asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, under the German Navy Laws, substitute vessels are laid down to replace protected cruisers when the latter have reached an age of fifteen years; and how many years have elapsed since the launch of the British protected cruisers "Diana," "Medea," and "Barham," now in the Mediterranean?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The dates of launch of the three ships named are December, 1895, June, 1888, and September, 1889, respectively.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the boilers of the "Medea" do not work?

No, I am not aware of that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many armoured ships were launched for Great Britain on the one hand, and for Germany, Austria, and Italy on the other, in the periods 1898 to 1902, 1903 to 1907, and 1908 to the present time?

The figures asked for are as follows, 1898 to 1902: Great Britain, 38; Germany, 12; Austria-Hungary, 4; Italy, 5. 1903 to 1907: Great Britain, 35; Germany, 13; Austria-Hungary, 4; Italy, 5. 1908 to present time: Great Britain, 18, excluding one battle cruiser belonging to the Royal Australian Navy; Germany, 18; Austria-Hungary, 5; Italy, 7.

Does that not involve this: that during the first period we had a superiority—

That is a matter upon which everyone can form his own opinion when he has the figures before him.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what was the proportion of protected cruisers to battleships in permanent full commission in European waters in 1900; and what is the present proportion?

:In 1900 there were eighteen battleships and about an equal number of protected cruisers in full commission in European waters, the number varying somewhat as ships were detached to China and South Africa. At the present time the corresponding figures are:—Twenty-seven battleships and 10 protected cruisers, but in forming a comparison, account must also be taken of—12 armoured cruisers, 4 unarmoured cruisers, 5 battle cruisers. The three latter types were not represented in 1900.

Will the hon. Gentleman circulate those figures with the Votes?

Yes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether samples have now been received of English box calf leather suitable for the uppers of boots for the Navy; and, if so, whether a deputation from the Federation of the Light Leather Trades of the United King do will now be received to discuss the whole situation?

:Samples of English box-calf have now been received, and are being submitted to expert examination and comparison. As soon as the report upon them is received the question of receiving a deputation will be further considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give the cost to the nation of the review on 9th July, and the extra cost due to the invitations to the Members of the House of Commons; and will he say what leave, if any, it is proposed to grant to the men of the Fleet on the conclusion of the manœuvres, and if the railway fare to their homes is to be given to these men or any of them?

In reply to the first part of the question, I stated, on Monday last, the estimated cost of the visit of the Houses of Parliament to view the Fleet was £2,500. The customary leave will be given to the Fleet on the completion of the manœuvres, but the Admiralty have no power to grant the payment of railway fares as a public charge to men of the Fleet proceeding on leave.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the Portsmouth yard craft men (men working the tugs) are on duty 120 and 130 hours per week for a wage of 25s. 8d.; and if he will favourably consider the case of these men, either by giving them a rise of wages or by an increase in the number employed?

The yard craft men referred to are borne as seamen; under their conditions of service they are sometimes required to be on board their vessels for twenty-four hours a day, and their hours of duty, in a week, so calculated may amount to the numbers stated in the question, but the hon. Gentleman should understand that from time to time many hours are spent alongside the jetty merely waiting for duty even during the working hours of the dockyard. Further, when a tug is detailed for emergency duty, and lies alongside during the night, the crew sleeps on board. We have recently issued an order that every endeavour is to be made to curtail the hours of duty of yard craft men, in excess of ordinary dockyard working hours, so far as is practicable consistent with the requirements of the service. With regard to the question of wages, petitions were presented by representatives of these men at the recent hearing of petitions by the Board, and the matter is now under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when an answer will be given?

I have already informed the hon. Gentleman that the matter does not lie altogether in our hands. There are other Departments concerned.

Do I understand that the tugs were employed in connection with the manœuvres of the Fleet yesterday, and if so, will consideration be given to the claim of the men for extra wages?

In regard to the first part of the question the hon. Gentleman knows the men were employed because he was on board. I do not know whether the work they did comes into their ordinary pay.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are no messing arrangements for these men on the tugs?

What we desire is that, so far as possible, the men should not be kept on the tugs longer than is necessary

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information regarding the season in Nyasaland and such steps as may have been taken to deal with the results of the failure of the grain crops on which the natives chiefly live?

