asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in filling up from the ranks of the Civil Service certain posts in the new Insurance Department, the choice and the invitation to volunteer for such posts have been restricted to those only who are graduates of universities; if so, what were the posts in question; and what special qualifications university graduates are supposed to possess which qualify them above all others for insurance work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the other parts do not therefore arise.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the total amounts voted by the Treasury for public education in each of the three countries, England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, for each of the years from 1900 to 1912; the number of pupils enrolled in the primary or elementary schools of each country for each of those years; and the amounts voted for secondary or higher education in each country within this period?

If the hon. Member wishes to move for a Return giving the information asked for as regards Ireland, I will consider whether it can be granted. As regards the other countries, I must refer the hon. Member to the Departments concerned.

asked whether the application of James Fenighty, evicted tenant, on the Denny estate, in the electoral division of Cloherbrien, Tralee, has been considered; and whether, seeing that his father was forced to leave in 1881, through non-payment of rent, land for which in 1872 he paid a fine of £400, steps will be immediately taken to have him provided with land somewhere else?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from James Fenighty for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by his father on the Denny estate, county Kerry, and now in the occupation of another tenant, and, after inquiry and consideration, decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War to what extent acetone, as an indispensable factor in the production of cordite, is being manufactured by the Government; and at what date it is expected that its manufacture will commence at the new Government factory in the Forest of Dean?

The hon. Member is doubtless alluding to the wood distillation works in Dean Forest. I am informed that these works are to be completed towards the end of this year, and that the manufacture of grey acetate of lime, from which acetone is made, will then be commenced.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the price of acetone for the manufacture of cordite has risen over 100 per cent, during the last twelve months; what proportion of the Government supply has during that period been obtained from Germany; and what proportion has been manufactured in the United Kingdom?

The price of acetone fluctuates considerably. The highest level of recent years was reached about five years ago. It then dropped, and during the past year has again been moving up. A recent purchase by the War Office showed an increase of price of about 28 per cent., as compared with prices a year ago. About 47 per cent, of the acetone bought by the War Office during the last twelve months was made in the United Kingdom; of the balance the bulk has been obtained from Canada, and none from Germany.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if he can state to the House how many types of rifles are still actually issued to the military forces of the British Empire, giving their name and mark?

The rifles at present in use in the British Empire are:—

• Martini-Metford (M.M.).
• Martini-Enfield (M.E.).
• Magazine Lee-Metford (M.L.M.).
• Marks I.,^* II., and II.^*
• Magazine Lee-Enfield (M.L.E.). Marks I. and I.^*
• Charger - loading Lee - Metford (C.L.L.E.). Mark I.
• Short Magazine Lee - Enfield (S.M.L.E.). Marks I, II., III., and IV.
• Ross. Marks I., II., II.,^* and II.^**

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether new milk is a portion of the daily rations supplied to the ordinary soldier in barracks, and how much is allowed per day to each; and whether he will state how much new milk has been supplied to the soldiers quartered at Ebrington barracks, Londonderry, from the 1st November, 1911, to the present date; and who is the contractor?

Milk does not form part of the authorised ration, but is provided out of the messing money under arrangements made by the commanding officers of units. There is no information, therefore, at the War Office as regards the rest of the points raised in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board of Education insisted upon the appointment of a principal to the Shipley Technical Institute; what were the educational as distinguished from other qualifications of the gentleman who was appointed to the post; and whether there were any special circumstances on account of which the Board approved of the appointment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The qualifications of the gentleman appointed by the local education authority are a matter for the authority, subject to the Board being satisfied that the teaching staff is adequate and efficient under Article 18 of the Regulations for technical schools, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Sewers (New Romney Level) are a nominated body, and that a majority of the Commissioners are non-resident; that complaints have been made as to tie defects and omissions in their administration and to the absence of provision which it is their duty to make for adequate sea defence and to the neglect of drainage of the low-lying lands in the level, whereby public health and safety have been impaired and endangered; whether a majority of the Commissioners and a number of scot-payers have petitioned for a reformation of the Board of Commissioners; and whether, under the circumstances; he will consider the expediency forthwith of appointing additional Commissioners resident in the locality and representative of the opinion, of the scotpayers?

I have under consideration the question of appointing three new Commissioners to fill vacancies on the Commission, and I hope that a decision in the matter will be reached at a very early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland, or any of them, have passed the legislation necessary to make the provisions of the Maritime Conventions Act, 1911, applicable within their respective jurisdictions?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken and, if so, what, to give effect to the resolution of the Imperial Conference, 1911, in regard to commercial relations within the Empire as to the desirability of the appointment of a Royal Commission representing the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland, with a view of investigating and reporting upon the natural resources of each part of the Empire represented at this Conference, the development attained and attainable, and the facilities for production, manufacture, and distribution, the trade of each part with the others and the outside world, the food and raw material requirements of each, and the sources thereof available, and to what extent, if any, the trade between each of the different parts has been affected by existing legislation in each, either beneficially or otherwise, and by what methods, consistent with the existing policy of each part, the trade of each part with the others may be improved and extended?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Commission to inquire into the trade of the Empire has yet been appointed; and, if so, whether he can state the names of the members of that Commission?

