asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the average vote per head for pay and allowances of the petty officers and men of the seaman class, Royal Navy, each year from 1909–10 to 1912–13, inclusive?

The amounts for pay and allowances of petty officers and men of the seaman class, taken in the Estimates for the years referred to, give the following averages per head: 1909–10, £38 17s. 7d.; 1910–11, £38 12s. 4d.; 1911–12, £38 7s. 1d.; 1912–13, £37 13s. 3d. I ought to add that the decrease in average rate, as shown by the Estimates, is mainly attributable to a closer approximation of estimate to pay and allowances actually drawn, and not to any decrease in actual receipts by petty officers and men.

Is there no decrease whatever?

I cannot recall any within these years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that sixty-five battleships were required to complete the organisation of the battle squadrons under the new scheme, and that only fifty-two completed effective battleships were available, he would state what organisation it was proposed to adopt in place of the eight squadrons of eight battleships each, with an additional flagship for the commander-in-chief, originally described?

The organisation of the Fleet in eight battle squadrons of eight ships, with a Fleet flagship, is an organisation laid down for the express purpose of being worked up to gradually. If the hon. Member will refer to the OFFICIAL REPORT of my speech on the Motion to go into Committee on the Navy Estimates he will find that I emphasised the existing gaps in this organisation which will eventually have to be filled up. For the present the Fourth Battle Squadron will be four ships below strength, and the Sixth quite unformed. New battleships are, however, arriving rapidly, and five are expected to join the Fleets during the next twelve months. Reference to the Navy List each month will show the detailed allocation of ships to the various squadrons.

Is it not true that there is a shortage of eleven for the effective squadrons?

There is no shortage which was not foreseen and fully explained to the House at the time the organisation was unfolded.

asked whether permission could be given to petty officers and men to wear plain clothes while on leave, so as to extend to the men of the Navy the same indulgence as is enjoyed by noncommissioned officers and men of the Army?

The question will be considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the large admiral's barge attached to the yacht "Enchantress," and built for use in Portsmouth Harbour, was recently ordered to be sent to Plymouth for the occasion of the First Lord's visit to that port; whether it was found impossible to send the barge by the "Enchantress" and orders were given that it should be sent by a battleship specially allotted for the purpose; if so, whether, in consequence of this order, it would be necessary to take out some of the existing boat-fittings of the battleship and replace them by fittings suitable for the barge; and whether he would state the estimated cost of fitting a battleship for this purpose; and (2) for whose use the admiral's barge attached to the "Enchantress" was recently ordered to be sent to Plymouth; and what was the estimated cost in connection with the repairs which had recently been carried out in regard to it and its dispatch to Plymouth?

It was intended to send the steam barge belongng to the "Enchantress" to Portland for the use of the Board of Admiralty during the recent visit paid by His Majesty to the Fleet. The intention was, however, abandoned.

asked whether the coal strike delayed the building of warships under construction; and, if so, to what extent?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The extent of the delay varies with the different vessels under construction, and the circumstances of each case will be considered on the delivery of the vessel from the contractors.

Will any steps be taken to overtake the arrears?

I am quite satisfied that the rate of progress, in spite of the delays which have taken place from this and other causes to the vessels under construction, will not impair the margin that I indicated to the House.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he could say the extra amount to be spent on new construction during the present financial year under the new German Navy Bill, at present being considered by the Reichstag?

The extra amount to be spent on new construction during the present financial year under the new German Navy Bill, is £342,466, of which, according to the Supplementary Estimates also under consideration, £97,847 is to be devoted to providing airships and for experiments therewith, the remainder being for submarines.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate any necessity for a Supplementary Estimate for new construction this year?

I shall certainly have to present a Supplementary Estimate.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could state the result of the inquiry into the alleged infringement of the Fair-Wages Clause at the Yarrow Shipbuilding Yard, Scotstoun?

I am not yet in a position to state the result of the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he would publish or place in the Library of this House copies of the correspondence between Sir Francis Swettenham, formerly Governor of the Straits Settlements and the Colonial Secretary, who was then the right hon. Member for West Birmingham, with regard to the proposed reduction of the Queen's scholarships, which the right hon. Member for West Birmingham disallowed; and copies of any subsequent correspondence or reports which had induced him to consent to the abolition of these scholarships?

