asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the plant and machinery ordered by the Government for the Wood Distillation Factory in the Forest of Dean is of German manufacture; and, if so, why British manufacturers of such equipment were not given a preference over their foreign competitors?

The order was given by my predecessor to a German firm after full inquiry into the comparative merits of the various processes in use. He would have been very glad to give a preference to British manufacturers; but the plant and machinery for what he was advised is the best and most suitable process for Dean Forest could only be obtained in Germany.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that British machinery is quite as good if not better than that of Germany?

The advice we received from men competent to speak on the manufacture of the material that was required for our purpose said that the best and most suitable process is that which can be carried out by German machinery, and not by British machinery.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House the names of his advisers?

No, I do not think so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is at present most excellent plant and machinery being used for exactly the same purpose by private manufacturers in the Forest of Dean, plant entirely of English manufacture?

I am quite well aware of that, and we hope to manufacture this rather more profitably than private manufacturers.

We cannot have a debate on the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the proposed Government cattle-testing station, near Pirbright, will be available for the testing for freedom from tuberculosis of the livestock of all private owners by a Government expert prior to their export to Argentina, South Africa, and other places abroad; and, if so, whether he has any official information showing that the agents of foreign and Colonial purchasers will accept such official test as adequate and conclusive, and render unnecessary any further or other test on behalf of such purchasers or the Government of the country of destination?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board are in communication with Colonial and Foreign Governments with a view to ascertain whether they will be prepared to admit animals certified by the Board to have satisfied the official test for tuberculosis without quarantine or other restrictive conditions. I cannot say whether private persons residing abroad who purchase through agents in this country would accept the Board's certificate as sufficient, but it is reasonable to expect that they would be satisfied by any test which is considered sufficient by the Governments of their respective countries.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the picture now exhibited in the Royal Academy, and entitled the Tumult in the House of Commons, is to be placed in St. Stephen's Hall; if so, whether the subject, title, and treatment were approved before the picture was exhibited; when the picture will be placed on the walls of St. Stephen's Hall; and whether this picture is part of a preconceived plan for the decoration of that historic spot, or is to be regarded as an experiment?

My hon. Friend is throughout correct. The picture is the gift of the Royal Academy, to whom the thanks of His Majesty's Government are due. It has been painted by an eminent member of the Academy, and will be placed in position when their exhibition is closed. The offer was accepted in continuation of the general scheme for the decoration for the Houses of Parliament of which the frescoes so recently placed in the passage from the Central Lobby to the grand staircase are so successful a part. A number of subjects for treatment have been selected by some historical experts, and I shall be happy to send the list to my hon. Friend if he would care to see it.

Will the same artist continue this series of subjects, and is the hon. Gentleman aware that the style and colouring are totally different to those pictures to which he has favourably referred?

No, Sir, I do not think the artist for the other subjects which have been selected has been chosen. I would remind the hon. Member that the picture in question is intended to go into St. Stephen's Hall, which is some distance from the corridor where the other pictures are.

I would remind hon. Members that there are over a hundred questions on the Paper. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the Division bells ring in a certain Conservative club; and, seeing that this gives a party advantage to unpaired Conservative Members who are thereby enabled to take part in Divisions without being within the precincts of the House, whether he will immediately take steps to have the arrangement terminated?

I believe my hon. Friend's statement is correct. The Office of Works, however, is not concerned in the provision of Division bells, which are installed and maintained by the Postmaster-General.

asked whether a bronze statue of Lord Clive is to be erected in Whitehall; if so, on what grounds the decision was taken to erect another monument in this much-used thoroughfare; and whether the exact site chosen can be indicated?

The statue is to be erected temporarily in the garden attached to Gwydyr House. Afterwards it is proposed to remove it to the west end of King Charles Street. It seemed a pity not to exhibit this fine work of art before the completion of the public offices.

asked whether any application had been received to erect a monument in London to Captain Cook, the great navigator and discoverer of Australia; and, if so, what answer had been given?

Yes, Sir. Permission has been granted for the erection of the statue on the west side of the Admiralty Arch and in close proximity to it. It will form part of the general scheme of decoration. Sir Aston Webb always intended to place a statue on this spot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is, now in a position to state the result of his inquiry into the case of Crowsley, recently sentenced to four months' hard labour for offences connected with the distribution of a pamphlet advising soldiers not to shoot?

also asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can yet make any statement as to the sentence passed upon Frederick Crowsley, at Winchester?

