asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the building of warships for foreign Governments by private shipbuilding concerns in this country has formed the subject of recent communications with any foreign Power; and, if so, whether any information can be given to the House on this matter?

So far as the Admiralty is aware, the reply is in the negative; but the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

asked whether private shipbuilding concerns have been informed that, in the event of a naval war arising in which this country was a combatant, the Government might commandeer any war vessels in process of construction in private yards for foreign Powers; and whether any foreign Government has addressed inquiries or communications to the British Government in this connection?

No such communication has been made. The second part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of assertions are being publicly made bearing upon this subject, and that it is considered to be an important question in connection with our naval policy?

I cannot prevent a great many assertions being made. I can only give information when I am asked to do so.

asked whether any conclusion has been come to as a result of the promised consideration by the Lords of the Admiralty of the position of assistant naval store officers?

The question is still under consideration, but, as I stated in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on the 7th December last, more than one Department is concerned, and the decision is not entirely in our hands.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer he gave me last year was a repetition of that given me two years ago, and is there any change of this period of rumination producing anything at all?

I do not think the terms of the replies are identical. I know the hon. Gentleman has questioned me upon this matter before, and I will make representations in the proper quarter.

asked how many British battleships have been withdrawn from the Mediterranean since 1903, and how many have been completed since that year for the French, Italian, and Austrian navies, respectively?

The number of British battleships in the Mediterranean in 1903 varied from fourteen to twelve; there are at present six belonging to that station. The answer to the second part of the question is: France (including "Liberté"), 12; Italy, 5; Austria-Hungary, 6.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider the distribution of the Fleet satisfactory?

Yes, when the new movements have taken place the Admiralty consider the distribution of the Fleet will be extremely satisfactory.

asked what was the contract date for the completion of the "Dreadnought" floating docks provided for in the 1909–10 Estimates; and what is now the expected date of completion?

The contract date for the completion of the two large floating docks provided in the 1909–10 Navy Estimate is 30th September, 1911. It is now expected that the Medway dock will be completed by June next, and the Portsmouth dock by July next.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain the reason of the delay?

I should not like to embark upon that without full notice.

asked whether there are any Presbyterian ministers on the official staff of the Navy; and, if so, how many?

Presumably the hon. Member's question refers to ministers in receipt of annual allowances payable from naval funds. The number of Presbyterian ministers coming within this category is four.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me how many other sects are represented on the official staff of the Navy?

No, not without notice. There are four Presbyterians who get a fixed annual allowance, but there are in addition others who get capitation payment for services rendered.

Have the sailors who are not Presbyterians an opportunity of seeing their own ministers?

I have said that in addition to the four there are others who get capitation payment for services rendered. If my hon. Friend desires further details he had better put a question on the Paper.

Is any inquiry made into the theology of these gentlemen?

asked whether compensation has yet been made to those fishermen whose nets and gear were destroyed by His Majesty's torpedo-boat destroyers in clear weather on the morning of 20th February last?

The grant of compensation has been approved, and steps are being taken for payment of the sums awarded.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether consideration has been taken for the time and opportunities lost while these men have been bereft of their means of living?

No, but the award is within a few pounds of the claim presented. I do not know whether the claim included that, but we have dealt pretty fairly with the claim.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider that matter?

I had nothing before me but the claim submitted, and I say our award was very nearly up to the claim.

asked what special provision, if any, is it proposed to make at the local Labour Exchanges to find work for the number of men now under notice of discharge and for further discharges from the engineer departments in His Majesty's dockyards?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Every endeavour will be made to facilitate the finding of employment through the Labour Exchanges, by the men referred to, and full advantage will be taken of the close connection existing among various Exchanges in different parts of the country.

Do I gather from his reply that the right hon. Gentleman is in accord with what the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty told me, that these Labour Exchanges were specially extended to the dockyards in order that these men might find employment elsewhere?

