asked the Prime Minister whether, on the Government of Ireland Bill becoming Law, persons of Irish birth would still be eligible to become candidates for the public competition for appointments in the English Civil Service; and whether British subjects, not of Irish birth, would be eligible for appointments in the Civil Service of Ireland?

The Bill does not alter the existing law and practice in this matter.

asked whether any steps have been, or are proposed to be, taken to carry out the unanimous and earnest recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Supply of Food and Raw Material in time of War, that steps should be taken for the more satisfactory ascertainment of the actual stock of wheat and flour held in this country; and, if so, what these steps are?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. As I stated in answer to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for North Shropshire on the 18th March last, the position in regard to the stocks of wheat and flour in the country is carefully watched, but it is not desirable in the public interest to give further particulars.

asked whether any steps have been taken to carry out the unanimous recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Supply of Food and Raw Material in time of War, that, having regard to the importance of complete preparation being made in peace to provide for the exigencies of sudden war, a small expert committee should be appointed without delay to investigate the proposed system of national indemnity of ship-owners against loss from capture by the enemy of foodstuffs in time of war; and, if not, whether, in view of the present greater danger of such exigencies arising and of the provisions of the Declaration of London, the Government will now take steps to carry out such recommendation?

The matter has already been examined by the Committee on a national guarantee for the war risks of shipping which reported to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury in 1908 [see Cd. 4161, 1908], and the question is still receiving careful consideration, in the light of recent developments, by a Sub-committee of the Imperial Defence Committee presided over by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Is it likely that the right hon. Gentleman will be able to make any statement to the House when it reassembles as to what effective steps are going to be taken in this matter?

I cannot give any such undertaking, nor am I altogether sure that it would be in the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether elementary school teachers now retired, and who have served for as much as fifty years, are in receipt of a pension of only £28 10s.; and what, if any, additional provision he intends to make for these teachers already retired?

No teacher with fifty years' recorded service who accepted the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, is in receipt of a pension of £28 10s. only, but it is possible that there may be teachers who did not accept the Act of fifty years' service who are in receipt of a pension of the amount referred to. With reference to the last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Ashford Division of Kent on 12th July, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Attorney-General the date at which proceedings for fraud were commenced against the Law, Car, and General Insurance Corporation; the date at which those proceedings were stopped to await the result of the civil action by another party; whether the Director of Public Prosecutions concurred; what previous connection the liquidator had had with the directors; whether he is an officer of the Court; at what date he became aware of Fowler's malpractices; how much of the property he has found that Fowler misapplied; at what date he became aware that Fowler was about to leave the jurisdiction; at what date Fowler did leave; and why in a case of this character the Public Prosecutor allowed Fowler to escape?

I am not aware that any proceedings for fraud have ever been taken against this corporation, against which a compulsory winding-up order was made on the 20th December, 1910, and on the 31st October, 1911, an order was made for the public examination of some of the directors. On the 18th November, 1911, an application was made that in view of the civil action which was then pending against the directors individually, the public examination might be postponed, and an order was made adjourning it until after the determination of the action, which was heard in July, 1912, and resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff. On the 19th July, however, a stay of execution was granted at the defendant's instance by the learned judge who tried the case, with a view to an appeal, and this appeal is now pending. No public examination of the directors having preceded the civil trial, the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions was not directed to the case until it was reported in the newspapers. I am informed that the liquidator was appointed by the Court, which must have been satisfied with his fitness. I am told that Mr. Fowler, who was dismissed from the company's service in August, 1910, left this country early in 1911, and at a time when there was no power to detain him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to explain how it is that the liquidator's first report containing the disclosures which caused Fowler to leave this country did not rouse the Public Prosecutor to the necessity of detaining Fowler?

For the reason I have already indicated. There was no public examination of any kind, therefore there was nothing to call the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions to the case. The Director of Public Prosecutions does not see every report that comes from the liquidator of a company.

Is it or is it not the duty of the Public Prosecutor, when a liquidator issues a report of such a character that the person involved flies from the law, to take notice of it?

