asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Italian Government has caused to be landed arms and ammunition on the Arabian coast of the Red Sea; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take steps to prevent the wholesale distribution of arms of precision among the tribesmen of Southern Arabia?

I do not know that the Italian Government have taken any such action as that to which the hon. Member refers, and, so far as I am aware, there has been no "wholesale distribution" of arms in Southern Arabia.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to the effect that there has been any such distribution of arms?

No, Sir; no information has reached me showing there has been any necessity to take steps, or any grounds upon which we could take steps.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can state if recent negotiations for bringing to an end the war between Turkey and Italy have had any result?

The general character of the replies received from both the Italian and Turkish Governments have now appeared in the Press. I am not in a position to say what further steps the Powers may be able to take in the matter.

asked whether there now is any interruption in the light services in the Red Sea, and, if so, where?

So far as I am aware, none-of the Turkish lights originally extinguished in the Red Sea have at present been relit.

Are we to understand that all light service is complete in the Red. Sea?

No, Sir. My answer was I am afraid none of the Turkish lights originally extinguished have been relit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the allegation that Lord Kitchener's efforts to promote savings banks in Egypt have led to the mudirs or local governors compelling the fellaheen to put money into the savings banks, even if they have to borrow at 100 per cent, to find the money; and whether he will inquire into this allegation?

I have not received any information to this effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information on the present situation in Crete?

A revolutionary administration has been set up in Crete, and deputies have been elected to represent the island in the Greek Assembly. The protecting Powers have already warned the Cretan Government that they will tolerate no modification of the status quo, and these deputies will not be allowed to take their seats. The Powers are in consultation as to the steps to be taken in view of certain acts of the revolutionary administration, tending to a disregard of the status quo, and as to the adoption of effective measures to prevent attacks on Mussulmans in the island, of which there have recently been some instances, and nineteen deputies who were proceeding to Greece have been stopped and detained by the warships of the Powers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay Papers?

I shall consider that question.

asked the Secretary of .State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a full official report of the bombardment by Russian troops on 30th March of the mosque and shrine at Meshed, in Persia?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from unofficial sources both at Shustar and Teheran information has come, and why should there be so much delay in getting the official report?

The official report, coming through the ordinary sources, will take some time to come through. There are no British subjects, so far as I am aware, affected.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me when the official report is likely to come?

I expect it very soon in the ordinary course.

asked whether two British travellers recently crossed from British territory into the Congo State and were followed by a British official accompanied by a body of soldiers; whether this officer, or the soldiers under his command, shot and killed the senior traveller; whether the British official has returned to British territory; whether the surviving traveller is still imprisoned by the Belgian Government; whether Mr. Consul Lamont has addressed a formal apology to the Governor of the Congo for this regrettable incident; and whether there is any information upon this matter?

In July last an American subject named Rogers, accompanied by two Englishmen, illegally entered the province of Mongalla, and contravened the regulations with regard to elephant shooting and sleeping sickness. They were followed in October by a Soudanese officer, accompanied by soldiers, who, in following them inadvertently, crossed the frontier of the Belgian Congo. Mr. Rogers was shot by natives of the Congo, not by the Soudanese officer (who was not present at the time) or by the soldiers; the officer at once returned to the Soudan; I was informed, when the news reached me in January, that one of the British subjects employed by Rogers was arrested by the Belgian authorities, who said that he would not be unduly detained; I have as yet received no further report, but I will have inquiry made on this point. Mr. Lamont, His Majesty's representative at Boma, in conversation with the Governor-General of the Congo, expressed regret that the Soudanese officer, accompanied by armed soldiers, had crossed the frontier, and the officer himself explained matters to the local Belgian authorities, who accepted his explanation as satisfactory. The greater part of this information was given in my answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Herts on 22nd February.

Is it a fact that the presence of a British officer in the Congo State had anything whatever to do with the shooting of Rogers?

Rogers was an American subject, not a British subject, and he was shot, not by a Soudanese officer or by soldiers under his command.

Was a Soudanese officer or Soudanese soldiers under his command present at the time of the shooting?

I understand some of the soldiers were there; but he was not shot by one of the soldiers, nor were they responsible for the shooting.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the name of the two English subjects detained?

The report is one full of detail. In my answer I said I was informed that one of the British subjects was detained. I will make inquiry as to whether he is still detained or not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can say what is the percentage of profit on the purchase and coinage of silver by the Government of India, and if it is put to gold standard reserve or treated as revenue; and, if partly regarded as revenue, what is the proportion so treated and what variations have there been in the practice since 1900?

