asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an employed contributor, after payment of twenty-six weeks' contributions has got to pay his own or his employer's unemployment contributions when unemployed through illness and in receipt of sickness benefit?

No contributions are payable in respect of any workman under Part II. of the Act while he is not under a contract of service with an employer, and in no circumstances is a workman liable for the employer's part of the contribution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the next-of-kin of an insured workman under Part II. of the National Insurance Act will be entitled to any of the contributions paid by such workman in case of death after payment of one year's contributions?

No, Sir. The only provision for repayment of contributions to a workman or his personal representative under Part II. of the Act is that contained in Section 95, which applies only to workmen of sixty years and upwards who have paid contributions in respect of 500 weeks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any complaints through the district manager of the Edinburgh Labour Exchanges regarding the refusal of the firms of J. and S. Scott and Morrison and Co., contractors, Edinburgh, to stamp the unemployment cards of the workmen in their employ; and whether, seeing that other firms engaged in similar work are stamping the cards of their workmen, he will take action under Section 101 of the National Insurance Act and compel these firms to comply with the Act?

Complaints as to failure on the part of the firms named in the question to stamp the unemployment books of workmen in their employ were received in August last. An officer was instructed to interview those firms and to explain the position to them. As a result of this interview the firms undertook to stamp the books of their workmen coming within the category of insured trades. A further complaint was received in September from the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners' Managing Committee (Leith Branch) and it was pointed out in reply that under one of the Umpire's decisions workmen engaged in some of the work undertaken by the firms in question wore not insurable. I am, however, having further inquiries made into the case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why all persons who are paying members under Part II, of the National Insurance Act are not to vote for the election of Referees?

It seems reasonable that the persons eligible to vote at the first election of Courts of Referees should be those who have habitually worked at an insured trade for some specified period. For the first election it is accordingly proposed to adopt the same qualification as that laid down in the Act for the grant of "added weeks," namely, that the workman has worked for over twenty-five weeks at an insured trade before the commencement of the Act. For future elections of course the qualifications will necessarily be different.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of Albert Meldon and others selling a large amount of untenanted land to the Estates Commissioners at Coolarne, Athenry, within the past two years; whether a herd named Patrick Gill was residing on the Coolarne farm at the time; whether it is customary in all such cases as that of Mr. Gill to provide a holding on the untenanted farm for the herd; why the law in respect of Gill's application was departed from; and will his case be considered in connection with the distribution of other lands in the district at present in the hands of the Estates Commissioners?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners acquired some 1,080 acres of untenanted lands on this estate, and allotted them after due inquiry and consideration. It was not possible to provide enlargements for all applicants.

asked the Chief Secretary how it is that Edward Twaddle, of Nappogue parish, of Moydow, county Longford, got no opportunity of redeeming the tithe rent charge of his farm, when his next door neighbour, Mr. Newman, a tenant on the same townland and property, had his commuted to thirty-five yearly instalments; and will he see that. Mr. Twaddle gets the same terms and does not have to pay this charge in perpetuity?

Prior to the passing of the Tithe Rent Charge (Ireland) Act, 1900, Mr. Edward Twaddle could, like any other person paying tithe rent charge to the Church Temporalities Commissioners, or the Irish Land Commissioners as their successors, have redeemed the charge either by an immediate cash payment or by spreading the purchase money over a period of years. Section 4 of the Act referred to, however, took away the power of voluntary redemption of tithe rent charge in cases where such charge was reducible in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of that Act, which applied to Mr. Twaddle's case, whose tithe rent charge of £5 4s. 6d. was reduced to £3 16s. In the Newman case his predecessor exercised his power of redemption so far back as the year 1876, and the entire purchase money was paid off in the year 1910.

asked whether the officials of the Congested Districts Board have yet completed their inspection and valuation of the estate of the Marquess of Sligo; and when, approximately, will they be able to make an offer for the purchase of the property?

