asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received representations concerning the British firms of turf accountants and betting agents who now carry on a business in Switzerland which would be illegal if carried on in this country; whether he was aware that the firms in question were previously carrying on this business in Holland until legally expelled from that country; and whether he would approach the Governments of foreign countries with a view to concerted action or legislation to suppress evils of this character?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. As to the second part, I am aware that the business referred to has been made illegal in Holland. In reply to the third part, His Majesty's Government are not prepared (as at present advised) to act on my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to betting agents' advertisements offering to carry on abroad, and especially in Switzerland, a business which is illegal and subjects to penalties those engaged in it; and whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the invitation being extended to innocent persons to commit an act abroad which is I an offence at home?

The subject is receiving the consideration of the Government but my right hon. Friend is afraid he cannot promise legislation at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has Consular or other information to show that Italy or Italian firms are supplying arms and ammunition to North Albanian tribes or to others who are in revolt or contemplating revolt against Turkish rule and authority?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information tending to show that Austria-Hungary is maintaining neutrality in the war between Italy and Turkey on condition that Italy makes no attack in Turkey's dominions in Europe?

I am not aware of any such agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, during the present year, communications have passed between the Foreign Office and foreign Governments submitting proposals for bringing to an end the present hostilities between Italy and Turkey; if so, whether negotiations are still proceeding or have been abandoned; and whether information can be given as to the nature of the proposals made?

The Powers have asked the Italian Government on what conditions they would be disposed to accept the friendly mediations of the Powers and an analogous procedure has been followed at Constantinople.

Can we have a fuller statement perhaps on Thursday next, when the Foreign Secretary might be in his place? In view of the very urgent and extraordinary developments in the East, may we expect the Foreign Secretary to be here on that day?

The Foreign Secretary is having a holiday until the end of this week. I think if ever anyone deserved a holiday he does. On this matter we have given a very full answer. The Powers have asked the Italian Government on what conditions they would be prepared to accept friendly communications from the Powers, and analogous procedure has been followed at Constantinople. We have not yet received any reply from Constantinople, and there is really nothing more to be said.

Does that answer refer to quite recent events? There appears to be no statement in the answer referring to quite recent events.

A request by the Powers to know the terms on which friendly communications would be received has reference to quite recent events.

Has any reply been received from Rome?

Yes, Sir, a reply has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any inquiries or communications have been received from foreign Powers as to the commandeering in time of war of war vessels in the course of construction in this country for foreign Governments; and, if so, whether the answer of the Government could be made public?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he would state what is the total number of Russian troops at present in Persia; what is the number of those who have entered Persia since the presentation of the two ultimata in November last; and whether any, and, if so, how many have been withdrawn from Persian territory in consequence of the acceptance by the Persian Government of the Russian demands?

I have no later information of a sufficiently clear or definite nature to supplement the answer returned to the hon. Member on the 26th ultimo.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has yet received any further report as to the recent bombardment by Russian troops of the sacred shrine at Meshed, in Persia; whether he can state how many of the sixty-five persons killed and injured were pilgrims and how many were agitators whom the Russian Government desired to clear out from the basti quarters attached to the shrine; and what reason is alleged for this refusal to recognise the well-known Persian custom of bast or refuge?

I have as yet received no information beyond that conveyed in my reply to the hon. Member's question on the 16th instant, and do not expect to receive any till the arrival of dispatches from His Majesty's Minister at Teheran reporting fully as to the incident. I will let my hon. Friend know when these dispatches are received.

asked what precedent there was for the inclusion, without the approval of Parliament, of Article 8 in the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty (1911), limiting the freedom of action of the Imperial Parliament in imposing duties upon goods imported from a foreign country?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for Darlington on 11th December last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can state the amount of sovereigns imported from Australia by India during the last ten years?

The Returns available do not distinguish between sovereigns and bullion. The imports of gold into India from Australia (including, since 1907, imports from New Zealand) for the ten years 1902–11 were £44,323,279.

asked if the Under-Secretary can state the amount of Indian imports of gold from all quarters for 1909, 1910, and 1911, and since 1st January, 1912, to the latest available date, with the amounts in the corresponding period in 1909, 1910, and 1911?

The total amounts were:— £369,009 in the corresponding month of 1909; £4,165,421 in 1910, and £3,085,724 in 1911.

asked if the Under-Secretary can say whether there has been any marked preference by the natives of India for hoarding sovereigns, gold ornaments, and gold bars, instead of silver, since the loss experienced by the natives in the famines of 1896–7 and 1899–1900, after the mints had been closed, when they came to realise their savings represented by silver ornaments?

