asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the action taken to restrict the consumption of cocaine and morphia and their respective congeners in India; and whether the Powers concerned have accepted the recommendations of The Hague Convention in this behalf?

With a view to control the use of morphia and cocaine in India, their importation by post is altogether prohibited, and their importation by other means is severely restricted, and is limited to persons holding permits issued by prescribed authorities. The manufacture of morphia from licit opium by private persons is prohibited, and the amount of morphia which a private person may possess is limited. Transport from place to place is carefully regulated, as is also sale, both wholesale and retail. As regards cocaine its sale is restricted to chemists and druggists holding licences, and sale by them to private persons must be for bonà fide medicinal purposes and on the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner. The Hague Convention has not yet been ratified by the Powers.

Are these measures effective?

I think so.

asked whether the Secretary of State for India has any information as to the massacre of the Dalai Lama's envoys to Lhasa and of the Dalai Lama's return to India?

The Secretary of State has received no information confirming the rumour referred to by the hon. Member. The Dalai Lama is still proceeding towards Lhasa.

asked whether the Government of India has any intention of rearranging the ecclesiastical divisions of India, or of making Delhi the seat of the Metropolitan?

The Government of India has made no recommendations on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the duty of providing men to meet the wastage of war in the Expeditionary Force will fall upon the Special Reserve?

Yes, Sir. The wastage will be met partly from the Regulars and Regular Reserve left behind on the departure of the force and partly from the Special Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what number of officers it is proposed to take from the Special Reserves to make up the complement required for the Expeditionary Force on mobilisation?

As I have already explained to the House, I do not think it is advisable to make public figures regarding the composition of the Expeditionary Force.

asked whether, in the event of an increased demand for bayonets for the Army, private firms will be invited to tender for some portion at least of the increased number required?

Should there be a recurrence of the circumstances in which private firms have in the past been invited to tender for bayonets, I know of no reason why similar invitations should not be issued to them in the future; but under present conditions it is unlikely that further considerable quantities of bayonets will be required.

May I ask for some more definite assurance that some part of the work will be given to private firms?

I have given the hon. Gentleman a very full answer. I know of no reason to suppose that if the weapons are required the previous practice will not be reverted to.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is to be understood that owing to the imminence of war it is his policy to defer the question of compulsory service in the Territorial Forces, in which he believes, until after such war and possible disaster to our forces?

I am at a loss to understand the meaning of the Noble Lord's question.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman, or someone else—whether, indeed, it has not been stated—that it is extremely desirable that it should be obligatory upon every male in this country to learn the use of arms?

I think that point would be more suitable for debate. What I may have said ten years ago is a matter that I shall be very glad to deal with at the proper time. Nothing in the question bears any relation to views I have expressed at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for War (16) whether in the official estimate that at a height of 5,000 feet in an aeroplane one can get a vision over 10,000 square miles he included normal weather; if so, will he inquire from the meteorological experts upon how many days during the last twelve months it would have been possible in the North Sea to see the distance indicated; (17) whether in the official estimate that at a normal height of 4,000 feet to 6,000 feet an aeroplane can obtain a vision over 10,000 square miles he based his calculations upon actual practical experiment or upon theoretical calculation of the earth's surface; if the former, upon what dates and by whom were the experiments made, and how many days in the year is it estimated that the meteorological conditions will be such as to allow approaching ships to be seen at such a distance; and what warning in point of time would an aeroplane be able to give of a raid timed to arrive at dawn after a dark night?

The distance of the visible horizon at sea on a clear day from an observer at a height of 5,000 feet, allowing for normal refraction at midday, is, I am informed, 93½ miles; the area under observation would thus be approximately 27,500 square miles.

May I ask if, as the right hon. Gentleman is going on theory only, if the statement made by him the other day that you could see 10,000 square miles, does not, if you adopt his formula, only include half of the horizon, and is it correct to include the question of refraction, which ought surely to be discounted on the basis of his calculation?

I have given what I think is a very full reply. I have referred to the experts at the Admiralty and elsewhere in order to verify the figures, and I think the Noble Lord will find them accurate.

asked whether an increase of fifty horses per Cavalry unit was recommended by a Cavalry Advisory Committee; whether that number was reduced by the Army Council to twenty; and whether the Treasury have yet sanctioned the smaller number?

