asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, to the knowledge of the Health Insurance Commissioners, any of the large affiliated orders and, if any, which, are providing in their new rules for the financial segregation, under Section 40, of the National Insurance Act, of their rural district branches, so as to enable such branches to apply the whole of their future surpluses within their districts instead of paying one-third thereof into the central fund to meet the deficits of other branches?

I understand that the large affiliated orders are proceeding actively with the preparation of their rules with a view to forwarding them to the Commission, but I am at present without information as to the proposals which they intend to make for the government of their branches.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the usual practice of Somerset House, after the accounts of a deceased man, together with the will, have been submitted and an affidavit made that the debts shown were true and incurred for value received, to write throwing doubt on the accuracy of the executors, thus running up interest to be paid to Somerset House and delaying proceedings; and whether probate should be at once granted in such cases?

It is the usual practice in the case of a debt, large in proportion to the estate; or of an exceptional nature, to require reasonable explanations before the affidavit is passed. This practice is necessary to safeguard the revenue, and only involves delaying the probate for the time the executors take in furnishing the explanations. No additional interest is charged by reason of such delay where the explanations are satisfactory, and there is no delay at all where, in the first instance, the affidavit is self-explanatory.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the state of congestion which exists in the neighbourhood of Dunmore, county Galway; does he know that practically 200 holdings are to be found north of the town in Dunmore, in the parish of Dunmore, with holdings not exceeding £3 in valuation; is he aware that the landlord of this congested area, the representatives of George E. Deering, London, lodged maps, etc., with the Congested Districts Board so long ago as 6th November, 1911, preparatory to sale; and, having regard to the state of this district, will he communicate with the Congested Districts Board and cause them to deal with this property?

The necessary documents to enable the Congested Districts Board to have the property inspected were lodged on 23rd November last. The property will be valued, and the question of making an offer for purchase will be considered as soon as practicable. From the particulars lodged it would appear that in the agricultural portion of the Dunmore section of the property there are 135 tenants whose holdings are under £7 valuation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Daniel M'Closky, of Mullans, county Donegal, who is in possession of a small farm, numbered in Receivable Order A 48/48 Estate Areas 2991, county Donegal, in respect of which a purchase agreement was entered into several years ago, is still paying interest in lieu of rent, whereas his immediate neighbours on the same estate were apprised that the landlord had been paid the purchase money of their holdings in 27th June, 1910, and are paying annuities to the Estates Commissioners, while Mr. M'Closky, who has twice written to the Commissioners asking to be placed in the same position as his neighbours, has received no reply; what is the reason for the difference in treatment accorded to Mr. M'Closky; and whether steps will be immediately taken to give him the status of the payer of an annuity to the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the holdings of Daniel M'Closky and certain other tenants on this estate have not been vested in them pending the completion by the vendor of satisfactory arrangements for the transfer of the turbary on the estate to the tenants or to trustees for the tenants. The Commissioners are informed by the solicitors for the vendor that they have done everything in their power to expedite the matter, and that the delay is due to difficulties which have been raised by the tenants, who have not yet returned the draft deed for the disposal of the turbary sent to them by the vendor's solicitor.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will take steps to encourage, through his Department, the oyster fisheries of Burren, county Clare; and if he will call the attention of the Congested Districts Board (Ireland) to this matter?

The principal oyster fisheries in Burren appear to be private property. The Department are willing to advise the owners as to cultivation if asked to do so.

asked how many reports of Mayo national schools remained unchanged from the date of the arrival of Mr. Cussens in the district as senior inspector up to 31st December, 1911; and how many were raised and how many lowered during the same period?

The Commissioners of National Education consider that it would not be in the interest of the public service, and that it would be detrimental to the efficiency of the inspection staff to furnish the information sought for in this question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total sum advanced for land purchase an, Ireland from the commencement; and how much of that sum has now been repaid to the Exchequer?

