asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information to the House as to the present situation in Marakesh; and whether he has information showing that Europeans are in danger in that town?

The state of affairs in the South of Morocco is very confused, and it is difficult to obtain reliable news. My latest information is that though the situation at Marakesh is grave, it is possible that the rival factions may come to an arrangement between themselves. Meanwhile I have received no information tending to show that the lives of Europeans are in danger.

asked the number of Europeans who have been killed or wounded in Fez during the last year, and the number of Europeans who were killed or wounded in Fez during the twenty-five years previous to 1st June, 1912?

I can only give a figure as regards British subjects, and, so far as I am aware, only one British subject, a military instructor in the service of the Sultan of Morocco, has been killed in or near Fez during the last twelve months. I have not got figures about Europeans in general, nor figures for twenty-five years past.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what progress has been made with the negotiations for the purchase of the Trinity College estate, in the Cahirciveen and Valentia districts, in view of the period which has elapsed since negotiations were opened?

The Congested Districts Board hope to consider the question of making an offer for the purchase of this estate at an early date. No avoidable delay has taken place in the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the question will be decided by 16th July, the next meeting of the Congested Districts Board?

I cannot give a definite promise as to that date. I will see what I can do.

asked the amount paid during the past financial year by the Commissioners of National Education to wards the heating and cleansing of Irish national schools; and whether all schools that qualified for the Grant have been settled for for that period?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that £16,606 has been paid to managers of national schools in reimbursement of expenditure for heating and cleansing the schools during the year ended 31st March, 1912. There are a number of schools for which the Grant has not yet been paid owing to the fact that in some cases the managers have not yet submitted their claims, and in others additional information had to be obtained before the Grant could be paid. All outstanding claims are being dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of awards made at the last Quarter Sessions in county Clare as compensation for malicious injuries, showing names of in jured persons, nature of injuries inflicted, and amount awarded in each case; whether his attention has been called to the remarks made by the County Court judge when making these awards, specially as to his statement that crimes in Clare are perpetrated by people who terrorise the community, and what steps are being taken to bring the criminals to justice; if illegal secret societies exist in the counties of Clare and Galway, and what steps are being taken to break up these societies and afford protection to law-abiding people; if the Ancient Order of Hibernians is spreading over the South and West of Ireland; and if he will obtain and furnish a Return of the number of branches of this secret organisation which now exist in Ireland?

Compensation amounting to £51 was awarded at the last Clare Quarter Sessions in five cases, which included two cattle-drives, two cases of damage to wall, and a smith's bellows, respectively, and one case in which a cow was poisoned. I have seen a newspaper report of the learned judge's observations, in which he contrasted the state of Clare with that of the rest of Ireland. I am happy to say that in Clare there are now some signs of improvement. There is good reason to believe that in the disturbed parts of Clare and Galway some evil-disposed men have banded themselves together by secret agreement for the purpose of intimidation. Such men are carefully watched. I am not in a position to give the Return asked for.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is not aware that, taking Clare as a whole, the county is as free from crime as any part of the United Kingdom?

I think the character of Clare as a whole, particularly including that part of it represented by the hon. Member who puts the question, is very good.

Has the right hon. Gentleman reduced the police force in Clare yet?

No, Sir; but the number of indictable offences between the Spring and Summer Assizes was forty-eight this year, compared with seventy for the same period last year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware this standard of law and order is not the one generally accepted in Ireland?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is one policeman to every forty-eight of the inhabitants of Clare?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been directed to the speech made by Cardinal Logue at Maynooth, on Tuesday last, in which he described the National University as a pagan bantling, and reiterated his determination to make it Roman Catholic; if the prohibition that existed against Catholic young men going to Trinity College before the establishment of the National University and the Queen's University still exists; and if he will support an Amendment to the Government of Ireland Bill to withdraw university education from the control of the proposed Irish Parliament?

My attention has been drawn to the report mentioned. I cannot say whether the report is accurate, but I do not believe that the language quoted in the question expresses the feelings of any considerable body of the Catholics of Ireland in reference to the National Uni- versity; and I may say that all the provisions and understandings on which the University Act was passed have been faithfully observed, and that the new universities are doing extremely well. As regards the alleged prohibition to Catholic students to enter Trinity College, I can only say that Catholics do, as a matter of fact, enter Trinity College in considerable numbers, and that I am assured on good authority that the passage of the University Act has not interfered with the resort of Catholic students to Trinity College. Some hold that it has had the contrary effect.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted Cardinal Logue before passing the very severe censure that is embodied in his answer?

I have said distinctly that I do not know whether the report of the words is accurate.

Why not have asked him before making that answer?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he includes the 800 Church of Ireland students at Trinity College as Catholics?

No.

They are.

Well, not Roman Catholics.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion the forty-five bears to the total number of Trinity students?

Nobody ever pretended to say the majority of students at Trinity College are not and always have been Protestants.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware he has not answered the latter part of my question: whether he will support an Amendment to the Government of Ireland Bill to withdraw university education from the contral of the proposed Irish Parliament?

