asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in the South Wales coalfield, a number of small societies exist which are endeavouring to become approved for the purposes of the National Insurance Act, 1911; whether he is aware, in view of the requirements of Section 72 of the Act, that small societies consisting of from 400 members to 3,500 members in a number of instances have not the age of a single member; that the members live over a scattered area, and that to obtain the age of each member for purposes of valuation would involve a great cost even if such information were forthcoming; Whether he is aware that the fees of an actuary for preparing such valuation would be a minimum of 60 guineas, and that several societies are considering whether it is worth their while to continue their operations, having regard to the amount of the fee and to the trouble which the valuation involves; whether he has any suggestions to-make with a view of dispensing with a valuation or of enabling the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies to accept such evidence as the societies in the conditions mentioned are able to offer; and whether he is aware that the funds which constitute the assets of the small societies are accumulated by weekly contributions of 3d.?

A general practice is being adopted in Wales whereby county associations are being formed for the purposes of the Insurance Act, which are to be governed by delegates appointed by the registered friendly societies in the county. The greater number of such friendly societies propose to take part in such association, and will therefore not require to apply for approval. In the case of West Glamorgan, the district in which the larger part of the societies referred to in the question are situate, the rules of such an association have already been lodged for registration with the Chief Registrar, and he understands that the rules of a similar association for Monmouthshire, covering the remainder of the district, will follow very shortly. For the purpose of a scheme for the alteration of contributions and benefits, the Registrar is satisfied with the evidence of the last valuation, if duly lodged under the Friendly Societies Act, or will accept other sufficient evidence that the solvency of the society is not prejudicially affected. For the purpose of a scheme for the application of funds set free, a valuation is obviously necessary, but such a scheme only becomes necessary when there are any funds which are set free. The rate of contribution in such societies as those referred to in the question varies considerably.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that lodging-house keepers in Glasgow have, in vain, endeavoured to obtain a regular supply of labour for the daily work of cleaning, bed-making, etc., and that the labour which is obtained is of the most casual and irregular nature; whether he is aware that, although lodging-house keepers desire in their own interests, and try so far as possible, to give regular employment, they have often to employ a different person on each day of the week; whether he has considered that, if they are compelled to pay 3d. a day for the insurance of each of these workers, their contribution to the Insurance Fund will be at the rate of Is. 9d. per week per person; whether the Insurance Commissioners have considered this difficulty; and whether he can undertake that the Insurance Commissioners will devise means to secure a more equitable arrangement for carrying out the purposes of the National Insurance Act?

The Insurance Commissioners have issued suggestions for dealing with casual labour in a variety of circumstances. In the circumstances described in the question, even if different workers were employed each day, it may be presumed that a considerable proportion would already have worked for and had their insurance contributions paid by other employers.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether a county society formed under Section 80 (10) of the National Insurance Act in Scotland will be able to reject applicants for membership under Section 30 (2) of the Act on grounds other than age?

Section 30 (2) of the Act applies to county societies formed under Section 80 (10) of the Act as to other approved societies, and such societies will be able to impose such tests of admission to membership as they may desire, subject only to the requirement that no application shall be refused solely on the ground of age.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Special Committee appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer has decided on the question of allowances to the late assistants of Customs who are still acting as second officers without the allowance of £10 per annum guaranteed to them on appointment as second officers of Customs, and, if not, when may the Report of this Committee be expected; whether, seeing that the second officers of Customs were appointed in consequence of an order inviting applications for a privileged position, and for which position seventy applicants applied but only seven appointments were made, he will say whether the seven men who were appointed will receive the money due to them on the terms of the order under which they were appointed; and whether, in view of the time which has elapsed since the appointment of the Treasury Committee of inquiry into the waterguard and watcher branches of the Customs and Excise service, he will give the cause of the delay in the issue of that Committee's Report and state when this Report is likely to be published?

The question as to the method of treating these allowances has been decided, as explained in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 20th May last. It will not be reopened by the Departmental Committee on allowances. The Report of the Waterguard Committee was laid on the Table of this House on the 3rd inst.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed at a meeting of the Corporation of Dublin on Monday, the 1st inst., to the effect that, as the citizens of Dublin have enjoyed access to the banks of the River Liffey at the part now occupied by the Longmeadow estate for hundreds of years, and as obstructions have lately been erected which prevent their easy access to the Liffey through the riverside and Chapelizod ends of this estate, the corporation requested the Board of Works to facilitate the citizens in enjoying their right of way along the banks of the river by the erection of stiles at the ends of the estate or otherwise; and whether, if the facts are as stated, he will, if necessary, direct the Board of Works in Dublin to comply with the request of the corporation?

A copy of the resolution referred to has been received by the Board of Works. This property in question was acquired by the Crown in 1908, and the obstructions mentioned have been erected to prevent trespass across the lands for the purpose of fishing in the Liffey. The trespass causes damage to the lands, which the Board are under an obligation to prevent. The Board are advised that no right of fishing can be acquired by prescription by the public in respect of inland waters. No right of way exists at the place in question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the schemes which have been initiated in connection with recent colliery developments in Monmouthshire for the improvement of the housing conditions of miners; whether application has been made to the Public Works Loan Commissioners for loans, under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, to facilitate the execution of such schemes; whether he can state the terms under which such loans have been granted in districts other than colliery districts; and what are the grounds of inexpediency which have induced the Commissioners to refuse consideration to applications for loans for carrying out building schemes in the Monmouthshire colliery district?

I am informed that an application was made to the Public Works Loan Commissioners in February, 1911, for a loan for the erection of workmen's dwellings in Monmouthshire, and that the loan was refused, the Public Works Loan Commissioners not being satisfied with the security offered. At the same time, those Commissioners considered that it was not a case which would justify a loan of public money. As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to a question from the hon. Baronet the Member for the Mansfield Division on the 20th ultimo, the general question involved is receiving the special attention of the Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons who applied for loans, in the last five years, under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890; how many loans were granted; and what was the total amount advanced in England and Wales?

