asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether 7½d. only per insured person is now available to county councils for the provision of sanatorium benefit after the deduction of 1½d. for administration?

The whole sum of 1s. 3d. is available for sanatorium benefit, of which 6d. will be allocated to domiciliary treatment of patients recommended for such benefit. The proportion of this sum to be allotted to expenses of administration is not yet determined.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is now proposed to provide sanatorium treatment for all poor persons suffering from tuberculosis, one-fifth only of whom are insured persons, under the National Insurance Act; and, if so, whether the whole or, alternatively, one-half of the cost involved will be defrayed out of the Imperial Exchequer?

The statement in the hon. Member's question is misleading. The number of insured persons and their dependents in a short time will probably include more than four-fifths of the total number of persons suffering from tuberculosis in this country. All these may receive treatment under the National Insurance Act. The Government have promised assistance to the local authorities in dealing with the treatment of tuberculosis amongst the remainder of the population, and the exact form of that assistance is still under consideration with the representatives of those authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can promise at an early date the publication of an official guide to the unemployment section of the National Insurance Act, including an annotated copy of the Act itself, a copy of all the Regulations issued, and a general explanation of the provisions, with an ample index?

While I appreciate the desirability of affording every possible assistance to employers and workpeople with a view to making them familiar with the provisions of Part II. of the National Insurance Act and of the Regulations thereunder, I feel some difficulty in issuing an official guide on the lines suggested in the question. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Board of Trade have no legal authority to interpret the Act, and an official annotated edition might, I think, give rise to misunderstanding. If my hon. Friend cares to see me on the matter I shall be very happy to discuss it with him.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, if he can now, from the cards returned, give an estimate of the number of persons insured against unemployment under the National Insurance Act?

The number of permanent unemployment books issued to workpeople up to and including 6th November, 1912, was 2,188,154. Some further allowance should probably be made on account of emergency books issued but not yet exchanged for permanent books. It is, however, impossible to estimate this additional number with any precision.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have made an offer for the purchase of the estate of Cecil R. Henry, Crumlin, Ballyglunin, county Galway; and, if so, whether it has been accepted?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for purchase of the estate referred to, but they expect to do so shortly.

asked on what grounds the Estates Commissioners have come to the decision not to reinstate Mrs. Catherine Kelly as an evicted tenant on a new holding, seeing that her father was evicted from the townland of Kilmacanelly, county Galway, that her claim was lodged in due time, and that the facts of the case disclose Mrs. Kelly's claim as genuine and deserving; and whether, in view of the character of this case and the feeling that exists that it should be settled, the Commissioners will reconsider it and give this woman a holding of land in some part of the county Galway?

The granting or refusing of applications from persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants or the representatives of evicted tenants is a matter within the discretion of the Estates Commissioners, who have decided, after inquiry, not to provide Mrs. Kelly with a new farm in lieu of the farm formerly occupied by her father, John Jennings, deceased. They are not prepared to reopen the matter or to state the grounds of their decisions in such cases.

asked how many tenants in the province of Connaught purchased by proceedings initiated under the Acts of 1903 and 1909, respectively, specifying how many in each category purchased directly from the landlords, how many through the Estates Commissioners, and how many through the Congested Districts Board?

The number of tenants in the province of Connaught in whose cases purchase agreements in direct sales under the Acts of 1903 and 1909, respectively, have been lodged in the Land Commission, and also the number of tenants (including estimated number of purchasers of new farms) on estates and untenanted land in that province acquired by the Land Commission and the Congested Districts Board under those Acts, is as follows:—

	Act of 1903.	Act of 1909.
Direct sales through Land Commission	25,816	1,816
Estates acquired by Land Commission for purposes of resale	11,776	102
Estates acquired by Congested Districts Board for purposes of resale	10,728	1,680

