asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Germany has intimated that it would be ready to enter into an offensive and defensive alliance with England, as the only means of putting an end to the competition in armaments?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared to lay Papers in regard to the recent Opium Convention at The Hague?

The report of the British delegates at the recent Opium Conference at The Hague has only just been received and has still to be considered by the various Departments concerned. The printed volumes containing the proceedings of the Conference and the documents laid before it were only received from the Netherland Government yesterday. It is therefore impossible as yet to decide what Papers, if any, can properly be laid before Parliament.

Will some Papers be laid very shortly?

I hope so.

asked whether Salared-Dowleh has flatly declined to comply with the recommendations made to him by the British and Russian Governments that he should leave Persia, but states that he intends to proclaim himself as Shah; and, if so, what steps the two Governments propose to take?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. As for the second, in view of the situation, the two Governments have urged the Persian Government to hasten the arrival at Hamadan of the new Governor, Farman Farma, and to strengthen the forces under his command so as to enable him to deal with Salar-ed-Dowleh. According to the latest report received from His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Teheran, Farman Farma, who has been halting at Kazvin, has now left for Hamadan.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if copies of the reports of the inspectors on schools vested in Diocesan and Presbytery Boards are forwarded by the Board of National Education to those Boards; and, if so, is this procedure in conflict with the statement on these documents, which declares them to be confidential and intended only for the information of the manager, teachers, and Board's (National) officers?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that extracts from the inspectors' reports of their visits to certain schools in connection with which there are educational endowment schemes are sent confidentially for the information of the Boards of Governors under the respective schemes. As the Governors have general control of all schools coming under the schemes, and usually nominate the managers, the Commissioners do not consider that this procedure is in conflict with the spirit of the statement referred to. The statement will be amended so as to include Boards of Governors in future issues.

asked for the names and addresses of those Queen's scholars who completed a two years' training course in 1900, and were in the year 1900 appointed principals of schools with an average attendance of between thirty and fifty, who were paid, by the Commissioners of National Education at a higher rate of salary than £56 per annum, exclusive of residual capitation grant, and who were paid the ordinary salary of the National Board, respectively; and the reasons assigned by the Commissioners of National Education for this difference of treatment?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that two teachers, who completed their training in 1900 and were appointed to schools with an average attendance of between thirty and fifty, were paid a higher salary than £56 per annum exclusive of residual capitation grant, and twenty-seven such teachers were paid the ordinary salary. In the case of the two teachers referred to the strict application of the rules in force in 1901–2 would, in the judgment of the Commissioners, have operated inequitably, and they were, under the powers then possessed by the Board, specially considered.

asked what percentage of assistant teachers were classed higher than third class in the year 1899; what percentage of assistant teachers are now graded higher than third grade; what is the cause of this decrease in the rate of promotion of assistants; how many assistants have been promoted from third grade to a higher grade since the year 1900; what steps do the Commissioners intend taking so as to ensure a more speedy promotion of deserving assistants; and what proportion of the proposed increase of the £25,000 now estimated for towards increasing national teachers' salaries will go towards the promotion of third grade assistants to a higher grade?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that 51 per cent, of the assistant teachers were classed higher than third class in the year 1899, and 2 per cent, are now graded higher than third grade. The Commissioners are not aware of any decrease in the rate of promotion of these teachers. Two assistants have been promoted from the third grade to a higher grade since the year 1900. The Commissioners have no present intention of altering the rule in regard to the payment of assistant teachers. No special allocation of any portion of the sum referred to has been made for increase of the salaries of these teachers.

asked how much money there is in the Trustee Savings Banks of Ireland and the amount of deposits in the Post Office, and how much in the ordinary joint stock banks of the country (Ireland); and the average rate of interest paid?

The amount of the deposits in Trustee Savings Banks in Ireland on 31st December. 1911, was £2,566,084, the amount of the deposits in Post Office Savings Banks in Ireland on the same date was £12,479,000, and the amount of the deposits and cash balances in Irish Joint Stock Banks on that date was £57,094,986. The average rate of interest paid by Trustee Savings Banks in Ireland during the year ended 20th November, 1910, was £2 9s. 7d. per cent. The rate of interest paid on deposits by Post Office Savings Banks is 2 per cent., and by Irish Joint Stock Banks 2 per cent.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why an old man called John Reilley, Rossoddan, Bally-jamesduff, county Cavan, has been refused a pension, as, although his name does not appear on the parish registry, his age was certified as over seventy by a declaration before a magistrate by two old neighbours of seventy-eight and eighty; and, if this statement of claim is correct, will he see that this old man obtains a pension?