I am afraid I am not aware what was exactly said by my right hon. Friend, and I do not know what conclusion the hon. Gentleman drew from that reply. As far as we are concerned, the gist of my reply is that we are in full accord and contact with the Departments concerned, and we do our best to find employment and places for these men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has used his influence with the South African Government to secure a mitigation of the laws affecting British-Indians in the Transvaal?

I am in frequent correspondence with the Union Government about Indian matters. The Immigration Bill now before the Union Parliament will, I hope, do something to remove the sense of grievance.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the sense of grievance existing among Indians under his own exclusive ordinance in the Straits Settlement, he does not think this is a case of Satan rebuking sin?

asked whether the change in the Regulations made by the Colonial Office, whereby all British subjects who are not of pure European descent on both sides are excluded from the Civil and Police Services of the Straits Settlements, was made without the knowledge of the natives of that Colony; that no public announcement of the change was made beyond its being printed in the Straits Settlements Civil Service List, which has practically no circulation outside of Government offices and of which there is not a copy in the House of Commons Library; and that the natives of the Colony remained in ignorance of the change until attention was called to it in this House; and what steps were taken by the Colonial Office before making this change to ascertain the views of the natives of the Colony on the matter?

As regards the first and fourth part of this question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to his question (No. 18) on the 7th of March. It was obviously impossible to ascertain the individual views of the mass of the population. So far as I am aware, the change in the Regulations was not publicly announced except by publication in Civil Service List, which is on sale in the Colony, but the information was, of course, available for anybody who took the trouble to apply for and read a copy of the Regulations. If the natives of the Colony remained in ignorance of the change until attention was called to it in this House, it is probable that nobody took sufficient interest in the matter to ask for a copy of the Regulations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a reply to the last part of the question—what steps were taken by the Colonial Office before making this change to ascertain the views of the natives of the Colony on this question?

If my hon. Friend wants to know the details, he had better give notice, as it will be necessary to inquire of the Colony itself.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not call the putting of the question down on the Paper notice?

asked whether any and, if any, what preferential tariff advantages have been recently granted by the Australian Government to this country?

Numerous changes were recently made in the Australian general and preferential tariffs, which are set forth in detail in a special supplement to the "Board of Trade Journal," dated 15th February last.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies if he will give a list, of the public holidays for the current year in the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States, indicating whether special provision has been made for the national or religious festivals of Christians, Chinese, Mahomedans, and Hindus?

My hon. Friend will find particulars as to public holidays in the Straits Settlements in Ordinances No. IX. of 1879, XXVI. of 1902, and XXXI. Of 1910, copies of which are in the Library. The list of holidays for the Federated Malay States for 1912 is given in the Federal Gazette for the 24th November, 1911, a copy of which has now been placed in the Library for the use of my hon. Friend.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether among these holidays there are any which provide for the religious festivals of the Hindus?

Yes, there are, I think. After my hon. Friend has consulted the papers I have indicated we had better have a further conversation on it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is his place or mine to supply information with regard to the affairs of the Colonial Office?

I think, in view of the hon. Member's valuable knowledge on this matter, we had better do it jointly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a demand for 4s. Undeveloped Land Duty has been served upon Mr. Robert Brundle, an old age pensioner, at Ipswich, in respect of ten rods of land owned by him in the borough; and whether he will satisfy himself whether Mr. Brundle has sufficient means to make this payment before authorising any proceedings to recover it from him?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue that it is not their practice to press for payment of Undeveloped Land Duty from old age pensioners. In these circumstances, no further proceedings will be taken against Mr. Robert Brundle for recovery of the duty payable by him.

Are not these persons exempt under the Act?

I must ask for notice of that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of working men are called upon to pay this duty because they have invested their savings in land rather than in some other form of security?

I should be rather surprised to hear that that was the case.

asked whether, if the valuers in ascertaining the full site value of an occupation have regard to the presence of buildings on adjoining occupations, some part of such site value is attributable to the presence of those buildings; and whether full site value so ascertained will in practically every valuation under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, include value not wholly attributable to the site but in part to the presence of buildings?

