asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Insurance Commissioners propose to issue regulations showing who will be responsible for the payment of contributions under the National Insurance Act in the case of a farmer who contracts with a man to work his farm, the farm servants being engaged by and working under the general control and management of the sub-contractor?

If the servants are under the general control and management of the sub-contractor and not of the farmer, the sub-contractor is the employer, and the Commission have no power by regulations to make any other person the employer for the purposes of the Act.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that the French Government has been forced to pass into law last week the new clauses of its Finance Bill with respect to gambling operations in time-bargains (Options and Futures) on its Bourses; whether he is aware that the Chinese and Siamese Governments were also forced last autumn to take special actions with regard to gambling operations in order to protect their people from the cornering of foodstuffs; and whether he will take official steps to procure full particulars of these and other Governments' actions respecting gambling in futures and options, with the view of laying them upon the Table of the House for the benefit of Members?

I am aware that certain Clauses of the Finance Bill referred to by the hon. Member relate to "time-bargains," but I have no official information as to the nature of these Clauses, nor as to any action taken by the Chinese and Siamese Governments in relation to this question. I will make inquiries on these points. Steps are already being taken, in accordance with the promise given to the hon. Member, to obtain particulars of Government action on this subject in the principal commercial countries.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what is the position between the Wexford County Council and the Department with reference to the dredging of Kilmore Harbour; and when he expects the dredger will be sent to Kilmore?

The Department offered to dredge portion of Kilmore Harbour to an extent estimated to cost £375, and to provide two-thirds of that sum. They also offered to carry out further dredging if the county council co-operated with the Department in providing one-half (£250) of the estimated cost thereof (£500). The council have accepted the offer first mentioned and have postponed consideration of the second. Kilmore Harbour has been placed on the list of places for dredging when the Department's plant becomes available for work this year. It is hoped that it will be at Kilmore in about a month from this date.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether application has been made on behalf of the Roscrea (No. 3) rural district, Queen's County, and the southern part of Abbeyleix rural district to be supplied with an Irish draught or half-bred registered stallion; and, seeing that the county committee have unanimously supported the application during the past three years, will he consider the advisability of acceding to their request?

The Department have received, through the Queen's County Committee of Agriculture, an application for a registered Irish draught or half-bred stallion for service in the Roscrea No. 3 rural district and in Rathdowney in the Abbeyleix rural district. The Department will gladly accede to the request as soon as a suitable sire can be obtained.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in accordance with their promise dated 23rd October, 1907, the Estates Commissioners have considered the case of George Ellard with reference to his claim for reinstatement in his father's evicted farm, and with what result?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from George Ellard for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by his father on the estate of Lady Maurice Fitzgerald, and now in the occupation of another tenant, and, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the grounds on which the Local Government Board refused a pension to Daniel Gorman, Clonaheen, Rosenallis, Queen's County; whether the sub-committee at Mountmel-lick awarded Gorman a pension of 5s. per week on the grounds that he was possessed of no property and had arrived at the statutory age; and will the Local Government Board reconsider the case?

Daniel Gorman's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He had a good farm of upwards of fourteen acres, which, he alleged, had been transferred to his son. There was, however, no evidence produced of a formal assignment having been made; and even if the assignment had been properly made, the case would appear to be one which might be held to come within the meaning of Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908. The Board have no power to reopen consideration of the case.

asked on what grounds Michael Gallagher, of Coratavy, Killarga, Dromahair, county Leitrim, was deprived of his old age pension?

The Local Government Board cannot trace any record of an appeal having been made to them in this case, and are accordingly unable to give the required information.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have made any offer to the landlord for the purchase of the M'Alpine or M'Alpine-Robinson estate, situate at Windsor, near Castlebar, county Mayo; if not, when they hope to be in a position to make such offer; and when the negotiations for the purchase of this estate commenced?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of the estate of Mr. A. K. S. M'Alpine-Robertson, county Mayo. The documents to enable the Board to have the property inspected were lodged in September, 1910. The estate has been valued, and the question of making an offer for purchase will be considered by the Board at their meeting next week.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet received an offer from Mr. Roche-Kelly to sell his congested estate near Newport, county Mayo?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of this property with a view to a sale through the Board have been lodged, and the question of purchasing the property will be considered in due course.

asked whether any negotiations have yet taken place between the Congested Districts Board and Lord Vaux for the sale of his congested estate near Newport, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?

The Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with the solicitors acting for Lord Vaux, and they have been informed that the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection are being prepared and will be lodged as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have requested Mr. Walter Joyce to sell his congested estate situate at Breaffy, near Castlebar, county Mayo; if so, with what result; and is he aware that of the twenty-five tenants on this estate thirteen occupy holdings the rents of which are under £5, while there are 400 acres of un-tenanted lands which might be made available for the enlargement of holdings and relief of congestion on the property?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Mr. Joyce's solicitors regarding a sale of his estate in county Mayo, and have been informed that he is unwilling to negotiate for sale except on a cash basis. The Board have no information regarding the circumstances of the property, except that furnished on behalf of the tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Local Government Board have received an application from the Cork Rural District Council to have an inquiry into a pending scheme of cottages and allotments; is he aware of the number of plots sought to be acquired in connection with this scheme; have representations been made of the urgency of the labourers' requirements for better housing accommodation in the district; and can he state when the inquiry will be held?