The increase recommended by the Committee was forty horses per regiment. For various reasons it was found necessary to proceed by instalments, and provision was made in the Estimates for twenty horses per regiment this year. The recommendations in the Report of this Committee, which deals with various matters, have not yet come before the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state how many batteries of horse, field, and heavy Artillery in this country are now actually ready to take the field with their full complement of guns at war strength; how many guns are temporarily disabled in consequence of portions of their mechanism or fittings being out of repair; how many units in the Army at Home have their full complement of machine guns, range-finders, signalling apparatus, and field telephones; and how many of these machine guns and instruments are temporarily disabled?

To obtain the information required it would be necessary to call for detailed returns from all commands. I can, however, assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there is sufficient material in equipments or in reserve to replace temporary disablement. The only portion of the equipment mentioned which is not fully supplied is the new one-man range finder, which is being gradually introduced to replace the old pattern.

asked if it is intended to extend the privileges of the additional pension granted to quartermasters of the Regular Forces to those quarter masters of the Territorial Forces now paid by the county associations; and, if so, under what conditions?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Special Reserve are a part of the Army, he will in future arrange that the average age, height, minimum and maximum chest measurement, range of expansion, and weight of recruits for the Special Reserve shall be given in the Annual Report on the health of the Army?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman in answer to similar questions put on 7th March, 22nd April, and 7th May.

Why, if the Special Reserve is part of the Army, are they treated differently? What can possibly be the difficulty of doing what I ask if the men's measurements are put down when they are measured by the medical officers; is not the present method followed to make us think that the physique of these soldiers—

The hon. Member is making a speech.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many of the 88,000 men taken for military training in the United Kingdom in 1910 were under the age of nineteen?

The figures, which can only be calculated approximately, amount to about 52,000.

Are we to understand that these boys are supposed to be able to carry a full kit of 59 lbs., march several miles, and fight at the end of the march?

I know a great many of the men under nineteen years of age who are fully fit to carry any load and then, if necessary, fight.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great many of these recruits look like boys of thirteen and fourteen; what steps are taken to verify the age given?

Every stop is taken to see that we do not enlist boys who state their age wrongly, and very strong action is taken where such mistakes occur. What I was asked was as to persons under nineteen. I do not call such a person a boy.

How many of these 55,000 young gentlemen would form part of the Expeditionary Force?

Such as are sufficiently old and strong to take part in it.

These young men of nineteen—

May I remind the Noble Lord that we shall be in Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates in a few moments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the First Lord of the Admiralty has arranged and carried out an inspection by Members of Parliament of our ships-of-war in fighting trim, he will let the Members of Parliament see ten battalions of Regular Infantry, ten battalions of the Special Reserve, and ten of the Territorial Force, all to be chosen by lot, and the men to carry full field-service equipment of 50½ pounds in weight, march ten miles, and then go through tactical exercises?

The suggestion of the hon. Gentleman will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the particulars of the grass farms acquired by the Government for the breeding or keeping of horses for military purposes; and will he state where the farms are situated, the acreage of each farm, and the number of the horses on each farm?

No grass farms have been acquired for the breeding of horses. As regards the keeping of horses for military purposes, in addition to the existing Army remount depots, a grass farm at Witley has been presented to the Government by Mr. Pinckard for twenty-one years at a peppercorn rent. The farm is about 150 acres in extent, and can accomdate 150 horses for short periods. Negotiations are pending for extending the system.

What about the number of the horses?

I should like to have notice as to the precise number.

It is in my question.

I will reply to that tomorrow or Monday if the hon. Member will put a question down.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state what steps have been taken in compiling the census of horses taken by remount officers to ascertain the prices to be paid for such horses in the event of their being taken for Army purposes; and whether such prices have been arrived at after communication with the owners of the horses; and, if not, whether the owners have been informed of such prices?

The price to be paid for horses taken for Army purposes on mobilisation will be the value of the animal according to the market price prevailing at that time. Should an owner object to the price tendered he has a right under Section 115 (4) Army Act to have the price determined by a county court judge.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, namely, what steps are being taken now to ascertain the prices, in order that the prices paid eventually shall not be grossly in excess of the ordinary prices paid for the horses?