I am informed that the number of applications from private individuals, companies, and societies (not including local authorities) in England and Wales was 180 during the last five years. The number of loans granted during that period was 81; 40 of the applications were refused on the ground that they were made in respect of houses that had already been erected, 25 are still Under consideration, and the balance have not been proceeded with. The total amount advanced in England and Wales during the period was£696,018.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether provident societies registered under the Housing Acts, 1890–3, whose members are miners, are debarred by rules laid down by the Public Works Loan Commissioners from participating in the benefits of public money by way of loan for the execution of building schemes?

I am informed that societies whose members are miners are not debarred by any rule specially laid down in their case by the Public Works Loan Commissioners from obtaining loans from them under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any right of appeal against assessments made in respect of Income and Super-tax; if so, will he state the names and qualifications of those appointed to hear such appeals; whether these officials have any other duties; and, if so, what?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, Income Tax appeals are heard by General Commissioners of Taxes, who are appointed as prescribed in Sections 4–17 of the Act 5 and 6 Vict., c. 35, and number several thousands. Certain Income Tax appeals and all Super-tax appeals are heard by the Special Commissioners of Income Tax, who are appointed under Section 23 of the same Act, and number twelve (including ex officio the four Commissioners of Inland Revenue and the solicitor of Inland Revenue at Dublin). The General and Special Commissioners have various duties to perform (other than hearing appeals) in connection with the assessment and collection of taxes under the provisions of the Income Tax and other Acts. I should add that appeals to the Special Commissioners are heard by other Commissioners than those who made the assessments against which taxpayers have appealed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the payments made in respect of the financial year ended the 31st March, 1912, to the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account and of other Exchequer Grants which form the constituent parts of the Guarantee Fund under the 54 and 55 Vic, c. 48, sec. 5, and 61 and 62 Vic, c. 37 and 58, as amended by the Irish Land Acts, 1903 and 1909?

The payments in respect of the cash portion of the Guarantee Fund during the year ended 31st March, 1912, were as follows:—

The amounts shown in column (4), namely, £1,044,670 9s. 10d., together with a sum of £4,171 5s. 7d., representing the excess of the balance at the beginning of the year over the balance at the end of the year, making a total of £1,048,841 15s. 5d., were transferred to the Local Taxation Account within the year 1911–12.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Imperial and Local Taxation Committee have

completed the hearing of Irish evidence; and will he say when such evidence will be published and reported upon?

The Committee have not yet taken any oral evidence relating to Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary if, having regard to the provisions of Clause 2, Sub-section (7) of the Government of Ireland Bill, it will still be within the province of the Irish Parliament to alter the Rules and Regulations then existing of the Board of Trade, or the Home Office as regards vessels registered at ports in Ireland; and, if so, will the Government make provision in the Bill securing the same facilities as at present for the transfer of such vessels for registry at ports in England or Scotland, so as to enable Irish-owned ships to continue trading under the same conditions as those registered at English or Scotch ports?

The matters referred to by the hon. Member will not be within the-province of the Irish Parliament.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the engineer from the Board of Works has made his inspection of the slip at Reenard, near Cahirciveen; and can he state when the work of improvement will be taken in hand?

I understand that the inspection which the Board of Works engineer recently made of the slip at Reenard was not for the purpose of any scheme of extension, but for the purpose of the ordinary maintenance of the existing work.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have had a claim submitted to them from Mrs. Mary Kiely, Millstreet, County Cork, for reinstatement in a holding on the estate of Richard Neville, formerly occupied by her father, and from which he was evicted for non-payment of rent; whether they first refused this claim on the grounds that the eviction did not take place within twenty-five years prior to the passing of the Land Act of 1903; did Mrs. Kiely then show that her father's eviction took place in 1882 and that the Act of 1903 therefore applied; and, in the circumstances, will the Commissioners now recognise the claim of Mrs. Kiely to be reinstated?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Mary Kiely for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by her father on the Neville estate, and, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action in the matter, and they see no reason to alter their decision.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will have inquiry again made into the claim of Michael Keating, Emlaghmore, near Cahirciveen, for reinstatement in the holding from which he was evicted?

The Estates Commissioners have decided, after inquiry, not to take any action in this case, and are not prepared to reopen the matter.

asked the grounds upon which the pension officer has refused to sanction the pension unanimously granted to John M'Fadden, Sea-bank, Castlebellingham, county Louth, by the local pension committee, although M'Fadden is in a position to prove that his income does not amount to £31 10s. a year; and if the Local Government Board will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances of this case?

John M'Fadden resides with his daughter at Castlebellingham, on a fairly well-tilled and well-stocked farm of five Irish acres, which he purchased three years ago for £185. In 1911 he assigned a farm of 19 Irish acres to his son, the in- come from which is estimated to be in excess of £31 10s. per annum. He made two claims for a pension, the first of which was disallowed by the Local Government Board under Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, on 18th January last, as a case of deprivation of property for the purpose of obtaining a pension. His second claim was disallowed on 28th ultimo by the Board, as no evidence was brought forward to show any change of circumstances. The Board have no power to reopen consideration of the case.

asked on what grounds Bridget Forde, of Tewnahoosey, Dromahair, county Leitrim, was deprived of her old age pension, notwithstanding that she produced certificates from several persons proving that she was over the statutory age?

This woman's pension was disallowed on a question raised early last year, and the certificates referred to were not sufficient to establish that she had reached the statutory age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that James Fowley, of Doonkelly, Fivemile-bourne, Sligo, was deprived of his pension; and whether, having regard to the fact that Fowley supplied documentary evidence from reliable sources that he was over seventy years of age, and had been in the employment of the Government for over twenty-one years, the Local Government Board will reconsider his claim to the pension and arrears?

This man made a claim in 1910, which was disallowed as his age was not proved. He has recently made another claim, which is at present under consideration.

asked on what grounds a pension was refused by the Local Government Board to Michael M'Cormack, of Garrison, Pallasgrean, county Limerick: what is the extent of his holding; what living is or has he been keeping in the place; and, in view of the statement which may have been made regarding the handing over the place to his son, will the latter's age be inquired into to see if he is well beyond the limit of age in which parents have from time immemorial been accustomed to surrender their holdings for marriage purposes?