John Reilley's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the grounds that he was unable to furnish satisfactory proof of age. The declaration referred to being merely an expression of opinion on the part of the two persons in question, and being unsupported by evidence of any kind, could not be accepted by the Board as sufficient to justify them in deciding that the claimant was over seventy years of age.

asked whether any application had been made by the Congested Districts Board on behalf of the Glandore Harbour Lighthouse for an annual Grant to defray a portion of the working expenses; and, if so, did the Congested Districts Board give due attention to the matter?

The Congested Districts Board have paid two Grants of £5 each towards maintenance of the Glandore Harbour light during the past two years. No application for a Grant for this year has yet been received by the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether on Easter Sunday evening an attack was made upon Mr. S. P. Kerr, J.P., a member of the Ulster Liberal Association and a Protestant, while returning from service near his home at Greenisland, county Antrim; whether the persons who assaulted Mr. Kerr were Ulster Orangemen and Unionists who were incensed at his having occupied a seat upon the platform at the meeting recently addressed by the First Lord of the Admiralty in Belfast; and whether any special steps are being taken to protect the civil and religious liberty of Protestant Liberals in Ulster at the present time?

I am informed that Mr. Kerr, on returning from Divine Service on the date in question, was followed by a crowd who pelted him with eggs and flour. He reported the matter to the police, but stated he was unable to identify anyone who took part in the assault. The police are taking all necessary steps to prevent a similar occurrence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of these advocates of religious liberty interrupted the service by asking Mr. Kerr to declare that he was not a Home Ruler and was opposed to a Parliament in Dublin, and that then it would be all right?

I have had a police report, but I do not think any members of the force were present in this place of worship.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the suggestion in the question that this assault was owing to the fact that this gentleman had occupied a seat on a political platform?

The police tell me there was a very strong feeling in the chapel, which bears the name of Ebenezer, against anybody taking part in their service who had been on this political platform.

Would this horrible thing have taken place if the First Lord of the Admiralty had never gone to Belfast?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the gentleman mentioned in the question preached in favour of Home Rule on the Sunday before Easter, and that his son assaulted a member of the congregation after the demonstration took place, with the result that a large number of the congregation had to leave the church? Was it not after this that the strong feeling arose?

I cannot account for the eggs and flour, except on the supposition that there was a strong feeling in this religious body, owing to the action which this gentleman had taken politically, but whether he had preached in favour of Home Rule or not I do not know. No doubt he is unpopular with a number of persons who worship in this chapel on account of his political opinions.

Is the Ebenezer room a Catholic chapel?

Oh, no.

Is not the moral you must have impartial administration to keep both sides in order?

I have often heard from hon. Gentlemen opposite that politics are introduced into the pulpit of different denominations all over this country.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question.

I did not understand it.

asked whether on 31st March, 1912, a party of excursionists, returning by train from the Home Rule demonstration at Dublin, fired a fusillade of revolver shots whilst passing Milltown, a Protestant working-class quarter; whether the windows of a weaving factory were damaged; and whether any arrests have been made?

No such occurrence as that referred to by the hon. Member has come to the knowledge of the police.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, on 3rd April, 1912, a cattle-drive took place near Fooreen, in the neighbourhood of Ennis; whether on the following day a youth named M'Cormick, accompanied by a police patrol, while looking for the missing stock, was fired at and injured; and what steps he is taking to restore order in this district?

The facts are as stated, but M'Cormick was not accompanied by a police patrol. A patrol came on the scene soon after the occurrence. One arrest was made, but informations were refused. The police are doing all that is possible to preserve order in the district.

asked whether during the night of Sunday, 7th April, 1912, the house of a farmer, named John Carr, in the neighbourhood of Galway, was fired into, Mrs. Carr receiving severe injuries; whether any arrests have been made in connection with this outrage; and what steps are being taken to prevent these occurrences?

The house of James Carr was fired into as stated, but neither Mrs. Carr nor any other person was struck. No arrests have been made. The police are doing all that is possible to prevent these occurrences.

Have any arrests been made?

No, Sir.

asked what was the total revenue of Ireland for Imperial Exchequer purposes for the last completed financial year; and what proportion of such total was derived from Antrim, Derry, Down, Armagh, and Belfast?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to Appendix C of the White Paper which has been circulated. With regard to the second part of the question I fear I can add nothing to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for Salisbury on the 11th ultimo.

asked whether, in the Revenue receipts on account of the Irish Government, the Customs and Excise Duties on tobacco, spirits, and stout will be calculated on production or consumption?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to Clause 24 of the Government of Ireland Bill.

asked if it is intended under the Government of Ireland Bill that Members of either of the Irish Houses of Parliament shall be eligible to sit as Members of either of the Imperial Houses of Parliament?

Membership of the Irish Senate or House of Commons is not of itself a disqualification for Membership of either House in the Imperial Parliament.

Will Irish Members be able to draw salaries in the British as well as the Irish Parliament?

I am not aware that there will be any salaries in the Irish Parliament.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that Members of the Irish Parliament will sit there for nothing, considering that Members are paid £400 a year here?