No, Sir; this correspondence, which is now nine years, old, was of a confidential character and I do not propose to publish it. The scholarships were not abolished by me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. Member for West Birmingham (Mr. J. Chamberlain) consented to the publication of this alleged confidential correspondence in the Colony—in the "Gazette," I think? I have part of it here. Will the right hon. Gentleman make that correspondence available to Members of this House by placing copies in the Library?

Oh, yes. Any correspondence—and there was some—published, probably in the "Gazette," as my hon. Friend says, shall be placed in the Library.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to publishing his own correspondence in the same way as the right hon. Member for West Birmingham consented to the publication of his?

That does not arise out of the reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now able to say whether the Director of Education for the Straits Settlements has ever advised the abolition of the Queen's scholarships, and whether the abolition of these scholarships was carried against his advice; whether, if he is still without information on these subjects, he will obtain copies of any Reports which the Director of Education has made with regard to these scholarships; and if he will also state why he consented to the abolition of these scholarships without having this information?

As I informed my hon. Friend last Wednesday, I regard this question as one for the Government and Legislature of the Colony, and I do not, therefore, propose to ask for further information. I may add that, though the abolition of the second scholarship has only come into effect this year, it was approved not by me, but by my predecessor, in 1909. The first was abolished in 1908.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham was asked to consent to the reduction of these scholarships he insisted on further inquiries being made locally, and on receiving further local information; and will the right hon. Gentleman say why he himself did not take similar steps when requested to abolish these scholarships?

I am prepared to maintain and accept responsibility for the decision of my predecessor, and I am acquainted with the grounds on which it was arrived at.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the report of Director of Education material to the question?

Yes, Sir, all reports are material to the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state what evidence a candidate for an appointment to the Civil Service of the Straits Settlements is required to produce to show that he satisfies the regulation with regard to age; whether a signed statement by the candidate as to his age is sufficient; and, if not, will he state why he is prepared to take the candidate's word that he satisfies the regulation that every candidate must be of pure European descent on both sides while he is not prepared to take his word as to his age?

Before the Civil Service Commissioners issue a certificate of qualification they require a candidate who has been successful in the examination to produce a birth certificate or other satisfactory documentary evidence of age. I have not stated that I am prepared to take a candidate's word that he satisfies the regulation as to European descent. In any case of doubt I should require further evidence, but in the great majority of cases no doubt arises.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any means of forming an opinion as to a person's descent unless he requires some evidence; can he form any opinion by looking at him?

Very often.

asked if the date of the first meeting of the Imperial Commissioners has now been fixed?

It is hoped that the Commission will meet soon after the arrival of the Australian member on 10th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the possibility of adding a representative for the West Indies to the Imperial Trade Commission; and, if not, whether the Commission will hear witnesses from the West Indies in London in the event of its not being able to visit those islands?

The resolution of the Conference under which the Commission has been appointed does not contemplate any representation of the West Indies. The Commission will decide what witnesses it will hear under the terms of reference.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable feeling on the part of those who are interested in the trade of the West Indies that there should be some such consideration as I have indicated?

The whole proceedings of the Commission are regulated by the decision of the Conference, which was a Conference of the self-governing Dominions.

Considering that there are at the present time negotiations going on between the West Indies and other Dominions, surely the right hon. Gentleman does not say that the suggestion is not germane to the matter?

I have already said that the Commission will decide what and whom they will hear.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his promise to take drastic action for the prevention of sleeping sickness in Nyasaland when he was satisfied that game is a reservoir and Glossina morsitans a carrier of the trypanosome disease still holds good; and, if so, whether he will now indicate, in the face of the evidence of these scientific facts, what his action is to be?

I have nothing to add to the very full reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 16th April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that some action ought to be taken, and that in the reply recently given by him no action was promised; and that the sufferings from this disease to domestic animals and the natives have grown to be very serious indeed?

Yes, Sir, I would not for a moment deny the seriousness of the spread of the disease; what I am waiting for is information that is sufficiently definite to justify me in destroying species, either of wild or domestic animals.

May I ask if sufficient evidence has not been placed before the right hon. Gentleman to justify him in concluding that game is a reservoir and the fly mentioned a carrier of the disease; and that therefore these two factors are the cause of the spread of the disease?

