asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the administration of the National Insurance Act, preference will be given to schemes incorporating, existing approved sanatoria rather than to schemes which arrange for new sanatoria in the same locality?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Local Government Board have urged upon local authorities the importance of utilising existing institutions so far as practicable.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the administration of the National Insurance Act, in the event of an existing sanatorium being utilised, a Grant would be made in return for all beds put at the disposal of the insurance committees, or only for the purpose of entirely new accommodation?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The main object of the capital Grant is to stimulate the provision of additional sanatoria, and I am not prepared to specify the particular circumstances in which an application for a Grant in respect of an existing institution would be entertained.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether county insurance commit tens, appointed for the purpose of sanatorium benefit, etc., will have anything to do with the election of tuberculosis medical officers or nurses which may be required for the carrying through of the scheme?

Tuberculosis officers and nurses attached to tuberculosis dispensaries will usually be appointed by the county or county borough councils, and not by the insurance committees.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether a seaman in His Majesty's Navy now at the Royal Naval Hospital, Devonport, and about to be discharged from the service as tuberculous, will be entitled, under the National Insurance Act, to sanatorium treatment?

Provision is made by Section 46 of the Act whereby a seaman in His Majesty's Navy, discharged in the circumstances indicated in the question, may become entitled to the ordinary benefits of the Act, including sanatorium benefit, assuming that he was previously liable to have deductions made from his pay under Section 46.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the total amount which has been expended upon stationery and printing in connection with national insurance since the National Insurance Bill was introduced into the House of Commons?

The total amount which has been expended on stationery and printing in connection with both parts of the National Insurance Act since the Bill was introduced into the House of Commons is about £100,000.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what provision the Insurance Commissioners propose to make in the case of an insured seaman deserting or dying whilst engaged in the service of a foreign-going or home-trade ship to obtain from the master an insurance card duly stamped and to deliver such card to any approved society to which the seaman might belong?

Under the Provisional Regulations dated 5th July, 1912, when an insured seaman deserts or dies whilst engaged in the service of either a foreign-going or home-trade ship, the master of the ship is required to deliver the contribution card, duly stamped, to a superintendent or Consular officer. The card will be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioners, by whom it will, if possible, be forwarded to the approved society to which the seaman may belong.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if a mistress and servant are satisfied with the present con- ditions subsisting between them and consider them preferable to the conditions of the National Insurance Act, and do not desire to insure at all under the Act, does the Government intend to prosecute either or both for not doing what they believe to be injurious to their interests; and is he aware that a number of mistresses and servants do not desire to avail themselves of the National Insurance Act?

Persons employed under contract of service, under the conditions laid down in the Act, must be insured. Their employers must, under penalty, pay their contributions and may deduct the employés' share specified in the Act from wages.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to the use of the word must in heavy type in Leaflet No. 21, headed Duties of Employers of Domestic Servants, will he say what is to compel a mistress to require contribution cards from her servants; what is to compel a servant to produce a contribution card; if a servant fails to produce a contribution card, what is to compel the mistress to obtain a card herself from the Post Office; what is to compel the mistress or servant to become Post Office contributors if no approved society acceptable to them is formed; what is to compel either party to pay any contribution at all until October; and what happens if they defer decision until October and do nothing meanwhile?

The use of the word "must" in the pamphlet referred to by the hon. Member implies that there is legal liability to do the thing specified. This liability depends in part on the National Insurance Act, 1911, in part on the Statutory Regulations made by the Insurance Commissioners in pursuance of their powers under the Act. If any employer fails to pay contributions for any week of employment before or after October he will render himself liable to proceedings. If an employed person does not join an approved society till October (but is able to and does join then) nothing happens, as the time for joining approved societies does not expire till after three months and fourteen days after the commencement of the Act.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if it is compulsory on county health committees to form sub-committees for the purpose of the Act as far as sanatorium benefits are concerned?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how long the county health committees as they are at present constituted last; when will the various approved societies get the power of nominating their real representatives; and if honorary members of an approved society can act on such committees if duly selected by the insured members of the society to which they belong?

The persons who are made members of Insurance Committees by the various Orders setting up the Committees will hold office until the date on which it is declared by the Insurance Commissioners that an Insurance Committee has been duly constituted for the county or county borough, or until the 15th July, 1913, whichever date is the earlier. The Orders, however, in each case reserve power to replace the persons who are now representing insured persons on the Committees by persons duly appointed under paragraph (a) of Subsection (1) of Section 59 of the Act, as soon as an appointment can be properly made under that provision. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether county insurance committees have anything whatever to say in the erection of sanatoria or dispensaries; will such questions lie in the hands of the various county councils; and, if so, what procedure will be adopted in places and districts where the latter will not take up the work?

