asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has consulted the Committee of Imperial Defence and the general staffs in India and in England as to the desirability of a railway linking Russia with India; and, if so, what opinion they have expressed as to the effect of the proposal upon the defence of India?

The competent military authorities both here and in India have been consulted, but it would be contrary to usage to make public their confidential views on strategical questions. The conditions for which His Majesty's Government may finally stipulate as essential to their support of a definite railway project will of course take account of these views.

In view not only of the important military questions involved but also of the threatened injury to British Indian shipping interests, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that the Foreign Office will not commit itself to support the scheme before this House has had an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon it?

In answer to the hon. Member's supplementary question there are two points, or perhaps I ought to call them stages of the question. The first is as to what should be our general policy—whether it should be our policy to oppose now and always any scheme for a Trans-Persian railway. On that point we hold that it is not a practicable or wise policy, for reasons which I can state to the House at any time, and that point, of course, can be raised in the House on the Foreign Office Vote, or on any other opportunity, before the House rises for the Recess. That is the point of principle. I can certainly give an undertaking that, before the House does rise for the Recess, we shall not have given our consent to any definite project, because no project will be in existence. The further stage will be, that if a definite project was in existence, what conditions we should stipulate for as necessary to our support. On that, of course, I am not in a position to make a complete statement, because we have not yet finally decided what conditions we should stipulate for, and I do not suppose we should do that until some definite project is before us.

May I ask whether the importance of keeping other nations out of the nominally neutral northern shores of the Persian Gulf, in which British influence is, or was, till lately, supreme, will be recognised as an indispensable condition in all negotiations?

That is rather a wide question. The suggestion is that the railway should be an international railway, but we shall have to stipulate for certain conditions to safeguard our strategical and commercial interests.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if this railway is constructed on the Russian and Indian gauges the condition will be made that Indian goods shall be carried from, India right through to Ispahan and Yezd and other great commercial centres in Southern Persia, without break of gauge and consequent necessity of transshipment?

The hon. Member is raising a point which is a most important one that we have to consider. We have considered it provisionally already with the Government of India, but I should not be prepared to give a final opinion as to where the break of gauge should be until after we have had further consultation with the Government of India, of course taking into consideration the arguments raised by the hon. Member.

asked whether the Foreign Secretary will now issue Papers, with maps, showing the projected route of the Trans-Persian Railway, together with details of the other British projects now under discussion in Teheran for railways in Southern Persia, and of the conditions imposed by the British and Indian Governments?

The position is that a Société d'Etudes consisting of English, French and Russian gentlemen in equal numbers, namely, eight in each case, has been formed to study the feasibility of a railway—that is to say, how and on what conditions a, Trans-Persian Railway could be made. There is therefore at present no definite project for a railway concession in existence. His Majesty's Government, however, after consulting the Government of India, have stated in advance that any countenance which they may give to such a railway must be subject to the observance of conditions acceptable to His Majesty's Government when a project is actually framed. I cannot therefore lay Papers at present, because the matter has not reached a stage at which the Papers that the hon. Member's question contemplates are in existence.

asked whether the Secretary for Foreign Affairs will state the conditions asked for by the British Government in considering the projected scheme for a Trans-Persian Railway; and whether the Persian Government has been fully in formed of the deliberations of the Société d'Etudes engaged in the consideration of this question?

I beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer just returned to the question asked by the hon. Member for North Norfolk. The Société d'Etudes has only been in existence for a few days and has therefore not yet made progress in any deliberations on the question.

asked whether an Interdepartmental or a Departmental Committee has been appointed which will consider and report on international rights in territorial waters; and, if so, who are the members of the Committee and what are the terms of reference?

The Committee is to consider questions regarding sea fisheries; and I think the information which my hon. Friend desires will be given if he will put down a question to the Prime Minister on Thursday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to give any information in regard to the site proposed for the new Government buildings at Delhi?

The Secretary of State has learnt from the Viceroy that the expert advisers of the Government of India in the matter are of the opinion that the Coronation Durbar site does not altogether meet the requirements of a new capital, and think that a better site can probably be found to the south-west of Delhi, where there is rising ground of the same character as the "Ridge" to the north of the city. This area is being provisionally considered, but no final decision will be taken until after the rainy season. The town-planning experts, who are submitting a preliminary report, will shortly return to this country, but will revisit India in the winter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has sought the views of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce on the question of the future location of the office of the Head Commissioner of Paper Currency; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, whether he will say why the views of that body are more relevant to the decisions on this subject than on others, decided without reference to them, such as the removal of the other Departments of the Government of India, including that of Finance and Commerce, from Calcutta to Delhi?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Government of India and the Secretary of State must reserve the right of consultation where they deem expedient.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any, and, if so, what measures are contemplated by the Government of India for the protection of the at present unprotected coasts and harbours of India and Burma; and, following upon the concentration of our naval strength in the North Sea, whether any addition will be made to the Fleet in Chinese and East Indian waters?

