asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the proposal in the Government of Ireland Bill to hand over the Royal Irish Constabulary at a certain period to the control of an Irish Executive, any provision has been made to arrange that the benefits provided for widows and orphans out of the Constabulary Force Fund will be secured under the Imperial Treasury and not left to the discretion of an Irish Executive; and whether this fund is now in a perfectly solvent condition and prepared, so far as can be foreseen, to meet all claims likely to be made on behalf of the wives and children of surviving subscribers to the benefit branch?

Payments out of the Constabulary Force Fund to widows and orphans of deceased members of the force are made under the authortiy of the Lord Lieutenant and will continue to be so made after the passing of the Bill. There appears to be no occasion for special provision of the nature indicated by the hon. Member, but the fund is to a certain extent under the control of the National Debt Commissioners and may be dealt with, if necessary, under Clause 44 of the Bill. The fund is solvent.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mrs. O'Brien, a member of the Rathkeale District Council, has been allotted seven acres of the Clounriesk untenanted lands, Hewson estate, county Limerick; and whether he is aware that there are a number of labourers in the division who are anxious to get parcels of land, and that the seven acres allotted to Mrs. O'Brien would have gone a long way towards supplying their wants?

With regard to the first paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for South Antrim on the 25th July. The allotment of the lands was made by the Estates Commissioners after inquiry and in the exercise of the discretion vested in them.

asked the Chief Secretary under what circumstances was a considerable tract of land in the Clermont demesne, county Louth, which was purchased by the Estates Commissioners for distribution amongst evicted tenants, given by them to Colonel Guinness, then commanding a battery of Royal Field Artillery in Dundalk; and what provision do the Commissioners propose to make for the evicted tenants in county Louth who up to the present have not been restored to their farms or provided with equivalent lands elsewhere?

The Estates Commissioners acquired Clermont demesne, county Louth, under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and not under the Evicted Tenants Act as suggested in the question. The Commissioners divided the lands, and provided holdings for eight evicted tenants, and two sons of tenants, and they gave enlargements to seventeen tenants of other holdings, and in addition allotted forty acres to the rural district council for the purposes of the Labourers Acts. The division which included the mansion house was not suitable for sub-division, and as a considerable portion of the price was in respect of the buildings the full purchase money could not be advanced subject to a land purchase annuity. It was accordingly let to Colonel Guinness, who agreed to purchase it, and to pay portion of the purchase money in cash. There is only one evicted tenant in county Louth who has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land, and who has not yet been provided with a holding.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether on the Westby estate, Kilballyowen, West Clare, of which the division among the tenants has been long awaited, the holder of a portion of the estates is putting up large buildings which would be useless in the event of the distribution of the land among the uneconomic tenants; and whether the fears of these tenants are justified that in this case the Land Act of 1909 is to remain a dead letter or, if not, whether steps will be taken to deal with this estate without further delay?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Estates Commissioners have no information as to the erection of buildings by one of the tenants, and they have no power to deal with the estate until it is reached in proper order of priority.

Is there not some danger if this building takes place that the land will not be available?

I am afraid that danger must be faced.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of the tenants on the Walsh and Bryon estate, consisting of 600 acres of land in the townlands of Keyanna, Killonan, and Ballyclough, in the county of Limerick; is he aware of the fact that the tenants on this estate signed their purchase agreements in the year 1905, and the estate was inspected several years since; why have those tenants not got their vesting orders; can he say in what manner do the landlords intend to get paid, whether in cash or in stock; have there been any difficulties regarding titles or legatees, and, if so, of what nature; is he aware that those tenants cannot get loans from the Board of Works for the improvement of their farms until the lands are vested in them; and whether taking all those matters into account, and in view of the desirability of a final settlement, he will see that a vesting order will be issued as soon as possible?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendors to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). The Estates Commissioners hope to be in a position to advance the purchase money, and vest the holdings in the purchasing tenants at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland has yet considered the Report of the County Court Judges on County Court Procedure; if so, when does he propose to take action on the Report; if the Lord Chancellor has not yet considered the Report, will he state what is the cause of the delay; and, in view of the importance and urgency of the question of County Court procedure to barristers, solicitors, and litigants, and of the delay which has already taken place, if he will take immediate steps to induce the Lord Chancellor to give the matter his attention?

The Lord Chancellor has considered the Report of the County Court judges, and has sent a copy to the Incor- porated Law Society at their request. When the society furnish their observations on the Report the question of legislation will be considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to lay a copy of the Report on the Table of the House?

