asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a man who is an inmate of some private almshouses where he receives a pension of 5s. per week, clothing, and a house, is liable to pay the contributions payable under Part II. of the National Insurance Act when working occasionally as a mason under an estate mason?

A workman in the circumstances mentioned in the question would not appear, so far as the payment of contributions is concerned, to be in a different position from any other workman engaged in an insured trade. He might, however, be able to claim exemption in virtue of the provisions of Section 97 ("Saving for occasional employment in rural neighbourhoods").

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the authority or influence of his Department has been used to prevent an arrangement between the city corporation and the Labour Exchange at Nottingham, whereby the work of stamping cards under Parts I. and II. of the Insurance Act would be done by the Labour Exchange, from taking effect; if so, whether the reason for vetoing such an arrangement was that no item in respect of such work as this appears in the Estimates for Labour Exchanges this financial year; and is he aware that the City Corporation of Nottingham had agreed to pay for this work a fixed rate per 1,000 of the workpeople thus to be dealt with on their cards?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The difficulty that has arisen in Nottingham has no reference to the question of the cost of the proposed scheme. Under the regulations the Board of Trade can only undertake the stamping of cards and books in the case of employers of workmen in the insured trades, and of employers of workmen in casual occupations. I understand that the majority of the workmen in respect of whom the Nottingham Corporation desire to make an arrangement, do not belong to either of the above categories, and that not more than from six to eight hundred out of a total of 3,000 are employed in the insured trades. The Board are, however, prepared to make such an arrangement with respect to any Department of the corporation service in which the great bulk of the workmen are employed in the insured trades.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many inspectors, clerks, and servants, respectively, have already been appointed under Part I. of the National Health Insurance Act by the several Insurance Commissions, and how many it is proposed to appoint during the next six months?

The following appointments of a permanent character have been made by the respective Commissions:—

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the charwomen employed at Somerset House are only paid 11s. 6d. per week, whereas the charwomen employed at other Government buildings receive 14s. per week; if so, whether he will consider the possibility of levelling up the wages of the women at Somerset House to the wages received by the others; and whether the women at Somerset House are being deducted 3d. per week for the purposes of insurance?

I understand the charwomen employed by the Board of Inland Revenue receive in most cases 11s. 6d., in some cases 12s. a week. The wages of charwomen in Government offices vary according to circumstances. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether blacksmiths and chainmakers doing piecework and employing strikers under them are responsible for the employers' portion of the contribution, under the National Insurance Act, payable on behalf of the strikers, or whether their employers are responsible?

If the striker works under the general control and management of the principal employer, the latter, and not the chainmaker or blacksmith, will be responsible.

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

The matter is now under consideration with a view to such action (if any) as the Commissioners see fit.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state how many sanatoria there are in England with a minimum of 100 beds and having an extent of ground equal to an average of half an acre per bed

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) how many sanatoria there are in England with less than 100 beds, but having sufficient grounds to enable them, when extended, to provide 100 beds or more, with an average of half an acre per bed; (2) how many inspectors have been appointed for the purpose of inspecting institutions in which persons recommended for sanatorium benefit may be received subject to the approval by the Local Government Board of these institutions; (3) whether he will state how many dispensaries are at the present date prepared to deal with insured persons; how many of such dispensaries had been inspected for approval before the 15th July; how many have been approved since that date; (4) how many beds in existing sanatoria will have been approved and will be empty and available for the reception of insured persons on 1st August; (5) how many sanatoria have a whole-time medical man in charge; (6) how many sanatoria had been inspected by the Local Government Board before 15th July with a view to receiving insured persons, how many beds had been so approved; and (7) how many beds are available in existing sanatoria for the accommodation of insured persons at a rate of about 30s. a week, and how many have been approved?

