asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to be in a position to announce the arrangements made with the medical profession for the working of the National Insurance Act; and whether he anticipates that fresh legislation will be required to give effect thereto?

A full statement as to the position of the Medical Profession and the Insurance Commissioners was made last night by my right hon. Friend and at present I have nothing further to announce on the matter.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if it is within the power of a trades union, under the regulations issued by the Commissioners, to decline the admission of any applying member into the sickness section approved by the Commissioners, on the ground that such member does not choose to take unemployment through his union or vice versa?

No regulations on the subject have been issued by the Commissioners. An approved society, under Part I. of the Act, may impose its own conditions of admission to membership subject only to the condition that no application must be refused solely on the ground of age. The provision under Part II. of the Act with regard to the payment of unemployment benefit to members of a trade union through that union instead of through a Labour Exchange does not restrict the right of the union to impose its own conditions of membership.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the effect of Sub-section (3) of Section 83 of the National Insurance Act will be that a person who joins an approved society or branch in England when resident there cannot, under any circumstances, retain his membership of that society or branch for the purposes of that Act if he ceases to reside in England and takes up his residence in Wales or Scotland; if so, will such a person, on removing his residence from England to Wales or Scotland, and failing to gain admission to an approved society in Wales or Scotland, be obliged to become a deposit contributor; and whether there is any similar restriction in the Act upon the movement of a deposit contributor from one part of the United Kingdom to another?

A member of a society having members in more than one part of the United Kingdom, may, subject to the rules of the society, retain his membership in spite of the fact that he changes his residence, e.g., from England to Scotland. In such a case his benefits might still be administered through the same machinery as before, i.e., either direct from the head office in the case of a centralised society, or through the several branches in the case of a society with branches or otherwise. The society would, however, require to keep the accounts relating to the members resident in England and in Scotland respectively distinct, and when a member ceased to reside in England and became resident in Scotland his transfer value would be transferred from the English fund to the Scottish fund of the society.

asked whether the Insurance Commissioners have issued Regulations showing that the members of an approved society under the National Insurance Act may reside anywhere in Great Britain and Ireland?

The only Regulations relating to the subject that have as yet been issued are the Joint Committee Regulations, 1912 (Statutory Rules and Orders. 1912, No. 175) which provide, inter alia, that societies desiring to conduct business under Part I. of the Act in more than one part of the United Kingdom may be approved, on one application, by the Joint Committee. There will be no need for such societies to become separate societies. They may continue to administer benefits to their members, under their existing machinery, i.e., either direct from the head office in the case of a centralised society, or through the several branches in the case of a society "with branches, or otherwise. The accounts relating to members residing in different parts, e.g., in England and in Ireland respectively must however be kept quite distinct; when a member ceases to reside in England and becomes resident in Ireland, his transfer value will be transferred from the English fund to the Irish fund of the society; and if the members in either England or Ireland taken separately number less than 5,000 they will come under the provision of Section 39 with regard to small societies and must associate with other small societies of the same nationality, or be grouped in county groups for the purpose of the periodical valuation.

asked whether the Commissioners responsible for the National Insurance Act will consider the adoption of preventive measures, including those affecting bovine tuberculosis, such as the provision of compensation for the slaughter of cattle suspected of being tuberculous?

The Commissioners responsible for the administration of the National Health Insurance Act are, strictly speaking, only concerned with the provisions necessary for the detection and proper treatment of tuberculosis when occurring among insured persons and their dependents. Other Government Departments are, however, concerned with preventive measures affecting the whole population, and I will see that the suggestion of the hon. Member is brought before them.

asked the number of appointments carrying salaries of £600 per annum and upwards under the National Insurance Commissioners which have been granted to Civil servants who had passed the Class I. examination and Civil servants who had passed the second division examination respectively?

The persons appointed under the Insurance Commissioners at salaries commencing at £600 per annum and over who had passed the Class I. and the second division examination number seven and five, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total yield of the Club Tax during the financial year ending 30th March last?

About £55,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount of money received from motor licences during the years 1908–9 and 1910–11?