I have given a very full answer to the hon. Gentleman. I can add nothing to it. What I state has been the law for many years, and we do not propose to alter it. We rely upon it to see that we do not pay too much or too little.

Will the War Office see that the county court judges are equipped with the necessary knowledge?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long the storage magazine for explosives at Purfleet Wharf has been built; what was the cost of building it; and whether it is in good condition?

This magazine was originally built in 1763, but the cost is unknown. I am informed that the present magazine is in excellent condition.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a barge containing cordite grounded on an old pile stump or other obstruction at the Purfleet magazine wharf a short time ago, thereby causing the barge to leak and wet the bottom layer of boxes of cordite; whether the boxes of wet cordite were stacked on the top of boxes of dry cordite; and has he received any Report with regard to the magazines, as to whether they are damp or dry, and the condition of the cordite stored in them?

Nothing is known of the occurrences mentioned in the first three parts of the question. No special report has been received as regards these magazines. They are, however, stated to be dry. The cordite stored in them is reported to be in a serviceable condition.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is with the sanction of the Treasury that subordinate officials in the Customs and Excise Department demand signed receipts from members of the public for money due to them before the money has been actually received; and, if this is so, on what grounds members of the public are required to thus sign false statements?

I understand that the practice of asking for an anticipatory receipt for payment in connection with the Customs and Excise Revenues is one of very long standing, and I believe it prevails in other Departments also. If the hon. Member can inform me of any case in which the practice has given rise to inconvenience I will inquire further.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in considering the question of the powers of the Public Works Loan Commissioners with reference to advances for the building of workmen's dwellings under the Housing Acts, the Government will make special inquiry into the conditions existing in the Sirhowy Valley of Monmouthshire, and into the cases which have arisen therein that have formed the subject of applications to the Commissioners?

In their consideration of the general question of these advances, the Government will not fail to take account of individual instances such as that to which my hon. and gallant Friend draws attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in numerous cases the valuation forms Tinder the Land Clauses of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, were returned by the recipients duly filled up in the month of September, 1910, that no acknowledgment has been received for these forms, nor has any step been taken to carry out the valuations; and if, under the circumstances, the owners may consider that the proposed valuation has been abandoned?

Owing to the great number of valuations to be made under Part I. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, the conditions mentioned by the hon. Member do in many cases exist. He must, however, be aware from statements made frequently in this House that it was never contemplated that the valuation would be completed in less than five years, of which period more than half has still to run. The answer to the last part of the question is, of course, in the negative.

If in any ordinary business transaction you heard nothing about it for two years would you not consider the transaction at an end?

If the transaction was to be over a period of five years I should not.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect it to be completed in five years?

Yes, I think so.

asked who will pay the extra expense that will be thrown upon landowners in proving the value of their land under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, owing to the delay of the Government in having the valuations made in a reasonable time?

The general valuation of land under Part I. is proceeding as rapidly as possible and I do not anticipate that extra expense will be thrown upon landowners owing to the period which may elapse before particular valuations are made.

Is it not a fact that it must necessarily be more difficult to prove the value after three years than if it was done at the time?

I do not think so, I think they have a complete record of the position at the time.

When is the whole valuation likely to be completed?

I have already answered that question.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by the completion of the valuation?

Any further questions should be put down.

asked whether the members on the new Land Committee own or occupy a considerable amount of land; and whether he can say about how many acres are owned or occupied by the member owning or occupying the largest quantity of land, and how many acres by the member owning or occupying the smallest amount of land?

No, Sir. I have made no inquiries as to the amount of land owned by these gentlemen.

How are people who neither own or occupy land to know anything about the conditions of land? What is the use of putting people to do that sort of job who do not know anything about it?

I did not say that people who do not own land do not know anything about it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know anything about those people; he does not seem to know whether they own land or not.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the formation of a second committee composed of Members of Parliament supporting the present Government with the object of advancing the acquisition of land by the central government and local authorities; if this committee was also formed with his sanction; and whether, as statements are being made throughout the country as to the intention of the Government to deal with the whole question of land tenure, he will inform the House what are the Government's proposals in the matter, so that Members of all sections of the House may be in a position to deal authoritatively with this subject?

