectively, arranged according to provinces?

The required figures are as follows:—

asked the Chief Secretary if he will ascertain from the Estates Commissioners when they propose to make the roadway and the fences at Camolin Park, county Wexford, promised to Mr. James Middleton, evicted tenant?

The Estates Commissioners have sanctioned a free Grant to the evicted tenant referred to of £100 for the purchase of stock, and have also sanctioned advances to him, repayable by annuity, of £80 for building and £60 for fences. They are at present in communication with their inspector as to the expenditure of these advances, but have not yet received his report.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps, if any, have been taken to secure the reinstatement of Michael M. Shanahan in his evicted farm in Valentia, on the estate of the Knight of Kerry; whether he is aware that this farm is situated at least a mile from the home farm; and whether, in the alternative, a new holding will be provided on the glebe farm?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 20th June last.

asked what decision the Estates Commissioners have given upon an application under the Evicted Tenants Act by John Costello, who was evicted from the estate of Michael Walsh, at Mayo Abbey, county Mayo, or whether the Commissioners intend to reinstate the evicted tenant in his former holding or to allot him a new one in lieu of it?

The Estates Commissioners have noted John Costelloe's name for consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as they may acquire.

asked the Vice-President of the-Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution of the joint technical instruction committee for county Cork asking to have an amending Bill passed to allow £20,000 per annum of the Development Grant to be applied to the purposes of building technical schools in Ireland or of relieving the debt already incurred by such building; and will he say what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of introducing an amending Bill on this subject is one for the Government. The Department has more than once applied to the Treasury for additional funds to enable them to make Grants-in-Aid of the provision of suitable buildings for technical instruction, but the Treasury have been unable to agree to such grants being provided from moneys voted by Parliament.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what are the intentions of the Department with regard to the construction of a pier at Blackwater, county Wexford?

The long sandy shore at Blackwater offers no facilities for harbour construction. A winch has recently been placed there to aid fishermen in hauling up their boats. It is possible that a landing stage to facilitate the discharging of fishing boats might be a further advantage. If the county council wish to take the matter up, the Department of Agriculture are prepared to co-operate.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how much money has been earmarked by the Development Commissioners for the afforestation of Ireland, and how much for the development of Irish fisheries; and if any sum has yet been assigned for the improvement of Fethard Harbour, and how much?

The amount which the Development Commissioners have recommended to be advanced towards a scheme of afforestation in Ireland up to the present is £25,000. Of this amount a sum of £17,000 was provided in the Estimates for 1911–12. The amount recommended to be advanced for the development of Irish fisheries is £50,000. The final allocation of this amount has not yet been made.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in the year 1910 payment was authorised in respect of fourteen days' revision for the counties of Monaghan and Fermanagh, that payment was made for twelve days' revision in Fermanagh, and that subsequently, although the revision court sat in Clones for three days, the Treasury Remembrancer declined to pay the assistant clerk of the peace more than two days' remuneration; and will he inquire whether the court actually sat three days; and, if so, will he take steps to insure the payment of this official for the work which he actually did?

The facts are as stated in the Question. The total number of days in respect of which payment was authorised for revision in Fermanagh and Monaghan combined was fourteen. In the end of September a claim was received and payment made for twelve days' revision in Fermanagh. Under the Treasury regulations the Treasury Remembrancer had no power to pay for more than two days' revision in Monaghan.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state what was the deficiency in the payment of the capitation grant towards the maintenance of lunatics in the Monaghan and Cavan district asylum for the year ended 31st March, 1910; whether it is proposed to recoup the county funds in respect of the deficiency for the year ended 31st March, 1910; will he further state what is the total amount of the capitation grant towards the maintenance of lunatics in the Monaghan and Cavan district asylum for the year ended 31st March, 1911; what sum has already been paid in respect thereof, and what further payment will be made; and on what date this further sum will be paid?

