asked the Prime Minister whether any representations have been made to him by postal ser- vants in Ireland as to their future conditions of service if the Government of Ireland Bill were to become law; whether, if these representations have been received, they indicate apprehension as to the prospects of these postal servants; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard their future prospects?

I have been asked by the Prime Minister to answer this question. Representations of the nature indicated have been made both to the Prime Minister and to me, and I have invited a deputation of the staff concerned to place their views before me.

In the event of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming an Act, will these officials be allowed to retire on compensation if they so desire?

Under certain circumstances, yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say what steps, if any, the Government propose to take to minimise the probability of industrial disturbances between the present time and the introduction of the Government Bill on that subject, which cannot take place before April or May next at the earliest?

Legislation on this subject requires to be maturely considered, and in the meantime the Government will, when the circumstances call for it, exercise such powers and such influence as they can appropriately use for the maintenance of industrial peace.

Has not this subject been before the Government with a view to legislation ever since, at any rate, the beginning of this year and under these circumstances, and seeing that the Chancellor of the Exchequer promised to deal immediately with this matter, is it reasonable to defer it till May or June of next year?

My right hon. Friend did not say immediately. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh! oh."]

He said, "the immediate future." [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh! oh."]

I can add nothing to the answer already given to the Noble Lord. It is not a matter which can be settled hurriedly. I do not think the Noble Lord is quite right when he says that a proposal of this kind has been before the Government since the beginning of this year.

In view of the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that the Government are ready to take action when the circumstances demand that that action should be taken, is he aware that the dock strike is still continuing, and that fearful suffering is being caused by it, and does he not think that the circumstances of the present moment demand that the House of Commons should take instant action to bring this terrible deadlock to an end in the East End of London?

I will report to the Prime Minister the views expressed by my hon. Friend.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered that strikes are threatened in all directions, as we know from the daily Press, and do the Government really intend to move in the matter? [HON. MEMBERS: "Wait and see."]

A matter of this kind ought to be dealt with in Debate.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give facilities at an early date for passing the Education (Provision of Meals) Act into law?

I fear it is not possible to afford facilities before the recess, though, as I have already stated, the Government are favourable to the principles of the Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the financial burden thrown upon the community for its protection, not against successful invasion but against starvation in the event of war, owing to four-fifths of the food of the people coming from abroad and of the fact that in the opinion of agricultural experts three-fifths of such foods, representing seven months' supply in every year, could be grown in this country if the public burdens upon agricultural land were less heavy and there was greater security felt by farmers as to the continuous possibility of growing wheat at a profit upon the steadily shrinking area under arable cultivation, he will consider the advisability in the highest national interests, in lieu of the further taxation of agricultural land, of applying half the value of a battle cruiser every year, either by way of bonus or of exemption from taxation, in the direct encouragement by the Government of wheat cultivation in the United Kingdom?

I do not consider that the adoption of the course suggested by the hon. Member would be in the best national interests, nor can I accept all the assumptions on which the question is founded.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman considers the request inconsistent with Liberal policy in view of the fact that the Government has already approved of subsidies for fruit-growing in Jamaica; subsidies for Imperial purposes—according to the Postmaster-General—for a railway in Canada; and subsidies for—

That is a matter for argument at the proper time.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the totally inadequate progress which the King's Bench Division of the High Court has recently been able to make with the cases entered for trial in that division; and whether he is now able, before the courts adjourn, to make a statement as to what, if any, steps are to be taken to deal with the arrears on the Common Law side of the High Court of Justice?

A statement will be made on this subject before the House adjourns for the recess.

asked whether, in October, 1911, a Committee was appointed to inquire inter alia into the conditions of employment of Customs watchers; and whether, as a result of the Committee's investigations, any improvement has been made in their conditions of employment, and, if so, in what respect?

The Report of the Committee has been presented to the House, and its recommendations as to the watchers have been approved by the Treasury.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state if it is the intention of the Board of Admiralty to consider the pay, position, and pension of the non-continuous service men (officers, stewards, and cooks) of the Royal Navy with a view to the improvement of their terms of employment?

The position of this class will be considered in connection with the general question of the pay of naval ratings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can say why the same recognition and rewards were not accorded to the crew of the "Carpathia" who rescued the "Titanic" survivors as to the crews of the ships of war who rescued the people on board the "Delhi"?