The percentage of profit necessarily varies with the price at which silver is bought; the average rate of profit on silver coined since 1900 has been about 42 per cent. Down to 1907 the whole profits were credited to the gold standard reserve. In 1907–8 and 1908–9 half of the profits—that is, somewhat over a million sterling were applied to capital expenditure on railways and irrigation; no part of them has ever been treated as revenue.

asked if the hon. Gentleman can say what is the highest amount the gold standard reserve has ever reached, and at what date; also what is the lowest sum it was afterwards reduced to by the sale of drafts on London to maintain exchange, and at what date; and what is the amount at which it now stands?

The highest amount reached by the gold standard reserve is that at which it now stands, namely, £19,118,946, made up as follows:—

asked if the hon. Gentleman can say on how many occasions since the introduction of the Gold Note Act, giving dates, has the Government of India refused to give rupees in India by telegraphic transfer against sovereigns tendered in London at 1s. 4 5–32d. (the bullion point), and the reasons for such refusal, seeing the profit on the operation; and what were the amounts of the rupee currency reserves and the note circulation at these dates, and what are they now?

Since the introduction of the present currency system I can trace only one occasion on which the Secretary of State has refused to sell telegraphic transfers at 1s. 4 5–32d. the rupee, namely, on 10th January, 1900. The reason for the refusal was that there was a danger of the stock of rupees in the possession of the Government of India being reduced below the limit of safety. At the date mentioned the rupees in the Paper Currency Reserve amounted to 754 lakhs and the note circulation to 2,587 lakhs. The corresponding figures for the latest date for which full information is available are, rupees in Paper Currency Reserve, 1,245 lakhs; note circulation, 5,823 lakhs,

asked if the hon. Gentleman can say for how long the Indian mints worked overtime prior to and when the Government refused to sell telegraphic transfers at the bullion point of 1s. 45–32d. on receipt of gold in London owing to shortness of currency?

On the occasion mentioned by the hon. Member which occurred, as I have just said, in January, 1900, there was no coinage of rupees in progress, and therefore no overtime at the Indian Mints.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman is able to give an approximate date for the issue of the Report of the Committee, presided over by Sir William Nicholson; and whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing the Report prior to any action that the Government may propose to take as a result of the Committee's deliberations?

It is hoped that the Committee may finish its labours in the late autumn. I take this opportunity of communicating to the House the terms of reference to the Committee. First, to carry out a comprehensive survey of the various circumstances requiring the use of military force which may arise out of the external and internal situation of India under the conditions which now exist or may probably arise during the next few years. Secondly, to consider and report on the numbers and constitution of the armed force which should be maintained in India to meet these obligations. Thirdly, to consider and report whether any, and, if so, what, measures for the reduction of military expenditure are compatible with the efficient maintenance of that force. With regard to the second part of the question, I think it will be clear to hon. Members from the terms of reference that the subjects to be dscussed are of such a nature that it would not be in the public interest to debate the Report in this House or to make it public.

Are we to understand from the hon. Member's answer that however sweeping the changes proposed there will be no opportunity given in this House for their discussion.

The Report will be made to the Government of India, and it is not proposed to make the terms of the Report public.

asked whether the representation of the India Office at the 1907 Imperial Conference may be taken as a representation of the Indian Government or only of the views held by the Liberal Cabinet; and whether in the Debate on preferential trade Lord Inchcape's interpolation was representative of the views held by the Indian Government or only of the views held by the Liberal Cabinet?

Lord Inchcape (then Sir James Mackay) attended the 1907 Conference as the representative of the Secretary of State for India, and in that capacity he took part in the discussion of the subject of preferential trade. The Secretary of State for India in Council is responsible for the fiscal policy of India, but the hon. Member will find an expression of the views of the Government of India in Lord Curzon's dispatch of 22nd October, 1903.

Will the hon. Member answer the last part of my question?

If the hon. Member will study the answer I have given, I think he will find that I have already answered it.

Are we to consider that Lord Inchcape's speech represents the views of the Indian Government and not the views of the Liberal Cabinet?

Lord Inchcape's views were the views of the Secretary of State for India in Council, who is responsible for the fiscal policy of India. If the hon. Member requires any more information I would recommend him to read the dispatch I have quoted.

Will the hon. Member kindly say whether the views of the Indian Governor in Council represent the view of the Liberal Government of the day? That is the point.