I was informed by the Governor in January that there was a deficient rainfall in the Port Herald district and I approved of his proposal to spend up to £500, if necessary, on food stuffs for the relief of suffering natives. From later communications it appears that the Governor has taken steps to restrict the removal of food stuffs from the affected districts, and that he has other measures in contemplation as to which I have not yet received his recommendations.

Is the situation considered serious?

I hope it is not so serious as it was at first thought.

asked 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 Dominions Royal Commission?

Yes, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is not a fact that both he and the President of the Local Government Board declined to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into this very subject when I asked a few weeks ago that this should be done?

:I am not aware that I declined to appoint a Royal Commission. I have no power to do so. I stated that this matter I going to be inquired into by the Dominions, and that if there is an inquiry by the Dominions, it is obviously unnecessary to duplicate it.

Exactly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that he gave a pledge to a deputation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce on 30th June, 1911, that no trade would be included in Part II. of the National Insurance Act other than the building and engineering trades without giving manufacturers at least twelve months notice, it is a contravention of that pledge to include casters of harness furniture, stirrups, spurs, bits, buckles, watch guard fittings, bag furniture, and spring hooks?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. There has been no extension of Part II. of the Act. The trades scheduled specifically include iron founding, and any question as to what occupations are included under that heading is one which under the Act has to be decided not by the Board of Trade, but by the independent Umpire appointed by the Crown. I understand, by decision No. 62, published in the "Board of Trade Journal" for 13th June, the Umpire has decided that workmen employed in a malleable iron foundry as moulders, core-makers, annealers, dressers, and general labourers are included under iron founding, and consequently liable to contribute under this part of the Act, and I have no power to interfere with the decision.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the term iron foundings for the purposes of the Act includes all castings in iron of whatever form or description, and whether such interpretation is in accordance with the provision of Part II. of the Act—

The hon. Member should give notice of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the case of a man growing fruit on his own land near the town, whilst his wife and daughter attend in the shop without wages, his wife and daughter will come under the National Insurance Act; and, if not, whether the man will have to pay the employer's contribution for his wife and daughter?

A wife employed by her husband is definitely excluded by the terms of the Act, and a daughter who receives no money payment is not required to be insured. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the case of employers or employed people refusing to comply with the rules of the National Insurance Act, magistrates will be compelled to impose the maximum fine of £10, or could they reduce it to 1s. or less?

The sum of £10 is the maximum amount of the fine, and a Court of Summary Jurisdiction has power to impose as a fine any sum not exceeding £10.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that people are to be fined up to £l0 under the National Insurance Act, while passive resisters under the Elementary Education Act are not fined at all?

asked on what grounds the maker of a lock is excluded from Part II. of the National Insurance Act, whilst the maker of the key is included?

The making of both keys and locks would appear to fall outside the scope of the insured trades, except as regards workmen employed in moulding and casting malleable iron for key blanks, which appears to be included under iron-founding, one of the trades specified in the Sixth Schedule to the Act.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent assurance societies which have been defrauding the public during the past five years, and whose doings have several times been brought before this House as well as before the Attorney-General, from operating as approved societies for the purposes of the Natonal Insurance Act; and, having regard to the fact that the persons who successfully pioneered some of these societes without any capital whatever and were rewarded by handsome salaries from the deposits of the shareholders, are the individuals who are now connected with the approved societies formed in connection with these bogus companies, will inquiry be made with a view to the protection of the workers and the withdrawal of approval, if proof such as that mentioned in the question can be obtained?

asked (36) when the London and Provincial Yearly Dividing Friendly Society, State Section, was first registered; whether it has any connection with the London and Provincial Assurance Company, Limited; if it has, whether the official approval of it will be suspended pending further investigation of the character and management of the latter body? (37) When the London and Provincial Approved Society was first registered; when it became officially approved under the National Insurance Act; why the Registrar of Friendly Societies allowed it to be registered under a name which was untrue and misleading at the date of registration; whether the Insurance Commissioners before approving it had before them the identity of management of the London and Provincial Assurance Company, Limited, of which this society is an offshoot, with the Irish Provident Assurance Company, now in compulsory liquidation, and the revelations at the trial of the directors, now in progress in Dublin; whether he is aware that some 500,000 poor persons in Ireland have lost their savings through those directors; and whether the official approval of this self-styled approved society will be cancelled, or at least suspended, pending the result of the trial mentioned?