There are indications of a growing disposition on the part of the people of India to hoard gold instead of silver, but there are no sufficient data for judging the extent of the change that may be taking place in the tastes of the people in this respect, or the period from which it dates.

asked if the Under-Secretary can say whether in recent years the position of Australian exchange on London has enabled Australian sovereigns to be laid down in India considerably under the English bullion point, i.e. , the cost of shipping sovereigns from London to India?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the action of the magistracy of Lahore in demanding two deposits of Rs.1,000 from the publisher of a newspaper entitled the "Zemindar"; that the publisher was summoned before the district magistrate to state his intentions in regard to the issue of the daily and weekly editions of the newspaper in question; whether, having regard to the fact that a declaration was waived in respect of the daily edition of the "Zemindar," thus constituting the paper an old or existing publication to which the provisions of Sub-section (1) of Section 4 of Act 1 of 1910 could not apply, the action of the district magistrate is ultra vires ; and, if so, will steps be taken to annul the decision in this case and to define the provisions of the Act clearly, so that in future the press of India may know how it stands in respect to the law?

I have seen only newspaper reports of this matter, but will make inquiry. I have no reason to think that the declaration as to printing made under the Act of 1867 (which my hon. Friend possibly confuses with the deposit of security under the Act of 1910) had been waived. The magistrate was certainly not acting ultra vires if the Local Government considered that the paper had published matter of the kind defined in Section 4 (1) of the Act of 1910; and the fact that security has not hitherto been demanded from a newspaper does not in the least bar the requirement of security if the paper publishes matter offending against the law. This is fully understood by all concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of a child named George Bryden, who was tried at the Newcastle children's police court on 3rd April and committed to a reformatory school for a period of four years; and whether, previous to his appearance at the children's court, he had served as a private in His Majesty's Army?

I have been making inquiries into this case. It appears that the boy was attested on 30th January, that he gave his age as 17, and that this was supported by a posted letter purporting to come from his father to the effect that he was 17 years and two weeks old. The boy subsequently admitted that he wrote the letter himself. His height was 5 feet 5 inches, weight 115 pounds, and chest measurement 34½ inches, with a range of expansion of 4½ inches. His correct age was 15. He was tried in the children's court because the police had already ascertained his real age in connection with another offence committed prior to enlistment.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will take steps to protect the Army from the ravages of the children's charter?

Well, Sir, I think it was admitted that this was a very fine child. From all appearances he was a full-grown man, and one cannot prevent occasional cases of fraud of this kind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain why the name of Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. Morgan, C.B., D.S.O., appears as managing director of the Services Canadian Land Company in the register at Somerset House, No. 39,770, on 17th April?

On the 28th March Lieutenant-Colonel Morgan wrote to inform the Army Council that he had accepted the managing directorate mentioned, and to submit accordingly his resignation. On the 3rd April he wrote again stating that his contract as managing director would not be entered into for some time to come, if at all, and asking that he might be allowed to withdraw his resignation. On the 17th April—the day following the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman on the subject—he wrote stating that since his previous letter the company had been floated, but that he had not yet entered into any agreement to act as its managing director, and again submitting his resignation. This resignation was accepted by the Army Council on Saturday last—the 20th—to take effect from that day.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the register at Somerset House is incorrect?

I do not know how the mistake arose on the part of those concerned, but I have given the hon. Gentleman a full account of what took place. It appears that after his appointment as managing director he wrote and said—I can give his exact words—that it could not be entered into for some time, if at all. He then withdrew his resignation. Afterwards it was found that there was a prospect of his being able to accept the appointment.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will put Somerset House right as to the register?

I do not think that is a question for me. I suppose it is possible for a list of directors to be registered and for it to be found subsequently that the company could not be floated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present percentage of direct as compared with that of indirect taxation in the United Kingdom?

The percentages of direct and indirect taxation in the United Kingdom on the basis of the Budget Estimates of Revenue for the year 1912–13 are 57.27 and 42.73 respectively. This calculation is made on the principle which I explained in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Colchester on the 27th June last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when, and in what circumstances, it was settled years ago that there should be no representation of India at the Imperial Conference; whether the arrangement has been carried out; and, if not, why a decision has been avoided?

The constitution of the Imperial Conference was settled by the first resolution of the Colonial Conference of 1907. This resolution contemplates the attendance of the Secretary of State for India at the Conference for any discussion in which his interests are specially involved. But there has never been any question of the participation of India as a separate unit in the Conferences which have been held since 1897 between the Mother-country and the self-governing Dominions. Nor was India so represented at the Conference of 1887.

asked whether it has been the custom to invite the Secretary of State for India to attend the Imperial Conference; and on what occasions the invitation has been refused, and at which of the Conferences the Secretary of State for India has been an absentee?