The inspection of the estate referred to has been completed, except a small section including the town of Westport. The Congested Districts Board are at present in negotiation with the owner, and if certain details can be arranged, it is expected that the Board's offer for the purchase of the estate will be issued during the month of November.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has taken any steps to acquire the congested estate of Mrs. Livingstone, situate in Islandeady, county Mayo, or the portion of it at Fair-hill leased by Mr. Jordan, who is willing to sell his interest to the Board?

The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the estate of the hon. Mrs. Livingstone, comprising the lands of Ballyglass and Ballintleva, in the electoral Division of Kilmaclasser, have been lodged with the Congested Districts Board, and a decision will be arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable. Mr. Jordan holds the lands of Fairhill for a lease of lives only one of which now remains, and as the head landlord has not offered to sell the lands to the Board they have not taken any steps to acquire Mr. Jordan's interest in them.

asked the cause of delay in acquiring and distributing the Fuge estate at Templemary, county Cork, the owner having offered these lands for voluntary acquirement in October, 1908, and part of the estate having been allotted since May, 1911?

Some 390 acres of untenanted land, situate in the townland of Templemary, county Cork, on the Fuge estate, are the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and will be dealt with when reached in order of priority under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the estate of Mr. B. F. Kenney, situated in the townlands of Killenna and Kinarra, county Leitrim, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board; and whether, having regard to the number of uneconomic holdings in the district and that an evicted tenant is awaiting reinstatement, and there being so little land available for distribution in county Leitrim, the Board will take steps to purchase the estate?

The estate referred to was offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board. The Board were of opinion that they would be unable to utilise the lands for increasing the size of small holdings, and they, therefore, decided not to purchase the property.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a large untenanted farm on the estate of the representatives of Major Clarke, Craig Abbey, Athenry, was put up for sale about three years ago; that this farm was purchased by a committee of gentlemen acting on behalf of the small tenants in the locality; that this committee served an originating request on the Congested Districts Board to take over the farm for the congests; and whether, in view of the obligation which this committee took on its shoulders in its endeavour to secure this farm for the needy poor, the Congested Districts Board will immediately take over the farm for distribution, as intended, amongst the small holders of land in the locality?

The facts are as stated in the first three paragraphs of the question. The Congested Districts Board, after careful consideration, decided not to purchase the farm in question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the estate of Mr. N. G. Richardson, near Athenry, was purchased by the Estates Commissioners; is he aware that a communication was addressed to the local estates committee, dated 29th April, 1910, saying that the Estates Commissioners would complete the sale at an early date; and can he state when, and by what department, it is proposed to deal with this estate?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. This estate was the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts, but the proceedings have been transferred to the Congested Districts Board. An offer for the purchase of the estate has been issued by the Board, and they are still in communication with the vendor's solicitors regarding it.

asked how far the negotiations have proceeded with the Development Commissioners for the building of a suitable pier in Dingle Harbour; and whether, seeing that inconvenience and loss is caused by delay, steps will be taken to have this matter settled as soon as possible?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 23rd July last, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing that the fishing industry along the Dingle and Brandon peninsula is one of the largest and most important in Ireland, the number of hands employed in the industry large, and the district otherwise poor, he will say what steps the Congested Districts Board propose to take to make the industry more remunerative to those engaged in it?

The harbour and landing accommodation of the district have been much improved by the Congested Districts Board and further works are contemplated. Efforts are being made to improve the methods of curing mackerel for the American market.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps he proposes to take with regard to the dismissal by the Board of Education in Ireland of Mr. Mansfield, ex-president of the national teachers' organisation; whether, seeing the dissatisfaction that exists amongst the teaching profession in Ireland regarding the action of inspectors and the Board in this and various other cases, he will immediately appoint a Committee to inquire into this matter?

I have asked the Commissioners of National Education for their observations on this case, which I am well aware has excited a great deal of attention. I have not yet received any reply, and, until I do so, cannot advantageously take any step of my own.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the total contribution made out of Irish rates to the Cattle Diseases (Ireland) Fund during the years 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, and 1912; what was the Exchequer contribution for the same years; is it optional with the county councils in Ireland to levy this rate; what was the expenditure during these years, and for what purpose; and will the Exchequer contribution be increased according to the increased expenditure rendered necessary this year?

