asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many armoured ships, cruisers, and destroyers have in the last twelve months been taken in hand for alteration or repair within six months of the date of their first commissioning; and what is the total cost of such alteration and repair, and by whom is it borne?

The reply to the first part of the question is: four armoured ships, six cruisers, twenty destroyers. The total cost for alteration and repair amounted to £19,804, of which £1,591 was charged to contractors and the rest to the Crown.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any knowledge of a ring of armour plate manufacturers; if so, whether their operations are confined to Great Britain or are international; and whether such ring is known to have penalised, by imposing prohibitive prices for armour plates upon British shipbuilding firms contracting for the building of warships who may be outside the ring?

The Admiralty are aware that certain price arrangements between armour plate firms do exist, but I am unable to say whether such an arrangement constitutes "a ring" within the meaning of the hon. Member's question or whether such prices are applied beyond Great Britain. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the fact that all the armoured plate for British war vessels has to be purchased from certain firms and that that constitutes a ring?

I know of no reason which makes its necessary that all the armour plate for British war vessels should be purchased from certain firms.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that if there is any arrangement in reference to prices in Great Britain it extends to the United States as well?

I have asked the Civil Lord to make a most careful study of the allegations which are made on this subject, and it is a matter of the most extraordinary complexity, dealing with every kind of trade discount and trade arrangement. I think it will be months before he is able to express an opinion on the subject.

asked whether there is any stipulation in the contracts for the building of warships for the British Navy that firms contracting shall purchase armour plates from certain firms manufacturing armour plates?

The reply is in the negative.

asked whether any conditions of management are laid down to firms contracting for the building of war vessels; and, if so, whether in the case of the Thames Shipbuilding Company, Limited, any exception was taken to the eight-hour day when the firm tendered for the building of any ships of war for the British Navy?

The efficiency of the management of a firm about to enter into an Admiralty contract is always considered at the time, and the conditions of employment of the workmen by the firm are laid down in the contracts in the terms of the latest House of Commons Resolution on this subject. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked how many destroyers have been completed for the British and German Fleets, respectively, since 31st March last; and how many in the same period have been removed from the effective list of these fleets?

Sixteen destroyers have been completed for the British Navy since 31st March last, and nineteen have been removed from the effective list during the same period. The corresponding figures for Germany are seventeen and nil.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how we have struck off so many and Germany so few?

Because of the dates on which the vessels were laid.

asked what percentage of the completed battleships, armoured and battle cruisers, smaller cruisers, and destroyers in the British and German Navies, respectively, were launched subsequent to the year 1904?

The respective numbers of completed ships in the British and German Navies that were launched subsequent to 1904 are as follows:—

• Battleships—Great Britain, 16; Germany, 11.
• Armoured and battle cruisers—Great Britain, 11; Germany 5.
• Protected cruisers—Great Britain, 8; Germany, 12.
• Unarmoured cruisers—Great Britain, 5; Germany, nil.
• Destroyers—Great Britain, 68; Germany, 71.

Is it the fact, in regard to destroyers, that the percentage of increases on the part of Germany is nearly double ours?

It is certainly much greater, but, of course, there is a certain number of our programme which will be completed in the near future, and with those which are going to be taken in hand at once the percentages will be greatly altered.

asked, taking the financial years 1910–11 and 1911–12 together, what were the total sums voted for the construction of submarines for the British and German Navies respectively?

The figures asked for are:—

What steps has the right hon. Gentleman taken in this year's Estimates to redress this considerable disparity?

I should like to have an opportunity of dealing with that when the Estimates are discussed, but I may say that the British lead in submarines is very largo indeed, and there is no item of the naval programme on which our position could possibly be more satisfactory.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give similar figures for Italy, France, and the United States?

I could with the greatest precision if notice were given.

Would it not be desirable in questions of this character to compare with all the naval Powers rather than with one particular Power?

I have to frame the answers to the questions. If the figures for the other naval Powers were compared and not shirked, it would materially affect the significance of the figures.

Is it desirable that these comparisons should be made publicly?