The two cases were not of the same kind. In the case of the "Delhi" the rescuers incurred great risk to life, and my right hon. Friend was therefore in a position to recommend His Majesty to award to them the medal for gallantry in saving life at sea, which is only granted in cases in which personal gallantry has been displayed, accompanied by actual risk to life. In the case of the "Carpathia" the service rendered was worthy of the highest commendation, and expression has already been given by the Prime Minister to the appreciation of this service by His Majesty's Government. It was not, however, a service involving such risk to life as to bring it within the conditions attached to the grant of Board of Trade medals for gallantry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received information regarding the French experiments with Hertzian wave fog-signals?

The Board are informed by the Trinity House that they have not yet received any further information from the French Lighthouse Authorities in regard to the experiments. The Trinity House state that they have no reason to suppose that any experiments have yet been made, but that they are communicating with the French Lighthouse Authorities on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make inquiry as to the wages paid by the firm of M. Walker and Company, Gowanbank Foundry, Glasgow, Government contractors, and, if he finds that they are paying 17s. 6d. per week, if he will give instructions that the Fair-Wages Clause must be complied with?

The firm in question do not appear to hold any direct contract with the Admiralty at present. I will endeavour to ascertain whether they hold any sub-contract. In the meantime, if my hon. Friend has any specific information which he can communicate to the Admiralty, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is yet in a position to give an assurance that the stonemasons at Rosyth are all working in accordance with the conditions as to hours and wages agreed to between the employers and employed associations?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the masons employed by Messrs. Thorburn, in regard to whom he put a previous question on the 16th May last. Fifteen stonemasons have been permitted at their own request, made on account of the times of the trains running to their homes, to work fifty-five hours per week instead of fifty. They receive payment for these fifty-five hours at the ordinary time rates.

Do we understand, therefore, that by these means the contractors evades the responsibility of paying extra?

No, the matter is one of some doubt. This is under the old Fair-Wages Resolution, and is a contract that was signed before the March Resolution, 1909. These fifteen men live at a distance from their work, and they asked to be allowed to go on with some work while waiting for the train. They were therefore paid at the time rate. I am seeking advice, as the matter is one of doubt.

Have any negotiations taken place with the union, and has the arrangement been made with their consent?

That I cannot say. But the men, instead of hanging about for the train, asked permission to work. I am not prepared at the present moment to say quite how the matter of the pay stands.

Are we to understand that it is seriously contemplated taking away all liberty of individual action?

My answer conveyed no meaning of that sort.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this evasion has been carried out in spite of the protest of the trade union for the last three or four months?

If my hon. Friend will give me the case I shall be glad. I have no information upon that point.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state how much has been spent on new dockyard construction by the Governments of this country and of Germany during the past ten years?

The information asked for by the hon. Member is being prepared by the Department but is not yet available; and I must ask him to postpone his question for a week.

asked whether or not the carpenters and the shipwrights of the Royal Navy are to be considered for a rise of pay, out of the £60,000 provided in the Estimates last week?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mr. Julio Cesar Arana is the liquidator and administrator of the Peruvian Amazon Company, Limited, in liquidation; whether he has power to cancel his appointment as liquidator; and, if he has such power, whether he will consider the propriety of exercising it?

I understand that Mr. Julio Cesar Arana has been appointed liquidator of the Peruvian Amazon Company, Limited, by a resolution of the company. Under Section 186 (IX.) of the Companies Consolidation Act, 1908, it is provided that in a voluntary winding-up the Court may on cause shown, remove a liquidator. An application for this purpose, however, can only be made by a shareholder or creditor of the company.

Is the effect of the information given by the hon. Gentleman that Mr. Arano is in control of the whole of the operations of the Peruvian Amazon Company, and is not Mr. Arano one of the gentlemen incriminated in the statements in the Blue Book?

I am not aware of that; my information only goes to the extent of my answer.

Does not the liquidator control the affairs of the company? Is not this man the liquidator?

If the Noble Lord will put down a question I will make inquiry.

May I ask if the Government will, if necessary, promote a short Bill to remove Mr. Arano from the position?

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will read the report of Sir Roger Casement in order to fully understand the character of Mr. Arano?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the discrepancies in the system of freights instituted by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company as between Dublin and Limerick and between Dublin and Ennis and other towns in county Clare, arrangements will be made to group Ennis with Limerick, in accordance with the promise made by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company at the time of amalgamation?

also 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. Friends of the result in due course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman's Department bear in mind that this matter is pending for a long time, and that an early settlement is of the greatest importance?