The Secretary who presides over the deliberations of this council is a member of the Liberal Cabinet of the day.

asked whether the Prime Minister in his opening address at the Imperial Conference of 1907 referred to the presence of Sir James, Mackay (now Lord Inchcape) by saying that if any question should arise with regard to India the Conference would have the advice of a most distinguished Member of Council, Sir James Mackay; whether Lord Inchcape was present at every meeting of that Conference; whether Lord Inchcape represented the views of the Indian Government or the views of the Cabinet; and, if neither the views of the Indian Government nor the views of the Cabinet, what views did he represent?

According to the record of the proceedings in Cd. 3523, Lord Inchcape appears to have been present at all the meetings except at that of the second day. He attended on behalf of the India Office, and spoke in that capacity on the tenth day.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me what questions relating to India came up after the day when the question of preference was. debated?

No, Sir.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman has any official information showing that the Luderitz Bay Chamber of Mines has decided to import a thousand Indians to work in the diamond mines of German South-West Africa; if so, whether he will state the conditions under which it is proposed that these Indians should be imported into South-West Africa; and whether the Government will afford an opportunity to the House of Commons to discuss the conditions before the Indians leave India or their indentures are signed?

asked if the hon. Member has any official information showing that the Lüderitz Bay Chamber of Mines has decided to import 1,000 Indians for the diamond mines; if he will state if the Indian Government have consented to such action; and if the conditions relating to Indian coolie labour will be similar to those prescribed in the West Indies and Demerara and enforced by British officials?

The Imperial German Government has not as yet made any proposal to His Majesty's Government with reference to an importation of Indian labourers into German South-West Africa. Unless such a request is received it would be premature to discuss details, but speaking generally, the Secretary of State is indisposed to encourage any new scheme for indentured emigration from India to places outside the British Empire. Indentured emigration from India to German South-West Africa is not lawful, and could not become lawful unless the Governor-General of India in Council were satisfied that the Government of the country has made such laws and other provisions as he thinks sufficient for the protection of emigrants during their residence therein. In any event no steps could be taken unless a Convention had first been concluded between the German Government and His Majesty's Government whereby full provision was made for the supervision of the emigrants' welfare.

Will the hon. Member answer the last part of my question?

I have already stated that the Secretary of State does not look with favour upon any such proposals. No such proposals have yet been made, and I think the hon. Member had better wait until they have been made.

Will the conditions prescribed be enforced by British officials and not by the officials of a foreign Government?

It is difficult to give an answer to that question until proposals are made by the German Government.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War how many officers of the Royal Flying Corps are at present engaged upon aeroplane work; and if he will state the types of the sixteen aeroplanes suitable for military purposes at present in the possession of the War Department?

No officers have yet been gazetted to the Royal Flying Corps, but there are now ten officers engaged on aeroplane work and ten officer fliers receiving instruction in observation from captive and free balloons and airships before undertaking similar work from aeroplanes. The aeroplanes in possession of the War Department are:—

In view of the fact that it is desirable that as many officers and machines as possible should be available for the purposes of the manœuvres, can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to increase the number of officers at present undergoing aeroplane instruction?

The whole subject will assume a new aspect when the Royal Flying Corps come into existence early next month. We are taking every step.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman can say whether it is under consideration to make recognition of the services of the troops of the West African Frontier Force employed on expeditions and patrols in Southern Nigeria since 1907, corresponding to the grant of the African general service medal awarded for similar operations in Somaliland and elsewhere; and whether, in considering the matter, there will be taken into account, in addition to the ordinary hardships of active service, the unhealthy climate, the protracted and tedious nature of many of the operations, the trying conditions of guerilla warfare in a barbarous and unexplored country, and the fact that, as a result of these operations, several thousands of square miles of rich and populous country have been brought under effective administration, and cannibalism, human sacrifices, fetish rights, slavery, and inter-tribal wars have been suppressed?

All the reports of operations carried out in Southern Nigeria since 1907 have been carefully considered by the Inter-departmental Council on rewards, but only two of the expeditions were considered of sufficient importance to justify the publication of the dispatches in the "London Gazette." For these two operations, namely, the operations near Sonkwala and the Ogwashi-Oku Patrol, the African General Service Medal was granted.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state what was the date of the conclusion of the last period of service of the Master General of the Ordnance in the Horse or Field Artillery?

The date was early in 1884, when he joined the Artillery College, now the Ordnance College.

asked whether facilities may be given for officers of the reserve of officers who are desirous of keeping up their military knowledge to be attached to Regular units during the drill season or preferably at manœuvres?