The presence of buildings upon lands adjoining the unit of valuation is no doubt one of a number of external influences which may affect the value of the unit. Full site value may therefore include value due to the presence of buildings on adjoining sites, though it assumes the site under valuation to be itself divested of buildings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue will not allow provisional valuations of licensed property to stand over until the question as to the methods of arriving at the total value in such cases has been decided by the High Court; and will he give instructions that, where these provisional valuations have been served, the sixty days allowed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, in which to object to these valuations shall not be deemed to run until a decision in the case of Earl Fitzwilliam v. The Commissioners of Inland Revenue has been given by the High Court?

The point at issue in the case to which the hon. Member refers affects the total value and not the site value of licensed property. The total value shown in a provisional valuation has no direct fiscal significance, and in these circumstances I do not think it necessary to give such instructions as the hon. Member suggests.

If the Referee's decision is that a revaluation is necessary, will the right hon. Gentleman indemnify the owners the costs?

I think I had better await particulars of cases before I answer.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the provisions of this valuation are so complicated and difficult that it is really impossible for the owners of small property, especially if they are small people, to understand their position? Will he not consider the desirability of deferring further valuations of this class of property until the points before the Committtee are settled?

At present the pressure has been all the other way so far as licensed property is concerned. This is the first time it has been suggested that the valuation should be deferred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what process he arrived at the conclusion that during the financial year 1912–13 there will be an increase of 1.5 in the consumption of spirits?

My conclusion that during the financial year there will be an increase in the consumption of spirits is based on examination of the spirit clearances during recent years.

I was anxious to know how the right hon. Gentleman arrived at the decimal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to circulate any leaflet showing the position of hired men employed in His Majety's dockyards under the National Insurance Act; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of doing so in order that the men may have the necessary information before them in an official manner and at an early date?

The Interdepartmental Committee which is considering the application of Part I of the Act to Government employés will produce its Report at the earliest possible moment, and steps will then be taken to make it known at once to all the persons affected.

asked how much revenue was received during the year ended 31st March, 1912, in respect of beer, spirits, licences, etc., respectively; and how many gallons of home-made and foreign spirits were, respectively, duty-paid for home consumption?

The amounts of revenue received in respect of beer, spirits, and licences during the year ended 31st March, 1912, were as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state who are the members of the scientific inquiry who are working on behalf of the Board to inquire into the cause of Johne's disease; and whether they could issue a leaflet describing the disease now that they are asking for the disease to be notified to the Board, as so little is known about the disease?

In reply to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on this subject on the 26th February last. I understand the hon. Member to refer, in the second part of the question, to inquiries addressed by the Board to their agricultural correspondents and to agricultural societies as to the prevalence and distribution of the disease. There is no obligation on owners of stock to report outbreaks of the disease. I will consider the possibility of issuing a leaflet on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that correspondents have great difficulty in collecting information because the disease is unknown to them?

They can get the information they require from the Board's officers. They have only to ask for it.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that a great part of bee disease is caused, by vagrant swarms which are out of control and thus cause great loss to beekeepers; and whether he can see his way to give power to the authorities to deal adequately with these swarms?

The statement contained in the first part of the question is not infrequently made, but I have no direct evidence to show that disease has actually been conveyed or spread by this-means. The Bill will authorise all reasonable and practicable measures for the prevention and control of bee disease.

Can the right horn Gentleman say when the Bill will come-out. It has been in hand some years.

I have had the matter in hand some weeks only. It will be out shortly.

The subject has been pressing for years, and I want to know when the Bill will be out? We want to-be informed if it will be ready shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the National Insurance Act comes into operation on 15th July, from which date every insured person who may suffer from consumption is entitled to sanatorium treatmenet, whether any, and what, provisions-are being made to give effect to this part of the Act; whether, pending an arrangement being arrived at with the doctors, a special authority certifying sanatorium patients and treating them will be created;: and whether, in the event of sufficient beds not being available, what cause he proposes to take with regard to the contributions from insured persons in respect of sanatorium treatment.