I am still awaiting the suggestion of a name from one of the Dominions. When that is received I shall make the necessary submission to the King and on His Majesty's approval the names of the eleven Commissioners will be published at once. My answer serves also as a reply to the question by the hon. Member for Christchurch.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) at whose cost the wireless stations already existing in the West Indies and British Guiana were erected; at whose cost the proposed stations in Barbados, the Bahamas, and British Honduras are to be erected; on whom it is proposed that the cost of maintenance and working shall fall; and (2) what system of wireless telegraphy it is intended to instal in Barbados, the Bahamas, and British Honduras; what is the power of the existing stations in Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago, and British Guiana; and what will be the power of the proposed stations?

Wireless stations in Jamaica, Trinidad, and British Guiana have been erected and are maintained at the cost of the Cable Companies, and another station in Trinidad and one at Tobago at the cost of the Colonial Government. The power of these stations varies from 1½ to 3 kilowatts. In British Honduras negotiations are proceeding on the basis that the Government shall erect a 3-kilowatt station, and that a private company shall refund the initial cost and the loss on its operation. In the Bahamas only a local private system between Nassau and Abaco has so far been authorised, each station to have a power of 1½ kilowatts. The Barbados Government is considering the question of erecting a Government station, but the power and system to be adopted are not yet decided.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether the Government are now able to give the result of the inquiry into the question of allowing police officers in India to retire on full pensions after twenty-five years' service; if so, what has been settled; and (2) whether any reply has been sent to the petition of the Indian police as to relief from the block in promotion; and if he can give the reply?

In reply to this question and the next I have at present nothing to add to the answers given to the two similar questions of the hon. Member on 31st July last. The Government of India have, however, been asked to expedite their inquiry, and the Secretary of State expects to receive their Report within the next three months.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, although on 27th June, 1910, he stated in the House that first-class clerks and all other officers of the Local Government Board had been accorded equality of treatment with their colleagues in the Home Office and the Foreign Office, the inferior scales of pay which existed at the Local Government Board prior to the elevation of its status are still in operation as regards all the first-class clerks and all the principal clerks, with one exception; and whether he can inform the House of the estimated annual saving which the Treasury has effected by this economy?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The facts as regards the scales of the principal clerks and first-class clerks are as stated by the hon. Member. He has, however, only quoted part of the Prime Minister's statement of 17th June, 1910, the purport of which was that the salaries of officers of the Local Government Board as whole had been raised to the level prevailing in the Departments of the various Secretaries of State. For the reasons given in my answer to the hon. Member of 13th instant it is not possible to compare the duties performed and salaries paid in various Departments grade by grade, but I am satisfied that taken as a whole the salaries of the higher grades of the Local Government Board are substantially on a level with those of the Department referred to, and that there is no question of any economy effected by the Treasury.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received representations that, when a school is closed for painting, repair, or reconstruction of the school building, the local education authority is prevented from providing for the feeding of children at the cost of the rates, and also that necessary repairs and renovations are delayed in consequence of this; and, if so, can he instruct the auditors not to surcharge a local education authority which provides meals for necessitous children when schools are closed for the purposes mentioned?

I do not find that any such representations as are referred to in the question have been received.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any, and, if so, what steps are being taken by the boards of guardians to meet the exceptional distress in the North Staffordshire potteries under Articles X or XI. of the Relief Regulation Order; and what assistance the Board are giving to enable the locality to meet the exceptional distress?

The boards of guardians have been fully acquainted with their powers and duties in regard to meeting exceptional distress, and I understand that they are preparing, as far as possible, for all emergencies. I understand that a large amount of charitable assistance is being given; and my inspector is impressing upon the various boards of guardians the necessity of co-operating as closely as possible with the charitable organisations. In the rural unions affected, where charitable funds are not so largely available, the relieving officers have been providing food and necessities for the families of men destitute through the strike.

asked the Attorney-General whether it was because of the opposition of the Crown that Mr. Tom Mann was refused bail at the Salford Police Court on Thursday last; whether there was any doubt that the prisoner would appear to take his trial; and whether there are precedents for refusing bail in cases where the charge is founded on seditious words or writings?

No; the Crown offered no opposition to the application for bail of Mr. Tom Mann, which wan refused by the Court. The charge is not founded on seditious words or writings, but is a charge of felony. The matter is one for the determination of the Court.

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been called to a speech by Mr. Grayson inciting soldiers to refuse to obey orders, and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have already stated to the House that I do not, as at present advised, intend to authorise proceedings against Mr. Grayson for any speeches made by him before the trial on Friday last.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received two letters, dated 7th March, 1911, and 3rd July, 1911, from the Sitting-bourne and Milton Joint Hospital Board on the subject of maintenance of patients from the Milton Union; and, if so, if he can see his way to reply at an early date?

