asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all the marine insurance companies on the approved list for Admiralty risks have their head office in London; and, if not, how many are provincial?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The head offices of six of the companies on the approved list are situated in the provinces.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for information showing the distribution of the clerical work allotted to the staff of his Department; and whether certain higher division clerks in the secretariat of the Admiralty are, or have been, in receipt of annual allowances as private secretaries to members of the Board, although not actually employed as such?

A detailed statement showing the nature of the work allotted to each member of the clerical staff of the Admiralty would entail the expenditure of much time and labour, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the more important clerical work devolves on the members of the directing staff, and the less important and routine work on-the subordinate staff of the Department. As regards the second part of the question, three higher division clerks are at the present time in receipt of an allowance for acting in the place of assistant principal clerks serving as private secretaries to members of the Board.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the hired accountant clerks, appointed temporarily to the department of the Accountant General of the Navy without any educational test, under a system of patronage which has now been abandoned, are considered to be senior in position to the assistant clerks now being appointed to the establishment of that department after open competitive examination; and, if so3 whether he will furnish the reasons for such an attitude.

The two classes are treated as quite distinct, and it is, therefore, considered that no question of seniority arises.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will explain why, seeing that there was already in existence an Accountant-General of the Navy, an assistant secretary for finance duties has been appointed to the Admiralty; whether he can furnish any information as to the duties performed by this new official; the number of papers with which he deals on an average every day; whether these papers could be dealt with in the ordinary course either by the recently appointed additional Civil Lord, the Accountant-General of the Navy, or the Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty; and whether the individual appointed to the new post in question was private secretary to the late First Lord and, in obtaining the position, passed over the heads of several principal clerks who were senior to him?

Since the appointment in question was gazetted, I have been giving personal consideration to the financial arrangements of the Admiralty, and have in the meantime suspended the instructions detailing this officer's duties. Meanwhile he has been employed on special work under the direction of my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary and myself. I anticipate that the final arrangements will shortly be concluded.

asked whether it is the intention of the Admiralty under the new destroyer organisation to base fifty torpedo boats and destroyers manned only with nucleus crews on Harwich, and Rosyth; whether there are any facilities at these places for the rapid completion of the complements to full numbers; and, if not, whether the arrangements necessary for that purpose will be made?

The hon. Member may rest assured that the particular problem to which his question refers has been and will be fully borne in mind. It would not be in the public interest to state the details.

asked what was the total number of ships of the "Dreadnought" type built, building, or to be laid down in the financial year 1912–13 for Great Britain on the one hand and for Germany, Italy, and Austria on the other?

The information asked for is as follows: Great Britain-built, twelve battleships and four battle-cruisers; building, ten battleships and six battle cruisers, including one battle-cruiser building for the Commonwealth of Australia; to be laid down in the financial year 1912–13, four large armoured ships. Germany—built, seven battleships and two battle-cruisers; building, nine battleships and three battle-cruisers; to be laid down in financial year 1912–13, one battleship and one battle-cruiser. Italy—Built, none; building, five battleships; to be laid down in financial year 1912–13, one battleship, but it has also been reported in the Press that two more battleships will probably be laid down this year. Austria-Hungary—built, none; building, four battleships; to be laid down in financial year 1912–13, none.

Do not these figures show that while Great Britain has built, is building, or is to lay down in 1912–13 a total of thirty-six such ships, the Triple Alliance has a total of thirty-five?

I can add up the totals, but I consider that to draw conclusions from or comment on them would take us beyond the limits permissible at Question Time.

Are these ships which are said to be now building by Austro-Hungary and Italy the same ships that figured in the scare speeches four years ago?

These ships have been under construction for a long time.

asked how many completed ships of the "Dreadnought" type will be possessed by France, Italy, and Austria, respectively, at the end of 1914, according to the calculations of the Admiralty?

The numbers are—France 10, Italy 4. We have no official information as to when the four ships now building for Austria-Hungary will be completed, but it is thought three of them will be completed by the end of 1914.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in 1906–7 the number of men on the establishment in the Royal dockyards was about 25 per cent, of the total number employed, and that in 1911–12 it was only about 17 per cent.; and whether he could see his way to recommend that the strength of the establishment should be restored to a quarter of the total number of men employed?

The percentages stated are approximately correct. I am not prepared to give the undertaking asked for in the second part of the question.

asked whether it is proposed to increase the number of men who are borne on establishment in the Royal dockyards; and, if so, at what date and in what proportions?

As I have already stated in reply to the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for the Bodmin Division of Cornwall, I am not prepared to give an undertaking in regard to an increase in the establishment.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the number of the establishment is settled by the Naval Estimates?

The number is settled at 6,500 for the present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two years ago the number given in the Estimates was increased by a considerable number shortly afterwards?

No, I am not aware of that.