In view of the reduction of the sentences recently passed on other persons in connection with the publication of the pamphlet referred to, I have decided to advise His Majesty to reduce the sentence passed on Frederick Crowsley from four months to two months.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of giving this prisoner the benefit of Rule 243A?

I would rather have notice of that question.

Is it not a fact that this man was only sent to prison because he would not promise not to offend again? Would it not be possible for him to come out now if he gave the necessary promise?

The man was sent to prison because he offended against the law. If he had undertaken at the time, notwithstanding his offence, not to repeat it I believe the Judge would, in fact, have discharged him, but as he did not give the undertaking he will have to bear the consequences.

asked what is the number of Established churches and mission halls; what is the number of Calvinistic Methodist chapels and halls in Cardiff; and whether the figures given take account of separate self-contained buildings only or also include rooms in other buildings?

The Church of England had twenty-five churches and thirteen mission rooms in Cardiff in 1906. The Calvinistic Methodists had eleven chapels and twenty-two Forward Movement halls and schoolrooms. Of these twenty-two, eight are also chapels but ate not included in the eleven already men- tioned. The remaining fourteen halls are schoolrooms in which services are held simultaneously with the services in the eight halls and eleven chapels. These eight halls and fourteen schoolrooms in which simultaneous services are held do not include classrooms attached to the halls. I cannot say whether these are all separate self-contained buildings, but their size and importance may be inferred from the fact that the total accommodation provided in the twenty-two halls and schoolrooms is 10,335, an average of 470.

Is it not a fact that these halls are the largest in the whole of Cardiff?

Well, Sir, I think some of them are as large as the largest, but I cannot answer the question without exact examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a memorial from the vicar of St. Mark's, Old Ford, asking him to release George Johnson, who was convicted on 10th June and sentenced to one month's imprisonment for alleged cruelty to his children; whether he is aware that this man is a sober, steady workman whose wife died under distressing circumstances, leaving him with the care and responsibility of five children; and if, under the circumstances, he will accede to the wishes of the memorialists and at once order the man's release?

On inquiry I find that the evidence disclosed a case of gross neglect continued after several warnings and causing much suffering to the children. The magistrate informs me that he gave full consideration to the extenuating circumstances urged by my hon. Friend, and but for them would have passed a severer sentence than one month's imprisonment. I find no reason for advising any interference.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether if he and the Government will consider what, in these circum stances the man is able to do, earning very low wages, with no one to mind his five children, as he has lost his wife through suicide, and a girl of fifteen years of age has neglected his children, and now the whole family have no one to look after them?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the motor omnibus companies in London intend to place 2,000 more motor omnibuses on the streets; and whether, having regard to the high proportion of fatal accidents caused by these vehicles in comparison with those caused by electric tramways, the Home Office, as the police authority for the Metropolis, contemplate any steps to secure for London the same control over this traffic as is possessed by the citizens of great provincial municipalities?

I have seen in the Press the announcement referred to. The Town Police Clauses Act, 1847, empowers the licensing authority to licence such number of carriages as they think fit. The Metropolitan Carriage Act, 1869, which, with the Metropolitan Streets Act, 1867, contains the law applying to London, gives no similar power to the licensing authority.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman's Department take some steps to provide some piece of machinery on the cow-catcher principle to prevent people being run over in the streets?

Yes. The Home Office will be very glad to consider any instrument of the kind, but I understand, so far, no effective means has been discovered of attaching anything on the principle of the cow-catcher to those' buses.

asked the Secretary of State if he can state whether, after taking into consideration the growth of traffic in the Metropolis, accidents caused by mechanically-propelled vehicles show any increase as compared with those years previous to the adoption of such vehicles?

The number of accidents caused by vehicles in the Metropolitan Police District has, with some fluctuations, shown a progressive increase in recent years since motor traffic was introduced. The volume both of pedestrian and of vehicular traffic has greatly increased during this period, but there are no statistics available of vehicles and their mileage from which any trustworthy comparative table can be compiled.

asked whether the Government do not intend to enforce the provisions of the Shops Act; and whether, if that is so, he can give the House any information as to whether the Government will be prepared, in case similar difficulties should arise in carrying out any of the provisions of the National Insurance Act, to express their willingness not to enforce those provisions?

The duty of enforcing the provisions of the Shops Act is placed by the Act on the local authorities, and not on the State.

May we assume that the statement in the Press is correct that the Home Office or any other Department concerned does not intend to enforce the Shops Act? Is that statement accurate or inaccurate?