Yes, it will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, as he has previously stated, no change has taken place in international agreements or circumstances since 1906 which could affect the decision of the Law Officers of the Crown made in regard to the Merchant Shipping Bill of that year, he will say whether the position of alien pilotage remains where it was in 1888, when the Select Committee reported that in bestowing pilotage certificates on aliens this country was giving that for which she obtained, in the majority of cases, no reciprocal advantages from foreign Powers, although the Committee interpreted maritime treaties with foreign Powers in the sense that these Powers engage to give reciprocal advantages which have never been given?

My right hon. Friend is afraid that he cannot make the position clearer than he did in his reply to the hon. Member on Monday last. There is no ground, so far as he is aware, for the suggestion that foreign countries have engaged to give us certain advantages which they are now withholding.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if it is not the case that the Committee decided in that direction, and that the Government took that into consideration?

I will investigate the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the frequency exemption Clause, No. 10 in last year's Pilotage Bill, was in excess of the recommendation of the Departmental Committee?

The principle embodied in Clause 10 was based on the recommendations of the Pilotage Committee. As the hon. Member is aware, owing to the practical difficulty affecting the pilots raised by this Clause, it does not reappear in this year's Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as against the French contention that the effect of Section 73 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906] has been to impose on certain French vessels higher charges than those imposed on British vessels in the same circumstances, he will point out to the French Government that the only charge which could be imposed on French ships consequent on Section 73 would be in relation to compulsory pilotage, and that some of the most eminent judges of the British Admiralty Court have decided that compulsory pilotage is not a charge upon vessels but a regulation instituted for their benefit; and whether he will refer the French Government to the decision of Dr. Lushington, in the case of the "Hanna" in 1866, that compulsory pilotage was not a charge within the meaning of an international convention as to ship charges, and to the decision of Sir Robert Phillimore, in the case of the "Vesta" in 1882, approving of the previous case?

The hon. Member may rest assured that all appropriate and relevant arguments were used by the British delegates in the recent discussions with the French representatives. In the particular circumstances of the case, my right hon. Friend does not think that the argument suggested in the question could have been effectively used to combat any of the contentions advanced on the French side.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, at the forthcoming meeting of the joint district board for Warwickshire, formed under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, under the chairmanship of Sir Walter Lawrence, the secretary of the North Warwickshire Miners' Association will be granted the right of representing to the meeting the claim of the members of that association to receive adequate representation on that joint district board; and whether he will be permitted to be accompanied to 'that meeting by such other representatives of the North Warwickshire Miners' Association as that trade union may desire?

The proceedings of the meetings of the Joint District Board for Warwickshire are under the control of that body; but I have no reason to think that the representatives of the North Warwickshire Miners' Association will not have their case fully considered at a meeting which has been specially called to consider it, and of which they have had notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to ask that these men shall be called before the Board so as to make their own representation?

I shall see whether it is necessary.

Will the right hon. Member make representations to the Joint Board that these men shall be permitted representation?

I have undertaken to make inquiries.

asked what steps were taken to ensure the lease of premises for the purpose of administration of the National Insurance Act being effected at as reasonable a cost as possible?

Every precaution was taken to ensure that these buildings were acquired at the least possible cost. The inquiries and negotiations were conducted by responsible officers very experienced in such work. It may safely be said that every building in London which was at all suitable and which was for sale or hire at the time was fully and carefully considered. The final decision was made in consultation with the officials concerned.

asked (15) how many small-pox, fever, and other hospitals had been inspected by the Local Government Board with a view to providing accommodation for insured persons suffering from tuberculosis and recommended for institutional treatment before 15th July; and how many have been inspected since then; (16) how many beds in small-pox, fever, and other hospitals had been approved by the Local Government Board as being suitable for insured persons suffering from tuberculosis and recommended for institutional treatment before 15th July, and how many have been approved since then; and if he will further state how many of these beds were empty and available for insured persons on 15th July, and how many are now empty and available?

If the hon. Member will allow me, I will reply to this and the following question together. As I informed the hon. Member on Thursday last, the Local Government Board, in their circular letter of the 6th instant, drew the attention of local authorities to the fact that their approval is required to any institution in which insured persons recommended for sanatorium benefit are treated, and stated what information they should receive in connection with applications for their approval. On the 19th instant I furnished the Insurance Commission with a list of forty-five isolation hospitals, which contain at least 838 beds, used for the treatment of tuberculosis, and which I am prepared to approve for a period of six months. I cannot say how many of those beds are at present available for the treatment of insured persons. Most of these hospitals have been provided by means of loans sanctioned by the Board, and generally speaking I have sufficient information in regard to isolation hospitals to render it unnecessary to direct any further inspection before giving approval for a limited period. At present, three hospitals containing seventy-seven beds for the treatment of tuberculosis have been approved for a period of six months.