An application has been received as indicated for an inquiry into a pending scheme involving 643 cottages. Representations have been duly made as to the necessity for increased housing accommodation, but the more urgent needs of other districts in the matter of accommodation for labourers have also to be taken into account. In this rural district the Labourers Acts have been liberally put into effect, no less than 1,538 cottages having been authorised to be provided, the amount of loans sanctioned far the purpose being more than a quarter of a million. The Local Government Board cannot say when an inquiry will be held, having regard to the necessity for giving priority to the schemes in districts where the requirements of the labourers have been less generously met.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that Mr. Joseph Smyth was employed in connection with the Office of Public Works in Dublin, and left the service in July, 1910, after upwards of twenty-eight years' service; that, when he entered the service, he was led to expect a pension and was so informed by an official of the Board; that, when he left the service, he was given only a gratuity calculated at the rate of a week's wages for each year of service; have all other workmen in the employment of the Board been similarly dealt with on retirement; can he say at what date the present regulations relating to pensions and gratuities were established, whether before Mr. Smyth entered the service or subsequently; is he aware that in a letter dated 18th June, 1910, addressed to the Reverend J. T. Mellifont, the Lord Lieutenant promised to recommend Mr. Joseph Smyth's case for favourable consideration; and, having regard to the circumstances, will he remit the case to the Office of Public Works, Dublin, for reconsideration of Smyth's claim for a pension; and can Members be furnished with copies of the regulations relating to retirement from such appointments as that above referred to?

Mr. Smyth was granted a gratuity of one week's pay for each year of his service under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, in the same manner as other workmen in the employment of the Board of Works, Dublin, the conditions of whose service do not entitle them to a pension. There is no record that any information was given to Mr. Smyth when he entered the service which could lead him to expect a pension, and there is no legal power under which any pension could be granted to him. The conditions under which gratuities are awarded are stated in the Act above mentioned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the proposed recruiting demonstration to take place in London on 29th March, he can give the figures in detail of the normal establishment and the actual strength of each of the Territorial units within the London area?

County and Unit.	Establishment.		Strength.
	Territorial.		Territorial.
	Officers.	N.C.O.'s and Men.	Officers.	N.C.O.'s and Men.
LONDON—
King Edward's Horse	24	442	22	401
1st County of London Yeomanry	24	442	24	465
2nd County of London Yeomanry	24	442	19	474
3rd County of London Yeomanry	24	442	21	370
2nd London Brigade, R.F.A.	22	600	18	436
3rd London Brigade, R.F.A.	22	600	17	582
4th London (Howitzer) Brigade, R.F.A.	15	372	14	332
5th London Brigade, R.F.A.	22	596	15	613
6th London Brigade, R.F.A.	22	613	15	515
7th London Brigade, R.F.A.	22	596	21	552
8th London (Howitzer) Brigade, R.F.A.	15	372	8	199
1st London R.G.A.	7*	209*	7	177
2nd London R.G.A.	6	208	7	174
1st London Divisional R.E.	15†	493	15	400
2nd London Divisional R.E.	15†	493	17	378
London Telegraph Companies, R.E. (1 Wireless, 1 Cable, 1 Air Line)	16†	448	14	437
London Balloon Company, R.E.	3	62	3	59
London Electrical Engineers (6 Companies, E.L.)	21	447	25	471
9th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	978	25	785
10th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	978	22	516
11th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	978	24	839
12th Battalion County of London Regiment	29	990	26	831
13th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	983	21	713
14th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	990	29	1,041
15th Battalion County of London Regiment	29	984	27	803
16th Battalion County of London Regiment	29	983	26	899
17th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	978	25	626
18th Battalion County of London Regiment	29	987	26	588
19th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	987	23	847
20th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	986	23	558
21st Battalion County of London Regiment	28	985	25	835
22nd Battalion County of London Regiment	29	984	25	665
23rd Battalion County of London Regiment	28	984	21	716
24th Battalion County of London Regiment	28	986	24	743
Inns of Court Officers Training Corps	24	400	21	275
28th Battalion County of London (Artists) Regiment	28	978	25	719
25th Battalion County of London (Cyclists) Regiment	20	483	18	467
1st London Division, T. and S. Col. A.S.C.	19	484	15	323
2nd London Division, T. and S. Col. A.S.C.	19	486	17	352
London Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C	6	119	5	102
4th London Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.	10	244	9	186
5th London Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.	10	244	8	196
6th London Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.	10	275	9	246
3rd London General Hospital, R.A.M.C.	3	43	3	40
4th General Hospital, R.A.M.C.	3	43	3	39
2nd London Sanitary Company R.A.M.C.	5	100	4	65
Total	929	27,517	811	22,050
* Includes one Lieut.-Colonel commanding 1st and 2nd London R.G.A., and one orderly-room clerk.
† Includes one Lieut.-Colonel.