This man's pension was refused by the Local Government Board on the ground that they were not satisfied that his yearly means are less than £31 10s. A previous claim having been disallowed on similar grounds, he assigned his farm to his son in March last, which contains eleven acres of good land, supporting eight cows as well as other stock. As regards the inquiry in the last paragraph of the question, all the steps necessary were taken before the Board's decision was arrived at.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that so far back as 1908 negotiations were concluded between Mr. Hynes and his tenants at Creagh, Ballinasloe, county Roscommon, for the sale of his estate, including untenanted grass lands, through the Estates Commissioners, and that now the carriage of the sale has been transferred to the Congested Districts Board; whether he is aware that the tenants object to this transfer for the reason that they believe it will mean more delay, and that neither they nor the landlord were consulted on the matter; whether he will state if such transfer has actually taken place; and, if so, whether the Congested Districts Board will meet the wishes of the tenants by a re-transfer to the Estates Commissioners?

In the case of this estate, thirty-three out of the sixty-nine holdings being congested, the Estates Commissioners were not prepared to sanction a direct sale, but were willing to purchase the estate under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, if the owner would sell the untenanted land on the estate. Having regard to the congested character of the tenanted portion of the property, the Congested Districts Board, who have estates in the neighbourhood, are of opinion that the estate is one which should be dealt with by them. The matter is engaging the attention of the Board, and it is hoped that an offer for the purchase of the estate will be issued at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary how far the negotiations have advanced for the sale of the Kinlea farm, West Clare, now in the possession of Mr. James Griffin, J. P.; and whether the Congested Districts Board will regard this matter as deserving of immediate attention?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the lands of Derrybrick, in the occupation of Mr. James Griffin, of Kinlea. The Congested Districts Board have lodged with the Land Commission a requisition in respect of these lands under the compulsory clauses of the Irish Land Act of 1909.

asked whether the Aylmer estate, county Kildare, has yet been acquired by the Estates Commissioners; has the untenanted land thereon been acquired; if not, for what reason has it not been acquired, and what do the Estates Commissioners propose to do in regard to this untenanted land; and what steps, if any, have been taken to improve the condition of ninety-nine tenants in the neighbourhood who live on what are declared to be uneconomic holdings?

The Estates Commissioners' formal proposal for the purchase of eighty-nine holdings, and 1,530 acres of bog on the Aylmer estate, county Kildare, has been accepted by the vendor, and the Commissioners are making arrangements for the allotment of the bog. There is no other untenanted land included in the estate pending for sale to the Commissioners.

asked whether, in regard to the small estate of Mr. O'Donnell, Kildysart, West Clare, of which the agent is Mr. Charles Keane, of Ennis, the owner being absent in New Zealand, the Congested Districts Board is taking steps to redeem its repeated promise that the sale would be completed without delay?

The Congested Districts Board have decided that they will not take any steps to acquire this property compulsorily. They have had the estate inspected, and have ascertained that the five tenants thereon derive a livelihood from other sources besides their holdings. The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The Board never promised that the purchase or sale would be completed without delay.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the estate of Colonel Nash, in the counties of Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, is likely to come up to be finally dealt with; whether deeds, etc., were lodged with the Land Commissioners before March, 1907; and whether the estate number is 4024, and lately several estates whose Estates Court numbers range from 4400 up to 9000 have been advertised to be shortly dealt with?

This estate (Record No. 4024) is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants, and is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). The purchase agreements were lodged in June, 1906, and it is anticipated that the estate will be reached in its order of priority in about two years' time. If other estates in which the purchase agreements were lodged at a later date have been dealt with before this estate, it is because the owners of these estates elected, under the Act of 1909, to take payment partly or wholly in stock, and such estates have been dealt with in their order of priority on the part money, part stock, and all stock registers of direct sales.

asked when were the purchase agreemnts between the Earl of Sandwich and his tenants at Ballinlough, Kilteely, county Limerick, lodged; what is the cause of the delay in advancing the money; and, having regard to the fact that properties sold long after this one in the same locality had been vested, will something be done to bring about a speedy settlement and have the holdings vested in the tenants?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale under the Irish Land Act, 1903, direct by the vendor to the tenants. It is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and will be dealt with in its due order of priority. The purchase agreements were lodged in June, 1906, and it is anticipated that this estate will be reached in its turn in about two years' time. If other estates in which the purchase agreements were lodged at an earlier date have been dealt with before this estate, it is because the owners of these estates have elected, under the Act of 1909, to take payment partly or wholly in stock, and such estates have been dealt with in their order of priority on the part money part stock, and all stock registers of direct sales.

asked how many labourers' cottages have been built in county Clare up to date; and how many are in course of construction?

On the 31st March last, the latest date up to which the Local Government Board are furnished with statistics, there were 983 labourers' cottages actually built in county Clare and 154 in course of construction.

asked, with reference to the fact that an inquiry into a scheme made by the Balrothery (county Dublin) Rural District Council for the provision of labourers' dwellings in that district is to be held as soon as practicable, subject to due consideration being given to the extent to which the Labourers' Acts have already been put into operation in the various districts concerned; whether that consideration is the only one taken into account in determining the order in which such inquiries are to be held; whether account is taken of the comparative need for such dwellings in each district; whether, in the case mentioned, the medical officer's report discloses a state of things as regards the housing of a considerable number of the workers in the district which imperatively calls for the carrying out of the scheme referred to, notwithstanding the considerable number of labourers' dwellings already provided there; and, if so, whether the holding of the desired inquiry will be at once hastened?