The accounts relating to Irish Land Purchase are made up by the National Debt Commissioners at the close of each financial year. At 31st March, 1911, the advances and repayments under the various Acts were as under:—

—		Advanced.	Repaid.
Under Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act 1870	…	518,933	302,143
Under Land Law (Ireland) Act 1881	…	240,801	80,392
Under Tramways and Public Companies (Ireland) Act 1883	…	42,300	33,111
Under Purchase of Land (Ireland) Acts 1885 and 1888	…	9,971,336	2,094,037
Under Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act 1891	…	13,648,615	2,791,434
Under Irish Land Acts 1903 and 1909	…	45,390,826	710,871
Under Irish Land Act 1909	…	407,164	737
		70,219,975	6,012,725

Since 31st March, 1911, the advances under the Irish Land Acts, 1903 and 1909, have been increased by £7,670,914, and the repayments, so far as advised, by £266,856.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any deductions have been made from Government Grants in aid of local taxation in county Meath during the past five years; and, if so, will he state the reasons for the deduction?

Statement showing the amounts deducted from Government Grants in aid of local taxation in county Meath during each of the last five years, and the reason for the deductions:—

Year ended 31st March.		Deducted in connection with Land Purchase Liability.			Deducted for Non-payment of Cost of Extra Police.
		£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
1907	…	3,929	15	5	—
1908	…	715	9	1	—
1909	…	3,089	7	11	—
1910	…	*—			570	12	7
1911	…	1,001	10	8	—
* In the year ended 31st March, 1910, a sum of £205 5s. 9d. was added to the share of County Meath in the Estate or Death Duty Grant in respect of sums repaid on account of land purchase liability.

asked the number of schools in Circuit 9, Section C, where it is necessary to teach the children outside during the winter months, and for how many of these have applications for structural improvements been made by the managers; and what reasons are assigned for the delay in making grants in these necessitous cases?

The Commissioners of National Education have no evidence to show that there are any number of nationalschools where it is necessary to teach the children outside in the open air during winter, and they would not approve of such a proceeding. If the name and the particulars of any case of the kind are given to them it will be inquired into.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can see his way to cause an improvement to be made in the accommodation, for the crews of the submarines on the China station?

The subject of the question is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused to the Beer fishermen by the Admiralty award, which allowed only 3s. 6d. as compensation for each of the lobster pots destroyed by one of His Majesty's cruisers, whereas the sum of 6s. 8d. was awarded for similar damage to the Yealm fishermen for their lobster pots; will he state if there is any reason why Beer fishermen should get less compensation than the Yealm fishermen; and if, considering that the loss of these lobster pots entails more than merely monetary damage to these men owing to the fact that they are thus deprived of the ordinary implements of their trade until the time can be spared to make some more, he will re-consider the award and bring it up to the Yealm level?

The circumstances attending the damage to crab pots off Beer and off the Yealms respectively, which differed materially, were very carefully considered, and it is regretted that the amount allowed in the case of the Beer fishermen cannot be increased.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what men-of-war were sold for breaking-up purposes during the year 1910–11 and the price obtained for each; and if he will state the total amount spent on repairs on each ship (excluding small repairs) during the past ten years?

The following are the obsolete war vessels sold in 1910–11 under the specific condition that they should be broken up, and the price obtained for each:—

Vessel.	Sale Price.	Amount Spent on Large Repairs during 10 years prior to Sale.
	£	£
"Barfleur"	26,550	133,453
"Centurion"	26,200	127,404
"Edinburgh"	19,300	—
"Howe"	25,149	114,704
"Melampus"	9,000	—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the amount of the German Navy Estimates for 1911–12, and what would be the amount of the German Navy Estimates if in their Estimates were included the same charges as are borne on our Estimates; and will he say what these charges are?

