asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated proportion in which the increase under the new Public-house and Beerhouse Duties imposed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, is borne by the county and city of London in relation to the rest of the country, as compared with the proportions in which the old duties were so distributed?

The Licence Duty on public-houses and beerhouses in London amounted before the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, to one-ninth of the total revenue from that source in the United Kingdom. For the year ended 30th September, 1911, the proportion will probably, when the figures are finally adjusted, be something over one-sixth. If the increase of the duties under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, is looked at separately, the proportion for the year ended 30th September, 1911, will probably be between one-fourth and one-fifth.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a purchase agreement has been lodged on behalf of James Valentine, on the estate of Mrs. Helen Bailey, situate at Knockreigh, county Kilkenny?

The Estates Commissioners cannot identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them, under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War, whether any steps have been taken to grade, classify, and sort the motor cars in the hands of private owners that have been registered as available for use if called on; whether these cars are submitted to any inspection on behalf of the War Office at yearly or lesser intervals; and whether any definite standard of efficiency is insisted on?

No motor cars have been registered by the War Office as available for use if called upon. Perhaps the hon. Member is alluding to the arrangements made by the county associations in the Eastern Counties for the voluntary registration of motor-cars for use in the event of danger from invasion or raid. These cars are not subject to inspection.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the steps that have been taken in the organisation of motor transport as indicated by the Secretary of State for War in his speech explanatory of Army Estimates in the past Session; whether the type of car as now being supplied is of uniform design and type; whether of wholly British manufacture; and what is the approximate cost of chassis?

Of the nineteen mechanical transport companies required, there will be fifteen in existence on 1st March, and the remaining four will be raised this year. The provision of tractors is sufficient for each of the existing service companies, and that of lorries is steadily proceeding. The lorries are of sufficiently uniform design and type to allow of the interchange of vital parts. The new lorries are all built by British manufacturers. The approximate cost of chassis is from £550 to £650 according to carrying capacity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the trajectory of the small-arm with which the Swedish, German, and French are, respectively, armed, as compared with the Lee-Enfield rifle resighted and shooting I the pattern ammunition recently issued?

It is presumed that the maximum height of the trajectory at a fixed range is required. The figures for this at 800 yards are as follows:—

British Mark VII.	8ft.	9in.
Swedish	8ft.	6in.
French	8ft.	0in.
German	6ft.	3in.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the executive of the National Rifle Association have indicated that they will prohibit the use of the Ross rifle at Bisley this year by the representatives of the Canadian forces; and whether, in view of the fact that this rifle is in general use by the Canadian military forces, he will take steps to influence the National Rifle Association to reconsider their decision?

The matter has not been brought to our notice officially. It is not one for the Army Council to decide.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the calibre of the new pattern magazine rifle which is being experimented with by the War Office?

The rifle at present being experimented with has a calibre of.276, but the exact calibre for approval is not yet finally settled, and awaits results of further trials.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when will the Special Reserve be fitted out with the newly converted rifle?

No definite date can at present be given, but the re-armament will be effected during the coming financial year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the scope of the Special Reserve upon mobilisation, and they will be used to fill up vacancies in the Regular Army?

The general scope of the Special Reserve on mobilisation was fully explained by the Secretary of State for War in Debate on Army Estimates on 27th July, 1908.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will give the number of counties, with their names, in which the strength of the Territorial Force was up to 95 per cent. of the establishment on 1st February, 1912?

The Territorial Force County Associations who on 1st January, 1912, had obtained 95 per cent. or over of their establishment of non-commissioned officers and men (percentage being calculated to the nearest whole number) were as follow:—

Caithness	Lanark
Radnor	Stirling
Wilts	Worcester
Linlithgow	Rutland
Leicester	Nottingham
Derby	Stafford
Montgomery	Berks
Merioneth	Gloucester
Huntingdon	Oxford
Pembroke	Warwick

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with reference to the promise to extend the separation allowance, hitherto restricted to the non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force, to all married privates who attend camp for the full period of fifteen days, if he will consider the desirability of giving commanding officers discretionary powers to make the allowance to married men who have attended eight days, provided proof was forthcoming that their failure to attend the full time was due to their employer with-holding his consent to their doing so?

I do not consider it desirable to extend the concession in the manner suggested.

asked whether any steps are being taken in mining districts to call in, or dismantle and render harmless, the rifles in the possession of the Territorial Force, and to protect the stores of ammunition in those districts?

The Regulations provide for the calling in of arms in the custody of men of the Territorial Force during times of riot or of anticipated disturbances, and also for taking special precaution for the security of armouries, gun parks, magazines, and ammunition in such cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the number of officers deficient in the Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery of the Territorial Force, giving their respective ranks?

The figures are as follows:—

—	Lieut.-Cols.	Majors.	Captains.	Lieutenants	Quarter-masters and Orderly Officers.
Yeom'nry	—	32	25	113	3
Artillery.	2	25	51	186	25
Infantry.	—	38	163	698	9

asked what is the scale of tent accommodation provided for officers of the Special Reserve and Territorial Force, respectively, during their annual trainings; and what is the reason for the difference?