The deficiency in the payment of the Capitation Grant towards the maintenance of lunatics in the Monaghan and Cavan District Asylum for the year ended 31st March, 1910, was £1,245. The total amount of the claim in respect of the Capitation Grant for the year ended 31st March, 1911, was £9,392. In respect of this sum £8,111 has already been paid. No further payment will be made as there are no funds available for the purpose in the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account for the current year. The whole question of the relation between the Imperial and local taxation is under the consideration of the Committee on Local Taxation.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), what moneys were received during the current year from the Development Fund for purposes controlled by his Department; can he state the reproductive schemes upon which such funds were expended; and are there any unexpended balances in hand at the present time?

The moneys available in the current financial year from the Development Fund for purposes within the province of the Department of Agriculture are—for the purchase of a dredger and dredging plant, £4,250; agricultural research and advisory work, £2,400; improvement of horse breeding, £10,000; purchase of areas for afforestation, £17,000. These amounts have been expended with the exception of the last mentioned. In this case the delay is owing to the fact that the vendors of the areas offered for sale are not yet able to prove clear title.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many floating docks capable of taking battleships and battle-cruisers of the "Dreadnought" type there are on the East Coast of England and Scotland; where they are situated; how many are building; how many are projected; whether these floating docks will be capable of taking a ship with proper area of bilge keel; and how many similar floating docks are built, building, and projected by Germany?

There is only one floating dock on the East Coast capable of taking battleships and battle-cruisers of the "Dreadnought" type. This dock is now nearing completion at Wallsend-on-Tyne, and is, according to present arrangements, to be stationed in the Medway. It is capable of taking a ship with the full breadth of bilge keels. The question of floating docks is the subject of special attention at the present time. The numbers for Germany are:—two built, two building, three projected.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that the reserves of coal for the Fleet are sufficient to meet requirements in the event of a coal strike; and, if not, what steps he intends to take to meet demands?

I am glad to be able to reassure the Noble Lord on this important point. Measures were adopted two months ago which have rendered the Fleet, both at home and abroad, independent of the consequences of a coal strike for a considerable time to come. It will not be necessary at present to interfere with the regular training of the various fleets and squadrons, provided a reasonable economy is observed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many first, second, and third class cruisers have been, or are being, converted into mine-layers?

There is no public advantage to be gained by detailed statements on this subject. I shall be quite ready to tell the Noble Lord confidentially how matters stand.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has observed that out of the ships of the "Dreadnought" type His Majesty's Ship "Invincible" only obtained 10.45 points in the 1911 battle practice as compared with His Majesty's Ship "Collingwood," which ship obtained 285.1 points; and whether this disparity in points obtained may be traced to the defective gun-mountings of His Majesty's Ship "Invincible," to which attention has been constantly directed?

Sir, the returns of the battle practice are not a very satisfactory guide to the gunnery standards of various ships, as chance enters so largely into the results. In this case I am assured that the weather conditions were altogether exceptional, and that the electric turrets and gun-mountings were not the cause.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the practice prevails in the Navy that before leaving English ports for Ireland His Majesty's ships are supplied with ten days' supply of beef and mutton; whether, when tenders are invited for the supply of meat for the Navy, it is expressly stated that no frozen meat will be received; and whether, seeing that fresh beef and mutton can be supplied in Irish ports, it will be arranged to have instructions given that henceforward the sailors arriving in Irish ports will receive fresh meat where practicable?