In approving societies the Insurance Commissioners would certainly take into consideration any allegations such as those suggested in these questions. If hon. Members can inform me of any definite and specific instances of offences in connection with the promoters of any approved society, I will immediately have inquiries made.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered and tested the allegations in Question 36?

No, but if there is anything which the hon. Member wishes to communicate to me I will have inquiries made, and he will get an answer if he puts-a question later on.

Are the duties of the registrar of friendly societies exclusively mechanical, or is he bound by his position to facilitate this plan for obtaining money by false pretences?

His duty is to register duly qualified friendly societies under the provisions of the Act.

Even though they have a name, which is, on the face of it, a false pretence, is he bound to register it?

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that complaints are being made by the employés of Messrs. Croft and Perkins, engineers and iron founders, of Bradford, that their employers are questioning each employé of the firm to ascertain whether he is a member of an approved society, and, if so, which; and if he will look into the matter and deal with it without delay?

I have no previous information with regard to this case, but I will communicate with the company.

asked whether the National Insurance Commissioners are prepared to answer letters from persons anxious to carry the law into effect who wish to obtain advice and information on points connected with the working of the Act?

Persons desiring information about the Act are in the first instance directed to obtain it by application to the local Customs and Excise officers (who are usually the pension officers). The Commissioners have, however, a substantial correspondence in which they are giving assistance to bond fide inquirers, and have no objection to receiving letters direct at their offices.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that letters asking as to specific points about the working of the Act are not answered for at least ten days, and are not even acknowledged?

I do not think that that is the case. If the hon. Gentleman will give me a special instance, I will have inquiries made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that local Customs and Excise officers sometimes will not visit a place for a week or more? What is to happen in such cases?

If the hon. Gentleman thinks that he can suggest any further means of spreading information, I will gladly consider it.

asked whether the insured persons to whom the 6s. may be given in lieu of medical attendance, in the event of the Government being unable to come to an agreement with the doctors, will be expected to form benefit societies in order to secure medical attendance; will they be given the 6s. if they have not consulted a doctor during the year; will they be allowed to spend the 6s. on other matters than medical attendance; and if 1s. 6d. out of the 6s. will be considered to have been given to the insured persons in lieu of free drugs?

If the local Insurance Committee in any district finds that adequate medical attendance cannot be given by the doctors who offer to serve on a general panel, a variety of alternative systems of providing medical benefit may be adopted. If such alternatives prove impracticable or undesirable, medical benefit may be suspended. If suspension takes place, it will be perfectly open to the insured persons, who will receive a monetary equivalent, to make such arrangements for medical attendance and medicine as they have been making for many years past, and they will receive for such arrangements one and a half times the money which they have hitherto usually paid for them.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the last two points: Would they be allowed to spend the 6s. on other matters than medical attendance; and will 1s. 6d. out of the 6s. be considered to have been given to the insured person in lieu of free drugs?

Either of those alternatives is possible. It is possible that it may be arranged that a certain sum of money may be handed over to a society or themselves for medical attendance; or it is possible that medical benefit will be completely suspended, in which case they can do what they like with the money.

How would they be able to get proper medical attendance for the 6s. in view of the fact that the persons benefited will have to be insured? In this case they are not insured.

They can easily get insured. There is no difficulty in the matter. Up to now anyone in the working classes has been able to get medical attendance and drugs for something like an average of 4s. a year. He will now, for a payment of 2s. 8d., get 6s. a year if medical benefit is suspended. I do not see anything to complain of.

In order to obtain these benefits will they be obliged to form approved societies on the lines of the old friendly societies, or how otherwise will they be able to get benefits?

That is one possible alternative. They may form medical institutes, friendly societies, or sick clubs. There are dozens of alternatives by which they may be able to obtain medical benefits.

Is the medical benefit guaranteed?

No; there is medical benefit, and the alternative is a monetary payment.

asked if domestic servants must in every case attend personally at the post office and fill up a form before they can obtain their cards under the National Insurance Act; and, if this practice is being acted on at many post offices, will he give other instructions?

Domestic servants, like other employed persons, must obtain their cards at the post office if they are not members of approved societies, and they must, like other employed persons, fill up a form of application (which only involves writing their name and address and signing and dating the form) in order to obtain their cards. If they are unable to attend at the post office themselves they can arrange for someone else to get forms of application and, after they have signed these, to get the cards as well; or the employers can obtain cards for them if they so desire.