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the officers of Customs, Excise, and Inland Revenue will be under any obligation of complying with directions of the Irish Executive as to the time and mode in which taxes are to be collected?

The collection of taxes is not an Irish service within the meaning of the Bill, and Clause 4 of the Bill provides in effect that the Executive power as respects services which are not Irish services is not to be affected by anything in the Bill.

Who will be responsible for the collection of taxes?

If the Irish Parliament imposes taxes and the Imperial authority collects them, obviously as to the time and mode of collection, to which the hon. Member refers, some arrangement must be come to.

Will the House allow me, by way of personal explanation, to make a correction of something I said in my speech on the Home Rule Bill on Monday last? It is not any matter referring to the Bill itself, but referring to the Report of the Committee of financial experts appointed by the Government. I find, on reading the Official Report, I said that the Committee proposed that complete fiscal autonomy should be granted to Ireland, and that consequently upon this they proposed the exclusion of Irish Members from this House. The statement in that form is not accurate. The retention or exclusion of the Irish Members was not within the reference to that Committee; and what I should properly have said was that, as a consequence of the recommendation to grant fiscal autonomy to Ireland, in the opinion of the Government, it would follow that the Irish Members should be excluded from this-House. I thank the House for giving me the opportunity of making the correction with the same publicity as I made the original statement.

In reference to the White Paper issued by the right hon. Gentleman as to the charge for telegraphs in Ireland, will that include the old charge of interest on taking over the telegraphs in 1870, and, if so, on what basis Ireland's proportion of that charge has been computed?

No, Sir, I think those figures do not include anything in respect of that. But there is a Clause in the Bill which provides that there shall be an apportionment between Ireland on the one hand and Great Britain on the other of any capital liabilities which have been incurred in respect of what will be Irish services, and that includes telegraphs, telephones, and so forth.

Are we to take it that the apportionment has been made both in regard to the telegraphs of 1870 and the telephone apportionment as regards last year?

It will be made.

It has not been made?

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he has any information regarding-the emigration of sections of the Masai northwards as well as southwards from the Northern Territory; and, if he has no such information, whether he will inquire if that emigration is taking place, and if it is with the knowledge and approval of the Government of British East Africa?

No, Sir, but I will make inquiry.

asked whether the Masai tribe are to be allowed to keep the land which they occupied in British East Africa during the year 1909.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Leicester, on the 16th of this month. It is, of course, out of the question that the Northern Masai should be allowed to keep the land in the north as well as the land which is being substituted for it in the south. The Southern Masai will retain the land which they have occupied for some years past.

Have the Colonial Office decided what is to be done with the land occupied by the Northern Masai?

No allocation of land which has in the past been occupied and is still temporarily occupied by the Northern Masai has yet been made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether some of the books of stamps issued by the Post Office contain advertisements of pork sausages; and whether, as in the case of intoxicating liquors, he will give instructions for the removal of advertisements offensive to a section of His Majesty's subjects?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether one of the questions set for examination in geography at the Christmas examination for teachers in elementary schools was to account for the facts underlying the following statements taken from the story of Henwen, the Beneficent Pig, in the Triads; since which time the best wheat and the best honey have been in Gwent; and Dyfed has produced the best pigs and barley from that time to this; and thenceforth the best rye has been found at Lleyn and at Eivonydd; in Arvon she dropped a wolf-cub and an eagle chick; Col gave the wolf to Menwaed of Dinas Affaraon and the eagle to Brynach, lord of Arllech-wedd, and one often hears of the wolf and the eagle; and, if so, whether he can state how many candidates correctly answered it; and in what way, in the opinion of the Board, ability to do so constitutes a test of capacity for teaching children in elementary schools?

Perhaps the hon. Member has suffered with me from a lack of opportunity for excursions into the profitable fields of Welsh literature. The folklore story referred to in the question is well known and furnishes an explanation of many of the characteristics of the localities named which holds good to-day. Fourteen questions were set in the paper, of which this question formed part, and candidates were required to answer four. The question was, therefore, an optional one. It was intended to afford for the Welsh candidates an opportunity of showing knowledge of the literature and traditional history of Wales and of local topography, and of giving evidence of imaginative powers such as might enable them to mitigate for younger children the austerities of geography. Seven candidates answered the question and showed appreciation of the topographical references and the reasons for the special products.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, with great respect, if he does not think it is time the British taxpayer was relieved of taxation for piffle of this kind?

How many candidates succeeded in answering the questions satisfactorily?

None.

I believe seven answered them more or less satisfactorily.

Is not the literary standard among teachers and pupils in Wales higher than in any other country?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether London County Council teachers at the training college at Eltham have made use of their official position for the dissemination of literature in favour of woman suffrage; whether this is in accordance with the regulations; and whether he will secure the stoppage of the practice?