The evidence, so far as it has gone at present, tends rather to prove that wild animals, domestic animals, and man are all carriers of the disease. I have not yet been able to decide which, or whether all of them, should be destroyed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that when domestic animals contract the disease they die rapidly or are killed?

We cannot carry on an argument upon the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his statements at a meeting of the Advisory Committee, whether the fact of contribution cards under the National Insurance Act being supplied to workmen by either a trade union as his approved society or by the employer in a case where the card is not so supplied, will readily enable employers to ascertain whether particular workmen are in a union or not; and, as this is deemed to be very undesirable, can he take steps to have all cards supplied through one source?

Cards of exactly similar character will be supplied to insured persons through the Post Office, trade unions, or other approved societies. If the insured person does not produce his card his employer will stamp an emergency card, but there will be nothing on that or any other card to distinguish the society or union to which the employé belongs, or, in future, when the class of deposit contributors is constituted, whether he belongs to a society or is a deposit contributor.

Is it not a fact that when the employer supplies a card to a man that he will know whether or not the man is in a trade union?

No, not in the least. If the employé for any reason has not got his card he will be given an emergency card. He may or may not be a member of a trade union or friendly society, but he will have this card. Cards will be freely supplied to members of societies.

May I put the question in another form. If an employé has his card from his trade union, and another workman in the same employ does not possess a card, does not that allow the employer to discover who is in the trade union and who is not?

No; cards will be freely supplied to approved societies, secretaries and others, and exactly similar cards will be obtainable by insured persons.

Is it not the fact that so far as the employer is concerned he will not know whether the man has got his card from a trade union or anywhere else?

That is so.

That is to say, that the name of the approved society will not be on the card?

No name will be on the card.

Did not the Chancellor of the Exchequer say that the cards would be supplied by the employers?

I do not think so, either in this House or outside. If the hon. Gentleman has any doubts, I will send him some copies of the cards, and he will then see the position clearly.

asked what number of members of the Advisory Committee under the National Insurance Act represent the boards of directors and committees of management of life insurance companies?

No members of the Joint Advisory Committee have been appointed to represent life insurance companies. Eight members have been appointed to represent insured persons who may be members of the State Insurance Section of industrial assurance companies and collecting friendly societies.

How many of the members appointed are directors or members of the board of management of those companies, and how many are members of the workers organisations?

I cannot say that without notice.

asked whether, in the discussions as to how to secure members' control in the separate sections of life insurance companies and societies under the National Insurance Act, representatives of 'the workers' organisations in those companies and societies are being consulted?

The answer is in the negative. The Commission is in negotiation with representatives of industrial companies and collecting societies which desire to form sections or an approved society under the National Insurance Act. The sole duty of the Commissioner in this respect under the Act before giving approval is to see that the society is so constituted as to secure absolute self-government for any person who choose such sections or society for their State Insurance.

In view of the fact that there is a great difference of opinion between boards of management and workers as to how to secure absolute self-government, would it not be fairer to consult both sides; and if members of the workers organisation are not consulted, what is the purpose of the United Committee?

I do not quite understand what my hon. Friend means by the workers' organisation. The sole concern we have is the gentlemen who form the society on the one hand, and apply to us for approval, and the insured persons on the other. I think the workers to whom my hon. Friend refers are workers under a totally different system, that is life insurance. They only come in in connection with these societies if they are insured persons.

asked how long a period of training is considered necessary by the Insurance Commissioners before official lecturers can be deemed qualified to instruct the public on the National Insurance Act?

No particular time of training can be laid down in this or any similar work, as it must be dependent both on the previous knowledge of the subject possessed by the official, and on the rapidity with which he is able to acquire fresh information.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can see his way to admit the Press to the lectures given by the official lecturers on the Insurance Act; and, if not, will he state the reason for his refusal?

As I have already stated in the House the request for privacy at such meetings came from the representatives of trade unions and friendly societies. In special training courses arranged and paid for by the Commission this condition is continued. But in no case in which those convening the meeting and paying for its expenses desire the admission of the Press is any objection offered by the Commissioners.

May I ask if members attending a special training course have to sign a paper that they will not divulge what went on?

