asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with regard to the Royal Proclamation of 1858, guaranteeing to the inhabitants of the territories previously administered by the East India Company that, so far as may be, of whatever race or creed, they should be freely and impartially admitted to offices in the Royal service, the duties of which they might be qualified by their education, ability, and integrity duly to discharge, whether he consulted the Indian Government before placing upon this guarantee the interpretation that the words so far as may be were compatible with a regulation specifically excluding from the civil and police services all persons who are not of pure European descent on both sides.

The answer is in the negative, but seeing that candidates for appointment as probationers in the Indian police are required to be of European descent, I have no doubt that the Government of India share my view as to the interpretation of the words to which my hon. Friend refers. My hon. Friend has perhaps not realised that the appointments which are confined to Europeans constitute only a very small proportion of the total number of posts in the public service in the Far East.

Is the Colonial Secretary of opinion that the appointments to the Indian police are limited to persons of purely European descent on both sides?

I said that candidates for the Indian police are required to be of European descent.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are avenues of entrance into the higher offices of the Indian police, and that provision is made for them in India?

I am not fully acquainted with Indian habits.

With a view of more adequately discharging his duties, will the right hon. Gentleman inform himself of the practice in India?

I shall make myself acquainted with such matters as seem necessary.

asked whether the reason for excluding from the Civil and Police services of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and the Federated Malay States all persons who are not of pure European descent on both sides is that Malays and Chinese dislike and resent officers of alien origin being placed in authority over them unless these officers are of European descent; whether the Chinese and Malays have ever made representations to him on the subject; and whether the Colonial Office has ever taken any and, if so, what steps to ascertain the views of the Chinese and Malays?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Regulation to which my hon. Friend's question relates was introduced on the urgent representations of past Governors, who were actuated largely by the decided views expressed by the Malay rulers and by prominent members of the Chinese communities, who must be regarded as representing the views of their fellow-countrymen.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is only one Chinese member of the legislative assembly at Singapore, and that he is unaware of such Regulations, and has given notice to ask a question in the legislative assembly there, and whether that has been done?

I did not know about it. No doubt the question will be asked.

asked why no mention is made in the Colonial Office List of the fact that the Colonial Office has within the past seven years established, a colour bar to the Civil and Police services of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and the Federated Malay States; and whether he will see that in future issues, so long as the colour bar remains, due mention of it will be made, in order that British subjects in those Colonies may not spend time and money in preparing themselves for the public service only to be informed some months previously to the examination that they are excluded by the colour bar?

As my hon. Friend will see, if he will consult the title-page, the Colonial Office List is not a Government publication. I cannot admit the assumption in the latter part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the title-page of the Colonial Office List it is described as prepared by two gentlemen of the Colonial Office, and will he take steps to secure that the authority of the Colonial Office is not used for diffusing inaccurate information with regard to appointments?

I do not think there is any authority for that statement. Valuable assistance is gratuitously given frequently by some members of the Colonial Office.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will say for what purpose the Reports of the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies for 1910 have been issued fourteen months after the close of that year; why those for 1911 were not put in hand when it was seen that the earlier Reports could not be issued in time to serve any useful purpose; when the Reports for 1911 will be available; and, if not till 1913, in what way they will then be worth the cost of preparing them?

The Report of the Chief Registrar of Friendly societies for 1908 appeared in November, 1909, that for 1909 in December, 1910. The Report for 1910 was delayed for nearly two months owing to the work entailed on the office in connection with the National Insurance Act, 1911. If the Report were issued earlier than at a date near the end of the year following that to which it relates, its value would be much impaired owing to the impossibility of embodying in it all the returns which are necessary to make it complete. The Report for 1911 is now in hand, and it is anticipated that it will be published in its complete form before the end of the current year.

asked whether the pension officers in the Clifden, Roundstone, and Spiddle districts of Connemara are able to speak the Irish language; and, if not, will he recommend the replacement of these officers by men who have a knowledge of the language, which is spoken almost exclusively by the claimants for old age pensions?