Before giving approval to an institution, does the Local Government Board take into consideration the fact whether the doctor in charge of it has a special knowledge of the particular treatment which is necessary?

Yes; that would be one of the conditions into which the inspector would examine.

Is it quite clear that the isolation hospital will not be used for both the treatment of tuberculosis and fever at the same time?

I am glad to say that the diminution of infectious disease all over the country has placed at the disposal of nearly all the sanitary authorities a very large number of beds that can be properly used for this particular purpose.

Not at the same time and in the same hospital?

No; not at the same time, but the circumstances are such they can be used for both purposes.

Has there been an inspection or report of the qualifications of the medical officers in each of these institutions to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred?

We are satisfied that all the medical officers who are now in charge of infectious hospitals or of hospitals for tuberculosis are thorougly qualified to undertake the duties imposed upon them.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated amount of the statutory income in the period to 12th January, 1913, of the insurance committee of the county of Essex, how such income is derived, and when and from whom the insurance committee will receive it?

The sources from which the statutory income of insurance committees is derived, as well as the amounts which it is estimated will be available to the insurance committees for the period ending 12th January, 1913, are set out in the Memoranda 102 and 112 I.C., copies of which I will send to the hon. Member. In addition to the money available under the provisions of the Act it is proposed to make special Grants to insurance committees towards their exceptionally heavy expenditure during the period in which the Act is being brought into operation. The amount to be granted to each committee (which will not in the case of any committee exceed £100) will be settled when the actual amount by which the statutory income is insufficient to meet expenditure incurred with the approval of the insurance commissioners has been ascertained. Provision is made accordingly in the Supplementary Estimate. Apart from such Grants the amount available would, on the basis taken in the above Memoranda, work out at about £790 for administration expenses and £4,500 for sanatorium benefit for Essex. As I stated in my answers to the hon. Members for Salisbury and Eastbourne on the 15th and 24th July, respectively, the precise dates of transfer of credits from the National Health Insurance Fund to the accounts of the committees will depend upon the moneys from time to time available upon the account of the fund and requirements of the respective committees.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the immediate responsibilities of the insurance committees are to be met?

I think they are being met under the conditions laid down in the Memoranda.

Has any transfer been made to the credit of the insurance committees already?

I should like notice of that.

asked what is the estimated number of schemes required to be prepared by friendly societies and branches under Section 72 of the National Insurance Act, and what is the estimated total cost of such schemes; and on what principle is it proposed to apportion the £47,000 Grant-in-Aid referred to in the Supplementary Estimates, Class 8, Vote 8, among such societies and branches?

The number of schemes estimated to be required for the purpose of Section 72 of the National Insurance Act is upwards of 26,000. Some societies, however, are expected to submit schemes for continuing the present benefits and contributions, in which case no valuation is necessary. The total cost of such schemes to the societies will depend on the arrangement between each society and the actuary whom it employs. Societies claiming to participate in the Grant will be allowed to submit particulars under this head at any time up to 30th November next. The Grant will not exceed one guinea for each valuation, plus one penny for each member included on 16th December, 1911, being then of the age of sixteen years or upwards, and contributing for benefits similar to any of those conferred by Part I. of the Act.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of drift fishermen from the port of Lowestoft whose sole remuneration is a share in the profits, if any, of the voyage, there is a contract of employment necessitating insurance under the National Insurance Act, and, if so, who is liable for the employer's contribution; and whether the employer has any right to recover the fishermen's contributions if at the end of the voyage no share is payable to the fishermen?

On the information given it is not possible to answer the first part of this question which, is really one for submission to the Commissioners in their judicial capacity under Section 66 of the Act. As regards the latter part the Act provides that where there is not money payment the employer shall not be entitled to recover any portion of the contribution, but on this point I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 22nd instant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have a judicial decision given by the Insurance Commissioners in connection with these fishermen, as most of them are away on voyages and no one knows what is to be done?

That is always being taken whenever any application is made to the Commissioners for the taking of such steps. These questions are not questions fit for question and answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this point is raised by the Insurance Commissioners. In the absence of these men, how can they possibly raise the point?

If any one who is interested in the welfare of these men will submit the case to the Insurance Commissioners steps will immediately be taken?

asked whether, in the case of trawl fishermen where the master and mate are remunerated solely by share and the crew are paid a weekly wage, there is a contract of employment of the master and mate necessitating insurance under the National Insurance Act; and, if so, who is liable for the employer's contributions of the master and mate and of the paid crew, respectively?