As soon as those facts are disclosed to him, certainly.

asked what distinction the Director of Public Prosecutions draws between, the offence known as obtaining money by false pretences and the practice of an insurance company in obtaining money by a promise, continued for twenty years, that insured persons would be entitled to a specified sum, and at the end of that time paying less than half that sum; and, the Board of Trade being unable to prevent the continued use of this promise by the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society of Australia as a means of obtaining money, whether the Director of Public Prosecutions, on being satisfied of the facts, can prevent the practice?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 26th day of June last to a question similar in its effect to that which now appears on the Paper, and I have only to add to that answer that, if the hon. Member is, as his question rather suggests, in possession of any evidence of the commission of any criminal offence by this life insurance society, it is, in my opinion, his duty to submit it to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Is it or is it not the duty of the Director of Public Prosecutions, when a question of this character appears upon the Paper, to obtain and examine the papers and literature of the company to which the question refers?

There is some limit to the literature that is available to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He does his best.

Is it or is it not the duty of the Public Prosecutor, when attention is repeatedly called in questions to the literature of a company, to examine that literature?

Certainly.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India if his attention has been called to a decision in the Bombay High Court disallowing the attachment for debt of the salary of Lieutenant E. Bouchier, of the North Staffordshire Regiment, on the ground that he was an officer of the British Regular Force; whether this decision makes practically impossible the collection of debts from British military officers in India; and what action he proposes to take to remove this injustice to Indian merchants and place such officers on the same footing as other British subjects in India?

The Secretary of State has no information of the decision referred to, but will inquire of the Government of India regarding it.

asked the terms of reference to and the constitution of the Royal Commission on Housing for Scotland?

The terms of the reference are "To inquire into the housing of the industrial population of Scotland, rural and urban (with special reference in the rural districts to the housing of miners and agricultural labourers); and to report what legislative or administrative action is in their opinion desirable to remedy existing defects." I am not yet able to announce the names of the Commissioners.

May we assume that the names of the Commission will be announced during the Recess?

I do not wish to make any definite promise, but I think it is probable.

Will the terms of reference enable the Commission to inquire into the scandalous neglect of the Government with regard to the housing of navvies at Rosyth?

Yes, Sir. I do not think that that subject will be excluded.

asked whether Income Tax is required to be paid by the official representatives of the various provinces of the Dominion of Canada while resident on official business in this country; and whether resident ambassadors, ministers, and consul-generals representing foreign Powers are exempt?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, a certain measure of relief is allowed to representatives of foreign Powers under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1842.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he can now give a definite date when Treasury concurrence will be given to the Admiralty proposals based on the Macnamara Staffing Committee's Report?

I fear I can give no definite date. Conferences are now taking place, and I hope that the decision of His Majesty's Government will be announced before the House reassembles.

asked when it is proposed to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee on the Amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments, contained in paragraphs 234 to 236 of the Report, dealing with overtime and night attendances and allowances to be made to officers appointed before 1st April, 1909?

As I informed the hon. Member for Dundee on the 1st instant, this matter is under consideration. I am unable to make any further statement at present.

asked whether, in view of the water-logged condition of the bog on the Monedarra and Corclaragh estates, North Longford, now purchased by the tenants, the Estates Commissioners "will direct their inspector, Mr. Gallon, to draw up a bog drainage scheme so as to render these bogs of advantage to the tenants, which in their present waterlogged state they are not?

The matter referred to will be considered by the Estates Commissioners.

asked whether the scholarships for Irish primary school pupils will be available this year?

I am not in a position to add anything to the general statement I made on this subject on the 31st July.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish details of the scheme, and, if so, when?

The subject is now engaging my attention. I certainly hope the details will be published during the recess.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners received the petition and query forms duly signed by the tenants on the estate of O'Grady Delmege, situate at Glensharrold, in the county of Limerick, asking to have a sale of the estate under the Land Act take place; and what action do they intend to take in the matter?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The matter is at present under consideration of the Estates Commissioners.

asked whether the schedules of tenancies on the John Sands estate, in North Kerry, have now been lodged by the solicitors having carriage of sale with the Congested Districts Board; if so, whether the Congested Districts Board have yet inspected the lands; and, if so, what progress has been made with a view to immediate purchase?

