asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is the intention of the Insurance Commissioners to furnish information to the various branches of the fishing industry as to the procedure whereby they propose by special order to include or exclude share fishermen from the operation, of the Act?

A Sub-Committee of the Joint Committee are at present considering the question of making any orders in connection with share fishermen. Any such order must be published, and the Commissioners will take every step possible to convey the information to the persons who will be affected by it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of boy clerks, second division clerks, Customs assistants, Excise assistants, and assistant clerks (new class), respectively, appointed during each of the years from 1900 to 1911, both inclusive; and the number of boy clerks, second division clerks, and assistant clerks (new class), respectively, employed on the 1st day of January in each of the same years?

Number of appointments as boy clerks, second division clerks, Customs assistants, Excise assistants, and assistant clerks (new class), during each of the years from 1900–1911, both inclusive:—

Year.	Boy Clerks.	Second Division Clerks.	Customs Assistants.	Excise Assistants.	Assistant Clerks (New Class).
1900	1,206	509	74	161	240
1901	1,212	467	127	110	270
1902	723	292	107	95	171
1903	1,074	181	69	95	130
1904	986	187	47	115	180
1905	596	211	96	110	246
1906	923	331	33	110	281
1907	1,010	234	55	176	232
1908	937	297	39	141	296
1909	861	178	1	1	481
1910	934	340	247*		461
1911	1,215	186	495*		576
Total
1900–11	11,677	3,413	2,504		3,564
* Amalgamated Service.

These figures include some assistant clerks of the old class, as many Departments do not distinguish between the two classes in the Estimates. The proportion of asistant clerks of the old class is a diminishing one.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of deeds in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, respectively, on which penalties have been paid for after-stamping during the period from 1905 to 1910; the amount paid in respect of the said after-stamping; and the amount of penalties remitted or repaid?

I am unable to give the number of deeds on which penalties have been paid for after-stamping during the period mentioned, or the amount of penalties remitted otherwise than by actual repayment. The amount of the penalties received and the amounts subsequently repaid are as follows:—

—		England and Wales.		Scotland.		Ireland.
		Gross Receipt.	Repaid.	Gross Receipt.	Repaid.	Gross Receipt.	Repaid.
		£	£	£	£	£	£
1904–5	…	5,824	586	520	64	488	160
1905–6	…	5,347	577	530	107	460	158
1906–7	…	5,502	491	381	109	629	128
1907–8	…	5,590	553	770	246	462	140
1908–9	…	5,865	261	488	80	671	112
1909–10	…	5,823	377	378	27	546	178

Separate figures for Wales are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the desire for the publication of the evidence laid before the Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation, he can now state when the first volume will be published?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply given on 26th February to the hon. Member for West St. Pancras.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now been able to consider the case of the Customs port clerks arising out of the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments; and, if not, will the recommendations of the Departmental Committee concerning these clerks be deferred from operation pending his decision?

I will refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Faversham on 27th February. I hope to be able shortly to resume the adjourned deputation, and I do not think it is necessary to take the action suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state when the Neptune Blood estate, county Clare, is to be finally dealt with by the Congested Districts Board?

The Congested Districts Board purchased this estate about six months ago, and it would be impossible to say at present when the land will be resold to tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any request was made to the representatives of the late Major Wilson Lynch, Kinvarra, for the purchase of his estate situate at Durras, Aughuish, Funshin, and Newtown, near Kinvarra; what quantity of land, if any, was offered to the Board on the same estate at Durras; has the estate been acquired; and, if not, will he explain the cause?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with the solicitors of the late Major Wilson Lynch, and the maps and some of the documents necessary for a preliminary inspection have been lodged with the Board, and the remaining documents are awaited. The townsland of Doorus Park, containing 136 acres, has been included in the estate offered. The Board have not, yet acquired the property, but on receipt of the additional information asked for the estate will be inspected, and a decision arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable.

asked the cause of the delay in the Congested Districts Board not taking over the untenanted land offered to the Board by Mr. Brady Murray, and situated at Caheravonee and Moydon, Kinvarra, county Galway; whether he is aware that those lands were twice inspected and are situated in the neighbourhood of congested holdings; and will he say what further evidence do they require to satisfy them that landlord and tenants alike are most anxious that those farms should be acquired?