The Government of India do not contemplate any addition to the number of fortified harbours in India. The second part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government has appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into the public services in India; and, if so, what will be the composition of the Committee, and what are the terms of reference?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I may take this opportunity of informing the House that His Majesty's Government have decided to recommend the appointment of a Commission. It is not possible at the present moment to make any statement with regard either to the composition or the terms of reference.

asked on what conditions the India Office was lent for the purpose of the reception held there on 16th June; and whether any expenditure in connection therewith will fall upon the Indian Exchequer?

I am obliged by my hon. Friend for the opportunity he gives me of stating that the Secretary of State in Council consented to the use of the India Office for the reception on the 14th, on condition that no expenditure in connection with it should fall on Indian revenues. The answer to the second part of the question is therefore in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State is aware that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has reversed the decision of Mr. Justice Fletcher, of the High Court of Calcutta, which was affirmed on appeal by the late Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Harington, of the same Court, in the case of Mr. Clarke, district magistrate of Mymensingh, who was cast in an action for trespass and fined Rs.500, and has found that Mr. Clarke acted properly, with courage and good sense, and strictly in accordance with the powers committed to him; that the Judicial Committee further found that Mr. Justice Fletcher disposed of Mr. Clarke's defence in rather a summary manner, and that the appellate bench took the same view and dealt with the matter much in the same way, and that had the bench read the form in Schedule V. of the Code of Criminal Procedure to the end it would have seen that it disposed of the bench's theory altogether; whether he is aware of the original and appellate decision of the High Court of Calcutta, from which the civilian judge, Mr. Justice Brett, dissented, caused alarm among the magistracy of India, following as it did upon several judgments of the like nature proceeding from barrister judges and benches of the High Court of Calcutta; whether the Secretary of State has under his consideration the future composition of this Court; and what compensation he pro poses to award to Mr. Clarke, who has for four years unjustly suffered in purse and reputation for displaying courage and capacity in the exercise of his duties?

The Secretary of State is in communication with the Government of India on this case. He naturally has learned with satisfaction that an Indian Civil officer, to whose good faith the Calcutta High Court bore emphatic testimony, has been pronounced by the highest judicial authority to have acted at a time of peculiar difficulty strictly in accordance with the powers committed to him. If the hon. Member had reflected that the Judicial Committee contained two distinguished ex-barrister judges of Indian High Courts, he would not, I think, have attempted to draw the inferences contained in his question. The hon. Member has misunderstood some of the observations of the Judicial Committee, which certainly did not pronounce that the case as a whole had been summarily disposed of, and did not, as he suggests, apply to the Calcutta High Court Appeal Bench in its corporate capacity a criticism made on a single point treated by one of the judges. The decision of the High Court was obviously of great importance in connection with the powers vested in magistrates by the Code of Criminal Procedure, but the Secretary of State is not aware that it caused alarm, and does not understand the assertion that a judgment turning on a point peculiar to the Mymensingh case followed on similar judgments. The composition of the Court is determined by Statute, and the Secretary of State desires to deprecate most strongly the comments on the bench made by the hon. Member.

May I ask in answer to the latter part of my question whether he thinks the emphatic testimony of the High Court of the good faith of the magistrate was not very much discounted by their erroneous decision that he was wrong in law?

The latter part of the question is as "what compensation he proposes to award to Mr. Clarke who has for four years unjustly suffered in purse and reputation." That I have answered by saying that we are in communication with the Government of India.

In view of the great alarm which this judgment caused amongst the magistracy of India, may I ask whether pecuniary or other suitable compensation is contemplated to Mr. Clarke, and, if not, I will think it necessary to repeat the question?

I do not think I can add anything to the fact that we are communicating with the Government of India on the subject.

I beg to give notice, Mr. Speaker, that in consequence of the unsatisfactory answer I have received from the Under-Secretary of State for India to question No. 9 I propose to call attention to the matter on the Motion on the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received the Report asked for concerning the arrest and illegal detention of the Khan of Hoti; and, if so, whether he can communicate the same to the House?

I have not yet received the promised Report.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he expects the Report?

It is a matter of very great importance and requires most careful investigation. I understand the Report will arrive shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a manual of Pushto, compiled for the use of students by Major-General Rosskeppel, who, in 1901, when the book was published, was political officer of the Khyber Pass, and is now Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province; whether the volume is used as a text-book by every civil and military officer that goes to the North-West Frontier Province; whether he is aware that insulting personal references and charges of bribery and tyranny are made against the Khan of Hoti on pages 203 (12), 213 (8), 217 (3) (4) (5), and 231 (6); and, seeing that the Khan of Hoti has been the recipient of many distinctions and honours and acknowledgments from British rulers for his loyalty to the British throne, whether, under these circumstances, he will cause the volume to be withdrawn from use?

I hope shortly to be in a position to answer fully this and other questions which have been put on the subject. In the meantime I may say that the sentences given as examples in the Pushtu manual are reproduced from examination papers set in the Punjab some twenty years ago. The manual was not prescribed as an official text-book in the latest rules which I have seen. The loyalty of the Khan of Hoti Mardan has been recognised by the grant of special distinctions.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a fresh edition of this book has just been issued and is still in circulation, and, as a matter of fact, that in practice it is used by candidates going to that part of India?

I am not aware of that, but I think it is due to the author of the manual to point out that it has no reference to the special conditions now existing, as it was written twenty years ago.

