asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that a man in the Navy, although wounded in action and consequently invalided out of the Navy permanently injured, can be deprived of so small a pension as 1s. 1d. a day, he will take this into consideration when deciding the amount of the increase of pay now being considered by the Admiralty?

The Regulations with regard to naval pensions for wounds or injuries sustained on duty contemplate that the governing considerations in determining the rates, and the duration of the awards, shall be length of service, rating, and character of the individuals, and the degree in which the wounds or injuries incapacitate them from contributing to their own support. As regards the last sentence of the question, I can add nothing to the statement made by the First Lord on Monday last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a further statement with regard to the case of Miss Malecka?

I will lay the full report of the trial, with other papers concerning the case, before the House, and after the Government has considered the whole question, a statement will be made. Till such a statement can be made I can only say that the report goes to show that taking into account the character of the evidence on which the graver charges against Miss Malecka rest and the severity of the sentence there is ground for a petition for mitigation of it. I understand this petition is to be made, and pending this I hope the House will reserve any discussion of the question, at any rate till it has the papers before it, which it will have when it reassembles after the adjournment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what attitude the Government will take up with regard to Miss Malecka's nationality? Will they be prepared to consider that she is entitled to the privileges of a British subject, and to such protection as a British subject may be entitled to.

I am going to include in the papers all the correspondence which passed on the subject of Miss Malecka's nationality. These papers will also be brought under the consideration of the Cabinet and will include that point, of course, until the Cabinet has had an opportunity of reviewing the whole case with the matter now at our disposal, and until the House has also the correspondence on the subject of nationality, before it I think it will be impossible for me to make any statement and it will also be impossible for the House to come to any conclusion without the papers.

When will the papers be laid?

I gave instructions a few days ago for the papers to be prepared. I received the full report yesterday and, of course, that is being added to the papers. I shall get the papers printed and circulated during the Whitsuntide Recess, so that the House when it meets will have the full papers in its possession.

Are negotiations still going on with the Russian Government?

I have been in communication with the Russian Government on the subject both last year and, of course, again since the trial has taken place.

Will the papers show clearly whether Russian law allows or does not allow a Russian subject to abjure or contract out of his or her nationality?

The papers will include the arguments advanced on both sides with regard to nationality.

Will the position of Miss Malecka be prejudiced by the delay.

No, Sir, on the contrary I think if her case is to be prejudiced at all it will be much more likely to result from the House entering into a discussion on it and expressing strong opinions before it has the full papers before it. I am anxious to give the fullest information. I am also anxious the Government should consider the whole case most carefully, but, obviously, now to make any strong statements would prejudice in advance any efforts we may feel justified in making or anything which we may feel justified in asking when we make our statement after Whitsuntide.

Will the papers be circulated before the House reassembles?

I hope to be able to circulate them during the Recess, so that the House may meet in full possession of the papers. I will endeavour to circulate them as soon as possible.

May we feel assured that the lady will not be removed to penal servitude before the case is further considered by the House?

The report we have had from the Consul states definitely that there is an opportunity for petition after the sentence, and that pending that petition being made, and pending the decision on the petition, though Miss Malecka will be detained in prison, the sentence of hard labour will not be carried into execution.

We have already had several supplementary questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the forthcoming prospectuses of developments in China on behalf of the international financiers calling themselves the six-Power group, he will define what authority those persons have from the British Government for using this description of themselves as a means of floating their projects; whether the name correctly implies, as it is intended to do, that the six Powers in question guarantee to investors repayment of their money, with a fixed rate of interest, to be collected, if necessary, by force and appropriation of territory or of rights, irrespective of the success of the projects or their utility to China; on what evidence the Powers have satisfied themselves as to the merits of the projects and the security for investors, and in what way they have made themselves responsible for the remunerative application of the money, whether by assuming "control of contracts, appointments, privileges, and the purchase of materials, or by requiring these to be dealt with by public competition in the open market; if the guarantee or obligation of whatever nature is common to all the six Powers; what provision is made for the event of serious disagreement among those Powers apart from China or relative to China; and whether the obligation assumed extends to enforcing the secret terms common to agreements between the Chinese Government and the financiers under which the latter derive additional and subsequent advantages not disclosed to the public in which investors do not participate?

I have no knowledge that the financial groups who are negotiating a loan with China intend to adopt any particular designation and as has been already stated in this House, though we give diplomatic support, His Majesty's Government incur no pecuniary liability whatsoever in respect of the loan. They will not give diplomatic support to any loan which does not provide adequate guarantees for the proper expenditure of the proceeds and satisfactory securities for the payment of principal and interest. The arrangement will be a financial one and the groups will be represented on an equal basis in any combination that may be formed. I see no reason to anticipate any disagreements between the Powers and I am unaware of any such secret terms as suggested in the question in agreements between the Chinese Government and financiers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the American section of the six-Power group is identical in personnel with the American group with which the Chinese Government contracted for a loan in 1910?