The three pension officers at Clifden, Roundstone, and Spiddle do not speak Irish. They have no difficulty, however, in finding an English-speaking relative or neighbour to act as interpreter for a claimant who does not speak any English, and I am assured that the interests of such claimants are in no way prejudiced by the officer's ignorance of Irish. The Board of Customs and Excise, in selecting pension officers for Irish-speaking districts, do give a preference as far as possible to Irish-speaking officers; but it is not possible to ensure that all pension officers in these districts should know Irish.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the sale of the Globe Room of the Reindeer Hotel, Banbury, to an American who intends to transport it to the United States; and whether any funds are available for the purchase by the nation of such objects of historic and artistic value as this room?

I have seen the statements in the Press with regard to this sale. Apart from funds at the disposal of the museums there are no public funds available for the purchase of pannelling and similar objects. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the existence of private societies for the preservation of antiquities.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of placing an Export Duty on these works of art?

asked whether there is any item of the true revenue of Ireland in respect of which he can give an estimate of the proportion contributed by the province of Ulster?

I fear that I cannot give an estimate of any item that would not be untrustworthy.

May I ask the hon. Member where the difficulty lies in giving the estimate of the Income Tax and the Death Duties in the case of Ulster, on the one hand, and the rest of Ireland, on the other?

I cannot reply to that in answer to a supplementary question, but I shall be glad to go into the matter with the hon. Gentleman and show why, in the opinion of the Inland Revenue, it is impossible.

May I ask whether the Committee on Irish Finance have made any efforts to make an estimate of this kind?

That I cannot say. I have no knowledge on the subject.

asked what has been the cost of the Committee on Irish Finance; and out of what funds will it be defrayed?

The cost has been approximately £600, and has been met from the Votes for Temporary Commissions, Stationery and Public Buildings, Great Britain.

Have public monies ever before been spent on a secret Commission?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the instructions given by the Reference Committee that valuation cases should be heard by the referees in private; whether this would apply to cases where the appellant has no objection to publicity; and, if not, will he give instructions accordingly?

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that owing to the exclusion of the Press and public from the proceedings before the referees, under Part I. of The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, important decisions remain unknown to persons interested; and whether he will take steps to enable such decisions to be made known to the public?

I am aware of the instructions referred to, and I am considering whether it can be arranged that the records of proceedings before referees should be made available to persons interested in the administration of the Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every property owner liable to this tax is interested, and may I take it that the only possible means of informing them is through the public Press?

I think I have answered that by saying that I am considering the question of the publication of these reports. I think there is a good deal to be said for it.

asked the amount of money yielded in 1909 and 1910 from the mining royalties tax; what is the total amount received from royalties upon coal in the United Kingdom; what is the average rate of royalty per ton upon coal in France, Germany, and Belgium; and whether the royalty money in the countries mentioned is received by ground landlords or is devoted to national purposes?

The amount of Mineral Rights Duty collected for each of the financial years 1909–10 and 1910–11 was, approximately, £321,000. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question it has been roughly estimated that the annual amount of royalties on coal is £6,000,000, but, as I explained on Monday in a reply to the hon. Member for Mansfield, I have not the necessary material for arriving at an exact and authoritative figure without very laborious research. As to the remainder of the question I regret that I have no information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware he did not state to the House that the amount was £6,000,000. I put a question to him, but he did not answer it.

My hon. Friend put another question to me on Monday, but I think it was not reached.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there has been any new royalty leases made since the Royalty Tax was put on, and, if so, whether the Royalty Tax has been increased?

That I could not answer without notice.

Is it not a fact that the amount of royalties paid to the landlords exceed the total amount of dividends paid?

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what proportion the whole of the royalty charge bears to the whole cost of production?

That is obviously a question I cannot answer without notice.

asked what is the average rent paid per ton of coal in the United Kingdom to the royalty owner?

I regret that accurate information on this point is not in the possession of any Department for which I am responsible, and could only be obtained by a laborious examination of some 10,000 assessments. On a very rough estimate, based on such incomplete material as is available, the average royalty per ton appears to be about 5½d.

