asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether an employer will be able by an examination of an employé's insurance card to ascertain from its size, shape, or colour that he is a member of an approved society or a Post Office contributor?

No, Sir. No distinction in either size, shape, or colour will be made between the cards of members of approved societies and those of deposit contributors; and there will be no indication of any kind in them which will enable the employer to ascertain to which of the two classes his workmen belong.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that all gambling operations have been condemned by various international cotton congresses and likewise by the Lancashire Federation of Cotton Spinners and Manufacture's to be the fundamental causes of ruin to the world's, and to the Lancashire cotton, industries, besides being the origin of short time, lock-outs, etc., to the workpeople; and whether he will state the views of the Government on this incident, in addition to the gambling questions in finance and trade in general?

I am aware that abuses may arise in connection with speculative dealings in produce, but there are great difficulties in framing a measure which would suppress these abuses without damaging the interests of legitimate trade. So far as I know, no demand for legislation in this matter has reached His Majesty's Government from any responsible body representing the interests of any considerable section of the cotton trade.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the application made by the Carmarthenshire County Council on the 7th June, 1911, to the Development Commissioners for a Grant for osier growing has been considered; and, if so, with what result?

The application has been forwarded to the Government Department concerned for transmission, with a Report, to the Development Commission, in accordance with the provisions of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, but the recommendations of the Commissioners have not yet reached the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a circular was issued to the Tax Surveying Department inviting applications from surveyors, assistant surveyors, and established clerks, for appointments under the National Health Insurance Commission; how many applications were received from each class; how many were for promotions; how many for transfer in each case; how many were forwarded to the Insurance Commissioners; and why the remainder were not sent on?

Such a circular was issued, but the issue to the established clerks was made under a misapprehension. Applications were received from 173 surveyors, 126 being for promotion, and 47 for transfer. There were 117 applications from assistant surveyors, 27 for promotion, and 90 for transfer. There were 172 applications from established clerks, all for promotion. Twenty names were selected from among those of the surveyors and assistant surveyors for recommendation to the Commissioners. No further recommendations were forwarded, as the number of appointments to be made was limited.

asked what are the instructions to surveyors of taxes in eases where Income Tax is claimed under Schedules A and B against owners or occupiers who farm agricultural land and who have made no profits on their farming?

The instructions to which the hon. and learned Member refers are as follows: "Where a claim is made under Section 23 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890, in respect of a loss in farming, and the Income Tax, Schedule B, has been charged at an earned income rate, a statement of the aggregate income should be called for, in order that the loss may be set off as far as possible, against any income which may have been assessed at that rate."

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have completed the acquisition of the Castlecaldwell demesne lands on the Blomfield estate, county Fermanagh; if so, will they consider the claim to reinstatement of Michael M'Cormick and his father, who held holdings in Rossbeg and Rossmore (part of the lands), and were evicted from their holdings with a view to the enlargement of the demesne, and whose holdings have since remained unoccupied; and will he suggest to the Commissioners to inquire into these cases and provide for the M'Cormicks before bringing in outside evicted tenants?

The Estates Commissioners have acquired the property referred to. They do not propose to allot any portion of the untenanted land to Michael M'Cormick or his father, but two of his brothers have been allotted parcels of land. The Commissioners have already considered the matter, and see no reason to depart from the arrangements which they have made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners agreed to purchase the Carter estate, Monavea, Queen's County, about three years ago; will he state the date of the agreement and the cause of the delay in completing the sale; and whether, pending the completion of the sale, the evicted tenants will be reinstated so as to enable them to utilise the land this year?

The Estates Commissioners have not yet agreed to purchase this estate, but the owner has instituted formal proceedings for its sale to them. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority, and when the lands are acquired by the Commissioners the question of reinstatement of the evicted tenants will be considered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in reference to the estate of Colonel Cahill, West Clare, he is aware that the tenants have repeatedly made offers for purchase, but the landlords, of whom Colonel Cahill is one, have refused to sell; and what action it is proposed to take?

The Congested Districts Board have no information regarding the offers for purchase made by the tenants on this estate. The estate has not been offered for sale to the Board.

asked if any offer had yet been made by the Congested Districts Board, and, if so, with what result, in respect of the Glenhest estate of Colonel C. H. Knox, the inspection of which by the Board's officers took place some time ago?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of this estate, but they hope to be in a position to do so at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary what progress had been made by the Congested Districts Board towards the purchase of the Erris estate of Mr. E. C. Walshe, the inspection of which has long been completed by the Board's staff; and if, in view of the character of the holdings now occupied by the tenantry, he will urge the Board to push forward the purchase?