I cannot answer that offhand. It is at the request of those trained that the private character of the course is maintained.

asked whether meetings addressed by official lecturers on the Insurance Act are advertised by leaflets containing the following promise: Your doctor's bill will be paid; and whether such a promise has been authorised by the Commissioners?

No leaflet containing the statement referred to has been issued by the Insurance Commissions. In every case where medical benefit is referred to, it has been explained as defined by the Act as medical attendance and drugs or the money equivalent.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that meetings have been convened by official leaflets on which that statement has been made?

No, I have no information at all upon that subject.

It is so!

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to furnish me with particulars.

asked what progress has been made in the formation of the Seamen's National Insurance Society under the National Insurance Act; whether a committee of management has been or is being formed, and if it is proposed to have representatives of Scottish fishermen on the committee; what steps have been taken to provide machinery for the enrolment of intending members; whether it is proposed to utilise for the purpose any and, if so, what agencies of Government offices, such as Customs or Revenue offices, Labour Exchanges, post offices, etc.; and whether it is intended that arrangements shall be made with local insurance committees for the administration of benefits?

The subject to which my hon. Friend refers has been for some time engaging the attention of the Board of Trade as well as the question of the constitution of the committee of management of the Seaman's National Insurance Society. I have just appointed a Committee to advise me as to the formation of the society, and as to the preparation of its rules, and I will consider the advisability of adding to this preliminary Committee one or two persons conversant with the fishing industry, but I do not think it possible to arrange for the separate representation of Scottish fishermen. The machinery for the enrolment of members and for carrying out the work of the society generally are among the matters to be settled by the committee of management when it has been constituted.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when this Committee will report? Has he any idea how long its deliberations will take?

I hope they will report as soon as possible, as the Act comes into force very soon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the facts relating to the death of Dr. Richards, of Winkleigh, North Devon; and what steps he proposes to take for the protection of medical men who are loyal to the State and take similar work under the Insurance Act of last year; and what provision it is intended to make to compensate any doctors and their families who, by taking contracts under the Act, incur the hostility of the local branch of their trade union?

My attention has been called to the facts relating to the death of Dr. Richards as reported in the Press. With regard to the second and third parts of my hon. Friend's question, I am unable to state what course of action might be thought desirable in circumstances which, I trust, will not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this medical officer came to an untimely death through the prosecution of the local doctors; is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the whole of the circumstances, or will he institute an inquiry?

I have seen the statement made by the relatives of Dr. Richards. I also observe that the Secretary of the British Medical Association challenges the accuracy of some of the figures. Under those circumstances I could not possibly pronounce an opinion.

Does loyalty to the State mean whether you are in favour of the Insurance Act or not?

What on earth has that got to do with this? [HON. MEMBERS: "It is in the question."]

Will my right hon. Friend not take some steps to ascertain the facts in connection with this most painful case?

If these facts had arisen in connection with the administration of the Insurance Act, of course it would be the duty of the Treasury or its officials to look into the matter, but as it has not arisen in connection with the administration of any Act of Parliament, I do not see I have any right to interfere in these circumstances.

I beg to give notice I shall call attention to this case on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House next Wednesday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that by fixing, under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and the Revenue Act, 1911, the amounts to be paid to local authorities in respect of motor-car and carriage Licence Duties at the actual sum collected in the year 1908–9 a hardship is inflicted upon a majority of the county councils of England and Wales, inasmuch as a loss of revenue is thereby sustained by such county councils; whether he is aware that the Gloucestershire County Council, in consequence of the adoption of the year 1908–9 as above mentioned, loses revenue to the extent of between £2,000 and £3,000 per annum; and whether, in view of the promise made by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Budget in the year 1907, and the intention of Parliament, as shown by Section 17 of the Finance Act, 1907, that county councils were not to be deprived of the natural growth of local taxation licences, steps will be taken, on the consideration of the Finance Bill of the present Session, to ensure that the annual amounts payable to county councils in respect of such licences shall be not less than the amounts which would have been payable if the before-mentioned provisions of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and the Revenue Act, 1911, had not been passed?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question may I ask him if he is aware that the Devon County Council was last year deprived of £4,000, and that while the increased maintenance of the main roads—

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

I am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave to three similar questions on Thursday last in this House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will inform the Chairman of the Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation that the Committee can be supplied with the valuation of full site value of each hereditament in sample urban and rural areas should the Committee require such samples before reporting with respect to a possible change in the standard of rating?