I know nothing of this Committee which has been formed quite independently, and without any consultation with me. Any proposals which the Government may have to make will be announced in due course and on their own responsibility, but not (as I have already said) in the present Session.

May I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the reply given by the Prime Minister a short time ago—

If the hon. Member has anything further to say he must put it interrogatively.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will say what steps he is taking, in view of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease, anthrax, abortion, and red-water fever in cattle and swine fever in pigs in this country, to extend and promote scientific research, with a view to more successfully combating these diseases?

It is impossible within the limits of an answer to a question to give the hon. Member full information as to the work which is being done in the direction he suggests, but my right hon. Friend hopes that the following summary will be sufficient for his purpose: A Scientific Commission will leave England early in the autumn to study foot-and-mouth disease in India. My right hon. Friend does not think that anthrax requires any further scientific investigation, as its causes and the means by which it is spread are well known; the difficulty of dealing with this disease is rather administrative, and the question whether it is possible and desirable to take any administrative action is engaging my attention. A Departmental Committee on epizootic abortion has already issued two Reports and two Appendices, and is still sitting; the possibility of immunising cattle against this disease is under consideration. Much experimental work in connection with red-water fever has been carried out at the Board's laboratory with successful results, and preparations are in progress for continuing the inquiry; if the hon. Member would care to visit the Board's laboratory the officer in charge would be very glad to receive him and to show him what is being done. With regard to swine fever, my right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Member to the Interim Report (Part I.) of the Departmental Committee.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us the names of the Commissioners who will go out to India to consider this question of foot-and-mouth disease?

I will inform my right hon. Friend that the hon. Gentleman has put that supplementary question.

asked how many out breaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in Great Britain and Ireland, respectively, during the last ten years; what the duration of the outbreaks was in each case; and how often it was found necessary to close British ports against the reception of Irish cattle during the continuance of the outbreaks?

In Great Britain, one outbreak occurred in 1902, three in 1908, two in 1910, and nineteen last year. No outbreak occurred in Ireland during the same period. As regards the duration of the outbreaks in each case, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to the Annual Reports presented to Parliament, which contain full information on the subject. It was not found necessary to close British ports against Irish cattle during the period named.

Would the hon. Gentleman say whether there are any precautions taken by the Irish Board of Agriculture against the importation of cattle and sheep into Ireland not taken by the English Board of Agriculture?

The hon. Member must give notice. He can hardly expect the Under-Secretary for India to know these things.

asked whether cattle imported to Great Britain from Canada and South America and dealt with at British ports under the conditions set out in the Foreign Animals Order have been inspected for disease before embarkation at the American and Canadian ports; or whether his Department have any means of ascertaining the health of these cattle until the moment of their landing on British soil?

Cattle are officially inspected before exportation from Canada, the United States of America, Argentina, and Uruguay. The hon. Member is probably aware that the importation of cattle into the United Kingdom from the various South American countries is at present prohibited.

asked under what circumstances two lots of cattle exported from Ireland by a Mr. William Quaid, on the 18th June last, have been kept in quarantine, one lot at Aberdeen and the other at Ulverston; by what authority he was deprived of the control of his beasts; and will he state whether either of these places is within a scheduled area, at whose costs the cattle are being maintained, and how long it is proposed to continue the quarantine?

The cattle in question appear to have been detained, not in pursuance of an Order of the Board, but by the local authority acting in the exercise of the powers conferred upon them by Article 6 of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order of 1895. I am informed that the cattle will be released to-day, in both cases, if they are found to be free from disease.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the statement issued by the Port of London employers on 12th July, pointing out that the present strike was ordered by the Transport Federation officials without consultation with the men, and that if the men resumed work forthwith they might depend upon their being allowed the freest submission of all grievances and just and generous consideration; and if he will take steps with a view to the unfettered opinion of the men being obtained as to resuming work at once on the assurances given by the Port Authority?

The Prime Minister has asked me to say that, in the existing circumstances, it would be better to defer giving an answer to this question.

May I ask whether the Prime Minister is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the Dock Strike in London?