The Congested Districts Board found it necessary to have a second inspection of this property made. The question of purchase will be considered by the Board at their meeting on the 13th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the estate of Blake Foster, Kinvarra, county Galway, was inspected in March, 1911; has any offer been made by the Congested Districts Board to the landlord, and with what result; is he aware that the estate is one of the most congested in Galway; and, having regard to the legal proceedings instituted against the tenants and the wisdom of establishing lasting peace between all concerned, will he make a representation to the Congested Districts Board pleading urgency in this case?

The estate referred to has been inspected, and the Congested Districts Board, at their last meeting, decided to make an offer for purchase which will be issued without avoidable delay. The Board are aware that the great majority of the holdings on the estate are under £7 valuation.

asked whether sales which have taken place under the Land Act of 1903, in which tenants were induced through the wiping out of arrears of rent and in many cases compelled to pay large prices, will be annulled?

The Estates Commissioners are not aware of the sales to which the hon. Member refers. If evidence is submitted to them that any tenant has been induced to agree to purchase his holding by duress or other improper means it will be duly considered by them when they are dealing with the sale of the property under the Land Purchase Acts. Meanwhile it is open to any such tenant to institute legal proceedings if so advised to have his agreement set aside in the High Court or County Court as the case may be.

asked if an agreement to purchase a farm at Kilmore, Charleville, county Cork, has been lodged with the Irish Land Commission, on the property of John R. Daly, naming Daniel R. Daly as tenant purchaser, although the latter never occupied this farm, and the purchaser is brother to the owner; and will the Commissioners inquire into all these circumstances before issuing a vesting order?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 13th December last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked when the Congested Districts Board are prepared to complete the boat slip at Cahirciveen and remove the dangerous rock outside the eastern quay; whether a report has been made with reference to the two sunken rocks in the fairway of Portmagee channel which require to be provided with perches or buoys in order to warn off passing vessels; and, if so, when the necessary work will be put in hand?

The Congested Districts Board are awaiting reports from their engineer, who has been asked to confer with the county surveyor as to the construction of a boat slip at Cahirciveen Quay, and also to report on the marking of rocks in Portmagee Channel.

asked to what extent the Grant for Irish intermediate education is to be increased in the next financial year; and whether it is intended to establish a scheme of scholarships tenable at intermediate schools by boys and girls from primary schools or to improve the salaries and status of assistant teachers in Irish secondary schools?

I have nothing at present to add to my answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for North Kerry on the same subject on 27th February.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the police force in Ireland has been reduced during the last twelve months; and, if not, can he say why, since the country is unusually crimeless?

There has been no reduction in the force during the past twelve months. Owing to the heavy duties which devolved on the Royal Irish Constabulary last autumn in connection with labour strikes, and for other reasons, it was not possible to reduce the strength of the force during the past year.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the case of Mr. P. T. Daly and to his statement that there were many precedents for the course pursued in that case by the magistrates, whether his attention has been drawn to the following remarks of Mr. Justice Gibson, in the course of the trial of Mr. Daly, that the old authorities laid down that a man could be bound over between the period when he was committed and the period of his trial, but to overreach the period of his trial was unusual and, so far as he knew, without precedent; whether the Law Officers of the Crown in Ireland suggested the action of the magistrates thus pronounced on the highest judicial authority to have been unprecedented; and whether the Government intend to take any further action in the matter?