Yes, Sir, I will try to do so.

asked the Chief Secretary whether two guardians representing the Askeaton West Division of the Rathkeale Poor Law Union, county Limerick, are respectively the wife of the medical officer of the Askeaton dispensary district and the husband of the matron of the Rathkeale Union Workhouse; whether he is aware that the matron was voted an increase in her salary from £30 a year to £60 a year, being an increase of 100 per cent.; that this increase was considered excessive by the Local Government Board; and that on the 3rd of July, without further notice of motion and against the remonstrances of some of the guardians, a salary of £52 a year, being an increase of 73 per cent., was voted; and whether, in the interests of the paupers and ratepayers, steps will be taken to prevent the husbands and wives of officials of unions and district councils having seats and votes in such unions and district councils?

The members representing the Askeaton West Division of the Rathkeale Board of Guardians are Mrs. Elizabeth O'Brien and Mr. James Sheehy. The latter is the husband of the matron of the workhouse; but, although the Local Government Board have no information as to whether Mrs. O'Brien is the wife of the medical officer of the Askeaton Dispensary District, I believe the case is so. The guardians originally voted an increase of salary to the matron from £30 to £60, which the Local Government Board refused to sanction, and it was then proposed to fix the salary at £52. The Board ultimately sanctioned an increase to £45, this amount being the maximum salary paid to matrons in other unions of the same class. There is nothing in the law to prevent the husband or wife of an officer of a board of guardians from becoming a guardian of the union if duly elected by the Local Government electors.

Were not the members of the district council, with one or two exceptions, in favour of the larger increase, and is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these are the parties responsible to the ratepayers; and what right has the hon. and gallant Member to interfere in this matter?

It is a matter for the Local Government Board, and any one can ask questions relating to it. The Local Government Board have undoubtedly to exercise restrictions upon the generosity of members of boards of guardians.

asked the Chief Secretary whether heretofore in Ireland clerks of Poor Law guardians were excluded from the office of justice of the peace; whether the present Lord Chancellor has frequently expressed his determination to adhere to this rule; what is the" reason for this practice; whether any candidates for the Commission concealed the circumstance of their being union clerks from both the Lord Lieutenant of the county and the Lord Chancellor; whether he can state the number of persons who have so imposed upon the Lord Chancellor since he came into office; and what steps he proposes to take in reference to them?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that the usual practice has been not to appoint clerks of union to the magistracy, but there have been cases in which they were appointed. The practice is based on the view that the duties of a magistrate may interfere with the proper discharge of the duties of a clerk of union, and it is also considered undesirable, that the chairman of the board, usually a magistrate, and an official of the board should act as justices on the same bench. There has been only a single case of the kind since the present Lord Chancellor came into office. At the time of the appointment the Lord Chancellor had no knowledge of the fact that the candidate was a clerk of a union. Some time after the appointment the Lord Chancellor was apprised of the fact, and, having made full inquiries, he has finally concluded that he cannot hold that the candidate had any intention to deceive either the Lord Chancellor or the Lieutenant of the County, although he did not state that he was a clerk of a union.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Lord Chancellor had not previously refused to appoint this very person?

That I do not know.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of the Athlone Urban District Council on 24th July, when the question of the council's debts was under discussion, and it was stated by the chairman that the council had been presented with an account for coal supplied to them amounting to £2,000, of which they were unable to pay more than £200, and that they were threatened with legal proceedings by the contractors if the debt were not paid within a week; whether he is aware that it was also stated that a further sum of £2,800 was owing for gas, that the council were unable to pay interest on its debt, and that the rates could not be collected, and that it was decided to apply to the Local Government Board for a loan to enable the council to meet its current liabilities; whether he can say what is the total indebtedness of the Athlone Urban Council; and whether the Government intends to sanction a loan for the purpose of paying the tradesmen's bills of this council?

The facts are as stated in the first paragraph of the question. An application for sanction to a loan to meet the council's liability to the contractors in question has been received by the Local Government Board. The council were informed on the 16th June, 1911, in connection with a similar application, that the Board had no power to authorise borrowing for such a purpose, and they are new referring the council to the terms of that letter. There is no information available as to the other matters referred to in the question, and the Board have no precise particulars as to the total indebtedness of the council.

Will the Local Government Board cause any inquiry into the finances of this body?