In addition, 3,361 holdings situate on estates acquired by the Congested Districts Board prior to the Act of 1903 have been vested in tenant purchasers at 3¼ per cent. annuities under that Act. Since the passing of the Act of 1909 no congested estate situate in the congested districts counties can be sold under the Land Purchase Acts without the consent of the Congested Districts Board to persons other than the Board, and the Land Commission cannot enter into an agreement for the purchase of any land in a congested districts county without the consent of the Board. Proceedings are at present pending before the Land Commission for the sale to them of lands in Connaught on which it is estimated there will be on resale 2,450 tenants at 3¼ per cent. annuities under the Act of 1903, and 670 tenants at 3½ per cent. annuities under the Act of 1909, and the Congested Districts Board are in negotiation for the purchase of lands in that province on which it is estimated there will be on resale 1,500 tenants at 3¼ per cent. annuities under the Act of 1903, and 25,200 tenants at 3½ per cent. annuities under the Act of 1909.

asked (1) what area of land in the district controlled by the Congested Districts Board has been purchased; and how much remains to be purchased; and (2) what area of land already purchased by the Congested Districts Board has been purchased voluntarily and compulsorily, respectively?

The total area of land purchased or agreed to be purchased by the Congested Districts Board is 1,072,739 acres. These figures include 16,346 acres in respect of which final offers under the Compulsory Clause of the Irish Land Act, 1909, were issued and accepted. The only estimate of unpurchased land which has been prepared will be found in Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 6130, of 1912, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked what amount has been advanced in stock each year under the Irish Land Act, 1909, to the Congested Districts Board for land purchase?

The amount of Guaranteed Land Stock advanced under the Irish Land Act, 1909, to the Board for land purchase is £299,350, made up as follows:—

Year to 31st March, 1910	Nil.
Year to 31st March, 1911	£26,013
Year to 31st March, 1912	194,563
1st April, 1912, to 7th November, 1912	78,774
Total	£299,350

asked what period it is estimated will be required under the existing law to work off the block of purchase agreements awaiting advances in cash, partly cash and partly stock, and stock?

The Estates Commissioners hope to deal with the pending purchase agreements on the estates which are at present on the "part money, part stock" and "all stock" registers of direct sales under the Irish Land Act, 1903, during the current financial year and the year following. They are not at present in a position to say when it will be possible to deal with the pending agreements in all the estates at present on the "all cash" register of direct sales. This will depend not only on the character of the estate and such questions as to title and other matters as may arise, but also on the amount of cash which may be available for land purchase in each year and on the number of vendors who may elect under Section 3 (2) of the Act of 1909 to accept payment either partly or wholly in stock.

asked what amount has been advanced in cash each year under the Irish Land Act, 1909, to the Congested Districts Board for land purchase under the compulsory Clauses of that Act?

The amount advanced in cash under the Irish Land Act, 1909, to the Congested Districts Board for land purchase under the compulsory Clauses of the Act is as follows:—

Year ended 31st March, 1912	£15,017
From 1st April, 1912, to 9th November, 1912	26,080
Total	£41,097

In addition to the above amounts, final offers under the compulsory Clauses of the Act amounting to £62,916 have been issued and accepted by the owners.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have refused to act upon requisitions of the Congested Districts Board calling upon them to take steps to acquire estates or untenanted land compulsorily as provided by Part IV, of the Land Act, 1909, or required changes to be made in the terms of the requisition; and, if so, upon what occasions and in reference to what estates?

The reply is in the negative.

asked how long it is estimated to be before the Congested Districts Board will have completed the purchase of estates within its area, having regard to the present rate of progress and the proportion of voluntary and compulsory sales?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that it would be quite impossible to form an accurate estimate at present as to the probable date of the completion of the Board's work under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked why Margaret Coleman, of Crumlin, parish of Abbey, county Galway, has been refused an old age pension on the ground of having too much means, seeing that the valuation of her holding is only £3 15s. and that she has no other property?

Margaret Coleman has a farm of about ten acres which carries one cow, two yearlings, one horse, eighteen sheep, three pigs, in addition to fowl. The farm is fairly well tilled, and the Local Government Board estimated that the value of the produce resulting therefrom exceeded £31 10s. a year.

asked on what grounds was Michael O'Donnell, of Kinletter, Bally-bofey, county Donegal (Register 2330, Stranorlar Sub-Committee), deprived of his pension; and did the Local Government Board consider the fact that this man is fifteen months younger than his brother Neil, who has been in receipt of the pension for two and a half years?

