asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of it being found when the National Insurance Act is in operation that it results in unforeseen hardship to any particular class or classes of workers, the House will be afforded an opportunity of considering the matter, with a view to the amendment of the Act to meet the circumstances of such special cases as may arise, before proceedings are taken against any persons affected?

Suitable opportunities are always available if any substantial "body of Members desire to discuss the operations of the Insurance, or any other, Act of Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will now repay any Increment Value Duty which has been collected and which has been calculated on the basis of minus valuations?

The question of repayment will be considered if the decision of the House of Lords is adverse to the Crown's contention.

also asked the Chancellor whether he intends to appeal against the decision of the Scottish Courts in the case of Herbert's Trustees versus the Commissioners of Inland Revenue that minus valuations are illegal?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked what has been the total yield up to 31st March, 1912, of Increment Value Duty and Undeveloped Land Duty, respectively; and what has been the total cost of the valuation up to the same date, including the cost of issuing Form IV.?

The net receipt of Increment Value Duty and Undeveloped Land Duty to 31st March, 1912, was £6,251 and £31,293 respectively. With regard to the second part of the question, the valuation of the United Kingdom was estimated to take about five years, and to cost about £2,000,000. Of this amount, about £686,000 has been spent by the Land Valuation Department up to 31st March last. I would remind the hon. Member that the proportion of this sum, which represents the cost of collection of the Duties on Land Values, is very small, and that the balance, being attributable to the cost of valuation, is a capital and non-recurring charge. I may also point out that, as a result of the valuation, the yield of the Death Duties has increased by many hundreds of thousands of pounds.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will give the amount now outstanding on public loans for local purposes in Ireland?

The total amount outstanding on the 31st March, 1911, the latest date for which figures are available on foot of loans made by the Commissioners of Public Works, Ireland, was £9,510,612.

asked the Prime Minister by whom appeals for or against the grant of individual old age pensions will be decided in Ireland while the old age pensions is a reserved service?

This matter will fall to be regulated by Order in Council under Clause 44 (1) ( b ).

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state separately the estimates of the cost of each of the reserved services for the ten years commencing 1913–14?

I am afraid it is not possible to give a more precise estimate than that contained in the White Paper outlining the financial provisions of the Bill.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the Report of Mr. J. W. Drury, inspector of audits, in regard to the financial condition of the Sligo Corporation; is he aware that the finances of the corporation have been officially declared by the Local Government Board for Ireland to be in a very unsound state and the present conditin of the rate collection reflects grave discredit on their management of municipal affairs, and at the time of Mr. Drury's visit a sum of not less than £587 was due to the town in respect of rates by certain members and officers of the corporation; and if he will have this Report upon the finances of the Sligo Corporation circulated as a Parliamentary Paper, for the information of Members in connection with the consideration of the Government of Ireland Bill?

My attention has been called to this report, which discloses a very serious condition of affairs. As I have already informed the hon. Member for the Barkston Ash Division, the 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 Chief Secretary whether the attention of the Congested Districts Board has been directed to the state of congestion which exists on the Ffrench estate, Clare Galway, county Gal-way; is he aware that the landlord is willing to sell; and will he explain how it is that the Congested Districts Board are not able to deal forthwith with this estate?

The attention of the Congested Districts Board has been called to the congested condition of this estate. The owner is willing to. sell the property, but only on the condition that he received the purchase price in cash, and as payment for estates offered voluntarily for sale under the Act of 1909 is made in Land Stock, the Board took no further action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether he is aware that disappointment has been created in and around Abbeylara parish, North Longford,, by reason of the failure of the negotiations to purchase the untenanted lands of Coolcraff, county Longford, from Mr. James W. Bond, which he was willing to sell to the Estates Commissioners for subdivision under the Land Purchase Acts, 1903–9; whether he will request the Commissioners to order another inspection of this property, as the people are not satisfied! with the result of the first inspection; and (2) what was the valuation placed on the Coolcraff estate of Mr. James W. Bond when inspected by the Estates Commission inspector with a view to purchase and sub-division amongst uneconomic holdings in North Longford; what was the ^* price "demanded by Mr. Bond, and what was the difference between the Commissioners' offer and his demand; and whether the Commissioners propose to again ask Mr. Bond to accept their valuation?

