asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can now give any information about the adjourned meeting of the Brussels Sugar Convention which was to have been held on the 26th ultimo; has Russia obtained the permission to increase her export by 400,000 tons this year; and, if not, whether any action is proposed by His Majesty's Government?

asked whether the Secretary of State has any information regarding the progress of negotiations between Germany and Russia in relation to the additional export of sugar by the latter country under the Brussels Convention?

A meeting of the International Sugar Commission was held in Brussels yesterday (Sunday) at which a protocol prolonging the Convention for a further period of five years from 1st September, 1913, was signed. A declaration relative to the method of distribution of the additional 50,000 tons of sugar which Russia is to be allowed to export during the periods 1912–13 and 1913–14 was also signed at this meeting. Neither document was signed by the delegates of His Majesty's Government, but a Note was addressed to the Belgian Government stating that His Majesty's Government saw no objection to the increase in Russian export in this or any future year during the continuance of the Convention.

Was this country represented at the meeting, and are we in any way committed to a renewal of the Convention?

We were represented at the meeting, but we are not committed in any way to a renewal of the Convention.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the ratification is to be completed?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now see his way to fix the date for the promised discussion on the Brussels Sugar Convention?

I regret that it is impossible at present to fix a date.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is announced that a decision was arrived at by the Convention yesterday, and that a ratification of the Powers is to be required before 1st April; if he finds that that is so, will he fix the Debate earlier?

His Majesty's Government are in no way committed.

asked whether the Foreign Secretary has any further information regarding the situation at Lingah; and whether any troops have been landed to protect the Consulate?

The raiders are estimated at about 2,400 men. For the defence of the Consulate, the senior naval officer and the Vice-Consul recommended the landings of sepoys and the admiral has given orders for 150 men to land to reinforce the consular guard. A naval brigade will also be ready to land in case of need.

asked whether any contact mines or other explosive engines have been laid in the Dardanelles; and, if so, what steps have been taken to insure the safety of British merchant shipping passing through the Straits?

On 10th March His Majesty's Vice-Consul at the Dardanelles reported that contact mines were being laid, and that it was believed they would all be in readiness by 11th March. He also reported that a channel marked by buoys would be left, and that at least two pilot ships would meet vessels from either direction.

Has the Secretary of State any guarantee that the pilots who will pilot the ships through the Straits will be persons who can be trusted to run the ships safely?

We naturally have no guarantee of that exact nature; but perhaps the hon. Member will put down a further question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, seeing that the modern type of English hackney has been used for some years with success by Continental Governments for the purpose of improving the breeds of horses required for artillery and other military purposes, he proposes to take any and, if any, what steps to utilise hackney stallions for similar purposes in Great Britain?

The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the Board already offer premiums for hackney stallions for the service of registered hackney mares. I will consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War and the Advisory Council on Horse Breeding as to whether it may be desirable to take further steps for the purpose which the hon. Member has in view.

asked if the attention of the President of the Board of Agriculture has been called to an outbreak of swine fever on the 17th December on the allotments at Cobholm, Great Yarmouth, and to the fact that the outbreak was known to the inspectors of the Board, but they refused to order the pigs in four adjacent styes which were presumably affected to be slaughtered, and this was done at the expense of the Cobholm Pigkeepers' Association; and why does the Board refuse to take any action in cases of swine fever on allotments while it acts promptly in cases on isolated farms where little risk is run?

In the case to which I understand the hon. Member to refer the Board were advised that the infected place could be satisfactorily isolated. This course was adopted, and the usual procedure followed. I am informed that three pigs were slaughtered on the infected place by or on behalf of the owner, and that he received compensation for his loss from the Cobholm Pigkeepers' Association, of which he was a member. No pigs appear to have been slaughtered on account of actual or presumptive infection on premises outside the infected place, and I am not aware that any further outbreak of the disease has occurred which can be traced to infection from that source. There is no foundation for the statement contained in the concluding paragraph of the question.

asked if when a disease breaks out among animals on land belonging to and farmed by a Government Department the Diseases of Animals Act does not apply, and therefore the disease need not be even reported to the Board?

The answer to the question of the hon. Member depends upon the circumstances of the individual case. Perhaps, therefore, he would supply me with particulars of any case which may have been brought to his notice.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the Wexford County Council has requested that the summer sheep-dipping period should be altered so that dipping can begin from the 15th May instead of, as at present, on the 15th June; and whether the wishes of the council will be complied with?