I have not had my attention previously called to the facts alleged in the question. There is nothing in the Regulations to prevent teachers in training colleges from expressing opinions upon topics such as woman suffrage, and I think we may rely upon the sense of responsibility in the teachers to restrain them from using their influence improperly in matters of this kind. The question primarily concerns the London County Council, whose attention I have drawn to the allegation made by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the private residence in Dublin of the late Sir Samuel Walker, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, has "been taken for the purposes of the Irish Insurance Commission; and whether he can state for what period this house has been so taken?

The house in question has been rented for one year as a temporary office for the Irish Insurance Commission, pending the acquisition and fitting up of a permanent office.

Is it not a fact that great dissatisfaction exists amongst citizens in Dublin in reference to the ever-increasing practice of purchasing or taking temporarily private houses in the best residential quarters of Dublin for the purposes of public offices?

I have had no representations on the subject, but I think the hon. Member will agree with me that the Commission should take some temporary building before they take a permanent building of their own.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to communicate with the Irish Board of Works, from whom, on a former occasion, he said he had no information to bear out the suggestion I made that there was an ever-increasing practice of taking private houses for public purposes in Ireland?

I will certainly listen to any representations that may be made.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to communicate with the Irish Board of Works to ascertain their views upon this matter?

I think I am familiar with the views of the Irish Board of Works.

asked whether a trade union which establishes a State section as an approved society under the National Insurance Act will be allowed by its rules to provide that if any member of the trade union does not choose the approved society established by it as his approved society he shall be liable to expulsion from the trade union?

In such a case the Insurance Commissioners are concerned with the separate section which is the approved society, and the rules of a trade union or other body which has formed that separate section are not within their control.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that this might happen without any check by the Insurance Commissioners?

I have no reason to suppose it would happen.

Could it be so provided by the rules of the society, without any check by the Insurance Commissioners?

The sole control of the Insurance Commissioners deals with the section which becomes an approved society.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that in the model rules issued by the Insurance Commissioners for use by existing societies it is stated that in any case where a member is expelled he has a right of appeal to the Insurance Commissioners; and whether he will take steps to get Subsection (6), page 17, of the rules amended so as to make it clear that appeals can only be made against expulsion when the offence for which a member is expelled is an offence against any of the provisions of the National Insurance Act?

I do not think that the suggestion made by the hon. Member would be in accordance with the spirit of the Act. The intention of the model rule is to secure that where a member is expelled for any offence against the rules of the society, he is first given a fair hearing, and the charge, whatever it may be, is proved against him. It is open to an approved society to require such qualifications as they may think fit to require by rule for continued membership of the society subject only to this, that the Commissioners will not approve a society which proposes to expel members for reasons other than misconduct where the state of their health prevents them from obtaining admission to another society.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the lecturers are telling the representatives of the societies that in any case where a member is expelled he has a right of appeal to the Commissioners?

I have no information on that subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any members of the Advisory Committee of 159 persons, appointed under Section 58 of the National Insurance Act, will receive payment in any shape or form for their services; whether any of them have received anything in the nature of a promise of an appointment under the Act; what number of members will be required to form a quorum; and whether such quorum will include members from each class represented on the committee?

Members of the committee will be able to claim their travelling expenses and subsistence allowances, but will not be otherwise remunerated. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. I think it would be undesirable to lay down rules of procedure for the Advisory Committee before the committee meets.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the total number of engineers in the Imperial Service of the Public Works Department and the State railways, and how many of these are natives of India; and if he will state how many assistant engineers were appointed in each of the past five years, specifying in each case how many of them were natives of India?

In reply to the first part of the question, the number is 736, including officers of the Royal Engineers. All officers appointed before 1892 to these Departments now belong to the Imperial Service. It is impossible, from the records in the India Office, to state the number of those who are statutory natives of India. As regards the second part of the question, the figures are as follows:—

asked how many applications were received for the post of assistant engineer in each of the past five years; and how many of these in each case were from natives of India?

The total number of candidates for appointments in the Imperial Service were as follows:—

Is the proportion of 10 per cent., which is reserved for natives of India, supposed to be a maximum or a minimum figure?

It is a maximum.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can state the date when it is expected the new lighting scheme of the House will be completed?

No alteration in the present arrangements will be made until the Report of the oculist has been received.

Does not the hon. Member consider it more fitting to keep this House in comparative gloom while the Government are doing the dirty work they are attempting?

asked whether the Departmental Committee appointed in April, 1911, to inquire into the relations between Imperial and Local Taxation since the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation in 1901, and to make recommendations on the subject with a view to the introduction of legislation at an early date, have taken evidence; and, if so, on how many days they sat for that purpose; whether they are now preparing their Report; and whether they propose to hear any further evidence before it is issued?