Will the hon. Gentleman have this objectionable manual withdrawn, as it has caused, and is causing, grave offence to the loyalists and natives of India?

The hon. Member would do well to wait until we can deal with the whole matter on the receipt of the Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that an Order has been issued to the effect that only musicians who are enlisted in a corps are to be permitted to perform in the band of the unit to which they belong, and that previous to the Order company bands were in existence in a number of Territorial companies which bands were in many instances assisted by men who for a variety of reasons were unable to enlist but who gave their services locally to the bands; and seeing that the effect of the Order has been to break up many of the company bands and that the bands do much towards attracting recruits, and in view of the difficulty in obtaining recruits, whether he will consider the advisability of rescinding the Order?

The Order in question, which was issued last September, was made with the deliberate object Of putting an end to a practice which was considered undesirable. The rescinding of the Order is not considered advisable.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what economy or saving to the public accrues to the country from breaking up these bands?

It is not a question of breaking up these bands, it is a question of whether you allow outsiders to play in Territorial bands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the ten per cent. rule as to re-engagement is enforced in order to save money by reducing the expenditure on soldiers' pensions?

The rule is enforced in order to maintain an adequate number who will join the reserve on the completion of their colour service.

Would the hon. Gentleman answer the question, was it done "in order to save money by reducing the expenditure on soldiers' pensions"?

Yes, Sir. I have just said it was not.

asked whether soldiers are transferred to the reserve before they complete eleven years' service; and, if so, in view of paragraph 264, King's Regulations, which states that soldiers may not re-engage for twenty-one years with a view to pension until after completing eleven years' service, how the limitation of such re-engagements to 10 per cent. can have the effect of increasing the number of men transferred to the reserve?

The man who is reengaged is, during the period of his service from twelve to twenty-one years, filling up a place in the total establishment which would otherwise be occupied by a men who would join the reserve on the completion of his colour service.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether an officer of Engineers recently asked permission for a small company to camp on Henfield Common, Sussex, for the nights of the 17th and 19th, and whether permission was refused by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners as lords of the manor; and, if so, can he say on what grounds it was refused?

It cannot be said that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners refused the application. The facts are that the application was made to the deputy-steward of the manor, and an answer was necessary within so short a time that reference by the deputy-steward to the Commissioners was impossible. In these circumstances the deputy-steward informed the officer applying that he had no authority to give the permission. At the same time he said that the probable answer of the Commissioners to the application would be that they would have no objection, but, as lords of the manor, could only give any permission subject to the rights of the copyholders and others having rights of common. In fact, the Commissioners, as lords of the manor, would have had no power to give any permission without that qualification.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will say for what purpose he has made it optional to the conveners of an insurance lecture to exclude the Press; and what good purpose is intended to be served by the exercise of this option?

As I have already explained many times in this House, the conveners of a meeting to which an Insurance lecturer is sent, who pay the expenses incidental to such a meeting, are permitted, at their option, to make it a private conference. This option was given them at the very strong request of trade unions and friendly societies, who held that the free discussion of the effect of the Insurance Act on particular societies might be impossible if all that was discussed in such conferences. was to be reported in the Press.

asked the Secretary to the. Treasury how many of the seven appointments of members of the Customs and Excise Department to posts under the National Insurance Act up to and including 12th June, 1912, were made from each of the branches, Customs indoor, Customs outdoor, Excise indoor, and Excise outdoor, old classification; and whether it was now possible for him to state, approximately, the total number of applicants in each case?

The seven transfers referred to were from the superintending establishment at headquarters. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. The work of classifying the applications in the manner suggested is not necessary in dealing with the applications, and would involve extra labour to a staff which is already working under considerable pressure.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether men or women under sixty-five on 15th July, 1912, who became employed persons after they had passed the age of sixty-five, were exempt from the insurance under the National Insurance Act, and whether employers must pay a contribution on their account; and whether men and women who were over sixty-five but employed on 15th July were insured persons and were liable to pay contributions?

Persons who are under sixty-five on 15th July, and do not become employed until they are over sixty-five, are not insured persons, and the employers' contribution only is payable in respect of them under the provisions of Section 4 (4) ( a ). The persons mentioned in the last part of the question are insured under the special provisions of Section 49.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the opinion of the Law Officers as to the position of a person under sixty-five?

I do not think there is any doubt as to his position. I do not want to trouble the Law Officers with a perfectly clear case.

asked, in the case of concurrent and simultaneous employment of an employed contributor by several employers, by which of those employers the employer's contribution under the National Insurance Act would be payable?

Joint employers would be jointly liable, and the Insurance Commissioners are now preparing Regulations to deal with the comparatively rare cases of simultaneous and concurrent employment by separate employers.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Insurance Commissioners would issue a Regulation showing whether a clerk drawing a salary of £156 and occupying his own house, which was assessed at £23 per annum, would be excluded from the operation of the National Insurance Act or not?