No, Sir, I cannot say off hand.

I beg to give notice that I will ask that question.

asked whether the Russian Government have notified that they will only participate in the six-Power loan to China on condition that special Russian interests in outer China are recognised; whether these interests infringe the policy of the open door and the integrity and sovereignty of China in this district; and whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to give diplomatic support to a loan on such conditions?

The conditions of Russian participation in the loan to China are at present the subject of confidential negotiations between the Powers and financial groups concerned. His Majesty's Government would refuse to approve any loan the conditions of which infringe the policy of the open door in Manchuria and Mongolia for British commerce.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what revenues and assets of the Chinese Government the loan is secured?

No, Sir. The loan has not yet been concluded. The negotiations are still going on.

asked whether in the loan agreement between the Chinese Government and the banks of the six Powers at Peking there is any provision for effective supervision of expenditure by foreign experts?

No loan agreement has yet been concluded. His Majesty's Government have from the first made it a condition of diplomatic support of any loan which may be negotiated with China that there should be adequate guarantees for the proper expenditure of the proceeds. The best means of securing these guarantees are now being considered by the Powers and financial groups concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any and, if so, what change has been made in the Regulation with regard to racial descent for the admission of candidates for Ceylon cadetships; and whether he can say how many members of the present Civil Service of Ceylon would have been excluded had the new Regulations been in force at the time they entered the service?

As regards the first part of this question, the Secretary of State would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which he gave on the 12th of December last to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent. The answer to the second part is, the Secretary of State believes, two.

asked what was the nature of the ambiguity in the Colonial Office Regulations which made necessary the recent change of wording whereby all British subjects who are not of pure European descent on both sides are excluded from the Civil and police services of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and the Federated Malay States; and whether any and, if so, what cases of doubt had arisen calling for a more stringent wording of the Regulation?

The Regulations up to the year 1910 merely stated that candidates must be of European descent. In that year a candidate of mixed blood claimed that the phrase "European descent" covered the case of a person who was partly of European descent. The wording was, therefore, altered in order to show beyond possibility of doubt what was the real meaning of the phrase.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether any correspondence between himself and the Government of the Straits Settlements with reference to the recently abolished Queen's scholarships has been published in the local Gazette; and, if so, whether he will place copies of the Gazette in the Library, indicating on which pages the correspondence may be found?

The Secretary of State has, himself, never had any correspondence with the Government of the Straits Settlements on the subject.

Are we to understand that this reversal of the previous policy was made by the Secretary of State without any correspondence with the Colony or the Governor of the Colony affected?

On this point the Secretary of State has never had any, correspondence with the Governor on the subject.

asked why the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements was not consulted before the new-Regulation was made excluding from the Civil and police service all British subjects who are not of pure European descent on both sides?

The Secretary of State understands that his predecessor who was in office when the restriction of Cadetships and Probationerships to persons of European descent was introduced, did not consider it necessary to consult the Council. The Secretary of State's own share in the matter, as he has repeatedly stated, consisted only in the removal of a possible ambiguity. It was obviously unnecessary to trouble the Council on such a trifling point.

Arising out of the very clear answers of the hon. Gentleman, may I ask is the change in the personnel of the Colonial Office permanent?

I am sure the hon. Member will agree with me that that would be a great disaster for the Empire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many retail licences for the sale of spirits for medicinal purposes have been issued under Section 9 of the Finance Act, 1911, at the reduced duty of £10 during the-financial year 1911–12, and in respect of how many licences for similar purposes issued during the same year was a duty of £50 charged; and whether a return of £40 will be made in the latter cases.

No licences under Section 9 of the Finance Act, 1911, were issued during the financial year 1911–12. Ordinary spirit retailers' off-licences were necessary for the sale of spirits for medicinal purposes prior to the passing of the Finance Act, 1911, and those taken out are still current. They are not distinguished from licences of the same description taken out for the sale of ordinary potable spirits, and I am therefore unable to state in respect of how many licences for the sale of spirits for medicinal purposes issued during the year the duty of £50 was charged. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that the Section referred to has no retrospective effect.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire whether an undertaking was not given to refund if the Finance Act was passed?

If the hon. Gentleman has any information on the subject I shall be glad to have it.

asked in respect of what minerals Mineral Rights Duty is at the present time being claimed?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave on the 20th instant to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Brentford.