So far as my information extends, there are in England, at the present time, excluding Poor Law institutions, eight sanatoria or other institutions for the treatment of tuberculosis, with 100 beds or more. Of these, two only have an extent of ground of half an acre or more per bed. Complete information as to the extent of ground attached to every existing sanatorium is not available, but there are at least eight in which the area of land is fifty acres or more, although the number of beds is at present less than 100. A new sub-department of the Local Government Board has been formed to deal with tuberculosis, and the medical staff has been enlarged by the appointment of an additional assistant medical officer and two additional inspectors. This staff is being utilised for the inspection of institutions and for other purposes in connection with the treatment of tuberculosis, but I anticipate that further additions may be necessary in the near future.There are, according to my information, between fifty and sixty dispensaries in England for the treatment of tuberculosis, and I have no reason to doubt that all these institutions would be prepared to treat insured persons. The National Insurance Act provides that institutions for the treatment of such persons should be approved by the Board, and in their circular letters the Board have drawn attention to this requirement and have stated what information they should receive in connection with applications for their approval. I have contemplated that any institution desiring approval would make application accordingly and I have no doubt that as soon as any arrangements are proposed by the recently constituted insurance committees for the treatment of insured persons at dispensaries, the authorities of the dispensaries will apply for the necessary approval. At present only two such applications have been received; in one case the dispensary has already been inspected, and I propose to approve of this institution provisionally for a period of six months. The other application was received yesterday, and I have arranged for the dispensary to be inspected to-morrow. I may say, however, that I have complete information as to many of the other dispensaries, and in such cases it will not be necessary to direct an inspection before giving approval for a limited period.It should be added that the medical officers of many of the existing dispensaries do not fulfil the conditions in respect of salary, etc., recommended for the chief tuberculosis officer in the interim report of the Departmental Committee. The Board have already approved for a period of six months of eleven sanatoria and other residential institutions containing 420 beds, and have communicated with *he authorities of seventy-five other institutions containing about 3,500 beds, offering to approve of these institutions for a similar period. I cannot say how many beds in these institutions will be available for the reception of insured persons on the 1st August.Seventy-one of the existing sanatoria in England have resident medical officers, but I cannot say in how many cases the medical officer devotes the whole of his time to the work of the sanatorium. In some cases the head of the sanatorium is also in private practice. In reply to the question as to the inspection of sanatoria, I may repeat what I have said in regard to dispensaries, namely, that I have complete information as to many of the existing sanatoria in England, and in such cases it will not be necessary to direct an inspection before giving approval for a limited period. I have already given the number of beds in the sanatoria and other residential institutions which have been approved. There are about 3,000 beds in existing sanatoria for which a charge of 35s. per week or less is made, but I have no information as to the number of these beds which are available for insured persons.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury when the United National Friendly Assurance Company, Limited, Glasgow, was founded; whether it was formed for the purpose of acquiring the business of another firm which had failed, or if it began business on its own account; what were the names of the promoters; what was the capital of the company, how much is now paid up; was any deposit made by this company to enable it to carry on life assurance business; can he state its present financial position, and say whether it has ever paid a dividend on its share capital; and, if so, when and how much?

The United National Friendly Assurance Company, Ltd., Glasgow, is not registered under any Act administered by the Registrar of Friendly Societies. There are, however, two registered societies with somewhat similar names; the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society, 108, Douglas Street, Blythewood Square, Glasgow, registered under the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, on the 13th December, 1909; and the National United Insurance Society, Ltd., 108, Douglas Street, Blythe-wood Square, Glasgow, registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, on the 16th December, 1909. I am informed that neither society was formed for the purpose of acquiring any other business. Both societies are practically under the same management. The names of the directors of the National United Insurance Society, Ltd., are:— James M'Vey, Chairman; D. M'Gregor, -J. Timoney, F. Greenhill, R. M'Gregor, J. M'Namee, A. McCann, J. Kelly, E. McMahon, D. O'Gallaghan. A society registered under the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, has no share capital, but the Industrial and Provident Society has issued 3,738 shares upon which£2,078 2s. 6d. had been paid up on 31st December, 1911, and had not at that time paid a dividend. A registered friendly society is not required to make a deposit to enable it to carry on life assurance business, and no such business is now carried on by the Industrial and Provident Society.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of money has been proved to have been expended by landlords in repairs, management, etc., in excess of the percentage on which Income Tax is recoverable under Section 69 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

It may be taken that the amount proved to have been expended by landlords in repairs, etc., in excess of the percentage of which Income Tax is recoverable under Section 69 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, does not exceed £1,200,000 up to 5th April, 1912.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the first instalment of evidence given before the Committee on the relations between local and Imperial finance, which was recently promised within a few days, is yet ready; and whether it will be published before the Adjournment?