With reference to the first part of the question, the quantity of fresh meat drawn by a ship before leaving port is not regulated by the Admiralty, but is left to the discretion of the commanding officer. A reasonable supply to meet contingencies would naturally be taken on such occasions, and I am not aware of any distinction being made in this respect between Irish ports and others in the United Kingdom where the requisite supplies are obtainable. In reply to the second part of the question, it is true that in the case of tenders for fresh meat it is stipulated that no frozen meat shall be supplied, but there are contracts for frozen mutton at a few ports in the United Kingdom where the price of fresh mutton is excessive, as the men may prefer an occasional issue of frozen mutton to a continuous supply of fresh beef. With reference to the concluding portion of the question, fresh meat is issued whenever practicable at Irish ports as well as others, and Admiralty contracts for the supply of fresh meat are in existence at fifteen Irish ports. It does not appear that any fresh instructions are necessary.

asked the First Lord whether he can see his way to revise the scale of pensions to chief officers of His Majesty's Coastguard; and whether he is aware that a number of these chief officers are only receiving pensions at the chief petty officer rate?

The matter raised in the question is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the complaint by men on the lower deck that the contractors selected by the Admiralty to sell at a fixed quality of certain articles at naval canteens at fixed prices do not strictly adhere to the terms of their contracts; whether he is aware that the articles sold are often of an inferior brand from those shown on the standard price list; whether he is aware that this gives the contractors inflated profits at the expense of the men; and whether he will see that a stop is at once put to such practices?

Cases have recently been brought to the notice of the Admiralty where brands other than those specified in the standard price list have been offered for sale in canteens. Orders were given on 1st December last which should put a stop to this practice. Under those instructions the approval of the Admiralty, or of the commanding officer in certain cases, is necessary for the substitution of any other brand, and for alteration of price. The examination of canteen goods is one of the functions of the administrative committee on board ship; the King's Regulations provide for the investigation of any complaints from individuals as regards price and quality; also samples of goods are called for by the Admiralty at intervals, so that the goods supplied may be subjected to expert test. If the Noble Lord will bring to my notice any specific cases of the supply of inferior goods, I shall be pleased to have them investigated.

asked the Under - Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of trained non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Force who have been tested in musketry in 1911, with the number of those who qualified in the standard test; failed to qualify; did not complete their course; the number of trained men who have fired their preliminary practice on a 30 yards range; and the number of men trained who have fired their standard test on a 30 yards range; and if he will also give the number of trained non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Force who did not fire the musketry course in 1910–11?

The figures available (inclusive of those for officers) are as follows:—Tested, 125,126; qualified, 111,830; failed, 13,296; not completing course, 7,292; qualified under Paragraph 361 (2) T.F. Regulations, 13,248. No statistics are available at the War Office as regards numbers firing preliminary practice on 30-yards ranges. The standard test cannot be fired on a 30 yards range.

asked the Under-Secretary for War the numbers of second division clerks and assistant clerks (new class) respectively serving in his Department on 1st January, 1912?

The numbers were 111 second division clerks and forty-four assistant clerks.

asked the Under-Secretary for War what are the numbers respectively of Cavalry, Yeomanry, Artillery, and Infantry, giving figures of Regulars, Territorials, and Special Reservists, which compose the force of 410,000 men left in this country after the departure of the expeditionary force; and whether any deduction has been made in the estimated figure of 410,000 for recruits, inefficients, untrained men, and sick?

supplied the following: Statement based on mobilisation returns, dated 1st June, 1911, showing the composition of the troops remaining in the United Kingdom after the departure of the expeditionary force:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that adjutants of Territorial Infantry regiments, as well as adjutants of Yeomanry regiments, have been ordered to give four days a week to classification of horses during February and March; and whether he will state what qualifications these officers possess for performing these duties efficiently?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to a question on this subject put by the hon. and gallant Member for the South-Eastern Division of Surrey on the 21st instant. As regards the second part of the question it is considered that with the aid of the Memorandum recently issued on the type

asked whether a further Grant of £5 will be allowed to such of the authorised cadet units as are clothed in the regulation Service dress or other approved military uniform; that such extra Grant to be accounted for and expended by the officer commanding the unit upon maintenance and provision of such uniform and equipment; and that provision be made in the forthcoming Army Estimates for the amount necessary?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if he will give the number of officers for the Territorial Army; the number serving on the 1st February, 1912; the number of recruit officers who have qualified in the musketry course; the number of those who failed to qualify; of those who failed to complete the recruit officers' course; of those who have not yet commenced the recruit officers' course; and of those who are not required to undergo a musketry course; and if he will give the number of trained officers who have qualified in the musketry course; the number of those who failed to qualify; the number of those who failed to complete the annual course; and the number of those who are not required to undergo a musketry course?