That is for the House to say.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the heavy gunlayers' test of 1911 the average position occupied by ships of the "Dreadnought" type was 89.9 as compared with an average of 37.75 for the "Majesties," the oldest battleships taking part in a total number of 127 warships; and whether there is any satisfactory explanation of the fact?

The comparatively high average position occupied by the "Majestic" class is due to the results obtained with the secondary armament of 6-in. guns. The "Dreadnought" class are not so armed. Comparing the results obtained with the primary armament of 12-in. guns in turrets common to both classes, the average positions occupied, out of forty-one competing ships, are:—

asked the first Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have published a memorandum asking for candidates as probationary second lieutenants for the Royal Marines; if so, whether he will state the number to be entered; whether the candidates will be examined by the Civil Service Commissioners; and what position officers so joined will hold with regard to Marine officers entered under the common entry system embodied in the Statement of Admiralty policy of December, 1905?

Regulations as to supplementary first appointments in the Royal Marines have just been issued, and I shall be happy to send the Noble Lord a copy. As regards the second part of the question, the number of officers to be entered at the next examination has not yet been decided. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the fourth part, officers entered under these regulations will, after completing their training, be in the same position as Marine officers entered under the common entry system.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is intended to join the Marines on the old system altogether, or whether they are going to be joined half as probationary second lieutenants and half under the common entry system?

Yes, the Admiralty are pursuing the system of common entry which has been established, but in supplement of that we find it necessary to make these special examinations for a certain number of Marine officers on account of the shortage.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the number of men in His Majesty's dockyards who have retired since 1st April, 1911, and the number of men who have been established since that date?

I assume that the hon. Gentleman refers to established men retired on pension. In the home dockyards 269 have been so retired since 1st April, 1911, and the number who have been established during the 6ame period is 336.

asked whether permission to serve in the Territorials has been refused to unskilled as well as to skilled labourers in the dockyards?

The limit placed on the numbers of dockyard workmen who are allowed to belong to the Territorial Force applies to unskilled as well as to skilled labourers.

Do I understand that unskilled labourers are not permitted to join?

They are permitted within a certain percentage. It would be obviously unwise to have the yards depleted in time of national emergency.

How is it proposed, under present conditions, to have the yards filled with unskilled labour in case of emergency?

We have said that only a certain percentage of the men shall join the Territorials.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the result of the recent Referendum to the Swiss people on the subject of National Insurance?

The Federal Bill for insurance against sickness and accidents was accepted by a majority of nearly 50,000 out of a total of nearly 525,000 votes.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he can say whether this has passed the Federal Legislature?

No, Sir, I am afraid I cannot. I would ask the hon. Member to give notice of the question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware whether the Swiss scheme is voluntary or compulsory, and also whether there are any Post Office contributors?

The hon. Member should put that question on the Paper.

asked what is the margin in respect of the sickness and disablement benefits provided by the statutory contributions under the National Insurance Act?

The margin contained in the premium of 7d., according to the last Report of the Government actuaries, was .42d. for men and .53d. for women. The weekly contributions for sickness and disablement benefits were given as 3.17d. for men and 2.55d. for women. Treating the margins as applicable to these benefits, therefore, they represent additions of 13 per cent, for men and 21 per cent. for women.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that statements have been circulated widely that the margin is only 6 per cent., and, in view of this, will he take steps to give wider circulation to the new facts which he has stated?

I am endeavouring to give through the Insurance Commissioners publicity to all accurate statements. What I have given to my hon. Friend now is a statement available to everyone, because it is contained in a Report laid on the Table of this House.

Was that percentage arrived at on the assumption that the payment to the doctors was only 4s. 6d. per patient, and if the payment was what they ask would not the whole margin be then entirely wiped out?

The actuarial statement, as far as medical benefit was concerned, was an allowance of 6s. per head.

Does not that include 1s. 6d. for drugs?

There was no separation, I think, of drugs and doctors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that many persons of a certain age have the right for a limited period, under the National Insurance Act, to become voluntary contributors for its benefits, and that these persons are in danger of being misled into thinking their option valueless and of not exercising it, whether he will cause official advertisements to be issued widely directing attention to the value of the option exercisable under the Act?