The total contribution made out of the local rates in Ireland to the General Cattle Diseases Fund in the period of four completed years from 1st April, 1908, to 31st March, 1912, was £65,300. The Exchequer contribution in the same period was £40,800. It is a statutory obligation on the county and county borough councils to meet the assessments for the purposes of the General Cattle Diseases Fund from any moneys in the hands of their treasurers. The net total expenditure in the period of four completed financial years ended on 31st March last was £103,722. The purposes were the recoupments to local authorities of one-half the expenditure incurred by them in carrying out the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894; and the payment of expenditure incurred by the Department in connection with swine fever, namely, payment of compensation to owners of slaughtered swine, the remuneration of inspectors and others employed on swine fever work, incidental expenses of slaughter, burial, cleansing, and disinfection of premises, etc. A Supplementary Estimate will be submitted in due course for a special Parliamentary Grant-in-Aid of the expenditure incurred by the Department in connection with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in the present year.

also asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Timothy Murphy was evicted out of a small holding of land on the Browns estate, Cummer, Ballyglavin, county Galway, twelve years ago; whether he is aware that at the time, having no place of employment, Murphy was obliged to emigrate; is he aware that this evicted tenant returned with his family to Ireland two years ago; and, having regard to the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, wall he communicate with the Estates Commissioners and represent the justice of providing this evicted tenant with a holding out of the untenanted lands in the neighbourhood?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the holding referred to is now in the occupation of Murphy's brother, and the Commissioners cannot interfere in the matter. Murphy's application was not lodged within the time prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and in any event could not be dealt with under that Act.

further asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Thomas Kelly, of Fiddane, Tubber, county Galway, holds a small holding, valued at £5 14s., on the Lahiff estate, Tubber, county Gal way; will he say how much untenanted land on this estate was taken over by the Estates Commissioners; and, having regard to the small size of Kelly's holding and the bad, rocky nature of the same, will he explain why Mr. Kelly's holding was not raised to an economic standard?

This estate was sold by the owners direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and no untenanted land was included in the proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners. One of the owners surrendered his tenancy in a large part of his holding on the estate, and the lands so surrendered were sold as parcels by the owners to persons selected by them under Section 2 of that Act.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the written consent of parents or guardians has to be obtained before boys under the age of eighteen years can join the Royal Navy; whether all persons upon entering the service are vaccinated or re-vaccinated; whether, in the case of boys, the permission of parents or guardians for this operation to be carried out is asked; whether all persons are re-vaccinated on attaining the age of eighteen years; and would such re-vaccination at eighteen be insisted on in the case of a person who had suffered so severely as the result of his comparatively recent vaccination as to necessitate lengthy treatment in a naval hospital?

The instructions are that the consent of parents or guardians is to be obtained to the entry of boys under the age of seventeen years. The absence of consent, however, would not invalidate an entry. All persons on joining the Royal Navy are vaccinated or re-vaccinated. In the case of boys, the permission of parents or guardians is not asked. The candidates themselves are required, before being accepted for final entry, to certify in writing that they are willing to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated. As regards the fourth part of the question, the regulation is that all persons who have not been re-vaccinated between their first entry into the Service and the age of eighteen should be re-vaccinated as soon as possible. In such a case as that mentioned by my hon. Friend, re-vaccination would be at the discretion of the medical officer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the actual sum paid to the contractors, Messrs. Easton Gibb, for work done at Rosyth up to and including 30th September, 1912?

The sum is £960,954.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the map of the Balkans which the War Office has placed in the Tea Room is printed in Germany and in the German language?

The map in question was selected as giving a good general strategical area on the most convenient scale for the purpose required, and it was not considered that the fact of the names being printed in a foreign language would offer any serious difficulties to Members. A map with names in English characters is available, but it is on such a much larger scale that room could not conveniently be found for it in the Tea Room.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the prohibition of the distribution of leaflets in the streets by way of advertisement, whether the Commissioner of Police proposes to instruct his officers not to interfere with bills advertising political meetings; whether he is aware that a society for the suppression of vivisection were advised by the Commissioner that, if their leaflets were advertisements, an offence would be committed if they distributed them in the streets; and how this can be reconciled with the intention that the police should not interfere with advertisements except those distributed for purposes of trade or profit?