The Congested Districts Board hope to consider the question of making an offer for his property at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that there are a number of evicted tenants from the Lanesdown Estate, Luggacurren, Queen's County, who were evicted under the plan of campaign and who have not been reinstated or provided with allotments elsewhere; that on the 29th June, 1909, a promise was made in the House that if a list of the persons whose claims had not been approved or considered were submitted to the Commissioners the cases would get prompt attention; whether he is aware that a list of twelve names was submitted, and that the persons named in this list prior to the plan of campaign occupied farms from forty acres to 250 acres, with substantial dwelling-houses and offices, having a total acreage of 1,205 acres, and that the evicted tenants' interest in those twelve farms amounted to £7,350; and, seeing that the property was sacrificed by the tenants in the land war, whether the cases will now be taken into consideration, the claims admitted, and suitable allotments provided for them.

The Estates Commissioners received seventy-four applications for reinstatement from persons who stated they formerly occupied holdings on the Lansdowne Estate, Queen's County. Forty-six applicants have been reinstated in their former or provided with other-holdings. In twenty-seven cases the Commissioners, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action, and the remaining applicant has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners. I have no knowledge of the promise made in the House, nor can the Commissioners, identify the list of names referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Ida Waite, of Inkpen, who is free from school attendance under the Berkshire education committee by seven years continuous attendance; and, seeing that the London School Board has required her attendance and the passing of a further qualifying examination for exemption before she is allowed to continue to reside with a married sister in London, will he say whether this requirement of the London School Board officer is in accordance with any order issued by the Education Department?

I have no information with reference to the facts referred to Local education authorities are empowered by Statute to make by-laws, with the sanction of the Board, regulating the attendance of children at Public Elementary schools. By-laws so made may vary in the areas of different local authorities. The case referred to by the hon. Member appears to arise under the by-laws of the London County Council, the enforcement of which is a matter for the county council, and not within the province of the Board of Education.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to a statement made by Dr. Harger to the members of the Manchester Geological and Mining Society, at a meeting held on 27th February last, to the effect that explosions of coal dust and fire-damp in mines could be absolutely prevented by the adoption of a process which he described; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter with the object of ascertaining whether this process can be practically applied in mines without in any way injuring the health of the miner?

My attention has already been called to the theory propounded by Dr. Harger that by reducing the oxygen and increasing the carbon dioxide in the air of a mine it is possible to render an explosion of coal dust impossible. I understand that to give effect to this theory it would be necessary, in some mines at any rate, to reduce the amount of oxygen below the limit considered necessary by the Royal Commission and embodied in the Coal Mines Act of last Session. Apart, however, from this, I am advised that even if Dr. Harger's theory is correct as regards explosions, there would be great difficulties in applying his proposals without introducing at the same time other and serious dangers. The whole question of the prevention of coal dust explosions is now under investigation by an expert committee of the Home Office, who are fully aware of Dr. Harger's proposals; and I do not think it necessary to institute any special inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary for India if he is aware that, in the Triennial Report on Vaccination in the Central Provinces for 1908–11, it is stated that the supply of a pure lymph of standard strength cannot be secured under the present system, and that there is risk of septic lymph being used; and whether, in view of these circumstances, and of the opposition of the Indian peoples to vaccination, he can see his way to abolish compulsory vaccination in those provinces?

The statement in question expresses the Chief Commissioner's conclusion that really pure lymph can be obtained, and risk of using septic lymph avoided by adopting in the Central Provinces the plan of a single central supply depot which has proved satisfactory in other provinces. He has instructed the Sanitary Commissioner to examine the matter further. The Secretary of State is not prepared to take the action suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the amount of the loans to local authorities in rural areas sanctioned by the Board for building cottages under the Housing Acts for the period from 1900 to 1905, inclusive, and for each of the years from 1906 to 1910, inclusive?

The amounts of the loans sanctioned by the Local Government Board to local authorities in rural areas for the erection of houses under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, since the year 1890 are as follows:—

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the number of deaths of infants in workhouses following vaccination within a few days of birth, he has considered the opinion of the Royal Commission on Vaccination, as set out in paragraph 441 of their Final Report, that in the case of infants so vaccinated the operation should be limited to a single insertion of the vaccine matter; and whether he proposes to give effect to that recommendation of the Royal Commission?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley on 9th November last. The recommendation of the Royal Commission that a single insertion should be made applies to the exceptional cases in which infants are vaccinated within a few days of birth because of obvious danger of small-pox contagion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any representations in respect of his proposed Regulations laying down a standard for fat in preserved cream; whether he is aware that the Regulation which compels dairymen and grocers to write "Preserved cream boracised" on every invoice is likely to cause inconvenience and difficulty; and whether he can see his way to amend the Clause in respect of its application to invoices?