I regret to find that the official correspondence had been mislaid. Copies of the letters have, however, now been received, and a reply has been sent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Great Western Railway Company are proposing to remove the floating pontoon wharf which, under statutory powers, they were enabled to erect at Neyland, Pembrokeshire, and on which the fishing and other industries of the town depend; and, if so, whether he will take steps to see that arrangements are made for safeguarding the interests involved, and that adequate compensation is ensured for the municipal and other interests affected?

The Great Western Railway Company have informed me that they propose to remove the Pontoon Pier at Neyland, the circumstances which necessitated its erection having ceased to exist. In order, however, to accommodate the ferry service between Neyland and Pembroke—now dealt with at the Pontoon—the company have applied for permission to construct a slipway 30 ft. wide, extending about 150 ft. below high water mark. Notice of this application has been given by advertisement in the local Press, and, before consenting to the construction of the slipway, the Board will give careful consideration to any representations which may be made to them by or on behalf of local interests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what was the value of the exports from the United Kingdom to the British Empire, not including India and the self-governing Colonies, during the latest year for which statistics are available; what was the value of goods wholly or mainly manufactured exported from the United Kingdom to these parts of the Empire; what was the value of the imports into the British Empire other than the United Kingdom, India, and the self-governing Dominions from foreign countries during the same period; and what percentage of the total imports by these parts of the Empire was secured by the United Kingdom?

The following statement gives the information desired, the particulars having been compiled so far as possible for the year 1910:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what was the value of the exports of the British Empire, not including the United Kingdom, the self-governing Dominions, and India, to the United Kingdom and to foreign countries, respectively, during the latest year for which statistics are available; and what percentage of the total export trade of these parts of the Empire went to the United Kingdom?

The following statement gives the information desired, the particulars having been compiled so far as possible for the year 1910:—

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state under what circumstances an officer in the Dublin Telegraph Office, who is No. 26 on the seniority list, has been promoted over the heads of fully qualified and efficient seniors, many of whom possess higher technical qualifications and have satisfactorily performed all the duties proper to the overseers' class; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the method of selection in this particular case?

Of the twenty-five officers passed over on the occasion in question no fewer than twenty were disqualified by defective technical qualifications. The other five are in other respects decidedly inferior to the officer selected. Almost all the officers now passed over have been several times passed over in former years. I am satisfied that the method of selection was just and that there is no cause for inquiry into it.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether the clerical revisory scheme for the engineering department of the Post Office provides for the reduction in the number of assistant clerks employed in that department in London from 159 to 91; and, if so, when and how he proposes to effect this reduction?

The total number of assistant clerks now employed in the officers of the superintending engineers is ninety-seven, not 159. Their employment will, in future be confined to London, and their numbers will be reduced to ninety-one as vacancies occur. These numbers exclude any officers transferred from the National Telephone Company, who may be graded as assistant clerks.

asked the number of assistant clerks, excluding transferred officers of the late National Telephone Company, employed in the engineering department of the Post Office; the grade of clerks, with scale of pay, to which they are eligible for promotion; the number of such promotions that have already been made; and the number of assistant clerks at present eligible for such promotion?

One hundred and fifty-three assistant clerks, excluding officers transferred from the National Telephone Company, are employed in the engineering department. Of these about forty have served for the period of six years which, when coupled with special merit, may, in exceptional cases, warrant the advancement of an assistant clerk to a higher post. Four assistant clerks have been offered such exceptional promotion since January, 1905, in each case to the third class of clerks; but two refused the offer because transfer to the provinces was involved. There is no ordinary course of promotion for assistant clerks.

asked how many officers of the late National Telephone Company have been transferred to the Post Office as assistant clerks; and how many of such transferred officers will be called to the service of the engineering department?

Two hundred and seventy-three officers of the National Telephone Company have been provisionally transferred to the class of assistant clerks. Of this number about 123 will be employed in the engineering department.

asked the Postmaster-General whether two assistant clerks employed in the engineering department of the Post Office have refused the offer of appointments to the grade of third-class clerks (superintending engineers' offices, provinces); and, if so, on what grounds the appointments were declined by these officers?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. Both the officers concerned refused the promotion offered because they were unwilling to take up duty in the provinces.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will furnish a Return showing the number of officers of each grade employed in the sorting offices of Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Manchester?

A Return of the exact scope indicated is not available. The number of officers of the various grades attached to the postal establishment of the offices in question is shown in the Appendix to the Estimates for the Revenue Departments, and perhaps those figures will suffice for the hon. Member's purpose. In each case a preponderating number of the force shown would be employed in the sorting office.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he wall grant a Return of particulars of all deer forests and lands exclusively devoted to sport in all the counties of Scotland where there are such deer forests and sporting lands (in continuation of Parliamentary Papers, Nos. 220 and 344 of 1908), as at the coining into operation of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, next month?

I am prepared to grant the Return desired.