I understand that the society referred to on applying to the police was advised that the distribution of leaflets that are advertisements within a certain area would be an infringement of the law; but, as I have already stated, the police have now been instructed not to interfere unless advertisements are distributed in the streets for purposes of trade or profit, and then only when the distribution leads to the obstruction or annoyance of passers-by or causes the streets to be littered with paper.

asked the Home Secretary, with reference to the prohibition of the distribution of leaflets in the streets by way of advertisement, which will not ordinarily apply to political tracts, is he or the Commissioner of Police to have the power to decide what are the extraordinary occasions when such distribution is to be prohibited; and does the term political tracts cover advertisements of political meetings?

If my hon. Friend will refer to the reply given by me on the 14th October to a question put by himself, he will see that I expressly stated that the police would intervene only when leaflets of the nature of trade advertisements were distributed to the obstruction or annoyance of passers-by or so as to litter the streets.

asked if the police at Llanstumdwy have yet arrested. any of the persons who assaulted the suffragettes during the recent meetings addressed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I am informed that no proceedings have yet been instituted in connection with this affair, owing in part to the difficulty in obtaining evidence against the offenders, and in part to the difficulty in obtaining the necessary authority from the persons assaulted for the laying of a complaint on their behalf by the police. The local police further inform me that they hope to be in a position shortly to bring the charges before a Court.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give details of the number of debtors and civil process prisoners received into prison in England and Wales during each of the past five years, showing their ages and sex, and the numbers imprisoned for debts of £5 and upwards and under that amount?

The only figures available are the numbers and sex of the debtors and civil process prisoners received. The figures are:—

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Beatrice Iddon, detained in Toxteth Park girls' reformatory school; and whether, in view of the earnest solicitation of her father and the nature of the case, he can see his way to allow her to return home?

I am making inquiries about this case, and will communicate with the Noble Lord as soon as I have ascertained the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that at least one, and probably several, British subjects have been imprisoned several months without being brought to trial at Elizabethville, in the Congo State; and whether he will make representations to the Belgian Government with a view to these persons being brought to trial?

The Vice-Consul at Elizabethville, who has just arrived in this country, only knows of one case of a British subject being imprisoned without trial, and that for six weeks, pending the arrival of witnesses from the interior. The man in question was then released, and made no complaint to the Vice-Consul of his treatment. Further inquiry is being made of the Acting Vice-Consul.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the statement he made in the report of the proceedings under the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, is correct, that he sanctioned the employment of £7,000 odd out of a Grant from the public Exchequer for the relief of unemployment for emigration purposes?

The actual cost of the emigration or removal of persons defrayed out of the Parliamentary Grant for the year ended 31st March last was £7,977. I may add that the money voted by Parliament is for the purposes of the Unemployed Workmen Act, and one of those purposes is emigration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will give the Acts of Parliament, and the Sections thereof, conferring on local authorities powers as to the raising and spending of moneys out of the rates for the purposes of emigration; and whether those Sections limit the expenditure of moneys so raised to emigration within the Empire?

The Statutes conferring powers on local authorities to expend moneys out of the rates for the purposes of emigration are: Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, Section 62; Poor Law Amendment Act, 1844, Section 29; Poor Law Amendment Act, 1848, Section 5; Poor Law Amendment Act, 1849, Section 20; Poor Law Amendment Act, 1850, Section 4; Union Chargeability Act, 1865, Section 16; Local Government Act, 1888, Section 69; Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, Section 1. In no instance is the Statute limited to cases of emigration within the Empire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of Japanese imports and exports, respectively, in the years 1900 and 1911, together with the actual, and percentage, increase during that period?

The value of merchandise imported into Japan has increased from £29,325,000 in 1900 to £52,451,000 in 1911, i.e., by £23,126,000, or 79 per cent. During the same period the value of the exports of Japanese produce and manufactures has increased from £20,535,000 to £45,223,000, i.e., by £24,688,000, or 120 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the average price of wheat per quarter in London, Paris, and Berlin, during the first nine months of 1912?