If the Chairman of the Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation applies for the information referred to in the question, it will be suplied to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, or will he agree to a Return stating what was on the 31st March, 1912, the total aggregate of the contingent or indirect liabilities of the State, enumerated under Nos. 1 to 11 of the list given in Appendix III. of the accustomed National Debt Return, which aggregate on the 31st March, 1911, was £4,575,486; and can he state what was on the 31st March, 1912, the aggregate amount of the guaranteed loans outstanding which on the 31st March, 1911, was £191,984,419?

The figures for which the hon. and gallant Member asks will be published as usual in the Annual National Debt Return which is now with the printers, and will shortly be in the hands of hon. Members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the contingent liabilities of the State, enumerated in Appendix III. of the National Debt Return, are part of the aggregate gross liabilities of the State; and whether the deficiency in the funds held by the National Debt Commissioners to meet the claims of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank and of the trustees of trustee savings banks and friendly societies, which deficiency is now over £30,000,000, is part of the aggregate gross liabilities of the State?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received any memorial from the assessors and collectors, of taxes asking that the present system of withholding payment for the collection of taxes should be changed, and that payment should be made by regular monthly or quarterly payments; and, if so, what reply has been made to the request?

I have received a memorial upon this subject, which is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state whether he can reconsider the rule concerning pigs which are sent to market not being allowed to recross county boundaries if unsold, seeing that there are now constant forced sales in markets owing to pigs being unable to be taken home if unsold; and whether, seeing that county boundaries are often close to a market town, such as the Hampshire boundary to Newbury, he can see his way to making the rule to refer to a radius round market towns instead of county boundaries?

My right hon. Friend has requested me to answer this question on his behalf. Article 4 (2) of the Swine Fever (Regulation of Movement) Order was specially designed to meet, so far as possible, the difficulty referred to in the first part of the question. Under that Article swine which are moved from premises in one scheduled area to a market in another scheduled area may be moved by licence back to the premises from which they came, subject to detention there for a period of twenty-eight days. I am afraid the Article could not be modified without prejudice to the good effects of the Order. The Board are always prepared to consider any reasonable adjustment of the boundaries of scheduled areas, when the local authorities concerned are agreed as to the modifications it may be desirable to make.

Am I to understand that if pigs are not sold they have to wait twenty-eight, days before they can be taken home?

No, Sir; but when they are taken home they have to remain twenty-eight days there before they can be moved again.

Would that be under the police regulations or those of special officers?

The hon. Gentleman should put down that question.

asked the names of the persons accountable for what is called Ireland's Life Assurance Society; the number of persons they have induced to insure with them; their approximate income in premiums; and whether the cost of administration consumes all this money?

I am informed that the present trustees of the society are Dr. Sheppard, J.P., Mr. Valentine Hackett Demery, and Mr. Henry Joseph O'Byrne, and the annual return for 1910 was signed by Mr. W. H. Sanderson as the treasurer and Mr. C. H. Woodhead as the secretary of the society. According to the same return the number of benefit members on 31st December, 1910, was 1,601; the premium income was for sums at death £26 6s. 6d.; and for endowments £l,297 5s. 5d. The cost of administration in the annual return, called expenditure of management fund account, was £1,031 12s. 2d. The annual return for 1911 has to be furnished to the Assistant Registrar of Friendly Societies for Ireland by the end of this month, but has not yet been received.

Is the hon. Member aware of the existence of any money whatsoever as security for people insured in this society?

No; the only facts I am aware of at the moment are those I read out in answer to the question on the Paper.

asked what principles influence the trustees in granting the admission of portraits to the National Portrait Gallery; upon what grounds did they act in accepting the portrait of a lady by Signor Jean Boldini, now being exhibited on loan at the National Gallery; and, in view of the public dissatisfaction and adverse comment in the Press with regard to its inclusion in the National Gallery, whether the trustees contemplate removing the picture in question to the Victoria and Albert Museum or some equally suitable place of exhibition?