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, I have been in communication with Lord Devonport and with Mr. Gosling and Mr. Orbell, with the result that interviews took place yesterday between them. The official record of the interviews appears in the Press to-day, and I have nothing at present to add to them, except that I understand that further interviews are likely to take place to-day.

asked whether the consent of the Board of Agriculture has been given to the enclosure of part of an alleged common known as Harley Hill, situate in the borough and manor of Presteign, Radnorshire, or if the Board has any information on the subject?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests and Land Revenues possess any rights in the alleged tract of common known as Harley Hill, situate in the borough or manor of Presteign; and whether the Crown has ever consented to the enclosure of part of the land or has made a grant of any of the interests in the land?

This question ought to have been put to the President of the Board of Agriculture who asks me to say that the soil of the common known as Harley Hill was sold by the Commissioners of Woods, on behalf of the Crown as Lord of the Manor of Presteign, in the year 1870, to Mr. Thomas King Stephens, and the only rights in it now possessed by the Crown are the mineral rights which were reserved on that occasion. The sale was "subject to all existing rights of common, of turbary, and rights of way, and other rights." Except as stated above the Crown has not made any Grant or given any consent in the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire about the fencing that has been put across the common preventing people using it?

I will tell my right hon. Friend that the hon. Member wishes him to inquire.

asked the Postmaster-General when the agreement with the Marconi Company regarding Imperial wireless stations was signed; and when it will be laid upon the Table?

The Marconi Company's tender was accepted on 7th March last. The contract itself has not yet been signed, but I hope that the signatures will be affixed, and that I shall be able to lay it on the Table of the House in the course of the next few days.

Arising out of that answer, can my right hon. Friend say how it comes about that details could be given in a circular issued by the Marconi Company to its shareholders on 9th March last, and in a speech made by Mr. Marconi at a meeting of his company last week, when he said some time ago it would be inconvenient to give them in this House?

The facts of the case are these. The Marconi Company put in a tender for the work required in more or less general terms, stating prices and giving a general specification, which was accepted on 7th March, and I do not think, as far as I am aware, the speech to which my hon. Friend refers went beyond the facts included in the tender; but a much more detailed specification and many more elaborate conditions are to be included in the contract itself and were contemplated by the original tender. It would have been unsuitable for me to have laid before the House an incomplete document; it must be the final document itself which is laid on the Table of the House.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the particulars for which I asked him regarding the duration of the royalties were on both those occasions made public, not in general terms, but in precise details, and that it was those details he told me it would be inconvenient to give to the House?

I could have given certain details, certainly, but my hon. Friend either asked me in the course of Debate or he put down a question, "What was the period of the royalties, and the number of years?" I could have given him the number of years, but I could not have named the full conditions, and I thought it was inadvisable to give information piecemeal. There was no discourtesy intended to the hon. Gentleman.

May I ask whether we may expect them this week, in time for discussion before the House rises, in view of the fact that the arrangement was made in March last?

Since March there have been many negotiations on points of detail between the Postmaster-General, the War Office, the Treasury, the India Office, and the Colonial Office, which are responsible for the delay that has taken place. I am most anxious the sanction of the House should be given before the House rises for the Summer Recess, and there must be several days' notice before the discussion comes on, and Papers must be laid in good time for Members to make themselves acquainted with them. I am pressing the Department concerned as strongly as I can, and I hope there will only be two or three days elapse before the contract is laid.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will see this is not taken as exempted business after Eleven o'clock?

On that I must consult my hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the daily complaints in the telephone service as to subscribers being told that numbers are engaged when this is not the case, and when, in answer to calls, the local exchange has stated that the number was not wanted; to delays in getting lines cleared and in attracting the operator's attention after getting a wrong number; to delays in getting the operator's attention when desiring a fresh number; to delays in getting lines cleared after ringing off trunks; and to interruptions of conversations by questions from operators and by disconnections in the course of conversations; whether his attention has been called to delays in the installation of telephone instruments contracted for; to complaints as to indistinct and faint lines and as to intermittent and incessant ringing during heavy rains; to complaints by message-rate subscribers of being asked to make deposits far in excess of likely calls, and, on remonstrating, receiving a demand for a much larger sum, in some cases as much as £5 after having asked for £2; and complaints as to the manner of conducting correspondence from exchange managers' departments and as to excess call charges; whether these complaints emanate from shortage of lines, inadequate or overworked staff, or are due to organisation on different lines to that of the National Telephone Company; and what steps he proposes taking to make the service at least as effective as it was before the transfer of the telephone took place in January last?