The comparative need for additional cottages in each district is taken into account in determining the order in which such local inquiries are to be held. The scheme in this case proposes to provide 291 cottages, of which number 164 are apparently intended to replace existing dwellings reported by the medical officers to be unfit for human habitation. The circumstances are not so exceptional as to warrant the Local Government Board in giving precedence to this scheme over those for other districts in which fewer cottages, as compared with the number of agricultural labourers in the district, have been provided, and where somewhat similar conditions exist as to the unsuitability of the present dwellings of the labouring class. The inquiry will, however, as already stated, be ordered as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will cause inquiries to be made of the Macroom Rural District Council of the circumstances under which the rents of Jeremiah Manning, of Barracharing, Michael Regan, of Kilcullen, and Michael Coleman and Patrick M'Carthy, of Kilmartin, tenants of labourers' cottages in the Donoughmore district, were increased by 10s. a year on becoming tenants in succession to other members of their families; was the fact that the rents were being increased brought under the notice of the labourers named when they signed their bonds; will the Local Government Board ascertain from the district council whether the rents of other cottages and allotments in the same improvement scheme have been increased; and, if not, why these men were singled out for an increase of rent?

The Macroom Rural District Council have made regulations under Section 29 of the Labourers Act, 1906, fixing the weekly rent for a cottage and plot of one acre or thereabouts at one shilling. The tenants mentioned in the question were aware of the increase before signing their agreements, which were read and explained to them. One tenant has not yet signed an agreement, but the regulations were in force before the cottage was assigned to him. The rents of the other tenants similarly circumstanced have also been increased.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the number and cost of the special police force given to Mr. P. Gun Mahony, Kilmurry, Castleisland; who bears their cost; whether, seeing the peace of this district and that Mr. Mahony is looked upon rather with pity than otherwise by the people of the district, he will be compelled to pay himself for having six special constables; whether his servant was fined and bound to the peace recently for assaulting a farmer; and whether, before further expense is incurred, full inquiry will be made by the authorities into the conduct of Mr. Mahony and his servants since he came to this district?

The police authorities inform me that six constables are stationed at Kilmurry. The cost of this force is £379 per annum, which is paid from the Constabulary Vote. I understand the man referred to who was recently fined for assault only works occasionally for Mr. Mahony. I see no necessity for the inquiry asked for in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary how many are on the staff of the Land Registry, Henrietta Street, Dublin; has this office to do the registration for all Ireland; does the registration of a deed take on an average a month to complete; if not, how many cases of registration were dealt with by them in the last twelve months; does the discharge of equities from title take between six and twelve months; is the staff at present overworked; and, if so, in the interest of public convenience, whether he will say when the Treasury will make arrangements to increase the staff?

The staff of the Land Registry Office, which has to supervise and finally dispose of the work of registration for all Ireland, consists of 122 persons. The registration of a transaction takes about one month, and the total number of registrations within the last twelve months was about 39,000. The time taken for the discharge of equities varies from one month to a year, according to circumstances. The staff has recently been increased, and is now sufficient for the work of the office.

asked the Chief Secretary what was the amount paid by the Woman's National Health Association for the Peamount estate, near Lucan, acquired for the purpose of sanatoria for consumptives; whether the entire cost of purchasing the property is to be defrayed out of the Grant which has been made by the Treasury; and if, in relation to similar Grants to county councils or other voluntary associations, it is intended to insist upon the condition, as recommended in the interim Report of the Departmental Committee on Tuberculosis, that only three-fifths of the cost of the sanatoria should be defrayed from the Grants made by the Treasury?

The purchase money for the Peamount estate is £2,500, the entire amount of which is to be paid out of the Grant which has been made by the Treasury. As I have already informed the hon. Baronet, the conditions laid down as regards the Grants given to the Women's National Health Association and the counties working in co-operation with it will also apply to counties and voluntary associations working on their behalf.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of the visit of the House of Parliament to view the Fleet; and what precedent there is prior to 1906 of the entire cost of such visits being placed upon public funds?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to answer this question. The estimated cost of the visit of the Houses of Parliament to view the Fleet is £2,500. There is no precedent prior to 1906 for the entire cost of such a visit being placed upon public funds, but such visits as occurred prior to 1906 were on the occasions of naval reviews, and were not on the same footing as the official visit now in contemplation. It may also be pointed out that the expenditure from public funds on the present occasion will be considerably less than on the occasions referred to prior to 1906.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the pay given to the officers now employed on the War Staff both on shore and afloat; whether any differentiation is made between those working ashore and those at sea; whether the pay is in advance of the usual naval pay; and upon what basis the emoluments of the senior officers employed on the War Staff at the Admiralty were based?

Naval and Marine officers employed in War Staff appointments afloat receive the ordinary full pay of their rank with a special allowance of 5s. a day if of the actual or relative rank of commander, and of 4s. a day if of the actual or relative rank of lieutenant. Any specialist allowance otherwise payable is absorbed in the allowances indicated. Speaking generally the grant of those allowances causes the emoluments of the officers concerned to be in advance of the usual naval pay, but a lieutenant would not gain when the allowance of 4s. a day simply replaces his specialist allowance otherwise payable. The salaries of these officers during employment at the Admiralty are as follows:—

ally paid to officers of corresponding, ranks during service at the Admiralty. The emoluments of the senior officers employed on the War Staff at the Admiralty were based on the rates of salary paid to the Directors of the former Intelligence and Mobilisation Departments and other Departments at the Admiralty presided over by naval officers, and also on the emoluments attached to appointments in the Fleet and in naval establishments for which officers of the rank of senior captain are eligible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any bayonets are now being made in Government factories for the use of the Army or auxiliary forces; and whether any further orders will be given either to Government factories or to private firms during the present financial year?

May I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 17th June last to my right hon. Friend the Member for the Hallam Division of Sheffield, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men in the employ of his Department of adult age who are in receipt of wages of not more-than 20s. per week?

There are between 400 and 450 men employed at various stations in Great Britain and Ireland at rates of wages not exceeding 20s. a week irrespective of privileges. There are in addition some 300 posts reserved for pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of members of the Officers' Training Corps who have taken commissions in the General Reserve of Infantry officers; the number who have served as officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, respectively, in the Officers' Training Corps, and the rank to which they are appointed in the General Reserve; and if he will state the age at which they may be first appointed to the General Reserve and the age at which they are retired from the General Reserve?