Sanatorium benefit will commence from the 15th of July, but it will be impossible to give all patients requiring treatment in sanatoria such treatment until sufficient sanatoria have been provided. In the event of local Insurance-Committees not being constituted by that date, other means will be provided for selecting those who will be recommended for treatment in sanatoria. Any money necessarily unexpended owing to insufficiency of accommodation at the commencement of the working of the Act will be available for later benefit; and the whole subject is being considered by the Committee on Tuberculosis which will, I understand, report very shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to secure the extra sanatoria necessary?

The whole matter is under the consideration of the Local Government Board, and inquiry is being made as to how far private accommodation is available.

What are the steps proposed?

I hope to be able to say in the course of the next few days.

Is it not one of the matters definitely laid down in the Act? Can he say whether, in the event of local Insurance Committees not being appointed by the 15th July he proposes to amend the Act, or will the Act be superseded by an Order of his Department?

There is full power to deal with that under Clause 78.

Will the hon. Gentleman say how many years it will take to build the necessary sanatoria for consumptives?

asked whether the Insurance Committees will be constituted before the 15th July?

I am not at present in a position to make any definite statement as to the date of the constitution of local Insurance Committees. If they are not constituted by the 15th of July, special arrangements will be made for the administration of sanatorium benefit, which is the only benefit coming into operation before January next.

Will the hon. Gentleman take care not to exclude the possibility of county boroughs and boroughs feeing able to form their own separate committees?

Certainly. That is one of the things laid down in the Act.

When will the hon. Gentleman be able to inform the various county councils what the number of members to be appointed by them will be?

I cannot give any definite answer. The committees cannot be constituted, except provisionally, until societies have been approved, as they must include members of approved societies. Up to the present no societies have been officially approved.

asked whether, in view of the fact that under the National Insurance Act unregistered friendly societies and village clubs are on the same footing as registered societies and equally entitled to become approved societies, that many of the best managed and most prosperous of these societies are now contemplating dissolution, and that there is a general desire among agriculturists to include such societies in county associations and federations, but that there is no official record of their number, description, or whereabouts, the Commissioners will take steps to meet the increasing demand for information about such societies on the part of county organising committees by obtaining a return of all such societies by means of circulars addressed to school attendance officers or ministers of religion in every parish throughout the country?

I am aware of the difficulty referred to by the hon. Member, and the Commission are now taking steps to secure the information required by writing to ministers of religion and others who are likely to be able to afford it.

How is it proposed to disseminate this information, where required, amongst these organisations of small societies in the counties?

I think that is a matter for further consideration, especially in connection with those members of the Advisory Committee who especially represent small societies.

asked what steps are being taken with regard to the publication and distribution of the official leaflets explanatory of Part I. of the National Insurance Act; and whether Members of Parliament desiring to distribute them will be furnished with supplies for the purpose on application?

The publication of these leaflets has been advertised, and parcels of them are supplied on application to trade unions, friendly societies, and other bodies or persons who will undertake their distribution. Specimen leaflets have been sent to all Members of Parliament with the notification that they will receive supplies for distribution if they so desire. Circulars are also being sent with offers to supply leaflets to ministers of religion and others in rural districts who will undertake to distribute them amongst those who will be insured persons; and to Labour Exchanges and public libraries in towns.

asked whether samples of the stamps for use on cards of insured persons under the National Insurance Act can be exhibited in the Tea Room; whether the stamps when issued will be on sale at all post offices; and whether they will be sold in sheet form and also in book form, as postage stamps are now sold in books?

Samples of the stamps will in due course be exhibited in the Tea Room. The arrangements for their sale at Post Offices are proceeding, and it is intended to make the denominations in common demand very widely accessible. The stamps will be sold in sheet form and I will consider whether to arrange for their sale in book form as well.