The answer is in. the negative. As I have already stated in answer to the hon. Member for Wilton, the rate of remuneration, and not the total income, is the criterion in such a case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Mr. J. T. Wallace, of Prestwich, who only started business in March, 1911, and was consequently unable to make a return of income for the assessment of Income Tax by 30th September in that year, but subsequently made a correct return of his income, has been refused the relief allowed by the Finance Act, 1907, in virtue of earned incomes; and whether he will instruct the Income Tax Commissioners to grant relief in this and in all similar cases?

It is the case that Mr. Wallace has not been allowed relief. It was open to Mr. Wallace whose claim was actually dated the 19th December, 1911, to have made a provisional claim before the 30th September if he anticipated that his income would be such as would entitle him to any relief with respect to the "earned" part of it. As Section 19 (4) of the Finance Act, 1907, makes it a condition to the allowance of the earned income rate that a claim must be made by the 30th September in the year, for which the tax is assessed, it would be contrary to the provisions of the law to allow relief in this and similar cases. If once exceptions were admitted to this rule it would be almost impossible to draw a line and endless difficulties would be caused in the collection of the tax.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say how a man can say in March that he will make a profit in September?

I should like to have a few more particulars about that, from my hon. Friend.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the First Commissioner of Works will consider the possibility of substituting a modern system of gas lighting for the illumination of the House which, whilst increasing the illumination, would greatly reduce the present cost and be far more economical than electricity; whether the present system has been in use for at least forty years and is now obsolete; and whether the experiments reported to have been made were experiments with electricity only, and not with gas under the improved conditions of modern lighting?

After consideration, it appears to the First Commissioner that incandescent mantles cannot well be used by reason of the draught from the ventilating fan, and no experiments have been made with them. The present system of lighting has been in use, with slight changes, for rather more than forty years.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what filament is now used in the electric lamps, and whether experiments have been made with regard to various Kinds?

I could not tell the hon. Member without notice what filament is used in the electric lamps.

asked the hon Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, having regard to the privileges and courtesies extended to the representatives of the British Press in the Parliaments on the Continent, he can state if it would be feasible to make such arrangements as would provide further permanent seating accommodation in one of the galleries for Foreign representatives?

The provision of additional accommodation in the Press Gallery would involve considerable expense for which no money is taken in this year's estimates.

Has the hon. Gentleman taken into account the importance of this matter in regard to promoting international harmony?

Every consideration was taken into account.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the present difficulty and delay in carrying on telegraphic communication be tween Arran and the mainland, and that in consequence of the Fleet being largely located in Arran waters more telegraphic facilities were required, he would take steps to increase the number of wires be tween Arran and the mainland so that an adequate service be available; and would he introduce telephonic communication to the island?

I am not aware of any difficulty in carrying on telegraph communication between Arran and the mainland, for the means of communication are ample for the traffic, and I have received no application for an extension. An extension of the trunk telephone system to Arran would not at present be justified in view of the heavy expense involved in the provision and maintenance of a cable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he could, and was prepared to take any steps to, distinguish between the Post Office Savings Bank deposits made in the villages and those made in populous towns, with a view to the application of the former, as in some Continental countries, for the purposes of much needed agricultural credit banks and other purposes of a reproductive character for the benefit of the rural population?

The system of accounting does not admit of such a distinction being made. The investment of deposits in the manner proposed would not be possible without legislation. A Select Committee in 1902 reported against a change in the law in that direction.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman consider the system impossible in this country when it is possible in other countries?

I do not know whether other countries have a system under which savings bank deposits can be made at any post office. Savings bank deposits in this country are not always made in the offices at which the accounts were originally opened. The accounts are always entered in our ledgers under the offices in which they were originally opened, and the number of cross entries is enormous.

Am I to understand from his answer that the right hon. Gentleman disfavours the use of Post Office deposits for local reproductive purposes?

No. I have not expressed any personal opinion on the matter. I only say that legislation would be necessary to allow it to be done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the system in other countries?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown had yet been obtained upon the question of whether or not the Development Commissioners could legally accede to the request which had been made by the Devon and Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committees for a Grant to facilitate the provision of auxiliary motor power for fishing boats?

I am advised that a Grant out of the Development Fund for the supply of motors for fishing boats might legally be given (under certain conditions), but that each application of this kind must be considered upon the particular facts of the case and upon the nature of the scheme for the disposal of the Grant put forward. The applications of the Devon and Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committees will be taken into immediate consideration accordingly.

Will the scheme be provisionally passed on to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries for consideration?

In the usual course of procedure it will reach the Development Commissioners as soon as possible.

Does that refer also to Scotland?

If any scheme applying to Scotland is put forward, certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was aware that a sorting clerk and telegraphist employed in Belfast was recently selected to be interviewed in connection with a position under the Board of Trade, on a grade commencing at £60 and rising by £5 to a maximum of £105 per annum, and that this officer was informed that unless he was prepared to accept the initial salary of the scale, which was £27 below his existing Post Office salary, there was no necessity for proceeding with the interview; and whether, in view of the statement made on 29th February, 1912, that such persons would carry their salaries on transfer, he would order that instructions to this effect be given to the Board of Trade officials in the Belfast area?