Will the Secretary to the Treasury be so good as to say why he refuses to state what articles are taxed under this Act?

If the Noble Lord will refer to the answer given on the 20th instant, I think he will find them there.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the losses now annually experienced by bee-keepers in Hampshire, Wiltshire, and elsewhere in consequence of the prevalence or recrudescence of Isle of Wight bee disease, the continuous dissemination of disease spores by the non-destruction of refuse from infected hives and the readiness of bee-keepers to submit to reasonable restrictions in the interests of the health of their broods, he will introduce forthwith and carry through Parliament this Session his Bee Diseases Bill, so as to enable protective measures to be adopted to prevent the reappearance of the disease in the spring of 1913?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer given on Friday last to-the hon. Member for the Aylesbury Division of Buckinghamshire. My right hon. Friend hopes that the Bill will become law this Session.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the condition of six children sent from the Poor Law school of the Strand Union to the Anerley Poor Law district schools; if he is aware that these children, two of whom had been in the Strand Union school for two years, two for over one year, and one, a boy of twelve, who is four feet one inch in height and weighs only three stone thirteen pounds, for over four years, were all suffering from acute ophthalmia, had been so suffering for periods ranging from 1909 to not later than 1910, were refused admission to the Anerley schools, and were removed to the Metropolitan Asylum Board ophthalmic hospital; if he will ascertain whether these children were suffering from ophthalmia on their admission into the Strand school and whether any other children maintained there are suffering from ophthalmia; and, in that case, whether he will order an inquiry into the condition of the school and why these children are not sent to the Metropolitan Asylum Board ophthalmic school for treatment directly the disease is discovered?

My attention was called to a newspaper paragraph on this subject, and one of my inspectors has made careful inquiry into the matter. The paragraph appears to have been somewhat inaccurate. It is not certain that the boy referred to is twelve years old, and there seems no ground for any suggestion that he has been badly nourished or that his health has suffered. I am informed that there is no suggestion that the six children had been suffering from acute ophthalmia. since 1909, though one had had ophthalmia before he went to the Strand schools in December of that year. The others, with one exception, are stated to have been healthy on admission, and there is no record of their having suffered from this disease while they were there. The guardians of the Strand Union, as a result of the statement in the newspaper, obtained a report on the condition of the children at their schools by an independent ophthalmic surgeon, who states that the result of his examination "was distinctly satisfactory; there was only one case of really severe ophthalmia, and of the others that were in any way affected only a very few were anything but quite trivial cases." He also reports that the general health and appearance of the children impressed him very favourably. It rests with the medical officer of the schools to send to the Asylums Board Ophthalmic school all cases that require treatment, and I understand this is habitually done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the circumstances of the disablement which resulted in the death of the late Mr. Morgan when second mate of the steamship "Glenfinlas," at Calcutta; whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter; whether the Board of Trade are in possession of written statements of members of the crew saying that they saw the alleged assault on Mr. Morgan; if so, whether he will allow Mrs. Morgan's solicitors to inspect them; and whether he will consider the granting of compensation to the widow?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has been drawn to the circumstances referred to by the Noble Lord, but it is not possible for him to take any further action in the matter. The Board of Trade are not in possession of any written statements on the subject by members of the crew of the "Glenfinlas." Certain statements were made orally to one of the Board's superintendents, but as the superintendent's account was made for the confidential information of the Board my right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to allow it to be inspected without the assent of the seamen. The Board have no power to grant compensation in such a case.

Do the Board of Trade therefore refuse to this woman any possible means of finding out the truth as to her husband's death?

They only refuse to the extent I have mentioned. Of course, the consent of the seamen being given would make it possible to give that information.

Is the seaman mentioned in the answer at the present moment in this country?

I cannot answer that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is responsible for the promise made on his behalf by the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury in a telegram sent to Mr. Schunk, Liberal candidate for Taunton, and read by the chairman of the Liberal Association of South Somerset at a meeting of delegates held in Yeovil on 27th October last year, namely, that, married women out-workers, whose husbands are insured persons, and who are not solely or mainly dependent on their own earnings, should not be compulsorily insured?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it will be possible for nurses, domestic servants, secondary school teachers, and other classes of workers who belong to special societies limited to such workers in one country of the United Kingdom, but liable to be transferred in the course of their employment to another part, to retain the membership of their original society in their own country, and by a system of adjustment based on a bank clearing house system to make their contributions to and obtain their benefits from the corresponding society in the country in which they are for the time being actually employed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the detailed answers given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Kirkcudbright on 2nd May, and my hon. Friend the Member for Oswestry on 2nd and 13th May. The society can retain as members those who move their residence from one part of the United Kingdom to another, and can arrange such machinery as it may find convenient for administering benefits, i.e., through the head office for members resident in all parts of the United Kingdom, or through local branches and agents. Separate accounts would require to be kept for members resident in different parts of the United Kingdom and when members moved their residence across, their transfer values would be carried from the one fund of the society to the other.