I apologise to the hon. Member for having accidently omitted to answer that part of the question. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to a speech delivered by a Mr. MacSweeney, a Local Government Board inspector, at a meeting of the Cashel Board of Guardians, on Thursday, 13th June, in the course of which he stated that if children were allowed to remain in the care of the guardians they might drift into the Army or into the gutter; and whether he will take steps to prevent Local Government Board inspectors by implication casting a slur on a service of His Majesty?

I have communicated with the inspector referred to, and he denies having made the statement alleged, or having either by suggestion or implication expressed any views or opinions which in any way might cast a slur upon the Army. His object in attending the meeting was to induce the guardians to adopt the system of boarding out children.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware the report of the speech appeared in a Nationalist paper which is generally supposed to be correct?

:I do not think any newspaper is correct in reporting speeches.

Not the "Freeman's Journal"?

No.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, at the Galway Quarter Sessions on the 21st June, compensation for malicious injuries was awarded to Mr. Robert Markie, auctioneer, Galway and Dublin, for a valuable remount horse which had its ears cut off; to Mr. T. N. Redington, town clerk, for a weight-carrying hunter which had its ears cut off, in this case the veterinary surgeon describing the injury as a horrible outrage, the ear being cut off into the skull of the animal, which caused the blood to spurt eighteen inches from the wound; to John Curran, for a carriage horse which had its ears cut off; to John M'Grath, for a horse which had its ears cut off; and to James Keane, for two cattle which had their tails cut off; and what arrests have been made and steps taken to prevent further similar outrages?

Compensation was awarded in the four cases first mentioned in respect of the four horses. James Keane was also awarded compensation in respect of two head of cattle. The police are making every effort they can to trace the persons who committed these abominable crimes, but so far without success.

Is this evidence of the peaceful condition of Ireland?

It is just as much evidence for and against as it would be in the case of the occurrence of similar crimes in England.

Will the right hon. Gentleman name any county in England in which agrarian crimes of that kind have taken place?

The Noble Lord should give notice of that.

Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, to suggest that these crimes take place in England and not to give evidence of them?

On a point of Order. Is the right hon. Gentleman entitled to do what he undoubtedly did just now, and insinuate that there is conspiracy in England to prevent the detection of such crimes?

The right hon. Gentleman did nothing of the sort. What he said was that it was just as much evidence in England as it was in Ireland. These occurrences may take place in England, and if they do they are just as much evidence in England as in Ireland.

Can the right hon. Gentleman name a single case of such occurrences in England?

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question down, I have no doubt it will be answered.

On a point of Order, Sir. Is this not a case in which the right hon. Gentleman, having said these crimes did occur in England, must have had knowledge of his own, and am I not in order in asking him why he made that statement?

The right hon. Gentleman may have knowledge, but may not have particulars in his pocket. If the Noble Lord asks for statistics the least he can do is to give the right hon. Gentleman the opportunity of looking them up.

May I ask if any agrarian conspiracy exists in England?

It is not a question of agrarian conspiracy at all in this matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will indicate the provision in the Government of Ireland Bill which preserves to local authorities in that country the continued distribution, on the basis of existing statutory sanctions, of payments from the local taxation account and from the Exchequer in relief of rates, the maintenance of pauper lunatics, salaries of medical officers of workhouses and dispensaries, trained nurses in workhouses, etc.?

There is no such provision. The transferred sum will include the amounts which, under the existing law, are paid to the local taxation account.

asked if, having regard to the fact that His Majesty's inspectors of factories and their assistants entered the service on a condition that they should serve when required in any part of the United Kingdom, those who happen to be serving in Ireland if the Government of Ireland Bill becomes law will be transferred to the Dublin Government or obliged to return on the terms of the Act, while those serving in other parts of the United Kingdom and who entered on the same conditions will not be exposed to the loss and injury thereby involved?

The question whether any particular inspector or assistant inspector of factories will be recalled to England or kept on in Ireland will be a matter of arrangement when the Bill becomes law. Those who remain in Ireland are fully protected by the Bill against loss or injury.

Is it a fact that an Englishman who serves in Ireland will be forced to accept the conditions of the Home Rule Bill or retire, but the Irishman who serves in England will be exempt?

I do not think that is so.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a series of attacks made by organised gangs on the priests, nuns, and children connected with the excursion of the Sacred Heart Convent schools, Lisburn, on Tuesday, 25th June last; whether he is aware that after the excursion started the excursionists were assailed, showers of projectiles rained on them, and one of the nuns struck with a large stone; that on the return of the excursion the nuns and the children were again exposed to a fierce fusilade of stones, mud, and every weapon which came to hand, and arrived at their destination spattered with dirt and filth of every kind; and that the priests who accompanied the excursion, on their return by motor car, were attacked by an organised crowd, and pelted with stones and mud; whether the police received notice in good time of the excursion; whether any report has been furnished by the local police in connection with these outrages, and what steps, if any, have been taken to bring the perpetrators to justice; and whether any steps have been or will be taken to bring to justice the persons responsible for the repeated breaking of the windows of the Catholic church and the parochial house, and for attacks on the houses of Catholics in the town of Lisburn?