I shall carefully consider all representations received on the subject of these Regulations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the petition of the ship surveyors of the Marine Department for an increase in the existing number of higher appointments in order to place them on an equality with the engineer and nautical surveyors; if considered, what number of extra higher appointments has been recommended by the Board of Trade for the ship surveyors; and, if not considered, at what date may a reply be expected to their petition?

The petition of the ship surveyors of the Marine Department to which my hon. Friend refers is receiving the careful consideration of the Board of Trade and the Treasury. No final decision has been arrived at, but the Board hope shortly to be able to send a reply to the petitioners.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) in how many branches of the Irish Post Office there is a minor establishment without local classification; if he is aware that the local classification of the Dublin stores staff was abandoned without their knowledge and consent; and if he will favourably consider a request that the local classification should be restored on the understanding that the stores staff will make no claim to participate in appointments to the establishment in Great Britain; (2) why it is proposed to fill some of the vacant storesmen's appointments in Dublin by the promotion or transfer of officers from Great Britain, in view of the fact that hitherto storesmen's appointments in Dublin have always been reserved to the local staff; and is he aware that his predecessor promised that the interest of the Irish staff should not suffer as a result of the transfer of control from the Secretary, Dublin, to the Controller of Stores, London?

There are two other branches of the Post Office in Ireland which perform duties sufficiently similar to those performed in England and Scotland to admit of securing the advantages of economy of administration and equality of promotion which result from combination into a single establishment. These two establishments comprise the clerical appointments in the engineers' offices and in the surveyors' offices. I think these advantages material, and I do not see my way to revert to the former system. Neither the Dublin staff nor any other part of the stores staff were asked to consent to the present organisation. I do not think the interests of the Irish staff impaired by the existing arrangements. The hon. Member may like to know that I am about to promote one of the Dublin staff, if he can obtain the necessary Civil Service certificate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the best qualified men to fill the storemen's vacancies in Dublin are the unestablished officers, who have been performing the vacant duties for several months past to the entire satisfaction of their superior officers; and, if so, whether they will receive promotion?

In filling the vacant appointments I will bear in mind the claims of the local officers.

asked the Postmaster-General when it was decided to convey parcel post packages in bags instead of boxes and baskets, and when the change was introduced; what notice was given to the public that the parcels confided to the care of the Post Office would in future be conveyed in bags, instead of in baskets and boxes as heretofore; what annual saving to the Post Office will result from this change of system; and what is the estimated additional cost to the public in providing packing materials to withstand the extra pressure which parcels are subjected to under the system of conveyance now in force?

Bags as well as baskets have always been largely used by the Post Office for parcels. Their use has been extended during recent years; but, as no new standard of packing was introduced, there was no necessity for notice to the public, and the question of additional cost to the public is not relevant. Experience shows that articles properly packed are conveyed with as much safety in bags as in baskets. As I stated, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Blackfriars Division of Glasgow on 14th August last year, I am unable at present to say what saving has been effected, but the use of bags secures greater convenience in handling, economy in space, and reduction of the gross weight conveyed by mail van and motor services.

asked the Attorney-General by what method the clerks and mappists are appointed to the Land Transfer Department of the Law Courts; are they appointed by nomination or by competition; if by the former, who has the nomination; and will he say how many have been nominated by him during the years 1910 and 1911?

Assuming that the question refers to appointments on the permanent staff, the answer is: All appointments in the Land Registry are made by the Lord Chancellor. Clerks (except assistant clerks) and mappists are appointed by nomination. Assistant clerks (with three exceptions, on starting the grade) are appointed by competition. The following nominations were made during the years 1910 and 1911: Two clerks and three assistant clerks.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that an inquiry has been held into the circumstances of the death of A. Findlay, in Forfar; and on what ground access to the Report is refused to the representatives of the deceased.

I am aware that an inquiry was made into the circumstances of the death of A. Findlay, of Forfar, and a Report obtained. That Report is an official document and according to established practice the invariable rule has been, and is, that all such Reports are confidential documents and are not available for other than official purposes.