asked what number of claims arising out of telegraphic cables cut in the West Indies were preferred against the United States Government as a result of the Spanish-American war; how long a period elapsed between the presenting of the claims and their final settlement; and what was the total amount of compensation paid.

As far as I am aware, only two such claims were preferred against the United States Government, one by the Cuba Submarine Telegraph Company and one by the French Cable Company. That of the Cuba Submarine Telegraph Company was presented in November, 1899, but no compensation has yet been paid. It will shortly be referred to arbitration under the Pecuniary Claims Agreement with the United States.

Then may we take it that any claims that arise in the Ægean will take at least twelve years to settle?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received any information lately or at all concerning the commercial condition of Portugal; and whether the political condition of Portugal is such as to cause anxiety to His Majesty's Government?

In regard to the first part of the question I have received no special information recently as to the commercial situation in Portugal. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the condition of affairs is better commercially tinder a Republic than under a Monarchy?

That is rather a matter of opinion.

asked whether it has been intimated to the Italian Government that Italy will not be allowed to use such operations of war as will result in the closing again of the Dardanelles to commercial vessels?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board proposes to group all the counties in England and Wales into twelve provinces for the purposes of higher agricultural education and research; and whether every one of such provinces will be equipped with one collegiate centre and one or more farm institutes, from which will radiate the peripatetic instruction now carried on by county councils as well as expert advice to all local farmers requiring it?

I am carefully considering by what means the various agencies, actual and prospective, for the provision of agricultural education and research and of technical advice in agriculture may most effectively be brought into co-operation. I think it will probably make both for efficiency and for economy if county councils and agricultural colleges will combine for the purpose of joint action in respect of many of their agricultural activities. I am not yet, however, prepared to make a definite statement on the subject, as to which, I shall hope, before taking any decision to learn the opinions of county councils and agricultural colleges.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also take the opinion of the Rural Educational Conference which is at present considering this matter?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the proposed staff of permanent architectural draughtsmen and technical assistants is intended to include all the men in the present staff classed and certificated as architectural assistants; and whether he will see that the misnomer draughtsmen formerly applied to these professional men but remedied, at the request of the class, to architectural assistants in 1907 shall not be again reverted to?

The answer to the first question is in the negative. Only those gentlemen who are eligible under the new scheme are intended to be included in the proposed new class. If there is a general desire, the name of the proposed establishment can be altered.

What is the meaning of the phrase: "Who are eligible under the new scheme"?

The scheme, which is under consideration, lays down certain conditions, and if those conditions are satisfied they will be asked if they desire to be included in the proposed new-class.

Have they been asked already?

I cannot say. The scheme is under consideration.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works. whether, in view of the undertaking made by his predecessor in this House on 7th December last that the desires of all of the class termed architectural assistants engaged in the Office of Works shall be ascertained if they desire to be placed upon the established list, he is aware that no such inquiry has been made; and whether he can now state how soon this undertaking will be carried into, effect?

So soon as the scheme now before the Treasury, has been approved the desires of all those gentlemen who are eligible for appointment to established rank as architectural or technical assistants as the case may be will be ascertained.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that his proposal would lower the status of those professional men engaged for years in his Department and termed and certificated as architectural assistants by their inclusion in the proposed staff of architectural draughtsmen and technical assistants; and whether he is aware that the professional ability and duties performed by this class are at the least equivalent to the class termed assistant architects, and therefore will he consider the justice of awarding in return equivalent conditions of service to all the class in question to that now granted to assistant architects' class?

The First Commissioner is not of opinion that his proposal will involve any lowering of the status of those gentlemen, but if they object to the designation of architectural draughtsmen he is quite ready to style them architectural assistants. The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that the professional abilities and duties of these two classes are the same.

asked the President of the Board of Education what increase or decrease there has been in the total number of scholars in elementary day schools in Wales since 1st April, 1903, and what increase or decrease in provided and Church of England schools in Wales, respectively?

I am unable to give the total number of scholars in actual attendance on a given day, but since 1903 the average number of scholars on the registers of public elementary schools in Wales has increased by 35,450. There has been an increase in respect of provided schools of 62,198, and a decrease in respect of Church of England schools of 17,420. The figures relate to the average number on the registers for the years ending 31st July, 1903, and 31st July, 1911.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Divisional Court recently decided that the local education authority is bound to provide furniture for a new voluntary school; and whether, seeing that this decision is in conflict with previous practice, the decision will be appealed against?