; It is not proposed to invite these officers to attend as suggested, but any application to do so will be considered on its merits.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state what period must elapse before a young mechanic who served his apprenticeship in a Government Department under the War Office is placed upon full journeyman's rate of pay?

The full rate is given to a young mechanic on reaching the age of twenty-three if his skill then justifies his being recommended for it.

asked whether the Special Reserve on 1st October, 1911, was about 28,000 less in numbers than the Militia on 1st October, 1905?

Yes, Sir. The exact figure is 27,278.

asked whether, when recruits are enlisted for the Special Reserve, any attempt is made to ascertain their real ages, or is the word of the recruit accepted as sufficient evidence of his age?

The word of the recruit is not accepted as sufficient evidence of his age. Steps are taken with a view to ascertaining the real age?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are taken to find out the real age of recruits?

Careful steps are taken. I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 102 of the Recruiting Regulations of 1907, Sub-section ( c ). I will send the hon. Member a copy.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what the careful steps are?

There is a paragraph of about eighteen lines describing the steps taken to get the character, references, and so forth.

asked the minimum height at which a recruit is accepted for the Infantry of the Special Reserve?

The standard height for Special Reserve Infantry is 5 ft. 2 in.

Are we to understand that recruits are never accepted at the height of 5 ft. 1 in. or 5 ft. 2 in. 1½in any part of the country?

I say the standard height is 5 ft. 2 in. If the recruit is normally well developed in other particulars, that might be taken into consideration.

Then he may be any height so long as he is well developed?

We take any recruit likely to become an efficient soldier. Very small men have been very great soldiers, as the hon. Gentleman knows.

Then there is no limit at all to the height. It may be 4 ft. 9 in.

Oh, yes; there is a limit.

asked if it is the habit of the War Office to refuse to pay a service debt if the claim be made six years after the debt is due, although the delay in making the claim is due to a misunderstanding; and by what law or custom such procedure is authorised?

The Preamble to the Pay Warrant lays down that pay or other pecuniary advantages not claimed within a period of twelve months shall be deemed to be forfeited, unless under such special circumstances as shall be approved by the Army Council. It is the practice of the Army Council in the exercise of its discretion under the Warrant to refuse any extension of the twelve months beyond six years.

asked whether, in view of the undermanned state of the defences of Malta consequent on the removal of the Mediterranean Fleet from Malta to Gibraltar, it is proposed to increase the garrison at Malta by raising the establishment of the Maltese Artillery and Infantry, or by stationing additional British troops in the island?

I am not in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked what ranks receive separation allowance, respectively, in the Regular Army, the Special Reserve, and the Territorial Forces?

The following ranks receive separation allowance:—

Regular Army.—All ranks from Warrant Officer downwards when on the married roll.

Special Reserve.—During annual training all married non-commissioned officers (including unpaid lance-corporals within the regulated establishment of unpaid lance-corporals).

Territorial Force.—During annual training all married non-commissioned officers (including unpaid lance-corporals within the regulated establishment of unpaid lance-corporals), and all married privates who train for the full camping period.

On mobilisation all married Army Reservists and all married non-commissioned officers and privates of the Territorial Force are granted separation allowance.

May I ask why the Territorial Force, who are drawn from a rather better-off class and only do a few days' training, get more separation allowance than the Special Reserve, who are drawn from a poorer class and do longer training?

That is a question of policy, and I should like notice of it. It might be it ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend.

May I ask whether it is not a question of finance, and not of policy?

asked if the War Office can see their way to grant the application of the Sandown Urban District Council for permission to licence the erection of tents during the summer season on the shore in front of the Sandown Barrack Battery, especially as since April, 1906, it is understood that no firing has taken place during the months of July, August, and September from the above battery?

The application is receiving careful consideration, and the hon. Gentleman shall be informed in due course of the decision reached.

Have not the applications been receiving careful consideration for nearly a year?

Yes, Sir, and it is a very difficult question. I can assure the hon. Gentleman we will continue to give them careful consideration, and a decision will be arrived at shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the wives and families of Sikhs, settled in British Columbia, are now allowed to join their husbands; and whether the promise to this effect, given on the 21st January, 1912, by the hon. Mr. R. Rogers, Canadian Minister of the Interior, is now being acted upon?

I have no information as to the alleged promise by Mr. Rogers or as to its being acted upon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the case of Houssein Rahim, a British subject of Hindu descent, who for over two years has carried on business as a real estate agent in Vancouver; whether Houssein Rahim has been arrested and held to bail for 10,000 dollars for having voted at a recent election; and whether, in view of the indignation occasioned by such proceedings among our fellow-subjects of the Hindu race, he will make inquiries and, if necessary, urge representations upon the British Columbia Government?