Sixteen ex-members of the Officers' Training Corps have actually been gazetted to the Infantry General Reserve, and eleven more will shortly be gazetted. Of these one was an officer in the Officers' Training Corps, sixteen were non-commissioned officers, and ten were privates, and their rank in the General Reserve was in all cases that of second lieutenant. Members may be appointed to the General Reserve up to the age of forty, and are removed on reaching fifty.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a member of the Officers' Training Corps appointed to a commission in the General Reserve will be promoted to higher rank whilst serving in the General Reserve than that of second lieutenant; if he will say what is the length of service of the senior second lieutenant in the Line; and what is the length of service of the junior first lieutenant in the Special Reserve Infantry?

The answer to the first portion of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. As regards the second and third portions, the answer is five years, two months, and one year three months respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present shortage of captains in the 4th Battalions Special Reserve, by the Army List of June, 1912; if he will say why subalterns now serving in the 4th Battalions Special Reserve are not promoted to fill the vacancies in the rank of captain; and if he will state, in the event of mobilisation, how it is proposed to fill the vacancies in the rank of captain in the 4th Battalions Special Reserve?

There is a shortage of twenty-six captains in the twenty-seven extra Reserve Battalions, but as the promotions of subalterns are entirely in the hands of the general officers commanding-in-chief, I am unable to say without detailed inquiry why subalterns are not recommended to fill the vacancies. The shortage is probably due to temporary causes, and can if necessary be made good on mobilisation from the General Reserve or from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for War what objections there are to the men employed in the Army Clothing Department being dealt with under Section 47, as modified by Section 53 (2), of the National Insurance Act, as recommended by the Inter-Departmental Committee to other Government employés whose sick privileges are less favourable than those enjoyed by the men referred to?

Having regard to the general conditions and character of employment in the Clothing Department and other War Department Labour Establishments, it is not considered that treatment under Sections 47 and 53 (2) would be suitable, except for the grades which it is intended, as already announced, to bring under Section 47. This decision is in accordance with the findings of the Interdepartmental Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War the estimated weekly value per head of privileges enjoyed by men employed in the Army Clothing Department, giving the proportion allocated to holidays, compassionate allowance, sick pay, and medical attendance, respectively?

No separate detailed calculations for the Army Clothing Department are available. The hon. Gentleman is aware that next week the only privileges that will be reckoned against wages are the gratuities and holiday pay, and these will be reckoned at 6d. in the £.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any Report as to the causes of the accident on Friday last which resulted in the death of Captain Loraine and Sergeant-major Wilson, who lost their lives whilst engaged in aviation work on Salisbury Plain?

The telegraphic report stated that the aeroplane, on making a left-hand turn, about 400 feet up, over-banked, side-slipped, and dived, coming to ground nearly vertically. A court of inquiry is being held, and the report will in due course be forwarded to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will reconsider their action in refusing to grant recognition to soldiers who have been through a campaign unless it has been successful; whether the fact of their not having received recognition of active service prejudices them in their claims for pensions; and whether for these purposes he will consider the advisability of treating the Boer. War of 1881 as the beginning of the hostilities which were brought to a successful conclusion in 1902?

I cannot see my way to reserve the decision of my predecessors in this matter. As regards the claims for pension, under the terms of the Royal Warrant for Pay and Pension, the possession of a war medal is one of the prescribed conditions for the grant of a special campaign pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been called to the case of an old soldier named Charles O'Donoghue, who served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in India, who was invalided to Netley Hospital owing to an accident received in India, and who, on his discharge, was granted a conditional pension of 2s. per diem; whether he is aware that this pension was reduced after a certain time to Is. 6d. per day; and whether, taking all the circumstances of this case into account, this poor man's case will be favourably considered with the view of increasing his pension and making it permanent.

Inquiry is being made into this case, and the result will be communicated to the hon. Gentleman in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Robert E. Delafosse, at present an inmate of the Limerick union, who joined the 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1868 under the name of Robert Whitelaw, and who volunteered for foreign service into the 2nd battalion North Lincoln regiment in 1869, proceeding to Burmah, and who deserted in 1877 and after two days enlisted in the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Sheerness and volunteered for service in India, who completed twelve years' service but would not be re-engaged owing to having his ankle broken on duty in India, and, as this old soldier cannot do any work now, will his case be taken into favourable consideration?

Inquiry is being made into this case and the result will in due course be communicated to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state to the House the present condition of health of Isabel Patbury, a prisoner in Holloway Prison; how many times she has been forcibly fed, and whether she is now being forcibly fed; if so, how many times a day; and whether, in consideration of her age and the suffering she has undergone, he will now order her release?

This prisoner began to starve herself on the 17th of June, and since 21st June it has been necessary to feed her artificially, usually twice a day. I agree with my hon. Friend that she herself has by her own action added not a little to the severity of her sentence, and, after fully considering ail the circumstances, I have felt justified in advising His Majesty to remit the remainder of her imprisonment from to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prisoners were sentenced for window smashing some months ago; how many were released before finishing their sentence; the length of sentence each prisoner served; the reason for their discharge and condition of health when discharged; how many of the persons, sentenced are now in prison; and whether he will now advise His Majesty to release the few remaining prisoners and so save further injury and suffering to these women and girls?

The number of prisoners convicted of window-breaking and received in prison in the months of March and April was 203. Of these 132 served their full terms with such remission (if any) as they earned under the prison rules; and 71 were discharged before the end of their sentences. It is not desirable, nor would it be in accordance with constitutional usage to state in each case the grounds on which I advised His Majesty to exercise the Prerogative of Mercy, but I may say that 49 were released on medical grounds. None of these prisoners now remain in prison. At the end of last week there were nine still serving sentences of six months' imprisonment, but, as all of them had served the greater part of their sentences, and as they had added very much to the severity of their punishment by refusing food and attempting to starve themselves, I felt justified in advising the remission of the remainder of the imprisonment in each case.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been drawn to the statement by Mr. C. Mansell Moullin, F.R.C.S., of 69, Wimpole Street, to the effect that, in consultation with Dr. Macaulay, he has found Miss Emily Wilding Davison, who was released from Holloway on 2Sth June, to be suffering acutely from injuries sustained on the occasion of her attempted suicide while in prison, and that her condition has been considerably aggravated by the forcible feeding to which she had been subjected in the interval; in view of this statement, whether he will give the House the exact Report of the examination made by Mr. Crisp English which led to the forcible feeding being continued; and whether he will inform the House in what branch of medicine or surgery Mr. Crisp English is a specialist, and on what grounds he was selected to make the examination.