The German Navy Estimates for 1911–12 amounted to £22,031,788, which includes £541,732 for items for which there is no equivalent in the British Estimates, comprising fortifications and garrisons of naval ports, pilot and lighthouse service, meteorological service, secret service, grants to municipal authorities, Admiralty buildings, etc. The comparative figure for Germany thus becomes £21,490,056. On the other hand, the British Navy Estimates include the following items, for which there is no equivalent in the German Estimates: Retired pay, pensions, gratuities and compassionate allowances, civil superannuation, etc., Coastguard, steamship subsidies, and reserves. These items in the British Estimates of 1911–12 amounted to £3,819,772. To this must be added certain expenditure on big naval works, and particularly the annual charge in repayment of works loans borne on British Navy Votes, and amounting to £1,322,752, the corresponding item to which in Germany falls on the Votes of the Minister of the Interior. Further, it must be remembered that the personnel of the British Navy is maintained on a voluntary system, resulting in increased charges on Votes 1, 2, and 3 of our Navy Estimates, that have been estimated to amount to little short of £3,000,000. The amount expended on such of these non-equivalent services as exist in Germany does not admit of accurate determination, but it would appear that in order to arrive at a true comparison of the respective Navy Estimates of the two countries, an approximate reduction of £8,000,000 should be made from the British figures. On this basis the Navy Estimates of the two countries for 1911–12 should therefore read: Germany, 21½ millions; Great Britain, 36¼ millions. It must be added that these figures take no account of the additional expense incurred by the British Government in maintaining foreign stations.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether a change of position of the Size-well butts is contemplated; and, if so, whether it is intended that the butts shall have their backs to the sea, which would cause danger to men engaged in shrimping close to the shore?

A change of position of the butts at Sizewell rifle range has been approved. The butts will have their backs towards the sea, but the area of foreshore included in the danger zone will be far less than under the previous arrangements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if, having regard to the objections against rifle-shooting practice on Sundays and the protests the suggestion has aroused, he will consider the desirability of abandoning the proposal to provide rifle practice on Sundays for the Territorial Force?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the official communication, which has been published, and of which I am sending him a copy, he will see that no new policy with regard to Sunday rifle-shooting has been adopted. The Regulations which have been issued impose definite restrictions confining such practice to the firing necessary for efficiency, to those who wish to fire voluntarily, and to places and occasions where no inconvenience is caused to the inhabitants of the locality. The Army Council see no reason to prohibit the practice of Sunday rifle-shooting so long as the regulations contained in the official communication, to which I have referred^ are observed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the girls employed in the lifting and labelling of tinned food by the proprietors of Oxo, contractors to the War Office, are only paid a wage of 12s. per week of fifty-two hours; and whether he will make inquiries as to whether this rate of wage is consonant with the Fair-Wages Clause?

There is no information on the subject in the War Office, and no complaint has been received. If the hon. Gentleman will furnish me with details of any specific cause for complaint of infringement of the Fair-Wages Clause the matter shall be inquired into.

asked the President of the Board of Education what percentage of teachers die before reaching the present pension age; whether the age under the superannuation scheme for Scotland is sixty instead of sixty-five; and what reason there is for making a distinction between the two countries?

The number of teachers who accepted the Superannuation Act of 1898 and who have come under its operation since 1909 is 135,850, and of these 3,595 are reported to have died before reaching the age of sixty-five. The last-mentioned figure relates only to teachers dying while in active service or in the enjoyment of disablement allowances. I have no means of ascertaining how many of the 135,850 died after giving up active service but before reaching the age of sixty-five. No deductions, therefore, should be drawn from these figures. I must refer the Noble Lord to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland for answers to the second and third parts of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Henry Blackman, of Coombe Farm, East Meon, who was summoned for a breach of the by-laws for not sending his daughter, aged eight, regularly to school when ill; and if he will instruct the education authorities not to allow their attendance officers to press for medical certificates, owing to the expense this entails on the poor?

I have no official information with reference to this case. I must remind the hon. Member that this is a matter which has been left by Statute to the discretion of local education authorities, and I do not think it is one in which interference by a central authority would be justified.

asked how many schools have applied for the use of Hyde Park for organised games, and if any schools have made similar applications for space in Regent's Park?

I am informed that applications have been received by the London County Council from fifteen schools or departments for the use of Hyde Park and from thirty-three schools or departments for the use of Regent's Park.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received any communications from the local education authorities of Glamorganshire and Cardiganshire with reference to the differentiation of the salaries of teachers in non-provided schools?

