asked the Secretary to the Treasury how much money has been granted by the Development Commissioners for the construction and improvement of harbours; if he will give a separate Return of the figures for England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales; and a separate Return of the money granted for the benefit of the fishing industry in those countries?

The Treasury, on the recommendation of the Development Commissioners, have agreed, subject to conditions, to make grants or loans to the following amounts for the construction and improvement of harbours:— Scotland … … … £63,275 Ireland … … … £39,000

In all cases the harbour in question is a fishery harbour. In addition, advances of £6,440 in England and Wales, and £7,750 in Ireland, have been sanctioned for the benefit of the fishing industry. Further advances, both for harbours and for fisheries, are under consideration, and will probably be settled very shortly.

The attached Schedule gives the details of the applications actually received by the Development Commissioners. The purposes of these applications, so far as they concern agricultural education and research, will be sufficiently met by comprehensive schemes framed by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to meet the needs of England and Wales as a whole. For these schemes considerable grants have already been made to the Board, and further grants have been promised for distribution in accordance with the conditions of the schemes to colleges and local education authorities. Agricultural co-operation will be encouraged by means of a direct grant to the Agricultural Organisation Society when reconstructed on a broader basis. Arrangements for this reconstruction are far advanced, and meanwhile the society's needs have been met by an interim grant. The Commissioners have felt it necessary to defer consideration of local applications for grants in aid of livestock breeding pending the receipt of a comprehensive scheme which is about to be submitted by the Board of Agricul- ture and Fisheries. The Commissioners have under consideration the proposals for the development of forestry, the improvement of fisheries, and the cultivation of osiers:— APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS. Applicant. In Aid of Amount Required. University College of North Wales, Bangor The development of the work of the Agricultural Department of the College £6,625 per annum. The Forestry Department of the College Total sum not stated. University College of Wales, Aberystwyth County work, in-college work and research work in the Agricultural Department of the College Total sum not stated. An experiment in sheep-breeding £200 capital and £200 maintenance. Sea fisheries Total sum not stated. University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire An experimental station, an information bureau, and the establishment of a centre for higher agricultural education Capital sum £500; annual grant £2,000. Anglesey County Council The improvement of agriculture and agricultural live stock £2,350. Breconshire County Council The improvement of agricultural live stock £1,115. Experiments in osier growing £500. Cardigan County Council The improvement of agricultural live stock £5,210 or substantial part thereof. Carmarthenshire County Council Afforestation, agricultural instruction, cooperation, and improvement of live stock £14,000. Experiments in osier growing £500 per annum for two years. Carnarvonshire County Council Establishment, equipment and maintenance of a Farm School at Madryn Castle, and for the promotion of agricultural education and co-operation with the development of rural industries Capital sum £9,000; annual grant £2,000. Agricultural instruction and improvement of live stock £6,490. Forestry on the Madryn Estate £2,830. Denbigh County Council (1) Live stock breeding; (2) Forestry £3,210. Glamorganshire County Council Agricultural instruction, organisation of co-operation, etc. £2,000 per annum and loan £1,500. Merioneth County Council The improvement of agricultural live stock £830. Montgomery County Council Agricultural education and the improvement of live stock Total sum doubtful. Monmouthshire County Council The organisation of co-operation and the extension of the provision of small holdings £1,200 per annum. Radnorshire County Council The improvement of agricultural live stock £3,050. In addition the following applications have been received by the Treasury and transmitted to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries: Pembrokeshire County Council The improvement of agricultural live stock £1,500. Anglesey County Council The improvement of agricultural live stock £2,350.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the appointments already made of assistant insurance officers under Part II. of the Insurance Act, showing the number of officers who, previous to appointment, had secured a Civil Service post by open competition, the salary previous to appointment as assistant insurance officer, and the number who, at the time of appointment, were second division clerks?