Sanatoria and dispensaries may be provided by county councils and other local authorities, or by voluntary agencies. It is no part of the duty of the insurance committees to provide such institutions. In the event of there being no sanatoria or no dispensaries in the committee's own district, the committee could make arrangements with local authorities or persons managing such institutions elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the allowance for preliminary expenses will include expenses of a preliminary character incurred by approved societies in the admission of new members, but not actually expended until after 15th July?

The Order of 25th April under which expenses of a preliminary character incurred before approval may be defrayed out of the administration account of a society applies equally to expenditure before and after 15th July.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to a case tried in the South Western Police Court, in which Joseph Alderson, ladies' tailor and dressmaker of Streatham, was summoned by three of his employés for wages in lieu of notice, the three having been summarily discharged on account of their refusal to consent to a reduction of 6d. per week in their wages; whether he is aware that it was implied by the employer that the proposed reduction was on account of the coming into operation of the National Insurance Act; and what action he proposes taking to ensure that this employer and others like-minded do not transfer their liability under the Act to their employés?

The case referred to has been brought to my notice. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for North-East Manchester, Glasgow (Black-friars), and Derby on the 1st, 11th, and 15th July.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the attention of the National Insurance Commissioners has been drawn to the action of Messrs. Harrod, Brompton Road, in asking their employés by circular letter as to the society they have declared for under the National Insurance Act; and whether, in view of the number of complaints of a like nature that have been received., the Commissioners will by leaflet or otherwise bring to the notice of employers and employed that it is no business of an employer as to what his employés approved society is?

I will make inquiries into the case. The suggestion made by my hon. Friend is receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many grades of officers or salaried officials have been or are likely to be established in Ireland under the Insurance Commissioners; whether he will state the maximum and minimum salaries to individuals in each class; the total number of Catholics engaged; and the total number of members of other religious persuasions; and what proportion they bear, respectively, to the members of the Catholic and the combined other religious persuasions, respectively, who are expected to benefit under the Act?

With regard to the first and second parts of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne on 25th July; to the White Paper Cd. 6095; and to the Report of the Mowatt Committee, Cd. 6231. I am not prepared to make inquiries as to the religious beliefs of Civil servants.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the statements made by him and Lord Crewe that the Government would deal with the question of the relations between local and Imperial finance in the year 1910, he will deal with this question in the next Session of Parliament?

I am not in a position at present to make, a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the result of his negotiations with the Board of Works in Ireland concerning Courtown?

I am communicating with the hon. Member on the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what increase of revenue has resulted from the addition of 8d. to the Tobacco Duty in 1909; what was the total amount of duty paid in the year preceding and the year after the date when the increase took effect; what was the proportion of such amounts paid by the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain; and whether, in view of the injury sustained by small tobacco firms, a number of which have had to give up business owing to the increase, it is proposed to retain the present high duty?

The estimated yield of the additional Tobacco Duty is as follows:—

				£
1909–10	…	…	…	1,850,000
1910–11	…	…	…	2,800,000
1911–12	…	…	…	2,750,000

The total receipts from the duty on tobacco in the years 1908–9 and 1909–10 were £13,829,000 and £15,688,000, respectively. I am unable to state the amounts of duty paid by the Imperial Tobacco Company. I cannot hold out any hope of a reduction of the duty.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has recently sanctioned an allowance of £10 per annum to certain Customs officers for loss of overtime through having to give attendance of forty-eight hours weekly between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.; whether Customs second officers are liable to the same weekly attendance at any time during night or day; whether in all cases the £10 annual allowance formerly granted them for such irregular attendance and additional responsibility was deducted from the amounts of back pay due under the recent readjustments of salary; and whether, in view of the fact that many second officers in consideration of the £10 allowance sacrificed overtime emoluments in accepting the position, he will concede the full benefit of the retrospective application of the scheme without deduction of any portion of the allowance?

The allowance of £10 per annum formerly assigned to second officers is not analogous to the allowance of £10 per annum recommended by the Amalgamation Committee as compensation for the diminution of overtime earnings involved in the application of the new arrangements governing overtime pay. The latter allowance will be payable to all officers entitled to receive it, including those who were second officers, when the old arrangements are abolished. The nature of the old £10 allowance to second officers and the adjustments of their salaries are fully explained in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Barrow on the 20th May last.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of assistant clerks (new class) promoted to the second division since the 1st January, 1912, in the Board of Education, Local Government Board, Home Office, Savings Bank Department, and the Customs House; and whether the Treasury have under consideration at the present time any recommendations from the heads of the Departments named for the promotion of assistant clerks serving in these Departments?