Michael O'Donnell was not deprived of a pension as stated, but his claim for one was refused on the ground that he was unable to furnish any satisfactory evidence of age. He stated that he was about two years younger than his brother Neil, but there was no evidence to corroborate his statement.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Glen-ties Rural District Council, on 26th October, protesting against the postponement of the scheme already approved by them for the improvement of Burtonport Harbour; and whether, seeing that the average valuation of holdings in the district does not exceed 30s., and that the inhabitants are consequently unable to live out of the proceeds of the land and depend in a great measure upon the profits of the fishing industry, the Congested Districts Board will again press upon the Development Commissioners the urgent necessity of proceeding with the scheme without further delay?

The Congested Districts Board have received the resolution referred to. The matter cannot be reopened at present as the Development Commissioners have made definite Grants dealing with the money at their disposal. The application will, however, be again brought under the notice of the Development Commissioners.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if the port of Limerick is open for the shipment of store cattle under the usual restrictions applying under the present conditions; is he aware that no case of foot-and-mouth disease has been found in Limerick or the surrounding counties for the past thirty years; and can he say whether the embargo will be taken off altogether in the near future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Limerick and the surrounding counties have been free from foot-and-mouth disease for many years past. The only British port to which cattle are shipped from Limerick is Glasgow, and the Department understand that the whole of the available accommodation at the landing places at Glasgow is at present required for the animals exported from Ireland for slaughter. If the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, as soon as accommodation at Glasgow is available, decided to add Limerick to the ports in Ireland from which cattle for store purposes can be sent, the Department will make the necessary arrangements for inspection, etc., at Limerick.

asked when the restrictions under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Orders will be removed in county Cavan; is Ballyconnell still within the restricted area; and will he say how far Ballyconnell is from the nearest case of disease affecting this district, giving the date of the last outbreak?

By an Order of the Department which came into operation on the 7th instant, the scheduled district in counties Fermanagh, Cavan, and Leitrim was reduced to an area having a radius of seven or eight miles from the infected places. Ballyconnell is still within the scheduled district. It is about seven miles from an infected place. The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the scheduled district occurred on the 5th October. If no further cases occur it will be practicable before long to contract further the area of the district; but at present a definite date cannot be specified for the coming into operation of an Order for the purpose.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will grant a public and sworn inquiry into the arbitrary dismissal by the Commissioners of Education of Mr. Mansfield, vice-president of the teachers' organisation, and the conduct of Dr. Starkie in bringing about the crisis in the educational affairs of the country?

For reasons I have already given, the answer must be in the negative. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, I have promised an inquiry into the working of the present system of inspection and into other kindred matters.

asked what was the administrative cost of the Irish Land Commission for 1905 and for 1911?

The administrative cost of the Irish Land Commission was £126,693 for the year 1905–6, and £158,625 for the year 1911–12. These figures include the cost of the office of the Public Trustee, but do not include the cost of the Church Property Department of the Irish Land Commission (which is borne by the Irish Church Fund), the dividends and Sinking Fund payments on guaranteed stock issued for the purposes of the Land Purchase Aid Fund, the amount required for making good the deficiency in respect of guaranteed stock issued at a discount, and the money required for the improvement of estates. The salaries of the Land Commissioners borne by the Consolidated Fund, and the costs of the allied services, neither of which are under the control of the Land Commission, are not included in the above figures. The expenditure under these heads was £28,239 for the year 905–6, while the estimated expenditure for the year 1911–12 was £27,435.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether the Department has made any experiments with reference to the best kind of grass seeds for laying down land for pasture or five or six years' duration, also for permanent pasture; what mixture is recommended; and what quantity of each per Irish acre?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is m the affirmative. I shall have pleasure in sending the hon. Member a memorandum of particulars as to the mixtures recommended.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he has any fund under his control from which to recompense the public where they suffer loss through the wrongful action of his officials; whether in such eases the Treasury sanction the payment of compensation to the injured party; and has he applied for Treasury sanction for compensation in the case of loss sustained by Mr. McDermott, of Ballybofey, or has he obtained the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown that he cannot legally pay any compensation?