Officers in the Territorial Force have the same scale of tent accommodation as officers in the Regular Army; the Militia enjoyed special privileges in this respect which are retained by the Special Reserve.

asked the Postmaster-General if postmen and others in the employment of the Post Office who are granted leave of absence to go into camp for fourteen days as members of the Territorial Force receive pay for the second week in camp?

Civil pay is given only for half of the fourteen days.

asked the Postmaster-General if the arrangement whereby postmen and others in the employment of the Post Office are granted leave of absence to attend drills as members of the Territorial Force on arranging for exchange of duties is of general application throughput the country; or if he can say what other arrangements are in force?

The arrangement is of general application.

asked how many Cavalry, Infantry, Artillery, Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, and other branches of the Army, respectively, were detailed for service at Belfast on 8th February last; what were the names of the regiments to which they belonged; and from what places were they drafted?

The following additions were made to the troops ordinarily quartered in Belfast for service on the 8th February:—One squadron 5th Dragoon Guards from Curragh, two companies Royal Engineers from Curragh, one battalion East Kent Regiment from Dublin, one battalion Royal Fusiliers from Dublin, one battalion South Lancashire Regiment from Curragh, one battalion Manchester Regiment from Curragh, one battalion Highland Light Infantry from Mullingar; amounting to 85 officers and 2,486 other ranks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House details of the proposed new rifle and its shooting powers, and the results of the tests to which it has been subjected?

I am not yet in a position to give any detailed information in regard to the proposed new rifle.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he will place one of the new experimental rifles in the Tea Room for the inspection of Members whilst the Army Estimates are before the House; and (2) whether he can arrange for an exhibition in some part of the House of Commons of the latest German, French, American, Mexican, and Canadian rifles during the week ending 9th March whilst the Army Debates are in progress, and also tables showing details as regards trajectory, muzzle velocity, weight of bullet and charge, etc.?

It would not seem desirable to place such a large number of rifles in the Tea Room. A Table giving the information asked for shall be placed in the Tea Room if the officials of the House concur. A large number of different rifles can be seen at the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what was the total cost of rearming the Regular Forces of the Army with the short rifle at the last rearmament, and what period of time elapsed between the first issue of the short rifle and the completion of the rearmament?

The total cost was approximately one and a half millions. Issues to Regulars commenced in 1903 and were completed in 1907. The Special Reserve were rearmed in 1909.

asked how many candidates competed at the examination for admission to the Royal Military College at each of the last six examinations; what was the number of candidates appointed after each examination; and what was the number of commissions granted on probation, without examination, during each of the years 1909, 1910, and 1911?

The following number of candidates competed at the examination for admission to the Royal Military College in—

November, 1911	268
June, 1911	305
November, 1910	222
June, 1910	312

In November and June, 1909, it was unnecessary to hold a competitive examination, as sufficient candidates failed to pass the qualifying examination required of candidates before presenting themselves at the second or competitive examination. The number of gentlemen admitted to the Royal Military College during the last six half-years has been

February, 1912	179
September, 1911	232
February, 1911	167
September, 1910	235
February, 1910	176
September, 1909	204

The number of commissions on probation granted, in the years named, without examination, was—

	Household Cavalry.	Foot Guards.
1909	—	10
1910	4	9
1911	5	7
Total	9	26

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the height of the bullet above the line of sight with sights set at 800 yards, at 200, 400, and 600 yards, and in addition the height at highest point of trajectory for the ordinary.303 ammunition and the new pointed bullet ammunition; and the same information as regards the German rifle with Spitze bullet ammunition?

supplied the following particulars:—Height of trajectory over 800 yards, range..303 Mark 6 (old pattern):—

	Height above line of sight.
200 yards	8.4 feet
400 yards	12.6 feet
600 yards	10.5 feet
Maximum height attained (at 470 yards)	18.75 feet
.303 Mark 7 (new pattern):—
200 yards	5.7 feet
400 yards	8.6 feet
600 yards	7.6 feet
Maximum height attained (at 470 yards)	8.75 feet

The German figures for these ranges are not available. The figure for 800 yards will be found on the plan to be placed in the Tea Room.

asked how many cotton mills in Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Blackburn have been fitted completely with special dust-extractors for taking away the dust from the breathing level of the workers when engaged in stripping the cylinders of carding engines, how many are partially so fitted, and the number in which no such extractors have been applied; and how many firms have fitted these voluntarily, the number who have done so after an order by the inspector, and the number who have had orders made upon them by the magistrates requiring them to fit their mills up with the same?