The Secretary of State for India attended the Imperial Conference of 1911 at the meeting on the eleventh day for the purpose of taking part in the discussion upon matters affecting Indian emigrants. The Secretary of State for India also attended the formal opening meeting of the Colonial Conference of 1907, and on one other day, as well as that of the Conference of 1887. He did not attend at any meeting of the Conferences of 1897 and 1902.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that at the 1911 Conference Lord Crewe, then Secretary of State for India, took a prominent part in the debate raised by Sir Joseph Ward on the question of Indian emigration and immigration within the Dominions; and that Sir James Mackay (now Lord Inch-cape) was specially invited to represent the India Office at the 1907 Conference; whether he did attend the Conference in that capacity; whether he was present at every sitting of the Conference; whether he took part in the debate on preferential trade, presenting the view of India from the free trade standpoint; and, if the reply to these questions be in the affirmative, will he explain Lord Inchcape's presence at the 1907 Conference, in view of the settled policy that there should be no representation of India at the Imperial Conference?

The facts are practically as stated. As I have already explained there has been no participation of India as a separate unit of the Empire. The Prime Minister, in his opening address at the Conference of 1907, referred to the presence of Sir James Mackay by saying "if any question should arise with regard to India, you will have the advice of a most distinguished member of Council, Sir James Mackay." Sir James Mackay, now Lord Inchcape, was specially selected to represent the India Office on that occasion, but under the present constitution of the Imperial Conference only a Minister can be a member of the Conference and speak in that capacity.

Is it not a fact that Lord Inchcape was present at every meeting of the Conference?

Yes; Sir James Mackay was appointed at the earlier Conference as representative of the India Office.

What is the difference between a representative of India and a representative of the India Office?

It is a fine distinction which may be better explained by the Under-Secretary for India.

Is it too late to consider the representation of our Indian Empire at the Imperial Conference?

Yes.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any complaints have been made as to the use of Hyde Park for organised games for children in London schools?

No, Sir. No complaints have been received. On the contrary, great pleasure has been expressed by all parties concerned.

By whom were these games organised?

The management of the games is in the hands of the officials of the London County Council.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East whether he can give an approximate date for the completion of the garden which is to be laid out on the site now being cleared in Millbank Street; whether plans have yet. been prepared showing the dimensions of the garden and the manner in which it is to be laid out; and whether he has any other information to give to the House in the matter?

The plan for laying out the Victoria Tower Garden, as enlarged, is now under consideration. The First Commissioner cannot say when the work will be finished, but it is not likely to be before the summer of next year. He proposes to put the plans, when they are completed, in the Tea Room for the inspection and approval of hon. Members, and it has been suggested to him that he should provide a site in the garden for the group of statuary by Rodin, known as the "Burghers of Calais."

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East whether he is aware that, when the widening of Mill-bank is completed and the new street is paved, the macadam roads of Abingdon Street and St. Margaret's Street on the east side of Parliament Square, which are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Works, will be connected at each end with paved surfaces; and whether he will take steps to lay down permanent paving instead of macadam at the earliest possible moment?

The First Commissioner hopes to be able to lay down wood paving on the portions of these roadways which are under his control when the work being carried out by the local authorities has been completed.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East whether, in view of the recommendations of the Chief Commisioner of Police for an alteration in the position of the refuge in the roadway at the junction of Pall Mall and the bottom of St. James's Street, and of the wish of the Westminster City Council to carry out the suggested alteration, he could see his way to pave the macadam roadway in front of St. James's Palace, which is under the jurisdiction of the Office of Works, at an early date, so as to obviate the congestion of vehicular traffic; and whether he is aware that congestion is caused not only by the awkward position of the refuge, but also by the traffic avoiding the defective macadam roadway and keeping to the wood pavement?

The First Commissioner considers that the paving of the roadway in front of St. James's Palace ought to be done. He cannot, however, promise that it shall be carried out during the present financial year, owing to lack of funds.

Will the hon. Member use his influence with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to get the necessary funds? It is only a small amount.

The Estimates for this year have been settled. The matter will be considered when the Estimates for next year are being considered.

Cannot the hon. Member do something in the interval?

Is not the West End of London rich enough to pay for this?

Will the hon. Member put down a Supplementary Vote? It is not a question of the West End of London.

I will indicate what the hon. Member says to the First Commissioner. I do not know whether he will consider it important enough to put down a Supplementary Estimate for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the Regulations under the Shops Act, 1911, were issued so short a time before 1st May, the date on which the Act comes into force, it would be possible to obtain a short postponement of that date; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability in the circumstances of providing that local authorities should refrain from exercising their penal powers until a reasonable time had elapsed within which local authorities and traders can make the necessary arrangements for giving effect to the provisions of the Act?

The Secretary of State has no power to postpone the date on which the Act comes into force or to instruct local authorities to refrain from enforcing its provisions. I may point out, however, that the Regulations refer, in the main, not to the compulsory provisions of the Act, but to those which depend on the action of the local authority, and which the local authorities will certainly not put into operation prematurely. The only Regulations affecting the compulsory provisions are those relating to the notice to be given of the day for the assistants half-holiday and to the conditions under which a mixed shop may be kept open on the half-holiday, and it is thought the interval of a month between the issue of the Regulations and the coming into force of the Act will be found to be ample so far as these two Regulations are concerned.