In view of the Mineral Rights Duty, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps next year to ask the owners of minerals to separate the accounts, so that the Treasury can know what these royalties are?

I think that suggestion is very well worth consideration.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will also separate the Land Taxes?

I do not know what the Noble Lord is referring to. As a matter of fact, they are separated now.

asked if it is held by the Commissioners of Income Tax that if a man's income was over £5,000 in 1908–9, but less than that amount in subsequent years, he should be obliged to pay Super-tax under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, although, in fact, his income has never exceeded the limit since that Act became law?

I may refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 29th ultimo to a question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington West, from which he will see that liability to the Super-tax is required to be based upon the statutory income for the year preceding the year of charge.

I asked if this money is actually to be paid, although a man has not had £5,000 a year since the Act was passed, and not if it is to be charged or levied?

Surely that is the answer. If it is to be charged, that means it is to be paid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ascertain the names of the directors of the Erin Assurance and Investment Company, Limited; the amounts of capital authorised, subscribed, and paid up; the amount held by each of the directors; and where the head office is situate?

It appears from a prospectus which is filed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies that the directors of the Erin Assurance and Investment Company, Limited, on 15th February, 1912, were R. Mortimer, C. W. Alison, F. England, R. J. L. Fytche, and Lord Norreys, and that the head office of the company was at Effingham House, Arundel Street, Strand. The authorised capital of the company is £60,000. The last annual return filed by the Company, which is made up to 2nd January, 1912, shows that on that date capital to the nominal amount of £1,000 had been subscribed, that £502 5s. had been paid up, and that the nominal amounts of capital held by each of the persons who were then the directors of the company were C W. Alison £100, F. England £115, D. O'Mahoney Leahy £395, and E. O'Mahoney Leahy £100.

In view of this enterprise having adopted a particular name to facilitate its operations in Ireland, will the right hon. Gentleman refuse to allow it to proceed before finding out whether it is or is not sound?

I am afraid I cannot possibly guarantee the soundness of this or any company. If my hon. Friend will put to me personally any specific question I shall be glad to answer it. Of course, I have no power except to suggest

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can hold out any hope of legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Majority Report of the Royal Commission on Canals and Inland Navigations during this Session of Parliament; and (2) whether, in view of the fact that the Report of the Departmental Committee on Railway Agreements and Amalgamations is generally favourable to the elimination of such relics of competition as exists between the railway companies, he proposes to incorporate in any Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee at least the principal recommendations of the Royal Commission on Canals and Inland Navigations, 1905–11, and thus afford some support and relief to traders?

I do not think it will be practicable to deal with canals and waterways in the Railways Bill, which I hope to introduce shortly, and I fear that I am unable to hold out any prospect of legislation on the subject during the present Session.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that water carriage is the only really effective competition, with the railway companies in this country?

Has the Board of Trade given any consideration at all to the Report of this Commission?

We are considering it very carefully, but it involves very large proposals, and I see no prospect at all events of dealing with them in the course of the present Session.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the enormous development of inland waterways in Germany has been of incalculable advantage to German, trade, and will he bear in mind—

The hon. Gentleman is now making a speech.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the supply of governesses and domestic servants is being dealt with by the Labour Exchanges; whether it was intended or contemplated that the Exchanges should be so used by persons already provided for toy other agencies, where both employer and employed are in a position to pay the customary fees; whether such State-aided competition is seriously threatening the continued existence of domestic employment agencies; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Labour Exchange managers have been instructed from the first not to deal with resident vacancies for domestic servants in private houses. A limited number of juvenile advisory committees have, however, recently been permitted, under carefully defined conditions, to find places for girls below seventeen desiring to go into service. I shall be glad to inquire into any specific case in which it is alleged that the existing instructions have been infringed.

asked in what way the power of motor and oil engines is computed for the purpose of entry in the register of shipping; whether a formula assuming a certain steam pressure is still used; and whether, as there is no steam pressure in either motor or oil engines, the advisability of devising a new formula for both types, which will give an approximation of engine power, will be considered?