The police authorities inform me that on the 25th June an excursion of the children of the Sacred Heart Convent in Lisburn left in two motors for Ardglass. The police had received notice of the excursion, and arrangements were made to prevent any interference with it. On the outward journey a stone was thrown at the motors which struck a nun on the leg. When returning in the evening mud was thrown at the excursionists by some groups of children, and the dresses of the nuns were bespattered. The attack, which was not an organised one, was made by children who resided along the route. The police were unable to identify any of the children who threw the mud. When the priests returned later in a private motor a considerable amount of mud was also thrown at them, and the car was struck by one stone. The matter was reported by the police on the following morning. The police are not aware that any windows in the Catholic Church or Parochial House at Lisburn have been broken during the present year, or that any attacks have been made on the houses of Catholics since the East Down election in December, 1910. Special precautions are being adopted by the police to prevent any interference with Catholics in Lisburn.

Is this the evidence on which the right hon. Gentle- man and the Government rely for their belief that if Home Rule is given to Ireland the two religious sections will live amicably together?

Disputes between Protestants and Catholics are not confined to Ireland, and we have no reason to believe that events of this character will prevent the possibility of Home Rule working satisfactorily.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), under what head in the votes for the past financial year the sum of £1,259 4s. 9d., expended on the primary schools of the Christian Brothers, and the sum of £356 1s., expended on the training of certain members of conventual and monastic institutions by the Department appeared, respectively?

The head under which the sum of £1,259 4s. 9d. was paid was Sub-head H2 (Grants for Drawing and Manual Instruction in Miscellaneous Schools) of the Vote accounted for by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. The sum of £356 1s. for the training of members of conventual institutions was paid from the Department's endowment.

asked whether it is estimated that in the present financial year any money will be expended by the Department on the primary schools of the Christian Brothers or on the training of members of the conventual and monastic institutions; and, if so, under what head in the Estimates such amounts appear?

It is estimated that a sum of about £1,300 will be required for Grants for drawing and manual instruction in primary schools of the Christian Brothers. This sum is provided under Class IV., Vote 13, Sub-head B2 (Grants for Drawing and Manual Instruction in Miscellaneous Schools). A sum of about £500 will be required for the training of teaching members of conventual institutions. Of this sum about £150 will be paid under Class IV., Vote 13, Subhead B1 (Annual Grants to Schools and Classes of Science and Art and Technical Instruction), and about £350 will be paid from the Department's Endowment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that the firm of Curle, glass bottle manufacturers, South Hackney, contractors to his Department, have increased the wages of their employés by 12½ per cent. since their present contract was entered into in order to avoid a strike; whether the firm have asked the Department for an increase of 5 per cent. on the contract price in order to meet the increased wages; if so, whether the Department propose to grant the request; and whether, when the con tract was entered into and previous to the wages of the employés being raised, the firm in question were observing the Fair-wages Clause?

Messrs. Curle and Company have stated that they have been served with a notice from the London Glass Blowers' Trade Society increasing many of the rates of wages for bottles, but they have not stated the extent of the increase. The firm's application for an increase of 5 per cent. on their contract prices is now under consideration. The contract was subject to the usual Fair-Wages Clause.

asked whether the Government of India is prepared to increase the representation given to European trade and commerce in the Bengal Legislative Council so as to be more commensurate with its responsibilities; and whether the powers vested in the new Government of Bengal will be equal to those exercised by the Governments of Bombay and Madras?

The Government of India recently informed the Bengal Chamber of Commerce in reply to representations made by them for the increased representation of European commerce on the Bengal Legislative Council that their views will be duly considered in any examination of the constitution of the Council that may take place. I have nothing at present to add to this statement. The powers vested in the new Government of Bengal are equal to those exercised by the Governments of Madras and Bombay, with the single exception which I explained on the 11th June in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for East Nottingham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that Canadian statesmen intend to make preferential trade agreements with the other parts of the British Empire, as has already been done with the West Indies, he can say whether all these trade advantages will also be given to the United Kingdom?

I have no reason to suppose that the present Canadian Government have any desire to reverse the policy of the preferential tariff accorded to the United Kingdom by their existing Customs legislation.

Are we to understand that the United Kingdom is to have all the great advantages of this preference and to give nothing in exchange? Are we also to understand that Imperial preference is still the greatest impostor of modern times?

If the hon. Gentleman will put his question on the Paper no doubt my right hon. Friend will answer them.

asked the hon. Membed for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the firm of Leslie, of Kensington, contractors for work at the Houses of Parliament, employ labourers to do painting work; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to secure due observance of the Fair-Wages Clause?

The Board's officers having found several cases where Messrs. Leslie and Company had employed labourers on work which should have been executed by painters called upon them for an explanation. Their explanation was not considered satisfactory, and they have been ordered to give explicit instructions to their foremen to see that no further cause of complaint on this score arises.

asked what steps are taken by the Office of Works to secure that all work done by contractors, especially work that cannot be easily examined when a job is completed, has been properly and efficiently executed according to the contract?

Clerks of Works are appointed to see that all work is properly and efficiently executed, while in addition, a building inspector pays surprise visits while the work is in progress. The architects in charge exercise general supervision over all building works. The Board's contracts provide that builders shall give notice to the architect or Clerk of Works when it is their intention to cover up any portion of the work, and if any work is so covered or hidden without written authority the builders may be required to uncover the same at their own expense.

asked the estimated value of work now being carried out by the Office of Works?