My attention has not been called to the case referred to, but the law of British Columbia disqualifies Hindus from being placed on the register of voting. Sir Wilfrid Laurier at the Imperial Conference last year explained that Indians had not and could not hope to obtain the right of voting.

asked whether, while men of Syrian, Galician, Armenian, Polish, and Chinese descent may become registered voters in the province of Ontario, men of Hindu origin, however wealthy, respected, and long-settled in the Colony, are debarred from voting; and whether, with a view of allaying mutual suspicion in different parts of the British Empire and removing any sense of injustice, he will communicate with the Government of Ontario on this matter?

I am not aware that Hindus are disqualified from becoming voters in Ontario.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to prevent the slaughter of game in Nyasaland until there is more definite proof of the alleged facts that glossina morsitans actually communicates sleeping sickness to human beings, and that glossina morsitans can be exterminated by the slaughter of the game?

Game in Nyasaland is adequately protected by the Game Ordinance of 1911. My opinion on the question of relaxing the restrictions of that Ordinance in connection with the problem of sleeping sickness will be gathered from the reply which I made to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Stirlingshire on the 16th of April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that native chiefs in Uganda, persuaded to contribute to the rebuilding of the cathedral at Kampala, are compelling their native subjects to provide the money, and that these natives are complaining of the new tax which they erroneously believe to have been imposed by the Government; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

No, Sir, but I will make inquiry.

asked the hon. Member for St. George' s-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, when the Board of Trade standard weights and measures were last examined with the specimens preserved in the House of Commons; whether he will consider the desirability of a further comparison being made; and whether Members of Parliament will be afforded the opportunity of witnessing the examination should it take place?

There is a set of Parliamentary standards deposited in the wall of the Committee Staircase. They were last compared with the Board of Trade standards in April, 1892. There is no Statute requiring such a comparison to be made, but the First Commissioner will consult the President of the Board of Trade as to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the initial loss to the British Exchequer would be diminished not only by any growth of Irish revenue due to greater prosperity in a larger population in Ireland, but also by any growth of Irish revenue due to an increase of Imperial taxation levied upon Ireland?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he can state the Act of Parliment or Order by virtue of which power can be exercised by a body known as the Treasury to appoint a member to serve on the Civil Service Committee, as proposed to be constituted by Clause 34 of the Government of Ireland Bill; and if he will indicate what officials of His Majesty's Government constitute for the time being the above mentioned body?

As regards the first part of the question, Clause 34 (2) provides that one of the members shall be appointed by the Treasury. As regards the second, I beg to refer the hon. Member to Section 12 (2) of the Interpretation Act, 1889.

May I assume that for the purposes of the Clause the Prime Minister and the Treasury are identical entities?

The hon. Gentleman had better look at the Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has had the opportunity of reading a speech delivered by the First Lord of the Admiralty at Belfast on 8th February of this year; whether he is aware that the statement was made that the Irish Parliament would be so constituted as to be fully and fairly representative of the Irish nation, of Protestants as well as Catholics, of minorities even more than: majorities; and whether he can indicate in the Government of Ireland Bill the Clause or Clauses which will ensure to the Protestant and loyalist minority in the three southern provinces a fair or any representation whatever in the Irish House of Commons as proposed to be constituted by the Bill?

My hon. Friend was, I understand, referring to the; Irish Parliament as a whole, and not to; the Irish House of Commons only. The other matters raised in the question would be more suitably dealt with in Debate.

asked whether, under the terms of the Government of Ireland Bill, the heads of certain Irish Departments, with others as may be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, termed in Clause 4, Sub-section (4), the Irish Ministers and the Executive Committee in the succeeding Sub-section, can, for purpose of Debate in this House, be held to constitute the Irish Cabinet?

For the purpose suggested the answer is in the affirmative.

asked if it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for the reform of the House of Lords, with a view to the constitution of that House on the lines of the Irish Senate, as provided for by the Government of Ireland Bill?

I am not at this stage prepared to indicate what the proposals of the Government will be.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he proposes to carry out the Preamble of the Parliament Bill?

Wait and see.

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, it would be possible for the Irish Parliament to impose such taxes on land as would virtually have the effect of varying the intention of the Irish Land Act, 1903?