I have seen a newspaper report of the remarks of Mr. Justice Gibson referred to The Attorney-General informs me that Mr. Daly, on being committed for trial by the magistrate, was ordered to find sureties for the peace, and in default to be imprisoned for three months. Mr. Daly refused to be bound to the peace, and incurred the sentence of imprisonment. His trial took place within the period of three months, so that the imprisonment overreached the time of his trial. In the opinion of the Attorney-General the order was strictly legal, and he is not aware of any authority to the effect that when an accused person is sent for trial and ordered to find sureties for the peace the period of imprisonment awarded in default of his so doing should not overreach the period of trial. The action of the Crown in applying to have the accused bound to the peace was in accordance with precedent, but the fixing of the term of imprisonment was the act of the magistrate, not done on the suggestion of the Law Officers. The only object of the Crown was to prevent breaches of the peace pending the trial, and, as this object has been accomplished, the Attorney-General is prepared to advise the Lord Lieutenant to remit so much of the term of three months' imprisonment imposed by the magistrate as will remain unexpired at the expiration of one month's imprisonment imposed by the learned judge.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the sworn evidence of two constables, Blake and M'Lean, given at Cahirciveen Petty Sessions on 22nd December, 1911, on the prosecution of a publican named John Riordan for alleged offences against the licensing laws, that on Sunday, 3rd December, 1911, the two constables in question unlocked the doors of the butter market house at Cahirciveen by means of false keys and concealed themselves therein for eleven consecutive hours, from 6.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., for the purpose of watching certain publicans and detecting offences against the licensing laws; whether he is aware that the market house at Cahirciveen is rented from Trinity College by a publican named Daniel Golden, and is used as a butter, egg, and flour store; and, if so, by what authority did Constables Blake and M'Lean enter this store by means of false keys and remain therein for eleven hours; whether the Crown Solicitor for Kerry was ordered by the Attorney-General to prosecute in those cases in order to cloak the procedure of the Cahirciveen R.I.C.; and whether, in view of the fact that the cases were dismissed on their merits, he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The police authorities inform me that, owing to the difficulty in obtaining convictions for breaches of the Licensing Acts in Cahirciveen the two constables named concealed themselves in the disused portion of the building referred to, which is rented from Trinity College by Daniel Golden, and portion of which is used on market days as the public butter market. The charges against John Riordan were dismissed by a majority of the bench, the resident magistrate dissenting. Another publican, Bridget Daly, was fined £1, and in the case of Daniel Golden the magistrates were satisfied that the persons seen entering his premises were invited guests, and the case was dismissed. The Crown Solicitor, by direction of the Attorney-General, as is usual in such cases, conducted the prosecutions. The constables had no authority to enter the building, but, in the circumstances, I see nothing calling for any action on my part.

asked upon what grounds the claim of Robert Mitchell to the evicted farm of Castlefleming, Stubber estate, Queen's County, representative of E. S. Mitchell, who was evicted therefrom in May, 1891, has been rejected; whether it is proposed to place the tenancy of this farm in the hands of a grocer's assistant from county Kerry; and will the Estates Commissioners reconsider their decision in this case?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from E. S. Mitchell, since deceased, for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him at Castlefleming on the Hamilton Stubber Estate, Queen's County, and, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action in the matter. Robert Mitchell claims as representative of E. S. Mitchell, but the Commissioners see no reason to alter their decision in the matter. The portion of the lands of Castlefleming acquired by the Commissioners has been divided between a small holder on the estate and an evicted tenant who resides in Roscrea, in the vicinity of the estate.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for portion of untenanted lands in the county of Limerick from Joseph and John Hayes, of Ballycasey, Kildimo, county Limerick; and, if so, whether, as these applicants are the sons of an evicted tenant, the Estates Commissioners will give their application their favourable consideration?

The Estates Commissioners cannot from the particulars given trace the receipt of any application from Joseph and John Hayes.

asked on what grounds the Local Government Board fixed the income of Mrs. Mary Hayes, of Athea, county Limerick, applicant for old age pension, at more than £31 10s., considering that she has only an annuity of £12 from her son, James Hayes, and her lodging in the house, but is not entitled to her board?

Mrs. Mary Hayes resides on a very substantial farm which carries a considerable amount of stock and is extensively tilled. She appears to have assigned this farm to her son in 1909, but the terms of the transfer were so liberal to the son that the Board could only come to the conclusion that she had assigned the farm for the purpose of qualifying for an old age pension.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the four large German vessels of the 1911 programme were ordered and laid down, giving dates, so far as available, for each ship separately; and what is the estimated date of completion?