In accordance with the provisions of the Act the Home Office will certainly enforce the Act, but the initial responsibility for enforcing the Act rests with the local authorities.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Mr. M. M. Terrero, who had a permit to visit his wife in Holloway recently, was refused admission on medical grounds; whether the superintendent had been authorised by the Home Office to cancel the permit; and, if not, what were the grounds upon which admission was refused?

Visits to prisoners who refused food were suspended not only on medical grounds, but also because by refusing food—which is an offence against prison discipline—a prisoner forfeits for the time being the right to receive visits. Notices were sent out to persons to whom visiting orders had been sent, but in Mr. Terrero's case there was no time to inform him before he came to the prison.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received the Report from the governor or medical officer of Holloway Prison concerning Mrs. Myra Sadd Brown; whether he is aware that, when forcible feeding was about to be resorted to, she informed the medical officer that, owing to a fracture of the nose, forcible feeding by the nose-tube would not be possible; that the doctor refused to pay any attention to her statement but ordered three wardresses to hold her in a chair; that the feeding-tube was forced three times up the nostril but returned by way of the mouth; whether he is aware that on the following day she informed the governor of what had happened, and that she had been operated on for nose and throat trouble, and that the forcible feeding on the previous day had caused bleeding from these parts; that a few minutes after giving this information she informed the deputy medical officer to the same effect; but that, despite this, no examination of the organs was made, and that four attempts to force the tube through the nostril were made and failed; whether he is aware that all this involved mental and physical suffering; and what action he proposes taking to prevent a recurrence of such treatment?

I have only to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on Thursday last that on the first day the nasal tube was passed three times, and again three times on the second day.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has under consideration the disease which is caused by the use of creosote in brickyards by workmen whose special task it is to impart a certain finish to bricks by dipping them in a creosote solution; whether he is aware that when the fluid dries upon the hands blisters form upon the skin, which develop into a kind of wart eating into the flesh and finally forming open wounds; whether be is aware that some men have had to have hands or arms removed for this reason; and, if so, whether he can see his way to schedule this particular form of industrial poisoning?

My attention has been called to cases of disease in brickyards due to the use of creosote, and I have caused inquiry to be made. It appears that bricks are not dipped in creosote, but creosote is used for lubricating the dies of the brick-making machines, and some of it is liable to get on the hands and arms of the workers. The disease is already scheduled as epitheliomatous cancer, or ulceration, in the Home Office Order under the Compensation Act. Only one case is known in which the disease has resulted in the loss of a hand or arm. Frequent washing is the best precaution against the disease, and washing accommodation is being provided at the works.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that two lads, both under seventeen years of age, were sent to Wandsworth Gaol on 10th June instant by Mr. Israel Symmons, the Greenwich stipendiary, for playing pitch-and-toss in a public place; will he say what was the nature of the game they were playing; whether he is aware that the prisoners had the option of a small fine which they were unable to pay; whether time was allowed for payment; whether he is aware that both boys were first offenders; and when the House may expect the short Bill promised by the former Secretary of State for the Home Department two years ago, designed to secure a short time for this class of prisoners to pay any fine that may be inflicted on them?

I have not previously heard of this case, but I am making inquiry. The Metropolitan Police magistrates are fully aware of the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act, but they have to use their discretion in applying them to cases that come before them; and in regard to these cases of gaming in the streets I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to him on 2nd May last.

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

I am afraid it is quite beyond hope to introduce the short Bill referred to this Session, but I hope to be able to do so next Session.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us some assurance that he will make some effort to carry out the promises on this subject made by his predecessor?

Oh, yes, Sir. I am quite as anxious as my predecessor was that this question should be dealt with.

If such a Bill were non-controversial, could it be introduced this Session?

I doubt whether such a Bill would be considered as non-controversial. It is one of considerable importance and I do not think there would be time to take it this Session.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London on this subject?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can state if gas-stokers, gas-fitters, labourers, and other manual workers employed in and about gasworks will be compulsorily insured under Part II. of the National Insurance Act; and whether a deputation from various gas companies has waited upon him with a view to being exempt from the operation of the Act; and if he can state the decision arrived at?

By Section 91 of the Act any question whether particular workmen or classes of workmen come within the scope of this Part of the Act, is to be decided, not by the Board of Trade, but by the Umpire appointed under Section 89. The Umpire has not yet given any general decision with regard to the classes of workmen referred to by my hon. Friend, and I would accordingly suggest if any doubt is entertained on the point that an application should be made at once to the Umpire for a decision. I have not received any deputation from gas companies with regard to this matter.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any approaches from municipal bodies on this question?

