asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, of Filton, Bristol, is supplying the Admiralty with aeroplanes or other flying craft; if so, whether that firm is paying from 5s. to 10s. per week less than the standard rate of wage to a number of artisans employed by the firm; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The firm is supplying the Admiralty with an aeroplane, and the usual Fair-Wages Clause forms one of the conditions of the order. I have no information respecting the complaint made in the question, but am making inquiry.

asked how many-torpedo-boat destroyers were completed for the British and German fleets, respectively, from 1899 to 1905, inclusive; and how many from and including 1906 to the present time?

The number of torpedo boat destroyers completed for the British Navy during the periods in question is as follows:—

asked how many battleships were completed for the British and German fleets, respectively, from 1899 to 1905, inclusive; and how many from and including 1906 to the present time?

The number of battleships completed for the British Navy during the periods in question is as follows:—

asked how many completed "Dreadnought" docks there are on the North Sea coasts of Great Britain and Germany, respectively?

On the East Coast of Great Britain we have three docks capable of receiving battleships and battle cruisers of the "Dreadnought" type, namely:—

Will the Hebburn Dock take a "Dreadnought" fully loaded?

At the lowest neap tide there are 25 ft. over the sill. If the ship were fully loaded at that time, the Hebburn Dock would not take it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chatham Dock is not always available, and that ships have often been waiting outside for the tide to get in?

I should think that the Noble Lord is quite correct.

Are we to understand that the Medway Dock is the only one on the East Coast which is capable of taking this latest type of "Dreadnoughts"?

The Medway Dock is the only one under all circumstances and all tides which is capable of taking all "Dreadnought" ships built or building.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wind prevents the Medway Dock from being used at all states of the tide and wind, just the same as the Chatham Dock? It is a question of wind and fair-way.

Of course my knowledge is not equal to the Noble Lord's, but I should doubt that. I admit what he said with regard to the Chatham Dock, but I am doubtful as to his suggestion as to the floating dock.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the recent Ceylon Excise Ordinance, the Government of Ceylon will provide central distillery buildings and plant and, if so, at what estimate of cost; whether the number of liquor shops has been largely increased by the establishment of separate toddy shops which did not exist before; whether it is the policy of the Excise Department to cheapen the cost of toddy to the drinker to 5d. a gallon or less; and on what Department rests the responsibility of reporting and checking any increase of drunkenness?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the system can only be introduced gradually, and no estimate of the cost is available. As regards the second part, I would explain that previously the arrack and toddy rents have been sold together. It has now been decided to separate them, and it is therefore necessary to make separate provision for the sale of toddy. This necessarily involves an increase in the number of licensed houses, but the number of licensed places in which arrack can be obtained and the number in which toddy can be obtained will not be similarly increased, since toddy will not be obtainable at an arrack shop or arrack at a toddy shop. Further, owing to the prevention of the illicit sales which have been rife in the past, the total number of places at which liquor can be obtained will be greatly reduced. As regards the third part of the question, I am not aware that any figure has been suggested. It is the policy of the Government of Ceylon to discourage the drinking of arrack and to induce people, if they must drink, to drink toddy, a comparatively harmless beverage, the sale of which has been discouraged in the past by the arrack renters. The control of drunkards will rest, as in the past, on the police. It is confidently expected that the new system will lead to a great decrease in drunkenness.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very large volume of dissatisfaction with the new Ordinance in Ceylon; and can he say from what section of the community that dissatisfaction comes?

I interviewed yesterday a gentleman representing the volume of dissatisfaction, and I hope I was able to remove some of it.

What is toddy; is it Scotch?

No, Sir, it is quite a different beverage. It is quite unsuitable to Scotchmen.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly say what it is?

It is a product of the palm tree.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to an appeal made to the Prime Minister praying for the cancellation of a phosphate licence in the Gilbert islands and for an impartial public investigation into the affairs of these Pacific islands; and whether he proposes to have such an investigation held and thus give the public access to the truth of the matter?

I have seen the petition referred to by my hon. Friend, but have been unable to advise that any action should be taken upon it. As stated in answer to a question in the House on 5th April, 1909, an inquiry was made by the High Commissioner in 1905 into the charges made by the petitioner, and the Secretary of State was satisfied on receipt of his report that the complaints had no solid foundation. I do not consider that any further investigation is necessary. I would refer the hon. Member to the despatch of the High Commissioner of 3rd September, 1908, published at page 14 of Cd. 4356.