No request to the effect indicated in this question has yet reached the Department from the Wexford County Council. The limits of the summer dipping period have, however, recently boon under review, and it is probable that in the forthcoming General Order 1st instead of 15th June may be specified as the commencing date of such period. The Department would not, at present, be prepared to make the period begin as early as 15th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an inquiry will be held into the circumstances of the collison which took place on 1st March between the steamers "Le Nord" and "Lockwood"; and whether he can state how many persons, including passengers and crew, were on the steamer "Le Nord" at the time, and what accommodation she has in lifeboats; and whether she is provided with water-tight compartments?

I understand that litigation as regards the question of the collision between the steamship "Le Nord" and the steamship "Lockwood" is pending. It is not proposed to order a formal investigation in the case. The first named vessel is under the French flag, and does not hold a British passenger steamship certificate. By the courtesy of the directors of the Chemin de Fer du Nord, I am informed that there were about 350 persons on board, including passengers and crew, at the time of the collision; that the vessel has six boats, four of which are lifeboats, and is provided with watertight compartments.

How many of the passengers and crew would have been saved by the six boats?

In this case there was no loss of life.

How many of the passengers and crew would have been saved by these six boats?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice of the question and I will endeavour to answer it.

asked whether the Labour Exchange at Norwich has endeavoured to supply housekeepers and other domestic servants; and whether Labour Exchanges are authorised to compete with local registry offices in dealing with domestic servants generally?

I have no reason to suppose that the Norwich manager has contravened his instructions with regard to vacancies in domestic service. As regards the nature of these instructions, I have already stated that 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.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what efforts are made by the Government to enforce those instructions?

Any specific case of alleged breach of instructions is at once looked into and carefully considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Ipswich Labour Exchange also have stated that they are prepared to place domestic servants?

If the hon. Member will give me any specific case, I will certainly inquire into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he would state the number of Chinese who have signed in Barry from the 1st November, 1911 to February, 1912; what is the increase over November, 1910 to February, 1911; if he would say what number of Chinese seamen have been rejected during the last four months in Barry as being unable to pass the language test, and, seeing that all other nationalities who sign in British vessels have to produce certificates of discharge before signing, will he state why exemption is made in the case of Chinamen; why Chinese seamen who simply state that they are from Hong Kong and that their last vessel was German are allowed to sign; what action the Board intend to take with reference to the number of personations by Chinamen; if he is aware that in the case of the steamship "Caldegrove," which signed at Barry on the 1st March, 1912, not one single discharge book was produced by the Chinese firemen; that these men were signed on board the vessel while she was proceeding to sea; and whether they passed the language test?

The number of Chinese seamen signed on at Barry from 1st November, 1911, to 29th February, 1912, was 322; for the corresponding period of 1910–11, the number was 352. During the last four months fifty Chinese seamen have been rejected for failure to pass the language test The Board of Trade have no power to require seamen, of whatever nationality, to produce certificates of discharge when being engaged on a British ship, and therefore no question of exemption arises; nor have they power to refuse to allow a seaman to be engaged merely because he has not produced satisfactory evidence of his place of birth, or of the name of his last ship. The Board of Trade have recently issued instructions with the object of preventing personation among Chinese seamen, but the matter is one of great legal and practical difficulty. In the case of the "Caldergrove" four Chinese firemen produced certificates of discharge; the remaining firemen produced no papers. The Chinese portion of the crew were engaged on board. Six men failed to pass the language test, and were consequently rejected.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can tell the House whether those Chinese are employed for purpose of efficiency or economy?

I cannot be expected to answer a question of that kind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to the fact that the London and North-Western Railway Company have taken off the refreshment cars from the Irish mail trains, which are subsidised from public funds, but are still running them in connection with trains to Scotland which are not subsidised; and whether he will make representations to the railway company on the subject.

I have communicated with the railway company in this matter, and have received a reply, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Can the right. hon Gentleman give the substance of the reply and are the facts as stated in the question?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply, and if he has any further question to ask I will be glad to answer it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the refreshment cars on the Scottish trains are not stopped?