In view of the fact that the Bill provides, in Section (4) that three months' notice shall be given before any alteration takes place, in the absence of the local authorities having time to issue those Regulations, will the Home Office take any action if the shopkeepers should alter the day within three months?

My hon. Friend had better give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that thirty-seven deaths were caused by motor omnibuses in the Metropolitan area from 1st January to 16th April of this year, and that such fatal accidents show a tendency rapidly to increase, he will again impress upon the motor omnibus companies the necessity of taking immediate steps to provide some form of safety tender or other device which will reduce the number of such accidents?

My right hon. Friend is afraid that he cannot add anything to the reply he gave to my hon. Friend's question of 25th March, when he explained that the importance of providing a suitable guard had been impressed upon the companies from the outset, and certain concessions promised when one was available. I understand that the companies and others have given the matter much attention, but no satisfactory guard has yet been submitted to the police.

Do the companies admit that the accidents are rapidly increasing?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a request that no further telephone call offices shall be established at public houses; and, if so, what, if any, action he proposes to take in the matter?

It has been the practice of the Post Office for the last four years not to establish public telephone call offices at public houses; and that practice will continue to be followed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many obsolete armoured ships were sold during the financial year 1911–12; who were the buyers; and were they sold subject to being broken up in this country at ordinary trade union wages?

The following six obsolete armoured ships were sold in the financial year 1911–12, namely:— The conditions of sale were that the ships should be broken up under bond, but not necessarily in the United Kingdom. The first three ships were broken up abroad and the others in the United Kingdom. No stipulation as to wages is made in contracts for the sale of obsolete ships or other material, machinery, etc.

"Why have the ships been broken up?

They are not all broken up. We have a three-fold application. If the armoured ship is of fighting value then it is broken up in this Kingdom. If it is of less fighting value it is broken up, and the breaking up may be done abroad, but if it is of still smaller fighting value, or is a wooden ship of no fighting value at all then it may be taken anywhere. That is generally our scheme.

asked when the Dickinson (Dilke) Return of Fleets will be issued?

It is hoped to issue the "Return in the course of next month.

asked whether the First Lord of the Admiralty's attention had been called to the case of W. Hawes, injured on board His Majesty's ship "Africa," in January, 1908; what pension he has received per annum; whether such pension is to be continued; whether he was discharged from the Service, having been permanently injured for life, as pensioned; and what the Admiralty propose doing with the case in the future?

Hawes was invalided in 1903 after seven years' service for an injury sustained on duty, and has received over £58 in pension and gratuity. The rate and duration of naval pensions granted for injuries are dependent on length of service and the extent to which earning powers are affected by the disablement. In view of these factors as they exist in this case, Hawes cannot be granted further compensation at present, but should he become unfit for employment as a result of the injury, he would be eligible for further consideration.

asked how long an interval had preceded the acceptance of the Marine Insurance Company in 1906 since the time when a previous acceptance was decided upon?

The answer is six years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what is the percentage of increase in total purchases from the United Kingdom by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Indian Empire, respectively, and by the remaining Crown Colonies and Dependencies, collectively, from 1900 to the end of 1911; and what is the comparative total percentage increase to the same countries from all foreign countries during that period?

The exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom in 1911 to the Dominions and Possessions named showed an increase, as compared with those for 1900, of 159 per cent, to Canada, 43 per cent, to Australia, 79 per cent, to New Zealand, 67 per cent. to South Africa, 74 per cent, to India, and 47 per cent, to the remaining British Possessions. Corresponding particulars for the exports of all foreign countries collectively to those Dominions and Possessions cannot be given, and the statistics of some of the Dominions do not permit of comparative figures of Colonial imports being stated owing to changes in methods of compilation.

Is it not the fact that wherever the self-governing Dominions are granted a preference the percentage of in-increase is very much greater than in the Crown Colonies and other places?

I should like notice of that question.

asked whether the President of the Board of Trade consulted the Board of Agriculture before he drafted the Railways Bill; and whether he took into consideration the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on fruit culture which reported in 1905?

I am afraid I cannot make any statement as to the Departments and other bodies and persons whom I consulted formally or otherwise in connection with the preparation of the Railways Bill. As regards the last part of the question, the principal recommendations of the Departmental Committee to which my hon. Friend refers which would require legislation related to owner's risk rates and the amendment of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894, to facilitate temporary reductions of rates in times of glut. Both these subjects are dealt with in the Bill which I have introduced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the extreme importance of the Bill, consult the Board of Agriculture before the Bill comes up for Second Beading?

asked if the President of the Board of Trade has given any instructions or assurances to His Majesty's consuls or representatives in Russia that this country will shortly adopt a policy of Protection?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister, whether under the Government of Ireland Bill it is intended to retain Ministers in the Imperial Parliament responsible for Irish affairs; and, if so, to what number and under what description?