In order to make the matter quite clear, may I ask if each servant has to apply personally at the post office for a card, or can one servant or the lady of the house apply also in respect of fellow servants? That is a point which it is particularly desired to have cleared up. And may I ask whether identical instructions have been given to all the post offices?

Identical instructions have been given to all post offices. Each servant need not attend personally to get a card, but each servant will have to fill up the form.

What remedy has an insured person who is not able to obtain the benefits for which he has paid?

:What benefit—the medical benefit?

Sanatorium benefit.

I could not say what steps have to be taken immediately by the insured person without notice, but if the hon. Gentleman will give me notice I will inquire.

Is the contract between the Government and the insured person or between the insured persons and the society?

I think the contract is between the society and the insured person.

asked on what grounds the official explanatory leaflet No. 21, published by the National Health Insurance Commission, states that a weekly contribution of 6d. is payable by mistresses for each week beginning on Monday during the whole or any part of which the servant has been employed, having regard to the fact that it is laid down in the Act that the servant is to pay 3d. and the employer 3d.?

The leaflet states that "a weekly contribution of 6d. is payable by the mistress," and that the mistress "has a right to deduct 3d. from the servant's wages." If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to Section 4 (2) of the Act, or to my answers to the hon. Members for Wilton and Devizes on 11th June and 8th July, in which that Section is quoted, he will see that the leaflet ex- presses exactly the effect of the law, which entitles, but does not compel, the mistress to make deductions from her servant's wages.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman say that the mistress is obliged to pay sixpence when he knows that she is only obliged to pay threepence?

The hon. Member is now arguing.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the official explanatory leaflet, No. 21, of the National Health Insurance Commission, in which it is stated that every person in domestic service, unless entitled loan exemption, must get a contribution card before 15th July, either from an approved society of which she is a member or from any post office; and that every mistress, if the servant fails to produce a card, must obtain an ordinary card or an emergency card from the post office on or before pay day; whether these statements are in conflict, seeing that under the National Insurance Act penalties are to be inflicted for breach of its provisions and that there is no provision in the Act enforcing these requirements; will he say whether it is the servant or the mistress who will be brought before the Police Court and fined; and whether there is any Section in the Act requiring the mistress to purchase, under penalty, cards for servants in her husband's employment?

Under Section 69 (2) of the Act, an employer or other person who is guilty of contravention of, or noncompliance with, any of the requirements, either of Part I. of the Act or of the regulations made thereunder, is liable to a penalty. Neglect on the part of an employé to pay a contribution, and neglect on the part of an insured person to obtain a card, would be two distinct offences committed by two different people. What action would be taken by the Commissioners in any particular case would depend on the circumstances of that case; but I may point out that the failure of a servant to obtain a card does not relieve the mistress of the duty of paying the contribution or add to the difficulty of performing that duty. Mistresses are not required, as suggested in the question, to "purchase" cards. They can obtain either emergency cards or ordinary cards free of cost at any post office, and are thus enabled to discharge their statutory duty of paying the contribution when the occasion arises.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that it is a well-known principle of law that you cannot proceed against two persons for the same offence?

I do not know of that principle; but, in any case, I was not suggesting that we would proceed against two persons.

You had it in this pamphlet.

May I ask if it would be a contravention of the Act for an employer to give notice that unless his employés, young women, are prepared to pay sixpence, the employers' and employés' contribution, they will be dismissed?

That has nothing to do with the question.

Who has done it?

It has been done.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the superintendent-registrars are making a charge of 1s. 6d. for copies of birth certificates supplied to applicants who require them for the purposes of entering an approved society under the National Insurance Act, and who have made the application on the prescribed form, 1s. of this sum being charged for searching the register where the applicant is unable to give the exact date of birth; and whether such a charge is authorised by the Commissioners or the Local Government Board?

Superintendent-registrars are not entitled to charge a search fee of 1s., and are so informed in their instructions. I have no information of such search fees being charged, but if my hon. Friend will let me know if he has such information in his possession, I will gladly communicate with the Registrar-General on the subject.