May I ask whether it is the fact that the railway companies are now refusing to carry minerals?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that before entering into pooling arrangements the Great Northern, Midland Great Western, and Great Southern Railway Companies, Ireland, granted rebates on live stock shipped by the different steamship companies from Ireland to Great Britain at the rate of 6d. per head on pigs and 1s. per head on cattle; and, seeing that this rebate has been discontinued since the pooling, will he cause inquiry to be made into the loss sustained by the shippers by the change?

I have asked the railway companies concerned for their observations in this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member on receipt of their replies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the carrying companies receive about 60 per cent, and the noncarrying companies receive 40 per cent. of the freights, to the detriment of the shippers?

I am communicating the substance of the hon. Member's question to the railway companies, and will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive the replies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether they are prosecuting the Syndicalists under the Act of 1797; and whether he can state the date of the latest previous prosecutions under this Act?

The prosecution is for an offence under the Incitement to Mutiny Act of 1797, and also for a common law misdemeanour. The latest previous prosecution under that Act was in 1804.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the words which were complained of by the prosecution were printed at length in the "Daily Mail" and "Daily Express," and will he proceed against those papers?

I am not aware of it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the facts are as stated by the hon. Member, and is he aware that these identical words have been printed in at least a hundred newspapers, and two poor printers have been prosecuted, and none of the other people are being prosecuted?

The prosecution is against those who were responsible for the publication and printing of the newspaper, and who are the only persons against whom there is any evidence, at present of a criminal offence. Other newspapers have published it, but I have, advisedly, not proceeded against those newspapers because it is desired to establish that to publish a manifesto of this kind, which appeared first in the "Syndicalist," is a grave offence. The matter was brought to my notice, and it is in the nature of a manifesto which I have not seen published anywhere else.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the offensive words were?

The offensive words are very long. They call upon the soldiers to refuse to obey the orders of their officers should they be called upon to fire at any time in case of disorder or riot.

May I ask when detectives raid a person's house, if they find papers and documents in type, are they not supposed to leave them intact?

That hardly arises out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the prosecution of the "Syndicalist" newspaper had been taken by direction of His Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether he would take steps to protect the free expression of Sydicalist or other political views?

The prosecution in question was authorised by me in the ordinary course of my official duties. These proceedings do not prevent the free expression of Syndicalist or other political views, they are taken to prevent the incitement of soldiers to disobey the orders of their officers, offences for which soldiers would incur grave penalties.

Is it not usual in the case of a political prosecution for the Attorney-General to consult the Government before taking action?

Yes, Sir, but I do not look upon this as a political prosecution. It is a very rare but a very serious offence, and it is incumbent upon the Attorney-General to take the steps he considers necessary.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it a rare offence to ask Christians not to kill?

May I ask the Attorney-General whether he has taken any steps to prevent Privy Councillors and others inciting people in Ulster to take such action as would bring about "dire consequences"?

asked the Home Secretary if he has issued instructions to police authorities to swear in citizens as a special police force; whether persons are being informed that it is compulsory on them to be so sworn; and whether any instructions have been given to the police as to their action in the case of those who, for conscientious or other reasons, refuse to take the oath or to serve?

Two circulars were issued from the Home Office last autumn calling the attention of police authorities to the desirability of making provision for the temporary increase of their forces in times of emergency by the establishment of special police reserves or the enrolment of special constables. By law any qualified person appointed a special constable who refuses to serve is liable to a penalty; but what the Home Office suggested was the enrolment of persons willing to serve. I have issued no such instructions as those referred to in the first part of the question. I am not aware that any persons are being informed that it is compulsory on them to be sworn, and as I have no reason to think any police officer or magistrate has proposed to make use of the compulsory powers, there has been no occasion to issue any instructions of the nature referred to in the last part of the question.

I should like to ask whether the railway companies have power to swear in those constables, and if he is aware that preferential treatment is given to those who allow themselves to be sworn in as against those who conscientiously object?

I believe the answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. I have no information as to the second part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state for the years 1910 or 1911 the total number of men employed in the collieries in England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively, and the average weekly wages which such men respectively earn?

The number of persons employed at coal-producing mines during 1910 was: In England, 725,886; in Scotland, 131,315; in Wales, 174,776. The figures for 1911 are not yet available. The Home Office has no information as to the average wages paid.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a notice in a paper called "Votes for Women" asking for parcels and hampers of provisions to be sent to the prisoners now in Holloway; and, if so, will he say whether it is permitted to all prisoners there to receive luxuries from their friends outside, or whether this advantage is enjoyed only by female prisoners?