Is it not a fact that the licence mentioned in the question was obtained under false pretences, and, that being so, is it not desirable to have an inquiry into the whole matter?

Is the right hon. Gentleman perfectly satisfied that the conditions of employment of natives in these islands is satisfactory?

I think that question hardly arises.

asked whether the Post Office in Canada, Australia, or South Africa are subject to the immediate jurisdiction of the central Government, or whether they are under the various local Parliaments in these dominions; whether there has been any complaint in those cases where they are under a central authority; and whether there is any intention of putting the postal arrangements back under the various Colonies or States that go to make up the federation, commonwealth, or dominion?

In all three cases the Post Office is under the central Parliament and Government. I have no information on the second and third parts of the question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman never had a complaint about it?

I could not carry in my head any complaints which have been made over a series of years.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he proposes this Session to introduce his promised Bill to deal with outbreaks of Isle of Wight bee disease; and, if so, why, in view of it probably being unopposed in this House, he does not do so forthwith?

I hope to introduce the Bill to-morrow.

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange, that it shall come into operation as from the beginning of next year?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that extensive bee disease exists in Aberdeenshire; and what steps he has taken in the matter?

I am informed that the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have no reason to suppose that extensive bee disease exists in Aberdeenshire. Only one case has been reported from that county. In that, as in other cases from other districts, arrangements were made to have the bees inspected and to advise as to treatment. I may add that the Board are in communication with the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries with regard to legislation for dealing with outbreaks of bee disease.

Does the outbreak of disease come under the Board of Agriculture for Scotland or for England?

This is under the Board of Agriculture for Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the Order just issued by the Board permitting the landing of Irish cattle at Deptford Foreign Animals Wharf for slaughter there, he will also consider the desirability of removing the restrictions upon the importation from Argentina of live cattle for slaughter at the same market?

The importation of live animals from Argentina is prohibited in pursuance of the statutory obligations imposed upon the Board by Section 25 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, and legislation would, therefore, be necessary to carry out the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. The Section in question does not apply to Ireland, and in any case the circumstances of the two countries differ materially.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture have received any information that, owing to Clause 18 in the Swine Fever Order of 23rd April,1908, which prohibits the exhibition for sale of pigs suspected of fever, excessive fines have been imposed on persons whose pigs have been suspected and have afterwards proved not to be infected by the fever?

The answer is in the negative. If the hon. Member can give me particulars of any such case, I will certainly have inquiry made.

asked how many cooperative societies are in existence in England among dairy farmers, market gardeners, and fruit growers, respectively?

There are no complete statistics of agricultural co-operative societies, but if the hon. Member will be good enough to postpone his question for a week, I hope to be able to give approximate figures.

asked whether in view of the fact that when the first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Market Harborough was made known to the authorities as many as fourteen animals were found to be affected with the disease, the Board of Agriculture are of opinion that the disease had existed on the premises for several days prior to its notification; and, if so, whether the Board propose, in the general interests of stock owners, to take steps to ensure in every case immediate notification of the disease when an outbreak occurs?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Every person having in his possession or under his charge an animal affected with foot-and-mouth disease is bound by Section 4 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, and by Section 1 of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order, 1895, with all practicable speed to give notice of the fact to the police. This requirement is well known to stockowners, but-notwithstanding the widespread publicity which has been given in the public Press both to the existence of the disease in this country and to its characteristic symptoms, the person in charge of the stock on the farm in question does not appear to have suspected its existence until the owner of the stock returned to the farm, and his attention was called to the condition of the animals. The immediate notification of the disease is of course a matter of the greatest importance, but it is difficult to see what further steps can be taken by the Board to prevent the possibility of failure to comply with the rejuirements of the law such as occurred at Market Harborough. I should be only too glad to consider any practical suggestions for the purpose.

In some of the cases referred to were not some of the animals found in an advanced stage of the disease when the notification actually took place, and have circumstances possibly arisen for a prosecution to be initiated?

Yes; I am considering that point.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he can give any information to the House with regard to a rumoured outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease near Shepton Mallet, in Somerset?

I regret to say that a report was received yesterday stating that foot-and-mouth disease existed on a farm at Westcombe, near Shepton Mallet. The Board's chief veterinary officer visited the premises early this morning, and found that twelve animals were infected. The usual restrictions on the movement of animals and the holding of markets have been imposed on a large area surrounding the infected place.