I must not be taken to accept the hon. Member's reading of the judgment of the Divisional Court in the case of R. v . Easton, to which he no doubt refers, but I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board that an appeal in this matter is contemplated.

May we take it that the local authorities may withhold "action on the ground that the matter will before long come before a Higher Court"?

I cannot say what action they had better take. An appeal is contemplated.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state how many Roman Catholic secondary schools and how many other secondary schools required by their instrument of government to give denominational instruction received Grants under the Secondary School Regulations in each of the years 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911; and in the case of how many of such schools has a modification of the trusts been necessary in order to enable them to comply with the Secondary School Regulations, Article 5, respecting denominational religious instruction?

I propose to circulate the figures asked for in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part of the question, a modification of the trust deed for the purposes indicated has been required in four cases, in one of which the modification was made by the Court. [ See Written Answers this date .]

asked, in view of the fact that the Regulations under which Grants in respect of medical treatment and care of children attending public elementary schools in England and Wales will be made by the Board of Education during the year ending 31st March, 1913, are not capable of being interpreted by local education authorities in such a manner as to enable them to form any estimate of the amount of Grant which they may expect to receive during the current financial year, how and to what extent the six matters referred to in Clause 5 of the Regulations will be taken into consideration by the Board of Education in fixing the Grant payable to each authority?

It would be very difficult until further experience is available to construct a scale of Grants for medical treatment, and I am sure it would not be in the interest of local education authorities that I should attempt to do so. Any scale which could be now put forward would have to allow a very large margin of safety and would probably on that account, appear illiberal. I may, however, say that in considering the Grant for this year I hope to adopt 50 per cent. of the expenditure of which the Regulations take cognisance as the standard Grant?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Insurance Commissioners have considered the question of accommodation adequate to the increase in the number and the membership of friendly societies and other provident associations for meetings and administrative purposes; whether any negotiations have taken place with local authorities for the use of public buildings or public elementary schools; what provision is to be made for women's societies or branches of societies; and if it is intended to deal with this subject by legislation?

The question is engaging the consideration of the Commissioners. They will, however, be in a better position to make arrangements under the provisions of Section 27 when further progress has been made with the formation and approval of societies, in particular of women's societies, and a clearer indication has thus been afforded of the character and extent of the accommodation required. They do not consider that any legislation on the subject will be necessary.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at the present moment societies find very great difficulty in getting premises in which to meet?

I am fully aware of it. I think there will be no doubt that the Commissioners will take action under Section 27.

asked (1) whether any Regulations have been issued by the Insurance Commissioners as to the distribution of emergency cards to employers; and (2) under what Regulations of the Insurance Commissioners there will be a penal obligation upon an employé to produce an insurance card to his employer for stamping?

asked whether, in the event of domestic servants and other employed persons declining to keep a book or card for stamping under the National Insurance Act, their employers can be compelled to provide such book or card for them; and, if so, to what penalty or penalties will they be subject in the event of their declining to do so?

Draft Regulations relating to the collection of contributions under Part I. of the Act have been issued to members of the Advisory Committee to the Joint Committee which meets on Friday next. It is the duty of the employé to produce his card for stamping. The employer is responsible in any case for seeing that the stamps are placed on a card, and for this purpose he will be able on application to obtain a supply of emergency cards for use where the ordinary cards have not been produced by the employé. Breaches of such Regulations as may be made are punishable by fine under Section 69 (2) of the Act. The employer is also, under Section 70 of the Act, under a civil liability to the employé for the value of any right which he may have been deprived through contributions not being paid, and under the provisions of the Third Schedule (3), he will be unable to deduct the employés share of any contribution after the time at which that contribution is properly payable.

How long an interval will be allowed between the non-production by the employé of his card and the issue of the emergency card to the employer?

I hope that the emergency cards will be in the hands of employers before the Act comes into force, so that, if for any reason an employé does not produce his card, the employer may use the emergency card.

If a fine is not paid will imprisonment follow?

I cannot answer that off-hand.

Will the emergency cards be exactly similar in colour and texture to the other cards?

That, also, I cannot answer without notice.

Who will retain the emergency card—will it be retained by the employé or only by the employer; and to whom does the hon. Gentleman refer when he says fines will be levied—will they be fines on the employer or on the employed person?