The hon. Member's question raises so large a number of points that it is impossible to give an adequate reply within the limits of an oral answer. I propose, therefore, to circulate a statement with the Votes. [See Written Answers this date.]

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the floating dock on the Medway was towed to its moorings by four tugs of a foreign firm; and whether the Admiralty or Admiralty contractors possess tugs capable of carrying out this class of work?

The Medway Floating Dock was towed from the works of the builders, Messrs. Swan, Hunter, to its berth on the Medway by four tugs of a foreign firm. That procedure was adopted by the firm under the terms of the contract. I assume that the contractors themselves did not possess tugs capable of carrying out this class of work. Admiralty tugs are not designed for this class of work. In the case of necessity, no doubt, they could be utilised for towing the floating dock, but that would mean the withdrawal of several of the large Admiralty tugs, with a consequent dislocation of the normal work of the ports to which they are attached.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that these foreign tugs collided with other vessels coming in, and that if local tugs had been employed to do the work this would have been avoided?

I am not aware of the fact stated in the earlier part of the question, and I cannot say whether the contention put forward in the latter part would have arisen.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware it is recognised a London firm could do this work as well as a foreign firm?

No, I am not aware of that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Admiralty tugs, whatever there were, belonging to the port, had to be called in to help the foreign tugs?

I am not aware of that, but I will accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will definitely state on which day the Supplementary Navy Estimates will be printed and circulated?

Thursday next.

asked what is the highest and what the lowest amount that can be earned by the ordinary labourer in the Royal dockyards?

The highest amount that can be earned by an ordinary labourer at His Majesty's dockyards in England is, when he is employed on piecework, on which occasions his pay may amount to 31s. a week. But I ought to say that the ordinary labourer, in comparison with the skilled labourers, does not get very many opportunities of being put on piecework, and when he does he would not often earn as much as 31s. a week. The lowest rate is 21s. for a full week of forty-eight hours on time pay.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many labourers are getting 21s. per week in the Royal dockyards?

There are 2,000 roughly on time pay, but some of those have opportunities from time to time of earning extra.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give any comparison between the pay in the Royal dockyards and the pay under the Port of London Authority?

No, I cannot answer that question within the limits of a question and answer now.

asked whether the double-bottom pay of chief and stoker petty officers was stopped last November; why this stoppage occurred; whether the chief and stoker petty officers, have to go through the compartments and test the place and see if it is fit for men to work in; whether they are responsible for the men's work in the same manner as before pay was stopped; and are they on duty just the same as before?

Payment to chief and stoker petty officers for supervision, only of work in double-bottoms and confined spaces is not provided for in the Regulations, and orders were issued last November for erroneous payments to cease. The question of allowing some remuneration for the service is, however, now under consideration. Article 1081 (c) of the King's Regulations places the responsibility, under the engineer officer, on the chief and stoker petty officer in charge of the double-bottom party that the air in each compartment is tested and found satisfactory before any men are allowed to enter. This, in most cases, entails the petty officer going through the compartment.

Are we to understand that the work done by these petty officers is the same kind of work as that done by the men themselves?

No, I do not think so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of the seamen's quarters in His Majesty's ship "Lion"; that the men are herded together, some sleeping on the table, some on the floor, and others in hammocks swung so close together that sleep is in many cases out of the question; that the quarters are bounded on one side by the plates of the ship and on the other by the boilers; and that there is no provision made for ventilation; whether he will take steps to have these quarters properly ventilated; and will he arrange so as to prevent overcrowding?

No complaints have been received. The accommodation provided is 10 per cent, in excess of complement requirements, the spacing between the hammocks is that normally provided, and none of the quarters are bounded by the boilers. A full service of air supply is provided. Inquiries will at once be made as to whether this has proved insufficient.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long the "Lion" has been in commission?

A very short time.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that in the year 1904, when an Order in Council was made changing the present Marine officers into naval officers, a promise of a higher scale of pay was given; and will he explain why this promise has not yet been carried out, and when it will be?