The schedule of tenancies on the estate referred to has been lodged with the Congested Districts Board, and the Board will arrange for the lands to be inspected as soon as practicable.

asked if an inspection has yet taken place on the Charles Edward Day estate, situate in North Kerry; whether the agreements to purchase were signed in March, 1908; and when will the inspection take place and the vesting orders to the tenants be issued?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants, and is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). The purchase agreements were lodged in August, 1908. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority, but, having regard to its position on the principal register and the claims of other estates, the Commissioners are not in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn.

asked when the estate of Lord Leconfield in West Clare will be dealt with by the Congested Districts Board; and when the Kildeerno farm will be acquired for division amongst those uneconomic tenants for the benefit of whose class the Land Act of 1909 was passed?

Lord Leconfield's estate in West Clare, including the farm referred to, has not been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board. It is understood that he will only sell the estate direct to the tenants under the Land Purchase Acts.

Would it be possible in this case to use compulsory powers?

That, of course, is a question which has to be considered by the Congested Districts Board in connection with a great number of others.

asked what steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to purchase the tenanted and un-tenanted land of Eyre Stack, situate near Liselton Cross, North Kerry; and when the people of the neighbourhood may hope that the Congested Districts Board will acquire this land for the enlargement of small holdings?

The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with the owner of the estate referred to, but up to the present it has not been offered for sale to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that negotiations have been going on for four years, and is it not time the Congested Districts Board took practical steps to acquire the land?

The Congested Districts Board has been in negotiation for a considerable number of years with the owners of land in this part. We cannot consider one estate without regard to others. We are most anxious to buy all we can.

Has this landlord been endeavouring to sell his land in the public market, so as to deny the right to poor people to have their holdings enlarged?

I do not think he has succeeded in doing so.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet taken any action to acquire the lands owned by Colonel Rice, of Bushmount Causeway, county Kerry, for resale amongst the tenants; and whether, seeing that Colonel Rice absolutely refuses to recognise the Board or their communications for the past two years, steps will be taken to improve the condition of the tenants under Colonel Rice by a purchase scheme?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 22nd May last. The Congested Districts Board do not propose to take steps to acquire this estate com-pulsority pending the result of proceedings which have been taken for the compulsory acquisition of some other estates.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any steps recently to have the evicted tenants on the estate of Lane Joynt, at Aughanish, county Limerick, reinstated in their holdings from which they were evicted over twenty years ago; and whether he thinks that drastic action should be taken to bring about their immediate reinstatement?

I am not in a position-to add anything to the replies given to the previous questions asked by the hon. Member on this subject.

Is it not the fact that the Estates Commissioners have taken no action whatever to reinstate him in his holding?

They have made full inquiries into the matter. I cannot say more than that.

What were the inquiries?

I have answered a great many questions of the hon. Member on this subject. I cannot pursue it further.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that at Edgeworthstown, county Longford, the police, acting under orders of District-Inspector Marrinan, attacked a crowd of 200 persons with batons, inflicting wounds on sixteen men, most of whom had to get their wounds dressed by Dr. Yorke, dispensary medical officer at Edgeworthstown; whether this attack was ordered without warning or notice of any kind to the people; whether he is aware that the crowd were returning to the district of Ardagh, to which they belonged, and were going the direct route to the same; and whether, as no violence was attempted by the crowd beyond attempting to push their way through the police cordon, he is prepared to order an independent police inquiry into the whole matter with a view lo ascertaining the true facts of this assault upon defenceless people?

I would refer the hon. Member to the, reply given to his question on this subject on the 5th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply was very unsatisfactory?

asked the Chief Secretary whether the police in Cavan have yet any information in reference to the tarring of Lord Farnham's statue in Cavan; why the police formed the opinion that the work was done by drunken rowdies; and is he aware that the Nationalist urban council of Cavan offered a reward of £20 for the discovery of the perpetrators?

I am aware that the urban district council offered a reward as stated in the question, and that this was supplemented by another £20 offered by Lord Farnham. In spite of this reward the police have obtained no further information in the matter. The police, as a result of their inquiries, believe that the outrage was committed by drunken rowdies, and they cannot think that any respectable inhabitant would have been guilty of such an act.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Local Government Report for the year ending 31st March, 1912, does not contain any items in connection with the distribution of the million Grant for the Labourers Acts nor the places to which some of it has already been allocated, will the rural districts to which Grants have already been given, and those to which loans have been sanctioned, be published at once for the benefit of the public, and also the amounts given to each respective district?