Communications were received from the Glamorgan County Council on the 6th instant in respect of the five schools within the area of that authority in which this question was raised last year. I understand from the official letters and from informal communications that in the case of two of the schools an agreement, which is likely to dispose of the question, has been or will be very shortly concluded, and I have referred the authority's letter in regard to these two schools to the managers. In the case of another of the schools I understand that the question will be settled by a transfer of the school premises to the local education authority With regard to the remaining two schools legal points have been raised by the authority in connection with the present condition of the premises. I am taking advice on the points raised and in the meantime I have directed a special inspection of the premises to be made. I received on the 12th instant and yesterday, respectively, two further complaints from the correspondents of non-provided schools within the area of the Glamorgan County Council with reference to this question, and I have communicated with the authority in respect of them but have not, as yet, received a reply with reference to the complaint received on the 12th. In the case of Cardiganshire a communication was received on the 15th February informing the Board that the question would be dealt with at the next meeting of the county council on 25th April. A further communication was received on the 22nd instant informing the Board that as a result of their representations the Education Committee would meet on the 18th April instead of the 25th April. On the 25th March an official letter was sent asking the authority to take any measures that may be possible in the meanwhile to expedite the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that on 28th February, at Petersfield Petty Sessions, Henry Blackman was summoned for not sending his daughter to school; that it was proved in court that Dr. Jones, the local doctor, had previously informed Mr. W. H. Sale, the school attendance officer, that the girl was suffering from an illness which made it highly inadvisable that the girl should be sent to school; that Mr. Blackman, though exonerated on all points, was refused the costs of the case; and whether he will introduce legislation to prevent parents being unnecessarily summoned by school attendance officers and put to legal expense to defend themselves?

No information has been sent to me with regard to the matters referred to in the Noble Lord's question. The prosecution in such cases has been left by Statute to the local education authorities, and the decision in regard to costs is in the hands of the justices. I am afraid that I do not see my way to introduce legislation to interfere with the discretion of these authorities.

asked the Home Secretary, who has the nomination of the clerks and assistant clerks employed in the Metropolitan police courts; whether the examination which they have to undergo is under the control of the Civil Service Commissioners; and, if not, who arranges and superintends the examination, and in what subjects are the candidates examined?

The nomination is in the hands of the Secretary of State; the examination is held by the Civil Service Commissioners.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will consider the propriety of purchasing a score of collieries in order that ten of them may be worked by miners' unions and ten by officials appointed by the Board of Trade?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, seeing that preserved cream has been sold for many years in jars and jugs without harm to the public, and that the new regulation of laying down a standard of fat in preserved cream will hurt the industries of farmers and grocers, especially if it is labelled "Boricised" in large letters, he will reconsider the label, which the ordinary public might consider as poison?

I may refer to the answer which I gave yesterday to various questions on the subject of the proposed Regulations respecting the use of preservatives in cream.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the quarterly Returns from the various Consular officers provide the necessary information regarding the number of British ships trading abroad and haying on board crews shipped at foreign ports?

The quarterly Returns to which the hon. Member refers do not give information with regard to the crews of British ships engaged at foreign ports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, seeing that his latest information regarding the number of foreign captains commanding British ships is nearly six years old, he will take steps to find out how many foreign captains not holding British certificates were in charge of British ships during the year 1911?

Information as to the number of foreigners who were commanding British ships on 3rd April, 1911, will be available in July or August next, when it is hoped to publish the result of the census of that date. The number of foreign masters who do not hold British certificates is probably very small, but it would be necessary to examine some 50,000 agreements to ascertain the exact number.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Pilotage Bill this Session; and, if so, can he give an approximate date for the Second Reading?

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade stated in reply to the hon. Member for Cambridge on the 26th February, I propose to introduce a Bill dealing with pilotage during the present Session. I am not, however, in a position to fix a date at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity and value of the cocoa imported into the United Kingdom from the islands of San Thomé and Principe during each of the past three years?