The number is as follows:—

Board of Education	0
Local Government Board	3*
Home Office	1
Post Office Savings Bank Department	3
Customs and Excise	4†
* In two further cases promotions have been sanctioned, but the candidates have not yet satisfied the Civil Service Commissioners.
† Two further cases are awaiting the issue of the necessary Civil Service certificate.

No recommendations from any of the Departments referred to are at present under the consideration of the Treasury.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the clerks of pension sub-committees in county Cork have received no payments for their services since last September; can he explain the reason for this delay; and when he expects that the payments will be made?

I am informed by the Board of Customs and Excise that the accounts of the Cork County Pension Committee and Sub-Committees for the quarters subsequent to 30th September, 1911, have not yet been received.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of persons in Scotland who were in receipt of old age pensions on 1st January, 1909, 1st January, 1910, 1st January, 1911, and 1st January, 1912?

There are no records to show the number of old age pensioners on the 1st January in any year except 1909, but the following figures represent the number of persons who were in receipt of old age pensions in Scotland on 1st January, 1909, and on the Fridays immediately preceding the 1st January, for the years 1910. 1911, and 1912:—

On 1st January, 1909	64,770
On Friday immediately preceding 1st January, 1910	76,037
On Friday immediately preceding 1st January, 1911	80,502
On Friday immediately preceding 1st January, 1912	94,243

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will explain the grounds upon which the Local Government Board have allowed the appeal of the pension officer against the grant of a pension to Cornelius Sheehan, of Inchamore, Coolea; whether this pension was unanimously recommended by the Macroom (No. 2) Pension Sub-Committee; was he granted this pension in 1909 by the then pension officer; has Sheehan's circumstances changed in any degree since 1909, and, if not, why is he now refused a pension; is he aware that in 1909 the pension officer was fully acquainted with the fact that Sheehan had assigned his farm to his son some years before; that this assignment was made before the Old Age Pensions Act was passed; and that therefore it could be in no sense an assignment made with the object of qualifying for a pension; and, seeing that Sheehan's position is the same now as in 1009, will he recommend that the Local Government Board reconsider their decision or, in the alternative, consider a new claim from this man?

A question raised as to Sheehan's pension by the pension officer was allowed by the Local Government Board on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit as the Board were not satisfied that his maintenance on such a large and well-stocked farm was worth less than £31 10s. a year. A pension was awarded to Sheehan in 1909 as stated, and it is not alleged that his circumstances have altered since that date, but that his means exceeded the statutory limit.

asked why the Estates Commissioners have not in any practical way endeavoured to restore the evicted tenants in county Cavan, under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907; will he say how many evicted tenants were actually restored under this Act in county Cavan and in the other counties in Ireland; and whether anything may be hoped for by these people before the Act expires?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 3,156 evicted tenants or their representatives have been reinstated or provided with other holdings as purchasers under the Land Purchase Acts, including 462 on lands acquired compulsorily under the Evicted Tenants Acts; the figures for County Cavan being 100 and 32 respectively. The number of evicted tenants whose applications have been provisionally approved, and who have not been provided with holdings is 334, and their cases will be considered by the Commissioners in the allotment of over 50,000 acres of untenanted land which is at present the subject of proceedings for sale to the Commissioners, including over 2,000 acres under the Evicted Tenants Act.

asked whether the application of John Ahern, an evicted tenant on the Supple estate at Clounmackon, Listowel, has been considered by the Estates Commissioners with a view to a Grant; and, if so, with what result?

This estate was the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants. An agreement signed by John Ahern for the purchase of his holding on the estate, which he was stated to hold as a judicial tenant, was lodged with the Estates Commissioners who sanctioned the advance of the purchase money, and Ahern's holding has been vested in him. The Commissioners could not find that they received any application from Ahern as an evicted tenant within the period prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act and did not see their way to make him any free Grant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Michael J. Ahern, of Knocknaglough, Lyrecrompane, North Kerry, an evicted tenant, on the John C D. Hurley estate; whether he is aware that Ahern has been reinstated and has signed a purchase agreement, but has no visible means nor any stock on the land; and whether he will make representations to the Estates Commissioners to give a Grant to Ahern as an evicted tenant?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Ahern for assistance to work the holding on the-Hurley estate in which he has been reinstated by the owner, and, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action in the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Nicholas Mulvihill, of Asdee, North Kerry, an evicted tenant on the William Creagh Hickie estate, at Kilelton, Ballylongford, for reinstatement in his holding; and whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any action in the matter, seeing that Nicholas Mulvihill is an evicted tenant for the past sixteen years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for Limerick West on 27th July, 1911, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary when he intends to publish the details of his scheme of scholarships for secondary education, and also his proposals for applying the Grant of £10,000 per annum?

