asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he was aware that on Thursday, 11th April, a notice was posted in the Devonport dockyard stating that all apprentices on leave either on Maundy Thursday or Easter Monday would forfeit their pay for the closed day, namely, Saturday; whether it has been the custom for years past in the Royal dockyards to pay the apprentices for Good Friday and the following Saturday and not to check them for the Saturday, as is done in the case of workmen other than apprentices; and will he explain why the innovation has been made, and why the notice was given after the Easter holidays and not before.

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The course adopted is in accordance with the existing Regulations. I am however considering the modification of the Regulation so as to provide for payment to apprentices on all closed days in the circumstances indicated in the question.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman's reply is retrospective so far as these apprentices are concerned?

I cannot say. I will go into it, but I cannot give an undertaking now.

asked whether, although men are being discharged from the new factory at Portsmouth, overtime is being worked and night shifts are being worked; and whether he will obviate the necessity for discharges as far as possible by prohibiting overtime?

Overtime and night shifts are being worked in the factory at Portsmouth upon certain special and urgent work. My hon. Friend may rest assured that these expedients are not resorted to except when the requirements of the service render them necessary.

asked whether midshipmen while attending the School of Navigation at Portsmouth for examination for promotion are deprived of their pay and messing allowance; whether they are required nevertheless to pay their mess bills and to contribute to the mess funds of the Navigation School; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The points raised in the latter part of the question do not therefore arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to say that these reductions were not made?

Yes in regard to pay and messing allowances. I am afraid there must be some misunderstanding somewhere.

asked whether dissatisfaction exists amongst the clerical staffs of His Majesty's naval establishments consequent on the increments awarded by Admiralty Letter C.E., dated 22nd April, 1912, being in many cases lower than the maximum allowed by existing Regulations; and whether, in view of the smallness of this maximum increment, namely, £5 per annum, he will issue the necessary instructions for the maximum to be granted (save only in cases of grave misconduct) and cause the increment promulgated by the letter quoted to be revised?

Representations have been made on the subject of the increments awarded in one particular Department. The matter is now under consideration. I fear that I cannot undertake to adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend in the second part of the question.

asked whether the sum allowed as a suitable amount for underwriting by a company on the approved list is the same in each case; and whether any sum up to such maximum may be placed with any company at the option of the contractor?

The reply to both questions is in the affirmative—on the assumption that the reference in the second part of the question is to approved companies only.

asked how many battleships are required for the new scheme of Fleet organisation; what is the total number of completed battleships now in the Navy; and how many of the latter are employed as training ships, tenders, or depot ships?

Sixty-five battleships in all will be required for the new organisation. There are now in the effective Fleet fifty-three completed battleships, and there are in addition seven battleships in the materiel reserve. Of the fifty-three, three are employed as gunnery training ships, and of the seven, one is employed as depot ship.

When does the right hon. Gentleman hope to bring the matter up to the quota he has named?

New vessels are joining the Fleet constantly. In the next twenty months we will have a considerable accession of strength and the numbers will be gradually raised.

I understand the future is rather dim and distant in regard to the complete programme?

Certainly not! Neither dim nor distant; it is both approximate and clear.

asked whether the programme of 1909–10 was formulated with I the object of providing for the commission- ing of twenty ships of the "Dreadnought" type by 31st March last; what was the number of such ships in commission on that date and what is the number at present; and by what date is it now expected that the total of twenty will be reached?

The programme for 1909–10 provided for the possible completion of that programme by the 31st March, 1912, and had this forecast been realised, twenty vessels of the type named would have been completed by that date. The number in commission on the 31st March was fifteen, and the present number, sixteen. It is expected that all will be completed in September next.

asked what is the contract date for the completion of the battleship "Audacious"; whether any provisional date has been fixed for the launching of the vessel; and when it is expected that she will be ready for service?

The contract date for the completion of the battleship "Audacious" is the 16th January, 1913. No provisional date has yet been fixed for the launching of the vessel, but it is expected she will be launched in July or August next. It is expected that she will be ready for service about August, 1913.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make protestations to the Turkish Government with regard to the loss and damage now being incurred by British merchants who own cargoes of perishable grain through the detention at Constantinople of steamers which have already sailed from the Black Sea for this country?