I do not recollect. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.

asked whether fitters, smiths, carpenters, and masons, who are regularly employed as such in collieries, are included in the list of those who are compulsorily insured under Part II. of the National Insurance Act?

Decisions as to whether any workman or class of workmen is included within the scope of the scheme of Unemployment Insurance, embodied in Part II. of the National Insurance Act, rest, not with the Board of Trade, but with the Umpire appointed under Section 89 of the Act. Applications have been made to the Umpire in respect of certain of the classes of workmen referred to by my hon. Friend. These applications, numbered 172 and 173, were published on page 726 of the issue of the Board of Trade Journal for 27th June, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to send a copy of those instructions to the collieries concerned in view of the uncertainty prevailing?

I cannot say exactly which collieries are concerned. If the hon. Member will tell me the collieries to which he refers, I shall be glad to do so.

Would it not be more satisfactory if the right hon. Gentleman would issue a pamphlet saying which men are liable and which are not, because if he sends to each individually the "Board of Trade Journal" it is a very unsatisfactory way of finding out?

In those cases a decision has not definitely been come to. An application has been made to the Umpire, and I will consider, when the Umpire has given his decision, how far it should be made public.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that at Messrs. Price and Company's oil works, Belvedere, workmen are being required to attend at the company's office individually to answer various questions and are being requested to state the name of their approved society for the administration of the National Insurance Act; and whether, if the company is not justified in seeking such information, he proposes to take any action?

also asked whether certain employers of labour in Halifax have issued circulars to their workpeople in connection with the National Insurance Act inquiring as to the age of each employé and the name of his approved society, and in one case the employé is asked whether his approved society is a trade union; and whether any steps can be taken by leaflet or otherwise to assure persons who are to become insured under the Act that it is no concern whatever of employers what the ages of their employés are and the names of their approved societies?

at the same time asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been drawn to the references made at the first meeting of the State Insurance Provisional Committee for Sheffield to the manner in which Sheffield employers are requiring a workman to give them more information than the law permits them to ask for; and what action he can take to protect men against the pressure being used by employers to prevent men freely choosing their approved society?

I have seen a newspaper account of the meeting at Sheffield. A circular requiring the ages of all employés or exercising pressure as to the choice of a society, especially with threats of £10 fines, would be entirely without excuse under the Act, and I will certainly endeavour to take all possible steps to communicate information to this effect to any who are concerned. Employers have no right or excuse under the Act for exercising any pressure, direct or indirect, on their employés to join a particular society, or for requiring to know what society they have joined. The Commissioners have refused to allow a system of stamping cards by an approved society or anybody in connection with which an approved society or approved section is formed. They have also taken the greatest care that neither the cards nor any other paper or requirement under the Act will disclose the workmen's society to his employer. Employers' funds cannot under the Act be approved if it is made a condition of employment that workmen join them, nor would the Commissioners approve of any such fund if they had evidence to show that any pressure is being exercised to induce the employés to join it in preference to other approved societies.

May I ask whether in case of where employers act in defiance of the statement now made, the right hon. Gentleman will take steps to amend the Act and compel them to conform to the law?

I cannot promise anything concerning amendments of the Act at present, but I hope that the publicity given to such instances as these will prevent employers doing such things.

If large employers are circularising employés in the manner described, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to circularise them?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the National Health Insurance Commissioners (Wales) are having printing work carried out by firms whose shops are closed to trade unionists in consequence of the recognised rate of wages not being paid; and whether he intends taking action in the matter?

I think the hon. Member must have been misinformed. The printing work for the Welsh Insurance Commissioners is being done by one of the oldest trade union houses in South Wales, and the wages paid are in accordance with the trade agreement between the provincial employing printers and the provincial unions.

asked where a woman is employed as housekeeper by the tenants of eight sets of chambers in the same building, which of the tenants is bound to pay the employer's contribution for her insurance?

The case of persons employed by more than one employer in the week is dealt with in Regulations which are about to be presented.

Will these Regulations apply to cases in current employment?

There certainly will be a Regulation in connection with current employment, as I promised the hon. Member for Barkston Ash, but I am not quite sure whether it is included in this special class of Regulation.

asked if a husband is in receipt of income by way of salary as a clerk exceeding £160 but his wife has no separate income apart from her husband, will the wife be treated as liable to be insured if she becomes employed as a caretaker or housekeeper?