I cannot give the exact figures up to date, but the following Table contains the latest information in the possession of the Department—that obtained at the last visit to the mills:—

Particulars as to extractors.	Locality.
	Oldham Borough.	Bolton Borough.	Rochdale Borough.	Ashton-under-Lyne Borough.	Blackburn Borough.
Completely fitted	25	51	20	9	16
Partially fitted	9	4	No record	0	2
No extractors	97	42	22	17	5
Extractors ordered but not erected when mill was last visited	78	17	18	12	4
Fitted voluntarily	2	15	0	1	0
Fitted after order by inspector	23	40	20	8	18
Orders made by magistrates	3	0	13	3	0

The corresponding figures for the whole of Lancashire and Cheshire (with the adjoining parts of Derbyshire and West Riding and Cumberland) are as follows:—

Completely fitted.	Partially fitted.	No extractors.	Extractors ordered but not erected when mill was last visited.	Fitted voluntarily.	Fitted after order by Inspector.	Orders made by Magistrates.
391	76*	468	318*	54	399	32
* Records not quite complete.

The recommendations of the Joint Committee of Employers and Operatives which was appointed last year by the industry to report on the appliances, were only issued in October last, and I am informed that the only delays now arising are due to the difficulty of getting delivery from the firms supplying the appliances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the date of the latest edition of the Police Instruction Book in the hands of all the members of the Metropolitan Police?

The last edition of the Police Instruction Book was published in 1900, but emendations have since been issued from time to time. It is not proposed to republish the book in its present form. The volume which is to take its place is now passing through the Press.

asked the Home Secretary the number of firms in Lancashire who have fitted the carding engines in their cotton mills with automatic lockingmotions for the covers over the cylinders; the number who have not these appliances affixed; and whether any definite order has been served upon them to completethem within a specified time, and, if so,, what time?

I cannot give the exact figures up to date, but according to the latest information in the possession of the Department, the numbers are as follows:—

District.	Fitted.	Not fitted or only partially fitted.
Bolton	130	75
Rochdale	120	30
Oldham	293	36
Stockport	6	2
Preston	34	6
Blackburn	64	8
Manchester	35	14
Totals for Lancashire	682	171

Of the 171 mills in the second column of the Table, a number are probably now completely fitted, as the work was in hand when the mills were last visited. No time has been specified within which the work is to be completed, but proceedings are being taken when considered necessary in order to secure compliance. Five firms in Lancashire were prosecuted and convicted last year for failure to provide the appliances.

asked the number of firms in the cotton trade in Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Stalybridge, who were prosecuted for breaches of the Factory Act last year, distinguishing the offences, the number of convictions, and the amount of penalties inflicted, and the number of previous convictions in each case?

The particulars are as follows:—

Number of Firms.	Offence.	Number of Cases.	Number of Convictions.	Amount of Penalties.
				£	s.	d.
1	Failure to keep general register	1	1	0	5	0
	Employment without certificate of fitness	2	2	0	10	0
17	Failure to ventilate *	17	see note	—
4	Failure to fence machinery †	4	4	2	11	0
2	Employment without school certificate	4	4	1	0	0
5	Employment before or after legal hours‡	25	25	14	17	6
1	Employment after legal hours on Saturday	4	4	2	2	0
17	Employment at meal times §	358	358	221	1	0
1	Failure to supply correct particulars of work	4	4	4	0	0
* In 14 cases orders made for compliance with the law, 3 cases withdrawn on payment of costs, as dust extractors were installed; 1 firm was previously convicted 4 times, 1 twice, 3 once.
† One firm was previously convicted twice, 1 once.
‡ One firm was previously convicted once.
§ One firm was previously convicted 3 times, 2 twice, 5 once.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that there are practically no pictures of Colonial life or scenery in the elementary schools of the country; and whether he will take steps to secure that the provision of such pictures should be recommended to the local education authorities through their respective county and borough councils?

It is the practice of the Board to leave to the local education authorities the selection of particular books, appliances, or methods; but both the Code and the Board's "Suggestions to Teachers and Others," in dealing with the subjects of geography and history, make special mention of the British Dominions beyond the seas, and the "Suggestions" also refer to the use of pictures and photographs of people, scenery, and buildings. The hon. Member may be interested to know that the "Visual Instruction Committee" of the Colonial Office have prepared several courses of lectures upon the British Dominions with lantern slides to illustrate them. The lectures have been published, and are readily available to local education authorities who desire to use this excellent method of attaining the object the hon. Member has in view.

asked the President of the Board of Education, if he will state the special qualifications which it is necessaryfor a candidate for a junior examinership under the Board to possess; the ages at appointment of the junior examiners appointed during the last five years; and the schools, colleges, and universities at which they were educated?

The post of junior examiner has, by Treasury Minutes laid before Parliament, been placed under the operation of Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1859, and the holders of these posts are thereby exempted from obtaining certificates from the Civil Service Commissioners. This was done on the understanding that persons appointed to these posts should possess special attainments, and this understanding has been carried out. The Board have laid down no special qualification as necessary for candidates for junior examinerships, but candidates are informed that they must furnish evidence of having received a really good education and that it is desirable, though not essential, that they should possess some knowledge of the theory and practice of teaching or of the administration of some branch of education; further, that in the case of certain posts which are from time to time vacant, some legal training is of advantage. The particulars asked for are as follows:—