It is not quite clear what the hon. Member means by the term "work." The services performed by the Office of Works are of a most comprehensive and varied character, and the expenditure on them has lately been about 2½ millions annually.

asked whether the designs of architects other than the official architects are invited when public buildings are contemplated; and the name of the architect responsible for the new Stationery Office in Waterloo Road and Stamford Street?

I have to invite the attention of the hon. Member to the answer given in this House on 31st May, 1911, to the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark. The new Stationery Office is being erected from designs prepared in the Office of Works.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury who is responsible for adjudicating on claims made by men in Territorial regiments that they would be unemployed, within the meaning of the National Insurance Act, during the August Bank Holiday week, and thus exempted from deductions from pay whilst serving during that week with the Terri- torials; and whether the Insurance Commissioners can undertake the adjudication of such claims and provide the necessary clerical assistance to the commanding officers of such regiments?

If the hon. Member refers to contributions under Part I. of the Act, no adjudication is necessary. A declaration by the man on the prescribed form, which has been already issued by the Commisioners, is taken as conclusive.

asked whether, in reckoning the wages of agricultural labourers for the purpose of fixing the proportions of the contributions under the National Insurance Act, harvest money is to be taken into account as wages in the weeks during which it is earned or whether the total of the harvest money is to be divided by the working days of the year and a proportionate part added to the day's wages; and, if the latter, how is the amount of harvest money to be estimated in advance and how many working days constitute a year?

Harvest money must be reckoned as a part of wages for the weeks in respect of which it is earned.

asked whether members of friendly societies in respect of whom no reserves will be released are to be entitled to share in the reserves which will be released in respect of other members; and whether the Registrar of Friendly Societies is at liberty to approve schemes under Section 72 of the National Insurance Act on that basis?

If a society by its scheme under Section 72 of the National Insurance Act elects to apply the funds set free in accordance with Sub-section (1) ( a ) and ( b ) of the Section they will be applied for the benefit, in the manner mentioned therein, of members of the society who were members on 16th December, 1911, whether insured persons or not; if it elects to apply them under Sub-section (1) ( c ) they will be applied for the benefit, as therein mentioned, of members who were members on 16th December, 1911, and who take their State benefits through the society. In confirming schemes the Registrar of Friendly Societies will have due regard to the above provisions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether reserves arising from one class may be applied to the benefit of all classes, whether reserves arise from the second class or not?

I am afraid I do not, follow the question.

The right hon. Gentleman did not answer the question on the Paper.

I thought I had answered the question on the Paper, but I am not clear about the supplementary question. As to the question as to what reserves shall be given after a contract has been fulfilled, in the first instance it is given to persons who are members of a society on 16th December, 1911. The scheme has afterwards to be confirmed by the Registrar.

asked the estimated total amount of the reserve values provided for in the table prepared by the National Health Insurance Joint Committee, dated 19th June, 1912; and what is the estimated number of persons in respect of whom such reserve values are to be provided?

For the reasons stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Salisbury on 10th June, no new estimate has been made subsequent to that of Messrs. Hardy and Wyatt's report, either of the total amount of reserve values or of the number of persons in respect of whom reserve values are to be provided. The chief actuary does not anticipate any substantial difference, and when the reserve values are credited accurate information will be available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether these reserve values referred to in the Memorandum of 19th June are separate and different from those included in Messrs. Hardy and Wyatt's report?

There has been a further calculation on further materials. I thought I had already stated that. But substantially the results come out the same.

Are these additional and different persons?

I am afraid I do not understand the question.

Are these additional and different persons from those included in Messrs. Hardy and Wyatt's report?

I do not think so. One calculation was made on a certain date by Messrs. Hardy and Wyatt. It has been subsequently checked and substantially comes out the same.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, if an employed person obtains a certificate under Section 2 (1) of the National Insurance Act exempting him from liability to become or to continue to be insured under Part I. of the Act, on the ground that he is in receipt of a pension or income of the annual value of £26 or upwards not dependent upon his personal exertions, his employer is also exempted from liability to make contributions in respect of him?

Under Section 4 (4) the same contributions are payable in respect of a person who holds a certificate of exemption as would have been payable as employer's contributions if such person had been an employed contributor.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what steps he proposes to take in the event of the In surance Commissioners failing to make any agreement with the doctors, and consequently determining to pay each in sured person a fixed sum per annum, say 6s., in lieu of free medical attendance, to secure to the insured contributor efficient medical attendance during sickness after the year's grant of 6s. has been expended on doctor's visits and in payment for drugs?

Refusal of the medical profession to make a collective agreement with the Insurance Commissioners would not necessarily entail the consequence specified in the question. Other courses are possible under the Act. In any event, the sum of 6s. per head per annum would enable the insured persons to remunerate the doctors who attend them at a considerably higher rate for the same services than they have given them in the past. But it would be premature at this moment to discuss various possible alternative schemes to the panel system which is contemplated in the Act.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that a Grant of 6s. for an insured person is the equivalent of free medical attendance and medicine?

The poor insured person in all the great friendly societies has obtained free medical attendance and medicine for an average of something like 4s. per head.

Is it proposed, in the event of failure to agree with the doctors, to give each insured person a sum of 6s. whether or not he requires medical attendance in the course of the year?