The fact that the husband's salary exceeds £160 per annum does not affect the liability of his wife to be insured if she becomes employed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a workman who undertakes work by the piece or by the day, and who is assisted by another workman provided by him for the purpose, is liable to pay the employer's contribution for his assistant, or whether the person from whom the work has been obtained will have to pay the employer's contribution for both men?

The answer to this question must depend as regards Part I. of the Act on the relationship in which the workman undertaking the work stands to the person from whom the work has been obtained, and on the nature of the employment. The facts stated in the question are not sufficiently precise to enable an answer to be given in this particular case, but I will send the hon. Member a copy of the regulations which have been made with reference to intermediate employers, which may give him the information he requires.

asked if the Insurance Commissioners have power to make regulations for the exemption from the provisions of the National Insurance Act rural workers who are feeble-minded, epileptic, infirm, or otherwise only partially capable of earning a livelihood; and, if so, whether they propose to exercise those powers?

The Commissioners have no general powers of the kind suggested in the first part of the question. Apart from the special provisions of the Act such as those relating to out-workers or inmates of institutions, persons who are actually employed must be insured under the ordinary conditions and the Commissioners have no power to exempt them by regulation. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that no person need become a deposit contributor for three months after the National Insurance Act comes into operation although he may not have joined an approved society, he will publish a correction of the N. H. leaflet issued by the Insurance Commissioners which states that it is of the greatest importance to every employed person that he should join an approved society without delay and so avoid becoming a deposit contributor?

The advice given in the N.H. leaflet to which the hon. Member refers is entirely justified. Until a person has been accepted as a member of an approved society he risks prejudicing his admission either through breakdown of his health in the meantime or through the possibility of the conditions of admission being made more stringent. Neglect to look for a society now may easily continue until the opportunity is lost unless specific warning is given of the need for early action. Full advice as to his position and rights under the Act will also be most readily obtained when the individual has behind him the assistance of an approved society of which he has become a member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have that answer printed as an addendum to the leaflet?

The leaflet is perfectly clear. It urges members to choose their society without delay.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that persons between sixty-five and seventy have to pay full contributions under the National Insurance Act and cannot become insured, but can only get benefits at the discretion of the societies to which they may belong, he will publish a correction of the N. H. leaflet issued by the Insurance Commissioners, which states that all persons in the service of an employer between sixteen and seventy must be insured?

The leaflet to which the hon. Member refers is perfectly correct. Persons between sixty-five and seventy who are employed persons at the commencement of the Act are required to be insured, though under the Act they form a special class of insured persons, and as such are not entitled to the ordinary benefits, but to such special benefits as can be provided.

Is it not the fact that the only benefit they can get lies at the discretion of the society?

If the hon. Member will make himself familiar with the tables we have issued he will see a series of tables showing the benefits that can be given between the ages of sixty-five and seventy.

But is it not the case that they can only be given at the discretion of the society?

No man need join a society which will not give him a benefit.

How can men between sixty-five and seventy join a society. Is it not a fact that no society will take men of that age?

The benefit that can be given in such cases is an actual, sound benefit.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the table of voluntary rates for male insured persons entering into insurance on and after 15th January, 1913, as shown in Cd. 6172, is the same as the compulsory rate for such persons entering on or after 15th July, 1912?

The answer is in the negative. Voluntary insured persons entering on or after 15th January, 1913, pay increasing rates—according to their ages on entrance, but receive full benefits. Compulsorily insured persons entering on or after 15th July, 1912, pay the ordinary rate whatever their age at entrance, but receive reduced benefits if they enter over the age of 50, or after 14th July, 1913.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, if his attention has been called to the sums being spent in advertising by certain companies to try and secure members for their approved societies under the National Insurance Act; and if this expenditure can be charged in any way to the funds of these approved societies, either directly or indirectly?

Advertising expenses incurred in getting up a society may be treated as part of the administration expenses of the society, the total amount of which, out of the Insurance funds, is limited to 3s. 8d. per member per year, with the addition of 1s. for preliminary expenses during the first half-year.

Are the profits so great that they can afford these large amounts?

No profit can be made under the Act at all.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the motor company at Stamford has announced that, on account of the National Insurance Act, the working hours will be increased from 54 per week to 55¼, and that 2½ per cent. will be deducted from piecework prices; and whether he can now propose an amendment of the Act to prevent this penalising of workmen in connection with a new law?

There is no law at present to prevent an employer attempting to reduce wages at any time at the expiration of a contract except where a minimum wage has been fixed under a statute.

In these instances do not the firms state that these men will be engaged under the National Insurance Act?