	Age on appointment.	School.	University and College.
1	36	Shrewsbury School	New College, Oxford; Heidelberg; Berlin
2	24	Winchester College	Balliol College, Oxford
3	27	Eton College	Trinity College, Oxford
4	32	Marlborough College	Worcester College, Oxford
5	29	Maryborough College	Pembroke College, Cambridge
6	25	Marlborough College	Corpus Christi College, Oxford
7	32	Bala Grammar School	University College, Bangor; Paris; Bonn
8	27	St. John's School, Leatherhead	Trinity College, Dublin
9	30	Westminster City School	—
10	33	Marlborough College	Lincoln College, Oxford
11	29	Merchant Taylors' School	St. John's College, Oxford
12	24	Eton College	King's College, Cambridge
13	28	Dulwich College	King's College, Cambridge
14	28	Eastbourne College	Trinity Hall, Cambridge
15	24	Winchester College	Balliol College, Oxford
16	28	Shrewsbury School	Trinity College, Oxford; Berlin
17	26	Highgate School	Trinity College, Cambridge
18	30	Cheltenham College	Worcester College, Oxford
19	27	Marlborough College	Pembroke College, Cambridge
20	29	Radley College	Trinity College, Oxford
21	23	Eton College	New College, Oxford
22	27	Liverpool Institute High School	St. John's College, Cambridge
23	26	St. Paul's School	Balliol College, Oxford
24	23	Wellington College	Magdalen College, Oxford
25	27	Bedford Grammar School	Pembroke College, Cambridge
26	28	Repton School	—
27	26	King Edward's School, Birm'gh'm	Balliol College, Oxford
28	30	Belfast Academy	Trinity College, Oxford; Jena; Berlin
29	28	Westminster School	Trinity College, Cambridge
30	29	Rugby School	Corpus Christi College, Oxford
31	30	St. Paul's School	New College, Oxford
32	25	Wellington College	Balliol College, Oxford
33	32	Educated privately	—
34	23	City of London School	Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
35	25	Winchester College	Trinity College, Cambridge
36	27	Mill Hill School	University College, London
37	23	Educated privately	King's College, Cambridge

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the date of entry into the Government service of the principal assistant secretary of the Elementary Schools branch of the Board; the examination under which he entered; the salary scale of the first post he held; the posts which he has subsequently held, with the salaries attached

The present principal Assistant Secretary of the Elementary Schools Branch of the Board of Education entered the service of the Board on the 24th October, 1901, on his appointment as a junior inspector, a post placed by Treasury Minute under the operation of Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1859,holders of which are accordingly exempted from obtaining certificates from the Civil Service Commissioners. The scale of salary attached to the post was £200, rising to £400. The posts to which he was subsequently appointed are:—1st April, 1903, Junior Examiner at £250, rising to £600. 13th May, 1904, Senior Examiner at £650, rising to £800. November, 1902, to December, 1905, acted as Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary with an allowance of £150. 1st December, 1905, Chief Clerk at £900. 1st October, 1909, Accountant-General and Chief Clerk at £1,000, rising to £1,200. 30th December, 1911, Principal Assistant Secretary at £1,200. His present age is 42. I am satisfied that he possesses the ability and experience necessary for the post which he occupies, otherwise I should not have appointed him.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the date of entry into the Government service of the Accountant-General of the Board; the examination under which he entered; the salary scale of the first post he held; the posts which he has subsequently held, with the salaries attached thereto, and the date of his appointment to each; the special qualifications which he possesses; and his present age?

The present Accountant-General of the Board of Education entered the service of the Board on the 1st September, 1894, on his appointment as Junior Examiner, a post placed by Treasury Minute under the operation of Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1859, holders of which are accordingly exempted from obtaining certificates from the Civil Service Commissioners. The scale of salary attached to the post was £300, rising by

BRITISH.
Ship.	Date of			Time occupied in trials before commissioning. (Days.)	Time occupied in Building.
	Order to commence.	Laying down.	First commission.		(1) to (3).	(2) to (3).
	(1)	(2)	(3)
"Dreadnought"	8-7-05	2-10-05	11-12-06	61	1 yr. 5 months.	1 yr. 2 mouths.
"Inflexible"	21-11-05	5-2-06	20-10-08	122	2 yrs.11 months.	2 yrs. 8 months.
"Indomitable"	21-11-05	1-3-06	25-6-08	73	2 yrs. 7 months.	2 yrs. 4 months.
"Invincible"	21-11-05	2-4-06	20-3-09	146	3 yrs. 4 months.	3 yrs.
"Bellerophon"	30-10-06	3-12-06	20-2-09	72	2 yrs. 4 months.	2 yrs. 3 months.
"Temeraire"	30-10-06	1-1-07	15-5-09	73	2 yrs. 7 months.	2 yrs. 4 months.
"Superb"	26-12-06	6-2-07	29-5-09	66	2 yrs. 5 months.	2 yrs. 4 months.
"St. Vincent".	26-10-07	30-12-07	3-5-10	81	2 yrs. 6 months.	2 yrs. 4 months.
"Collingwood"	26-10-07	3-2-08	19-4-10	52	2 yrs. 6 months.	2 yrs. 3 months.
"Vanguard"	6-2-08	2-4-08	1-3-10	96	2 yrs. 1 months.	1 yrs. 11 months.
"Indefatigable"	9-11-08	23-2-09	24-2-11	122	2 yrs. 4 months.	2 yrs.
"Neptune"	14-12-08	19-1-09	11-1-11	63	2 yrs. 1 months.	2 yrs.
"Hercules"	1-6-09	30-7-09	4-7-11	120	2 yrs. 1 months.	1 yrs. 11 months.
"Colossus"	1-6-09	8-7-09	8-8-11	129	2 yrs. 2 months.	2 yrs. 1 months.
"Orion"	*3-8-09	29-11-09	2-1-12	73	2 yrs. 5 months.	2 yrs. 1 months.
* Date of preparing to build.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give information with regard to building periods of British and German "Invincibles" similar to that already given with respect to "Dreadnoughts," and have the two printed together for convenience of reference, placing together in chronological order the vessels of both types for Great Britain and Germany separately?