The number of assistant insurance officers appointed is thirty-four. Of these fourteen were second division clerks, and three were established members of the Civil Service of other grades. Of these seventeen officers thirteen had won their posts by open competition. In addition, three appointments were made from various unestablished branches of the Civil Service, and fourteen were promotions from the staff of the existing Labour Exchange service. The salaries of these officers previous to appointment were as follows: £100 and less than £150, 11; £150 and less than £200, 14; £200 and less than £250, 7; £250 and over, 2; total, 34.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the laundry trade, which conies third on the list in the number of female hands employed in the non-textile trades of this country, has been refused a representative on the Advisory Committee to the Insurance Commissioners; and whether he will recommend the appointment of a representative of that trade, seeing that trades employing a lesser number of hands are represented?

A laundry manageress, who was recommended by the Federation of Laundry Associations, was appointed a member of the English Advisory Committee on 16th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the contractors for Government and other work who tendered for work before the National Insurance Act became law, or before it became operative, are entitled to claim the cost of the 3d. per week for each workman under the National Insurance Act, in consequence of its not being included in the specifications or fair-wages clauses of the contract?

I am advised that apart from a special clause in the particular agreement, the employers' share of the weekly contribution in respect of his workmen could not be transferred by him to the contract price.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners have applied to become an approved society under the National Insurance Act; if so, have the Insurance Commissioners sanctioned the request and assented to that society being admitted an approved society; whether he is aware that the society in question has itself raised the defence that it was an illegal society, and that the Courts have so held in an action brought against the society by one of its members; and whether, in these circumstances, an illegal society will be permitted to enrol itself as an approved society under the Act.

The society referred to has stated its intention to apply for approval, but has not yet actually applied. The other parts of the question do not therefore at present arise.

asked the Chancellor if the Exchequer if he will state who will be responsible for the insurance under the National Insurance Act of a certain man who is superintendent of a cemetery, permanent employment, also permanently employed by a friendly society, and also carrying on the trade of a jobbing gardener on his own account?

The question of whether an employed person must be insured under Part I. of the National Insurance Act is under Section 66, one to be decided by the Commissioners after considering all the facts of the case, and cannot be conveniently dealt with in question and answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that it is the practice of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to refuse an application under Section 2 of the Revenue Act, 1911, for substituted site value when made by the executors of a deceased owner who was not himself in a position to make the claim during his lifetime in consequence of the delay of the Commissioners in making the valuation required by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and whether he will give instructions for such applications to be considered as if made by the owner within the meaning of the Section?

I am aware of the practice, which is in accordance with the law; and I will consider what can be done to obviate any inequality such as that indicated by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under the rules made by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in pursuance of Section 3, Sub-sections (2) and (3), of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, the Commissioners have declared that the proper proportion of Increment Value Duty payable by a lessee on the transfer of his leasehold interest is a fraction of the full increment value of the site ascertained on a revaluation of the fee simple, and that such fraction depends solely on the length of the lessee's unexpired term, and not upon the consideration for the transfer or upon any benefit of the lessee; whether he is aware that, under the method of calculating the proper proportion adopted by the Commissioners, a lessee may have to pay a large sum for Increment Value Duty, even if he receives nothing on the transfer of his lease, and that the sum so paid by the lessee is credited as part payment of the Increment Value Duty eventually payable by the owner of the fee simple; and whether he will take steps to have the rules made by the Commissioners amended so that the proportion of duty payable by the lessee on the transfer of his interest may be ascertained on an equitable basis?

The site value, and therefore the increment value, on the occasion of a transfer of a leasehold interest is arrived at on the basis of the consideration paid, and the rules in question provide an equitable basis for determining the proportion of the duty on the whole increment which is attributable to the interest transferred. I see no reason to take such steps as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision on the Sugar Duties, and to give an approximate date for their abolition?