Vessels fitted with motors or oil engines and registered in this country are as yet of small tonnage; and the power of the engines given on the certificate of registry is that stated on the certificate supplied by the engine makers. No formula assuming a certain steam pressure is used by officers of the Board of Trade for deciding the registered horse-power of motors or oil engines. It is probable that, in the near future, vessels of considerable size, fitted with internal combustion engines, will be built for registration in the United Kingdom; and, in that case, the necessity of framing a suitable formula for determining the registered horse-power will be considered.

asked on what date the Government had notice of the possibility of a coal strike taking place; and what period elapsed before they intervened with a view to a settlement between the parties to the dispute?

It has been common knowledge for some time past that a dispute existed in the coal trade which might result in a general stoppage. As the hon. Gentleman is aware from statements already made by the Prime Minister, His Majesty's Government from the outset closely watched the developments, but they could not, in their judgment, intervene with any useful result until it became clear that direct negotiations between the parties would not result in an amicable settlement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he would consider the introduction of legislation designed to substitute in trade unions the secret for the open ballot on questions vitally affecting the interests of the whole nation?

I understood it had been arranged that this question should be postponed.

I have already postponed it twice. I think I should now press for a reply.

I am afraid that as at present advised my answer must be in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the opinions of members of trade unions are very often got by bullying and intimidation? Is it not the object and desire of the Government to obtain the opinion of the men themselves, and not that of syndicalist Socialists?

I am sorry the hon. Gentleman should have used language of that kind. I think the methods adopted for the purpose of ascertaining the opinions of trade unions are a matter of internal regulation, and I have every confidence in the good sense and good faith of my fellow countrymen to whatever class they belong.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that masters and men engaged in the English coal trade are with one exception agreed upon the principle of the minimum wage, the Government will insist that this agreement should come into operation at once in England; and, seeing that the national interests are in jeopardy, whether the Government will appoint a small Commission, armed with drastic powers, to settle the differences in South Wales, Scotland, and Northumberland as purely sectional matters?

I can add nothing at present to what I said on Monday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the representatives of the country an opportunity of discussing the question of the coal strike, which is a matter of the utmost gravity?

I will answer that later.

May I put a question to the Prime Minister, of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether his attention has been drawn to a statement published this morning that he intends to introduce a Minimum Wages Bill for the coal trade to-morrow, whether there is any foundation for that statement, and whether he can now say when he proposes to give an opportunity to the House to discuss the subject?

The statement referred to by the hon. Member is a pure work of imagination. As regards the date at which it will be desirable for the House to discuss the question—I am very anxious and the Government are very anxious that the House should have such an opportunity—we shall certainly not impose any delay on our part to the attainment of that object. I do not like at this moment to name a day. The position just now is very delicate. I am hoping now, in the course of the next hour, to see representatives of the miners, and therefore it is very undesirable to say more just now.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether it, is proposed to withdraw the telegraphic communication from the Islands of Eigg and Canna; and whether he is aware of the injury this-would inflict on the population and the general interests of these islands?

The maintenance of telegraph communication on the islands of Eigg and Canna entails a cost very much in excess of the revenue. In these circumstances, I should not be justified in continuing the facilities entirely at the public expense and without at least a contribution from the persons directly benefited; and I am now in communication with the respective owners of the islands with a view to their furnishing, a guarantee for one-third of the annual loss entailed.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that this telegraphic communication is of great use to vessels in distress on the West Coast of Scotland—the Northern Lights Commissioners say they cannot well carry on their work without it—and whether the Post Office considers it is in the interests of true economy to scrap these cables for the sake of the cost of a few pounds per annum?

I am most anxious to maintain this telegraphic station, but I do not think it would be fair to charge the taxpayers of the country with the whole of the loss. If the local authorities, or the landowners, will contribute only one-third, I am willing to bear two-thirds of the loss.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole population of these islands is extremely poor, and that if he lays down the rule that no telegraphic communication is to be maintained with outward parts of the United Kingdom unless it pays, he will expose districts of that kind to inconvenience?

I do not lay down that condition. I am willing to bear two-thirds of the loss of an unremunerative service. I still hope that satisfactory arrangements will be arrived at and that it will not be necessary to discontinue the service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in view the fact that this telegraph office renders a great public service?