I thought I would make him aware of it.

asked how many boats are carried by the Indian troopships "Assaye" and "Plassy"; what is the greatest number of troops accommodated on each ship; and for what percentage are boats or rafts provided for use in the event of a disaster to the ship?

For some years past boat accommodation has been provided in all transports, both Indian and Imperial, for every soul on board. The "Assaye" has not been employed as a transport since February, 1908, but the following particulars are given of two typical ships employed during the trooping season just ended, namely, "Plassy," belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, and "Rohilla," belonging to the British India Steam Navigation Company. Total number of passengers and crew accommodated on board the "Plassy," 1,681; number of boats provided, 33—including one steam launch; seating capacity of boats, 1,687. Total number of passengers and crew accommodated on board "Rohilla," 1,731; number of boats provided, 34—including one steam launch; seating capacity of boats, 1,786. There are no rafts on board transports.

Is it not a fact that the number of boats provided for them is in excess of the minimum number required by the Board of Trade regulations?

I have not had an opportunity of making the comparison.

The number of boats provided as a minimum in the regulations of the Board of Trade for a ship of 10,000 tons is not nearly so high as the number of boats for 1,600 people, which the right hon. Gentleman mentioned just now.

I am very much obliged to the hon. Gentleman for telling me.

asked how many ships of the Royal Navy, and of what class, were in the South Atlantic (south of an imaginary line drawn from Demerara to Tangier) on 16th March last?

"Glasgow," second class cruiser (Monte Video); "Hermes," second class cruiser (Simonstown); "Pandora," third class cruiser (at sea north of Capetown).

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that that is enough to protect the great amount of shipping which is bringing foodstuffs into this country?

Yes, I think so, having regard to the general distribution of His Majesty's Fleet.

What is the danger which is specially anticipated now?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been directed to the case of Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Company, of Birkenhead, who have refused to pay advance of wages with other firms in the district, and who are engaged on Government contracts; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The question raised by my hon. Friend is already engaging my attention. I am, however, not yet in a position to announce the result of the inquiries that are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention between Germany and the Congo State are still operative in the Belgian administration of the Congo territories; whether the same rights guaranteed to that Power were also accorded to other Powers whose territories border on the Congo State; and whether the treaties which provide for those rights are still in force?

The rights accorded by Article 3 of the German Convention were also provided for in the Conventions with Great Britain, France, and Portugal, which are the Powers whose territories border on: the Congo State. The provisions of Article 4 are reproduced in the Convention with Great Britain, and the Conventions with France and Portugal contain most-favoured-nation clauses. All the Conventions are, so far as I am aware, still in force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state, what steps were taken by the Colonial Office before making the changes in the regulations to ascertain the views of non-European British subjects in Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and the Federated Malay States with regard to the proposal to exclude from the civil and police services all persons who are not of pure European descent on both sides?

I have informed my hon. Friend on several occasions that the alteration in the regulation which has been made during my tenure of office consisted solely of the introduction of a few words to remove a possible ambiguity. It was obviously unnecessary to consult the Colony before taking this step. I gather that the Secretary of State, who sanctioned the alteration made in 1904, did not consider it necessary to consult non-European British subjects in the Colonies and States referred to, and, indeed, I do not see how it would have been possible for him to do so.

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman told me the changes were made on the representations of non-British subjects, and, if he made changes on the representations of subjects of non-British birth, why will he not take steps to consult them?

I am afraid there is some confusion between my hon. Friend and myself in regard to the matter.

asked whether the Secretary for the Colonies will give the names of the principals of the leading schools in the Straits Settlements who were in favour of the abolition of the Queen's scholarships, which have enabled many promising native students to complete their education at the universities in this country, and also of the one principal who was not in favour of the abolition of these scholarships; what was the annual cost of these scholarships; and to what specific purposes is the money now being devoted?

I am not in possession of the information asked for in the first part of this question. The annual cost varied, but when both scholarships were in existence it amounted roughly to £2,000. The savings which have been effected by the abolition of the scholarships have made it possible to expend more money on the institution of normal classes, on grants to aided schools for commercial scholarships and generally on the encouragement of secondary education.

Will the right hon Gentleman obtain for the information of this House the names of the schoolmasters who recommended the abolition of these scholarships?

I am very doubtful that they are of any importance to this House.

Without any consideration of the question as to whether the right hon. Gentleman thinks them important or not, will he obtain the names for the benefit of those Members of the House who do consider them important?

I will consider that.

I will put down another question on that subject.

asked which of the public holidays in the following list, namely, New Year's Day, the Chinese New Year, Good Friday and Easter, Whit Monday, Christmas, the two bank holidays in August, Hari Raia Puasa, Hari Raia Haji, the birthday of the King-Emperor, or the birthdays of the local Sultans, represent the provision that has been made for the religious festivals of Hindus in the Federated Malay States; whether the observation of the Hindu festival of Tai-pusûm as a bank holiday in the Straits Settlements is confined to the Settlement of Penang only; and, whether, in view of the large numbers of Hindus in the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements, the right hon. Gentleman will cause the Tai-pûsum festival to be observed as a holiday throughout these territories or the Dipavali festival in October?