I cannot admit that this prisoner made any attempt at suicide while in prison, but she has suffered both from self-inflicted injuries and from the results of voluntary starvation. Mr. Crisp English's report of 23rd June on her is as follows: "I have examined this day Emily W. Davison in consultation with Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Forward and find that she is suffering from numerous small bruises and abrasions. I can find no evidence of gross injury, and see no reason why forcible feeding should not be continued." Mr. Crisp English is an eminent surgeon: he is senior assistant surgeon at St. George's Hospital and on the surgical staff of the Grosvenor Hospital for Women. I consider his view of the case is of greater value than that expressed by Dr. Mansell Moullin, and it is moreover supported by the testimony of other medical men.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the deaths from drowning of children, especially boys, in the Regent's Canal, near Grove Road Marylebone; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be held as to these deaths, seeing that the death-roll is continuous throughout the summer months, and so recently as last week another inquest was held at Paddington on the body of a child aged seven and a-half years?

Eleven children were drowned in the Regent's Canal and the Grand Junction Canal during the two years ending the 30th ultimo. The canal banks are private property, to which trespassers find ready access at various points, among others through an unlocked gate in Grove Road. I am communicating with the Company on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes taking to give effect to the recommendation of the members of the Royal Commission on Vivisection with regard to the composition of his advisory body; whether, in accordance with the said recommendation, no vivisector is now allowed to be a member of that body; and whether, as further recommended by the Commissioners, he has ceased to consult the Society for the Advancement of Medicine by Research in his administration of the Act?

I am in communication with the Royal Society and the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons with a view to constituting an advisory body on the lines recommended by the Royal Commission; but until the new arrangement has been made, I am continuing to consult the Society for the Advancement of Medicine by Research.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received complaints from a well-known company in regard to the difficulty in executing contracts which they have in hand for His Majesty's Government for supplies of cordite and other war materials; and whether sufficient protection will be given them in order to prevent their factory being stopped by pickets.

One such complaint has been received. The Company has not yet made any application for police protection. Should they do so the necessary protection will at once be given.

asked the Secretary for the Home Department whether he will give permission that those members of the Metropolitan police force whose leave is now in arrears through the strike may be allowed to have the option of adding the days' leave due to them to their annual holidays, instead of being compelled to take it in odd days from time to time?

This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police. My hon. Friend may be assured that, when the strike is over, he will make the best practicable arrangements to make up to the men for the days of leave they have lost.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Elementary Teachers' Superannuation Amendment Bill will contain a clause enabling teachers to retire after sixty years of age without a doctor's certificate?

The answer to the Question is in the negative. I have, however, appointed a Departmental Committee to consider and report whether, and by what amount, the total cost of the proposed amendments of the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, which I foreshadowed in my speech on the 6th June, will fall short of the money at my disposal and to consider, amongst other suggestions, proposals for permitting retirement of teachers at ages not earlier than sixty for men and fifty-five for women on reduced pensions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether two new professorships have been created at the Grant Medical College, Bombay, the intention being that these posts should be open to Indians, but that conditions debarring from private practice, wholly novel, have been imposed which make it impossible for highly-qualified Indian medical men to compete for those appointments; and whether he will issue instructions to those responsible to remove all such restrictions and ensure that high medical qualifications shall be the only test for these and similar appointments?

I understand that the creation of two professorships at the Grant Medical College is in contemplation by the Government of India, who have not, however, yet submitted proposals to the Secretary of State. Until their proposals are before the Secretary of State, I am not in a position to enter into a discussion of the terms of appointment, but I may mention that there is nothing novel in debarring professors at medical colleges in India from private practice. I have telegraphed to the Government of India asking "when their proposals may be expected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of acres there were under cotton cultivation in India in 1900–6 and 1911, respectively?

The average area under cotton in India during the seven years 1901–7 was about 18,000,000 acres, ranging from 14,000,000 acres in 1900–1 to 22,500,000 acres in 1906–7. In 1910–11 the area was 22,500,000 acres; and in 1911–12 a little under 20,500,000 acres. The crop of 1911–12 was affected by the lateness of the monsoon rainfall of 1911, and its deficiency in Western India.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will inquire into the cost of building a reservoir at Entebbe, Uganda, and pumping pure water from the lake for the supply of the town, in view of the method that now obtains of carrying water in vessels from the shallows of the lake often polluted?

The matter has been considered by the Governor, who has, however, expressed the opinion that any such scheme is too costly for the present resources of the Protectorate, but it will be further discussed with him during his approaching visit to this country on leave of absence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any official information to show whether the attempted assassination of Sir Francis Henry May was made by a British subject, or whether it was an act of individual fanaticism or was the criminal a representative of any Chinese political society?

I have received no official information except that the motive for the attempt has not yet been ascertained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed that existing arrangements for migration of population between the United Kingdom and self-governing Dominions should form a subject of inquiry by the Diminions Royal Commission?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of the travelling and bush allowances in Southern Nigeria at the present time; if these allowances have been reduced during the last few years; and if, in view of the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, it is calculated that any further reduction will be made?

The rates of travelling allowance for European officials at present in force in Southern Nigeria are as follows:—

In the case of officials with salary below £200 a year, 3s. a day.

In the case of officials with salary exceeding £200, but not exceeding £600 a year, 5s. a day (maximum £3 10s. a month).

In the case of officials with salary exceeding £200, but not exceeding £1,200 a year, 10s. a day (maximum £5 a month).

In the case of officials with salary exceeding £1,200 a year, £l a day.

A reduction is made in the case of a prolonged stay at one place.