The Local Government Board are considering the state of the case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has been informed that, on Sunday, 28th July, two Protestants, named respectively Farren and M'Neill, were set upon by Nationalists in Belfast while they were proceeding to the docks to go aboard a steamer, and that they were kicked and injured so severely that they had to be taken to the hospital; that two other Protestants, named respectively Shields and Atkinson, were similarly attacked by Nationalists on Monday, 29th July, in the streets of Belfast, with the result that they also had to be removed to hospital; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with either of these outrages?

The police inform me that on the 28th July a fireman named Fanning, who was on his way to his ship, and two companions named Fanning and MacNully were assaulted. They were taken to hospital, but were not detained, as their injuries were not serious. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of their assailants. The men attacked were Protestants, but I cannot say what was the motive of the assault. That will no doubt be brought out in Court. On the 29th, while the police wore taking two drunken and disorderly prisoners to barracks, a crowd collected and two men named Shields and Atkinson, both Protestants, were assaulted. Both were treated in hospital but were not detained. They could not identify their assailants, and the police were too fully occupied with their prisoners to make any arrests. Atkinson is a stranger of the tramp class.

asked if the Report of the Irish Land Commission has yet been issued; and when will it be laid upon the Table of the House?

The Report will be presented within the next few days.

The question appears upon the Paper by mistake to-day, and unless the Chief Secretary is prepared to answer it I will postpone it until Monday. The question is whether a Bill to amend the compulsory Sections of the Irish Education Act, 1892, was submitted in 1909 to the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland for observations thereon; if so, did they make any such observations, and what were they; and is it intended now to initiate legislation on this subject?

I have got an answer. I do not know whether the hon. and learned Member will regard it as satisfactory or not. The answer is: The Bill referred to was a private Member's Bill, and was submitted to the Commissioners of National Education in 1909, who decided to take no action with regard to it. The answer to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked whether, in opposition to the unanimous opinion of Irish cattle traders, including Mr. Gavin Low, the Department's expert adviser, he persists in refusing to slaughter on the farm at Swords where the last reported outbreak occurred; whether he will now take steps to have all the cattle on this farm slaughtered; and whether, as Ireland has only shown disease in this small district, he will press the English Department to permit fat cattle coming by rail from outside this area to be shipped from Dublin, Dundalk, and Drogheda for immediate slaughter at Birkenhead and other foreign wharves, and thus save Irish farmers from enormous uncompensated loss?

The Department have slaughtered on the farm at Swords, where the last case of foot-and-mouth disease occurred, all the cattle which were in the infected field. The remainder of the stock to the number of over 800 have been isolated, and are kept under close and daily observation. No symptom of the disease has yet appeared in any of these animals, and unless it does the Department would not be justified in ordering their slaughter. Mr. Gavin Low is not an expert adviser of the Department. He is only employed for the purpose of valuing animals ordered to be slaughtered. The Department are not aware that the cattle traders generally have expressed the opinion suggested in the question. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the question of the hon. Member for North Meath on this subject, and to the replies of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether while the Department in Dublin are refusing to allow these cattle to be put upon trains for the ports, they are permitting them to be walked through the various districts, including the city of Dublin; and if the cattle can be walked through districts, why cannot they be allowed on trains; whether also Mr. Gavin Low did not make a recommendation that these cattle should be slaughtered?

I do not, of course, know about Mr. Gavin Low, but I rather gather from the tenour of the answer he probably did. I will make inquiries with regard to the movements of the cattle.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the general policy of the English Board of Agriculture to slaughter all animals on the affected farm, and all in-contact animals on the adjoining farm, and is he aware that the policy of the Irish Department is causing considerable apprehension to English stock owners?

I will call the attention of the Vice-President of the Department in Ireland to that. The animals in the affected field were slaughtered and all the other animals are isolated and are subject to daily inspection, and the moment they stow any symptoms of the disease they will be slaughtered. I will communicate the hon. Member's observations to the Vice-President.

Do the Irish Department consider they know the accurate period of incubation and what will that be?

The Noble Lord knows as well as I do there is difference of opinion as to what the period of incubation should be, but the Irish Department think they have good information of what the period is, and until it is expired they feel they are not at liberty to allow those animals to be moved.

Is it not a fact that these 800 cattle were not in contact with the other cattle and were in a different part of the farm altogether?

That is so.

May I ask whether, if there is no danger from these animals, and if they are not to be slaughtered, why should all the other cattle traders in Ireland be held up because of these cattle?

