asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there has already taken place exchange of information between this country and any foreign Power relating to naval matters; if so, whether the information has related to construction merely projected or construction already proceeding; and whether it is contemplated to exchange with any other Power information as to forthcoming Naval Estimates, with a view to a reduction of competing armaments?

I have stated that negotiations are in progress between this country and Germany for an exchange of naval information. I do not desire to add anthing to this statement at the present time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the result of the gun-layers' recent test of His Majesty's ship "Orion" in regard to the new 13.5 gun; and what was the range at which firing took place?

The result of the "Orion's" gun-layers' test was thirty-five rounds and twenty-four direct hits in the two minutes—twenty-five seconds allowed per turret. The range was 2,400 yards.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he entertains any fear of confusion arising in Admiralty signals and dispatches between the name of His Majesty's Ship "Chatham" and the port of Chatham; if he does not entertain the fear about Chatham, is he of opinion that if a ship was named Plymouth it might cause confusion on account of the port of Plymouth; and, if he is not of such opinion, will he consider naming one of the new cruisers Plymouth?

I do not entertain any fear of serious confusion arising in the transmission of service orders, but I am disposed to think that minor inconveniences may result, as the address may be occasionally misread. For this reason I am not prepared to extend further the use of the names of naval ports as names of His Majesty's ships.

asked whether, on the occasion of the Honourable the Minister of Marine and Fisheries of the Dominion of Canada's visit to England for the purpose of consultation with the Board of Admiralty as to the future co-operation or otherwise of Canada with Great Britain in naval affairs, he will invite representatives of the other Dominions over-seas to attend the consultation at the same time, with the view of forming some scheme for the establishment of one Imperial Navy and one Naval War Staff for the whole Empire?

No, Sir; in the absence of an official request from Canada, I am not prepared to make up any such proposals.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the result of the investigations made into the alleged violation of the Fair-Wage Clause by Messrs. Thorneycroft, of Southampton; and whether he is aware that the firm in question are still paying men less than the agreed minimum, and that on one case being taken up recently with the manager of the firm the man was discharged?

The firm state that in no case has less than the agreed minimum been paid in their works, and that no case is known of any man being discharged by the manager, as alleged. If my hon. Friend will let me have more specific information, further inquiry shall be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention had been directed to an alleged infringement of the Fair-Wages Clause by Messrs. Yarrows, of Scotstoun, in connection with the paint work on torpedo boats now in course of construction; and if he will cause inquiry to be made into the complaints of the Scottish Painters' Society?

Inquiry is being made into the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of established writers employed at the Admiralty and naval establishments in 1906–7 and 1911–12 respectively, and the number placed on the establishment as writers since 2nd June, 1910?

The number of established writers employed in 1906–7 was 492; the number employed in 1911–12 was 409; three persons have been placed on the establishment as writers since 2nd June, 1910.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any official information showing that the German Government is in negotiation with the Zeppelin aircraft factory for the delivery, within the next three years, of four or five dirigibles for use with the Imperial Navy; and, if so, whether it will be intimated to the German Imperial War Staff that the ratio of strength voted in this year's Estimates will be observed in aircraft as well as keels?

No, Sir.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the German newspaper referring to the matter, will he consider it?

I do not think that a copy of a German newspaper will constitute official information. My answer refers only to official information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he is aware that whereas outside the royal dockyards ship-joiners rank among the highest-paid mechanics, inside the royal yards they are among the lowest-paid mechanics; can he explain why ship-joiners in the royal yards are paid only 34s. 6d. while the wages paid for similar work are in London 42s., Liverpool 42s., and Belfast 42s. 6d.; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to so adjusting the wages paid to ship-joiners in the royal dockyards that they may more nearly approach the wages paid for similar work in private yards?

The Admiralty are aware of the rates of pay of joiners in outside shipbuilding yards. Any comparisons, made must take into account the hours, worked as well as the wages paid. The rate for joiners in His Majesty's Dockyards is now under consideration in connection with the annual petitions presented by the workmen.

Will the hon. Gentleman say when the decision will be given?

As soon as practicable. There will be no unnecessary delay.

asked the Postmaster-General the reasons which led to the refusal of the Treasury to recognise the claims of Mr. Archibald Wright, Glasgow, to participate in the benefits of the Superannuation Act, 1909?

I am not in a position to state the grounds of the Treasury decision.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

Any further questions should be addressed to the Treasury.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the firm of Messrs. W. Coates and Son, Lenton, Nottingham, rope and twine manufacturers, are contractors or sub-contractors to the Post Office; whether he is aware that, in consequence of the low wages paid to workpeople at this firm, a strike has been in progress for the past five weeks; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

This firm holds no Post Office contract, and there is accordingly no ground for action on my part.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the assistant secretary to the Scottish Insurance Commissioners, who was trained in the legal office of W. and F. Haldane, W.S., the present Government's Crown Agents, has been an exceptionally active Radical; whether the Civil Service Commissioners protested against his appointment as assistant secretary, on the ground of his not having been a member of the Civil Service, in which there were many gentlemen suitable for the post; and what is the amount of the salary?