asked whether, in the case of nurses, secondary school teachers, and other professional workers, who desire to form their own separate societies under the National Insurance Act in order to provide benefits suited to their special requirements, it will be necessary to limit the membership of such societies to the geographical areas of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively, and to prevent the formation of such societies in countries like Wales if the number of persons employed there in such professions does not amount to 5,000?

Either one society for the four parts of the United Kingdom or a separate society for each part could be formed. Separate funds would require to be kept in any case, and if the number of members in one part of the United Kingdom were less than 5,000 it would be necessary for them to be associated or grouped under the provisions of Section 39 for the purpose of valuation.

Will it be possible for a society in Wales with less than 5,000 members to be grouped in a society in England with more than 5,000 members?

I think, for the purposes of valuation, not.

Then will they have to be grouped with some other societies not containing the same class?

With some other society, for the purpose of valuation in the country in which they are operating.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that if you have members in England and Ireland they can be part and parcel of one group for valuation purposes?

No, just the opposite. For valuation purposes they will have to be separate.

asked whether provisional committees will be set up in counties and county boroughs in order to bring the National Insurance Act into operation without delay; and, if so, whether their work will be purely preliminary and intended to assist, and not to fetter, the work of the permanent county and county borough committees to be set up hereafter?

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

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he realises that the proposed provision of tuberculosis dispensaries in accordance with estimates framed on a population basis will be found impracticable in Wiltshire and other agricultural counties with a comparatively small and scattered population, without an expenditure of at least three times the amount of money provided for this purpose by the National Insurance Act; and whether, in the event of sufficient funds not being available in the hands of the county insurance committees, it will be the duty of the county councils to raise the balance of the required sum by an additional county rate?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the proposals of the Interim Report of the Departmental Committee on Tuberculosis in connection with the distribution of the sum available under Section 16 of the Finance Act, 1911, and Section 64 of the National Insurance Act for the provision of sanatoria and other institutions approved by the Local Government Board. The Report explicitly recognises the necessity of a greater number of dispensaries in proportion to population in rural districts. With regard to the second part of the question, it is not contemplated that tuberculosis dispensaries should be established for the provision of treatment for insured persons only. They are intended to meet the requirements of the whole population, and in so far as others than insured persons and their dependents are treated it is obvious that the cost of such treatment must be borne by the authorities or persons who refer them to the dispensary for treatment.

asked whether any National Insurance lecturers are now giving lectures or holding conferences in the North-West Norfolk constituency; and how many lectures and conferences have been held there during the past fortnight?

No official lecturers are delivering lectures or holding conferences in North-West Norfolk. During the past fortnight an official lecturer has attended one meeting held to consider the position of two works' sick clubs. This meeting was asked for and arranged in April.

Had a lecturer whom I heard in a street in North-West Norfolk say that a woman on confinement had to pay 30s. anything to do with the Insurance Commissioners, or was she a lecturer belonging to the Conservative party?

If it was stated that every woman on confinement had to pay 30s. it was not an official lecturer.

asked how many pupils are now attending the classes of instruction for the National Insurance Act, and how much pay they each receive per week for attending the classes until they are efficient?

No persons paid from public funds are at present attending classes of instruction on the National Insurance Act.

asked if the £25,000, the estimated sum to be spent on preliminary work connected with the explanatory work of the National Insurance Act, will all be spent before the 15th day of July; and if the lectures and explanatory work are to be continued after the Act is in operation?

The £25,000 was given as a rough estimate of what would probably be spent on the explanatory work, including lectures and leaflets, by 15th July. Lectures and explanatory work generally will be continued beyond 15th July, if and for as long as they prove to be necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question—will the estimated sum of £25,000 all be spent prior to 15th July?

It was a rough estimate of what will probably be spent. That is all I can say.

asked if, in view of the decision that an approved society or branch will have to keep separate accounts for its members resident on the English and Welsh sides of the border, and that the transfer values of such members will have to be transferred from the English to the Welsh fund of the society or branch when they move from England into Wales, the society or branch will be entitled, in case the payment of benefits from its Welsh fund should exceed the receipts of that fund, to make up the difference from its English fund; if not, will the joint committee consider the advisability of providing that the society or branch may have one fund for all its members on both sides of the border; and is there any similar restriction on the movements of a deposit contributor?

