asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he can say when the adjourned trial of Miss Malecka is to take place; and whether it will be held with open doors, so that a shorthand report of the proceedings may be taken.

A dispatch received yesterday from His Majesty's Consul at Warsaw states that the adjourned trial is fixed to take place on 9th May. I presume that when it is resumed it will be continued with open doors as before.

Will the Government take steps to see that a full report is obtained of the proceedings?

I think my hon. Friend saw the previous report, and no doubt the further proceedings will be reported in the same way.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has any information concerning the action taken by the Consular body against the conduct of the Chinese military Governor for the native city of Shanghai in violating the laws of the Settlement; and whether the Governor still receives the protection of the Settlement?

I have so far received no report from His Majesty's Minister at Peking confirming the information on this subject recently published in the Press. Sir J. Jordan will doubtless report on the matter in due course by dispatch. I am of opinion that it can safely be left to the discretion of the authorities on the spot to deal with any case of violation of the regulations of the International Settlement such as that referred to in the question.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that this House ought to be informed on a question so grave?

I have already stated that we have not received any report from His Majesty's Minister at Peking. We propose to give the fullest information as soon as we do receive a full report.

asked whether Salar-ed-Dowleh has yet left Persia in accordance with the strong recommendations made to him over a month ago by the British and Russian Governments?

The answer is in the negative.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Salar-ed-Dowleh has definitely refused to accede to the request made to him by the Consuls, and is he aware that there is a rumour that he is proclaiming himself Shah of Persia?

We have no information on that point, and I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will put any further questions on this subject down on the Paper.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had received any report as to the recent bombardment by Russian troops of the shrine at Meshed, in Persia; whether he was aware that, as a result of these operations many pilgrims were killed and injured, the mosque itself was almost destroyed, and its gold dome demolished; whether the keeper of the shrine was himself arrested by the Russian Con-sul-General and the courtyards of the mosque turned into stables and filled with the horses of the Russian troops; and whether he can say what reasons are given to justify these proceedings?

I have received various telegraphic reports on the subject, but as they are not all in agreement it is hard to say exactly what happened. It appears that thirty-nine persons were killed and twenty-six wounded, but it is not clear how many of these were pilgrims and how many were agitators, supporters of the ex-Shah, who had taken refuge in the basti quarters attached to the shrine. Both the mosque and its dome appear to have been struck by shell fire, but I have no information to the effect that either the mosque or dome were destroyed. I have no information that the keeper of the shrine was arrested by the Russian Consul-General. The Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs stated to Sir G. Barclay that horses had been brought into the shrine, but I have no information on this point from His Majesty's Consul-General at Meshed. The reason of the bombardment is stated to have been the necessity of clearing out agitators and bad characters who had taken refuge in the basti quarters, and who, when summoned to surrender, had refused and fired on the Russian troops. The action is stated only to have been resorted to after ample and repeated warning.

May we take it that the Government are in communication with the Russian Government with regard to these proceedings?

Yes, that is so.

Will the hon. Gentleman call for a full report of these proceedings from the British Consul?

Yes, Sir, I think that goes without saying. We shall get as full a report as we can.

Is the privilege of taking basti, which has been so useful in Persia in the past, to be put a stop to by the Russian Government?

I hardly think that arises. I must ask my hon. Friend to put his question down on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he could now state the result of the consideration by the Government of India, in consultation with the local governments, of the proposal to make all confessions made out of Court inadmissible as evidence; and whether he could hold out any hopes of legislation on these lines at an early date?

The consultation with local governments had not been concluded when this question was discussed in the Indian Legislative Council at the end of February, and therefore I cannot answer the second part of my hon. Friend's question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long this question has been under consideration?

It is a very important matter, and it will take a very long time to carefully consider and obtain the opinions of all the local authorities.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the Hon. Gopal Krishna Gokhale and the Hon. Babu Bhupendra Nath Basu, both members of the Imperial Legislative Council of India, have stated in the Legislative Council that they have been shadowed by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department; and if he can state whether they are still under observation?