The salary of the assistant secretary to the Scottish Commission is £550, rising to £700. No protest against his appointment was made by the Civil Service Commission. He informs me that he has never been a member of any political association, nor taken any part in politics, that in claiming his vote he has always refused the assistance of political organisations, and that the last political meeting he remembers attending was one addressed by the senior Member for the City of London some twenty years ago.

Was there no member of the Civil Service fit for the job?

I never said so.

Is it quite fair to the insurance Commissioners to try to raise prejudices by such questions?

asked whether the appointment of head clerk to the Scottish Insurance Commissioners was recently offered to the town clerk of Dunfermline, a prominent local Radical; whether there is no one in the Civil Service suitable for the position; and what is the amount of the salary?

The salary of head clerk under the Scottish Commission is £400, rising to £550. The gentleman appointed as head clerk is a Writer to the Signet, and was selected on account of his legal training and his special knowledge of Scots law. No appointment has been offered to the town clerk of Dunfermline.

Has the hon. Gentleman any reason to think that there was nobody in the Civil Service fit for this position, in view of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement that their claims would be considered first?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was quite clear in his statement. The appointments are either from the Civil Service or they are advertised, as this appointment was. I am not aware that every member of the Civil Service has a special acquaintance with the Scottish law.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that a preference would be given to Civil servants?

A very large number of appointments have been made from the Civil Service. In fact, we are coming to the end of the possibility of such appointments.

asked (1) the number of typewriters ordered and in use in the offices of the Scottish Insurance Commissioners; the cost of such machines, the name of the manufacturer in each case, and the name of the firm who supplied them; and whether tenders were publicly advertised; (2) how many Underwood typewriters have been ordered by His Majesty's Stationery Office during the last twelve month; in what Government Departments are they used; what is the individual contract price for the same, and whether any such typewriters have been used in previous years in any of the Government Departments; and, if so, in which and in what numbers?

Eight typewriters have been ordered for the Scottish Insurance Commissioners and were bought through the Stationery Office from the Underwood Typewriter Company, who were paid direct at the special rates agreed upon between the Stationery Office and the company for the supply of these machines to Government Offices. Tenders for typewriters are not publicly advertised by the Stationery Office, which from the nature of the case supplies only machines of approved makes. Including the above eight machines, twenty Underwood Typewriters have been ordered by the Stationery Office during the last twelve months for use by the India Office, the Stationery Office, the Office of Works, the Bankruptcy Department, the Scottish and Irish Insurance Commissioners, and the Royal Commission on the Civil Service. Between 1905–6 and 1910–11 thirty Underwood typewriters were provided for about fifteen different Departments in all parts of the United Kingdom, including, among others the Admiralty, the War Office, the Home Office, the Post Office, the Local Government Boards, England and Ireland, the Irish Land Commission and the Scotch Lunacy Board.

Why was this typewriter recommended for the Scottish Insurance work?

I cannot tell that.

Is it advisable to advertise any particular kind of typewriter by questions in this House?

asked to what extent county nursing associations and the rural midwives associations can, and are likely to be, utilised in connection with the National Health Insurance scheme; and whether any Grants out of public funds will be obtainable by such associations to balance the loss of voluntary contributions which they are already suffering, and are likely to suffer still further in the future, as the result of the National Insurance Act?

It is impossible at present to forecast to what extent the local Insurance Committees and approved societies may desire to avail themselves of the assistance of county nursing associations and rural midwives associations. I have no information as to loss incurred by such association in voluntary contributions as the result of the National Insurance Act, nor do I anticipate that such a loss, if it exists, would be more than temporary in character.

asked when the Paper containing Questions—Answers to be issued to the official lecturers under the Insurance Act will be placed in the Vote Office for the information of Members?

The "Questions and Answers" leaflets which are being issued by the Insurance Commissioners are for the assistance of lecturers, and copies of them as issued are being sent to all Members of Parliament who have asked for them. Further similar leaflets are being prepared, dealing with various aspects of the Act as it affects various classes of people, and will be issued as speedily as possible.

asked how many Insurance Committees and District Committees would be appointed under Part I. of the National Insurance Act; and when steps would be taken to set up these committees?

The number of Insurance Committees for the four countries will be 234. Until these Committees have been constituted, and the schemes prepared by them have been approved by the Commissions it is impossible to say exactly how many District Committees will, in fact, be appointed. The steps to be taken to set up Insurance Committees are under the consideration of the Commissions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any age limit will be fixed under Part II. of the National Insurance Act?

There is no upper limit of age for insurance under Part II. of the National Insurance Act. The lower limit of age is sixteen.

asked whether applicants for old age pensions are informed in any way of the fact that they can have the particulars of their birth verified free of charge by the Registrar-General when forwarded through a pension officer; and, if so, in what way?