The rate of bush allowance is 2s. 6d. a day. Certain reductions in the rate of these allowances have been made during the last few years.

question of making any further reduction in connection with the proposed amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria has not arisen.

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the grievances of the Waterguard Department of His Majesty's Customs and Excise will be presented?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury informed the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness yesterday that the Report of the Waterguard Committee was laid upon the Table of the House on the 3rd instant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a communication representing a complaint from forty subscribers to the telephone in regard to the way in which the telephone is managed between Wexford and Waterford and between Wexford and Dublin; if the trunk line between Wexford and Dublin is still unworkable, and speaking between Wexford and New Boss out of the question; and whether any progress has yet been made to meet the requirements of the subscribers?

I have received the communication referred to, and I much regret that serious faults recurred on the trunk line during June. I understand that during the past few days the working has much improved. As I stated in my answer to the hon. Member's question of 18th June, special attention is being given to the line in order to make the service satisfactory.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that printing for the telephone service is still being imported into Ireland; and if he will state when the practice will cease and all Irish post office telephone printing be carried out in Ireland?

There is no intention of dealing with printing for the Irish telephone service in any way differently from the printing for other branches of the Post Office in Ireland. The interim arrangements in operation since the transfer of the National Telephone Company's system to the State which may have given rise to the question are about to cease. A trifling amount of printing will however continue to be done by means of the press taken over by the Post Office from the Telephone Company so long as that press is retained in use by the Department. The Irish portion of the Telephone Directory now being issued has been printed in Dublin.

asked the Postmaster-General if any written or oral reports were called for on the qualifications of the Dublin unestablished porters performing storemen's duties before it was decided to import storemen from England; and, if not, by what means did the Controller of Stores compare the qualifications of the Dublin men with those serving in Great Britain?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin on the 30th April last.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware that the Irish stores branch has to report to the Birmingham store depot, as to a superior authority, and to obey its instructions on all matters; whether it is contended that this does not constitute the subordination of the Dublin branch to the Birmingham office; and what are the advantages expected to accrue from introducing the Birmingham depot as an intermediate office of control for the Dublin stores branch.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question on 26th February last.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the hardships inflicted on the Dublin unestablished store porters by the decision to appoint men serving in Great Britain to the vacancies for third-class storemen at Dublin, hitherto reserved for eligible members of the Irish staff; whether, if the Government of Ireland Bill becomes law, the Dublin porters will be ineligible for English appointments while, in the meantime, Irish appointments are being given to English officials; and what steps does he propose to take to remedy this hardship?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave him on the 30th of April last.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that until this year all storemen's appointments in Dublin have been filled by appointment or promotion of the Dublin staff; in what circumstances was it decided to give Dublin appointments to men serving in Great Britain; and what advantages are claimed for the change, which has deprived the Dublin staff of the right of succession to Dublin appointments?

I fear I can add nothing to my answers to the ten questions which the hon. Member has already put to me on this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General why the first and second class storemen of the late Dublin postal store branch have been placed at the foot of the English seniority lists; and how many years it is anticipated it will take them to secure promotion to the next class, judging by the rate of promotion for such classes during the past five years?

The seniority of the storemen in the Dublin depot of the Stores Department has been determined, in accordance with the regular practice which has applied equally in England and Scotland by the length of their service in the improved status conferred on them by the present classification. It is not possible to forecast the date at which their turn for promotion will come.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, on the transfer of control of the Irish Stores Branch from the secretary, Dublin, to the Stores Department, any instructions were issued to the Controller of Stores defining the policy to be adopted by him in dealing with Irish stores matters; and if there is any rule that Irish store work is to be done in Dublin rather than in England, if inconvenience or appreciable expense be not involved?

Although no special instructions were issued it has been the general policy since the amalgamation of the Stores Branch in Dublin with the Stores Department in London for Irish stores work to be done in Dublin rather than in England; but in certain cases inconvenience or additional expense may preclude the work being done by the Dublin Branch.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the post office at Larkfield has been removed from the premises occupied by one grocer to the premises occupied by another; and, if so, whether he will state the reason for the change?

On the occasion of a vacancy for a sub-postmaster at Larkfield, Maidstone, it was found that the accommodation hitherto provided was not satisfactory. In these circumstances I decided to appoint a candidate who offered suitable premises about 200 yards west of the former site of the office.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, if his attention has been called to the dangers and inconvenience caused to the public and the damage done to the property of residents by motor omnibuses and other mechanically propelled vehicles of great size travelling at great speed on the streets of the Metropolis; if he has power to issue regulations limiting the speed and size of motor omnibuses, traction engines, vans, and trucks plying on the streets; and, if so, will he take any steps in the matter?

I have had some representations made to me with regard to the use of heavy motor vehicles in the streets of the Metropolis. Assuming that the Noble Lord is referring generally to heavy motor cars, perhaps I may draw his attention as regards the speed and size of these vehicles to the Regulations contained in the Heavy Motor Car Order, 1904. It has not yet been found necessary to limit the dimensions of these vehicles other than their width. As regards traction engines which are heavy locomotives, I may refer to the provisions of the Locomotives Act, 1865, and the Highways and Locomotives Amendment Act, 1878. I have no power to make regulations as to the size or speed of these vehicles.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, the number of small-pox cases which have been reported in the city of Bradford during the present year; whether the patients had been vaccinated or re-vaccinated; and, if so, the date of the last operation?

Two cases of small-pox have been reported in the city of Bradford in the present year. I cannot say whether the patients had been vaccinated or not.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the judgment in the Glasgow sheriff court on 20th June, whereby a verdict of £45 was awarded against the Caledonian Steam Packet Company, whose steamer, the "Marchioness of Bredalbane," had run down a small sailing yacht, called the "Marguerite," in the Holy Loch; whether it was admitted in evidence that the "Marguerite," contrary to the Board of Trade regulation, Article 10, Sub-section F, exhibited no light, although it was a dark night; whether he is aware that the regulation is habitually disregarded by yachts at anchor in the Firth of Clyde and lochs; and whether, in view of the risks to Glasgow passenger steamers, he proposes to take any steps to secure compliance with the regulations?