The information furnished is insufficient to enable me to give any opinion on the point. The method of remuneration has no necessary bearing on the question of a contract of service. If, however, the hon. Member will communicate full particulars to me privately I will endeavour to supply him with an answer.

asked in the case of longshoremen where the boat is owned by one of two or three men who work it themselves, sharing the cost of gear and the proceeds of catches made, but not otherwise paid, whether there is a contract for employment necessitating insurance under the National Insurance Act; if so, who is liable for the employer's contributions; and whether the answer is the same where the three men work alternatively a boat belonging to each of the three men?

In both the cases described the relation between the parties would appear to be in the nature of co-partnership and not employment, but, as I have already stated, it is not possible to deal with points of this kind with certainty without fuller particulars than can well be included in a Parliamentary question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to a ballot now being taken, by the Associated Portland Cement Combine of their workmen asking them to transfer from any approved society they may have voluntarily joined under the National Insurance Act to an approved society about to be established by this cement trust; whether it is the intention of the Insurance Commissioners to give their approval to a society made up of persons coerced to transfer from their own properly constituted societies; and what action, if any, does he propose to take to prevent intimidation of this kind?

I am informed that the firm in question have decided not to form an approved society for the purposes of the National Insurance Act. The remaining questions, therefore, do not arise.

asked whether the chairman of the English Insurance Commission exercises any control over the other Commissioners?

No, Sir; the Commission follows the ordinary procedure of bodies of this kind.

Has the chairman a casting vote?

I am not quite sure, but I do not think he has. Anyhow the Commissioners are in such numbers that a casting vote is not required.

Does the right hon. Gentleman assure us that all these leaflets and Regulations have been made by the Commissioners unanimously?

I cannot tell whether they were unanimously or otherwise. I do not think the Commissioners have come to an actual vote. It is the work of the Commission for which the Commission takes full responsibility.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the statement has been freely made that, under the National Insurance Act, health committees will be empowered to spend considerable sums on the building, equipment, and maintenance of hospitals, other than consumptive sanatoria, and that it is therefore very uncertain what private or voluntary subscriptions will henceforth be required; whether he realises that this statement is having the effect of checking the flow of individual subscriptions to local hospitals; and will he make some counter statement to prevent this result?

There is no provision in the National Insurance Act empowering insurance committees to spend money on the building or equipment of hospitals. Under Section 12 it is lawful for an approved society or Insurance Committee to grant such subscriptions or donations as it may think fit to hospitals, dispensaries and other charitable institutions, and any sums so expended will be treated as expenditure on benefits. Approved societies and committees have also power under Section 12 in certain cases where insured persons are inmates of hospitals or similar institutions to pay sums payable on account of benefits in respect of such persons to the hospital or other institution concerned

asked whether the sum of £1,405,200 appearing in the Civil Services Estimates, Class VIII., as the proportion of benefits and expenses of administration for England, chargeable to money provided by Parliament under the National Insurance Act for the year 1912–13, is based upon the advice of the Government actuary; and why it exceeds the sum of £998,000, the amount of the actuary's estimate contained in Cd. 5983 of the charge for 1912–13, in respect of the State proportion of maximum benefits and the cost of administration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The sum of £998,000 shown in Messrs. Hardy and Wyatt's final report is the estimated amount of the liabilities to be incurred in the period from 1st July, 1912, to 31st March, 1913, in respect of the benefits, expenses of administration, etc., under the Act. The Estimate, however, has to provide for the charges coming in course of payment within the financial year. It has therefore to include provision for the State proportion of the sanatorium benefit and medical benefit for the whole of the calendar year 1913, since the sums payable in respect of these benefits for the whole of the year are required by the Act to be paid or credited to the Insurance Committees at the beginning of the year. On the other hand, it includes no provision in respect of the State proportion of sickness, disablement and maternity benefits, and of the administrative expenses of societies in the first quarter of the calender year 1913, since the Grants in respect of this expenditure will only be made in respect of any quarter after the accounts for that quarter have been made up, and will not therefore come in course of payment until after the 31st March next.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will give the number of applications for employment on the outdoor staff under the National Insurance Act that have been received by the Commissioners in response to their advertisement, and how many of these appointments have been made or are about to be made; and will a list of the men selected be published?

For appointment on the outside staffs (male and female) of the four Commissions 33,738 applications have been received. The number of appointments for which applications are being considered follows the Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on the outside staff, a copy of which I am forwarding to the hon. Member. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. The usual procedure for publication will be followed.