If my hon. Friend will kindly read the debate in the Governor-General's Council, from which he apparently derives his information as to facts, he will find, I think, that the Home Members' answer to complaints was received as satisfactory. The report of the debate is now in the Library.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that in what is known as the Dacca conspiracy case forty-four persons were brought to trial for conspiracy to wage war against the King, and that in June, 1911, the two assessors appointed to examine the case reported that against twenty of the defendants there was no evidence at all that the associations with which the others were proved to be connected were harmless in character, that the oral and documentary evidence produced by the Crown was unreliable, and that the evidence of the sworn police watchers was incredible and worthless; whether he is aware that in August, 1911, the Sessions judge at Dacca convicted thirty-five of the defendants and sentenced Pulin Behari Das and two others to transportation for life, eighteen to ten years', fourteen to seven years', and one to three years' imprisonment; whether he can now state the result of the appeal to the High Court against the conviction and sentences; and whether he will place in the Library of the House a full Report of the report of the assessors and of the judgments in the Sessions Court and in the High Court?

The statistics given by my hon. Friend are correct, except that thiry-six defendants were convicted, one sentence of one year's imprisonment being passed in addition to the sentences mentioned. The other thirty-five defendants appealed to the High Court, who acquitted twenty-one, and reduced the sentences of the remaining fourteen, which now are one of seven years' transportation, two of six years' transportation, two of five years', five of three years', and four of two years' rigorous imprisonment. The two assessors in the Sessions Court were for acquittal of all the prisoners, but the Secretary of State has not yet received the official report of their remarks. A copy of the judgment of the Sessions Court will be placed in the Library, as will also a copy of the High Court judgment (delivered on 2nd April, 1912), which is being sent from India, and a copy of the findings of the assessors will be added when received.

asked with reference to the proposal to separate the district of Sylhet from Bengal and to incorporate it with Assam, whether he is aware that 92 per cent. of the population of Sylhet are Bengali-speaking; that their social and religious sympathies and relations are with Bengal and not with Assam; and that the judicial and revenue systems of Sylhet are the same as those of Bengal and differ from those of Assam; whether the inhabitants of Sylhet, both Hindu and Mahomedan, have petitioned against their severance from Bengal; and whether the Government will take account of their feeling in this matter?

Since Sylhet was separated from Bengal in 1874 it is misleading to describe as petitions against severance from Bengal the memorials recently presented by persons in that district asking for incorporation in the new Presidency. It is the case that in 1901 92 per cent. of the people of the district spoke a dialect of Bengali; and, speaking generally, the people of the district have closer social relations with Bengalis than with Assamese. The arrangements for the administration of civil justice resemble those of Bengal, but the revenue system differs from those of Bengal and of Assam; in fact, the peculiar circumstances of the district have been fully recognised, and its incorporation in Assam has not been allowed to impose upon the people unsuitable arrangements for the Government. Since Sylhet has been part of Assam for thirty-eight years, it is naturally included in that province, now that it has been once more separated from Eastern Bengal. As I have already informed the House, all considerations of boundary readjustments have been postponed.

Will the hon. Gentleman say who were the people who sent these memorials and how many there were?

I am afraid I cannot say. Several memorials have been received.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean by the last phrase that this question will come up for further consideration?

Almost for a generation Sylhet has been part of Assam, and now Assam is separated from Eastern Bengal it comes under the Government of the Commissioners for Assam. With regard to the smaller readjustment of boundaries between province and province they can be discussed later without prejudice.

asked if Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. Morgan, C.B., D.S.O., Messing Adviser to the Quartermaster-General, has been allowed to become managing director of the Services Canadian Land Company?

Lieutenant-Colonel Morgan has not become managing director of the company mentioned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us who is the "messing adviser" to the Government over the Home Rule Bill?

May I ask why Colonel Morgan's name appears on the prospectus?

That I do not know. I know for a fact that he has not become a managing director of the company mentioned, and he has written informing us to that effect.

Would the right hon. Gentleman like a copy of the prospectus issued to the public with Colonel Morgan's name on it?

No, Sir; I have seen it. Colonel Morgan wrote stating he had not become a director of this company or any other company.

Has he become a director of any new company since he was appointed?

No, Sir; the arrangement was that he should not hold any directorship so long as he held a post at the War Office, and, if he does become a director of any company, he will ipso facto cease to hold his present office.