I should like notice of that. Of course any employer can reduce wages at the end of any contract under any excuse he chooses.

asked why an employer's contribution is payable in respect of an employé who claims and obtains exemption, and to what purpose the contribution, exacted without consideration from the employer, is devoted?

asked whether a Board of Trade Inquiry was held into the loss of the White Star liner "Republic," which foundered after collision in the Atlantic?

The "Republic" sank after collision with the Italian steamer "Florida" in American waters on the 23rd January, 1909. No formal investigation was ordered into the case, as there was no power to compel the attendance of witnesses from the Italian vessel; and, in their absence, any public inquiry would have been of an ex parte character, and possibly prejudicial to the interests of the British vessel. Actions were entered in the United States District Courts.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Board of Trade are unable to enforce their own requirements as to the number of deck passengers taken on board ship after a ship has cleared a British port, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the steps necessary to be taken to secure trustworthy evidence from the official logbook?

The matter raised in the question is receiving careful consideration along with others germane to it, and if it is found that the present powers of the Board of Trade are not sufficient to enable them to deal with the matter, I will consider the advisability of seeking an extension of those powers.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the South-Eastern Railway Company have refused to allow a representative of the men to visit the scene of an accident in company with the Board of Trade inspector appointed to investigate the same; and, having regard to the fact that the cause of any accident can only be ascertained after a visit to the place of the accident and with a view to fair treatment of the employés involved, whether he will take steps to ensure the right being accorded to the men's representative?

The Board of Trade have no power to require railway companies to allow men's representatives to visit the scene of an accident, but the inspecting officer to whom the investigation of the cause of the accident is entrusted invariably visits the locality, and has full power to do so.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, at an inquest held on a passenger who was killed at Herculaneum Dock Station, Liverpool Overhead Railway, on 12th June, 1912, owing to insufficient staff on the platform, the jury recommended an additional man at this station, and that this recommendation has not yet been acted upon; and will he inquire into the system of working the traffic on this railway, both in the interests of the men and for the safety of the travelling public?

The return of this accident rendered by the coroner does not mention any recommendation as having been made by the jury at the inquest, but if my hon. Friend can supply me with particulars I will look into the matter and consider whether there is sufficient ground for a Board of Trade inquiry.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that at a Board of Trade inquiry, held at Faversham on the 26th instant, to inquire into an accident which happened on the 19th June, and which was conducted by Inspecting Officer Major Pringle, R.E., a representative was present to watch the interests of an employé affected, and after giving the recognised authority for his attendance this was not accepted until after the employé had been called in and asked in the presence of his employers whether he required the attendance of his trade union official; and, having regard to the fact that this action is calculated to prejudice the position of the men and is contrary to the intention of Parliament when deciding the necessity of representation for the men that such representation would not prejudice their rights, will he say what action he proposes to take?

I have inquired into the matter, and find that the incident referred to in the question was due to a misapprehension, which I do not think is likely to occur again.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to a recent decision of Judge Mackarness, at Hayward's Heath County Court, where he refused to allow a claim for damages against the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company for loss occasioned by the death of a cow, which was being conveyed from Ayr, Scotland, to Hayward's Heath at the company's risk, to go to the jury on the ground that material evidence had not been called to show any negligence by the railway company; whether, as it is practically impossible in such cases for farmers to obtain evidence, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to so amend the law that when cattle are consigned at the company's risk the company should be liable for damages in the same way as in the case of merchandise, without the necessity of the owner having to prove specific acts of negligence on the part of the company's servants; and whether he will endeavour to arrange by such legislation for railway companies to quote a rate under which the company takes all risks of damage during transit?

The hon. Member has furnished me with a summary of the proceedings in this case. The exact grounds of the decision are not clearly stated in this summary. I understand, however, that in the case of livestock the consignment note usually contains a Clause providing that the railway company shall not be liable for loss or damage except on proof of negligence or default on the part of the railway company or their servants. Whether such a condition is just and reasonable is a matter which under Section 7 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1854 can be decided by the Court, and any condition held not to be just and reasonable is invalid.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of revising these Regulations?

I will consider the matter.

asked what foreign countries permit British pilots to navigate their waters with or without pilot certificates; and also in what countries is such navigation prohibited?

British pilots are not permitted by the conditions under which they hold their licences to pilot ships beyond the districts specified on the licences. As regards the right of British masters to pilot their own vessels in foreign waters with or without pilotage certificates, I am having the information obtained by the Pilotage Committee in 1910 printed with the Votes.—[ See Written Answers this date. ]

May I ask if these pilots can obtain this permission from foreign countries?