The joint committee have no power to permit a society to have one fund for persons resident in England and Wales; nor has any society the power of making up the deficiency in one national fund out of the contributions of members in another national fund. If a deposit contributor moves his residence the sum standing to his individual account is transferred and no fund of any approved society is affected.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very great feeling of anxiety all along the English and Welsh border on this question, and is there no possibility of having it reconsidered?

I have never heard of that anxiety. No such anxiety has been brought to my notice.

Has it not been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice by the Manchester Unity?

No, I have not heard anything from them on the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the manager of the Belfast Corporation Tramways has issued a notice to the employés with regard to the National Insurance Act, in which he states that he is very clearly of the opinion that the men should not select any society, no matter how first-rate it may be, which has anything whatever to do with politics or trade unionism; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to secure to the employés their right of selection of an approved society?

It is both the clear intention of the Act and in itself very desirable that insured persons should have absolute freedom in the choice of their approved society. I have no legal power, however, to prevent such circulars being issued as those described in the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether he is aware that it is over thirteen months since the Census of 1911, that the Preliminary Report of the Census for England and Wales is out of print, and that the Preliminary Report contains information not otherwise available; and whether Tie can promise that further statistics of the population in England and Wales will be published shortly; and (2) whether he is aware that the delay in publishing the information collected at the Census of England and Wales in 1911 is causing inconvenience and discontent; and whether, seeing that Census Returns for Ireland and Scotland are now published in detail, he can promise an immediate issue of a further Report?

The Preliminary Report of the Census of England and Wales which is now out of print, gave the unrevised population figures for England and Wales and the more important of its subdivisions; that publication will be superseded very shortly by the issue of volumes which will give the revised population figures for every civil parish, and of the administrative and Poor Law areas into which England and Wales is divided. The volumes containing this information will be issued some time in July. In the meantime, each local authority has been furnished with an advance proof giving the revised population figures for their district.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give no hope of something to take the place of the Preliminary Report, which will be available to all persons and will cover the whole of England until July next?

No, I am sorry I cannot.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for months past the figures have been available for the rest of Scotland and Ireland?

Yes, I am, but the hon. Member must also be aware of the fact that the population covered in England and Wales is 36,000,000, and in Scotland and Ireland combined, it is just under 10,000,000.

But have you not a much greater staff to cope with this difficulty?

The hon. Member cannot argue those matters.

asked whether it is intended to publish separate volumes of the Census statistics and information for each county of England and Wales; and, if not, what reason can be given for a different procedure in England and Wales from that followed in Scotland?

The results of the 1911 Census of England and Wales will be presented in volumes each dealing with the country as a whole and containing information on certain subjects only. To meet the convenience of those interested in particular areas only, the issue of the above-mentioned publications will be followed by volumes which will relate to separate counties or groups of counties, and will contain statistics calculated from the several subject-volumes. The Scottish and Irish Census authorities were informed as to the method of publication to be adopted in England and Wales; they preferred, however, to publish their results in county parts.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the preliminary Report of the Census for England and Wales (Command Paper, No. 5705, of 1911) has been for some time out of print; that it contains information constantly required and not elsewhere available; that second-hand copies of this Report are fetching 10s. a copy; and whether, under these circumstances, the Treasury will consent to its being reprinted?

I have received no request for the reprinting of the preliminary Report; and though I regret that the original supply has not been found sufficient, in view of the fact that the preliminary Report will shortly be rendered obsolete by the publication of the volume dealing with the Census Population Statistics, I think it would be hardly justifiable to incur the considerable expense involved in resetting the type of the earlier Report.

How many copies were originally printed?

I am afraid I cannot say without notice.

asked whether a pension granted to an officer of the Customs Department may, at any time or under any circumstances, be commuted; and, if so, under what terms and conditions?

The Treasury have no power to commute a pension ( i.e., a superannuation allowance) granted to a Civil Servant, though a compensation allowance granted on abolition of office may be commuted in accordance with the provisions of the Pensions Commutation Acts.

Is there not at least one case on record?