Up to the present the Committee has taken evidence on twenty-five days and it is still sitting for that purpose.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Government Railways Bill seeks to initiate entirely new principles of railway administration, which will materially affect the interests of all producers and consigners of agricultural produce, the Government will defer taking the Second Reading of this Bill until after the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture have had the opportunity of considering it at their next monthly meeting on the 7th May?

The hon. Member appears to me to exaggerate the novelty of the proposals of the Bill. I am afraid I cannot undertake to defer the Second Reading of the Bill, should an opportunity of taking it occur.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the opportunity is likely to arise. It is a matter of very great importance to farmers?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what was the paid-up capital and also the amount of premium income of the Marine Insurance Company accepted for Admiralty risks in 1906?

The company referred to was accepted after full inquiry as to its suitability for inclusion in the Admiralty List; but it is not considered in the public interest to furnish particulars as to the financial position of companies at the time they are accepted.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that, if the other circumstances were satisfactory, there would be no departure in Admiralty policy so far as regards this criterion?

We have made very careful inquiry, but I do not think it would be fair to others to state the reasons for inclusion or exclusion.

May I ask whether the Admiralty policy is the same now as formerly in this matter?

I cannot go into the matter by way of question and answer. It is much too difficult for that. If my hon. Friend wishes further information, perhaps he will put a question on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the reason why about 300 men are being discharged from Chatham dockyard; whether he is aware that in some cases regard is not being had to seniority, but that some of the men retained have been in the service for shorter periods than some of the men discharged; will he state the reason for this preferential treatment; whether any further discharges are contemplated; and whether there is any prospect of re-engaging the men at an early date?

The services of the men who have been discharged at Chatham are not required at present. As I have already stated all other things being equal the men first to go—except in the case of ex-apprentices—are those who have been the shortest time in the service. If in the present case some of the men retained have been in the service for shorter periods than some of the men discharged, it must be taken that the former are more efficient workmen. Any further discharges will depend upon the adjustments of trades which may be found necessary to meet the exigencies of the work. I am afraid there is no prospect of re-entering the discharged men at an early date. Should the numbers again be increased, in pursuance of our general policy, those men will be taken on first who, prior to discharge, had been longest in our service, provided that their previous conduct and service have been satisfactory.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the contractors for the construction of the Rosyth dockyard decline to engage any workman except through a Labour Exchange; and, if so, whether this is done in consequence of representations from the Government.

The method of engaging labour at Rosyth is at the discretion of the contractors. The only representation made by the Admiralty was a general circular, dated 31st October, 1910, a copy of which has been posted to the hon. Member.

Is it not a fact that the whole of those men are employed through the Labour Bureau, and, if so, has any similar action been taken previously in order to more or less improve what I may call the sort of pet offspring of the Governments.

I do not understand the last allegation, but I understand that they practically do employ their men through the Labour Exchange. The matter is left entirely to their own discretion.

Is the hon. hon. Gentleman aware that this engagement through Labour Exchange by dockyards or contractors does not give equality of opportunity to workmen, but merely gives an opportunity to heads of departments and contractors to obtain the men they require?

I would like to have notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he intends to pursue the practice of his Department of refusing to sell obsolete war vessels except on condition that they be broken up, in view of the fact that much higher prices could be got for these ships if breaking up were not insisted on?

Obsolete ships of potential fighting value are sold under obligation to be broken up either on grounds of secrecy or in order to avoid the possibility of international complications especially at a time of war between naval Powers. The particular conditions of sale to be applied to obsolete ships are considered as a matter of naval policy in each individual case. As a rule, breaking up is required, but unless a condition of war exists or is imminent, as free a competition as possible is obtained by not insisting on the breaking up necessarily taking place in the United Kingdom. If a higher offer than might be obtainable under breaking up conditions were received, it would be duly considered on the merits of the case and with due regard to the conditions prevailing at the time. I may add that the best means of obtaining the widest competition for the purchase of obsolete ships, consistently with international obligations and general naval interests, is a matter constantly under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty.

Why are foreign Powers which are permitted to build new and up-to-date warships in this country not permitted to buy obsolete ones?

As stated in the answer, the hon. Gentleman will see that if a higher offer than might be obtainable under breaking up conditions were received, it would be duly considered on the merits of the case.

Is the opportunity given to foreign Powers to send in a higher offer?

The sales are on condition that the ships be broken up. The hon. Member will get an exact statement of the conditions in a letter which was prepared in March, 1910, and perhaps my hon. Friend will read it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any statistics are kept in his Department of the number of days in the year when the fishery cruisers lie at anchor in harbour, and how many days in the year they patrol the waters they are intended to watch; and, if no such statistics are kept, whether he will take steps to get the Fishery Board to call for such reports from the captains of these vessels?