We are very much concerned at the loss that is being incurred on ships and cargoes unexpectedly detained by the closing of the Straits, and the Secretary of State has made urgent representations with a view to securing some arrangement that will set free the traffic now detained. It is impossible in the case of a war to protect neutral commerce against all loss, or secure compensation in all cases for loss incurred, and I cannot say more at the moment than that we are making every effort to prevent further loss.

Would it not be possible for the Government to make some arrangement to convoy steamers through the danger zone?

As I said in answer to a question on Monday, we tried to arrange that a temporary local armistice should be agreed on which would permit of the arrangement my hon. Friend suggests.

Is it not a fact that at the present time there are no Italian warships north of Stampalia?

As the cables are cut it is very difficult to be sure of that fact.

asked whether the cables reported to be cut in the Mediterranean by the Italian Fleet are owned by British subjects; and whether representations on the cutting of cables have been addressed to the Italian Government?

I am informed that the cables belonging to the Eastern Telegraph Company between Syra and Chio, Semnos and Salonica, Semnos and Tenedos, and Tenedos and Chio, have been cut by the Italian Fleet. The interests of the company are receiving all possible consideration at the hands of His Majesty's Government. I am not in a position at present to make any further statement on this subject.

May I inquire whether the information of the Government is being delayed through the cutting of the cables?

I think the cutting of the cables delays information which would normally have come on these cables. I cannot say more than that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ascertain and supply, for the information of Members of this House, 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 in the Universities of this country, and of the one principal who was not in favour of the abolition of these scholarships?

No, Sir, as I cannot see that any useful object would be served thereby.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the abolition of these scholarships is so unpopular and so much resented by the people of this Colony that it would be dangerous and inexpedient to reveal the names of the responsible persons upon whose advice he abolished them?

No, Sir. I could not admit that suggestion for a moment. I do not wish to subject individuals who placed their views at the service of the Government to criticism. Action was taken on the responsibility of the Government and the Legislative Council.

Would it not have been better for the right hon. Gentleman to have taken the responsibility for this change entirely upon himself without referring to certain anonymous persons?

I have all along taken the entire responsibility for this change upon myself. I think it was in response to a question put by my hon. Friend that I stated the opinions expressed by the principals.

Will compensationg educational facilities be given in return?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether the new Regulation, whereby all British subjects who are not of pure European descent are excluded from the civil and police services of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and the Federated Malay States, was made on account of the alleged objection to Chinese and Malays to the appointment of alien officials who were not of pure European descent; and, if so, on what ground does the Colonial Office consider that it was not desirable to consult non-European British subjects in the States and Colonies referred to before making the change?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to his question of the 6th March. As regards the second part, I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to his question of the 24th of April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the two answers to which he refers are mutually contradictory?

No, Sir. I thought they were mutually supplementary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his first answer was that this change was made in response to a demand from the Chinese and Malays, and that the second answer he gave was that he did not think it desirable to consult Chinese and Malays. Does he not consider those answers contradictory rather than supplementary?

My hon. Friend had better re-read the answers I gave him which were very carefully considered.

Would the right hon. Gentleman prefer an opportunity for a careful consideration of sup-plementaries? I shall give notice.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman can now state how many days have been provided among the public holidays in the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States to suit the national or religious festivals of the Mahomedans, the Chinese, the Hindus, and the Christians, respectively; what proportion of the total population is constituted by the Mahomedans, the Chinese, the Hindus, and the Christians respectively, in the Straits Settlements and in the Federated Malay States; and for what reasons no provision has been made for the religious festivals of the Hindus except in the Settlement of Penang?

I am doubtful how far many of the public holidays should be classed as religious or national festivals, especially as the Christian population is of many nationalities and the Chinese population of many religions. My hon. Friend will find full details in the documents to which I have already referred him and will be able to draw his own conclusions. The second part of the question cannot be answered as it contains a cross-division, many Chinese professing Christianity, Mahomedanism, or the Hindu religion. I am unable to answer the last part of the question. The matter is one wholly for the local Governments with whose discretion, as I have already said, I am not prepared to interfere.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether the Indian emigrants are one of the largest sections of the population in those States, and, if so, will he state why no provision at all has been made among the Mahomedans, except in one small island, for their religious festivals?

The statistical part of the hon. Gentleman's question I am unable to answer without notice. As to the second part of the question I am quite sure that holidays will be provided for those who most clamorously demand them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea what all these questions are about?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is now in a position to make a statement as to whether the Masai are moving northwards from their present territory?