In 1908–9 the Licence Duty paid in respect of motor cars consisted of Carriage Duty together with Light Locomotive Duty. It is not possible to separate the amount of Carriage Duty paid in respect of motor cars from the total amount of Carriage Duty paid. Full particulars of the amounts received in 1910–11 will be found on page 64 of the Second Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. Lenihan, of the staff of the Estates Commissioners, visited the estate of Lord Langford in April last, with a view to putting a valuation on the estate so as to arrange for the issuing of the vesting orders; did he value the farms of James and Geoffry Walsh, of Clonbrien, Droma-comer, Kilmallock; and, if so, what was the exact amount which he considered their farms were value for, or what report did he make on these two holdings?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants. No agreements for the purchase of their holdings by James Walsh and Geoffry Walsh have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners. The Walsh's hold as second term judicial tenants, and the terms of purchase is a matter for arrangement between the two parties, and if agreements are lodged applying for advances coming within the zone provisions of Section 1 of the Act of 1903, the holdings are under that Section deemed to be security for such advances.

asked whether the estate of T. B. Ponsonby, estate number 6076, at Clonnanna, Tahichswell, county Limerick, has yet been inspected; are the Commissioners aware that James Dundon, Mrs. Lillis, William Buckley, Thomas Morgan, and John Costelloe, all tenants on the property, had some bog taken with their farms from time immemorial; whether there is any precedent for the agent on the property to deprive tenants of their rights by cutting out the bog from the sale; will such action be allowed; are the Commissioners aware that Mrs. Lillis complains that she is paying for 2½ acres of land more than she has in the survey of her farm now; and will the whole of the circumstances be investigated before the vesting orders are issued?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants. When reached in its turn the matters referred to by the hon. Member will be inquired into; meanwhile, if the parties consider that any of their rights have been interfered with it is open to them to take such legal proceedings as they may be advised.

asked whether the estate of Mr. J. M. Meldon and others, situate at Coolarne, Athenry, has been taken over by the Estates Commissioners; when the Commissioners hope to be able to deal with the estate; and is it their intention to provide a holding for the herd who is in charge of the lands?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants. The vendor has given certain parcels of land for the enlargement of a number of holdings on the estate out of the lands occupied by himself, and one of the allottees is Thomas Flaherty, to whom the hon. Member presumably refers. The lands will be vested in the proposed purchasers as soon as practicable.

asked what progress the Congested Districts Board nave made with regard to the purchase of the estates of John Flood, the Payton and West, and Marsham, situated at Ballina-glera, county Leitrim; and whether, having regard to the fact that the tenants on these estates are being sued for all arrears of rent and deprived of the stock of their farms, the Board will bring to a speedy completion the purchase of these estates?

The Congested Districts Board have made an offer for the purchase of the estate of John Flood; and they have decided to make offers for the Payton, West, and Marsham estates. These offers will be issued at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay on the part of the Congested Districts Board in taking over and dealing with the Annagh grass farm, in the parish of Kilbecanty, Gort; is he aware that Mr. George G. Mahon, the landlord, sent in maps and an originating request to the Congested Districts Board over twelve months ago; has the farm been inspected; and, having regard to the state of congestion in the district and the number of extra police quartered in the parish, whether action will be taken by the Congested Districts Board to take over this farm in the interests of landlord, ratepayers, and people generally?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that the estate of Mr. G. G. Mahon has been inspected. The Board have made an offer for the purchase of the property, and are at present in correspondence with the owner regarding it. No avoidable delay has taken place in the matter.

asked the cost of washing out and lime-washing the interiors of Irish national school houses can be included in the sum, half of which will be defrayed out of the heating and cleaning grant?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the services for which sanction has been obtained for payment of the Grant referred to in the question are limited to ( a ) the heating of the schoolrooms, ( b ) the lime-washing or otherwise cleansing of the exterior of the school house, the out-offices connected therewith, and the enclosing walls of the school premises, and ( c ) the emptying and cleansing of the pits of the out-offices. It is now too late to make any change in these services as regards the payments to be made for the year ended 31st March, 1912, but the Commissioners have at present under consideration the question of seeking Treasury sanction as regards the current year and in future for substituting the white washing of the interior of the schoolrooms and the washing or scrubbing of the schoolroom floors for the service specified under heading ( b ) above.

asked the exact date when the name of Mr. J. K. O'Connor, of Castleisland, county Kerry, was removed from the Commission of the Peace for the county of Kerry by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that there is no record of the precise date when the name of Mr. J. K. O'Connor, of Castleisland, was removed from the Commission of the Peace for the county of Kerry.

asked why the Attorney-General for Ireland failed to report to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland the case of Mr. J. K. O'Connor, of Castleisland, county Kerry, a Justice of the peace, who had been reported by an Election Court for corrupt practices?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that the circumstances referred to in the question occurred in the year 1908. The Gentleman who was Attorney-General at that time does not now hold that office, and the Lord Chancellor has no power to require him to state his reasons for not taking action in the matter.

asked whether the representatives of Michael Keane; of Peakroe, Athenry, are annuitants to the Land Commission for a small piece of mountain scrub amounting to 15s. per annum; is it a fact that 10s. per week has been paid by the Land Commission to Mr. Farrington for caretaking this holding; and, if so, will "he state if any portion of this yearly charge for caretaking has been charged to the public rates of the county?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 18th March last. No part of the charge for caretaking falls upon the public rates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that labourers are erecting glazed partitions in No. 15 Store, Portsmouth Dockyard; and whether, seeing that this is joiners' work, he will give instructions that this class of work must be done by them?