It would be contrary to. the practice of the Estates Commissioners, to state the amount of their estimate of the sum which they would be prepared to advance for the purchase of lands where the owner is not prepared to sell at such price and has not instituted formal proceedings for sale before them. The Commissioners are not aware of the price at which the owner is prepared to sell in the-present case. They are not prepared to-increase their estimate of price, and, having fully considered all the circumstances of the case, they do not propose to approach him again in the matter or to have another inspection made of the lands.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total amount paid by the Congested Districts Board for the Sir Roger Palmer estate, in the county of Mayo, which appears to have been sold last October; the average number of years' purchase given; whether the number of years' purchase was based on the Poor Law valuation or on the judicial rents; whether the arrears or any of them were wiped out j whether the Board, after the completion of the sale, demanded and received a year's rent from the tenants; whether a further demand has now been made upon them for rent; if so, on what authority, seeing that the tenants have received no information whatever from any quarter regarding the particulars in connection with the transaction; and whether instructions will be given to the Board to forward to each tenant on the estate a statement showing the amount of money which he is expected to pay for his holding, the interest thereon, and the date on which the holdings will be vested in the tenants?

A price has been provisionally fixed by the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of the estate of the trustees of the late Sir Boger Palmer in county Mayo, but the vendor has not yet lodged the necessary maps and documents to enable a formal legal agreement for the purchase of the estate to be entered into. It is not considered advisable at this stage of the proceedings to give the further detailed information asked for in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary the cause of the delay in starting the new school at Annascaul for which a Grant was promised a considerable time ago; whether, seeing that this school is one of the worst in the country and is condemned by the sanitary authority as dangerous to the health of the children, steps will be taken to have the work proceeded with as soon as possible?

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in placing a contract for the building of this school. The contractor originally selected by the manager declined to carry out the work except at an advanced price, and the Board of Works have found it necessary to arrange for fresh tenders being obtained in competition. The works will be proceeded with as soon as possible.

asked what steps the Congested Districts Board have taken to provide new boats and gear for the fishermen whose boats were wrecked in the storm at Downings, county Donegal, last winter; and what provision is being made for the safety of the fishing fleet in the future?

New boats are being, built, and gear provided by the Congested Districts Board to replace those-wrecked at Downings Bay by the recent storms. The moorings for the fishing boata are being strengthened in order to make the anchorage safer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that target-practice and the moving of Territorial troops into and out of camp on Sundays offend the consciences of many. Christian people in Scotland and tend to prevent many young men of wholesome influence from joining the Territorial Force; and whether he will notify the regulations-in their application to Scotland in order that the best interests of the Territorials might be served by respecting in the-people their traditional reverence for the Scottish Sabbath?

As regards the movements of the troops on Sundays, every endeavour is made to move units by rail on weekdays, but from time to time it happens that the railway companies, especially at holiday times, state that they are unable to carry out the moves except on Sundays. It is only for this reason and on these occasions that travelling on Sundays should take place. As regards the question of musketry practice on Sunday, I will deal with the matter in my reply to the next question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the permission granted to the Territorial Force to use shooting ranges on Sunday has been received with disapprobation in Scotland; and whether, in view of the fact, he will now withdraw that permission?

The Secretary of State has received deputations from numerous religious bodies on the subject of Sunday rifle shooting, and has fully explained the present position to them. The Army Council has embarked on no new policy in this matter, but has taken steps to-regularise the position and impose certain restrictions on Sunday rifle shooting. Such shooting will now be confined to the courses necessary for military efficiency, and will only be permitted where the quiet of the neighbourhood will not be disturbed. As has already been publicly-stated, the Army Council have no wish to do anything to increase a tendency to regard Sunday as other than a day of rest or to interfere with the general desire in any district to preserve the quiet and peacefulness of Sunday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1)whether, in the event of the Expeditionary Force being mobilised, any of the three -Cavalry regiments, the 29 Royal Horse and Field Artillery batteries, the .20 Infantry battalions, and the 20 Special Reserve battalions at present in Ireland will be required for such mobilisation; if so, "will he say how many of the above regiments, batteries, and battalions will form part of the Expeditionary Force; (2) whether the 410,000 troops left at home after the departure of the Expeditionary Force includes the three Cavalry regiments, the 29 Royal Horse and Field Artillery batteries, and the 20 Infantry and 20 Special Reserve battalions now stationed in Ireland; (3) whether, in the event of the Expeditionary Force leaving "these shores, it is proposed to leave the three Cavalry regiments, the 29 Royal Horse and Field Artillery batteries, the 20 Infantry battalions, and the 20 Special Reserve battalions at present in Ireland; and (4) how many regiments of Regular Cavalry, how many battalions of Regular Infantry, and how many batteries of Regular Horse and Field Artillery will remain in the United Kingdom after the number of units of each arm scheduled to go abroad, according to Section 7, detailed composition of the Field Army for service abroad by arms, of war establishments, 1908–9, by Army Estimates, 1909–10, and by statement of 6th March, 1911, with the six divisions of the Expeditionary Force, is subtracted from the number of units of each arm shown by the Army List of March last as serving in the United Kingdom?