The Department cannot admit that there has been wrongful action upon the part of any official in this case. The cattle in question belonging to McDermott were not allowed to land at Glasgow, and were returned to Derry. On arrival they were mixed with cattle which had been returned from Heysham and did not suffer in any way by contact. There is no fund for compensation in such cases, and no case has been submitted to the Treasury or to the Law Officers.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Department of the Land Commission dealing with the work of the Estates Commissioners will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Imperial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments?

asked (1) whether the Secretariat of the Land Commission will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Im- perial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments; and (2) whether the Department of the Land Commission dealing with fair rents will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Imperial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments?

asked (1) whether the Solicitors' Department of the Land Commission will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Imperial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments; (2) Whether the Accountants' Department of the Land Commission will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Imperial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments; and (3) whether the Mapping Department of the Land Commission will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Imperial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments?

asked (1) whether the Department of the Land Commission dealing with the distribution of the purchase money will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Imperial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments; and (2) whether the Department of the Land Commission dealing with the Irish Church Fund will be under the control of the Imperial Parliament or the Irish Parliament; whether the officers of that Department will be whole-time Imperial officers, whole-time Irish officers, or part-time Imperial and part-time Irish officers; what is the present cost of the Department; what is the number and classification of the officials employed therein; and what portion of the cost of the Department will be defrayed, respectively, by the Imperial and Irish Parliaments?

The information and figures asked for in these eight questions, which relate to a single Department, and cannot well be dealt with separately, could hardly be compressed within the limits of an oral answer. A statement on the subject is being prepared, which I hope, with the permission of the hon. Members, to be able to publish with the Votes in the course of a few days.

asked what are the land purchase enactments contained in Land Acts not specially Land Purchase Acts and reserved to the Imperial Parliament?

Enactments of the character referred to are contained in the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, 1883–1911, and the Congested Districts Board (Ireland) Acts, and possibly in other Statutes.

asked what was the amount of the Queen's Jubilee Fund of the Royal Irish Constabulary at 31st October, 1902, and at 31st October, 1911; whether this fund is governed by rules and was established by the late Queen Victoria out of money subscribed by the whole force in 1887 on her Jubilee; and is it intended that the proposed Home Rule Parliament should have control of this fund?

The fund is a private one established by the Royal Irish Constabulary in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria and administered by a Committee of members of the force. The fund, not being controlled by Government, will not be affected by the Government of Ireland Bill.

asked the number of fair rent appeals each year for the last ten years; and in how many cases have the decisions been upset and confirmed, respectively, upon appeal?

Full particulars with regard to the number of fair rent appeals lodged in each year appear in the Annual Reports of the Irish Land Commission to which I would refer the hon. Member. These reports also contain information by counties as to the effect of the Appeal Court decisions on the Orders of the Court below in the cases dealt with.

asked the definition of a "fair rent"; and what definite rules have been issued by the Land Commission for the guidance of their officials when fixing fair rents?

The Land Commission inform me that the expression "fair rent," as used in the Land Law Acts is not defined in those Acts. Where application is made to the Court to fix a fair rent the case is decided after hearing the evidence offered by the parties and considering all the circumstances of the case, holding, and district as well as the various Statutes which have been passed, and the many legal decisions which have been pronounced in relation to such matters. The forms of report at present required to be filled up for the purpose of complying with the provisions of Section 1 of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896, are to be found in the Rules of the Irish Land Commission dated the 20th July, 1899, which have been presented to Parliament.

asked what amount of Irish Land Stock, distinguishing each kind, is held by the Post Office Savings Bank, and at what price was it bought and what is its present value?

The figures are as follows:—

Description of Stock.	Amount held by P.O.S.B. Fund	Average cost price on Balance.			Present price.
	£	£	s.	d.
2¾ p.e. Guaranteed Land Stock	5,358,188	100	7	5	76⅝
Guaranteed 2¾ p.c. Stock	18,554,868	86	2	0	74¼
Guaranteed 3 p.c. Stock	9,750,000	86	14	3	80½

NOTE.—The average cost price on balance represent the cost of the Stock remaining on the fund after deducting the sums received for Stock sold.

asked what progress has been made with the revaluation of the city of Dublin, and when it is expected to be completed?