The Labourers Act of 1911 increased the sum of £4,250,000 fixed by the Act of 1906 to £5,250,000, and detailed particulars showing the amount sanctioned by way of loan in each rural district up to 31st March last are given in the Report referred to. The total sum sanctioned under both Acts was then £4,277,768. The publication now of separate particulars for the Act of 1911, without any reference to the amounts of loans obtained under the Act of 1906, would be misleading as regards the relative claims of the different rural districts for new loans for the purposes of the Acts. The additional million provided by the Act of 1911 is not a separate fund in which every rural district is entitled to participate, irrespective of the amounts already received out of the £4,250,000 previously granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War by what authority named in Section 956 of the King's Regulations troops were recently requisitioned for service in Belfast; and whether the said troops were moved into Belfast with the knowledge and consent of the Commander-in-Chief in Ireland?

The troops were requisitioned in the first instance by the Lord Mayor of Belfast and are remaining there at his request; the order for the movement of the troops was accordingly issued by the Acting Commander-in-Chief in the absence of the Commander-in-Chief, who was in England at the time.

Was the Commander-in-Chief notified that the troops were to be moved?

I have no knowledge of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will ascertain from the general officers commanding concerned on how many Saturdays in the last three months ending Saturday, 27th July, the officers and men were worked in the different regiments of the First, Second, and Fourth Cavalry Brigades in parades, drills, exercises, or firing, or other general duties to past midday and thus prevented from enjoying the week-end half-holiday to its full extent; and if he will give instructions in the various commands that wherever possible, when not on actual manœuvres, commanding officers shall arrange for officers and men to be home and to have ceased ordinary work by one o'clock on Saturdays, so that those whose conduct is exemplary may be able to travel to London or elsewhere in time to spend Saturday afternoon and evening in a not more restricted manner than that now lawfully permitted to London shop assistants?

Inquiries are being made into these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the recent camp at Wilsworthy, Devon, of the Devonshire Brigade of Territorials, was pitched upon land the surface of which had become a quagmire by continual use during a wet season after removal of the natural growth of turf, although extensive areas of neighbouring moorland in good condition were available; and whether he will take steps to secure in future that clean and dry sites shall be used for camping when they are at the disposal of the War Office?

A report has been called for on this matter.

asked the Under-secretary of State for India if he has any official information showing that the cotton grown in India thirty years ago was superior in quality to the cotton grown in that country now; if so, will he say what has caused the deterioration; and will the Government use all proper means at its disposal to improve the quality of Indian cotton?

It is a generally accepted fact that the quality of Indian cotton has deteriorated. In a White Book presented to Parliament in 1904 on the improvement of Indian cotton, this was attributed to careless cultivation and poor seed, impoverished soils, and hybridisation. The Indian Governments are doing what they can through their agricultural Departments to improve the quality of Indian cotton and of other Indian staple crops.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if his Department is aware that experts in cotton growing seem to agree that it would be easier to increase the cotton crop of India by 1,000,000 bales than it would be to raise in any new district in Africa 50,000 bales; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

A statement to the effect mentioned by my hon. Friend has been made. The Secretary of State is in communication with the Government of India with regard to the suggestions for the advancement of cotton growing in India laid before him on 1st July by a deputation representing the International Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations.

How long has this deterioration been observed; for some years or only recently?

It was noticed in the White Book in 1904.

asked whether it is proposed that in the new city of Delhi the place of meeting for the Imperial Legislative Council should be a building forming no part of and quite detached from the Viceroy's residence?

It is proposed that the Legislative Council should meet in a hall which will be situated in one wing of the building, which also contains the Governor-General's official residence and Durbar Hall. The Legislative Council rooms will have a separate entrance and will comprise writing and waiting rooms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the strike which is now going on at Messrs. Millar and Richards' typo foundry in Edinburgh; whether the strike has now been in progress for six weeks; whether he can state the matters at issue between employers and workmen; and whether he is prepared to offer his good services so that a meeting may be arranged, and a renewed effort be made to arrive at a settlement?

The Chief Industrial Commissioner has been in communication with the parties to this dispute and it does not appear at present that the Department can usefully take further action in the matter. The dispute arose over the demand of the workpeople for certain increases of wages, and commenced on June 21st last.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that this firm has refused all offers of arbitration from outside people, and whether the Board of Trade could not properly act now?

Even if the Board of Trade intervened, they could refuse.

Will the hon. Gentleman try between now and early in the holidays to see if some arrangement cannot be come to?