If either commits a breach of the duty laid upon both by the Act, either of them will be liable to a fine.

asked whether, during the first three months after the coining into operation of the National Insurance Act on 15th July, there will be no necessity for any employed contributor to decide whether he intends to be a member of an approved society or a deposit contributor?

A period will be prescribed under Section 42 of the Act after which an insured person who has not joined an approved society will become a deposit contributor. Whatever its duration it is of importance to an insured person that he should select his society as soon as possible in order that he may be fully secure of membership at the time of the commencement of benefits.

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate what this period will be, because otherwise it will be very difficult to say what is going to happen to a large body of deposit contributors?

That is a subject which is going to be considered by the Advisory Committee. If the hon. Gentleman will put a question in a week's time I may be able to answer him.

May I ask whether, in spite of the evidence of by-elections and associations and trades, this Act is to be forced so early upon an unwilling people?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the fact that the employer's obligations under the Insurance Act vary with the age, sex, wages, and salaries, and the nature of the contract of service with his workpeople, and in view of the fact that certain additional obligations are imposed on him in the event of a deficit being shown in the financial position of approved societies of which his workpeople are members, whether any and, if so, what Regulations are being made by the Insurance Commissioners in respect to the duties of employers under the Act; and whether he will appoint a Committee to assist in the framing of such Regulations as will secure, so far as works management is concerned, the smooth and economical working of the Act?

Draft regulations as to the collection of contributions have been prepared by the Joint Committee of the Commissions. They will be submitted to the Advisory Committee, which meets on Friday. That Advisory Committee includes twenty-seven members who have been selected as representatives of all sections of employers, and who will provide that expert advice and assistance which is desirable for the smooth and economical working of the Act.

What are the great trades which are represented?

All the great trades of the country. We asked all the great trades to appoint representatives, and I think they all have representatives chosen on the Advisory Committee.

Is it a fact that the whole of the tinplate and sheet trade in South Wales has been omitted altogether?

Of course the great trades had to be grouped to a certain extent, because we could not set up an Advisory Committee of several hundred members. So far as I know, none of the great staple industries of the country are not represented on the Advisory Committee.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider the iron and steel industry a staple industry, and, if so, why have they no representative on any of the Advisory Committees?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait until I answer a question later on.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) if he is aware that on the Advisory Committee of the National Insurance Act (England) there are two workmen representing dock labour, two representing seamen, two representing the textile industry, three representatives of the National Union of Women Workers, and two of the Women's Trade Union League; and can he state the reasons for this dual representation and the omission of a representative thereon of the important iron and steel industry; (2) if he is aware that the next most important industry in South Wales to coal-mining is that of the tinplate and sheet mill industry; if he is aware that, while the miners have two representatives and three representatives have been selected to represent the seamen and dockers on the Welsh Advisory Committee under the National Insurance Act, no representative of the workmen and workwomen employed in the tinplate and sheet mill industry has been selected; will he take action by appointing a representative workman thereon to represent such industry; and (3) if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the workmen employed in the iron and steel industry in Scotland in consequence of no representative of that important industry having been selected upon the Advisory Board (Scotland) under the National Insurance Act; is he aware that the National Union of Clerks and the National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen, and Clerks have each one representative, constituting dual representation; and, seeing that an important industry has been neglected, will he undertake to rectify the omission?

The English, Scottish and Welsh Commissions, in selecting trade unionists for their respective Advisory Committees, have adopted the same method as the Joint Committee. This consisted in grouping trades according to the classification of the Board of Trade Official Directory Cd. 5619, and then taking one or more persons recommended by unions in one or other of the trades in each group. Members are appointed to give assistance of this kind and not to represent the particular interests of any union or association or friendly society to which they may belong; and they have not therefore been selected on the basis of the proportionate strength of different unions or friendly societies. This method was adopted as the best practicable one, consistent with the necessary restriction upon the total numbers selected, of securing that the main types of knowledge and experience required in the administration of the Act should be available for the advice of the Commissioners.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider the iron and steel trade a staple industry, and, if so, how is it that no representative of that staple industry has been placed upon the Advisory Committee; and can he state any group that represents that particular industry which has presently a representative upon the Committee?

I understand that the classification in the Board of Trade Directory classifies the iron and steel trades with similar allied trades, and representatives of these similar allied trades have been placed on the Advisory Committee.

Are the so-called allied industries not subsidiary to the great iron and steel industries?