I will refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for South Paddington on the 19th July. One volume has already been issued.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the increases of valuation made on the Winn estate, Glenbeigh, and in particular can he state the reasons for the increase in the case of Patrick J. O'Connor, Droum; John Sullivan, Ballinakilla; John D. Griffin, Patrick J. Cournane, and Patrick J. B. Cournane, all of Kealduff Lower?

The rateable valuation of the houses in question has been increased because the former valuations were much below the standard fixed by Statute; all these valuations were subject to appeal.

asked what is the cause of the delay in the completion of the sale of the townland of Gortrush, on the Irvine estate, county Tyrone, near Omagh, in which the agreements were lodged some seven years ago?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the purchase agreements signed by the tenants were lodged with the Commissioners in July, 1907. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and, having regard to its position thereon and to the claims of other estates in priority to it, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn.

asked how many pension officers are members of the Clare County Council; and by whom were they appointed pension officers?

I am not aware that any pension officer are members of the Clare County Council; but I will make further inquiry and communicate with the hon Member. Officers of Customs and Excise act as pension officers by virtue of a Treasury Minute of 2nd October, 1908, under Section 8 (4) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908.

asked why the Local Government Board refused to confirm the old age pension granted to Patrick M'Nuly, of Crievekeeran, Crossmaglen, county Armagh, by the Crossmaglen pension subcommittee on 9th April, 1912?

This man's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board, as they were satisfied that his yearly means exceed £31 10s.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, at a meeting of the Caher old age pensions committee on 18th April, the pension officer awarded Michael and Johanna Daly, Kimegs, near Cahirciveen, a pension of 3s. each; that the committee, who knew the circumstances of the claimants better than the pension officer, awarded a pension of 4s. each; that on an appeal by the pension officer the Local Government Board declined to give any pension at all; and whether he will have inquiry made into all the facts of the case, in view of the action of the Board in overruling the award of their own pension officer?

The facts generally are as stated in the question. These cases came before the Local Government Board on appeal, when it was decided that the means of the claimants, as calculated under the Old Age Pensions Acts, were in excess of the statutory limit. Pension officers are not under the control of the Local Government Board.

asked what Grants, if any, were made in the last financial year to the training colleges outside Dublin under clerical management from the Development Fund and moneys provided by Parliament, respectively?

The following Table gives the required information:—

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, protesting against the proposal of the Dublin Police Bill to extend Sunday drinking to the districts of Clontarf, Fair-view, and Drumcondra; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been called to the resolution referred to. The question of making the Sunday closing hours uniform throughout the Dublin police district, as proposed by Clause 4 of the Bill will be a matter for consideration when the Bill is in Committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now prepared to transfer from the Greenwich Hospital funds to the Navy Votes the sum payable out of the former in respect of the pensions payable to widows and allowances to children of seamen and marines killed or drowned in the service of the Crown; and whether he can see his way to relieve the funds of Greenwich Hospital of the gratuities to parents or other relatives dependent upon seamen and marines killed or drowned in the service of the Crown, and apply the money so released towards paying the first instalments of the Greenwich age pensions now overdue?

I am afraid I cannot give the undertaking desired by the hon. Member. But I would point out that considerable relief has already been afforded to Greenwich Hospital funds by the decision that the charge for age pensions to men of the Seamen Pensioner Reserve, reaching the age of fifty-five subsequently to 1st April, 1910, should continue to be borne by Navy Votes until such time as they would receive the pension from Greenwich Hospital funds in the ordinary course of selection.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if recorders employed in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, who, in reply to a petition to the Admiralty, were granted six days' leave per annum without loss of pay are, in addition, entitled to sick leave, as in the case with all others employed and who are granted leave without loss of pay; and how many days' leave are to be allowed to recorders this year?