The hon. Member's question has been referred to the Civil Service Commissioners, who, I understand, are making inquiries into the case. I will communicate with him as soon as the result of these inquiries is known.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the fact, as it appeared on page 193 of the 15th Abstract of Labour Statistics just published, that whereas the income of 100 principal trade unions showed an increase in 1910 of £128,000 and the expenditure showed a decline of £63,000, yet nevertheless the funds at the end of the year showed an increase of only £67,000; and whether he could give any explanation of this apparent discrepancy?

The figures on page 193 of the 15th Abstract of Labour Statistics referred to by the hon. Member appear to be quite correct. The funds at the end of 1909, plus the difference between the income and expenditure in 1910, give the funds at the end of that year. I am afraid that the method suggested in the question of arriving at the increase of funds during the year is not one likely to yield correct results.

asked whether the 593,739 vacancies filled by the Labour Exchanges in the year 1911 were filled by the same number of persons; and, if not, how many separate persons received employment through the Labour Exchanges during the year?

The 593,739 vacancies referred to by the hon. Member were filled by 433,089 individuals. In addition to these vacancies, 125,304 jobs of a casual nature were filled by applicants from the special casual registers of Labour Exchanges.

Could not that be given in the Return?

I will consider that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he would state the total value of imports and the value of manufactured imports into the Crown Colonies, Protectorates, and Dependencies, other than India, from the United Kingdom and foreign countries, respectively, in 1900 and 1910, showing the percentage increase during that period?

The imports from the United Kingdom into those parts of the Empire mentioned in the question, so far as statistics are available, have increased from £13,576,000 in 1900 to £21,756,000 in 1910, or by 60 per cent., whilst the imports from foreign countries have increased from £19,694,000 in 1900 to £29,803,000 in 1910, or by 51 per cent. Separate particulars for manufactured goods could only be ascertained after a minute investigation of the Returns for each individual Colony, Protectorate, and Dependency, and such an investigation would involve a large expenditure of time and trouble. The figures given above are exclusive of Rhodesia, Malta, Hong Kong, and Protectorates other than those on the mainland of Africa, for which, for one reason or another, comparable figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations or instructions had been made for the arrangement of supply of food and refreshment to members of the Metropolitan Police when employed on their eight hours tour of duty on Sundays, and also when called out for ceremonial and on other public occasions?

It is and always has been the practice for Metropolitan Police doing eight hours tour of duty to carry their own supply of food with them. They take it at any quiet place on the beat. In exceptional circumstances they may, with the consent of a superior officer, leave the beat for a few minutes to obtain food. When police are specially employed on duties that may involve prolonged hours, they are instructed to take food with them, and, whenever possible, are relieved for short periods. On certain very exceptional ceremonial occasions, special arrangements have been made to supply food to the men on duty.

Are we to understand that no time whatever to obtain food is given during the eight hours?

My answer said that time was allowed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the latest instruction book for the use of members of the Metropolitan Police was issued in 1900; and whether, in view of the numerous Acts of Parliament passed into law since then, he could see his way to issue a new edition, which would be available for all members of the force without further delay?

From time to time emendations and additions to the instruction book of 1900 have been issued. An entirely new instruction book has now been prepared, and a part of the service has already been supplied with it. The supply will be completed at an early date.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the same reply was given earlier in the Session, and it has not yet been done?

I will make inquiries.

asked if His Majesty's. Lieutenant for the county of London had yet taken up the duties of his office?

Letters Patent appointing the Marquess of Crewe to be His Majesty's Lieutenant for the county of London passed the Great Seal yesterday, and the appointment will be gazetted to-night.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has official information showing that 410 persons were killed and 14,215 injured in the streets of London during last year; whether he is aware that most of the accidents were caused by mechanically-propelled vehicles; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

The annual Return of street accidents caused by vehicles shows that 410 persons were killed, and a large number injured, by such accidents in the City of London and the Metropolitan Police District together. As this area comprises some 700 square miles and includes some districts which are still rural, it is not quite correct to describe all these accidents as having occurred in the streets of London. The majority of them were caused by mechanically-propelled vehicles. The police will continue to use every endeavour to protect all persons using the highways from accident.

Will the hon. Gentleman do something to stop this appalling state of things; this ever-increasing reign of terror in the streets of London?

May I ask whether the Under-Secretary for the Home Department could state what was the increase, if any, in accidents caused by vehicles since mechanically propelled vehicles have been in vogue?

I think I ought to have notice of the latter question. With reference to the first, I can only say that the police will make every effort at stoppage. If my hon. Friend has any suggestions to make they will be very glad to have them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now give the promised information as to the inequality in the Grants given to denominational schools as compared to those given to other public elementary schools in the Isle of Man?

The Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Man informs my right hon. Friend that it is a fact that the voluntary schools there do not receive aid from rates; but that the children and teachers in the voluntary schools are subject to the same inspection as in other schools, and the reports of His Majesty's Inspectors on the voluntary schools are, in the opinion of the Insular Council of Education, generally as favourable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an important redistribution of naval forces affecting the Mediterranean is about to be effected; and whether, in view of the public anxiety on this question, he will give an assurance that no such alteration of policy shall take place until the House has had an opportunity of discussing it?