I understand that the survey and valuation is nearly completed, and that it is hoped that the revaluation lists will be issued next year after the completion of the annual revision.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it was laid down in the Circular Letter No. 10, of 11th March, 1912, and the Order in Council last spring relative to the same subject and dealing with the payment of War Staff allowances, that officers, when employed in War Staff appointments, will receive an allowance of 5s. a day if of commander's rank and 4s. a day if of lieutenant's rank; whether such allowance is being paid only to eight commanders and not to other officers holding staff appointments; and whether either of these eight officers has ever served in the Naval Intelligence or Mobilisation Department at the Admiralty?

The answers to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative, and the answer to the third part is in the negative.

asked in what War Staff appointments the fifteen lieutenants, Royal Navy and Royal Marine officers, who may qualify annually for the War Staff, will be eligible for the War Staff allowances?

The War Staff was designed to provide a body of officers so trained as to qualify them for employment at the Admiralty, on the staffs of Commanders-in-Chief, or other flag officers, in squadrons, torpedo or submarine flotillas, and at naval bases, in such numbers as the Admiralty may from time to time decide.

asked what is our present percentage superiority ahead of Germany in pre-"Dreadnought" ships, and what will be our superiority on 31st March, 1915, and in large armoured ships of the "Dreadnought" type, and what will be our superiority on 31st March, 1915?

It is undesirable to deal with the margins of our naval strength within the narrow7 limits of a reply to a question, and I can only refer the hon. Member to the full statements I made to the House in March and July last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty Minute reserving all repair work, other than contract work, to His Majesty's dockyards has in any way been altered; and, if so, will he consider the claims of the shipbuilding yards at Passage West, county Cork, for a portion of such work?

The Minute referred to is presumably the decision not to undertake large repairs of His Majesty's ships by private contract. No change in that policy has been made. The firm at Passage Wrest have been informed quite recently that they shall have an opportunity of tendering for any docking and repair work required in the vicinity of Queens-town that cannot be undertaken by Haul-bowline Dockyard. I may add that the firm have already declined to tender for the construction of some lighters.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the inquiry into the alleged violation of the Fair-Wage Clause by the North British Rubber Company and the Victoria Rubber Company has yet been completed; and, if so, will he state the result?

I regret that the inquiry is not yet complete, but I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked why the pensioner shipwrights employed on Whale Island have not been granted the 6d. a week increase in their wages given to shipwrights in His Majesty's dockyard; whether he is aware that these pensioner shipwrights are borne on the books of His Majesty's dockyard and lent to Whale Island; and whether the Admiralty will grant the 6d. a week increase in wages to the pensioner shipwrights?

The question of extending the increase to the men referred to is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were t he original dates the Admiralty expected His Majesty's ships "Conqueror," "Princess Royal," "Queen Mary," "Audacious," "Centurion," "Delhi," "Tiger," "Australia," and "New Zealand," to be ready for sea; whether their completion has been delayed by labour troubles; and, if so, whether he will inform the House what will be the earliest possible date for their completion?

The information asked for is as follows:—

Ship.	Contract Date for Completion.	Probable Date for Completion.
"Conqueror"	31st Mar., 1912	Nov., 1912
"Princess Royal"	31st Mar., 1912	Nov, 1912
"Queen Mary"	1st Mar., 1913	May, 1913
"Audacious"	16th Jan., 1913	Sep., 1913
"Centurion"	16th Jan., 1913	April, 1913
"Delhi"	14th Feb., 1914	May, 1914
"Tiger"	31st Mar., 1914	May, 1914
"Australia"	30th Sep., 1912	April, 1913
"New Zealand"	30th Sep., 1912	Jan., 1913

With regard to the question of delay, I am advised that it would not be expedient for the Admiralty to give details of the reasons whilst the ships are still uncompleted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the inquiry into the alleged violation of the Fair-Wages Clause by Messrs. Albrecht and Albrecht and Messrs R. B. Brown, con- tractors to the War Office, has yet been completed; and, if so, will he state the result?