Is it in consequence of representations from the Government that he has withdrawn from this company?

No, Sir; it has nothing to do with the Government. We knew nothing about it.

asked whether any member of the Army Council has ever served in the Horse and Field Artillery; and, if so, for how long?

Yes, Sir. The Master General of the Ordnance served for eight years in a battery of Field Artillery and three years in a battery of Horse Artillery.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long he was in the Horse and Field Artillery?

I could not say from recollection. I know he served eleven years.

Was that before the application of Horse and Field Artillery drill became so scientific?

That is a question of which I must have notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether clerkships in the Royal Engineer command at Chatham that have been held by non-commissioned officers at pay varying from £2 to £3 5s. per week are now being filled, as vacancies occur, by pensioner clerks at 24s. per week; whether there are cases in which a non-commissioned officer who has held the position, whilst serving, at a pay of from £2 to £3 per week has been offered the position, on his discharge to pension, at a pay of 24s. per week; whether, in offering the position to pensioner clerks at a pay of 24s., he is trading on the fact that they have earned a pension to get the work done at a cheap rate; at what date this practice commenced; how many vacancies have been filled by pensioner clerks in lieu of non-commissioned officers; and whether he will take steps to secure that, by whomsoever the position is filled, the rate of pay shall be the same as that previously enjoyed by non-commissioned officers?

It is presumed that the question refers to the Royal Engineer Record Office, where it was decided in 1906 to replace gradually the serving soldiers by civilian clerks. The rate of pay of these civilian clerks is based on market rates, and the fact that a man may have a pension does not enter into consideration. There is no intention of revising the scales of pay at present obtaining.

asked whether the construction of the sheds and buildings at the new aviation school has been begun, and when it is expected that the Royal Flying Corps will be able to commence work on the new ground?

Work has been commenced upon the buildings of the Central Flying School. The date upon which the school will be opened cannot yet be stated.

asked whether, before the purchase of the Upavon estate for an aviation school, the opinion of any practical aviation officers was obtained as to the suitability of the property; whether, in view of the fact that a large portion of the estate is totally unsuited for aviation purposes, the whole of the purchase-money of the estate will be paid out of the Aviation Vote; and who was the owner of the land from whom the purchase was made?

The ground was originally selected on the unanimous recommendation of a committee of which an expert flying officer was a member. The ground was again inspected by Brigadier-General Henderson, Mr. Mervyn O'Gorman, and Lieutenant Gregory, R.N., on behalf of the Sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, of which I was Chairman. They reported very favourably on the suitability of the ground for flying purposes; their report will be found on page 5 of Command Paper 6067, recently laid on the Table. The land is being bought out of Vote 10. The owners of the land, from whom the purchase was made, were Mr. E. B. Maton, St. Katherine's Hospital and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

asked how many officers of the Royal Flying Corps are now engaged upon aviation work, and how many aeroplanes suitable for military purposes are at present in the possession of the War Department?

At present there are twenty-four officers employed in airship and aeroplane work. Sixteen aeroplanes are at present in possession of the War Department.

asked whether it is intended that aviation officers shall take part in the manœuvres this year; and, if so, how many officers and machines it is expected will be available?

It is intended that detachments of the Royal Flying Corps should take part this year in army manœuvres. I am not yet in a position to reply to the last part of the question.

asked by whose authority the National Reserve is shown on Table 13, page 117, of the Annual Return of the Territorial Force, in face of the fact that no official inquiry had been made of the officers and men of the National Reserve as to whether any of them were prepared to serve under Territorial officers and noncommissioned officers?

As the National Reserve is administered by the County Associations, it was considered convenient to record its strength in the Territorial Force Annual Return as well as in the General Annual Report. It is not understood how it can be assumed that this mode of recording the figures could presuppose the acceptance of a liability to serve under Territorial officers and non-commissioned officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. Breamer, the contractors for the Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, are paying navvies and labourers less than the recognised rate of the district, and therefore committing a breach of the Fair-Wages Resolution of the House of Commons; and what action he proposes to take to enforce a proper observance of the Resolution?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to the answer given to his question on 15th February, 1911. The matter has again been most carefully investigated, and it does not appear that the firm now in question is infringing the Fair-Wages Clause.