asked if an employer who pays his employés full wages during their holidays will be liable for the employer's Health Insurance contribution during the time of the holidays?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked whether the Cork Harbour Board have made application to the Irish National Health Insurance Commissioners for a certificate that the terms of their employment are such as to secure provision in respect of sickness and disablement not less favourable than the corresponding benefits conferred by Part I. of the National Insurance Act, with a view to having their employés exempted from the Act; whether this application has been refused, and, if so, whether the Financial Secretary to the Treasury can state the grounds of such refusal; whether he is aware that under the Harbour Board scheme the Employés pay nothing, whereas under the Act they must pay 3d. per week; that under the Harbour Board scheme employés receive half-pay during sickness, amounting in some cases to 25s. per week, whereas under the Act the maximum sickness benefit is 10s. a week, and that under the Harbour Board scheme sickness benefit covers the first four days, whereas under the Act this is not so; whether the employés of the Harbour Board unanimously desire to be exempted; and whether, as the benefits under the Harbour Board scheme are from 50 to 100 per cent. better than those of the Act, some arrangement can be made whereby the employés will not be deprived of the substantial advantages which the Harbour Board scheme confers upon them?

The Cork Harbour Board have been in communication with the Irish Commissioners, with a view to their employés being excepted from the compulsory insurance under paragraph (b) of Part II. of the First Schedule to the Insurance Act. That paragraph requires as a condition of such exception that the provision made not only as regards temporary sickness but also permanent breakdown shall be, in the opinion of the Commissioners, not less favourable on the whole than the provision made by the sickness and disablement benefits of the Act. The Irish Commissioners have explained what terms they will regard as satisfying this condition. The Cork Harbour Board, however, have definitely stated in their letter of 24th June that none of their employés of any grade are guaranteed either security of tenure or a right to a pension. They are all liable to dismissal at the discretion of the Board, and the pensions are optional. These conditions of employment do not appear to the Irish Insurance Commissioners to secure the necessary provision for sickness and disablement benefits required by the Act. I understand, however, that further negotiations are proceeding between the Harbour Board and the Commissioners, and I will gladly communicate the result to the hon. And learned Gentleman.

asked if apprentices and other employés who are under the age of twenty-one and whose wages are less than 1s. 6d. a day are liable to the weekly deduction for Health Insurance from their wages?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the amount of medical benefit that a crofter can obtain in return for two months' compulsory contributions when employed, if he is not a voluntary contributor paying 7d. a week during the rest of the year?

If such a person becomes a deposit contributor the amount so contributed will be transferred to the local insurance committee, and that committee, under Section 42(e) of the Act, may give him such benefits, subject to such conditions, as they decide.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if he is able to get any sickness benefit if he has only contributed for two months?

That will make an aggregate of about six shillings, and it depends whether they chose to give him sickness or medical benefit.

Will there not be a sum of four shillings for administration?

I do not think there will be four shillings deducted from six shillings.

How much will it be?

That will depend on the Regulations made by the Insurance Commissioners.

:Does it include sanatorium benefit?

It includes the possibility of sanatorium benefit.

asked (42) whether the Government will pay the expenses of a test case before the Courts as to whether contributions can legally be enforced under the National Insurance Act before it is known whether insured persons will be provided with medical benefit; (43) whether the right hon. Gentleman will obtain the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether the National Insurance Act is to be construed as a contract between the Government and insured persons; (44) whether he will obtain the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether contributions can legally be deducted from the wages of insured persons before it is known whether the medical benefit promised under the National Insurance Act will be able to be given?

The Act requires contributions to be paid in respect of employed contributors and authorises deductions from their wages without reference to the exact benefits to which they may at any time be entitled. The Act definitely states that medical attendance and medicine or an alternative of monetary payment will be provided from 15th January onwards, and there is no doubt at all that one of these alternatives will be provided for insured persons. I am advised that the effect of the law is so clear that there would be no justification for occupying the time of the Law Officers of the Crown by referring a case to them, or for promoting a test action, though it would, of course, be open to any hon. Member who reads the Act otherwise to see that the matter is brought before the Courts.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, with reference to the letter of the Insurance Commissioners of 26th June, in reply to that of the British Medical Association of 29th February, in which the Commissioners state that the Government would be willing, if assured of the co-operation of the medical profession, to advise Parliament to make extra provision for meeting the cost of medical benefit, he will now state the amount of extra provision which the Government is prepared to ask Parliament to sanction?

The subject is under consideration, and no statement can at present be made on it.

May I ask when it is likely that a statement can be made?

I expect shortly. It is in part dependent, as the hon. Gentleman knows, on the results of the Committee which is now sitting and inquiring into the whole matter.

asked what steps the Government propose to take to exclude those persons possessing an income exceeding £160 a year from free medical treatment who, under the National Insurance Act, are entitled to that benefit, having regard to the statement of the Commissioners in their letter of 26th June that the Government recognise that this is a special case for consideration?