The answer to the first part of the question is "none"; the answer to the second is in the affirmative. I do not propose to take any action in the matter. If the Hindu communities in the Straits Settlements or Federated Malay States desire that one of their religious festivities should be declared a general holiday, they will no doubt make representations to the local governments, with whose discretion I am not prepared to interfere.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state why the Tai-pûsum festival as a bank holiday is confined to one small part of the Straits Settlements?

I believe it is confined to the part where it is most often celebrated.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it can be celebrated in other parts if no time is allowed for it?

If no time is allowed, probably they have no desire to festivise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are over 60,000 Hindus in the Straits Settlements and only very few Christians, and that he has provided four holidays to suit the needs of the Christians and not one for the benefit of the many thousands of hard working Indian subjects of the Crown?

I would like to give as many holidays as I possibly could to everybody, but without further consideration I could not say with regard to the Tai-pûsum festival.

asked whether the Government has had in consideration the scheme proposed at the conference at Ottawa for the extension of the All-British Halifax-Bermuda cable to Barbados, British Guiana, and Trinidad; and, if so, what is the course it intends to pursue?

I understand that the subject of telegraphic communication was discussed, but I have not as yet received the report of the discussion. It would, therefore, be premature to consider action at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the basis on which the Mineral Bights Duty is payable by proprietors of mineral royalties in Scotland differs from that applied to proprietors in England; whether in the result the Scotsman is taxed relatively higher than the Englishman; and, if so, whether he can see his way to removing this difference of treatment?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is proposed to deal with the matter by legislation.

asked whether it would be a question of policy under the Estimates Committee set up last week, and therefore excluded from their action, that obsolete war vessels when sold by this country have attached to them a breaking-up condition which greatly reduces their price?

It will rest primarily with the Committee to interpret the Resolution of the House in the light of last week's Debate, and I do not think I should at this stage state my own view as to my hon. Friend's question.

asked whether, in making separate valuations of two adjoining parts of an occupation in accordance with the owner's requirements under Section 26 (1) of The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, where there are buildings on one. of such parts but not on the other, valuers have been instructed to ascertain the site value of the one unit of valuation as if it were divested of the buildings upon it, and to ascertain the site value of the other unit as if the adjoining land were not so divested of buildings; and whether, in making such valuations where the parts of an occupation are situate at a distance from each other, the valuers' instructions are the same or different?

As regards the first part of the question, no specific instructions have been issued to valuers on the point, but the practice is in accordance with the hon. Member's suggestion. It is immaterial whether the parts of an occupation are contiguous or not.

asked whether the appointment of chairman to the Scottish Insurance Commission was ever offered to an official of the Royal Bank of Scotland?

There were various negotiations in connection with this appointment, but I do not think it advisable to disclose details of communications of this character.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that in dealing with the question it would have been fairer to me to have given both sides of the argument?

I do not know what the Noble Lord is referring to. I gave a great deal of detail relating to the statement of the Noble Lord.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not understand that I mean he referred to those parts of the argument which suited himself, but not those parts which suited me?

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer's attention has been called to the fact that no member of the Friendly Societies' Alliance has been placed upon the Advisory Committee; and, having regard to the fact that this organisation represents 300,000 members whose interests are vitally affected by the administration of the National Insurance Act, he will take steps to insure representatives of this body being placed upon the Committee?

The English Commission have invited two representatives of the Friendly Societies' Medical Alliance to join the Advisory Committee to the Commission, and both these gentlemen have expressed their willingness to serve.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that the London General Omnibus Company are questioning their employés as to the particular society they wish to be their approved society under the Insurance Act; and whether, in view of his statements during the passage of the Act through this House that the choice of employed persons would be free and without the knowledge of the employers, he proposes to take any steps to prevent such action on the part of employers?

I have no information as to the alleged action referred to. It is explicitly laid down in the National Insurance Act that the employés of any company shall not be required as a condition of employment to belong to any employer's fund, and that members of such a fund shall not be forbidden to transfer to other approved societies. I will inquire into any case in which I have evidences that these conditions are being violated.

asked if the Committee to be; appointed under the tuberculosis Sections of the National Insurance Act will include a veterinary surgeon to enable the question of bovine tuberculosis in connection, with mankind to be especially considered?

I do not understand what Committee the hon. Member has in mind. The Committee on Tuberculosis, which was appointed some weeks ago, has practically concluded its work, and I hope its Report will be presented to the House in a few days' time.

May I ask if this question of bovine tuberculosis will be covered by the Report of the Committee?