All prisoners of both sexes, while on remand or awaiting trial, or treated under Rule 243a, are permitted to have food sent in for them from outside, but the prison authorities have power to regulate the extent to which this privilege shall be enjoyed, and care will be taken to prevent its being abused.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the fact that in several instances first offenders were, in the recent trials of window breakers at Bow Street, given longer periods of imprisonment than those who had previously been convicted for a similar offence; whether it is usual to deal more leniently with first offenders; whether this is entirely in the hands of the magistrate; and whether he will take any action in the matter?

The sentence to be passed on a convicted offender is entirely a matter for the discretion of the Court within the limits of the Statute under which the conviction takes place. I have no reason to doubt that, in the cases referred to, that discretion has been exercised properly and with due regard to all the circumstances of the individual case. It is usual for an offender on his first conviction to be treated more leniently than one who is guilty of repeated breaches of the law, but this is a rule that admits of numerous exceptions. No sufficient cause has been shown for interference on my part, but I should in ordinary course consider on its merits any representation made to me on behalf of any individual prisoner.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state approximately the amount of Customs and Excise duties levied in Ireland on goods exported to and consumed in Great Britain; and the amount of such duties levied in Great Britain on goods exported to and consumed in Ireland during the last five years?

No official record is kept with regard to dutiable articles, other than spirits, interchanged between Great Britain and Ireland. I will circulate with the Votes a statement showing the figures as to spirits. [See Written, Answers this date.]

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he was aware that two gentlemen recently retired from the public service had become directors of Armstrong's, Limited; whether these gentlemen held retiring pensions; whether, if so, their pensions were held on conditions which precluded them accepting such directorships; and whether, in future, retiring pensions would be granted subject to the condition that the Treasury might exercise a veto on their holders joining the boards of public companies?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative; to the third and fourth in the negative. The Treasury have no legal right under existing powers to impose a condition of the kind suggested.

Will the hon. Gentleman give us an opportunity, on the Estimates or otherwise, of discussing this whole question, which is very important?

That question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he was aware that the Board of Works (Ireland) had refused to sanction loans to tenants who had signed for purchase of their holdings, but to whom the vesting order had not been issued, on the ground that there was no certainty that such agreements would be sanctioned, and if the Commissioners should, on final investigation, so refuse such tenants would have to pay all arrears, including the amount added to purchase-money; and whether, in view of the uncertainty of these tenants as to their future position, steps would be taken by the Estates Commissioners to ascertain the facts and to issue such certificates as would satisfy the Board of Works and all parties concerned as to whether the vesting order would or would not be finally issued?

I understand that the Estates Commissioners are unable to adopt the suggestion made in the last part of the hon. Member's question. With regard to loans made by the Board of Works, tenants who have signed agreements to purchase are treated like other tenants, and if they have arrears of more than twelve months rent, this is a bar to their obtaining loans. But the Board have, with the sanction of the Treasury, made arrangements by which, if certain conditions are fulfilled, this difficulty can be met.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he had been asked to sanction the conversion of the small-pox hospital maintained by the borough of Blackpool and the districts of Fylde, Preston, and Garstang, into a sanatorium for tuberculous patients on the ground that it had never once been used since its erection ten years ago; if so, whether he had given the consent requested; and whether the result of the neglect of vaccination, through the Vaccination Acts of 1898 and 1907, had been to make small-pox liability less than had ever before been known in Great Britain?

With regard to the first part of the question, I received an application from the joint board who maintained the hospital referred to for an Order to empower them to treat cases of pulmonary tuberculosis at the hospital, and a local inquiry was held in regard to it. The inspector who visited the site of the hospital, reports that it is not suitable for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, and I have informed the joint board that I do not propose to make any Order in the matter. With regard to the second part of the question, I prefer to express no opinion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he was aware that samples of milk for the purpose of testing for tuberculosis had been of late taken from churns arriving in London without first mixing the milk; and whether, in view of the fact that this abstraction of the cream would prejudicially affect the milk if it were afterwards tested for fat, he would give instructions that no samples should be taken in future unless the milk was properly mixed?