I would not commit myself to the sum of 6s. There are other alternatives. There is a possibility, if medical benefits are suspended, that a certain sum will be given to every person whether he requires medical attendance or not.

How many medical visits is an insured person expected to receive for 6s.?

That does not arise out of the question.

Did not the Chancellor of the Exchequer clearly assert from his place in the House that without the co-operation of the medical profession this Act would be ineffective; and, if that is so, will the Government consider the advisability of postponing the collection of contributions until they have secured that cooperation?

I do not remember my right hon. Friend using those words. Of course, we are making every effort to obtain the co-operation of the medical profession on terms compatible with the amount of money which we can ask the House to vote for such a purpose.

Will 6s. be given back to the insured person, or will it be put to his credit?

Either of those courses is possible. In the last resort, if no other course is possible, 6s., or some sum to which I do not commit myself, will be given to every insured person, which is 9d. for every 4d. he has paid in for medical benefit.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how the giving of 6s. to every insured person will benefit a sick person who requires medical attendance over a protracted period?

I do not want to have to state things over and over again. Up to now the bulk of the working classes of this country have been able to obtain medical attendance and medicine for 4s. a year. Now we are giving them at least 6s. a head.

Further questions must be put down.

asked whether, under the terms of the National Insurance Act, qualified teachers in Poor Law schools who have accepted the Poor Law Officers Superannuation Act, 1896, will be held to be exempt from the provisions of the National Insurance Act?

The teachers in question will be excepted if the Commissioners certify that the terms of the Poor Law Officers Superannuation Act, 1896, are such as to secure provision in respect of sickness and disablement, on the whole, not less favourable than the corresponding benefits conferred by Part I. of the Act.

When will the Insurance Commissioners give their decision?

As soon as any application comes before them.

Will the decision be given before 15th July?

I cannot say whether an application has been received. Directly an application is received it will be dealt with.

asked whether in view of the fact that on most agricultural estates saw-milling is an occupation carried on only occasionally by estate workmen and mainly for the purpose tot of building construction but for providing material for gates and fencing, and that, moreover, the saw-mill engine is also used in many cases to work an oat-crusher, root-pulper, flour-mill, cream-separator, and for other like purposes, it will be necessary for the men so employed to be insured against unemployment under Part II. of the National Insurance Act?

I would draw the attention of the hon. Member to a decision of the Umpire, No. 316, published in the Board of Trade Journal issued to-day, to the effect that contributions are not payable in respect of workmen engaged in saw-milling for the purpose of making estate fencing. I am causing a copy of this decision to be sent to him.

Are these decisions given without hearing the parties, or after hearing them?

They are given after very full investigation.?

After hearing the parties interested?

If the hon. and learned Gentleman will put down a question, I will answer as to procedure.

Will they include estate carpenters where only one is employed?

It is not for me to anticipate any decision of the Umpire. As regards estate carpenters, I think it would include cases where one is employed.

Will the hon. Gentleman take some steps to have these decisions of the Umpire made public in some way?

They are published in the Board of Trade Journal and in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette."

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Insurance Commissioners have issued certificates of exemption from the National Insurance Act to the attendants of Lancashire county asylums; whether he is aware that attendants to Lancashire county asylums always receive full wages during sickness; and whether it would be possible for any attendant in a Lancashire county asylum to apply individually to the Insurance Commissioners for a certificate of exemption under the Act?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is open to any person to apply individually for a certificate of exemption under Section 2 of the Act, but if the Noble Lord's question is intended to refer to exception under paragraph ( b ) of the second part of the First Schedule, I may point out that a certificate of exception under that paragraph must apply to all employés as a class, and not to any particular individual. The legal powers of the Commissioners to certify under that paragraph are not dependent upon application by any particular person.

asked whether the statement in the N.H. leaflet of the Insurance Commissioners dated June, 1912, to the effect that every person in the service of an employer must get a contribution card before 15th July, either from an approved society or from any post office, is strictly correct, in view of the information being given by post office officials to domestic servants that no such cards can be issued until application has been made upon Form No. 14 A.G.D. by an employer of domestic servants for the supply of contribution cards for the purpose of the health insurance of her employé; whether such cards should, in fact, be obtained by the employer or her servants; and under what Section of the National Insurance Act is it rendered obligatory upon employers to make the declaration contained in the above form?

Domestic servants who are not yet members of approved societies can, and should, obtain cards for themselves from the post office, on signing the ordinary form of application for an employed contributor's card. The statement that no cards can be issued to domestic servants until applications can be made by their employers is quite erroneous; and if such statements are being made as the hon. Gentleman suggests, I will immediately see that steps are taken to put the matter right. Employers of domestic servants are, as a matter of convenience to themselves, allowed to obtain similar cards for such servants, on signing a form stating the number of such servants for whom they are required; but such an arrangement in no way precludes the servants from getting their own cards.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent these erroneous statements being made at post offices.

Certainly. I have consulted the Postmaster-General on the strength of the question and I am taking care that another circular is sent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for immediate publication of the decisions of the Umpire whether all or any of the following classes of workmen are included in compulsory insurance under Part II. of the National Insurance Act, namely: bricklayers and carpenters employed in house building or in the repair of buildings; bricklayers and carpenters employed in connection with colliery workings; wagon builders and wheelwrights; and men employed in the repair of pit tubs and trams in collieries; and what steps should be taken by employers of such men if decisions are not made known by the 15th July?