I realise the urgent necessity of bringing the value of this option to the notice of the persons affected. The Commission are endeavouring to make it as widely known as possible by means of lectures and by the preparation of pamphlets and leaflets.

In view of the great value of this option to the persons concerned, have they any remedy against those who are circulating statements urging them not to take up the option?

I do not know what the legal position would be in those circumstances, but I hope that before June every insured person will be in a position to obtain accurate information.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is sufficiently advertised without getting public money for it?

Will there be any remedy against persons who represent the benefits as being greater than they are?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take any steps, in the interests of persons eligible to become insured persons under the National Insurance Act, to stop misrepresentation of a measure passed into law by the unanimous vote of both Houses of Parliament?

Lectures have already been arranged throughout the United Kingdom in order to give information about the actual provisions of the Act, and pamphlets and leaflets will be almost immediately issued by the Insurance Commissioners with the same object. It would be sanguine to hope that the Commissioners will be able, with all their efforts, to stop "misrepresentation of the Act"; but certainly misrepresentation will prove less mischievous as their work of disseminating accurate information progresses.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the statement that the Act gives to insured persons only half the benefits which would be given for the same money by a well-managed friendly society had a great deal to do with winning the South Manchester election?

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to withdraw from circulation a pamphlet with a preface by the Chancellor of the Exchequer containing misrepresentations which were exposed in this House?

I have not seen any pamphlet issued by the Chancellor of the Exchequer which contains misrepresentations that were exposed in this House.

To whom does the hon. Member attribute these misrepresentations to which he refers? Am I not entitled to an answer?

The hon. Member should hand that question in at the table.

asked whether the sickness benefit granted under the German national insurance system is guaranteed by the German Imperial Treasury?

The Imperial Treasury does not contribute anything to the sickness benefit in Germany, nor does it in any way guarantee that benefit.

asked if it is the case that a friendly society can give twice the benefits offered by the National Insurance Act for the same contributions; and if the Insurance Commissioners have made any calculations as to what the benefits are really worth to contributors entering at various ages?

I know of no case in which a friendly society can give twice the benefits offered by the National Insurance Act for the same contributions, and if a particular society can give the ordinary benefits for less than these contributions it will be entitled to utilise what it has so saved in giving additional benefits to its own members. With regard to the latter part of the question, the official figures are not yet available, but the following statement of the equivalent value of the benefits may be taken as approximately correct:—

asked whether, out of eight persons appointed by the Irish Insurance Commissioners as lecturers on the Insurance Act, only two are non-political appointments and the other six are persons nominated by or representing the Socialist-Nationalist party?

As the hon. Member will see by reference to page 10 of the White Paper, Cd. 6095, the Irish Commission have appointed not eight lecturers but twenty-five. All of these appointments are non-political. I have never heard of the existence of "the Socialist-Nationalist party" in Ireland."

Is it not a fact that one of the persons appointed was a sister of the election agent of the hon. Member for West Belfast (Mr. Devlin), while another—

The hon. Member should not introduce these personal questions.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to state that no political influence was exercised in regard to these appointments?

Certainly.

Will the hon. Gentleman take the trouble to make himself acquainted with the facts in connection with the appointments?

I do not understand what facts the hon. Member means. As far as I am able to find out the political or religious convictions of the persons the appointments of the Insurance Commissioners in Ireland have been made equally in proportion to the population among Protestants and Catholics, or with a rather larger proportion of Protestants than Catholics, and equally in proportion to the population from members of Unionist and Nationalist sections.

Is the hon. Member aware that I can furnish him with information that the statement which he has made to the House is absolutely not in accordance with the fact?

I have not the slightest idea of what information the hon. Member is aware of.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Friends in Distress Society, No. 309, Glamorgan, has duly resolved to dissolve, and has lodged the necessary papers and fees with the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and that registration of the dissolution has been refused by the Registrar pending consideration of the effect of Section 72 of the National Insurance Act; and will he say how many other societies desiring dissolution have similarly been refused?