We have no official information as to these dates.

asked which of the German "Dreadnoughts" now built and building carry a larger gun than 12-inch; and whether any particulars can be given as to her gun weight of broadside, etc.?

No German "Dreadnought" now built carries a larger gun than 12-inch. The Admiralty have no official information as to ships building.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the date of commencing trials for the "Monarch," "Conqueror," and "Thunderer," respectively; and-how long they are expected to last, with any reasons that can be furnished for differences of the periods?

The trials of the "Monarch" begun at the end of November last, and finished about the middle of December. The trials of the "Thunderer" begun at the end of last month, and are expected to complete within the next two days. The date of beginning the trials of the "Conqueror" has not yet been definitely settled. It will be seen from these dates that the trials of the "Monarch" occupied about a fortnight, and that it is expected that the "Thunderer's" trials will be completed within the same time limit. No definite information can be given at present as to the length of time the trials of the "Conqueror" may be expected to take.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the reason for the delay of four or five months in completing the "Conqueror" and "Thunderer"; whether this is in any way due to labour troubles or alteration of design, or in the case of the "Thunderer" to the special difficulties connected with the Thames yard; and whether penalties will be inflicted on the contractors?

As stated in my reply of 20th February, the "Conqueror" and "Thunderer" are not due for delivery until the 31st of this month. It is at present expected that the "Conqueror" will be some four or five months late, but that the "Thunderer" will not be more than two months late. The reason for the delay in the case of the "Conqueror" is partly labour troubles and partly difficulty in obtaining gun-mountings in sufficient time. The "Thunderer" has been delayed partly on account of the special difficulties connected with the Thames yard and partly by difficulties in obtaining armour in sufficient time. The delay is not due in either case to alteration of design. With regard to the question of penalties, I must refer the hon. Member to my reply of 20th February.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the delay of four or five months in completing the "Princess Royal" is due to general causes and, if so, what are they; whether the special difficulties discovered in the case of the "Lion" also affect the "Princess Royal" and, if so, to what extent; and whether penalties will be inflicted on the contractors?

The delay of four or five months in completing the "Princess Royal" is due partly to labour troubles and partly to certain alterations which experience has shown to be desirable in the "Princess Royal" as well as in the "Lion." These alterations are responsible for a few weeks' delay. With regard to penalties, I must refer the hon. Member to my reply of 20th February to a similar question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the landing at Rosyth of a party of sailors from one of His Majesty's ships; whether he can say upon whose request the landing was made; and if it was as a precaution against a possible strike of navvies for better wages and working conditions than those recognised as fair by his Department?

The Admiralty officials at Rosyth called attention to the possibility of a strike affecting Admiralty interests, and the senior officer thought it wise to send a small guard to the wireless station for a few days.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give, in the form of a tabular statement, the dates of order, launch, and estimated completion of the four "Dreadnoughts" understood to be under construction in Austria and Italy, respectively?

supplied the following particulars:—

Name.	Laid Down.	Launched.	Estimated Completion.
Italy—
"Dante Alighieri"	June,1909	Aug.,1910	ByJuly,1912
"Leonardo da Vinci"	July, 1910	Oct., 1911	By July, 1913
"Giulio Cesare"	June,1910	Oct., 1911	By July., 1913
"Conte di Cavour"	Aug., 1910	Aug., 1911	By Jan., 1914
Avistria-Hungary—
"Viribus Unitis"	July, 1910	June, 1911	No official information.
"Tegetthoff"	Sep., 1910	—*
"VI."	Feb., 1912	—
"VII."	Feb., 1912	—
* Press reports state that the "Tegetthoff" will be launched on 21st March next.

The Admiralty have no information as to the dates of order.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has now received a full Report of the circumstances attending the destruction of the fishermen's nets and gear on the morning of the 20th February in the Firth of Forth; whether the claims for the damage done have been received; and if he is yet in a position to say whether compensation based on these claims will be paid by the Admiralty, and, if so, when?