The Government have undertaken to consider any suggestions put before them in reference to this matter. No such suggestions have as yet been made. It would therefore be premature to make any statement.

Have the Commissioners power to make the alteration or will it be necessary to amend the Act?

I would like notice of that question.

asked whether there is any appeal from the decision of the Insurance Commissioners either certifying or refusing to certify that the terms of employment of those employed under any local authority are such as to entitle the persons employed to exception from compulsory insurance under Part II. of the First Schedule of the National Insurance Act?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether, in the case of a cargo barge where the barge owner, the captain, and the mate co-operate on the terms that the barge owner takes one-half of the profits and that the captain takes one-half, out of which he remunerates his mate by giving him one-third of his one-half, the mate is deemed to be an employed person; and, if so, by whom are his contributions to be paid?

In the case suggested in the question the mate will be liable to be insured, and it would appear on the facts as stated by the hon. Member that the owner of the barge will be liable for the contributions. It would, however, be impossible to give an answer with any certainty except upon a fuller statement of the facts than is possible within the limits of a Parliamentary question, but it is open to barge owners or masters to obtain the formal decision of the Commissioners by means of an application under Section 66 of the Act.

Would the right hon. Gentleman ask the Commissioners to reply to a letter which was sent to them over a month ago putting these facts?

I will have inquiry made, or if the hon. Member will communicate to me privately the full particulars of the case I will see that he will get a reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having all the questions and answers printed in regard to the Insurance Act?

I should have no objection myself.

Will you ask the Government to do so?

asked what advice is being given by the Insurance Commissioners, in the absence of the formation of any special society for governesses, as to the best mode of health insurance for this class of employed persons?

The Commissioners are careful not to give advice recommending any particular approved society for any particular insured persons. I have no doubt that any of the approved societies which take women would accept governesses as members, and I understand that special societies are being formed for persons engaged in the teaching profession.

asked the Home Secretary whether he was aware that a number of meetings to give expression to the public feeling of satisfaction at the coming into operation of the National Insurance Act had been arranged for Saturday, the 13th instant; and whether, having in view the injuries that were received by a number of the audience who disagreed with the principal speaker at a meeting dealing with the Insurance Act at Wood ford on the 29th ultimo, he would, where requested within the Metropolitan area, arrange for an adequate force of police to be present to prevent rioting or injury to any of the public present?

A sufficient force of police is always sent to preserve order in the vicinity of places where public meetings are being held; but the authorities of the meeting are responsible for the preservation of order within the building, and it would be contrary to Regulations for the police to be so employed. In the event of disorder arising, the police officer on duty is instructed, on application being made to him by responsible persons, to exercise his discretion as to the propriety of intervention.

Will ambulance facilities be provided?

If it is considered by the promoters of the meeting that ambulances will be necessary it will be their duty to see that they are provided.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the meetings at Tower Hill and elsewhere in connection with the transport strike there have been more police than were wanted?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing both among the general public and the staff at the various post offices in the country at the confusion and overwork caused by the additional duties imposed on postal authorities by the National Insurance Act; and whether he has in contemplation any measure to relieve the present tension?

I am not aware that there is dissatisfaction, confusion, or overwork in the Post Office such as the hon. Member alleges.

Will there be any permanent addition to the permanent staff in view of the Act?

If, as a matter of fact, it is found that the existing counter staff cannot cope with the work, additions will be made, but I have no reason at present to suppose that permanent additions will be necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pressure of business is especially severe in some of the country towns and rural districts where the staff is not large?

I know there has been a certain amount of additional work thrown upon the staff, but, so far as my information goes, they have been quite equal to it.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will at once place an annunciator in Room B, so that hon. Members not wishing to smoke may make use of the Library and be at the same time in close touch with the proceedings in the Chamber?

In response to the suggestion, the First Commissioner will be very glad to carry out this work at an early date.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the statements and figures contained in the recent annual report of the medical officer of health for the Ystradynlais Rural District as to overcrowding and the occupation of in sanitary dwellings, he will represent to the local authority the urgency of taking steps to put into operation the provisions of Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act?