May I ask whether, in view of the case of carrying germs of this disease, either by wind or insects or birds, he attributes the outbreak in Somerset to the importation of Irish stock at Bristol?

No, Sir. As far as we are aware, it is not in any way connected with that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to state the number of cases dealt with under the provisions of Section 4 of the Finance Act, 1911; in how many of these a reduction of Licence Duty has been granted; and what has been the cost to the Treasury?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the figures asked for, and I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 1st April last. Applications are still coming in.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman even give the amount that has been paid? I make it out to be £36,000 and not £50,000.

I cannot give it now.

asked whether the register of annual licence value of houses of over £500 rental has been completed under the provisions of Section 44 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; what has been done in the cases of houses of £500 and under; and whether there is any immediate prospect of completing the register?

The register of annual licence value of houses of over £500 rental has been substantially completed. Beyond the issue of the form of return, no steps have been taken with regard to houses of an annual value of £500 and under. The method of arriving at the annual licence value of licensed houses is at the present time the subject of litigation, and there is, I regret, no immediate prospect of completing the register.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will inquire whether, during the tailors' strike, the employers asked for protection for non-union workers?

:I have made inquiry, and the Commissioner of Police informs me that the police received a number of such applications, which were in all cases complied with. One application was received at the Home Office, and was at once forwarded to the Commissioner.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, at Bow Junction on the Great Eastern Railway, every morning since 12th July, non-union labourers who are being taken to work at the docks exhibit revolvers to other men working in the vicinity, and in a number of cases have discharged the same; and will he say what steps he proposes to take to deal with people armed in this manner and whose actions may lead to serious consequences?

The Commissioner of Police finds, on inquiry, that a revolver was fired from a train conveying workmen to the docks shortly after six in the morning of the 13th, 16th, and 17th July. This had not previously been reported to the police, but their attention has now been drawn to the matter, and they will take any necessary action.

asked the Home Secretary what inquiries have been ordered by him in regard to the action of the police in connection with the present dock strike; when the result of these inquiries will be known; and if, in view of the different opinions expressed by him on various occasions as to the existence and extent of intimidation by the strikers, he will order a general inquiry as to the conduct of the strike in order to determine the amount and nature of the intimidation practised, the adequacy of the police arrangements to provide protection to workers, and other germane matters?

A special inquiry has been made as to the conduct of the police in dealing with a disturbance at Rotherhithe on 11th June. The result of this inquiry will be made public in due course, but I cannot yet say when. There have been no other inquiries except such as may have been made in ordinary course by the Commissioner of Police or the Chief Constable of Essex with regard to the action of the constables under their command. My statements with regard to intimidation have not varied except in so far as the existence or extent or nature of the intimidation has varied at different times and different places, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by the general inquiry which the hon. Members suggests.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the letter of Lord Devonport of 18th July, in which it is stated that certain assurances were given in August, 1911, that the Members of the Government con- cerned would use their endeavours to induce the transport workers' leaders to carry out the spirit of the agreement then signed, and that it was in view of these assurances that the employers then agreed that taking-on places should be chosen by the men's leaders and be outside the dock premises; and if, in view of the pressure since brought to bear by the union to prevent non-union men being taken on, he will state what steps the Government has taken to carry out the assurances referred to?

I understand that the President of the Local Government Board, under the terms of the agreement, was engaged in discussing with the parties concerned the question of taking-on places outside the dock premises at the time when the present dispute commenced.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the advisability of circularising the local authorities recommending them to arrange or receive relief on an organised basis in the East End of London, in view of the fact that some 16,000 school children will shortly be on their holidays and unable to obtain the relief hitherto given them, without which they will be on the verge of starvation owing to the dock strike?

I and my inspectors are in constant touch with the authorities, and I do not think there is any reason to suppose that they are not fully alive to the situation. No circular letter is, in my opinion, required.

Can the Prime Minister say whether any negotiations are now taking place on the subject of the taking on of the men outside the dock premises, in view of the fact that it has been stated by both sides to be the only outstanding point of difference?

I cannot say. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give notice.

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?

I have seen the statement of the Port of London employers, referred to by the hon. Member. With regard to the latter part of the question I have no means of obtaining such opinion.

Has not the time arrived when a genuine ballot of the men can be taken?

It would require an Act of Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest on a cyclist named Voller at St. Pancras on the 20th instant, and also to the rider of the jury suggesting that wheel-guards should be introduced for motor omnibuses; and whether he proposes to take any action to give effect to this recommendation?