Is it not a fact that the iron and steel industry is one of the largest industries; in fact, I believe the productive capacity equals £114,000,000 per annum—

Order, order.

asked what steps are being taken by the Insurance Commissioners to ensure that the separate sections of life insurance companies and societies shall properly fulfil the conditions of the Act with regard to absolute self-government?

The precise method by which, in the case of life insurance companies which propose to form separate sections for working under the Act, the absolute control by the members of those sections is to be secured may differ in the case of different societies. The question is being discussed with the representatives of those companies which are applying for approval, and I have no doubt that a satisfactory arrangement will be reached in each case.

Have the Regulations of the Insurance. Commissioners been laid before the friendly societies' representatives or the Advisory Committee?

I do not quite understand the meaning of the question. When a society applies for approval to the Commissioners, the Commissioners give approval to the society or not as they please, and they give approval subject to conditions laid down in the Act.

asked the basis of the calculation that one-fifth of the work of valuation under The Finance Act, 1910, has been completed?

The number of hereditaments in the United Kingdom is approximately 11,000,000, and, of these, 2,218,317, or rather more than one-fifth, had been valued on 31st March last.

Of that number how many are provisional and how many final valuations; am I to understand that the whole two millions are final valuations?

That I have already told the hon. Gentleman. I am unable to give definite figures, but on 31st March about 97 per cent. were final valuations.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state when he will be prepared to lay before the House the findings of the Commission appointed to inquire into the conditions of employment of the Customs watchers?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness on Wednesday last, the Committee hope to report very shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails in connection with the revision of the engineering department of the Post Office; will he say why junior officers who did not appear before the advisory board of examiners were granted increased scales of pay whilst the senior officers have been denied these scales up to the present; and will he give the case of the latter his favourable consideration?

I am aware that natural disappointment exists among those officers not selected to be placed upon the new scales of pay in the engineering department. The selections were made with great care; but they are now under review, and if any error is disclosed it will, of course, be rectified.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether railway companies who have made contracts for the acceleration of mails are at liberty, without notice, not to carry out the terms of such contract; and, if not, will he state the amount of deductions which have been made, or will be made, from the subsidies paid to the London and North-Western Railway Company on account of the number of occasions that the mail trains of the company during the coal strike were not run at contract speed or under contract conditions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The question of deductions from the London and North-Western Railway Company's remuneration in respect of the suspension or alteration, during the coal strike, of trains, the running of which is in any way under Post Office control, is under consideration, and I am still in communication with the company upon the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements there are, if any, at the central post offices, especially in connection with the money order departments, for foreign visitors to be dealt with in their own languages; whether, if this convenience exists, he can state at which offices and which are the languages spoken; and if there is a public notice of the fact in the respective offices?

An interpreter is employed at the counter of the General Post Office in King Edward Street, London, and at various other offices members of the staff have a knowledge of foreign languages. I could not, however, specify those offices without detailed inquiries.

Are notices put up in these post offices?

At the King Edward Street post office there is an interpreter, who is labelled as such on his uniform. In the other post offices no notices of the kind are put up. I will consider the suggestion.

Are special advantages given to those officials who are proficient in modern languages and qualified for those posts?

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the endorsement of the record of an executive official of the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association for writing an article dealing with Post Office affairs in a magazine; whether, under the rules of the service, an officer is entitled to submit an explanation and defence of any charge made against him before a damaging entry can be made in his records; whether this rule was applied in the case of Mr. Ash; and, if not, whether he will state the reasons for this departure from an established rule?

The hon. Member has been misinformed. There is a general rule of the service which prohibits officers from corresponding with newspapers on official matters. Mr. Ash, who is a counter clerk and telegraphist, broke this rule, and his attention was called to the matter for his future guidance. A memorandum of the fact was made in his official record in ordinary course; but the entry is not a damaging entry and this is made clear by its terms. There was no need to call upon Mr. Ash for any explanation. The fact that he is an official of the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association has no bearing on the case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamship "Avon" recently carried 1,065 emigrants to the Argentine, such number being largely in excess of her authorised capacity, and 560 of whom embarked at Lisbon; and what steps, if any, the Board proposes to take to ensure that, after an emigrant ship has left a British port with its legal complement of passengers, other persons are not taken on board at foreign ports?