I fail to see how taxation could be imposed which would have this effect.

asked whether, seeing that the estimated cost of land purchase, as given in the Memorandum on the financial provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill, covers the whole expense of the Land Commission, including that of fixing judicial rents, the subjects reserved to the Imperial Government by Clause 1 (iv.), under the words the general subject matter of the Acts relating to land purchase in Ireland, includes not only land purchase proper, but the subject matter of all the Acts relating to the relationship of landlord and tenant in Ireland?

The answer to the question is in the negative. It is not the case that the estimated cost of land purchase, as given in the Memorandum, covers the whole expense of the Land Commission.

asked what is the present position and the prospects of the negotiations for an amicable understanding with Germany reaching a successful conclusion?

The relations between the two Governments are on a footing that enables them to discuss in a frank and friendly way matters of mutual interest. If this is what is meant by an amicable understanding it has been already achieved and will, I trust and believe, continue. I cannot at present say more.

May I ask the Prime Minister if he can inform the House as to the negotiations between this country and Germany and Turkey with regard to the Bagdad Railway?

Not without notice.

asked whether it is still proposed to constitute a body of trustees to receive gifts offered in connection with the proposed site for the University of London, and, if so, who is making the appointment of such trustees; whether the Senate of the University of London, as constituted by the Act of 1898, are empowered to receive gifts offered for the purpose of providing for the accommodation and needs of the University as part of their duties as the supreme governing and executive body of the University; and whether the Royal Commission on University Education in London, now sitting under the chairmanship of Lord Haldane, has other than advisory powers?

Although certain sums of money have been offered for the purchase of a particular site for a reconstituted University, no body of trustees has yet been effectively appointed. Nothing that may be done in anticipation of the needs of a reconstituted University is any bar to the present Senate exercising the power which it has under the Act of 1898 to receive gifts for the purpose of providing for the accommodation and needs of the present University. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

Who are the persons who will appoint the trustees?

I could not answer that question without notice. I have no personal knowledge of this question.

It is in the question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he knows how much of the money already collected has been allocated to the proposed site in Bloomsbury, described by Lord Haldane as an ideal site.

I certainly could not say without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when Post Office servants or others are prosecuted by his Department for attempts to cheat bookmakers carrying on horse-racing or football betting business from abroad, the expense of such prosecutions is borne by the public funds or by the bookmakers?

The cost of such prosecutions is paid partly out of county funds and partly by the Post Office.

Do I understand that while the Government provide money for the prosecutions they also afford facilities for their servants to commit these frauds?

The Post Office bears part of the cost, and it prosecutes its own servants who commit the frauds.

But does it not also provide facilities for its servants to commit these crimes?

No special facilities are provided, but unfortunately in the operations of the Post Office there are opportunities for fraud on the part of its servants, which, I am happy to think,, are very seldom availed of.

asked the Postmaster-General whether cash deposits on bets are sent to bookmakers in Switzerland through his Department; whether such bookmakers are allowed coded telegraphic addresses in the United Kingdom by which their business is facilitated; and whether any representation has been made to the Swiss Government?

The facilities afforded by the Post Office for the transmission of money to foreign countries as well as the use of abbreviated telegraphic addresses are open to all members of the public in the United Kingdom. No representations have been made to the Swiss Government.

Has the Department any control over coded telegrams?

The Post Office does not exercise any censorship in regard to abbreviated, registered, telegraphic addresses.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the General Post Office in London, dealing with telegrams which are sent daily during the flat-racing season to the leading credit bookmakers in London, have made special telephone arrangements whereby all telegrams are first telephoned through to the offices of those bookmakers and subsequently delivered in bulk by telegraph boys; whether such bookmakers pay for those special facilities; and whether he proposes to take any steps to discontinue such facilities?

Any telephone subscriber who has a registered telegraphic address can make arrangements for his telegrams to be delivered by telephone, and for written copies of the messages to be sent in daily batches by post or singly as express letters on payment of express fees. No special facilities are afforded to bookmakers. The charge for a registered telegraphic address is one guinea a year.

When these telegrams are delivered by telephone—by word of mouth that is—does not that constitute the bookmaker's office a "place" within the meaning of the Act?

I must ask for notice of that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that since the transfer of the National Telephone service to the Post Office there has been a deterioration in the efficiency, not only of that service, but also of the Post Office telephone service, and that the public and the business community are thereby suffering inconvenience and loss; whether he has received from all parts of the country an increasing number of complaints of inefficient service, alleged to be due to an attempt to economise; and whether, if so, he will, in the public interest, take steps; to prevent efficiency being sacrificed to economy?