I cannot agree to any undertaking which interferes in any way with full Admiralty discretion over all naval dispositions. The Mediterranean battleships are about to take part in the annual manœuvres, and before these are over the House will have had an opportunity of discussing the naval situation and receiving a full statement of the intention of the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very, very grave anxiety which the public in general feel in regard to this question at the moment? In view of that, may we understand definitely that no further steps will be taken to give effect to this policy until the whole subject has been properly discussed in this House?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it quite fair to this House and the country to reduce the battleships in the Mediterranean from twelve to nothing, without any discussion or reference at all to this House?

Yes, Sir, I think the House has always the right to have full opportunity of discussing the naval situation when from time to time it presents a feature which requires attention. But I am quite certain the House will not wish to prevent the Admiralty taking from day to day whatever steps they may consider necessary in the discharge of their responsibilities to the Crown and Parliament.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman once more, in view of the fact that this is not an ordinary, but a very particular change, whether the right hon. Gentleman will not make some further statement on the subject?

That is fully covered in the answer which I have given. The ships are home for the manœuvres. They have often come home for the manœuvres before. Before the manœuvres are over the House of Commons will have had a full statement of the Government position, and have the opportunity, if they so desire, of discussing and pronouncing on it.

The Germans are under weigh.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say how many British battleships, cruisers, torpedo-boats, and submarines are now in the "Mediterranean Sea east of Gibraltar?

The information asked for is as follows:—

asked whether the Admiralty are in the habit of exacting guarantees as to the time of delivery from shipbuilding contractors; if not, will he say why this is not done; and whether in view of the delays in construction, he will in future demand such guarantees?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, the reason being that, in the public interest, a different method is employed by which liquidated damages at a predetermined rate per diem can be enforced for late delivery due to causes within the control of the contractors. No change in the present practice is considered necessary.

May I inquire whether within the last two or three years any penalty has been put upon the contractor for non-delivery—I say not one?

The hon. Member has answered his own question. I have not verified his answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether his statement made in this House on 13th November last that any large reconstruction of our Franchise Law must be followed, as a logical corollary, by an equitable redistribution of representation, remains a statement of ministerial policy; and whether the Franchise and Registration Bill, if passed this Session, will be followed, as a logical corollary, by resolutions in this House and the appointmnet of Redistribution Commissioners as steps precedent to the introduction of a Redistribution Bill?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I cannot make any statement as to the precise procedure which will be followed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the event of the Franchise and Registration Bill passing into law, it will be necessary that two registers of voters will have to be made for the year 1914, namely, one for the first five months of the year under the existing law, and another for coming into force on 1st June, 1914?

In the event of the Franchise and Registration Bill passing into law and coming into force on the 1st day of June, 1914, the preparation of the first continuous register will commence immediately, and that register will come into force on some later date to be fixed by Order in Council. Until that register comes into force, the Parliamentary register prepared under the old system for the year 1914 will remain in operation; but when the new continuous register comes into force the old register will cease to operate. There will be no period during which the old and the new registers run concurrently.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will say why the Minute of the Scotch Education Department which was laid upon the Table on- 10th June was not accompanied by the necessary figures to make it intelligible; when these figures will be supplied; and whether the month allowed before it becomes law will date from the day on which the figures are available or from 10th June?

The figures referred to are not a necessary part of the Minute as laid, which is of a general character, but a statement showing the approximate result as regards each secondary education district will be issued at the earliest possible date—probably this week. The Minute will not become operative for a month from the time that the figures are available.

asked whether the practice of laying Minutes of the Scotch Education Department, without reasonable facilities for their being discussed, will be altered in order to give Scottish Members the opportunity of considering the same?

I am not aware that there is any such practice.

Mr. Speaker, arising out of that reply, may I ask you, for the benefit of new Members like myself, when matters of the sort referred to in these Minutes cannot be discussed, can we challenge them at Eleven o'clock on the Adjournment, or do we require to give a written notice to the Clerk at the Table?

I am afraid the hon. Member's question has rather taken me by surprise. It is usually necessary to give notice. I think if the hon. Member wishes to ask the House to present an Address to His Majesty asking him to disallow some proposal which is made, he ought to give notice of it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he realises that Circular 795 of the Board will result in most counties in the cessation of the valuable peripatetic and other decentralised technical work now carried on by their agricultural education sub-committees, owing to no equivalent Grant being obtainable from the Board of Agriculture except in connection with farm institutes, which will not provide this kind of instruction; and whether an arrangement can be made between the two Departments whereby, pending the forthcoming conferences in reference to agricultural education between the President of the Board of Agriculture and the local authorities, the same Grants for the above purpose, under the same conditions, will continue to be paid as heretofore?

Arrangements have already been made for the transfer to the Board of Agriculture of the responsibility for distributing the money provided for aiding the work, done after the 1st August next, of the kind mentioned in the first part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the corresponding Grant announced to be made by the Board of Agriculture does not provide for any purpose of higher agricultural education except the provision of farming institutes and works ancillary thereto?

Next year the Grant now available to the Board of Education will disappear from the Board of Education list and will be transferred to the Board of Agriculture. This year they appear on the Board of Education Estimates, but the distribution will be transferred from the 1st of August to the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he had any Report of the number of accidents that had occurred to work men employed in the Port of London since 28th May, 1912; and, if so, could he state in general terms whether the cause of such accidents arose from incompetent labour?