I may say, without prejudice, that the claims have been received and investigation is being made as promptly as possible, but some little time must necessarily elapse before the matter is settled.

asked whether the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have received a petition from the chargemen of trades in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, asking for an increase of charge pay; and, if so, whether it is proposed to grant such increase?

The petition referred to has been received, and is now under consideration with the general body of petitions, to which an answer will be given as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will arrange that in future the tenders for meat contracts for the Navy shall contain the term home-fed instead of home-killed?

I am afraid that I cannot give the undertaking asked for. Whilst by far the greater proportion of the meat supplied to the Navy is home-fed, the imposition of the restriction suggested by the hon. Member would be undesirable in cases where the demand is very fluctuating, and where only very short notice can sometimes be given.

also asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will arrange that in future the tenders for meat contracts for the Army shall contain the term home-fed instead of home-killed?

It is not proposed to make any change in this respect in regard to contracts for the supply of meat.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of officers, by ranks, in the reserve of officers as shown in the Army List on 1st January, 1912; the number of captains in the reserve of officers now serving in the Special Reserve, Yeomanry, and Territorial Army; the number of captains in the reserve of officers serving abroad; the number of captains in the reserve of officers resident in the United Kingdom not serving in the Special Reserve, Yeomanry, and Territorial Army, and who have been in the reserve of officers less than three, years; and if he will give the same information in respect of subalterns in the reserve of officers?

asked how many Infantry captains and subalterns, respectively, of the General Reserve of officers are, according to the latest Army List, resident in the United Kingdom and liable for foreign service; and how many of these are at present serving with the Special Reserve, the Yeomanry, or other branches of the Territorial Force?

The number of Reserve of officers, by ranks, 1st January, 1912:—

Generals	1
Lieutenant-Generals	9
Major-Generals	40
Colonels	89
Lieutenant-Colonels	410
Majors	1,165
Captains	1,041
Subalterns	313
Riding masters	19
Quartermasters	123
Commissaries of Ordnance	7
Total	3,217

"Captains" in the Reserve of officers:—
Now serving in the Special Reserve	32
Now serving in the Yeomanry	24
Now serving in the Territorial Force	58
Now serving abroad	54
Resident in the United Kingdom, and not serving in the Special Reserve, Yeomanry, and Territorial Force, and who have been in the Reserve less than three years	231
Subalterns in the Reserve of officers:—
Now serving in the Special Reserve	1
Now serving in the Yeomanry	14
Now serving in the Territorial Force	38
Now serving abroad	15
Resident in the United Kingdom, and not serving in the Special Reserve, Yeomanry, and Territorial Force, and who have been in the Reserve less than three years	113

(Dulwich) asked whether the nominal strength of the Territorial Force is based upon the calculated minimum requirements of the Service for which they are intended; whether the actual present number is below that strength; and, if so, what is the total percentage of such deficiency?

The establishment of the Territorial Force is naturally based on the requirements of the Service for which it is intended. The present shortages on establishment are as follows:—Officers, 16.6 per cent:; non-commissioned officers and men, 12.7 per cent. Total, 12.9 per cent.

asked how many shots a Territorial recruit is required to fire with the Service rifle and the full ammunition before he can be put down as having passed in musketry, and at what distances must the shots be fired?

A recruit to pass the standard test must score forty-five points at the following ranges:—

100 yards	…	…	5 rounds
200 yards	…	…	10 rounds
500 yards	…	…	5 rounds

If he fails to pass the test he can qualify under paragraph 361 (2) and (3) Territorial Force Regulations by firing fifty rounds at an open or thirty yards range.

asked how many of the men serving in the Infantry of the Territorial Force fired the full musketry course with Service ball ammunition during the year 1911 on open ranges; and how many failed to fire that course?