Perhaps the hon. Member will wait until he sees the Return.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when that Return will be issued and available?

It will be issued with to-day's Votes.

asked whether, following upon the concentration of our naval strength in the North Sea, any addition will be made to the Fleet in Chinese and Indian waters?

No, Sir, not at present.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether there is any ship of a higher class than a second-class cruiser in Chinese and Indian waters, and whether he considers the Fleet in these waters of sufficient strength?

The answer is in the affirmative. The armoured cruiser "Defence" recently took the place of the protected cruiser "Astræa," and we consider the ships in Eastern waters quite sufficient.

Arising out of that answer, having regard to the possibility of the Dominions co-operating in naval defence in Eastern and the Pacific waters, would the right hon. Gentleman take steps to urge upon His Majesty's Government the necessity of giving advantages in trade and other respects to the Dominions as compensation for such sacrifices in the direction of defence?

I do not think that arises in connection with this question.

In view of the paucity of ships in Indian waters, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of arming the ships of the Royal Indian Marine to enable them to undertake police duties and to act as auxiliary commerce protectors?

I am satisfied that the strength of the Fleet in Eastern waters is generally sufficient.

Is that satisfaction general?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will assure the House that no situation arising out of the impending naval manœuvres shall compromise the case for maintaining the present naval conditions in the Mediterranean, the full discussion of which he has already undertaken to ensure?

I can add nothing to the answers already given by the First Lord of the Admiralty.

asked the result of the inquiry into the alleged infringement of the Fair-Wages Clause at the Yarrow ship building yard, Scotstoun?

I have made inquiry into the matter raised in the question. I cannot ascertain that there is an existing agreement for the demarcation of work as between painters and red leaders in the district, though I understand that the question of the desirableness of such demarcation has been the subject of discussion amongst the men. In any case, the work upon the ships to which the question refers, the contract having been made some time ago, is not under the newer and more extended House of Commons Fair-Wages Resolution. Our newer contracts contain the new Fair-Wages Clause, and the matter involved in the question will be kept carefully in view as the work on these ships approaches the painters' stage.

Might I inquire when we may expect the new, or what is called the new, regulation to be put in operation?

The new Clause has been in operation for some considerable time. My hon. Friend is dealing with ships which take between one and two years to build.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if Messrs. Wilkes and Sons, Government contractors, of Liverpool Street, Birmingham, have reduced the rates of pay for wire drawing by 2s. 6d. and 2s. per cwt.; if the men have threatened to strike in consequence; whether this is a violation of the Fair-Wages Clause; and, if so, does he intend taking any action in the matter?

In reply to parts one and two of the question, the Admiralty have received no information; no opinion can therefore be expressed in regard to part three. This firm has no Admiralty contract involving the kind of work referred to in the question, but it holds, orders for other work. In respect of that work, of course, the Fair-Wages Clause must be respected.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that, in a glaring case which came before my notice, it means a reduction of 10s. per week in wages and will he inquire into the matter?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars, I will certainly make inquiries.

I will with pleasure.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has yet published the complements of ships to be present at the Naval Review; whether all the ships then assembled at Spithead will be filled up with crews to fighting strength in all Departments; whether there will be forty-two battleships, five battle cruisers, and twenty-five armoured cruisers; whether there will only be eleven protected cruisers; and, if so, whether he will explain why eleven protected cruisers are accepted as sufficient units in such a large Fleet?

Complements of ships are not published. The ships at Spithead will all have full crews, with the exception that the Training Squadron will retain their boys and the cadet ships their cadets, and consequently the deck complements of these ships will differ from what they would be in war. The numbers given by the Noble Lord are correct for battleships, battle cruisers, and armoured cruisers, except that two additional battleships, the "Swiftsure" and "Triumph," will be present, and these ships will be employed in the manœuvres as armoured cruisers. The number of protected cruisers will be nine, exclusive of flotilla cruisers and cruisers converted for special purposes. The fact that the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Cruiser Squadrons are not required for the purposes of these manœuvres, and will consequently not be present, sufficiently explains the small number of protected cruisers. The proportion of attached or repeating ships required by a battle fleet cannot be suitably discussed in answer to a question.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in order to meet the convenience of Members who desire to avail themselves of the invitation of the Lords of the Admiralty to witness the review of the Fleet on 9th July, he will propose the Adjournment of this House for that day?

asked whether it is proposed that this House will sit on the occasion of the Spithead Review on Tuesday, the 9th July?

