asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the case of the appeal by the pension officer against the decision of the Newmarket, county Cork, sub-pensions committee in granting a pension to Michael Sheehy, the evidence of the independent valuer, who is a licensed auctioneer and valuer, was taken into consideration; and, taking into account the difference of opinion between the sub-pensions committee, the valuer, and the pension officer, will he ask the Local Government Board to send one of their inspectors to report on the case?

The Local Government Board had the valuer's estimate referred to before them when determining Michael Sheehy's claim, but it appeared that the valuer in making his valuation was not fully cognisant of all the privileges reserved by Sheehy when assigning his farm to his son. In any event, the considerations for which the farm was assigned were so inadequate that the Board had no option but to deal with the case as coming within the meaning of Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, and disallow his claim for pension. As the case has been decided the Board have no power to reopen consideration of the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary on what basis the pension officers calculate the cost of maintenance of applicants for old age pensions; is it according to their manner of living before applying for the pension, or are the present circumstances of the applicant taken into consideration; and is he aware that in several cases in the mountainous districts of Cork County the cost of maintenance is valued at 13s. a week, whilst in other cases of the same description the cost of maintenance is valued at 7s. a week?

The pension officers' estimates of the money value of maintenance to applicants for an old age pension are based on the actual circumstances of each case as ascertained on investigation. There is necessarily considerable difference between the circumstances of one case and another which might well result in as wide a variation in the estimated value as that mentioned in the last part of the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that the carpenters employed at Woolwich Arsenal, after allowing for the privileges they have, are receiving 1s. per week less than the standard rate of wage; and whether he will give instructions that the wages of these men be raised to the rate current in the district?

After allowing for the privileges at present received, valued at 1s. in the £, the men referred to are receiving the full rate recognised by their society. When the privileges are reduced, on the National Insurance Act becoming operative, any necessary adjustments in the rate of wage will be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any part of the sum of £15,063,877 voted for new construction in the Navy Estimates for 1911–12 is likely not to be expended in the year ending 31st March, 1912; and, if so, approximately how much?

The estimated amount is:—

asked the President of the Board of Education, if he is aware that a Mr. Bradford, who is an assistant master at the London County Council's Monson Road schools, is also head of a firm known as the Emanda Electric Company, whose works are at New Cross, S.E.; and whether, in acting in this dual capacity, Mr. Bradford is complying with the regulations and customs of the Board of Education?

I understand that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. Under Article 15 of the Code a local education authority would be within its rights in objecting to a teacher undertaking occupations outside the school hours which would interfere with the due performance of his duties as a teacher. The matter is one which is primarily within the province of the local education authority.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of London sorters who receive a salary of over £112 per annum; the number who now receive the maximum pay in their class; and the number of London sorters who have stood at their maximum for ten years and upwards?

One hundred and twelve pounds per annum is not a point on the London sorters' scale of pay. The efficiency bar is at 44s. a week, i.e., £114 15s. a year, and 4,402 sorters are in receipt of wages exceeding that amount. The number who now receive the maximum pay of their class is 2,089. The information asked for in the last part of the hon. Member's question could not be obtained without considerable labour; and I regret that, in view of the pressure existing in the Post Office, I cannot undertake to furnish it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state how many unestablished female assistants employed in Crown sub-offices in Liverpool are receiving the maximum salary of 22s. per week; whether the service of some of these officers extends to nearly twenty years; and whether he will state how many of these officers have been given an opportunity of coming on to the establishment after five years' service, in accordance with the terms of paragraph 396 of the Select Committee's Report on Post Office Servants?

I will make inquiry, and inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office performing duty from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. are only allowed twenty minutes meal relief between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.; whether officers, who have performed a duty Of 8 p.m. till midnight are informed that no meal relief is allowed; whether the staff which regularly performs duty from 5 p.m. to 1.45 a.m. are only allowed twenty minutes meal relief; and, if so, whether he will inquire into the need for an extension of the periods which shall be in keeping with the men's actual necessities and their hours of duty?

I have inquired into the meal relief arrangements on the "late duties" in the Central Telegraph Office, and find that the long night duties were introduced some years ago, at the request of a six to one majority of the staff, on the understanding that no meal reliefs would be afforded on them. Under the recent alterations a meal relief of twenty minutes has been conceded, and I am assured that it is sufficiently long. I do not consider that officers on duties beginning at 8 p.m. and ending at midnight need meal reliefs. Officers on the 5 p.m. to 1.45 a.m. duties are given a free tea and a supper relief of twenty minutes.

asked the Postmaster-General if the official medical officer to the Hastings post office is about to retire and whether applications for the vacancy will be advertised for in the local newspapers?

The answer to both the hon. Member's inquiries is in the affirmative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the transfer of the National Telephone Company's undertakings to the Post Office, the Government will continue to pay the local rates on such undertakings to prevent the loss which would otherwise result to the local rates?

As I have already stated in reply to similar questions, the Government have decided to pay contributions in lieu of rates on the premises and lines acquired from the company.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the total sum to be voted by Parliament, including Grants-in-Aid, which it is estimated will be made available for Scottish education for the year 1912–13, and the increase which the Scottish Education Estimates for that year show over the year 1911–12.

The amount of the Estimate in question for the year 1912–13 is £2,489,425, an increase on that of the previous year of £153,831. For details I would refer my hon. Friend to the Civil Services Estimates, Class IV., Vote 8.