I have ascertained by telegraph from the Acting Governor that there is no ground whatever for the suspicion that the Northern Masai are moving still further northwards.

Is it not a fact that any steps taken in connection with the Masai have been taken on the recommendation of their own chiefs and not at the request of any of the white settlers?

Certainly, no action has been taken at the request of white settlers. As to the general provisions I would refer the hon. Member to the rather full statement I made late in the autumn last year.

asked whether the Development Commissioners will be given instructions to frame schemes of employment ready to be put into operation when the next period of trade depression sets in; and whether the surplus of six and a half millions on last year's accounts will be transferred to the Commissioners for the purpose of such schemes?

The Development Commissioners in approving, executing, or making advances in respect of the execution of any work under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, involving the employment of labour on a considerable scale, are already directed by Section 18 of that Act to have regard, so far as is reasonably practicable, to the general state and prospects of employment. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements I have already made in this House.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, in the case of Irish banks whose head offices are in London, Income Tax on earnings of bank and on officers' salaries is paid into the London centre; whether he will state the total amount paid by these banks for the last financial year; and if Ireland gets credit for this amount of estimated revenue?

The tax paid by the banks in question on their profits and interest from investments is included in the general adjustment made for the purpose of estimating the true revenue of Ireland. The assessments upon the employés, except in the case of one bank, are made in the country where they are employed, and no necessity for adjustment therefore arises. I am not able to give the information asked for with regard to the amount of tax paid.

asked whether boy escutcheoners, in the service of the Board of Inland Revenue, are dismissed at the age of twenty without any offer of permanent employment; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that boys qualified for other work in connection with the Board may be permitted to remain in the service, either as junior clerks or otherwise?

The boy escutcheoners form part of the staff of boys temporarily employed in the Stamping Department of the Board of Inland Revenue. Every boy on that staff is engaged subject to the express condition that his employment will, in ordinary circumstances, last only during boyhood. But every permanent situation as stamper and teller in the Inland Revenue Department is filled by selection from this staff of boys, and only those boys have hitherto-been sent away for whom it has not been practicable to find permanent situations, or whose employment in the Department it has not been considered desirable to continue. The Board of Inland Revenue are now considering how to provide permanent situations for the boys they employ who prove qualified for such promotion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the boys have been found permament situations?

I must ask my hon. Friend to give me notice of that question.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that a night watchman employed by Messrs. Perry at His Majesty's Stationery Office, Stamford Street, was employed on extra time from Saturday noon till Monday morning and bad extra duties to perform, but received no extra pay either for time or work, and that upon application for extra pay he was discharged with only one day's notice; and whether he will have inquiry made as to whether such action is a violation of the Fair-Wages Clause?

The man in question came on duty on Saturday noon, 23rd March, for the ordinary shifts. Part of his duty was to see that the electric communication was maintained on a pump, but on Monday morning, the 25th, it was found that he bad omitted to do so, with the result that water had accumulated. He was, therefore, told to work the week out, which he did, and left on Saturday, 30th March. He made no application for extra pay.

asked whether the hon. Member is aware that, although other Government Departments have a practice of making known to unions interested the names of firms tendering for a particular contract, a practice which is to some extent a safeguard against infringement of the Fair-Wages Clause, the Office of Works has up till now refused to take the same action; and whether he can see his way to recommend his Department adopting the practice of other Departments, and thus secure some uniformity in the administration of the Clause in question?

The First Commissioner will be glad to supply his hon. Friend with a copy of the instructions issued by his predecessor. They are still in force, but are too long to quote in answer to a question.

asked the Attorney-General what was the number of cases in arrear in the King's Bench Division when two new judges were appointed last year, to what number has the list been reduced since, and how does it stand now?

On the 12th October, 1910 (the date on which the two judges appointed under "the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1910," commenced their duties), the total number of cases awaiting trial in the King's Bench Division was 867. This number has been reduced by more than one-half, and the total number of cases awaiting trial on the 16th April last was 412. These figures include jury and nonjury cases, but do not include appeals and other matters to be dealt with by the Divisional Courts.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state how many of the eighty-nine schools which have been closed or handed over to local authorities by the Church of England in Wales are situated in the county of Glamorgan?