The average "Gazette" price of British wheat in London was 36s. 11d., and the average declared value of wheat imported into London was 35s. 7½d. In Paris and Berlin the average official prices of wheat—quoted irrespective of origin—were 50s. 11d. and 47s. 2d., respectively. All these prices are for an Imperial quarter during the first nine months of 1912.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Coal Mines Minimum Wage Act, 1912, provides that nothing in that Act shall prejudice the operation of any agreement entered into or custom existing before its passing for the payment of wages at a rate higher than the minimum rate settled under the Act, and that some of the district rules in some of the districts state that, in ascertaining the earnings of coal getters or their workmen paid by the piece, there shall not be deducted from their gross earnings, for their trimmers, fillers, or others working under them, a wage more than 1s. in excess of the minimum rate of wages fixed for those classes of workmen, respectively; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter, seeing that numbers of men have been reduced in their wages by the operation of these rules?

The Board of Trade have no power to give an authoritative opinion upon the legal question whether or not such a rule as that referred to by my hon. Friend is ultra vires, but I understand that in South Yorkshire the matter has been referred to Sir Edward Clarke, the chairman of the Joint District Board, who has stated that, after careful consideration, he is of opinion that the rule, as it stands, is not ultra vires, and is a reasonable and proper rule.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the exports of iron and steel and manufactures thereof from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States of America in 1900, 1910, and 1911; the value of the exports of machinery from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States of America in 1900, 1910. and 1911; the value of the exports of iron and steel and manufactures-thereof from the United Kingdom to the principal protected foreign countries and to other countries in 1900, 1910, and 1911; the value of the exports of machinery, including ships' machinery, from the United Kingdom to the principal protected foreign countries and to other countries in 1900, 1910, and 1911; and the value of the exports of woollen manufactures from the' United Kingdom to the principal protected foreign countries and to other countries in 1900, 1910, and 1911?

The following statements, give the desired information:—(

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had any communication from potato growers in England asking for his intervention to secure the same kind of facilities for British potato growers as the "Board of Trade Journal" affords to a Danish co-operative society by advertising its facilities free of charge in the "Board of Trade Journal"?

We have had no communication from potato growers in the United Kingdom desirous of disposing of their goods-in Great Britain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many passengers crossed the Channel from England to France by the ports of Dover and Folkesstone in the year 1911; and how many passengers landed in England from France at the same ports?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member are not available from the Official Returns, but the following particulars have been supplied by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company for the services between Dover and Folkestone and Calais and Boulogne:

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a petition from the inhabitants of Mey, Caithness, praying for a certain improvement in the postal facilities of the district; and, if so, whether he is yet in a position to give a reply to the same?

I have received the petition, and I hope to be able to effect some improvement. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have been able to come to a decision.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a most influentially signed petition from the people of Ballyhaise, county Cavan, and outside traders dealing in this particular district; and will the claims of these petitioners have his immediate consideration?

I have received the petition, and inquiry is being made.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will be in a position to connect Cavan with the trunk telephone?

An extension of the trunk telephone system to Cavan was offered to the Cavan Urban District Council under guarantee terms on 23rd August last. Until the council's decision is received it is not possible to take any further steps in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General the cost to the Imperial Exchequer of the following Irish services in the years 1901, 1906, 1911, namely, payments to Local Taxation Account and Consolidated Fund?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his question on the 24th instant, which included the figures for payments to Local Taxation Account and Consolidated Fund.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that, according to a, recent decision of the Court of Chancery, the law now is that a purchaser of property in possession must, in order to retain the benefit of such a purchase, prove that he has given adequate value for such property; and, seeing that the effect of such an equity must ultimately be to injure property owners and to put an end to freedom to contract without the sanction of he Court of Chancery, whether he will consider the advisability of the appointment of a Committee, or otherwise, to consider the Amendment of the Sales of Reversions Act of 1867 in this respect?