Am I to take that reply to mean that they will not be on sale at all Post Offices, but only at certain important Post Offices?

The arrangements are not yet completed. We desire to have them on sale wherever they may be needed.

asked how many permanent posts there are under the provisions of the National Insurance Act for Scotland with a salary under £200 per annum, how many between £200 and £300, and how many over £300, And how many of each, respectively, are filled by gentlemen who were actually in the Civil Service at the time of appointment?

Seventeen persons have been appointed to posts with salaries under £200 a year: eleven of these were in the Civil Service at the time of their appointment. One person, who was a Civil servant, has been appointed to a post with a salary between £200 and £300. Six persons have been appointed to positions with salaries of £300 and over; three of these were Civil servants at the time of their appointment.

Which of these three were members of Civil Service at the time of appointment?

What three?

Of the last three.

I cannot give the names without notice. I shall be glad to do so if the Noble Lord will give me notice.

asked how many nominations were offered, respectively, to the various typing schools in Edinburgh for the recent examination for posts under the National Insurance Commissioners.

Applications were requested from seven schools and some offices in Edinburgh, one, two, or more nominations being requested in each case. In addition to this, application papers were given to applicants who applied at the Commission who were not asked what school they had attended. The examination was held by the Civil Service Commissioners, and the six candidates who gained the highest marks were appointed.

How is it that one school has got four vacancies while one or two were only given to other schools?

I said one, two, or more. I suppose that if the ex-members of one school got four vacancies, of which I have no knowledge, I suppose it was because they were the four best.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he has authorised a notice to be posted at Kingstown Harbour, county Dublin, headed by-laws, and stated to be made by the Commissioner of Kingstown Harbour the 3rd day of January, 1911, to the effect that no vessel should remain afloat in any part of the harbour without being fitted out except by permision of the harbour master, which permission should be given for small yachts for short periods only and in such place as might be pointed out by the harbour master, on the written undertaking of the owner in the form prescribed?

No, Sir. The bylaw mentioned has been made by the Commissioners under the 6 and 7 Wm. IV., c. 117 and Amending Acts, and duly posted at the harbour. Treasury authority is not required for the making of such by-laws.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has now obtained legal opinion as to whether State aid to fishermen is within the scope of the Development Act?

I hope shortly to receive legal opinion on certain questions which have arisen in connection with the possibility of Grants being given from the Development Fund for the provision of motor boats for fishermen.

Does the expression "legal opinion," which is the hon. Gentleman's own phrase, mean the Law Officers of the Crown; and has he received any communication from the Scottish Office, who have expressed an opinion upon this point?

I cannot express any opinion as to the Scottish Office. Legal opinion is, of course, the highest legal opinion possible.

asked in what capacity Mr. A. D. Hall will act in connection with the work of the Development Commission after relinquishing his post as director of the Rothamsted Experimental Station in September next; and what remuneration it is proposed to give him for his whole-time services in lieu of that which he is sacrificing by acceptance of this new office?

Mr. Hall will receive a salary of £1,500 per annum as a member of the Development Commission on relinquishing his post as director of the Rothamsted Experimental Station.

Can the hon. Gentleman say who is to be his successor in this very important national work?

I am afraid I can-mot say anything about that at present.

asked the result of the applications for harbour grants for St. Andrews, Anstruther, and Pittenweem to the Development Commissioners, which have now been pending for sixteen months?

The St. Andrews Harbour Trustees have been informed that the Development Commission are unable to recommend an advance in aid of the improvement of St. Andrews Harbour. The applications for grants in aid of the other two harbours are still under consideration.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that they have been under consideration for eighteen months?

The hon. Gentleman will recognise that the Treasury have no control over the Development Commissioners. I simply answer for them in this House.

Is there no control over these Commissioners?

No. It was specially provided in the Act that there should be no Parliamentary control over them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the forthcoming examination of candidates for the post of inspectors of quarries will be conducted by a gentleman having a practical knowledge of slate quarrying?