A portion of a glazed partition in No. 15 Storehouse was taken down and re-erected by skilled labourers in order to change the position of the doorway. The work of the removal and re-erection—using the same fittings and glass— was considered such as might reasonably be performed by the skilled labourers, who are specially borne for rough work in connection with alterations to storehouse fittings and so on.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the discharges taking place at Chatham Dockyard there are included men who have been in the service from one to ten years, while men who have only been in the service a few months are being retained; and whether he will inquire into the matter in order to secure due and proper regard being given to seniority?

I do not think I can add anything to the reply I gave the hon. Member for the Westhougton Division on 18th April.

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in the light of four years' experience, he will consider the desirability of holding a Departmental inquiry to ascertain the causes of the unequal results shown by the finance returns of Territorial associations, and to report whether any improvements of system are desirable to facilitate the efficient performance by the associations of any of their functions?

The suggestion of my right hon. Friend is being carefully considered, and I shall hope to be able to give a definite reply within a few days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the fourth battalions, Special Reserve are included in the number given to this House of the troops which would be left at home after the departure of the Expeditionary Force; and, if so, why they have been so included, in view of the statement made by the Secretary of State for War, on 14th March, 1911, that the twenty-seven battalions would be sent at once to release battalions overseas?

These twenty-seven battalions do not form part of the Expeditionary Force, and therefore were properly included in the figures of the troops left behind on the departure of the Expeditionary Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether all time-expired soldiers who re-enlist in Section D of the Regular Reserve in 1913 will become time-expired in 1917; and whether he will give the estimated number of men who will pass out of Sections A and B of the Regular Reserve by 1913, as well as the number estimated to pass out between October, 1913, and October, 1914, with the number of those who will be qualified for re-enlistment into Section D during the year 1913–14, and the number of those who will re-enlist into the Regular Reserve during 1913–14?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except as regards a few tradesmen who may re-engage for further periods. As regards the second part of the question, the numbers due to go in the years mentioned will be found on page 102 of the General Annual Report. As regards the rest of the question, there are no figures available at the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give the present strength of the non-commissioned officers and men in the third battalions of the Special Reserve, the number of which Special Infantry Reserve was given in the statement of 1st June, 1911, as 49,620; if he will give the number of noncommissioned officers and men in the third battalions of the above Special Reserve under twenty years of age; and if he will give the present strength of the non-commissioned officers and men in the fourth battalions of the Special Reserve, and the number of non-commissioned officers and men in such battalions under twenty years of age?

The strength of the non-commissioned officers and men of the Special Reserve Battalions on the 1st April,1912, was as follows:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office intends to erect drill halls and miniature rifle ranges for the National Reserve in the various boroughs of London, or whether the War Office activity will be confined to the projected range at Rainham, in Essex.

There is no intention of erecting drill halls or miniature rifle ranges for the National Reserve in London or elsewhere out of public funds. Subject to the exigencies of the Service National Reserve rifle clubs may be allowed the use of military rifle ranges.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the result of the inquiry into the alleged violation of the Fair-Wages Clause by Messrs. Ellis and: Company, of Millwall?

The investigation will, I hope, be completed shortly. It is not possible to arrive at a final conclusion on the results so far obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what decision, if any, has yet been come to arising out of the consideration of the wages paid to labourers in the Army Ordnance depots in His Majesty's Gunwharf and Tipnor Magazine, Portsmouth?

This question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths by drowning have taken place in the canals in London, especially the Regent's Canal and Grand Junction Canal, during the years 1907–11, inclusive, among children bathing during the summer months?

The Commissioner of Metropolitan Police informs me that the number of children drowned in canals in London during the five years mentioned was twenty-seven. It is not possible to give separate figures for each canal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the case of the Reverend S. Henry, now charged with the murder of his wife on 12th April by cutting her throat with a razor, who on 26th February was taken into custody by the police for discharging a revolver in the Central Hall of the House of Commons, and, on being brought before the magistrate at Bow Street on 4th March, was discharged on his own recognisances; whether any and what investigation was made into the state of mind of the accused by a medical man experienced in mental disease; and whether any general suggestions have been made to justices and others as to the precautions to be taken to ascertain the state of mind of persons in possession of lethal weapons charged with acts of homicidal, suicidal, or dangerous character, previous to allowing them to be set at liberty?