The Annual Reports of the Fishery Board for Scotland set out in tabular form the number of days on which each fishery cruiser is at sea; as, for instance, on p. 49 of the Report for 1910, Cd. 5697–1911.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether during the last few days His Majesty's Government have entered into a contract with the Shell Transport and Trading Company, Limited, or with companies with which they are associated, for the supply of 1,000,000 tons of fuel oil to the Admiralty; if so, whether British groups were invited to tender; and will the Government undertake to give British Companies the opportunity at all times of tendering for present and future supplies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part of the question no such tenders as those indicated in the first part have been called for. As to the third part of the question, the practice has always been to invite all British Companies regarded as competent to undertake supplies?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fatal accidents have been caused in the Metropolitan area by motor omnibuses since 1st January of this year?

There were thirty-seven fatal accidents caused in the Metropolitan Police area by motor omnibuses between 1st January and 16th April, 1912.

Has the hon. Gentleman "any reason to suppose that the motor omnibus companies are making any attempts to devise some method of increasing public safety so as to reduce this very serious figure? Will my hon. Friend call the attention of the Motor Omnibus Company to this figure?

The hon. Member must put down these questions, as they do not, seem to arise out of the question on the: Paper.

asked the Prime-Minister when he will be able to give a. definite answer to the memorial on the subject of co-partnership?

I can at present add nothing to the answer given by the Prime Minister on Tuesday last. The Noble Lord was then asked to repeat his question on this subject later on. Perhaps he would be good enough to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me some indication of what "later on" means? Thursday is-later on than Tuesday.

The question is being very carefully considered by the Cabinet. We are not in a position to give an answer just yet. If the Noble Lord will put down a question in about a fortnight's time, we might be able to give some-answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not hold out any hope of an earlier decision of the Cabinet on this-subject?

The Noble Lord knows that it is a very important subject, and I doubt very much whether we shall be able to give anything like a definite answer before that time.

I will take the chance of putting it down in a week's time.

asked if the Government intends to introduce legislation to meet the situation created by the Osborne Judgment as regards the use of trade union funds for political purposes; and, if so, whether the Government will, at the same time, take steps to fix on trade unions declaring and conducting strikes responsibility for acts of violence and intimidation by their members?

With regard to the first branch of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Blackfriars Division of Glasgow on 22nd November, 1910; and, as regards the latter part, to the replies given by the Prime Minister on 30th October last on the subject of the Trades Disputes Act, 1906.

As I cannot be expected to keep all these various replies in my head, I would ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give me some reasonable reply to the question which I have put down?

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman, if the Government are considering this matter, will they at the same time consider the advisability of increasing the responsibility for any serious rioting or damage that may occur in Ulster of the associations which are now actively engaged in stirring up sedition in that province?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an authoritative record is kept of disturbances in connection with industrial disputes arising from the action of strikers seeking to prevent men desiring to do so from working; and, if not, whether he will arrange for such a record to be kept in future?

The local police authorities are primarily responsible for the maintenance of law and order, and probably their records show in most instances whether any disturbances are, or are not, connected with an industrial dispute. In the Home Office, the only record is the files of correspondence relating to those disturbances in which the local authorities apply for the assistance or advice of the Department or on which they are specially asked to report. My right hon. Friend cannot undertake to keep any further record.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the sale of a large amount of so-called vinegar containing less than 4 per cent, of acetic acid, to the detriment of purchasers and consumers, and to the risk incurred by local authorities in instituting prosecutions under the Food and Drugs Acts in reliance solely on the ex- pression of opinion recently given by the Local Government Board to the London and County Vinegar Brewers' Association, the Board will make Regulations defining vinegar, under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, which will have the force of law, similar to those now being made by the Board in reference to the use of preservatives in milk and cream?

The question of the proportion of acetic acid present in vinegar is not one which involves danger to public health, and the Board have therefore no power to make Regulations under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, in regard to this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the guardians of the Tiverton Union are maintaining over thirty children in the workhouse, and that, instead of providing suitable accommodation for them apart from workhouse surroundings, they have lately advertised for an industrial trainer to take charge of them in the workhouse; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

According to the latest figures in my possession, there were nineteen children in the Tiverton Workhouse on the 1st January last. The guardians have not communicated with me in regard to the appointment of an industrial trainer, but I learn from my inspector that the question of making provision for the accommodation of the children outside the workhouse has been under their consideration. I will not lose sight of the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the sale at high prices of large quantities of filled foreign cheese containing a low percentage of milk fat, especially when, as recently, there is a serious shortage of cheeses of English manufacture, the Board will issue Regulations laying down a standard of fat in cheese which will prevent its purchasers and consumers from being, as they are now, frequently imposed upon?