For the whole of the transferred system outside London the written complaints during the first quarter of the present year were considerably less than during th corresponding period of 1911, although the number of telephones working had increased. No figures are available for the provincial Post Office exchanges, which, however, include a comparatively small number of subscribers. In London more serious difficulty occurred through the transfer of exchanges owing to the termination of leases, to the necessity of providing in some cases more modern systems of working and for substituting underground for overhead lines at the same time. The effect of these transfers was more felt in February than in March, and still less during the present month, and a continuous improvement is being effected in the service. Although an economical administration of the service is, of course, desirable, its efficiency is of first importance, and it is certainly not the case that there has been any attempt to economise at the expense of efficiency. Considerable increases in the number of the staff taken over from the National Telephone Company have been sanctioned, and the application of the Post Office scales of pay has involved an increase in the wages of the operators. The work of extending the company's plant, which had fallen into arrear before their licence came to an end, is being actively proceeded with, and provision is being made for the expenditure of about £2,600,000 in the extension of the trunk and local systems during the present financial year. I would add that new telephones are being provided in London alone at the rate of between five and six hundred a week.

How can the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that the Post Office service throughout the country—I am not referring to London—is to-day infinitely worse than it was before the National Telephone Company's service was taken over?

I cannot account for a fact of which I do not recognise the existence. So far as London is concerned I have given certain particulars, but with respect to the country at large I do not think there is evidence of any real difficulty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman only impressed by the number of written complaints? Surely he must be aware that complaints are made at every exchange daily throughout the country.

I do not think the telephone service has ever been perfect either in this or any other country, but I fancy the number of written complaints is a fair measure of public irritation.

asked the Postmaster-General if a petition has been received from the residents of the parish of Murrough, Burren, county Clare, asking for a letter-box to be erected at some central point between the post office at Murrough and Dereen; and if he will have this done for the convenience of the district?

I have received the petition, and have authorised the erection of the box.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange to publish the contract with the London and North-Western Railway Company for the new service which commenced on 1st October, 1883, entailing a payment of £63,000 a year; the contract for acceleration of the night-mails which commenced on 1st April, 1897, involving an additional payment of £5,150 a year; the contract for the acceleration of the day-mail service, which commenced on 1st August, 1898, providing for an additional payment of £6,500 a year, paid directly by the Treasury; and the contract, which commenced on 1st April, 1908, securing an additional payment by the Post Office of £5,500 a year?

It is contrary to practice and not in the interests of the public service to publish contracts made with railway companies in respect of the conveyance of mails, and I regret that I am unable to make an exception in the case of the contract which has been recently negotiated with the London and North-Western Railway.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it fair that the House of Commons should have an opportunity of ascertaining whether this railway company has kept its contract?

I shall be only too glad to answer any specific question about these contracts, but were the terms made public it would greatly embarrass the Post Office in their negotiations with the company.

Under the present contract is not the company bound to run its trains to time?

I shall be glad to give the hon. Member any particulars he asks with regard to the London and North-Western Railway in that regard.

Is it not the law of the land that no railway company can run its mails at less than the proper speed without giving six months' notice to the Postmaster-General?

No, Sir.

It is.

asked the number of orders under contracts for bicycles for the Post Office service given out during the three years ending 1st December last; the number of bicycles ordered in each year; the number ordered from contractors in England, including Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, in each year; whether there was any and, if so, what difference in the average price per machine of those ordered from the contractors in England, including Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, giving such difference in the average price, if any, for each year separately; and whether the bicycles ordered from contractors in each country were made wholly, or to what extent, in that country?

Three contracts were placed in 1909 and three in 1910—all with firms in England. In 1911 four contracts were placed—three in England and one in Ireland. The number of bicycles ordered in these three years was 2,606, 3,753, and 3,900, respectively. Of the 3,900 ordered in 1911, 400 were from Ireland, that being about the number required for use in Ireland. The bicycles obtained under the Irish contract cost 5s. 6d. each more than those obtained in England, so far as initial cost is concerned; but if the cost of maintenance parts be included—and this is the truer comparison —the extra cost of the Irish bicycles is 25s. 3d. each. The bicycles ordered in England and Ireland were made wholly in the respective countries, with the exception of the tyres, which were made partly in England and partly in Scotland; and certain accessories (such as chains, saddles, etc.), which it is the practice of cycle manufacturers to buy from specialists, were made in all cases in England.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the transference of the engineers' headquarters from Birmingham to Nottingham has yet been fully effected; what are the numbers of the staff employed in the respective departments of the superintending engineer and the surveyor, respectively, in that district; and, if it is desirable to assimilate the areas of the two departments, whether he will consider the possibility of transferring the surveying staff to Birmingham?