I have seen a newspaper report of the inquest and verdict, but, as I have stated in reply to other questions, no practicable wheel-guard has yet been devised that would be effective to prevent such an accident as this.

Is the Home Office represented at these inquests on persons killed by motor 'buses?

Where special circumstances require it.

Do you not think it desirable that they should be—

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked in how many cases since 1st April the sentences against persons convicted of offences in connection with the movement to secure votes for women in Parliamentary elections have been remitted or reduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley on the 9th July. Three prisoners whose convictions are of later date than April have had part of their sentences remitted.

Will the same favourable consideration be given to the case of George Gray, who was sentenced to two months' hard labour for assaulting one of His Majesty's Ministers on Joy Day?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the total of signatures against the Established Church (Wales) Bill now reaches 538,985; and whether the Government proposes to proceed with the Commitee stage of the Bill without taking any action on this petition?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers may I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether a question of this nature is not an abuse of the Orders of the House and of the practice of interrogation, seeing that when a Petition is presented it is then referred to the Committee on Petitions, and that they analyse it? I submit that it is not in order to question a Minister on the subject of a Petition until the Committee has reported. The question is simply put down to expioit a certain subject.

If I were to stop questions on that ground I should have to stop nearly half of them.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on 15th July.

May I ask if the numbers have mounted up since then, and whether a petition signed by a large proportion of the adult population of Wales should not receive consideration before the Committee stage is proceeded with?

If the hon. Member listened to what was stated by the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Swift MacNeill), he would appreciate that the numbers are an indeterminate factor until the Committee have reported on the petition.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he refers me to a private Member when the Speaker has heard what that Member has said, and ignored it?

asked the right hon. Member for Morpeth, as Chairman of the Committee on Public Petitions, if he will state how many petitions have been received from Wales and Monmouthshire, respectively, for and against the Established Church (Wales) Bill since the introduction of that Bill; and what is the number of signatures received, respectively, for and against the Bill in the same period?

One thousand and forty-eight petitions, containing 511,074 signatures, against the Established Church (Wales) Bill have been presented to the House up till and including 19th July from Wales and Monmouthshire. In the same period one petition, containing one signature in favour of the Bill, has been presented from Scotland; but none from Wales and Monmouthshire.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how those signatures are obtained?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can offer any explanation why Ireland should be excluded from the Mental Deficiency Bill?

The question whether the Bill should apply to Ireland is under consideration. The Government see no objection to its extension, provided such extension is in accordance with the wishes of the Irish representatives.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state how many of the 5,090 experiments on living animals included in Table IV. (A), and how many of the 95,203 experiments included in Table IV. (B), in the Return for 1911, were actually seen by Dr. Thane and Sir James Russell, respectively?

Dr. Thane witnessed thirty-five of the experiments mentioned in Table IV. (A), and Sir James Russell thirty-three. Of the experiments in Table IV. (B), Dr. Thane saw twenty-one, and Sir James Russell 202. The number of experiments included in Table IV. (B) is 90,113; 95,203 is the total number of experiments in both tables.

asked the Home Secretary whether the circular of 10th February, 1912, in reference to Section 15 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, rendering obligatory for firemen examiners and deputies a certificate from a mining school, institution, or authority, has been sent to the local education authority in Gloucestershire and other counties on the footing that such authority is a mining authority within the meaning of the above Section; and whether, in counties where mining is one of the leading industries, the local education authority is expected to make arrangements either for the instruction or examination of such officials?

The Home Office circular was sent to the Gloucestershire Education Committee, as well as to a number of other education committees, as the authority for technical education in the county. The circular indicated the conditions on which I was prepared to approve mining schools and other institutions and authorities for the purposes of the Act, and inquired whether the education committee desired to undertake the work of examination of firemen in its county. The Gloucestershire Committee and a number of other committees expressed their desire to do so, and have accordingly been approved. There is no compulsion, of course, on any authority to undertake the work, but I have been very glad to secure the co-operation of the county committees in making adequate provision for the examination of firemen under the Act.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give the House any information regarding the disputes and strikes which took place at Liverpool, Sunderland, Ashton-under-Lyme, and Grimsby upon 15th July, 1912?