I suppose because you cannot be certain for a certain period that the animals are free.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give the period of time in which the experts have reported to the Board of Agriculture that the cattle will be free?

I cannot give that information, and I am not sure whether any one is in a position to give such information or whether any importance attaches to it.

Is it not a fact that there has been no case in Ireland for the last fourteen days, and whether it is not generally held by experts that after ten days the cattle are immune?

With regard to the fourteen days the hon. Member is right, but whether ten days is sufficient or not is another matter.

asked whether, in view of the mystery surrounding the reappearance after many years of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland, the serious spread of the disease in England, and the suspicion resting upon the administration of his Department in the matter, he will appoint an independent Departmental or, in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture, an Interdepartmental Committee to inquire into the origin and development of the disease?

The appearance of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland twenty-nine years ago was due to its introduction from England. I am not aware of any suspicion resting upon the administration of the Department. As at present advised, I see no necessity for the appointment of a Committee such as is suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the disease did appear in Ireland twenty-nine years ago it spread to every county in Ireland but one, showing the danger there is in that country owing to atmospheric conditions?

I am not able to say that, but On this occasion it is confined to Swords.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing an Interdepartmental Committee in order to harmonise the methods of dealing with the outbreaks in England and in Ireland, and to secure equal confidence in people on both sides of the Channel in the administration of the law?

If this admirable result could be accomplished by such an Interdepartmental Committee I think such a Committee should be adopted. I will convey the opinion to my right hon. Friend.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he knows as a matter of fact that according to the evidence brought forward this outbreak was imported from England into Ireland and that in recent years there have been outbreaks of the disease in England and none in Ireland?

Yes, we know about that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the attack on Major Bickford, lately commanding the Jhobi Militia?

Major Bickford has reported that, when driving from Fort Sandeman to Babar, on 14th June, with an escort of four Militia sowars, he was attacked by raiders, who opened fire and killed one of the sowars and badly wounded another. Major Bickford was unarmed and was shot through the thigh; the third sowar was wounded; but the fourth sowar very pluckily held his ground and returned the fire of the enemy, who, after three-quarters of an hour, made off. The second sowar succumbed to his wounds.

asked if the hon. state the estimated cost of accommodation which is at Delhi for use next cold Government of India; and is estimated will elapse capital is ready?

The cost of the proposed temporary accommodation at Delhi for the Government of India is estimated roughly at Rs. 49,00,000, of which it is expected that about Rs. 16,50,000 will eventually be recovered. I am unable at present to give any estimate of the time that will be required for the completion of the new capital.

Seeing that the Government of India have been accommodated in Calcutta for 150 years, would it not be better to stay on there for a year or two more and save this expense?

I do not think I can enter into that controversy again.

asked if the hon. Gentleman will state what precedent exists for making deduction from payments sanctioned by the Indian Government under an Act of the Home Government; whether India is a financially independent unit; and whether the records of the India Office supply proof of the unwisdom of making forcible deductions from the pay of British soldiers serving in India?

In his search for precedents the hon. Member has apparently overlooked the existence of the Army Act, which is an Act of the Imperial Parliament, which applies to the British soldier in India as elsewhere, and which is the authority for many deductions from his pay. Broadly speaking, India is for most purposes a financially independent unit, but her independence in this respect is subject always to the control of the Imperial Parliament. I am not aware that deductions made from the pay of British soldiers serving in India have a different effect from similar deductions made on similar authority from British soldiers serving elsewhere.

Is it not a fact that in one case the money is provided by a financially independent unit, and, therefore, any deductions made from pay are open to the greater objection?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether His Highness the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar claims to be above the jurisdiction of the British Law Courts; whether such claim is admitted by the India Office; and, if so, whether there is any method by which he could be induced to submit the claim of the Coupé Company in respect of work done to his order in connection with his proposed summer palace, to arbitration, as suggested by the claimant company?

I am not aware what claim His Highness the Jam Sahib makes, but it would be for the Court to decide in each case whether it possessed jurisdiction. As regards the last part of the question, the Secretary of State is quite sure that His Highness will take such action as is demanded by his honour and that of the distinguished class to which he belongs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the quantity in gallons of ale and porter, gin, rum, and other spirits, respectively, imported into the Gold Coast Colony in the years 1910 and 1911, and the values of each liquor?