The examinations for sub-inspectors of quarries are conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, but I am informed by them that the technical portion of the examination is in the hands of well-qualified experts.

Are candidates required to have any practical knowledge of the work?

I believe so, but if my hon. Friend will put down a question I will inquire into the precise requirements of the candidates.

In inspectorships of this description, is it not an innovation that inspectors should have some knowledge of the subject?

No; inspectors are usually supposed to have a knowledge of the subject.

asked how many inspectors have been appointed by local authorities up to the present date under the Employment of Children Act and the Shops Act?

I have no recent information as to the number of inspectors appointed by the local authorities under the Employment of Children Act and the Shops Act. I shall be willing to obtain a return from the local authorities if my hon. Friend desires it, but as it will become obligatory on all local authorities under the new Shops Act, which comes into force on 1st May, to appoint inspectors for the purpose of enforcing the Act, I think it would be better to wait until later in the year before calling for the return.

asked whether provision has been made in the Estimates for a Grant-in-Aid to local authorities in respect of the appointment of inspectors under the Employment of Children Act and the Shops Act?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave to his question and the question of the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham, on this subject in November last, in which I said that the consideration of the question of a Grant-in-Aid for this purpose must stand over until the general question of the financial relations between the State and the local authorities is settled. The Committee which is considering the general question has not yet reported, and no decision has yet been come to in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue an annual report or other periodic statement showing the action taken by local authorities under the Shops Act and the Employment of Children Act?

I shall be glad to consider this suggestion when the Shops Act has been in operation for a year or two, both as regards this Act and the Employ- ment of Children Act. As my hon. Friend is aware, a Bill to amend the latter Act is now before the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in that annual report or statement there will be given a careful account of any interference with the liberty of the working classes under these Acts?

I could not say, but I will inquire if my hon. Friend will put down a question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to users of the London County Council tramway service, and particularly to those responsible for collecting the fares, as a result of the permission recently given by the police authorities to the council to overcrowd the cars; and whether he will give instructions that this practice shall be immediately, discontinued?

On representations made by the London County Council the Board of Trade, in consequence of the coal strike, made on 8th March, a by-law allowing a certain number of excess passengers on the council's tramcars, with the object of enabling the council to economise in the consumption of coal at the generating station. It was, however, understood that the by-law would be rescinded as soon as the coal strike was over and normal conditions had been resumed. I learn from the council that conditions can not yet be considered as normal, but they propose to put on a number of additional cars on Monday next, and hope to resume the full service with as little delay as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can say when he will be in a position to authorise the extension of the telephone system to the South County Dublin, so that farmers and others may have the benefit of the system as promised when the system was taken over by the Post Office authorities, and the conditions attached thereto if granted?

An extension of the telephone system in South County Dublin, can be carried out if sufficient support can be obtained. I will have an inquiry made at once to ascertain what support is forthcoming.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the girl operators in the telephone service who were entitled to an increase of salary as from 1st January last have had the sums they have received as overtime payment since that date deducted from the increment due; and, if so, seeing that this is practically a reduction of the wages of the girls received under the National Telephone Company, the deduction for overtime will be reimbursed?

The National Telephone Company paid double rate to telephonists for Sunday duty as compared with the Post Office practice of paying a rate and a half. The wages and rates under the company were continued pending final classification, and as the appointment of the officers concerned dated back to the 1st January last some adjustments have been necessary. In the large majority of cases, owing to the higher scales of week-day wages paid by the Post Office compared with those paid by the company, the amount of arrears owing to the telephonists since January 1st greatly exceeded the overpayments in respect of overtime. In no case has there been any reduction in the actual wages of telephonists, who all benefit materially either immediately or in prospect.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give the amounts of the income and expenditure of the Post Office and telegraphic departments in Scotland for the year ending the 31st March, 1912?