The establishment is 11,249, and the strength on 1st February was 9,385. The musketry statistics for officers are not reported separately and are included in those for the men which I have just given in replies to questions No. 127^* and No. 128^*.

also asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will give the number of recruits in the Territorial Force who have been tested in musketry; the number of men not yet tested; the number that have qualified in the whole recruits' course; the number who have failed to qualify; the number who did not complete the course; the number who have completed the recruits' course but have not fired the trained men's course; the number of recruits who have fired Table A, or part of Table A, on a thirty yards range; and the number of recruits who have fired their standard test on a thirty yards range?

The figures available (inclusive of those for officers) are as follows:—

likewise asked the Under-Secretary if he will give the number of non-commissioned officers and men who have, in accordance with War Office Letter 104/T.F. /M.T.2., been certified as qualified by their commanding officers in musketry by reason of having fired fifty rounds of ball ammunition or their equivalent; the number of rounds of ball ammunition that has been commuted by units of the Territorial Force into Morris tube in accordance with War Office Letter 104/T.F.2/M.T.2, dated 13th November, 1908; and the number of non-commissioned officers and men in the Territorial Force who are not required to undergo any musketry training at all?

As regards the first part of the question the figures for the musketry year 1910–11 are for recruits 18,111 and for trained men 13,248. As regards the second part of the question no statistics are available at the War Office. As regards the last part of the question a musketry course is not compulsory for the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery (Mountain and Heavy Batteries) and Ammunition Columns, for whom a course is optional. Royal Army Medical Corps and Army Veterinary Service units do no musketry.

also asked the number of non-commissioned officers and men in the Territorial Army on 1st February last under twenty years of age?

Statistics for the ages of the Territorial Force are only supplied annually for the 1st October, and no figures can therefore be given for 1st February. The figures for 1st October, 1911, amounted to 64,939.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether as sailors, soldiers, and civil servants are all employed by the State for the general safety and welfare, he will take steps to issue the necessary regulations to recommend the number of years which unpensioned sailors and soldiers have served in the Regular Navy and Army to count for pension if they join any branch of the Civil Service after leaving the naval or military Service?

Will the hon. Member kindly refer to my reply to a question on this subject put by the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester on 30th May last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the total number of men who passed out of the Army Reserve, Sections A and B, during the year 1911?

The number of men who passed out of the Army Reserve, Sections A and B (excluding those reengaged for Section D) amounted to 10,930.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received information that circular letters from moneylenders are reaching the teachers in public elementary schools in great numbers; and whether he can take any steps with the Postmaster-General to prevent this being done to public servants of small income, which is also likely to convey wrong impressions concerning the teachers to parents of scholars and managers of schools, in rural places particularly?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Postmaster-General has no legal authority to withhold from delivery to circular letters of the kind to which the hon. Member refers, even when sent in open covers.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of junior examiners, together with their scale of salaries, appointed to his Department during the periods from 1st January, 1900, to 31st December, 1905, and 1st January, 1906, to 31st December, 1911, specifying in each case the number of these appointments which were filled by promotion from the clerical staff?

The number of junior examiners appointed under the Board of Education during the periods 1st January, 1900, to 31st December, 1905, and 1st January, 1906, to 31st December, 1911, was thirty-five and forty respectively. In each case one appointment was filled by promotion from the clerical staff of the Department. During the whole period in question the scale of salary for junior examiners was £250, rising by annual increments of £25 to £600.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider the desirability of empowering local school attendance committees at their discretion to permit parents residing from one to three miles distant from any public elementary school to keep any child at home on school days in extreme wet weather, or whenever, in the opinion of the medical practitioner, the child can only attend school at risk to his or her health?