I have not received any information as to any contravention of the law by the "Avon," but I am making inquiries into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Ghent Exhibition will be supported by German and French manufacturers who are constructing and designing machines and articles intended to compete with similar exhibits of British manufacture; that Germany and France have already signified their intention of being represented, while the Board of Trade have been considering the question of participation since last November; and whether, in view of the fact that many of the British machines and articles referred to will require at least a year's work to construct, he will consider the advisability of giving an immediate decision in the matter?

I am doing all in my power to expedite a decision as to British official participation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman name the date when he thinks he will be able to give a definite answer in view of the facts stated in the question?

I hope in a few days. I have been asking the Treasury to expedite the matter.

asked whether the amount of the transferred sum under the Government of Ireland Bill, as set out in the White Paper, includes the deficiency on the working of the Post Office in Ireland; and, if not, whether, in consequence, the surplus at the disposal of the Irish Parliament would not be £500,000 but £250,000?

My attention has been drawn to a statement to this effect published in the Press, but it is founded on a misapprehension. The Transferred Sum will include the net cost of Irish services at the time of the passing of the Act, and, as it is proposed that the Post Office in Ireland shall be an Irish service, its net cost, that is the deficiency on its working, will be included in the Transferred Sum. The table on page 3 of the White Paper on the financial provisions of the Bill should make this clear.

In view of the fact that the table on page 3 of the Report of the Committee on Irish Finance has caused much misconception, will you append to it a note to say that the deficit in the Post Office is included in the present sum?

I have always regarded the table as quite clear. I do not know whether any future edition will be called for. I will consider the suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish such parts of the evidence given before the Committee on Irish Finance as the witnesses are willing to have made public?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish that portion of the evidence given before the Committee on Irish Finance in respect of which no pledge of secrecy was made?

asked the Prime Minister whether the witnesses who consented to give evidence recently before the Commission on Irish Finance have been indirectly approached with a view to ascertaining whether they had any objection to their evidence being made public; and whether, in the event of the answer being in the affirmative, he will state why the evidence of witnesses who have no desire that their opinions should be concealed, and in which public opinion is interested, should be withheld from the House?

I must refer the hon. Members to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 29th ultimo. I have not received any indication (such as my right hon. Friend then invited) that the House as a whole desires the publication of the evidence, and until I am satisfied on this point I do not see my way to take the steps suggested.

asked the Prime Minister if he will cause Mr. Ennis's Report to be circulated to all Members of Parliament, in view of the fact that the General Council of Irish County Councils are prepared to circulate copies to all who desire them, and that up-to-date no Unionist Members have received any such Reports although desirous of seeing them.

As Mr. Ennis's Report on Irish National Finance can be obtained by anyone who wants it, there does not appear to be any necessity for circulating it as a Parliamentary Paper.

In view of the effect of the recommendations made, could the right hon. Gentleman not see his way to let Members have before them whatever evidence is available, so that they can form their own judgment?

Hon. Members can easily procure the Report. It is not an official paper, and we are under no responsibility for it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Government of Ireland Bill proposes to reduce the number of the Irish Members in the Imperial House of Commons, but contains no provisions for dealing with the future position of the Irish representative Peers in the House of Lords, and having regard to the importance of the question from the point of view of Ireland's future relations to the Empire, he can say what are the intentions of the Government with regard to the future Irish representation in the House of Lords?

It is not intended that special provisions should be made with regard to the future Irish representation in the House of Lords.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the desirability of establishing a proper balance in the legislative machinery for the representation of Ireland, the question of the two Chambers ought not to be dealt with simultaneously in the two Parliaments?

That is a matter which may be proper for discussion, in Committee on the Bill.

asked whether it will be possible for the proposed Irish Parliament which is to be established by the Government of Ireland Bill to disendow any Church or religious denomination, or to transfer the cathedrals and churches of the Church of Ireland to any other denomination, or to disendow the Presbyterians in Ireland of the State endowment granted to them by Parliament by the Act of 1869?

There is no express prohibition in the Bill of such legislation, nor do I think that such a prohibition is necessary, in view of the powers of veto reserved to the Crown and to the Imperial Parliament.

Are we to understand that St. Patrick's Cathedral might be taken by the Irish Parliament and given over to another denomination?

No. I do not think that there is the least possibility of anything of the kind.

What safeguard is there against it?