The figures for 1910 are: Ale and porter, 98,290 gallons, value £14,517; gin, 498,939 gallons, value £69,406; rum, 1,039,964 gallons, value £82,289; other spirits, 42,722 gallons, value £24,670. And for 1911: Ale and porter, 113,536 gallons, value £16,829; gin, 556,130 gallons, value £79,067; rum, 958,316 gallons, value £79,000; other spirits, 45,336 gallons, value £27,062.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state what was the receipt in 1911 from the Import Duty on spirits of all kinds imported into the Gold Coast, and what is the amount of the increase of that sum as compared with1910; and what was the increased duty collected on gin in 1911 as compared with 1910?

The revenue derived from the Import Duties on spirits in 1911 was £421,970, an increase of £37,432 as compared with 1910. Of this increase, £15,610 represents the increase in the amount of the duties collected on gin.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state what steps have been taken to secure that natives in British East Africa when tried for capital offences should be provided with some legal assistance at their trial?

I have decided that, in cases where natives of British East Africa are undergoing trial for capital offences and are unable to bear the cost of providing counsel for their defence, counsel shall, as far as possible, be provided for them at Government expense.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to a report of the half-yearly meeting of the British North Borneo Company, held on the 11th July, at which the fact was disclosed that the company derives a large revenue from the sale of opium; and whether it is at his desire, as stated by the chairman in his speech, that the company itself should carry on such a traffic?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The company is about to take into its own hands the control of the opium trade and to abolish the farm system, thus following the example of the Straits Settlements and other Eastern administrations. I consider that this is a very desirable step, as it renders possible a more complete control by Government of the opium traffic. My hon. Friend is, of course, aware that the British North Borneo Company is itself the governing body of the State of North Borneo.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether boys are allowed to bathe, and do bathe, in the canal in Regent's Park; and whether the water in the canal is partly derived from sewage effluents?

The Regent's Canal is not under the jurisdiction of the First Commissioner, and he has no power to issue bathing regulations in respect of it.

asked whether boys are allowed to bathe in the lakes in Regent's Park?

It has been considered inadvisable to permit bathing in these lakes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, on the resumption of the Sittings of this House in October, a comprehensive time-table will be submitted allocating a number of days for the Government of Ireland Bill, the Established Church (Wales) Bill, and the Franchise and Registration Bill, respectively, so that the passage of these measures may be assured, and hon. Members may form some estimate of the duration of the Session?

I am not prepared to make any statement as to the intentions of the Government, but anything that may tend to the convenience of hon. Members will be borne in mind.

asked whether, in view of the declarations that have lately been made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other Members of the Government that a new housing policy is urgently needed, he will give facilities for the further stages of the Housing of the Working Classes Bill (as amended by the Standing Committee), as being an instalment of housing reform?

I do not think I need add anything to the answer I gave to the Noble Lord the Member for the Newton Division on the 27th June.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that 1,073 petitions have been presented from Wales and Monmouthshire, containing 552,477 signatures of adult persons, praying that I he Established Church (Wales) Bill be not further proceeded with, and that only one petition, containing only one signature, has been presented in favour of the measure, and that petition comes, not from Wales, but from Scotland; and whether, in view of the evident hostility to the Bill and the want of enthusiasm on the part of its supporters, the Government propose to drop it?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask him whether he has observed that eight pages in one petition are signed by a "X" and by illiterates, that in another petition there is a whole page of workhouse inmates, that in another petition there is a whole page of girls of a high school, and that in several other petitions there are a large number of people described as inhabitants who are trippers or visitors to seaside or holiday resorts; and whether also he has observed that, taking the whole petitions, there is a large preponderance of women and children over those of the masculine gender?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware these petitions were signed by adults only and inhabitants of Wales?

I have not examined them myself and cannot say whether all the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend are to be found upon the face of the petitions themselves, but the facts which he has stated would not be inconsistent with the allegation that they have all been signed by adult persons. The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to the question on the Paper. With regard to the first part of the question, I must refer the hon Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for East Nottingham on the 15th and 24th of July. The Government will proceed with the Bill at the earliest possible opportunity in accordance with the desire, constitutionally expressed at eight General Elections at least, of a large majority of the Welsh people.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is therefore the intention of the Government to force through this Bill, under the Parliament Act, without any regard to public opinion at all?

The Government are perfectly satisfied public opinion in Wales supports this Bill.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether Wales is a separate political unit so that its majority holds good irrespective of the rest of the United Kingdom of which it is a part?