The superintending engineer's headquarters were transferred from Birmingham to Nottingham before the close of last year. The staff employed in the superintending engineer's office is forty-five, including three temporary clerks, three youths, and two messengers. For surveying purposes Birmingham, with the surrounding towns, already forms a separate district, under the control of a postmaster-surveyor with headquarters at Birmingham. The staff of the surveyor of the North Midland District cover the same district (with the exception of Birmingham) as is controlled by the superintending engineer stationed at Nottingham. Their headquarters are at present at Leicester, but they will be transferred to Nottingham as soon as possible. I am not prepared to transfer this staff to Birmingham, which is not included in the North Midland District.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that a leaflet addressed to soldiers and urging them not to shoot is being still handed to soldiers In uniform in public; and, if he is taking no steps to prosecute, will he give instructions to have the prosecution of Mann and Crowsley dropped and have Guy Bowman set at liberty?

Since the institution of criminal proceedings against Crowsley, the efforts to distribute this class of literature have been so trivial that no importance is attached to them. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that tens of thousands of similar leaflets written by the late Count Tolstoi are being circulated daily throughout the length and breadth of the land?

Is not a crime a crime whether it be trivial or not?

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will say how many of the eighty-nine Welsh schools formerly managed by Church of England managers which have been, since the 31st March, 1903, closed or transferred to local authorities, are situated in Flintshire?

Four Church of England schools have been closed since 31st March, 1903, in Flintshire, and one has been transferred.

asked whether the Board of Education have sanctioned the erection, under Sections 8 and 9 of the Education Act, 1902, of a new provided school at Aberporth; and, if so, what is the reason for the Board's decision?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The proposal of the local education authority to provide a new school at Aberporth was based upon a memorial received by them from householders and inhabitants of the two parishes which the school was intended to serve, and upon a public inquiry held by a committee of the education authority. I received an appeal against the authority's proposal from ratepayers of the two parishes. In several instances the same persons signed the appeals both for and against the provision of a new school. I directed a public inquiry by ah officer of the Board to be held locally, and on the facts reported to me I was satisfied that the proposal was in accordance with the wishes of a very large majority of the parents of the children attending the existing school. Voluntary contributions which have been made, amounting to upwards of £500, towards the total cost of the school, estimated at £910, will considerably reduce the burden upon the ratepayers, and in the circumstances I determined, having regard to all the considerations mentioned in Section 9 of the Education Act, 1902, that the proposed new school was necessary.

Will the report of the officer appointed by the right hon. Gentleman be laid on the Table, or otherwise published?

I think it has been published locally already.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiry into the strange cases of people who signed petitions both for and against this school?

No, Sir.

asked the amount of the salaries paid to teachers in the Aberporth non-provided school and in Penyparc provided school, and the number of children in average attendance at each school?

The staff at the Aberporth school consists of a certificated teacher (not college trained) at a salary of £85 per annum, an uncertificated teacher at £40 per annum, and a supplementary teacher at £25 per annum. The average attendance for the last completed year was seventy-eight. The staff at the Penyparc school consists of a certificated teacher (college trained) at a salary of £105 per annum, two supplementary teachers at £30 per annum, and one supplementary teacher at £20 per annum. The average attendance for the last completed year was seventy-five.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the consent of Parliament was given to the deeper immersion of British merchant ships in 1906?

Provision is made in Section 438 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, for the modification of the Tables of Freeboard. The latest revision took place in accordance with this Section in March, 1906, after careful consideration by the Board of Trade in conjunction with the best expert authorities on the subject. The consent of Parliament is not required by Section 438.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House some opportunity of discussing the effect on the life and limb of crews which have been involved in this alteration?

I have an answer that gives some figures.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the exact date on which the Order was made changing the load line, and say what Government was then in power?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that.

If you will ask the present Leader of the Opposition, he will tell you.

Is the set of experts who gave this advice to the Government the same who gave the advice that no boats would be required?

I must ask for notice of that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the number of missing ships since the alteration in the deep load line made by his Department in 1906; whether he is satisfied that, considering all the other factors which should tend to diminish the percentage of such casualties, the figures do not indicate any true increase due to the alteration referred to; whether he has any record of the number of accidents to the crews of vessels in the same period; whether any, or many, of them are due to the too great immersion of cargo vessels under the new rule; and whether he will form a committee to inquire whether the alteration in the deep load line has caused overloading to the danger of British merchant shipping and crews?