That is stated in my answer.

asked whether the Irish Parliament to be established by the Government of Ireland Bill will have full power over religious instruction in all public elementary schools in Ireland; whether it will be able to impose any religious tests upon teachers in any such schools; whether it can refuse to recognise any existing denomination or undenominational school and withhold Grants and, if so, on what grounds; and whether, in the event of a school being declared to be unnecessary or differentiation being made in the salaries given to teachers for religious reasons, an appeal will lie to the Privy Council or to Imperial Parliament?

The Irish Government will have full power over public elementary schools in Ireland, subject to the restrictions under Clause 3 of the Bill, which would certainly prevent them imposing religious tests on teachers, and otherwise giving preference, privileges, or advantages, or imposing disabilities or disadvantages on account of religious belief. The question whether the Irish Parliament have contravened Clause 3 is a matter which would always be raised for ultimate decision by the Privy Council, and the supremacy of the Imperial Parliament is the same with respect to these matters as it is with respect to all other Acts of the Irish Parliament.

Is there anything in the Bill to prevent tests being imposed on teachers other than those imposed in the interests of all denominations?

I am unable to see what kind of test could be imposed.

A test for a teacher teaching in a Roman Catholic school or for a teacher teaching in a Protestant school.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be humanly possible for an Irish Parliament to devise any system of education more denominational than that which exists at present?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish and circulate to Members of this House from time to time all Questions and Answers relating to the Government of Ireland Bill in the form of a separate Paper; and, if so, whether such Questions and Answers can be arranged in separate sections according to the subjects to which they relate?

As at present advised, I do not think that the necessity has arisen, but I am willing to bear in mind the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that many Members, anxious to speak on the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, will not be able to do so before Eleven o'clock on Thursday night, he can see his way to suspending the Eleven o'clock Rule on that day?

As at present advised, I do not think it will be necessary to suspend the Rule on Thursday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to gag over 600 Members?

asked the Prime Minister, whether his attention has been called to the publication of correspondence between President Taft and Mr. Roosevelt with reference to reciprocity, in which President Taft has stated that a current of business could be produced between Western Canada and the United States that would make Canada only an adjunct of the United States; and whether, having regard to this attempt to practically annex Canada to the United States, he will reconsider the question of Imperial preference in order that such designs may in future be defeated?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that President Taft has stated that the effect of reciprocity between the United States and Canada would be to make Canada a mere adjunct of the United States, and would transfer all Canada's important business to New York and Chicago, he will instruct Mr. Bryce, our Ambassador at Washington, that he is not in the future to assist in bringing about reciprocity between Canada and the United States?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement contained in Mr. Taft's letter to Mr. Roosevelt, in which it is asserted that the trade agreement of a year ago would make Western Canada an adjunct of the United States and would concentrate the commercial and banking interests of the Dominion on Chicago and New York; whether this view was known to the Government at the time; and, if the view of the American President was withheld from our Ambassador at Washington, will he take the necessary steps to ascertain why the view was withheld; and whether, now that the true inwardness of the American position has been revealed, the Government still maintain that the trade agreement was to the advantage of Canada and of this country?

asked whether His Majesty's Government were aware of the intention of President Taft to make Canada an adjunct of the United States when they instructed the British Ambassador at Washington to assist the passage of the Reciprocity Bill between the United States and Canada?

asked the Prime Minister whether it was the business of the British Ambassador at Washington to be aware of the fact that the object of the reciprocity agreement between the United States and Canada was to make Canada an adjunct of the United States; whether he was so aware; and whether, in view of the public correspondence between Mr. Taft and Mr. Roosevelt, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to recall the present Ambassador?

asked if a recently published letter from President Taft to ex-President Roosevelt has come under the notice of His Majesty's Government; and, if so, if the contents of that letter in any way modifies the recent sympathy of His Majesty's Government with the movement towards reciprocity between Canada and the United States of America?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to President Taft's declaration that the object of the American-Canadian reciprocity agreement was to make Canada an adjunct of the United States; and whether he still adheres to his publicly expressed determination to assist to the utmost of his power the American-Canadian reciprocity movement?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether his attention, has been called to the extracts of letters-which have passed between President Taft and Mr. Roosevelt, in which it is stated that reciprocity between the United States and Canada would make the latter an adjunct of the United States; and, in view of such statements, whether the Government has modified its attitude towards any scheme of the kind; (2) whether his attention has been called to a speech made this week by the acting Prime Minister of Canada, the Hon. Mr. Foster, alleging that the recent effort by the United States to secure reciprocity with Canada would have endangered the Dominion; and whether this has modified the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards such proposals; and (3) whether the Government were aware that when the British Ambassador at Washington was supporting the proposed reciprocity between Canada and the United States of America of the views of Mr. Taft, that the result of such treaty would be to make Canada an adjunct of the United States of America; and, if not, when did they so-become aware?

asked the Prime Minister if he will state whether, in view of the fact that President Taft wrote in January, 1911, to Mr. Roosevelt concerning American reciprocity with Canada to the effect that it would make Canada an adjunct of the United States, he can inform the House whether His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States communicated this to His Majesty's Government; and whether he can lay any Papers upon the-Table concerning it?