I hope to publish a statement with regard to these schemes as soon as possible.

asked the Vice-President of the Department, of Agriculture (Ireland) what was the total amount of compensation awarded the owners of stock in the Swords district under the slaughtering Orders of the Department; whether the full value of the stock was paid; what portion of the compensation comes out of the local rates; and what is the area upon which it shall be levied?

The figures as to the compensation payable in respect of the animals slaughtered, or being slaughtered, in the Swords district are not yet available. It is provided by the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, that the full value of the animals slaughtered shall be paid. The particulars asked for in the last part of the question cannot at present be supplied.

asked the Vice-president of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what reparation is to be made and when to Edward Sheridan and others, joint owners of 111 cows shipped on 28th June from North Wall to Heysham, kept there eleven hours by the Midland Railway Company, then returned to North Wall, kept there in quarantine for three weeks with insufficient room to stand or lie down and milking neglected, with the result that three of them died and the remainder were by this treatment reduced in value from £16 each to £5 each, and this loss having been caused by State officials needlessly, since the cows have never had foot-and-mouth disease; whether the reparation will include anything for the dislocation of those dealers' business.

The Department has no means of compensating persons who have been subject to loss by detention of cattle owing to foot-and-mouth outbreak. The Disease of Animals Acts provide only for compensation in cases of animals compulsorily slaughtered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that six-day notices have been issued by the Land Commission to tenants since the infliction in Ireland of the foot-and-mouth distemper and its accompanying restrictions, which prevent farmers from being able to sell their cattle and meet the demand made upon them; and whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing those notices to enforce payment of instalments until such times as the Irish cattle trade be again permitted to assume its normal proportions?

The Land Commission are bound to enforce payment of Land Purchase Annuities, and the suggestion contained in the question cannot therefore be adopted.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will make inquiry into a statement that foot-and-mouth disease is cured commonly in eight or nine days in the district of Styria, in Austria, by a certain treatment which is alleged to be generally successful?

The veterinary officers of the Board are not acquainted with the particular treatment adopted in Styria, but there are several methods of treatment which would often result in the cure of the disease in about the time stated. The condition of the animals would, nevertheless, be very seriously impaired, and it is on this account that curative measures are of comparatively minor importance, and that it is necessary, in the interest of stock owners, that the disease should be stamped out at the earliest possible moment.

asked whether the Census lately taken in Ireland was done according to rural districts; and, if so, what is the entire male population, as well as the number over twenty-one, in the following electoral divisions in county Limerick: Kilmallock, Croom, Tipperary No. 2, Mitchelstown No. 2, and Limerick No. 1?

The following statement shows for each of the undermentioned rural county districts the total male population at all ages and the number of males twenty-one years and upwards according to the Census of 1911:—

Rural County Districts.	Total Male Population.	Number of Males 21 years and upwards.
Croom	5,225	3,382
Kilmallock	10,537	6,328
Limerick (No. 1)	10,547	6,326
MitchelstOwn (No. 2)	2,605	1,546
Tipperavy (No. 2)	3,871	2,008

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners or Congested Districts Board have taken any steps to acquire the untenanted lands at Ballinand-derry, Listowel, the property of Sir Maurice Fitzgerald, for the purpose of subdivision amongst the labourers and uneconomic holders in the district; and, if so, what progress has been made in the direction of purchase?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and when the estate is being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners in order of priority the question whether the vendor should be asked to include any untenanted land in the sale proceedings will be considered by them.

asked if the Estates Commissioners are considering the advisability of applying the compulsory Clauses of the Land Act of 1909 for the purpose of relieving the congestion existing on the estate of Mrs. Julia Thomasina, near Streamstown, county Westmeath, by the acquisition of untenanted land on the O'Donohoe estate adjoining her property, which might be made available for that purpose?

The question of instituting proceedings under the compulsory provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1909, for the acquisition of the untenanted land on the O'Donohoe estate, county Westmeath, has not been considered by the Estates Commissiońers.

asked on what grounds the Estates Commissioners have refused to declare the lands of Killarue, Dillon estate, near Streamstown, county Westmeath, the property of Mrs. Julia Thomasina, an estate under the meaning of the Act?