It will be necessary of course that some Minister of the United Kingdom Government should be responsible for matters the administration of which in Ireland will still rest with that Government. Whether there should be more than one such Minister, or what the description of that Minister should be, are matters on which I can give no answer at present.

asked what number of salutes the Lord Lieutenant will be entitled in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill passing into law?

I am not aware of any necessity for an alteration in the existing practice.

asked to whom, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the administration of the Irish Government will be delegated in the absence or incapacity of the Lord Lieutenant; and whether the Lord Lieutenant will have power to appoint a deputy to act in such emergencies?

In this matter no provision seems necessary beyond that contained in Clause 4 (2) of the Bill. The usual arrangements will be made on behalf of the Crown for the administration of the Irish Government in the absence of the Lord Lieutenant.

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, representations from any person in Ireland will go to the Irish Minister in the Imperial Parliament only through the Lord Lieutenant?

This is a matter of administration with which the Bill does not deal.

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the staff of the Lord Lieutenant will be provided by the Irish Parliament or the Imperial Parliament, or will the Lord Lieutenant be expected to provide his own staff?

If the hon. Member will look at Clause 31 he will see that the salary and expenses of the Lord Lieutenant will be paid out of moneys provided by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, but the Irish Government will provide £5,000 a year towards his salary.

asked whether, by the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill, the present position of the Lord Lieutenant, whereby an action against him for any official act is stayed by the Court on application without examining the colour of the act in question, is in any way affected?

There does not appear to be anything in the Bill to affect the principles upon which the Irish cases on this subject have been decided.

asked if the Prime Minister will state what, if any, precedents exist for the formation of a Second Chamber by nomination of the Executive Government?

For the composition of Second Chambers in the self-governing Dominions and the method of nomination or election I would refer the hon. Member to the Return presented to the House of Commons on 30th March, 1910; and with regard to the composition of these Chambers in foreign States, to the White Paper, Misc., No. 5, 1907.

May I ask the right hon. Gentlemen whether this part of the scheme for the better government of Ireland is the outcome of negotiations with the leaders of the Nationalist party?

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us of any Dominions of the State within the British Empire where the Second Chamber is called a Senate1? [HON. MEMBERS: "Australia," "Canada."]

If the hon. Member will refer to those Papers he will find all the information there.

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, that country will continue to elect representative peers to the House of Lords?

Yes, Sir.

asked if, in view of the importance of the proposals contained in the Government of Ireland Bill, and to ensure the fullest opportunity of discussion and amendment, the Prime Minister will make arrangements to obviate the undue curtailment of Debate by carrying over into next Session, when the time of the House is likely to be less fully occupied, the consideration of these Sections of the measure, delay in respect of which need not involve, under the provisions of the Parliament Act, the postponement of the coming into force of the general principles of the Bill?

I see no necessity for the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

asked whether the effect of Clause 15, Section ( d ) of the Government of Ireland Bill will be to prevent the Irish Parliament from using their powers of varying the Customs and Excise Duties so as to produce any protective effect?

Generally speaking, the answer is in the affirmative.

asked whether the effect of Clause 15, Section ( a ), of the Government of Ireland Bill will be to prevent the Irish Parliament from levying an Export Duty on linen?

The answer is in the affirmative so long as there is not an Imperial Customs Duty on linen.

asked what is the number of persons at present employed in the Civil Service in Ireland; and what proportion of these are engaged on work which would under the Government of Ireland Bill remain under the control of the Imperial Parliament?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service Estimates for details as to the number of persons employed in the various public Departments in Ireland. The number of persons who-will remain under the control of the Imperial Parliament cannot be accurately stated at this stage.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea as to information with regard to the latter part of the question?

Sometime or another I have no doubt the fact will appear. I will communicate with the hon. Member.

As the matter is rather important, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman could say when the information will be given?

I cannot name any date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the amount of the cost of the administration of the District Boards under the Minimum Wage Act?

I am not yet in a positions to state the sum that, may be required.

What salary is it proposed to pay the Chairman?

It will vary according to a certain scale. I would rather not make a statement at the present time. It will depend upon the length of the sitting, and so on.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state, for the convenience of the House, whether it is not necessary to have a Resolution, or an Amendment of the Act, and, if so, whether steps will be taken for a Resolution or an Amendment of the Act?

It will come before us in the form of a Supplementary Estimate.

Is not a Resolution of an Amendment of the Act as much necessary in this case as in the case of the Home Rule Bill or the Insurance Act, or any other Act where appointments are made?