The figures are as follows:—

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he has received a protest from the Engineering and Stores Association against the notice that has been issued of the intention to alter the mode of payment of wages to those below the rank of inspector employed in the engineering branch of the Post Office by keeping in hand four days' wages; if he will state the reason for this proposed alteration; and whether he will have the notice withdrawn, or at least postpone the time of its coming into effect, in order to have a reconsideration of the matter and receive the representations of the men concerned, who are strongly opposed to it.

In 1906 a system of payment of the wages of the engineering staff engaged on construction, similar to that now proposed, was introduced and worked satisfactorily. It is intended now to assimilate the practice with regard to the remainder of the minor engineering staff to that which has prevailed with respect to the staff engaged on construction work. A change is rendered necessary by the fact that, as part of the reorganisation following on the telephone transfer, these branches of the engineering staff have been amalgamated and there is no longer a separate construction staff. The alteration is also desirable in order to avoid the necessity of making up time-sheets on the basis of work which has not yet been performed and has to be forecasted and in order to secure a proper check on the payments due. Any temporary hardship due to its introduction will be met by advances. I am not prepared to reconsider the matter.

What is the date of these alterations?

Towards the end of this month—the 26th.

asked whether, with a view to preventing a recurrence of the recent coal strike and to prevent other strikes of a similar nature, the Government intend to introduce legislation to regulate and control the trade unions or labour combines which organise national strikes to the detriment of the British public?

I can at present add nothing to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Devizes on this subject on 30th October last. The whole question of industrial unrest and its-causes is receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government.

Is there any truth in the rumours that the Government is preparing a measure to enforce compulsory arbitration?

I am very glad the hon. Member has asked that question. I saw a report in the Press this morning in reference to the special Industrial Council, the imputation being that the Government had come to the conclusion that they will utilise the Industrial Council to a larger extent, especially in the direction of compulsory arbitration. There is no foundation whatever for that statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he would favourably consider an Amendment to the Government of Ireland Bill relieving the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons from membership of the English Board of Trade?

As at present advised, I see no necessity for the Amendment suggested, but the matter will recieve consideration.

Is it proposed to retain the services of the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons as a member of the English Board of Trade?

No, there is no such intention.

asked the Prime Minister if he will cause to be issued to Members a statement showing on what principle Ireland's revenue has been ascertained in relation to Customs, Excise, Income Tax, Death Duties, stamps, and miscellaneous, respectively?

I beg to refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the present Secretary for Scotland to the hon. Member for North Meath on the 13th of December last, and to the "Remarks" column of House of Commons No. 220 of 1911.

What was the effect of that answer?

It was a very elaborate explanation of the method by which the Inland Revenue arrive at these figures. I am afraid I could not summarise it.

When will the Report of the Committee on Irish Finance, which the Government promised, be in the hands of hon. Members?

It is being printed now.

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the Irish Parliament will have power to increase the-amount of import taxation by 10 per cent, on goods imported from Great Britain, whether home-made or re-exported, as-well as on those imported directly from other countries?

I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 15 of the Bill, which has-now been circulated.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give a plain answer?

My answer would be plain but lengthy.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not know enough about the Bill?

No, but this is not the time to explain across the floor of the House the complicated Clause in question.

asked whether, if the Government of Ireland Bill is passed, the immediate result will be the introduction of measures of Home Rule-for Scotland and Wales?

I can add nothing to the speech made by the Prime-Minister on the introduction of the Government of Ireland Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the body known as the Young Scots have circularised every member and candidate-stating that no measure of Irish Home Rule will be satisfactory which does not extend, as an immediate result, Home Rule to Scotland, and will he not give them a definite reply in order to put them out of their misery before the Second Reading?

If the Home Rule Bill does not pass into law is it intended to proceed with a measure of Home Rule for Scotland, England, and Wales?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will" reconsider his view as to the necessity of forcible feeding of prisoners?