Eleven Church of England schools in the county of Glamorgan have been closed since the 31st March, 1903, and ten have been handed over to local authorities.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will call the attention of education authorities to the powers which the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, gives them to grant scholarships and bursaries to poor parents to enable them to keep their children at school beyond the age of twelve?

I have no reason to believe that local education authorities are unaware of the extent of their powers. I think the object the hon. Member has in view will be sufficiently met by the attention called to Section 11 of the Act referred to by his question.

asked how many education authorities have granted bursaries to poor parents under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, to enable them to keep their boys and girls at school beyond the age of twelve years?

During the year ending 31st March, 1910, nine authorities incurred expenditure under Section 11 of the Education {Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907. I have no complete information for any subsequent period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether certain policy holders in the Irish Provident Assurance Company, now in compulsory liquidation, were induced to transfer their policies to the London and Provincial Assurance Company chiefly by the assurance of Mr. Gordon, official liquidator, that none of the directors, managers, secretaries, inspectors, or staff of the former company, would be employed by the latter; whether, in view of the anxiety caused to those policy holders by the latter company being now run by ex-officers of the former, contrary to that assurance, he will state the names of officers so employed, with their respective positions in each company; and whether the Board has any power to deal with the matter besides this publication of the names?

I have no information as to the considerations which induced policy holders of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, to transfer their policies to the London and Provincial Assurance Company, Limited. The only officers of a company whose names are required to be stated, in the returns filed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies are the directors and the secretary. According to the returns, there are now eight directors of the London and Provincial Assurance Company, Limited, of whom Mr. J. Harrop, Mr. E. Robson, and Mr. W. M. Appleton were directors of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited The Board of Trade have no information that the secretary was an official of the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited. The matter is not one in which the Board of Trade have power to-take any action.

Has not the Board of Trade power when a question of this character is raised in the House to inquire for and ascertain the information required?

I have stated the only powers of the Board of Trade, but I shall be very glad if the hon. Member will consult me about them, to see if I can do anything further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the evidence of officers taking passage in the Peninsular and Oriental steamship "Oceana," on the occasion of her recent collision, but who have now gone to India, was taken on commission before their departure; if not, was such evidence offered and was it refused; and whether steps will be taken to obtain such evidence after the arrival of those officers in India?

No evidence from officers taking passage in the Peninsular and Oriental steamship "Oceana" who have returned to India was taken on commission before their departure, nor is it proposed to obtain their evidence on commission after their arrival in India. After careful inquiry it is believed that all material evidence which could be given by those officers can be given by witnesses from the passengers and crew who are being called as witnesses at the inquiry, which commenced yesterday. One officer about to return to India was detained. All evidence offered was carefully considered.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that in one of the boats lowered there were only two officers who were passengers, and that no boats went to the rescue of the boat that was lowered and in which there was considerable loss of life 1 Boats could have rescued those passengers who were lost provided there had been anybody in the boats who could have pulled them off.

The answer I gave at the time after inquiry was that it was thought the evidence obtainable at once was sufficient for the purpose, but I can assure the Noble Lord that if it is necessary to obtain further evidence there will be no question about obtaining it.

May I ask whether, under the circumstances I have named, the right hon. Gentleman will reconsider the question and send for those officers who have not given their evidence, or obtain their evidence on commission? It is an important point.

If the Noble Lord will put down a formal question or write to me, I will be very glad to consider it.

May I ask whether the question will provide for special representatives of the Lascars in this inquiry, as their character has been commented upon rather uncomplimentarily.

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

May I ask why this undue delay has arisen in the case of this inquiry?

Will the hon. Member kindly give me notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is intended to hold an inquiry into the collision between the "Oceana" and a German barque on 16th March; if he will say whether the German inquiry took place immediately after the collision; and why a British inquiry was not held at once?

An inquiry into the collision and loss of life has been ordered by the Board of Trade, but as the collision action between the vessels is expected to "be heard to-morrow in the Admiralty Court, the inquiry which was commenced yesterday is being more particularly directed to the loss of life. Some inquiry was, I understand, held in Germany shortly after the arrival of the witnesses from the German boat in that country, but I do not understand that any witnesses from England were called. It is not customary to hold inquiries into casualties involving loss of life until after the inquests have been held.

Has not an undue period elapsed between the accident and this inquiry?