The following was the establishment and strength of each unit of the Territorial Force within the London area on 23rd February, 1912:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the number of non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Force who in the past year have qualified in musketry by firing the requisite number of rounds of .303 service ball ammunition on open ranges of over 200 yards?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the detailed information on this subject given in rep]y to questions put by the hon. Member for Canterbury on Monday, the 26th February.

asked how many mobile field kitchens are there at present in the Regular Army; and how many of these have been paid for out of public and private funds, respectively?

Fourteen mobile field kitchens have at present been provided out of public funds, and more will be issued at an early date. It is not known at the War Office how many have been provided out of private funds.

asked how many examinations and courses have been held in musketry during the last eighteen months to qualify Territorial officers for a captain's certificate; how many officers entered for the examination without going through the course, and how many were succcessful; how many succeeded in passing the examination after going through the course; and how many went through the course and afterwards failed in the examination?

Thirteen local courses of musketry have been held in commands during the last eighteen months to qualify Territorial officers for the rank of captain: November, 1910, 4 courses; April, 1911, 4 courses; September-October, 1911, 5 courses. Summary of results:—

Passed in examination without going through the whole course	60
Failed in examination without going through the whole course	21
Passed in examination after going through course	273
Failed in examination after going through course	21

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he will state what is the number of officers deficient in the Special Reserve, giving their respective ranks; and what is the number of non-commissioned officers and men deficient in the Special Reserve.

Special Reserve (Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men) Deficiency, 1st February, 1912:—

Arm of the Service.	Lieut.-Colonels.			Majors.			Captains.			Lieutenants.			2nd-Lieutenants.			N.C.O.'s and Men.
	Establishment.	Strength.	Deficiency.	Establishment.	Strength.	Deficiency.	Establishment.	Strength.	Deficiency.	Establishment.	Strength.	Deficiency.	Establishment.	Strength.	Deficiency.	Establishment.	Strength.	Deficiency.
Cavalry	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	—	5	—	—	18	—	—	—	—
Cavalry, Irish Horse	2	2	—	10	8	2	8	9	—	10	10	—	16	8	8	886	851	35
Royal Field Artillery	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	49	—	—	27	—	—	58	—	l2,000†	6,001	5,999
Royal Garrison Artillery	2	2	—	3	3	—	15	16	—	15	12	3	8	7	1	1,440	877	563
Royal Garrison Artillery (unattached).	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	2	—	—	10	—	—	—	—
Royal Engineers	2	2	—	2	4	—	7	7	—	14	13	1	12	9	3	1,291	1,152	139
Royal Engineers (unattached)	—	—	—	—	4	—	—	15	—	—	6	—	—	70	—	—	—	—
Foot Guards	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	7	—	—	—	—
Infantry	101	101	—	155	159	—	536	547	—	1,107	321	786	808	376	432	63,178	50,332	12,846
Infantry (unattached)	—	7	—	—	—	—	—	3	—	—	1	—	—	25	—	—	—	—
Army Service Corps	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	1	—	—	9	—	1,000	214	786
Royal Army Medical Corps*	—	1	—	—	4	—	—	17	—	—	90	—	—	—	—	1,000	719	281
Army Veterinary Corps	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	90	—	—	—	—	65	—	65
Total showing net deficiency	107	115	—	170	182	—	566	673	—	1,146	504	642	844	597	247	80,860	60,146	20,714‡
* Includes 7 Category B. † Provisional Establishments, which will eventually be reduced to 6,000. ‡ These figures do not include Category B (Special Reservists supernumerary to the Territorial Force) now in process of formation, which, on the 1st January, 1912, had an Establishment of 7,448, and an enrolled strength of 981 Non-commissioned Officers and Men, Deficiency 6,467

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will state the amount of money received in the years 1910 and 1911 from officers serving at home in payment of the Government charges for hire of the mess and bedroom furniture supplied in the officers' quarters?

The amount can only be estimated, and approximately is £17,000 a year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the amount of the unexpended balance out of the Grant for Army services that was allowed to lapse last year; and what amount it is expected will lapse this year?

The unexpended balance in the year ended 31st March last, as shown in the Appropriation Account, was £210,608. I am unable to say at present what will remain unexpended in the current financial year, but it is expected to be considerably less than the amount for the previous year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give comparative particulars with regard to the provision made by this country and by France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, respectively, as regards aerial means of warfare, with special reference to annual expenditure, number and type of airships and aeroplanes and their dates of construction, and the number of staff, officers and men, with information as to the provision made for instruction and training?

I propose to make a full statement on aviation in introducing Army Estimates to-day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers in cadet corps, prior to the formation of the Officers' Training Corps, received Grants for outfit allowance after passing examination for Certificate A and attending a month's course at the School of Instruction; and whether such officers, on subsequently receiving a commission in the Territorial Force, are entitled to outfit allowance; and, if not, for what reason?