With regard to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Tottenham Division last Thursday and to the rules on page ix. of the National Portrait Gallery Catalogue. An exception was made when the picture by Signor Jean Boldini was offered to the Trustees in order that an interesting picture might not be lost to the nation. The picture has not been permanently included in the National Gallery collection. As the trustees of the National Portrait Gallery do not usually exhibit a portrait of any person deceased less than ten years, the picture has been temporarily lent by them to the trustees of the National Gallery. I understand that there is no other public gallery in London where the picture could conveniently be shown.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the artist himself has expressed dissatisfaction with the picture, and said that the picture never would have been exhibited except in fulfilment of a promise made to the subject? And may I ask whether, in view of the adverse criticism passed by the public on the subject of the inclusion of this picture, and in view of the fact that the public are large contributors, will not the views of the public be considered?

I have no knowledge of any such adverse criticism. If Members of the House have a strong opinion on the subject I shall be very glad to convey that opinion to the trustees of the Portrait Gallery or the National Gallery who are responsible.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he can devise means of housing and exhibiting, as is done in the Luxemburg Gallery in Paris, works of contemporary artists such as Boldini and Rodin?

I think that is too large a question to answer now.

asked whether any public gallery exists in London for the admission of contemporary foreign art; and, if not, whether it is proposed to take any steps to provide such accommodation?

Contemporary foreign pictures can be exhibited at the National Gallery, and several pictures by living foreign artists have been shown there in recent years.

asked what is the limit of age for appointments to the Civil Service; and if there is any special limitation in the case of appointments of inspectors to the English and Scotch Board of Agriculture?

The age limits for admission into the Civil Service are separately prescribed for the various grades of Civil servants. The normal age limits for established inspectors under the English Board of Agriculture are twenty-five to thirty-five, with extension to forty-five in cases of persons who have served under the Department as temporary inspectors since the age of thirty-five. No age limits have yet been prescribed for inspectors under the Scottish Board.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the compensation authority, under the Licensing Act, for the county of Derbyshire referred five houses to the Inland Revenue Commissioners, as to the amount of compensation to be paid, on the 11th of August, 1910, and two houses for the same purpose on the 28th of September, 1911, and that in the former case awards were not made by the Commissioners until the 13th of March, 1911, and in the latter case have not yet been made; and whether he will, in view of the hardship to those interested in the compensation to be awarded and the inconvenience to the compensation authority entailed by such delays, secure that awards shall be made in the latter case without further delay, and in similar cases in the future with greater expedition?

The answers to the different parts of the hon. Member's question are all in the affirmative.

How long will it be before the award is sent round to the compensation authority?

As soon as possible, but I cannot say exactly when.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ascertain, as at the end of April, 1912, the amounts, respectively, of the paid-up capital of the Guardian Bank, of that money already spent on administration, of the liabilities of the bank, and of the money remaining and available to meet them?

The balance-sheet filed by the Guardian Bank, Limited, was made up to the 30th June, 1911, and if it is made up to that date in the present year I shall not be able to furnish the hon. Member with particulars of the position, at the end of April.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will ascertain, as at the end of April, 1912, the amounts, respectively, of paid-up capital of the Erin Assurance and Investment Company, Limited, of money received in premiums or otherwise, of money already spent on administration, of liabilities contracted up to that date, and of money available to meet them; how much of the paid-up capital belongs to F. England; whether he is the person of that name formerly connected with the Irish Provident Society, now in compulsory liquidation; how many persons the Erin Company have got to insure with them; and whether, on the facts, they will be allowed to continue soliciting clients and issuing policies?

The latest returns filed by the Erin Assurance and Investment Company, Limited, are made up to 30th June, 1911, and if they are made up to the same date in the present year, I shall not be able to furnish the hon. Member with particulars of the position at the end of April. The returns which have been filed show that on the 2nd January, 1912, Mr. F. England hold twenty ordinary shares of £5 each and three founders' shares of £5 each, which have since been converted into 200 ordinary shares of 10s. each, and thirty preferred ordinary shares of 10s. each, and that a further 500 preferred ordinary shares of 10s. each have been allotted to him. I am not aware that Mr. England was connected with the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited. The Board of Trade have no information as to the number of persons insured with the company, and they have no power to prevent the issue of policies by the company.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this company has deposited the £20,000 required as security under the Act?