I am informed that whenever application is made to the Registrar-General for verification of the date of birth, and the application is stated to relate, or seems likely to relate, to a claim for an old age pension, the applicant is informed of the facilities for obtaining the requisite evidence of age free of charge through the pension officer; and any fee which has been remitted is returned.

askd whether, in view of the fact that the method of calculation in respect of persons over seventy years of age in 1821 was not in effect the method indicated in the heading to Table II. (3), page 32, of Cd. 3618, 1907, the President of the Local Government Board will publish amended figures, in accordance with the actual method of calculation indicated in the heading, so that the public may no longer be misled in the matter?

The effect on the calculation would not, I understand, be very considerable. The occasion for which the tables were prepared has passed, and I see no reason for publishing an amended table.

Is it not the fact that the difference would amount to £90,000 a year?

I am informed that it makes 1 per cent, difference in the calculation. The report was made five years ago, so that it would hardly be worth while to give amended figures.

asked whether it is the practice of the Office of Works to charge, or endeavour to charge, the local education authority for school sites in the Forest of Dean at the rate of 30s. per perch, regardless of the consideration whether such site is in a populous town or village, or on forest land of but little more than prairie value.

Crown land sold for school sites or other purposes is sold at its fair market value.

asked whether, in view of the nature and geographical position of the proposed site and the poverty of the locality, the Crown will consent to sell to the Gloucestershire local education authority land at Five Acres, near Cole-ford, in the Forest of Dean, for the erection thereon of a public elementary school, at less than 30s. per perch, or the sum of £381 for the site; and, if not, whether, in pursuance of the statement made by the late Secretary to the Treasury on 15th December, 1911, the Commissioners of Woods will exercise their power to make a donation towards the cost of the new school out of the income of the land revenues of the Crown?

As stated by my predecessor in answer to a similar question on 14th December last, the price asked for this site is considered to be the fair market value of the land, and it cannot therefore be sold for less. I am unable to sanction a donation towards the cost of the school by the Commissioners of Woods, under their statutory powers, out of the land revenues of the Crown. The Crown contributes to the local rates in common with other landowners.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that such terms as these for waste land will cause the Crown to be regarded as an exceptionally exacting landlord in this part of the country?

I am told that other land of the same character close by was sold at the same rate.

At what price is the land rated?

I cannot tell that without notice.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the reason of the action of the Local Government Board in refusing to sanction the proposal of the Wandsworth Board of Guardians to pay a minimum wage of 30s. per week to their male staff living outside the Board's institution?

I may point out that the remuneration which the guardians propose to pay to the officers in question does not require my sanction, except so far as the charge on the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund is concerned. I have received a further letter from the Wandsworth guardians in regard to this matter, in which they suggest that the services rendered by the officers in question warrant the proposed increase upon merits in each case. I am accordingly giving the matter further consideration in the light of this suggestion.

asked the amount of the loans sanctioned by the Local Government Board under the Housing Acts for building houses or cottages for each year from 1900 and 1905, and from 1906 to 1910, both years inclusive in each case?

As the figures are given in tabular form it will be more convenient to circulate the answer with the Votes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the figures for the two periods in the aggregate?

It seems to me that if I am to give any figures I had better give the lot.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a distinction between loans to rural authorities and loans to urban authorities?

I had better have notice of that question.

asked the amount of the loans to rural district councils sanctioned by the President of the Local Government Board during the year ending the 31st March, 1911, under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1890, and under the Housing Acts, including the Act of 1909?

The total amount of the loans sanctioned to rural district councils under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899, during the year ended the 31st March, 1911, was £3,031, and under the Housing Acts was £250. I may add that the corresponding figures for the year ended 31st March, 1912, were £9,048 and £14,383.

Are we to understand from those figures that more money has been spent under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act for the year in question than under the whole of the Housing Acts, including the Housing and Town Planning Act?

For that year—yes; but, in and out, the comparison is not fair.

Is it not the fact that the right hon. Gentleman referred to the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act as a "dead letter"?

No. I think I properly described it as a "wooden nutmeg."

Is it not the fact that the Act of 1909 is a bigger wooden nutmeg?

On the figures I have given, certainly not.

Is it not an empty cocoanut?

asked whether, as the result of his inquiries, anything has been done towards providing household accommodation in the village of Thorpe, Surrey?

The local authority have recently submitted to me revised plans for the erection of twelve cottages in Thorpe. The plans are satisfactory, and I understand that tenders for the erection of the cottages will be obtained by the local authority early in the present month.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had received representations from any traders in the cream trade with respect to the proposed regulation which seeks to lay down a standard of fat in preserved cream; whether protests have also been made as to the compulsion to be imposed upon traders to describe cream as preserved cream boracised on every bill, invoice, card, or other announcement; if so, will he, having regard to the fact that the public purchasing cream in future may imagine that such cream under the new title may be adulterated or poisonous, and to the consequent damage to the trade arising there-from, give favourable consideration to the traders' views before issuing the regulations?