I am not quite sure what the terms of reference were, and perhaps the hon. Member will give notice of the question.

Why has the Committee-concluded so soon?

It is most important that the Report should be rapidly placed before the House.

asked, the Secretary to the Treasury, (1) with, reference to the recent examination for typists, under the provisions of the National Insurance Act for Scotland, if he will state the names of the schools that received nominations from Mr. James. Leishman, the Chairman of the Commissioners; the number of nominations given and candidates that entered for the examination in each case; the names of the outside offices and similar information in respect of them; and the number of other applicants who received nominations, in view of the fact that eighteen, entered for the examination, of whom three were disqualified for age; and (2) the names of the schools or outside offices, that returned the six winning candidates, at the recent examination for typists in Edinburgh, in the latter case or if the candidate was an outside applicant the name of the office and the school in which the typist was originally trained; and whether the three who were disallowed for age were from schools, outside offices, or were; separate applicants?

The schools which received invitations to submit candidates for the examination were McAdams' Commercial Training Institution, three; Whiteley's Business College, two; Reid's Typewriting Bureau, the Remington Typewriting Company, Skerry's College, Miss Wilkie's and Miss Paton's Typewriting establishments, one each. Nominees from all these establishments sat for the examination, except those from Miss Paton's and from Reid's. Of the others who sat two were employed in the offices of Messrs. Brodie and Sons, one at the College of Art, Edinburgh, one by Messrs. Thomas Nelson and Co., one by Messrs. Menzies and Thomson, one was temporarily employed in the office of the Scottish Commission, and one was acting as private secretary to her father. Two of the candidates, who were disqualified by age and did not sit, were employed in the offices of Messrs. Davidson Byrne, Messrs. Young and Falconer; the third was the nominee of Reid's Typewriting Bureau. The six candidates who obtained highest places in the Civil Service examination were previously employed by Messrs. J. C. Brodie and Sons (two), the College of Art, Edinburgh, Messrs. W. J. Graham, the Scottish Insurance Commission, the Rev. P. R. Mackay. Two of these were trained by Whiteley's Business College and Adams' Commercial Training Institution. The remaining four had been at Leish-man's School at various periods; in no case within two years of the examination. I may add, as these questions are obviously intended as a personal charge against the Chairman of the Scottish Commission, that he neither has now, nor had he when these nominations were made, any connection whatever with the last-mentioned school. He neither has, nor had then, any money invested in the business, nor any interest in it as an active, dormant, sleeping, or any other kind of partner.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the question I have asked was in view of the subsequent Debate in order to elicit the facts?

I thought the Noble Lord would have been satisfied with the Debate we had last Thursday.

asked the (Secretary to the Treasury if any of the National Insurance Commissioners, including chairmen, have been appointed under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act of 1859 and, if so, which; if all the remaining Commissioners have been appointed under Clause 7 of the Order in Council of January, 1910; if any of the appointments are definitely fixed for a limited number of years; and if all the Commissioners, chairmen included, are pensionable?

The four chairmen are the only Insurance Commissioners who are pensionable as such, though Mr. Bradbury and Mr. Robertson are pensionable Civil servants in respect of their permanent appointments as a principal clerk in the Treasury and Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies respectively. The office of chairman of each of the four Commissions was placed under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1859, without addition of years by Treasury Minute of 2nd January last, which was laid before Parliament on 16th February. The other Commissioners hold their offices for a fixed number of years (in most cases five). The, appointments held by them were placed under Schedule B of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, by Gazette notice of 9th January, 1912, and they are, therefore, exempt from the necessity of obtaining Civil Service certificates.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain why the chairmen of the respective Commissions should have been, made pensionable, and why other Commissioners were called upon to forfeit pension rights of which they were in. possession?

I am not aware that any Commissioners were called upon to, forfeit pension rights, or that any complaint has been made by any of them on the point or as to such a condition being laid down. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would communicate with me.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered why the chairmen should have been pensioned and why the other members of the Commission should not.

The other members were only appointed for five years and you could hardly give pension rights for five years to young men. I should have thought that was obvious.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total number of provisional valuations which had resulted in minus quantities by the 1st of April; what was the largest minus quantity arrived at by that date; and what is the amount of Increment Value Duty which had been assessed by that date in respect of any increase in value below zero?

The information required by the hon. Member will take some time to collate, but I am giving instructions that it be procured with as little delay as possible.

Is it not the fact that all those minus valuations only occurred in assessable site value, and not in full site value?

was understood to indicate assent.

Does the right hon. Gentleman desire me to put down a question at a later date?

If the hon. Member thinks there is any undue delay I would not object at all to being reminded of it.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that outbreaks of swine fever have ceased in the Spalding district; and, if so, whether he will remove all restrictions on the sale of pigs in the Spalding market.