I have no knowledge of it. Perhaps the hon. Member will bring it to my notice and I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the effect of Circular 786 will be to prevent the nomination of a considerable number of candidates for art pupil teacherships who have already been preparing to become art teachers but who cannot satisfy the present requirements of the Board of Education, and will thus be prevented from becoming art teachers, after having spent several years in preliminary training without being aware that conditions subsequently imposed would debar them from proceeding further with their training; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The Board have no information as to the number of students in. Schools of Art who may have any intention of becoming candidates for art pupil teacherships, but most of such students will have had ample notice to enable them to attain the moderate standard of general education, evidence of which is required by the circular from persons desiring certificates as teachers of art. The Board are advised that an improvement in the general education of teachers of art is necessary, and they consider that they would not, therefore, be justified in encouraging inadequately equipped candidates to enter upon a teaching career. The Board's regulations for the admission of art pupil teachers were amended in 1910, so as to make quite clear that they required to be satisfied as to the preliminary general education of candidates.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the late issue of Form 461T to managers of schools of art and candidates for art pupil teacherships, he will consent to fix a later date than 1st June as that before which the forms must be returned to ther Board of Education?

My right hon. Friend is willing to extend the period for the return of the form referred to until 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. Guy Bowman was editor of the "Syndicalist" in which the "don't shoot" appeal to soldiers appeared, whereas Mr. Tom Mann had no direct connection with the production of the paper, and was only very indirectly and in a general way liable for the management; and whether, as two months' imprisonment has been held sufficient to vindicate the law in the case of the former, he will reduce Mr. Mann's sentence still further by ordering his immediate release?

I have carefully considered all the facts of this case, and I regret that I am unable to advise any further reduction of the sentence passed upon Mr. Mann.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can say if any Member of this House can lawfully at public meetings urge soldiers not to shoot?

That is a legal question, and not one for the Home Secretary.

Of course he can.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the recent case of Powell v . Junior Army and Navy Stores, in which the jury found that the conditions of the office in which the plaintiff worked were injurious to the health of the persons employed in it, and that the office was so overcrowded as to be injurious or dangerous to the health of the inmates; and whether, in view of the fact that such places do not come under the Factory Act, he will introduce legislation to prevent clerks and typists from being forced to work in dangerously insanitary surroundings?

I have seen the reports in the newspapers on the proceedings in this case. The regulation of the sanitary conditions in offices and similar places is matter that falls under the general legislation relating to public health, and any question of making further provision with regard to it would have, I think, to be considered in connection with that legislation. This would not be a matter for my Department to undertake, but I will consult with my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board as to whether the existing powers are sufficient to enable the local authorities to deal with conditions injurious to the persons employed and whether any amendment or extension is desirable.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has obtained any further information regarding the circular, without the name of the printer or publisher, embellished with the Royal arms, which was circulated to all licensed houses during the late by-election in East Nottingham?

No, Sir. The police have made inquiry, but without result.

Has the Public Prosecutor been invited to assist in this matter?

The Public Prosecutor has no machinery for making an investigation of this kind. The police are the proper authorities to inquire.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a matter of some importance, because circulars were circulated without the name of the printer or publisher? This is not the first time it has happened.

I believe that is so.

asked the Home Secretary whether any cases have recently occurred in which prisoners who have been subjected to expulsion orders under the Aliens Act have returned to this country; and whether only one in five of convicted aliens have been recommended for expulsion under the Act?

In the first four months of the present year twenty-four aliens have been brought before the Courts on the charge of being found in the United Kingdom in contravention of expulsion orders. The Report for the year 1911, recently presented to Parliament, shows that in that year the recommendations for expulsion represented rather less than one in five of the aliens received into prisons throughout the United Kingdom. The proportions varied in different parts of the country, rising to nearly one in three in the Metropolis.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do anything to stiffen the administration of this Act?

That is entirely a matter in the discretion of the magistrates. The hon. Gentleman may have seen that a recommendation has been made by the Home Office that regard should be had to the provisions of the Statute.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of two men who summoned each other for assault at the West London Police Court, the result being that the man Martin, whom it was admitted first assaulted the other man, named Jones, was dismissed, while Jones was ordered to enter into his own recognisances for twelve months and to pay a fine of 30s.; and whether, in view of the discrimination made by the magistrate between the two men, he will remit the fine?

On full consideration of all the facts the magistrate who heard the summonses thought both men might be let off without punishment, but as Jones originated the disturbance he ordered him to pay the costs of the hearing, amounting to 30s. On the facts before me, I see no reason to doubt the justice of this decision.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how it is that when the Liberal party is in office there are always more prosecutions than when the Tories are in power?

It would be a remarkable fact if it were the case, but I cannot accept the statement that it is so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the memorial signed by many Members of this House, he will now publish that portion of the evidence given before the Committee on Irish Finance in respect of which no pledge of secrecy was given or is now insisted upon?