Cocoa from San Thomé and Principle reaches this country not only in the form of direct consignments from Portuguese West Africa, but as consignments from Portugal, to which country it is sent from the islands. There is no means of distinguishing how much of the imports from Portugal were of West African origin, but the following statement shows the total registered quantity and value of the imports of raw cocoa into the United Kingdom consigned either from Portugal or from Portuguese West Africa in each of the years specified:—

—	1909.	1910.	1911.
Portugal—
Quantity in lbs.	7,813,885	2,940,308	2,678,691
Value … £	167,420	66,235	65,077
Portuguese West Africa—
Quantity in lbs.	1,326,909	436,148	357,882
Value … £	29,648	9,651	8,464

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his department has decided to withdraw from the position taken up by all parties concerned in the railway agreement of 19th August, 1911, and as embodied in the terms of reference to the Royal Commission appointed respecting all railway companies, including Irish railways, covered by the agreement of 6th November, 1907; and whether the Irish companies are equally bound to accept the findings of the said Royal Commission?

The Irish railway companies were not represented at the conferences which resulted in the settlement of the 19th August, or in the agreement of the 11th December, and they did not undertake to accept the recommendations of the Royal Commission. I should have been glad if the Irish companies had seen their way to adopt the new scheme of conciliation, but in all the circumstances I cannot regard them as being under a binding obligation to do so.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the £712,000,000 given in the Census of Production as the value of the net output of the work of 7,000,000 workers includes profits, interest, royalties, management, provision for depreciation or replacement of machinery, insurance, and advertising, as well as rates and taxes; if so, can he give any estimate as to the amount to be deducted for these items in order to arrive at the amount available for distribution in the shape of wages?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board of Trade are not in possession of information as to the amounts of the several items chargeable against the net output of industry.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade what is the value of the net output of the coal-mining industry, the cotton industry, the iron and steel industry, and the engineering industry respectively; what number of workers are employed in each of these industries; and what profits or royalties have been returned for Income Tax in each of these industries?

The value of the net output and the average numbers employed, as shown in the Preliminary Tables summarising the results of the Returns received under the Census of Production Act, 1906, were as follows in 1907:—

—	Net Output.	Average number employed.
	£
Mines under the Coal Mines Regulation Acts	106,364,000	840,280
Cotton Factories	46,941,000	572,869
Iron and Steel Factories (Smelting, Founding and Rolling)	30,948,000	262,225
Engineering Factories' (including Electrical Engineering)	49,425,000	455,561
* Marine Engineering carried on in connection with Shipbuilding, Engineering work done by Railway Companies, and Heating, Ventilating and Sanitary Engineering are not included.

Returns have, in some cases, been made separately to the Census of Production Office for works included in one or other of the above classes by firms also conducting other businesses and not returning their profits for Income Tax purposes in corresponding separate items. With regard to profits and royalties, I must refer the hon. Member to the published reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, but it must be borne in mind that the Inland Revenue figures do not necessarily cover the same ground as those of the Census of Production.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a sorting clerk and telegraphist promoted to the rank of overseer in the Dublin sorting office last January passed over 134 of his seniors; was outside influence exercised to secure this official his promotion, and have all the superintendents in the sorting office denied having recommended him; and would he take measures to prevent, such, treatment of senior efficient and well-conducted officers?

It is the case that the officer referred to was 135th on the list of sorting clerks and telegraphists in the Dublin Sorting Office, but I have no reason to think that any outside influence was exercised. He was selected solely because he was held to be better qualified than any of his seniors for the particular work proper to the higher appointment. Although some time ago he was not favourably reported upon, I am assured that recently very favourable reports had been received.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that an officer who stood at No. 25 on the seniority list in the telegraph office, Dublin, has been promoted to the rank of overseer; whether he is aware that this officer has repeatedly failed to pass the necessary examination for the Hobhouse technical allowance, and also failed at the recent departmental technical examination; and that officers passed over possessed first-class technical certificates and have passed the departmental technical qualification examination, and that their official records are excellent; and if he can say what exceptional qualifications, other than personal ties with higher officials, procured the advancement of this man over the heads of senior, more efficient, and better qualified officers?