I addressed a letter to the rural district council on the 5th instant, requesting them to give immediate attention to the question of proceeding under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a considerable number of corrugated iron huts are in permanent occupation at the mining village of Onllwyn, in the Dulais valley; whether the building bylaws of the Neath Rural Council contain provisions permitting their erection; if not, whether he sanctioned the suspension of the building by-laws to enable such huts to be built; and whether he will make representations to the local authority on the matter?

I have communicated with the clerk to the rural district council of Neath on this matter. I understand that plans for the twenty-four wooden and galvanised iron huts were submitted to the council, and that the council only consented to their erection as temporary buildings. I am, however, addressing a further communication to the council on the subject. I ought, perhaps, to add that the population of the parish in which these buildings were erected has increased very rapidly in consequence of the opening of a large colliery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason that shirtmaking was excluded from the Trades Board Act; and whether, considering the low wages earned by the shirt makers, in many cases only averaging l½d. an hour, he will consider whether steps can now be taken to bring the under the Trades Board Act?

Shirtmaking is not one of the four trades specified in the Schedule to the Trade Boards Act. The reasons for its non-inclusion can presumably be gathered from the Debates which took place on the subject. In particular I may refer the hon. Member to the Debates of 16th July, 1909, on which date an Amendment to the Bill to include shirt making in the Schedule was discussed and withdrawn. When the time to consider extension of the Act arrives the case of Shirtmaking will certainly be carefully considered among other trades.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when that time will arise?

We are considering the matter on the information which we are now acquiring.

In view of the fact that 8d. a dozen is the usual sum paid to those people for shirts, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter to see if something cannot be done?

Yes. We have not had very much experience yet. It has taken some time to get the Act into operation. Shirtmaking will be one of the first cases to be considered when we do extend the Act.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the report of the House of Lords Sweating Committee on this subject?

I have no doubt I have.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether the results obtained by the Committee on Sight Tests have been of a nature to demonstrate the superiority of the lantern test for colour blindness over the wool test; and whether, seeing that the lantern invented by Dr. Edridge-Green has been found satisfactory by the Admiralty, he can explain why the Board of Trade proposes to adopt another lantern?

I am not aware that the Report of the Departmental Committee on Sight Tests contains any expression of opinion as to whether the wool test or the lantern test is the better test for colour blindness. In the opinion of the Committee each method is to some extent supplementary to the other. The recommendations of the Committee are at present receiving my careful consideration with a view to giving effect to them so far as possible at the earliest possible date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the advisability of having a uniform test for railway men, having regard to the large number of failures which now take place?

Perhaps the hon. Member would give notice, as I would like to consider the matter.

Will an opportunity be given of practically demonstrating this method to the Board of Trade representatives?

The Committee was appointed, and I had no control over their proceedings. I do not know whether they have taken this form of testing into account. Their recommendations will receive very careful consideration.

asked whether the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury, in order to bring the Debate to a close last year, gave the House to understand that another day would be allowed for a general Debate on the Army, and that the day was not given, can see his way to give another day this year for a general Debate on the Army before the Autumn Adjournment?

:This is a matter for arrangement between the Patronage Secretary and the Noble Lord opposite.

Are we to understand that when a Cabinet Minister makes a promise and gets into a difficulty, he can evade that promise, if it is not convenient to keep it?

The hon. Member is only asking the same question in other words.

Was not a promise made on an early day in the Session of an extra day for the Territorial Force?

I do not know whether it will be possible to arrange for another day. I will do my best.

asked if the Prime Minister will state when he proposes to obtain the authority of this House for the payment of the salaries and expenses of the arbitrators appointed under Section 4 of the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, 1912?

Payment of the salaries and expenses of chairman of Joint District Boards appointed under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, 1912, will, with the sanction of the Treasury, be made out of savings from the Board of Trade vote, and it is not certain, at this stage, that it will be necessary to lay an Estimate before the House.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it has not always been the custom of this House, when a new service has been commenced, that a Resolution of the House authorising or embodying that new service is necessary before the money can be passed?

I will have to take a little time to consider my answer and look into the matter. I cannot to-day go beyond saying that, primá facie, I should think that the sanction of the House was required, but I would not like to commit myself to an answer without further consideration.

With your permission, Sir, I shall put the question later.

Has it not always been the case that sanction has only been given by the Treasury to such transfer of money where it has been from under one sub-head to another of the same Vote, and not to a totally new Vote?