I will try to find if anything can be done.

May I ask whether the Board of Trade has made inquiries with a view to ascertaining whether this firm are Government contractors, or whether any other firms holding Government contracts have sub-contracted with this firm?

I would require notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how many medical officers to the Board are acting at each of the various seaports in the United Kingdom; whether anything is done by them in supervising, during the construction of new vessels, the nature of the accommodation to be provided for the officers and crews, in order that such accommodation shall be adequate in space, ventilation, and in other matters ensuring proper hygienic conditions and eliminating any risks of subsequent insanitary conditions arising; and whether he proposes to appoint any further medical officers to deal with these matters?

The Marine Department of the Board of Trade has two salaried medical officers at Liverpool, and one each at London, Glasgow, and Queens-town. At other ports, such as Belfast, Bristol, Lame, Londonderry, Plymouth, and Southampton, local medical practitioners are employed as occasion requires. The inspection of the spaces provided on ships for the accommodation of the officers and crew is not made by these medical officers, but by the Board's staff of salaried ship engineer and nautical surveyors. The whole question of strengthening the survey staff is receiving the careful consideration of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the Reports of British Consuls in China issued in 1911, which show that both British and Indian cotton goods are being rapidly driven out of the China market by Japanese goods, which are manufactured and marketed at from 25 per cent. to 40 per cent. below British goods; and whether the Government intend taking any steps to prevent a similar result taking place in the Indian market as soon as the demand for imported cotton goods in China has been fully met by the products of Japanese cotton mills?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the remarks contained in the Report of the Acting Commercial Attaché for China for the year 1910, which were based on the trade statistics for that year. Later statistics show that during 1911 British trade in cotton piece goods had more than recovered its position in the Chinese market, whilst Japanese progress was much less marked. Imports of cottons, from India into China have always been relatively small. In these circumstances it appears unnecessary to consider the contingency suggested in the second part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been drawn to the official Japanese Government Returns for January to May, 1911, and January to May, 1912, of imports of cotton yarns and cotton and woollen piece goods, showing a diminution to one-half in cotton yarns, to one-sixth in cotton shirtings and prints (from 4,248,418 yen to 711,064 yen) to less than half in cotton, satin, and italians, to less than one-fourth in woollen cloths and serges, and to less than one-tenth in mousseline de laine; whether these imported into Japan have been nearly exclusively from Great Britain in the past; whether the fall in imports into Japan is due to the operation of the new tariff that came into force in Japan in July last; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to make good the loss of trade, which seriously affects Lancashire and Yorkshire, by securing other markets, particularly within the British Empire?

The facts are substantially as stated, except that mousseline de laine is not imported into Japan from the United Kingdom. I have already explained to the hon. Member, in answer to a question which he addressed to me on 20th June, that the comparison with a year ago docs not convey the real facts of the situation, on account of the temporary disturbance of trade due to the anticipation of the new Japanese tariff. As compared with two years ago, imports of cottons and woollens into Japan have declined by 25 per cent., doubtless owing in part to the operation of the new Japanese Customs Tariff. The imports of other articles from the United Kingdom into Japan, have, however, increased considerably as compared with two years ago, the total value of all imports from this country in the first five months of this year being greater than in the corresponding period of 1010 by 12,500,000 yen, or 36 per cent. The hon. Member will be aware that steps have already been taken by the appointment of Trade Commissioners in the self-governing Dominions to promote our trade with those parts of the British Empire, and I may add that these steps have been attended by a considerable measure of success.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the exports from this country to Japan which have increased are exports of manufactured goods, or of all kinds of goods?

All kinds of goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state how many persons have been put out of employment in the manufacture of tobacco in Great Britain and Ireland since the Imperial Tobacco Combine was formed in 1901; whether the Imperial Tobacco Combine is a part or offshoot of the American Tobacco Trust, against which the Government of the United States is at present proceeding; how many of the directors of the Imperial Tobacco Combine directly represented the American trust; whether he is aware that the manfacture of roll tobacco is the principal part of the trade of the Irish tobacco manufacturers, and that roll tobacco is sold by the Imperial Tobacco Combine at a price which does not leave a living profit for manufacturers outside the trust; whether he is aware that the Imperial Tobacco Combine compels shopkeepers in Great Britain and Ireland to exhibit its goods and advertisements by depriving them of bonuses if they fail to comply; and whether the Government can see its way to take any steps to prevent such action on the part of the Imperial Tobacco Combine and its consequences?