It would be contrary to the practice of the Estates Commissioners to state the reasons which actuate them in the exercise of their judicial discretion.

asked the cause of the delay in not vesting the holding of Denis Horgan, of Ayle, Ballyduff, a tenant purchaser on the Mrs. Rose Trench Stoughter estate?

The vesting of the holdings referred to has been postponed by the Eestates Commissioners until certain questions which have arisen as to the title to the lands comprised in the holding have been settled.

asked what progress has been made towards acquiring the town-lands of Duncormack, Scotsland, and Weneytown, on the Boyd estate, county Wexford, by the Estates Commissioners; if any arrangement has been made between the Commissioners and the Master of the Rolls so that these lands may be disposed of to tenants; and if the inspector to the Estates Commissioners has yet visited these lands?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 26th March, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked whether an ex-policeman named Gunning, to whom the Estates Commissioners gave a farm at Drumrone, Nobber, county Meath, on the estate of the Misses Barlow, in opposition to the unanimously expressed opinion of the people of the district, was put under any obligation not to dispose of his interest in it for a definite period; and, if so, whether they will inquire if he is still the occupying tenant or whether he has sold his interest to a rancher?

The Estates Commissioners allotted Patrick Gunning a holding on the Barlow estate, county Meath, in exchange for a farm surrendered by him in county Gahvay to enable the Commissioners to relieve the congestion in that district. The lands have been vested in him, and he has full power to dispose of his ownership if he so desires, but the Commissioners understand that he does not intend to part with the lands.

asked the Chief Secretary whether lie will invite the Congested Districts Board to purchase the untenanted lands, about 100 acres, situate at Lahar-den, Ballybunion, the property of Mr. P. D. Griffin, Cork; whether he is aware that there are about twenty uneconomic holdings in the immediate vicinity of this untenanted land; and whether, having this in view, the Congested Districts Board will immediately acquire this land for enlargement of these uneconomic holdings?

The Congested Districts Board will communicate with Mr. Griffin with a view to ascertaining whether he is willing to negotiate for the sale of the lands referred to through them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the tenants on the Thomas Studdert estate, situate at Ballyoneen, North Kerry, have made frequent applications for sale of their holdings which has been refused them; and whether, seeing that continued pressure and legal proceedings are made on the tenants to pay an impossible rent, the Congested Districts Board will see their, way to take immediate action to acquire this estate for improvements and resale to the tenants?

The Congested Districts Board have received communications from the representatives of the tenants on the estate referred to from which it appears that the owner is not prepared to sell the property. The estate has not been offered for sale to the Board, and they do not propose to take any steps to acquire it compulsorily pending the result of proceedings which have been taken for the compulsory purchase of certain other estates.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the sale of the estate of the Earl of Cork and Orrery by the landlord to the tenants in the townlands of Ballinagoul, Gregane, Garrouse, and others, in the county of Limerick, has yet been completed; and, if not, whether the Estates Commissioners will see before completing same that the land is security for the advance agreed upon as it is subject to flooding; whether he is aware that the hay crop there is entirely lost this season; and, having regard to this fact and to the fact that most of the tenants are future tenants, he will see that a valuer of the Estates Commissioners will meet the tenants and hear from them that they purchased their holdings subject to such valuation and ascertain what their position really is?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct, by the owner to the tenants, and when the Estates Commissioners are dealing with it in order of priority, the matter referred to will be considered by them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the tenants on the Miss Oliver estate, situate at Kilmorley South, signed agreements to purchase their holdings in 1908 from the landlord; whether he is aware that the tenants on the estate are willing to sell to their subtenants on the same estate; and whether, before vesting orders are issued, inquiries will be made and inspection instituted with the view of having sub-tenants purchasing on the same terms as the other tenants?

This estate was the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants. The Estates Commissioners, when dealing with the estate, inquired into the cases of the sub-tenants and decided in certain cases to declare that they should be deemed (under Section 15 of the Land Act of 1903) tenants of the parcels occupied by them for the purposes of sale, while in the remaining cases the Commissioners decided not to make such a declaration. The holdings, with one exception, have been vested in the purchasing tenants, and the Commissioners cannot take any further action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Board of Works have refused to grant loans for the building of cowsheds, unless the same are put up according to the plans of the Local Government Board; and, in view of the expensive and unnecessary details which the latter body insist on and which, in nearly all cases, are uncalled for and not desired by small farmers, will instructions be issued to grant loans on the old system and have the buildings erected according to the plans of the applicants, but subject to the sanction of the Board's inspector?