The information asked for by my hon. Friend is shown in the following tabular statements:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the treatment of political prisoners in Portugal; whether he is aware that some 200 of these prisoners have been kept in custody for terms varying from four to ten months without trial, in violation of the terms of the constitution; that some of the prisoners are youths of 15 and 16 years of age; that some of the aged prisoners, on their way to the dungeons in which they are interned, had their beards plucked and their spectacles broken, and were afforded no protection against such treatment; that the bedclothes in the dungeons are filthy and verminous, where any bedclothes are provided; that the food supplied to the prisoners is of the worst possible description; that no facilities are afforded the prisoners for air or exercise; that some of the prisoners were arrested on the evidence of single deponents who were notorious perjurers; and whether, in view of the fact that a rigid Press censorship in the hands of the Portuguese Government prevents any public news hostile to the Government or favourable to the prisoners from becoming known outside Portugal, he will make representations to the Portuguese Government as to the feelings of resentment and indignation with which these acts of tyranny and oppression are viewed by all liberty-loving people in this country, and as to the advisability of a relaxation of the treatment of these political prisoners?

I have no information to show that the allegations contained in the hon. Member's question are accurate, but I must point out that in any case the matter is one which concerns the internal affairs of another Power and in which His Majesty's Government cannot intervene.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of a closing order made on 12th January, 1911, by the Hampstead Borough Council against Mr. William Arlidge in respect of No. 83 Palmerston Road; whether he is aware that at the present time there are two appeals pending to the Local Government Board arising out of such order, and that a public local inquiry was held on the 8th December last in respect of the first of such appeals, but no order has yet been made on such appeal; and what is the explanation of this delay?

I am aware of the facts of the case referred to by the hon. Member. The Order deciding the matter was signed by me on the 26th instant, and copies were sent to the parties yesterday.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Board instruct an inspector of the Board, when presiding at a local public inquiry on an appeal under The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, that he has the right to administer an oath to the witnesses giving evidence on the inquiry; and if so, by what authority?

The power to administer an oath is given by Section 21 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1847, as applied by Section 296 of the Public Health Act, 1875, and Section 85 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that only 2,524 children and young people were emigrated to Canada in 1910–11 through the medium of the boards of guardians, whilst 21,768 applications were received for such children and young people; whether, in 1900 to 1911, inclusive, only 21,456 were sent to 149,302 available situations in that period; and whether he can see his way to stimulate the action of boards of guardians in the matter?

I am aware of the figures given in Mr. Bogue Smart's Report for the year 1909–10. Twice within the past two years I have, by circular, directed the attention of guardians towards the question of emigrating children, and my inspectors bring the matter to their notice on other occasions.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the action of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, in declining to receive boys recommended by the Southwark Board of Guardians on board the training ship "Exmouth" unless they have been vaccinated, has his sanction, seeing that this ignores conscientious objection, as recognised by law, and rein states compulsion; and, if not, whether he will take steps to restore freedom of conscience to persons under the control of the Metropolitan Asylums Board?

I am advised that the Metropolitan Asylums Board have a discretion whether they will admit an unvaccinated boy to the ship.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is with his knowledge and sanction that arrears of old age pensions are paid to persons in respect of periods during which they have been inmates of Poor Law infirmaries and workhouses, and thus maintained at the public expense; whether he is aware that no less than 119 of such cases have during the last year occurred in the area of Brentford union; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the extent of the practice throughout the unions under the control of his Department?

A person is not disqualified from receiving an old age pension ort account of the receipt of poor relief when the relief is medical or other relief expressly mentioned in Section 3 (1) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908. The Local Government Board have, however, no information as to the number of cases in which arrears of pensions are paid to pensioners. The matter is one for the Treasury rather than for the Local Government Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a resolution recently passed by the Irish Pig Dealers' Association requesting the Board of Trade to hold a sworn inquiry into private pooling arrangements recently come to between the Great Southern and Western Railway and the Midland Great Western Railway Companies, whereby members of the pig trade have suffered loss and inconvenience; and whether such inquiry will be held at an early date?