In both cases there has been an improvement in the standard of working hours, but correspondence is still in progress with one of the firms whose standard hours appear to be still slightly in excess of those which may be regarded as on the whole prevailing—though by no means uniform—in the trade in the district.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice of his Department to enforce an age limit of sixty years on the civilian subordinates working in the Army Ordnance Department; and whether, in view of the impossibility of men discharged at that age finding other employment, steps will be taken to pension those not having other service pensions?

Under the Regulations civil subordinates may be retained beyond the age of sixty, at the discretion of the head of their Department, provided that they remain competent to discharge their duties, and I have no information to show that heads of Departments fail to exercise their discretion wisely. I regret that I can hold out no hope of pensions for these men from public funds.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Mr. Nash, of Walthamstow, has invented an apparatus for motor omnibuses which is a reliable instrument to justify them being made compulsory for use on all motor omnibuses; if he is aware that Mr. Nash has been twice before Mr. Beaumont, the consulting manager, Scotland Yard, and advised that it should be tried; if he is aware that Messrs. Powells, of Forest Gate, have tried the instrument for six months and it has proved absolutely reliable; and if he is prepared to consider the advisability after proper investigation to make all the motor omnibus companies have one of the instruments fixed upon their motor omnibuses?

No, Sir. There would appear to be some misapprehension about the matter, for neither I nor the Commissioner of Police are aware of this invention or its purpose, and Mr. Beaumont states that Mr. Nash has not brought any invention to his notice.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the minimum wage for prison warders; if he is aware that the prison warders have had no rise in pay for the last twenty-one years; and, in consequence of the increased cost of living, if he can see his way clear to grant the prison warders an increase in pay?

The minmum pay of prison warders is £60 per annum, with quarters or an allowance in lieu; uniform (including boots) valued at £5 4s. per annum; medical attendance and medicines and, in certain circumstances, for their families also; and the advantage of purchasing certain articles at contract rates. Where quarters are not provided, a lodging allowance in lieu is given, which varies according to the rent actually paid, up to a maximum of 10s. a week in London, 8s. 6d. a week in certain towns, and 6s. 6d. a week in others. This brings the minimum in London for those living out of quarters to 33s. a week, and in the country 29s. 6d. a week, besides uniform and free medical attendance. The appointment is also a pensionable one under the usual Civil Service conditions. Although there has been no rise in the general scale since 1891, there have been various improvements, as I have stated in reply to questions in this House. I have now before me petitions from a large number of warders asking for an increase of pay, but the subject raises very wide questions, which must be fully considered before I can decide whether I ought to approach the Treasury in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the many fires that have recently taken place in drapery establishments, involving loss of life to the shop assistants sleeping on the premises, he will take into consideration the desirability of taking early steps to put an end to the system of living-in, in view of the danger to the lives of the assistants who are compelled to sleep above such inflammable materials?

I have no information to show that it is the case that many fires involving loss of life to shop assistants sleeping on the premises have recently occurred in drapers' shops. I may point out, however, that living-in accommodation is in many cases provided elsewhere than on the shop premises, and, so far as the risk of fire is concerned, it seems a matter to be dealt with by the Regulations having a much wider application than the particular case of shop assistants. The question of the living-in system will be considered when the time comes for legislation on the whole question of Truck.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make an endeavour to secure consideration of the Factory and Workshop Bill [Lords], with a view to its passage through the House this Session?

Yes, Sir, I hope to be able to pass this small but valuable measure into law if, as I understand, there is not likely to be any serious opposition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the constant practice prevailing at the Westminster Stipendiary's Court of sending boys to prison without allowing time for the payment of the alternative fine; whether he is aware that on 8th, 12th, and 19th October last three boys, all first offenders, were sent to prison because they could not at once pay the fines ranging from 10s. to 20s.; whether he can make representations to stipendiary magistrates advising that in such cases time should be given for the payment of the fine; and, if so, whether he will make such representations?

My attention is frequently called to cases of first offenders committed to prison in default of payment of fines. The Home Office has repeatedly impressed on magistrates the importance of allowing time for payment of fines in all suitable cases, and only last month I represented this view strongly in a circular to all Courts of Summary Jurisdiction in the country. There are, however, many cases where the public interest makes commital to prison necessary, and I am not entitled unless it is clear that some serious injustice has been done, to interfere with a discretion which the law has given in this matter to the magistrates.