It is not considered expedient to publish any information showing what units are intended to form part of the Expeditionary Force, or what will be the disposition of the units left behind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the deficiency of men in Category B of the Special Reserve is now less than the number given in another place in March last, i.e., 4,222; whether, if the Expeditionary Force is mobilised, 3,542 of these men will have to be specially enlisted men; and whether, if this is the case, he will say whether it is proposed to enlist them from civilian sources?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject on the 25th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there are any cases since the coal strike began in which no coal has been issued by the Government to regiments stationed in the United Kingdom; whether in such cases any money compensation has been given to enable the necessary fuel to be obtained; and, if not, how such refusal is justified by the War Office?

No such case has been reported to the War Office. Perhaps the hon. Member could furnish me with some details of the cases which he has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether probationary second-lieutenants have to pay their mess bill often several days before they receive their own monthly pay; and whether he will take steps to provide that the inconvenience that arises from this is avoided by a change of system?

Officers' mess bills are paid on or before the 7th of the following month, under paragraph 1132, King's Regulations. A second lieutenant on probation in the Infantry, Special Reserve of officers, the case to which my hon. Friend presumably alludes, receives his pay monthly in arrears, from the regimental paymaster who pays the regular establishment of the Special Reserve unit to which the second lieutenant belongs. There appears, therefore, to be no reason why the inconvenience mentioned should arise. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the occasions to which he refers.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether candidates for commissions in the Special Reserves are being rejected upon medical examination because, though in every other way entirely fit, they have more than ten natural teeth replaced by a corresponding number of artificial ones; and, if so, will he take steps to modify a Regulation that had some justification before the days of modern dentistry, but has none now?

The standard for teeth for the Special Reserve is the same as that laid down for the Regulars. The number of lost teeth that disqualifies was fixed after careful consideration, having in view the fact that a certain number of lost teeth renders an officer inefficient on active service, and that when these are replaced by artificial teeth there are no means when on active service of replacing them when broken or lost.

asked the "Under-Secretary of State for War what, according to war establishments, is the strength in officers, non-commissioned, and men, respectively, when mobilised, of a regiment of Cavalry, of a battalion of Infantry, and a battery of Royal Horse and Field Artillery?

The figures are as follows:—

The above Establishment for a Cavalry Regiment includes three lance-sergeants and twenty-five lance-corporals.

The above Establishment for an Infantry Battalion includes eight lance-sergeants and forty-nine lance-corporals.

The above Establishment for a Battery of Royal Horse Artillery includes nine acting bombardiers.

The above Establishment for a Battery of Royal Field Artillery includes nine acting bombardiers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention, has been called to the case of a British subject named Nathalia, who recently desired to enter South Africa in order to join his father, who had

emigrated there some years before, but was prevented from doing so on three occasions by the immigration officer; and whether the Colonial Office have any power to take action in the matter?

My attention has been called to the case of Nathalia, which has formed the subject of proceedings in the South African Courts. I am in communication with the Union Government on the situation arising from the judgment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the wording of the Clause or Clauses of the Vaccination Acts or Acts in force in Bombay Presidency which permits the imposition of penalties for non-vaccination; and whether the alternative of imprisonment is allowed by the Act or is imposed because of nonpayment of a fine?

Three Vaccination Acts are in force in the Bombay Presidency—the Bombay City Vaccination Act

of 1877, the Karachi Vaccination Act of 1879, and the Bombay District Vaccination Act of 1892. These Acts provide that "whoever in contravention of the Act neglects, without reasonable excuse, to take, or cause a child to be taken, to be vaccinated, or after vaccination to be in- spected…shall be punished for each such offence with fine which may extend to Bs.50." A magistrate may not under this Section pass a sentence of imprisonment instead of fine. But he has power in virtue of Section 67 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 25 of the General Clauses Act of 1897, to direct by his sentence imposing fine that the offender shall, in default of payment of the fine, suffer simple imprisonment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that quantities of refuse are brought from the borough of Islington to wharves on the banks of the River Lea, and are taken in barges into Hertfordshire to wharves in the parishes of Hoddesdon and St. Margarets, and are thence distributed; whether he is aware that men engaged in this traffic have contracted illnesses from contact with this refuse; whether, seeing that this practice is dangerous to the health of the inhabitants of the district, he will take steps to put a stop to it and compel the borough of Islington to deal with this refuse in destructors or otherwise; whether he is aware that similar refuse is imported in trucks of the Great Eastern Railway to the same district; and whether he will take steps to put a stop to this traffic, which is detrimental to the health of the district?