Have recent inquiries been made, and is the hon. Gentleman aware that the other contractors working on the same job are all paying considerably higher wages than this firm for navvies and labourers? Why is this firm excused? Is there some connection between these gentlemen and the War Office?

Investigations quite recently have been made, and the facts, as I am informed, are not according to what the hon. Gentleman tells me, that this firm is paying lower wages than the other contractors. Fivepence is considered by a large number of employers to be quite the proper wage for this class of labour.

Are we to understand that since you wrote the letter saying that 5½d per hour was the figure you have, at the request of the employers, made it 5d. per hour?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the alleged inequitable incidence of the Mineral Rights Duty in Scotland, as compared with its operation in England, because of the different methods of assessment for local purposes; and whether the increasing difficulties of legislating in common for two countries so diverse in the political systems, methods, and terminology have impressed the Government with the urgency of extending to Scotland the same powers of self-government that it is proposed to extend to Ireland?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and it is proposed to introduce legislation to deal with the matter. With regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the speech delivered by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Thursday last in introducing the Government of Ireland Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the growth of trawling for pelagic fish, chiefly herring; and whether he can give the number of steam and motor boats which engaged in this fishing on the east coast of England last year?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The quantity of herrings returned to the Board as caught by the trawl in 1911 was 5.30 per cent. of the total catch landed on the east coast of England. It is impossible to distinguish between herrings caught by the trawl deliberately or incidentally. The Board are carefully watching the effect of this method of fishing.

Is it expected that trawling in this manner will increase in the present year, and has the Board made preparations for protecting the nets of the fishermen?

It is quite impossible to say whether there will be an increase in this mode of trawling, but I find the figures have fluctuated even in the last three or four years.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the importance of the fishings of the North Sea and their diminution, he will summon a conference of the three Fishery Boards of the United Kingdom to-consider the present situation and endeavour to arrive at a national policy in connection with the matter with a view to-international negotiations?

The English and Scottish Boards, who alone are directly concerned with the North Sea Fisheries, are represented by delegates on the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, and the researches prosecuted by the Council are directed to the ultimate recommendation of international action if it is found necessary. I am not sure whether it would be feasible as yet to press for international action, but I am anxious to secure frequent co-operation between the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Irish and Scottish Fishery Boards, and I shall be happy to consult them as to any further measures for the protection of the fisheries that can advisedly be taken by the Government of the United Kingdom.

Is it the case that at present the Scotch and English Boards hold uniform views on matters of policy?

It all depends what items of national policy my hon. Friend refers to.

North Sea.

So far as the North Sea is concerned, I believe the instructions given to the Scotch representatives and the English representatives have been uniform.

asked how it is proposed to allocate the sum of £2,500 which has been ear-marked out of the Board's Development Fund Grant for the purposes of the promotion of forestry in England and Wales; and what will be the respective areas over which the several participating institutions will exercise advisory powers?

A conditional offer of £500 per annum for three years has been made to each of five institutions for the purpose of enabling them to provide advice on forestry questions. The areas to be associated with these institutions are now under consideration, and will be settled after consultation with the Board's Forestry Advisory Committee.

What are the institutions to which the right hon. Gentleman refers?

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman the whole list off-hand, but if he cares to give me notice of a question I will give him the names.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when and where the Royal Commission to inquire into the resources of the Empire will start its work?

This is a matter which must be settled by the Commission itself.

May I ask, if the Commissioners are to inquire into the resources of the Empire, why the Crown Colonies of India are left out of the scope of the inquiry?

The reference is not "the resources of the Empire," but "the resources of the Dominions."

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make it an inquiry into the resources of the Empire?

The inquiry was settled by resolution of the Imperial Conference in these terms.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say when the Commission will hold its first meeting?

I cannot do that at present, but I believe there is a preliminary and informal meeting of the British Commissioners to-day in order that they should communicate with their Dominion colleagues as to their convenience.

Are we to understand there was no representative of India at the Imperial Conference?

Of course the hon. Gentleman is to understand that; it was settled years ago.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will specifically state what are the special qualifications of each member of the Empire Trade Commission to perform the duties of inquiry into trade, commerce, development of resources, and Intercolonial preferential trade relations imposed upon them?