Yes, I will bear that in mind.

asked the Prime Minister, having regard to the failure of former Home Rule Bills owing largely to lack of knowledge of the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland, to the fact that this is a public concern for the elucidation of which public money has been spent, and to the rule preventing a Minister using in the House information withheld from other Members, whether the Government still adhere to their purpose of withholding this information from Members generally; and, if so, until what period?

I am not aware of any rule such as that quoted by the hon. Member, and I have nothing to add to the answers I have already given on the subject.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the message received from Ulster in the first instance, and from Manchester yesterday, the Government intend to bring in the Bill at all?

Is it the fact that the failure of former Home Rule Bills did not arise so much from the financial ineptitude of the Government as from the determination of loyal Ulster Protestants to have nothing to do with them?

May we definitely assume the right hon. Gentleman undertakes not to publish the Report of this Secret Committee, and to give it to the House generally?

No, Sir.

asked whether the Government has made itself respon- sible for the housing of the University of London throughout its history; whether in the Treasury Minute, dated 16th February, 1899, the liability to provide a dignified and suitable home for the university, and also to make such provision as might thereafter be needed for the full extension and development of the university under the Statutes and Regulations made by the Commissioners appointed by the Act of 1898, was acknowledged; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter, in view of the present unsatisfactory accommodation for the university as disclosed in the Report of the Royal Commission on University Education in London issued on the 15th day of December, 1911?

The Government have, as a matter of fact, provided accommodation for the London University throughout its history. The Treasury Minute cited by the hon. Member was written before the removal of the old university to South Kensington, and refers to the possibility of an arrangement, which was actually carried out, between the authorities of the Imperial Institute and the Treasury. It must not be construed as admitting liability on the part of His Majesty's Government to provide for all possible requirements of the university in the future. The recent Report of the Royal Commission points out that the University must depend to a large extent upon private endowments for its full development. The Government do not think that it would be opportune to take any step in connection with the present accommodation for the university before the final Report of the Royal Commission has been issued.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that a large number of public bodies which are ready to contribute towards the establishment of a building for London University are only waiting to see what action the Government will take in accordance with their promise?

I believe that is so.

asked the Prime Minister whether France and other countries schedule their ancient buildings and other historic monuments with the object of protecting them as national heirlooms and securing them against vandalism or destruction; and whether he can promise legislation with a similar object to protect such historic buildings at the Reindeer Hotel, Banbury, now threatened with partial demolition?

I am aware of the procedure in France referred to by the hon. Member. The First Commissioner of His Majesty's Office of Works proposes to introduce at an early date a Bill dealing with the question of the preservation of ancient monuments and buildings, but pending its introduction I can make no statement with regard to its provisions, nor as to whether the Reindeer Inn at Banbury will fall within its scope.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the suffering caused amongst ten of thousands of poor children by the inability of local authorities to incur the expenditure necessary to feed such children during holiday times; and if, with a view to putting an end to such suffering during the forthcoming holidays, he will arrange for sufficient time being given to allow the House to pass the necessary amending Bill to enable such feeding to take place?

I am not aware that any Bill for this purpose is before the House. The Government are, however, prepared to give favourable consideration to the principle.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when in winter junior telegraph clerks in Gloucester supersede senior postal clerks in day and counter duties on the postal side of the service, thereby reducing senior postal clerks to night and sorting duties, such postal clerks receive any and, if so, what compensation for being superseded by their juniors and compelled to do lower grade work in order to find occupation for the juniors in the superior grade work?

No question of compensation arises. The scale of sorting clerks and telegraphists was framed to cover the whole range of duties proper to the class.

asked whether it has been decided to retain the services of the chief superintendent of telegraphs at Newcastle-on-Tyne beyond the age limit; whether due consideration has been given to the fact that this will retard the promotion of six officers in subordinate ranks; whether there are no fewer than fifty-five male operators, equal to 39 per cent. of the male staff, stagnated at the maximum of the telegraphists' wage scale, and that many of these operators have been in that position for several years; and whether, in view of these circumstances, the customary retirement at sixty years of age will be enforced?