I am advised that the method of taking the samples is such that the percentage of fat in the milk is not likely to be altered to any material extent.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the average contribution to the Imperial Services for two years ending 31st March, 1911, was—for England and Wales, £87,237,250; for Scotland, £9,334,750; and for Ireland, £1,018,250 deficit; and average contribution for same period to Imperial revenue was £138,113,750, £17,023,500, and £10,010,000 respectively, he could, having regard to the principle of federal Home Rule, recently approved by a majority of this House, state the percentage of contribution in respect of Imperial Services that under such proposed federal system would be demanded from each of the three kingdoms?

I am unable to state the percentages asked for.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in determining the relative taxable capacities of the three kingdoms of the present Union of Great Britain and Ireland, he was prepared to allow such taxable capacity to be based on the percentages of population, assessment to Income Tax, liability to Estate Duty, estimated wealth, and estimated national income of each component kingdom to the United Kingdom as a whole; and whether, should such method of calculation be adopted, he could, from the Census Returns of 1911 and Revenue Returns of 1909–10 and 1910–11, state the taxable capacity of each of the three kingdoms as a percentage of the whole?

I cannot undertake to make any calculation on the basis suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities during the present Session for the passing of the Bishoprics Enabling Bill?

Past efforts on my part to help the progress of this Bill have not met with encouraging results, and I can make no promise as to giving it facilities.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the decision of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants to call in the mortgages of such of their members as remained faithful to their employers in the railway strike of last year; and whether he will introduce legislation to deal with the matter?

The hon. Member's question, together with a similar question by the hon. Member for Dulwich were on the Order Paper for Thursday last. An answer was then given to the following effect by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade: "I have seen in the Press a copy of a circular letter, stated to have been addressed to branch secretaries of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in November last. The circular referred to a resolution passed at the September meeting of the society to the effect that the mortgages of all members who failed to join in the strike last August should be called in, but I understand that no such mortgage has been called in, and I should hope that no step of that character will be taken."

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question: whether, if the circular is persisted in, he will bring in legislation to prevent its operation?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state what means were taken to prevent the recommendations of the Committee on Irish Finance being officially conveyed by any Member of the Government to anyone outside the Government without his knowledge?

The answer is that, so far as I know, no means were taken.

asked the Prime Minister whether the decision to convey or not to convey the recommendations of the Committee on Irish Finance to anyone outside the Government was communicated to every Member of the Government or only to certain of its Members?

His Majesty's Government, and therefore all the Members of it, are responsible for the course adopted.

Were the representatives of the Government in another place aware of the exact state of the case?

I do not know what the state of their information was. My answer was: that the Government as a whole are responsible.

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir Kenneth Muir Mackenzie, who has been appointed a member of the Civil Service Royal Commission, is responsible for the bulk of appointments in connection with the Royal Courts of Justice; if so, whether he was aware of this fact When the appointment was made; and whether, if Sir Kenneth Muir Mackenzie is more or less concerned in the subject matter to be investigated by the Commission, it will be possible for him to retain his position on the Commission?

The answer to the first part of the question is that the responsibility for the appointments referred to by the hon. Member rests with the Lord Chancellor. As regards the latter part, I consider that Sir Kenneth Mackenzie's services and experience render him eminently fitted to serve on the Commission.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these appointments are handed over by the Lord Chancellor?

No Sir, I am not aware of anything of the kind.

Is the appointment made so that Scotsmen may have their fair share?

asked the Prime Minister, whether he still hopes to introduce the Bill to terminate the establishment of the Church in Wales and to make provision of its temporalities before Easter; and how many days will be given to the discussion of the Motion to ask leave to introduce the Bill?

lam not yet in a position to make a definite statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the large photograph in an illustrated paper of 15th March of the court room at the conclusion of the Seddon trial in the Old Bailey, showing the judge wearing the black cap and the prisoner receiving the death sentence; and whether, in view of the fact that the City Corporation is responsible for the granting of permission to take such photographs and the Home Secretary has no control, he will introduce legislation either to prohibit altogether the taking of such photographs or to provide that cinematograph proprietors will have equal facilities of photographing such proceedings and making a public spectacle of them?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. My attention had not been called to this matter before my hon. Friend's question appeared on the Paper. I am now in communication with the Court authorities on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether two eminent Civil servants recently retired have entered the service of a firm or firms engaged on the manufacture of armaments for the Government; whether he has considered the effect of such a transference of knowledge acquired in the public service upon the public interest; whether these gentlemen are in receipt of pensions from the State; and, if so, whether the Government can prevent the recurrence of similar re-engagements of Civil servants upon their retirement?