Officers in cadet corps, prior to the foundation of the Officers' Training Corps, did not receive outfit allowance. On subsequently being transferred to the Officers' Training Corps and on receiving a commission in the Territorial Force such officers were granted the cost of any alteration of uniform that was necessary, but they were not entitled to the outfit allowance any more than Yeomanry or Volunteer officers who were transferred to the Territorial Force.

asked whether the position of the assistant foremen in the Army Ordnance Store at Colchester who now receive 19s. 6d. a week, to which level the pay of some of the labourers has recently been raised, can be immediately considered with a view of any advance in pay dating back to the beginning of their financial year?

There are no assistant foremen in the Army Ordnance Store at Colchester, but there are leading hands of labourers whose present rate of wages is 19s. 6d. This case is now under consideration, and a decision will be announced shortly. Any increase that is given will be dated back to 1st April, 1911.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will say what was the total expenditure, otherwise than out of loans, m England and Wales, in the last financial year for which figures are available, for educational purposes of all kinds, distinguishing the total amount paid out of national funds and the amount defrayed out of rates?

I can only give my hon. Friend the figures relating to the expenditure by the Board out of moneys voted by Parliament and by local authorities out of rates. For the financial year, 1909–10, the expenditure

of the Board was	£13,640,789
of the local authorities was	£13,493,679
Total	£27,134,468

The expenditure by the Board for the financial year 1910–11, was £14,146,709, but the figures showing the local authorities' expenditure in that year are not yet available. Further particulars of this expenditure will be found in the Financial Statistics, published by the Board [Cd. 6018], pages 3, 34, and 218.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether he will state the number of boroughs, urban districts, and rural parishes in England and Wales containing no non-provided school, and with only a provided school available for the boys, girls, and infants of the district?

The number of boroughs with a population of under 10,000, urban districts with a population of under 20,000, and parishes in rural districts containing one school only, and that a provided school, available for boys, girls, and infants, was, on 1st August, 1911, 1,896. There were at the same date 380 such areas containing two or more provided schools, but no voluntary school. One urban district, with a population of over 20,000, and one borough with a population of over 10,000, contained two or more provided schools, but no voluntary schools.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will initiate legislation to enable a man to marry his deceased brother's widow, and thus complement the effect of the Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister Act?

I cannot promise to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of expulsion orders under the Aliens Act which has been refused by the Government after being recommended by the Courts in the last six years; how many of these have been refued on the grounds that the aliens in question were in prison; and on what grounds the remaining aliens in question were not expelled as recommended?

Out of 2,378 cases in which expulsion was recommended by the courts in the last six years, there were up to the end of the year 1911, 116 cases in which the Secretary of State had decided not to make Expulsion Orders. No Expulsion Orders have been refused on the ground that the aliens in question were in prison. The grounds on which the decisions not to make Expulsion Orders have been based are indicated annually in the published statements on the subject. They may be summarised as follows:—Cases in which it was not within the power of the Secretary of State to make Orders, 50; cases in which the Secretary of State in the exercise of the discretion vested in him by the Act decided that the alien ought not to be, or need not be, required to leave and ever afterwards remain out of the United Kingdom, 66. These cases depended on such considerations as the following:—Youth, first offence, trivial offence, lack of friends in, or connection with, any other country, long residence in the United Kingdom and British-born family, physical incapacity to travel, removal by friends, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount of tithes paid in Wales in 1910 and in 1911, and what proportions of the amount went to lay and ecclesiastical owners, respectively?

The total amount of tithe rent-charge charged on lands in Wales, at the time of the commutation was £274,493, but this amount has been altered by redemption, merger, and other transactions, and the amount actually chargeable at the present time cannot be stated. The amount of tithe rent-charge at the time of the commutation is shown for lay and ecclesiastical owners respectively in House of Commons Return 214 of 1887. Assuming that this were the amount now chargeable, the actual payments due in 1910 and 1911, as varied by the septennial corn average, would be as follows:—

Owner of rent charge.	Amount of rent charge at the commutation (fractions of £ omitted).	Amount payable on this basis.
		In 1910.	In 1911.
	£	£	£
Clerical Appropriators and their Lessees	67,664	47,624	48,181
Parochial Incumbents	137,501	96,778	97,911
Lay Impropriators	61,169	43,053	43,557
Schools, Colleges, etc.	8,159	5,743	5,819
	£274,493	193,198	195,458

But these amounts are given subject to the qualifications mentioned at the beginning of this reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were killed or injured by motor omnibuses and by tramcars, respectively, in the Metropolitan area, during each of the past five years; and how many passengers were carried by motor omnibuses and by tramcars, respectively, during the same period?