So many practical difficulties stand in the way of framing Regulations of the character suggested that it appears to be very doubtful whether any advantage would result from the attempt. The hon. Member is, of course, aware that there are many varieties of cheese, and that the proportion of butter fat in any kind of cheese is not the quality of which connoisseurs chiefly take account.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to make any announcement with regard to the retirement pensions of majors in the Regular Army in accordance with his undertaking; and whether majors who joined the Service from the universities or the Militia at the age of twenty-two will be given the option of retiring voluntarily at forty-eight on £300 a year, according to the conditions under which they joined, or of accepting the conditions of the Warrant of 1911?

I am not yet in a position to make any announcement on this subject, which is now being considered.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention had been called to certain telegrams to the effect that the "Titanic" had been taken in tow and the passengers had been saved; and whether the origin of those telegrams can be traced?

I am aware that reports, subsequently found to be false, appeared in the Press, and I believe that their place of origin is generally known. But I am making inquiry whether the wireless messages from ships holding my licence for wireless telegraphy on which the reports were represented to have been founded, were in fact sent from those ships, and I should be glad if the hon. and gallant Member would put down a further question in a week's time.

Have these reports had no effect upon the premiums for reinsurance?

That is not a matter within my cognisance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries upon the subjects?

I think the question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.

Is it not a fact that in consequence of these telegrams the rate of insurance went down from sixty guineas to twenty-five guineas per cent.?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there is any law which gives his Board power to compel the owners of passenger steamers to provide sufficient lifeboats to give a place in them to every human being on the boat in case of a disaster like the loss of the "Titanic"; whether, as often alleged, there is no passenger steamer leaving a British port with lifeboats sufficient for that purpose; whether in many cases the lifeboat accommodation is only about one-third of that required; and, if there is no such law, will the Government introduce a Bill for that purpose?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether taking into consideration the reported loss of life which has recently occurred to the passengers of the steamer "Titanic," he will take steps that regulations may be made to compel all steamers to carry boats, rafts, or other life-saving apparatus sufficient to accommodate the whole of those on board?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will consider the propriety of framing a regulation for the purpose of preventing British passenger liners for New York, during the spring season, taking the North Atlantic route, with a view to establishing crossing records; and (2) whether he can state the exact lifeboat accommodation which was provided on the "Titanic," and what proportion it bore to the authorised number of passengers and. crew?

I think it will be convenient if I deal in a single statement with all the questions relating to the boat accommodation of the "Titanic," and the Board of Trade regulations relating to boats and other life-saving appliances. The Board of Trade are empowered by Section 427 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, to make rules for life-saving appliances on British ships, and Section 428 requires the owner and master to give effect to the rules. The rules now in force, originally drawn up in 1890, and revised in 1894 and subsequently, prescribe a scale indicating the minimum number of boats to be provided in accordance with the gross tonnage of the ship. The highest provision made in this scale is for vessels of 10,000 tons and upwards. In view of the increased size of modern passenger steamers the Board of Trade early last year referred to the Advisory Committee on Merchant Shipping the question of the revision of the rules, and, in particular, of the provision to be made in the case of steamers of very large size. In view of the public interest aroused by the recent lamentable disaster, I am having the Report of this Committee printed with the votes. [ See Written Answers this date. ] After considering this Report, together with the views of their expert advisers, the Board of Trade were not satisfied that the increased provision recommended by the Advisory Committee was altogether adequate. After additional investigations and tests in regard to the best type and proportions of lifeboats, the Board, within the last few days, referred the question back to the Committee for further examination. I mention this in order that the House may understand that before the recent terrible disaster occurred, the Board of Trade, in concert with the best expert authorities available, had been carefully and practically considering the question of the revision of the scale of boat accommodation prescribed for large ships. I do not, of course, desire to forecast in any way the result of the inquiry which will be held into the loss of the "Titanic," or any modification of policy that may be necessitated by the findings of that inquiry, or by the new situation created by the present disaster. I wish the House, however, to understand quite clearly that, up to the present, it has never been the intention of the Board of Trade regulations, and, so far as I know, it has not been suggested by any responsible expert authority, that every vessel, however large and however well equipped as regards watertight compartments, should necessarily carry lifeboats adequate to accommodate all on board. It has always been considered up to the present by all expert authorities that subdivision by watertight compartments is a safeguard to be taken into account in considering the minimum number of boats required. The Board of Trade Rules (following in this respect the Report of the Life Saving Appliances Committee of 1890) expressly allow a deduction in the case of vessels so equipped, and the recent Report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee makes further recommendations in the same sense. No doubt the present disaster creates a new situation which will need to be most carefully considered, I hope, however, not in a panic, in the light of all the information which the inquiry will disclose.