The position of Wales is precisely the same as when the hon. Member represented a Welsh constituency and held the same views upon the subject as I hold still.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is not a place for glorious repentance open for him also?

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly say how many Welsh Members mentioned the Bill in their election addresses?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the growing cost of armaments, he will at once take the initiative in inviting the great Powers to a conference for the purpose of considering a reduction in armaments?

The question was brought up at the Conference of the Powers at The Hague in 1889 and 1907. To take an initiative in proposing a Conference without information that the proposal would be acceptable is more likely to hinder than to help the object in view.

Will the Prime Minister take steps to find out whether it would be desirable or not?

We have our mind constantly directed to this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a committee of experts to overhaul the expenditure of all Government Departments with a view to effecting economies in the administration of such Departments?

I beg to remind the hon. Member that the expenditure of Government Departments is now subject to review by two Select Committees of this House—the Public Accounts Committee, and the Estimates Committee, appointed under the Resolution of 17th April last. I am not prepared to consider the appointment of yet another Committee, if that is the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he can now fix a time for the promised discussion with regard to the adherence of this country to the Brussels Sugar Convention after September, 1913, or if he can make any statement with regard to the policy which the Government have decided to pursue in the matter?

The Government have studied the Motion which my right hon. Friend has put down. The Government announced in this House, and declared through their Delegates on the Permanent Sugar Commission, that unless satisfactory terms were arranged in regard to the exports of Russian sugar, they would be compelled to withdraw from the Convention. The terms of the new Protocol lately signed by the other members of the Convention are not satisfactory to His Majesty's Government; and they have therefore decided to withdraw from the Convention. A year's notice of withdrawal from the Convention is necessary, such notice to be given before 1st September in any year. The British Government will, therefore, before 1st September next, give notice of their withdrawal from the Convention, and will cease to be parties to it after 1st September, 1913.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when the Government arrived at this decision to withdraw from the Convention, and whether he does not think this House ought to have an opportunity of expressing its opinion before the Government takes a step of that character?

I have said repeatedly, if there is a desire to discuss the matter, the Government will afford an opportunity?

Will not the way be now open for granting a preference to Colonial sugar?

In what way does the right hon. Gentleman propose we should have an opportunity of discussing it before the decision is final?

My right hon. Friend (Mr. Lough) has a notice on the Paper.

What day?

We will endeavour to find a day.

Is not the effect of the notice on the Paper to prevent any hon. Member discussing it on the Motion for the Adjournment? Is it not a blocking Motion?

Will the right hon. Gentleman or the President of the Board of Trade tell me when the Government arrived at the decision he has just announced?

The date?

Yes, the actual date the Government arrived at the decision which has just been communicated to the House. [Communications having passed between the Prime Minister and the President of the Board of Trade.] In that case, I will ask why the decision is only now communicated to the House in the very closing days of this portion of the Session, and whether the object of the Government is to render discussion before action nugatory?

The decision has only been recently arrived at, and this, as far as I know, is the first time any question has been put to us. The Government are most anxious to have a discussion, and, if necessary, I will give an extra day before this portion of the Session closes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, considering the interest which has been shown on both sides of the House, the Government might have volunteered a statement on the subject the first moment at which they had made up their minds, having hitherto replied to all questions that they had not made up their minds; and, in the second place, does he think an adequate opportunity for discussing it can possibly be given when the House is only now seized with the intention of the Government, and is to adjourn some time next week?

Yes, I think perfectly adequate.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, whereas in 1845 24,000,000 persons out of a total population of 26,000,000 in the United Kingdom were fed with bread made from home-grown wheat, 4,500,000 are now so fed out of a total of 44,000,000, a reduction of over 80 per cent.; and whether, in view of the possibility of national disaster resulting from the occurrence of a shortage in the world's crop, accompanied by an attempt on the part of a rival or unfriendly Power to corner the Russian and other overseas wheat markets, the Government propose to take any steps to promote an increase in the home production of wheat, or to secure the home-grown crop or a part thereof to meet the needs of a sudden national emergency?

The Government are fully alive to the various aspects of the question of the food supplies of this country in times of national emergency. As regards the last part of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave to him on the 29th ultimo, and to the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division on 2nd April last.

Were the facts stated in the question present to the right hon. Gentleman's mind when he decided to alter the naval policy of the country from a two-Power standard to a one-Power standard?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Charles Bradlaugh brought in a Compulsory Land Cultivation Bill, and will the Government consider the advisability of bringing in a Bill of the same kind?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view if the decision given last Monday by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the Canadian marriage questions, he will take into consideration the need of a uniform marriage law applicable to the whole British Empire, and will cause inquiries to be made with the object of gaining the adhesion of the self-governing Colonies to this proposal?