The number of persons killed or injured during each of the past five years was as follows:—

Year.		No. of persons killed.				No. of persons injured.				Total number of persons killed.	Total number of persons injured.
		By motor omnibuses.	By tramcars.			By motor omnibuses.	By tramcars.
			Mechanically propelled	Horse drawn.	Total.		Mechanically propelled.	Horse drawn.	Total.
1907	…	5	22	3	25	1,108	2,119	212	2,331	60	3,439
1908	…	62	26	1	27	1,264	2,066	136	2,202	89	3,466
1909	…	52	26	3	29	1,087	2,177	119	2,296	81	3,383
1910	…	61	26	1	27	1,008	2,372	66	2,438	88	3,446
1911	…	95	27	1	28	1,690	2,459	50	2,509	123	4,199
Totals	…	305	127	9	136	6,157	11,193	583	11,776	441	17,933

The only figures as to the number of passengers carried during the same period which are available are those in the last report of the London Traffic Branch of the Board of Trade, which do not include statistics for 1911, and do not distinguish between motor omnibuses and other omnibuses. The figures are as follows:—

Year.			No. of passengers carried by
			Tramway (approximate).	Omnibus.
1907	…	…	589,745,792	330,000,000*
1908	…	…	636,009,090	340,000,000*
1909	…	…	687,138,908	311,000,000*
1910	…	…	763,797,856	377,207,555†
* Number of passengers estimated on the basis of receipts; the figures are believed to be underestimated.
† From a return obtained for the first time from the Companies of the actual number of passengers carried.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a conference of delegates appointed by the Metropolitan

I have received a copy of the resolution. The question is one which has been repeatedly considered by the Commissioner of Police and by my predecessors; but the conclusion arrived at has been that no really effective mudguard for motor omnibuses has yet been invented. It would not, in these circumstances, be possible for the Commissioner to require the use of mudguards, nor would it be reasonable to propose legislation on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state how many trades or sections of trades are under the Particulars Clause of the Factory and Workshops Acts, the names of such trades, and the number of workpeople employed in each; and whether any applications have been made to be brought under the same provisions by any other trades, the names of such trades, and whether such applications have been granted?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is given in the following Table. The figures of outworkers are incomplete, and can only be regarded as roughly approximate:—

Trades.	Number of persons employed in factories or work shops in 1907 (the last year for which returns were received).	Number of outworkers employed in 1909, as given in the reports of the Medical Officers of Health.
All textile trades	1,101,575	*
Making of pens	5,399	*
Making of looks, latches and keys	5,849	211
Making of chains, anchors and cart-gear	8,293	1,138
Making of felt hats	Included in wearing apparel (see below)
Umbrellas, etc.	7,701	444
Artificial flowers	2,211	386
Tents	†	0
Rope or twine (non-textile)	6,004	*
Paper bags	8,100	2,503
Boxes, paper, cardboard, chip, etc.	16,341
Brushes	11,185	1,485
Sacks, making and repairing	1,511	733
Racquet or tennis balls, covering of	†	206
Fustian cutting	3,393	*
Relief stamping	418	*
Warehouse processes in the manufacture of food, drugs, perfumes, blacking, starch, blue, etc.	†	*
Nets, making of (non-textile other than wire nets)	†	1,439
Pea-picking	†	468
Brass, mixing, casting, and manufacture of	48,975	†
Brass, electro depositing of	†	†
Wearing apparel, making, etc., of	669,029	82,137
Chocolates and sweetmeats	†	*
Cartridges	5,497	*
Tobacco	35,089	*
Bleaching and dyeing	45,441	*
Printing of cotton cloth	18,770	*
Shipbuilding yards (platers, riveters and caulkers)	141,939	*
Iron safes	†	*
Household linen, making-up of	†	†
Curtains and furniture hangings	†	†
Lace (non-textile processes)	†	†
Laundries	115,101	245
Toy balloons, etc., made from india-rubber	†	*
Files	5,384	1,431
* Indicates not applicable to outworkers.
† Indicates no figures available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the disturbances in Jamaica, he can state if there are any means of telegraphic communication solely under British control between the various West Indian Islands and between these islands and Great Britain; and whether the recent Royal Commission reported that the existing means of telegraphic communication were satisfactory?

I assume that by telegraphic communication solely under British control the hon. Member refers to-cables not landed at any intermediate point on foreign soil. There is such telegraphic communication with Jamaica, but not with the more southerly West Indian Colonies. The views of the recent Royal Commission will be found in the section of their Report which deals with telegraphs, namely, paragraphs 186 to 213 of Cd. 5369.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange for the Emigrants' Information Office to remain open until nine o'clock on some nights in the week, to enable the hand-workers to obtain information as to prospects in the Dominions Oversea, without having to forego wages for half a day, with the possibility of dismissal in consequence of having absented themselves from work?

In the early days of the office it was the practice to keep the office open till 8.0 p.m., with a view to in- cluding the leisure time of the working classes, but the arrangement was not found to have any practical effect in attracting inquirers. I am not aware that the question has been discussed in recent years, but I shall be glad to refer the suggestion to the managing committee of the office for their consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General how many sorting clerks and telegraphists who have been selected as suitable for employment in surveyors' offices, when opportunity arises, there are at present for whom appointments cannot be found as third-class clerks; will those for whom appointments cannot be found be struck off the list as their ages advance; or, if positions cannot be found for them as third-class clerks, is there any prospect of their getting other suitable employment in Government departments?