The Friends in Distress Society, No. 309, Glamorgan, has duly resolved to dissolve, and has lodged the necessary papers and fees with the Registrar of Friendly Societies. Registration of the dissolution has not been refused, but has been postponed pending consideration of the effect of Section 72 of the National Insurance Act on the power of societies to dissolve. The registration of instruments of dissolution has been similarly postponed in the case of forty-eight other societies and two branches.

May I ask on what principle registration is being made in some cases and refused in others?

I think there is a circular being sent in every case. There was a circular sent advising each society to make itself familiar with the conditions under the Insurance Act, and later there has been a postponement owing to the necessity of obtaining the highest legal opinion as to the influence of Section 72.

asked (1) whether nurses employed by the Poor Law authorities are or are not exempted from the National Insurance Act; and (2) whether civilian foremen and labourers employed in the Army Ordnance depots are or are not exempted from the National Insurance Act?

The question whether any of these categories of persons can be excepted in respect of health insurance under Part II. of the First Schedule of the Act will depend upon whether the terms of their employment are such as to secure provision in respect of sickness and disablement, on the whole not less favourable than corresponding benefits conferred by Part I. of the Act. The Commissioners cannot give any certificate to this effect until they have been satisfied by an investigation of the facts relating to the particular category, that the conditions menioned in the schedule exist.

Will that be determined by the Treasury or the Commissioners?

I think it is determined by the Commissioners, and investigations are proceeding.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the difficulty which agricultural labourers and other workmen will experience in replying to the question contained in the official form of application for membership of an approved society as to whether the applicant is qualified to be an insured person, he will add for his information, as a footnote or otherwise on the face or back of the form, what constitutes such qualification?

A footnote, giving in summary the information referred to, appears at the end of the form, and the Commission are taking other steps to give fuller information to persons affected by the Act.

asked how many village friendly societies there are still in existence in England and Wales?

The information in the office of the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies on the subject is not in a form which enables it to be given in an answer to a question. But I shall be glad to arrange to give the hon. Member such information as is available if he will communicate privately with the Chief Registrar or myself.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, whether Scotland's share of the sum available for the erection of sanatoria under Section 64 of the National Insurance Act will be apportioned strictly according to the population of different areas; and whether he can give an assurance that necessitous districts in the Highland and Islands will not be allowed to suffer owing to the sparseness of their population?

The matter is now under the consideration of the Local Government Board for Scotland, in view of the terms of the section referred to, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that the varying circumstances and conditions of different localities in Scotland will not be overlooked.

asked whether the Home Secretary can state on what ground criminal proceedings have been taken against the editor and printers of the "Syndicalist" newspaper; whether bail has been refused by the magistrates; whether the houses of the prisoners have been searched by the police and their private papers seized; and whether the Government have authorised these proceedings?

My right hon. Friend informs me that proceedings have been taken against these persons for incitement to mutiny, which is both a statutory and common law offence. He is informed that the magistrates have refused bail, and that the premises have been searched and some papers bearing on the offence charged have been seized in accordance with usual practice on execution of a warrant of arrest. These proceedings have been authorised by the Attorney-General.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that these proceedings are taken under the Act of 1907; whether there as any recent precedent for taking criminal proceedings of this sort against the editor of the newspaper; and, thirdly, whether it is the fact, as stated by the counsel for the prosecution, that these proceedings were taken in consequence of the coal strike?

I am unable, without notice, to answer any one of my hon. Friend's questions.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will inquire into the position of the two men who were arrested for being the printers of this paper; whether he will inquire into the fact that these are two workmen printers, and that the suddenness of their arrest and the refusal of bail means that their livelihood has been destroyed; and whether he will also inquire as to the kind of treatment meted out to criminals, real criminals in high places in connection with frauds on the public through company promoting, etc.?

That does not arise out of the question.

I wish to express my sincere regret to the hon. Member for Leicester (Mr. Ramsay Macdonald) that I did not give him notice of this question which appears in my name on the Paper. I assumed, from the appearance of the manifesto in a leading Scottish Labour newspaper, that it had been sent by the Administrative Council of the Independent Labour Party with his approval. I wish to ask whether the Home Secretary's attention has been called to the current number of "Forward," a weekly journal published in Glasgow, in which is set out a manifesto purporting to have been drafted by the hon. Member for Leicester and issued by the National Administrative Council of the Independent Labour Party, in which manifesto is an appeal to soldiers not to shoot strikers if ordered to do so; and what steps he proposes to take?