I am afraid I can add nothing to my right hon. Friend's statement in the House upon this subject on Wednesday last.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the complaint of Mr. Wensley Thompson, owner of the J. E. Thompson estate, at Clonfin, North Longford, as to the delay in dealing with his estate and the untenanted lands thereon; whether any progress has yet been made in preparing a scheme for the division of the latter; and, if not, will the Estates Commissioners send an inspector forthwith to do so, and, in the meantime, state when they propose generally to vest this estate in the tenants?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his previous question on this subject, to which I have nothing further to add at present.

asked whether any practical steps have yet been taken by the Congested Districts Board to purchase the property of Colonel Rice, of Bushmount, Causeway, county Kerry; and, if so, what are the steps that have been taken?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Colonel Rice, but so far the property has not been offered for sale to the Board.

asked how far the negotiations have gone for the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the John P. Stack estate, situate at Mucknaugh, Lixnaw, county Kerry; whether the purchase has been completed through the receiver, Mr. W. T. Huggard, Tralee; and, if not, when will it be finished?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Mr. Huggard, but so far the estate has not been offered for sale to the Board.

asked whether an inspection has yet taken place on the Orma-thwaite estate, North Kerry; and when will the holdings be vested in the tenants?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners hope to issue their rulings at an early date. The estate is in priority to be dealt with during the current year.

asked whether the untenanted lands on the estate of John Vesey Fitzgerald, situate near Newtowndillon, North Kerry, have been inspected by the Estates Commissioners with a view to purchase and division among the uneconomic holders and labourers of the district; what is the result of the inspection; and when will the lands be acquired and divided?

The Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of these lands with a view to estimating the price, and the vendor has now instituted formal proceedings for sale of the lands which will be dealt with as soon as practicable.

asked whether any inspection has yet taken place on the Ormathwaite estate, in North Kerry, with a view to meet the complaints by tenants who have signed purchase agreements, and whose lands are being continually injured by floods; and whether he can state what funds are being provided by the Estates Commissioners out of the purchase money, as was done on the Listowel estate, for the protection of the holdings from further injury by floods?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the arrangements to obviate the flooding of the lands is under the consideration of the Estates Commissioners.

asked whether any inspection has yet taken place on the tenanted holdings for which purchase agreements have been signed on the John Vesey Fitzgerald estate in North Kerry, with a view to safeguard the interest of tenants whose lands are being flooded continuously, and if the inspection has taken place, what is the amount of work done by the landlord; what amount is kept by the Estates Commissioners for future upkeep of lands from flooding; and when will the vesting orders be issued?

The Estates Commissioners have had an inspection made of the holdings on this estate, and the question of the arrangements for the future maintenance of the embankment is under consideration. The estate is in priority for payment during the current financial year.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he will state the grounds on which the pension officer for the Ballymahon district, county Longford, has objected to an old age pension being granted to John Bacon, of Cluntymullen, county Longford; whether he is aware that, according to the Census Returns for 1851, John Bacon was a boy of eight years on the 1st April of that year, which leaves him fully seventy years of age on 1st April, 1912; and will he direct the pension officer to withdraw his objection now and let this man, who is in very delicate health and has no means, get the pension for the remainder of his days?

John Bacon's case has not come before the Local Government Board. If, however, as stated by the hon. Member, Bacon was eight years old on the 1st April, 1851, he would only have been sixty-nine years of age on the 1st April, 1912, and, accordingly, would be ineligible for pension.

asked whether, in the case of John Sheridan, of Drumlish, county Longford, No. 2161 on the register of applicants for the Ballynamuck old age pension committee, who was recommended for a pension for the full amount, the Local Government Board for Ireland had, before refusing the claim, before them the deed of assignment of all his land and effects made to his son Francis on his marriage; and, if not, will they now examine this deed, which has been forwarded to them, and, acting on its terms, reinstate and grant this man's claim?

John Sheridan made a claim for pension in December, 1908, which was disallowed on appeal. He subsequently transferred his property to his unmarried son, reserving the right of maintenance for himself, his wife, and daughter. He made a further claim in March, 1909, which came before the Local Government Board on appeal. The Board had the deed of assignment referred to before them when deciding his second claim, but they considered that the provisions of Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pension Act, 1908, applied to the case, and accordingly, regarded the property as still being in the possession of the claimant for the purpose of calculating his means under the Act. Sheridan has made a third claim for pension, which is at present under consideration by the Board.

asked when the returns moved for by the hon. Member for North Kerry, in connection with the Labourers (Ireland) Act, will be issued for the use of Members of the House of Commons?