I understand that is not so. If the hon. Member wants to put any further question with regard to it I shall he glad to give an answer.

asked, with reference to the statement in the official Memorandum on the Railways Bill that the undertaking given to the railway companies on the occasion of the settlement of the railway strike was that the Government will propose to Parliament legislation providing that an increase in the cost of labour due to an improvement of conditions for the staff would be a valid justification for a reasonable general increase of charges within the legal maxima if challenged under the Act of 1894, whether the Government merely promised to introduce such legislation to Parliament and to leave the House full freedom to decide the question, or whether the further promise was given that the Government would exercise pressure to carry the measure and appoint the party Whips to tell in its favour?

The undertaking quoted by my hon. Friend was the only promise made to the railway companies on the occasion in question. The Government certainly regard themselves as bound to use their best endeavours to secure the passage of the legislation proposed in pursuance of such an undertaking.

May I ask whether when the promise was given, it was anticipated that the railway profits for this year would show an increase of £1,500,000?

The undertaking was given on the merits of the question.

If the question was decided on its merits, might I ask whether the profits of the railway companies were not considered?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the inquiry into the loss of the dredger "T.I.C., No. 8," which went down with her crew of five men off Fraserburg on 29th October, was not held until the 27th of March; and why such inquiries are not held promptly on the occurrence of the disaster?

The delay in holding this inquiry was primarily owing to the difficulty in obtaining evidence from the witnesses on the tug "Warrior." The tug was at sea seeking for vessels to tow; her whereabouts were uncertain, and she only put into ports for very short periods. This has been an abnormal winter in respect of wreck inquiries, and a certain amount of delay was also caused by the necessity of giving priority to other wreck inquiries which involved the detention at the public expense of a large number of witnesses.

May I ask whether the report of the inquiry has been published; has it not been sent out officially to any paper?

The report of the inquiry?

Yes.

I cannot say off hand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state the number of passengers carried by the steamers of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company between Liverpool and the Isle of Man and the boat accommodation of each steamer; and whether vessels registered in the Isle of Man are subject to Board of Trade regulations or to the regulations of the local legislature?

I am unable to give particulars of the number of passengers actually carried in these steamers, but I am in communication with the company, and the whole question of provision for safety on vessels of this class is at present receiving my earnest attention. As regards the last part of the question, these vessels come within the definition of the term passenger steamer in Section 267 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, and are therefore subject to the provisions of the Act as far as they relate to passenger steamers.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, if economies are effected in the expenses of the Royal Irish Constabulary during the six years succeeding the commencement of the Act, the amount added to the transferred sum at the end of the period will be correspondingly reduced?

Yes, subject to the provisions of Clause 17 (4).

asked the Prime Minister why, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the Irish Parliament is not to be allowed to raise a Territorial Force for the defence of Ireland, although a Territorial Force was allowed to be raised in Ireland under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act of 1907?

The Act of 1907 will continue to be applicable to Ireland unless revoked or amended by the Imperial Parliament, which, by Clause 2, Section 3, of the Bill, is alone competent to make laws in respect of this matter.

Are we to understand that a Territorial Force can be raised in Ireland after the passage of the Home Rule Bill?

The Act of 1907 remains unaffected.

Can the Territorial Force be raised in Ireland under the Government of Ireland Bill?

The Government of Ireland Bill has nothing to do with it. The Act of 1907, which regulates the matter, remains unaffected by this Bill.

asked the Prime Minister if Clause 3 of the Government of Ireland Bill will make it impossible for any public education authority in Ireland to appoint or dismiss a teacher on grounds connected with the giving of religious instruction?

At present teachers are dismissable by local managers who can exercise their powers on grounds connected with the giving of religious instruction. Under Clause 3 of the Bill any law giving a preference, privilege, or advantage to a teacher on account of religious belief would be void.

If the Dublin Parliament should take action in a matter of this kind how would it be possible to exercise this supreme authority of the British Parliament?

In many ways. The Bill might be vetoed, and next the question of ultra vires might be raised before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

asked what is the nature of the inducement which an Irish Parliament would have to so arrange its expenditure that the yearly gift of one and a-half millions and the £500,000 reduced to £200,000 in six years would ultimately be unnecessary?