This is not a case of new appointments. It is the appointment of certain persons to carry out portions of the Act. I understand a Resolution is not necessary, and in the ordinary way it will come on the Supplementary Estimates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he will take steps to see that it comes within the scope of the duties of the Insurance Commissioners to send to the secretary of each unregistered society and village club, when the list of such societies and clubs has been made, a copy of model rules for approved societies desiring to do business under the Act, and advice as to the procedure necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act for grouping; (2) whether the hon. Gentleman will see that the National Insurance Commissioners take the necessary steps to advise the secretaries of small societies as to the course they ought to pursue to prevent them from becoming extinct after the National Insurance Act comes into operation, and so prevent large organised urban societies and trade unions, who can afford expert advice, having a monopoly of national insurance business?

The Commissioners have, ever since their appoint- ment, communicated to small societies, as well as to large, any documents issued by them giving instructions as to the steps necessary for approval, and they have also published literature dealing specially with the case of small societies, which has been sent to every registered society. The Commissioners have also placed themselves in direct communication with many small societies, which, they were informed, were in danger of dissolving, and have offered advice and assistance and the services of one of their lecturers. In addition, they are organising for various rural areas (the number of which they hope to increase at an early date) a series of lectures, to be given in convenient places within each such area, specially directed to giving information on the Act to local officials of rural societies. Steps have been and are being taken at the same time to reach unregistered as well as registered societies. The Commissioners are anxious to do everything in their power to enable small societies to realise their position under the Act and will be glad to consider further suggestions on the matter from any quarter.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether those documents that have been issued do or do not include a model set of rules and advice to small societies as to what course they should take in grouping?

I think model sets of rules are being sent to every secretary.

asked on what date the National Health Insurance Commission were authorised to make use of the Royal Arms at the head of the explanatory leaflets which they are issuing?

No special authority is required for the use of the Royal Arms on official publications. There is general authority for their use at the discretion of the Government Department concerned.

Is it necessary that the use of the Royal Arms should be continued, as I understand a certain amount of disappointment is occasioned to the recipients?

As I understand, the Royal Arms are used on practically every Government publication. I can give the hon. Gentleman samples of hundreds of them if he likes to see them. I do not understand why anyone should be disappointed at receiving a leaflet containing the Royal Arms.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether representations have been made to him on behalf of associations of dairy farmers that, where a servant is found to be adulterating milk without the consent or knowledge of his employer, the prosecution should be against the servant instead of the employer; and whether he will undertake to make provision to this effect in the Milk Bill?

I have received one representation to this effect. Proceedings may be taken against a servant in the circumstances described, and are so taken in some cases at the present time. I do not think it advisable to indicate at present what provisions will be inserted in the Bill.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has been informed that the Bristol board of guardians have again refused to act in accordance with the suggestions of the Local Government Board with regard to the loss of income suffered by their vaccination officers in consequence of the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907; and, if so, what action, if any, does he now propose to take?

I received a letter from the guardians on the 4th inst., from which it appeared that they had negatived a motion to refuse to pay compensation to the vaccination officers. I am still in communication with the guardians on the subject.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in April, 1909, he received a letter from the vaccination officer of the Bedford Union stating that the gratuity of £7 12s. 3d. that the Local Government Board had sanctioned his guardians paying to him did not make up the total amount of his loss in consequence of the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907, which at that time was £19 8s. 10d.; whether this officer has received a second gratuity of £3 14s.; whether he has received further communications from the vaccination officer of this union with regard to his further loss of income, and, if so, the dates of such communications; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the two gratuities referred to, this officer had up to Christmas quarter, 1910, lost over £50, and in consequence of the continued increase in exemptions since then he has lost a still further amount, which has placed him in financial difficulties; and what action, if any, does he propose to take with regard to this officer's case?

I have received the letters referred to in the question. Besides the first gratuity of £7 12s. 3d. referred to, the guardians have paid the vaccination officer gratuities 6f £3 7s. and £3 15s. with my sanction, and have allowed him 30s. a year for his postages. I am in communication with the guardians on the subject, but I may observe that this official is not required to devote his whole time to his duties.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider the gratuities he has named adequate compensation in the case?

That depends on the officer's duties.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, in consequence of the increase in the number of exemption certificates received by the vaccination officers in the Hackney Union, the loss of income sustained by one of these officers amounts to over £50, and the loss to the other £200; whether he will now consider the desirability of giving these cases special treatment; whether the Local Government Board have informed the clerk to the Hackney Board of Guardians that these officers are not entitled to be paid a fee for sending a copy of a certificate of successful vaccination of a child vaccinated in their district to the officer of the district where the child was born, the original certificate having been sent to this officer; whether the Local Government Board have received a letter from the National Vaccination Officers' Association with regard thereto, and, if so, in view of such letter, is the Local Government Board still of the same opinion; and, if so, whether, considering the importance of the question, the Local Government Board will take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown thereon?