Under the Education Acts children of school age are required to attend school unless there is a reasonable excuse, and it is one of the reasonable excuses specified in the Acts that a child has been prevented from attending school by sickness or any unavoidable cause. It has been held to be within the discretion of a school attendance committee to accept as a reasonable excuse other grounds than those specified in the Acts, and I think it is unlikely that local education authorities (who have the powers of school attendance committee) would prosecute a parent who kept a child at home "in extreme wet weather."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if a properly organised and efficient veterinary service has been established in India, either by the Government or otherwise; and what number of veterinary surgeons are in the service of the Government?

A Civil Veterinary Department is maintained by the Indian Government. The Imperial or superior service consists of thirty superior officers, holding the diploma of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. They are distributed among the provinces, where they superintend all official civil veterinary work, including educational work in veterinary colleges, cattle disease and cattle breeding, and horse and mule breeding. There are five veterinary colleges for the training in India of veterinary inspectors and assistants. There are seventy-four of the former and 754 of the latter in the employ of the provincial Governments. A central bacteriological laboratory is maintained by the Government of India for the manufacture of anti-rinderpest serum and other similar remedies and for the prosecution of veterinary research.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the Imperial Homes Reunion Association of Canada (Winnipeg and other Districts), and to the services performed by this association in assisting emigrants who have settled in the Dominions and have given proof of fitness, such assistance being to enable them to be joined by their families and helped in their expenses before the emigrant himself may have saved sufficient to pay for the passages; whether he can state how many British families have left this country during the past year under the auspices of the association; and whether, in regard to the Imperial advantages of such a system, the Government can see their way to co-operate in this movement?

I am aware of the work of the association, but am not in possesion of details. The attitude of His Majesty's Government in reference to assisted emigration was explained by the President of the Local Government Board at the Imperial Conference, and does not contemplate the provision of financial assistance to emigration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether representations have been received from East Africa urging the stationing of a white regiment in Nairobi; what answer the Colonial Office has returned; and what are the grounds on which the answer was based?

No representations of the kind have reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any additional evidence has been brought to his notice that game in Nyasaland is a reservoir, and Glossina morsitans a carrier, of the trypanosome of sleeping sickness; and whether, in view of the evidence so far available and the consequences of delay, fraught with peril to the Natives, the Whites, their domestic animals, and their trade, he will propose such a modification of the game laws as would enable those who suffer to drive off the game, and with it the tsetse fly, from the vicinity of villages and transport routes?

I am in consultation with my expert advisers, the managing committee of the Sleeping Sickness Bureau, on the whole question, and I am hot in a position to make any statement at present, but I can promise my hon. Friend that there will be no avoidable delay. With regard to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I would point out that under Section 19 of the Nyasaland Game Ordinance, 1911, any landholder or his servant finding a protected animal doing damage to his holding may kill the same without a licence if such act is necessary for the protection of his holding, and that under Section 30 of the same Ordinance, when it is shown that any wild animals are causing damage to any native, the Resident of the district may authorise the tribesmen or inhabitants of the village to kill the animals. Any person would, of course, be allowed to drive away game from his holding.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government of the British Soudan have definitely taken over the Lado Enclave and are now responsible for the administration of that territory?

As was stated in answer to the same question from the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on 15th March last, the Lado Enclave was transferred to the Soudan Government on 16th June, 1910, and is attached to and administered with the Mongalla province.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain persons legally married in our Colonies find themselves no longer man and wife when they set foot on these shores; and whether he will institute either an inquiry or legislation with the object of obtaining uniform marriage laws throughout the British Empire?