The extinction of the deficit, which will fall on the outset on the Imperial Exchequer, will not be dependent on economies in expenditure by the Irish Parliament. It will be effected by the allocation to that purpose of the normal increases in the Irish revenue.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state to whom the anonymous gift has been made towards the acquisition of a site and new buildings for the head-quarters of the University of London; whether a condition attached to the offer is that a particular site is to be acquired; whether the particular site in question is that of four plots on the Bedford Estate to the north of the British Museum; whether the price asked for that site is £375,000; and whether he will state the value placed on that site by the London County Council?

I am informed that various sums of money have been offered anonymously to Lord Haldane on behalf of the trustees proposed to be appointed. Some of these offers were made conditionally upon the purchase of a particular site. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the fourth part, I understand that a less sum than that mentioned by the hon. Member will be accepted. I am not aware that the question of the value of the site referred to has ever come before the London County Council.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it has been valued by the county council valuer?

I have really nothing whatever to do with the question. I am only giving such information as I get from other sources. So far as I know, no.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can yet communicate to the House any information as to the progress of friendly negotiations with Germany resulting from the recent visit of Lord Haldane; whether the conversations between the two countries continue; and whether the new Navy Bill of Germany has interfered with those efforts?

I must ask the hon. Member to be content at present with the answer which I gave yesterday on this subject to the Member for Coventry.

May I be allowed to say that my question-—

There is a very short time for questions and a very large number of questions to be asked. Perhaps the hon. Member will take another opportunity to make his statement.

May I ask—

The hon. Member asked a question and received a full answer. I now call upon the next hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received from the present representatives of the families whose fortunes were established by grants of Church lands any offer to compensate the Church for the proposed partial disendowment of the four Welsh dioceses?

The answer is in the negative.

Have the Government received from the Noble Lord the Member for Oxford University any explanation of the statement made?

asked whether, in view of the reduction in the Government majority on the introduction of the Welsh Disestablishment Bill, and the fact that a majority of English and Welsh Members, who alone are directly interested in the question, voted against it, it is the intention of the Government to proceed furher with the measure?

I do not accept the separatist argument advanced in the hon. Member's question, the answer to which is in the affirmative.

How do the Government justify proceeding with a Bill which affects only England and Wales—

That is really discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that a number of tithe-payers in Wales are under the impression that if the Welsh Disestablishment Bill becomes law they will no longer be compelled to pay tithe, he will state definitely that tithe-rent charge will still be payable and to whom it will be paid?

When the "Welsh Disestablishment Bill becomes law, tithe-rent charge will still be payable, but it will be so paid that the nation as a whole will henceforth become the beneficiary.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my question, to whom the tithe-rent charge will be payable.

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the Bill he will see to whom the tithe-rent charge will be paid.

Does the right hon. Gentleman refuse to say definitely? Is he aware that there is a great deal of misapprehension on the point? I want to have a definite answer.

I explained very fully that the tithe-rent charge will be paid to the Commissioners. During the life interest of the existing beneficiaries they will receive the tithe-rent charge. After the expiration of the existing interests the tithe-rent charge will be paid by the Commissioners to the different county councils, who will expend it upon schemes for the benefit of the whole people.

The Commission are only a temporary body.

We really cannot have discussion now. The hon. Member will have ample opportunity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the draft Provisional Order relating to Lossiemouth Harbour extension reached his Department on 23rd December, and was only forwarded by the Board of Trade to the Scottish Office for their observations on 18th March; what valid cause was there for this delay; whether, seeing that such delay causes unnecessary expense to applicants and renders the benefits of the Development Act to be less available to poor communities, he will see that such delay does not occur again in his Department?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension as to the procedure, which does not require the Board of Trade to furnish the Scottish Office with copies of draft Provisional Orders. The copy furnished on 18th March was sent at the request of the Scottish Office, which had the proposals of the promoters under consideration, and found it impossible to deal with them without the actual terms of the draft Order. I cannot admit that there has been avoidable delay on the part of the Board of Trade with respect to this Order, which will be submitted to Parliament with other Provisional Orders in due course.

What are the functions of the Board of Trade in this matter?

I would like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the amount of loss and suffering inflicted upon poor industrial people by bogus insurance societies collecting money and spending it on themselves, whether the Government will introduce this Session a short Friendly Societies Act amending Bill requiring every such society to deposit a substantial sum as a condition precedent to issuing policies or collecting money?

I am afraid I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on this subject at present. Any society which becomes an approved society under the National Insurance Act will have to give such securtiy as the Insurance Commissioners may consider sufficient to provide against any misappropriation by officers of the society of any funds coming into the hands of the society under the Act.