No fewer than thirteen outbreaks of swine fever have occurred in the Parts of Holland Division of Lincolnshire since the 14th ultimo, and, in view of the fact that a considerable quantity of pigs are; sent to Spalding market from that Division, the existing restrictions could hot with safety be modified at the present time.

asked what are the exact areas into which it is proposed to divide the country for the purposes of forestry development; and what are the several institutions to which Grants are being made by the Board for advisory purposes, and the mode of allotment between them of the above areas respectively?

The institutions to which Grants have been provisionally offered are the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the Armstrong College, Newcastle-on-Tyne; the University College of North Wales, Bangor; and the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. The areas to be associated with these institutions respectively have not yet been defined On this point I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 16th of this month.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act, 1895, it is enacted that the Scottish Fishery Board shall consist of seven members, of whom one shall be chairman, one shall be sheriff of a county in Scotland, a third shall be skilled in the branches of science concerned with the habits and food of fishes, and four members shall be representatives of various sea-fishing interests of Scotland; whether the present constitution of the Scottish Fishery Board complies with these statutory requirements; and whether he can state what are the interests represented respectively by each of the four members associated with the representation of the various sea-fishing interests?

The Statute provides that in addition to the chairman, the sheriff, and the scientific member, there shall be "four members who shall be representative of the various sea fishing interests of Scotland." The expression "fishing interests" is further defined in the Statute. I am informed that the provisions of the Statute were in view when the appointments were made, and that the members were carefully selected as being within the terms of the Act genuinely representative of the various sea fishing interests; and I am of opinion that the constitution of the Board complies with the statutory requirements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to secure the direct representation of genuine fishermen on the Fishery Board?

There is no vacancy on the Board at the present time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the men recently appointed were new to the Board, and how many have been on it from time immemorial?

asked the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware of a proposal to let the shooting on the Crabstone College farm of the North of Scotland Agricultural College to a neighbouring proprietor, who is a well known pheasant rearer; and, seeing that such action would involve a misdirection of the purpose of an experimental farm, seeing that the experiments to be conducted on it would be likely to be rendered useless by being destroyed by game, and that such a proposal, if carried into effect, would entail a waste of public money, whether he will take steps to prevent such letting of the sporting rights?

I am aware that an offer has been made for this shooting, but it has not as yet been accepted. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland are in communication- with the Governors of the College on the subject, and the considerations referred to by my hon. Friend are being kept in view.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the police in certain disturbance's at Kirkconnel arising out of the mining dispute; and whether he is taking any steps regarding the matter?

My attention has been called to the matter. The miners who were convicted have appealed and have received interim liberation pending the hearing of the appeal. The matter is therefore under judicial consideration.

Is the matter relating to the action of the police under judicial consideration?

It was very largely referred to before the Sheriff.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what amount called to be deducted from the profits of the scrivenery department at the High Courts of Justice for housing, firing, lighting, stationery, etc., for the years 1910 and 1911; and what was the total amount for these items for the whole of the departments?

As I stated on the 26th ultimo, it is not possible, from the information available, to say how much was spent in respect of the items mentioned by the hon. Member on the scrivenery department as distinct from the other departments of the High Courts of Justice. With regard to the second part, of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the 1st instant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a petition regarding the case of Stanley Ogleby, who was sentenced at the Birkenhead police court on the 3rd instant to six weeks' imprisonment in the second division for assault; and whether, in view of all the circumstances of the case, he can see his way to grant a remission of the sentence?

I have received the petition referred to, but after making inquiry as to the facts of the case, I am sorry I cannot advise any reduction of the sentence which does not appear to have been severe.

asked whether he is aware that a boy named George Smith, aged seventeen, was on 2nd April sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour by Mr. Hutton, the Woolwich stipendiary, for the technical offence of lodging in the open air, the same boy being a first offender; and whether he proposes to take any action, legislative or departmental, to prevent the-imprisonment of homeless boys for sleeping where they must?

I have made inquiry and find that this was the case of a lad who had already been before the magistrates at least three times before. On the first two occasions he was discharged without punishment, and on the third he was placed on probation. Every effort was made to assist him and to induce him to abandon his vagrant mode of life, but he repeatedly ran away from the home that was found for him and refused to take advantage of the assistance offered him. All gentle means having failed, the magistrate considered that a term of imprisonment with regular discipline and labour was better than turning him loose to beg and steal in the streets and might possibly induce him to accept the numerous offers of assistance which he had hitherto persistently rejected.

Does the Home Office consider imprisonment is better, and may I ask whether his Department would not consider taking some steps to prevent, either by circular or otherwise to the magistracy, the conversion of those poor street boys into gaol birds?

I think the circumstances which I have related to my hon. Friend show that every effort was made in this particular instance to prevent unfortunate result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office was applied to by "The Grocer" newspaper for permission to print in its columns the Memorandum on the law relating to shops issued by the Home Office through the Stationery Office; whether a reply was sent to "The Grocer" newspaper intimating that the Home Office declined to give the necessary permission to reproduce the Memorandum; and, if so, would he state the reasons for refusing?