Perhaps the House will permit me, in a sentence, to say, as my name is associated with this, that I did not draft the manifesto, that the manifesto was not issued by the National Administrative Council of the Independent Labour Party, and that if my hon. Friend had done me the courtesy to ask me the question before, I could have given him the whole of the facts of the case, and not made it necessary to give full circulation to this report.

No, Sir. My attention has not been called to the passage in the journal referred to.

asked whether the Orchard Colliery, near Sheffield, was closed down last Friday on account of intimidation by a peaceful picket some 200 strong, and will remain closed down until the embargo is removed by the Miners' Association; and whether the authorities will afford adequate protection to the staff of that mine and to their dependents if it is desired to reopen that pit without the leave of the Miners' Association?

The pit is a very small one, employing only fifteen men. The chief constable reports that it was closed on Friday by the owner after a visit by about forty Derbyshire miners, but that no threats were used, and that no request has been made to the police for protection. If protection is required, the local authorities are primarily responsible.

If it is desired to reopen the pit is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to see that the labourers are protected?

The local authorities are primarily responsible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to see that law and order are maintained?

Yes, Sir; every step would be taken to see that law and order are enforced, but I would remind the Noble Lord that it is impossible to give answers to purely hypothetical questions.

In view of the fact that the case in the question is only one out of hundreds all over the country, where the right to work has been forcibly interfered with, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will seriously consider the question of amending the Trades Disputes Act which deals with this erroneously called peaceful picketing?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question. The hon. Gentleman asks the Home Secretary whether he will amend the law of the land. That is a sort of question which cannot be answered on the moment; it requires consideration.

May I ask whether it is in order for a Member of this House to cast aspersions on a body of men at a time when the authorities admit that there is absolute peace throughout the entire coalfields?

I cannot stop an hon. Member from asking a supplementary question. All I can do is to request him to put it down in writing, and then I can see whether it is a proper question for answer.

It should be stopped. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order."]

We will get order for you directly, if you do not shut up over there. [An HON. MEMBER: "Name."]

As to the first part of the hon. Member's question, as he has stated that there are hundreds of cases similar to that mentioned in the Noble Lord's question, I think I ought to have the opportunity of stating that I have no knowledge of those cases.

I should be very glad to give the right hon. Gentleman the information.

asked whether the Home Secretary has any information showing the number of aliens working in the coalfields of Scotland and South Wales?

Exact figures are not available, but the number in Scotland is estimated by the Inspector of the Division roughly at 2,400. The number in South Wales is thought by the Inspector of the Division to be very small, probably under 100.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will at once introduce legislation empowering the Board of Trade to ascertain by means of a secret ballot whether the miners of Great Britain desire any further continuance of the coal strike?

The answer is in the negative.

Arising out of the answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether a vote that affects millions of workers in this country is not, anyhow, as important as the election of a county councillor or a Member of this House?

The hon. Member must put his question down.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that 1,380 tons of coal were shipped at the King's Lynn docks for foreign ports during the past week, and that the lighting of the town during the same period had been reduced by one-half in consequence of the scarcity of fuel; and what steps the Government have taken to prevent the export of coal during the present crisis?

There is no power without legislation to prohibit the exportation of coal. The question of legislation was carefully considered, but the Government came to the conclusion that no substantial relief to the present situation could result from such a measure.

asked Minister whether the assist in the establishment of relief works in those parts of the country where great hardship is being caused by the coal strike?

I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave the Noble Lord on Monday last.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before announcing to the representatives of the Miners' Federation on the 29th February last the proposal of the Government to introduce legislation providing for the payment of a minimum wage to miners, he had taken any steps to ascertain whether the Federation would, in return for such concession, be prepared to refer the final settlement of a schedule of minimum rates of wages to the decision of the tribunals whose constitution he foreshadowed?

I must refer the hon. Member to the speech I made in the House on 4th March, in which he will find a full account of the negotiations, and to which I have nothing to add.