The figures for Infantry, including field companies of Royal Engineers, are as follows:—

Recruits.
Tested in standard test	46,532
Not tested	7,772
Qualified	25,912
Failed	20,620
Qualified under paragraph 361 (2) and (3) Territorial Force Regulations	17,099

Recruiting Area.	Applications for Enlistment.	Rejections.			Percentage of total Rejections.
		Total Rejections.	Rejections by Medical Officers.
			Physical Reasons.	Discuses or Ailments.
London	10,024	3,593	930	2,434	35.84
Birmingham	1,450	440	13	305	30.34
Manchester	1,290	560	41	443	43.41
Leeds	709	409	15	143	57.68
York, not available 14th Recruiting Area (including York)	342	179	19	104	52.34
Liverpool	1,155	480	16	386	41.55
Burnley, discontinued as a separate Recruiting Area 31–3–1911	—	—	—	—	—
Bolton, not a separate Recruiting Area	—	—	—	—	—
Glasgow	1,175	403	73	275	34.29
Dundee	1,137	486	1	52	42.74
Edinburgh	1,941	1,224	41	225	63.06
United Kingdom	64,538	28,900	2,180	10,125	44.78

Trained Men.
Tested in standard test	107,433
Not tested	6,733
Qualified	94,040
Failed	13,393
Qualified under paragraph 361 (2) and (3) Territorial Force Regulations	12,422

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of men who applied for enlistmnet at the recruiting stations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, York, Liverpool, Burnley, Bolton, Glasgow, Dundee, and Edinburgh for the year ending December, 1911; the number rejected in consequence of being affected by disease or ailments; the number of rejections through inferior physique; and the total number of inspections at the recruiting stations throughout the United Kingdom for the year ending December, 1911, and what was the percentage of rejections for physical reasons?

The available figures for the recruiting year ending 30th September, 1911 are as follows. The statistics of rejections by the recruiting officers do not differentiate between diseases and ailments, and therefore only the rejections by the medical officers can be shown in detail:—

asked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that the £500 consolidated pay given to officers commanding Territorial Brigades is in many cases only £80 a year more than their pension; and whether in such cases an increased amount may be granted?

The officers drawing the rate of £500 a year are not retired officers. On the Half-pay List they would draw £300.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) if on mobilisation it is the intention to supply the shortage of 600 Regular Infantry officers for the six divisions of the Expeditionary Force by withdrawing Regular officers, including adjutants, from the 74 third battalions of the Special Reserve, by withdrawing Regular officers, including adjutants, on the staff of the Territorial Infantry, and by withdrawing Regular officers on the staff of the Officers' Training Corps; and (2) if it is the intention on mobilisation to make good the shortage of 600 officers in the six divisions of the Expeditionary Force by withdrawing Regular officers, including adjutants, from the 74 third battalions of the Special Reserve, the staff of the Territorial Force, or from the staff of the Officers' Training Corps; how many Regular officers will have to be withdrawn from each of these three forces; whether the number of regular officers in these three forces is sufficient to allow 600 of their number to be deducted; and from what sources the vacancies created would be made good?

The Secretary of State enumerated in the Debate in another place on Wednesday last, the various sources of supply of officers which could be drawn upon in order to complete the Expeditionary Force, some of which are named in the Question. The Secretary of State was careful not to prejudge the proportions in which these sources would be drawn upon. In any case, no officer would be withdrawn from any of the appointments alluded to in the question without arrangements being made for the vacancy so created being adequately filled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) what is the total number of Regular Infantry officers required for the six divisions of the Expeditionary Force, exclusive of those required for staff appointments; what is the total number of Regular Infantry officers at home with their battalions and not seconded to other duties; (2) what number of Regular Infantry officers are attached to the Special Reserve and to the Territorial Force respectively; how many of these would have to be taken away from their present duties to complete the mobilisation strength of the Expeditionary Force; and (3) how many Infantry officers belonging to the Regular Army, the Special Reserve, and the General Reserve of officers, respectively, will be left behind after the mobilisation of the Expeditionary Force; how many of these will be available for the Regular Infantry battalions left behind on mobilisation; how many for the Special Reserve battalions; and how many for service with the Territorial Force?