This would be an unusual, and in this case an unnecessary, proceeding.

asked whether the Government will consider the advisability of altering the terms of reference to the Empire Trade Commission, so that it will be clear whether the Commission is to inquire into Intercolonial trade relations which may involve preference in products?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government consider the terms of reference, which have been settled with the concurrence of the Dominions concerned, sufficiently wide for the purpose.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of his oft-repeated objection to blocking Motions, he would have the goodness to use his influence with his hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Charles Roberts), who has put down a Motion which prevents any hon. Member on this side of the House from raising this question during the Session?

I was not aware of that. I will look into the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence?

I said I would look into it.

asked whether the Masai now dwelling in what is known as the Northern Reserve are leaving that reserve northwards; if so, whether this is due to any direct or indirect pressure of the Administration; whether the lands to which they are being driven are almost waterless desert; and whether the Colonial Office is taking any action in the matter?

In accordance with the agreement of the 26th of April, 1911, the text of which is given in the Parliamentary Paper (Cd. 5584), a considerable number of the Masai have already moved, not northwards as stated in my hon. Friend's question, but into the country set aside for them in the south, and I believe that a few more are moving southwards at the present time. I understand that no pressure of any kind has been exercised by the Administration. The lands to which they are moving are not of the kind described by my hon. Friend, but are on the whole superior to those comprised in the Northern Reserve. They also cover a larger area.

In view of the very serious loss of life that occurred during the removal of part of the Masai South, will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the remainder who are in the Northern territory will not be removed until Parliament has had an opportunity of discussing the matter?

Parliament did discuss the matter last autumn, and I do not think there is anything that could be usefully added to the discussion we had then.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the loss of life that occurred was subsequent to the discussion to which he refers? Has he not seen a photograph showing skeletons on the roadside along the route which these unfortunate Masai took in moving south?

The loss of life was considerably less than that which usually occurs when the Masai move from one part of the country to another. I have seen the photograph. It shows only the skeleton of one woman, and, as the hon. Member must be aware, the Masai do not bury their dead, and it is therefore easy to discover the skeletons of those who die on the road.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue further Papers showing what investigation was made into the loss of life?

If there is any further information that can be of use I shall be pleased to give it to the House.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect to have an opportunity of discussing the matter with the Governor of the province?

The opportunity has occurred.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies, with reference to the proposed wireless installations in British Honduras, the Bahamas, and Barbados, whether his attention has been drawn to the Poulsen-Pedersen system of wireless telegraphy; whether he is aware that in October, 1911, at the request of His Majesty's Government, a series of trials was carried out between Lyngby in Denmark, and Cullercoats, and that a speed exceeding 200 words a minute by automatic transmission was recorded, which is in advance of any other system of wireless telegraphy; whether he is aware that the system has been adopted by the German Government and also by the Austrian Government for military purposes; and, in view of the above facts, whether he can recommend the local Governments concerned to consider the advisability of adopting this system?

I am aware of the results of the trials of the Poulsen-Pedersen system last October, and the further progress of the system is being carefully watched by His Majesty's Government. I have no information as to the extent to which the German and Austrian Governments have adopted the system. The English representative of the Poulsen Company was recently invited, but declined, to tender for a 5-kilowatt station in Trinidad. An opportunity will no doubt again be given to the company to tender for any other West Indian stations which may be proposed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of manufactures and produce consigned in 1910 and 1911, respectively, to Australia and to Germany?

The total declared value of the exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom consigned to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1910 was £27,652,000, and in 1911 £30,881,000. The value of the exports to Germany was £37,021,000 in 1910, and £39,301,000 in 1911. I should add that the figures for 1911 are provisional and subject to correction on final examination.

asked the value of the total purchases from the United Kingdom in 1911 per head of population in Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, United States, France, and Russia?

The exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom in 1911 to the countries named were equivalent to the following amounts per head of the population of each of those countries:—

asked the value of exports from the United Kingdom to the South African Union in 1909, 1910, and 1911, respectively?

The total value of the exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom consigned to the Union of South Africa was:

Is this the result of the preference granted by the South African Union? If so, has the hon. Gentleman any suggestion to make with regard to approaching the Union with a view to great preference being given?