If the hon. Member refers to the Imperial Tobacco Company (of Great Britain and Ireland), Limited, as the Imperial Tobacco Combine, the answer is that this company is not, so far as I am aware, an offshoot of the American Tobacco Trust, though it is in close business relations with it as regards trade outside of the United Kingdom and the United States. I have no definite information as to the other points raised in the question, and in any event my right hon. Friend does not, as at present advised, see what steps could properly be taken by His Majesty's Government in the matter to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will circulate to hon. Members the minutes of the meetings of the Advisory Committee at which the provision of boats was discussed and the recommendations made by the Committee to the Board of Trade?

I am not in a position to present the minutes of the proceedings of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, as they are regarded as confidential by the Committee, and do not come before the Board of Trade in any way. The recommendations of the Committee are included in their Report, which was presented on Thursday last.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Report is only in dummy, and can he say when it will be circulated to Members?

I think it will be circulated very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what recognition, if any, has been made by the authorities of the extra duties performed by the Metropolitan, City, and Essex police during the recent dock strike?

asked the Home Secretary if he will state what extra leave or extra pay in lieu of leave he proposes to give to those members of the Metropolitan Police force for the extra work thrown on them by the recent dock strike?

The Commissioner informs me that so far as the Metropolitan Police are concerned, the necessary adjustment for the extra duty performed will be made by giving time off, and I have no doubt the City and Essex authorities will make suitable arrangements in accordance with their own rules or practice.

asked the Home Secretary if, in order to avoid the necessity of men who desire to work and are wantonly attacked by strikers being compelled to arm themselves with firearms, he will make more adequate provision for the protection of non-union labourers?

The Port Authority is responsible for the policing of the docks, but the Metropolitan Police have always been ready to give assistance where it has been needed. The use of firearms has been unnecessary, and the Port Authority, I am glad to say, have prohibited firearms being brought within their premises.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consult the Chief Secretary for Ireland, who has had experience of a somewhat similar kind?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will also consult the Chief Secretary for Ireland as to the effect of the inflammatory speeches made in regard to Ulster?

asked the Home Secretary if he will state whether the arrests made in connection with the dock disturbances on 31st July include any of the unionist workers whose violence made it necessary for those attacked to shoot in self-defence and in face of overwhelming numbers; and if any steps will be taken to secure the punishment of Mr. Ben Tillett, who has urged his followers to adopt any means at their disposal to prevent non-unionists working?

The answer to the first question is that the arrests made on the 31st July include both unionist and non-unionist workers; to the second, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether a representative of the firm employing the non-unionist labourers who were attacked by strikers on 31st July called at the Home Office on that day and asked for protection; if such protection was refused; if the men who were attacked fired at their assailants in self-defence; and if, although he refused to meet the employers concerned with a view to devising means to prevent a recurrence of disturbances, he afterwards saw Mr. Ben Tillett, who threatened some time ago to shoot Lord Devonport, to receive complaints from him as to the action of the non-unionists in defending themselves against acts of brutality?

I presume the question refers to Messrs. Houlder, who called at the Home Office on 31st July with regard to an attack on their workmen in the South West India Dock. Their request for protection was not refused. On the contrary, the Permanent Under-Secretary of State, who saw them, said if protection were required outside the docks it would be given at once by the Metropolitan Police; and that if it were required in the docks the Port Authority was responsible, but assistance would be given by the Metropolitan Police if the Port Authority applied for it. He undertook to communicate at once with the Commissioner of Police, and, on doing so, found that assistance had already been given at the request of the Port Authority's Chief Constable. There was no shooting either by unionists or non-unionists in this case. I declined to see Messrs. Houlder later in the day. Some hours after the-matter had been disposed of and the necessary police assistance given, I received a deputation in the evening from the Labour party and the Strike Committee on a new and urgent matter, and Mr. Tillett was present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate to the House what was the new and urgent matter to which he has referred, and which he was in communication about with his Friend Mr. Tillett?

The hon. Member may remember that the new and urgent matter in question was the subject of debate on the last occasion when this matter was discussed on Thursday.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state what progress he has been able to make towards giving the members of the Metropolitan police force one day's rest in every seven?