It is not considered expedient to publish detailed figures concerning present mobilisation arrangements. The point raised in Question 114^* has already been dealt with in reply to Questions 106^* and 107^*.

asked how many non-commissioned officers and men of the Infantry of the Regular Forces, of the Special Reserve, and of the Army Reserve of all classes will be left in the United Kingdom after the mobilisation of the Expeditionary Force; how many of these, in the case of the Regular Forces and Special Reserve, will be under twenty years of age or will have had less, than one year's training?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the figures contained in the reply given to a question put by the hon. Baronet the Member for West Marylebone on the 20th ult. As regards the second part of the question, no such statistics are available in connection with those figures.

asked what is the estimated monthly wastage in war of the Expeditionary Force in Infantry officers and non-commissioned officers and men respectively?

Percentages are calculated on a six months' wastage, and will be found on page 69 of the Mobilisation Regulations, 1912. The wastage for Infantry is reckoned at 44 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the statement of Colonel Hughes, the Canadian Minister of Militia, that he could get no information about the new British rifle from England, but that he could learn all he wanted from Washington and Berlin; and whether he will take steps to provide that, in future, the Governments of our Dominions shall be kept informed on military matters to at least the same extent as foreign nations?

As I have already explained to the House, certain communications were made to the self-governing Dominions concerning the proposed new rifle and ammunition.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the conduct of a Metropolitan police constable named Stab, in July last, in consequence of which a member of the public named Treacher recovered in an action against Stab, tried last Friday, £50 damages for assault and £50 for slander; whether Stab is still acting as a police constable, and what steps, if any, he is taking in the matter; and whether, in case any further inquiry into the facts of the case is held, the plaintiff Treacher will be allowed to be represented at the inquiry?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Treacher v. Stab, in which the plaintiff recovered £50 damages for assault and false imprisonment and £50 for slander against the defendant, a police constable; whether any official inquiry was held into the circumstances of the case, and, if so, with what result; whether the police authorities have offered any expression of regret to the plaintiff for the injury inflicted on him; whether the action was defended by or at the expense of the police authorities; and whether any fund is at the disposal of those authorities by which they could re-imburse a man for the expense he has had to incur in order to restore his character?

The constable is suspended from police duty. I have communicated with the learned judge upon the whole case, and I cannot take any further steps in the matter until I have been informed of his views.

asked whether, in all cases, ponies or other animals employed underground in coal mining have been brought to the surface or are being adequately cared for in the mines; and whether adequate steps are being taken to ensure that no undue suffering be caused to such animals during the continuance of the strike in all coal mining areas?

No case has been brought to my notice in which the animals in a mine are not being adequately cared for, and I do not think there need be any apprehension that animals will be left below ground without receiving proper attention.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the Committee stage of the Metropolitan Police Hate Bill is to be taken shortly, he will furnish Members representing constituencies in the Metropolitan area with particulars showing how the estimated deficiency on the police fund is arrived at?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 7th instant. I shall be glad, however, to send him a copy of a letter which I have addressed to the London County Council on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the amount of the cash balance at present held by the Secretary of State in London to the credit, of the Governmen of India?

The actual balance standing to the credit of the Secretary of State on the evening of the 8th March, exclusive of the amount held on account of the gold standard reserve, was £17,953,995 18s. 3d.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that there is an agitation starting in South Africa for reintroducing the Chinese as indentured labourers; and if the Home Government proposes to take any action in the matter?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the names of the Advisory Committee who advise the various Government Departments on the interpretation of the Fair-Wage Resolution passed by the House on 10th March, 1909; whether he can also state the office held respectively in Government Departments by each member of the Advisory Committee; and whether the Advisory Committee act upon any terms of reference in the matter of interpretation of the Fair-Wages Resolution, if so, what are those terms?