Coming to the actual facts of the case, the present Rule of the Board of Trade with regard to a ship of 10,000 tons and upwards requires a minimum boat accommodation of 9,625 cubic feet ( i.e ., sixteen boats under davits, with a capacity of 5,500 cubic feet, and an addition of 75 per cent, in the shape of other boats, rafts, etc.). This would provide for about 960 persons. The "Titanic" actually carried sixteen boats under davits, with accommodation for 990 persons, and four Engelhardt boats, accommodating 188 persons in addition (i.e., altogether accommodation for 1,178 persons). Besides these, there were forty-eight lifebuoys and 3,560 lifebelts. The total number of passengers and crew which the vessel was certified to carry was 3,547, and on the recent voyage the actual number on board when the vessel left Queenstown was 2,208. With reference to the question of framing a Regulation to prevent passenger steamers for North American ports during the spring season from taking the Northern Atlantic route, I am not prepared at the moment to express any opinion. This and all other relevant questions will be submitted to searching inquiry.

Do I correctly understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the "Titanic" carried the whole of the life-saving appliances required by the rules of the Board of Trade, and may I call his attention to the rule that requires that a three-fourths increase in the scale he has mentioned should have been provided in accordance with the tonnage, and that the correct number of lifeboats were twenty-eight?

No, I thought I had explained that the "Titanic" was carrying more than was required by the Regulations. I think the hon. Member has misunder- stood the rules. The rule is that they are required to carry sixteen boats of a cubic capacity of 5,500 feet. In addition to that they have to provide 25 per cent, additional boats, and they were already provided by the "Titanic," and more than was actually required by the existing Board of Trade Regulations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also extend his inquiry to small vessels in view of the fact that the cross-Channel steamer which was recently in collision had only six boats, which could not possibly have carried away the 400 who were on board at the time?

The Committee will certainly consider small boats as well as large. At the moment public attention is more directed to large boats, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there will be no neglect on the part of the Board of Trade or any other authority to look at the whole matter very carefully.

Will the right hon. Gentleman extend the terms of reference to small vessels, especially those carrying a large number of passengers?

Can the Board of Trade do anything to discourage the racing for time records across the Atlantic, which is the cause of this disaster?

I am afraid we have no power over that.

In issuing the Report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, will the right hon. Gentleman include the Report of the Sub-committee which tried the "Engelhardt" lifeboat last year?

I will consider whether it will be of interest to the House. If so, I shall certainly have no objection to circulating it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, when the terms of reference are being drawn up, careful attention will be given to the penalties under which steamship companies labour at the present time in consequence of lateness in arrival, and also whether in consequence of the explosion of the theory that any ship can be unsinkable although it has sixteen bulkheads, as in the case of the "Titanic," he will do all he can to facilitate this inquiry in the hope that no other accident will occur in the meantime?

It is my desire and also that of my Department to facilitate the inquiry as far as possible, but there must necessarily be an inquiry into the loss of the "Titanic," and it is quite clear that until we have such information as is available in regard to the disaster to that ship, we shall not really be in such a strong position as to know what to do. I can assure the House there will be no delay. We feel the great responsibility the Board of Trade bear in the matter, but I really think it is far better that we should give a little longer time and come to a satisfactory conclusion rather than that we should act rapidly and be led possibly into other evils.

In view of the rapid growth in the size of vessels in recent years, does not my right hon. Friend think that it was a long time to leave it from 1894 to 1911, without making any regulations for vessels over 10,000 tons?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not a fact that Atlantic liners of German and United States nationality do to-day actually carry close on double the lifeboat accommodation required by the Regulations of the Board of Trade in this country?

I do not think that is so-as a matter of fact, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give notice of the question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman really think that it is an established fact that this unfortunate vessel was between the zones of the icefields and the icebergs during this season of well known and established danger, and that the Board of Trade should take immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of such disasters?

I really think it is a matter to which some consideration should be given. Hon. Gentlemen must remember that if this great disaster has given a shock to public opinion, it will also be taken fully into account by the managers and directors of these great lines, who naturally are anxious for the safety of their vessels and passengers, but I really do not think I ought to be asked to give an answer to such a question just now.

I beg to give notice that at the end of Questions I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on this subject.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether I am to understand that, according to the Regulations of the Board of Trade these vessels are only carrying lifeboats and life rafts according to the tonnage, and not according to the number of passengers they carry, and further whether he is aware that there is no difficulty whatever in naval architecture to prevent these boats from having a sufficient number of lifeboats and life rafts to carry all the passengers?

Under the existing Regulation the boat accommodation is calculated on tonnage. That may or may not be a good plan, but at any rate it is one of the most material points to which consideration will be given. As regards the latter part of the question I do not wish to express an opinion, but it is evident, from what I have already done, that the real difficulty in a matter of this sort is not only the accommodation on the deck, but that if you overload the vessel with boats, the real danger in the case of emergency would be that the very number of boats themselves might lead to disaster. That is a point on which I do not wish to express an opinion. All these points will receive very great consideration.