There was no Order in Council in 1901 of the nature indicated in the question. New scales of pay for existing and future Marine officers were announced by Circular letter of the 19th December, 1902, and effect was given to them by Order in Council of the 28th March, 1903, and the 8th August, 1911, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the lowest wage guaranteed to a dockyard worker of the ordinary labourer class employed by the Port Authority of London, and what amount can the same labourer earn per week under the system of plus?

I am in communication with the Port of London Authority and will inform the hon. Member as soon as I receive the desired information from the Authority.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that expense and delay are caused by the custom of the Scotch Education Department in the revision of the papers of the leaving certificate and other examinations of having the candidates' papers sent from Scotland to London and thence to the various examiners instead of having all such work done in Scotland; and, if so, what is the reason for this, and could he see his way to alter this practice?

The additional expense, if any, is of a most trifling character and I am not aware that any delay is caused by the present practice in use for the leaving certificate and other examinations conducted by the Department. Practical experience shows that the method in use is the most convenient method of collecting and distributing papers to examiners.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, if the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, having admitted delay in dealing with the application of Mr. Mackenzie, of Calgary, to lease his pony stallions to the Board, with the result that Mr. Mackenzie has been unable to let his stallions elsewhere, will compensate Mr. Mackenzie for his loss?

The answer to this question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether police authorities in England receive from the Treasury to wards the expense of police pay and clothing one-half of their total approved expenditure on these, whereas in Scotland the same authorities receive from the Treasury only one-third of their total approved expenditure; if so, has his Department represented this inequality to the Treasury, and what was their answer; and does he propose to introduce legislation to rectify it?

For reasons which were fully explained to my hon. Friend in reply to a question on 16th March, 1911 (22 H.C. Debates, p. 2562) I am unable to admit that in the matter of Local Taxation Grants, including Police Grant, there is any inequality as between England and Scotland.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (11) whether deductions are to be made under the National Insurance Act from the pay of soldiers of British regiments serving in India; if so, whether the assent of the Government of India was obtained to the diversion of funds provided by it for pay to other objects; and asked the Secretary of State for War (24) whether, under the National Insurance Act, compulsory deductions are made from the pay of soldiers belonging to regiments of the British Army while they are serving in India; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, whether the concurrence of the India Office has been obtained to such diversion of funds provided by that Government for the specific purpose of paying troops and not for providing benefits which for the most part cannot be enjoyed until after the return of such troops to Home service?

Under the National Insurance Act British soldiers serving in India are placed in precisely the same position, both as regards deductions and benefits, as those serving at home. This arrangement is fully concurred in by the Secretary of State for India.

What is the authority for deducting pay provided by the Indian taxpayer and diverting it to some other purpose?

The National Insurance Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the benefit is to be paid upon the application of the woman in England or the man in India?

I had rather my hon. Friend put a question down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, at an interview with Customs and Excise officers in May last, he stated that officers of the amalgamated service would be called upon to perform certain duties in connection with the National Insurance Act; whether he is aware that the official National Insurance Act instructions to officers of Customs and Excise have been issued in the Customs branch only to officers of less than six years' service; whether he will cause copies of the instructions to be issued to all officers who desire to make themselves acquainted with the duties under the Act they may be called upon to perform; and whether it is by his authority that the work under the Act has been appropriated by the Excise branch of the amalgamated service to the exclusion of the Customs branch?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is not contemplated that all officers of the amalgamated Customs and Excise service should be employed on insurance duties. In many cases it will not be possible for men to combine these duties with their ordinary work. The Board of Customs and Excise have, however, directed that copies of the instructions shall be supplied to all officers of the amalgamated service, so that if they are called upon to take up the insurance work they may be properly prepared. I am informed that the statement in the second paragraph of the question is incorrect. The distribution of copies is still in progress, and will very shortly be completed. It is not the fact that duties under the Act have been assigned to the Excise branch of the amalgamated service to the exclusion of the Customs branch. On the contrary, a considerable number of men in the Customs branch are being employed on insurance duties.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, at any rate in some large centres such as Sheffield, these officers are greatly overworked during the last few years, and will he consider whether it is absolutely necessary to put more duties upon them?