I have no information as to disputes at Sunderland, Ashton-under-Lyme, and Grimsby. At Liverpool difficulties arose last week, as explained by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, not primarily in connection with the Insurance Act, but in connection with a scheme approved by a joint committee of the shipowners of Liverpool and the men's unions for the decasualisation of labour at that port. I understand that the scheme is now settling down into satisfactory working.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the same report applies to Birkenhead as to disputes and strikes arising from the same causes?

I have no information as to Birkenhead. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question, I will give him an answer.

I desire to ask the Prime Minister a question of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he can state when the Bill foreshadowed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last night dealing with industrial disputes by way of compulsory arbitration will be introduced?

I hope next Session.

Is the House to understand it is not to be introduced this Session, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the Government proposed to deal with the matter in the immediate future?

Yes.

May I then ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government seriously intends to deal with this matter or whether it is another obligation of honour?

It is an obligation of honour which will be performed in due course.

May I ask whether the statement of the Noble Lord describing the Bill as a Bill for compulsory arbitration is correct?

No, Sir. It was described by my right hon. Friend in much more general terms.

In the preparation of the Bill, will the right hon. Gentleman and the Government remember that for a large number of years at every Trade Union Congress, by enormous majorities, organised labour has declared against compulsory arbitration?

The Bill will not be introduced until next year.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is under instructions given by the Government that the Inland Revenue officers, when landowners claim that in cases in which ground rent is received such rent shall be the basis in fixing land value, undertake that if ground rents are sold without profit Increment Tax will not be claimed on the difference between the valuation and the sale price; and if any obstacles are placed in the way of landowners taking advantage of the substituted value Clause of the Finance Act?

The consideration for the sale of a reversionary interest, together with the ground rent incident thereto, is not in most cases the site value of the land on the occasion of the sale as defined in Section 2 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and accordingly the difference between that consideration and the original site value is not the proper basis for the assessment of Increment Value Duty. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister when the final Report of Lord Haldane's Commission on University Education in London may be expected; and whether Lord Haldane is still acting as the Government representative on the body of trustees to acquire the Bedford estate site for the headquarters of London University?

I cannot inform the hon. Member when the Commission on University Education in London is likely to present its final Report. I have stated before more than once that no body of trustees to acquire the site referred to or any other site has been appointed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposal made to the Royal Commission on University Education in London by Sir Francis Trippel, and endorsed by them, to acquire a site on the Bedford estate for housing the University of London still has his approval; and whether, in the event of the Foundling Hospital site or the river site being selected for the university buildings, the moneys subscribed for the Bedford estate-site would be available for either of the alternative sites?

No proposals as to the acquirement of any site have been made to the Royal Commission or have been endorsed by them. I thought the Bedford site a good one when I was informed by Lord Haldane of the possibility of its acquisition, and I still think it a good one. The second part of the question refers to a matter as to which neither I nor the Government have any information.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continuing depletion of the population of the rural districts and of the fact that a similar depletion has been taking place in France and elsewhere, he will appoint a Committee to consider and report upon the question, such Committee being expressly charged to take evidence upon the rural exodus in other countries and upon the steps, if any, that have been taken by them, respectively, to check it?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am well aware of the facts stated by the hon. Member, and the question of finding means to check the tendency of the population in this country to leave the rural districts is engaging my careful consideration. The conditions in other countries are not analogous, and I do not think that a Committee such as the hon. Member suggests would serve a useful purpose.

Is it not a fact that a Private Committee is sitting at the present moment the object of which is to find some method of arresting rural depopulation, and has it not been asserted by a gentleman in high position that that depopulation is due to our feudal system, and is it not a fact—

The hon. Gentleman can scarcely expect an answer to that question without putting it on the Paper.

Would not this be a subject of reference to the Committee that is now preparing the great lex agraria?

asked whether, having regard to the allegations which have been made against the management of the United Malaysian Rubber Company and to the fact that 40 per cent, of the British shareholders desire a Board of Trade Inquiry, the Government will consider the desirability of so amending Section 109 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, as to empower the Board of Trade to hold an inquiry on the application of members holding one-tenth of the shares issued for cash?

:The proportion of the issued shares of a company required to support an application to the Board of Trade for the appointment of an inspector was, after careful consideration, reduced in the year 1907 from one-fifth to one-tenth, and as at present advised I do not see my way to propose legislation further reducing the proportion or giving special rights to the holders of shares issued for cash.

Could the Board not be induced either to reconsider its decision or, at any rate, to receive a deputation on the subject, particularly having regard to the fact that it frequently happens, as in this case, grave allegations are made against the promoters of a company, and such promoters are able to outvote the other shareholders?