The hon. Gentleman will perhaps give me notice of that question.

asked whether the Prime Minister will state the names of the Committee on Land Taxation appointed, with his approval, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and whether it will be arranged that properly qualified persons will have an opportunity of giving evidence on the subject?

The Committee is a purely unofficial and informal body. It will be presided over by my right hon. Friend Mr. Arthur Acland. I see no reason why the names of the members should be published at present. Should their Report be eventually laid before Parliament full information will, of course, be given. It will rest with the Committee to decide what method of investigation should be pursued.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to stating the names of the Committee? Is there any secret about it at all?

No, no secret whatever.

Then why not state the names?

It is purely an unofficial and informal body.

Unofficial members are not secret.

Relieve the anxiety of the Noble Lord.

Will the Committee publish a Report?

I do not think a Report will be presented.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Return relating to the yield of Licence Duties will be circulated to Members prior to the Debate on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill?

Every effort is being made to complete this Return in time to circulate it before the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, but I understand that its preparation is rendered somewhat laborious by the right hon. Gentleman's desire that the figures should be given by districts.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the disappointment felt by all progressive local education authorities at its being made a condition of Grants from the Development Fund towards the provision of farm institutes that at least 25 per cent. of the capital cost, and at least 50 per cent. of the cost of maintenance, of such institutes must be raised locally, in addition to the whole of the existing expenditure by such authorities on agricultural technical instruction, he will request the Development Commissioners to reconsider their decision?

I understand my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries is in communication with the Development Commissioners on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in the comparison which he recently made between the 533,000,000 passengers carried by the London County Council trams and the 520,000,000 passengers carried by the London General Omnibus Company, he was aware that the London County Council trams are limited to the county of London, which is a much smaller area than the Metropolitan Police area; and whether, in order to allow of amore just comparison, he would ascertain the numbers carried by the tramway companies operating in the larger area, namely, the London United Tramways, the North Metropolitan Tramways, and others, and would show the number of fatal accidents for vehicles and per million passengers carried, respectively?

So far as can be ascertained in the absence of official figures, the total number of passengers carried last year upon tramcars in the Metropolitan area is approximately 746,000,000, and the total number carried by motor omnibuses is approximately 595,000,000. On this basis the number of fatal accidents for 1911 would be, approximately, for tramcars, 1 for every 27½ million passengers carried; and, for omnibuses, 1 for every 6¼ million passengers carried; 92.5 percent. of the tramcar accidents occurred in the county of London.

asked what treatment was accorded to prisoners who during their terms of imprisonment were discovered to be affected with tubercular disease; and whether any statistics were available showing the number of persons so affected and treated, and the progress of disease during imprisonment?

Prisoners suffering from tubercular disease, if not so ill as to necessitate admission to hospital, are located together in cells specially provided for such cases. These cells are situated in the most airy ward of the prison with a south, south-east, or south-west aspect; have a special window which opens widely, providing ample light; this window can be left open day and night, if weather permits. The walls are finished off, leaving a smooth surface so as to be readily washed and disinfected; the furniture and fittings of the cell are also arranged with the same view. Special precautions are taken to prevent infection, and the prisoner's health is the subject of the medical officer's special care. No statistics are available showing the number of prisoners so affected and treated. The weight and general health when discharged are recorded, as is done with all prisoners, but no special record of progress of these prisoners has been collected—the sentences of many being so short that no good purpose would be gained thereby.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the present inmates of Wands worth Prison were suffering from mental deficiency; and whether the Mental Deficiency Bill would give power to mitigate or alter the retention or treatment of mentally defective persons committed to prison?

Thirty-three prisoners out of 1,224 at Wands worth Prison are believed to be mentally deficient. Section 28 of the Mental Deficiency Bill gives the Secretary of State power to transfer mentally defective persons from prison to an institution for defectives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the time that Miss Ada Wright, a prisoner under going imprisonment for offences in connection with the agitation for the suffrage, had now been in prison and to all the circumstances of the case, he would advise the remission of the remainder of her sentence?

This prisoner's sentence was remitted, and she was discharged last Thursday.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he would state the estimated number of the additions to the electorate in the constituencies of Romford, South-East Essex, Wands worth, and Kilkenny, respectively, which would occur in the event of the Franchise and Registration Bill becoming law?

I am afraid it is not possible, for reasons which my right hon. Friend has already given in his answer to the hon. Member for Lincoln on the 1st July, to give any estimate of the additions to the electorate in the constituencies named.