There is at present a list of fifty-two sorting clerks and telegraphists who have been recommended as likely to prove suitable for the duties of clerks in surveyors' offices. Of these thirty-nine have already been given temporary employment in surveyors' offices and will, if they give satisfaction, be appointed to permanent positions as surveyors' clerks. It would be my desire to appoint the others also; but if, as may happen, it should prove impossible to appoint them within a reasonable period, it may be necessary to strike their names off the list, since it is proposed ultimately to adopt a system of competitive examination. In that case they will of course retain their existing situations in the Post Office service.

asked the Postmaster-General how many years has Mr. Owen Judge, ex-head constable, Royal Irish Constabulary, been postmaster in Athenry; what were the salary and emoluments attached to the Athenry post office during the period of Mr. Judge's service; what pension has now been awarded him; and can he state the amount of the pension he is already in receipt of as ex-head constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

Mr. Judge was postmaster of Athenry for fourteen years and four months; his salary was £80 at the outset, and £134 when he retired. There were no other emoluments. His pension is £23 5s. 11d. a year, with a lump sum bonus of £65 16s. 11d. under the Superannuation Act, 1909. I have no official knowledge of his pension from the Royal Irish Constabulary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of girls, relatives of persons employed in the Belfast General Post Office, have been engaged, without competition, as probationers; that these girls, after a period of service, will compete amongst themselves for appointments as female learners, thus excluding hundreds of girls who have been studying for the open competition for these appointments; whether he can state if the usual open competitive examination for female learners in the General Post Office, Belfast, will be held in June of the present year; and, if not, whether it has been decided that vacancies in the Belfast General Post Office are in future to be filled by girls without open competitive examination?

The girl probationers to whom the hon. Member alludes are those who, as I explained in my speech on the Post Office Estimates last year, are employed on indoor duties at certain large offices in lieu of Boy Messengers, and, like the boys, they are selected for reasons of general suitability, and not by examinations. I have not investigated their relationships, but I have ensured impartiality for the future, at all events, by arranging for recruitment through the Juvenile Advisory Committees attached to the Labour Exchanges. The girls are to be absorbed, as far as possible, in adult appointments, but I do not desire to interrupt more than is necessary the open competition for female learnerships. Such a competition will be held at Belfast in June.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether during the past few years the postal authorities have appointed at Gloucester a number of female telegraph clerks in the place of male clerks, with the result that in the winter months the number of telegraph clerks is in excess of the requirements of the office; and whether, in consequence, a number of male telegraph clerks have in the winter months been transferred to the postal side of the office to discharge day and counter duties, thus compelling a number of postal clerks who have by seniority attained to the position of day counter clerks to revert to sorting and night work, with the result that junior telegraph clerks displace senior postal clerks in the day and counter duties; and, if so, whether he will take steps to remedy this grievance?

The telegraph work at Gloucester is well adapted for the employment of a larger number of women than were employed in the past; but in order to avoid the hardship of transferring men compulsorily to other offices the partial substitution of women for men which ought to have been made has only proceeded as vacancies occurred. In winter, when telegraph work is comparatively light and postal work heavy, it has been the practice to lend some of the surplus male clerks on the telegraph side to the postal side, where they have been employed, as far as possible, on duties corresponding to their seniority and pay and within their capacities. This arrangement is the best that the circumstances permit, preventing, as it does, waste of force on the one side and resort to overtime or temporary labour on the other.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether his reply to the hon. Member for South Islington, on 24th November last, that he hoped to put the supervision of the Returned Letter Office, London, on a more satisfactory footing is still in contemplation; (2) whether he has recently received memorials from the staff of the Returned Letter Office, London, in reference to the reorganisation of that Department, and, if so, have any replies been sent to them; if not, can any information be furnished as to when a reply will be given; and (3) whether he is aware of the unrest and dissatisfaction prevailing among the staff of the Returned Letter Office, London, in consequence of the recent proposals to make the various classes at this office redundant without adequate compensation for loss of prospects; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

The revised arrangements at the Returned Letter Office were carried out on 1st January last. I have received memorials from the staff of the Returned Letter Office. Some I have answered, and I will give replies to the rest as soon as possible. I am sorry that changes which were considered to be imperative could not be effected without causing a certain amount of disappointment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the restoration of the mid-day dispatch from Aghacashel post office, county Leitrim, as the public are inconvenienced for want of it; and whether he will grant a Sunday delivery, as letters for that district are detained forty-eight hours in the adjacent offices, which is a disadvantage to the business people of the district?

I do not think that it would be desirable to revert to the old service in operation up to December, 1910, under which the only dispatch from Aghacashel was made at 8.55 a.m. It afforded no opportunity for replying to letters delivered the same day, and was, therefore, altered to 5 p.m., which seems a much better arrangement. The local postal service is maintained at a serious loss, and the establishment of an additional dispatch in the morning would not, therefore, be warranted. For the same reason I regret that I cannot see my way to sanction a Sunday delivery.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) what was the total expenditure otherwise than out of loans in England and Wales in the last financial year for which figures are available for Poor Law administration of all kinds, excluding old age pensions and for police and police stations, lunatic asylums, hospitals, maintenance of main roads, unemployment of workmen, and registration of voters, distinguishing the amounts paid out of national funds from the amounts defrayed out of rates; and (2) if he will give the total amount of expenditure otherwise than out of loans by local authorities in England and Wales for the last financial year for which figures are available for purposes other than those in the preceding question, including loan charges but excluding expenditure out of loans, and distinguishing outlay producing revenue such as tramways, water, electricity, and gas supplies from non-productive expenditure?