I should think it extremely improbable that the preference is mainly responsible. The exports of British capital, as the hon. Member knows, are mainly to British Dominions, and as the trade seems to be going very well, I think there is no occasion for making further arrangements.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Crown Colonies, where there is no preference, the position is very much the reverse, and all is not going well?

I do not think I can admit that.

The hon. Member had better postpone his question until the next Tariff Reform Debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Public Control Committee of the London County Council reported that, out of 4,040 half-quartern loaves, 2,145 were found to be of short weight, the total shortage being 215 lbs., equal to 107 full-sized half-quartern loaves, he could see his way immediately to secure for the people the full amount of bread for which they paid, either by administration or legislation?

The question of the amendment in the law relating to the sale of bread has been before the Board of Trade, and will receive further consideration in connection with the Report referred to. The subject is one of considerable difficulty, and local authorities are by no means unanimous in regard to it.

Are these short-weight loaves sold all over the country, and is this the new style big loaf under a Liberal Free Trade Government?

asked if the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Railway Conciliation Boards have resulted in a satisfactory settlement of the matters which led to the appointment of the Commission?

The conciliation scheme recommended by the Royal Commission was adopted, with certain amendments, by both parties in December last. The first meetings of the Conciliation Boards, under the new conditions, will take place next month, and I hope that the scheme will be found to work satisfactorily.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware there are rumours of another railway strike in the near future, and will he forthwith take all the steps necessary to prevent, if possible, the dislocation that took place last year?

The rumours are, of course, common property, and the Board has the matter before it in the ordinary course.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in the event of the King Edward Memorial being erected on the site in the Green Park proposed by the King Edward Memorial Committee, he can give an undertaking that in future no more memorials or statues will be placed within the confines of the Royal parks?

The First Commissioner is quite ready to promise that he will oppose any scheme which is brought before him for the erection of any statue in any Royal park. He regrets, however—for reasons which will appeal to the hon. Member— that he cannot pledge his successors.

Has not the First Commissioner of Works already announced his intention to place a statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens? Will that statue be placed there?

This undertaking is not retrospective. The statue of Peter Pan will be placed in position on 29th April.

In the event of a memorial being erected, may I ask my hon. Friend if there is any doubt that the statue will be there erected?

I think that they are proceeding to erect the memorial.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the statue of King Edward shall not be proceeded with until this House has had an opportunity of expressing its opinion upon it?

That question was put to the Prime Minister, who said that if further discussion was required the Office of Works Vote should be asked for through the usual channel.

Will the hon. Gentleman take it that discussion is required?

Perhaps the hon and gallant Gentleman will put forward the request through the usual channels?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the growth of trawling for pelagic fish, chiefly herring; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to increase the number of fishery cruisers in view of the increased peril to nets?

The Fishery Board are keeping a watchful eye on the question of trawling for herrings in its various aspects. So far no complaints of damage to the gear of herring drifters have been made, and I am informed that the grounds upon which the trawlers have hitherto operated have not been those upon which the ordinary herring boats have been working.

Can the hon. Gentleman undertake that these grounds shall not be the same in the future?

I am not in a position to undertake that.

Can the Department say the number of days the fishery cruisers spend in port at anchor?

That is a question on a totally different subject.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the number of fishery cruisers is quite insufficient?

I do not think I am prepared to admit that?

What is the difference between pelagic and other sea fish?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, when the inspectors go round the shops to inquire into the conditions of service and to find out if chairs are supplied for the use of women and girls serving in them, they are almost always attended by one of the managers or shop-walkers, and that if any of the women or girls complain that though the chairs are there they are hardly ever allowed to sit down, or if they make any complaint they are often dismissed as a consequence; and whether he could see his way to issue instructions to the inspectors to the effect that they are to make their investigations unaccompanied by any of the managers or shop-walkers of any of the shops?

The administration of the law as to seats for shop assistants rests with the local authorities and not with the Home Office, and I have no special information on the points raised in the hon. Member's question. The inspectors, of the local authority, however, have full power under the Shops Act to examine assistants alone, and not in the presence of the manager or shop-walker; and attention has been called to this in the explanatory memorandum on the Act which has recently been issued by the Home Office.

Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the local authorities to this matter?

I think the attention of the local authorities has been called to the matter in question, but I will make further inquiries.

asked what was the total number of accidents in the slate quarries of Carnarvonshire in each of the years 1909, 1910, and 1911?

The numbers of accidents are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) Whether he has considered the risk to life and property which will be occasioned by the use of hydroplanes on Windermere; and, if he cannot see his way entirely to prohibit their use on the water of a lake which is a public highway, and is traversed by a public steam ferry, if he will institute restrictions as to speed, the area upon which, and the hours in the day during which flights of hydroplanes will be permitted; and (2) whether he is prepared to put into force the powers he possesses under the provisions of the Aerial Navigation Act, 1911, to prohibit the establishment of a school of aviation, to be carried on for private profit, on the shores and waters of Windermere?

The powers conferred on the Secretary of State by the Aerial Navigation Act of last Session are to prohibit the navigation of air craft over certain areas, either at all times or at such times as may be specified in the Order, or to impose conditions for such navigation, but the powers are limited to the purpose of protecting the public from danger. As at present advised, I am not prepared to make an Order prohibiting the use of hydroplanes over Windermere; but the question of making certain restrictions is now under consideration.

asked whether the Admiralty have made a contract with a private firm for the construction of hydroplanes on the shores of Windermere, and for testing them on the lake?

No contract has yet been made, but arrangements are being entered into for the conversion of aeroplanes into hydroplanes by a private contractor at Windermere. The present intention, so long as his works are at Windermere, is to carry out preliminary tests on the lake.

Is there any reason why Windermere should be protected from these inroads any more than the Scottish lakes?

asked whether, in view of the powerlessness of the local authorities to secure the punishment of large bodies of men, as distinct from individuals, guilty of violence and intimidation during industrial disputes, the Government will take steps permanently to strengthen the hands of the local authorities and to secure complete freedom of action for all who may desire to work during a strike, and adequate protection of property.

I do not think that the hon. Member is right in assuming that local authorities are powerless in this matter. On the contrary, they have been able generally to stop any attempt by crowds to use violence and intimidation; and in one or two instances, where the resources at their command have been insufficient, the Government has, on the requisition of the magistrates, lent the assistance of the military. I have, however, under my consideration the question whether the powers and organisation of the police can be so strengthened as to reduce the number of calls for military support.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a plain reply to the last part of the question, in which I ask that freedom of action should be given to all who may desire to work during a strike and adequate protection of property?

I have given the fullest and plainest answer to the hon. Member's question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when bestowing the Imperial Service Order medal for good conduct and long service, he would recommend that it should be accompanied with some monetary grant?

I cannot undertake to adopt the course suggested by the hon. Member. The conditions of service for civilians upon whom this medal may be conferred are wholly dissimilar from the conditions attaching to service rewarded by the grant of the good conduct medal.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Grants to be made to public elementary schools out of the sum of £60,000 proposed to be applied towards the medical treatment of school children in England and Wales will depend upon any and, if any, what proportion of the cost of such treatment being borne by the ratepayers in the administrative areas receiving them; and whether the existence of voluntary agencies for providing such treatment in any such area will strengthen its claim in the eyes of the Board when considering the amount of the proposed Grant or whether, alternatively, the existence of such agencies will operate to reduce the Board's Grant for this purpose?

As indicated in the Regulations, the Grants towards medical treatment of school children will depend to some extent upon the expenditure of the local education authorities, but until the Board have received precise information as to the work done and the money spent by the various authorities it is impossible to determine how the sum at our disposal will be apportioned, or to indicate what proportion the Grant will bear to the cost of treatment. The Board desire local education authorities to utilise voluntary agencies as far as possible, and the extent to which they do so is one of the factors which will be taken into consideration in assessing the Grant to be paid.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean the money which is already being spent by these local education authorities or the money that they will be willing to spend?

It depends a great deal upon the money they will be willing to spend in the current year.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the existence of voluntary agencies wilt operate to the advantage of those administrative areas in which they exist or to their detriment?