I have received representations and protests of the nature indicated and shall give them full consideration.

asked whether the President of the Local Government Board has observed during the last few years that many of the persons whose deaths in the Metropolis are returned as having been occasioned by starvation or privation made, as far as is known, no application to the relieving officer; whether he will state in what way or through what power the borough councils can exercise their powers as overseers of the poor so that persons in sudden and urgent necessity or suffering from sudden and dangerous illness may, in accordance with 43 Eliz., c. 2, and 4 and 5 Will. IV., c. 78, s. 54, apply to the borough councils as overseers for necessary relief; whether the Local Government Board has made any order under the Local Government Act, 1894, Section 33, conferring on any urban district councils the powers of appointment of overseers or the powers and duties of overseers as to relief of the poor, and if so, on what district councils; and whether, as many new appointments of relieving officers or assistant relieving officers are being made, the Local Government Board will issue to them a circular of instructions as to their duties as to relief of the poor in cases of sudden or urgent necessity, and also instructing them as to their duty, under Regulation No. 2 of Article 215 of the General Consolidated Order of 24th July, 1847, to record in the application and report book every application for relief however dealt with?

I am aware that cases of the kind referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question are to be found in the Annual Returns issued on the subject. I do not think Metropolitan borough councils could usefully exercise the powers of overseers with respect to the giving of poor relief in cases of emergency. The Local Government Board have made a number of Orders conferring on borough and urban district councils the power of appointing overseers, but they have not issued any Order conferring on a council the powers of overseers with respect to the relief of the poor. As regards the last part of the question, perhaps I may remind the hon. Member that the new relief Order, which requires the keeping of case papers, came into force to-day.

May I ask whether the relieving officer will be compelled to keep a record in every case of an application made to him for relief, and the manner in which it is dealt with?

Yes; and the records will be available both to the board of guardians and the Local Government Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a certifying surgeon under the Compensation Act can also act as the private medical inspector to a firm whose sole business is in lead-smelting?

:I am not sure that I understand what the hon. Member means by the certifying surgeon acting as "private medical inspector." If he means that he makes, the periodical examinations of workpeople under the lead-smelting regulations, this is one of his duties as certifying surgeon. If, on the other hand, he means that the certifying surgeon acts as the medical adviser to the firm, the reply is that the certifying surgeon is not prohibited from acting in the capacity of adviser either to an employer or to an association of workpeople. It would not be possible to lay down such a rule, though this consideration is borne in mind in making appointments, because in industrial districts it is often difficult to find a well-qualified man who does not hold some appointment in connection with employers or associations of workpeople. The Department is always prepared to inquire into any case of grievance that may be brought to its notice.

In the districts where there is sufficient work for the certifying surgeons would it not be possible to make a beginning with whole-time officials instead of part-time officials?

I will inquire as to the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked whether the Home Secretary's attention has been drawn to the long delays that often occur between committal by magistrates for trial at the Assizes and the holding of the Assize, with the result that many prisoners afterwards acquitted have been kept in prison for several weeks; and whether he can see his way to reduce these delays by arranging for more frequent Assizes or any other method?

I have communicated with the Lord Chancellor in regard to this matter. He is aware that cases of delay-do occur, but he informs me that there are serious difficulties hi the way of increasing the number of Assizes. The Home Office has frequently called the attention of magistrates to the importance of allowing bail in the case of persons committed for trial at Assizes whenever the circumstances permit.

May I ask whether a delay of three months between committal to the Assizes and the time of trial is not a breach of the plain declaration of the Sovereign that justice will not be delayed?

It seems rather a long delay, but I cannot say that it is a breach of the Order.

asked the total amount of damage done to the windows of private houses, shops, and offices in the course of the recent window-smashing raids in the West End of London; how much of the damage will fall on the owners of the windows and on insurance companies; and whether any sums towards repairing the damage have been obtained from persons charged?

I have no accurate information of the amount of damage done, but a rough estimate by the police puts the total at about £6,000. I do not know how much of this loss is covered by insurance, nor whether steps have yet been taken by any of the owners to recover from the persons who committed the damage.

asked whether the attention of the President of the Board of Trade has been drawn to the inconvenience and delay caused to intending emigrants from this country to our oversea Dominions; whether he is aware that the Orient Line report third-class advance outward bookings, January to June of this year, of 8,000, as compared with 2,500 in the corresponding months of 1911, and that it is impossible to now secure a third-class passage by any line to Australia before the end of July at the earliest; and whether, in view of the many thousands anxious to avail themselves of the opportunity offered of leaving this country, the Government will introduce legislation to provide facilities in the way of supplemental steamship accommodation to the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand?

I am making inquiries with regard to the statement in the first part of the question. The matter, however, seems to me one rather for the representatives of the oversea Dominions than for the Board of Trade. Legislation on the lines suggested is not contemplated, and I have no reason to think that British shipowners will not be able to provide for the emigrant traffic from the United Kingdom to the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand as well as elsewhere.

asked whether the Berlin Copyright Convention has yet been ratified by His Majesty's Government on behalf of Great Britain; how many of the countries which sent representatives to the International Copyright Conference held at Berlin in 1908 have ratified the Convention to date; and if the President of the Board of Trade could inform the House when the Orders in Council under Part II of the Copyright Act, 1911, extending the benefits of the Act to the authors of works first published in such countries will be made, and the Regulations of the Board of Trade under various Sections of the same Act issued?