The following Statement gives the information asked for. As regards the second question, I may also refer to the details for the year 1908–9, which will be found on pages 10, 78, and 79 of the Summary of the Local Taxation Returns (England and Wales), 1908–9 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 251, of 1911), and to those for the years 1909–10 and 1910–11, which will be found on page 13 of the Statement, showing, for the year ended in March, 1911, the amount of the receipts, expenditure, and outstanding loans of the principal classes of local authorities (Command Paper, No. 5997):—

Year to which the particulars in cols. 2 and 6 relate.	Items.	Total Expenditure by Local Authorities me otherwise than out of Loans.	Part of Expenditure in col. 3 which is estimated to have fallen on
			Rates.	Ex Grants.	Other Items of Receipt.
1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
		£	£	£	£
1909–10	1. Relief of the poor and matters wholly connected therewith, including maintenance, by Poor Law guardians, of lunatics in county and borough asylums, registered hospitals and licensed houses.	14,850,000	11,624,000	2,410,000	816,000
1908–9	2. Lunatic asylums and lunatics (so far as not covered by item 1).	1,507,000	926,000	245,000	336,000
1908–9	3. Police and police stations	6,592,000	2,984,000	2,922,000	686,000
1908–9	4. Hospitals (other than Poor Law infirmaries, and homes for inebriates).	1,917,000	1,885,000	—	32,000
1908–9	5. Main roads, as defined in the Highway Acts, maintained by county councils.	2,756,000	1,713,000	837,000	206,000
1909–10	6. Purposes of Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905.	240,000	59,000	148,000	33,000
1908–9	7. Registration of electors (other than the cost of revising barristers). (The payments made by the Treasury to revising barristers amounted to £25,463. One-half of this sum was charged on the Local Taxation Account.)	269,000	269,000	—	Negligible
1908–9	8. Other purposes (except tramways, water, electricity, gas, and other reproductive undertakings).	63,955,000	42,732,000	14,709,000	40,112,000
1608–9	9. Reproductive undertakings, i.e., allotments and small holdings; baths, washhouses, and open bathing places; cemeteries; electricity supply, gas supply; harbours, docks, piers, canals, and quays; housing of the working classes; markets; slaughter-houses; tramways and light railways; and water supply.	33,598,000

The amounts entered in col. 6 were in part met out of moneys carried to the Local Taxation Account, in part out of the proceeds of Local Taxation Licence Duties, to which section 6 of the Finance Act, 1908, applies, and in part out of money voted annually.The entries made in cols. 4, 5, and 6, must be regarded as estimates only, for the Grant under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, the "free balance" of the Exchequer Contribution Accounts of counties and county boroughs, and many other items of receipt (including rates), allocated in these columns to specific items of expenditure, are not so allocated in the accounts of local authorities.No part of the administrative expenses of Government Departments is included.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway has been closed since 31st October, contrary to the wishes of the inhabitants; whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any action to secure its re-opening; and whether there is any precedent for the situation which has arisen?

I am aware that this railway was closed on the date mentioned, after lengthy but unsuccessful negotiations for the sale of the line to the North British Railway Company. The Board of Trade assisted in these negotiations so far as was practicable and would be prepared to continue to give such assistance should an opportunity offer, but they have no statutory power to require the railway to be re-opened. Other railways which have proved financially unsuccessful have been closed and in some cases have subsequently been re-opened for traffic.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any regulations have been issued to the advisory committees under the Labour Exchanges Act governing the letting of rooms to trade unions and other bodies; whether he is aware that the advisory committee for Guildford has refused accommodation to the Guildford Trades and Labour Council on the ground that it is not an industrial organisation; whether this refusal is endorsed by his Department, in view of the fact that trades councils are composed of representatives of trade unions; and whether he can take any action in the matter?

The general regulations for Labour Exchanges provide that accommodation within the premises of an exchange shall only be granted for such purposes and on such terms and conditions as the advisory trade committee of the district may approve. I understand that the application of the Guildford Trades and Labour Council has been considered on two occasions by the London and South-Eastern Counties Advisory Trade Committee, but that the committee have not been able to assent to it. This decision does not require the endorsement of the Board of Trade. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether, in view of the revised arrangements between the Board of Agriculture and the Board of Education with regard to agricultural education, a Memorandum will be issued for the use of education authorities, clearly showing what grants can be earned in respect of agricultural education from the Boards of Agriculture and Education, respectively; and (2) whether an application for an advance from the Development Fund in aid of farm institutes has yet been made by the Board of Agriculture; if so, what sum has been applied for and with what result; whether it is intended to issue an explanatory Memorandum in regard to farm institutes and detailed regulations under which grants can be distributed; and, if so, when these papers will be ready?