I understand that cowsheds are required to conform with the Regulations contained in the Local Government Board Order of 13th February, 1903, with regard to ventilation, lighting, cubic capacity, water supply and sanitation, but that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that any plans have been issued by the Local Government Board or that, subject to the above limitation, applicants are not at liberty to propose any plan which suits their own requirements. The Board of Works are not prepared to modify their practice in this respect.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty at what date did H.M.S. "Proserpine" leave Aden on her homeward voyage; when did she reach Suez; how long has she been detained there; and the reason for such detention?

The "Proserpine" left Aden on the 7th July, reached Port Said on the 16th July, and was detained there for thirteen days owing to boiler defects.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the pay and position of the carpenters and shipwrights in the Royal Navy has reported; and, if so, whether the Report can be communicated to the House?

The Committee have very nearly completed their inquiry, and will report shortly. I cannot reply to the last part of the question until the Report has been considered by the Board of Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what percentage of shipwright chargemen in the Royal yards are to receive the increase of 6d. per day; and whether it is proposed that the chargemen of other trades are to receive the increase in the same proportion as the shipwrights?

The question of the number of additional chargemen of trades to receive the higher charge pay of 9s. a week is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Government to extend the concessions recently granted to charge-men of trades to the chargemen of labourers in the Royal dockyards?

The special rate of charge pay, namely 9s. a week, is already payable to chargemen of labourers employed on important duties. The number of men receiving this special rate may be extended on the recommendation of the yard officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the minimum wage for unskilled labour in the Royal Dockyard, Devonport, is 22s., and that the minimum wage for the same class of labour in His Majesty's Gun Wharf, Devonport, is only 21s.; whether he can give any reason for this disparity; and whether he will consider the question of levelling up so that the minimum wage may be the same in both cases?

This question has been under consideration for some little time. A decision will be given shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, during the last fifteen weeks, the men employed at the Royal Gun Factory forges have worked for eight weeks three days per week, for six weeks full time, and that for one week one-half of the men worked under ten hours for the said week; and whether, in view of the activity at present prevailing in armament firms, he can hold out hopes of steadier employment at the Royal Gun Factory forges?

Work has been restricted owing to delay in deliveries of material due to the dock strike.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any complaint with regard to the lighting-up time of furnaces at the Royal Arsenal having been altered from 12 p.m. to 3 a.m., and in addition that the lighting of two furnaces instead of one only has been assigned to each man; whether, as a result, the gangs are unable to start work until mid-day and cannot, in consequence, earn an adequate wage; whether, as a result of such delay in starting work, the lighter-up, as a member of the gang, is placed at a disadvantage in the earning of his salary, and should a breakdown occur and the whole gang be forced to suspend work for the rest of the week, whether the lighter-up would fail to receive the pay for the hours he worked lighting-up; and whether he will have adequate inquiry made into these alleged grievances?

No complaint, as stated, has been received, but inquiries will be made.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Limerick Army Clothing Factory, Bridge Street, Dublin, have discharged eight women workers whose ages are over 21, alleging that they cannot pay their insurance; whether it will be permitted that the clothing for the Army shall be made by women workers whose wages are so low that their employers would have to pay the whole of their insurance money; and whether he will have an inquiry made into the matter?

From inquiries which have been made it appears that the staff in certain departments of the Dublin factory is working short time and being gradually reduced owing to slackness of work generally. The suggestion that the discharges are connected with the question of insurance is denied.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has seen the issue of the "Freewoman," of 27th June, 1912, in which one Guy Aldred refers to the unholy Trinity of craven Czar, renegade Briand, and Featherstone assassin Asquith, and threatens to organise an agitation for the release of one Savarkar, who was condemned at Bombay in June, 1911, and deported to the Andaman Islands, on the ground that the said Savarkar is a political prisoner; and what steps the Government propose to take to ensure proper recognition of the fact that British Law does not recognise political offenders, and to restrain the publication of seditious writings in the "Freewoman"?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I have not seen the paper referred to, but the account of the article given by the hon. Member does not suggest that any further notice need be taken of it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the gross valuation of buildings, total increase of annual rent, increase due to new buildings, annual rent, for the London Metropolitan area, for the years ending 1892 up to and including 1910?

I will send to the hon. Member a statement of the gross value of property in London according to the Valuation Lists in force in the years 1892 to 1910 inclusive. The volume of London Statistics for 1910–11, issued by the London County Council, shows that the rate able value of all property in London rose from £33,264,000 in the year 1892 to £44,866,000 in 1910; and that, of this total increase of £11,600,000, the amount due to new buildings was £7,525,000. The yearly increase due to new buildings is stated, for each year in the period from 1892 to 1911, on page 581 of the volume.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of Lord Strachie that the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909, has been of very little use in rural districts; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation remedying the defects of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909, in the direction indicated by Lord Strachie?