The decisions of the Umpire are published weekly in the Board of Trade Journal and monthly in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette." From time to time copies of important decisions arc issued and sent to the persons affected. I propose to lay on the Table of the House a Return giving a classified list of decisions by the Umpire, and also to take steps to have this list widely circulated. As regards the classes of workpeople referred to by the hon. Member, bricklayers and carpenters employed in house buildings or repairs are clearly included under paragraph 1 of the Sixth Schedule to the National Insurance Act (construction, alteration, repair, decoration or demolition of buildings). The Umpire has decided that contributions are payable in respect of bricklayers, carpenters, and others engaged in connection with businesses other than those included among the trades specified in the Sixth Schedule to the Act. The Umpire has also decided that contributions are payable in respect of wheelwrights engaged wholly or mainly in repairing carts and wagons, and I may add that wagon-building is included under "construction of vehicles" in paragraph 6 of the Sixth Schedule to the Act. The Umpire has not yet decided the question as to the inclusion of men employed in repairing pit tubs and trams in collieries. Every effort will be made by the Umpire to announce his decisions before the 15th July.

What steps ought to be taken by an employer if the decision is not given before 15th July

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice.

May I call the hon. Gentleman's attention to the last two lines of my question?

We do not contemplate that the decisions will not be given. That is an emergency which is not likely to arise. I cannot give an answer as to what would happen if the decisions were really not given.

Has the case of the mason's labourer been decided?

The decisions are so numerous that I could not answer without notice.

Does the hon. Gentleman think all these numerous decisions can be given before 15th July?

I think so. The Umpires have been very hard at work for some time.

What would be the position of a man who is a bricklayer one day and another a gardener?

It is not for me to anticipate the Umpire's decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state upon what principle the Umpire has decided, under Part II. of the National Insurance Act, that workmen described as enginemen in charge of stationary engines employed in a mechanical engineering works are to be insured, while workmen employed by a firm of millers or by a district council engaged in the work of steam, gas, or oil-engine drivers are not to be insured under Part II.; and whether he will see that the nature of the employment of the workman rather than the business of the employer should be the test of inclusion?

I would remind the hon. Member that the Umpire is a judicial officer, appointed by the Crown, and independent of the Board of Trade. It would not therefore be competent for me to discuss the principles upon which his decisions have been based. I may, however, point out that under the statutory Regula- tions it is open to any person who considers that he can show sufficient cause to make an application to the Umpire at any time for the revision of any decision previously given by him.

May I ask whether this judicial officer hears parties before giving a decision?

I must ask for notice of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that the local inquiries held by order of the Scottish Education Department into such subjects as the amalgamations of school districts are held in public and that the representative of the Department sits in a judicial capacity, he will in future direct that the Reports of the representative shall no longer be deemed confidential, and that copies of the Reports be sent to all the school boards concerned?

I am not prepared to vary the existing practice. The Commissioner sits in an advisory and not in a judicial capacity. The inquiry is open to the boards concerned, who have therefore every opportunity of dealing with the case submitted.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Regulations imposed by Section 25, Sub-sections (3), (4), and (5), of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1908, cause inconvenience to owners of traction engines; and whether, in view of the fact that no such restrictions and penalties are imposed by the Locomotives on Highways Act, 1896, on owners of motor cars, he can see his way to introduce legislation to secure that owners of mechanically-pro-pelled vehicles of every description may be treated in a similar manner?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In answer to the second part, I would remind my hon. Friend that the Motor Cars (Use and Construction) (Scotland) Order, 1904, made by the Secretary for Scotland under the powers conferred upon him by the Act of 1896 and the Motor Car Act, 1903, imposes restrictions in regard to the carrying of lights by motor cars. I am not satisfied that legislation in the direction suggested is desirable.

What is the reason for this difference between motor cars and traction engines?

I think traction engines and motor cars on the road are in entirely different positions. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman has frequently passed traction engines in motor cars he will know that this precaution is not unnecessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish any further particulars relative to the case of the steamer "Ranzani," which it is alleged is trading abroad under the British flag though of Greek ownership?

I am not yet in a position to give any further information respecting the case of the s.s. "Ranzani," but I have asked the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs and Excise to cause inquiries to be made as to whether there has been any change in the ownership of the vessel since the investigation held some months ago into her title to be registered as a British ship, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to give him any definite particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the British steamer "Florence" recently discharged her crew at Smyrna, and there upon shipped a full Greek crew; whether this was done with the approval of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade; and whether the "Florence" is still sailing under the British flag?

I understand, after inquiry, that it was intended to discharge the crew of the vessel referred to by the hon. Member at Smyrna and to ship a foreign crew for the purpose of plying between Smyrna and Zoungouldak in the Black Sea. It is not necessary for the approval of the Board of Trade to be given for the engagement of a crew at a foreign port. The vessel is registered as a British ship, and I understand that she is sailing under the British flag, but I am making further inquiries on this point.