I have no authority to interfere with the discretion of the Courts in dealing with cases of the kind referred to in the question, but I may say that I have seen a copy of a report on Mr. Henry's state of mind made to the magistrate at Bow Street who dealt with the case in March last, and it is clear from it that at that time there was, in the opinion of the experienced medical officer, no ground for apprehending further violence from him. He appeared to have completely recovered from the mental disturbance induced by overwork, which led to the offence charged against him. The case affords no reason for thinking that magistrates are not fully alive to the necessity of using the utmost care in dealing with persons who, not being of a sound state of mind, are in possession of firearms.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, having regard to the recommendation contained in the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation in favour of Metropolitan guardians being awarded a Grant in respect of union officers' salaries and the cost of drugs and medical appliances on lines similar to provincial unions, under which Metropolitan ratepayers would benefit to the extent of about £625,000 per annum, and also his statement in 1909 that a considerable surplus of revenue would, in consequence of the passing of the Budget of that year, be available for distribution among local authorities in aid of local rates, when steps will be taken to give effect to the recommendation above referred to and to carry out the promise made?

The Government must await the Report of the Imperial and Local Taxation Committee before taking action in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will communicate with the companies which run excursion steamers from London and other ports with a view to obtaining the same assurances as to the supply of life-saving appliances and boats as he has received from the large steamship companies?

I am communicating with some of the principal shipping companies referred to on the subject of life-saving appliances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will direct the attention of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee to the whole question of the value of the Berthon collapsible boats as a means for saving life, and to such Regulations as would be necessary to secure the efficiency of these boats and the facilities for launching them?

This question is already before the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to a circular letter dated 7th March, sent by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, Limited, to their shareholders alleging the completion of a contract with the Post Office for the construction by the company of all long distance wireless stations which will be required within the next few years for the Imperial wireless scheme; and, if so, whether an opportunity will be given to this House to consider the contract before it comes into force?

I am aware that the Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company issued a circular on the 7th of March with regard to the acceptance of their tender for the erection of long distance wireless telegraph stations. The contract will require to be approved by a Resolution of this House; and, as I explained in answering a question by another hon. Member on the 15th March, it will, in accordance with the usual practice, be laid on the Table of the House as soon as it has been signed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the amount of the Grant given to the National Reserve by the Government, i.e., 1s per head, he will consider the possibility of allowing organising officers of divisions over 1,000 strong to have their official communications, both by letter and by post card, franked O.H.M.S. in the usual way?

I do not think it would be expedient to exempt letters sent or received by officers of the National Reserve from payment of postage in the ordinary way. No arrangement of the kind is made in the case of the organising officers of the Territorial Forces, and, in fact, the accounting difficulties would be so great that, apart from any question of principle, I could not contemplate such a concession.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the standard allowance made to postmasters and salaried sub-postmasters for the provision of sleeping accommodation for a relief clerk in connection with lifeboat night bells while such postmaster or sub-postmaster is away on annual leave?

The standard allowance is 6d. per night.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state when the Annual Report for 1911 of the proceedings under the Small Holdings Act, which was promised in April, will be issued?

I hope that the Report will be available to-morrow. The final revise was sent to the printers on the 20th of last month.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether a branch of his Department has been constituted to devote the whole of its attention to horticultural problems according to the plan indicated in his speech to the deputation of Kent and Sussex fruitgrowers on the 15th February last?

The constitution of a branch dealing exclusively with horticultural problems is being considered in connection with the reorganisation of some of the other services of the Board, and I hope before long to submit proposals on the subject for Treasury approval.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is aware that the bulk of the provisions and stores supplied to the Osborne House Convalescent Home, in the Isle of Wight, are procured from London and elsewhere away from the island, to the detriment of local trade; and if the Office of Works can see their way to give more local orders for the above supplies?

Meat, dairy produce and bread, are always purchased in the Isle of Wight, and occasionally chickens, fruit, and vegetables. The First Commissioner regrets that he is unable to give assurance that the present method of obtaining supplies will be altered?

asked the Secretary for Scotland what were the capital sums of the " Daphne " Disaster Fund remaining at the ends of the years 1909, 1910, and 1911, respectively; what were the sums given to beneficiaries during these years, respectively; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation whereby all the funds raised for certain charitable purposes, the beneficiaries of which die out, can be utilised for other charitable objects?

I would remind my hon. Friend that in answer to his question of 22nd April, I obtained and gave to him the general information which he then desired about the "Daphne "Disaster Fund. If he desires further details, I would suggest his writing to the secretary of the fund, whose name and address I then gave him. I would remind my hon. Friend that this fund is not under the control of the Scottish Office, and that I have no other avenue to information than he himself has. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative, and I would remind my hon. Friend that, as stated in my previous answer, the beneficiaries of this fund are still more than twenty in number.