The two present vaccination officers in the Hackney Union were appointed in 1907, subject to a specific condition that no claim should be made by them in respect of loss of fees or other disturbance by reason of any revision of the Vaccination Acts or Orders. In the circumstances I do not consider their case as justifying special consideration. With regard to the second part of the question, I do not think it necessary to take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown on the subject.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the appointment of infant life protection visitor was only held temporarily by Mr. Emmerson, vaccination officer of South Shields Union, from September, 1909, till March, 1911, pending the appointment of a permanent officer, and that Mr. Emmerson received a sum of about £19 as a remuneration for his services therein, and that such duties and remuneration ceased absolutely in March, 1911; that the appointment of deputy registrar of births and deaths only carries with it a remuneration of about £8 per annum, as the duties are only to be performed in the absence or illness of the registrar; that since the vaccination officer's fees were increased in 1911 the number of exemptions has increased to 839 during the year 1911 as against 777 in 1910, 565 in 1909, 334 in 1908, and 61 in 1907; and that consequently, notwithstanding the increase in his fees, the vaccination officer is still suffering a substantial loss of income although performing the same duties as were required before this change took place; and whether he proposes to take any steps to compensate the vaccination officer for the loss which is still being sustained?

I was not aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. The figures as to the number of exemptions are, I believe, generally correct. I am making further inquiry as to the diminution in the remuneration of this officer.

asked whether, in view of the loss of income suffered by vaccination officers in consequence of the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907, and the decision of the Local Government Board not to issue a General Order with regard thereto, and the financial difficulties in which many of these vaccination officers are now placed in consequence of the increase of exemption certificates received by them, the Prime Minister will arrange an early date for the consideration of the Estimates of the Local Government Board; and, if so, what will be a convenient date for this purpose?

The suggestion of the hon. Member will be considered along with the numerous requests for the consideration of other Votes.

asked the Attorney-General if the Government have offered to withdraw the prosecution for conspiracy of certain members of the Women's Social and Political Union if those members undertake to cease their militant campaign?

The answer is in the negative.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Government have no intention of taking any such step?

They have not contemplated any such action.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that trawlers engaged in fishing in prohibited areas have frequently out-distanced the fishery cruisers; and whether, in the construction of any new cruisers, the speed will be such as to enable them efficiently to carry out their duties?

I am not aware of any case in which the trawlers have out-distanced the fishery cruisers, and would ask my hon. Friend to communicate to me the information on which the allegation in the first part of the question is based. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether solicitors practising in Scotland are eligible for appointments as sheriffs principal; and, if not, will he introduce legislation making them so, in view of the fact that there are so few fresh entrants to the Faculty of Advocates?

Under the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907, a law agent is made eligible for the appointment referred to provided he is a sheriff-substitute of five years' standing at least, and I am not aware that there is any demand, or need, for further legislation on this matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any case under the Act of any sheriff-substitute having been appointed a sheriff-principal?

The hon. Member has a question on the Paper on that particular point.

asked for how many years have solicitors practising in Scotland been eligible for appointments as sheriffs-substitute; how many solicitors have been chosen for such posts in that time; and how many in the last six years?

I am not aware that solicitors have ever been ineligible for appointment as sheriff-substitute, and as the appointment lay in the hands of the sheriff-depute until the year 1877, I am unable to give the hon. Member the number of solicitors appointed from the institution of the office till 1906. One solicitor has been appointed to the office of sheriff-substitute during the last six years.

Is it not the case that solicitors' appointments give greater satisfaction, or as great satisfaction, as the appointment of members of the Faculty of Advocates?

I certainly decline to commit myself as a mere layman to such a distinction between the two branches of the profession.

asked the President of the Board of Education, if his attention has been called to the case of Pounds, at Grantham, who has been brought before, the Court for not sending his child to school when sufficient school places are not provided; and whether he will have the matter inquired into with a view to a remedy?

I have no official information with regard to the case referred to. As the hon. Member knows, the whole question of elementary school accommodation at Grantham is under consideration and I am waiting to receive from the local education authority detailed proposals for providing further accommodation in the borough and for remedying the defects in the existing premises. The authority were informed on the 4th April that a definite reply would be expected at the latest within three weeks from that date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the report furnished to the Local Government Board by Mr. J. W. Drury, inspector of audits, in regard to the financial position of the Sligo corporation, has yet been brought to his notice; and will he lay a copy upon the Table of the House?

This report is a confidential document intended for the information of the Local Government Board, and it would be quite contrary to precedent to publish it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government has agreed to the appointment of an assistant bishop to the diocese of Madras; and whether the whole or any part of the remuneration for this post will be provided out of Imperial funds?