The facts are as stated in the question. It was very important that this Memorandum, which was specially prepared for the information of shop .assistants and shopkeepers and placed on sale at the cost of one halfpenny, should circulate as widely as possible, and should, for that purpose, be readily obtainable in every part of the country. Had permission been given to this and other papers to reproduce the Memorandum in full, booksellers would, I am advised, have been unwilling to stock it with the ultimate result of restricting its circulation. It was open, of course, to the newspaper in question to review and quote the Memorandum in the ordinary way, and a copy was sent to them for that purpose.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is in the interest of public policy that a newspaper should be prohibited from reprinting at its own expense for the benefit of those who are specially affected by an Act of Parliament the Government's own explanatory Memorandum of that Act of Parliament?

I certainly think so if the result of the newspaper's printing it at full length would be that booksellers would refuse to stock the circular. No doubt, when the circular has been stocked it might be an advantage if the newspaper published it in full.

Is the important thing that people interested should pay a halfpenny for the circular rather than got it in the newspaper?

Oh, no; it is not that. After a newspaper has once published it the fact that it has been so published is lost sight of; whereas if the booksellers permanently stock the circular the public are able to get it at any time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend the House to understand that its publication in this paper will not give wider circulation to the information than if the circular is stocked in any number of booksellers' shops?

If the hon. Gentleman is at all familiar with the book trade he will know that the essential thing is that the booksellers should stock the circular, which they will not do if it is first published in full in a newspaper.

Essential for the booksellers?

For the public, so that they can at any time purchase copies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that important Government Bills, such as the Government of Ireland Bill, have been printed textually in newspapers? Is it proposed to alter that?

That is not the same thing.

asked the Prime Minister if he could now name the day on which he would put down the Government of Ireland Bill for Second Reading?

Perhaps the hon. Member would kindly wait until the conclusion of questions, when I will make a statement on business.

asked if the loans which might be raised by the Irish Parliament under the powers conferred by the Government of Ireland Bill would rank after that portion of the National Debt of the United Kingdom for which Ireland might ultimately be found to be responsible?

This point will mot arise until the events take place which are provided for by Clause 26, and will then fall to be determined as provided by that Clause.

Is it not very important that the matter should be settled before any questions arise in regard to any loan?

I think the provisions are quite adequate for dealing with the matter.

Will it not affect the credit of borrowers in Ireland unless they know whether new loans rank before or after existing loans?

They know exactly their position.

asked if the £500,000 to be found by the British taxpayers for the use of the Irish Parliament was to be primarily devoted to the payment of the expenses of that Parliament, including the payment of the Members of the House of Commons and Senate and of the officials?

No, Sir.

asked whether the sum of £347,000 stated in the Memorandum on the Financial Provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill to be derived from stamps was inclusive or exclusive of the sum of £81,000 from fee stamps?

The sum of £81,000 for fee stamps is not included in the sum of £347,000.

asked whether it was intended by Clause 15 of the Government of Ireland Bill that the Irish Parliament should have power to increase Customs Duties on goods produced in Great Britain?

The answer is in the negative. This is made clear by the terms of Clause 16 (1).

asked whether, under the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill, if the Irish Parliament were to refuse to accept a protective tariff, the estimated yield of the protective duties in Ireland would be deducted from the transferred sum?

It is not clear what is meant by the expression "refuse to accept a protective tariff" in the hon. Member's question. If the Imperial Parliament imposes protective Customs Duties in Ireland the proceeds of such duties would, under the provisions of the Bill, go to the Imperial Exchequer. If the Irish Parliament determine to reduce those duties, a corresponding reduction would be made in the transferred sum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a clerk, named Dickinson, lately employed in the Norwich Labour Exchange, who was removed for reasons only known to those in authority, has incurred expenses of £12 for the removal of his family and furniture back to Derby, and that this amount has been refused him by the Department; and, having regard to the fact that this man is now unemployed, having left a good situation before taking the appointment under the Labour Exchange, he will investigate the case with a view of the man having the cost of removal defrayed to him?

Mr. Dickinson was engaged at Derby, and was transferred to Nottingham and thence to Norwich, his removal expenses being paid by the Department in each case. At Norwich his appointment terminated. One of the conditions of the appointment was that Mr. Dickinson was liable to be moved from one town to another, and that the appointment could be terminated by a month's notice on either side. I regret that there is no power to defray the removal expenses from Norwich back to Derby.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before introducing the Railways Bill, he ascertained the views of chambers of commerce or of employers' or workmen's organisations on the proposal to charge any increase in the cost of railway labour to British traders and the public at large?