I shall be very glad to receive any representations with regard to the matter; but three or four years ago this matter was considered in the House, and fresh facts sufficiently strong have not come to the knowledge of the Board of Trade to induce it to take action.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consent, having regard to the importance of the subject, to receive a small deputation of those who would make important representations?

With pleasure.

asked on what day there will be an opportunity for the discussion of the Vote for the Payment of Salaries of Members?

We propose to allot two extra days for Supply. The Votes to be taken are being arranged in the usual way. In any case the matter can be raised on the Appropriation Bill.

In any arrangement of time will the right hon. Gentleman allow at least half a day for the discussion of this Vote?

I think it is being arranged.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any time in these two days will be devoted to Scottish Estimates, seeing we were deprived of half our day yesterday?

I am not quite sure; I am afraid not.

Will the discussion refer to Members who return their cheques?

Only two extra days are allowed, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that four whole evenings on allotted days were occupied by non-Supply business, and that on six other allotted days one and a half to two hours were occupied by private business?

We have given two extra days; I do not know whether the Noble Lord wants more.

But does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that in giving two extra days he is only giving as much as he has taken away from the allotted days?

That is a matter for argument. We have given two extra days, and if the Noble Lord wants more he had better ask for it.

asked what qualifications in addition to merit, ability, and general supervision are required for the post of junior clerk in the Customs and Excise statistical office; what is the essential difference between the duties of the junior clerks and those of the minor staff officers; whether the minor staff officers occupy the seats of the junior clerks when the latter are absent; whether the tabulators at any time perform the duties of the junior clerks; and whether there are any exceptional circumstances existing in the statistical office which would warrant a departure from the usual method of filling vacancies in the grade of junior clerks from the minor staff officers?

It is impossible to give a detailed reply with the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question; but, speaking generally, junior clerks are selected with reference not merely to their fitness for the duties they will immediately discharge, but also to their capacity ultimately to qualify for the higher and more responsible posts in the office. The fact that a minor staff clerk may temporarily occupy the seat of a junior clerk does not imply that he is qualified for promotion to the higher duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the London and South-Western Railway Company are replacing their bonâ fide ships' carpenters on their cross-Channel steamers by men who are not ships' carpenters and providing them with uniform and tools, and who, in the event of accident or collision, would be inefficient for the protection of life and property at sea, and thus endanger the safety of the travelling public; if this is so, will he state whether this is in accordance with the Regulations of the Board of Trade and the Merchant Shipping Acts; and will he see, in the interest and security of the travelling public, that his Department issues such instructions as will ensure that men signed on as ships' carpenters arebonâ fidetrained and efficient artisans?

I have communicated with the London and South-Western Railway Company, and they inform me that there is not sufficient work in their vessels for ships' carpenters, and that they are now engaging men as seamen carpenters, some of whom have had their training in the carpentry trade. There is no provision of the Merchant Shipping Acts or Regulation of the Board of Trade which requires a ship's carpenter to be engaged as a member of a ship's crew, and the Board of Trade cannot, therefore, issue any instruction of the kind suggested in my hon. Friend's question.

asked what steps the Board of Trade take to have reported to them the facts disclosed in cases affecting companies whose conduct has already been brought under the notice of the Board; whether the Board have yet obtained and considered a Report of the facts disclosed in the case of Glover versus the Law Integrity Insurance Company; and, if so, what action the Board propose to take towards that company or for the protection of the public?

The Board of Trade are always willing to consider facts regarding companies which are brought to their notice, and disclose grounds in which any action can be taken by them, but in many cases they have no means of obtaining information unless the facts are submitted to them by the persons interested. No facts relating to the case of Glover v. Law Integrity Insurance Company, Limited, have been submitted to the Board, and I am therefore unable to say whether there is any ground on which action can be taken by them.

Will not a Report as to this case be furnished to the right hon. Gentleman?

I have nothing further to state or report.

asked why the Board of Trade have never ascertained the number of life insurance policies illegally issued by the persons calling themselves the Irish Provident Assurance Company, as judicially ascertained in the case of Flood against that company; whether the Board have any jurisdiction over the illegal issue of life policies; whether the illegal policies which those persons selected and transferred to themselves, trading as the London and Provincial Assurance Company, were thus rendered legal life policies; whether the Board recognise this as legitimate life insurance business; and, if not, what action the Board will take in the matter?