I agree they have been worked very hard in the last few years, but there have been considerable additions to the staff, and I am not aware they have been overworked recently.

asked whether any of the Insurance Commissioners have addressed any communication to him or to the Cabinet stating that everything is in readiness in their office for the National Insurance Act to come into operation immediately, or whether they have expressed any intimation to the effect that, unless the operation of the Act is postponed for some months, they must not be held responsible for the confusion that will consequently ensue?

The hon. Member must surely be aware that it would be wholly contrary to established adminis- trative practice to publish communications passing between the permanent staff of a Department and its political Chief.

asked the reasons why, in appointing provisional local health committees, it was found necessary to place on such committees persons living outside of the locality for which the committees were appointed, and in many cases having no connection with the locality?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for North Monaghan on Monday, 8th July. Representatives of insured persons on the insurance committees now constituted on a provisional basis were selected by the central representative bodies of friendly societies and trade unions, and by the Association of Industrial Insurance Offices. I am not aware of any cases where persons having no connection with the society have been appointed. In certain cases the persons selected by the bodies mentioned do not actually reside within the boundaries of the area for which the committee acts; but in such cases they are probably officers of friendly societies or other approved societies which are largely operating within the boundary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many cases in which large friendly societies of about 5.000 and more have had nothing whatever to do with the appointment of these members of the provisional committees?

The large friendly societies have had a say in the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the employers who wish to do so can get in touch with them, and get upon those committees?

I do not know what the Noble Lord means by getting in touch with them. All the names are published, the meetings are published, and many of the Committees have representatives of the county councils upon them.

Are these outside persons who have been appointed nominated in every case?

As far as I am aware—yes.

asked whether, in the event of an employer stamping an emergency card in default of the ordinary card and giving it to an employé, and in the further event of his employé destroying this card, the employer is called upon to produce and stamp a fresh card on every subsequent occasion on which he pays wages to that employé?

If an employed person persistently refused to produce his card to his employer, there would clearly be no reasonable cause for his failure to produce his card, and a breach of the regulations would be committed by him. The statutory duty of the employer to pay the contribution on each occasion would not be affected by such refusal, and it would be necessary for him in the circumstances assumed to obtain and stamp emergency cards. I may state that employers can now obtain, not only emergency cards, but ordinary Insurance cards for their employés lasting not one week only, but the whole quarter.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state what remedy an insured person will have if he is not able to obtain the sanatorium benefit for which he has paid?

If an insured person is dissatisfied with any treatment he receives from the Insurance Committee which is responsible for arranging for such treatment he may appeal under Section 67 to the Insurance Commissioners who may decide the case themselves or authorise a referee to decide such an appeal.

What does a man have to do if the Commissioners cannot give him the sanatorium benefits for which he has paid?

I do not think that arises out of the question. In the first place, he would apply to the insurance committee, and it is only if the insurance committee gives him the wrong treatment or refuse to give him the treatment he ought to receive that the appeal lies.

But how can any treatment be received when the sanatoria are not ready?

As I have explained many times to the House, there is full treatment ready now.

Are we to understand that the sanatoria are now built?

Are we to understand that the sanatorium benefit and medical benefit will be arranged for by time all these appeals have been heard?

Sanatorium benefit can be given now, and medical benefit, or an alternative equivalent, will be given from January.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will say with how many and which of the seventy-six institutions designated as sanatoria in England, and how many and which hospitals, and with how many and which of the fifty-seven tuberculosis dispensaries have, arrangements been made, and by which, local insurance committees for the provision of sanatorium benefit in sanatoria and other institutions as from the 15th of July, 1912; and further, in which of the above institutions, hospitals, and dispensaries, and to how many insured persons is sanatorium benefit under the National Insurance Act now being administered?

No Reports have as yet been received from insurance committees as to the institutions with which arrangements are proposed to be made with a view to the treatment of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis, nor as to the numbers of applications which they have received for provision of the benefit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether it is true that the Government are going to take over the Hollesley Bay Colony for a sanatorium?

I must have notice of that question. I have not heard of it myself.

Is there any truth in the report that no arrangements have yet been made to have any of these private institutions?

Oh, no. I think the hon. Member for Sevenoaks explained what was happening in Wiltshire, and he stated that certain arrangements had been made in that county, and that was only one example.