Am I to understand that it is perfectly in accordance with the Regulations of the Board of Trade that a ship can fly the British flag which has no British subjects of any sort or kind upon her, officer or man?

It is not necessary for the approval of the Board of Trade to be given for the engagement of a crew at a foreign port.

asked whether the French Government was informed of His Majesty's Government's intention of introducing legislation, such as is embodied in Clause 19 of the Pilotage Bill, without previous consultation with the Admiralty on that specific point?

asked whether the Admiralty were consulted by the Board of Trade on the advisability or otherwise of granting pilots' certificates to foreign masters and mates prior to the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, which took away the power of granting; such certificates; and what circumstances have arisen since 1906 which cause the Admiralty to acquiesce in Clause 19 of the Pilotage Bill of this year, which restores the power of granting such certificates?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has asked me to answer this question, and, if I may, I will at the same time answer that of my hon. Friend the Member for Limerick, which deals with a similar subject. The Admiralty have been consulted by the Board of Trade on various occasions in the past, with regard to the granting of pilots' certificates to foreign masters and mates. I do not find that they were specifically consulted on the wording of Clause 19 of the Pilotage Bill before the recent discussion with the French Government, but I understand that these discussions were mainly based on the recommendations; contained in the published Report of the Departmental Committee on Pilotage. The Admiralty and the Board of Trade have lately been in consultation with regard to the possible bearing of Clause 19 in its present form on the interests of public safety, with the result that some Amendments have been agreed upon, and will be proposed in Committee, which in the judgment of both Departments will satisfactorily safeguard these interests. I ought to add that it is my view that the Clause as it stands in the Bill is of a much more limited scope than is implied in the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Limerick.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the expression of regret contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Sight Tests that the Imperial Merchant Service Guild did not see their way clear to assist the Committee by nominating a representative to appear before them; why, in view of the representative capacity of the Imperial Merchant Service Guild as regards certificated captains and officers of the mercantile marine, they were denied representatives on the Committee; and whether he can state exactly the reasons why this body declined to give evidence before the Departmental Committee referred to?

The Board of Trade, when constituting the Committee in question, came to the conclusion that it was undesirable that the Committee should consist of representatives from particular interests, but one of the members of the Committee was one of the Elder Brethren of Trinity House, who had been an officer in the mercantile marine. I understand that the reason given by the Imperial Merchant Service Guild for their refusal to give evidence was their dissatisfaction with the composition of the Committee, but the reason appears to my right hon. Friend to be altogether inadequate

Am I to understand that the hon. Gentleman considers that Fellows of the Royal Society are much more competent in every case to give valuable opinions on a Committee of this kind than officers of the merchant service?

I do not think that arises out of my answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (68) whether his attention has been drawn to that part of the judgment given in connection with the loss of the steamship "Oceana" where reference is made to the fact that, prior to the commencement of her voyage, neither of the two Board of Trade surveyors who inspected the boats were acquainted by profession with the practical handling of boats, the Court not considering this inspection adequate; and whether, in the future, the Board of Trade intend to ensure the thorough official inspection of all such matters necessitating practical seafaring experience by surveyors possessed of such ex- perience; (69) whether his attention has been drawn to that part of the judgment in the case of the steamship "Oceana" inquiry where the Court felt strongly that all lifeboats on merchant ships, and not merely four of them, should have all the outfit set out in Rules 5 and 6 of the life-saving appliances rules, the Court trusting that when the rules are under revision this matter would be dealt with; and whether these rules are now under revision for the purpose of ensuring that all lifeboats on merchant ships shall in future be adequately fitted with all the necessary appliances before going to see?

I have seen newspaper reports of the judgment given in this case, but the official Report of the Court has not yet been received by the Board of Trade. As soon as I am in possession of the Report I shall give it very careful consideration. The whole question of the revision of the rules with regard to the life-saving appliances to be carried on board ship and to the inspection of such appliances is, as the hon. Member knows, under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if an estimate has been brought to his notice from which it would appear that, taking the life of a railway goods wagon as being on the average seventeen years, it is mobile six months and stationary 16½ years; and, if not, or if he disagrees with the estimate referred to, whether, before he recommends Parliament to give any further concessions to railway companies in regard to their statutory obligations or their charges for carrying goods or passengers, he will ascertain for how long a railway goods wagon is, in fact, mobile on the track, laden or unladen, as compared with the length of time it cumbers a plot of valuable land doing nothing?

I have seen the estimate referred to, but I do not see that it has any particular bearing on the proposals of the Railways Bill now before this House, to which I assume my hon. Friend alludes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on 22nd June a card bearing the number K.L.E. 16, was handed to Mr. A. Wallis, of 13, Meadow Row, New Kent Road, S.E., which was issued from 53 and 54, London Road, S.E., advising him to call at 11, Commercial Road, Stepney, on Monday, 24th June, and that Mr. Wallis attended on the day mentioned at seven o'clock in accordance with the instructions given on the card, and he was sent to Aberdeen Wharf, which is a wharf affected by the strike of transport workers in London; and if he intends taking action in the matter?