The Board of Trade did not obtain any information as to the number of policies issued by the Irish Provident Assurance Company, Limited, because an Order was made by the Irish Court for winding up the company before the Returns required by the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, had become due. Even if the Returns had been received they would not have been required to contain the information desired by the hon. Member. The Board have no jurisdiction to prevent the issue of policies of assurance which are not authorised by the Memorandum of Association of a company. The London and Provincial Assurance Company, Limited, has made a deposit of £20,000 in respect of life assurance business, in accordance with the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, and is entitled to issue life assurance policies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question whether illegal contracts can become legal in the manner described?

I have dealt with the particular facts with regard to a particular company, and if the hon. Gentleman desires further information perhaps he will put a question down.

These are questions with regard to this particular company which have appeared on the Paper not for the first time.

asked whether there is any control exercised over the methods or operations of British companies with rubber estates in foreign countries; whether the Board of Trade has any powers to prevent companies registered in England from using such methods as those used on the estates of the Peruvian Amazon countries; and, if so, whether those powers are acted upon?

The powers of the Board of Trade with reference to companies registered under the Companies Acts are limited to those conferred upon them by the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, and do not include any power of control over the operations of companies in foreign countries.

asked whether, in view of the importance of having full and detailed information on the subject before considering the provisions of the Pilotage Bill, the President of the Board of Trade will reconsider his decision and grant a Return showing the amounts paid by French vessels entering ports in Great Britain and Ireland during the years 1900 to 1910, respectively, and the amounts paid by English vessels entering French ports during the same period?

For reasons already explained, namely, the difficulty and probably the impossibility of compiling such a return, I fear that I cannot modify my previous answer. Perhaps the hon. Member will confer with me.

Are there not negotiations now going on with France in regard to this question?

There is great difficulty in obtaining information, and if the hon. Member will confer with me I will explain the matter.

asked the total number of declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination made in Scotland in the years 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911, and also the percentages of these declarations to the births?

The numbers and percentages are as follows:—

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received a copy of a photograph of a child named Mary Jarrett, of Croydon, together with particulars of the case; whether the infant is suffering seriously from the effects of vaccination performed upon it by a public vaccinator with lymph supplied by the Board; whether Dr. S.Monckton Copeman, a medical inspector of the Board, has inquired into the circumstances; will a copy of Dr. Copeman's report be open to the inspection of Members of this House; is he aware that many cases of serious illness, some with fatal results, have been reported in the Croydon union within recent years; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

I have received the photograph and particulars referred to, and Dr. Copeman, one of the Board's medical inspectors, has investigated the case and visited the home of the child. He found that the home and the children were dirty, that one of the beds was in a disgusting condition, and that there was evidence that the child had not been properly cared for. In view of these circumstances, and looking to the fact that a number of other children were vaccinated with the same lymph without any ill-effects, I am advised that the illness of the child, Mary Jarrett, cannot properly be attributed to vaccination. Dr. Copeman's Report is a confidential document, and I do not propose to lay it on the Table. Since the 1st of January, 1899, the Local Government Board have received information of four other cases in the Croydon Union in which injury was alleged in consequence of vaccination. In one case the injury was a bromide rash due to the administration of drugs by the mother; another was an attack of whooping cough which occurred fourteen months after vaccination; in the third case the child appears to have suffered from generalised vaccinia, an extremely rare complication of vaccination; and in the fourth case from septicæmia. During the period to which these cases relate over 55,000 persons in this union were vaccinated, and no further steps appear to be necessary.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will make further inquiries with a view to discovering what the district inspector actually said which can have left the chairman of the Willesden Board of Guardians under the impression that the Local Government Board would be definitely opposed to the new buildings being placed under infirmary rather than workhouse management; and whether he will state what is the policy of the Local Government Board as to placing aged and infirm paupers under medical or workhouse administration, assuming that the practical circumstances of the case render either course equally convenient?

I learn from my inspector that he expressed no opinion on the question of placing the new buildings under infirmary rather than workhouse management. As I previously indicated, in answer to the Noble Lord, the whole of the institution will for the present remain under one administration, and no question of policy therefore arises.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the old Post Office buildings at the corner of Newgate Street and St. Martin's-le-Grand are to be pulled down; if so, whether it is proposed to erect new buildings on the present building line; and whether the opportunities for future street improvements at this important corner have been considered?