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

asked whether the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society of Australia has deposited £20,000 as security for persons insured with it in the United Kingdom; and whether he can state the number of such persons, the amount received from them in premiums in the last twenty years, and the average proportion of repayments to paid premiums in closed cases in that time?

The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited, has made the deposit of £20,000 required by the Assurance Companies Act, 1909. The returns filed by the society show that during the year ending 31st December, 1910, it received £100,535 4s. 2d. for premiums in respect of life assurance business within the United Kingdom, and paid £77,161 9s. 10d. for claims and surrenders in respect of such business. The further information asked for by the hon. Member is not required to be disclosed in the company's returns, and I am therefore unable to furnish it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the occasions upon which the veto of the Imperial Parliament has been exercised with reference to any legislative action dealing with the internal affairs of any self-governing Colony within the Empire?

Before this question is put I wish to raise a point of Order. I wish to ask you, Mr. Speaker, why this question was allowed to be put on the Paper in the form in which it appears. This is not a mere matter of quibbling about the nicety of words, but a question which affects the status of our self-governing Dominions and involves questions which arouse the keenest resentment in the Dominions.

That is not a point of Order at all. Those words have appeared over and over again.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me to a question by the hon. Member for Graves-end on 6th May.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now publish the evidence given before the Committee on Irish Finance in respect of which no pledge of secrecy was given or is now insisted upon?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 6th May in reply to questions on this subject. I have as yet received no indication that the House as a whole desires the publication of the evidence.

What number of signatures would be necessary?

Anything which indicates the general desire of the House.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, although over forty-five hours were allocated to the Debate on the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, only sixty-six Members found an opportunity of speaking; whether he is aware that, owing to the length of the speeches delivered, a number of Members who desired to take part in the Debate were debarred from doing so; and whether, having regard to these facts, he will consider the desirability of proposing a Standing Order limiting the duration of speeches?

It is clearly within the power of Members themselves to remedy the evil to which the hon. Baronet calls attention, and I do not think it is a matter for Government intervention.

Could the Government not devise some form of punishment for hon. Members who occupy too long?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Government of Ireland Bill was submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence for consideration before being introduced; and (2) whether the proposed transfer of the control of the Post Office to the Irish Parliament under the Government of Ireland Bill, together with the right to conduct postal and telegraphic negotiations with Foreign Powers, has been submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence for their opinion?

It would be contrary to usage to state what matters have or have not been submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman can say in what way it is contemplated to enforce the Press censorship in Ireland in time of war; and whether the question has been submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence for an expression of their views?

Matters arising from a state of war are reserved to the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom, and His Majesty's Government do not anticipate that there will be any difficulty in the enforcement of a Press censorship in Ireland in time of war, but I am not prepared to state the means which will be adopted. With regard to the last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I have just given.

asked whether, in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming law, the Irish Members of the Imperial Parliament will retire when the Imperial House of Commons is dissolved or when the Irish House of Commons is dissolved, or on both occasions?

Irish Members of the Imperial Parliament will retire when the Imperial Parliament is dissolved.

What will happen if the British House of Commons is dissolved at the time when the delegates under Clause 26 are over here?

That will not happen for a good many years.

What will happen then? Will there be any chance to wait and see?

The hon. Member can raise the point in Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state by what provision of the Government of Ireland Bill the Irish Parliament is prevented from passing legislation making the affixing of an Irish stamp essential to the recognition of the validity of a receipt by an Irish Court?

The affixing of the stamp is only a method of collecting the Receipt Stamp Duty, and the collection of taxes is excluded from the Irish Parliament's power of legislation by Clause 2 (11) ( b ).

asked whether the Irish Parliament will be able to borrow money in any market they may prefer; and, in the event of their borrowing from or through foreign financiers, to what extent will they be able to pledge the security they have to offer or to grant any concessions by way of security to such foreign moneylenders?

The Irish Parliament, like other Parliaments in the British Empire, will be able to contract loans in such markets and on such terms as appear to them to be practicable and expedient. They may give whatever security is placed at their disposal by the provisions of their Constitution.

asked by what provision of the Government of Ireland Bill the Irish Government is restrained from granting bounties which may have the effect of establishing in Ireland a system of protection against. Great Britain or from applying the proceeds of any Irish tax for that purpose?