The fact is as stated by the hon. Member. The officer in question is exempt from technical examination before promotion to the rank of overseer, under a concession made by me at the request of the staff. I have no information as to his efforts to obtain a technical allowance; but in regard to his general qualifications for promotion, I may refer to the answer which I gave on the 22nd instant to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, before finally deciding on the new telephone rates, he will submit his recommendations to a Select Committee together with the data on which he bases those recommendations?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for the Ramsey Division of Huntingdonshire on the 26th February, it is my intention to revise the rates for telephone service when the price to be paid for the National Telephone Company's system has been settled. If the revised rates are not generally acceptable, they will be the subject of public inquiry either by a Select Committee of this House or by some other Committee of a representative character. The body to whose examination they will be submitted will naturally be furnished with the data on which they are based.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is continuing the commercial accounts for the telephone business acquired from the National Telephone Company, and what steps have been taken to amalgamate the accounts of the original Post Office telephone business and the acquired business; and whether separate capital and revenue costs of working the whole telephone business will be shown in a commercial form?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. Steps are being taken to amalgamate the accounts of the original Post Office telephone business and the acquired business.

asked the Postmaster-General, for what localities the provision of automatic telephone equipment is in operation, on order, or in contemplation1?

No automatic telephone equipment is yet in opera- tion in this country. Small exchanges are, however, being installed at Epsom and at the General Post Office, London. They are expected to be completed in April and May respectively. The installation of another exchange at Caterham is delayed by the failure of the contractors to supply the apparatus. Larger exchanges are contemplated for Leeds, Brighton and Portsmouth, but their provision must depend to a considerable extent on the possibility of obtaining the switching equipment at near dates from manufacturers in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General if an agreement for an unlimited service within a telephone exchange area, renewed over a series of years during which period the exchange area has varied, is now an agreement for unlimited service within the present exchange area?

I am afraid that I cannot answer this question without knowing the details of the agreement and the circumstances of the alteration of the area which the hon. Member has in mind. If he will give me some particulars of the case, I shall be happy to send him the information.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of causing to be entered in the trunk fees column of the account of fees for trunk and junction calls submitted to subscribers the name of the trunk exchange as well as the fee charged?

The inclusion in the accounts in question of the name of the trunk exchanges concerned would give rise to a good deal of clerical work; and, as its omission has not been found to occasion inconvenience to subscribers, I do not think that the existing^* practice calls for alteration. If at any time information as to the destination of particular trunk calls is desired it is furnished on application.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of officials in the Dublin Post Office over sixty years of age; and when does he propose to have these officials superannuated, in accordance with his promise given to a deputation of Post Office clerks who waited on him in Dublin in October, 1911?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Mr. M. O'Toole, controller of the Dublin Telegraph Office, participated in a recent anti-Home Rule demonstration, in Belfast, on the 14th instant; had this official his special permission, and under what circumstances was leave of absence granted for the purpose; and was he contravening the Regulations prohibiting Civil servants from taking part in political meetings; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

I have no information at present in regard to the matter referred to by the hon. Member; but I am having inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of postal orders reported to have been lost in the course of transit through the post at Thornton Heath from January, 1911, to December, 1911, and from January, 1912, to 1st March, 1912; how many such postal orders have been reported to have been cashed by persons other than the payees named on the orders or the persons to whom the letter was addressed; and how much money has been lost to the payees or payers through the postal orders being cashed by other than the payees?

There is a record of two postal orders in 1911 and of one postal order since which may have been lost in the post and cashed by persons other than the rightful owners. Their face value is £1 8s. 6d.

asked the Postmaster-General on what grounds the age limit of forty-five is imposed by his Department on men seeking employment as extra men at Christmas time; and whether he will consider the advisability of opening such employment to older men who are physically fit to do the work?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Hull on the 20th instant.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total number of words sent over the Pacific cable system, exclusive of inter-colonial traffic beween Australia and New Zealand and the Fijis, from the 1st April, 1911, to the 29th February, 1912, and what proportion of these were ordinary, Government, and Press words?