The old Post Office, which is being pulled down, is not at the corner of Newgate Street, but is bounded by St. Martin's-le-Grand, Gresham Street, and Foster Lane. New buildings are to be erected on the site. It would be for the Corporation of London to make any suggestion with regard to street improvements. If they desire to do so, I shall be prepared to confer with them.

asked the Postmaster-General if, having regard to the delays in the deliveries of important commercial telegrams at Belfast, together with the amount of overtime worked by the postal telegraph clerks, he can say when he proposes to carry out the revision and increase of this staff, as promised by him in answer to a deputation of the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association when on a visit to Belfast in October of last year; whether he is aware that in the year 1911 the instrument-room staff worked 20,600 hours' overtime; that during the first months of the present year overtime has increased by ten times the amount worked during the corresponding period of last year; if he is aware that notwithstanding this overtime outgoing telegrams are delayed as much as sixty minutes; that important Press telegrams are not transcribed for as much as sixty-three minutes after their receipt; and, inasmuch as these delays represent the general condition of affairs daily, will he promise a remedy?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate further with the hon. Member. A small addition to the staff has already been authorised.

This question is a very important one. I have received a telegram to-day showing the delay.

The hon. Member cannot make a speech now on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the proposed closing of the post office at Great Milton, Oxon, on Saturday afternoons will cause inconvenience to the inhabitants of that and the other six villages tributary to it for telegraphic purposes; and whether he will consider some modification of the arrangement whereby postal and telegraphic facilities may remain accessible to the district on Saturdays?

I am having inquiry made, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Director of Public Prosecutions is now in a position to take any action on the disclosures in the recent trial of the Law, Car, and General Insurance Corporation?

The Director of Public Prosecutions is investigating into the matters arising out of the disclosures in this case.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has placed the Report of the Putumayo atrocities [Cd. 6266] before the Director of Criminal Prosecutions, with the object of considering whether any indictment can be brought against those directors and agents of the Peruvian Amazon Company who have profited financially from the cruelties practised in collecting rubber in the Amazon basin?

No such indictment could be brought in our Courts.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered that the secretary for this company was sent out to Peru and brought back a report entirely in favour of the company there?

That does not affect the answer I have given.

asked the President of the Board of Education, if his attention has been called to a case in the North London Police Court last week where a poor woman living in the Highgate New Town district was summoned for not sending her children to school, her excuse being that her children had had measles, and the youngest was still suffering from the disease; is he aware that the magistrate, Mr. Hedderwick, expressed approval of the woman's action in not sending the children to school; can he say if it is the practice to insist on children who have had measles or other infectious diseases returning to school even if others of the family are still suffering; and is the practice approved by the Board of Education?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on Monday to the hon. Member for the St. Andrew's Burghs on this subject, a copy of which I am sending him. Speaking generally, it may be said that the practice referred to is not uncommon.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the newly-created post of Secretary for Indian students has been made as the result of examination or by patronage only; are any special qualifications required; what proportion will the pension bear to the salary of £1,000 per annum; at what age can the pension be drawn, and will the cost of both salary and pension be borne by the Indian taxpayer; whether Mr. Mallet, who has been appointed, is the same gentleman who was Financial Secretary to the War Office in 1910; and whether a knowledge of military affairs is considered necessary for the post?

I propose to give the House the fullest information about this matter next week. If the hon. Member will be good enough to wait till then, I hope to allay any apprehension he may have.

May I ask whether the Advisory Committee was consulted before this appointment was made?

I believe not. I will give the hon. Member all information next week.

Do I understand that the hon. Member will give full information on the Indian Budget?

Yes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say at what date Mr. Moloney, K.C., first became a Law Officer of the Crown in Ireland or legal adviser of any Government Department there; what Department; whether he is now Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland; and, if not, whether he is consulted by, or has any authority over, that official?

Mr. Moloney was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland on 25th June, 1912. He is not Director of Public Prosecutions. That office does not exist in Ireland. The duties are discharged by the Attorney-General.

asked how many evicted tenants, including representatives of evicted tenants, were provided with holdings in the year ending 31st March, 1912; and how many new holdings were provided for other persons not claiming in that character in that year?

During the year ended 31st March last, 165 evicted tenants or representatives of evicted tenants were reinstated or provided with new holdings on lands acquired by the Estates Commissioners. In addition 73 evicted tenants were reinstated by their landlords with the assistance when necessary of Grants by the Commissioners. During the same period 189 persons, other than evicted tenants, were allotted new holdings on lands acquired by the Commissioners.