The hon. Member has been misinformed as to the legal position. Marriages which are legally celebrated in British Colonies are recognised as legal in this country. With regard to the latter part of the question, I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 22nd February of last year.

asked the Prime Minister whether any appointment has been made as Lord Lieutenant of the county of London?

No, Sir; no appointment has yet been made.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with the object of ultimately arriving at uniform marriage laws for the whole British Empire, he will expressly exclude from the powers of the Irish Parliament under the Home Rule Bill any right to pass legislation affecting marriage?

It is not possible for me at this stage to make any statement on the matter, and I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the introduction of the Home Rule Bill.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state what is the rate of infantile mortality (children under one year) in England, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada; and in which of these countries women exercise the municipal franchise?

In most of the countries mentioned in the question the year 1909 is the most recent for which rates of infantile mortality are available. Owing to the wide fluctuations of infantile mortality from year to year, mainly owing to the varying nature of the summer seasons, comparison of the rates in different countries for different years might lead to erroneous conclusions. The rates for 1909 have, therefore, been stated, where possible. For Spain, however, the rate is not available since 1907, for Austria since 1908, and for European Russia since 1904.

The above rates of infantile mortality have been furnished to the Registrar-General by the authorities of the several countries. Comparison of them is, however, vitiated, in some cases probably to a considerable extent, by differences of practice in regard to the registration of still births. My present information does not enable me to reply to the latter part of the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state why the recent regulation forbidding the use of a cut-out on motor cars was not also made applicable to motor cycles?

I did not find it practicable to apply the recent regulation as to the use of a cut-out to motor cycles. What is required in the case of a motor cycle is not merely that the use of a cutout should be prohibited, but that the cycle should be provided with an effective silencer, and I have under consideration the question of issuing an Order on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is the intention of the Local Government Board that notification of tuberculosis made under their recent order shall be communicated by the medical officers of health to the Metropolitan Asylums Board in the same way as other infectious diseases?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Lord Advocate, whether he will state the number of prosecutions for illegal trawling during 1911, and the number and amount of the fines inflicted and the number of cases of imprisonment?

There were fifty-five prosecutions for illegal trawling in Scotland during 1911, in forty-nine of which convictions were obtained. The fines imposed amounted to £3,330, and the fines paid to £1,256 13s. 4d. In twenty-nine cases the alternative of imprisonment was chosen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a report from the British Trade Commissioner in Canada upon the development of the use of motor cars in the Dominion and also upon the fact that practically the whole of the Canadian importation, amounting last year to the value of 4¾ million dollars, came from the United States, the British share being of the value of 330,000 dollars only; and what suggestions, if any, he is making to British manufacturers to cater for the special class of car in favour in the Dominion?

The last report received from His Majesty's Trade Commissioner, which referred to the development of the use of motor cars in the Dominion was that relating to the trade of Canada for the period 1906–1910. Mr. Grigg's main suggestion on the subject was that British manufacturers should take greater care to study the market and its requirements, and build cars to suit. The attention of British firms was specially directed to the report, on its publication, by a notice in the "Board of Trade Journal."

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will cause to be collected and circulated immediately in one Paper the latest statistics in the possession of the Board of Trade showing the average earnings per man per day in the different coal-mining areas, compared with these earnings in previous years or periods; the cost of living in these areas, with any available data regarding its rise or fall; the average output of coal per man; the proportion of men working in abnormal places and their earnings; the price of coal at the pit mouth over the same years or periods as those covered by the statistics of earnings; the net profits earned by the companies in the different districts; the amounts paid by the companies in royalties; and the amounts paid by the royalty owners in tax upon royalties?

The latest figures published with regard to the average output per man and the price of coal at the pit's mouth in the different coal-mining areas are those contained in Mining Statistics, Part III. (Cd. 5977), issued by the Home Department. With regard to changes in the cost of living, reference may be made to the table showing the percentage variations in the retail prices of articles of food contained in the 14th Abstract of Labour Statistics (Cd. 5458). This volume also contains a table giving the summary of the average selling price of coal at the pit's mouth. I regret that the other particulars asked for by my hon. Friend are not immediately available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an estimate of the rate of unemployment in the United Kingdom last month on the assumption that throughout the whole of the various industries the rate of unemployment was the same as among trade union members?