The memorial referred to was only received yesterday. It will be submitted to the Prime Minister for his consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, if the Established Church (Wales) Bill fails to pass through all its stages in the House of Commons before Christmas, it is the intention of the Government to hold over the Bill till next year and pass the remainder then; and, if so, would the people have two years to consider the Bill before it is forced through both Houses of Parliament, and, if not, what time would be allowed?

This is a purely hypothetical question, which I am not prepared to answer.

Did the Prime Minister promise, on the introduction of the Bill, that we should have two years to consider it before it was forced through?

The Prime Minister can speak for himself.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any reason for the number of strikes among working people during the last ten months; and, in view of the injury caused by them to working people and to the general prosperity of the country, he has any plan to prevent their continuance?

The Prime Minister has asked the Board of Trade to take this question. I do not think I can at present usefully add anything to the statements recently made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Prime Minister if he would consider the advisability of giving the people a chance of changing the Government under the present ruinous system of taxation?

asked the Postmaster-General, whether the charges levied by his Department for the use of telephones will be higher than those previously charged by the National Telephone Company; and, if so, in what direction the advantage to the public from the transfer is to be sought?

The tariff rates charged by the National Telephone Company are being maintained in force pending the general revision which I have promised to undertake when the purchase price of the company's plant has been settled. As at present advised, I do not anticipate that it will then be necessary to increase those rates.

Is it not a fact that the Department in Ireland has already given notice to certain local authorities that the rates which were charged by the National Telephone Company are to be increased?

The facts are as stated in the answer I have given. There is no general revision of rates now taking place. Certain preferential rates granted by the National Telephone Company below the ordinary tariff have to be discontinued because the Postmaster-General is precluded by law from giving preferential rates to anyone.

Is the Postmaster-General not bound by the agreement when he took over the telephone from the company to give the same rates?

No, Sir.

Did he not say that in view of the higher prices for labour the cost of the telephone would be increased?

No, Sir. I made no such statement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the local postmaster at Thaxted, Essex, who is a bookseller, has been informed by the surveyor at Dunmow that the display of Socialist and political pamphlets has been objected to, and that in consequence of this the bookseller has considered it advisable not to have on sale Socialist and political pamphlets; and whether there is any rule or regulation which prohibits the sale of such pamphlets in booksellers' and stationers' shops where there also is a post office?

I understand that the sub-postmaster of Thaxted displayed certain pamphlets, and an announcement of a meeting, and that complaint was made by members of the public. When the attention of the sub-postmaster was called to the matter he withdrew the pamphlets and notice. I will make further inquiry. The rule which applies in such circumstances is a general regulation requiring officers of the Post Office to maintain a certain reserve in political affairs. There is no rule prohibiting the sale by sub-postmasters of political pamphlets as part of their ordinary business.

asked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions have been undertaken in the last five years by the Director of Public Prosecutions for offences which may be described as political; and whether the Government will grant a return of such prosecutions and of the results?

My right hon. and learned Friend cannot answer this question until he knows what the hon. Member means by "offences which may be described as political."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the question I have adopted his own words contained in an answer to a question?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

I shall be happy to supply the right hon. Gentleman with the words of the answer.

The Attorney-General's opinion as to what constitutes a political offence might not correspond to what the hon. Gentleman would describe as a political offence.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will lay aside the craft and subtlety of the Minister and answer the question?

The hon. Member will have an opportunity of raising the question on another occasion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the records of the Estates Commissioners, there are returns showing that in the years 1904 and 1905 estates were sold in the county of Wexford at an immediate cash price to vendors of more than twenty-three years' purchase, exclusive of bonus?