The age of sixty, which will be attained next August by the chief superintendent of telegraphs, at Newcastle-on-Tyne is not correctly described as an "age limit" if it is meant that it is the age at which compulsory retirement is enforced; nor has it ever been customary to compel efficient officers of that age to retire against their will in order to provide promotion for others. I see no occasion to disturb the decision given.

asked the-Postmaster-General, whether the Hob-house Committee must be understood to have fixed the scale of salaries of the women clerks in the Post Office in respect of the average character of their work; whether he has recently devolved certain of the simpler clerical or quasi-clerical duties hitherto performed by them upon a new class of assistant women clerks in the money order department; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that he has thus raised the average character of the duties in respect of which their scale of salaries was fixed, he has also raised the salaries of the women clerks?

The women clerks will not be called upon to perform any work of a higher character than that which the scale of pay recommended by the Select Committee was intended to remunerate.

As the right hon. Gentleman has taken away from these clerks their simpler elementary duties, and evolved them on to another set of clerks, does not that in itself raise the average standard of the work performed by these clerks?

I do not think that the matter has been treated on the basis of average at all. The Hob-house Committee recommended a certain scale of pay for all the work done by these clerks. Some do higher-grade work and some lower grade. Those who do the higher grade were to be remunerated on a certain scale, and they are, in fact, now being remunerated on that scale.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Hob-house Committee did fix the salary in respect of the average character of the work, and was not that admitted in a letter written by the right hon. Gentleman's own colleague?

I should like to refer to the context of that letter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the actual net cost of maintenance of men sent to Hollesley Bay Labour Colony by the Central (Unemployed) Body for London, excluding the cost of maintenance of wives and children in London?

Calculated on the basis indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Devonport on the 26th ultimo, the net cost of maintenance of men employed at the Hollesley Bay Colony, as distinguished from the cost of maintaining their wives and families, is 16.2 shillings per man per week.

Are not the questions of the maintenance of these men and of their wives and children connected with one another?

I must refer the hon. Member to my answer.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the average cost per week for the maintenance of an able-bodied man or woman in a Metropolitan workhouse, including establishment charges; what credit do boards of guardians receive for the reduction of rates by the work performed by these persons; the average cost for the maintenance of a child in scattered homes, cottage homes, and barrack schools, respectively; and if he can give the average cost to the poor rate of the maintenance of a man, wife, and family of four children in Metropolitan Poor Law institutions for persons, in health?

It is not practicable to give the exact cost of able-bodied paupers, but if the cost be based on the net indoor expenditure for "in-maintenance," "salaries," "buildings, etc." (but not including "loan charges"), the average cost of all indoor paupers in London is 10s. 9d. a week. The cost of able-bodied; paupers must be assumed to be less. Calculated on a similar basis, the average weekly cost of a child in scattered homes, cottage homes, and other separate schools provided by Metropolitan guardians is about 9s., 11s. 2d., and 11s. 9d. a week respectively. The work performed by inmates of workhouses is not valued. The amount received from sales of garden produce, firewood, broken stone, etc., by Metropolitan guardians in the year ended March, 1911, was about £25,000. I doubt if it is possible to give the average cost of a family such as the hon. Member refers to, since the cost would vary according to the circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman print with the Votes a statement showing the cost per individual in a Poor Law institution for a healthy person, including establishment charges, based on exactly the same kind of figures as those used in connection with the Hollesley Bay Colony?

I have done my best to give the hon. Member the information he seeks. If he will put down another question similar to the one he has just asked I will do my best to answer it.

asked on what principle coal mining properties in England and Wales are rated; and whether those who hold them are excused from the payment of rates in respect of them during the time when they are not being worked?

Coal mines are rated, speaking generally, in accordance with the principles laid down in the Parochial Assessments Act, 1836. As regards the latter part of the hon. Member's question, I may say that the point could only be authoritatively determined in a Court of Law, and I could not undertake to express, an opinion with regard to it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the practice is?