There is no provision in the Bill preventing the Irish Parliament from making grants from Irish revenues to particular industries.

Does not that plainly contradict the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman the other day? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he considers his answer to-day consistent with the answer he gave me the other day?

Yes. The hon. Member's question the other day contemplated a case in which the Irish Parliament imposed an additional Excise Duty and then handed back the amount of that duty to the persons from whom it was obtained. That would not be permitted.

Would it be permitted to grant a bounty if it happened to be equivalent to that Excise Duty, or if it happened to be two-thirds or quarter of it, or if it came from another source?

It depends upon the particular case.

May I suggest a particular case?

That is a matter for argument when we come to the Committee stage of the Bill.

asked whether the police authorities in Ulster have been asked for a return of the names of those officers, retired or otherwise, who have been drilling the members of the Unionist clubs; and those who are opposed to the Tom Mann and the Ilkestone prosecutions are also opposed to any similar prosecutions under old Acts in Ireland?

The Government are keeping themselves fully informed as to drilling in Ulster, and as to the officers and others engaged in it. As regards the latter part of the question, several Members who are opposed to the prosecutions referred to have urged the Government to undertake similar prosecutions in Ireland.

Has there been any diminution in the drilling since the demonstration at Balmoral?

I really do not know. I received a report on the drilling, the nature of which I described to the House yesterday. The drilling is still going on.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable amount of drilling going on in many secondary and elementary schools? Are the Government keeping their eye on that also?

That does not arise here.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of District Inspectors of Police in Ulster have been removed from that province to other parts of Ireland because they reported on this drilling?

I do not know that.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will reconsider the decision of the Government to refuse facilities for the further stages of the Religious Census (Wales) Bill, in view of the fact that the First Reading was carried by 233 votes to 17 and that several Members of the Government voted in the majority?

I am unable to give facilities from the time at the disposal of His Majesty's Government.

If the right hon. Gentleman refuses to give facilities, why did several Members of the Government vote for the Bill?

The Noble Lord does not seem to appreciate that it would be a very unusual thing to refuse leave to introduce a Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board has general power to enforce observance of the undertakings by which insurance companies and societies induce persons to insure with them, so as to obviate the necessity for numerous actions; whether, having regard to the statements in the 1891 prospectus of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited, that the rate of interest at which the funds of the society were invested showed an average of over 6 per cent., that the annual income then exceeded £400,000, and printed in capital letters on every page that all profits belong to the members, to the table of estimated results issued with that prospectus and subsequently, and to the fact that in practice the society repays only about three-fifths of the money paid in premiums, he will have calculated by an independent accountant the amount of profits of this society in those twenty years, the value according to that prospectus of the options to which a person is now entitled who, in March, 1892, when under thirty-two years of age, insured £1,000 on a whole life policy for a tontine period of twenty years, and has paid an annual premium of £24 16s. 8d., amounting in those twenty years to £496 13s. 4d.; whether he will compare the results obtained with the options actually offered in this case; and whether he can require this society either to pay in accordance with its undertakings or to embody in its prospectus a correct illustration of the manner in which it does pay?

The Board of Trade have no power to enforce the performance of contracts, which is a matter in which the Courts alone have jurisdiction. The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited, has filed all the returns required by the Acts relating to life assurance companies, and these returns show that for the year ending 31st December, 1890, the income of the society amounted to £370,411, and that for each of the five years preceding 31st December, 1889, the funds of the society were invested so as to give a return of over 6 per cent. The rate of interest earned by the society has diminished since that time with the result that any estimate based on that rate would prove to be excessive. The Board of Trade have no power to require the society to allow a calculation of their profits in addition to that shown in their accounts.

asked whether he is aware that the Central London Railway Company do not run workmen's trains from Shepherd's Bush before half-past six in the morning, which causes inconvenience to workpeople; and if he intends taking action in the matter?

I have received complaints on this subject, and am in communication with the railway company in the matter.

asked whether the punishment of forfeiture of wages, provided in the rules attached to the administration of the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act for breaches thereof in the county of Northumberland, means that the defaulting worker forfeits the whole of his wages for the day or only that portion thereof which he has obtained through the operation of the Act?