The reports of the Estates Commissioners show that the average number of years' purchase of all classes of rents was 21.6 in the case of estates in county Wexford in respect of which advances were made in direct sales under the Irish Land Act, 1903, during the period from 1st November, 1903, to 31st March, 1905, and 22.1 for the period ending 31st March, 1906. There are no returns showing the number of years' purchase of the individual estates sold in the period mentioned, and this information could not be obtained without an examination of the details of all the estates sold in the period.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has had brought to his notice a statement made by the solicitors having carriage of sale of the Geoffrey Browne estate in counties Mayo and Galway; whether he is aware that the firm in question return the net selling price of the tenanted lands, taking Three per Cent. Land Stock at 85, to be 15.5 years' purchase, and of the untenanted lands in county Mayo to be 13.2 years' purchase, and the untenanted lands in county Galway 15.6 years' purchase, making a total offer by the Board on a cash basis equivalent to 14.6 years' purchase; and whether, in view of the fact that he has stated that the purchase price of tenanted land worked out, with bonus, at 18.1 years' purchase and of untenanted Ian, including bonus, at 22 years' purchase of net income, or an immediate cash price of 19.1 years' purchase, he will state how the discrepancy between the figures furnished by the solicitors having carriage of sale and those of the Board can be accounted for?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the letter in question. In the case of the tenanted land the statement that the number of years' purchase was 15.5 is correct if the cash bonus is excluded and Stock is taken at 85. Adding the estimated bonus of £616 the immediate cash value to the owner works out at 18.1 years' purchase as stated in the reply to the hon. Member's question of the 6th instant. There is therefore no discrepancy on this point between that answer and the solicitor's letter. As regards untenanted land, the discrepancy arises from the fact that the solicitors have divided the purchase money by the gross instead of the net rental. According to the statement furnished to the Board on behalf of the vendors the gross rental was £941, out of which rates, taxes, and other specified outgoings amounting to £121 had to be paid, showing the annual value to the owner to be £820. The price offered for these lands was £15,928 Land Stock which, if Land Stock is taken at 85, is equivalent to £13,538 cash. This represents 16.5 years' purchase, exclusive of the bonus, or 19.1 years' purchase if the bonus is included.

Is it a fact that the cash bonus may not go to this gentleman at all?

The matter was taken into consideration in the price.

asked whether, in any Returns hitherto issued by the Estates Commissioners showing the number of years' purchase of judicial or non-judicial rent at which sales have been effected, it has been customary to include in the number of years' purchase the prospective cash bonus which may accrue to the vendor?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Crown has recently been compelled to make application to have the venue of trial in certain cases arising out of agrarian disturbance transferred to Dublin; whether by affidavit a county inspector stated that there existed in parts of Galway and Roscommon a strong agitation to compel landowners to part with their estates to the Congested Districts Board, and that, owing to the sympathy of the jurors with the object of the agitation, an impartial trial could not be secured; and whether at the earliest possible moment he will move for or appoint a Select Committee to investigate and report on the policy of the Board both in the sphere of land purchase and land distribution?

The answer to the first two paragraphs is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend sees no reason for instituting the inquiry suggested in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he can state the reasons that led the War Office to entrust solely to the City and County of London Territorial Force Association the selection of representative cadets to attend the Canadian Exhibition; and whether he is aware of the disappointment which this decision has caused to other Territorial associations and notably to Middlesex, which has already recognised over 3,000 cadets and is excluded from representation?

asked why the Territorial Force Association of the county of Middlesex has not been permitted to nominate cadets to proceed to Canada, in response to the invitation of the Governor-General conveyed to them by the Army Council in order that they should take part in the Canadian Exhibition in the coming autumn?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why, if it was the intention of the Army Council to permit the selection of representative cadets who are to proceed to Canada in response to the invitation of the Governor-General to be made by one association, it was necessary to circularise all the Territorial associations and invite them to send in nominations; and whether he will in future take steps to avoid the friction and annoyance which these methods occasion to a branch of the service which the Secretary of State has made such efforts to popularise?

also asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, while the Middlesex Territorial Force Association is only required to raise and furnish an effective strength of 4,000 men, they have already recognised upwards of 3,000 cadets, being upwards of 75 per cent, of their regulation strength; that the City and County of London Territorial Force Association, being required to raise and furnish an effective strength of 37,000 Territorials, have only between them collected 3,400 cadets, or 10 per cent, of their regulation strength; and why, having regard to these circumstances, the latter associations have been selected to nominate the whole of the representative cadets who are to proceed to Canada, to the exclusion of the association of the county of Middlesex and the other counties adjacent to the county of London?

The Territorial Force Associations were informed on 2nd January that an invitation had been received from the Governor-General of Canada inviting a team of fourteen cadets to proceed to Canada from England. They were informed in that letter that if more applications were received than vacancies existed the final selection would rest with the Army Council. There was no means of ascertaining whether Associations would be willing to send representatives other than by means of a circular letter. Twenty-five Associations in England and Wales were anxious to send representatives. In accordance with the intimation conveyed in the circular letter, the Army Council selected the City and County of London Territorial Force as being the most concentrated. Since the original selection of this Association on 9th April, the Middlesex Association has been informed that one cadet per company of the corps administered by that Association will be allowed to compete with the cadets of the City and County of London Association for places in the team under the conditions formulated by the latter Association. According to the latest returns, the cadets administered by the City and County of London Association number 3,959, and twelve battalions recently recognised are not included therein.

Will these cadets be allowed to compete against the County of London ones?

As a team; not individually.

Will they go out as a team to replace the County of London Cadets?

I cannot say exactly. One cadet per company will be allowed to compete.