I have seen extracts from correspondence between President Taft and Mr. Roosevelt that have been published in the Press. I have no further knowledge of them than that, and as the correspondence was private it is obvious that His Majesty's Ambassador could not have had any knowledge of its contents, or have communicated them to His Majesty's Government. There is nothing in the correspondence, so far as we are aware, to affect the relations between the Imperial and Canadian Governments, or our view of what is to the mutual advantage of Great Britain and Canada; the question of what is most to the advantage of Canada itself is primarily one for the Canadian Government. I must take the opportunity of repudiating most emphatically the reflections upon Mr. Bryce which are suggested by some of these questions. Mr. Bryce had nothing to do with influencing the views or policy of the late Canadian Government. The negotiations were initiated and carried on by them, and the Ambassador, in pursuance of his plain duty, saw Mr. Fielding, the late Canadian Minister of Finance, from time to time during the Conference at Washington in order to learn from him anything that it might be needful for us to know, but he did not in any way interfere in the Conferences. If asked by the Canadian Ministers for advice or assistance he gave it: all British subjects engaged in legitimate and important business are entitled to receive that from a British Ambassador. For Mr. Bryce to have refused it to Canadian Ministers conferring at Washington upon a matter that was within their own competence would have been resented, and naturally resented, in Canada generally: there would have been no difference of opinion in the Dominion about that, whatever difference there is between Canadians themselves about the merits of reciprocity. The manner in which Mr. Bryce performed his duty has been of great public advantage in inspiring in Canada a confidence that the British Ambassador at Washington will give his support to every Canadian Government: to the present Canadian Government no less than to their predecessors—in any negotiations in which they may from time to time on behalf of the Dominion be engaged with the Government of the United States.

May I ask whether Mr. Bryce consulted the Home Government as to British interests during the reciprocity proposals, and whether the Home Government were kept fully informed on the subject?

That has already been stated in Debate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my question?

I do not know to what declaration the Noble Lord refers.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that Mr. Bryce in his book stated that trade reciprocity between Canada and America would lead to political union between the two countries, and whether he is aware that Sir John McDonald in 1891 said that reciprocity was veiled treason?

Are we to understand that this particular reciprocity proposal was initiated by Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his Government?

Yes, Sir.

Are we to understand that our Ambassador at Washington failed to appreciate or understand the true inwardness of the policy of the American Government in regard to Canada?

No, Sir, the hon. Gentleman must understand nothing of the kind.

May I ask if at any time any Canadian Government has made any complaint against our Ambassador at Washington?

None whatever.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that, at the time Mr. Bryce was appointed as our Ambassador at Washington, he had written in his well-known book, entitled "The American Commonwealth," the following statement?—

The hon. Member can hardly expect the Prime Minister to know every word written by Mr. Bryce in his book.

Are we to understand that the Prime Minister states authoritatively that the first intimation of a desire to promote a reciprocity agreement came from Canada, instead of a direct intimation being made from Washington to the Canadian Government that the Canadian Ministers would be welcomed at Washington to discuss a reciprocity treaty?

I did not say that. I stated it came from Canada, and not from here. Whether it proceeded in the first instance from Washington or Ottawa I cannot say.

In view of the unsatisfactory answers given by the Prime Minister, I beg to give notice that at eleven o'clock to-night I will call attention to the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether there will be any compensation to curates and assistant clergy of the Church in Wales under the Established Church (Wales) Bill, other than the terminable Grants of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from English sources; how many of the existing curates and assistant clergy are at present in receipt of such Grants; and whether the Grants now terminable are to be made perpetual, and to whom are they to be paid after the lives of the existing curates and assistant clergy?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. There is no provision (other than that for the continuance of the terminable Grants of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners) for the compensation of curates and assistant clergy. The number of Grants made is 263, in respect of each of which there should be one curate. These Grants will, after Disestablishment, be paid over to the Representative Body in the form of a perpetual annuity, and their allocation will afterwards be entirely at the discretion of that body.