The resolution referred to has not reached the Board of Trade. The Board have no power to hold such a sworn inquiry as that suggested, but if my right hon. Friend is furnished with particulars of the loss and inconvenience complained of, he will consider whether he can usefully communicate with the railway companies concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the sunken wreck which has recently caused an injury to the s.s. "Olympic" is still a possible cause of danger to ocean-going vessels; and whether steps are being taken to warn vessels of the dangers and to blow up the sunken wreck, or otherwise free the sea from this danger?

The Board of Trade are informed by Messrs. Ismay, Imrie, and Company that the report that the s.s. "Olympic" struck a sunken wreck is devoid of any foundation, though it is the case that she lost a blade of her propeller in the course of her last voyage homeward.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the average salary per officer paid to the following grades of officers on the clerical establishment in the London postal service: First class clerks, second class clerks, thirds class clerks, for each of the years 1885, 1891, 1897, 1903, 1905, 1908–9, and 1910?

The information desired by the hon. Member is given in the subjoined table:—

Class.		1885.	1891.	1897.	1903.	1905.	1908.	1909.	1910.
		£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Clerks, 1st Class	…	645	369	376	368	854	358	361	359
Clerks, 2nd Class	…	253	241	237	249	247	256	252	251
Clerks, 3rd Class	…	157	143	142	123	120	122	124	129

In 1898 the scale for Third Class Clerks in the Controller's Office was altered from £100–10–200 to £80–7:10–200.

asked the Postmaster-General, if he is aware that the practice of making appointments from postmen who pass the examination for sorters to the particular place they complete for results very often in men with lower qualifications receiving appointments, while men who receive higher marks at some other centre where the vacancies happen to be fewer in number receive no appointment; and, in view of this, will he alter the system of examination so that all competitors in the country shall form one list from which those who receive the highest marks shall receive appointments in rotation to the vacancies which may arise at any post office?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member; but I consider that the existing arrangement, under which candidates are allowed to select the office for appointment at which they are to compete, gives more satisfaction than would the plan advocated by the hon. Member, which would often involve appointment at very distant offices.

asked the Postmaster General whether he will state what were the terms of reference given to the

The terms of the reference were as follows: "To inquire whether the conditions of working of telephone operators are such as are likely to be prejudicial to the health of the operators; and, if, in their opinion, the work as at present carried on is unduly trying to girls and women such as those selected for employment in the service, to report, in consultationwith one of the practical officers of the Department who would be nominated for the purpose, what remedial measures are practicable and advisable." The Report as published contains the whole of the conclusions submitted to me by the medical committee.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether his attention has been called to the fact that, owing to the rapid growth and development of Hayes, Middlesex, the duties of postmen in that district have been increased; and whether he can see his way to raise the scale of postmen's wages in the district of Hayes to the same scale as those paid in the surrounding districts of Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Southall, and Yiewsley?

I am having inquiry made and will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

asked the hon. Member for the East Dorset Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any site for the King Edward Memorial Statute other than that at the Piccadilly end of the Broad Walk has recently been under the consideration of the King Edward Memorial Committee?

The reply is in the affirmative; several sites have been under the consideration of the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will give the total amount of land bought by county councils for the purposes of the Small Holdings Acts, specifying the amount of land bought by each county