The answer to the first three portions of the question is in the affirmative. As at present advised, I see no reason to interfere with the discretion of the ex-Civil servants as regards their acceptance of such appointments, unless public interests are adversely affected.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered that these directorships raise important national questions of a unique and unprecedented character?

No, Sir, I have not sufficient knowledge to answer that question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to some figures given by the chairman of the finance committee to the Docking Board of Guardians at its last meeting purporting to show that some parishes in the Docking Union are largely under-assessed and some parishes over-assessed; and whether, for the guidance of overseers and assessment committees, he could obtain the assent of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to permit copies of the gross assessments made by surveyors of taxes and based on accurate returns to be placed at their disposal?

My attention has not been drawn to the matter referred to. I may, however, refer the hon. Member to Section 13 of the Union Assessment Committee Act, 1862, and Section 22 of the Revenue Act, 1863, under which assessment committees may require certain information of the kind in question to be placed at their disposal.

asked whether any alteration has taken place in the hours of labour and other conditions of the asylums officers since the Report of the Select Committee of 1911; and, if not, whether it is the intention of the Government to promote legislation to carry out the improvements recommended?

I am informed by the Commissioners in Lunacy that, although in certain asylums there has been some reduction in the hours of duty and some alteration in the other conditions of asylum officers' service, there has been no general alteration in these respects since the Report of the Select Committee. The Government cannot undertake to promote legislation on the subject. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the Bill which was considered and amended by the Select Committee has been reintroduced this Session.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the subject of accidents caused by dazzling head-lights on motor cars has received his further consideration; and, if so, whether he is now in a position to take any steps to deal with the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Practical experiments have been recently made by the Board's engineering inspectors, but I am afraid some time must necessarily elapse before I am in a position to say whether it is possible to deal effectively with the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he proposes in the Board's Regulations for the restriction of the use of preservatives in milk and cream to prohibit the use of formalin as a preservative of cream, but to permit the use for that purpose of boric acid, biborate of soda, and other like antiseptics deemed by medical experts to have an injurious effect upon the nervous system; whether, and for what reason, his expert advisers differentiate between these various adulterants; and whether sterilisation and keeping under suitable atmospheric conditions would in their opinion render unnecessary the use of all such preservatives?

The Draft Regulations which I have had prepared propose to prohibit the use of formalin in cream, but not to prohibit the use of boric acid, borax, or a mixture of those preservative substances, provided that a full declaration of the presence of the preservative and the amount added is made in the manner prescribed by the Regulations. The considerations which have been taken into account in framing the Draft Regulations in question are dealt with in Dr. Hamill's report to the Local Government Board respecting the use of preservatives in cream.

Is it necessary that we should have any of these nerve poisons in our London cream?

If the hon. Gentleman will look both at the Report and the Draft Regulations he will see that we are doing our very best to reduce these elements to the smallest possible proportion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether he can state the number of aliens admitted into lunatic asylums in the years 1906 to 1911, inclusive; and the average cost per week of their maintenance, including administration charges; and (2) whether he can state the number of aliens who were in receipt of outdoor relief in the years 1906 to 1911, inclusive?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions, and I will deal with them together. The only information in my possession on the points raised in the questions is that which is given yearly in the Reports of the Inspector under the Aliens Act, 1905 (see Appendix III.). It relates only to the county and city of London and to certain other large towns in England and Wales and in Scotland. The figures for 1911 (not yet published) show that in these areas 2,513 aliens were in receipt of outdoor relief and 369 aliens were sent to lunatic asylums. I understand that the average weekly cost for each asylum inmate (excluding the cost of repairs, additions, and alterations in the asylums) was, in the year 1910, 9s. 11⅜d. in the county asylums and 11s. 2⅞d. in borough asylums. For the figures for previous years I must refer the hon. Member to the published Reports; but he should remember that they are not all strictly comparable with those for 1911, as the places from which they are collected have been varied from time to time.

Could not the figures dealing with the West Country be also made available?