The returns will be ready for presentation about the middle of next month.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the combine known as the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland has not a branch in Ireland; that, owing to the manipulations of this trust, an Irish tobacco manufacturer may be compelled to close his factory, which will cause the dis-employment of many hands in Dublin; that several British manufacturers have also complained regarding the operations of this monopolistic trading company; and whether he will inquire into the fact, with a view to provide a remedy by legislation or otherwise for this state of affairs?

I have no information as to whether the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland has a branch in Ireland or not. I know, however, that it has been stated that the competition of this company is being felt by some of the Dublin factories, but I am not aware that up to the present there has been any actual stoppage of work, nor am I able to say to what extent, if any, the competition referred to is likely to cause unemployment. As at present advised, I do not see what steps I could properly take to interfere in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give concrete examples of the operations of Clause 17 (2) ( a ) and ( b ) on goods sent from Ireland to Great Britain and vice versâ of articles to which the provisions apply, where a Customs Duty is levied on certain goods in England, at a higher rate than in Ireland, where a Customs Duty is levied on goods in Ireland at a higher rate than in England, where a Customs Duty is levied in England but not in Ireland, and so stated that the various stages in each transaction are set out?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Committee reported nearly two years ago, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by presenting their Report now in view of the considerable changes which have since taken place.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Treasury witnesses submitted to the Primrose Committee on Irish Finance an estimate of the amount by which expenditure for Ireland for the year 1911–12 would exceed the true revenue from Ireland during that year; and, if so, what the amount of such estimate was?

I am informed that the answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state why the increase of £205,000 in Tobacco Duty from Ireland in 1911–12 as compared with 1908–9 is alleged not to be derived from the additional duty imposed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and also the amount of the increase in the Tobacco Duty during the same period admitted to result from the Act referred to?

The total increase in the estimated contribution of Ireland to the tobacco revenue in 1911–12, as compared with 1908–9, is £490,000, £285,000 of this results from the increase in the rates of duty in 1909. The figures for both years were based on the latest data as to the consumption of tobacco then available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on 22nd November, 1911, Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was ordered to remove from his arm the crown which he was entitled up to that date to wear; what was the reason for such order, and is he aware that, although upon his refusal Stickney was charged before a military tribunal and acquitted by the commanding officer, he was within a few weeks again put upon his trial and convicted by a court-martial on 5th January, 1912; and will he explain why Stickney was so retried in violation of the Regulations laid down on page 455 of the Manual of Military Law?

From the court-martial proceedings it appears that no plea in bar of trial was offered in reference to the disposal of any other previous cases of disobedience for the offence of continuing to wear a crown when told not to do so. Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was tried by court-martial on 5th January for an offence committed on the 25th November, when he refused to obey a command given by him by his commanding officer. There was no violation of the law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney, of the Army Ordnance Corps, was promoted sub-conductor on 21st May, 1910, on terms of three months' probation; what was the reason for imposing a period of probation if Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney had passed his professional examination for sub-conductor in 1909, as stated in his corps history sheet; has the man received the pay and allowance in respect of this promotion; and, if so, for what period?

Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was placed on probation far the rank of sub-conductor as stated. Article 685 of the Royal Warrant for pay distinctly lays down that a noncommissioned officer before promotion to the rank of sub-conductor will be placed on probation. No non-commissioned officer on probation for a higher rank draws the pay of the higher rank until he has been confirmed in the higher rank. Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was not so confirmed.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will give a return showing the total number of officers and men in the land forces of Great Britain and Ireland, France, Austria, Russia, and Germany (including Prussia), respectively, in the year 1910?