County.		Area Purchased.			Area Leased.			Total Area.			No. of Small Holders in Possession.
ENGLAND.		A.	r.	p.	A.	r.	p.	A.	r.	p.
Bedford.	…	1,632	1	20	1,232	3	27	2,865	1	7	297
Berks	…	1,704	3	14	551	0	14	2,255	3	28	66
Buckingham	…	727	1	31	2,387	0	23	3,114	2	14	128
Cambridge	…	4,399	2	23	1,630	2	8	6,030	0	31	609
Isle of Ely	…	2,498	3	26	535	3	9	3,025	2	35	553
Chester	…	2,836	0	7	441	1	31	3,277	1	38	95
Cornwall	…	2,631	0	22	175	2	24	2,806	3	6	106
Cumberland	…	85	3	38	278	0	0	363	3	38	22
Derby	…	601	3	0	0	1	15	602	0	15	9
Devon	…	3,690	1	4	953	3	23	4,644	0	27	217
Dorset	…	172	3	9	1,574	0	0	1,746	3	9	49
Durham	…	134	3	30	1,323	2	20	1,458	2	10	60
Essex	…	1,249	2	23	551	2	19	1,801	1	2	119
Gloucester	…	1,681	0	38	524	1	13	2,205	2	11	177
Hants	…	262	3	8	1,069	3	4	1,332	2	12	103
Isle of Wight	…	506	0	2	360	1	32	866	1	34	53
Hereford	…	1,236	3	29	316	3	1	1,553	2	30	75
Hertford	…	857	3	28	1,237	2	28	2,095	2	16	117
Huntingdon	…	3,006	3	2	264	3	32	3,271	2	34	303
Kent	…	785	1	9	914	1	12	1,699	2	21	102
Lancaster	…	89	3	6	363	2	8	453	1	14	59
Leicester	…	2,205	1	19	287	3	30	2,493	1	9	80
Lincoln, Parts of Holland	…	1,976	1	11	1,376	0	32	3,352	2	3	139
Lincoln, Parts of Kesteven	…	2,551	3	23	908	3	5	3,460	2	28	161
Lincoln, Parts of Lindsey	…	1,997	3	5	518	2	12	2,516	1	17	127
London	…	—			—			—			—
Middlesex	…	19	1	18	95	1	33	114	3	11	11
Monmonth	…	2,587	3	21	442	2	16	3,030	1	37	58
Norfolk	…	4,859	3	32	3,411	0	28	8,271	0	20	711
Northampton	…	575	1	26	1,568	2	21	2,144	2	7	91
Soke of Peterborough	…	452	3	29	29	2	15	482	2	4	17
Northumberland	…	2,282	0	0	911	0	0	3,193	0	0	61
Notts	…	265	3	27	525	0	33	791	0	20	49
Oxford	…	423	0	25	2,059	2	22	2,482	3	7	163
Rutland	…	—			296	0	39	296	0	39	28
Salop	…	1,094	1	34	528	2	9	1,623	0	3	76
Somerset	…	4,088	1	4	1,762	1	17	5,850	2	21	348
Stafford	…	1,169	2	0	739	1	0	1,908	3	0	48
Suffolk, East	…	610	1	10	208	1	11	818	2	21	53
Suffolk, West	…	1,223	3	28	334	2	26	1,558	2	14	175
Surrey	…	941	1	3	84	1	31	1,025	2	34	55
Sussex, East	…	—			300	3	22	300	3	22	22
Sussex, West	…	—			49	0	8	49	0	8	7
Warwick	…	1,130	3	9	399	2	32	1,530	2	1	80
Westmorland	…	—			79	3	9	79	3	9	8
Wilts	…	1,218	0	10	1,706	0	18	2,924	0	28	151
Worcester	…	921	3	30	1,042	1	13	1,964	1	3	365
York, East Riding	…	1,152	3	12	1,146	1	38	2,299	1	10	84
York North Riding	…	548	0	27	238	1	27	786	2	14	9
York, West Riding	…	2,660	3	6	452	1	31	3,113	0	37	36
Isles of Scilly	…	—			—			—			—
Total	…	67,741	3	18	38,191	3	1	105,933	2	19	6,532

The following Table supplies the information available up to the 31st December, 1911. I am not in a position to state separately the number of small holders on the land acquired by purchase:—

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received an application for a Grant from the Development Fund from the Southern Sea Fisheries District; and whether, if so, he has forwarded this application to the Development Commissioners, and with what result?

The reply to the first and second inquiry is in the affirmative. Pending the further consideration of the general scheme proposed by the Board for the improvement of the fisheries the Development Commissioners have recommended that certain interim Grants should be made in which the Southern Sea fisheries district will participate. I hope shortly to be in a position to communicate with the Committee on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state, as regards the sugar beet grown by the six agricultural colleges in accordance with the Memorandum issued by the Board, the average percentages of soil removed by washing the roots at each college?

The percentages of soil removed by washing varied widely, and any figures that could be quoted would be subject to qualifications which cannot be briefly stated. Perhaps, therefore, the hon. Member will be content to await the issue of the Report on these experiments, which may be expected shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that purity is a most important factor in determining the value of sugar beet for purposes of sugar manufacture, he will add the co-efficients of purity to the other items of information required by the Board's Memorandum in all future experiments on sugar beet cultivation carried out by the agricultural colleges and other institutions?

I shall be very glad to meet the wishes of the hon. Member so far as I possibly can.

asked the hon. Member for the East Dorset Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the contracts for the erection of the new post office at Bolton are let; and, if so, will he state the amount of such contract, and upon what date the work will commence?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It has been found necessary owing to alterations in the requirements of the post office, to re-plan the entire buildings; and the Department is awaiting the receipt of the revised statement of requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will give the dates and districts affected by outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease registered in England and Wales between the years 1898 and 1911, both inclusive?

The following statement will give the information for which the hon. Member asks:—