As regards the first part of the question I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Eddisbury Division of Cheshire. I would remind my hon. Friend that the Clause relating to, possible increases of charges necessitated by the cost of improved conditions of labour has been inserted in pursuance of an undertaking given by the Government in August last in connection with the settlement of the railway dispute. I cannot admit the accuracy of the description of the effect of the Clause by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the Railways Bill, if he will state what was the increase of the net profits of British railway companies in 1905 and 1910, respectively, and what would be the cost per annum of increasing all British railway servants' wages by 2s. 6d. a week? May I say that the intention of the question I have put on the Paper was to ask for the increase in profits between 1905 and 1910.

I understood that, that the hon. Member wanted a comparison between 1905 and 1910. The increase in the net receipts of the railway companies in 1910 as compared with 1905 was nearly £4,000,000. The cost of an increase of 2s. 6d. a week in the wages of all railway servants would be roughly the same. I may perhaps mention that the paid-up capital increased by more than £45,000,000 during the period selected.

Does not that answer show the Railways Bill to be entirely unnecessary?

On the contrary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, whereas the Post Office authorities supply to unions interested in particular contracts the names of those firms who have sent in tenders and the Admiralty authorities provide facilities for the examination of the list of tenderers, the War Office and the Office of Works refuse to give such information; and whether, in view of the fact that the practice referred to is to some extent a safeguard against infringement of the Fair-Wages Clause, he will take steps for the advisory committee to consider the matter and secure that uniformity in the administration of the Clause for which it was brought into being?

The Board of Trade have no official knowledge of the practice of the contracting Departments in furnishing the trade unions with information relating to the issue of invitations to tender, and any inquiries on the subject should be addressed to those Departments. I am informed, however, that the question of the supply of information as to the placing of Government contracts was considered by the Fair-Wages Advisory Committee very shortly after their appointment. The Committee recommended to all Departments that names and addresses of firms holding Government contracts should be published monthly in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette," save in the case of small contracts, similar particulars with regard to which should be furnished to bond fide inquirers. I understand that these recommendations have been generally adopted by the contracting Departments. I am sending a copy of my hon. Friend's question and of this reply to the Departments which he has mentioned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade has appointed Sir Clarendon Hyde to be independent chairman of the Cannock Chase District Committee under the Minimum Wage Act; and, if so, whether he is aware that Sir Clarendon Hyde was Liberal Member for Wednesbury in the 1906 Parliament, and was a Liberal candidate in both the general elections of 1910, and that Wednesbury is situated close to the Cannock Chase coalfield; and whether he will take into consideration the undesirability of appointing to such a position a man who recently was, and may again become, a strong party politician in the locality?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the appointment has given great satisfaction to both sides of the Board? I know, because I am the vice-chairman of the Board.

I have no information with regard to the latter point, but I am quite sure it has given satisfaction, for I have had no representations in reference to it. I am sure that everyone who knows the exceedingly useful public work which Sir Clarendon Hyde has done as an arbitrator in industrial disputes, and also as an appointed member of Trade Boards under the Trade Boards Act, and in other similar matters, will agree that he is eminently suitable to act as a chairman under the Coal Mines Act, and I have every confidence in his complete impartiality. I hardly think it necessary to add that no political consideration whatever entered into this or any other appointment which I have made under the Act.

May I ask first of all if this appointment has given so much satisfaction why is it that the masters and men disagreed as to the appointment before it was made; and in the next place, does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate this fact, that no attack is made upon Sir Clarendon Hyde's impartiality or competence; but is it not likely that when a man who has been a strong local politician in the neighbourhood is appointed to such a post his decisions cannot command universal consent?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether it is not a fact that the name of Sir Clarendon Hyde was never before the Joint Board until he was appointed by the Board of Trade, and that other names were before the Committee?

I was just going to point that out. The hon. Gentleman opposite asked me whether I thought it was satisfactory that a gentleman, as to whose name the two sides disagreed should be appointed. The facts are the other way. Where the two parties agree as to the name that gentleman is appointed. Where they disagree as to the name the Board of Trade appoint someone else. Sir Clarendon Hyde's name was not before them, and so, obviously, his name could not be disagreed upon. If it were we should not have appointed him. Taking all the circumstances into account, -and knowing the duties, we thought he would perform them impartially and satisfactorily, and we thought it was a good appointment, and I still adhere to that opinion.

May I ask whether it is the intention of the Board of Trade in other places where there is a disagreement to appoint local politicians?

I have names of the chairmen whom the Board of Trade have selected where the two parties could not agree. They have been published, I think, but if not they will be published, as I have already promised, with the Votes in the course of a day or two, and if the hon. Member looks at the list he will see that that was not our policy or intention, and that is not the result. There is really no objection on that behalf.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether prominent Tories have been appointed to these positions elsewhere?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the discharging capacity of each weir between Oxford and Teddington, inclusive, when the height of the flood is one foot above head water at the weir, the term weir to include any supplementary channel or channels which may relieve the flood pressure at the weir?