I may refer the Noble Lord to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Wilton Division on 30th July.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will grant the Return relating to County Boroughs (Areas and Rates)?

The Return for which the hon. Member asks has been agreed to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps were taken by the Board to ascertain the desire of British furniture manufacturers to exhibit at the forthcoming exhibition at Ghent; what representatives of the furniture industry were consulted; and on what grounds the Board of Trade stated in their letter of 12th July to Mr. P. E. Gates that there was little desire on the part of manufacturers to take part?

The question as to the desirability or otherwise of including exhibits of British furniture at the forthcoming Exhibition at Ghent was discussed with the chairman and other members of the committee which organised the British exhibits of decoration and furniture at the recent exhibitions at Brussels and Turin. These gentlemen advised that there was little prospect of organising a creditable exhibit of British furniture in Belgium at so short an interval after the Brussels Exhibition. The number of inquiries which have been received up to the present confirm the view then taken that there was little desire on the part of British furniture manufacturers to take part in the Ghent Exhibition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that by a system of bonus and window-dressing, to the exclusion of other brands, the Imperial Tobacco Company or Trust have seriously impeded the business of Irish tobacco manufacturers and retailers; whether he is aware that in consequence of those operations there is an immediate danger of a tobacco factory in Dublin being closed and the disemployment of a number of hands; and whether he will make inquiry into this matter with a view to provide a remedy and enable the continuance of legitimate competition?

I have no official information as to the matters to which the question relates, and, as at present advised, I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by the proposed inquiry. I shall, however, be glad to consider any definite information which the hon. Member may be in a position to supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has requested Mr. Bryce, the British Ambassador, to make representations to the American Government with a view to a reduction on the tariff on Irish mackerel; and, if not, when he may be able to do so in accordance with his promise?

I am afraid I have nothing to add at present to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 13th February, of last year. No favourable opportunity for representations has arisen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of refined sugar Russia has exported to this country in each of the last six years; and the total quantity of refined sugar imported into this country from all countries in each of the last six years?

The following statement shows the quantity of refined sugar imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1906 to 1911 inclusive, distinguishing the quantity consigned from Russia:—

Year.		Total Imports of Refined Sugar.	Of which from Russia.
		Cwts.	Cwts.
1906	…	18,096,163	—
1907	…	19,689,603	—
1908	…	18,819,749	802,814*
1909	…	18,887,438	599,569
1910	…	16,883,107	42,264
1911	…	18,744,524	2,194,541
* Imported after 1st September, 1908.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if all the foreign countries who signed the Brussels Convention in 1908 have agreed to the renewal of the Convention for five years from 1st September, 1913; and can he say what quantity of sugar each country is permitted to export?

The Protocol continuing the Sugar Convention for five years was signed by representatives of all the countries which were parties to the existing Convention, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Italy. It has been ratified by all the European Powers which export sugar, and by Switzerland, Luxemburg, and Peru, but, so far as I am aware, it has not yet been ratified by Sweden. Under the Convention, Sweden, Switzerland, and Italy are not permitted to export any sugar so long as they maintain their existing fiscal arrangements with regard to this article. Russia is permitted to export 350,000 tons this season to western markets, but is not restricted as regards exports to Finland and certain Asiatic markets. With these exceptions, there is no limitation upon the amount of sugar which any of the parties to the Convention is permitted to export.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many sacks of wheat flour and meal were imported and exported in the years 1909, 1910, and 1911, respectively?

The following statement shows the quantity of wheat meal and flour imported into and exported from the United Kingdom during the years 1909, 1910, and 1911, respectively. The official figures have been converted into their equivalent in sacks at the rate of 280 lbs. to the sack.

Year.	Imports.	Exports of United Kingdom Manufacture.	Re-exports of Imported Wheat Meal and Flour.
	Sacks of 280	Sacks of 280	Sacks of 280
	lbs.	lbs.	lbs.
1909	4,421,000	546,000	24,000
1910	3,984,000	506,000	54,000
1911	4,026,000	562,000	49,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of persons who were provided with employment through the medium of the Labour Exchanges in Scotland during each of the years 1910 and 1911?