The number of accidents to persons employed in loading, unloading, moving, and handling goods at the docks, wharves, and quays, and in loading, unloading, and coaling ships, within the Port of London, which have been reported to the Factory Department since 28th May, is 43. This figure is much below the average number, but in the absence of Returns of the actual numbers employed before and after 28th May on. these particular processes, I am not able to say whether it represents an increased accident rate or not. There is no evidence in any of the Reports to show that any of the accidents were due to the employment of unskilled labour.

Does the evidence show that the accidents which have happened to the men are attributable to the strikers?

Not as far as know.

asked whether it is intended to take any action against those who have taken it upon themselves to usurp authority over the King's highway by issuing passes to persons desirous of travelling thereon, and impliedly preventing them from so doing unless furnished with such passes, thus acknowledging participation in a conspiracy to inflict violence upon law-abiding men; or whether, if the law is insufficient to deal with such a situation, it is intended to ask for legislation?

If there were other evidence on which to found a charge of conspiracy, the so-called "passes" would be material evidence in support of the charge, but the Home Secretary is advised that there is no sufficient evidence on which proceedings for conspiracy could be taken. My right hon. Friend does not, as now advised, propose to ask for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the result of his inquiries at the Poplar and London Hospitals, in respect of injuries inflicted on men working or willing to work in the docks and on the river; whether he has been informed that the almoners and others connected with both hospitals have reported that a wide system of terrorism exists in consequence of the assaults that have taken place and the threats used; and what steps, if any, he has taken to restore public confidence?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of patients that have been treated at Poplar Hospital up to and including Thursday, 20th instant, for wounds, bruises, contusions, or other injuries inflicted on them in connection with the present labour dispute in the dock area?

Inquiry has been made at the Poplar and London Hospitals and at all hospitals in London which serve the areas affected by the strike. My right hon. Friend finds that in all twenty-one persons have been treated for injuries inflicted on them in connection with the present labour troubles. Of these cases, eight were in the Poplar Hospital and three in the London Hospital. Only six of twenty-one cases had to be detained in hospital, the remainder going home after treat- ment. In view of the great extent of the strike and the large number of men who remain at work, these figures do not justify the opinion that a widespread system of terrorism exists, and the Commissioner of Police has failed to find that any such opinion is held by the responsible authorities of the hospitals. The police are taking active steps to repress disorder and to secure the punishment of offenders; and prompt attention will be given to any application for protection.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he has. given do not include the cases dealt with in the receiving rooms of the hospitals, and that the latter information is contrary to what has been stated publicly by those responsible?

If the hon. Member will put a question, I will find how many cases have been treated at the receiving rooms of the hospitals.

Is it not a fact that those cases which are sent home are the cases that are dealt with in the receiving rooms of the hospitals?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware whether any of these injuries were caused by the police and not by the strikers? May I have an answer? I saw a man to-day with his head smashed.

I have not the information now. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a question.

Has the hon. Gentleman received a petition in which forty-four working men state that they are unable to go to work because of terrorism?

Where?

I have not yet received a petition. If the hon. Member will tell me how I can get hold of it, I shall be very glad.

asked the Prime Minister whether he could see his way to publish as a Parliamentary Paper the various demands recently preferred by the Transport Workers' Federation to the Government which were forwarded by the Government to the employers and the Port of London Authority, and also the replies to these demands?

If the hon. Member is referring to the men's statements which were submitted to the employers at a meeting on the 4th June, between certain Members of the Government and employers, these statements and the employers' replies have already been published in the public Press, and I do not think it necessary to publish them as a Parliamentary Paper. They are given on page 230 of the current issue of the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette," of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he can put down the Home Office Vote for this week, or at the earliest possible date next week, in view of the subjects of interest arising out of that Vote and the desire to discuss them in all parts of the House?

No, Sir; I should be very glad to put the Vote down, but I think it should be put down on a date when the Home Secretary can be here.

If possible?

He cannot be here any day this week.

Not on Thursday or Friday?

No; the Home Secretary is obliged to be away: he will be in attendance upon the King. If hon. Members regard the matter as of sufficient urgency perhaps I might put it down for Friday, when the Under-Secretary and the Attorney-General will be here, but I make no definite promise.

Perhaps I may communicate with the Patronage Secretary.

I desire to ask the Under-Secretary to the Home Office a question of which I have given him private notice: Whether he can give the House any information concerning the accident to Miss Davidson in Holloway Gaol; whether she has been forcibly fed, and, if so, how many times before the accident? What was the nature of the injuries sustained, and whether she is now in hospital, and whether she is still being forcibly fed?

The question the hon. Member asks now is not in the terms of the question I have before me. The question I have before me is:—

" To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for information concerning Miss Davidson, the prisoner who is alleged to have thrown herself over the stairs in Holloway Prison, particularly how it happened, the extent of her injuries, whether she has been forcibly fed, is she in hospital, and is she still being fed by force."