The names and offices of the Members of the Fair Wages Advisory Committee are at present as follows:—

• Sir G. R. Askwith, K.C.B., K.C. (Chairman), Chief Industrial Commissioner, Board of Trade.
• Mr. R. Bailey, C.B., Controller, Stationery Office.
• Mr. F. W. Black, C.B., Director of Navy Contracts, Admiralty.
• Mr. W. G. Butler, Director-General of Stores, India Office.
• Mr. H. D. De la Bère, C.B, Director of Army Contracts, War Office.
• Mr. A. I. Durrant, M.V.O., Controller of Supplies, Office of Works.
• Mr. P. H. Ezechiel, Secretary to the Crown Agents for the Colonies.
• Sir G. C. V. Holmes, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., Chairman of the Board of Works, Ireland.
• Mr. G. Morgan, I.S.O., Controller of Stores Department, Post Office.

The terms of reference to the Committee in dealing with the Fair Wages Resolution are: "To advise the Departments of Government dealing with contractors as to the form of clauses in contracts by which the Resolution of the House of Commons of the 10th March, 1909, can best be carried into effect, and as to the methods of securing observance of such clauses and generally to make such recommendations as they may deem advisable to promote uniformity of administration and co-operation between Departments in dealing with the question of the payment of fair wages by Government contractors."

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the number of sick absences, due mainly to nervous complaints, among the female counter clerks and telegraphists during the year 1911; whether he is aware that, during the month of January, 1912, as many as fifty-two women out of a staff of 195 were absent for varying periods, and that during last month over fifty women were incapacitated for duty; whether he will state what additions have been made to the East Central district staff in consequence of the admitted understanding a short time since; and whether he will institute a further inquiry into the general conditions of working and the nature of the duties imposed, with a view to removing the causes of the sick absences?

My attention has been called to this matter. I am glad to say that apart from a small proportion of the staff who required prolonged sick leave the general health during 1911 of the female counter clerks and telegraphists employed in the East Central District was satisfactory in spite of the excessive heat experienced last summer. The amount of sick leave due to nervous ailments represented rather less than 14 per cent, of the total sick absence. The figures 52 and 50, quoted by the hon. Member, include some other officers than counter clerks and telegraphists, and are overstated by about 20 per cent. Five officers were added to the reserve staff during 1911, and the question of creating a further additional appointment is under consideration. In the circumstances, I do not think that the inquiry referred to by the hon. Member is necessary.

asked the Postmaster General if he is aware that the new white letter-cards issued by the Post Office are defective in so far as their contents can be read if the card is held to the light; if he can say by whom these cards are manufactured; if it is a condition of the contract that they shall be opaque, or if the present card has been passed by the authorities on the ground of economy; and if a return will be made to the blue letter-cards in use until recently, which did not possess the quality of transparency?

The change of colour of the letter-cards from blue to white was made by me not to save cost of manufacture, but to improve appearance. The manufacturers are Messrs. McCorquodale, and supplies of the cards would not, of course, have been accepted from them if the cards had fallen short of contract requirements. The question of using a material more completely opaque than the present is now under consideration.

asked the Lord Advocate if he can state when the promised legislation dealing with the position of the sheriffs clerk's depute will be introduced?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the matter referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can state the number of minutes and circulars issued annually by the Scotch Education Department during the years 1906–11 respectively, and the average annual number for the preceding five years, 1901–5; and, in the event of the figures showing an increase, if he can give any explanation of such increase?

The information asked for by the hon. Member is as follows:—

Year.		Minutes Issued.	Circulars Issued (excluding Reissues of former Circulars).
1906	…	2	16
1907	…	1	7
1908	…	4	6
1909	…	9	14
1910	…	6	12
1911	…	8	7

For the preceding five years, 1901–5, the average annual number of minutes issued was 1.4, and of circulars 16.6, so that the average number for these years has not been reached in the case of circulars in any one of the succeeding years, while in the case of minutes an increase has taken place. Of the thirty minutes issued since 1905, twenty-four were required to be issued in pursuance of the Education (Scotland) Acts (in many cases complementary to the Acts), the Act of 1908 being specially responsible, while the remaining six were administrative regulations made annually for the disposal of the General Aid Grant and the Special Grants to necessitous school boards. I might mention that a large proportion of the Circulars also were of a routine character or had only a limited issue among educational authorities.