Perhaps the hon. Member for West Wolverhampton and the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth will postpone their questions until I have made further inquiries.

asked when the battleships of the current programme will be laid down, and what time will be allowed for their completion?

It is hoped to lay down the two dockyard-built ships early in November. The dates for the two other ships are not yet settled, but they will probably be laid down very shortly after the dockyard ships.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many months' acceleration that represents?

No, I cannot say off-hand.

asked what date it is proposed to complete the submarines of the current programme?

No date can be given, as the details are not yet complete.

asked whether, in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming law, justices of the peace or other peace officers in Ireland will have power to summon the military forces of the Crown in Ireland to assist in preserving order or preventing threatened disturbance of the peace?

The justices of the peace and other peace officers in Ireland will retain the legal powers in this matter which they have at present.

Will that include a justice of the peace who at present refuses to attest a recruit for the British Army in Ireland?

That does not arise out of my answer at all.

asked whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill, the primary duty of maintaining order in Ireland, outside the Dublin Metropolitan area, will be cast upon the local authorities?

The present position, as regards the control of the Royal Irish Constabulary, is not affected by the provisions of the Bill till the period of six years from the appointed day has expired, after which date the matter will rest with the Irish Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister whether the supreme authority of the Imperial Parliament is in any way increased by the inclusion in Clause 13 of the Government of Ireland Bill of the words, "unless and until the Parliament of the United Kingdom otherwise determine the following provisions shall have effect"; whether the right of the Imperial Parliament to amend or repeal the Clause would be in any way diminished if these words were omitted; and, if so, whether he will state the nature of the restrictions which the omission of these words would place upon the free action of the Imperial Parliament?

The answer both to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. The third part of the question does not arise. The words are inserted merely for the purpose of showing that, having regard to the possibility of general redistribution, the arrangements made by the Clause may prove temporary only.

asked whether, if the Government of Ireland Bill becomes law, the Irish Parliament will have power to alter the Roll of Precedence in Ireland, which gives precedence to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York over all other archbishops?

This is a matter of Dignities, and, as such, is excluded from the control of the Irish Parliament.

asked whether, if the Government of Ireland Bill becomes law, Irish petitions addressed to the Crown will have to be made through a Member of the Executive Committee of the Irish Parliament?

The Bill does not affect the right of subjects to petition the Crown.

asked the Prime Minister if, in accordance with the terms of the Government of Ireland Bill, an Act passed by the Irish Parliament should be vetoed by the Imperial Parliament and thereupon the Irish Ministry should resign, no other Ministry being capable of formation, what steps it is proposed the Imperial Parliament should take to carry on the government of Ireland; whether it is proposed to introduce into the Bill any provision to meet such a situation; and, if not, will he explain how the veto is to be rendered effective?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 8th May last in reply to a somewhat similar question by the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the official announcement that a special committee of the Senate is now considering the adoption of a site for the new premises of the University of London, he is in a position to state the attitude of the Treasury towards the movement, since much depends upon the measure of financial support which may be expected from the Government?

The Government must await the final Report of the Royal Commission before deciding what, if any, steps should be taken by them in connection with the present accommodation for the university.

May I ask whether that applies to any Grant to be made?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether the trustees appointed by the Government to receive funds for the proposed Bedford estate site for the University of London are still exercising their functions, or whether, in view of the inability of the Senate at once to take advantage of them, the offers of land and financial aid have lapsed; and, if so, have all the promised contributions, which were variously estimated at from £175,000 to £350,000 thus ceased to be effective?

The delays that arose in connection with the possible acquisition of the Bedford site prevented the actual appointment of trustees to receive funds for the purpose, and Lord Haldane was obliged to inform the university that these delays had prejudicially affected the prospect of getting in the necessary funds. I am informed that the vacant land on the Bedford estate is available for a short time longer. Some of the promises of money, however, previously made were dependent on the fulfilment of certain conditions that have not so far been complied with.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say for what period the site is held available?

No, I said for a short time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the results of intervention on the part of the Government in disputes between employer and employed, he will test the effects of abstention from intervention in respect of the current and of succeeding strikes?

His Majesty's Government will continue to act as they may think best in the general interests of the community.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether at a time of acute industrial crisis he will enjoin an abstinence from incendiary speeches upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will make arrangements for both sides being equally well fed, so that they may fight properly?

asked who will reply in this House for the Scottish Board of Agriculture?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.