To their advantage.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the distribution of the Grant in aid of medical treatment for school children, he will take into consideration the special need for assistance felt in sparsely populated and mountainous districts, where communication by rail or road is difficult and where large areas have to be covered by the local doctors?

Each application for Grant in aid of medical treatment will be carefully considered, and due allowance will be made for any peculiar conditions obtaining within the area of any particular local authority.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to embody that suggestion in his recommendations, with the other suggestions?

I think they are sufficiently elastic already.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he has received a memorial, signed by 293 Members of this House, asking for the appointment of a Royal Commission on Co-partnership; and, if so, what decision the Government has come to on the point?

I have received the memorial referred to. The proposal shall have the careful attention of the Government, which has for some time past had under consideration the question of industrial unrest and its causes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me any indication as to when the Government will be able to arrive at a decision on this question?

Perhaps the Noble Lord will repeat his question a little later.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now say whether the promised new and revised Second Chamber, instead of the House of Lords, will be set up and its powers defined and be capable of being used within two years of the introduction of the Government of Ireland Bill?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask him if he is aware that the late Leader of the Opposition has described the House of Lords, as at present constituted, as a perfect revising Chamber?

The Government have in no way modified their policy with regard to the reform of the Second Chamber, but I cannot add anything to what I have already said as to the mode and time of carrying out the policy.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman no longer adheres to his statement, made last year, that the setting up of a new Second Chamber will brook no delay, and if so, is it not obtaining Home Rule by a trick?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the new Imperial Second Chamber will, as to its composition, follow the analogy of the Irish Senate?

That is a premature question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will put down Civil Service Estimates, Class 2, Sub-head III. E (Vote for Committee of Imperial Defence), for discussion at an early date, in order that this House may have an opportunity of discussing as a whole the general problem, both naval and military, of Imperial Defence?

The suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member will be considered along with many requests for other Votes from various sources.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state how long the office of Junior Lord of the Treasury has been vacant; who has been fulfilling the duties thereof during this period; and when he considers it advisable that the office should be filled up?

The duties of the office, which is an unpaid one and has been vacant for about a month, have been performed by the other Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. It will be filled up immediately.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this office has not been previously filled up?

If the Noble Lord is so curious to know why, I will tell him. In the first place, because of the regrettable absence of my right hon. Friend the Chief Whip; and in the next place because of the number of qualified persons from among whom it is possible to make a selection.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state the number of feeble-minded persons who received Poor Law relief during 1911; and whether he will specify the institutions in which such relief was granted and the number of feeble-minded males, females, and children, respectively, receiving relief in such institutions and receiving outdoor relief?

I am unable to give the particulars which the hon. Member desires, but perhaps I may refer him to the information given yesterday in my reply to the hon. Member for the Denbigh Districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the importance of framing regulations preventing British passenger ships to New York during the late winter and early spring from adopting the Northern Atlantic route for the purpose of breaking records, and what proportion the lifeboat accommodation of the "Titanic" bore to the number of passengers?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of the question. I would rather not answer offhand.

Is there any later news of the sad loss of the "Titanic"?

The news received by the Board of Trade this morning is in these terms—it is from the White Star Company.

"The 'Olympic' reports the 'Carpathia' reached the 'Titanic's' position at daybreak. She found boats and wreckage only. 'Titanic' had foundered about 2.20 a.m., 41.16 N., 50.14 W. All her boats accounted for. About 675 souls were saved of crew and passengers—latter nearly all women and children. Leyland liner 'Californian' is remaining and searching the position of the disaster. The 'Carpathia' is returning to New York with the survivors."

No further news has yet been received by the Board of Trade. Perhaps the House will allow me to add this. I am afraid we must brace ourselves to confront one of those terrible events in the order of Providence which baffle foresight, which appal the imagination and which make us realise the inadequacy of words to do justice to what we feel. We cannot say more at this moment than to give necessarily imperfect expression to our sense of admiration that the best traditions of the sea seem to have been observed, and of the willing sacrifices which were offered to give the hest chance of safety to those who were the least able to help themselves, and the warm and heartfelt sympathy of the whole nation to those who find themselves suddenly bereft of the nearest and dearest in their desolated homes.

[Members in all parts of the House removed their hats during the Prime Minister's statement.]