The desired information is not available at the Board of Trade, but I have communicated a copy of the question to the Thames Conservancy, and will furnish my hon. Friend with a copy of their reply in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he would postpone the inquiry into the by-laws proposed by the Bristol Corporation for establishing a system of choice pilotage until the Pilotage Bill is introduced?

I cannot say at present when the Pilotage Bill will be introduced, and I do not therefore feel justified in giving this undertaking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he had received from the officers and servants of the Port of London Authority any representations or protests against being temporarily suspended from employment during the late coal strike without receiving any remuneration or compensation; whether he was aware that many of these officers and servants have been unemployed over six weeks, and were suspended from work also during August of last year for ten days without remuneration or compensation; and, if so, what action he had taken in the matter?

I have received no representations or protests regarding this matter from the employés of the Port of London Authority. The matter is not one in which the Board of Trade have any jurisdiction.

asked the- Postmaster-General (1) if any decision has been arrived at with reference to the establishment of a post office in the Glenrinnes district, in Banffshire; (2) whether he has received a petition from the burgh of Aber-chirder, Banffshire; whether the increased postal and telephonic arrangements which are desired will be carried out; and (3) whether representations have reached him from residents in the parish of Gamrie, Banffshire, with reference to postal facilities at Gardenstown and the surrounding district; and if the alteration in the present system desired by the residents will be made?

I have called for a report in each of these cases, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as the inquiries are completed.

asked what are the grounds on which an inquiry is being held into the loss of the "Titanic" in America; what is the status of the Court holding the inquiry; and what is the precedent for a foreign inquiry into the loss of a British ship?

I am not aware of the precise grounds on which the inquiry is being held. I understand the object to be to determine the responsibility for the wreck. Sections 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the revised Statutes of the United States empower a Committee of either the Senate or the House of Representatives to summon witnesses and administer oaths, and any person refusing to answer is guilty of misdemeanour. It would seem, however, that the witnesses are appearing voluntarily, and have not been subpoenaed. So far as I am aware, there has been hitherto no case of a foreign inquiry into the wreck of a British vessel on the high seas.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me what will happen if witnesses required for the British Inquiry are detained in America, and also whether instructions have been sent to the British Ambassador at Washington in regard to this matter?

With regard to the first part of the question, I feel sure that we may trust to the usual good sense of the American Senate and American people not to desire to detain persons whose attendance may be required by the Statutory Court of Inquiry in this country. In regard to the second part of the question, no definite instructions have yet, to my knowledge, been sent to our representative in the United States.

Did the "Titanic" sail under the American flag? [HON. MEMBERS: "No" and "Yes."]

May I press the hon. Gentleman to say whether instructions should not be sent to the Embassy at Washington to give such protection as may be within its power to British subjects who are being summoned before this Committee, and who, apparently, have no one to defend their rights at the present time?

I think there is no doubt that if any circumstances arose in which protection was desired, instructions would be sent, but as I have already said, we hope that case may not arise.

Will the hon. Gentleman communicate with the American Embassy in London on the subject, so as to be in direct communication.

That will be considered.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the constitution of the American Committee, and whether it is a political committee conducted by persons who are not experts on the subject?

I do not think it falls upon us to give consideration to those matters. It does appear that the Committee of the Senate, under their Statutes, has power to summon witnesses and administer oaths. We have not thought it our duty to go into the matter further than that.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether steps have been taken to get a verbatim report of the proceedings in America for the use of the British Inquiry?

I do not know of any steps of that kind, but I will have inquiry made.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that those persons who have been cited before the American Committee complain that they are not receiving fair and honourable treatment, and will he take steps to secure fair and honourable treatment for British subjects?

No complaint has been made, and clearly in this matter we must, as I think we are right in doing, trust to the good sense of the American people, and therefore we do not desire to inter fere without absolute necessity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of recent events, he would consider the advisability of making such regulations as would ensure that on all vessels equipped with the Marconi system of telegraphy a sufficient number of operators were on board to secure constant attendance at the instrument by night and day?

The question raised by the hon. Member is one which can be considered by the Court of Inquiry which has been ordered into the circumstances attending the loss of the ss. "Titanic" and consequent loss of life. As I stated in this House on Monday, the question of the operation of wireless telegraphy is among the questions on which I am obtaining the advice of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee.

Are there at present any regulations on the subject?

The Post Office has certain regulations, I think.

Not the Board of Trade?

No.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he was unable to answer the same question when I put it to him two days ago?

I thought I answered what I understood to be the question of the hon. Member at that time. There may have been some point that I did not appreciate, but I had no intention of not answering it, as I had the same information then. I apologise to the hon. Member if I did not answer it fully.

Would it not be more to the purpose to compel passenger vessels to carry wireless installations?