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IN GREAT BRITAIN 1898–1911.
*Date of Outbreaks.		Locality.
1898.	No outbreaks.
1899.	No outbreaks.
1900.
27th Jan.	Suffolk	Fritton
3rd Feb.	Norfolk	Freethorpe
10th Feb.	Norfolk	Ormesby St. Margaret
10th Feb.	Norfolk	Ormesby St. Margaret
10th Feb.	Norfolk	Freethorpe
17th Feb.	Bedford	Campton, Shefford
24th Feb.	Norfolk	Reedham
21st April	Norfolk	Wickhampton
12th May	Hertford	Codicote
4th Aug.	Yorks, East Riding	Marfleet
18th Aug.	Flints	Rhyl
25th Aug.	Flints	Rhuddlan
1st Sept.	Flints	Dyserth, Rhyl
15th Sept.	Wilts	Whitley, Melksham
22nd Sept.	Wilts	Atworth
22nd Sept.	Wilts	Broughton Gifford
6th Oct.	Stafford	Whittington
15th Dec.	Essex	Harlow
15th Dec.	Essex	Stansted
15th Dec.	Essex	Great Canfield, Dunmow
22nd Dec.	Essex	Magdalen Laver, Ongar
1901.
26th Jan.	Suffolk	Sproughton, Ipswich
2nd Feb.	Kent	St. Nicholas at Wade
2nd Feb.	Suffolk	Belstead, Ipswich
2nd Feb.	Suffolk	Ipswich
2nd Feb.	Suffolk	Westerfield, Ipswich
9th Feb.	Kent	St. Nicholas at Wade
23rd Feb.	Kent	St. Nicholas at Wade
23rd Feb.	Suffolk	Burstall
23rd Feb.	Suffolk	Bramford
9th Mar.	Sufflok	Bramford
13th April	Essex	Romford
13th April	Essex	Romford
1902.
29th Mar.	Kent	Chislet, Herne, Canterbury
1903.	No outbreaks.
1904.	No outbreaks.
1905.	No outbreaks.
1906.	No outbreaks.
1907.	No outbreaks.
* The date given is that of the end of the week in which the outbreak was confirmed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the Order recently issued by the President of the Local Government Board prohibiting the use in England of the cut-out on motor cars; and, if so, whether he will take steps to issue similar regulations in Scotland?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the amount of the Grant for superannuation of school teachers which he stated to the electors of St. Rollox on the 17th instant upon the authority of the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and when will it come into effect?

The Grant for the superannuation of teachers in Scotland will be given during the coming financial year, and I hope to be able to inform the Noble Lord of the amount in a few days.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any pensions have been granted to caretakers of day schools in Scotland under Section 33 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908; whether such pensions are on contributory terms; and whether the Scotch Education Department is requiring, as a condition of its consent under that Section, that such pensions should be contributory?

The answer to the first query is in the affirmative; the answer to the second and third is in the negative.

asked whether he is prepared to sanction an arrangement whereby rural schoolmasters whose schools are not higher grade may be encouraged to bring on selected pupils for the full three years term of the intermediate certificate course, provided the necessary teaching equipment has been provided; and whether the extra grants in the second and third year and any equipment grants will be allowed, more especially so seeing that the extra cost for an intermediate curriculum appears to be a very minor part of school maintenance?

Provision for such cases as the hon. Member appears to have in view is made in the second footnote to Article 21 of the Day School Code. As a rule, however, it is not to the advantage of pupils to have their entrance to higher schools delayed any longer than is absolutely necessary. While, therefore, presentation for the intermediate certificate from purely primary schools is permissible and permitted, it does not seem desirable that the practice should be encouraged by the offer of extra attendance Grants. The "Equipment Grants" referred to by the hon. Member are presumably those available under Section 17 (8) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908. If so, the hon. Member's attention is directed to the first paragraph of Section 18 (b) of the Department's memorandum of April, 1909, as to Section 17 of the Act, where committees are urged to give special consideration to the claims of ordinary primary schools.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the rule of certain county committees requiring their "A" bursars to attend county higher grade schools, notwithstanding the fact that a burgh higher grade school may be much nearer and more convenient; and whether he will give directions that "A" bursars, who have been duly nominated by school boards, shall be free to attend whatever school they themselves may select, whether the same is in a burgh or county?

The only three county committee schemes that recognise a specific class of "A" bursars are those of Aberdeen, Clackmannan, and Perth. In the case of the two latter there is no limitation which it is possible to identify with the "rule" referred to by the hon. Member. The Aberdeenshire committee require that their "A" bursaries shall be tenable at schools "in the county, being the nearest to the bursar's residence." The Department, however, have no reason to believe that this requirement is interpreted in the manner implied in the question. As a matter of fact, they find that the majority of the "A" bursaries awarded by the committee in 1911 are held by pupils who are in attendance at schools within burghs, including the burgh of Aberdeen, and at least one burgh outside the county altogether.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state, with reference to the expenditure on higher grade schools in Scotland and to the statement that the greater part of their cost would have to be incurred in any case were no intermediate curriculum provided, what amount of expenditure on buildings and equipment has been incurred on schools that have become higher grade since the institution of the intermediate certificate; and what is the extra annual charge on such schools since they became higher grade, including, if possible, interest and repayment of loans, charges, administration and up-keep charges, plus bursaries and travelling allowances attaching to these schools?

The Department do not have in their possession the information necessary to enable them to enable them to furnish the statement for which the hon. Member asks. Any attempt to obtain it would entail a very large expenditure of time and labour, not only upon the Department, but also upon the various school authorities and secondary education committees throughout Scotland. Furthermore, the statement, when compiled, would not furnish a satisfactory basis for deductions of any sort, inasmuch as it would be impossible to secure that the different parties concerned would follow any uniform principle in their endeavours to separate the cost of instructing intermediate pupils from the cost of instructing primary, supplementary and post-intermediate pupils, taught under the same roof and, to a certain extent, by the same staff. In the circumstances, I can only regret that I cannot see my way to comply with the hon. Member's request.