Does the Treasury not consider the use of money, as stated in the question, is misappropriation?

I do not know what the facts are. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down another question.

asked the approximate number of valuations under the Finance Act, 1910, completed on 6th March last; and how many of these were final and how many provisional valuations?

The number of provisional valuations which had been made up to the 31st March, 1912, was 1,799,468, representing 2,218,317 hereditaments. As has been previously stated, information as to the number of valuations which have become final in not available; such information could only be obtained by the expenditure of considerable time and labour, and would no longer be correct by the time it was summarised.

As the Attorney-General stated on 5th March that one-fifth of the valuations had been completed, will the hon. Gentleman give the House an opportunity of seeing the information upon which the Attorney-General based his statement?

I do not understand what the hon. Gentleman means. Perhaps he will give me notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he proposes to do with the staff at present engaged in land valuation at the end of the three years which he estimates will be necessary to complete the land valuation under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

A large proportion of the valuation staff has been recruited on a temporary basis, and the temporary valuers fully understand that they have no claim to permanent appointment. On the other hand, the multifarious duties which the Valuation Department is called upon to discharge, apart from the valuations under Part I. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, will doubtless render it necessary to retain a proportion of the existing temporary staff on a permanent basis, but until the original valuation is approaching completion it will be impossible to say what that proportion will be.

Is it not part of the duty of the valuers to occasionally revalue the land that is undeveloped?

Yes.

asked what is the total number of Form IV. circulated in Munster up to the present, how many of those forms have been issued to county Cork persons and the number filled up and returned from county Cork?

The total number of Form IV. circulated in Munster to date is 28,000. Of these 12,010 were issued in county Cork. The number returned from county Cork wholly or partly filled is 5,290.

asked whether the Insurance Commissioners have issued or will issue any regulations making it clear whether any penal obligation under the Act attaches to an employé who fails to provide himself with an insurance card; and, even if the employé neglects to provide himself with an insurance card, if any regulations have been made to place any penal obligation upon the employer?

Under Part I. of the Act it will be the duty of the employé to produce his card for stamping when required; but the regulations will provide facilities for the employer, by the use of emergency cards, to pay the contribution even if the employé fails to produce his card, and if he so pays no penal obligation remains.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why, if school teachers are exempt from the provisions of the National Insurance Act, are two copies each of explanatory leaflets, Nos. 2, 3, 5, and 6, sent to school teachers in Scotland; and whether they are expected to become unpaid official or unofficial lecturers?

With a view to imparting accurate information upon the details of the Insurance Act, explanatory leaflets have been sent as widely as possible to classes of persons who are likely to be in communication with insured persons, to be concerned with the formation or administration of societies, or from their position, to be asked for advice and information on the subject. These include school teachers, as well as clerks to local authorities, doctors, and ministers of all religions.

asked when other denominations of postage stamps besides the ½d. and 1d will be issued to the public with the portrait of His Majesty?

The issue of other denominations will probably begin in June next.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain this extraordinary delay? Is it not a fact that over a year ago the Postmaster-General said that he had a most beautiful design for the stamps of higher denomination?

Will the hon. Gentleman put down his question.

asked whether it is part of any contract or arrangement between the Government and Messrs. Wyman and Sons, Limited, or any other private firm, that permission to reprint the Memorandum on the Law relating to Shops, issued by the Home Office in March, 1912, should not be given within any definite period of time; and, if so, when His Majesty's Stationery Office will be in a position to allow the Memorandum to be printed in full by any newspaper or journal that desires to do so?

There is no contract or arrangement of the kind suggested.

asked how many copies of the Memorandum on the Law relating to Shops, issued by the Home Office in March, 1912, and published at the price of½d. by His Majesty's Stationery Office, have been sold; and how many booksellers have hitherto stocked it?

I have no information as to the number of booksellers who have stocked the Memorandum on the Law relating to Shops. About 100,000 copies have been sold.

In view of the fact that this complicated Act comes into force to-day, will the hon. Gentleman now incite the trade papers to circulate the Memorandum?

That question ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Postmaster-General at whose instance Killucan post office was reduced to the rank of a sub-office; whether memorials against the change have been received from the inhabitants of the district served, who should be the best judges of their own convenience; what supposed advantage of the change is held to outweigh the convenience of the public; and whether, after four months' experience of the change, the old arrangement will be restored?