Recorders do not get sick leave with pay. As to ordinary leave, we propose that the Recorders shall be eligible for one day's leave in respect of each period of two months' service subsequent to the date of the Admiralty Order authorising the leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any decision has been arrived at with regard to the reduction proposed in the garrison in South Africa and the increase of the garrisons in Egypt, Malta, and Gibraltar?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many railway men it is proposed to specially enlist in the Army Reserve; whether any will be enlisted as non-commissioned officers or officers; what will be the rates of pay; whether this will be more or less than that of the Reserve of the Crewe Railway Battalion; what force the men will join on mobilisation, or whether they will be organised as one or more separate battalions; when recruiting will be opened; and whether it will be open to all railway men?

The establishment of this Railway Reserve will be 345. There will be no officers, and about half of the number will be non-commissioned officers. The rate of pay will be 6d. a day—which is the ordinary Army Reserve rate. The Reserves will join the Regular Railway j Companies Royal Engineers on mobilisation. A memorandum containing the conditions of enlistment, etc., is now being drafted.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his promise that a public inquiry into the matter known as the Nowes Charity should be held early in July has been fulfilled; and, if not, why this has not been done?

The public inquiry was held at Salisbury on Thursday, the 18th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that pensioners of the Metropolitan Police have to pay postage on the return of forms for Income Tax returns, which they are required annually to fill up, stating that they have no income liable to tax; and whether he will see that in future franked envelopes are sent for the return of these forms, if he thinks that any useful purpose is served by obtaining an annual repetition of the same information?

It is necessary that these returns should be made by the pensioners annually, but arrangements are being made by which franked envelopes will be issued to the pensioners.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Liverpool Meat Importers' Association and the Liverpool Abattoir Tenants' Wholesale Meat Traders' Association have passed resolutions intimating that they will not continue to supply meat to shop butchers and traders who open their premises on Sundays on and after 4th August next; and whether, in view of the effect of this action upon small traders and poor people, he intends to take any action?

I am aware that action of this kind has been taken in some places by the meat trade, which claims, as I understand, that the great majority of the trade are in favour of Sunday closing. I have no power to take any action in the matter.

(Dulwich) asked the Home Secretary the grounds on which a man, named W. W. French, was prosecuted for an inflammatory speech recommending the removal of Lord Devonport, delivered in Hyde Park to a transport workers' demonstration; and why similar action has not been taken against another man, called Tillett, who originated the proposal to shoot the chairman of the Port of London Authority?

The proceedings against French were instituted by the police in the course of their ordinary duty. The actual words used were, in his case, deemed sufficient in law to justify proceedings. In the case of Tillett they were not.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any Report from the Industrial Council with regard to the best means of securing the observance of agreements; and, if not, whether he will ask the Industrial Council to report to him forthwith, in view of the bearing of this matter upon the strike in the Port of London?

I am informed that a considerable amount of evidence has already been heard, but a large number of bodies representing both employers and employed have expressed their desire and intention to send witnesses. Until the whole of the evidence is available, I think it would be premature to ask the Council to make a report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what countries having Parliamentary institutions the age for the vote is higher than twenty-one years; and if he will give the actual age required in each of such cases?

In Austria and Sweden the age is twenty-four; in Belgium, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Turkey it is twenty-five; and in Denmark it is thirty years. In Italy the franchise is restricted between the ages of twenty-one and thirty, but every male over thirty has a vote.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any attempt has been made to ascertain whether the English directors of the Peruvian Amazon Company, whose servants and agents were guilty of atrocities to the indentured labourers employed by them, were aware that the atrocities were being committed; if any correspondence passed between the Foreign Office and the English directors previous to the publication of Sir R. Casement's Report; and, if so, why the correspondence was not published with the Report?

The reports that appeared in "Truth" were brought to the notice of the directors of the company. They denied all knowledge of the state of affairs and sent a commission to inquire. I have no doubt that this was an accurate statement of fact, and that the commission was a bonâ fide, inquiry on their part. There was correspondence on these points between the company and the Foreign Office, but it does not add anything material to the substance of Sir R. Casement's Report.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the distress in many parts of the country arising from the unemployment of workpeople, he intends to make Grants to the various distress committees in accordance with the provisions of the Unemployed Workmen's Act of 1905?

Perhaps I may be allowed to reply to this question. The Government propose to adopt in the coming winter a similar course to that taken during the past few years.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if any, and how many, wives and families have been thrown on the rates in some of the principal towns in England owing to desertion by husbands emigrating; and the amount it is costing the rates in these towns?