I will inquire whether they can be made available hereafter; they are certainly not available now.

asked whether, in London and some other towns, the powers of the overseers as to relief of the poor have been transferred to the borough and town councils, either by a transfer of such powers or by making the council the overseers; if so, what are the names of the towns; to whom should application be made and by whom can the relief be given; whether the council can by resolution empower the town clerk or any other of its officers, or a committee of the council, to grant relief, or must each application be dealt with by the whole council; and what are the powers of relief transferred?

Apart from the Metropolitan borough councils, I am not aware that any municipal authority has the powers of overseers with respect to the giving of poor relief. The powers in question are extremely limited, as will be seen from Section 54 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, and it may be doubted whether in the Metropolis, where the Poor Law is very completely organised, these powers are of any substantial value or could be practically utilised.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the hardship imposed on teachers called on to attend vacation classes to equip themselves for the new requirements of the Scotch Education Act of 1908, in so far that the travelling and maintenance allowances foreshadowed in Section 17 of this Act are being seriously curtailed; and can he give any promise that early steps will be taken to meet all claims?

The amount spent on such travelling and maintenance allowances is in the discretion of the secondary education committees, who may be expected, in framing their estimates, to have regard to the relative importance of the various calls that may be made upon the district fund. The suggestion contained in the last clause of the question is, I fear, impracticable.

asked, in view of the disparity in numbers of nearly five to one between those who commence the higher grade course and those, who stay to finish it and are afterwards able to take the intermediate certificate, will he institute an inquiry to see whether a better method of selection of the desired number of suitable pupils can be found, seeing that the percentage of those who do not mature seems to indicate that many take up the course without proper knowledge of its intention and requirements; and would he also make inquiry whether any higher grade schools which have so far failed to justify their existence could be taken off the list with a view to the amount of public funds now expended on them being made available for primary education, in connection with which some of the Grants are now seriously curtailed?

As to the first part of the question, the necessary power for dealing with the difficulty is reserved by Article 144 of the Day School Code and the accompanying footnote. As to the second, any school which fails to fulfil its function as a higher grade school will be removed from the list after due notice.

asked the number of skilled labourers allowed to be established in each department in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport?

The authorised numbers are as follows:—

asked the total number of established men employed in His Majesty's dockyards in 1906–7, 1907–8, 1908–9, 1909–10, 1910–11, and 1911–12, respectively; the number of men placed on the establishment in each of these years; the date when the establishment was suspended; the date when the establishment was re-opened; and the total number of men (hired and established) employed in each of the years above specified?

The answer to this question was issued with the Votes last Thursday. [See Thursday, 14th March, 1912, col. 1407.]

asked the First Lord whether his attention has been called to the wages paid by Messrs. Huntley and Palmer, Reading, to biscuit weavers, coal runners, and other men and women workers; and if he is aware that, in consequence of the low wages paid to the workpeople in question, they have joined a trade union, with the result that a number of them have been dismissed for such action; and, in view of the firm being contractors to the Admiralty, whether he is prepared to take action in the matter?

The Admiralty have no contract with this firm, and there is no trace of any contract with them in recent years.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he could arrange that hon. Members making use of the three telephone boxes situated near the stairs to the Members' Cloak Room should not have the benefit or otherwise of one another's conversation?

The First Commissioner is trying to remedy the defect complained of by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the practice of the Post Office in the matter of accepting unused reply-paid telegram vouchers in part payment of subscribers' monthly accounts for trunk calls, telegrams, express letters, etc.; and whether he can see his way to modify the regulations in this matter on the lines of extending the facilities?

It has been the practice of the Post Office for some years to accept unused reply-paid telegram vouchers in part payment of telephone subscribers' monthly accounts for trunk calls, telegrams, express letters, etc. The only restriction hitherto attached to the use of the vouchers in this way has been that they must have been issued during the month covered by the account in respect of which they have been tendered in part payment. I have now arranged for this restriction to be modified so as to admit of their acceptance provided they are not actually out of date—that is, provided they are not more than two months old when used for the payment of accounts.

asked whether the closing of the public telephone at the Troedyrhiw post office on Thursday afternoons inconveniences the inhabitants; and whether, without interfering with the half-holiday of the merchant in whose premises the post office is situate, he can arrange for a public call office which would be available to users at all hours?