The alteration in the status of the Killucan post office was sanctioned by me for administrative reasons. Representations against the change have reached me, but, as the facilities afforded to the public have not been altered in any way, the complaint that the change of status has affected the convenience of the public must have been made under a misapprehension. I am not prepared to revert to the former arrangement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of making arrangements that will allow of any subscriber to the telephone being placed in communication with an official specially appointed to answer the inquiry, what is the correct time?

Any Post Office subscriber can at present be informed of the time as shown by the clock at an exchange by making a call to the exchange and asking the telephonist who replies to tell him the time. Although the time thus given is not "Greenwich" time, it is thought that this arrangement meets the practical needs of most subscribers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in other countries this convenience is given to telephone subscribers, who are given the time there corresponding to Greenwich time here?

I should like to have notice of that.

asked whether telegraphic, communications with the Eastern Mediterranean have been stopped, delayed, or affected by the Italian Fleet cutting the cables?

I am informed that six cables in the Eastern Mediterranean are interrupted, and that the Eastern Company's normal communication with Turkey in Europe and Turkey in Asia is in consequence stopped. Telegrams are being forwarded by other routes, those for Turkey in Asia being sent to Constantinople and thence over the land lines of the Turkish Government. A notification has been received that telegrams for Smyrna are subject to delay, and that communication with the island of Samos is entirely interrupted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, of the men whose wages for four days are to be kept in hand, over 70 per cent, are established mechanics, whose duties are fixed and not of the migratory nature which obtains with the construction staff, and that, as these mechanics are not on piecework or on time-rate, but are paid a weekly wage for a weekly attendance, the difficulty as to making up the time-sheets does not apply in their case; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he can see his way to modify the Order which comes into force on the 3rd of May?

The proportion of established mechanics to the total number of men affected by the Order referred to is very much less than 70 percent., and, to make an exception to the general rule would cause administrative difficulty. The original Order has now been modified, and instructions have been given that the period of arrear shall be three days instead of four. The change will, therefore, not now affect the construction staff in any way, whose wages were already paid in that system, whilst in the case of the maintenance staff it has been arranged to make a full advance of three days' wages, repayment of which will not be required pending further consideration of the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the statement made by him on 14th December last that during the last three years only seven persons of those convicted under the Vagrancy Act, 1824, as incorrigible rogues had been ordered to be whipped, he has observed that since that date, and within the last four months, at least six sentences of flogging have been passed under such Act, some of which were for trivial offences; whether any of them have been remitted by him; and whether, in view of the increase in such sentences, he proposes to take any steps to check this recourse to the use of the lash under this old Statute?

The figures mentioned by my hon. Friend appear to show that magistrates are more disposed to use this sentence than formerly and several cases have recently come under my consideration. In one case I remitted the sentence on medical grounds, and in two cases I remitted the sentence because it seemed tome inappropriate for the offence, which was refusal of a workhouse task and doing damage in the workhouse.

How is the profession of incorrigible rogue to be stopped unless the law is enforced?

I must have notice of that question.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the question.

Yes, I have stated what steps I have taken.

Why do the magistrates, feel themselves more at liberty to permit flogging under the present Home Secretary than they did under previous Home Secretaries?

The hon. Gentleman has no right to say such a thing. I have-given him a full answer and have explained' where I thought it right to remit the sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he received a petition from Miss Emily Wilding Davison, a prisoner undergoing sentence in Holloway Prison, dated 7th February, to which no reply was sent till 27th February; and whether he cam give any reason for this delay?

I received petitions-from this prisoner dated 11th January, and 1st, 14th, and 29th February, but no> such delay as is suggested by the hon. Member occurred with regard to any of them, and I received no others from her.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the cell card supplied to Mrs. Annie Swan, of Glasgow, in cell 2–8 E wing of Holloway Prison, set forth her religious belief as Socialism; and whether it is proposed to provide a prison chaplain of that faith for other inmates of the same persuasion?

It is the fact that this prisoner entered her religion as "Socialist." Prisoners are free to state what they please in reply to the question what their religious persuasion is, and their statement, however fantastic, is entered on the stage card, as it is a. guide to the prison officers in collecting prisoners for the several chapel services. The answer to the last paragraph is in the negative.

Why, if every other form of religious belief has a chaplain, is Socialism debarred?