No statistics are available on this subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, in consequence of the elementary schools closing for the long vacation within the course of the next few days, the provision of meals by the education authorities for necessitous school children will automatically cease; and if he intends to issue an Order empowering the various education authorities to continue the feeding of the necessitous children during the vacation?

I am willing to consider applications made in circumstances of exceptional emergency, but, as I have explained on previous occasions, I do not consider that I am authorised to sanction in ordinary circumstances the incurring of expenditure by education authorities in feeding school children during holiday times. Such an Order as is suggested would be beyond my proper powers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the inspector sent on the 17th July to Milborne St. Andrew, Dorset, has made his report on the condition of the drainage of that village; whether he found two drinking wells fouled by farmyard sewage; what is the general effect of such report; whether he proposes to publish it; and, if such report condemns the existing drainage system at Milborne St. Andrew, what course he proposes to take?

I have received my inspector's report. Some of the complaints made seem to have been exaggerated, but certain sanitary defects were observed. No actual pollution of wells was established, but the inspector reports that contamination might possibly occur in un usually wet weather. The report of the inspector is confidential, and will not be published. I am about to address a letter to the district council on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the number of iron huts at Onllwyn, including the part locally known as Tin Town, is fifty and not twenty-four as reported to him, and some of these dwellings have been regularly occupied for about ten years, and that seven additional dwellings of the same type are about to be erected in the adjacent village of Seven Sisters; will he state what action, if any, he proposes to take with regard to the closure of those already occupied or the prevention of the erection of others; and whether, in view of the scarcity of dwelling accommodation in this area, he will represent to the Neath Rural District Council the advisability of taking immediate action under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890?

I am addressing a further communication to the rural district council on this subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state approximately what will be the total number of voters on the register in the United Kingdom if the Franchise and Registration Bill becomes law in its present form; by how much that total would be reduced if the age for the vote were raised to twenty-five; and by how much the total of voters would be increased if the vote were extended to women, under the conditions prescribed by the Bill, at the age of twenty-one and at the age of twenty-five, respectively?

I am afraid that for the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, in his reply of the 1st instant to my hon. Friend, the Member for Lincoln, no trustworthy estimate of the total number of voters can be made. I may, however, state that the numbers of male persons in the United Kingdom over the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five are estimated at 12,087,105 and 10,453,112 respectively, and the numbers of females at 13,369,465 and 11,590,573.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when the findings of the Inquiry with regard to the "Titanic" disaster will be made known, also when the Advisory Committee will report to the Board of Trade as to the regulations required to secure safety at sea; whether he will circulate the Report of the Advisory Committee to hon. Members; what facilities to debate the subject will be given; and whether he proposes to give a day for it before the Adjournment of Parliament?

I am unable to state when the findings of the Court of Inquiry will be made known, but I understand that they will be announced at an early date. I am expecting the Report from the Advisory Committee within a few days. When I receive it, I will consider the question of publication. As regards the latter part of the question, perhaps the hon. Member will kindly postpone it until one day next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received representations as to the rates charged to Ennis by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, Ireland; and if he will give this matter his attention, in view of the importance of the matter to the traders and people generally of the county Clare?

I have received representations on this subject, and have been in communication with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, who are consulting the other companies concerned with a view to the reduction of certain rates to which attention was called. The Board will not lose sight of the question, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the annual report of Dr. Howard Jones, medical officer of the Newport Port Sanitary Authority, who states that, in his opinion, there is no question as to the inadequacy and obsoleteness of the health-preserving regulations of the Board of Trade, which Department is entrusted with the housing of sailors; whether he can furnish any information as to the frequent cases of new vessels which, according to Dr. Howard Jones, arrive at Newport contravening the inadequate health requirements of the Board of Trade; and whether the statement of Dr. Howard Jones is correct that the Board of Trade officials who are responsible for the construction and supervision of vessels are not required to possess any knowledge of hygiene?