I am informed that the total number of words-sent over the Pacific cable from 1st April, 1911, to the 29th February, 1912, exclusive of inter-colonial traffic between Australia and New Zealand and the Fijis, was 1,933,555. The total was made up as follows:—

Description of Traffic.	Number of Words.
Ordinary	1,233,199
Government	152,793
Press	474,178
Deferred Ordinary*	28,392
Deferred Press†.	44,993
Total	1,933,555
* From 1st January, 1912.
† From 6th December, 1911.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the total number of words in messages originating in the United Kingdom or from the East side of the Atlantic Ocean included in the 1,850,000 words sent over the Pacific cable during the year ending 31st March, 1911?

I am informed that the total number of words in messages for the Pacific cable from the East side of the Atlantic Ocean during the year ended 31st March, 1911, is 502,472, of which 484,182 originated in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what number of higher grade pupils have been awarded bursaries by county committees, and the number of these pupils who afterwards have taken the intermediate certificate; and, in view of the belief that bursaries are in some instances given where the recipients are not mentally able to profit by them, would he institute a rational examination to determine the standard of scholarship required before a bursary can be awarded?

It has been necessary to communicate on this subject with the Edinburgh Office of the Depart- ment, but, owing to delays in the post, their reply has not been obtained. If the hon. Member will repeat his question on Monday I hope to be able to give him an answer then.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in the event of it being decided to erect the King Edward memorial on the site in the Green Park proposed by the King Edward Memorial Committee, he can state on what date the work will be commenced?

I am afraid I am unable to give a definite date until Mr. McKennal, the sculptor, has been consulted further.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, how many men and women respectively, are serving as county councillors, parish councillors, and on school boards in Scotland?

I am informed that there are 7,868 men and forty-four women serving as parish councillors, and 5,566 men and 105 women serving as members of school boards. I am unable to give the exact figures as regards county councils, but I understand that there are few, if any, women serving on these.

asked the Secretary for Scotland at what date and for what reason the Scottish Education Department ceased to recognise the certificates of the Rodmure school of domestic economy as a qualification for teachers of dressmaking; whether the lady inspectors of the domestic economy department are now discouraging the use of the Rodmure system of dressmaking which had been adopted in the majority of schools; and whether he is aware that many teachers who had qualified themselves by obtaining certificates from the Rodmure school must now either lose their occupation as teachers of dressmaking or lose time and money in obtaining other certificates?

The Scotch Education Department have never accepted the certificates of the Rodmure or any similar private adventure school as in themselves a sufficient qualification for teachers of dressmaking. They are not aware of any such action by their inspectresses of domestic subjects as is indicated, but there are obvious objections to any system which compels students to purchase proprietary articles of any particular kind receiving official recognition. The Department do not withdraw recognition from any teacher who is once recognised so long as her work is reported to be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can explain why the Development Commissioners gave £9,000 to Edinburgh University for forestry teaching without waiting for the report of the Committee specially appointed to report on this subject and without any regard to the claims of the other universities with forestry classes which have been thereby prejudiced, more especially in view of the imminent issue of that report; and if, in asking for an explanation from the Development Commissioners, he will ascertain whether attention was given by them to the report of the Scottish Universities Committee, 1909, which expressed doubts whether the establishment of a complete forestry school under the control of the University of Edinburgh warrants a claim for support from public funds; and, if not, will he explain why this was not done; and also if he will make it certain that the action of the Commissioners shall not prejudice the impartial consideration of the question of the claims of Aberdeen University to the grant for higher forestry teaching for which they have applied?

The recommendation of the Development Commissioners was made after full consultation with the Scotch Education Department, the Government Department concerned in the matter. I understand that at the time the application from Edinburgh University was being considered no applications for Grants-in-Aid of higher forestry teaching had been made by other Scottish universities; and that the report of the Scottish Universities Committee was not overlooked. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the application of the University of Aberdeen will receive full and fair consideration. The question of the immediate extension of university instruction in forestry was not one of those referred to the Committee on Forestry appointed last year.