My attention has been been called to the case referred to by my hon. Friend and I am informed that the sheriff-substitute, in his judgment, held that the failure of the yacht "Marguerite" to exhibit a riding light, as required by Article 11 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, did not contribute to the cause of the collision, but the case has been appealed to the sheriff-Principal. I am also informed that it is not usual for small craft to be in unfrequented bays in shallow water without a riding light, and I am making inquiries as to whether any action is necessary in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in a position to say how many adult workers are in his Department working for wages of not more than 20s. per week, and, if he has not got the information, if he will give instructions for the figures to be obtained; and if he has yet finished the inquiry which was on 6th June proceeding into the scale of pay with a view to its revision?

also asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men in the employ of his Department of adult age who are in receipt of wages of not more than 20s. per week?

I am not yet in a position to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend, but it shall be prepared and communicated to him as soon as it is complete.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, he has taken as a result of the suggestions put forward by hon. Members during the recent Debate in the House on the labour dispute in the Port of London; and can he hold out any prospect of a speedy settlement?

I feel I cannot say more than that I have reason to believe that the particular suggestions to which my hon. Friend refers could not be adopted with fruitful results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total net amount of the German Imperial Debt on 1st January in each year of the following years: 1881, 1891, 1901, and 1911; and if he can say what was the aggregate net amount of the national debts of the states comprising the German Empire on the same dates?

The following statement shows the total (funded and unfunded) debt of the German Empire and of its constituent states, outstanding on the 1st April (the commencement of the financial year) in each of the years 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1910 (the latest year for which the figures have been received).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the directors of the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) Company have decided to refuse to quote terms for organised excursions on Sundays to Warrenpoint, thus inconveniencing large bodies of the community; whether he is aware that the large majority of the residents are opposed to this action and that the secretary of the company, in acknowledging a memorial of protest from Warrenpoint ratepayers, has stated that the conduct of the Sunday excursionists has always been beyond reproach and that they ought not to be penalised because of the conduct of other people; and whether, in the interests of the excursionists, of the shareholders of the railway company, and of the trade of the town, he will represent to the directors the advisability of re-considering their decision?

The matter is not one in regard to which the Board of Trade have any powers but I have sent a copy of my hon. Friend's question to the Railway Company for their observations, and I will communicate with him on receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will allow fat cattle, sheep, and swine to be trucked from a clear area into an infected area for the purpose of slaughter within four days?

Orders have been issued allowing the movement by rail of animals from non-scheduled districts into the following towns for slaughter within four days, and also allowing movement within those towns for slaughter:—

In the Liverpool District:—Birkenhead, Bootle, Liverpool, St. Helens, Wallasey and Widnes.

In the Wakefield District:—Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield, Batley, Brighouse, Dewsbury, Morley, Ossett, Pontefract and Pudsey.

In the Manchester District:—Bury, Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Warrington, Dukin-field, Hyde, Stalybridge, Glossop, Ashton-under-Lyne, Eccles, Heywood, Leigh, Middleton and Mossley.

I hope that it may be possible for me before very long to issue similar Orders in respect of the large towns in the Northumberland and Durham Scheduled District in which movement at the present time is entirely prohibited.

asked the Attorney-General how many special, common, and non-jury cases are awaiting trial to-day; what was the corresponding number in 1911 and 1910; and what chance there is of the list being cleared before the long vacation.

There are 137 Special Jury, 159 Common Jury and 74 Non-Jury cases at present awaiting trial in the King's Bench Division. There were 118 Special Jury, 96 Common Jury and 92 Non-Jury cases awaiting trial on the 8th July last year and 208 Special Jury, 230 Common Jury and 121 Non-Jury cases at the same date in the year 1910. There is no prospect of the list being cleared before the Long Vacation.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the application of Mr. W. Arlidge, the Divisional Court, on the 18th April last, granted a rule nisi against the Local Government Board to show cause why, on an appeal under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, an appellant had not the right, which Mr. Arlidge claims, to be heard by the President or other person lawfully authorised who actually decides the appeal; whether the hearing of the rule is standing over indefinitely at his request; and, if so, whether he will see that the hearing is not further delayed in view of the inconvenience that would be caused to all parties?

I am informed that there is such a case, but I know nothing further about it. I have not received any papers in connection with it. The hearing of the rule is certainly not standing over indefinitely at my request. I have not made any request that it should stand over.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the International Committee for the Investigation of the Fisheries of the North Sea was appointed; if they have made any practical suggestions for the guidance of the Scottish Fishery Board; who are the members of the Committee, what nation they represent, and what emoluments the chairman and members receive, and if any date is fixed for the termination of its labours; and whether, in view of the fact that the Government have now appointed a Departmental Committee to inquire into the more important features of the North Sea fisheries, notice will be given to the other Powers interested that Great Britain will not continue further contributions for international scientific investigations?

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea was set up in 1902. It has made valuable scientific and statistical researches in many directions, with a view to laying the basis of knowledge which is the necessary preliminary to legislative action. The Council includes representatives of Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Norway and Sweden. As chairman the President of the Council receives I understand, £200 per annum, and some of the other members receive smaller fees from the Council for special services in preparing or collating reports, on fishery subjects. No date is fixed for the termination of the Council's labours. The reply to the concluding portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether an inquiry could be instituted to find out to what extent in the interest of economy the Department could undertake the execution of work by direct labour and thus avoid the payment of profits to a contractor.

The First Commissioner does not think that any useful purpose would be served by the institution of an inquiry such as is suggested by the hon. Member. The question of the employment of direct labour has been fully inquired into in the past by an Interdepartmental Committee. The chief special consideration against direct employment is the fluctuating amount of the work undertaken by the Department.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, as the only room in the Library where the annunciator operates has been converted into a smoking room, he will place such an indicator of the proceedings of the House in a part of the Library where non-smokers can work?

The First Commissioner will be glad to carry out the suggestion of the hon. and learned Member at an early date.