Out of the twenty-six days additional leave, eighteen are row being granted. Subject to delays which may be caused by difficulty in recruiting, the eight remaining days would be given within about twelve months.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent proceedings against Dr. Ethel Smyth on a charge of complicity in the attempt to set fire to Nuneham; whether he is aware that there was no evidence against Dr. Smyth; that the case was heard in private and that, as a consequence, misleading statements as to what took place have been published to the detriment of Dr. Smyth; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent any further cases being heard in private?

I know nothing of this case except what I have read in the newspaper reports. These do not show any irregularity in the proceedings; but if my hon. Friend will let me know on what evidence he founds his suggestion, I will of course make inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether inspectors from Scotland Yard have at any time been in the habit of advising taxi-cab drivers to hoot half-a-dozen times at every street corner or crossing; and whether, in view of the annoyance caused to the public, especially during the hours commonly devoted to sleep, by the excessive and inconsiderate use of warning signals, he will take such steps as may be necessary to impress upon taxi-cab and other motor drivers that in order, so far as possible, to obviate the use of warning instruments they should drive at a low rate of speed when approaching a crossing?

Such advice is not and has at no time been given by inspectors of the Metropolitan Police. Drivers, on being licensed are strictly enjoined to exercise at all times great care in driving through the London streets.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Regulations issued by the Local Government Board are not attended to?

From personal observation I am disposed to agree with my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intend to adhere to their suggestion that Great Britain shall cease to remain a contracting party to the Sugar Convention; and, if so, whether he will state if he has formed any estimate as to the extent to which the output of British refineries will be diminished, the extent to which the West Indian trade will suffer, and the extent to which such policy will have a deterrent effect upon the development of the British sugar-beet industry?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government, their decision in this matter is not likely to affect adversely the output of British refineries, the trade of the West Indies, or the prospects of the British sugar-beet industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an insured person will be able to choose the doctor he wishes to be attended by, or whether, in order to obtain medical treatment, he will be compelled to be attended by a doctor who agrees to serve under the National Insurance Act, whether he has confidence in that doctor or not?

Section 15 of the Act provides for free choice of doctor by the insured person from a panel composed of all the doctors in any district who wish to work under the Act. An insured person, under Section 15 (3), may be allowed to make his own arrangements for medical attendance, and to receive a contribution from the insurance committee towards the cost of medical attendance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many doctors have accepted the terms suggested by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Notice should be given of that question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a gentleman named Darley, with no official experience, has been nominated by the Irish Insurance Commissioners for the post of chief inspector, although an Inter-Departmental Committee recently recommended that the chief inspector should be selected from amongst those already in the service of a public department; if, in response to a request from the Irish Insurance Commissioners, names of candidates suitable to fill the appointment were furnished to them by the heads of the various public departments applied to; whether he is aware that the qualifications of some of these gentlemen have been declared by some of the Irish Commissioners to be in every way equal, if not superior, to those of the gentlemen nominated; whether, before Treasury sanction is given to the nomination now made, he will invite the Commissioners to state their reason for acting in disregard of the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee by nominating a gentleman with no organising experience; whether he will state the nature of the qualifications possessed by Mr. Darley; and if there was a full attendance of the Commissioners when he was nominated or barely a quorum; and (28) whether, at the meeting of the Irish Insurance Commissioners, when Mr. Darley was nominated for the position of chief inspector, an actual majority of those present voted in his favour; and, if so, whether they constituted a majority of the Commissioners, or, if not, whether the matter will be reconsidered before formal sanction is given to his appointment?

Mr. Darley was appointed to the post of chief inspector by the unanimous decision of the Irish Commissioners. They invited applications from public departments, and, with the applications received in response before them, decided upon his appointment. I understand that he possesses high academic and professional qualifications. He has had considerable organising experience, has taken a large part in the man- agement of friendly societies, and was the founder of one of them.

asked if the Joint Committee have received a deputation from the Manchester Unity pointing out the inconvenience caused by Section 83 (3) of the National Insurance Act to border societies; and what action the Joint Committee propose to take in the matter?

A deputation has been received and valuable information has been given to the Commissioners which will be of service to them in framing regulations under Section 83 (3).

Is there any prospect of the Commissioners being able to get over this difficulty by regulation, or will an amending Act be necessary?