The forcible feeding of prisoners is a matter of necessary medical treatment carried out in accordance with the law as laid down by the High Court. If the hon. Member can suggest any better means for preserving the life of a prisoner who refuses to take food in the ordinary way, I 6hall be most happy to consider it; but it must be plain to him that it is impossible to allow any prisoner to determine the length of his own sentence by setting him at liberty if he chooses to refuse food for a few days.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman give fuller discretion to the magistrates to discharge prisoners when necessary before they are tortured instead of after?

And will that discretion also apply, to thieves or to any other criminals who are in prison?

We have a careful report of every case from the medical officer as to whether the person is in a suitable state of health, and whenever the medical officer reports that he is not in a suitable state of health the prisoner is discharged at once. That would apply to all -classes of offences.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think these women have already been sufficiently punished by the condemnation of public opinion and by the defeat of the Conciliation Bill, and would he not consider that the time has come to release these prisoners?

There is great divergence of opinion as to the severity with which these women have been punished. I can assure the hon. Member that the owners of the windows, who lost between them some £6,000, which has not been repaid to them by the persons who broke their windows, are strongly of the opinion that the punishment has not been anything like severe enough.

asked how many, if any, suffragist prisoners are being forcibly fed, and whether any further arrangements have been made as to the grant of the privileges contained in Rule 243a?

The number who have to be fed by artificial means varies from day to day, but, including all the prisons, it is now, I understand, seventeen. In view of representations made to me by the chairman of the London Quarter Sessions, I have decided to extend Rule 243a to all the suffragist prisoners convicted at Quarter Sessions. The privileges given under the rules will be modified in one or two particulars. It will not be possible to allow the large number of suffragists now in prison to have their meals sent in from outside indiscriminately, but, as many of them are old or in poor health, their ordinary diet will be modified to suit their needs by the prison medical officer, and subject to his approval each prisoner will be allowed to have sent in by their friends, if they so desire, one parcel of food weekly on a specified day. They will be employed only on the lighter forms of prison labour, and they will, if they behave well, have monthly visits and fortnightly letters. Strictly speaking, I have no power to extend the privileges to the hard labour prisoners; but, as those now in prison are all approaching the termination of their sentences, I feel I shall not be guilty of any serious irregularity if I allow them to be treated in the same way as the others.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the announcement applies to prisoners elsewhere than London?

Yes, Sir; it applies to suffragist prisoners wherever they may be.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the rule referred to will be printed with the answer he has given?

Yes, certainly, it will be printed with this answer. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that two boys under the age of seventeen, named Bass and Downes, both first offenders, were on 8th April convicted of gaming by the Woolwich stipendiary and fined 2s. 6d. each, and in default of immediate payment were each imprisoned in Wandsworth prison as ordinary criminals for five days; and whether, seeing that this imprisonment of juvenile first offenders for trivial offences was severely condemned by Mr. Secretary Churchill in this House on 20th July, 1910, he proposes to expedite the Bill expressly promised on that occasion?

I will make inquiry into the case referred to by my hon. Friend. The answer to the second part of his question is that I hope to be able soon to introduce the Bill.

asked when the Report of the Royal Commission on the Divorce Law is going to be presented to the House; and how long is it since the Commission concluded its labours?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The Commissioners have not yet concluded their labours, and I am informed that having regard to the mass of materials which they have to consider, they do not expect to be in a position to report before the middle of the year.

May I ask whether it is a fact that the members of the Royal Commission have such divergent views on this matter that they are unable to prepare their report?

I have heard nothing to bear out that suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce the names of the members of the District Boards appointed by the Government under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act; whether he can state when the awards are likely to be made; and whether, for the purpose of avoiding friction between areas, they can be made simultaneously?

Joint District Boards under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act have been formed for nineteen of the twenty-two districts included in the Schedule to the Act, and boards are in process of formation in the three remaining districts. The names of several of the chairmen who have up to the present been appointed have already appeared in the Press, and when the list is complete I will have it printed with the Votes. The other members of the boards number some hundreds, and I do not think any advantage would be gained by announcing their names. The matter referred to in the last part of the question is one for the Joint District Boards to determine, subject to the limits laid down in Section 4 of the Act.