The Berlin Copyright Convention of 1908 has not yet been ratified by His Majesty's Government. Of the sixteen countries which were members of the Berne Copyright Union at the date of the International Conference held at Berlin in 1908, twelve have up to the present ratified the Berlin Copyright Convention, I am unable at present to fix a date for the issue of Orders in Council and Regulations under the Copyright Act, 1911, but the Regulations are now under consideration, and their issue will, I hope, not be long delayed.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lake immediate steps to institute an inquiry, by means of a Royal Commission or by other methods, into the causes of modern industrial unrest in this country and into possible remedies therefor?

Will the right hon. Gentleman institute an inquiry into the increased cost of the necessaries of life in the last few years, and how this cost has affected the cost of living of the working classes; if such increased cost is likely to be permanent; if it is occasioned by the increased production of gold and consequent loss in the purchasing power of that metal; and if wages have risen proportionately with the cost of living in this country?

The whole question of industrial unrest has for some time past been receiving the careful attention of the Government; but I am not prepared to say anything further at the present moment, except that I am not satisfied that a Royal Commission would meet the requirements of the case. The Board of Trade is inquiring into the increased cost of the necessaries of life.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the United States Senate had a similar inquiry, and, I believe, obtained very valuable information?

We have not official information of the kind the hon. Gentleman mentions.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman read the speech of the Chancellor of the Duchy last Wednesday in this House, when he outlined this very suggestion as one of the proposals to institute a Royal Commission?

I do not think that was so; at any rate, it is one of the subjects which requires careful consideration.

May I ask whether there is any reply to the memorial sent to the right hon. Gentleman with regard to the investigation of co-partnership, and how far it is applicable to the industries of the country?

I think that hardly arises out of this question.

asked whether the Prime Minister's attention has been called to the provisions contained in the Government of Scotland Bill, as ordered by this House to be printed on the 20th of last month; whether such Bill was drawn up in consultation with any Member of the Government; whether access to information of a secret character obtained by the Government and to be shortly embodied in the Government of Ireland Bill and laid before the House was permitted to the honourable presenter or supporters of the Bill; and whether the Government intend to make the Government of Scotland Bill a Government measure in the lifetime of the present Parliament?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to all the other branches, in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as a Scotch Member, he is in favour of the provisions of the Bill?

asked the Prime Minister (1) if he will consider the advisability of having a secret ballot amongst the miners as to their wish to have the Mines (Eight Hours) Act suspended, seeing their output has decreased by nearly 5 per cent, since the introduction of the Act, thus making their earnings less; and (2) whether, looking at the shortage of coal and the loss of money incurred by the miners owing to the strike, he will consider the advisability of suspending the Mines (Eight Hours) Act for a year?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to these questions. The Government have no power to take a ballot of the miners as suggested, even if it were desirable to do so. The average tonnage produced per person employed underground was 331 in 1911 as compared with 346 in 1908—a decrease of rather more than 4 per cent.; the total output shows a considerable increase. As stated by the Prime Minister, in reply to a previous question of the hon. Member, His Majesty's Government do not propose to recommend a suspension of the Act unless it is made clear to them that the suspension is desired by all parties, or is essential in the general interest of the community.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to Section 4 of the Act, and whether there is to-day any grave economic disturbance due to the demand for coal exceeding the supply available at the present time; and, if so, having regard to the words of this Section, does he not think this is an occasion under the Section?

Under the circumstances it might be an occasion which was foreseen by the Act. Under the circumstances stated in the reply His Majesty's Government would be prepared to consider the application of Section 4.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate how he will ascertain that there is a general desire for the repeal of the Act if a secret ballot is not to be held?

It would be quite easy for the representatives of the owners and the miners to represent to the Government that it was their general desire that the temporary repeal or suspension of the Act should take place.

May I ask if it is not the fact that in Australia, where the eight hours' day has existed for a long time, the output has really been increased rather than diminished?

I will inquire.

May I ask whether there is anything about the general desire of the parties in the Act, and is not the responsibility on the Government where there is grave economic disturbance?

Yes; but if both owners and miners object to the suspension of the Act, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government it would be undesirable to take advantage of Section 4. There is nothing in the Act which compels the Government to act where no advantage would be gained.

Does the Government consider the rights of the consumer?

If both owners and workmen object to the suspension of the Act, how does the right hon. Gentleman propose that the extension of the hours should be enforced?