I have inquired into this matter, and find that in connection with vacancies at the Aberdeen Wharf, notified to the Stepney Exchange on 22nd June, a notice was sent to Mr. Wallis and certain other applicants for employment by the Elephant Exchange, asking them to call at Stepney on the following morning. All men applying in connection with these vacancies were duly informed that the vacancies were no doubt caused by the strike in the Port of London. The official records show that Mr. Wallis was not sent on by the Stepney Exchange to apply for employment at the wharf, and it is thought that he was probably among those applicants who declined to have their names submitted on learning that the vacancies were affected by a trade dispute. The action of the Labour Exchange officers appears to have been in accordance with the Regulations, and there seems to be no ground for taking further action in the matter.

asked what was the average price of wheat in London, Paris, and Berlin during the first six months of this year?

The average "Gazette" price of British wheat in London during the first six months of 1912 was 36s. 5d. per imperial quarter, and the average declared value of wheat imported into London during the same period was 35s. 11d. In Paris and Berlin the average official prices of wheat per imperial quarter—quoted irrespective of origin—were 51s. 2d. and 47s. 4d. respectively.

Could the hon. Gentleman give the prices of the different brands?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question I will make inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state by how many shillings per quarter the average price of wheat varied in Great Britain between the years 1900 and 1911; and what was the variation in the actual price of the four-pound loaf during that period?

The "Gazette" price of British wheat per quarter varied from 26s. 9d. in 1901 and 1903 to 36s. l1d. in 1909, a rise of 10s. 2d.; the average declared value of imported wheat per quarter varied from 28s. 5d. in 1901 to 39s. 8d. in 1909, a rise of 11s. 3d. The mean retail price of household bread per 4 lbs. varied in London from 5d. in 1901 to 6.1d. in 1909, a rise of 1.1d., which compares with an extreme variation of 1.25d. in Edinburgh and 1.0d. in Dublin during the twelve years referred to. I am printing with the Votes a Table showing the figures for each of the years 1900 to 1911.. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it takes a five shillings a quarter rise to make any difference in the price of bread?

I cannot make the calculation on the spur of the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the export and import trade from and to the Port of London in April and May of this year, and the corresponding figures for the same months in 1911?

The total value of the imports into the Port of London (excluding Queenborough) during the two months, April to May, was £36,327,000 in 1911, and £37,424,000 in 1912. The total value of the exports in the same two months, including re-exports, was £22,881,000 in 1911, and £22,898,000 in 1912. I should explain that the records of trade in each month are based on the documents received in that month, and that these documents are often lodged several days after the transactions to which they relate. Details for each month will be printed in the Votes. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, a municipal corporation under the Municipal Corporation Act of 1882, has refused to summon a town's meeting on the requisition of a large number of ratepayers, contrary to the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1875; and whether he proposes to take any steps to put in force the powers conferred upon him by Clause 2, Schedule III, of the Public Health Act, 1875?

I understand that the hon. Member refers to a refusal to hold a town's meeting in connection with the Bill promoted by the Midland Railway for the purchase of the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway. I have no power to take any steps in relation to this matter under the enactment referred to in the hon. Member's question or under any other enactment.

Is it not a fact that under Schedule III. of the Public Health Act, 1875, the right hon. Gentleman has power to take action when the mayor or the local authority fail—

The hon. Gentleman must give notice of that question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether on the 18th May last he received a letter signed by the vaccination officers for Hove, Preston, and Shoreham, pointing out that the loss of income up to the 31st December last sustained by the officer for Hove was £38 6s. 8d., Preston £37 13s. 3d., Shoreham £43 6s., and asking for the authority of the Board for the guardians to pay these amounts; whether on the 17th June last the Local Government Board informed these officers that they had considered the representation made by them, but that they were not prepared to intervene in the matter at the present time; if so, what are the reasons for this decision of the Local Government Board; and whether these three cases were included in the sixty-one cases brought to his notice and three of the ten cases that were to receive the same consideration as the forty-one?

The facts are as stated in the question. I gave the reasons for the Board's decision in my answer to the hon. Member's question of 4th December, 1911, on this subject, to which I would refer him. These cases were included in the sixty-one cases brought to my notice, but not among the ten cases stated to be under my further consideration.

asked whether the hon. secretary of the National Vaccination Officers' Association has been informed that if a vaccination officer who was appointed before the Act of 1907 was passed finds that his fees from vaccination from 1908 onwards show a decrease on the average of the fees received by him during the years. 1903 to 1907, attributable to the passing of that Act, he should apply to his guardians for compensation, which might properly take the form of a gratuity in respect of his past losses and an increase in the bases of his remuneration with regard to the future, and that, should his guardians decline to award him compensation, he may appeal to the Local Government Board, who will be willing, if they consider that his case is one of hardship, to approach the guardians with a view to their granting him compensation; if so, how much income does an officer have to lose for the Local Government Board to consider his case to be one of hardship; and what was the loss sustained by the eight of the sixty-one officers who have made complaint, but in the opinion of the Board no compensation was needed?

The first part of the question sets out correctly the lines on which the Board consider that cases of diminution of fees by vaccination officers in consequence of the passing of the Act of 1907 should be dealt with. In determining whether a case is one of hardship the Board consider all the circumstances, as well as the actual fall in income. The approximate loss sustained by the eight officers referred to during the four years 1908 to 1911 seems to have varied from about £5 to £35.