I understand that the hon. Member refers to the case of Townend v. McVittie which was tried before Mr. Justice Warrington, but the effect of the judgment is not as stated by the hon. Member. I have read his lordship's judgment, which was affirmed by the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords, and I see no reason for adopting the course suggested in the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the difficulty that attends the closing of insanitary houses in burghs, he is satisfied that, by the terms of its reference, the Housing Committee will feel it as incumbent on them to inquire into urban cheap housing as into that of certain specified classes in the landward districts?

Yes, I am quite satisfied that the reference to the Royal Commission on Housing includes inquiry into urban housing and into rural housing, not only of certain specified classes, but generally.

asked the Secretary for Scotland why no information is given in the Annual Report of the Local Government Board (Scotland) for 1911 concerning the vaccinal condition of the twenty-nine small-pox patients certified last year; and whether he will issue instructions that in future all references to small-pox cases in these official Reports shall be accompanied by such information as may be available in regard to the vaccinal condition of the sufferers?

It has not been the practice of the Local Government Board to publish such information in their Annual Report, but it will be given in future Reports.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of cases of small-pox which have been certified at Kirkcaldy during the present year; what were the ages and the condition as to vaccination of each patient; what has been the number of deaths that have resulted; and what were the ages and condition as to vaccination of the fatal cases?

Twenty cases of small-pox have been notified at Kirkcaldy during the present year up to 23rd October. The ages and condition of vaccination of each patient are in order, in which cases reported as follows:—Fourteen years male, vaccinated; eleven years female, vaccinated; forty-seven years male, doubtful; twenty-three years female, vaccinated; seven days, vaccinated two days after birth, but infected a week before birth; thirty-eight years male, vaccinated; twenty-seven years male, vaccinated; forty-seven years male, unvaccinated; thirty years male, vaccinated; fifty-one years female, unvaccinated; eleven years female, vaccinated; fifty-seven years female, vaccinated; forty-six years male, doubtful; sixteen years male, vaccinated; twenty-one years male, vaccinated; forty-five years male, vaccinated; forty-nine years female, vaccinated; fifty-two years female, vaccinated; seventeen years male, unvaccinated; thirty-three years female, vaccinated. In addition to above, five other cases were discovered which, owing to the disease being so mild, were not recognised as small-pox until undoubted cases of small-pox arose in the same family. The ages and condition of vaccination of those five cases are as follows:—Fifteen years male, vaccinated; forty-seven years female, vaccinated; eighteen years female, vaccinated; twelve years male, vaccinated; twenty years female, vaccinated. Besides those three cases were notified as small-pox, but are now not regarded as having had the disease. Seven deaths have resulted till morning of 24th October. The ages and condition as to vaccination of the fatal cases were as follows: Forty-seven years male, doubtful; twenty-three years female, vaccinated; seven days, infected before birth; thirty-eight years male, vaccinated; forty-seven years male, unvaccinated; forty-six years male, doubtful; thirty-three years | female, vaccinated. The two female; deaths were of women in child-birth.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any progress has yet been made in setting up at Edinburgh a Joint Advisory Committee on Forestry Education, representative of the university, the College of Agriculture, and expert opinion; and whether he is aware that the absence of such provision is an obstacle to progress in higher sylvicultural training in Scotland?

The Advisory Committee referred to appears to be a matter of domestic arrangement between the bodies concerned, and I have no official responsibility for it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what acreage has been planted up to date at Inverliver; what, species of trees have been used, and in what proportions; what numbers of trees have been bought in from the United Kingdom, from foreign countries, and what numbers have been raised in the Inverliver nursery; what is the average cost per acre for plants and planting, fencing, and draining; what is the total cost of all work done, including management and London expenses; what is the estimated amount of the damage done to the young trees by game; are the sporting rights let, and, if so, what rent is got for them; and will he say how many crofters or other agricultural occupiers were there on the estate before His Majesty's Government acquired the property; how many are there now, and how many men now receive regular employment on the property?

The Inverliver Estate belongs to the Office of Woods and Forests, to which the question should therefore be addressed.