May I ask whether it was in consequence of the scandal of compensation in the case of the Irish Church that no provision has been put into the Bill dealing with the Disestablishment of the Welsh Church?

If my hon. Friend will excuse me, I would rather deal with a topic of this sort in the Debates on the Bill.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know whether the sum will be paid over?

I have been assured by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners that they will pay over the sum which they have been paying in the past.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the willing- ness expressed by the present Ecclesiastical Commissioners binds all their successors?

Yes, Sir, because they will hand it over in a capital sum.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are about 500 curates in Wales, and that 250 of them will get nothing at all?

No, Sir, I am not aware that there are a number of curates who will get nothing at all. [An HON. MEMBER: "Nothing under the Bill."] Inasmuch as they are largely paid now out of voluntary subscriptions, I assume that these subscriptions will continue hereafter.

asked whether, in the event of the Established Church (Wales) Bill becoming law, clergy ordained by the bishops of the Disestablished Church of England in Wales can be promoted or inducted to a benefice of the Established Church in England without reordination?

If the hon. Member will consult the Prayer Book of the Church of England, he will see that the answer is in the affirmative.

asked whether it is proposed by the Established Church (Wales) Bill to take those parishes of the diocese of St. Asaph which are situated in Shropshire out of that diocese; how long these parishes have formed part of that diocese; to which diocese is it proposed to transfer them; and whether any patronage now enjoyed in those parishes by the Bishops of St. Asaph will be transferred to the bishop of the diocese into which the parishes are to be placed?

The answer to this question is given in Clause 9 (2). The parishes, situated wholly in Shropshire, will be attached to an English diocese to be decided by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and the patronage now enjoyed by the Bishop of St. Asaph may, if he Commissioners think fit, be transferred to the Bishop of the diocese to which the parishes will be attached by them. I am unable to say how long these parishes have formed part of the diocese of St. Asaph.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these parishes formed part of this diocese since the early-days of the thirteenth century?

What will happen to the parishes in Montgomeryshire which now belong to the diocese of Hereford?

If the hon. Gentleman will consult the Bill he will see.

asked whether, in the event of any unbeneficed clergyman in Wales being guilty of an offence against any provision of the Ecclesiastical Law dealing with faith or morals, there will be any remedy against him under the provisions of the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

I assume that by "unbeneficed clergyman" is meant a clergyman who holds no preferment, and, if so, the present Ecclesiastical Law will apply to him as a matter of contract.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how the present law could be enforced as a matter of contract? What would be the procedure to enforce it?

In a Court of Law.

Would it be an action for damages, or what other action would lie?

There would not be an action for damages in the case of a breach for morals, but, as I understand, there would be no enforcement of the Ecclesiastical Law in England either.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry into that?

Certainly.

Of some elementary barrister.

May I ask whether these particular clergymen would be subject to the same moral and legal restrictions as the rest of us?

Yes, exactly the same. The Noble Lord is entirely in error in assuming that clergymen in this country can be proceeded against for damages for breach of morals.

I never suggested it.

Yes, you did.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed by the Established Church (Wales) Bill to prevent the clergy of the Church in Wales being represented in the Convocation of Canterbury and the laity of the four Welsh dioceses in the House of Laymen; what precedents there are for interfering with the composition of Convocation; and whether, in the interests of religious equality, he will insert a provision in the Bill to prevent the Wesleyan Churches in Wales from being members of the British Wesleyan Conference?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. After the date of Disestablishment the bishops and clergy of the Church in Wales will cease to be members of or be represented in the Houses of Convocation of the Province of Canterbury. The Bill takes no cognisance of the position of the laity in the House of Laymen, which seems to be an extra-legal body. The Act of Submission of the Clergy (25 Henry VIII., c. 19) is an instance of statutory interference with Convocation, and all the Acts creating new bishoprics affect its composition. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the writ of summons was issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the whole of his province, or whether it was issued merely to those whom he selected, and whether it was issued with the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury or of His Majesty the King?

I believe it was issued on the authority of His Majesty the King.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to say whether the interference with the Convocation of the Province of Canterbury proposed in the Bill can legally be made without assent of the Convocation?

I understand so.