This appointment has been recommended by the Government of India, and is at present under consideration by the Secretary of State in Council. Statements published in the Press to the effect that an assistant bishop had been appointed are unauthorised and premature. No part of the remuneration of the post, if it be sanctioned, will be provided from Government funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that forty-one officers and 6,703 noncommissioned officers and men absented themselves altogether without leave from camp training in 1911, he will say how many of them were punished for this breach of discipline and of what the punishments consisted; and are these officers and men still borne on the strength of the Territorial Force?

A special return has been called for from the units giving the information required.

asked the right hon. Gentleman, whether, in view of the fact that General French stated in 1910 that the Yeomanry squadrons were very much hampered during their annual training by recruits who were without the elementary knowledge necessary to fit them for the ranks, he will say whether all these recruits had done the necessary preliminary drills as laid down in the regulations for the training of the Territorial Force; and, if not, whether they were deprived of their pay, as laid down in Appendix 6, Sub-Appendix I., Training of Yeomanry?

There are no statistics available in the War Office to enable me to give the information required. I would, however, point out that under the regulations as amended by Army Order 287 of 1910 pay is admissible for recruits if they joined within three months of camp and the divisional or mounted brigade commander is satisfied that they could not be resaonably expected to have done the requisite number of drills.

asked whether any arrangements have been yet made for a museum of safety appliances in this country; and, if so, when it was opened and where it is situated?

As the hon. Member was informed last year, the Government has decided to establish such a museum, and the arrangements are now in hand. The selection of the site has taken a little time, but the offer of a suitable site in a central position in Westminster has now been accepted, and provision had been made in the Estimates for commencing the erection of the building in the course of the present year. It will necessarily be some time before the museum is ready for opening.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any information as to the intention of the Australian Government to participate in the scheme for the establishment of an Imperial chain of wireless telegraphic stations?

I understand that the High Commissioner for Australia has been informed by telegraph that the Commonwealth Government, which, with the other Governments concerned, was notified of the terms of the Marconi Company's tender for the erection of the stations, prefers to make its own arrangements for the provision of a station capable of becoming an efficient part of the Imperial scheme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that Germans have already acquired large interests and docks at Kingston, Jamaica; and that large sums of money are being spent in harbour improvements at St. Thomas, on account of the near completion of the Panama Canal; and if it is proposed to take immediate action in the establishment of British docks and a coaling station at Kingston, Jamaica, which lies within a hundred miles of the routes over which North European and American vessels will have to pass on their way to and from Colon?

If I am right in assuming that the hon. Member's question refers to commercial facilities, it should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary. As has already been stated, so far as naval interests are concerned, no immediate change of policy in the West Indies is considered necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he was aware that the Great Northern Railway Company was now the only one which had not carried out the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on superannuation funds in regard to permitting the members to elect a proportion of the committee of management; and what he intended to do in the matter?

I am in communication with the company on this matter, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he would state the number and proportion of first, second, and third class passengers saved from the wreck of the "Titanic"; the number of women and children of all classes who were lost; and the number of male passengers of all classes saved?

I have already promised to circulate the information with the Votes as soon as I am in a position to do so.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he can give the House any information as to the result of the meeting of representatives of the large passenger lines with the Board of Trade yesterday in regard to the question of the provision of boats?

As I stated to the House yesterday, the Board of Trade convened a meeting of representatives of most of the large passenger lines in order to ascertain what steps, if any, were contemplated by the companies themselves in view of the new situation created by the loss of the "Titanic." The companies inform us that they had already decided to provide on board their vessels boats and rafts sufficient to accommodate all persons on board. I understand that there will be great difficulty in obtaining suitable boats to supply the whole of the additional demand immediately, but that every effort will be made by the shipping companies to equip the vessels at the earliest possible moment. I should like to add that the above information was furnished quite voluntarily, and not as the result of any advice or representations made to the companies by the Board of Trade. The lines on whose behalf the information has been given include the Allan, American, Atlantic Transport, Bucknalls, Canadian Pacific, Cunard, Dominion, Leyland, New Zealand Shipping Company, Orient, Ked Star, Royal Mail, Shaw Savill and Albion, Thompson's Aberdeen Line, Union Castle, and White Star.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if anything has been done with regard to the cross-Channel traffic?

That particular company was not represented yesterday, but I will communicate with them.

Is there any intention on the part of the Government to make any provisional revision of the Regulations of the Board of Trade pending the result and the decision of the Court of Inquiry?

I really do not think it would be an advantage to do so. As the House sees, the companies themselves are voluntarily undertaking considerable additional responsibility in the matter, and to attempt to act before we have more information than we have at the present moment would possibly do more harm than good. I think I had the House with me the other day in saying that we should lose no time in regard to this matter. If anything is to be done it will be done, but it had better be done after we have the fullest possible information at our disposal instead of attempting ourselves to make any provisional arrangements.