The difficulties attending such a proposal are so great that I fear I cannot undertake to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of reserving to the United Kingdom under the Government of Ireland Bill the power of legislating with regard to marriage laws?

The judgment referred to has no bearing upon that subject, and I can only refer the hon. Member to the Bill.

asked the Lord Advocate if he intends, this Session, to introduce legislation on the lines of the Report by the Commission on Minor Legal Appointments in Scotland?

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has considered the Report on minor legal appointments in Scotland; whether he accepts its findings; and, if so, when he proposes to act in accordance with these findings?

I intend to introduce legislation dealing with the recommendations of the Committee at the earliest possible, opportunity.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the prosecution of Mr. John M'Ara, in Edinburgh, on 26th May, for speaking in the open air at The Round, Princes Street, Edinburgh; whether he will state the law under which the prosecution took place; whether he will state the last occasion on which a prosecution took place under the same law; and whether such prosecutions have his approval?

My attention has been drawn to the case referred to. The prosecution was laid at Common Law. The accused was convicted of holding a meeting without having obtained a licence from the magistrates in contravention of the Proclamation issued by the magistrates on 19th July, 1912. A similar prosecution took place in 1882. This prosecution took place in the Burgh Court at the instance of the Burgh Procurator Fiscal. I see no ground on which I could express disapproval of the proceedings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this particular locality in Edinburgh has been used for this purpose for centuries and not hitherto been interfered with? Does he approve of this action of the police authorities in Edinburgh in suppressing free speech in this particular part of the city?

I have no right to express cither approval or disapproval. I believe the police grant licences to those who apply for this particular purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General if the Marconi Agreement will be taken before the Recess; and whether, if the discussion is postponed to the autumn, it would be against all precedent for money to be spent upon this contract before it has been sanctioned by Parliament?

The Prime Minister will make a statement with respect to business, and will then say what course will be taken. As regards the second part of the question, it has never been contemplated that the Government should spend any money under this contract until it had been approved by the House of Commons.

asked whether the Marconi Company has incurred any expenditure under the contract for Imperial wireless stations in anticipation of the approval of the agreement by this House?

I do not know whether the company have already incurred expenditure for the purposes of the contract. They have certainly not been invited to do so by my Department. It is clearly stated in the contract that it does not become operative until it has been approved by the House of Commons.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the contract laid on the Table before the discussion of the whole matter? The contract was signed on the 7th March.

There was no contract signed on the 7th March. A letter was merely signed by the Post Office accepting the tender. I will have a copy of that laid.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the prices of the shares of the Marconi Company before the tender was accepted and the prices after it was known that the contract was sealed?

I have no concern with the prices of the company's shares either before the tender was accepted or immediately after or now.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to lay before the House a list of the company's shareholders?

I have no concern with the company's shareholders.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether employers who pay wages quarterly may at the expiry of the quarter affix to the card one stamp for 6s. 6d. instead of thirteen 6d. stamps?

6s. 6d. Health Insurance stamps will be supplied to employers who have adopted the system of bulk stamping with a preliminary deposit. The Insurance Commissioners would be prepared to consider the question of supplying thirteen-weeks' stamps to any employer who may pay wages quarterly at the end of the insurance quarters, if there were any evidence that the supply of such stamps upon special application to them would be of general convenience. No such evidence is, however, at present available.

asked whether a casual worker, who is so unfortunate as only to get one day's work in a week, has nevertheless to forfeit 4d., or 3d., from that day's pay under the National Insurance Act; and, if so, whether he will use any means in his power to prevent this money being so deducted and to enable it to be used for the more pressing needs of the worker or his family?

If the rate of remuneration is equivalent to over 15s. a week for whole time service the employer, who must pay the normal contribution, is entitled to deduct 4d. from the wages of the workman for his insurance.

How is the employer of casual labour on the Monday to know what the employé's remuneration is for the whole week?

It has nothing to do with what the remuneration is for the whole week, but simply the rate of remuneration.

To find the rate, has the remuneration for that day to be multiplied by six, even although he may not be employed on the other five days of the week?

Full information has been given as to how the rate of remuneration is to be obtained, and I shall be glad to send the hon. Member a pamphlet on the subject.