Do they have a vote?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that the whole operation of the Education Acts Amendment Bill depends upon the decision of the Government with regard to the financial Clauses of that measure; whether he can now indicate what is the decision of the Government upon these points; or whether he will fix an early date when that decision shall be intimated to the House; and (2) whether he is aware that the Education Acts Amendment Bill, now remitted to Standing Committee A, embodies provisions not dissimilar from those previously contained in Government measures; and whether, under these circumstances, he will consent to treat the Bill in question as of sufficient importance to warrant an official report of the proceedings in Standing Committee A (whilst the Education Acts Amendment Bill is under discussion) being published and circulated to those Members of this House who, not being members of Standing Committee A, may nevertheless desire to have the fullest information before discussing the Report and Third Reading stages of the said Bill in this House?

I am requested by the Prime Minister to reply to these questions. During the progress of the Bill in Grand Committee the Government reserve to themselves a free hand in regard to the finance of a measure for which they are not responsible, It is quite impossible for the Government to saw what their attitude will be until they see in what shape the Bill leaves the Committee. Any additional expenditure caused by the operation of the Bill could be met either by an increase of the Exchequer contribution or, as the hon. Member is aware, the Bill could be recommitted after the passing of a Finance Resolution in Committee of Ways and Means. The Prime Minister asks me to say that he does not think there is sufficient reason for publishing and circulating an official report of the proceedings of this Committee.

Am I to understand from the answer that the Government is not going to take up this Bill, when it emerges from Committe, as a Government Bill, and, if so, would it not then be a question whether a Bill, so controversial as this is, ought to be remitted to a Standing Commitee at all?

I explained on the Second Reading of the Bill that until the Bill came down from Grand Committee the Government were not prepared to indicate what their attitude may be.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to introduce the Welsh Disestablishment and Dif endowment Bill, or whether he proposes to postpone consideration of this measure till Home Rule for Ireland has been disposed of?

I cannot yet give a definite date for the introduction of the Bill referred to by the hon. Member, but the answer to the latter part of his question is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the burden laid on this House if any portion of either of these Bills is considered in Committee upstairs while at the same time one of them is being considered in Committee of the Whole House, and will he take steps to avoid that?

I will consider the whole question.

asked the Prime Minister whether ministers of the Church of England in Wales will, in the event of Disestablishment, be permitted to sit, if elected, as Members of this House?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to cases of military drilling taking place in and around Belfast, the object of such drilling being to prepare an army of men to oppose the establishment of Home Rule in Ireland; and will he say if any sanction has been given by the authorities for such drilling to take place; and, if not, what steps the Government propose to take to put an end to such practices?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies may I ask whether his attention has been called to a speech delivered by Lord Dunleath a few days ago in which he states it is not military drill but squad drill, and that the only object is to enable large bodies of Orangemen to turn round when they receive the word of command from their leaders?

In the pressure of other duties, I have not had time to read what Lord Dunleath said.

I will send the right hon. Gentleman a copy.

With regard to the question on the Paper, the Government are fully informed as to the drilling which is going on in the North of Ireland, the immediate object being, as I understand, to prepare for a party demonstration on Easter Monday. Should circumstances lead to the belief that there is any seditious purpose in view, the Government are prepared to take such action as may be necessary. No authority can sanction drilling for an illegal purpose.

If the Miners' Federation commenced to teach their men to drill would they be allowed to do so without the law being called in?

That is a hypothetical question, which I will answer when the case arises.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a leaflet is being circulated throughout Ulster informing the Ulster people that the officers of the British Army have assured their friends that they will refuse to order the troops to fire on the people of Ulster if they rebel against Home Rule? If the right hon. Gentleman has not received a copy I shall have pleasure in sending him one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the chairmen of the district and sub-district boards to be appointed under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act will be paid; and, if so, by whom; and by whom will the expenses of their staff be paid?

In the opinion of the Government the payment of the chairmen of the Joint District Boards should be a public charge.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Supplementary Estimates dealing with this new charge will be introduced?

That I cannot say.

asked the number of men employed on railways in the United Kingdom dismissed either temporarily or permanently during the past three months; and also the number placed on short time?

I have no information which would enable me to answer this question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the appointment of a school medical officer and a deputy school medical officer by the London County Council without reference to the Education Committee; and whether, seeing that it is provided by the Education Acts that all matters relating to the exercise by the council of their powers under the Acts, except the power of raising a rate or borrowing money, shall stand referred to the Education Committee, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

With reference to the first part of the question, I have received no official information on this subject beyond a notification of the appointment of the officer referred to. With regard to the second part of the question, I do not think that any occasion has arisen for me to intervene in the master.

asked whether it is intended to introduce this Session legislation based on the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Educational Endowments?

There appears to be no prospect of my being able to introduce legislation on this subject this Session?

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to a new set of regulations issued by the Glasgow Parish Council in regard to the visitations of patients at Stobhill Hospital by their friends; if he is aware that only half-an-hour is now allowed; and will he take steps to got such regulations relaxed?

After medical inquiry as to the former arrangements, the rule referred to received the sanction of the Local Government Board for Scotland, that sanction being provisional and for six months only. If the rule is found to cause hardship, it will be re-considered.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been directed to the action of Glasgow house factors raising rates on small houses, in accordance with the regulations of the city assessor, in excess of the amount levied prior to the passing of the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Act; and if he can take any action by way of restraint?