At 2.30 p.m. on the 22nd instant, Emily Davidson, who had been to the lavatory, refused to return to her cell. While the officers were trying to persuade her to return, she threw herself on to the wire netting on the landing below, a distance of about eight feet. She stayed on the netting for a few seconds and while the officer was remonstrating with her she threw herself from the netting on to the iron stairs, a distance of about five feet. She sustained a few small bruises and abrasions, and as she complained of pain, a specialist, Mr. Crisp English, of St. George's Hospital, was called in and certified that there was no evidence of gross injury nor any reason why forcible feeding should not be continued. She afterwards told the Medical Officer that her action was due to her "feeling that a tragedy was wanted." As she refuses to take her food in the natural way, she is being fed by tube. She is not in hospital, but she is under the special observation of the Medical Officer.

In regard to the question read by the hon. Gentleman, the letter I sent last night intimated my intention of putting the question; the question itself was sent this afternoon. Can the hon. Gentleman say if he is aware that the object of this lady in attempting to commit suicide was to call attention to the cruel barbarities which are being inflicted on these ladies in the hope that by the sacrifice of her life they might be brought to a stop?

I have no means of gauging what was in the mind of this lady at the time. In regard to the attempt to commit suicide the distance was only eight feet, and if that was her intention she must have known that it could not have been gratified in that particular instance.

May I ask the Prime Minister—and I know the right hon. Gentleman will not lightly treat a matter of this kind—whether he can see his way, as a number of these prisoners are to be discharged on Saturday, to make a slight concession and have them discharged at once. Why keep up this needless torture?

May I ask that no further concession be made to lawbreakers in this country?

It is not for me to interfere with the action of my colleague. It is purely an administrative matter concerning the action of my colleague who is responsible for the Home Department. I must point out that there is not a single one of those women but could come out of prison this afternoon if they gave the undertaking which has been asked for.

You know they cannot. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order."] It is perfectly disgraceful that the Prime Minister of England should make such a statement.

"Order, order," and interruption.

left his seat below the Gangway, and walked to the end of the Ministerial Bench above the Gangway. Amidst cries of "Order" and interruption, he addressed the Prime Minister, and said:—

Why did not the Liberal party ask William O'Brien to give an undertaking? You are beneath contempt! ["Order, order."] You call yourselves gentlemen, and you forcibly feed and murder women in this fashion! You ought to be driven out of office. [Interruption.] It is perfectly disgraceful. Talk about protesting! ["Order" and interruption.] It is the most disgraceful thing that ever happened in the history of England! ["Order, order," and interruption.] You will go down to history as the man who tortured innocent women. ["Order, order."] That is what you will go down to history as.

Returning to his place below the Gangway,

said: I have said my say, Mr. Speaker. [HON. MEMBERS: "Sit down," "Order, order," and interruption.] It is disgraceful that the Prime Minister of this country should tell women in prison on principle that they can walk put. [HON. MEMBERS: Order, order."] He knows perfectly well they cannot walk out. The Hon. Member for Cork (Mr. William O'Brien) knew he could walk out of prison, but he did not, and the Liberal party, for the sake of votes, defended William O'Brien when he refused to wear the prison clothes. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order."]

I ask the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley to leave the House in consequence of his grossly disorderly conduct.

"Order, order," and interruption.

I am not going out while this contemptible thing is being done—[HON.MEMBERS: "Withdraw," and "Order,order"]—murdering, torturing, and driving women mad, and telling them they can walk out. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves! You may talk about principle and fight in Ulster. You ought to be driven out of public life. You do-not know what principle is. These women are showing you what principle is. You should honour them standing up for their womanhood. I say for the Prime Minister to say they could walk out is beneath contempt, and I shall stick to it. I tell him it is beneath contempt to tell the Commons of England that, and to laugh at the suffering of those women. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

I must point out to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley that in refusing to leave the House he is disregarding the authority of the Chair, and I ask him again to leave the House.

I have no intention in any sort of way of being dishonourable to you, Sir, but I cannot contain myself when men sitting there say these women can walk out, when they know very well they cannot walk out. They are fighting for a principle, and Members would be better employed if they were doing the same.

The hon. Member will see that it is my duty to defend the Prime Minister under the circumstances, and also to defend the House as a whole. If other hon. Members conducted themselves in the same way as the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley has done, this House would lose all respect and authority.

It has lost it already.

I call upon the hon. Member to withdraw, and I must ask him to be good enough to carry out my desire. If he does not withdraw, I shall have to take severer measures. I will give the ton. Member another opportunity.

What is it you ask me to do, Mr. Speaker?

I ask the hon. Member to withdraw from the House during the Sitting of the House to-day.

All I want to say, Mr. Speaker, is that I make that protest against the statement made by the Prime Minister.

The hon. Member for Bow and Bromley withdrew beyond the precincts of the House.

I beg to ask the Home Secretary a question of which I have given him private notice—whether his attention has been directed to the allegations contained in a pamphlet written by Helen 'Gordon concerning the methods in which forcible feeding was applied to her and other female prisoners, whether these methods are being applied in the present instance, and, if so, whether it would not be advisable to avoid the necessity for applying these methods by placing the women concerned in the first-class division?

I have not seen the pamphlet in question, nor is it known at the Home Office. Perhaps the hon. Member will supply me with a copy.