The Development Commissioners are prepared to recommend the grant of a sum not exceeding £325,000 for the period ending the 31st March, 1916, for the provision and maintenance of Farm Institutes, including the instruction and educational facilities provided by county councils thereat, or in connection therewith. The terms and conditions on which grants to county councils will be made are now under consideration, and negotiations are proceeding between the Board, the Development Commission, the Treasury, and the Board of Education. I will take the earliest opportunity in my power of affording full information as to the grants which will in future be available from all sources for technical agricultural instruction.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the total amount of land, exclusive of houses and buildings, bought by county councils for the purposes of the Small Holdings Acts; the total purchase price of same; what the sinking fund charges for capital and interest are per annum on such amount; and the total amount of sinking fund charges on the houses and buildings found upon the land at the time of purchase and on the new houses, buildings, and alterations to existing buildings erected by the county councils?

78,871 acres of land had been purchased by county councils up to the end of 1911 for the purposes of the Small Holdings Act, and the price paid for it and the houses and buildings thereon was £2,493,121. It is not possible to state separately the price or acreage of the land alone, but for the purpose of arriving at the period for which the loans can be sanctioned an apportionment of the total purchase price is made between the land and the houses and buildings thereon, and in those cases in which loans have teen sanctioned the total amount apportioned to the land is £2,200,550, and to the houses and buildings £195,706. On the assumption that the loans are raised at 3½ per cent., the interest amounts to £77,019 in respect of the land, and to £6,949 in respect of the houses and buildings. The sinking fund charges amount to £5,263 and £2,314 respectively. Loans amounting to £208,689 have been sanctioned in respect of new works of adaptation, including repairs and alterations to existing buildings, and the interest on these loans amounts to £7,304, and the sinking fund charges to £4,040.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Sales for Agricultural Purposes Bill, wherein it is suggested that ground rice husks and ground oat shudes should be classified with chalk and ground leather in the preparation of feeding stuffs; and, seeing what effect this would have on oatmeal millers, especially as oat shudes are of nearly the same feeding value as meadow hay, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been called to the recommendation to which the hon. Member refers. In the event of the introduction of any legislation to give effect to it, the suggestion made by the hon. Member will be fully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the recent decision of the Canadian Department of Agriculture to remove the embargo upon the importation of English cattle owing to the present absence of foot-and-mouth disease from this country, and in view of the preference now enjoyed by Scottish over English stock owners owing to the unrestricted admission of their stock into Argentina, he will take steps, in the interests of English stock owners, to secure the removal of the Argentine embargo upon English live stock prior to the spring sale of pedigree shorthorn cattle at Bingley Hall, Birmingham, on 7th March?

The Argentine Government have, in common with other foreign governments, been officially informed of the existing position in Great Britain as regards immunity from foot-and- mouth disease. If they do not see fit, in the circumstances, to remove restrictions on the importation of cattle from England, I see no reason to suppose that any representation which the Government could make would have the effect desired. But the position will, of course, be kept continuously in view.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Office received in 1908 a petition from the Scottish Homing Union, and has had considerable correspondence with that body since that date; what has been done there-anent; and whether there is any intention on the part of the Department to assimilate the law of Scotland with that of England by passing an Act for the better protection of homing pigeons?

The petition referred to and several subsequent letters have been received at the Scottish Office and are under consideration along with a draft Bill submitted by the union; but I am not for the present in a position to undertake the introduction of legislation on the subject.

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

The numbers were 91 and 65 respectively.

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

There were 237 second division clerks and 183 assistant clerks (abstractor class) serving in the Board of Trade and its subordinate departments on 1st January, 1912?

asked the hon. Member for the East Dorset Division, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, for similar information respecting His Majesty's Office of Works?

On the 1st January, 1912, there were fifty-seven second division clerks and thirty-eight assistant clerks (new class) serving in the Office of Works.

asked the President of the Local Government Board for similar figures in connection with that Department?

The numbers are as follows:—Second division clerks, 161; assistant clerks (new class), 74.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury for like particulars relating to His Majesty's Stationery Office?

Twenty-two second division clerks, excluding four employed on temporary duty, and twenty-five assistant clerks (new class) were serving in His Majesty's Stationery Office on the 1st January, 1912.

asked the Lord Advocate if the Government are prepared to take any steps to provide better facilities for the defence of trawl fishermen accused of illegal fishing by improving the method of citation of witnesses by introducing the system of postal citation, and giving reasonable remuneration to witnesses in such cases?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative, and to the latter part in the negative.

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state how long His Majesty's ship "Gossamer" was engaged in the protection of fisheries in the North Sea in 1911, and at what cost; how many trawlers were reported by the "Gossamer"; how many convictions followed; in how many cases were the fines paid; and what was the total amount of fines paid in these cases?

In 1911 His Majesty's ship "Gossamer" was engaged on fishery duty in Scottish waters for approximately three months. I have no information as to the cost of this service. Eleven trawlers were reported by the "Gossamer" for illegal working, and eight convictions resulted. In five cases the fines were paid in full, and in a sixth case a proportion of the fine was paid after a part of the term of imprisonment had been served. The total amount of fines paid in these cases was £236 13s. 4d.