If the regulations to which my hon. Friend refers are the tables issued by the assessor for the city of Glasgow, these tables are prepared solely in order to provide a means of ascertaining the yearly rent or value of small dwelling-houses for the purposes of the Valuation Roll, which value, under Hub-section (8) of Section 7 of the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1911, is to be arrived at after deducting from the gross rental the occupiers' rates and other charges which will be included in such gross rental. What the gross rental may be is a matter for bargain between owner and occupier.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the gross rent is now in excess of what it was prior to the passing of the Act, and has he any power to prevent the Act being made a cloak by the landlord to exact higher rent?

No, I am not aware that gross rents have actually been obtained higher than justified by the additional rates paid by the owner; but this table has nothing to do with that point at all.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman figures to prove that my contention is right, will he look into the matter and exercise some restraint on those factors?

Certainly I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention had been directed to the needs of the Glasgow School Board for the medical treatment of school children as provided for by the Education (Scotland) Act of 1908; had an adequate sum been granted for the purpose; and would the Department surcharge the members if the expenditure had been excessive?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the amount of the Grant for purposes of medical treatment, the Scotch Education Department are in communication with the school boards and have invited suggestions as to the allocation of the sum of £7,500 granted by the Treasury. I am not aware that any question of surcharge has arisen.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases the Commissioners of Customs and Excise had given relief to licence holders in respect of minimum duty under Section 5 of the Finance Act, 1911?

As the hon. Member is probably aware, Section 5 of the Finance Act, 1911, only affects certain publicans' and beerhouse licences taken out after the passing of the Act, and as these classes of licences are not due to be renewed until the 29th May in Scotland and the 1st October in England and Ireland, only a few of the applications under the Section have, up to the present, been dealt with by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the estimated total of £50,000 had been actually refunded to licence holders under the provisions of Section 4 of the Finance Act, 1911; whether he was aware that applications for relief under that Section had been under the consideration of the Board of Customs and Excise since the passing of the Act, and that no adjudication had taken place in spite of repeated applications from the parties interested or from their representatives; whether he had any explanation to offer for this delay; and whether he would give instructions that immediate steps be taken to deal with those claims according to law?

I am unable to state how much has been paid to licence holders under the provisions of Section 4 of the Finance Act, 1911, either by actual refund of duty-paid or by adjusting the charge of Licence Duty for the year 1911–12. I am informed by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise that since the Section became law on 16th December last relief has been given in many cases. Points of difficulty arise in connection with a considerable number of cases, and it is quite possible that in some of the cases more than one application has been made by the parties interested; but I am assured that there has been no unnecessary delay in dealing with the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland upon what terms the Lauder estate, in Clonfanlough, in King's County, was purchased from Judge Ross; were the agreements signed, if so, before whom; to whom were the annuities paid; was the estate inspected; were the evicted tenants reinstated, or what was the condition of the estate at the present time; and how did the sale stand?

The Estates Commissiners purchased the estate of William Lauder, King's County, from the Land Judge under Section 7 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, at a price fixed after inspection. The tenants, including two former evicted tenants who were in occupation of holdings on the estate as yearly tenants at the time of sale, have signed undertakings to purchase at the prices fixed by the Commissioners, and such undertakings have been lodged with them by the solicitors having carriage of sale. The lands will be vested in the purchasing tenants as soon as a question of turbary has been settled, when the purchase annuities will commence to run. Meanwhile interest in lieu of rent is payable to the Land Commission in accordance with the terms of the undertakings signed by the tenants.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners could state approximately when the vesting orders would be issued to the purchasing tenants on the Wade estate, Clonabraney, county Meath?

This estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in order of priority to be dealt with.

asked whether the un-tenantcd lands of Footstown, Ardee, county Meath, had been acquired by the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, how far the negotiations had proceeded?

The owner has accepted the formal proposal of the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of some 265 acres of the lands of Footstown Great, county Meath, and the estate will be dealt with in due course.

asked whether an inspector from the Estates Commissioners recently visited that portion of the Nicholson estate situate at Horath, county Meath; if he interviewed Mr. Farrell, the applicant, for an advance; and whether any, and, if so, what steps have been taken to ascertain the present age of the applicant and his age at the time he received an assignment of the land from his father?

The Estates Commissioners are inquiring into this matter, and they are not prepared to make any statement in the matter until their inquiries are complete.

asked the Chief Secretary if any negotiations had recently taken place between the Estates Commissioners and Dr. Kelly Paterson with regard to the purchase of the lands of Mullaha, county Meath, and with what result; whether he was aware that, a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction prevailed in the district owing to a rumour that a private purchaser, named Roundtree, was trying to acquire the lands; and whether, having regard to the fact that this was the only farm available in this district for purchase and distribution among the numerous uneconomic holdings in the immediate locality, they would again approach the owner?

The Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of the lands, and communicated to the owner their estimate of the price which they would be prepared to advance for the purchase of them if formal proceedings for their sale to the Commissioners were instituted by the owner. The owner has not instituted such proceedings, and the Commissioners have no information as to the proposed sale to a private purchaser referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether he was aware that there was in the parish of Graigue and Killishin, barony of Slievemargy, Queen's County, 228 holdings, exclusive of labourers' cottage plots under £7 valuation; that adjoining this congested area there were large grazing ranches, two of which, one consisting of 1,173 acres in the occupation of Mr. Robert M'Mahon and one of about 400 acres in the occupation of Mr. Murphy, were offered to the Estates Commissioners about two years ago, when there was a disagreement about the price; and whether the Estates Commissioners would reconsider the matter with a view of increasing the price and acquiring the land for distribution; and (2) whether he was aware that one of the grazing ranches in the parish of Graigue and Killishin, offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners, had been for many years and was at present let by auction for eleven months' grazing; that eight of the persons who took this land were already in occupation as tenants in the counties of Kildare, Carlow, and Queen's of 3,500 acres, an average of just 438 acres each, and that these graziers were trying to defeat the lands being acquired for distribution; whether the M'Mahon and Murphy estates offered to the Estates Commissioners were held under fee farm grant; and, whether, in view of Section 67 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, he would direct the Estates Commissioners to acquire these lands or such portion of them as had been offered by the owners under the section quoted?

The Estates Commissioners are not aware of the number of holdings under £7 valuation in the districts referred to. An inspection was made of 125 acres of untenanted land on the estate of J. M. Murphy, held under a Fee Farm Grant, and they communicated to the owner their estimate of the price which they were prepared to advance for the purchase of the fee simple of these lands. The owner is not willing to sell at this price. Some 540 acres of land of Coolrain and Cappalug are in the occupation of Mr. McMahon, as judicial tenant, and the price which the Commissioners are prepared to advance for the lands if sold to them free and discharged from the tenancy will not be accepted. The Commissioners are not prepared to increase their offers in either case. Mr. McMahon holds other lands in the district under Fee Farm Grant, and has signed an agreement for their purchase. When this estate is reached in order of priority the question of making the advance applied for will be considered by the Commissioners. They have no information as to the present user of these lands. The Section of the Act of 1909 referred to by the hon. Member applies only in the case of land proposed to be acquired for the purposes of the Evicted Tenants Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners had received an application for reinstatement as an evicted tenant from Mary Byrne, of Money-gall, King's County; and, if so, what steps they proposed to take with a view to her reinstatement?

The Estates Commissioners cannot from the particulars given trace the receipt of any application for reinstatement from Mary Byrne.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that a notice had been issued by the Irish Land Commission to tenants in Queen's County who had applied to have fair rents fixed on their holdings, stating that cases had been adjourned for two years to enable the tenants to put their holdings into a proper state; whether this notice had been served on reinstated evicted tenants whose farms were conacred by the landlord and thus deteriorated; whether the reinstated tenants must continue to pay a rack rent and improve their holdings in such a manner for two years or such further periods as the inspector of the Land Commission might direct; whether he was aware that it had been decided in the case of Bell v. Robinson that bad farming did not in itself form a ground for depriving the tenant of the right to have a judicial rent fixed, and the deterioration of the land would be taken into consideration in fixing it so that the tenant might not profit by his own wrong; and whether, seeing that in the case of reinstated evicted tenants the deterioration did not take place through the fault of the tenant, he would direct the cases so adjourned to be heard and the judicial rents fixed from the date of the tenant's application?

The hon. Member presumably refers to four applications by tenants to have fair rents fixed on certain holdings in the Queen's County where the Sub-Commission Court adjourned the cases in order that the holdings might be put by the tenants into a fit state to be valued, as, in the opinion of the Court, a fair rent could not be fixed on the holdings in their present condition. The period of adjournment was one year in one case, and two years in the other cases. Deterioration in the cases referred to appears to have taken place during the tenants' occupation. If any one of the parties concerned was aggrieved with the order of adjournment he was at liberty to appeal against such order within the proper time. The cases in question are, subject to the adjournment orders, still sub judice, and will in due course be again listed for hearing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, taking into account the special disabilities that domiciled Europeans and Anglo-Indians laboured under in India as regards the education of their children, he would consider the question of allocating for this purpose, out of the total sum of £3,068,000 to be expended this year on education, and in addition to the three lakhs out of the Durbar Grant, a larger sum than had hitherto been expended in previous years?

I understand that, as the hon. and gallant Member has stated, an extra sum of three lakhs will be devoted in the ensuing year to European education, but I am not yet in a position to say whether the sum allotted to this purpose will exceed by more than three lakhs the expenditure in previous years.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that special endeavours have been made in England to collect a sum of £250,000 for the education of these classes, and that £96,000 has already been collected? Will the Government of India do nothing to help on this good work?

I am aware of the admirable efforts which have been made in this country, and it is in response to the demand thus made that the three lakhs have been allocated out of the Durbar Grant. The hon. Member's question has reference to Estimates the details of which have not yet reached me.

Will not the Government do as much for these people as private charity is doing?