I wish to know whether the simple question put by my hon. Friend cannot be answered in less space than a pamphlet?

I do not think so. It depends on how many hours the man is employed and other considerations, and it could not be answered in the way suggested by the right hon. Gentleman.

Does it not depend on the intelligence of those who read?

asked if the right hon. Gentleman can say what will be the position under the National Insurance Act, of the sanatorium established by voluntary effort in county Clare; will the promoters of this institution be assisted by the fnuds of the insurance scheme for sanatoria; and will any credit be allowed for the money already spent on the sanatorium in Clare?

With regard to the first part of the question, if the sanatorium referred to is approved by the Local Government Board for Ireland, it will be competent for insurance committees to make arrangements with the managers of the sanatorium for the treatment therein of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis, for which insurance committees will make payment. The last two parts of the question are within the province of the Local Government Board for Ireland, who are primarily responsible for the distribution of the capital Grant available under Section 16 of the Finance Act, 1911, and Section 64 (1) of the National Insurance Act; and I would suggest that my hon. Friend should put down a question to my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary.

asked if a married woman, maintained by her husband, who has a regular job of charing two days a week is an employed person within the meaning of the National Insurance Act?

The woman referred to is an employed contributor unless she obtains a certificate of exemption, e.g., on the ground that she is ordinarily and mainly dependent on her husband. Form of application for such certificate may be obtained at post offices.

Would a woman, under the same conditions, not having a husband to maintain her, be entitled to exemption?

She would require to be under the same conditions, and if a married woman engaged two days a week, she would be an employed contributor.

asked whether a man who does killing for local farmers, which may occupy a day or two or an houror two a week, and who spends the largest part of his time shooting rabbits on farms upon which he has himself bought the shooting, falls within the National Insurance Act; whether he may become a voluntary insured person; and if he does, and produces his insurance card stamped by himself with workman's and employer's contributions for the current week, when applying for odd jobs of the nature alluded to, his employers will be relieved from the necessity of making deductions from wages they pay him or from themselves contributing the employer's contribution?

On the facts as stated by the hon. Member the man in question would not appear to be employed under a contract of service, and would probably not therefore be an employed contributor. As I have stated in previous answers, however, decisions on questions of this kind cannot be given with certainty without a full statement of all the relevant facts. Procedure is established by the Act under Section 66 for dealing with questions of this character, and any of the parties concerned can apply to the Commission for a judicial decision through the local officer of Customs and Excise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether an employer is responsible for any payment if the man brings his card with a 7d. stamp which he himself has put on?

I do not in the least understand that case, and I should have to have a good many more facts before me in order to answer a question like that.

If a casual workman—

Is the hon. Member referring to a man who shoots rabbits?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the advertisement in the "Times" of 29th July by the Welsh Insurance Commissioners for an assistant-secretary, in which it is stated that the candidates must be capable organisers and have had administrative experience, though the Commissioners reserve the right to appoint on the basis of other considerations, or they may make a selection from among the members of the Civil Service; and whether he will state what will be the basis of other considerations, apart from organising and administrative experience or membership of the Civil Service, which the Commissioners may consider a justification for making such an appointment?

The Welsh Insurance Commissioners have reserved the right to consider the claims of applicants for the post of assistant-secretary who may not have all the qualifications specified in the advertisement, but who may possess outstanding professional ability or great personal capacity or intimate knowledge of the industries, social conditions, and language of Wales.

Does that mean that practically he will have to be an ex-agent of the Liberal party?

I do not think that is included amongst the qualifications.

asked whether there is any regulation to prevent approved societies compensating those of their representatives attending county insurance committees from the management allowance provided under the Act?

No regulations have been issued, but I am advised that expenditure of the kind indicated in the question could not legally be defrayed out of the administration account of an approved society. If, however, the special circumstances of any county are such that the Insurance Commissioners consider that the travelling expenses of the members of insurance committee should be repaid to them by the committee, the Insurance Commissioners may authorise such repayment.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will now state if he has considered the advisability of publishing in some handy form the questions and answers re the National Insurance Act this Session, especially such questions as deal with its administration?

I have no evidence of any general desire for the questions and answers on the National Insurance Act to be so collected, and in view of the fact that the ordinary volumes of Debates, including insurance questions are fully indexed, I do not think the expense involved in resetting and reprinting would be justified.

Is it not a fact that during the discussion of the Insurance Bill the course asked for by the hon. Member was adopted, and all questions were separately published?