My attention has been called to the Report in question, and I am causing inquiries to be made into the cases referred to by Dr. Howard Jones. The spaces allotted to the crew on all new vessels are inspected by the officers of the Board of Trade. With regard to the last part of the question the Board of Trade have a small staff of medical officers, but as regards other surveyors a knowledge of hygiene is not specifically required as a qualification for appointment. Officers, however, engaged in the inspection of crew spaces possess adequate knowledge to enable them to perform their duties under the Merchant Shipping Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many public proof houses and branch proof houses for small arms are established by law in the United Kingdom; where are these public proof houses and branch proof houses situated; what authority or authorities control them; and what are-the statutes or other legal provisions under which they exercise their functions?

There are only two public proof houses, one in London and one in Birmingham, which are respectively under the control of the Gunmakers' Company of London, and the Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House. These authorities exercise their powers under the provisions of the Gun Barrel Proof Act, 1868.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he has yet appointed the chief entomological expert of the new horticultural department of the Board; if so, who is he; at what salary has he accepted such office;. and whether such salary is less than that of the post which he is vacating in order to accept it?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to make any announcement on this subject. The negotiations which are in progress are not yet completed.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the design which has been adopted for Oxford Circus is to be continued for the remainder of Regent Street as far as the Quadrant; whether any scheme has been laid down for the rest of the street; and, if so, whether he could state the name of the architect selected?

A design has been approved for the Oxford Circus and the adjoining frontages along Regent Street as far as the first cross street on each side. No one scheme has been laid down for the rest of the street. Between the termination of the Oxford Circus design and the Quadrant the street is divided into separate blocks by side streets, and for several of these blocks designs, by various architects acting for occupying tenants, have been settled and in part executed.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether Mr. Tanner's design for rebuilding Oxford Circus was selected by an open competition; and, if not, what system was adopted?

Mr. Tanner's design was not selected by an open competition, but from designs submitted by several architects acting for tenants occupying premises in the Circus.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in the course of the investigations which have been carried out by the officers of the Board into the causes of the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, any inquiry was conducted to ascertain whether the same were traceable to similar causes to those which the United States Department of Agriculture, in Circular 147, assert to be responsible for the outbreaks of that disease in the States in 1902–3 and in 1908; if such inquiry was made, what was the result; and, if no such inquiry was made, why is the possible infection with vaccine lymph ignored in the Board's investigations after the experience of America?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In no case was there any evidence whatever which suggested that infection was attributable to the cause suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Post-master-General whether an overseer of Ipswich, with only ten months' service, has been promoted to assistant superintendent, Class I.; if so, with reference to this appointment, whether the claims of assistant superintendents, Class II., who have been serving in that capacity for years, were duly considered; and what special qualifications the promoted officer possessed above those of the assistant superintendents, Class II.?

The officer in question, who is thirty-seven years of age, and was promoted to the rank of Overseer slightly over two years ago, was in my judgment distinctly better qualified, both by capacity and experience, for promotion to the vacant post than any other eligible officer at Ipswich. The claims and qualifications of all the eligible officers were carefully considered.

asked the Postmaster-General why the revision of the sorting clerks' establishment at Manchester has been delayed for a period of over two years; and if he can now state at what date it is likely to be put into operation?

The revision in question is of a complicated nature, relating not only to sorting clerks but also to supervising staff, and involving also administrative questions which have required much consideration. The case will, I hope, be laid before the Treasury very shortly.

asked the Attorney-General what steps have been taken to provide for the safe custody in England and Wales of the wills of living persons under Section 91 of the Court of Probate Act, 1857?

In pursuance of the provisions of the Court of Probate Act, 1857 (20 and 21 Viet. c. 77, Sec. 91), the Principal Probate Registry of the High Court of Justice, Somerset House, Strand, London, is the depository provided for the wills of living persons. A will deposited for safe custody is put in an envelope, which is sealed in the presence of the depositor. It is then placed in the Strong Room (fire-proof) in a box which is kept locked. In this room are all the original wills proved at the Principal Probate Registry.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the Perjury Act, 1911, which simplified and consolidated the law of perjury and repealed provisions relating to perjury in more than 130 Acts so far as England and Wales are concerned, whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a similar measure for Scotland, so as to simplify and consolidate the law of perjury in Scotland and to complete, so far as Scotland is concerned, the repeal of these and various other statutory provisions relating to perjury?

I shall give the matter referred to careful consideration.