With reference to the last point, when the list is published will the right hon. Gentleman announce the past occupation of those successful gentlemen; and give some statement as to their fitness for the posts?

I am not sure about that. I am willing to consider representations on the subject, but I do not think it is usual in such cases.

asked what is the position under the National Insurance Act of a rural postman working about three hours a day, commencing at 7 a.m. on Monday, and receiving 5s. to 6s. a week from the Post Office, and who is not on the permanent postal staff?

If the person referred to is paid under an allowance and is employed by the Department for not more than eighteen hours a week he is excepted from compulsory insurance, so far as his Post Office duties are concerned under the provisions of the National Health Insurance Order (No. 1) (Subsidiary Employments). If he is not paid under an allowance or if though paid under an allowance his duties exceed eighteen hours a week he will be insured by the Post Office, if, as appears probable, the Department is the first employer in the week. The contributions payable by such a postman will be 4d.

If the Government are not his first employer, are they willing to share the insurance with other employers, in the same way as other employers do?

I think that is a matter for consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the recent statements made by him regarding crofters and gillies, the reply given by his predecessor on 22nd November, 1911, to the hon. Member for Sutherland that a crofter can contribute less than 7d. per week under the National Insurance Act when he is his own employer and a voluntary contributor is correct; and, if so, under what regulation is this to be found?

Yes, Sir. A voluntary contributor will be entitled to benefits, although he may not have been able to pay all the weekly contributions due. If he is a member of an approved society his benefits will depend upon the extent to which he is in arrear (in accordance with the Regulations made under Section 10 (3) of the Act), and if he is a deposit contributor on the amount standing to his credit in the Post Office Fund under the provisions of Section 42 of the Act. The Regulations referred to have been published in draft, and can be obtained at the Vote Office; and I am sending a copy to the Noble Lord.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question as to his predecessor saying that those men would pay less than 7d. if they were voluntary contributors?

Certainly, it would be less than 7d. per week if you average it over the year.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Great Western Railway Provident Society, membership of which prior to the Act was a condition of service, have now established an approved section under the Act; and, having regard to the fact that no man can be employed unless he joins or retains his membership in the provident society of which no amended scheme to provide for benefits for the difference between the present contributions and that required for the State section has been suggested, and seeing that no ballot of the members has been taken on the suggested alterations, what action he proposes to take to prevent this society becoming approved, as it defeats the intention of the National Insurance Act in so far as it debars a man from exercising a free right of choice regardless of employment?

The Great Western Railway Provident Society has not established an approved section under the National Insurance Act. No application has yet been received by the Insurance Commission for the approval of the Provident Society or of a separate section thereof. If such application is received, the Commissioners before granting approval will satisfy themselves that the constitution of the society complies with the requirements of the Act, one of which is that no society shall be approved as an employers' fund under the conditions of Section 25 of the Act if membership of it is made a condition of employment.

If the society has not been approved, can the right hon. Gentleman explain why the men were on Friday last stopped 1s. 6d. out of their wages, whereas, hitherto their contributions have been 1s. 2d. per week?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked (34), how many local authorities have, up to the present time, consented to allow their medical officers of health to act temporarily as medical advisers to local insurance committees in regard to applications for sanatorium benefit; and (35), how many clerks of insurance committees have been appointed up to the present time; how many of such appointments are temporary; and how many are permanent?

I am sure the hon. Member will agree that it would have been unreasonable for the Commissioners to have called for returns from the committees so soon after the date on which they first commenced operations, and, therefore, the information in the possession of the Commissioners in regard to the matters referred to in the questions is not complete. The Commissioners, however, have been informed that the insurance committees have in most cases appointed sub-committees to deal with the administration, of sanatorium benefit, and that these sub-committees are in commu- nication with the county and county borough councils with regard to the arrangements generally, including arrangements for utilising the services of the medical officers of health. In about thirty cases in England there is definite information that the medical officer of health is already assisting the committee, and I have every reason to hope that the majority of local authorities will be willing to allow their medical officers of health to act temporarily as advisers to the committees. The Commissioners have already received notice of the appointment of clerks to 185 committees, of which twelve are permanent appointments.

Would it not be when the insurance committees are finally appointed under the Act they should make these appointments?

The conditions laid down as to what the provisional insurance committees should do are in the Memorandum. The hon. Member will see, on reference to the Memorandum, that the interests of the future are very carefully safeguarded.