The rate of unemployment among members of trade unions, which make regular returns to the Board of Trade, is published monthly in the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette." At the end of January the rate was 2.7 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information respecting the condition of the steamship "Belgic," which took 1,500 State-aided emigrants to Western Australia, leaving Liverpool on 25th September last and arriving at Fremantle on 9th November; whether the ship was overcrowded and the doctor admitted that the sanitary conditions were of the worst description; whether the staff was inadequate to meet the demands placed on it by this number of emigrants; whether there was a large amount of sickness on board, resulting in four deaths during the passage from the Cape to Fremantle; and whether any inquiry has been made into this matter?

An anonymous complaint which reached the Board of Trade with regard to the White Star steamer "Belgic" to which my hon. Friend refers was investigated as far as practicable. The vessel was surveyed and cleared by the Board's emigration officers at Liverpool in September last, when all the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Acts were duly complied with. If my hon. Friend has any definite information he can send me in regard to the matter, further inquiries shall be made.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will reconsider his decision to reduce the minimum salary of women post office clerks, in view of the fact that the work they have to perform has been in no way diminished but has become more complex since 1907, and that the new clerks have to work one hour a day longer than formerly?

The hon. Member has been misinformed. There is no question of reducing the minimum salary of women post office clerks.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the institution of a duty terminating at midnight in the Central Telegraph Office; whether he has considered the fact that the imposition of this duty will in many cases render the normal means of travelling impossible and will entail walking long distances, in consequence of the difficulty of the staff procuring suitable residence within easy access to the Central Telegraph Office; and whether the proposed change from a voluntary to a compulsory basis in the case of abnormally late duties is with his knowledge and consent?

The duty from 5 p.m. to 1.45 a.m., which was the only late duty on a voluntary basis, remains so. The system did not, however, lead to entirely satisfactory results, as the services of the most efficient telegraphists could not always be secured for the duties on which they were most needed; and, as the changed conditions of traffic necessitated the creation of a new duty ending at midnight, it was considered essential that the exceptional arrangement hitherto allowed should not be extended to this case. But the controller of the Central Telegraph Office provided that any officer scheduled for that duty who can show that he would be unable to reach home except at real inconvenience should be allowed to arrange an exchange of duties, and in all cases, so far as possible, consideration will be shown to the telegraphists on the midnight duty. I may add that some years ago there was a duty terminating at midnight, and, although the facilities for travelling were then less than at present, no appreciable inconvenience seems to have been caused.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the respective numbers of second division clerks and assistant clerks (new class), respectively, serving on 1st January, 1912, in the Savings Bank department and the remaining departments of the General Post Office, respectively?

The number, excluding transferees from the National Telephone Company, who will be classified as second division clerks and assistant clerks, were:—

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Irish Post Office stores department has been placed under Birmingham control; and, if so, will he state what changes have been made in respect to supplies, officials, and administration?

The Dublin depot of the stores department of the Post Office has not been placed under "Birmingham control." The control is vested in the Controller of Stores at headquarters in London, but the immediate superintendence of all the provincial depots—Edinburgh, Dublin, and Birmingham—is exercised by one of his officers, who, for convenience of travelling, is stationed at Birmingham. The only change contemplated in the work so far as Ireland is concerned is an increase in the quantity allotted to the engineering repair shop at Dublin.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received resolutions from a number of public bodies in Ireland deprecating the employment of military men in the postal and telegraphic services to the exclusion of some who have prepared themselves for these services and others who have spent years in them; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving effect to these resolutions?

I may refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for the Enfield Division of Middlesex on the 19th inst.