I have had under consideration a passage in the Annual Report for 1911 of the Medical Officer of Health for the Ware Rural District, relating to the disposal in the district of London refuse. The subject is receiving my attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how long before the sailing of the "Titanic" from Belfast were the captain and officers on board; and whether he is satisfied that before her sailing these several officers had sufficient opportunity of familiarising themselves with the various details of the ship under their immediate charge?

The Court of Inquiry will have full power to deal with the matters referred to in the question if it considers them relevant to the loss of the vessel or of life.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a communication from Captain Hugh O'Donnell regarding a plan of placing and launching ships' boats; and, if so, whether the plan is such as to commend itself to-the Board of Trade?

I have received the communication referred to, and I propose to refer it, with other suggestions of a somewhat similar character, to the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee for their consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any estimate of the direct and indirect losses which the community suffered owing to the recent coal strike, as far as possible separating these losses into separate heads?

I regret that it is not possible to make any statistical. estimate of the direct and indirect losses sustained by the community owing to the recent coal strike.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the estimated number of men thrown out of work in all trades owing to the recent coal strike, and the duration of their unemployment; the number placed on half-time, with the duration of half-time; and the total loss of wages involved?

A summary of all the information received by the Board of Trade respecting the effect of the coal strike upon; other industries will be found in the April issue of the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette," and in particular on pages 127–8. Further information of a similar character will appear in the May issue of that journal.

asked the Postmaster-General how many head offices have been reduced to the status of salaried sub-offices during the four years ending 31st December, 1911, and how many salaried sub-offices have been reduced to scale payment sub-offices during the same period; and how many scale payment sub-offices have been raised to the status of salaried sub-offices, and how many salaried sub-offices have been raised to head offices during the same period?

The information desired by the hon. Member is as follows:—

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed unanimously by the Abbeyleix, Queen's County District Council asking to have the telephone system extended to Rathdowney, and agreeing to become guarantors for that purpose; and whether he is aware that several business firms in the town of Rathdowney are willing to become renters, and will he say what steps he proposes taking in the matter?

I have received a copy of the Resolution referred to, and I am having inquiry made as to the proposed extension of the telephone system to Rathdowney.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that much foreign meat is sold in the London market as Scotch; whether representations on the subject have been received from public bodies in Scotland; whether he is aware that the agriculturists of Scotland suffer loss by the practice referred to; and whether it is his intention to initiate more vigorous measures to detect and put a stop to the fraud?

I have received representations on this subject from certain county councils and agricultural societies in Scotland, and the matter is under inquiry. The Board have not, so far, succeeded in obtaining evidence to support the institution of proceedings.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether labourers in the Ordnance Survey are discharged at the age of sixty under a Treasury Order, or whether the age for such discharges is a matter which is left entirely to the discretion of the Department concerned?

The age of retirement is governed by rules made by the Board in the year 1892 on consideration of the Be-port of the Departmental Committee appointed in the previous year to inquire into various matters affecting the position of the Civil Assistants of the Ordnance Survey. The rules were submitted to and approved by the Treasury.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has been able to arrange for the model of the Welsh National Museum to be placed within the precincts of the House for the inspection of hon. Members; and when he thinks it will be available for such inspection, and for how long?

The First Commissioner has arranged for the model to be exhibited in the Petition Boom, Westminster Hall. It is hoped that it will be ready for inspection this evening. It can remain so long as hon. Members desire. The First Commissioner understands that a fortnight will be sufficient.

asked the Secretary for Scotland on what date the Lossiemouth Harbour Provisional Order reached the Scottish Office, and on what date it was returned to the Board of Trade; and whether there was any exceptional cause to account for delay in this case?

A summary of the proposals of the promoters of this Provisional Order was lodged with the Scottish Office on 30th November, 1911. The draft Provisional Order was obtained on 18th March. Thereafter the draft Order was considered, in consultation with the Fishery Board and the Local Government Board for Scotland, in the Scottish Office, and on 26th April the observations of the Department were communicated to the Board of Trade. The procedure was normal, although, as my hon. Friend is aware, the circumstances were in some respects exceptional.