The hon. Gentleman presumably desires information in continuation of the return presented to Parliament on 24th February, 1908 (No. 67). The figures are as follows:— British Troops— At Home 127,788 In Colonies 38,796 In India 77,817 Total British Troops 244,401 Native Troops— In Colonies 7,872 In India 173,251 Total Native Troops 181,123 Total Active List 425,624 Reserves, Regular 135,712 Reserves, Special 63,086 Territorial Force 270,360 Territorial Reserve 220 Indian Army Reserves 37,422 Indian Volunteers 38,540 Total Reserves 545,340 Total British Laud Forces 970,864 France— Active List 608,000 Reserves 3,869,000 Total 4,477,000 Austria— Active List 425,365 Reserves 2,265,000 Total 2,690,365 Russia— Active List 1,209,686 Reserves 5,529,732 Total 6,739,418 Germany— Active List Reserves 622,520 Reserves 4,l46,000 Total 4,708,520

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if the particulars which were forwarded to him at his request on the destruction of crab-pots by His Majesty's ships off Beer have been sufficiently considered, and, if so, whether ample compensation is to be paid to the Beer fishermen, and when; and if it would be possible for His Majesty's ships to receive directions to steam just outside the fishing grounds just off Beer Head rather than through the middle of them?

The information furnished by the hon. and gallant Gentleman was not sufficient to enable a decision to be arrived at, and it has been necessary to call for further particulars from the local officers. The subject of the concluding part of the question is under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in post offices of the third and fourth class in Ireland many counter assistants are kept for four, five, and six hours on duty without rest or meal time; and whether he will consider the advisability of applying the Shops Act (hours for meals and rest) provisions to the postal service in Ireland generally?

The conditions of employment of Post Office servants are much better than the usual conditions of shop assistants, and in these circumstances I do not think it is desirable to apply to the Post Office staff the provisions of the Shops Act. There is already a definite rule that a meal relief of half an hour shall be given in any attendance of at least four hours which begins before 12.30 p.m. and ends at or after 2 p.m., and meal reliefs are also given on the first attendance of a "split" duty when it exceeds five hours (or four hours if it begins before eight and ends after nine in the morning) and on any second attendance amounting to five hours. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars regarding any counter officers who are employed for as much as six hours without an interval for meals I will have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the complaints of those chemists who, keeping a single assistant, are permitted to sell medicines which are urgently required, but are prevented from selling anything else under the Shop Hours Act; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that if a chemist keeping a single assistant goes away on a holiday for a fortnight he is bound to give his assistant two half-holidays, and is thereby compelled to employ another assistant, who may not be acquainted with the requirements of the business; and whether he could see his way to introduce legislation for the purpose of amending the Shop Hours Act?

I cannot trace any complaints on this point; and. as at present advised, I do not think any case is made out for amending the provisions of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he can state how many half-day waiters and waitresses and how many whole-day waiters and waitresses are employed in hotels, restaurants, and refreshment establishments in the City of London; and what are the average hours and wages received respectively?

I regret that I am not able to supply this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if tobacconists apply for a closing order under the Shops Act to close their places of business on a certain half-day in each week, and if such an order is granted by the local authority, whether such order would make it illegal for hotel-keepers, publicans, and licensed restaurant-keepers to sell cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco for on-consumption during the hours affected by the closing order, or whether they would be prevented under the order from selling such necessities for off-consumption only; and, if the latter, what guarantees will be demanded that such cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco are purchased for on-consumption only?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject last Thursday to the hon. Member for the Gorton Division of Lancashire. I cannot add anything to that answer except to say that I do not think that casual sales of cigars or cigarettes in hotels and restaurants for consumption on the premises, as for example, after a dinner or other meal, would amount to the carrying on of a retail trade or business so as to prevent such sales on the day of the half-holiday. The enforcement of a closing order would rest, not with me, but with the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if, in view of the fact that a Bill affecting clubs has passed a Second Reading and is to be considered by a Committee of this House, he will now cause the numbers of the membership of the clubs registered in accordance with the Licensing Consolidation Act, 1910, to be laid upon the Table of this House?