The number of vacancies filled through the Scottish Labour Exchanges in 1910 was 77,479. The corresponding figure for 1911 was 90,483.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the women shorthand typists and superintending officers transferred from the National Telephone Company to the London telephone service were paid at higher rates by the company than those current in the Department; whether transferred officers are still receiving higher pay than officers on the Department scales; and, if so, whether he proposes to take steps to bring the pay of the Department's officers to a level with the pay formerly given by the company and still given by the Department to transferred officers?

Some of the women shorthand typists and superintending officers transferred from the National Telephone Company to the London telephone service were paid at higher rates by the company than those current in the Post Office. The pay of the transferred staff has not been reduced and some officers are consequently in receipt of higher pay than their colleagues who were already in the Post Office service. The scale for Government typists in London is a common one fixed by the Treasury for all Government offices, and it is not proposed to increase the pay of those typists who were already in the Post Office service.

asked the Postmaster-General is he aware that some part of the telephone between Wexford and Dublin is out of order every day, to the annoyance of the subscribers; and if he can give any hope that communications will be facilitated immediately?

I am aware that the trunk line between Wexford and Dublin has been interrupted on several occasions recently. Steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of these difficulties.

asked the Postmaster-General how many operators are employed at the North Telephone Exchange; and what hours they work?

At the North Exchange there are seventy-two female telephonists, whose normal hours of work are forty-eight a week, inclusive of meal reliefs, and nine male night operators, who are at present working seventy-two hours a week. The attendance of these night operators will be brought down to fifty-four hours a week as soon as additional operators are trained.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, between January and June of this year, over 1,000 hours were spent on public work by learners in the Central Telegraph Office who had not passed the necessary test for accuracy in transcribing Morse slip; whether an inspection of the school diaries has been made with a view to investigating these facts; whether a notice has been posted in the school urging learners to practise in their own time, in consequence of their general progress being retarded by their transference to the galleries whilst they should be receiving instruction in all types of telegraph instruments; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into this interference with the course of instruction, both in the interest of the public work and the proper training of learners within the prescribed hours?

I can add nothing to the answer given on the 6th and 14th June last on this subject except that the notice to which the hon. Member refers had no connection with the employment of learners away from the school, but was issued in the hope that they might qualify earlier in their own interests. No such inquiry as that suggested is in my opinion necessary, as the ordinary procedure only has been followed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Irish mail was nearly two hours late in reaching the House of Commons on Monday last, and that on all Bank Holidays lateness in delivery is the rule; and whether, for the convenience of Irish Members who require to answer Irish letters by the 8.15 dispatch, he will inquire where this delay occurred and see that it does not occur again on Bank Holidays?

I find that the letter mail bag brought by the up Irish day mail reached the House of Commons later than usual on Monday last, owing to the suspension on that day, as on other Bank Holidays, of certain mail cart services in London. I have now given instructions that when the House is sitting on a Bank Holiday this bag is to be specially dispatched there from Euston.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that another third-class storeman, named Mr. Gosling, has been instructed to take up duty in the Dublin depot on the 12th instant; whether the vacancy in the Mount Pleasant depot caused by the transfer of Mr. Gosling will be filled, and will the services of a man in the Dublin depot be dispensed with as a result of the transfer; whether he can state how many more men it is intended to transfer to Dublin, and why are the qualified local men being ignored while men with no experience are being transferred to fill the vacancies; whether he is aware that the first importation is a Pole; and whether he has no experience of stores work?

Mr. Gosling is one of two unestablished porters employed in London who were selected in April last to fill two of the four vacancies for third-class storemen in the Dublin depot of the stores department and respecting whom I gave full information at: the time to the hon. Member. The resulting vacancy in London for a labourer will be filled in ordinary course. As the position of storeman in Dublin is vacant, the only officer in Dublin displaced will be a temporary hand. I have previously explained to the hon. Member why the vacancies in Dublin cannot all be assigned to local candidates. The officer described; by the hon. Member as the first importation is, it is true, a pole inspector, but it does not follow, as the hon. Member assumes, that he is himself a Pole.

asked the Secretary: for Scotland whether the number of persons in Scotland, aged seventy and over, who were in receipt of outdoor and indoor relief, respectively, on each of the dates 1st January, 1909, 1st January, 1910, 1st January, 1911, and 1st January, 1912?

The number of persons in Scotland, aged seventy and over, who were in receipt of outdoor and indoor relief are as follows:—

		Outdoor.	Indoor.
15th January, 1910	…	12,519	2,870
15th January, 1911	…	3,094	2,375
15th January, 1912	…	2,881*	2,336
* Includes 1,018 old age pensioners in receipt of medical relief. There are no available figures for 1909 or earlier years distinguishing persons aged seventy and over from others.