I am not in possession of figures relating to the membership of registered clubs. The question of collecting them has been considered several times by my predecessors and myself, on representations made by the hon. Member and otherwise, but the decision has always been that a compilation of the figures of membership supplied when clubs are registered would be of no value. I can find nothing in the Clubs Bill, which is to be considered by a Committee of this House, in connection with which such figures would be useful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young men between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one were committed to prison by Metropolitan police magistrates in the year 1910, and how many of them were so committed in default of payment of fines?

In order to obtain the particulars desired by the hon. Member, it would be necessary to examine all the commitments to the London prisons for the year 1910, and as at present advised, I do not think that the value of the information likely to be gained would be sufficient to justify my imposing on the prison staff the very great amount of special work which this would involve. General information as to the number of persons between sixteen and twenty-one convicted will be found in Tables VIII. and XIII. of the Criminal Statistics, and as to the numbers sent to prison in Table XXXVII.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that an evangelist of the Church Association, while addressing meetings in the market place, Bury, was subjected to interruptions of an obscene and filthy character and also assaulted, and that the police, instead of protecting the evangelist by arresting his assailants, arrested him and, subsequently, the magistrates, without giving his employers or friends an opportunity of bringing witnesses on his behalf, committed him to prison for a month for refusing to be bound over for six months; is he also aware that the justices refused a summons for re-hearing his case and producing witnesses on his behalf on the ground that such application, although made under Section 26 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, was refused because it was said to be in the nature of an appeal; and whether, in view of these facts, he will take steps to secure the release of this evangelist?

I have this morning received an application on behalf of the prisoner. I will inquire into the circumstances of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any of the Crown livings in Wales and Monmouthshire have been sold during the last twenty years; and, if so, will he state the value of the livings and the amount that has been received for them?

It is not easy to define a "Crown living," as the term may include livings in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, who has the right of presentation to benefices in the patronage of the Crown which do not exceed the annual value of £20 a year in the King's books. By a special Act (26 and 27 Vict., c. 120) the Lord Chancellor was given powers to sell certain kinds of livings, and under that Act it appears that seven livings in Welsh dioceses have been sold. The value at the time of sale cannot be stated, as it would depend on the age of the incumbent at the time. The following is a table of the advowsons sold:— I. Under First Schedule. Advowson. County. Price. Gross Income. £ £ s. d. Grosmont Monmouth 1,200 222 17 2 Herbrandston. Pembroke 2,200 264 0 0 Ilston Glamorgan 2,222 284 13 0 Pwllcrochan Pembroke 1,100 203 14 4 II. Under 23rd and 24th Sections. Kegidoc Denbigh 2,500 292 12 6 Montgomery Montgomery 4,000 516 11 9 In diocese of Hereford. St. Martin Salop 3,370 373 0 0 In diocese of St.Asaph.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government stated in 1909 that if there was a miscarriage of justice the case of the steamship "Oldhamia" would be taken up diplomatically; and whether the Russian Government assured the British' Government that they would not consider case oil for illuminating purposes as contraband of war?

The facts are as stated in the question, and His Majesty's Government did take up the case diplomatically. I would beg to refer the Noble Lord to the correspondence laid before Parliament in January last (Miscellaneous No. 1, 1912), which I apprehend, from the terms of his question, he may not have seen. It shows that the question turned upon whether the oil was or was not only as described in the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to take the Second Heading of the Railways Bill at any time during the fortnight following the Whitsuntide Recess; and, if so, if he will state upon what day it will be taken?

I cannot name a day, but due notice will be given.

asked the Prime Minister whether he could say who is responsible for meeting the deficiency of assets as regards the liabilities of the Post Office Savings Banks, the Trustee Banks, and the friendly societies, which deficiency on 31st March, 1906, with Consols at 90⅜, aggregated £12,818,475; on 31st March, 1908, with Consols at 87⅝, aggregated over £25,000,000; and on 31st March, 1912, with Consols at 78⅜, aggregated over £30,000,000?

The Consolidated Fund is liable to make good any amount by which the funds held by the National Debt Commissioners may prove insufficient to meet the claims of depositors in the Post Office Savings Banks or of the trustees of Trustee Savings Banks and friendly societies.

asked the Prime Minister when a Lord Lieutenant for London will be appointed, in view of the fact that in the meantime all appointments of justices of the peace for London are held up?

I can add nothing to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 20th May in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for North Somerset.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is intended to rearrange the wards of the township of Bold, near St. Helens, Lancashire; if so, how many wards there will be in Bold and how many in Clock-face; and whether any public inquiry will be held in the neighbourhood on the subject?

I have received no information as to a proposed division of this township into wards. The division of parishes into wards for the election of rural district councillors is a matter for the county council, or where a union is in two counties of a joint committee of the two councils concerned, and would not necessarily come before the Local Government Board for determination.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, having regard to the experience of the management of the Crimea and Patriotic Funds and the misapplication of the funds there-under as disclosed in Reports to this House, and having regard to the largeness of the sum now collected for the relief of "Titanic" sufferers and the fact that so far no scheme for division has been devised, he will deem it his duty, as representing the public, to suggest to the Lord Mayor of London the necessity of the appointment of a representative committee to aid his Lordship in the distribution of this fund, to be drawn from all sections of contributors as well as representatives of all claimants on the bounty of the fund?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question of 9th May, I do not think that the administration of this fund is a matter in which the Board of Trade as a Department ought to interfere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are contemplated to make it compulsory for tramp and cargo steamers as well as liners to be fitted with wireless apparatus; and whether the subject is under consideration by the Board of Trade?

The question of fitting wireless telegraphy on merchant ships is one of the points which have been referred to the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee. Certain points in connection with it are at the same time being considered by the Board of Trade in conjunction with the Post Office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state, in reference to the gambling Clause in the proposed new Bankruptcy Bill regarding operations under options, future and warrant contracts in stocks, shares, produce, and metals which are not based upon actual delivery but are only settled by the receipt or payment of differences, whether it is intended to authorise these as honest trading transactions and consequently not to be made a criminal offence in case of either bankruptcy or solvency?

The Clause in the Bankruptcy Bill to which reference is made by my hon. Friend is based on the recommendations of the Bankruptcy Law Amendment Committee. It is a penal Clause, and does not purport to authorise transactions of any description.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, for a period of seven centuries (1216 to 1844), all time bargains in finance and trade were treated both by common and statute laws as illegal operations and punishable by imprisonment, fines, and public disgrace; that the Inspector-General in Bankruptcy in his Annual Report for 1895 severely condemned all operations under the option and future systems, especially those of unscrupulous insolvent traders; and whether he will say what action, if any, he will take in the matter?

I have not investigated the legal history of the seven centuries mentioned by my hon. Friend, but I have seen the report to which he refers. I am not prepared to take any action in the matter.

asked the Attorney-General whether the draft rules relating to the Public Trustee now upon the Table of the House were considered by the Law Officers of the Crown before they were laid upon the Table; whether the Law Officers have advised that these rules, and in particular Rule 6 ( b ) ( ii ), are intra vires the Public Trustee Act, 1906; and, if not, whether the Law Officers will now give the matter their careful consideration and, in the event of their being of opinion that any of the proposed rules are ultra vires the Act, order such rules to be withdrawn?

The rules referred to have been made by the Lord Chancellor, and were drafted in the Public Trustee Office in accordance with the opinion of a Chancery counsel specially familiar with their subject matter. It is not the practice for draft rules issued in such circumstances to be settled by the Law Officers, and these rules were not so settled. In response to the hon. Member's request, the Law Officers have considered Rule 6 (b) (2), and it appears to them that the opinion upon which the Public Trustee acted in drafting the rule is right, and that the rule is not ultra vires .

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, before sanctioning any scheme associating in the matter of agricultural education the counties of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire with those of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Somersetshire, he will ascertain the opinion thereon of the representatives of Wales generally, and of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire in particular?

My right hon. Friend hopes to meet representatives of the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth in conference shortly after the recess to discuss with them by what means co-operation between them and their various neighbours can best be secured. Meanwhile no scheme of the character suggested will be adopted.